Spring Break Monday - Wednesday

Alright, get ready for a busy week filled with Spring Break fun!

So we have a pretty amazing group of moms around here.  One in particular took charge and brainstormed ideas for things to do over spring break.  This was a great plan for moms who need to do something with their children over the break.  So on Monday the activity was an obstacle course by the library, picnic, and ride on the trolley.  I had never been over to the side of the library and we found a cute little hedge maze that had these large books as you went through that had fables on them.  We had plenty of time so we walked the maze and read all of the stories.

The kids liked the obstacle course, it was pretty simple, but they were excited about the popsicle at the end.  They had some balls around and Tyler had fun playing soccer.  Some dress up things were also brought and kids were encouraged to perform something at the little ampitheatre that was there.

 None of mine performed, but Jenna dressed up for a bit.

 Kaylee and Damon had fun singing along with the Pandora songs that were playing.

 We hopped on the trolley and everyone loved the bell when it rang.  The girls really love Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, so they thought it was so cool that we were riding a trolley like Daniel.  The ride makes a big loop, it took about 25 minutes.

 It happened to be a free ice cream cone day at Dairy Queen so we stopped by on the way home after we had eaten our picnic lunches.

 The girls were pretty tired by the time we got home, but they were able to take a nap ok.  The afternoon was pretty normal.  The boys loved being home to play more and hopefully have more screen time :)

Tuesday the boys went to a Minecraft day camp.  A friend had taken her kids last year and said it was good.  It was a bit pricey, but since we weren't traveling anywhere for Spring Break I thought it would be fun for them.  Well, they loved it, but I came to find out that they mostly just played Minecraft the whole time.  They said we could bring devises, so I let them take the iPad.  They said it was optional so  I assumed that they would be doing other activities as well and just play and take turns for some of the time.  Anyway, my friend and I were pretty upset.  It just seemed wrong to pay that much money for letting my kids do something that they can easily do at home for free.  We complained a bit through email.  They wouldn't give us a refund, but they said we could go to a summer day camp for free.  So I guess that's ok.

So the camp was from 10-2:00.  It was about a 15 min drive away.  So the question was, do I just drop them off and go back home with the girls, making two trip back and forth, or do I run errands and stay with the girls in town and pick up the boys on the way back?  I knew the girls would be so tired, but they are getting better at having later naps if they need to, so I went with the second option.  I took the girls to a Marshalls store and we looked around for a bit.  The girls weren't in the best mood, Jenna especially.  She was already asking to go home, and I'm thinking "oh this is going to be a long 4 hours."  Jenna also said she had to go potty three times in the store.  I took her twice and she didn't go either time - frustrating!  Anyway, they had a lot of cute decor things there but nothing jumped out at me so I didn't get anything.

Then I met up with my friend who had her other kids at the day camp too.  We went to the Woodland's Children's Museum.  It was pretty crowded but the girls had a good time.  They even stayed close together which is rare but very helpful for me keeping an eye on them.

Because it was St. Patrick's day they had some fun Irish activities and we even saw some Irish dancers perform.

 The girls were getting tired and we left to go to a Jamba Juice nearby.  I had a BOGO free coupon.  Well, I should have left the museum a bit sooner because when we finally got to the Jamba Juice there was a huge line and I knew that there was no way the one person in the back could make 10+ smoothies in 5 minutes.  So we left to go pick up the boys.  Bummer!

Kaylee was so tired so I carried her most of the way back to the car.  Jenna was walking slow, but she didn't complain.  We picked up the boys and headed home.  Kaylee hit her meltdown and cried most of the way home.  She cried up in her room as I was trying to get her to go to sleep.  Jenna went down ok, but she ended up not falling asleep.  I had to keep going into Kaylee to get her to calm down and I finally gave up and let them both watch a show.  So much for quiet time.

Damon had scouts in the evening and we had baths and bed.

Doug took to the rest of the week off so we could do some fun things as a family.  Wednesday we couldn't decide if we wanted to go to the zoo or the rodeo.  The rodeo was a bit farther and we weren't sure about all the details of parking, tickets, excetera.  So we choose the zoo.  It was raining as we left and hit a heavy down pour along the freeway, but it returned to a gentle rain when we got there.  It was actually nice because there weren't that many people there.  (I found out later that the day before had been crazy busy - glad we picked Wedesday.)  The kids loved carrying their umbrellas and we tried to help them to not step in any really big puddles.  We saw the elephants get fed and then followed the map to the animals the kids wanted to see.  Tyler wanted to see the cheetahs and Damon wanted to see the bats.  The kids did great.  No one complained about all of the walking and everyone was pretty happy.  I had brought some popcorn to eat while we walked so that helped :)  It stopped raining half way through and by the time we left the sun was shinning and we had taken our jackets off.   We had left our lunches in the van so we just ate them as we drove home.  Everyone was pretty hungry and ate well.  The girls napped well when we got home too.

 Can you spot all 5?

On Wednesday evening Doug and I had a date.  I was able to buy some tickets to see Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat from a local mom.  I was so excited.  It was a lot of driving that day since we had already gone down town in the morning for the zoo and then drove back in the evening, but it wasn't too bad.  It's about a 45 min. drive.  Doug had never seen the show.  I'd seen it 3 times before, but it had been awhile since the last time.  I loved it.  The cast was great and the music is so much fun.  I think Doug enjoyed it too.  It was so nice to have a night together and have a break from the kids.

Busy with life

I looked at the pictures that I had taken this week and saw that there weren't that many.  I really had to think about what we did this week.  I know I was busy, but it was with normal things. My nights especially were all full this week.

Monday: FHE and grocery shopping late - I don't like going late, but it beats going with the kids.

Tuesday: I helped out in the Bear Den for Cub Scouts.  We made 'armpit' fudge and it wasn't that bad.

Wednesday: Relief Society birthday dinner.  I wish I would have taken a picture.  They really decorated well and had and fun game of guess who this funny fact belongs to.  They read a table at a time so you only had to guess between 8 people.  

Thursday: Tyler had a 'Reading Restaruant' in the evening that Doug went to.  They had jokes for an appetizer, a book about Tyler for the main course, and a thank you note for the dessert.  It was pretty cute and Tyler was proud of his work.  I had my primary presidency meeting at 8:00, then went to the store again afterwards for a few things.  I had been asked to make a birthday cake for someone in the ward and I needed some cake materials.  I ended up buying more than I planned to - they were having a good sale on some pantry items that I stock up on.  

Friday: I did all the prep work for the cake during the morning: made the fondant, cake, and buttercream. Then I colored the fondant and started shaping my 'wooden boards' for the side of the cake.   

We also had a movie night and watched Big Hero 6 for the first time, we even stayed up a bit late so we could finish.  The kids were really helpful beforehand, they picked up and helped clean up dinner so that we could all watch it together.  Everyone loved it and I loved that I could actually sit down and watch a full movie with the kids.  Doug wasn't so lucky.  Fridays are his busiest days and work pulled him away.  But he was able to watch some of it.  

Saturday: We did our normal cleaning - Damon and Tyler are doing a few more jobs now including the sinks and toilets in the bathrooms (I know they should probably have been doing them before now - but sometimes it's just easier to do things yourself).  They are vacuuming more carpet and tile areas as well, it's nice having the extra help.

I finished the cake and delivered it around 1:30 then went to my Scout committee meeting.  When I got home we went to the church parking lot to ride bikes.  Chris is getting pretty good at riding - this was his first time practicing somewhere else besides our front sidewalk.  He still needs to work on starting and stopping, but it's so fun to watch him learn so quickly - love the balance bike for that. 

We threw some quick hamburgers on the grill and enjoyed dinner, then went off to Toys 'R Us.  Damon and Tyler begged us to go so they could spend their money on some Lego Bionicle sets. They thought they had enough to buy one for Chris too, but they didn't.  Well, since Chris doesn't really have an allowance yet, we figured it was ok if we bought his.  We got home right at bedtime so we made them wait to open them until in the morning - I know mean parents. :)  So the first thing we heard this morning was the sound of Legos being built in Damon's room.  I think he finally gave up sleeping around 6:00 so he could play.  

For sharing time today I talked about the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.  It was how if we follow the Prophet we will be safe.  The kids were more involved this week and I think it went well.   

I get to give a talk in Sacrament meeting next week - about prayer.  So we'll see how that goes.  I'm looking forward to spring break.  There is an amazing mom in the ward who got together with some other moms and have some things planned.  Doug is taking off work Wed. - Fri.  So we will see what fun things around here we will do.  The boys are going to a Minecraft day camp on Tuesday and are very excited about that.  

Overall a pretty good week and the sun came out yesterday for the first time in what seemed like forever.  I miss my sunny Colorado.  Hopefully we will have good weather for our spring break. 

March 2-7

Doug was out of town in Denver this past week.  It makes bedtime a bit slower and my patience seems to run out more, but we managed without him.  I really missed him on Monday.  I had scheduled dentist appointments for Damon and Tyler after school hoping that Doug could come home a bit early and watch the other kids.  Well, he obviously couldn't help out so I found a friend to watch them.  The appointment took FOREVER and I felt bad that she had to watch Chris and the girls for so long.  Damon's teeth were pretty good - just watching a spot but he will be losing that tooth soon so we're not too worried about it.  Tyler has to have some fillings fixed.  There are some big cracks.  I say that the previous dentist should have to pay for things like this - it makes me frustrated when we have to redo fillings - hard on the kid and the budget.  We have been going to a lot of orthodontist appointments for Tyler as well.  We checked out a couple and decided to go with Dr. Mardaga.  Tyler has a underbite that will need to get fixed while he is still young and growing.  So we will start that next month.  

I didn't think that I would ever buy a power-wheel vehicle for my kids (one- too expensive and two -conflicts with my upbringing I guess :) ) but when I saw one posted on our neighborhood Facebook page for $20 I gave in.  I figured we could use it for a while and then pass it on when we are done with it.  Chris was really excited - Damon and Tyler were too, but were bummed to realize that they are too big for it.  The girls really like it, but their steering skills are lacking.  I have to help them stay on the sidewalk.  But it is a fun new addition to our outdoor things-to-do. 

 The girls have been wanting to nap in 'nests'.

I had book group this week and since Doug was gone I was debating what to do.  I didn't really want to get a babysitter, but I really wanted to go.  We were discussing Pope Joan and I really loved the book.  So Doug and I thought that Damon was responsible enough to take care of sleeping siblings.  I left after I put everyone to bed and I had Damon text me with the iPad.  He checked in once and said things were fine. I only was gone for about 1 hr and 15 min. and Damon did great!  I can see how soon we won't need to get a babysitter all the time and that it will be so wonderful.  I'm glad that Damon's temperment is one that I can trust and he is good to take care of his siblings.  

 We went to a neighbors birthday party yesterday at a inflatable bouncy place.  They had a big slide, an obstacle course race course, and this jousting one.  Damon had fun trying to knock Doug off - I don't think he succeeded though.

 One of our trips this week to a park lead us to discover a woodpecker.  It was cool to see him 'knocking' on the tree.  We also saw a squirrel and some other birds.  The trees are blossoming as well and spring is here.

Hats! Second grade program

So awhile ago we sent in a form to school giving Tyler permission to audition for the upcoming second grade program.  I never received any word on if Tyler got a part or not, but he did bring home a script of sorts and he had some lines to learn.  Tyler told me that everyone was using their papers and that he didn't have to memorize his lines.  Well, 2 days before the program he told me that he did need to memorize them and so we did some last minute practicing - silly boy.  

Anyway, it turned out the Tyler was the main male part in the program.  It of course is a short skit and he only had about 8 lines - but the show was about finding a hat that fits your personality best and he and another girl didn't have a hat and they had to figure out what their hats would be.  He did a great job.  He spoke clearly and loud enough.  His stage manners needed some help though - we saw multiple yawns and picking at his fingernails. :)  But we love our Tyler and were very proud of him.  

 This is his teacher Mrs. Shepherd.

Blue and Gold Banquet

We had a fun time at the Blue and Gold banquet for Cub Scouts on Feb. 24.  The committee chair and scout leader are really on the ball and do an excellent job in their callings.  They decorated well and even had the Marines come to post the colors - it was very cool.

Damon received his Bear as well as a gold and silver arrow point.  We are proud of him and glad that he is enjoying his scouting experience.  Sorry for the poor picture, Doug needs a new phone on multiple levels.

Last week of February

A few random things from the week:

Kaylee said she was a 'bad guy'

 Doug finished installing the garage door opener!  I am grateful everyday for it.

 Chris is becoming quite the Lego builder.  He creates something new almost every morning.

 On our trip to Michaels we found some bird houses - they had fun painting them.

 Just woke up and off to pick up Damon and Tyler from school.  "Don't take my picture mom."

 "You can take my picture, cheese!"

 On Saturday we took a family outing to the Woodlands mall.  The boys were very happy to learn that there was a Lego store.  We spent most of our time there.  We went over to the food court area and let the kids ride the carosel.  We finally figured out what to order and got the kids some hamburgers, I got a grilled sub sandwich, and Doug got something from Chick-Fil-A.  The girls shared a drink :)

We played at the indoor play area for a bit after dinner then went home and put the kids to bed a little bit late, but they had a fun time.  

Birthday

With my birthday being on a Sunday, there's not a whole lot you can do differently.  But I made myself some cinnamon sticks in the morning and had some yogurt and strawberries.  Doug helped with the kids in the morning so that was nice. I was busy doing food most of the day.  We invited the Fishburns over for dinner so that we had someone to celebrate with.  I made Cafe Rio pulled pork salads/tacos.  I also made a cheesecake the day before and I was so mad at it. I had the cream cheese sitting out all morning so it would be nice and soft - but when I mixed it in the batter it was still lumpy.  I even put the bowl in a hot water bath to try and melt the cream cheese to make it smooth.  That helped a bit but not much.  It ended up tasting good regardless - but it just made me so frustrated.  This recipe is probably my favorite one but it takes a lot of time and is a pain because you bake it in a water bath so I don't make it very often so you want it to turn out when you take the time to make it.  Ok...rant over.  :)

 But it was a good Sunday, I conducted in Primary so I got to announce my own birthday and got sung to twice. :)  We had a nice evening and we played Telestrations with the Fishburns.

Doug got me a great present, this Bose speaker that syncs with my iPhone and iPad.  It is awesome.  I use it almost everyday and we all love listening to Pandora or our favorite playlists.  Thanks Doug!

Doug did take me out to dinner the day before my birthday.  The YW actually put together a babysitting night where they invited the whole ward to bring their kids to the church and they tended them for $10 from 6-9:00. It was a fundraiser for some project they were doing.  It was great.  We went to Texas Roadhouse to use up a gift card.  I asked another couple in the ward to join us and it was great to visit with them and get to know them more.

By the way I am 34 now - crazy.

February 16-21

On President's Day I took the kids to the Woodlands Children's Museum.  We almost didn't go.  They were being such stinkers in the morning that I made them clean the house instead.  But they got done quickly enough that we still had time to go.  It really bugs me when I tell them that we are going someplace fun and they make a big fit about not wanting to go, jeez.  

Damon had a lot of fun with this Lego station that was a special event for that day.  He built an airplane with a motor, then he was able to attach it to the computer and enter in a program that made the propeller go up and make a whirring sound when the airplane was pointed up.  Then when he pointed the airplane down the propeller would slow down and it would make a sputtering sound like it was stalling.  Pretty cool.  Of course he wants one now. :) 

After the museum we went to the park that we had been to before so Damon and Tyler could feed the ducks.  It was pretty cold, windy, and a bit rainy so we didn't stay long.  Everyone was hungry and the girls started to have meltdowns.  But once we got in the van and gave everyone their lunch to eat on the way home things got better.  Food solves all problems as I always say. 

Doug started to assemble the trampoline after dinner on Tuesday.  Of course the weather was still cold, so I felt bad for him freezing out there.  The kids have fun helping.  They got most of the bottom set up before bedtime - then Doug stayed up late and worked with a latern and headlamp to finish.  Silly boy- we could have waited another day.  

 The kids were excited though Tuesday morning when they could go try it out.

 Just a couple of shots of my cute girls.  They are growing up and their hair is getting so long.

 We have started piano lesson here at home.  I think we started the beginning of February sometime.  The boys are doing ok with me as a teacher, we'll see how long that will last.  Damon still fights the whole idea, but he is still progressing so I hope that he will stick with it.

Fun tidbit - Chris loves red cabbage.  He picks it out of the pre-packaged salads from the store.  So I bought a whole head and his eyes just lit up when he saw it.  He wanted a huge piece.  Such a funny boy.  The girls of course had to have some too.  They eat it, but I don't think they like it as much as Chris does.

 Tyler is quite a character.  This day he covered himself with sidewalk chalk during quiet time.  I brushed him off as best as I could then sent him upstairs to take a bath.  Then later in the afternoon I sent the boys outside to pick up the balls and other toys outside because it was starting to rain.   Well Tyler stayed outside and stood underneath the roof where the rain drips down and got completely soaked.  So he took another quick bath.  Kids definitely keep things interesting.