My Social Butterfly

Bowen has started preschool this year and is loving it.  He goes to "Little Learners" right here in Douglas Glen and it is fabulous.  He has the same teacher as Ashton did and he loves her just as much. 

Bowen's first day of preschool - September 2010

I was a little worried that Bowen might have a harder time making friends than Ashton did.  Ashton has always been friendly and outgoing, Bowen is a bit more shy.  But to my surprise Bowen has become something of a social butterfly.  He has already had two friends that have approached us for playdates and I've enjoyed the social aspect with the moms as well.  A couple of weeks ago Bowen had his first playdate with his good friend Holden.  The boys had a great time together and Holden's mom and I had a great visit and got to know each other better.  (Unfortunately my camera battery was dead so I have no pictures).

This Thursday Bowen had the opportunity to have another playdate, this time with his friend Jakob.  Jakob, his little sister Scarlett and their mom came over to play.  The kids had lots of fun together, with no fighting.  Other than Bowen trying to dictate WHAT is played with (he's a bit bossy!, I have no idea where he gets that - must be his Dad) a good time was had by all.

Bowen and Jakob playing playdoh

Cute Little Scarlett

Bowen teaching Jakob how to play games on the DS

I hope we have lots more playdates in our future!

Big Piece of Floss

The boys had dental appointments a few days back and Bowen had a great check up.  Ashton - not so much - need to take him back in a few weeks to see if a tooth that has a little cavity is loose enough that we won't need to worry about a filling.  Poor Ashton, the hygenist says he has a very dry mouth and will be prone to cavities.  She told us to switch him to adult toothpaste.  Bowen on the other hand seems to have an easier time of it and these great spaces between his teeth which prevent any problems.

Bowen was excited as he has graduated from the "kids pics" for flossing.

To grown up real floss.  After brushing his teeth the other night, I reminded him to floss.  He came running into the living room to show me the "BIG" piece of floss he had gotten to do his teeth.

Thank goodness for those spaces between his teeth!

Winter Fun

My boys love to play in the snow.  I think they spend more time outside in the winter than in the summer. 


Ashton making Snow Angels



Good Times

A Thing of Beauty

As you may remember I broke my crock pot a couple of weeks ago.  We had gotten that crock pot for our wedding almost 10 years ago - so it really owes me nothing.  I used it alot - it is great for my busy teaching nights to have dinner on the table when I need it.  So we made a trip to Costco and I found a replacement.

A beauty - right?

The only thing I will miss about my old one is the insert on the new pot is not able to go on the stove top.  Really the only time I do that is browning meat for stews.  But it is able to go in the dishwasher.  Dinner tasted as good as one cooked in my old one.

Sweet and Sour Chicken on Rice - Yummy!

Bus Drama

This year Ashton has the best bus driver.  She is always very prompt and leaves exactly at 7:55 a.m. from the bus stop.  Monday when we had this horrible snow storm she was 15 minutes late - not so bad.  I was grateful she had made it.  Tuesday we were at the bus stop by 7:47 a.m.  We waited and waited and waited - no bus.  At 8:15 a.m. my girlfriend Shelley drove by and stopped and asked if I wanted her to take Ashton to the school - YES!!  She was attending a field trip with her daughter and was driving to the school anyway.  What a relief.  I didn't have to drive over to the school.  I found out later from another friend that the bus actually didn't arrive at our stop until 8:50 a.m.  Those poor kids were waiting an hour.

Today - the weather is still terrible, so I wasn't rushing the kids to get ready.  Thinking we had lots of time.  Well I pull up to the bus stop at 7:55 a.m. - and the bus DROVE AWAY!  Ashton and I jumped out and were chasing after her.  When we saw that was to no avail we jumped back into the truck and drove to the next stop hoping we could catch her.  I pulled up right in front of the bus so she wouldn't drive away and luckily got Ashton on the bus.  That's alot of drama before 8:00 a.m.!

Transposing

I've been asked to sing at our ward's YW in Excellence next Tuesday, as well as with the Primary children at our Christmas Sacrament meeting and then again in the new year at church, so I've been spending alot of time transposing.  One of the major drawbacks with having a low voice is NOTHING is written in my range.  I think maybe it's time to invest in some transposing software - I'd hate to think of all the hours in my life I've spent doing this!

Family Home Evening

I've been thinking lately that as a family we need to be more consistent with having a regular family home evening.  It can be difficult to find a time to have it as I teach piano in the evenings.  We do alot together as a family, but don't always sit down formally and call it family home evening. 

Ashton helped me get the treat ready.

Then after I finished teaching piano we sat down to have family home evening.  Jason asked Ashton to say the prayer.  He didn't ask for any help and gave such a sweet, from his heart prayer including how he was glad we were able to find the time to have family home evening.  About broke my heart.  We will always find the time from now on.  Then Bowen picked the song for us to sing - "Follow the Prophet", his favorite - he knows 4 verses.  Jason gave a lesson about service and then for an activity we did service for our family cleaning the TOY ROOM!!

The boys didn't complain at all and worked with Jason and I for about an hour.

Relaxing after a job well done!

Lastly is the boys favorite part - the treat!

I'd had the caramel wraps in my pantry for quite a long time.  They were a bit hard - but still yummy!  When I told Ashton that the wraps were about a year old his reply was "oh my".  It was pretty chewy.

I'm not sure Bowen actually ate any of the apple.

I'm so grateful for my little family!

Tastes like my Childhood

I was trying to decide what to have for dinner tonight and was asking Jason for ideas.  He mentioned we had hot dogs and that would be good enough for him. When he mentioned hot dogs the first image that popped into my mind was having welsh rarebit (poor man's version cheese on toast) with hot dogs as a kid.

So I pulled out my pot, made a rue added milk and put in the secret ingredient - velvetta cheese.

Tastes just like my childhood.  Yummy!

Chocolate Making

What a fun, but very long, day we had making chocolates on Thursday.  Mom, Rachel, Char,Amber and I got together at mom's house to dip chocolates for Christmas.  Mom had come to each of our houses and made the fondant (maple walnut, peppermint, cherry, vanilla, olympia cream, almond, and coconut) and collectively we had 17 batches to dip. 

First step to roll the fondant into balls.  I like this part the best.  Sitting around the table together - talking and laughing.  I think yesterday was one of the best chocolate dipping days we've had - at least for me.  Even with a spliting headache I had so much fun with everyone.

Added this picture of Rachel and I just because I think we look cute!

 Love Amber's pregnant belly with the powdered milk handprints

Taking a break from rolling we start dipping the chocolates.  I've always been horrible at this process and gave up a few years ago.  Decided to give it another chance this year.  Was quite proud of myself as the results were pretty good.  I think with a bit more practice I could maybe be okay at this.  Everyone took a turn at it and did awesome.  The pro is, and I think always will be, mom!

Not sure how many of Rachel's chocolates made it to the tray - just kidding Rachel!

We call mom "the chocolate nazi" for a couple of reasons, but the main one is for how she tests to see if the chocolate is tempered.  Check out the chocolate mustache!

The kids added the toppings.

Everyone is shocked I'm able to dip this year.



It's a dirty job, but..........

somebody's gotta do it!

Aren't they beautiful!

Some of the finished product.  So satisfying to have it done. 

Thanks girls for a fabulous day, and thanks to the husbands for watching the kids.  Although some of them sneaked in a little hockey too.

On our way home today from the farm I glanced over at Jason and noticed the odometer - a milestone?

Another year of chocolate making completed.  Til next year!