Ashley came home exclaiming, “Ezra’s dad called my fancy shoes, “CLOGS”! Why would he say such a mean word?” She was clearly upset.
I’m sitting there thinking, uh maybe he called them clogs because they ARE clogs.
She went on to tell me that she told Ezra’s dad, “Please don’t call my shoes names. They are fancy shoes and they don’t like being called names”.
Jacob will send me texts. Kaylee sends me the sweetest emails. Nathan is not about to write a note, but will talk nonstop any chance he gets. As soon as he gets in the van to go to a practice he is talking the entire time about every detail of the day. Each of my kids are different in how they communicate.
When I saw this idea HERE on Mama Jenn’s blog, I knew that it was totally Rebecca’s form of communication. The girl is ALWAYS writing in her journal. She also loves to write stories. SOOO I knew this would be a hit with her and it has been. This is the journal we made and SHARE with each other.
Rebecca will date a page and write a note about absolutely anything, and then leave the journal on my pillow. I then can answer her and leave it on her pillow. Sometimes weeks may go by without writing, but something will trigger a thought and the journal comes out. Last Saturday Rebecca had a great game, and I couldn’t resist commenting on parts of the game that stood out to me. Well, then she wanted me to recount a game when I was a little girl and why I remembered it.
Quotes are shared, date nights are planned, and sweet feelings are penned. The book is already a treasure!
Nathan was able to go up with Logan to do a clinic with the Rapids and then watch their game. He had a blast. He told me that he can’t wait until he is “playing professional soccer”. That boy of mine has big dreams.
Thanks for taking him Tom, AND thanks for the picture!
He also told me that someday he will be on posters. I decided to let that dream be a reality of sorts, and made a poster of his feet for him to hang in his room. I put his word on it that he tries to always keep in mind when he practices and plays.
Last week I was consumed by this online Photoshop class. It was a four day class from 10am to 5pm. It was all LIVE, so that you couldn’t pause or rewind it.
I learned a ton of shortcuts, techniques, and tools. A HUGE thanks to Stephen for helping me with carpooling half day Kindergarteners, so that I could watch the class.
Jerrica was my buddy as I listened. She brought in the Polly Pockets and Little Pet shop one day. She dragged in stories, coloring books, play food from her kitchen, you name it, she was right in here playing with it. Isn’t it funny how kids have to be wherever you are?!?!
We did take a little break to make cupcakes for the kids.
ANYWAY, photoshop rocks! I can’t believe how many things you can do with a photo. I’m grateful for others who share all of their tips and tricks. Now to remember and use them.
We have had BEAUTIFUL days in the high 70’s.
The big girls had a half day on Friday.
Stephen and I, along with the four girls, were starving for lunch on Friday.
Thus, take-out food in the park with JUST the girls on Friday.
This was Rebecca laying on the blanket.
This was Rebecca after I tickled her tummy with my foot.
Kaylee was busy climbing trees. She really is such a tom boy. 
Stephen always makes the park fun.
Anyway, BEAUTIFUL day and BEAUTIFUL memories!
My sister runs marathons. Always before a marathon she will email out to family and friends a video clip, story or quote as she counts down the 10 days before the marathon. This was today’s clip she emailed me. I have always loved the quote, “Success is getting up ONE more time than you fall”
Life IS hard. You just have to keep getting up and keep on trying!
Someone had to dress up as a character today from a classic story.
She was soooo excited to go to school in her blonde wig. As I was snapping a quick pic of her, she said, “Mom, wouldn’t that be awesome if I could be a REAL Goldilocks, and if I could find a bear house to go into.” I think that only my Ash, wouldn’t be scared to take on a bear. The bears would probably run!
Ashley has been getting ready for Halloween by making posters to hang up. She made one of these for her teacher, tutor, librarian, and ME!
I LOVE five year old artwork. It just makes me smile. I will be keeping this in our Halloween decorations to frame and hang up for years to come….
A few months ago I read the idea of asking the question, “Does anyone have anything they want mentioned in the prayer?”
We have implemented it, and I’m kicking myself for not doing this years ago. It makes family members aware of each other and their needs. I have seen the kids ask how a test went or how someone feels because they were made aware of it in family prayer. We live in a very self absorbed world, and being able to pray for others, turns our thoughts to others.
Hearing what family members say, also let’s me into their heads of what is troubling them and what they are concerned about to cause them to bring it up at family prayer. Nathan asked the other night if we could still pray for Gian Luc’s family. Rebecca asked to pray for her leg, that I wasn’t even aware of being hurt until she mentioned it.
I just love how this question right before the prayer, personalizes it for our family. It makes us start thinking of each other. Praying for a group means being aware of the needs of the group.
Anyway, just thought I would share….
Reading
Playing in Soccer Games
Going to Stake Activity Day Activities
Cleaning
Eating out at Hu Hut
Shooting a couple of Photo Shoots
Dancing at a Regional Dance
Eating Kaylee’s yummy Dessert she made
Today was such a long day. I tweaked my back earlier this week playing basketball and it seems like it’s just getting worse. :(
I got up canned some pints of stewed tomatoes, then went back to lay on my heating pad. Got up to work on laundry, then went back to the heating pad. Got back up to make an apple cobbler that I was craving, then back to the heating pad. By the time afternoon hit, I gave up on getting up!
The little girls brought their coloring books into my room and we had a coloring party. Ashley reminded me that she is ALWAYS giving me pictures and that I don’t really ever color pictures for her. Rebecca then climbed up and we read together. Nathan then came in to give me a play by play of his soccer throw in progress. He is trying to learn how to do a flip throw in, and about broke my TV trying to show me. I then realized that I didn’t HAVE to be up and going to be involved with the day. It is just SO hard to sit there knowing all that needs to be done.
ANYWAY, a butterfly hatched and so I snuck away from the heating pad to see the awe in my girls faces as they let him go.
It kept flying on to Jerrica’s dress. She would giggle and proclaim that “He likes ME”
Jacob has done his time with the braces…
and now they are OFF…
He is such a sweet boy. I’m so grateful to have him as my oldest.
We planted 12 tomato plants in the Spring. We are now reaping the rewards. The little girls like to pick the red ones with me. Today as we were filling the bucket Ashley said, “this is like playing hide and seek with the tomatoes”.
I LOVE pinterest and have been trying quite a few recipes that I have been pinning. We LOVEd this one. There is just something about it, maybe its in the sauce. :) Anyway, the recipe is from the Girl who Ate Everything. HERE is the link to the recipe and below is her picture. They really are yummy!!!
Then I wanted to share this post about husbands. Have I said how much I adore my Stephen? I do. He is amazing. He is sooo good to help the kids and I. I can’t even begin to tell you how much he does around here, but sometimes I take it all for granted. Sometimes I don’t put him first like I should. Anyway, I just loved Shawni’s thoughts that she shared a few weeks ago on her blog. I loved this part, “I guess the thing I do more than anything else to put my husband first is that I put him first in my thoughts. Every time I say a personal prayer he is always the first person/thing I pray about” She shares so many other great ideas and thoughts. Go over and read her post HERE.
Then to answer questions about “Mommy School”. It is pretty much just a very conscience effort to spend time with Jerrica. If I don’t, the day just flies by cleaning, cooking and doing projects without that one on one time with her. I don’t have lesson plans or a book I go by. I just spend time with her. It might be riding our bikes to the mailbox, coloring pictures together, playing Polly Pockets…. This week we used painter’s tape to make a “J” for Jerrica. Then we finger painted all over the poster board, and peeled the tape off to reveal the “J”. Jerra was thrilled to show her siblings the masterpiece when they got home.
We do have fun…
A speaker did this years ago when I was at college. I filed it away. Last night I pulled it out and taught my kids.
I held up a crisp $50 bill and asked if anyone was interested in having it. Of course ALL hands were in the air.
I asked them why they would want this and the replies ensued. I then took that crisp bill and crumbled it all up into a wad. I asked again, “Would anyone want this now?” Of course ALL hands went up again. I explained to them that it has been crumbled and isn’t crisp anymore. Jacob said, “But the value is still the same”.
I then took the wadded up $50 and stepped on it with my shoe. I assured the kids that my shoe probably is a little dirty and so the bill now is dirty. “Does anyone want it now?” Once again ALL hands went up. Nathan then pointed out that it is STILL a $50 bill.
I then launched into my lesson on the worth of a soul. We are ALL children of God. Some have had harder struggles than others. Some may have grown up in an area where they weren’t seen as an equal. Yet, even though some have been crumpled or stepped on, we are still children of God. Our worth is the same in his eyes.
We then talked about people that we know who might not be treated with respect and how they might not feel that they have self worth.
We finished off the night making a few blessing bags that are filled with goodies and a gift card for those on the street corners that plead for assistance. These people are crumpled right now, but in our eyes they still have worth and hopefully they can feel that by our little bag of goodies.
My incredible friend Katherine made a lot of these bags and has ideas of what to fill them with. You can find her HERE.
Elaine Jack said, “Our eternal worth is given to us by God; it cannot be manipulated or decreased by anyone. Of course, if we are not living the commandments, we may lose sight of our divine worth and potential. Nevertheless, each soul’s inherent worth is always great in the sight of our loving Heavenly Father. I think that is imperative to know! Worthlessness is not an option for anyone.”
I love being able to sleep in and actually REST on Sundays. Today as I was straightening my hair Jerrica came in with her little scripture book bag and looked up at me saying, “I’m all ready to go to church” I looked down at those big eyes and told her not to move a muscle. I ran and grabbed my camera and snapped one of her. I HAD to have that sweet little image forever because my mind forgets.
Not only do I enjoy the day of rest, but I am grateful for the time to reflect on my life, on my goals. Stephen sat down with each of the kids one on one to go over their goals tonight. It’s fun to go in their rooms and read them on their bulletin boards. Each of my kids are so different and have different dreams and aspirations.
Sunday is a day we put on our best clothes and go to church. We reflect on goals and what we need to do to improve ourselves. We are able to strengthen relationships with family and friends through mail, phone or visits. I love seeing the board games come out on Sundays and the banter between the kids. The music I play through the house is different. Even our Sunday dinner is just a little bigger and better than a typical dinner. Sunday is just different than the other days.
What a blessing to have Sundays to recharge spiritually and physically. It truly is the best day of the week!
So I saw this idea on Pinterest and LOVEd how clever it was. The idea was from A Creative Princess blog found HERE The post has a little tutorial. I think it caught my eye because my girls have really enjoyed bottle cap necklaces and how you can switch them out.
SO, I went to Target’s dollar section to pick up some of the magnets. I also saw cute little candy tins that I thought would be perfect to keep all of the extra magnets.
As I was there, I was starting to think about all of the upcoming birthday parties my girls were invited to. SOOO I grabbed extra, grabbed some of their cloth recycle bags that were ALSO matching this candy line, grabbed some actual candy to stick in with the magnet necklace tins, and I had a cheap, cute gift.
One gift was already given tonight and was a big hit. I love the fact that you can attach any type of magnet. Now I’m going to keep my eyes open for other fun magnets, maybe some holiday ones.
All of the supplies for my gifts came from Target’s dollar section except for the necklace bases which were from Hobby Lobby. They just so happened to be on sale this week and were only $1.50 for a pack of four. They also had necklace chains for a $1. The washers I already had here. The washers are what you glue to the necklace base to make the magnets “stick”.
ANYWAY, just wanted to share since Christmas is around the corner….
FIRST, I wanted to share this list for all of you out there with toddlers. It is FULL of fun and easy activities to do with toddlers at home, while their siblings are at school. You can find the list HERE. I’m excited to check some of them off with Jerrica this year.
I try really hard to always have story time right after lunch. The problem is that by the time story time is over, I’m needing a little sweet treat to get me going again. Jerrica loves to help in the kitchen, so we usually migrate in there and make a treat. Today we made Kiss Cookies.
Then the REAL kisses came. Stephen smelled the cookies and came up from working to try one. I love these next shots of the two of them. Jerrica really is a daddy’s girl. He has been working here from home since she was born.
She sure gets a lot of attention being the only one home with Stephen and I. After Stephen went back down to work Jerrica said, “I like chocolate kisses a lot more than daddy kisses.” :)
