Monday, November 30, 2009

Ten Things

Ten Things to Smile About This Month

1. Thanksgiving--i.e. family, food, stuffing, sparkling cider

2. The double rainbow that appeared right when the
BYU
vs. Utah game was starting.. BYU won!

3. A wonderful husband who is always so thoughtful of me

4. Egg Nog is now available in the stores!
mmmm Southern Comfort!


5. Celebrating Alex's 3rd Birthday

6. Cooler Weather and an excuse to wear jackets and boots

7. Watching the hundreds of crows fly to the
trees behind our house every e
vening

8. Having the courage to try out for the musical
--even if I didn't make it in the end


9. Finding hours of fun using mostly just a rope


10. Picnics in the backyard

Other lists can be seen here.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Photo Challenge: The Back Side

I have recently discovered the I Heart Faces photo challenge and can't help but submit another picture for this week's challenge. This week's challenge is tooshies. Who can't resist the back side?

This picture I took during our fall walk back in September, I think, and it is still one of my favorites.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Three Years Ago-One Became Two

Three years ago today,
we went from one to two.Three years ago,
we went from three to four.
Three years ago
our hearts more than doubled in size.

Three years ago
our lives changed forever.
Happy Birthday Alex!
We Love You!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are having a great time with my in-laws. The kids have been having a wonderful time playing with Mimi and Papi and we all had a great time at the zoo.

See you all next week-going to enjoy the rest of this week with family.


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's all about perspective

"Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!" our books dropped down the shoot into the bin. Why do they make the return bin so noisy in the library?? I feel all eyes turn on us as we nosily drop our pile of books in the return slot. "Oh great two little kids" I can hear people thinking. We quickly make our beeline towards the children's section were we can hide between the shelves and take comfort in the fact that if there is a child screaming there is a chance it will be some other poor mother's kid.

"How about this one?" "How about this one?" I hear as Lucas and Alex quickly accumulate a big pile of books. We then head to a table and sit down to weed out the books I know they will never listen to. We get our pile ready, usually around 20 books and head to the checkout.

"Can we do the self check-out?" Both kids plead. So I give in. Luckily the self checkout at our library is really nice, you only have to put the books one at a time down on this pad, doesn't matter what side is up, no trying to line the barcode perfectly under the little blinking red line.

We get about 13 books scanned and it happens again. "Cannot scan, account has exceeded its limit". All that loud clunking earlier was for naught as they haven't emptied the bin yet and scanned our books back in. We have had this problem before and it can be resolved, it just means a trip to the regular desk where they can override it. So I put the books we have scanned in my bag and carry the others in my hands. And then Alex makes a beeline through the security gates and out the doors! I stand there paralyzed! I have a pile of unscanned books, it will make the security gates beep (you can read about that fear here).

"Lucas, get your sister" I hiss.
He heads over to the security gates and yells "Alex, come back!"
"Go get her, don't yell!"
He stays in the same spot and says very loudly (but not yelling) "Alex we aren't done, come back."

[Editors note: Alex is still inside the building, there are two sets of doors and she is just out the one set getting a drink]

Alex finally looks our way and I plead for her to come back in. Which she does. We then make our way over to the main desk. I place my books on the counter and explain what happened. At this point Lucas is twisting the rope line dividers and Alex is pushing out the "enter here" sign. A librarian comes and puts the sign back and gives Alex a look that quickly has her running to my legs.

We get our books scanned and head out. Lucas is talking nonstop about "why does the building curve here?", Alex is hopping over all of the cracks in the sidewalk a foot behind me. I am muttering under my breath about everything that just happened. And then a car pulls up, the driver rolls down her window.....
"Your children are adorable" she says with a smile and then drives off.

It's all about perspective I guess.
We have a love-affair with books.... the library not as much

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Sun

Sorry, for two posts in a day, but I really wanted to add this photo as part of the I love Faces challenge for the day.

Today's picture was about sunburst and the sunlight and how you can use it for your advantage in a picture. I had several I loved, some with extreme sunbursts, creating dark silhouettes. I choose the following as I love the warm tones of the picture. I love how my daughter was positioned to block most of the sun so it could glow all around her and just for the pure joy and happiness of the moment.
For more great pictures and to see the contest

Happy Blogaversary!

Yep today is my one year mark!

I started this blog one year ago about a week before we moved from Arizona to California. A very busy and so probably crazy time to start it a blog, but it was what I did. It has been quite the ride but I truly have enjoyed it.

I have loved finding other great blogs out there, making friends, and I have loved having people enjoy my blog.

Starting oldest to most recent; here a few gems from the past

The Ode to the Nap

The Secret to Happiness

Doctors, Repairmen and the Cable Guy


I liked them all so my Rules of Motherhood

Bed Time Routine

Backwards, Sideways, and Inside Out


P.S. Yesterday my choir director (the one who wrote the music for the play I auditioned for) asked if I would play in the ensemble/orchestra for the show. (I play flute).. he said he had wanted to ask me but then I tried out for the show so he figured he would see how that went. So while I won't be up on stage I will still be part of the show. Guess I better start practicing, it has been a long time since I have played an entire show... it will be a work out for my lips!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Time For Tots: Turkey Craft

This week we were lucky enough to have Lourie from CA Girl join us for Time For Tots day. I knew getting a 4 and 5 year-old who love playing together to sit and craft was a small shot, so we stuck with one project.

And here is our Time For Tots Turkey Day.

I bought two big Styrofoam balls and cut them in half. I then spray painted the balls brown. Tip: Do not soak the balls while spray painting as it will eat away the balls. So spray--let dry a bit then spray more.

I printed out the head pattern, found here, on light brown card stock. The kids then colored their heads or just cut them out.

We then glued googly eyes, an orange felt beek and the gobble on the turkey.

Then we started to run into problems, we tried just gluing the head to the ball and Lucas' stuck but the rest did not. So definitely use hot glue to get the heads to stick to the ball.

After the heads were on it was the kids favorite part, sticking in the feathers. The kids were easily able to push the feathers right in.

And the finished products, well I will just let you see for yourself.

Ryan (Lourie's 4-year-old) is missing from the pictures, as he decided he would let his mom make his turkey today.


***********************************
Supplies (for 4 turkeys)
-Two medium size Styrofoam balls
-Brown Spray Paint
-Pattern for head printed on card stock --pattern found here on Kaboose Krafts
-Bag of googly eyes (middle size)
-Orange Felt for beaks
-Red Lace paper for gobbles (you can just use card stock)
-Two bags of feathers
-Glue (hot glue recommended)
-Scissors
-Brown Marker (optional)

I got inspiration as to the design for these turkeys here on Disney's Family Fun site.
*********************

P.S. Yesterday, after I found out I didn't make the musical; Eric came home from work with these for me.
I really do have a wonderful husband!
And thank you all for your support and kind words.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Letting You Know

I don't usually post twice in one day.... but I know most of you have been waiting to hear if I made the musical or not.
Finally today I got an e-mail... and I did not make the show. I think I read the email about ten times just making sure I didn't accidentally miss my name.

Well I guess I had better work more on getting my photography business going as my Saturdays are a lot more free now.

A peak in the Past

This week one of Mama's Kat's writing prompts was to share a diary entry from when you were 13. And well I dug out the old book (tried my best to read my horrible hand-writing) and will now share some various parts of entries with you (gulp!)

-September 18, 1993 (I was technically still 12 almost 13 now)
"Today was another normal day of school and having to do the papers. [I had a paper route] Today we started soccer in gym, we had to dribble a ball around cones it was so boring! Today is Monday. I didn't want to go to school. Jenny wasn't at the bus stop so I was the only one. Today in social studies I know I got at least one wrong and we were supposed to give 3 answers and I could only remember 2! I think I might have more wrong too. I hope not because I care about my grades." [yeah I was one of those kids]

January 4, 1994
"Dear Diary,
I'm so sorry for not writing much. A very good thing happened. I wrote to Jill about our friendship falling apart and now were Best Friends Forever again! I do miss Aaron but not as much as I said in my last entry [my brother Aaron was serving a two-year LDS mission in the Philippines] Today is the last day of Christmas break, I am very sad. Wendy is engaged! [my older sister]....... Thursday we had a stake activity we went swimming at a high school me and Amy A. basically hung around for a while. Amy and Johanna seemed to be better friends but now Amy and I are really good friends......"

Jan 16, 1994
....."P.P.S My best friends from church are #1 Amy A., a HIGH second Johanna, tied for third Rosalie and Emily-this new girl that moved in. I kind of like David B. I still like Andy O. I kind of like Justin B. and Willy G."
Wow--that was quite the trip. Did you write your list of best friends and boys you liked? I found similar lists at the end of many many of my entries. This has been a fun little trip down memory lane and what can I say, except I am really glad I am not 13 anymore!


I am pretty sure I was 14 in this picture.. but close enough :)
(I thought I was hot stuff in my too tight angel shirt layered with my flannel)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Really we did!

Honestly, we had a Time for Tots Day .... unfortunately, the projects that we did, well they are top secret until after Christmas. (my family reads this blog)

But, tomorrow Lourie from CA Girl and a couple of her kids are going to come over and we are making a Thanksgiving craft. So I will get that idea and pictures posted first thing Friday.

So instead for you enjoyment here is a little video I made a while back. I wanted to show a day in our life, so I started just filming what was happening. That turned out to be harder than I thought... but I got a lot that day which I added with some other footage for a whole different idea. If you notice all of the shots were they are in their pajama's.. that all happened on the same day. So yes, I am usually tired by the end of the day.


You can see a bit of a bigger view when I first posted it here.
(having some issues with YouTube and copy right stuff for reposting it)

Here is the recipe from my post yesterday:
Chicken Rolls

2 cans crescent rolls
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/3 cup cornflake crumbs (not frosted kind)
1 can cream chicken soup

Boil the chicken (25 mins aprox.) and tear into little pieces. Soften cream cheese and then stir together with chicken pieces. Lay crescent rolls flat and put a big spoonful of chicken/cream cheese mixture at the end of each roll and then roll up. Roll this in melted butter, then in cornflake crumbs. Lay on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Make gravy by warming up soup with 1/2 can water, whisk while cooking. Pour over chicken before serving.

(This makes a lot--so if you don't have a huge family you might want to half the recipe)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Did You Know?

Did you know that clothes don't put themselves away?
Neither do groceries
Did you know that letting kids watch a show can sometimes be the best for everyone?

Did you know that a making a good dinner can help all of the other messes be overlooked?
Oh and most importantly, (and totally random)
Did you know that tall boots are in style this fall?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Updates and Awards

First of all call backs. Last Thursday I went with one of my friends to call backs. They had us all come into the gym and sit; then they would call certain people up, have them stand on the stage together, have them sing together, and then would switch some people around. They had me come up with a couple of other ladies and sing a few songs. Then they would replace me with someone and have them sing the same song... back and forth like this for a while.

When it was all said and done.. well I have no idea. I am half beginning to think/fear that I did not get a part... but I am still waiting! They said they would hope to have the cast list finished by Saturday if not Sunday and still nothing!

I will let you know as soon as I know.

And secondly, I have gotten some awards recently.

The first one I got from Amy at Happily Ever After. She gave this time me a while ago, but I have been a slacker and am finally posting it.

Thank you Amy! Though hopefully she isn't reading this today, as hopefully she is having her baby :)

The second award is from my cousin-in-law Lourie of CA GirlShe awarded me the Over The Top Award. This award comes with a little "acceptance speech" that I have to answer, with one word each.. so here it goes

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Brown
3. Your mother? wonderful
4. Your father? Engineer
5. Your favorite food? Sushi
6. Your dream last night? Movie-type thing
7. Your favorite drink? Root beer
8. Your dream/goal? successful photography business
9. What room are you in? Family room
10. Your hobby? painting
11. Your fear? rejection
12. Where do you want to be in six years? someplace stable
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren’t? sick
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. Wish list item? all things photography
17. Where did you grow up? Illinois
18. Last thing you did? read photography book
19. What are you wearing? dress
20. TV? off
21. Your pets? none
22. Your friends? wonderful
23. Your life? good
24. Your mood? happy
25. Missing someone? a little
26. Vehicle? Dodge Caravan
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Michael's
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. When was the last time you cried? two days ago
32. Your best friend? Monica
33. One place that you go over and over? grocery store
34. One person who e-mails me regularly? family
35. Favorite place to eat? anywhere but home

Now I am supposed to award this to six people...

Carolyn at Fruit of Carolyn

Rachel at The Rachel Way

Jenners at Life With Little ones and More

Lydia at Babbie's and Bags

Mrs. Montoya at One Foot in Front of the Other

Mama Kat at Mama's Losin' It


All wonderful blogs that I love reading! So hopefully I will hear something about the musical soon. It is getting to the point where if I don't make it, oh well as long as I find out!!

Happy Monday!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Photo Sharing Friday

This week I am sharing a photo that means a lot to me... why?

Because it is represents the beginning of a dream, my own photography business.

It is still a work in progress, my web site isn't even up yet.. but it is a dream and there are real steps happening towards it.


See other great pictures here on Photo Sharing Friday
PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Don't Talk To Me Like I'm an Idiot!

If you read the title you probably have already figured out this probably isn't going to be my usual upbeat/happy kind of post. Let me set the scene for you.

Sunday night Lucas began getting stuffy. He acted fine and normal just definitely stuffy. That night when he went to bed he sounded horrible.

Monday--still stuffy nothing else going on though. In the afternoon he begins to feel a bit warm.. I take his temperature, normal. He then makes a random comment about how he has to be careful as he has a stiff neck. Monday night he sleeping was even worse, woke up a few times in the night.

Tuesday--Still all stuffy, eats breakfast fine, still saying his neck hurts and his glands they are now visibly swollen.

So I call the doctor. They were able to get us in immediately so no time to find somewhere to drop Alex off.

There is nothing worse than sitting in a doctors office. One kid is throwing up, one kid is coughing up a lung... and I am just trying to keep me and my kids in this safe little bubble.

We head back, they ask who we would like to see (Doctor or her assistant) I say it doesn't matter (i.e. whoever can see us right away as fast=good)

She comes in, checks him out, swabs his throat.. strep throat.

At this point she then proceeds to pretty much say, how did it get this bad? I haven't seen a case this bad in a long time. If the rest of you start to feel the least bit sick get to the doctor right away.

Now maybe she was just really concerned at how bad it was but she made me feel like "How can you do this to your child? Do you even pay any attention to them? It is completely obvious that he is sick."

I didn't say anything, I wish I would have. Why do I always chicken out at moments like this? Probably because I half feel like if I open my mouth I might start crying.

I think next time we will wait for the doctor.

P.S Call backs are tonight!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Time For Tots: Colors

With kids things don't have to be complex. I prepared this week's Time For Tot's day in about ten minutes.

This week our theme was Colors!
It began with a few simple pages: identify the color pages, color word strips, and our color addition page.I gave the kids each two sheets of paper that had a square for each basic color. I then gave them a pile of word strips with the words of the colors. Lucas sounded out the words and was able to figure out were each word went.

Even Alex was sounding out the words "buh-buh" she kept saying as she picked up the word blue. "rrr" "rrr" she would say with red.

I then had Lucas pick one of the words from each page to practice writing. Alex drew more squares with each color.


Then we talked about primary colors (red, yellow and blue) and secondary colors (green, orange and purple) using some color math.
And the best way to learn things in life is to apply them! So naturally we made cupcakes. We used just red, yellow and blue food coloring to get all of the colors of the rainbow.
It was a colorful and tasty day!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I Don't Like it!

"I don't want to eat that, I don't like it."
"When is that last time you tried it?"
"I don't know."
"Then how do you know you don't like it?"

Have you had this conversation before? Probably at least once your twice with your children. It is always a battle to get them to eat new food and try new things. I know I have had this conversation with my kids. And the above conversation.... I may or may not have been on the receiving end of this conversation from Eric several a few times in the past.

Growing up--I didn't like pie. I liked pie dough though
Growing up- I didn't like steak or really just any big piece of meat
Growing up- I wouldn't have touched sushi or spinach

Luckily my palate has expanded. I had spinach on my ham and cheese sandwich yesterday. Eric and I go out for sushi every Valentines Day (it is one of my favorite foods now). I had steak on Sunday. Well I should clarify, I tried to have steak. When we make steak we usually make three. The kids share almost an entire one, I eat one and Eric eats one and whatever anyone doesn't finish. On Sunday, both of my kids ate almost an entire steak each! Which left me with hardly any. And pie... well I like Apple Pie. I know, I am still a bit weird on that one. Pie just doesn't do it for me.... now a big piece of cake! Mmmm that is the good stuff.
Picture taken by Lucas

Are there are any foods you don't like?

P.S. I made call-backs!

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