Happy Halloween 2008

Happy Halloween 2008 Everyone!

Preschool Boy, Dream Girl

Cole is in a neighborhood preschool group and I had to take a picture of him.  Isn't he so cute?  He's much too little to go to school, but he really loves the interaction and he loves friends. Can't wait for Halloween tomorrow.  Yipee! 

I failed to get out of bed in a timely manner this morning so Scott was calling my name at the bottom of the stairs, so we could get him to the bus stop.  I had fallen into a deep dream sleep.  I worked at Chili's and I was late for work.  Scott had taken my work shirt and cut the sleeves off so he could workout in it.  Then Cole walked in covered in dog poo and I had to give him a bath, making me even later for work.  I think I was dreaming all this "late" stuff because I subconsciously knew that I needed to get up and get Scott to the bus stop.  

Anyhow, it's a crazy day so I'm off and running, well more like waddling.  

Thankful

I am thankful:

-that gas is under $3.00/gallon

-that I can still tie my shoes

- that Scott wrestles with the kids while I lay on the couch

- that I had no cavities at my checkup (however the hygenist gently reminded me that "brushing without flossing is like showering without washing your pits")

-that it is nearly November which = Chloe's birthday, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving break, closer to birth of  our baby

- that Asher wanted to learn to iron, and enjoyed it

- that I get to go to book club this week

- for Tums

- for cool nights but warm days

- that Scott is willing to face all life's challenges head on

- that I get to take my kids Halloween pictures soon

- for my kid's creativity

- that Chloe cooked dinner tonight (and last night too!)

- that Mom and I will be celebrating our birthdays this week (he he)

 

The fumes of good art.

It's been an artsy week at our house.  With Fall Break and all the kids wanted to create.  So I ran to the good old Target and got some Sculpey, a family favorite.  If you haven't used it before, it's basically modeling clay that you can then bake and it will harden forever.  Asher had a class project to build a monster, and so he created this dinosaur-looking creature with 4 eyes.  Unfortunately, he used some "other" clay on the head and that clay is not bakable (not a word).  So it melted.  All in all, he decided it was cool as the head hollowed itself out and dripped down his monster.  He is planning on telling the class his monster's head exploded.  That'll do.

Chloe decided to do a project for the Reflections program at school.  Last year she made a globe of the world that turned out pretty cool.  All on her own, she decided to create the Eiffel tower.  It's been a lot of work, but it is coming along.  We have to purchase  some more clay so she can finish the tower and add little boats with men in them.  Picture will be posted upon completion. No major hiccups, yet. 

Well, then Aidan decided he'd like to create something, just for fun for me!  I was busy writing out bills and such when he presented me with, "a Western guy".  

Okay?  What's a Western guy?

He explained what makes him a western guy is his hat and the way the edges are turned up.  

It was really cute.  He insisted we get it baked immediately. 

With my 1/2  a brain I had him set the oven 100 degrees hotter than the sculpey is suppose to bake at.  

Brilliant.

I set the timer for 15 minutes and went about my business.  

"GET IN HERE MOM!" Asher yells from the kitchen.

I'm irritated, because after all if I don't have to get up I don't want to (big belly syndrome). 

He insists, so I go in the kitchen and immediately begin coughing.  Smoke is billowing out the sides of the oven.

I open it up and pull out one crispy Western guy and run him out to the deck. The fire alarms all went off and I quickly opened all windows and rushed the kids outside so as to not burn their little lungs.  Now the oven flashes error code F1 and beeps incessantly.  I had to flip the braker (on Dad's suggestion) to get it to be quiet.  

Here's hoping the oven works when I flip it back on, and that Western guy, and his creator, forgive me.   

 

Fall Break Fun Part I

We were really undecided on what to do for the kids and Scott's Fall Break.  All I knew was that I wanted to spend some time enjoying the mountains and being outside.  So on Thursday afternoon we headed up to the Alpine Loop to Mutual Dell campground. 

 Ging met us there with Cal and Ellie.  We had a nice campfire and enjoyed hotdogs and smores.  Some were more done than others.  

Chloe was an expert marshmallow roaster, she also had the idea to try out roasted Funyuns.  Not bad I have to say, but then I am a lover of Funyuns. 

The kids hiked around and generally enjoyed nature while we all sat by the campfire talking and enjoying the smells and sounds of the mountains.  

One of many things I love about "camping" or being in the mountains is that you just plan on your kids getting dirty and smelling like smoke.  That gives them the freedom to play without restrictions and you the freedom to just relax. What a fantastic and cheap (no entrance charge when going to Mutual Dell) activity for a family. 

Fall Break Fun Part II

Memories.... we decided to buy some ice blocks and let the kids try out one of our old college-day favorites, Ice Blocking.  They were skeptical to say the least.  

"How do you sit on a piece of ice?"

"How does the ice go?"

"Won't it just melt?"

I gave the ice a go, and I guess I'd forgotten that it takes some ab muscles and some balance to really get anywhere.  I didn't do too well.  It was a beautiful day though, and Scott, Claire, Cole and I mostly enjoyed just sitting outside watching the kids, and their group of friends that accumulated, have fun with a piece of ice! 

Fall Break Fun Part III

We decided to head up to visit Grandpa and Grandma for the day.  The kids really enjoy just being outside in the yard and such.  The boys tested out the shelving in Grandpa's shed, and asked when they could sleep out there.  Then they chased the chickens.  Of course they also wanted the chickens to eat out of their hands, which the chickens weren't too keen on after being chased!!  We took the kids up to a trout farm and did a little fishing. Good thing Grandma was there to remove the hooks!  

Thank you for your opinions.....

I made some phone calls this morning.  I was asking people's opinion if I should cut my hair short or just trim it and put in new layers.  I got mixed reviews.  Scott wanted me to cut it short, Cole did not.  Well, I went for it and cut it off.  I was able to donate 13" to Locks of Love!  I've never done that before, so that was neat.  Anyhow, I feel much lighter, considering I gained 4 pounds last month!  When I got home Cole said, "It's all gone, all gone".  I asked if he liked it and he said, "No."  Ah well, you win some you lose some. 

(updated photo, more like the way I do it)

 

200 Days!

I've been pregnant for 200 Days- time to celebrate!!!  

Okay, that's enough.

It's Fall Break. Scott's out for the week and the kids get out Thursday through Monday.  We're trying to decide what fun family-time thing we can do.  In the meantime, Cole is thoroughly enjoying having a built in friend.  As Scott was coming down the stairs this morning Cole said, "Mom get pencils, two of dem.  Dad, come lay on the floor."  

And so the two of them have spent the morning by the fireplace drawing.  Does that count as Scott's homework?  I'm wondering.

  

It's eggnog season.  That's an actual celebrated season at our home.  The kids watch for it at the grocery store when it starts to get cold.  This has been going on for years now.  Eggnog has been called more than on thing in our home:

Witch's milk (witch on carton at Halloween time, 3 year old)

Goggular

Nog

Well, I had the brilliant idea last night for FHE to make eggnog milkshakes.  Why not combine two of our favorites, eggnog and ice cream. 

They were SO GOOD!

Calorie Caution.

Everyone loved them, so if you're a lover of eggnog and ice cream give it a shot it won't disappoint. 

Weekend Update!

On Wednesday I took the kids out of school early and my Mom and I drove a rented van to Salt Lake and picked up Scott and headed up to Deer Valley.  Scott's sister, Karen, was at a Conference for work and they had booked her into a gorgeous Stein Erikson Lodge suite.  She talked us into coming up and enjoying it, as she would be at meetings all day and most of the night.  The drive was lovely and the lodge was amazing.  It's tucked away up on the mountain, and all the quakies were like shimmering gold! (no I didn't bring my camera, sorry).  Her suite had it's own hot tub and the kids made good use of it.  We also wandered down to the heated pool for awhile.  We were the only ones there.  Then we made some soup, lit the fireplace and relaxed while the kids enjoyed the hot tub again and then the HUGE jetted tub.  It was a lot of fun and very relaxing.  

On Friday our van was finally finished getting an electric lift installed for Scott's power wheelchair.  We were very excited.  I was a little nervous after I picked up Scott, loaded up his very pricey power chair and secured it and headed onto the interstate.  I kept watching it bounce as I'd go over bumps, and I tried not to freak out.  Scott's very excited to have this lift and the freedom it will give him.  The first thing he mentioned was that when we go in to have this baby, (which has always happened in the middle of the night) I should just head in to the hospital and he will unload his power chair himself and bring himself in.  It made me laugh and think how sweet that the first thing he thought of was that he wouldn't burden me when we went to the hospital.  

The children all officially have costumes!  What a feat.  I absolutely love taking my kids Halloween pictures and so costumes are of importance.  I have even played around with the idea of renting out our old costumes, because they're good ones! 

Can you believe the snow?  I knew it was serious when Aidan ran in our room and looked out the window, gasped, and ran out yelling "Asher, you've gotta see this."  

So, I've been having a pregnancy debate.  I've never really embraced taking pictures of myself when I'm pregnant.  I maybe have  4 or 5 from all my pregnancies combined.  I just don't feel like I really want my picture taken.  Well, this is the last baby for us, and I think I'll wonder what I looked like pregnant.  I got brave with Cole and actually had planned to have a body cast done by my little sis, but we didn't get enough plaster before he arrived.  How about all you women out there?  Do you (did you/ will you) embrace your pregnant self?  I find more often I complain about being huge or how I look than really enjoying what my body is capable of doing.  It really is a miracle that we were given the ability to carry another life and help it grow. I may actually call a friend a have her take a few shots, we'll see.   I did get a couple of kind comments today about what a "cute pregnant lady" I am.  It made me laugh as I remembered myself tucked away in my closet on Saturday night trying on every dress, skirt I owned looking for one that would zip up, or hang right, etc.  I finally settled on that black dress I've worn to death.  (you all know what I'm talking about).  I just really don't want to invest in "pregnant clothes" with just under 3 months to go.  I prefer to find things that work when I'm pregnant, but that I could also enjoy when I'm not pregnant.  Only problem I've found with that theory is that by the time I'm done being pregnant I don't want to look at those clothes, let alone wear them!  I really am looking forward to welcoming this sweet baby into our family, but I'm trying to enjoy/make the most out of this time until she's here. 

 So here's something for all blog watchers to look forward to- 

1. kids Halloween pics

2.perhaps some lovely pregnancy pics of me!

Simple Things

Tonight I was busy on the computer and I heard Scott talking to Cole.  He said, "Oh, good idea.  Mom won't ever find you in here."  Then I hear Cole calling to me, "Mom, come and find me".  I walk in the family room and this is where he was hiding!  Isn't that too funny.  I love the way a 3 year old thinks.  

Another Dream

I had a dream last night.  It was strange, but for me that is the norm in La-La Land.  I was riding an escalator with my kids, I was bitten by a bat, and I ended up in a wheelchair.  I couldn't control the movement of my legs or feet.  I would go to therapy and try to walk and it was very challenging and weird.  Hmm.  Then Scott and I took the kids, and that included our new baby in her car seat, to the mall, in our matching wheelchairs.  

In other news...Chloe helped me clean out under the stairs last night to earn some money for the Book Fair.  We pulled out a ton of clothes.  I was able to get rid of any boy clothes under size 3!!! YEAH!  That's a lot of stuff.  Then, much to Chloe's happiness, we went through her old clothes.  So many cute things attached to memories.  Lots of yellowing items, I guess she will be 10 in November.  We were both surprised by how many shoes she had.  Anyhow, it felt good to purge myself of things we don't need in an effort to make the basement a more inviting place for all.