The Other Hobby

Maybe I should write a book called that, like 'The Other Boleyn Girl". The cover could be a picture of me surrounded by all the things I like to do, looking torn. Ha, ha, ha! I have been feeling so guilty that I haven't had time to scrapbook. Between cake decorating, sewing, reading, writing, cooking, and, oh, yeah, trying to be a good mom/housekeeper/wife, I haven't really had much time for anything else! Last night after I put the kids to bed I scrapbooked, while I watched my favorite side-splittingly funny movie of all time (HITCH), and then Bridget Jones (edited, of course)! I got like 6 pages done in Kenna's baby book. Here is the 2-page spread I did of her first trip to Lake Powell:


And this is my favorite page - I haven't done any journaling or anything on there yet; I think I like the simplicity of it:


I am not a professional scrapbooker, as you can tell - I like to keep it simple. I am hoping by the time Sean gets home on Saturday to have her book done - then I can start Spencer's.


Well, we made it through our first week of swim lessons. Kenna started whining that she didn't want to go this morning; she freaks out every time her teacher dunks her in the water. I told her she wouldn't be able to go to Lake Powell w/Grandma & Grandpa if she doesn't listen to her teacher. That seemed to help somewhat.

Here is a yummy and not-too-fattening recipe for you to try if you want.

Blue Cheese Salad Wraps

1 can chicken
mayonaise
red seedless grapes
slivered or sliced almonds
blue cheese crumbles
romaine lettuce leaves, whole
wheat tortillas

*Drain canned chicken & mix mayo in to taste. Halve grapes & add to chicken. Add almonds and blue cheese crumbles (you don't need very much b/c the blue cheese flavor is so strong. I think I used about 2 T. or something). Mix well. Spoon chicken salad into lettuce leaves (2 per wrap) and wrap in a warm wheat tortilla. Yummy!

The Price Is Right

Let me ask you all.....what do you think the asking price of one shower is? I left Spencer downstairs with the girls this morning while I took a shower, and this is what I came back down to.

I figured he was stuck in his high chair so he couldn't destroy anything or hurt himself. I don't know if you can see it too well, but the floor around his chair was COVERED with cheerios, chex, and toast crumbs. Where is the dog when you need him?


About a week ago Spencer fell on our front steps and scraped the left side of his face. I am worried he might have bad scars!


So, Sean left early this morning for his 4-day camping trip with the young men. I have been cleaning all day, and I even managed to bribe the girls into cleaning their room. They are both at a friend's house playing, and Mackenna was ecstatic that she has finally graduated to going on Emma's play dates with her. Spencer is sleeping, and I am blogging. The girls are also in swim lessons as of last Monday, and so far everything is going well there. Except that Spencer doesn't want to sit in the stroller and watch the kids swim. Come on, Squish. (That's his nickname in our family.)

Last night in my class we made Royal Icing flowers. The pink ones are apple blossoms and the purple ones are violets.


Then I just made a bunch of leaves - the final cake we do for this class is a flower basket cake. The picture of it is quiet hideous, really. It has like 10 different kinds of flowers in all different colors, with corny blue birds on it. It looks like a midsummer night's nightmare, if you ask me. So I am just going to put a bunch of roses on mine, I think. And the birds - but I changed them to purple, because I think I am going to do purple roses.

The birds are made of color flow icing. I only have two Wilton classes left and then I am done. Kind of sad. There goes my ready-made out of the house night once a week.

In closing I have included a picture of which none of you may understand the significance. However, this is the first time ever I have been able to catch all three of my monkeys actually sitting in front of the t.v. When i started to take the picture Spencer was glued also, but by the time the camera focused and the shot actually snapped 5 seconds later his attention was already waning. I have discovered that he is kind of over the baby einstein thing - and he actually likes sesame street now. That's good, b/c Sesame Street is on t.v., and those DVDs are a heck of a lot cheaper!!



One more thing: I saw this recipe on 'Everyday Italian' and finally tried it a couple days ago. They were actually REALLY good. They are like mini ham-and-egg muffin thingys. They are called Mini Frittas. I have added a "Recipes" section to the left under all the pics of my family. The links is there if anyone is interested!

Yard Sale Guru

So, yesterday was a pretty good day. We sold all of our baby stuff minus the crib, high chair, & pack n' play at a community yard sale and made $75. I had no idea there was some negotiating when it comes to buying/selling at a yard sale. I found myself staring incredulously at my husband as he took on the characteristics of a used-car salesman rather naturally. After the yard sale we went to Costco where, believe it or not, we actually only spent $45. That seriously NEVER happens. After we got Spencer down for his nap and the girls playing happily in the basement with their new yard sale Barbies (thanks to the Lowders) Sean taught me how to play a new game of his. He is all about board games these days - the guys in our ward have a game night usually once a month, no wives/kids allowed. I don't mind at all; I'm not too fond of the aroma of chips & salsa mixed with large amounts of unseen toxic fumes being released without preamble. Anyway, ever since he started going to game night he has been getting all these new games (thanks, Ryan Bruns). After the game we watched a movie together while we folded laundry, and after that I got a GIRLS NIGHT OUT! It was so awesome, and my hubby deserves serious props. Carissa and I went for a pedicure and then to Olive Garden for dinner. Then we went to the Mall and she introduced me to the source of her shoe fettish, Forever Young Shoes. I actually found myself picking up shoes with tall heels on them, considering, only to picture myself actually WALKING in them. I put them quietly back in their tissue-and-cardboard homes after that. After the mall we killed some time at Michaels, neither of us wanting to go home yet. It was so nice and relaxing, and of course Sean had the kids all fed, bathed, and put to bed by the time I got home around nine. Thanks, baby, you rock!

Drops of Jupiter

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: THIS IS A DETAILED AND AT TIMES BORING DESCRIPTION OF EVERYTHING WE DID YESTERDAY. IF YOU SKIP IT I WON'T FEEL BAD!

Yesterday really was a pretty good day. My neighbor Stephanie and her kids came walking at the Layton Park with our posse. It was so much better with someone to talk to, even if we kept running our strollers into each other and getting our heels clipped by our kids' scooters. I have been trying to exercise every morning and I am sad to say that by the end of a mile I am heaving and gasping for breath. I am such a wimp. I am trying to work up to two miles. Anyway, thanks for going, Steph!

After that we came back and I showered and actually put makeup on for the first time all week. Then I got up on the trampoline with Spencer and played with him (throwing a big bouncy ball at his head repeatedly) and tickled him relentlessly. He has the cutest dimples that only come out when he is laughing super hard.

After lunch (I was battling the demon on my shoulder that was whispering, 'just take them to Arctic Circle, you know you want to......nevermind the fact that your bank account is empty after paying your mortgage....' we ended up eating cup-o-soup) I put Spencer down for his nap and then the girls and I got some pillows and blankets and layed on the floor. I read them Rapunzel out of Mackenna's book of fairy tales from her Easter basket, and then I read a couple chapters of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which we have been reading a little of each day. I decided I love reading those kind of books to my girls for a couple reasons. 1. They are finally old enough to sit for it (it helps they have seen the movie too), and 2. It's something that keeps my interest too. It has opened a whole new world for me, so to speak, in spending quality time with my kids. After reading the girls feel asleep and I tried, but just when I was dozing off I started thinking about all the things I should be doing. So naturally.....I got up, relocated to the other couch, and read New Moon (I am on my 5th turn through the series - totally psychotic, I know).

When everyone was up from naps I let the kids swim/ride bikes for a bit, and then the demon on my shoulder won out. I cleaned out all our piggy banks and was able to pool $20 in change. I frugally took only $15 of the change to Arctic Cirlce. Imagine my chagrin when our food came to $16 and change. Oi! Why did I get fries for myself again - SEEING AS HOW I'M KILLING MYSELF EVERY MORNING TRYING TO SHED A FEW POUNDS? And why did I get 3 kids meals when I know very well that Emma only ever eats half of her fries, and Spencer only ever eats a few of his? I forced the girls to finish his chicken, making their free kiddie cone contingent upon its disappearance, even though Kenna had a whole hamburger and Emma had a whole grilled cheese.

Then we came home and I bathed the black-footed monkeys. I put Spencer to bed and took the girls back out to ride bikes. The girls looked up at the moon and asked if we could get my telescope out (birthday present for me last year, and I haven't gotten it out once this year so far). I said no, that I was reading.

Then I changed my mind. I am so glad, because after I put the girls to bed I went out and looked at Jupiter, and I actually could see the orange bands that wrap around the planet!!!!! I know, I am an astronomy nerd, but it was seriously so cool. Last year I could only see what looked like a huge, fuzzy peach surrounded by four pin-pricks of light that were the moons. So I was super psyched to see some more detail this time.

Just a little somethin I learned today

So, today is Sunday. Sean had to work, so right off I was NOT looking forward to church. Spencer usually spends a total of 2 minutes in the chapel before one of us has to take him out. So we started out in the foyer today since I was solo. I had already decided to cut out after sacrament since we usually spend the last 2 hours in the foyer, or me chasing Spencer around the building, or finally biting the bullet and taking him into nursery where I PRAY he doesn't think of me as a permanent fixture there (he only has one more month before he goes in). So, I was sitting in the foyer shoveling fruit snacks, pretzels, and fruit loops into Spencer (our leaders asked us not to bring food into the chapel, which makes it that much harder w/Spencer), and I see a dad there by himself, struggling with his 2 kids. I thought to myself, 'really, why do we bother at this age?' I have thought that a million times and I know it is because we're supposed to and we have to teach them young and all that. But this time I got an answer to my question that resonated inside me, and not only did I know it, but I actually felt it. The question was 'why do we bother, it's so hard. why does it have to be so hard if we're here trying to do what's right?' The answer was, 'because it's supposed to be hard. It wouldn't be a true test of obedience and valiance if it was easy, just because you're doing what you should.' I felt like Heavenly Father knew me personally at that moment and has been there all the time, even though I have felt spiritually estranged for a long time. I just get stuck going through the motions, and not really feeling his presence or feeling like I know him personally. Okay, hope my bishop doesn't read this (Katie, if you read this you will kindly NOT pass it on). I was grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with an answer to a question I have had for a long time, but have never really asked. I think fasting had something to do with it too - another gem that I haven't quite caught the spirit of yet.

Our 4th was mellow but fun. Here are the girls in their cute shirts and skirts, before they had spilled chocolate milk and all kinds of other stuff down their front:


Later that night the Hills came over for a BBQ and fireworks. Here is Carissa and her cute belly, for which she has been put back on bedrest. Find a happy place, Carissa.....imagine a pair of icy hands rubbing your tummy.



In parting, I have to recommend this excellent movie to all you Austen-y fans out there. It is not Jane Austen, but so close to Pride & Prejudice there isn't THAT much difference. My friend Sarah came over on the 4th and brought it and we watched it (all four hours of it).

It rocks!


I have only one other thing to end on:
"Look.......look back at me now."


That was for you, Sarah.




One last thing: after church today I left kenna at the table finishing lunch while I did some stuff on my computer for Scouts. I didn't know why she was taking so long - my girl loves to eat. Finally I got her down for her nap and when I went over to the table to clear the dishes, this is what I found:\

The jar was at least 1/2 full when I left the table.

Pretty Maids in a Row

Can anyone name the movie that is host to that one-liner up there? I know my SIL can. Anyone else? Anyway, my project the last week or so has been turning my girls holey jeans into cute skirts. I got the idea from Family Fun. Ever since Emma started preschool last year she has worn holes in each pair of new jeans halfway through the year. I have tried the iron-on patches and they just don't stay on. So I thought this was a really cute idea. If anyone wants the instructions, here is the link:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11994

The only thing I did different was sewed them instead of using fabric glue. Here is a close-up of one:




I have to say that the following image probably accounts for at least 18% of my frequent bad moods.

I hate cleaning up after the kids eat. And if I have to make one more grilled cheese sandwich I will just run full speed into my wall. On the other hand, all my kids eat them now, so it is at least one thing they all like. This is the other reason I am so frustrated every day:

"Mommy, I'm still hungry."


Oh how I would like to squeeze them so hard that their big, beautiful eyes pop right out of their heads! Okay, okay, before anyone calls the state on me, at least we can all still laugh about it.

WANTED

He is evolving into a hybrid of Stitch and Dennis the Menace. I had no clue that my sweet boy was going to turn into such a monster. He seriously reeks havoc where ever he goes, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. Here is a small glimpse of what I am talking about. It starts the minute he wakes up. He gets into my spice cupboard and pulls out whatever he can close his chubby little fingers around; I take it away, he screams. Then he gets into another cupboard and pulls out a thick glass jar - I think to myself, what's the danger there, it's too thick to break. Next thing I know he is in the entry where the tile is and I hear a shattering noise. Of course the fact that he broke it wasn't enough, then he has to try and grab the pieces and bloodies up his fat little hands. Then he climbs on the couch and manages to make it to the top of the couch where he almost falls off. I tell him no, he screams. Then he goes to the dog's water and dumps it into the dog's food. Then he climbs up to the kitchen table and manages to dump the girls' milk from breakfast all over himself and the floor. I barely make it through until his nap. All that being said, he is the cutest little devil child I have ever seen, and his scrunchy smile and the little dimple by his chin just melt my heart.

Now for some positives. Emma woke up this morning and said 'mom, what are we doing today? maybe we should make a list of all our jobs so we can stay busy.' then she made a list of the jobs i told her. she and kenna cleaned up the toys all over the basement and then cleaned their bathroom. They did their reading and earned the rest of the marbles in their jars. Then I took them to the store and they each picked out a miniature barbie from the barbie movies. The day was so good, by by the end I was yelling at them, feeling the HULK starting to rip out of my clothes. By 7:00 at night I am so tired of reffing, putting out fires, and damage control that I just totally lose it.

Yesterday my friend Carissa came over for like 4 hours and our kids played. They kept fighting and whining about what they were all doing to each other. This was our fix:



About the slideshow below, my friend Sarah met us there with 3 of her nephews. Her nephew Michael was the cutest baby, and he had the hugest crush on me. Now he is just a taller version and he is so cute I just want to squish him. Anyway, it was fun.