Girls vs Boys

The kids and I were tidying up some things outside when we moved a board and spotted a mouse. Dalanie screamed and ran away while Hudson pursued after it. He jumped down in a window well and didn't quit stomping until it was taken care of.

I'm sure you can guess who's behavior I mirrored.

Attentive Listener

Hudson came into the room and asked, "So I have 12 more years before I can go to college?"

"Yep."

"Well it's never too late for me to get a head start with Henager's College."

I just chuckled to myself because he was dead serious.

Apparently he's quite the attentive listener to the radio on the bus. He can sing along to the local mattress store jingle too.

Yee Haw!

Hudson requested a cowboy themed birthday party. He had to whittle his guest list down to 5 friends. I kept pretty simple and easy. No over-the-top pendant banner or tablescape.

Instead we had a cowboy obstacle course: roping a steer (ring toss around a calf from the rocking horse,) hauling water (bean bag toss into bucket,) jumping the fence (hurdling,) pole bending (riding the stick horse,) and hay stacking (stacking wooden blocks.) The boys love the race against the stop watch. We had target practice with a rubber band gun and ring toss to earn their beverage.Who knew that boys liked their pictures taken. They were quite the hams.Two seconds after this serious one, they broke out laughing. And for the grub they had sloppy joes and baked beans.

Happy St Patricks-Birthday

St. Patricks Day has got to be one of the funnest days for a birthday, just ask Hudson.

We just about caught a leprechaun. Instead we found a leprechaun splatter in the bottom of the trap and a rope and footprints leading out. The kids followed the footprints around. Green milk in the fridge, Lucky Charms, new socks, and a birthday sign.

Of course there was the present opening.And then I fed the kids a leprechaun sized breakfast.
On Sunday Hudson dressed up like a leprechaun. I told him I'd pay him money if he wore it to school. He said he'd do it for free. So this is what he went to school like.Too funny, especially when he does his little jig.

We ate a rainbow and pot of gold for lunch. Dalanie was pretty sure it wasn't gold. She said it tasted like mac n' cheese. Maybe it was the black salsa bowl pot I served it in that made her so confused. Ruby wore her fruit loop sweater for the occasion.

The Sounds of Chatter

I was summoned to the bathroom for my assistance. As soon as I get there Dalanie exclaims (from between her legs, leaning over,) "Mom! I know what else starts with wiping. . . water. [insert some other chatter] And then, I know something else that starts with the sound 'w'. Y. And Wyatt. He's in my nursery class."

She is always the informer. Ready to talk and chatter about anything. Every sentence is preceded with a little excited gasp before she starts into talking. I guess it's her way of taking in enough oxygen to sustain her through the sentence.

Life is definitely more exciting with her around.

My Brown Eyed Girl

Duby-Doo is quite the character. She loves books, anything sweet, being chased, and snuggling on my chest. With her huge under-bite, I lovingly call her my 'naked mole rat.' I love baby teeth and she is determined to get a few more teeth this week just for me. I'm so glad that she lets me wipe her nose instead of turning and smearing it across her face. She's just on the verge of walking. Her courageous efforts are so wobbly and precious. Her hair. . . oh, her hair! She plays in a box of necklaces while I fix it. It keeps her a little more still, but it's still a challenge. At 15 months, it's about to her shoulders. I keep wondering, should I cut it?

Driving Test

I grew up in a house where we always had visitors and my dad was always pulling tricks out of his hat to keep things lively and entertaining. This driving test was one such trick. It's simple to throw together in seconds and proves to be quite entertaining. All you need is:
a mirror
a timer
pen and paper
You can quickly whip up a course by drawing a squiggly road over the entire page, or print one off.

There you have it. You're ready for fun.

The driver uses the mirror to navigate the course. It may be necessary to hold a sheet of paper up under the driver's face if their eyes start to wander downward- you know, if they start cheating. Don't forget to use the timer. Racing the clock always makes things more fun.

Over the years, we made it into a full blown competition. Time penalties for each time you went outside the lines of the road and advanced level of difficulties.

Mexican Hat Dance

We had a dinner and dance with our Spanish Branch. This caballero came up with his attire after watching a YouTube video of Mexican dancing. He requested the bow tie as I was finishing up the last of the decorations. Just for the record, he had dance moves to justify his fancy sombrero and giddup. Oh yeah, the stache? His idea at the face painting booth.
Dad played DJ with his big speakers and soundboard. It was a fun evening and all of the family got in on the action. Although Hudson remained the main event.

Sister Beck

As with all SE Idaho women, I was invited to hear Sister Beck speak at BYU-Idaho. It was a wonderful gathering of women. The Spirit bore witness that the Relief Society organization is an integral part of our Heavenly Father's plan and that my life has purpose.

In true Sister Beck style, she encouraged us "to get over our issues with Visiting Teaching," prioritize, and seek the Spirit.

As I listened to Sister Beck, I regained confidence and hope for the future. The future for my life and that of my children. This bright future will take work, prayer, and consecration. It will require deliberate, purposeful, and conscious effort. But the reward will worth it.

Exotic Afternoon Getaway

I woke up in a funk. "Here we go again. . . " Another day cooped up with runny noses and restless little people. I quickly realized that I needed to switch things up a bit before this day ran on into the next and all we accomplished was our 'regularly programmed' schedule. It's so easy to fall into a rut as a mom.
Since we're all pining for warmer weather, I decided we'd have a day at the beach after lunch. While I finished up dishes, I gave the kids the assignment to round up beach towels and change into their swimsuits. This buys me some time when I'm not ready and they love contributing their own ideas. Before long we were sitting on the sandy blanket beach , swimming in the blue tarp ocean, building block sand castles, fishing from a couch cushion boat, and beach combing for our collection of seashells. We set up the props and then imaginations were going wild with all sorts of ideas. I had some tropical music playing in the background that we enjoyed dancing to. The kids even enjoyed a little R & R. As Hudson was lying on his beach towel sunning he even asked, "can someone rub my back?"
I pulled out the decorative umbrella toothpicks the kids always beg to use, opened some cans of fruit, and we had a perfectly tropical, healthy treat that the kids really enjoyed.The best part of the getaway? There was no packing or unpacking and we were home in time for naptime. What a success!

Gray

The Valentine's decorations are still up. I can't bring myself to take down the splash of color. Things are muddy and gray outside. I used to think I'd paint a room gray, but I'm rethinking that now. Seriously, the gray craze must have hit pre-winter. Who wants more of it come March?

Speaking of gray days, we spent a sunless Saturday sledding with my family. There was a jump there that Hudson hit just about every run.

Hot Dates

Since Valentine's fell on Monday, we decided an etiquette dinner would be a fun. The kids were our dates. They got to pick their own outfits and get themselves ready. I had to do a little touch up on Dalanie's war paint eyeshadow job, but overall they looked very nice. It was so cute to see them in the bathroom primping. I even let them wear some cologne and perfume.
Hudson and Brent came to the door for us. (Hudson was hiding a bouquet behind his back.) Dalanie was squealing with excitement. When Brent asked for her, her excitment waned. She would have preferred me as her date.



We ate Mexican food at home off our regular dining table, but you would have thought the kids were out on the town. They were so well behaved and enjoyable. We all really had a great evening.

Love Letters

I've been holding on to a fun shaped box since Christmas. Ahem, not this past one- the one before (I've got a little deal for holding on to select packaging.) It turned out being the perfect shaped box for a little mailbox. I got busy with an exacto knife and some packing tape. I really wanted it to function like the regular drop off boxes, so it was fun playing engineer and designing something. I resisted the urge to paint it pink or red and went with the standard blue.
I added a handle and a lock to up the interactive appeal. It sure has worked. The kids love unlocking the box to see the day's deposits and distribute the mail.
Of course, the whole system wasn't complete until I made these individual "mailboxes." There have been all sorts of love letters flying around now thanks to our "free shipping" policy.

Around the House

Valentine's Day gives me a nice excuse to add some color to our decor. The cheery colors are nice contrast to our snowy landscape. You can easily add some interest with some inexpensive supplies: paper, felt, crayons, and wax paper.

Minature Golf

We livened things up by making a golf course inside. (Got my idea from Family Fun, the only magazine I ever read cover to cover.) It' s super easy, I whipped out my circle cutter and made a hole in some paper plates and flags from pipe cleaners. We had a nine hole course, but the kids are equally entertained with a few. We added some obstacles like the block and the box with the archway.
Here's the pro showing his sister how it's done. Oh, and before we acquired the putters we had fun with wooden spoons and other kitchen utensils.

As an added bonus, you can call up some friends and share the fun with them on a cold winter night. It's a nice addition to family game night.