Today the kids had another outdoor adventure with Grandma and Grandpa, but this time it involved their bikes and a different park. They were gone just long enough for me to finish sewing up the nuzzie and get it ready to hand off. They got home after lunch and spent the afternoon playing Around the World in 80 Days, a little Wii, exploring the creek* and of course, listening to my book with me. Rebecca has decided she likes the storyline. Sam on the other hand can't stand it ... but that may also be a bit of sleep deprivation talking too.
* I've decided every house with kids should have a creek of some kind near by. While ours is technically in the neighbors backyard and is extremely small - hardly ever having real water trickling through it - over the last couple of weeks when the weather has been warm, it has provided lots of fun and enjoyment. They throw rocks in it trying to divert the water ... they search for fossils, bringing them into the house to wash the rocks in the bathroom sink to see what else they can discover under all the mud ... and they look for local wildlife ... frogs, turtles, etc. to catch.
Growing up we had a similar creek, only it was much bigger than the creek my kids have access too and a bit further away. My younger sibblings would play in that creek daily, doing exactly the same thing mine are doing.
Today we lost Alex for a very long split second. When GR and I realized neither of us had seen him and he wasn't in the house, we all split up in different directions looking for him. I walked through the backyard heading straight for the creek, holding my breath the entire time. I found him crouched at the edge of the creek - remember our creek is very, very small, a trickle of water no more than a couple inches deep and maybe at it's widest 6 inches across - in his socks, sand colored pants and train sweater vest, throwing rocks into the water. My water loving boy was totally in his element! His socks were black with water, dirt, and sand, as was his little bum.
* * * *
ETA ...
I totally forgot to mention GR's adventure today. While I'm driving up to visit my friend, GR calls.
"Phil (boss) and I are thinking about trying to get tickets to the basketball games today at the Sprint Center. And we realized we should probably let our wives know our plans." ...
"Well do you think you could do it for less than $100?" ... "If you can do it for less than $100, have fun! Dang, I wish you had the camera."
As we're trying to head home from our visit, sitting in the driveway, waiting for Rebecca to work through a major 20 minute meltdown in the car, GR calls. They'd gotten tickets for the daytime session (two games first round games), parked the car and eatten lunch for under $30 each! They were really good basketball games and they had a blast.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Spring Break, day 4
Tonight I introduced my family to banana boats. An old camp favorite.
Earlier we spent a few hours with my very good friend Amy Lynn who is in town for two weeks with her three kids visiting her in-laws. Banana boats were on the lunch menu - as the dessert of course - but we never quite got to that part of the menu. The kids were having a great time playing outside, and inside, and outside and inside, that the idea of dessert wasn't even considered.
The boys and I put them together for dessert tonight while the girls finished up their homework. I split the banana in thirds the way my grandmother taught me, laid the skinny banana sections in a tin foil "boat," while Sam and Alex piled handfuls of marshmallows and chocolate chips on top and then melted the chips and marshmallows in the oven for a few minutes.
Sadly they did not go over quite as I'd envisioned. Maybe it was because we were lacking in the campfire atmosphere department. Anyway, here's how they played out, Rebecca ate the chocolate and marshmallows, but totally and completely refused to touch the banana. Emily ate hers without complaint, score one for mom! Sam and Alex ate about half of their boats, and probably should have just split one. And GR did see what I was so excited about ... guess he didn't like they so much. He did say that maybe he'd like them more if he'd gotten a chance to eat his while it was still warm. I guess cold banana boats aren't that fantastic. Sigh ... oh well. The boys and I had fun, and I'm thinking they might make a fun after-kids-go-to-bed snack for me, cause I thought they were great!
Earlier we spent a few hours with my very good friend Amy Lynn who is in town for two weeks with her three kids visiting her in-laws. Banana boats were on the lunch menu - as the dessert of course - but we never quite got to that part of the menu. The kids were having a great time playing outside, and inside, and outside and inside, that the idea of dessert wasn't even considered.
The boys and I put them together for dessert tonight while the girls finished up their homework. I split the banana in thirds the way my grandmother taught me, laid the skinny banana sections in a tin foil "boat," while Sam and Alex piled handfuls of marshmallows and chocolate chips on top and then melted the chips and marshmallows in the oven for a few minutes.
Sadly they did not go over quite as I'd envisioned. Maybe it was because we were lacking in the campfire atmosphere department. Anyway, here's how they played out, Rebecca ate the chocolate and marshmallows, but totally and completely refused to touch the banana. Emily ate hers without complaint, score one for mom! Sam and Alex ate about half of their boats, and probably should have just split one. And GR did see what I was so excited about ... guess he didn't like they so much. He did say that maybe he'd like them more if he'd gotten a chance to eat his while it was still warm. I guess cold banana boats aren't that fantastic. Sigh ... oh well. The boys and I had fun, and I'm thinking they might make a fun after-kids-go-to-bed snack for me, cause I thought they were great!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Spring Break, day 3
The winds shifted and brought much cooler temps with a bit of rain today. Unfortunate since the four big kids were scheduled to spend a few hours with Grandma and Grandpa exploring new trails. Everyone bundled up, Becca took her camera and they all had a blast hiking a local mountain bike skills course. Perfect for little feet!
While the kids hiked, Anna and I supported the local economy with a visit to two of my favorite quilt shops. I found the trim for this nuzzie, a fantastic yard of flannel for a baby boy blanket bundle, and just enough of a really cool jungle boarder print for two bibs.
While the kids hiked, Anna and I supported the local economy with a visit to two of my favorite quilt shops. I found the trim for this nuzzie, a fantastic yard of flannel for a baby boy blanket bundle, and just enough of a really cool jungle boarder print for two bibs.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Spring Break, day 2
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
The three big kids have been spending a lot of time with a family up the street. They have three children all exactly the same ages as our three big kids. We first met when the girls attended preschool. They never were in the same class, but over the years the six have become good friends, and recently started playing together for an hour or so here and there after school.
While they were at our house over the weekend, I learned that they were planning to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. Their mom and I decided to meet at one of the near by parks for lunch so we could snag a decent parking space and then watch the parade. We met up with so many different friends. Friends from church, friends from preschool, friends from soccer, friends from school. While we do not live in, what I define as, a small town, I love how at functions like this, it feels like a small town because you run into so many people you know.
The weather was beautiful, perfect parade weather ... clear, sunny and warm, nearly hitting 80. Consequently, the parade was packed with sight seers and participants. I've decided I like parades that last 30 minutes. After 20 minutes you've basically seen all there is to see, the kids have gotten candy ready for it to be over, but 30 seems a little more practical for all involved. From what I hear, this one went over an hour. Anna was thankfully able to seek refuge from the sun under a canopy with Grandma, Alex lasted an additional 20 minutes, and then he and Grandpa both retreated to the canopy. Once the five of us had absolutely positively had our fill of St. Patrick, I was able to convince Sam, Emily and Rebecca that we needed to head for the car and have ginormous ice cream cones at home.
We ate our ice cream cones, relaxed for what only seemed like 5 minutes, and then it was time to welcome Papa home and eat dinner. After a day out, no one felt like making dinner, so we took advantage of $.99 kid meals at the local all you can eat pizza buffet. You can't beat $15 for the six of us to eat.
Tonight, I also attended a Cooking Class (a new HFPE Group) at my friend Shannon's. We had such a good time! I have pictures of all the yummy things we made, that I hope to get posted next week.
The three big kids have been spending a lot of time with a family up the street. They have three children all exactly the same ages as our three big kids. We first met when the girls attended preschool. They never were in the same class, but over the years the six have become good friends, and recently started playing together for an hour or so here and there after school.
While they were at our house over the weekend, I learned that they were planning to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. Their mom and I decided to meet at one of the near by parks for lunch so we could snag a decent parking space and then watch the parade. We met up with so many different friends. Friends from church, friends from preschool, friends from soccer, friends from school. While we do not live in, what I define as, a small town, I love how at functions like this, it feels like a small town because you run into so many people you know.
The weather was beautiful, perfect parade weather ... clear, sunny and warm, nearly hitting 80. Consequently, the parade was packed with sight seers and participants. I've decided I like parades that last 30 minutes. After 20 minutes you've basically seen all there is to see, the kids have gotten candy ready for it to be over, but 30 seems a little more practical for all involved. From what I hear, this one went over an hour. Anna was thankfully able to seek refuge from the sun under a canopy with Grandma, Alex lasted an additional 20 minutes, and then he and Grandpa both retreated to the canopy. Once the five of us had absolutely positively had our fill of St. Patrick, I was able to convince Sam, Emily and Rebecca that we needed to head for the car and have ginormous ice cream cones at home.
We ate our ice cream cones, relaxed for what only seemed like 5 minutes, and then it was time to welcome Papa home and eat dinner. After a day out, no one felt like making dinner, so we took advantage of $.99 kid meals at the local all you can eat pizza buffet. You can't beat $15 for the six of us to eat.
Tonight, I also attended a Cooking Class (a new HFPE Group) at my friend Shannon's. We had such a good time! I have pictures of all the yummy things we made, that I hope to get posted next week.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Spring Break, day 1
Today marks the first official day of Spring Break for the big kids. The goal for this week ... take full advantage of the time off school and relax the schedule and routine, spend lots of time outside playing and doing whatever we want. Make this week one long, at home vacation.
So this morning the kids played a little Wii and a couple computer games. One of our new favorites, Grandma Mum introduced to the kids is "Around the World in 80 Days" ... it's a Big Fish game. Everyone is playing and and working their way around the world.
Because it's Spring Break the local library has big kid activities scheduled all week long. This afternoon they had some Oprah singers in to share a few pieces from their upcoming performance of Charlotte's Web. It was fantastic and the three older kids really want to go and see one of the upcoming performances this Spring. Adult tickets are $10 and the kids are $5 ... totally affordable for what should be a fantastic performance.
Afterward each child stocked up on books for the week, and I picked up my latest book on CD, At home in Mitford.
Tonight Becca had soccer practice ... all three big kids are playing this Spring ... so after we got home from the library, I packed up a cooler for a picnic dinner at the park where she had practice. On the way home we picked up three boxes of ice cream ... birthday cake, chocolate marshmallow, and raspberry sherbet ... and ate HUGE ice cream cones on the back deck for dessert.
So this morning the kids played a little Wii and a couple computer games. One of our new favorites, Grandma Mum introduced to the kids is "Around the World in 80 Days" ... it's a Big Fish game. Everyone is playing and and working their way around the world.
Because it's Spring Break the local library has big kid activities scheduled all week long. This afternoon they had some Oprah singers in to share a few pieces from their upcoming performance of Charlotte's Web. It was fantastic and the three older kids really want to go and see one of the upcoming performances this Spring. Adult tickets are $10 and the kids are $5 ... totally affordable for what should be a fantastic performance.
Afterward each child stocked up on books for the week, and I picked up my latest book on CD, At home in Mitford.
Tonight Becca had soccer practice ... all three big kids are playing this Spring ... so after we got home from the library, I packed up a cooler for a picnic dinner at the park where she had practice. On the way home we picked up three boxes of ice cream ... birthday cake, chocolate marshmallow, and raspberry sherbet ... and ate HUGE ice cream cones on the back deck for dessert.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Anna
Anna, as of last week, is now 8 months old!
Time sure is flying by for this little one! Someone said I hadn't posted many pictures of her lately, so here's one from this afternoon of our smiling girl, and a little update on what she's been doing.
* She loves to smile! She'll smile back at you even when she's upset and fussing.
* She is ticklish, and will laugh and giggle when tickled.
* She has figured out how to turn her jonnyjump-up into a gentle swing, all by herself.
* She has also figured out how to twirl in her jonnyjump-up, but does not like to twirl fast.
* She is in the last stages of learning to crawl. Right now it's more the army crawl on her tummy, pulling her body forward with her arms and toes.
* She loves to pick up small objects off the floor - what we love to call the vacuum cleaner stage - but she's not interested in putting anything in her mouth yet. This also means she's not interested in feeding herself Cheerios, everything has it's trade off.
* She is terrified of the vacuum cleaner.
* She does not like to be tossed in the air.
* She loves being held and carried around by Becca and Emily.
* She loves to sit next to one of her big brothers and be in their arms.
* She is a very curious child. She wants to see and know and observe everything.
* She puts herself to sleep with the help of Aunt Mary Ann's magic blanket. We still have the cradle set up in the kitchen behind the love seat, even though she has nearly out grown it (a couple more inches and she'll be too long for it). For nap time I lay her in the cradle with her blanket and we all continue on with our morning. She's typically asleep before I turn around to look in on her.
* In sacrament meeting today she used my lap as a trampoline, causing most adults who watched her to work hard at not cracking up. She really gives your arms a work out holding on to her.
* I am constantly getting compliments from people on what a beautiful baby she is ... and when we're with Alexander, they also mention how calm and content she is. :)
* One of her favorite games is the Echo game ... she makes an "Eh" sound, and I'll echo her, trying to match pitch and inflection, etc. We can keep this up for 5-10 minutes, going back and forth. She thinks it's grand.
* * * * *
I made two huge quiches for dinner tonight. Emily was the only child willing to try it ... after one bite she said she really didn't like it. I suggested she eat a couple more bites to make sure. Didn't matter, she still didn't like it. GR thankfully ate the three pieces I sent with him to eat in the car on his way out the door for the evening. But I now have 11 pieces of quiche to eat this week.
Time sure is flying by for this little one! Someone said I hadn't posted many pictures of her lately, so here's one from this afternoon of our smiling girl, and a little update on what she's been doing.
* She loves to smile! She'll smile back at you even when she's upset and fussing.
* She is ticklish, and will laugh and giggle when tickled.
* She has figured out how to turn her jonnyjump-up into a gentle swing, all by herself.
* She has also figured out how to twirl in her jonnyjump-up, but does not like to twirl fast.
* She is in the last stages of learning to crawl. Right now it's more the army crawl on her tummy, pulling her body forward with her arms and toes.
* She loves to pick up small objects off the floor - what we love to call the vacuum cleaner stage - but she's not interested in putting anything in her mouth yet. This also means she's not interested in feeding herself Cheerios, everything has it's trade off.
* She is terrified of the vacuum cleaner.
* She does not like to be tossed in the air.
* She loves being held and carried around by Becca and Emily.
* She loves to sit next to one of her big brothers and be in their arms.
* She is a very curious child. She wants to see and know and observe everything.
* She puts herself to sleep with the help of Aunt Mary Ann's magic blanket. We still have the cradle set up in the kitchen behind the love seat, even though she has nearly out grown it (a couple more inches and she'll be too long for it). For nap time I lay her in the cradle with her blanket and we all continue on with our morning. She's typically asleep before I turn around to look in on her.
* In sacrament meeting today she used my lap as a trampoline, causing most adults who watched her to work hard at not cracking up. She really gives your arms a work out holding on to her.
* I am constantly getting compliments from people on what a beautiful baby she is ... and when we're with Alexander, they also mention how calm and content she is. :)
* One of her favorite games is the Echo game ... she makes an "Eh" sound, and I'll echo her, trying to match pitch and inflection, etc. We can keep this up for 5-10 minutes, going back and forth. She thinks it's grand.
* * * * *
I made two huge quiches for dinner tonight. Emily was the only child willing to try it ... after one bite she said she really didn't like it. I suggested she eat a couple more bites to make sure. Didn't matter, she still didn't like it. GR thankfully ate the three pieces I sent with him to eat in the car on his way out the door for the evening. But I now have 11 pieces of quiche to eat this week.
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