Happy New Year!

Unlike my daughter, I can totally grasp 2014.  2013 was a good year.  Not much exciting happened.  Nothing horrible happened.  It was perfectly ordinary with only minor ups and downs.  And that's okay.  I always the the start of new things.  The beginning holds so much promise. So much hope. Could this be the year that I lose the last ___ pounds? My child finds the book that turns them on to reading forever? The year we finally take that vacation?  It's going to be a great year.  :)

Our family always rings in the new year with some of our favorite people.  We meet up with the Stringham clan for food and games.  This year the adults opted to start the party early and catch an a matinee of Catching Fire.  (SO good.) A quick jaunt home to grab the kids and the food and head back to their house.  Turkey sandwiches and yummy finger foods.  (Heard of Cookie Butter? Try it.  You'll thank me.) Lots of games and giggles.  The kids had a good time too.  Wii. Princesses and Fairies.  Mulan.  So happy to have wonderful friends to celebrate with.

We failed to get a "before" picture, but this is the "after." They were still going strong (albeit tired and prone to whininess) at midnight.

Chloe surrounded by two of her favorite people her big Sis, Lyndsi and friend Dane.  Now if we can convince the two big kids it's OK to be friends.  One day they'll believe us.  ;) They did play the Wii together.  That's a start!

So lucky to have these amazing friends!

First Day of School

The smell of pink erasers,  freshly sharpened pencils, glue, crayons, paper...I love back to school time.  That's before we even get to the fact I send children away for several hours at a time. My house stays clean and quiet.  Errands get done quickly or slowly, as I determine. :)

Ms. 4th Grade

Doesn't like being back in school.
Has her first man-teacher.
Brought home her first text book homework already. 

Mr. 2nd Grade

Loves his teacher.
Thinks his teacher is the best.
Wants to please his teacher.

Little Miss Kindergarten

Has the best teacher ever.
Loves that Mom got homework on the first day and she got cake.
Wasn't scared because "Mom, all my friends will be there." Insert dramatic eye-roll.  (Hers, not mine.)

Miss Mobile

Not just yet.
But she's trying.
Hard.

Playroom Poll

It's been a long while since I've done a poll.   I've been wondering about the effectiveness of having a playroom, hence the poll to the right.  Always, sometimes, never type surveys never tell the whole story, so feel free to share what works for your family and what doesn't with the kids play spaces.  Thanks!

A Little Catch Up

There's been a lot going on around here.  Instead of several posts, we'll just do a little re-cap.

Chloe started baby food!

She also just had her 4 month check up (at almost 5 months. Oops.)  She weighs 13 lb 10 oz (25-50%) and is 26 inches long (90-95%).  She's still a happy smiley baby who makes some of the strangest baby noises.  We are all completely in love still.

Sophie has been begging for quite some time to get her ears pierced.  After learning how to write her last name, she finally got it done.  For the record, she didn't cry one bit. No watery eyes either.  She's also very diligent about keeping them clean and twisted. 

I am embracing another year in my 30s.  Jeff, the kids, and my parents spoiled me once again.  The girls got me a new turtle garden stone, McKay made me a Club Penguin (his new favorite thing) journal all on his own.  Jeff downloaded the Goose Girl for me on his Kindle (which I am liking reading on a kindle). He also got me a new CD, the movie "Young Victoria" and is taking me shopping for running shoes.  My parents gave me jewelry, a dress and a skirt.  My favorite surprise?  Jeff picked up this awesome red velvet cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.  It was SO good.

Lyndsi had crazy hair day at school and for once gave me enough notice so we could have a little fun with it. She loved her hair and wore it all day, including to dance.

McKay has been dead to the world.  Apparently the flu is going around.  Wash your hands people.  I've only seen my poor boy wake and talking for a few hours over the last 3 1/2 days.  Thankfully he's up and about today showing interest in both food and activity.  Hopefully we'll be back to school tomorrow.

And Jeff? You're guess is as good as mine.  He's currently slaving away for the tax monster.  Less than 2 weeks now!  Can't wait for this tax season to be over. Ugh.

And just because she's cute and I love this new thing she's doing with her finger, a little more Chloe.

Top 'o the marnin to yeh!

May your day be filled with rainbows, pots of golds, four leaf clovers and lots of kisses

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

The House: Part I

OK.  You've asked for it.  You've waited for it.  And now it's finally here.  The first installment of "The House."  We'll have to do this in parts though.  I don't want to anger anyone, so I'll show you pictures of the rooms that are clean (or were clean when the photos were taken).  As we get more done, I'll post more.  K? OK.

Here we go!

This is our "formal living room" or the piano room for now.  That white door leads to.....

The library!!  (Otherwise knows at the "formal dining" room)See all that green?  that was formerly a rose-pink reminiscent and paying tribute to the early 90s.  All those boxes?  Empty.  Waiting to be relocated or recycled.  We've got a couple of chaise chairs at Ikea all picked out for our reading comfort and pleasure.  In this room is another door that leads to the...

Kitchen. (not taken from the angle of the library).  Against the wall that is the unintended highlight of the photo is our computer desk, fridge and a decent sized pantry.  Also there is plenty of dining space our large table.

And a nice deck off the dining area.  I'm thinking come spring I'll put some planters out there and soften the bamboo prison look.

Off the living room we'll go up:

and down the hall

Take the first left and you have:

McKay's room.  He's really loving the Pooh Bear border. ;)  Really he is begging us to repaint ASAP. In the mean time, he has hung up some solar system stickers and a shark poster to harden the pooh bear image.

The second left:

is Lyndsi's room.  I love her room.  Sometime I'll have to get a picture looking out her window.  She seems fine with the nondescript walls and is loving being on the same floor as her brother and sister while keeping her room all to herself. 

Well, folks that's all for today.  I promise I'll keep working on unpacking and cleaning.  We still have various family rooms, craft room, play room and my room left.  Oh and all the outdoor shots too.  It'll be worth the wait.  Promise.

Picture Updates

I think we have some major silliness headed our way.  6 wks old and already pulling faces for the camera. ;)

 Ahhh...six weeks with a baby.  Chloe is:
recognizing mom and dad's voices
eating  4 oz bottles
not really loving her baths
loves her changing table
that's where we do tummy time
is super snuggle
has those gorgeous dark blue baby eyes
sports the sweetest little cheeks you've ever kissed
can pull a pouty face like no one else has here
is super snugly
has her big brother wrapped around her little finger (and grandpa and dad and....)
is a complete joy to have in our family

 Sophie loves:
dressing herself
decorating Christmas trees (or doing anything else that requires attention to detail)
having friends come play at her new house in her new, big bedroom
her baby sister
Dale Twinkle (our Christmas elf)
Grampy (my dad)

 McKay is into:
1st grade (loves it)
making up games with "levels" in our new house (which also has many levels)
Polar Express
Singing
doing projects (like this fun sand art from cousin Kaylee)
his baby sister (I knew he'd fall in love when he met her)
Harry Potter

Lyndsi is:
nearly 9!  Impossible!!
a bit camera shy (unless it's her idea)
enjoying her bedroom on the same floor as everyone else
learning to do some simple gifts and sewing (and doing well at it!)
always dancing around the house
a leader, especially with her brother and sisters
starting to enjoy reading a bit more and doing it on her own without being asked.

Tender Mercies on a not-too-bad/not-too-good day

Today we had a showing appt. scheduled.  The second one we've had.  Oh yeah. And also the 2nd one that's cancelled.  It bummed me out.  Keeping house (even a nearly empty one) clean is hard work but add pregnancy on top of that. Ugh.  (Really.  Keeping house is not my thing.  I try to keep it up, but just enough.)  Anyway.  I've been feeling discouraged and the day has been kind of a downer.

It's not to say good things haven't happened because they have.  I would be naive and ungrateful not to recognize them as they are fairly obvious good things.  First, I'm in charge of gathering any volunteers needed for the PTA. 

TOMORROW is our fun run.  I was able to get at least 13 volunteers with barely any effort. Most of those came in response to a mass email and the few people I called and talked to were almost all willing to help out for the time I needed them.  If you don't think this is a tender mercy, you've never tried to get so many volunteers on such short notice. (Originally my goal was 8, and I ended up with 13!)

Next, smoothies are great.

My Dr. has suggested I eat more of them to help gain weight.  (Don't hate me.  It sucks to not have much of an appetite.)  Our good neighbor, Mr. Terry, who often calls in the afternoon to have the kids come get some sort of treat called today.  He said, "good! you're home.  I'm bringing you a smoothie."  It tasted fabulous.  And in reality up that point the most nutritious thing I'd eaten all day.  And it did make me feel better.

Lastly, I was begrudgingly reading a story to Sophie tonight.  She's been a stinker today and it was past her bedtime.  Of course she picks one of the longest books in her collection.  Funny enough it was one I'd never read before, despite the fact that we've had it since Lyndsi was in Kindergarten.  So, I started in on Lily and the Purple Plastic Purse.

Ok-so I softened when I was immediately drawn to the fun characters and a promising story line.  I watched as Lily got angry with her teacher and drew a mean-teacher picture when her new purse and accessories were taken away. And felt warm-hearted when she discovered her teacher left her a note in her purse when she received it at the end of the day.  Then I read the note.  And cried.  He told her

"Today was difficult.  Tomorrow will be better."

Suddenly I was out of the story receiving my own personal comfort.  I felt Heavenly Father reaching out to me through my daughter and her bedtime story.  And I felt love.

I'm so glad to have seen my little tender mercies. Some days they make all the difference.

Flying Solo

Jeff's out of town for work.  Due to that and a nasty cold, I've been really tired.  Yesterday I was contemplating staying home from church today (not wanting to spread these icky germs) or only going to sacrament meeting.  When I woke up at 7:30 feeling refreshed, there were no more questions of what to do in my mind.  I helped get the kids ready and we went to church. We have sacrament last and admittedly I was nervous about trying to keep 3 active kids (especially #'s 2 and 3) quite and reverant.  The meeting passed with the usual loudly whispered conversations and lots of coloring and asking of advice on what to draw next.  McKay all of a sudden got it in his brain to draw all the planets in our solar system, the sun, the moon the milky way, and various other space-related things.  He was constantly asking me what color which planet was, how big, etc.  It felt like a busy sacrament meeting.  Afterwards though, the man sitting behind me (one of the younger empty-nesters) told me how much he enjoyed my kids' reverance today.  He thought they were thoroughly wonderful and well-behaved and he expressed his appreciation for that. Then another friend (with older kids) caught me and made sure I knew that I could call her for help anytime if I need it while Jeff is gone and gave me some great bits of advice.  I left sacrament feeling so uplifted and my testimony of how much Heavenly Father loves me and his awareness of me, my trials and my concerns strengthened.  It's nice to know you are loved, thought of and taken care of.

Just for fun-
Here are the pictures McKay drew in sacrament meeting.  The scanner distorted the colors a bit.  That brownish looking ball is actually orange.  And I just noticed we're missing Saturn.  (Maybe the rings added to Neptune and Venus threw me off.)

St. Patrick's Day

St. Pat's is never a big deal at our house.  We do the usual wear green or get pinched thing, occasionally I'll sneak a few drops of gren food coloring into the kids' milk or mac 'n cheese.  This year the kids had the idea to set a trap for a leprachaun.  As we were going through the bedtime routine I helped each kid set their trap (each loaded with a shiny coin to attract the little guy).  When I tucked Sophie in her bed, she admitted to me that she was scared of the little guy. (In the morning, she told me, "Mommy, I just shut my eyes and closed my mouth and didn't open them til morning!)  Lyndsi on the other hand asked Heavenly Father to help her not be soexcited that she couldn't sleep. She told me she peaked from her bed a few times in the night.   In the morning, Jeff and I had our own wee visitors in the wee hours of the morning.  They were all so excited everyone was up by 6!  When they checked their traps, they didn't find leprachauns but they did find a pile of gold  (ok-gold hershey nuggets).  It was a fun little thing and 100% the kids' idea.  I think we'll try and do this again next year!

Glam

For as long as she's been able to put a braclet on by herself, Sophie has been my glam girl.  She loves bracelets, necklaces, makeup, having her hair done (and she must have a bow or flower of her choosing  everytime), shoes, purses and anything else accessory-ish and girly.  She proudly flaunts her jewels and fancy accessories anywhere she can get away with it.  She also loves to make jewelry with her Grandma and insists on wearing it to church.  She is rocking the 3-year-old fashion world.  And I love it.  :)

Just in case...

I don't have your current address, here's your card. Merry Christmas!!

Fall Randomness

I love looking at other people's pictures. So naturally, I assume you are all equally interested in my day to day life and pictures. Lucky for you-today I chose to post random pictures from the last several falls. You're welcome. ;)






Fall 08-Marchant Family "Fall Frolic"
Fall 07-McKay and Sophie doing what they do best-being goofy!
Fall 07- I just like this picture of my parents.

Fall 06- Joy School hot dog picnic.

Fall 06- Sophie and her Great-Grandma Ard. Love this.

Happy Halloween!!

Jeff's off fishing this morning. McKay's headed to a birthday party. Dinner's planned and all ingredients bought as are supplies for an extra special Halloween treat from me. While McKay's off partying today, the girls are headed out to do some thrifting-mostly to find an extra piece to Jeff's costume. The school parties and parade are done and were successful. Thanks to that (and other parties) our costumes were all finished way ahead of time. Sophie if finally healthy and can go trick-or-treating with her sibs tonight. I think Halloween should be on Saturday every year. :)

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Fall Fun

I love fall. I love going to pumpkin patches. This year my friend Anisa told me about a fun one by Hobby Lobby that had not only the pumpkins, but some tractors for the kids to play on and a little corn maze. The best part was that it was free! All of it. We rounded up some friends to come with us. The kids tore the corn maze at least 2 times each. They tried out every tractor (somewhere around 8), looked at the kittens that were there, watched some Irish dancers while listening to bagpipes (a pretty spur of the moment performance I'm sure). The pumpkin prices were reasonable so I let the kids each pick out a small pumpkin. Both my friend and I were so glad we did this.

Other things we're looking forward to this fall: Fall Festival at the District, family parties, trick-or-treating, fun costumes, falling leaves, sweaters, pumpkin pie and all things Halloween!

What are you up to this fall?

Pretending your kids don't exist

...is only a good idea while you're hanging out with your bff in another part of the house or escaping into the blog world. But, remember, every action has it's consequences. Some not so bad. Like five kids grabbing every available pillow, couch cushion, blanket and stuffed animal to build forts to play house in. A huge mess but fairly easy to clean up.

Then we move on to the bigger things. Like a 2-year-old who thinks plain white counter tops are SO boring (just like mom thinks) and decides to do a design intervention with a green and purple Sharpie adding decorative swirls along the edges of said counter tops. But, since it really does need a design intervention, I'm tempted to let her finish the rest of the counter top edges.

Then there's this.

(These are post spray-and-wash treatment, hence the wet look. Which didn't help. In case you were wondering.)

ARGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!

It needed no intervention. It was perfectly lovely the way it was. As mad as I am about this, I can't help but admire how precise the stamps are placed on the polk-a-dots and even staying within the flowers. It's tough raising budding young artists.

Summer Fun

We've been working hard at playing this summer. Here's just a few things we've been up to:

Summer Bingo

As part of the fun, the kids had to do a picture scavenger hunt. I gave them a list of 10 things to go find and take pictures of. They loved it. And they did go-ood!

Boy on a slide

Girl on a swing (this was supposed to be a picture of Sophie, but she didn't want to play that game.)

Girl on a bike
A pine cone

Hiking.




Jeff thought it'd be great fun to take the kids hiking. So we did. He happened to have a Monday off after the 4th of July weekend. We packed a picnic, loaded everyone in the car and drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Doughnut Falls. We were highly entertained by a cheeky little gray squirrel who seemed to think he was part of our family-coming right up to our picnic blanket to beg for scraps of food. The girls would scream-in true girl fashion-every time he got near. McKay was a little unsure about our new friend, too, at first. Once he decided the squirrel was no real threat, he said, "Let's name him! I know-Zack!" So thus we have Zack the Squirrel. (Which, btw, set the precedence of the kids naming every living creature we saw on the trail)





With lunch cleaned up, we headed out on the trail. It was gorgeous day for hiking and the kids took to it like fish to water. Lyndsi especially loved it and could always be found leading out little party. Sophie was the only one to get whiny. Enter mom and dad and a big bag full of snacks. Problem solved. We hiked 1.6 miles in all and not once did Jeff or I have to carry that little girl. It was great. My favorite moment was when we were hiking back from the falls. Sophie started singing, "underpants, underpants" over and over. Trying not to laugh (and not succeeding), I asked her why she was singing about underpants. "Because I'm funny!" she replied. 'nough said.






Photos.






My summer fun has come in the form of Photoshop. I signed up for an online, self-paced class to learn different special effect techniques for PSE 7. I am loving it. Here are a few of my projects thus far.