Thursday, March 17, 2011
Dusting
There are some household jobs that I am literally not able to do with out Jared's help. And when London is even noticing the nastiness on our ceiling fans it's time for Jared to get out the ladder.
Gator's are Back
A half a mile from our house is a little bend in the river. This "friendly" alligator lives in this bend. Sometimes he's there and sometimes he's hiding. But the weather is finally getting warm enough that today he came out for a little sun.
Don't worry, the water's a good 40 ft across. But 10 ft from the waters edge was as close as Sicily was going to get.
Don't worry, the water's a good 40 ft across. But 10 ft from the waters edge was as close as Sicily was going to get.
Gator Palooza
Our Elementary School has an amazing Carnival Fund Raiser every year. We haven't gone in the past because it was too hard with Sicily and Phoenix being so little. But with 3 kids in school this year and London moving on to Middle School next year we opted for a day outing today.
To start us off we all had our photos with the friendly neighborhood Gator.
Tickets were 50 cents each and they all got a few from us and bought a few themselves. A friend of Aspens Dad gave us 60 some odd tickets because they had to leave early and didn't want to have to sell them back, we were also given free wrist bands (that got them unlimited bounce house). So the kids had a hay day. Thank you all our wonderful friends out there.
Phoenix and London both had their hair dyed, clear down to the scalp, I might add.
You could buy cans of Silly String and spray your friends as they walked by. Sicily was not too happy when Jared sprayed her on the arm. Notice the pink Silly String that Aspen earlier got on his bottom.
The school has been collecting confetti eggs for weeks. Empty eggs, dyed and filled with confetti. This was the sole purpose of these eggs.
But one good shake still didn't get all that confetti out.
Sicily was more than happy to explore the Bounce Houses. This was a pretty good shot, considering the sun was reflecting off my camera and I wasn't really sure I'd even gotten her in the picture.
Slides are always fun, check out that smile.
There were also little games to play. Spill the milk, Ping Pong toss in the fish bowls, ring on the soda bottles. They won little coins they could then exchange for trinkets at another booth. Phoenix is getting ready to play Minute to Win it.
To start us off we all had our photos with the friendly neighborhood Gator.
Tickets were 50 cents each and they all got a few from us and bought a few themselves. A friend of Aspens Dad gave us 60 some odd tickets because they had to leave early and didn't want to have to sell them back, we were also given free wrist bands (that got them unlimited bounce house). So the kids had a hay day. Thank you all our wonderful friends out there.
Phoenix and London both had their hair dyed, clear down to the scalp, I might add.
You could buy cans of Silly String and spray your friends as they walked by. Sicily was not too happy when Jared sprayed her on the arm. Notice the pink Silly String that Aspen earlier got on his bottom.
The school has been collecting confetti eggs for weeks. Empty eggs, dyed and filled with confetti. This was the sole purpose of these eggs.
But one good shake still didn't get all that confetti out.
Sicily was more than happy to explore the Bounce Houses. This was a pretty good shot, considering the sun was reflecting off my camera and I wasn't really sure I'd even gotten her in the picture.
Slides are always fun, check out that smile.
There were also little games to play. Spill the milk, Ping Pong toss in the fish bowls, ring on the soda bottles. They won little coins they could then exchange for trinkets at another booth. Phoenix is getting ready to play Minute to Win it.
One minute to tip over all 3 cans with only the yo-yo tied around your neck.
And the favorite of all the boys was the nasty slime. I know some Mom came up with this stuff, but it was absolutely disgusting.
Beaux in Hiding
We are frequently discovered in this position. Beaux is quite the master sleuth when it comes to seeing who's coming through the front door without being seen himself. He's so short and blends right in with the table coloring that you don't exactly notice him right off the bat. 
Thursday, March 3, 2011
5th Grade Recorder Concert
London has been tooting his little Recorder for the entire school year now. Nothing too fancy, I'd hear is beeping out of his room as I cooked dinner. So Jared and I were both pleasently surprised when 70 5th Graders put on an hour long Recorder Concert. One song after the next. It was wonderful. I was so very impressed.
The teacher would push play on the CD and the kids would read the music that was projected behind the parents. Quite a good set up.
Here's a few videos of some of the songs I caught. They all did such an amazing job!
The teacher would push play on the CD and the kids would read the music that was projected behind the parents. Quite a good set up.
Here's a few videos of some of the songs I caught. They all did such an amazing job! Ode to Joy
Amazing Grace
Marching Band
My battery died before the final song, but it was Star Wars. I'll get London to do a private concert for you all and post it on here later.
Going to School
After some conversations with friends about wake up times and school schedules I decided I'd much rather let my younger ones sleep in and have the older ones get some jobs done in the morning, than get up at 6:15 so we can catch the bus by 7:20.
So now London's still up by 6:15 but he practices piano, cleans up his room, gets last minute homework done, feeds the dog and sometimes takes a shower if he missed it the night before.
Aspen's up at 7:00 so she can empty the dishwasher, clean her room and have time to actually do her hair.
Phoenix sleeps till 7:15 and is lucky enough to just have to feed the fish, get dressed and eat breakfast.
Sicily, of course, is usually still in her PJ's as the car pulls out of the drive. As am I some days.
But everyone is happier. They get more sleep and have more time to play with their friends after school because they're not having to do it all before they can play, because it's already done.
So now London's still up by 6:15 but he practices piano, cleans up his room, gets last minute homework done, feeds the dog and sometimes takes a shower if he missed it the night before.
Aspen's up at 7:00 so she can empty the dishwasher, clean her room and have time to actually do her hair.
Phoenix sleeps till 7:15 and is lucky enough to just have to feed the fish, get dressed and eat breakfast.
Sicily, of course, is usually still in her PJ's as the car pulls out of the drive. As am I some days.
But everyone is happier. They get more sleep and have more time to play with their friends after school because they're not having to do it all before they can play, because it's already done.
Monopoly
I won, I won!! I didn't even know it was possible to win Monopoly!
London and Aspen wanted to play Monopoly one Sunday afternoon. I was beat to the world but played anyway because they wanted too so badly. We play a fun way where every time you buy something, or pay taxes or anything you put it in the middle of the board instead of back to the bank. Then if a person lands on "Free Parking" it's like winning the Lottery and they get all the cash in the middle. Well, I won that twice. So every property I owned had a Castle (Hotel in Disney Monopoly) on it. So when they landed on my property they'd owe me something crazy like $1,500. It was awesome, the game was over in about an hour.
This was the only property on the entire board that I didn't own by the end. London and Aspen both went bankrupt, it was a sad day for them. But they will always be able to say they've actually played a game of Monopoly where somebody won. I'm 31, and this is the first time I've ever seen it happen.
Lucky for me, it was Me! :)
London and Aspen wanted to play Monopoly one Sunday afternoon. I was beat to the world but played anyway because they wanted too so badly. We play a fun way where every time you buy something, or pay taxes or anything you put it in the middle of the board instead of back to the bank. Then if a person lands on "Free Parking" it's like winning the Lottery and they get all the cash in the middle. Well, I won that twice. So every property I owned had a Castle (Hotel in Disney Monopoly) on it. So when they landed on my property they'd owe me something crazy like $1,500. It was awesome, the game was over in about an hour. 
This was the only property on the entire board that I didn't own by the end. London and Aspen both went bankrupt, it was a sad day for them. But they will always be able to say they've actually played a game of Monopoly where somebody won. I'm 31, and this is the first time I've ever seen it happen.
Lucky for me, it was Me! :)Ice Ice Baby, It's Cold!!
I don't know about your fridge, but mine freezes everything if it's in the back of the fridge for too long. I don't actually know what was in the container, but Sicily was happy to discover a huge circle of ice to play with. Though she found out really quick that "playing" with ice is not as fun as you think it's going to be.
"It's cold!!"
"It's cold!!"
Jared 2 Birthday's
Jared turned 35 on Feb 13th. He randomly decided he wanted to invite a few friends over on his Birthday for some cake. 
So we had a good time, with 2 little families and lots of cake and ice cream.
He was happy to blow out just 2 candles that said 35!
But then it was time for the real party. I'd been planning a surprise party for weeks, and he had no idea. So 2 parties in a row was a lot of fun. First came the decorations.
Then came all the guests. We had some 30 adults and 75+ kids.
25 Little Ceasar's Pizzas and an entire sheet cake later, we were ready to get the carpets cleaned.
It was a big important Birthday. And he was officially surprised, had no idea at all. :) YEAH!! Happy 35th Baby, we love you!
So we had a good time, with 2 little families and lots of cake and ice cream.He was happy to blow out just 2 candles that said 35!But then it was time for the real party. I'd been planning a surprise party for weeks, and he had no idea. So 2 parties in a row was a lot of fun. First came the decorations.
Then came all the guests. We had some 30 adults and 75+ kids. 
25 Little Ceasar's Pizzas and an entire sheet cake later, we were ready to get the carpets cleaned.
It was a big important Birthday. And he was officially surprised, had no idea at all. :) YEAH!! Happy 35th Baby, we love you!
Broken Piano
We've had this piano for over 6 years. It's been shipped to Australia, over to New Mexico then not too gently stuffed in and shipped to Texas. We're lucky it's made it this far. But apparently the roughest thing we could do to it is play it. London's been taking lessons now for about 4 years and Aspen's going on 2. The key just broke off one day, slowly worked it's way loose mind, but eventually just broke off.
Don't worry, Jared, of course, was able to fix it. Just glued the key back on. The 3 white keys were all stuck together for a time but it's all good now. :)
Don't worry, Jared, of course, was able to fix it. Just glued the key back on. The 3 white keys were all stuck together for a time but it's all good now. :)
Chocolate Snakes Book Report
This was the funnest book report I've every helped with. London had to make a box of cereal that went along with his book. He read "Series of Unfortunate Events, The Reptile Room."
The name of the cereal had to do something with the book, but also describe the shape and color of the cereal inside.
The Ingredients were the Characters and a sentence or two describing them.
The opposite side listed beginning, middle and end of the story. Things to strike your interest in the book.
And of course a game, gotta have a game.
When they all turned in their reports they were displayed in the school library. London was one of the few that was smart enough to do it on the computer. Made it look a little more professional, and it was easier I might add. Just imagine 200 + boxes of cereal on display amongst the books. Such a good idea, and a lot of fun too.
The name of the cereal had to do something with the book, but also describe the shape and color of the cereal inside.
The Ingredients were the Characters and a sentence or two describing them.
The opposite side listed beginning, middle and end of the story. Things to strike your interest in the book.
And of course a game, gotta have a game.
When they all turned in their reports they were displayed in the school library. London was one of the few that was smart enough to do it on the computer. Made it look a little more professional, and it was easier I might add. Just imagine 200 + boxes of cereal on display amongst the books. Such a good idea, and a lot of fun too.An Apple A Day
Keeps the Doctor away! But which apple should I choose?
Aren't they all so beautiful. I was sad when I went to the store and realised I had no green apples in this picture. The bright yellow one is my favorite. I only bought it because it was so pretty, so I was happy to see it was tasty too.
Aren't they all so beautiful. I was sad when I went to the store and realised I had no green apples in this picture. The bright yellow one is my favorite. I only bought it because it was so pretty, so I was happy to see it was tasty too.Friday, February 25, 2011
Squish Me Daddy
Notice the little feet poking out on the sides.
"Squish me Daddy, Squish me! Hee, Hee, Hee, Hee!!!"
"Squish me Daddy, Squish me! Hee, Hee, Hee, Hee!!!"
Pinkalicious
Sicily is all into the PINK at the moment. So with PINK comes "PINKALICIOUS." If you have not had the opportunity to read this book, please track it down from your local library and have a little read. It is adorable and super cute for a little PINK 3 year old girlie girl.
In this book it is raining, so little daughter and Mommy decided to make PINK Cupcakes. But the little girl eats too many and in the morning she is pink.
Sicily tried and tried to convince me to let her have multiple cupcakes. "But I want to be Pink, Mama." She did not understand why I would not let her turn pink. :)
In this book it is raining, so little daughter and Mommy decided to make PINK Cupcakes. But the little girl eats too many and in the morning she is pink.
Sicily tried and tried to convince me to let her have multiple cupcakes. "But I want to be Pink, Mama." She did not understand why I would not let her turn pink. :)
Cooking Mishap
And this is why 2 people should never cook in the same kitchen at the same time.
Jared wanted to make rolls for dinner while I was in charge of the main course. Well, rolls come first of course because they have to rise. So while I took a Sunday nap Jared made a start on the rolls, then left to go Home Teaching. I then came downstairs and turned on the oven to get it warmed up for the Roast, or whatever I was making.
It takes a good 10 mins or so to prep the food so by then the oven was up to 350-400. I opened to door to put in my stuff and found the roll dough in this melted/melting mixing bowl. AUGH!!! Put my food down, quickly got this out, wasn't sure what to do about the melted plastic on the bottom of the oven, so I just stuck my food in anyway.
Luckily the rolls had not cooked all the way through. The nice warm (warmer than Jared had meant it to be) oven had really made them rise, and the outside was only just starting to crust. I quickly shaped them out into 3 little pans and let the very hot dough rest for a minute.
In the end, dinner was great, the little loaves of bread were tasty and there was only a slight hint of melted wax in the air. Next time Jared said he'll leave a note on the oven to let me know the dough is in there rising.
Jared wanted to make rolls for dinner while I was in charge of the main course. Well, rolls come first of course because they have to rise. So while I took a Sunday nap Jared made a start on the rolls, then left to go Home Teaching. I then came downstairs and turned on the oven to get it warmed up for the Roast, or whatever I was making. It takes a good 10 mins or so to prep the food so by then the oven was up to 350-400. I opened to door to put in my stuff and found the roll dough in this melted/melting mixing bowl. AUGH!!! Put my food down, quickly got this out, wasn't sure what to do about the melted plastic on the bottom of the oven, so I just stuck my food in anyway.
Luckily the rolls had not cooked all the way through. The nice warm (warmer than Jared had meant it to be) oven had really made them rise, and the outside was only just starting to crust. I quickly shaped them out into 3 little pans and let the very hot dough rest for a minute.
In the end, dinner was great, the little loaves of bread were tasty and there was only a slight hint of melted wax in the air. Next time Jared said he'll leave a note on the oven to let me know the dough is in there rising.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Jared's "Work"
Jared has been every so busy at work doing all sorts of things. But the latest and greatest was designing this conference table. Isn't it the coolest. The metal things in the middle are plugs that flip up and down so everyone can plug in their lap tops, it also has 13 Internet cables and a VGA cable that makes the projector function. 
Painting Ceramics
We found a fun family activity to do on a slow Saturday. This store up the road has about any ceramic you would want to paint. From dragons to honeypots. It was such a fun afternoon that the kids want to go back every Saturday.
London took such a long time picking out his wizard that he didn't get to finish, so he and I will go back another day.
Aspen wanted a hot chocolate cup. She put her name on it and everything.
Phoenix, of course, needed something boyish. An alligator apparently fit the bill.
I was so happy with what Sicily picked. I was actually going to get it for her the week earlier when I was in there myself. Though I must admit I wouldn't have painted the sheep as cute as she did.
So when you're all done painting your piece you give it to the owner for a week. He glazes and fires it and viola, you have a beautiful shiny nick knack for your shelf.
London took such a long time picking out his wizard that he didn't get to finish, so he and I will go back another day.
Aspen wanted a hot chocolate cup. She put her name on it and everything.
Phoenix, of course, needed something boyish. An alligator apparently fit the bill.
I was so happy with what Sicily picked. I was actually going to get it for her the week earlier when I was in there myself. Though I must admit I wouldn't have painted the sheep as cute as she did.
So when you're all done painting your piece you give it to the owner for a week. He glazes and fires it and viola, you have a beautiful shiny nick knack for your shelf.Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Playing Dr.
Sicily and her friend Kayla have started to play Doctor while at Playgroup. I'm ok with this because they mostly do it on their baby dolls. But Sicily told me today that she tried to give Kayla some "medicine."
"Kayla not like medsin in her eyeballs...she too wiggly."
Well, I'd be a bit wiggly too if Sicily tried to put medicine in my eyeballs.
"Kayla not like medsin in her eyeballs...she too wiggly."
Well, I'd be a bit wiggly too if Sicily tried to put medicine in my eyeballs.
Monday, February 7, 2011
I Can See!
After weeks of complaining about practicing piano I finally sat down with Aspen to ask what was up. "I can't see the notes, they're fuzzy and I always get a headache when I practice." Come to find out she also sits in the front row at school and can't see the board very well either.
So off to the Eye Dr we went, and she most definitely needed glasses.
Aspen picked them out herself. They have a red tint to them, wavy sides and a little heart on the side too. Super cute and she LOVES them.
My Dad, Grandpa Kenison, always used to ask, "Do the trees have leaves again?" When I asked this to Aspen she looked at the trees and said, "Yes! They used to be just green blobs on sticks and now I can see branches and little leaves."
So off to the Eye Dr we went, and she most definitely needed glasses.
Aspen picked them out herself. They have a red tint to them, wavy sides and a little heart on the side too. Super cute and she LOVES them.
My Dad, Grandpa Kenison, always used to ask, "Do the trees have leaves again?" When I asked this to Aspen she looked at the trees and said, "Yes! They used to be just green blobs on sticks and now I can see branches and little leaves." As we walked through Target, "Mom! I can read that sign, it says vacuum. If I take them off it's all fuzzy, but when I put them on I can read it." All day long she said stuff like this. It was so cute and I'm so happy our Aspen can finally see.
Cooking Mishap
This is why 2 people should not cook in one kitchen at the same time.
Jared was making rolls and put the dough in the warmed up oven to rise. He left to go Home Teaching when I started making baked potatoes.
As I washed the potatoes I turned on the oven to 400 degrees, so it'd be ready when the potatoes were clean and in tin foil. Sure enough, 10 mins later when the oven was ready and the potatoes were too I opened the oven to find this, melted all over.
Amazingly enough the dough was ok, came away from the bowl just fine. I put it in 3 little bread pans, it actually rouse some and we had some tasty little loafs of bread.
We could have had a serious fire on my hands, but luckily we just ended up with bread and one melted mixing bowl.
Jared was making rolls and put the dough in the warmed up oven to rise. He left to go Home Teaching when I started making baked potatoes.
As I washed the potatoes I turned on the oven to 400 degrees, so it'd be ready when the potatoes were clean and in tin foil. Sure enough, 10 mins later when the oven was ready and the potatoes were too I opened the oven to find this, melted all over.
Amazingly enough the dough was ok, came away from the bowl just fine. I put it in 3 little bread pans, it actually rouse some and we had some tasty little loafs of bread.
We could have had a serious fire on my hands, but luckily we just ended up with bread and one melted mixing bowl.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hot Chocolate and Star Wars
Look who dropped by for Hot Chocolate! Yes, that is Annikan Skywalker. And man, my hot chocolate must be pretty good, check out his double chin. 
Collin and Chole Jones warming up with us after some ice jumping.
Collin and Chole Jones warming up with us after some ice jumping.
No Snow Yet
But we do have ICE!!! Check out those icicles. They're HUGE!!! :) Totally kidding of course. But this is pretty cool for Texas.
And even cooler is the Trampoline.
Bet you've never jumped in an ice pile before.
And even cooler is the Trampoline.
Bet you've never jumped in an ice pile before.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Look, NO SNOW!!!!
And NO SCHOOL too!!!
Texans crack me up. It's been below freezing at night this week and they are all in a panic. I know, the roads do freeze straight away. But it cracks me up when we get early release from school because it's GOING to snow, it hasn't yet, but it's GOING to.
Texans crack me up. It's been below freezing at night this week and they are all in a panic. I know, the roads do freeze straight away. But it cracks me up when we get early release from school because it's GOING to snow, it hasn't yet, but it's GOING to. We'll find out tonight at 8:00 if there's No School tomorrow too. I sure hope it does snow. Because it's too cold outside for there to not be any snow.
Sisters Part II
There are times when being a Mom is just awesome. When you have those moments that you realize you're doing things right. Times of quiet and rest and love.
This was one of those times.
This was one of those times.
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