Projects

After spending a little over a month in Phoenix, a weekend in Utah for Thanksgiving and a week in Tulsa for Christmas, we are ready to be at home. Mark and I both feel anxious to finish last minute projects and get things all set before the baby is born and before Mark's Christmas break is over. It isn't easy to complete projects with the kids running around, so we have been working at night after the kids go to bed. Unfortunately, they can hardly sleep with all of the pounding and sawing going on.

Last night Mark put our new linen closet door frame in while I "assisted" and then I painted the door along with a few other closet doors outside. Carston wanted to help so much that he couldn't stay in bed. He watched Mark work and with all of the sawdust flying around, he found his own safety glasses. He really did help with anything we could find for him to do, picking up old nails and handing screws to his dad. He is shaping up to be a little handyman like his Daddy. We are so proud of him! I had to get a picture of Carston with his hero.
Once I finally talked Carston into going to bed, since he was nearly falling over with fatigue, Mark and I painted the door frame and the moldings together. It was a lot of work. We have also scraped off and replaced some caulking in the bathroom. Mark fixed our toilet and the kid's bathtub drain. There is still more to do. So much to do and so little time (I hope)!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Grant!!

Today is Grant's 3rd birthday. Since his birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we celebrated all weekend. He had his Chuck E. Cheese birthday party yesterday, on Saturday, and today he opened his presents and we enjoyed his train ice cream cake. It was a beauty!

He was really excited about this cake. He helped me order it at Baskin Robbins and after we picked it up, he kept peeking at it in the box and giggling.

After he made a wish and blew out the three candles on top of the smoke stack, we devoured nearly the entire cake, yum. May all of your dreams come true, sweet boy! I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Grant! We feel blessed to have you in our family. You have a smile that lights up the room and you are loud, adventurous and fun. You do everything with excitement and zest. We all love being around you and just wait with baited breath to see what you'll think up next! We love you and can't imagine life without you.

Grant's Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party

If you cross Grant these days, he'll tell you that you're not invited to his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's. This means you are in hot water with him! His siblings were glad once we had already had the party so that they could tell him they had been there and done that. Since we weren't home near friends or with extended family for Grant's 3rd birthday, his party just included his siblings (luckily, they are his best friends anyway). It was fun to experience the Chuck E. Cheese birthday party package and Grant was so excited about everything (although shy about having anyone outside the family speak to or sing to him).

Carston took this picture of Mom and Dad with our little birthday boy! Happy 3rd Birthday, Grant! You are a bright ray of sunshine at our house.

This table was our party headquarters! We had balloons and a table cloth all ready for us. Luckily, it wasn't too busy so the kids ran a lot more freely than they would have been able to otherwise. The kids enjoyed pizza, drinks, cake and were in close proximity to the dance floor and the TV screens.

Chuck E. Cheese actually came out and sang to Grant and let the kids love him to death! Grant was shy and didn't want to get too close. He didn't dare take his eyes off of Chuck E. long enough for me to take his picture.

We let the kids carry around their own tokens, which was funny and disastrous at the same time. Jackson played the same game nearly the entire time and couldn't tell the difference between when he had put a token in it and was actually controlling things and when it was a demonstration of the game. All of them walked around putting their tokens in games and walking away. Needless to say, a little crowd formed and followed them around. We had to gather up the tokens and give them out one at a time after that. There weren't many rides, but the kids all enjoyed going around the clock.

I wasn't in the position to make Grant a birthday cake since we weren't at home, so he didn't get the homemade cake of his choice this year, but he did get two cakes. (Does that make up for it?) This was his first birthday cake purchased from Chuck E. Cheese and it was better than anticipated. In fact, Carston snapped a picture of me with a big chocolate cake crumb stuck in my teeth after our party helper cut the cake and divvied it all out. (Oh, how nice it was to have someone else taking care of things at the party. I could get used to that.) I couldn't move quickly enough to snap the picture of Grant blowing out his candles while everyone sang to him (since I was singing and clapping to encourage him out of his shyness), but I managed to capture the aftermath of licking the frosting off of the candles.

Amidst the eating, playing games and running around, everyone took a minute to dance in front of the blue screen.

That's right, shake it!

The party was a great success and we all had fun. I was glad it worked out so well.

Christmas on the Mesa Temple Grounds

The Mesa Temple Christmas display is nearly as impressive as Temple Square's light display. The lights twist around every tree and gate and twinkle in the reflection pool. The nativity scene was beautiful and reminded us of our Savior and the reason we celebrate this season. We loved visiting the temple grounds and watching the Nativity movie at the visitor's center.


The kids were so excited to see the lights and thought the temple was beautiful. I am conspicuously absent from this photo. That is the benefit of being the one taking the pictures. Being eight months pregnant makes me want to hide from any form of camera.

All of the kids were impressed by the nativity scene and pushed and pulled to get a better view (as you can see). I loved the discussions we had as we gazed at the baby Jesus in his manger.

Brothers! There is a special kind of bond between our boys. I love to see it. All of the kids noticed the special spirit on the temple grounds.
The funniest part of the evening happened while we were in the visitor's center watching The Nativity. Once the show was over, the two sister missionaries in charge stood up and bore their testimonies, one in English and one in Spanish. When the sister speaking Spanish began bearing her testimony, Peyton started making imitative gibberish noises and then turned to Mark, giggled and said: "Daddy, she's not speaking in words or making any sense.".
We were just glad Peyton was listening.

St. Nikolaus Tag

The sixth of December is St. Nikolaus Tag. On the night of the fifth, children put out their boots (or their biggest shoes if they are lacking in the boot department) and St. Nikolaus fills them during the night, either with candy and goodies if they've been good or with coal or a switch if they've been slightly less than good. This tradition is a little part of central European culture that we like to celebrate. The kids enjoy it as well.

St. Nikolaus left candy, a book and a matchbox car for each child.
We have been away from home for the past few weeks, living in Arizona while Mark does a rotation in orthopedics here. So, it was fun to stick with our usual tradition amidst our travels.

The candy was eaten almost immediately. What can I say? They take after their mother.

We decided to get a little Christmas tree in Arizona since we didn't bring any of our usual Christmas decorations. It was nice to have it as a visual reminder of the season. We love reading Christmas stories and singing Christmas carols by the light of the tree before bedtime.

All Carston wants for Christmas is his two front teeth!

Jackson is still wearing his badge from the Fire Engine Museum we visited. He was so excited about the things he got in his shoes.

It is always fun to watch the kids discovering the things hidden in their shoes.

Peyton was the only one with actual boots. St. Nikolaus is not dumb though, he knew to give everyone exactly the same amount, no matter the size of their shoes.

The best part of the morning was having Daddy read aloud the Christmas books that St. Nikolaus brought the kids. We treasure just being able to be together. Thank goodness Daddy didn't have to work.

More Monday Night Madness

Our F.H.E. treat this week was pumpkin gingerbread. It was delicious. Thanks for the recipe, Lexi!

I made one loaf with chocolate chunks in it. Chocolate made it even more irresistable. Grant could hardly wait to sink his teeth into it.

Grant and Benjamin helped me make the pumpkin gingerbread, so it seems only fitting to acknowledge their efforts. They were proud of their work once they saw the finished product. As it baked, the bread filled the house with a sweet pumpkin spice aroma that was tempting and delicious.

After enjoying our dinner and treat, a lesson and Halloween stories, Benjamin was ready for bed and the older kids colored pictures of witches while I took them individually to make their own witch out of construction paper.

Here is Grant with both of his witches. He wanted to color his construction paper witch once she was glued as well.

Carston made his own face on the back side of his construction paper witch.

Jackson is really starting to enjoy coloring. It seems that it takes little boys a bit longer to enjoy coloring than it does little girls.

Peyton had to finish every last inch of this picture before she would allow me to hang it up. I wasn't sure if she was avoiding bed time or if she is just dedicated to her art. Maybe it was a little bit of both.

Here are my artists with their construction paper witches up on the wall behind them. Our entry way is now officially full of Halloween artwork. Next week we will be carving our pumpkins. We have learned by experience that the humidity here kills jack-o-lanterns quickly. So, we don't want to have them out for more than a week. Besides, Daddy will be home to join in the pumpkin carving. Only five days left until Daddy comes home!

We Love Stella!

This morning, Grant and Benjamin were the first out of bed and, as usual, they headed straight to their pumpkins to see what Stella left them last night. Here they are enjoying the candy bars that Stella left last night.
It is impossible for any of the kids to wait to eat their treats until later in the day, so this has become the first order of business each morning.
Stella, our friendly ghost, has been leaving treats each night all month and the kids love her! Every night they discuss with each other what they think she will bring and first thing in the morning they come together to enjoy the treat she has left.
I love seeing these happy faces every morning. Stella has brought stickers, trick-or-treating flashlights, cookies, crackers and different kinds of candy.
We love Stella!

First Field Trip

Jackson and Peyton went on their first field trip today. I signed up to go with them as a chaperon. We went putt-putt golfing at Grace King High School, which was an adventure, and then to a pumpkin patch where the kids got to pick out a small pumpkin to decorate and take home. Grant and Benjamin went on the field trip with me as well. Although it was a little crazy, I was happy to be with the twins and meet their friends.

We met the buses at Harold Keller and then followed the bus full of Pre-K students and teachers to the two field trip locations. Both of the twins were excited to ride the bus for the first time. Peyton waved to me as she stepped onto the bus.

Jackson happily crowded onto the bus with his friends, although he was a little concerned that I wasn't getting on the bus with him.

When we got to Grace King High School, they had a few short performances prepared for the preschoolers. They performed some short stories like the three billy goats gruff. Grant and Benjamin were bored and couldn't hold still especially because it was hard to hear, so I spent my time at the back of the group with them. We mostly fought our way through high school students switching classes.

After the performances, the kids got their equipment and played miniature golf on the course that is situated in the middle of high school courtyard. Jackson and Peyton focused mainly on getting the ball into the hole in any way possible, rather than on their form or following any type of rules. It was funny to watch.

The kids all had fun. I had a group of about five with varying degrees of interest in playing. One little girl just stood there looking at me when I tried to get her to hit the ball with her golf club.

Peyton really got into it, but wouldn't hold her club like I taught her. She found a way that was more comfortable for her and stuck with it. That is my Peyton!

After playing putt-putt, we ate the lunches I had packed in the school cafeteria. The tables and chairs were a little bit too big for the kids, but they enjoyed it anyway. Grant and Benjamin had melt downs because it was nearing nap time for them, but we still made our way to the pumpkin patch behind the school bus after eating lunch. Both Jackson's and Peyton's class took class pictures and chose pumpkins. Here is Jackson with his perfect little pumpkin.

Peyton chose one that was slightly bigger.

Grant and Benjamin enjoyed the pumpkins as well. Benjamin thinks of them as "balls" that he can play with and try to throw. He had to test them all out to see if he could lift them. Grant liked investigating pumpkins that looked different than the others, especially if they were white.

Right before I left to take Grant and Benjamin home for naps, I got this picture of my sweet twins at the end of their field trip.
After they loaded onto the bus to go back to school for a treat and to decorate their pumpkins, I dragged two terribly tired little boys back to our car and we went home. Jackson wanted to come home with us, but it is against school policy. So, he somewhat reluctantly stayed with his class. Peyton was happy to stay with her friends.
Field trips are exhausting!

Chalk Art

Carston loves to get messy when he is creating. I love that he tells me he wants to be an artist when he grows up, although he usually adds that he also wants to be a paleontologist.
He is my renaissance boy!
Today after school, we pulled out the sidewalk chalk and the kids went outside to play. It was a gorgeous day and it seemed a shame not to enjoy it. While I was making dinner, Carston quickly got to work with the chalk and drew pictures all over the basketball court (they were large because they were dinosaurs) and the back patio. Then, he started coloring the play house, the shed, the trampoline, the cars and the bicycles. I think he had some help once he started covering everything. I was surprised to see how much creative kids can accomplish in a short time when they really put their minds to it. It reminded me of the time Carston and Jackson found a sharpie in Mark's desk and created artwork all over their room, although that was a traumatic experience for me and this was a quick fix.

Here is Carston with his pink brontosaurus.

"Herbie" also received the royal treatment. Carston attempted to paint him white, his authentic color in the movies. Grant got in on the action this time and both were pleased with their work.

I'm not sure how Benjamin helped, but he certainly got covered in chalk. I wonder if he was one of Carston's subjects. Jackson and Peyton used the chalk as well, but didn't get as covered in it as the others. We ended up eating dinner outside, spraying all of the chalk off of our backyard surfaces and having fun in the water before coming in for baths.
Luckily, the chalk washed right off.
We love the Louisiana weather in October!

Spiders, Ghosts and craft paint everywhere!

In keeping with our October Family Home Evening tradition, we had a fun Halloween meal tonight. These scary mummy pizzas were GOOD! I think the cheese strips I made were a bit too thick, but you get the idea. The kids all took the eyes (green olives) off immediately and refused to try them. We had delicious Halloween sugar cookies for dessert.

After a bath, a lesson and reading some fun Halloween books about ghosts and spiders, we pulled out the craft paint and got to work on some crafts. First, I helped the kids make spiders using their hand prints. They turned out really cute. Here is Benjamin displaying his with pride.

I thought all of them did a great job with their spiders, which are now hanging on the entry wall.

Benjamin couldn't stop looking at his picture long enough to give me a smile. I think the googly eyes were his favorite part.


Then we used the same black paint to paint black egg carton spiders. The kids loved painting the spider body but we had to wait a long time for them to dry so that we could put the legs and eyes on them. The kids had a hard time getting the legs through the holes I had made in the sides. We also painted large sections of the kid's table black with the craft paint and some chairs as well, but that was not on purpose. I had some major clean up afterwards.

We finished with a quick ghost craft. These ghosts aren't the most attractive, but they were easy and fun for the kids to make. All they had to do was fold their paper in half, open it back up, pour white craft paint along the crease and then fold it back down the middle to spread the paint. They all got their own patterns. After the paint dried, which took some time since the kids all got a little carried away with their pouring, they drew faces on their ghosts and we hung them up. I think I'll steer clear of paint next Monday and stick with crayons.
We now have a gallery of Halloween art in our entryway and family room.
It has been a fun way to decorate for Halloween....only 18 days left.