Odds & Ends

Yesterday, I was online (once I figured out it was not our cable connection that was the problem but the new microwave I was forced to buy when our old one died that had flipped the breaker and caused me to have no internet or phone for hours...sorry, I digress...).  Let me start again, so yesterday, I was online  looking for a family home evening board.  I found some really cute ideas including the one above from brandyscraft.blogspot.com.  If you are interested she has some GREAT ideas!  Of course I don't own a cricut (I actually had to look up what a cricut was) but it is a super cute idea. 

While I was busy looking on the computer this is what Meredith was busy doing...

I should of known something was up when it was so quiet!





Random Thoughts: Where are you Mr. Motivation (or is it Miss), Picky Eaters, and Plate Cleaners

I am officially in a slump.  Somehow, somewhere I have lost my motivation.  I had it a few months ago.  But, I'm not sure where I put it.  I would try retracing my steps but try doing that without  motivation...(sigh)..."Where are you, Mr. Motivation or is it Miss?"
Meredith on the other hand, has plenty of motivation, innovations, and a whole lot of other "ations."  I think she has some sort of super hero power like "Elasta Baby."  Every time I put something out of reach she has somehow managed to reach it.  Last night, I was cutting onions for a creamed spinach to go with our pasta.  Somehow with her gangly super hero arms she reached up and grabbed the cutting board and there  went the onions.  My little explorer or perhaps a picky eater...  This morning I made cinnamon pancakes and oatmeal.  Meredith picked at both.  When I took her down from her high chair, she grabbed one of Cardi's shoes, put it in her mouth and crawled away (like a dog with his bone).  I guess there is no accounting for taste!  Jackson on the other hand, literally cleaned his plate with his tongue and then tried to put his dish on the dish shelf with all the clean ones (ughh...).  Now if I could just get motivated to clean the dishes and put away the shoes...

Extra! Extra! Jackson turns 5!

Our sweet Jackson turned 5 yesterday!  On Thursday, Jackson and I went to MacDonald's together and then shopping.  On Friday after preschool we had a party with pizza and dinosaur cookies.  We made dinosaurs out of toliet paper tubes and a template I found on line (if only I had thought to take a picture of it).  On Saturday, I was planning to make a dinosaur cake but Jackosn just wanted a donut with sprinkles on it...talk about easy!  So, we had yummy donuts for everyone and ice cream!

Look at that delicious donut cake!

First interview with Jackson, now 5.  Words of wisdom and other Jacksonisms...Jackson and his yummy donut cake!

New Year!

Wow!  I can't believe another year has come and gone.  I usually take down Christmas decorations the day after Christmas but this year I wanted to keep them up.  Maybe it's because we actually had room for a Christmas tree or maybe  it's because the kids did such a great job of decorating it or maybe because this year we got to share Thanksgiving with my sister and her family and put the tree up together.  Whatever the reason it was just different this year.  But alas, Christmas has come and gone and we are already 9 days into the new year.  My New Year's resolution to eat healthier lasted a whole 2 days!  I hope my spiritual resolutions last a little longer!
Last week all the kids changed Sunday school classes.  Cardi is now a Valiant 9, while Bella is now in senior primary and a CTR 7.  I can't believe she will be 8 in July and getting baptized this year.  She is already preparing herself and is very excited!  Our sweet Jackson is now a CTR 4 and can you believe John is a SUNBEAM!!!  In 5 months and 11 days Meredith will be in nursery...not that I'm counting down...ok yes I am! 
I am now teaching the Valiant 8s.  They are a fun class and can sit a little longer than the CTR 5s.  But I do miss my CTR 5 class.  James is still in the Elder's Quorum Presidency and very busy at work.  We are looking forward to spending more quality time together as a family and maybe finally settling down roots this year.  I say this often but I am so grateful for all the wonderful family and friends that we have.  Each of you make us  a little better than we were before and bless our lives in so many ways! 



The Fab 5 before church last Sunday (January 2).

Our little CTR 4 and Sunbeam!

Look at our sweet CTR 7!

Our sweet Valiant 9!