Notes

Today I volunteered at the girls' school. I always try and leave a post it note on their desks when I leave. Anyway, today Rebecca came running back in the classroom from recess and caught me in the act. She squinted her little eyes and got such a wide little grin as she read my note. She said, "I just love you so much mamma". Of course I was elated and thought what a simple little thing as a post it note, can bring such love and joy to another. Anyway, it got me thinking of notes and how much I love writing and receiving them.
Stephen had given me this note last Christmas. I had seen an Oprah show where she was talking about how special a framed note can be for the recipient. I commented on it to Stephen and of course a light went on in his head as he thought, "that's something FREE I can give her and she wants it!!!" It was a win win for both of us that year because I did LOVE it. It's so Stephen too, because he misspelled a word and just corrected over it. Anyway, I love having it in my room to remind me that "I make his life beautiful".

My other special note that I have framed is from Rebecca. Last year she was in half day Kindergarten and always wanted a project or something to do in the afternoon. Well, one day when I was BUSY with my project she started hounding me for something to do. She was just starting to write so that phonetically you could understand it. So I told her to go and make a list of her favorite toys or favorite games. A little while later she came down with a list, but told me that she decided to make a list of all the things she liked about me. Of course I cried as I sounded out each one. I loved her spelling and list so much that I have had it by my nightstand since that day. She always comments on how I framed it and have kept it. I LOVE it and will always treasure her sweet comments to me. Below is her list to me:

Anyway, I just love notes. I love writing them to people and I love receiving them. I do save a lot of them too. A friend from basketball told me that her sister just had a book made of all the love notes and cards her husband had given her over the years. She scanned them in and then had Shutterfly do the rest. That is something that I MUST do. I wish that I would have saved more of Stephen's notes. I guess he will just have to start writing more to me!!!!

Fun Technology

Just a quick review of the week. Stephen and I went to the musical, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". It was quite humorous. Thanks Angie for the tickets!!!

Then Wednesday we did a PJ'S night with the YW. PJ'S stands for Prayer, Journal, and Scriptures. They came in their PJ's and had a breakfast as the speakers spoke about each area. It was a nice evening. I was excited today as different girls told me that they had started writing in their journals again and reading their scriptures.

Now for the fun technology. Stephen had gotten me a new camera for Christmas and I FINALLY got it this week. I was so excited. Of course Stephen had it shipped by row boat all around the world twice since it was WAYY cheaper that way. But hey I'm not going to complain since I have it in my hands now. I loved my old camera, but had a hard time with sports pictures. Now to learn about the camera. Help me Becki!!!

My last fun technology find was the "torpedo". Target had all their toys on clearance last week. So I stocked up for birthday parties. Well, this torpedo was sitting on the bottom shelf for $22. Yes I did say$22. I couldn't believe it. It is usually around $150. I've always thought that one of these would be fun to watch movies outside during the summer. I remember showing movies using a film projector on the outside of people's houses on my mission. Anyway, I was way excited at the price.

Born With Talents and Traits

Jerrica LOVES pens and pencils. I know, I know... she's going to poke her eye out or get lead poisoning. She is just so obsessed with holding and having them AND drawing. She draws on books, tables, walls, and herself. She shrieks and throws major fits when we take them away. I don't remember any of my other kids having such a love for pencils and writing. She literally has been obsessed with them since she was able to grasp and hold them. Anyway, I had to document this obsession with Jerrica's writing. I started thinking of what the other kids liked at this age and was amazed at how their love is still literally "their love".

Jacob loved books. I have tons of pictures of him reading. He would sit in his room forever just pulling out books and looking at them. Well, he still LOVES books. I'm amazed at how quickly he can devour them. He always has a book to take with him in the van. In fact, he's upstairs in his room reading right now.

Then there is our Nathan. He was always obsessed with balls. We remember how he would go over to a wall as a toddler and roll or throw the ball at the wall for hours. He would always tote a ball under his arm. I don't know how many MILLION times we have told him not to play ball in the house, yet I can hear him up in his room right now throwing a nerf ball at his wall. He is such an incredible athlete though.

I know we are born with inherit talents and interests. I think it's so interesting how it is displayed right from the start. I'm sure our little Jerrica is going to be an amazing artist or author someday. I just wish she wouldn't use my walls and books to practice on.

Nathan's Patriots Day

Nathan's fourth grade class has been studying the American Revolution. Today they had their culminating "real life" day. That is one thing that I love about The Classical Academy is how they go ALL out on these days. They had these three men from The Sons of the Revolution come and talk to the class. They had so many interesting facts, props, and stories. I think they were as excited to be there as the class was to have them.

The next room was writing the Declaration of Independance with plumes and ink. Let's just say they didn't get too much written . Then they had a Clara Barton room where a woman was dressed up and talked about her. Clara Barton had lost three husbands and numerous children. She told of how George Washington approached her to make the flag and had initially wanted a square flag. She pointed out that a rectangular one would wave better. She also had requested to make 5 point stars instead of 6 point stars because that would use less fabric and could be made using only 1 cut. The kids then learned the one cut star method. Anyway, the last station of the day was a colonial lunch of stew and biscuits.

I forgot to mention the play at the first part of the morning. Nathan was John Hancock. He was very excited to get this part. All the kids were dressed up for the time period. Some parents rent costumes, but can I just say that I'm grateful for the ARC. We found a men's suit jacket for $3.99 that we cut short in the front and then made tails in the back of it. All in all it was a very educational day for Nathan and fun for me to spend the day with him!!!

TIME

A few people have been asking to see another picture of the bag up close.  Here is another link to a different post with one of the bags.  HERE

The girls would spend hours on Webkinz and the boys would spend hours on the Wii or PS2 if I would let them. Yet if they were working on homework or cleaning, every minute seems like an hour to them. I think we are all the same way though. Hours just fly when I'm playing sports, working in the garden, dinking around on the computer, ...... However, if I'm doing laundry and cleaning the house it seems like time just goes so slow. So I guess I can't blame the kids, I'm just like them.

My mom would always make lists and then check them off. Stephen always has his notebook by his laptop that has his list of to do's. I love sneaking and adding to his list with tasks like "Kiss Shauna"

I love the quote, "You give your life to that which you give your time" by Theordore Roosevelt. It is sooo true. There are just so many minutes here and there that can be productive instead of wasted. I'm trying really hard this year to watch my time and schedule so that it is filled with good things.

By the way, this is how I spent my afternoons last week. I made little scripture bags for each of my girls and then did two more for nieces. The reward for me was on Sunday when Jerrica kept smiling and walking around with her bag. She would take a few steps and then look inside the bag. All of the girls were so excited and little did they know, they were getting in the habit of always taking their scriptures to church each week.

New Years

For New Year's Eve we had the Spillanes over to celebrate. We ate pizza and plenty of other appetizers and goodies. We played games. One game we would set our little timer for 2 minutes and hide it somewhere in the house and then give the kids vague clues of where it was. They had to race around to find it before it would go off. They were way into that. Then we played the holiday game where each person was a different holiday. Our last game we had to dress up in these winter clothes as everyone chanted 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 .... I think Stephen was the only one to beat the time limit. Jerrica loved walking around the rest of the night in the scarf. Anyway, then we watched movies and until the countdown. It was a fun night.
For Family Night on Monday we talked about setting goals and using our time wisely. Basically a lesson for me to apply. Anyway, for the activity we cut up magazines with pictures of the activities that we want to accomplish this year. Now to keep our resolutions!!

I had to post this picture of Ashley's crazy hair. We took it on New Years Eve. She has sooo much hair. Everyone constantly comments on it.

Last but not least is my fun project for the week. Ashley started Sunbeams at Church on Sunday and I felt bad that I didn't have a little bag for her to keep her scriptures in. Of course one won't work because all my girls want new bags for their church things. They have been fun to make. I tried making each one different hair color etc. for my girls. I should've taken a picture of all of them, but I still have one left to make!

Kaylee's Project

Kaylee loves projects and so for Christmas we gave her quite a variety to keep her entertained. Little did we know, some of the projects would entertain the boys as well. They were out of minutes for TV/Video games for the day and helped Kaylee. The three of them were cute as they cut and tied her blanket. Now everyone tries to use "her" blanket to snuggle.

Our other activites during our break included the movie "Bedtime Stories", Laser Quest, Wii Fit, computer games, craft projects, family basketball, lego creations, and swimming. That makes me tired just listing all of those. I'm glad they are back in school!

Christmas

Christmas Eve with all the kids in their new PJ's. Ashley was so cute. She was thrilled and screamed, "New Jamies!!!" Then as each one kept opening theirs she continued with her"WOW you got new jamies too!!" It was just cute how excited she was for each of them.
This year Jerrica loved getting under the tree and hiding. She always looked like such a cute little present hiding down there.
We always do doughnuts on a string on Christmas Eve. I think it's actually a Halloween thing, but we have done it as one of our games since the boys were little.
Of course we do the Thompson Family chimes to the Christmas carols. We read and acted out the nativity but I was videotaping and didn't get any pictures. This year we had two Marys. Rebecca and Kaylee BOTH had to be Mary.
Here is a shot of our graham cracker gingerbread house day. The kids were so creative with their candy.
Rebecca was really into getting fancy for Christmas. She was quite upset that I didn't have a Christmas outfit or shirt for her to wear. I gave her the special Santa hat, but that would not do. We had to curl her hair as well and put on red lipstick. She is always so into getting fancy.
When I was a little girl we would always make our beds right after we opened presents and then run spread our loot out on our bed. Mom would take a picture ot us and all our gifts for our scrapbooks. I even remember Grandma Jackie and aunts coming down to see our beds. Anyway, I kept this tradition with our kids. It's good to get everything in their rooms and then layed out so they can play with their stuff during the day. Anyway, here are a couple pictures of my kids with their beds and then me when I was little.

Jerrica's christmas bed picture. She loved her talking push car. The girls took the elephant Webkinz from Jerrica, since she is "just too little to really do it"

The girls christmas bed. Kaylee got a 10 pixel digital camera. She is quite the photographer. The family got the Wii Fit game. Kaylee was our champion hula hooper and was constantly trying to beat her record. Sadly enough, she was incredible sore the next day. Her hips and stomach REALLY hurt her. I think I may need to do that game daily!!!

Each one of the kids get ONE big gift from Santa and then the rest are from us. Here is what each of them got from Santa. Rebecca got a karaoke machine. She constantly is singing!!!
Nathan got Guitar Hero and his Star Wars Unleashed games.
Jacob got the Spore computer game.
Ashley got her princess bike that she has been talking about for weeks now.

Some of the models that the boys made out of Legos.

Crafty Cari

Tonight Cari Burgess came to drop off Christmas presents. The girls and I were thrilled. She had made me a scarf that perfectly matches my coat. I LOVE the scarf. It is so soft. She also made a ton of hair bobbers for the girls. The were so excited and immediately had to have them in their hair. She had made Christmas ones at the first of the month that the girls HAD to wear to school. Cari is always so good to make these bobbers for the young women to wear at girls camp. Thank You Cari!!! You're awesome!!!

Christmas Parties and More Games

This week the kids had their last week of school and their Christmas parties. Can I say that was a nightmare in itself trying to keep track of what each one needed and making sure the teacher's gifts were all set to go. Kaylee had to take 2lbs of uncooked rice for a snowman project, Nathan 1 pound of hard candy .... It was just so many random things. One room mom left a message of something to bring to one of the parties and didn't leave the grade or teacher's name on the message. I thought "how on earth am I supposed to know who needs what and when" I think keeping track of all these kids is making me crazy!!! At any rate the parties were fun. Both Stephen and I were able to go to them. It is so nice to have him work from home so that he can go into the school for their various parties and activities.

I thought that basketball games were over, BUT I was wrong! Kellie, Kristy and I decided to take our girls to the Pinecreek HS girls basketball game this week. A lady that we play with, Lori, has a daughter that plays on the team. The girls were excited to go and all of us moms had fun visiting and watching the game. Kellie's daughter, Hannah, leaned over during the game and said, "You know my mom used to play down there on the court." It's just fun to take your kids to sports or activities that you love. I just hope that one of my six has a love for basketball like I do!!!

Then Mr. Stephen had tickets to the CC Tigers Hockey game, but got sick last minute so I took them instead. I had a blast on my date with the boys. I asked them if they were going to take their dates as they got older to hockey games. Nathan quickly replied that he wasn't because it's too expensive. He is just going to take them to the Dollar Theater. I'm sure that's going to go over well with the girls. Nathan has always been so tight with his money. He always has the most money of our kids as well!!!

One last music note, the kids had their recital this week. I forgot to take my camera though. They played very well and are excited for a holiday break from the piano. Stephen and I also went on a date this week to go and hear some of my young women sing in their high school choir at Pinecreek. They were sooo incredible. I couldn't believe how fun the accapello groups were and how beautiful the harmonies were in the large group choirs. We had a fun night listening to the songs and also seeing a few old friends!!!

Another fun event this week was a lunch over at Kim's house. She had picked up some delicious salads from Mimi's Cafe. We also are doing another family this year, so all of us divided up needs and wants a family in need. We are going to meet at Jamica's this week to do our late night drop off.

Music and Basketball

The girls have been practicing their Christmas songs for weeks now in their little angelic voices. I really enjoyed the first graders sing "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth" They looked so cute up there missing their teeth and whistling as they were singing.

We also took the four older kids, along with the Madsen's and Spillane's to a retirement home to play their Christmas songs for them. Jacob sounds incredible! He memorized "Jesus Man Desiring". Nathan played "Carol of the Bells". I think I can hear it ringing in my ears as I type this as much as he plays it!!!!!

Jacob, Nathan, Kaylee, and Rebecca have all just finished winter basketball. They each have improved in so many ways. I'm so proud of their shooting form and hustling. It was fun for the girls to play on the same teams with their cousins. I'm just getting sad that the cousins are moving!!! Stephen and I sure enjoy Saturday games. It's tricky coordinating all the games and times with friend birthday parties mixed in. Anyway, the medals have been passed out and games are over until February.

HAIR!!!! I really don't want to add this because it makes me sad, BUT I do need to document it. Wednesday night I had Young Women's as usual. You would think that I would be recieving blessings for doing my calling with all of the time that I put into it ... NOOO I sure didn't on this past Wednesday. First off, we went caroling and somehow a rock was flipped up and cracked my windshield. Then, I get this call from Stephen to forewarn me about Ashley's hair. Let me mention first that Ashley gets LOTS of compliments on her hair. It is very thick and goes all the way down her back. Well, let's just say she's a little on the mullett side now. She cut off her side braid and then a big chunk behind her ear. Thanks to the thickness we are doing long hair pull overs like the bald men do. And then of course the cute knit hats with flowers and bows that once again give her a lot of attention. My mom called asking her about her hair, she immediately said, "Yeah, I cut my hair and mom says that I'm ugly" I will post a picture of her this week.

Christmas Preparations

One night this week we made ornaments with the kids (Kristy's kids too) The girls made bead snowflakes, which were a NIGHTMARE!!! Then the boys and Makayla made these cute hedgehog pinecones that we tied jute on so that we could hang them on the tree. The three year olds did pom pom candycanes and I think they had more glue on themselves than on the candycanes. The kids always beg to do projects, but in the middle of them I sure wonder why!!! Hands down though the hedgehogs were the easiest and turned out the cutest!!

My sister Kristy was determined to find something to put money in for the kids' stockings. As kids, my mom would always stick in this cardboard candycane thing that had slits for quarters. We called banks, thought of making some and then found this cute reindeer holder out in blogland, http://www.mylittlemochi.typepad.com/ . We whipped out 12 in an hour one night. We had fun laughing because it was so late. And can I just say I LOVE whoever invented the glue gun, that sure makes crafting FASTER!!!

It seems like every winter we have plenty of snow days where school is canceled. The kids of course are thrilled - Shauna not so much. It just kind of throws the entire day off because I was not planning on having the kids home. I schedule and have things for the kids to do on planned days, but these unexpected days just mess the whole schedule up. Anyway, this week we had a snow day, AND since we are in December I actually had a few projects to keep them busy. The girls made paper chain count downs and the boys dipped chocolate covered pretzel sticks. I think Nathan ate more than he made!!!

Sister Weekend

This week we took family pictures because we haven't done that since Jerrica was born. Plus it's that time of year to send out Christmas cards!!! I put the family picture in the cards, but wanted to post this cute one of the kids on the blog. Aunt Racquelle helped us find matching dresses for Janie's wedding. And can I just say it's hard to get six kids decked out for a picture and all smiling and looking at the camera!!!!!

Nathan was not quite so smiley. He was sick when we took the picture. Infact, all six kids got sick one at a time this last week. They had a fever and felt achey for 24 hours and then were fine.

Alesha flew in from Utah Thursday for a little sister's get together. We played basketball together with friends there at the YMCA on Friday. Afterwards, Alesha shared some favorite salad recipes that we made for lunch. They were sooo yummy. The one is a warm salad that you saute garlic in olive oil and then add spinach leaves and portobello mushrooms. As soon as the spinach starts looking a little wilty you take it off the heat and add feta cheese. It was so divine. Anyway, we also did this cute stocking advent calendar that can be seen here: (scroll down to the stocking one) http://www.skiptomylou.org/page/3/ I'm excited for the kids to start it tomorrow. We also watched a movie together and went shopping at Kohl's. We enjoyed laughing and visiting with each other. Can't you come again this next weekend Alesha???

Puzzles

YEAHHH!!! We finished our puzzle that we started over the Thanksgiving break. It is such a fun puzzle because of all the colors. We enjoy going to the balloon festival here in the Springs each year and this puzzle reminds us of the balloon launch. It's also a challenge with the 1000 pieces. I love doing puzzles. Nathan and Kaylee love working on them as well. My grandma Jackie would ALWAYS have a puzzle up to work on. She had hundreds of puzzles. I look back now and see how wise she was to always have a puzzle going. People would sit down to visit and would get hooked on the puzzle. I know everyone stayed a little longer than they would have to find and put in a piece. I've already decided that I'm going to have a puzzle going when I'm older so that friends and family will stay longer to visit. Even doing this balloon puzzle, it was fun to visit with each of the kids as we worked on it.