My Brother-in-law introduced the game "What if?" to my kids while we were in Arizona in August (because that's when all the sensible people go to Arizona).
Yesterday, they decided to play it while we were at my moms house. On one side of a strip of paper, you ask a question that starts with "What if....". Then you put your question in the middle and have someone else answer it. After that, you read your question, then the person next to you reads their answer. You get some funny question/answer combinations as you go around the circle and everyone has a good laugh.
After a couple rounds, I had to go clean the kitchen while the girls kept on playing. When we were leaving, I found one of the scraps on paper which said, "What if Mommy played with us?" and on the back, "I would be happy!"
I hate trying to figure out the balance between keeping a clean house and being an actively involved Mom. How do you find the balance?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Best Kind of Plague and the Best Kind of Cousin
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| We also caught the Tie Die Plague |
My girls have caught the plague... the READING plague. They love Harry Potter and Roald Dahl more than their MATH. Imagine. We're reading A Christmas Carol as a family, but I can't seem to get them away from their other books no matter how much I try (which honestly, isn't too much). They get ready for get early and quickly if we promise them their half hour or reading time. It has been WONDERFUL.If only they cared as much about their math and keeping their room clean...
Benson and Macy are the best kind of cousins. Why? Well, simply put, they share. EVERYTHING. It's getting them to NOT share their diapers, bottles and everything else that's the hard thing. When we went to the farmers market one day, Macy even shared her blanket with him.
When I was watching Macy one night, Benson decided she was too tired to hold her bottle, so he did it for her. See, they're just so sweet!
Two Boys, Too!
Just thought I'd throw in a few pictures of what my boys have been up to.
Jaymeson has been taking up dancing. He's working on ballroom right now ;). The girls dolls have been his dancing partner while he's been dancing to our Pianos Demo Song, which our family has named, "Candyland".
He is also starting to fold and fly paper airplanes. We might run out of paper soon, but he sure LOVES it!
Jaymeson is also being potty trained, loves Lightning McQueen and has decided to tell me who should drive EVERY car, truck, tractor... that we see. He is a little ball of energy and has recently returned to waking up a million times a night. Yesterday, we (hopefully) found the cause to be an ear infection. He also loves to tell people about his "Broder", Benson.
Benson has learned how to open up pretty much anything... including someone ELSE's Brownies. I mean, what else do you do when your mom is helping your Gran decorate?
Benson is also crawling like a maniac and getting into EVERY thing he can possibly find. You got to keep your eyes on this little guy or he will disappear up the stairs, into a bathroom or into some unsuspecting food, toys or pretty much anything that could be considered "out" in any way.
He LOVES anything electronic and loves to chew on cords... yet another reason to watch him closely. We've had to move MANY things in our house.
He, of course, also ends up pretty deep in your heart because he's just so darn cute.
Benson, despite all of his snitching and sneaking food (and being fed a ton) is throwing up almost everything that goes in and has dropped from the 54th percentile to the 18th over the last 6 months. He's now turning 1 on FRIDAY and weighs just over 20 pounds. My lightest baby by FAR. Most of my kids were 20 pounds by 6 months (Saryn was probably 20 pounds by 2 months). Anyway, we will be seeing a pediatrician soon and find out what's going on. He loves to have a bottle in his mouth at all times. If he's fussy at all, he just needs to suck on a bottle for a minutes (whether it has anything in it or not), but until then, he's still just the sweetest little, oral-fixated, non-sleeper I know!
Jaymeson has been taking up dancing. He's working on ballroom right now ;). The girls dolls have been his dancing partner while he's been dancing to our Pianos Demo Song, which our family has named, "Candyland".
He is also starting to fold and fly paper airplanes. We might run out of paper soon, but he sure LOVES it!
Jaymeson is also being potty trained, loves Lightning McQueen and has decided to tell me who should drive EVERY car, truck, tractor... that we see. He is a little ball of energy and has recently returned to waking up a million times a night. Yesterday, we (hopefully) found the cause to be an ear infection. He also loves to tell people about his "Broder", Benson.
Benson has learned how to open up pretty much anything... including someone ELSE's Brownies. I mean, what else do you do when your mom is helping your Gran decorate?
He LOVES anything electronic and loves to chew on cords... yet another reason to watch him closely. We've had to move MANY things in our house.
He, of course, also ends up pretty deep in your heart because he's just so darn cute.
Benson, despite all of his snitching and sneaking food (and being fed a ton) is throwing up almost everything that goes in and has dropped from the 54th percentile to the 18th over the last 6 months. He's now turning 1 on FRIDAY and weighs just over 20 pounds. My lightest baby by FAR. Most of my kids were 20 pounds by 6 months (Saryn was probably 20 pounds by 2 months). Anyway, we will be seeing a pediatrician soon and find out what's going on. He loves to have a bottle in his mouth at all times. If he's fussy at all, he just needs to suck on a bottle for a minutes (whether it has anything in it or not), but until then, he's still just the sweetest little, oral-fixated, non-sleeper I know!
Map Madness
I love maps. I love figuring them all out and deciphering them. Most of all, I like to boss people around and they give me an excuse to be in charge (true confessions here). My kids have picked up the fever. We're studying maps in school and they have loved this unit. Today, however, the kids have decided to do a little short cut. It made me laugh out loud!
Kaia's map was all about gulfs, bays, islands, peninsulas and lakes. Her questions and answers were something along these lines:
1. Why might a bay be a good place to keep a boat? Cause it's water.
2. How is a bay like a gulf? They are both partly surrounded by water.
3. Find Florida on the map on page 286. What landform is Florida? Lake
(my thoughts here became, "Kaia, Florida is NOT a lake, PLEASE tell me you know that")
4. How is a peninsula different from an island? Okeechobee
(Okay... so, apparently Lake Okeechobee is a major landform IN Florida... that's what you were looking at... and somehow you just didn't see question #4??)
5. In what way are a lake and an island similar? They both are surrounded by something.
Kienna's questions were based on a map of the United States (we got this book in Utah). She had some ridiculous answers - reminds me a little of what I would do as a kid.
1. Find this symbol on the map __________. Okay, I found it.
2. Find your state on the map. What is the capital of your state? We don't have one
3. Find Oregon. What is its capital? I don't know.
4. Find Texas. Wat is its capital? same.
5. Is Washington, D.C., in the east of west part of the country? e
So ridiculous. Those kids make me laugh.
Kaia's map was all about gulfs, bays, islands, peninsulas and lakes. Her questions and answers were something along these lines:
1. Why might a bay be a good place to keep a boat? Cause it's water.
2. How is a bay like a gulf? They are both partly surrounded by water.
3. Find Florida on the map on page 286. What landform is Florida? Lake
(my thoughts here became, "Kaia, Florida is NOT a lake, PLEASE tell me you know that")
4. How is a peninsula different from an island? Okeechobee
(Okay... so, apparently Lake Okeechobee is a major landform IN Florida... that's what you were looking at... and somehow you just didn't see question #4??)
5. In what way are a lake and an island similar? They both are surrounded by something.
1. Find this symbol on the map __________. Okay, I found it.
2. Find your state on the map. What is the capital of your state? We don't have one
3. Find Oregon. What is its capital? I don't know.
4. Find Texas. Wat is its capital? same.
5. Is Washington, D.C., in the east of west part of the country? e
So ridiculous. Those kids make me laugh.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Kraft Dinner
"Mom, can we have Mac and Cheese? That way we can have a Kraft for dinner!"
Can you tell she's a crafty little girl? So funny.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Nothing like Today
Yesterday, while making dinner, Kienna and I played Scrabble. It was really fun and she has found a way to really enjoy her spelling. We actually found a way to use all 100 pieces on the board. It was kinda thrilling!
Tonight, Jaymeson just came out of his bedroom and said,
"Mom, Benson's not sleeping!"
"Yeah, that's because you're playing with him!"
(pause) "haha, YEAH!" and then he ran back in his room and the squeals of glee and laughter continued at a new high.
It all just seemed to match the random and hilariousness that was today.
We woke up, packed up and headed to Lethbridge to the best Dentist ever (my cousin Justin). It's really fun to go to the dentist who is someone you have known since you were a baby. He is SO good with my kids that it's easily worth the two hour drive to see him. See the smiles of a three year old??
Anyway, nothing exciting there otherwise (which is exciting in and of itself) - well, except for Jaymesons Lightning McQueen toothbrush which he held and talked about the entire remainder of the day.
After that we went to visit my Granny and Aunty Beryl. They spoiled us with attention, love and a yummy lunch with treats (of course) and then they had to jet to multiple appointments. I decided to run over next door and visit with my cousin, Kara who I haven't seen for a long time. We visited for a while and she reminded me of my book list that I have wanted to read. I can't wait to get it back and see how much more I have read!!
I had to race home to get back in time to teach Theory, but the ride home really had me in stitches. There's something special about a car ride with five kids in tow. You just get to know so much about them (especially when it's 4 hours in one day). Their little personalities come out so strong and you hear some GREAT thoughts. My favorite conversation went something like this:
Kaia: "Mom, I want a po-uppy"
Me: "Do you mean a poppy? or a puppy?"
Kaia: "Either one"
Me: "Okay - there's just a SLIGHT price difference there..."
Then Saryn pipes in: "I want a pet sting ray!!"
Oh, to live off in fairytale land again. I wonder what they dream about??
Tonight, Jaymeson just came out of his bedroom and said,
"Mom, Benson's not sleeping!"
"Yeah, that's because you're playing with him!"
(pause) "haha, YEAH!" and then he ran back in his room and the squeals of glee and laughter continued at a new high.
It all just seemed to match the random and hilariousness that was today.
We woke up, packed up and headed to Lethbridge to the best Dentist ever (my cousin Justin). It's really fun to go to the dentist who is someone you have known since you were a baby. He is SO good with my kids that it's easily worth the two hour drive to see him. See the smiles of a three year old??
Anyway, nothing exciting there otherwise (which is exciting in and of itself) - well, except for Jaymesons Lightning McQueen toothbrush which he held and talked about the entire remainder of the day.
After that we went to visit my Granny and Aunty Beryl. They spoiled us with attention, love and a yummy lunch with treats (of course) and then they had to jet to multiple appointments. I decided to run over next door and visit with my cousin, Kara who I haven't seen for a long time. We visited for a while and she reminded me of my book list that I have wanted to read. I can't wait to get it back and see how much more I have read!!
I had to race home to get back in time to teach Theory, but the ride home really had me in stitches. There's something special about a car ride with five kids in tow. You just get to know so much about them (especially when it's 4 hours in one day). Their little personalities come out so strong and you hear some GREAT thoughts. My favorite conversation went something like this:
Kaia: "Mom, I want a po-uppy"
Me: "Do you mean a poppy? or a puppy?"
Kaia: "Either one"
Me: "Okay - there's just a SLIGHT price difference there..."
Then Saryn pipes in: "I want a pet sting ray!!"
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Kaia: The Perfect Daughter
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| Sightseeing on the edge of the Grand Canyon! She has her walkie talkie ready to go! |
Yesterday, while I was making lunch, I asked the kids if they could clean up the basement. When I called them for lunch, they were close to being done and they hadn't whined or complained or tattled or ANYTHING. I was already counting my blessings. Then Kaia noticed that the dishwasher needed to be emptied. Her statement just about knocked my socks off."Mom, Can I empty the dishwasher and then go finish cleaning the basement?"
I acquiesced to her request. She just so sincerely wanted to do it, how could I say no?? Can anyone say "Dream Daughter"? She really is such a great little girl and always looking for ways to help. It's how she feels good about herself and she's realized that really young. I'm so proud of her!!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
My Day Off
My parents were angels on Saturday and took my kids ALL DAY so that Jarett and I could get in some Christmas Shopping (one of the things that has becoming a little harder since home school started). We were able to do the WHOLE mall, Walmart, Superstore and Costco. We also went to the Home Schooling store and Jarett had an hour long massage while I read and relaxed on the couch. We had a lunch date, a cinnamon bun and many other naughty things that made us keep saying, "Hmmm, why do we have weight problems?" I couldn't believe how much fun it was to just have some good, quality time with my husband sans kids. It's been TOO long.
And what did the kids do??
The kids had a blast seeing Cars 2. They went to a football game of my cousins (provincials) and did some Christmas shopping of their own with Gran and Grampa! It was FABULOUS for all those involved.
THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!! (what would I do without you??)
Just a home schooling thought for me to have written down to reflect on:
"Everyone is a genius! But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." --Albert Einstein
And what did the kids do??
The kids had a blast seeing Cars 2. They went to a football game of my cousins (provincials) and did some Christmas shopping of their own with Gran and Grampa! It was FABULOUS for all those involved.
THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!! (what would I do without you??)
Just a home schooling thought for me to have written down to reflect on:
"Everyone is a genius! But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." --Albert Einstein
Friday, November 11, 2011
My Little Princess
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Murphy's Law
I feel like my whole morning was run by Murphy today. You remember Murphy's law: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong".
If you finally buy a vinyl fitted bed-sheet to stop a bed-wetter from ruining your mattress, she'll be sure to climb up a bunk and wet the bed up there.
If you put your baby down for 5 seconds while stripping the afore mentioned bed, he will charge to the toilet and play in the water (of course taking out some leftover T.P. and sucking on it).
If you find yourself upset about these thing, your baby will scream for about 10 minutes for no reason whatsoever except to make you remember that things COULD be worse.
Slowly your sanity ebbs away and you start to get upset about the stupidest things in the world, "Uh, the laundry basket is still here and hasn't been taken upstairs yet". "Oh, I have 2 MORE loads to do on top of the 10 I've done in the past 4 days." "This closet must have magically gotten disorganized last night - along with every other corner in the house".
It is at these moments when you need to step back and remember that there is only ONE thing that can help break Murphy's streak. CALL YOUR MOM, SPOUSE, FRIEND or SOMEONE who might be able to understand the insanity. Thank you to my support people today who got my mind somewhere else and made it a happy, upbeat day instead of the utter chaos it was destined to be otherwise!!
Cookie Dough in the Bosch, Brownies in the oven, baby sleeping and kids happily playing now. Absolute Bliss!
Oh, and the girls plowed through their school work like never before today... probably because they could sense that their mom was a little "Fragile"... This most DEFINITELY helped too!
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