Spring is Teasing Me

I am not a winter person. No, I didn't grow up in Southern California where it is always nice and sunny, but Northern Ca was never this cold, this long. I have loved this past week where we have had days that we can play outside. As you can see my three munch-kins have enjoyed it as well:


I guess it is the way my house faces, but my bulbs always come up early. As pretty as they look, what it really means is that they will die early as well. Oh well, I suppose the Lord knows that I needed the joy right now. While Spring still is far away I will definitely be out enjoying days like this. While I don't think I am ready for all the dirt, chalk, and sand that this includes, really I just want it to be warmer.

Scooby Dooby DOO!!!

What can I say? I find a lot of joy in birthday parties. The boys picked Scooby Doo for their theme this year and I went to town. I googled it (you'd be amazed at all the info), and planned and planned some more. I am going to make this a little more detailed entry for two reasons. First, I want myself and my children to remember that there were times when I was a great mom. And second, MY mom always did great parties for me so I want her to relive that phase of her life through her two adorable grandsons.

The cake is always a fun part. We got Ryan these characters for his birthday and tried to make a spooky haunted house. For some reason all the kids wanted to eat the house. My favorite part was the fence, white chocolate dipped pretzels.

When the kids arrived we had them color a Scooby Doo dog tag and then we watched one episode of "What's New Scooby Doo?" I think it is the newest of the Scooby shows and has a lot of great music. While everyone was downstairs Greg snuck all the presents out to his car and then we placed foot prints down the stairs leading to the basement. Here comes my big part-I screamed (not just like I saw a spider but a ear-piercing scream). It was kind of hard, I had to work up to it and then it made me laugh. Luckily I was able to contain myself before the kids made it upstairs. I tried to sound scared and explain that the presents were gone and that I had a note from the Mystery Gang.

"Hey gang, the present are gone! looks like we've got a mystery to solve. Let's look for clues leading away from where the presents used to be."

Someone noticed the footprints and so away we went. The basement had a bunch of "ghosts" hanging from the ceiling and all the kids had to squash them. It was a little noisy but they had a blast. After each kid popped their balloon we found one more and Greg decided to take a hand saw to it (it was a construction zone and I have one goofy husband). We found the next clue:

"Don't split up to find the next clue. Into the bat cave, ALL of you!"

We headed into the bat cave where we played musical bats. Again, it is amazing how fun the kids seemed to be having, even with the most simple of games. The last person left had a clue under his bat:

"To catch the bad guys you must set a trap. The birthday boys, like mummies, you must wrap."

Up we went to the boys' room to set the trap. The kids had a blast wrapping Nathan and Ryan. I hadn't told the boys about this part so I was a little worried, but they LOVED it!. We found the next clue inside a toilet paper tube:

"There they went in their getaway car! Let's get 'em guys, they can't have gone far!"

We raced to the garage where we had a truck pinata. The boys were so strong, or the yarn was too weak, so we kept having to rehang the truck. By the end we just let them hit it on the floor. Ghosts spilled out (tissue wrapped Tootsie pops) and the kids lunged. All of a sudden a masked villain stuck his head around the corner of the garage and the kids charged. Some told me this was their favorite part. I am not sure if it was Greg's, but he is such an awesome dad to play along. He played the part to a T and even said, "I would have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!"

From there we opened presents, ate cake and ice cream, and then realized we still had 40 minutes left. Luckily it was a BEAUTIFUL day and so the kids raced around outside the house. The big kids took turns wearing the mask and tackling each other. Ryan and his buddies were a little calmer and played with some of kids toys or on the swing set. It was so fun to watch all the kids playing together. While it was a lot of fun, it was nice when the last kids pulled away and we got to go through the boys' loot. Sometimes I wonder how mad my kids would be if I put "no presents please" on the invites?? What a fun day!!

This morning I spent 3.5 hours at a Relief Society Enrichment activity where we talked about finding joy in the journey. Today, I think I did that. Birthday parties, for me, are a joy. I don't mind the noise or the mess, I love seeing the happy faces of my kids and all their friends. And I love coming up with fun and exciting ways to do things. Today, I found joy in my journey.

Happy Ry Day!!

That's right, now it is Ryan's birthday. My little guy is five years old! We had a fun scavenger hunt in the morning to find his presents-think Scooby Doo. I tried to be happy as can be since yesterday Ryan had a hard time with it being Nate's birthday. It worked, or maybe he is finally growing up a little, but Ryan had a great day. We went to the ward playgroup (where he was so disappointed no kids his age were there) and had fun doing crafts and running around. For dinner Ryan picked meatballs and loved the candle in it. Now I just have to get through the boys' birthday party and I can breathe again. Happy Day buddy!!

My Sidewalk!!

I know, how can a sidewalk be so exciting? Well, I haven't seen this part of my sidewalk since before we went to California for Christmas vacation. Thanks to snowplows, freezing temperatures and a lot of snow my sidewalk has been hiding for months! Thanks to some sunshine, Ryan and I used our muscles this morning and finally cleared it. It just makes my day!!

Happy Nate Day!

I can't believe I have had this little guy for 7 years. Time sure does fly. I hope I made Nathan feel special all day-that was my goal. I love this guy! He is goofy, sensitive and loves to learn. He loves to bring home experiments from school to try at home. He is my only child who initiates hugs and I love it! Happy Birthday dude, we love you tons!!

Happy Valentine's Day(s)

Since we were in CA last year for V-Day (I can't believe it has been a year since Disneyland!) I wanted to get back to the cheesy fun part of the holiday. With some of Greg's ideas we got everything ready for the morning. Matching hot cocoa mugs (cider for my boys) and hearts down the staircase. I thought it looked rather festive.

Greg surprised me with my favorite flowers. I am not sure why tulips are my favorite, but Greg always remembers. On Saturday they were all closed and we wondered if they would ever open up. Since Sunday was so bright and sunny they all opened up and looked so beautiful. Every time I see them they make me so happy.

The boys had a birthday party so Greg, Annie and I were able to head down to Toys R Us to go birthday shopping. I was wondering when we would have time to do it, together, so it worked out great!
I got this great deal on a cookie decorating kit thanks to Mandi and so on Sunday we decorated 36 BIG cookies and took them around. Nathan loves taking goodies to people, especially his teachers or friends.

I don't know about you but I am now sick of candy and cookies. I know that doesn't sound like me, but my cookie jar is empty and I hope I can keep it like that for awhile. On Sunday we were reading the Friend and there was an article about 72 hour kits. We hadn't changed ours since before Annabelle was born and the kids LOVED it back then. We decided to pull them out and rearrange things a bit. We had even bought some new backpacks but had never transferred things into them. It was like Christmas all over again. All three kids had a blast "helping" make sure that everyone had the stuff needed. We made a big list of things to get and the kids had a hard time putting their bags back in our closet. Annabelle especially wanted to brush with her "new" toothbrush. See, kids don't need candy and treats, just a cool backpack filled with toothpaste and trail mix.

I Have a Sleepwalker

The other night Greg and I were up watching a movie and the house was really dark. We saw Ryan walk into the kitchen, get a water bottle and head upstairs. Greg said he was probably sleepwalking so we decided to sneakily follow him upstairs. On the way up Greg tripped and it made me laugh. Ryan turns around, gets this goofy face on and busts out laughing. I figured he was awake so I said something to him, and then he started bawling. I guess that was when he woke up. It was pretty funny to talk to him about it in the morning. He remembered us on the stairs, but not getting a drink. What a goof ball!

Caution: Small Parts. Not Inteded for Children Under...

Oh my dear Annabelle. Tonight she decided to put that little Magnetix toy why up high in her nose! Greg of course was not at home and I wasn't sure what to do. I called him to race home from a meeting while the boys hid upstairs. Her nose started to bleed, but I didn't want panic if Greg had an idea of how to get it out. I was trying to get Annie to blow it out but she would suck in right after she blew. I decided to say a prayer right before Greg walked in and poof, she had a big sneeze and out it came! When I went upstairs to tell the boys she was okay, they told me that they, too, had said a prayer to help Annabelle. At least I am doing something right. I may not have watched my daughter too closely, but my boys have learned that prayers can help. Hopefully now Annie has learned her lesson.

A Spoofy Date

Today Greg, his sister Amy and I got to go see a play that Greg's dad helped to write. It is a spoof on High School Musical entitled, "Home School Musical". It was pretty cheesy but a lot of fun. I had never been to this theater, but it was pretty nice and since they served lunch while we watched I didn't starve through the play. And we got to pay our sitter less since we came home instead of getting something to eat. It was fun to get away during the day and then return to have some time to get things done. Did I mention that the framing has begun??

Temple Day

Our stake has asked us to make a special effort this week to make it to the temple. We shouldn't need an excuse, but sometimes life gets so busy that it helps us put our priorities in order. Greg took today off and after we dropped the kids at either school or a friend's we went to the Mt. Timpanogos temple. I love the peace you can feel there. It is as if I can walk in and leave all of my trouble and worries outside. I really needed that right now.
After we picked Nate up from school we headed up to the new Draper Temple for an open house. That means we were able to walk through all of the rooms of the temple with our children. The boys really enjoyed being on the inside, especially after the many weddings they have attended where they have to remain in the waiting room. Annie loved being at the temple but she just wanted to dance around. It is a beautiful temple with murals in some of the rooms. This was my first experience with an open house and I know that it will be something my kids, especially the boys, will remember as they grow.
Later on, we got to watch my friend's 2 little girls in the evening so her and her husband could go. I love that Annie has little friends, it is so fun to watch how the girls interact (so different then my boys and their friends). It was a great day to focus on the temple. We are so blessed to have one close enough to go as often as we can. In crazy times such as these it is so nice to have a place to go where I can feel so close to my Savior and feel His love and such immense peace.