Um... Actually I did like it Mom.

Those were Colby's words as we were leaving the classic fun center's water park. This is only after I put him on an easy water slide kicking and screaming. Jade and the other kids had gone down about 3 times while I stood at the top trying to talk Colby into going down. I can only imagine what some of the other parents thought as I literally pried my child off my neck and stuck him in the water. I did at least send him down with Jade. When he came off he still didn't like it, even though he didn't even get his hair wet. I had told him I would only make him try it once and if he didn't like it I wouldn't make him do it again, and I stuck to that, even though Jade relentlessly tried to get him to go again! He had no desire to do it again so I just let him play in theshallow pool for awhile before we left. Then as we were leaving Colby tells Jade actually I think I want to go on the octopus (one of the other water slides) tomorrow. To which I respond " yeah right Colby you didn't even like the turtle." (That was the name of the slide he tried) Then he looks at me very seriously... "um... Actually I did like it Mom." Easy to say when your already out in the parking lot. :)

It's Worth Every Penny!

All of my kids are talented in many different ways, but one particular talent that we frequently exploit is Cambrie's awesome back rub/ massage abilities.  Although, unfortunately for us, she has recently discovered that her skills are valuable enough to charge for. Dang that ingenuity! Still it's worth it!

What Is He Doing?

So I'm looking around to see where Colby went, when I spot him roaming around in the backyard. Mind you there is still nothing but dirt out there.  Then I look again and realized he is in his full soccer get-up.  I ask Brian, "what is he doing"? - "I have no idea" Brian replies.  I love the kid and he obviously has a good imagination, but sometimes I wonder... What in the world...?

It's Not Just A Box of Cereal

So in my 30 + years of being a frequent cold cereal eater, I have seen countless backs of cereal boxes with toys, games, puzzles, mazes, etc. on them. I always wondered who in the world would ever actually take the time to cut something off the back of a box and use it. Then today I was working on my laptop when suddenly... Batman appeared out of nowhere. I had to do a double take as I didn't remember purchasing a batman mask or cape.  Upon closer inspection I realized that apparently some people do use the cereal boxes for more than just holding their cereal. Come to find out Brian was the one who cut it out for him and Jade attached the elastic band to make it stay on his face. Then the kids used an old black dress up skirt to fasten him a cape. Then the Batman adventures began. Jade and Colby took turns wearing the mask and chasing each other around. I loved it!

Mother's Day!

 This is what Mother's day is all about! My family was so great to me this year! 9 am church isn't always the easiest to get a family out the door to, but rough as that was... the day just kept getting better from there! Brian was kind enough to teach my sunday school class for me so I could go to the adult sunday school class. Then when we got home I had the opportunity to take a highly desired nap. It felt great. When I woke up and came downstairs, Brian had already started making dinner. I sat in the recliner and was pampered with a pedicure from Jade. Colby even helped out by blowing on my toes to help the polish dry faster. Then the kids all proceeded to give me their precious gifts and cards. Brian made a delicious tri-tip with his yummy homemade mashed potatoes. Dinner was awesome and I really didn't have to do much of anything, which always seems to make things taste even better! Jade even made me a chocolate cake. She attempted doing the frosting on her own, but needed a little help in the end. - But hey... that's what Mom's are for right. The rest of the day was just relaxing and enjoying my family. Brian was very kind and helpful even though he kept reminding me with a grin "Your not my mother."  I am so lucky to be a Mother to my 4 amazing children. They fill my life with joy and lots of learning opportunities! - Thank you all!

Woody Goes To Work

Not really sure why... but lately Colby has really been into dressing up. For a couple of days now he has decided that he wanted to be Woody from Toy Story. Today he even got Jade involved, hence the face painted side burns and eyebrows. He wanted to spray his hair brown, but that is where I decided to step in. Colby doesn't like to do anything half way... except maybe clean up.  Anyway, I guess since he dressed like a cowboy he figured it would only be appropriate for him to go out and work in the dirt. Since we've had some guys here prepping our yard for concrete we had some wheel barrels and shovels in the back yard. So after they left for the day he headed out to get to work. He shoveled up some dirt and wheeled it out to the front of the house where the other dirt had been dumped. So proud to be helping out Daddy.  He would have been out there working side by side with the concrete guys, but we told him to stay out of the way. While they were working he would watch them from the sliding glass door, occasionally he would open the door an yell out... "Nice job Crashers". Can you tell what shows we watch? I tried to explain to him they weren't "Yard Crashers" they were just concrete guys that we were paying.  It made no difference to him though.  I wish it was "Yard Crashers" - then maybe we could get the whole yard done! Still, Colby did his best to "cowboy up" and go to work! Thanks buddy- your always a big help.

A BackYard Is What You Make Of It

A ball and a bat and a child or two, will make any place fun even dirt will make do.

We Love Pizza!

 

We used to buy Little Ceaser's pizza like once a week. I was never a fan, but my kids were. I have made homemade pizza's off and on and they always liked them better. Recently we found some great toppings that were easy to keep on hand, so we decided to start making pizza's ourselves. It saves money and tastes WAY better.  The kids have really enjoyed it and have gotten into making their own in various shapes and with different toppings. They like being able to make it themselves and I like doing it as a family.

Back Yard Fort

So it always amazes me how creative kids can be. I thought with a torn apart back yard the kids wouldn't really have any interest in playing outside, but I was wrong.  It was fun to see what they came up with. They built a fort which had a kitchen and bedroom in it. With just the left over blocks, some wood, a few toys and a chair they had a "fully functioning" house. I love imagination!!

The kids Go Bananas

When the kids are driving you bananas where do you go... "Go Bananas" - I should be in advertising right... j/k. When Janell comes we try to find fun things for the kids to do to help get them out of the house. We've been to Go Bananas before, but they have recently changed things up, so it was fun for the kids to try out some of the new bounce stuff.  One of the new items was an obstacle course that the kids probably spent at least half of their time on. They played nice and hard and it showed in their sweat. Eeew... but hey, they were happy.

Ewe... sweaty!

Go to your happy place!

I got you...

Obstacle course...

Valentines Dinner

For Valentines Brian and Alex made an amazing dinner for Karen and I. Karen knew about it, but it was a complete surprise for me.  It was amazing. They had a beautifully set table with flowers, candles, the whole bit.  I literally did nothing. They had the most amazing spread. There was  a variety cheese and fruit plate, delicious salad, steaks and steamed vegetables. I was so impressed, but it wasn't just the food. It was the preparation they put into it, and the service they gave. I didn't lift a finger. It was clear that everything was done from the heart with love. It was amazing. It was one of the best valentines dinners ever.

Valentine Cake Pops

Something I don't highly recommend is trying out a new recipe or project when you have to make 120 to 140 of them. I loved the idea of cake pops - apparently it's the big thing right now. I think they taste delicious and look fun...but I have never made a cake pop before. So deciding to make cake pops for each of the kids to give out in their classrooms for valentines was.... well.... slightly crazy.  Luckily there was something for everyone to do. The kids all helped make their own cakes - 1 cake mix makes 28-32 cake pops, so each kid got to pick their own flavor to make for their class. Jade made yellow - Cambrie made strawberry - Hailey mad funfetti - and Colby's/mine was Chocolate. I think their favorite part was when they got to crumble the cakes, then mix in the frosting by hand. The process to dip the balls in chocolate was a little slow, so unfortunately bedtime came before the cake pops were done. The kids started out decorating them, but after they went to bed I had the "privilege" of staying up until about 2 a.m. finishing them. I think it would be fun if you were making like... 1 batch. :) - Happy Valentines!

Planting A Tree

Working on getting our new front yard up to par, Colby and Hailey help, or should I say watch Brian plant our new tree. Yeah!!!