Smarties in Easter Eggs

Yesterday we were invited to the park (two families in the ward) and the kids had fun playing. Abby found five Easter eggs (must have been leftover from a park hunt) and it inspired two hunts here: an indoor one with non-filled eggs and an outdoor one of only 20, filled with Smarties. The kids were disappointed it wasn't cooler candy than that. The truth is I'm cheap and save the good stuff for the holiday. I told them it was just "practice" for the ward egg hunt on Friday anyway. I'm sure they will want to do more "hunts" today and if they are extra nice to me I'll get out a different bag of candy.

Today we plan to do morning routine stuff again before breakfast and then a different park where other families in the ward are going to play. And the kids will watch more toons together -- they love that! We'll have leftover soup and bread for dinner. There is no Young Women or scouts tonight because of Spring Break. Nice break.

Oh, and I finished the Book of Mormon, my March Madness reading! (And in regards to the other March Madness--Ross and I tied this year.) Here's a note I emailed all the girls/leaders who did the challenge with me:

It's done! I finished the Book of Mormon!! Did you?? (Are you close? Keep reading!) 

What did you learn? 

I learned...

...that by making my scripture reading a priority, it happened. President Benson said, “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives."

...that family connections matter and choices affect lives of future generations. (For example, if Alma the Younger never repented of his ways, his son Helaman wouldn't have led the 2,000 stripling warriors--and we'd have no "Army of Helaman" song to sing in YW. And if Alma the Elder never listened to Abinadi, we wouldn't have any of the rest of the story. You could also feel the special father/son relationship of Mormon and Moroni in letters and record keeping.) 

... that the Book of Mormon is true! It shows the Savior loves us and has preserved that record special for us to read and learn from. He keeps His promises and will deliver us if we follow Him and keep our covenants. It truly testifies of Jesus Christ. 

Thanks to all who did this challenge with me! I feel even more prepared for Easter and General Conference weekend.

-Sister Tucker

I feel even more prepared for Easter and General Conference!

Marshmallow Challenge

After hearing the marshmallow case study (four year olds were given one marshmallow and if they didn't eat it and waited about 15 minutes they could have two-- so eat now or wait and get two) and story used in a talk by Elder Uchtdorf in church yesterday, Allen wanted to do that for his Family Home Evening lesson. How did the kids respond?

Jill popped hers right in her mouth. Then stole Daddy's and Abby's before they realized.

Jane kept hers hidden behind her back. She was the only "winner". She was happy about that.

Emma with prompts she would hide it under her dress and try not to think about it. Soon she was around the side of the couch with her back turned to me. She said she hid it under the couch. When I asked her to get it out at the end she said it was invisible.

Abby & Allen kept smelling it and put it up to their lips. Some of the white stuck. They became disqualified. 

Andrea ate hers after a few minutes so Jill didn't steal it. (I didn't really want a second one anyway.) But it sure sent a mixed message to the twins. :)

Ross hid his under him, but Jill found it!

Jane and Emma were the perfect age of the study. It was interesting to see how different they responded to the challenge. We did this lesson once in Virginia when Allen was 4 and Abby was 2 (she waited, he didn't) and then in Texas a few years later. That time Allen waited a lot better. I think Abby caved in. We'll have to do it again in a few years. It's funny to see how the kids react. It's a great object lesson for patience.

Allen came up with the punchline on his own and taught it -- "wait for God's promises to be fulfilled." We watched this youtube video at the end of his lesson. Love the message.

***

It's the beginning of Spring Break. I asked the kids last night (while we feasted on bread and zuppa toscana soup for dinner) what they wanted to do over the break and this is what they said:

Allen & Abby -- watch TV

Jane and & Emma -- play hide-and-seek

Pretty easy expectations.

Mom in the Church News

My mom is cool. She is a wonderful example of faith and service. She is an avid reader of the Church News and has instilled that interest in me too. It was so fun to see her, Susan Schmidt, quoted in the Church News yesterday, sharing her experience with Family Home Evening growing up. I miss my grandparents. You can view the article here.

Party Day

How do you blog when you are busy living-in-the-moment and enjoying it? It's tricky. But I like writing a tidbit everyday so here's my sum up--

Today was a party day. We enjoyed morning cartoons, we sorted out clothes, we ate donuts, we played with bubbles in the backyard, we played at a new park, we enjoyed deli sandwiches, we dropped off car and picked it up after repairs, we watched Big Hero 6 with popcorn, the family went to daddy/kid BBQ while I went to broadcast... it was awesome! Ross has been working crazy for weeks (roughly doing about 5 months of work in about 2 months), and today he didn't do ANY work. Yay! So nice to play together as a family.

Pinewood Derby

 Thanks to Uncle Paul for coming to Allen's pinewood derby activity last night. Once the boys got out they could use the practice track on the other end of the gym. Emma started the trend of straddling the track, making a bridge with her legs. I looked over and several girls had copied her!

Other tidbits:

• All-nighter from Ross.
• Andrea has been reviewing 3-month calendar and used hot glue gun to fix books and bows.
• Abby and Allen scootered to school.
• Jane, Emma, and Jill are excited about story time this morning.

#13 truck

• It seems like Jill wakes up 5-10 minutes earlier everyday ever since her birthday and it's added up. I'm out an hour I used to have in the morning. Drat.
• Tonight is the pinewood derby. Allen has a red, glow-in-the-dark truck with the #13 on the hood. 
• Abby goes on a fieldtrip this morning to the theater downtown. Yesterday Allen went on a fieldtrip to the local recycle center.
• I patched three holes-in-the-wall last night. Need to check on them and sand and paint soon.
• The toy room "face-lift" (just moving the shelves to a different wall, plus rotating the toys) has created more interest for the twins. Yesterday they spent a lot of time playing in there.

Jill's New Trick

Ross working like mad on this last memo.

Andrea making waffles and checking for lice.

Allen writing down bookmarked facts.

Abby reading in her room.

Jane loving writing-on-Wednesday.

Emma finding a new tub (with trains) in the garage.

Jill sitting on the potty and going three times in two days.

5 Hop on Pop

• The photo above was taken at the end of Family Home Evening yesterday.  They like piling on Ross. They are all on top of a t-shirt quilt. We've been pulling that out for FHE and tell everyone to pick a square to sit on. It even brings great stories, giving the background of a shirt, before we start our family meeting.  
• Yesterday a service coordinator from Alta visited. More support in the works with ABA class and school advocacy.
• Spray painted Allen's "truck" for pinewood derby on Thursday. It's red with black windows and has a layer of glow-in-the-dark paint on top of that. Kids thought it was cool when we turned out the lights and watched it glow. 
• Emma was wide awake at 3am this morning. I climbed up in the bunk bed near her (and sang as quiet as I could... which was kind of funny) until she feel asleep. Kind of funny climbing out of a top bunk bed, in pajamas, half-asleep with curlers in your hair (yes, sometimes I wear curlers to bed!), but it's always nice to climb back in your own bed even if it's only 45 minutes before the alarm goes off.
• My week goals were completed yesterday! Today I'll be gathering supplies in preparation for the beehive class activity--"Spice it up!" We'll be working on personal progress (I'll have stations set up like last month with a few new ones) and finalizing achievements so we can get ribbons ordered for YW in Excellence next month. We'll also be snacking on chip 'n salsa. One of the leaders will be teaching a little salsa dancing at the end of it!
• My favorite article in the March Ensign was this one about four women in the book of John. Their stories and faith are amazing and very applicable today. I also liked the article just after that about the few kind words. I feel like church is a battle much of the time and appreciate smiles or positive words when we are trying our best.
• Jill has sat on the potty twice. She hasn't done anything, but when she squirms when I change her diaper I ask if she wants to sit on the potty and twice she's gotten up and gone straight there.
• The kids love riding bikes along the patio and walkway in the backyard. They will just go back and forth. They are kind of funny about switching bikes too especially when I see long-legged Allen riding the twins big wheel ones!
• Abby loves reading right before bed and right when she wakes up. She's got some sorted book stacks on her window sill for easy access.
• When Ross gets home he and Allen are going to go over to the post office and use the scale to know how many quarters to glue on his car. They did that last year and it worked great.
• I gave Allen a clipboard to use for his creative writing. He seemed excited about that. Jane went right to his room when she woke up. The kids like to go there and play, especially up on the top bunk.

Kid Interviews

I interviewed each child yesterday, asking three things; how they were doing, what (goals) they wanted to do this week, and how they were going to help the family.

Jill -- a new doctor appointment (we missed her appt on Friday by 2 minutes past the "grace period" and HAD to reschedule. I stood at the counter for 25 minutes to decide on options. Now waiting to hear back from doctor with a "special appointment" because the desk clerk didn't have access to a wellness visit with anything before mid-April) and help by being "soft" and "giving kisses" and "picking up toys".

Emma -- wants to "play and sing". Will help by cleaning room, making bed, playing with Jill and clearing dishes after meals.

Abby -- wants to collect rocks (adding to her collection), make a map of the neighborhood (using favorite landmarks), read 49 books ("Mom, what's 7x7?"--she wants to read 7 books a day). Will help by packing school lunches everyday. Wants to do ticket system and save up to earn "Tomato" (a Beanie Boo)

Jane -- wants to get ready for "home evening" and "getting baptized", have a good time and get new balloons when they pop (referring to Mylar balloons every kids picked out for Jill's birthday). Will sing, clap, sweep and wipe table to help the family this week.

Allen -- wants to retain more information and play WW2. Will help by doing laundry (carry down hamper everyday and sorting it) and provide pretty piano music for us to listen to.

And for the adults--
Ross wants to finish his memo and will help the family by helping Allen get his pinewood derby car ready.

Andrea wants to finish the March Ensign and start at least ONE book by her bed. She will help the family by praising people for "being still" (our FHE challenge) this week.

Day of Rest

Last week was crummy. Glad we can catch a breath today.

As we drove to church I read a social story with rules and conduct for the church meeting. People did much better. Tic-Tacs worked well as quick reinforcers. Here's a little tidbit on everyone--

-Ross attended ward council at 9am representing the Sunday School.
-Andrea will host (after choir) FHE today about reverence.
-Allen tried out his new scripture case.
-Abby is crazy about watermelon! There was only one piece left over from our YW breakfast.
-Jane wore purple and her hair up in a cute bun and purple bow.
-Emma wants to play heart hunt with a glass heart she brought home from primary.
-Jill was the first one to wake up. She worked on puzzles while Mommy wrote in journals.

Shopping Helper and Watermelon Easter Party

I took Jill with me to WalMart this morning at 7am. The other kids were watching cartoons and Ross was upstairs working.

We had an watermelon party here as I sliced that and cantaloupe for tomorrow's Young Women Book of Mormon breakfast. Three of the girls were eating it at the table. Abby said it was her most favorite fruit in the whole wide world.

We also had an Easter decorating party. I let the kids open the box and play with the eggs and stuffed bunnies and bunny eared headbands and resurrection egg sets... Lots of fun things they remember from previous years. While the reminisced and played I made banana muffins.

Now the kids and I are watching PBS kids shows like Word Girl, Arthur and Martha.

Hope to have a lunch date with Ross soon. We've got more Mr. Pickles groupons to use. Also need to do more Sunday-prep stuff (clean bedrooms, pack church bag) with the kids. I finished the Book of Alma this morning for part of my March Madness reading. And as part of my other annual March Madness competition with Ross, I need to check our brackets-- I barely remember who I jotted down as winners and have not been following the games either. Ross has been swamped with job travels and work. He barely filled out a bracket in time himself.

SOSBIE

Ross got home late last night. He said his interview went well. Now it's time to crank out two memos by next week's deadline.

Andrea and Ross have been waking up at 5am for three weeks now. She started doing SOSBIE, her own early morning check-list: scriptures, other reading (it was the BYU magazine this morning--sometimes it's for a YW lesson or it could be anything stacked by my bed), sit-ups/stretching, blog, index (arbitrate one batch) and email. The goal is to finish it up before kids awake.

Allen worked on his Indian/Mission research paper yesterday. Too bad the assignment doesn't require creating and explaining your own WW1 and 2 with Allanity because he'd be rocking at that.

Abby can be really helpful by playing with her sisters, encouraging them to get ready for bed and telling them stories when the light is out. Jane and Emma love it!

Jane worked on several coloring projects at the table yesterday mostly using colored pencils.

Emma loves riding circles with her bike on the backyard patio. She was out there a lot yesterday doing that.

Jill has her 2 year check-up today. The twins will be playing at a friend's house during the appointment.

Past Week's Pictures

Here are pictures to post from this past week:

My girls have been doing lots of drawings and paintings of people lately. (Note: first-Abby, second-Jane painted this at a recent birthday paint-party, it was the host Mom's favorite painting done, last-Emma who finally tried a drawing of her own) 

Last week when Allen had to work on his California Missions poster I sent him back to class to take pictures of some of the examples (his teacher had referred to) using my phone while we waited in the car. Using my phone's camera was new to him. He did get some pictures of two samples and then he took several more just for fun!

I got on a holiday treat whim ("pot of gold" pretzel --the way the chocolate melted it really looked more like a "pot" than it should have but it was perfect, and "DC Gold" or butterscotch crisps--a treat I got the recipe for in 2007 when I was in DC for 4 weeks during Ross's summer internship and was buying minimal food/ingredients because we'd be moving to Houston for 6 weeks after that and I had a less-than-a-month baby and toddler--ahh the memories!) and made goodie bags for my visiting teaching ladies, then a few beehives and then a few leaders/moms too. What started out as a few in mind became 23 bags, each with a handwritten thought/scripture/note. Abby was the delivery girl at each door.

I took a picture of this girl all snuggled in her bed. Here she is tucked in for a nap with animal friends all around her. Jill knows how to climb out and open doors when she is ready to get up, but she's still a good sleeper.

Jill's Birthday Bash

For youth night Allen carved soap with a pocket knife and I went to the "How to Attract a High Quality Return Missionary: Part One" where girls learned basic hygiene--hair and grooming skills. I found myself taking notes of all the great information. I've got four girls to train in the future :)

Jane was up last night again due to vomit. (I thought we were done with that? She was fine yesterday.) Ross packed a suitcase and left for work. He'll fly out for his interview mid-day and be back late on Thursday. My stomach feels  a little off today. Time to post some pictures of the fun yesterday because today is going to be tough.

Happy Birthday Jill! She's two. She can't say many words, but she's good at saying two :) Our "pot of gold" turns 2. We're "lucky" to have her. 

We had a birthday breakfast party with GREEN birthday cake, music and laser lights. She opened a bubble machine, Little People garden set, a farm sound puzzle, a VTech tablet, and a bike (which she got two weeks ago). In the evening we had tater tots and chicken nuggets and, matching her favorite plush toy, a pumpkin cake. Since we were up and ready early we walked the kids to school. Later when we got home we used the bubble machine in the backyard.

I never did get a picture of the holiday stuff, but the kids found a note from Steve the Lephrechaun with treasure from him-- real gold! (dollar coins), flutes, mini rainbow beach balls, Big Hero 6 movie, and bags of sweet rainbow and gold (Skittle and Rolo) to eat while watching Darby O'Gill. (And I never got a picture of the loot). Emma said she liked the ghost in it. Kids were spoiled today with great treats! Didn't even eat much cake and ice cream at dessert.

Birthday Email for Jill from Grandma Schmidt / Response Below

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL HANNAH TUCKER!!  She's a St. Patrick's Day Baby!!  What a cutie!  We are lucky!  She's Golden!

We love you Jill!!  You are a cute two year old!

     Jill loves orange and pink, dogs, juice and cheese.  She likes music and dancing. Her favorite song is "Good Morning" that they sing at library story hour.  She loves her stuffed pumpkin, Care Bear, Mini Mouse, books, drawing, and going for walks.  She even has a perfect pencil grip!. 

     She loves her blanket and her thumb, and watching Sesame Street and watching PBS with her siblings while dinner is being made.  She loves having her teeth brushed and carrying everyone's toothbrushes around the house.  (That's one I haven't heard of :).

     She loves her Dad and Mom and Brother and Three Sisters so Much!  Ross and Andrea and Allen, Abby, Jane and Emma, you and us are lucky that Jill is in our family!!

Happy Birthday Jill!!  You're a doll!
(Pictures attached to email) 

***

Reply ALL to email:

Thanks from Jill! We had GREEN breakfast cake this morning as well as bacon and eggs. We had laser lights on and she opened her presents: sound puzzle, bubble machine, Little People farm/garden set, VTech computer/keyboard toy, and bike (with parent push handle). After school we'll go get everyone a Mylar birthday balloon from Dollar Tree and watch Darby O'Gill with our rainbow/gold candy. For dinner, since Jill loves dipping her food (only kid we've had that young that insists on it) we are having Tater Tots and chicken nuggets. I'm making a pumpkin cake because she loves her stuffed pumpkin toy so much! And right now the birthday girl is taking a nap. 

Hope everyone remembered to wear GREEN and is having a nice St. Patrick's Day! -Andrea