kids do the little things that make every day Mother's Day

So last week was crazy.  There was something every night: swim lessons, Cub Scouts, mtgs and talent shows.  Add to that a massive migraine headache that came on the tag end of Sam's birthday and I was a worn out mom.  But I did manage to get some fun things accomplished throughout the week.  So let's go back through the past week and reminisce. 
First off was Sam's 9th birthday.  It was a ninja/SAMurai birthday party.  He had some buddies from school and church come to celebrate and for the first time, I didn't make his cake. He wanted an ice cream cake and that is what he got. Sam at 9yos is the same Sam I know and love.  He loves to play video games and read.  He still wants to be a scientist when he grows up.  He likes Legos and really loved the Lego movie.  He likes going to the movie theater and is at the stage where he basically wants to do one-on-one things with everyone: Mom, Dad, Mamaw, Papaw, Uncle Joe...whoever will give him individual attention.  He has discovered the chocolate fondue fountain at Golden Corral and requests it often.  He also loves Subway subs and Arbys.  He is counting down the days until school is over.  He loves swim lessons and play dates with his older cousins.  He is sweet and thoughtful and still the first child in the group to give hugs and kisses.  He makes me smile but is starting to talk back and being a bit snippy.  I'm told this is normal for this age.  Who knows what the teen years will be like?

while working on a Scout project, I asked Sam "what makes a good dad?" Sam: "he takes care of the kids, teaches them things, believes in God, and buys things to help the family."
Me:"why are those things important?"
Sam:"your kids could die if you don't take care of them, You kids would be dumb if you don't teach them and your life would be TERRIBLE if you didn't believe in God!"
I think he's got the basics.

Zeke has recently been switching from two naps to one which is funny b/c he will fall asleep earlier in the day and in some crazy places.  One day I came out of the bathroom to see him passed out whiling sitting up on the couch.  Below is his new place to crash: behind the couch!

Friday was field day at Bethel Elementary so the kids eat a picnic lunch outside.  They invite family to come and eat lunch with the kids. It was a windy day and I found that the kids really just wanted to play with their friends though I do think they enjoyed seeing us at their school.  My mom and dad went with Kal, Zeke and I to see Sam and Iz.  I'm attaching pictures from Silver Bee Day where the grandparents go and eat breakfast with the kids.  I wasn't there but the school took one of my mom and Izzy.  Also are my Mother's Day presents from Kalen and Izzy.  Kal's preschool had a Muffins with Mom where we came and ate snacks and did a craft together but other than that, I received a fun little flower.  Izzy decorated the cup for my flower and Sam made me a fun card.  Overall, a good Mother's Day.

Sam's Mother's Day card from school was in the shape of a teapot and said this: "Mom, next time that I'm naughty and you are mad at me, take a breath, read this card and have a cup of tea. Love, Sam" then it had a tea bag taped to the inside Today, Sam took out the teabag and said "since you don't drink tea, here's a hershey's bar instead". My son knows me.

 

Lastly, I sang in the church talent show on Friday night.  I donned a red wig and sang Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid.  It was a hit though I feel like I could've done better.  Either way, I'm glad I did it and the kids loved it.  I really enjoy the opportunities I have to sing and perform.  There is just something about it that makes me feel good. 

Delights of motherhood!

THAT SMELL.....you know the one....the one that you can smell clear across the room, where the 16 month old is hiding.  It is accompanied by small, forced little grunts of focus as he proceeds to fill his pants with THAT SMELL.  And you know, you just know, that when you finally chase him down and go to change his diaper, you will still be smelling THAT SMELL four hours later!

Kalen comes up to me with his hand outstretched "Here Mom!" 
I hold out my hand "what Buddy?" 
"I pulled this out of my nose! Be careful; it sticks to your hand!"

I love my little guys!

Kurtis' 40th birthday

Kurtis does not like celebrating his birthday. He doesn't like me to tell anyone.  He does't like attention. He just doesn't enjoy it. He's also a hard person to shop for b/c he likes to be thrifty--only things he needs.  Add that to the fact that his 40th birthday was the same day as the big Cub Scout Pack Meeting and I was struggling to come up with something to make it special b/c he is special to me.  So I made him german chocolate cupcakes (his request) and I also made an Ohio State cake for the pack meeting dessert.
As for his present, I took an idea from a blog and made a gift of One Year of dating ideas.  You take each month and plan one date night in and one date night out.  I'm copying what I did below so you can see what I did (in the simplest form).

One Year of Dating

Two Dates A Month

1 at-home

1 out

It’s all been planned

You just have to choose the day!

Because dating you is the

best gift!

One month:

Dear Kurtis,

This month it’s all about ART!

Pick a day and let’s create a work of ART at home!

Then pick another and let’s go see some ART.

So that our heARTS may become one!

Love,

Greta

Date night in: making art at home, painting a picture together.

Date night out: going to the Dayton Art Museum

Next month:

Dear Kurtis,

It’s hard to find time for just us with all the kids.

Let’s have a slumber party at home after the kids go to bed J

And let’s take a trip to the local playground for a good game of one on one basketball.

Love,
Greta

 Date night in:For this month’s date night in, we will watch a sporting event of your choice, complete with popcorn, blankets on the floor and the remote in your hand.  Simple, but fun!

Date night out:For our date night out we will go play basketball together for fun.

Third month:

Dear Kurtis,

I want you to know that it is a “Pleasure Being Married to you” and one night this month I will prove that to you.

And then I will challenge your smarts in a bookstore!

Love,

Greta

Date night in:

Pick one night this month for a pleasurable evening

Date night out:day this month we will enjoy a day out at the bookstore.  Each of us will search for a good book to enjoy on our own and then we’ll find a book to read together!

Fourth month:

Dear Kurtis,

Let’s laugh and have fun with a Comedy Club Night at home.

And then let’s enjoy renewing the spirit of the temple!

Love,

Greta 

Date night in:Pick a movie of your choice to watch and give us a good laugh.

Date night out:We will make it a goal to get to the temple this month!

Fifth month:

Dear Kurtis,

You are my Superman!  And one night this month I will show you just

How much I love my Man of Steel!

And then we’ll get to see just how steely you and I are as we go for a ride around the town while only supported on two wheels.

Love,

Greta

Date night in:

“You’re my Superman” Kit!

Date night out:For our date out we will go on a bike ride together using the new bike path in town

Sixth month:

Dear Kurtis,

 We may never have taken a honey moon here, but it has been something we wanted to do. This month let’s take a trip to Hawaii from the comfort of our own home!

And then let’s go enjoy the great outdoors and games with a picnic in the park.

Love, Greta

Date night in:Tonight we’ll order Hawaiian pizza, drink Tropical Punch, wear our Hawaiian attire while looking through a Hawaiian guidebook at beautiful paradise

Date night out:For our date night out, we’ll grab a board game of your choice, a picnic blanket, and find a shady spot at the park for a nice little dinner and game just the two of us.

Seventh month:

Dear Kurtis,

I love you so much and miss you when you are gone at work all day. So, let me show you how much I love my spouse with a special night at home.

And then let’s do something we would like to do instead of working, bowling, but with a romantic twist!

Love,

Greta

Date night in:Tonight will be all about time with you: eating your favorite dinner, doing a favorite activity of your choice, and spending quality time together.

Date night out:

Let’s Bowl!

Eighth month:

Dear Kurtis,

Who says you need to go outside to experience the great outdoors? I’m bringing it to you this month!

But, we’ll still get outside to enjoy an evening of walking hand in hand.

Love,

Greta

Date night in:Let’s go camping….inside!  Complete with sleeping bags and glow in the dark stars

Date night out:Let’s go for a walk, anywhere, as long we’re together.

Ninth month:

Dear Kurtis,

It’s your turn to pick: we’ll play the video game of your choice, but I’ll choose the prizes for the winners and the loser.

And then let’s see how well we can conquer rocky grounds on our date out this month.

Love,Greta

Date night in:Pick a game and we’ll play

Date night out:For our date night out we will go rock climbing at the VRC

Tenth month:

Dear Kurtis,

Round and round and round it spins. Where will it land? Who will you have to kiss? Find out in our Spin the Bottle Date Night at home this month.

And then let’s enjoy a nice romantic dinner and a movie to celebrate our anniversary!

Love,

Greta

Date night in:Spin the Bottle!

Date night out:Movie and dinner out!

Eleventh month:

Dear Kurtis,

This month is special because of when we first started dating.  Let’s recreate one of my favorite “when I first met you” moments and play scrabble like we did all those years ago.

And then let’s enjoy some ice cream at our “usual” spot to recreate our first date!

Love,

Greta

Date night in:Let’s play Scrabble

Date night out:Ice Cream for our first date anniversary

Twelfth month:

Dear Kurtis,

Let’s spend the cold winter month with some time baking and shaking!

We’ll make some goodies and then if the weather is right, we’ll make a snowman!

Love,

Greta

Date night in:Bake some cookies together!

Date night out:

Do you wanna build a snowman?

(It the weather isn’t snowy, let’s visit a nativity scene together!)

Kurtis loved the idea and is anxious to use the date nights.  They are also mainly inexpensive dates, nothing too flashy.  I'm so excited to share these dates with my hubs!

Raggedy Ann costume

I've kind of been on a Raggedy Ann kick lately. I found a facebook page that is especially for Raggedy Ann Collectors.  While I don't consider myself a collector b/c I don't spend hundreds of dollars on them, I do have several/many/an over-abundance of them.  I used an old costume that I wore in a Biblical play and turned it into a Raggedy dress.  I used a Raggedy apron that was in my collection.  I made bloomers from some scrap cloth and then ordered red/white striped tights.  I also used a wig/cap from a child's costume that I have and Viola!  I'm Raggedy Ann....come Halloween, I'll use makeup to complete the look.

Zeke really liked the outfit!

Easter 2014

Easter this year was a mild affair.  We spent Good Friday at home and had the missionaries over for dinner.  We did make these cinnamon rolls for dessert called Resurrection rolls.  You use a marshmallow to represent Christ and roll them in melted butter (the burial oils) and cinnamon/sugar (the burial spices) and then wrap them in a crescent roll (the burial cloths). The put them in the oven (the tomb).  When the rolls are removed from "the tomb", the marshmallow has melted symbolizing Christ rising from the dead.  The kids liked the excercise but didn't want the rolls.  The missionaries, Kurtis, and I made another batch of rolls b/c they were THAT good.
Saturday was spent in a crazy line of events.  Sam and Kurtis participated in an Earth Day Service Project with the Cub Scouts while I sang at a funeral for a dear man in our ward who lost his battle to cancer.  His funeral was the best funeral I've ever been to.  It was joyful and sweet with his children sharing stories of him and his life.  It was a celebration and a memorial, not a funeral.  I sang Be Still My Soul.  Bro. Blincoe was one of my biggest fans and it was such an honor to sing for him one last time.  Later in the day we, as a family, went to a baptism for a girl at church who also rides the school bus with Sam and Izzy.  They loved it.  We also went to an Open House to visit with a family that had moved away but was visiting.  It was so nice to see them again.
The Easter Bunny came to our house and Sunday morning the kids were very excited for their baskets.  Kurtis fell asleep on the couch and forgot to wake me up so I missed seeing the kids get their baskets.  Seriously, missed the whole thing!
I did manage to get pictures of the kids in their Easter Sunday best.  Isabel got a new dress with a matching bunny rabbit and Zeke wore a new outfit complete with orange pants!  Loved this outfit!

 My family came over that afternoon for Easter dinner and we did family pictures with the boys and the girls....Kalen photobombed the girls' picture.

 Zeke was so exhausted that night that he pretty much just passed out in his crib sitting up.  It was pretty cute.

through the eyes of a child

Earlier this week, Sam asked me why today was called "Good Friday". As I went to explain I had to stop myself and think why it's called "good" on the day that represents Christ's death. But as we talked about it, my 8yo (with his deep wisdom) said "that makes sense Mom. I get it." I wish I had the faith and understanding of a child.

Yesterday, while driving, Kalen spotted every truck there was: a tanker, a semi, a flatbed, a back hoe, a grain truck....all of them!  He kept saying "look Mom!  that ones carries oil.  That one is a BIG truck.  That one doesn't have anything on the back.  What is that one doing?"  Usually I get a little frustrated with all the talking...non-stop.  But yesterday, I thought how much I loved hearing him talk, learning, explaining things from his perspective.  He truly LOVES trucks and loves seeing them, talking about them.  They give him joy in the simplest ways and that gives me joy in the simplest way.

Kal's parent teacher conference

came home from Kalen's parent-teacher conference today.  it was all pretty good things.  I asked Kal "who do you think the teacher said is in too much of a hurry and doesn't write his name clearly?"  Kal: "Ayana!" (a little girl in his class)  I had to stop to laugh and then seriously say "no, it's you!"  Really, the worst thing he does is get into a rush to move onto something else...not too bad a fault!

Overall, the teacher said good things. He knows all his colors and numbers, can easily pick out different and same and make a pattern. The cutest thing was from his teacher interview.  When asked what he wanted to be growing up, he said "a daddy".  I love Kalen. He is ornery and mischievious.  But he's also healthy, sweet, funny and funny and....funny!  He makes me laugh, even when I sometimes want to yell.  What a boy I have!