Halloween Pictures

I LOVE having photos of my kids up during the holiday. I put my little witch near the witch’s shelf here http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2009/09/time-to-decorate.html It’s just fun to have them here and there.

Well, my friend taught me about the Liquify Tool in Photoshop. Can I just say lots of fun!!! I decided that I wasn’t going to play with it for nothing and saved my masterpieces.

Of course I had to share the new found fun with my sister Alesha. She took it a step further and gave me the idea of replacing the kids normal pictures on the wall with the “liquified” pictures.

So our wall is filled with Halloweeny pictures of my kids now. It makes me feel like we are the Adams Family instead of the Thompson Family. Oh holidays are fun!

I just had to post my sister’s pictures here too.  I had to laugh as she was telling me this story this morning.

She had just changed out the photos without telling anyone to see who would notice first.  Well, when her two little girls saw them they would keep running back to the wall to see if the photos had changed back.  Too funny!!!

Thanks again for the idea Lee!

 

I think Dalton’s picture reflects himself a little better this way!!!!!!!!

Here is Jacob’s print from the wall that I had printed as a 4x6 to stick in their Halloween lunches or use on a special Halloween dinner night.

Biking with the Boys

A few weeks ago I went for an early morning (5:45am to be exact) bike ride with some friends on the Woodmen Park n Ride Trail.  I knew that I had to bring my boys back to it.  It has beautiful scenery and fun bridges.

So on Saturday afternoon the boys and I did it.  I had felt sorry for Jacob because he had been doing service projects all day long.  He cleaned the church in the morning and then cleaned a highway with the boy scouts later. 

I was going to go with just him for a date, but of course he asked and wanted Nathan to come along.  Those boys think that they have to do everything together.  I didn’t have my camera on the ride, BUT I did have my cell phone to take a picture and capture the memory.

We kept yelling at Nathan to keep up with us.  I kinda forgot that he had just played a soccer game an hour before!  At any rate, it was fun to be with my boys!

Halloween Silhouettes

Last year I wanted the Martha Stewart witch silhouette, but of course Michaels was sold out as well as her online store. As I started thinking about it, I realized that I probably could cut my own out of black cardstock. So I pulled up the image on Martha’s site to follow and cut away. I was excited about how she turned out. I was even more excited when I realized that mine was actually LARGER than the store’s version.

Yesterday I was getting out a few more decorations to put up and found my witch. I thought that it would be fun to add another one to the window this year. I went to my artist Jacob with a request and reimbursement for his time. I was thrilled at what he made. I find him quite amazing because he pulled his idea out of his head whereas I had to follow someone else’s image. Here is our dining room’s window scene. It is fun because it’s right by our witch’s shelf.

Then this afternoon Ashley and I did a little bat project with her hands to add to our decor. She kinda got carried away with the glue. I’m thinking that it would be fun to do something about hands tonight for FHE and have everyone’s hands made into bats on our door.

I’m also thinking of leaving all of this Halloween decor up for the year. It’s just too fun!!!

Expressions of Soccer

My Ashley has many expressions.  It’s her personality coming out of her face.  In fact at the first of the year I was trying to get just one picture of her and ended up with a slew because she was making so many faces.  I ended up modge podgeing them into a book here http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2009/04/quick-ashley-book.html

Well after yesterday, I think I’m going to have to make a soccer expression book.  I can’t believe how she is always contorting her face depending on her mood.  Take a look…

I think that my favorite is the pyscho look.  That would have to scare any opponent away from her!  Take a look up close…

That even scares me and I’m her own MOM!!!

Art Sports

My kids have half days on Fridays.  So I have tried to do friend play dates for them.  However, today I felt like I did my own play date with MY friends.  The reason being that Emma was the only one that matched up with my kids for a friend.  Some of my friends from church have really young kids.  And yes that means they are young, and yes I try and pretend that I am young like them.  Anyway, we met at Art Sports for the kids to play.

See those cute little faces in the background?!?  Linnea I don’t know where you were, probably chasing your little Sophie.  Anyway, those were MY friends for MY Friday play date.  Sorry kids, but it does look like you still had fun!

Erin

Stephen’s sister, Erin came to visit us.  She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

I have never heard Erin say anything malicious about anyone.  She is always very curious and very determined.  Once she sets her mind to something, she makes sure that it will happen.

We made a lot of fun things happen, thanks to Erin keeping us on track.  We played games one night, ate at Casa Bonita, made granola for her to take home, went to the movie, Tanya took her horseback riding, I took her shopping to Kohls and SHE took ME to lunch at Chili’s, AND we did makeovers on each other. 

We sure enjoyed having you here with us Erin!!!

Time to DECORATE

I figure since my pumpkins outside are turning orange, I can start decorating with orange pumpkins inside. PLUS, it has been sooo cold outside that I actually stayed inside and started dragging out my Fall and Halloween decorations.

ANYWAY, I’ve been trying to describe my shelf to Alesha and thought that I would just do a post on it tonight. This is my holiday shelf in my dining area. I got the idea when the idea room had labels to put on potions and jars. Then I just ran with it filling in with treasures from the ARC and my Halloween decorations.

I had this picture of Ashley with a bright orange toadstool that I cropped and blew up. I got different candlesticks at the ARC and spray painted them black. I also scored on a goblet and some fun jars to fill with “Halloweeny” things.

The Dollar Store supplied me with crows, eyeballs and body parts. And the idea room supplied me with labels. At any rate, the kids were way excited to see my witch’s shelf. My favorite part though is Ashley’s mischievious grin.

It has been fun pulling out stuff. I will have to post some other fun “Halloweeny” decor. And yes Stephen has reminded me that it isn’t even October yet. BUT according to our weather outside it sure feels like it!!!

The Harvest

So it snowed yesterday and froze last night. Do you know what that means? Lots of veggies and flowers had to come inside.

I remember when I was a little girl and my Grandma Jackie would bring in all the flowers that she could so that they wouldn’t freeze. My sisters and I would go down and make arrangements to take home. i think that’s why we like to do flower arrangements. I think that grandma was right. It is just as important to harvest your flowers as it is your vegetables.

Today I sent some dahlias with the kids, to take to their teachers. And then I kept some flowers to put here and there in the house.

Then I got busy taking care of the vegetables. I even made pear sauce today from a friend’s recipe. I think I like it better than applesauce. It was divine!!!

He Came OUT!!!

Do you remember this  http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2009/09/monarch-butterflies.html?  Well, he came out this weekend.  He actually made his appearance on Friday when all the kids had their friends over for playdates.

They migrate to Mexico.  We were curious to find out how long it takes them to travel and how far they can fly in a day.  We went to the good old internet and found that:

“We can learn from tagged individuals. One tagged monarch was recaptured 265 miles away from where it had been released the previous day!”

Isn’t that amazing! 

We sure enjoy watching the whole process.  Thanks again Mom for finding them for the kids!

Weekend Update

I have so many fun things to post, BUT wanted to cover the weekend first.  So here it is -

Friend Friday was fun with soccer outside with the Slater brothers and fairy house crafts with Emma.  We made them out of matchboxes that slide open to be the fairy’s bed.

Jacob had yet another scout overnight campout.

Nathan and Kaylee had soccer games in Denver.  Ash and Becca had soccer games here in the Springs.

Aunt Erin flew into Denver to spend time with us.

We took her to lunch at Casa Bonita.  I really wanted to go to White Fence Farm Restaurant per Trenya’s suggestion but it doesn’t open until 4:00pm and we were STARVED.  The kids love the cliff diving, exploring all the different dining areas (caves, mines, waterfall, and little Mexican village).  Stephen does not like the food, but hey not everyone can cook like me!!!!

Then on Sunday my little niece Kaila was blessed.  Tanya brought the dinner over here and we enjoyed visiting and eating.

Of course with mom in town we made a trip to the ARC and I found some really fun things.  I’m two for two now going to the ARC and finding treasures.

She’s My Hero

She is my Hero!  She has run 642 miles since February training for this marathon today.  She was very dedicated even running while on vacation.  She runs in the early morning so that she doesn’t take away time from her family.  She researches and is constantly improving how she runs.  She has the Garmin watch that helps her keep track of her running.  She ran one of the most difficult marathons today in Logan Utah, where there were hills.

She needed to run 26.5 miles in 3 hours and 45 minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  She missed the qualifying time by 60 seconds.  60 SECONDS!!! 

I cried as I talked to her today.  I cry as I type this tonight. 

She is my sister, Alesha and she is my hero.  I love you Alesha, and I am so proud of you today.  You are my most Favorite Marathoner EVER!!!!

New Photography Step/Chair

I had to run to the ARC to get a costume for one of my kids for an activity and found this cute little step stool.

Wait, it’s not a step stool because it can do this -

Isn’t it fun mom?!? My mom and I enjoy antique things.

It is very lightweight so the girls carry it around everywhere. I had to paint it and followed Becki’s advice to do it white. I painted it white yesterday and then HAD to do a photo shoot with it today. With Jerrica’s birthday two weeks away, I did a little shoot with her on the new chair.

Notice her little bruise on her forehead that is STILL healing from Ashley. I thought about photoshopping it out, but then thought, “No, she needs to remember that she grew up with Ashley as her older sister.”

Anyway, I’m excited for the new chair. My next photo prop is going to be the Fall leaves. I really want to take a family drive up into the mountains.

I Hate the Word “Why?”

Ashley, “Why is dad on the computer?”

Me, “To earn money for our family”

Ash, “Why do we need money?”

Me, “To buy food”

Ash, “Why do we need food?”

Me, “Well you don’t like to be hungry do you?”

Ash, “No, Why do I get hungry….”

These questions are endless!  I think that I hear the word “why” out of her mouth a hundred times a day.  I know it’s because she is curious and learning.  I am patient with the “why’s” in the morning trying hard to answer her and teach her, BUT come nightfall my patience just runs out.

Family Building

You have heard of Team Building games, well on Monday for FHE we did Family Building games. It was so much fun to see everyone get so into it. We are slightly competitive I have decided. After we finished we talked about our family and how important we are to each other, and how much we can accomplish by having each other for support.

After I wrapped things up Kaylee passed out a family picture that she had slid into the plastic magnet frames for everyone. She had been asking since school started for a picture of our family for her locker at school. I thought that since each of the kids have their own locker, that it would be fun for all of them to have one in their locker. I let the little girls put theirs down low on the fridge so that the could see them each day.

I was pleasantly surprised to go to the Back to School Orientation for parents and see that each of the kids HAD put their pictures up already!

Jacob’s Watercolors

Now that school has started back up, so has Jacob with his art classes.  He sooo enjoys art!  I enjoy picking him up and having that one on one time with him.  He really wants to go to BYU and study animation.  Pixar hires “a lot” of BYU’s graduates.

Here is Jacob’s stiple drawing.  Stiple drawing is basically a ton of dots that eventually create a picture.  This was Jake’s least favorite.  He says that it just takes too long.

He is loving watercolors!  I never knew how they did transfers until Jacob showed me.  You first draw your picture.  Then you turn the picture over and completely shade the back with a certain # pencil.  Then you turn your picture back over and lay it on your canvas.  You trace over your original lines and the shading underneath acts as a carbon copy.  Here are two of his last watercolors.  The flower is soooo pretty.  These pictures really don’t do his art justice.  I’m excited to frame this flower and put up.

I wish these pictures were better.  He just amazes me!  Wouldn’t that be so fun if he could work for Pixar and create characters for them?!?

Receiving a Compliment

This weekend was filled with soccer games, country dancing, achievement days and a Friday Frenzy craft night.  With all of those events one little conversation stands out in my mind above everything else.

We were driving home and Nathan was talking to Ashley about her soccer game.  He looked over at her, in her little uniform with a big bow tied in her pony tail and said, “You look pretty Ashley!”

She then did her little side smile and replied, “Thanks for telling me that Nathan”.

I smiled to myself excited that Nathan had complimented her without being prompted.  And found it sweet how Ashley acknowledged it!

Shaving Cream Painting

This summer when my sister, Alesha came we bought shaving cream to do this project with our kids and then never got around to doing it. Well, Friday we have designated as Friend Friday and the girls had friends coming over. Of course Rebecca was quick to ask what the project was going to be and I was like uh….., until I remembered that I still had the shaving cream. It was such a fun project!!!

You take a cookie sheet and fill it with shaving cream. Then you smooth it out. Next you drop a few drops of different colors of food coloring.

Using a toothpick you stir and drag the food coloring around. I didn’t get a picture of Kaylee and Elizabeth doing it, but here are Rebecca and Carmella.

After you are done with the painting you place a sheet of cardstock on top of the shaving cream and press it down into it. Then peel it off. It looks like you totally messed up your painting. Taking a squeegy you drag the shaving cream off the paper and are left with the design that you created. Kaylee’s is the above masterpiece. Ashley even joined in the fun making one, and thought that it would be tasty to try. She then declared that “this is the most disgusting whip cream ever!”

Uniform Headband

My kids wear uniforms to school. I try to let the girls accessorize as much as I can. I had an old uniform plaid skirt that I made some more headbands out of. Do you remember doing this last year Kristy? We even made ponytail ribbons and bows then. I sure miss not having you here for my projects.

Here is this years headband -

I used Heather Bailey’s pattern. I think she is such a creative woman! Here is the pattern link http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/Headband.html They are really fast and easy to make.

Rebecca and I are working on a fabric beaded bracelet using the old skirt fabric. Fun Fun Fun!!!!!!!!! Does anybody have any other ideas to accessorize these girls in their uniforms?

WePlay.com

Have you heard of this? They launched the site in April.

Can I just say that I totally LOVE this site! We have all these kids involved in sports and weplay keeps things so organized. Coaches post their schedules, practices, and any information that we may need. The team can share photos and comments. I love that I have one place that I can pull up a calendar for all of the kids. It has maps, times and uniform colors all programmed in from coaches and team moms. You can have it send reminders to your email.

Then for the kids, they can find drills and tips that are on videos to learn from. There are pros that you can ask questions to. Nathan has even asked questions to get his kick stronger. You can save the drills that you like in your own folder.

Anyway, check it out and see what you think! As for the Thompson’s WE LOVE IT!!!!

Cleaning and Canning

They say that -

“Cleaning the house while your kids are still growing

is like

Shoveling the walks while it is still snowing”

Isn’t that sooo true!?! I feel like as I’m cleaning one thing, the two little girls are off destroying another thing. Just as I get that picked up they have done something else. It is just like the quote.

It also reminds me of the book “If you Give A Mouse A Cookie”. And yes I look like that exhausted little boy at the end of the book by the end of the day.

I have been quite busy lately. Mom sent home a box of pears, so I canned them. Had more tomatoes that were getting way too ripe, so canned them as well. And if I do say so, I think that the pears turned out “pretty”. I love the Ball Blue Book. It has an answer for everything! You can check it out here - Ball Blue Book of Preserving

Thanks for the pears mom. And thanks for keeping me busy girls! I don’t know what I would fill my days with, if I didn’t have you two!

Labor Day Balloon Festival Questions

Our family has a tradition to go to the Labor Day Balloon Festival.  This year it was filled with questions for dad.

“Dad, why can’t we ride up in one?”

“Dad, why haven’t you bought one of these for our family?” 

Ashley has proceeded to ask and comment on getting a hot air balloon since Labor Day.  She says that we can just do it in our backyard.  Everything is so simple in a child’s eyes.

Then of course the older girls kept asking, “Dad are we going to go out for Breakfast?  What are we going to eat for breakfast?”

“Dad why does Jerrica get to ride on your back?  When is it my turn?”

“Dad did you know that we LOVE you?  Thanks for taking us to see the balloons!”

Jacob didn’t go with us.  He was busy handing out water to the runners at the marathon that morning.  He is trying to up his service hours for scouts.