Spring Break A Day on the Farm

I started the week with things not running smoothly and it continues. We went to the Hatchery for last year's Spring Break and were going to go again, BUT Mrs. Ross just couldn't fit us into her schedule. I commented on how I hate when things don't go smoothly and Kaylee piped up, "But mom when we aren't able to do something, we always get to do something that we weren't planning on doing, and it's usually just as fun" I thought, oh girl keep that bit of wisdom for the rest of your life and you will always be happy. Anyway, here is a photo from last year and then the rest of the photos are from Tuesday.

All the kiddos outside Uncle Warren's dairy.

Jacob climbing a little too high!

Feeding the calves. There was a tiny twin that was so cute.

Inside the milking barn, watching the process. A milk cow gives 10 to 12 GALLONS a DAY! The photo below would hurt any nursing mom.

We also went and saw the pigs and piglets. This pig above was HUGE!! Then on to the sheep and lambs. The girls always love the little lambs.

Next were the rabbits. She explained to the kids how a momma rabbit pulls the hair off of her chest and makes a nest to have her little ones in. A rabbit can have up to 12 litters a year. (That's one each month of the year!) One of the kids asked what they did with all of the rabbits and when she said eat them and sell them for meat I thought that Rebecca was going to start crying.

They also went in the hen house and she let them each gather an egg out of the nests to keep. I couldn't believe how excited the kids were to get an egg. HELLO! They could just get one out of our fridge!!! I guess it got them ready for Easter coming up. At any rate we really enjoyed seeing and touching all of the many baby animals. They are always so soft and cute.

Spring Break Art Day

So I took Alesha's idea and hid the kids day's agenda in a cereal box.

Little did I know the day wouldn't flow as smoothly as the agenda had outlined. I first took the kids to an 8:30 orthodontist appointment for Jacob and Kaylee. (What a fun way to start out Spring Break!!!) Then we headed over to Bemis. The kids were excited and some of them were reminiscing about classes that they had taken there. Well, we go in and I find out that I have the date wrong. The family adventure demonstration and hands on projects had already taken place. AUGGGG!!!

So we load up in the van as some of the kids start freaking out about what we are going to do because it's supposed to be art day. Can I just say I hate when things don't flow smoothly!!! I did have a project for them at home and stopped at Michaels to pick up another.

We used the fun Crayola crayons from the birthday party to make T-shirts. It's fun because the older and younger kids can do the project. Ashley scribbled away as Jacob took his time on his cartoon.
The next project I had seen in Family Fun last year. They had made mosaic collage frames for mirrors. I thought it would be fun to put items around a frame (Michaels $1) and then put a picture of the kids in their frame to capture their age. I made all the kids scour the basement and junk drawer for little treasures that represent them. The boys had legos, kinex, army men, mini dragon...It was fun to see what everyone came up with. I'm mad that I didn't take a picture of the boys frames, but I'm way to tired to go round them up and take a picture. I will have to post it later. Anyway, as they would bring some trinkets to put in their pile, I would frown thinking that they probably shouldn't use it, but then would think again that it is one less little thing to pick up.

The art day ended with a mosaic tile tournament of Blokus. I had to post a picture for Angie. This is such a fun game for a lot of different age groups. Stephen and I have even had fun playing it with other couples.

Looking around now at the house I think I should have made the agenda a Spring Cleaning Day instead of Art Day. I let the boys go off for a play date with two brothers late this afternoon and should have made them do their chores first. I just HATE when I get behind on the house, and if I'm not constantly cleaning I seem to get behind, especially due to my little string out everything Ashley and Jerrica.

Our Weekend

Just wanted to get the weekend posted. Everyone was busy with their own activity so I took a few photos to capture them!
Rebecca was into her puppet kits. Aunt Kristy recommended these kits from Hobby Lobby. LOVE them!!! They are only $4 for a kit and each separate puppet comes with their own plastic needle, thread and parts. They are pre-holed so they are like sewing cards. Rebecca was so into ironing out the felt, sewing, glueing and just basically making them.

Stephen did all of our outside windows on the ladder. It's amazing how clear they are now.

Stephen, the boys and I have all been into the final four right now. I love watching the underdog win. I also love the close games. When I was in labor with Kaylee I actually had the final four on at the hospital to keep me distracted.

Jacob had fun with Kaylee's kite that she had gotten for her birthday. It's amazing how high he had it.
Nathan had an outdoor soccer game. The played their rivals the Wolves and beat them 4 to 3. Nathan had an incredible game. I enjoy watching his fancy footwork.

As for Jerrica, she was busy writing all over my walls. I have never had one sooo into this writing thing. Then Ashley is busy changing into as many outfits as she can during the day. I don't know what the deal is with this clothes phase, but I'm not enjoying it! Kaylee made a chocolate dessert with my help tonight and was so proud of her part in it. She sure loves baking.

Anyway, that's the weekend in a nutshell. I'm really excited for this Spring Break week. I have a lot of fun themed days planned. I just got off the phone with Alesha and she gave me a cute idea to hide the proposed plan for the day in the cold cereal box for the kids to find in the morning. I better get on it, thanks for the idea Lee!

Civil War Day

Today was Kaylee's Civil War Day. They just finished studying about it and did their true to life day today. There were eight fun stations that I wanted to describe.

1. Dress up and photo. They talked about how the soldiers would have to hold very still and almost always had a serious face. (very hard for giggly Kaylee to do). They talked about how huge the camera equipment was and how long they would have to pose for the shot. The teacher printed up a photo for each kiddo.

2. The food station was filled with foods that would have been eaten during the war. They had cornmeal hash, applesauce, meat and apples cooked together and flapjacks. They ate out of tin pie plates and were given rations just like the soldiers.

3. Poney Express where they wrote postcards home and then rode stick horses all around the halls to deliver them. Kaylee's postcard was cute. She talked of being wounded and missing my cooking.

4. Drum and Bugle corp station was outstide. (Thank goodness!) They talked about the importance of these instruments in the war.

5. Then there was a game section where they had cards, checkers and dominos. They told of how the pieces were made out of bone and how the soldiers would play these games. When Ryan talked to our family about Afganistan he talked about how the soldiers would play X-box. The games have changed!!!

6. Then they had a Clara Barton station where the teachers would treat each of the kids. They would tell them that their legs would need amputated. Skittles were given as medicine to help these poor soldiers with their pain.

7. They also had an underground railroad station where the kids acted like slaves and would have to sneak around the school without getting caught.

Anyway, that's just a quick synopsis of the day. Kaylee and I had fun together. I was excited to hear her share so many facts with her brothers and sisters tonight.

The Mile

"Mom, I ran the mile today."

"How did you do Nathan?"

"Well, I was the fastest one in my class. I ran it in 7 min and 40 sec. There was only one other boy, Asa, in another fourth grade class that got a better time."

"Nathan, that's awesome! I don't think I could run it that fast"

"Mom, Coach Labosco wrote our times on our hands. I probably should keep it on my hand in case she forgets my time"

(Yeah right Nathan, considering that we just started Spring Break and I'm SURE she might need you to keep that on in case SHE forgets. I better glove that hand right away!!!)

Clay Poem

Tonight we had Stake Auxillary Training meeting. I always enjoy meetings that I can go to WITH Stephen, even though we broke off into our various auxillaries. In the YW meeting they talked about molds, clay and the finished product. I love the arts including poetry and was touched by the following poem. I had to share it because it is so true.

Clay

I took a piece of plastic clay
And Idly fashioned it one day.
And as my fingers pressed it still,
It moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when days had passed,
This bit of clay was hard at last.
The form I gave it, still it bore
But I could change it never more.
I took a piece of living clay,
And gently formed it day by day.
I molded it with power and art.
It was a child’s soft and tender heart.
I came again when years had gone:
It was a man I looked upon.
He still that early impact bore
And I could change it never more.
-Billie C. Dunston-Hill

Little by little I am molding my own children, and I know that there will come a time when the molding is not taken as easily as it is now. I think that is going to be difficult for me. However, I am thankful for the time that I have been given today. I'm also grateful for their many other teachers, grandparents, and coaches that help in this molding process.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

My kids have uniforms that they wear to school so we don't have much fun with shirts and hair attire for St. Patrick's Day, SO I had to be creative with their lunches. I can't believe how many green foods there are! Rebecca told me on the way to school that she just couldn't wait until lunch time.
A leprechaun did come to our house and reek a little havoc this morning. The boys rolled their eyes, but the girls enjoyed all of the antics. Now to get ready for Stephen's Lucky Night!!! We won't go into detail on that one.

Kaylee's 8th Art Birthday Party

Our little Kaylee Girl turned 8.


She wanted the 8 girls from her class and then her soccer team to come to her party. They ALL RSVP'ed so we had quite a crowd. It was an art theme. I set up a connected maze of tables and chairs so that they were all kind of sitting together down in the basement. We made tote bags. I bought the fabric Crayola crayons and had them color on plain paper and then we ironed their pictures onto their bags. It was interesting to see how different the pictures were. We also did furry eyed pencils. The girls played pictionary ( an art game). Thanks for the idea Tanya. I also had them go on an art treasure hunt.


The cake was also an art cake. I had framed Kaylee's self-portrait that she had made and set it on a little easel. Then I put mini paint sets in each cupcake and had them circling the cake.

Kaylee had asked for a real pig for her birthday. I told her that would not be happening, but her dear cousin Shelby gave her a Webkinz pig, which in her eyes was almost as good as a real one. She named her Peggy the Pig. I actually had a real runt pig when I was her age given to me from Uncle Warren. I think I only had it for a couple of months, but can still remember rubbing baby powder on it. Anyway, Kaylee's other favorite gifts were a sketch pad, stuffed fashion pug dog, and fancy baptism dress (she better say that one because that is one from me). She also got a lot of fun projects to work on and then $90 in gift cards and money.

We also had 7 games on this Saturday. The four older kids had basketball and then the three that are in soccer had soccer games as well. One game was in Denver. Thanks for taking hime Kris!! How was it all possible?!? - many incredible friends, sisters, husband, Kaylee's siblings and my mom. A big thanks to each of you for all of your help!!!

3-14-2009

3-14-2009 Do you know what that date means? It means Pi Day!!!

That means Pi T-shirts, math activities and experiments, and Nathan's favorite the Pi Feast! Parents signed up and brought in pizza, M&M's, cheetos. circle cut out cookies, Skittles, english muffins, marshmallows, ... there was a really long list of foods to be brought in to eat and do activities with. The boys were excited. They had to celebrate it on Friday, since the 14th fell on a Saturday this year. I had to laugh at Nathan. He wore his shirt to practice that night and a kid asked him what it meant. Nathan said all shocked, "Mom he didn't know what Pi was when I told him it was the Pi sign". I told him just be glad he didn't beat you up for being a nerd!!!

"Create" by President Dieter Uchtdorf

I so enjoyed his entire talk when he gave it. So when a friend emailed me this video, I of course had to pass it along. It justifies all the time I spend being "creative".

Sprouting and Budding

I LOVE Spring!!! I love seeing all of the bulbs emerging from the Winter. I love seeing the birds coming back around again. Speaking of birds, I remember going with my Grandma Jackie in the Spring to the hatchery to get boxes of new chicks and ducklings.

Anyway, Monday was gorgeuos outside so after the YMCA I came home and worked outside for a few hours. Did I mention that I brought home a new Blue Spruce and Austrian Pine on the way home from the YMCA?!? Anyway I planted, raked, replaced mulch, and took some pictures of my Spring coming.

Here is a branch budding all over. Can I just say that I'm impressed with my bokeh! There is no photoshop involved in any of these pictures and look how blurred the background are. I'm learning slowly but surely.

I started my tomato plants from seed again this year and have 8 really good starts growing. I love that they already have that tomato plant smell. Anyway, just getting excited at the new growth as the weather is warming.

Perseverance

Today I was invited to teach a character lesson in Nathan's 4th Grade class. They focus on a character trait each month. I was so excited to do perseverance! Think of all the inspirational stories there are. I started out talking about Heber J Grant with his baseball, penmanship and then singing. We talked about the quote that Heber lived by and is the same quote for the class this month. I explained how hard it is for a toddler to learn to walk and how much they have to concentrate and work on it. However, once walking is mastered we don't even think about how we walk or have to concentrate to do it. Thus the quote "not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased." Next I passed out Hershey chocolates and talked about Milton Hershey. I also shared the stories of J K Rowling, Michael Jordan, Charles Schultz and then concluded with Thomas Edison. I had a short animated video clip of Thomas Edison trying over and over to perfect the light bulb. I passed out the hand out above and told each of those 4th graders that they can do absolutely anything if they are perseverant. I think almost every successful person has had to work hard and overcome trials and that is what makes them sooo successful. Anyway, it was a really fun presentation to do. If anyone wants the stories of these people email me and I will shoot you them AKA, Alesha (lover of true inspirational stories)

Jacob

I was informed that I left out the Friend Friday on my weekend update. So here it is - Stephen let the two boys pick a friend to take to the movie. Jacob had been wanting to see Inkheart, since he had read the book. So before it left the theater Stephen took the boys on a date. They really enjoyed the movie, friends and the ice cream afterwards. I was so busy helping do a baby shower and running a dozen other errands on Friday that I was a bit jealous that Stephen took the boys on a date and not me!!!

Speaking of Jacob, here is his latest school projects. The above expression is one of happiness to be finished with his "Silver". He had to make an element and do a report on it. I was not happy myself to find that the element Jacob had chosen had sooo many protons and electrons. I was very adamant that Nathan choose his element a little more wisely next year.

Then below is Jacob's cell model. We had to use playdough, pasta and beans. Oh the fun that school projects are!!!!!!
Also, tonight was Jacob's last basketball practice. The coach had a parent vs. boys scrimmage. We had fun playing against Jacob. Jacob even had four points in the game. The team then had a big pizza party at Pizza Hut afterwards. Anyway, that is the Jacob update.

Basketball Weekend

Yes, it was another Saturday of basketball. The four oldest are playing and each had a game. Nathan and Kaylee each had an indoor soccer game as well. So basically we were running from one game to the next. Did I mention that there was a birthday party as well for Nathan to go to. It makes for a busy Saturday, but the kids sure are getting good at basketball. We were so proud of them!

I like this picture of Coach Jordan talking to the team as Rebecca is oblivious to him and smiles at me across the floor. Coach Jordan has been such a good coach for Rebecca and Nathan. I get a kick out of his wife, Petra. She is such a hoot! I don't know if I sign the kids up under him because of his coaching abilities, or so that I can visit with his wife?!?

Other than the basketball, I've been really busy with stuff for Young Women's and trying to do some spring cleaning / organizing around this house.

Granola

The other morning my aunt called asking if I still had a recipe that she had given me. She was totally freaking out because she had lost it, and was quite excited when I had it. It started me thinking of my recipes that I love and would hate to lose. I LOVE to cook and bake and I'm constantly asking for and giving people recipes and so I'm sure I could do the same as my aunt and call whomever I got or gave the recipe out to. Yet, with the many hundreds of recipes, how could I keep track of who has each recipe. I thought it would be fun and more practical to have another safety measure here on my blog to store some of my favorite recipes. I might even make a fancy digital cookbook of my favorites someday.

Anyway, here is my absolute favorite granola recipe compliments of Jae Stringham. I've had many versions, but LOVE this one. You can even use that wheat down there in the food storage!!! I make a batch of this every month. Sometimes the peanut lovers in the family convince me to make a peanut batch. Anyway, here is a copy for you to try and an extra copy for me in case I lose my recipe!! Alesha, you better print this one up!

Reading Books

I love to read!!! I love to read by myself and then I love to read to the kids. I kind of really get into the expression and voice when I read out loud. I always tell Stephen that I need to work for a books on tape company and be their audio.

I try to read to the little girls in the afternoon. Jerrica amazes me how she will sit and just listen. Some of my kids (AKA - ADHD - Ashley) has a harder time. I think it's fun how each one has a different favorite picture book that they love hearing. Then we have the family classics that every one of my kids have enjoyed. I think I need to make a list of our favorites just to have.

At nights, after the older ones read I like to read outloud a family chapter book to them. We have read Hatchet, From the Mixed Up Files ....once again I should make a list of our favorites. I love when we are reading a fun book and HATE when it's over and we have to find another good one because sometimes that can be VERY hard. We need another good one right now. Does anyone have a favorite that their family enjoyed?

Of course I get very tired as I sit down and read. Do the kids? Just take a look at the above picture from today's little reading session. Yes the tickling started as soon as I put the books down and got the camera out. Anway, let me know some of your favorite books and I will post our family's lists.

Little Bigs

Miss Ashley has the life!!! She goes to the YMCA in the morning, where she plays, dances and does projects. When we come home she wants to make play-dough, watch movies, play games, jump on the trampoline ... Basically just play ALL day long. Her absolute favorite thing to do is to have play dates. Wednesday I took her and Sydney to Little Bigs, where we met Landon and Kelly. I always enjoy chatting with Kelly. She is one of those that you can visit with forever. I love analyzing and discussing things with her. Anyway, the kids had a ball running around and playing together. We are REALLY going to miss Sydney when they move!!!

I make Ashley's schedule sound fun and carefree. Mine, not so much!!! On this particular Wednesday I worked outside, did heaps of laundry, went to Mr. Biggs, ran to teach piano lessons, made sure Rebecca had a ride for her art class, packed Kaylee's soccer practice bag and made sure she got up to Monument for practice, ran to the outlet mall with Kristy (Ryan left that morning so we HAD to do something fun), and then raced home for Young Womens and scouts. I think I need to have a talk with Ashley and get on HER schedule!!!

Art Party Ideas???

We alternate years for friend and family parties for birthdays. This year Kaylee is on a friend party year. Anyway, I just finished making Kaylee's invitation for her upcoming birthday party. I'm going to go print them off at Wal-Mart's Photo kiosk tomorrow so that I waste their ink and not mine. Just wondering if there are any creative or fun ideas out there for the fiesta!?!?

St Patricks Day Project

I said that I would post the project that Kristy and I worked on the other morning. So here it is below. We had gotten the wood letters while we were in Utah and decided to do a little modge podging. I think it turned out really cute. On the other side of my clock I needed an Irish picture to put in my frame. Thus, my two cute models above. Kaylee couldn't stop laughing long enough to pucker and Rebecca is ALWAYS ready to pucker!!!

Grandma Letters

This week each of the kids recieved a letter from Grandma Charla. They were thrilled as always to get mail. I know that we live in a day of email and texts, but I still LOVE those hand written notes. I'm saving each of their letters in their family history boxes so that they can have Grandma Charla's personal note to them in her writing. I've kept some from Grandpa and Grandma Thompson as well.

A couple of years ago for FHE I had each of the kids fill in the blanks to a form letter. Next I let them each pick a different grandparent to mail their letter to. We stuck their letter along with a blank form letter to each of their grandparents and great grandparents (I even stuck a stamped self addressed envelope in each one to help the process). We were so surprised to get all four grandparents letters back along with the four great-grandparents. We would get so excited as each one would arrive and we would read it. It was fun to see what we had in common with each of them. Three of the grandma's put strawberries and cream for their favorite snack. Some had the same favorite hobbies as our kids have. One question I had on there was to write a favorite memory about your parents. Grandma Brenda had written about how she "loved watching her parents dance together and loved to participate with them in dance festivals." Grandma Jackie had written on her question of what was a difficult challenge you faced and how did you overcome it, with "I was always tall and skinny, so I became a good cook as I aged and now I am short and plump!" It was so fun reading these letters with their personalities throughout them. Now that a couple of them have passed on, I'm so glad that we have their treasured letters!!!