Hope this makes you smile! I get a kick out of the dreidel interjection :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
o-r-a-n-g-e- r-o-l-l-s...
How do you spell Christmas? I love to make orange rolls at Christmastime, to share and as a small selfish indulgence too! What-I haven't eaten lunch yet-oh well, let's just have rolls for lunch. I made two batches today which pretty much took up the larger portion of my day, but I figured why not since all the stuff was out and dirtied anyway. We made lots of plates and added some almond brittle-another guilty holiday pleasure-it's good it's only once a year! We took them around to friends and neighbors after school with the girls. All day I'd imagined all of us heading out in the van, Christmas music playing and everyone in great spirits as we gave rather than received. Sometimes I think my memory gets away from me, in reality things are not always so idyllic! Does that happen to anyone else?! The girls were bickering about who had gotten to take more plates to the doors, and getting back into the van climbing over one another seemed to be an issue. Oh well, it was fun, for me anyway, I like to share them. And, I think I've had my fill, enough to last me until next year!
happy happy birthday birthday!
The post of a million pictures, that's what happens with two birthdays on one day-I can't imagine three Lisa! This year the girls and I decided to do something a little different, we made a birthday pizza rather than cakes. You would think that after so many cakes I would be somewhat good at it-not the case. I make bad cute cakes. I can make one in the pan just fine, but the fun shapes and frosting all baffles me. Thus-the pizza. We spent a very fun Saturday afternoon making it, the girls loved decorating the sugar cookie crust with all sorts of things, mostly because they could eat them too I'm sure! When I pulled it out of the fridge last night it didn't look so great. And honestly, it grossed Cody and I out, the pudding, the soggy candy, the whole thing. Of course L & C thought it was fantastic which is all that matters anyway :) Fun to try something new, but maybe we're glad no one was able to come and partake of the birthday pizza, probably a frown by that recipe, we'll stick with fruit pizza! The girls got Littlest Pet Shop animals from Cody's mom, great, now what does Santa do!?!? Santa's out of luck, he's done shopping and there may be a day of returns and re-shopping when it's all said and done :) Tis the story for the December birthdays, poor kids. We're going to throw a 7 1/2 birthday party on June 16 next year. Outdoor games, water games, food-and kids- OUTSIDE- should be fun. It's just too crazy some years to do a party. We had a candlelight dinner with their favorite foods-spaghetti, meatballs, and breadsticks. I loved it, we don't get to eat dinner with Cody much because of his work schedule and I truly miss it, miss it badly. Hopefully someday. Anyway- we were all sharing stories about the funny thing we remembered about them. How they used to say mazagines and soldiers instead of shoulders. They were such innocent and sweet little toddlers, they've just improved with age. I can hardly wait to sit around the table when they're home from college and share funny stories. So many good times ahead, I can't wait- no maybe I can- I like it right now too! I'm waxing sentimental so I'll wrap it up. :) My kids really bring it out in me. So another birthday, it's exciting to see them grow up, but it also pulls at my heart so incredibly hard, I love these years.
This week is full of loose ends-sewing projects, wrapping, cooking-mmm, and all the other random things that need doing. Nothing I can post pictures of unfortunately, shhh, it's a secret. Merry merry days...can't wait for next week!
sarah mclachlan - wintersong
Just a Christmas song to share. Oh, I am a fan of Sarah. I also like her version of Joni Mitchell's River. So much good Christmas music to be heard, I love it.
sleeping beauties...
After picking the lock on Lauren's door-which seems to have become part of the nightly ritual- I usually find them both tucked into one bed sleeping like angels. Maybe they think we'll kick Chloe out of the bed so they lock us out, I don't know. Some nights after a challenging day this sight really cheers me up. Today they were trying to play Littlest Pet Shop together and having big issues about who was 'the boss.' It seems someone needs to be in charge of all those important decisions when playing and Lauren usually loves that role. Chloe, poor Chloe, she wasn't happy about being "bossed" around and then was crying and whining when she wasn't playing with Lauren. No happy medium today. But, for all the little spats they have they truly are the best of friends and they know each other so well, sometimes a little too well. Knowing exactly what sets your sibling off is useful and dangerous knowledge. They use it pretty well to their advantage sometimes. I love how they love each other though- never holding back, always genuine.
On a much yuckier note, Chloe passed on the pukes to Lauren who graciously shared with Cody last night. Noah and I are praying we'll be left out. No fun, but I think the worst has passed. Such a busy month, L & C turn seven on Sunday so time to start baking cakes and wrapping gifts. I see a month of very few posts ahead!
at home today...
Last night about 3 a.m Chloe wanders in to our bedroom and complains about her stomach. the "mom" instinct kicks in and and I jump out of bed rushing her into the bathroom. Fifteen seconds later she's lost her dinner. Poor little lamb, about every hour she was up, this morning it finally subsided. Lauren said her stomach hurt as well and was home from school until noon. Fortunately, I don't think it's contagious no one else has been so unlucky. L & C had a birthday party last night and had the usual party food, not sure if that's what got her or not. Cody was also home not feeling the best. I finished Christmas shopping while everyone napped, I think it's early to bed for me tonight though. It was nice to have everyone here today, just lounging around.
I had to post some of Chloe's "poems" that she wrote last night. I just got the biggest kick out of these little pearls of wisdom from a six year old. I'll translate for you although I'm getting pretty good at reading their words.
"You ar rit war you ar." You are right were you are.
"The wold is big but its a good plas for you." The world is big, but its a good place for you.
"Wuts a hart without love?" What's a heart without love?
"The wold is a plas war you can love." The world is a place were you can love.
"the sciy is blue but the sun is yellow." The sky is blue but the sun is yellow.
"you ar nice but sum peopoll mit be mene to you but be nice to them and thell lrn to be nice.
You are nice but some people might be mean to you but be nice to them and they'll learn to be nice.
"you ar speshell even if your not treted that way." You are special even if you're not treated that way.
"your good and I'm good too."
"your life is a geft." Your life is a gift.
So fun, Cody and I love to see their writings, since we both enjoy that also. Hope they bring a smile to your face, they did mine. Which one speaks to you? :)
bring on the birthdays...
Happy 30th birthday to me, yikes! Cody and I celebrated Friday night by going out, it was fun. My Mom and Dad came up to watch the kids which we so very much appreciated. I don't feel too much older. I guess you quit telling people your age when you start to feel older, so I'm not there yet! My Mom made a delicious oatmeal cake which was quite hot by the time we got all the candles going. I burned Cody's hand in the process...sorry honey. I have to be honest in saying that I would love to have a birthday in say February or July, but December is a festive month. We also have Lauren and Chloe's birthday on the 16th, my brother Landon on the 17th, so it's a fun time, a bit hard on the checkbook, but fun!
One of my sweet friends gave me this cookbook for my birthday. I read about it in the Reader's Digest actually and was planning on checking it out. The whole idea of sneaking healthy foods into dishes isn't new by any means (right Mom? :) But I guess being married to Jerry Seinfeld gives this chick a little more time and money to put it all together in a fancy schmancy book. It is a great idea really. Tonight I made Blueberry Oatmeal Bars-with one entire cup of pureed spinach. Even my husband's discerning taste buds approved. Success! can't wait to try some other dishes. I made all of Noah's baby food by pureeing veggies and fruits, so this shouldn't be too much of a stretch. Give them a try-I was pleasantly surprised!
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups flour (I used whole wheat pastry)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup butter
1 cup blueberry preserves
1/2 cup spinach puree
Heat oven to 375, spray 8 by 8 in pan with cooking spray. Combine all dry ingredients with vanilla then cut in butter to resemble coarse crumbs. Press half of mixture in pan and bake until lightly brown around edges-10-12 minutes. Mix blueberry preserves with spinach. Spread over baked oat layer and top with remaining oat mixture. Bake until browned 15-20 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
(I doubled the recipe, grinding up half the oats and just making a blueberry sauce on the stove rather than using jam. It turned out pretty tasty.)
Thanksgiving and more...
I was not ready for this last weekend to end. As much as I love Christmas, December just seems like one busy whirlwind. We went down to Bancroft to be with family, it was relaxing and fun to visit. A couple of my fave pictures were Lauren and Chloe eating an entire turkey drumstick and really nothing else on their plates. Oh, and plenty of pie, they always save room for that. Here's my cute sis Shay reading to Noah and cousin Tayler. We got to see everyone but Landon and Lina-missed you guys! Thank goodness for Christmas... uh, speaking of which-I haven't been in the mood to shop at all, so unlike me I know. I've been doing some projects and gifts here at home, but just can't get motivated to go actually shop anywhere. Part of the problem is ideas-please someone spur me on-tell me how much fun it is to browse in December-ha- I don't believe you. Is it just me or are the crowds already out in force?! I'll get there, it's just taking a longer this year. But I am excited, the girls begged to put up all the decor on Saturday, it is the earliest I've ever put up the tree, it was fun. I've really been loving the XM radio stations that play Christmas music round the clock. I was wondering how Noah would do with the tree, he loves it. We had it all decorated and lit up when he wandered upstairs, he was so excited. I loved seeing his little face light up. "Tee, tee!" He's only destroyed one ornament so far, a small beaded candy cane from the kindergarten days-we have plenty more though. :) A friend returned this clown wig today after borrowing it for Halloween and Noah wore it most of the afternoon. He kept checking himself out in all the mirrors around the house, too funny. What really made me laugh was him dancing to the ring of my cell phone while wearing the wig- always making me smile! So thankful for all my family-near and far-this time of year.
happy birthday Mom...
My Mom's birthday is tomorrow, and I just had to post to celebrate her and all she means to me. This post may wax sentimental-be prepared! I've always loved these pictures of she and I in 1980, wow, that was a long time ago. That's how I remember my Mom, getting up early in the morning, throwing on her old blue robe and cooking us a hot breakfast EVERY day before school. Reading to all of us on the couch before bedtime. Sewing me beautiful church dresses. And as I got older, taking walks to the cemetery, those hour long Sunday phone visits all through college. Now that I have my own kids, I know that it wasn't always easy and there were probably other things she could've found to do with her time. All in the name of love, serving your children brings love and joy. So today, a huge thanks to my Mom, who was able to so gracefully give me independence and a safe place to fall all at the same time. Happy birthday, I love you!
got beaters?
Hee, hee, do you like that picture of the beater lodged in my cabinet hinge? I kind of did. My visiting teaching partner asked me today if I noticed a lot of differences between girls and boys, and maybe it was because we were saturated with all things girl. But it's been entertaining for me to notice the differences. Last night Noah took all the beaters from my mixer (beater-s- only plural because I am hard on mixers and have owned more than my fair share) and he wasn't succeeding in actually getting them in the mixer so he randomly poked them in all the hinges, quite creative I say. Can't say that L or C ever enjoyed themselves with a mixer as much as he does. But, he also has that tender side that loves to sit with me at the piano and sing songs, cuddle, give and get kisses. It's so endearing, the perfect balance, no wonder little boys are so precious.
On another unrelated note, I came across a friend who is trying to read all the Newbery Medal winning books from about 1922, sounds interesting to me. I might have to check a few out. Always need a good read in the wintertime. Although, I've been having WAY too much fun making jewelry for gifts. It's hard for me to just dabble in something, it seems I have to get completely involved, I have and it's great fun. Whenever I make something I like I usually end up keeping it and making a second for a gift! Maybe that's why I like it so much, ha ha! Wishing everyone a very thankful and fun Thanksgiving weekend. Mmm, looking forward to leftovers!
life weighs heavily upon you...
when you're a mere six years old. When I put Lauren and Chloe to bed at night, the cogs in their brains start turning faster rather than winding down it seems. Tonight they had tons of questions about heaven. Were they going to make it? A friend at school had told them if they weren't members of her church they wouldn't go to heaven?! Crazy, so without launching into too much I tried to explain how Heavenly Father loves ALL his children ALL throughout the world in ALL churches. I don't want them worrying about arriving in heaven just yet. Seems we have enough to do right here on earth to me! I want them to know how much they are loved by God and feel that love daily and not just focus on the logistics of getting to heaven. Wow, deep stuff. This little friend is something else, she really has a testimony of what she believes in.
So in the middle of our baked potatoes and chicken Cody and I get this inquiry-
"So, which finger is the bad finger Mom?"
"Um, all your fingers are good aren't they?"
"Yeah, but some kids at school talk about a bad finger."
So I deferred to Cody and let him have a try at explaining that one. He did great. (How glad I am he can answer the ones like "Where do rainbows come from?" My science is rusty.) I just added that 'flipping someone off' is never appropriate and should never be done. At least they know. Somewhere in the back of every parents mind I think though is that tiny little worry that now that they know whatever-swear words, bad fingers etc.... the knowledge will resurface at an inopportune time. Hopefully not, here's where trust comes in I suppose!
My favorite question today was "Do you like being a mom, Mom?" This questions always pops up at odd times. It seems they need to have this answer re-affirmed when I'm in the middle of something less than desirable-like tonight-picking up bits of food off the kitchen floor. In other words, "How can you enjoy wiping up all the messes, changing diapers and all the other less than glorious tasks that accompany motherhood?" Well, I always have to remind them of the merits and wonderful blessings that are mine as a mother. Not always-o.k. never- a glamorous job but oh, so worth it in so many ways. So, yes, I do love being a Mom. I have to say though the questions are getting harder.
I'm on a mission....
to find this movie- God Grew Tired of Us. These kind of documentaries really resonate with me for some reason. It just puts my life into perspective and lets me take a peek outside of my little world, which I need, love, and enjoy. I'm hoping the public library will take interest and submit my request because I can't find it here at any video rental stores. We have so much to be thankful for, we have no idea. How can I be irritated my fridge leaks water every three days when there are people who don't even know what one is? Wow. Has anyone seen this show?
Oh, why do I do this...
When I got on the computer tonight, here I see Cody has typed in several different dog breeds and researched them. Then comes the rush of guilt, pity, and regret. Cody and I are SO compatible in so many areas of our marriage, sadly though, animals-particularly dogs-not being one of them. He's desperately wanted one since our first anniversary when we settled on some mice in our apartment, as pets that is. We do have a cat now, but he's always grown up with and had dogs around IN THE HOUSE. Me, well, I prefer animals out of doors, but what kind of bonding can happen when you quickly feed and pet your dog and run back inside where it's warm??
So tonight, our neighbors small poodlish dog escaped into our yard and the girls were out playing with him for a long time. And as I watched from the window, I thought, "I could do this, we could get a dog, for the kids and Cody, they need one." A sort of dog pep talk to myself I guess. Then I tell Cody about it, maybe for Christmas, what kind should we look at? Get him all riled up and excited once again. I really should keep my thoughts to myself until I'm absolutely sure. When I was pregnant with Noah we had two trial runs with two dogs and I just couldn't cope. I don't know what-if anything- has changed. I have issues with messes and mostly hair. I hate pet hair all over my furniture and clothing. And messes, sorry, that just ruins your carpet! So, do I bite the bullet and just go for it again and possibly disappoint with my uptight ways or just find a really friendly and cute hamster? I wish I could change, but it's super hard for me to fell o.k. with it. Here's the requirements:
1-somewhat small, but big enough to run with Cody
2-short hair, but absolutely no shedding allowed :)
3-friendly with kids, but not so energetic as to bowl them right to the ground
4-never pees anywhere but the back right corner of the yard
5-never barks or howls when we leave
6-no jumping on the furniture, however outdated it may be!
This list is a bit in jest, Cody tells me once I bond with one, I can tolerate more. Maybe that's true. I do love my kids a lot and they jump on the furniture and have been known to soil a few spots on the floor. Any breed suggestions? My bet's on the furry hamster :)
(pics are of two breeds we both kind of like- boston terrier and a weimaraner)
it's basketball season...
Lauren and Chloe are playing basketball this year on a first grade team, they had their second game today. It's quite entertaining to see them learn the game, you never really realize how many rules-unspoken and spoken- there are until you try to teach someone else! They are doing well and having fun, the team is almost the same as their T-ball team this summer with a few new additions. I was just thinking how busy life will be if I have L & C playing sports and then Noah too-maybe football and basketball. Oh, don't know if I can handle football. Don't tell Cody!
I made my mother-in-law a stadium cushion for her birthday last week, her girls are 10 and 12 and just getting started with school sports, so she'll be needing that for the next 6 years or so. It's interesting to me how the busyness of life just kind of shifts, more away from home than at home. I like being home and having kids here, I'm not ready for them to be gone a lot. Enjoy the weekends together while we have them. Sure love these little gals!
a sneak peek...
into our Halloween festivities, so exciting, I know. I have to take pictures at Halloween since it's the only time my orange counter tops are seasonal :) L & C designed their own faces and Cody carved them since I scare him silly wielding a knife toward a pumpkin. Fine with me though, I'll stick with roasting the seeds. I think that's our favorite part, probably the only reason I got three pumpkins. A little olive oil and seasoning salt, yum. Does anyone else feel just a little sad putting the jack-o-lanterns out to the curb after Halloween, or is it just me? I feel bad wasting a perfectly good pumpkin and yet, who would want pie from it after it sat in the rain and held a burning candle for hours on end?! Ooh, maybe I'll compost them...hmm...
We went to Boo at the Zoo tonight and as we were bringing home a frozen Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) and a thawing pioneer, I remembered saying I wasn't going to go again after last year. Cody was at the ICCU booth last year and we went for the first time. Noah always stays pretty cozy in the stroller, but the girls freeze, since they insist on going without coats for awhile to show off their costumes. Lauren was near crying at the end, "Mom, I wish we were at the zoo in San Diego!" Yeah me too, just too cold here in Idaho. There didn't seem to be as many businesses and vendors there either, oh well, someone please remind me next year to pass it by. It's fun, just too cold for our thin skins I guess.
What a funny boy, Noah howled when I tried to get him into this bee costume, but today he put it on for about 3 minutes and we snapped some quick pictures. So, that's all the holiday he's going to do, he just wanted Lauren to put it on and buzzzzz at him. Well, more fun tomorrow, trying to gear up for the sugar high, those poor teachers, they must hate Halloween :)
all I want for Christmas...
As their mother, I guess I should have loads of ideas for Christmas and birthday gifts, the girls turn 7 in December too. But, I'm at a loss this year still, I just have a few ideas. Noah has been lining up everything from bits of food, dress-up jewelry and his trucks and making the train sound, "choo, choo." I'm envisioning some kind of magnetic train, any suggestions? I must admit, Cody and I had such fun looking at the Thomas the Train stuff in the toy dept. It's funny to see the difference between boys and girls even at such a young age, some things just come ingrained. We get the American Girl catalog occasionally and L & C pore over the dolls, they're only $100 :0 Plus, they recommend them for ages 8 plus. I found a knock-off version at Target. So yes, I guess I'm one of THOSE kind of moms, I could easily drop $400 getting two dolls and all the accessories. I plan on making a few outfits and hopefully they'll think they're still pretty great!
Now for the real sad part of the story. Lauren and Chloe know now that Santa is a hoax. I know, it seems too soon to me too. I never planned on it happening, and it was a gradual thing. They had a friend at school who kept telling them Santa isn't real-what a friend huh?! I knew Cody would be disappointed, but over the course of 3 weeks they kept asking me so many questions-none of which I had any decent answers for. Questions like- "How does Santa see everyone in one night?" "Why do some kids get a lot from Santa and other kids don't get much?" I was eventually trying to get them to figure it out, but they were begging for me to just TELL them, so I did. And they seemed o.k. with it all, I just told them to still believe in the magic and to let other kids (NOAH) enjoy believing. And by all means, don't go around broadcasting it to other kids their age who still might have a glimmer of hope left. Good grief, I think I was almost 10 before I thought, alright, it's true, he's mom and dad. Please don't flame me for telling them and posting this, I guess I have moral issues with Santa as well. Why do some kids get spoiled and others don't? Any answers Santa? I'm hoping Christmas will still be as fun as ever though, after all there are still plenty of surprises, even if they're not delivered via sleigh and reindeer, right?
P.S. Same goes for the tooth fairy, the friend exposed her as well. It's alright I suppose, we have had close to 12 visits this year :)
Mom, when you were my age...
So, I'm starting to get just a little bit of a complex here. I'm not sure if my memory is seriously lacking in some areas, or my daughters just have super-detailed questions. Maybe all you objective readers can offer your opinions :) Every night when I tuck the girls in we visit for a few minutes and ultimately the conversations end up with questions like, "Mom, what were you for Halloween when you were seven?" "Mom, what was your favorite food when you were my age?" Or they get really tough with "Mom, what did your favorite pair of shoes look like when you were in first grade?" Are you kidding me!? Sometimes it's hard to remember what we had for dinner last night. No, really I think my short term memory is great, but maybe I'm lacking a bit as far as childhood memories. Sometimes one of their questions really jogs my memory and I can whip out an entire story about some random subject. But a lot of the time I end up with something lame along the lines of, "Hmm, I'll have to look in my photo albums." I'll get back to you on that. I must say I'm quite flattered that they have such an interest in what I was like as a kid-there I am in the pic-who wouldn't want to be buddies with that little chick? So tonight, after grilling me about every Halloween costume I've ever worn, and asking me to rate the five best it was just bugging me. (The best was hands down the three legged pants with my friend Whitney :) I had to find out what I was for Halloween when I was seven, here it is, a bum or poor homeless girl I guess! By the way, I just noticed, that is a wig, never was blessed with hair that thick. The haircut's pretty close though, happy times. So, I'm working on it, does anyone else have trouble pulling out random childhood memories or is it just me? I countered Chloe at the dinner table though. She asked a way too specific question for me and I shot back with, "Chloe, do you remember your favorite song when you were two?" "No, I don't remember." Really, I sympathize.
work versus play...
who wins, well, lately it's been play. So today I kicked into high gear and swept and mopped all the floors this morning and made bread. Still working on laundry and bathrooms. Needed a break to play :) The pic of the front yard is the work that awaits us every fall, but I'm a bit excited about the leaves this year. Yesterday I splurged and got a leaf blower that has an attachment to suck, grind, then bag up the leaves, making an awesome mulch and compost. I was disappointed it rained and I haven't used it yet. Hopefully the excitement will keep with me a few more weeks! I don't think I'll ever get thrift store shopping out of my blood, guess we were in college too long. And still now, not out of necessity so much, but just fun, I still like to scour the stores in search of those hidden treasures. And believe me, they are hidden or in some cases, non-existent. I think what I like is having to look for something I need or something worthwhile. Going to a regular store doesn't give me the same satisfaction since-let's face it- everything looks great and sure I could use it at say a place like Macy's. But, most times there's a lot of junk and I go away with a few laughs at the stuff that was actually for sale. I found this cool fabric this week and liked in a funky, retro-ish way. I bought with aprons in mind. But back to the whole work thing. I promised myself before I jumped in with anymore 'fun' sewing projects I would finish my temple dress. Yes, the sad story is somewhere between here and San Diego, I lost my temple clothes. I still feel sad about it since I loved the dress so much. I've been trying to finish a current one for several months. And I don't feel it's coincidence that things keep coming up and stalling the project. Two nights ago, my junky iron burned a hole in the slip, aahh, at least it wasn't the dress right?! Yeah, the same iron that burned Noah, it has bad karma or something. So work before play, I'm needing to get some more slip fabric before the aprons get back on the table. Well, kind of long post about nothing in particular. Lauren and Chloe are posing in their new church dresses, they always want their picture taken on Sunday mornings. Guess they feel like they are looking their best! They were looking pretty cute this time. Till next time, love from our leaf covered home to yours, stay warm.
skeletons, scarecrows, and red shoes, oh my...
Every year it seems Lauren and Chloe lament the fact that I hardly to anything to decorate for Halloween, blow-up lawn decor and tombstones just haven't been a priority I guess. So this year I tried to redeem myself. We made this skeleton out of eight milk cartons, it was a pain, but turned out kind of cute, in a skeleton-ish sort of way. I only sustained two cuts from the box knife I used. Not thinking I will do anymore of those little devils, plus it took the entire afternoon. I've always wanted to do a scarecrow, so I found the perfect use for one of the twenty Vandal t-shirts Cody owns. He has so much U of I sports gear, no load of wash is complete without something sporting the logo. Not that I mind, I mean I'm a proud Vandal too. The pic is a little fuzzy, but yes his 'head' is a little out of proportion with the body. We just kept stuffing and stuffing, he's a little on the chunky side, but Chloe found him to be quite lovable. It freaked Noah out a bit. A first it was "Daddy?" Then as he reached out to touch him and found he was crunchy and soft Noah kept his distance. Here's Noah with his "There's no place like home" look. He loves these red Dorothy shoes that actually belong to Lauren. Poor fella, he's going to have all these pictures with girly shoes, barrettes in his hair. He just spends too much time with us ladies. Hope L & C feel a bit better about the decor and hope Mr. Vandal doesn't get rained upon too soon!
hip hip hooray....
So I was reading the free newspaper we get every week (which I never used to read when we got the REAL paper-need to renew that :) And on the front page is an article about a food co-op coming to downtown Idaho Falls!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! In my opinion that's one of the few things this beautiful city needs. It's right next to Great Harvest Bread on A St. I loved the Moscow Co-op, hope this one has as many good things to offer. So go check it out and buy local!
ahh fall time...
my favorite season...So after the first big snow of the season!?!? it's finally back to 'real' fall weather. I was NOT ready for that, give me another two months of fall please. I had to post a bunch of pictures to make up for the past month. And because they're awesome since the fabulous Lisa took them. I love the colors in this first picture. By the van I was trying to show Chloe how to bend her arms and knees and look like she was racing by, I needed some skates myself. I haven't skated for a LONG time, kind of miss going around the rink with all those bad 80's tunes blaring in the background. Anyway, back to fall-we got about 4 inches of snow on the flowers, vegetables and our two huge maple trees who had not lost their leaves yet. Streets in downtown were closed because so many tree branches were randomly falling everywhere. We lost quite a few as well. I felt so bad to hear that cracking sound and see another one hit the ground. I've had a love hate relationship with those trees. But I definitely love them now. I didn't grow up ever having to rake leaves and so inheriting these trees was a bit of a shock, not to mention a lot of work. I hated how our grass always looked littered. And my flowers would have appreciated a bit more sun, they are just so efficient, shady, and huge. But in a strange way their largeness is comforting to me, almost like a shield for our home. I know it would feel naked without them. And even the leaves are great compost, and I'm all about compost :) I think what I appreciate about them the most is how looking out the window keeps me in the here and now. If it's fall they are turning beautiful colors, in the winter they are laced with sparkling snow and ice. And when Noah was born in the spring we took a lot of naps together on my bed and I watched as new leaves emerged. And summer, wow, they're gorgeous and cool. The pods split apart making a sticky decoration for the nose as well, fantastic huh? Too bad I couldn't market those like the snore strips or something equally bizarre! I always think of those when L & C do this little trick. And I have to give thanks for my overgrown apple tree as well. I dried some slices, made applesauce, and pie filling. Fruit trees are so fun, wish I had a couple more. Thanks for funny kids who always keep me laughing and remind me that leaves fall on the ground for the sole purpose of being jumped and played in...happy raking!
four funerals and a wedding...
I never did see that movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral, but for my life it's been reversed lately. My cousin is getting married next week, but it's in Utah, so I won't be able to swing it, I'd really like to go though. I've been to four funerals in the last three weeks or so. Our ward has a lot of older folks and I usually get some of the action by accompanying musical numbers. It's been interesting to me to go and hear about their lives. I can't say that I have known them well, a couple I hadn't even met. I always seem to get a bit emotional seeing the families though, and it gets me thinking of my own. I'm not ready to bury ANYONE in mine, of course, who is!? I'm glad to be able to offer a bit of service too, I think music brings such a great feeling to a funeral service, I hope mine consists of few words and lots of music :) Lately, the constants seem to be me and Emmy Collette, a great organist, I really love this lady. She came from Austria in her twenties and I always love talking to her. She has had cancer twice and was joking last night about how all her older friends keep asking if she'll play at their funerals and she said, "I'm the one who's had cancer, I should be checking out!" I told her she's off the hook for my funeral :) She's funny, wise, and incredibly strong. I love knowing all the older folks in our neighborhood! She offered to give me some organ lessons, which I plan on taking her up on. I wish I had taken organ lessons in college, but I was so into all things piano-teaching, accompanying, and performing, that it didn't even cross my mind. So here's to a new chapter in my musical life, maybe I'll get to play at all my friend's funerals!
a good investment...
Wow, just when you think that maybe what your kids hear and listen to doesn't make an impact, a dinner conversation like this one occurs. Last night I was talking to Lauren and Chloe, they have a mutual friend in first grade who they run with at each recess. She belongs to a Christian church and Chloe was pointing out our church adjacent to the school playground. Anyway, they got in a discussion about Heavenly Father, Jesus, and prayer. Chloe quoted the first two Articles of Faith to her and then told her friend... "the Pearl of Great Price tells us that Heavenly Father's work is to help us learn to be like him and help us live forever." She quoted verbatim these tapes and CD's- Scripture Scouts- that L & C listen to almost every night. Cody and I sometimes poke fun-they do have a singing dog, but the messages are great. And they teach so many gospel concepts through music, which is so effective with kids. Lauren informed me that the two of them along with two of their friends had formed a club where they would share their beliefs. They were both so nonchalant about it and I was glad they felt they could do that. So after this encounter I'm realizing at what a young age kids form their beliefs and really start to internalize them, it's neat really, that they know what they believe in well enough to share it with others. They need something to believe in at such a young age, how grateful I am for Primary and all the great resources we have to teach our children, even if it is Scripture Scouts :)
somewhere over the rainbow...
I really like this arrangement of the Judy Garland classic, it makes my blues seem a little less blue, hopefully it will do the same for you. I'm not taking responsibility if you find the video cheesy though :)
Totally unrelated to anything, but it must be brown-recluse spider season. The girls and I rearranged their bedroom furniture and must have shoe-smashed, vacuumed, or otherwise killed close to a dozen of these humongous spiders. They gross me out, just because they grow so big and healthy in our basement. The final straw was when Noah came out with a live one in his hand, "bu, bu?" Yes, it's a bug, drop it immediately, only it came out as more of a "aaaaaaaahhhhhh, drop it, drop it NOW!" I've never actually known anyone who bitten by a spider, but better safe than sorry I say. On a different note, I'm having mixed feelings about fall coming. It has been downright cold and I feel a bit sad as I see the droopy, frozen plants, and no more sunny afternoons in the backyard playing in the water. But a good bowl of soup and piling on the blankets and snuggling close at night cures my wintertime blues. I told Cody that when we're 50-something we can be snowbirds and head to Florida in the wintertime. After so many Idaho winters I just might be ready for a warm Christmas, who knows. I'm off to fold my warm laundry, have a cozy week, stay warm...
so you think you had a bad day...
a guy on my street had a worse one. As we were walking home after school and haircuts for Lauren and Chloe we noticed 4 police cars, an ambulance, and a news van on our street. Hmm, people standing around on their porches looking towards the end of the street. Well, I watched policemen come and go out of the house near the bend in the road. Then the ambulance and news van left and boxes and totes started coming out of the house. When a policemen left and my next door neighbor talked to him I stepped outside to get the scoop and my suspicions were confirmed. This 30-something guy was running a meth lab out of his basement, that's right, a meth lab on my street, nice. I've never met the family. This summer though I saw a lady that could've been his wife and a little boy about 3 running around. Hope he was gone during this whole deal. I just associated him with this huge and muddy truck that would speed down the road and I always thought, "He needs to slow down a bit." I feel badly for his family and for his poor choices, just sad really. I also feel bad for whomever may end up buying the home, should they ever move. When we moved to our home, a few neighbors said things like, "Oh, I don't even want to tell you what happened in your house!" Seriously, like those kind of comments serve any purpose. So, I can just hear what those owners would be in for. So, I for one, won't be blabbing about what the previous owners were up to, if I'm still around. It does make me a little wary, but just mostly saddened by the thought that people do stoop that low. Too bad. Look for us on the evening news...
at home...
Here we are doing homework after dinner. Ha ha, we, I haven't done homework for about seven years, L & C are busting out their math homework. I don't remember having homework in first grade, but even the girls would agree-it's easy! Not to feel left out, Noah usually climbs up to the table and does his "homework." It's funny as he discovers what things are, he picked up a pencil-shaped block yesterday and tried to color with it :) My favorite was when he picked up a toy whose batteries were dead and he ran to drawer and grabbed a screwdriver! How many times has he seen me mess with those darn batteries. I'd forgotten how much those little eyes watch and pay attention to everything you do. Noah's been into piggy back rides too. Every time I squat down to do something he's there, climbing on my back, that boy likes to be carried around.
Please ignore the canning mess in the background-it's plums this week. Our neighbors (be sure to check out their son on my music favorites) had these two great trees we picked from. I've dried some, made jam, and our favorite is plum syrup. I still hope to do some tomatoes and make sauce from our apples. Well, still gotta get some stuff done while Noah naps, have a great day everybody!
