Halloween Preview

Today was the Joy School Halloween parade. I asked Brother if he was excited to go to the party and he said, "It's not a party, it's just Joy School." So either Joy School is always a party or he didn't think he'd have fun since it was "school."It seems as though he might share my same excitement in dressing up. Last night we finalized that he was going to be a pirate. I found a flour sack dish towel in my closet and went to work creating him a little pirate shirt. We made shiny buckles for his shoes and a red sash to round out his other pirate accessories. He was so excited and could hardly talk.
Since I had my sewing machine out, I decided to try another skirt for Sissy since the last one ended up as a mini skirt. Much better results this time. It's amazing what a little measuring can do. Then I decided a little Halloween tutu could be fun. I sifted through my resources and found enough goods to bring my thought to life.

And of course, I can't resist an opportunity to get dressed up. I found my striped tights and witch hat. Good thing Halloween is still a week and a half away, more dressing up for all of us!

Having a Hay Day

The kids and I made a day out of taking Brent lunch in order to enjoy the beautiful weather. They were cutting and chopping hay out by the river. It is such a pretty field. We saw lots of deer tracks, two dozen wild turkeys, and the changing leaves. The kids and I ran the swather while Brent moved the handlines. It was no small feat getting the machine to run with Sissy on my lap, let alone driving in a straight line. We didn't get fired, so it must have been a pretty decent job.

Joy of Joy School

This past week, we had Joy School at our house. Brother was so excited to have all of his friends come to his house. We learned where food comes from. The first day focused on seeds and plants and the second day highlighted the products we get from animals.

We picked apples from our tree, made applesauce, and learned the letter A.On Thursday we read The Little Red Hen, made bread, "milked" a cow, and turned butter. I filled up some latex gloves with water, made holes in the tips of the fingers and let the kids "milk" into a pail. They loved it and waited in line to milk for a 2nd and 3rd time.

I had a lot of fun putting the lessons together and can't wait for our next time to host Joy School.

**There are supplemental cd's with songs that have cute little songs that correspond with the lessons. It is fun to see the kids learn the new songs and sing them throughout the day at random. I am amazed at all the things Brother is learning.

This Wanda's Review

Last night my friend, Stacey, and I hosted the Wanda Witch Party. After weeks of lying and hours of planning and preparation, the event finally happened. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Most of the evening we didn't even need a jacket.

Brent and I arrived at the appointed meeting place and our team captains found us. Our first clue was written in code. It took awhile for my team to figure it out, but then we were off. The hunt took us to:
a cemetery flagpole where the clue had been hoisted to the top and hidden in a peanut M&M
Movie Gallery to find Hocus Pocus and retrieve our clue from the clerk
deserted house where our clue was hidden under a rock
cornfield where we had to walk into the 3rd pivot tower
pond where the clues were floating and lit up with glowsticks (tied to the bank with fishing line)
obstacle course mailbox
Our House

Looking back hindsight:
Everyone seemed to enjoy the party. I hope people had fun. It was a good chance to meet new people and extend our circle of friends outside our ward group.
Once teams arrived, there was a buzz talking about their adventures.
There was an hour and 35 minutes difference in arrival times between the first and last teams which really surprised me.
Most of the teams relied one or two of their emergency clues.
The clue hidden in the M&M really stumped people and caused the most problems- funny.
Of course, there is a big list of people we wish we could have invited. Only 10 of the 30 invited couples which was a little disappointing. But by time we sent out the invite and follow-up postcard, there just wasn't time to extend the invitation to more (perhaps more willing) people.
Everyone suspected me from the get go. . . which tells me one thing: other people need to start throwing parties of their own ;)
I thought MeckMom's projected budget was way out there, but it the end- it end up costing a bit more than I anticipated by time you accounted for postage and refreshments.
Everyone was talking about "next year's" party. . . hmmm. Maybe in a year when I forget all the frustrating hours of neglecting my children so I could work on clues I'll be more tempted.
It was a lot of fun watching the evening unfold mostly as we expected. I was relieved I didn't botch up any clue order or emergency clues.
Definitely one of my favorite parties. It's an experience all of it's own.

Not Any Too Soon

Saturday brought a close to our corn chopping season. It wasn't any too soon since snow was beginning to fly. The chopping season spanned 90 degree days and snow. Quite the weather spectrum.Our farming season is anything but over, so hopefully the weather will cooperate and let us get the high moisture corn combined, hay chopped, and ground worked.

Grace

We spent the last week down in Grace chopping corn, which is to blame for my blogging absence. It it always a change of pace and scenery for us to make the 1.5 hour drive with my in-laws camping trailer in tow. The kids and I set up "camp" and busy ourselves with feeding the crew of six, running parts, and checking out the local attractions.I was especially surprised to find that the water lines had all froze and broke, so long running water. (Someone got in big trouble for not winterizing it properly.) And Monday night I went to bake some lasagna and the stove didn't work. uugghh!

We tried to make the best of things. The kids and I would have to haul water. We became little pioneers in our own right (which was fitting since the valley was settled by early Mormon pioneers.) I washed potatoes in the headlights with a garden hose and heated water on the stove to "wash" my children. Some meals adapted so we could fix them on the stove top skillet. My skillet apple crisp got rave reviews.

The job took a day longer than expected, so we rationed food and fed leftover. Finally at midnight on Thursday, we rolled back into town. I used the bathroom and washed my hands with warm, running water! I have never felt so spoiled in all my life. My home seems like a mansion and my kitchen is such a dream to use (with working appliances and all.) As for the modern day comforts that I take for granted, I'd have to agree: Absence makes the heart grow stronger.

I've added some pictures of the photo shoot in front of buildings on an old homestead.

Peaches and Pears

My dad had a bumper crop of peaches and pears. His poor peach tree was breaking limbs trying to carry all of the weight. The kids enjoyed helping me pick. . . the first bushel. Finally after filling all the baskets, I decided I'd better go in. On the way to the house I was met by Hudson who scolded "no more!"

It took the majority of the day to get the fruit sealed up in bottles. I'm used to canning by myself, but an undertaking of this magnitude was greatly aided by some good company. Read Deidra's account of our funny story. It was time well spent.

Cheap Fun

I picked up a few Halloween accessories at the dollar store. The kids have been having so much fun with them. I'm pretty sure they'll be broken or worn out by Halloween, but oh well.

In other news, corn harvest continues. I never would have thought that not being "needed" as a truck driver would be hard. Having two kids in the truck would be insane and well. . . dangerous (although I've done it before.) I have to keep reminding myself that it's a good thing that we've finally gotten enough help. Some days I just really miss feeling a part of all the harvest hustle. In the meantime, the kids and I will keep delivering food to the crews and try to feel needed.

Magic

We've got a little Houdini at our house.

He performs on a regular basis. And everyone enjoys the show.

Yesterday he waved his wand over Sissy while saying "disappear!" If only problems were that easy to get rid of.

Harvest

After weeks of waiting for the corn to mature, we've finally started chopping. The kids and I have assumed our positions in our food wagon. Yes, my little Passat is part truck and we beat through the fields trying to catch up with everyone. The kids love being involved. The afternoons have been so beautiful. Food deliveries are the highlight of the day. "One for me, one for them."

Sissy- waving and cheer leading to passing trucks.

Rain On Our Parade

Shorty after the annual Spud Day parade started, the sky opened up and it poured. It slowed and continued on for most of the parade. While Brother sat in the stroller for cover, Sissy was out retrieving candy and waving. The rain didn't stop her from enjoying things.
After the parade, we made the pilgrimage down to the park and waited in line for the free baked potatoes and Gossner's milk. I think the entire town was there because the lines are always very long. I about decided to take the kids somewhere else for lunch, but it's become a tradition.

Thunder Cake

This week the kids and I read Thunder Cake. It's a folksy book about how a Grandma (Babushka) helps her granddaughter over come her fear of thunder. So when storms cloud rolled in yesterday, we decided it was a perfect opportunity to make our own Thunder Cake.I highly recommend the book, but here's the recipe in case you can't track down a copy.

Big Spender

This morning Brother woke up with a hankering to buy something. You see the other day he got himself a thrifted wallet. It's a fine wallet indeed. Complete with leather punching and name. Too bad it used to be "Ky's." Well, he earned a dollar to put in his wallet and somewhere along the way he found a quarter too. This wallet has gone everywhere with him. Joy School. The neighbors. On the four wheeler.

As soon as the money was tucked into the wallet, it's been burning a hole in this little boy's pocket. So this morning when I asked what day it was he replied, "store day." We did have to run to town, so on the way there I was telling him things that we needed to buy. He would listen and every time I mentioned some thing he would offer, "I'll buy that too."

It almost broke my heart to tell him he really didn't have enough money to buy much. So after running errands and me footing the bill, we stopped at the dollar store. (I knew I loved these kinds of stores for a reason.) Brother had a tiger by the tail, he could choose anything he wanted. And that's how we ended up with glow bracelets hanging from his bed post tonight.

Proper Introduction

Meet Peach and Pear, our new adorable little kittens. Hudson loves to feed them and Dalanie just wants to kiss them. We hope they will be an enjoyable addition to our family.

Answer Plot

Something exciting came to the farm yesterday. Croplan's Answer Plot. They brought in corn experts, a tent, and the makings for a steak dinner. We helped set up and Hudson couldn't wait to get back. Dinner was supposed to be at 6:00, but the Knowledge Event lasted quite a bit longer. It was windy and cold, the kids were starving, and Hudson kept yelling, "I am hungry and want to eat!" We survived and got ourselves some new hats and t-shirts out of the deal.

Joy School

Today's was Hudson's first day of Joy School and he was pretty excited. (I think he might already have a girlfriend in his class.) I had a hard time deciding whether I should get him involved already. I know once I start, running and chasing kids all over won't stop for a long time. But I finally committed and I think it will be good. We have a great group of kids and moms involved. Once the craziness of harvest is over, I'm sure it will be the highlight of the long winter days.

The Secret

To my horror, Hudson announced that he needed to go to the bathroom while we were visiting the Eastern Idaho State Fair. I knew there was no talking him out of it because he was already doing a little dance. Naturally he insisted that I be the one to take him. We made our way through the crowd and into the women's restroom. The line was winding to the door way and I knew we were going to have an accident.

Just then a woman came out of her stall exclaiming, "That's nasty! There is no toilet paper and the toilet sprays water all over the seat.." With that news, everyone hunkered in line. Except for us.

"We'll take it!" I said as I pushed Hudson toward the stall.

"Oh, and did I mention- the seat is all wet," the lady reminded.

"That's fine he stands," I informed. My audience in line chuckled with envy.

And that my friends is the reason there is never a line in the men's bathroom.
They don't care about toilet paper and wet seats are never a bother.

Babysitting: Part II

As mentioned before, I still have no life . . . and enjoy babysitting. Hudson loves when kids come to play. The other night we had 4 extra kids over. I found enough vehicles for all of them to decorate and ride in our "parade." They each got a piece of candy and could decide whether to eat it or throw it. We rounded off the evening with a lot of Duck, Duck, Goose (Hudson's latest craze.) We all had so much fun.

So Moms, thanks for trusting me with your children. And call again.

But don't expect me to call you. Because I'm weird like that.

Babysitting Blues

I can remember back to when I babysat for several different families. I know, I must not have had a life. Now that I have kids of my own- I HATE the entire babysitting ordeal.
First off, I never have more than a few hours notice to find one. I feel really stupid asking someone to watch my children and the possible candidates all have way more of a life than I did. Girls are busy. So for me to get my nerves up to finally call someone takes the majority of the few hours I have. As soon as someone is busy or not home, I usually give up. But for the entire 4 times I have gotten a sitter, I worry the entire time that my children are being horrible (which is usually true.) And then we usually get home later than I told them and I have to figure out how much to pay them. I just HATE, HATE, HATE it. If you have any helpful tips or know what the going rate is these days, please let me know.

The other night Brent and I had volunteered to work at a food booth at the fair. I was trying to decide who to call since our shift lasted until 11:00pm and it was a school night.

"Hudson, who do you want to come babysit?"

Without hesitation, "Grandma!"

"But she probably doesn't want to have to watch you again (for the 3rd time this week.)"

"Yes she does, she loves me!"

So lucky for us, Grandma lives just around the corner. I just hope she always loves my kids because I would never have a babysitter if it weren't for her.

Canning Day

The kids and I have been busy canning. We devoted an entire day to the project. On top of finishing 2 batches of salsa, freezing 20 quarts of corn, and feeding the missionaries we managed to take a few hours away from the kitchen. I decided we needed to get out of the house and enjoy a little fresh air. Hudson loved eating his roasted hot dog and Dalanie got a good nap in.