I know that I haven't been a great blogger as of late- but I keep waiting to have something to blog about- you know- so that I don't ramble on aimlessly about nothing. But then I got thinking- that's all we're doing right now. The snow won't stop falling and there is already a ton out in the yard... We just kind of hang out inside- which doesn't make for much of an exciting tale to tell. But- be that as it may- I also think that there might be something to documenting some day to day activities for us to look back on later.
Ryan is getting bigger and his personality is really starting to come out. He loves his older brother and wherever Ty goes- Ryan is sure to follow. It's kind of like watching "Pete" and "Re-Pete." And no-one can make Ryan laugh like Ty. I was attempting to take some new pictures of Ryan this morning and he wouldn't even look at me- but he sat there and giggled at his older brother. Stinker. He also loves playing "ball." One of his favorite ways to show off at the moment is to sit and show you all of the different things you can do with a ball. He'll show you how to throw, kick and dribble. And he's so proud of himself- he just laughs when he's done.
I have also recently discovered the beauty of this little product known as "Mod Podge." Yes, I'd heard of it- but never really done a whole lot with it... Until now!! I have been using it a lot in my Achievement Days activities- mostly because it's cheap and it goes a long way. This last week- my girls were working on a goal in "Living and Learning the Gospel." It's important to know where you come from, and so we were studying our ancestors. Each of the girls had to bring a sheet of information on someone in their family (and a picture if it was available). We all shared our stories- and I reminded them of how important it is to keep track of this kind of thing so that our great-grandkids have some fun stories to tell their friends in Achievement Days. So- in an effort to cement that idea- we decorated/made journals for them to take home. I had a lot of fun with this activity too... can you tell!? I love journals- I really do think it's important to keep a record of who you are- I carry a notebook around with me everywhere. 
I also discovered that mod podge can be used on pretty much anything. I cut out some letters from a cardboard box that I had in the garage and then bought some paper at the scrapbook store (in Logan mind you- the scrapbook store here in town has the variety of a brown paper bag)- mostly ones that had different kind of sports balls. Then I covered the cardboard with the paper and... Instant (and cheap) decor for the boys' room! Not that either of them really care- but I like the look of it! 
I have also been attempting to act more like a girl. I have gotten into a really bad habit lately- since I go nowhere and see no one- most days I am in sweats with my hair in a ponytail. Gorgeous, I know. So in an effort to break free of my winter rut- I pulled out my bag of nail polish from my working days. I've been pretty good these last few weeks. It helps that Ty always notices when I change the color and he always makes comments on the ones that he likes. This week- I painted my nails a color that I thought was purple- but once I got painting- it turns out it was a really deep navy blue. It was still pretty- so I left it. When Ty saw it though- you would have thought that I had painted HIM blue. He was so NOT a fan. He asked me why I would want BYU on my nails. I had to promise that next week I would only paint them red. There's a chance that we've created some kind of red monster...
We have also been visiting the library more than we usually do in the summer- mostly because it's a different four walls than the ones in our living room. It's good though- I hope that my kids learn to have a love of reading that will carry them throughout their lives. So far- Ty is my big reader. He loves the library- and literally will spend hours there if you let him. We checked out a few new books- and one of them has pretty much made it onto our "Favorites" list. It's called "What if the Shark Wears Tennis Shoes?" by Winifred Morris. It pretty much captures the very essence of Ty Kidd. It's like the author actually knew my four-year old and then wrote a book about him. Hilarious. You have to check it out if you get a chance!!
I have also been filling my afternoons with music. Not that I'm actually getting a chance to play my gorgeous piano or even listen to some pretty music... I have been teaching!! Crazy, I know. We have good days and bad ones- but for the most part- it's been pretty good. I am not sure how my piano teacher kept from beating some of us over the head with a metranome because I know I am more than tempted on some days. I have seven students, and have just had to open another afternoon because of all the incoming requests for lesson times. I'm not sure if that means I'm good or if there is just a lack of other teachers in the area. Because I'm not in the least bit humble- I'm going to say it's the first. :) 
I guess that's really all there is to say for now. I just wanted you all to know that we are indeed alive and haven't been eaten by the Abominable Snow Monster (yet). I just have to close my eyes every once in a while and remind myself that winter always ends. It may snow 15 months out of the year- but there for a little bit in the summer- we do get a chance to hang out in the sun and get some "Funshine in the Sunshine" as Tigger (from Winnie the Pooh) tells us. And maybe we can get a little bit in during the winter too... Of course- it has to stop snowing first...
