Monday, March 31, 2008

Nate the Great


I just have to brag a little about my oldest child. In the past Nate and I have butted heads quite frequently. I used to think that it was because he was like his dad...but then (after learning a little about birth order and personality traits) I realized that it's because he's a lot like ME! We are both the oldest child in our families and that means we both like to be in control. That is why we struggled so much. I have been enjoying our relationship so much this past year. He is maturing and becoming so responsible and talented. Now we use him as our babysitter when we go out. It is so awesome!!! Last time I told him that if the house was clean when we came home that he would get a bonus. ( I only pay him a dollar an hour) He had the whole house spotless. And when I say the whole house I mean the bedrooms, basement, kitchen, everything...even the little phone area where all the papers collect! I was totally amazed!! So instead of making $1/hour he made $2/hour. He is doing a great job. I know it's not much to pay when all the babysitters make between $5-$8 an hour here but I think it's teaching him to work and save and he's excited to earn money. Plus he is my son I think I should get some kind of special babysitting privileges!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

No Vacancy

Yesterday Trevor got four offers on two of the houses he has for sale! This is good news! He's been working so hard it will be nice to close on some deals. Yesterday my sister in-law and her family moved out of our basement apartment and into their new home. I am so happy for them, they've been living in tight quarters with only one bathroom, for five people, for the last eight months. Their home is gorgeous! Congratulations Cunninghams! We will miss you. I know the kids will miss their cousins greatly. Next week two cute young ladies are moving into our basement. They are really nice. My brother, Chris, is also coming home from California next week and will be living with us until he finds a place to buy of his own. I am so excited to see him. Since we've lived here we've had 3 different families, 2 nephews, my sister and 2 brothers all live with us at various times! We love it. It brings us closer to the people we love and our kids also bond with them having them around more.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

I've Been "Bag Tagged"

This is the bag I've had for at least 6 years! I don't even care if it's not the cutest thing...it still fulfills its purpose. I can't seem to spend money on a new one since it has so much life still left in it. So what is in my purse...I am supposed to list everything? Well this won't take long.

1. My wallet which is full of reciepts.
2. Check book
3. Pocket Calendar
4. A blue pen
5. A wierd Dolphin decoder from a ChickfilA kids meal. I tried to throw it away and somehow I got talked into keeping it!
6. 2 coughdrops and 3 wrappers 7. A blue marble 8. A small hair claw 9. A hand sanitizer wipe that came from Outback Steakhouse. I had ribs and I told the server that I would definately need more than one. 10. A bright green sticky paper
What did I tell you? BORING!!! So...Do I get a prize Jenny?

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter

On Saturday we had a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt which my friend, Jessica, and I put together at the park. Everyone seemed to have a good time. After the Great Egg Hunt we went home and colored eggs, which was always my favorite thing to do as a kid. I wanted to join in on the fun, but after helping everyone else and the egg hunt the desire kind of wore off as fatigue set in. The kiddies had fun though. On Sunday my parents and sister came over for dinner and we watched Mr. Bean's Holiday. It was fun. Usually I go to great lengths to plan a nice Easter dinner and something spiritual, but this year I planned this at the last minute and just really wasn't in the right spirit. I hope next year to make it more meaningful. My mom brought some plastic eggs and told the kids to put something inside it that represents Easter. Halee put a small baby in hers and said that it meant new life. Woa! Karli made a flower out of candy which was quite a piece of art and Taylor put a Yoda in his. Kids are wonderful.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

pLaY-dOh pEoPLe

Some moms don't like to their kids play with play-doh and I know why....because it makes a huge mess! But the hour they spend totally entertained is completely worth it. Karli came up with these fun monters and she told me, "I'm so glad I thought of these." Creating truely allows children to express themselves and focus their energy in a positive way. Best of all it gets them away from the TV or DS. Karli and Halee kept asking me to make play-doh and I kept putting it off. When I finally gave in, I realized that it really takes hardly any time at all! Now I have a use for all that flour in food storeage that has expired.


ReCiPe fOr pLaY-cLaY


3 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cups Salt
1 1/2 Tbs. Cram of Tarter
3 1/4 Cups Water
6 Tbs. vegetable oil
Food Coloring

*Mix dry ingredients in big pot in separte bowl mix the liquids. Pour liquid over dry ingredients and stir (lumps will work themselves out). Cook over med-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture gets too stiff to stir. Will stiffen more as it cools. Let cool 5-10 min.

**My friend runs a preschool and when she makes play-doh she uses a packet of dry kool-aid instead of food coloring. The play-doh is scented and colored!!! I've never done this but it sounds fun!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Our Vacation in Paradise


Aloha!










In January we all went on a very needed vacation to Hawaii. We had a blast!! Trevor's sister, Cindy, met us in Maui with her daughter, Ariel, and we spent 4 days together touring and playing at the beach. Then we went to the Big Island where Cindy lives with her husband, Mark.

We did so many things- just to list a few: whale watching, dolphins, sea turtles, Lava Planet, snorkeling for the first time with Nate and Karli, waterfalls, lua, space center, boogie boarding, sandcastle building, creaturesearching in tide pools, swimming, the never ending Road to Hauna which ended with Trevor dislocating his pinky toe and loosing 2 toenails,

We laughed till we cied, soaking in every ounce of sunshine and loving every minute of our chance to be in shorts and flip flops in January. We had such a great time, our kids never fought. This was such a memorable trip.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Halee's Little Friend

Halee and her little friend Bryson...
They sure have fun together!!!

Starting a blog

I'm with my friend Karen and she's teaching me how to blog. Yeah!