Someone to Be Trifled With

Bowen loves playing games.  Games on the computer, Wii, DS etc.  The other day Bowen was playing on my DS with his dad's Transformers game.  If you know Bowen at all, you know that Bowen is a talker.  He talks to himself or anyone within ear shot from the moment he wakes up until he falls asleep at night.  I was working on the computer the other day and overheard Bowen make this comment at his game ...

"You're someone to be trifled with alright!"

He is constant entertainment!

One of many interesting game playing positions!!



The Dangers of Visiting Teaching

A few days ago I picked up my visiting teaching partner Shelley and we headed out to make our monthly visits to three sisters in our ward.  As we arrived at our second visit I jumped out of the truck, reached back to open the door to let Bowen out and quickly slammed my door shut.  However, I forgot to move my leg completely out of the way.

The bottom of the door scraped across the back of my calf leaving it red hot and raised.  Luckily it didn't complete cut the skin so it didn't bleed.  I think I did a pretty good job keeping the pain to myself as it throbbed during the visit.

Here is a look at it a few days later.  Still not pretty!

Imaginative Use of Recycling

The other night Jason had to stay late at work.  Jason stays late quite often and because I teach piano in the evenings the kids sometimes have to fend for themselves.  They are used to it and usually don't mind.  They read books, play, watch TV etc. until I'm done teaching.  So the other night I came out to get my next student and stepped into the living room and found this ...

The things kids get up to when you're busy!!

Mini MacGyver

The other night I went into Ashton's room to tuck him in before I headed to bed.  Instead of finding Ashton I found this note ...

It reads "I'm on the top" - bunk I'm assuming.  He had it stuck to his headboard with silly putty, his lamp aimed at it and a little flashlight below it that he had stuck on the on position by wrapping an elastic around it.  He's a mini MacGyver!

He explained to me the next morning that he didn't want me to worry when I came to tuck him in.

The next night I discovered his note again - with an addition ...

He'd attached an additional note that said "p.s. I Love You wite back", with a blank piece of paper and a pen for us to wite (write) back.

Had a funny little conversation with Bowen yesterday. 

Bowen - "Mom, how long do you stay on a mission?"
Me - "2 years"
Bowen - "I'm going to need a hotel."

Do you have great conversations with your kids, and get cute little notes too?   I love them!

Friday Weigh In

This has been a rough week.  It started great with purchasing Zumba for the Wii and doing better with my eating.  Tuesday I got hit with a nasty stomach flu that took me out of commission for a couple of days.  I find when I'm sick I lose alot of water weight that comes back on almost immediately - usually with some more.  So I wasn't expecting too much when I stepped on the scale this morning.  Despite everything I was able to lose ...

1 lb

That makes a total of 4 pounds down towards my birthday goal of 25 pounds.  I'm happy with that weight loss.  I am feeling so much better today and am excited to try out my Zumba.  I'll let you know how I do - I'm sure I'll look ridiculous!  Jason also got my bike all ready to go, so as soon as I find my helmet I'm geared up for another form of exercise.  Between my treadmill, bike and exercise tapes I have no excuse.  I'll be back next Friday to check back in and report on my progress - hopefully I can stay healthy this week!

Grateful for Friends

I've been grateful for a good friend this week.  On Tuesday we had to take our truck into the dealership for some warranty work and to get the oil changed.  So at 3:00 p.m. when the boys came home from school I walked to the bus stop to pick them up.  Unfortunately - it was raining!  Murphy's Law!!  Anyway it wasn't bad the boys enjoyed the walk. 

I had been feeling a little under the weather that day.  Not sure exactly, just kind of nauseous and a headache.  By about 3:30 p.m. that day I was sooooo sick!  Full on stomach flu.  I quickly cancelled my music students for the evening (which I hate to do) and took up residence on the couch.  Later that evening we got a call from the dealership that our truck wouldn't be ready until Wednesday.

I got thinking about having to walk the boys to the bus stop in the morning when I was feeling so horrible.  So I called a friend whose daughter goes to the same bus stop and asked if she'd mind picking up Ashton.  She was happy to do it.  She then surprised me by saying she would come at 11:30 a.m. to pick up Bowen to take him to the bus stop as well.  She doesn't have a child in kindergarten, but was so willing to help me out.  Then she picked them up at 3:00 p.m. and brought them home.

It turns out our truck won't be ready until later today, so Laura drove the boys again today.  Even Bowen at the later time.  Laura sure got me out of a bad situation this week.  I sure appreciate having such a wonderful friend in my life.

One of the Reasons We Bought Our Home

There are many reasons we bought our home, but the back yard definitely was one of them.

I love these trees!

I wish you could smell them - as soon as you step outside there is such a wonderful perfume in the air!  I just wish the blossoms lasted longer!

Lots of yard work needs to be done.  Weeding, pruning and planting annuals.  I hope we have a gorgeous summer so we can enjoy our backyard this year!

Really - We Do More Than Eat!!

We had a great long weekend.  The kids were off school Friday and Monday, and Jason had Monday off.  I love being able to spend time with my family.  Friday night started off with a run to Costco.  A friend of mine has Zumba for the Wii and she had picked it up at Costco and I wanted to buy a copy.  I plan to try it out today!  We also grabbed steaks for dinner on Saturday and a couple of other things.

No costco run is complete without eating.  So we opted to have a really "healthy" costco dinner.

I can't believe Bowen ate the whole thing!

Saturday was just a relaxing day.  We were babysitting Dane so the boys spent alot of time playing outside.

Dinner was awesome.  Steak, salad and twice baked potatoes!  With french crepes, strawberries and whipped (or whupped as Bowen calls it) cream - delicious!!

Sunday was a busy day (see previous post), but I did manage to have an afternoon nap.

Monday started off great with sleeping in - heaven!  Then Ashton made us breakfast.  He did it all himself with a little supervision.

We spent the rest of the day doing a few jobs around the house and Jason and the boys got all the bikes ready for summer.  They then enjoyed a bike ride before supper.

I don't have a picture of supper, but we had hawaiian haystacks and it was delicious.  When Ashton was saying the prayer for dinner he thanked Heavenly Father that "mom didn't have any students tonight and we could have dinner together" - broke my heart a little.  I need to make sure that I have at least 1/2 hour breaks next year so I can always have dinner with my children.  Love that family of mine!

Tap, Tap, Tap

Today was a pretty busy day for me at church.  It started with choir at 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.  Then ward council at 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.  Then church at 11 a.m.  Our choir was performing in sacrament meeting so we were doing some prelude music and I was also subbing for our ward organist so I played the congregational hymns.  In addition one speaker had fallen through so the Bishop had asked me to come up and speak for 5 minutes about primary.

So needless to say the boys were kind of on their own.  They had been really good during choir and ward council and were behaving so far during sacrament meeting.  I left them alone again to go up on the stage to accompany the ward choir.  Part way through the number I feel a tap, tap, tap on my shoulder.  I glance quickly to the side while trying to pay attention to my music.  I see Bowen standing beside me holding his bag of goldfish asking if he could have them.  I quickly told him yes and to get back to his seat.  Good grief! He is quite the boy!!

Book Review - "Heaven Is Here"

Jason bought me Stephanie Nielson's book "Heaven is Here" for Mother's Day!

If you don't know Stephanie's story she is a blogging stay at home mom who was in a plane crash with her husband in 2008 and was severly burned over 80% of her body.  I've been following her blog for a couple of years and have been inspired by her positive attitude and how she has overcome alot of the struggles that have come from her injuries.

When I heard she was writing a book I knew that I would want to read it.  I was worried that it wouldn't contain much I hadn't read already from her blog.  I was pleased that her book contained alot of details that she had never blogged about and I devoured it in two days.

If you are looking for a inspiring, spiritual and sweet love story you'll want to pick up this book.  Just be sure to have a box of tissues handy!

Friday Weigh In

It`s Friday again!  The weeks go by so quickly.  I weighed first thing this morning and I have lost ...

1 lb

For a total of 3 pounds down.  Only 22 pounds to go to get to my goal for August 3rd.  I could have done better this week.  I only worked out once and I didn`t track my food everyday.  I`m also not drinking as much water as I should.  I`m going to work harder on these goals this week.  I should get lots of exercise today as my house is a complete disaster.  If I wasn`t so embarassed I`d post pictures of just how messy my house is.  I hope to get alot accomplished today so that we can enjoy our long weekend without having to worry about housework.  Hopefully less of me will be back next Friday to check in again!

Ashton's New Appliance

Ashton got his retainer appliance today.  One of his front teeth is coming in very crooked and the bottom tooth even sits in front of it which is going to make a multitude of problems if we don't correct it.  So this morning we went to the orthodontist.  Ashton had an appointment a couple of weeks ago and an impression done and after selecting the colour blue they made him his retainer.

He needs to wear it all the time - I mean ALL THE TIME!  Poor kid - when he eats, sleeps, plays sports, school.  The only time he is allowed to take it out is to brush his teeth and clean the appliance. 

He was so excited to go this morning.  I don't think he realized what a major pain this is going to be.  I admire his positive spirit about it though.

He is really good at taking it in and out.  Although I've threatened him about taking it out to show friends at school.  I don't want to replace this thing - it's expensive!

He'll need to wear it for about the next 6 months.  If the tooth moves well, he may be able to wear it only at night after a couple of months.

Every other day we have a key to turn and it will gradually push that front tooth back into place.  I'm excited to see his smile once it is straight.

He talks funny, has way too much saliva, and is pretty sore tonight.  I gave him some tylenol at bedtime, hopefully he has a good sleep.  Dr. K. says it should only take a few days for him to get used to it.  So Phase 1 has started in his Phase 3 dental plan to have beautiful straight teeth.

My One Day Off A Year

I love being a mom!  Of course, (as Bowen would say) yesterday was Mother's Day.  It was a lovely day, but was sorry I didn't spend it with my wonderful mom.  I did see her the day before but had forgotten her card at home, and she already had the DVD we bought her - oops!

My mom has been an amazing example to me.  She is very talented, loving, generous and full of energy.  She handles challenges with faith, determination and grace.  I am honoured to be her daughter and enjoy so much the time we spend together.  I look forward to our daily telephone conversations and if I need a pep talk I know where to turn.

I found this photo of my mom while going through my photo albums this morning.  Bowen asked me "Is that Grandma?", I replied "yes", his response "oh, she's just younger!"  I think you look exactly the same.  I love you mom!

So back to my mother's day.  I have been struck down by yet another cold (I think my music room has become an incubator for germs - maybe I should spray the piano students down with lysol before they are allowed in) so I was feeling pretty miserable.  But I made it through church with the help of great counsellors and Jason who always comes to my rescue.  After church I was instructed that I was to do nothing all day - done!  I was quite happy with that plan.  I put on some comfy clothes and assumed the position on my favorite spot on the couch.

The boys had little surprises for me they had made at school and primary (the ones they made at primary weren't exactly a surprise since I helped them make them), but they were so sweet all day.  Bowen kept bringing me drinks of water and reading his card to me.  I got lots of hugs and kisses.  Jason had bought me Stephanie Nielson's new book "Heaven is Here" and I enjoyed spending the afternoon reading it while he and the boys made supper.  As I laid on the couch I heard the ding of the steamer and then seconds later the timer from the stove.  My hubby exclaimed "how's that for timing? - you heard that - tell people!"  It was pretty amazing!

They made a delicious supper (I just wish I could have tasted it better - stupid cold!).  They had made ham, scalloped potatoes and asparagas with hollandaise sauce - yum!  Bowen set the table and Ashton even made place cards.

During dinner Bowen asked me to get him something.  His father explained I couldn't get it because it was "mom's day off - her one day off a year".  It sounds a bit depressing when you say it like that.  I love my family.  They are so good to me and I actually get spoiled quite often - not just on Mother's Day.  Since Saturday we went to Champion for cousin Emry's baptism we were able to go to the cemetery and visit Kenny's grave.  We took some flowers (thank you Amber) and we all had a little cry. 

I am so grateful I have the opportunity to be a mom.  What a blessing these sweet little boys are in my life.

Looove Bowen's cheesy grin!  They are a handsome pair!

ps.  Bowen has just informed me that today - May 14th is Bowen's Day - cheeky!

Friday Weigh In

So better late than never.  I realize I am so late in blogging today.  I did however weigh first thing this morning.  I'm happy to report that this week I lost ...

2 lbs

It is great to see the scale going this direction again.  My goal is to have another successful week this coming week to keep my momentum going.  I plan to workout 5 days and to track all my food intake.   I usually don't place a weighloss number goal, but I'm going to this time.  My birthday is in 2 1/2 months and I would like to have lost 25 pounds by that date.  I'll report back next Friday and let you know how I'm doing.  Wish me luck!

Minute to Win It

On Saturday we had a Choose the Right - Minute to Win It Activity for the Primary children in our ward.  We had 21 children in attendance.  We split them into 3 groups.  We would ask them a choose the right question and whichever team answered correctly first would be able to choose from the minute to win it board which game would be played.

We had all of our supplies ready and as each game was selected we'd quickly set up the game and a child from each team would participate.

Ashton was the first to answer correctly and immediately wanted to play "Nose Dive".  You put petroleum jelly on your nose and without using your hands transfer 5 cotton balls from one plate to another.  Ashton won this event!

Next up was Dizzy Mummy.  In this game one child wraps another child in a streamer.

Then they played Egg Roll, where they had to roll an egg from one end of the gym to the other by blowing it with a straw.  Bowen won this game, but somehow I didn't take a picture of him!

The Tissue Toss was fun to watch.  You have to empty a kleenex box as fast as possible.  Sarah was soooo fast!

Then we had a team game passing a frisbee between their knees down the line of kids.

Next was Bucket Head.  One kid holds a bucket on their head while another tosses ping pong balls into the bucket.

Another favorite was Magic Carpet.  It was done like a relay - you sit on a towel and have to inch your way down around a bucket and back.

Then we played Stack Attack.  The object was to see who could build their tower the tallest.  We played several rounds of this game.

One of our primary teachers tried out the next game - Junk in the Trunk.  You fill an empty kleenex box with ping pong balls tied around your waist and then shake your trunk until all the ping pong balls fall out.

The next event Noodling Around was hard.  You take a piece of uncooked spaghetti and hold it in your mouth and try to pick up 5 pieces of penne pasta without using your hands. 

My favorite game was Elephant March.  We put a tennis ball in the leg of a pantyhose and then put the hose on the child's head.  Without using their hands they had to swing the pantyhose like an elephant trunk and knock down bottles.  The boys didn't appreciate having nylons on their heads - hilarious!!

Then we had a couple of relay races.  The first a Hawaiian Relay.  They had to put on a hat, lei and sunglasses and then run to the end of the gym and back, then the next child put the stuff on and run etc.  It was fun to watch.  The floppy summer hats kept falling off their heads.

And the second relay was running to the end and back with a balloon between their knees. (I don't know why some of these pictures are so yellow!)

Last was the Cookie Face Race - always a favorite - you take an oreo cookie and place it on your forehead and without using your hands try and move the cookie down to your mouth.

We gave the kids a juice box and rice krispie square and it was time to go home.  The kids had alot of fun and it was an easy activity to organize and super easy clean up.  My family, as always were such a big help and my counsellors as well.  Another primary activity checked off the list.  Now to start thinking of ideas for Christmas!