find joy in the journey

blegh

That about sums up the last few days.  

The weather.  And the health of my children.  

The last 5 days I've been running an infirmary here.  Conner missed 3 days of school.  Payton missed 4.  Fevers hovering around 101 non-stop (and up to 103), achy bodies, chills, stuffy noses, coughing.  Lots of Disney Channel.  Lots of DVDs.  Blegh.

We've been pretty homebound, as shown by our dwindling food supplies up until yesterday afternoon.  Scott came home early and off to the store I ran.  

Other than taking temperatures and handing out doses of Tylenol and Motrin I've been staying busy with a few bigger projects and a few others thrown in just for fun.

Scott helped me make some cake pops for Halloween.  The Pioneer Woman had these on her blog last year and I thought they were so so cute.  How do you like the Mike Wazowski version?  And might I add that they were verrry tasty.  Mmm.

 

I had hundreds of little squares of construction paper left over from an art project at Cub Scout pack meeting this week.  I dumped everything into a tray, handed Payton and Anna a glue stick and said, "be creative!"

 

Payton loves art projects and definitely got into the mosaic medium.  I love what he created here.

 

Now should you ever assume that our days are filled with art projects, playful story time, heart shaped peanut butter & jelly sandwiches prepared in an immaculate kitchen, and a home that it always ready to welcome guests . . . .Let me widen the camera angle.

A dose of reality is good from time to time.

And . . . . . 

Today the boys and I made some posable skeletons -- always a fun Halloween project.  Tomorrow we'll finally get around to carving the pumpkins.  A little something called the flu got in the way of our plans for that one.

Here's hoping that everyone is healthy enough to trick-or-treat at a few houses tomorrow night!

how to tutu

This year for Halloween Anna is going to be a pink fairy.  Or, as she will specify:  "a pink fairy with not pink hair."  When we came up with this idea I browsed etsy for a while, drooling at all the beautiful tutus you can find there.  But after weighing the price tag ($20-$30) into my halloween costume budget I thought, "I could probably make one of these."

So I searched online and found a few basic tutorials and discovered it was oh so doable.

First, get your tulle.  I love love love these 6 inch spools from Papermart. They make this project so much easier than if you purchase tulle on a bolt from a fabric store . . . . no cutting your tulle into long strips and no worrying about getting your lines straight.  Six inches ends up being the perfect width for this project and at $1.89 for a 25 yard spool I call this a steal.  Plus, it's fun to keep several colors on hand to add a quick, pretty bow to gifts, neighbor treats, pretty much anything.

You'll need some elastic.  I used 1/2 inch for Anna's tutu and 1 inch for mine.  The 1/2 inch was easier to work with.  Measure your subject's waist and then trim a couple inches from that number.  This is essential as the elastic will stretch out as you are tying your tulle onto it.  Machine or hand stitch the ends of your elastic together.

Cut your tulle.  I cut my strips 32 inches long, but you can always go shorter, or longer.  Just keep in mind that your strips will be folded in half in the final project. 

Start tying.  This link has some good step by step photos.  They say that you shouldn't tighten your tulle until the end, but I like to do it as I go along.  Basically, just keep tying until the elastic is covered.  And make sure you are consistent in how you tie it on.  I had to remove a few, or 10, when I wasn't paying attention.

Embellish.  This is the optional (fun) step.  I tied on 2 strands of ribbon and hot glued a peony flower we had lying around the house.  And for fun I put a flower on her fairy wings as well to complete the "flower fairy" ensemble.

 (all dressed and ready for a ballet Halloween party)

Project details:

purchased 3 spools of tulle (and I didn't even use them up)

elastic from my sewing stash

flowers & ribbon on hand

Final cost of project:  $5.67

on a cold morning

a bit of paradise . . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

found

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may remember the story of a close family friend - Ben - who went missing almost 4 years ago.  (See here).  There was an exhaustive search by family and friends that followed for months (and really, never ended in the hearts of some) . . . . a memorial service on the one year anniversary of his disappearance . . . . and the story was featured on an episode of Living Essentials on BYUTV (on which my dad was interviewed).

Yesterday brought some answers. The car, and Ben, were found.  My dad, mom, Denver & Bree were there to witness the retrieval and be there for him.  My heart goes out to Ben's family and my dad, having to mourn the loss of a best friend once again.  But, now we know.  Ben is found.  

See the article here.

fab five

five of the latest things that bring a piece of happy to our days.

1.  A little birdie told me . . . . My sister-in-law has started up an etsy shop where she sells these adorable hair clips for little girls.  I need to get my hands on some more because they work great in Anna's hair.  Heidi, expect an order soon!

 

2.  Are leg warmers back? . . . . whether they're in or out, I am loving these crawler covers for Anna's little legs.  You can find them all over etsy right now and come in lots of cute patterns.  It's so fun to mix and match with her little play dresses.  And, when it's time for the potty, they're much easier to handle than hiking up a pair of tights.

3.  Mondays are for baking . . . at least that is the plan.  Anna and I have been making cupcakes and having quite a bit of fun at it. 

 

4.  Wednesdays are for GLEE . . . . Have you watched this show?  I so look forward to wednesday nights.  Scott and I settle in on the couch and bask in the musical fun.  Not to mention the ultra-quirky, entertaining characters.  Like, say,  . . . . Sue, coach of the Cheerios?  

5.  'Tis the season . . . . for vampire teeth.  Anna got these for apple bobbing at the ward harvest party on saturday and is still wearing them around the house.

in october

"rake up the leaves and put them in a pile in october. . . . . "  Another pre-school song.  Everything past the first line is completely unintelligible to me, though.

getting crafty with Martha.  Seriously, 5 minutes is all it takes and it's so much fun.

 

 

Really getting into the Halloween mood today.  It was time for Halloween Bunco and I cannot pass up an opportunity to get all dressed up.

 

A Halloween Princess.  I had Payton convinced for a minute that this was my real hair and I had colored it purple (and somehow made it grow 10 inches).  I'll be making another tutu soon for Anna's pink fairy costume.

I love thursdays.  I spend some quiet time ironing and listening to Ali Edward's "Yesterday & Today" class on BPS.  Loving it.

Today was my brother's 28th birthday!  I wasn't able to get a hold of him on the phone, so happy birthday Sam!

 

Scott has given me permission to find him a Halloween costume.  He doesn't want to be consulted about it, though.  I just have to go out and do it.  When I asked Anna what she thought he should be, she replied, "a vampire."

Speaking of vampires, the New Moon soundtrack comes out tomorrow!

three little pumpkins

you know that song, Five Little Pumpkins . . . five little pumpkins sitting on a gate, the first one said, "oh my it's getting late!" etc. etc. . . . .  Anna learned it at preschool and sings it a lot around our house.  One of the things I most love about pre-school is all the cute little songs they learn, and then come home to entertain us with.  And it's especially fun because they are the same songs that Payton learned and that Conner learned.

Well, my three little pumpkins have had a pumpkin-filled week.

First there was the pumpkin ginger cupcakes with cream cheese frosting that Anna and I made on Monday.  Delicious!

That spiderweb is just about as fancy as I get when it comes to decorating cakes or cupcakes.

And see that pumpkin there.  I grew it in my garden.  Yep.  Pretty proud of that one.

Then on Tuesday I accompanied Payton's class on their trip to the pumpkin patch.  Always a fun one.  He picked a pumpkin with a really long stem.

 

And on Friday, the kids were out of school, so we took the opportunity to visit the pumpkin patch.  The last time we went there I was pregnant with Payton, Conner was almost 2 years old, and because this was before the days of cute monkey backpack leashes we tied a rope around his waist before entering the corn maze.  Ahhh, those were the days.  This time we did not go in the corn maze - I was not going to attempt that without Scott there.  But we did do just about everything else:  visited the animals in the barn, climbed the hay pyramid, rode the cow train, ate kettle corn and hot chocolate, enjoyed the hayride, and found the perfect pumpkin.  Here's a few photos:

 

 

 

 

Other than a few tears shed over a burned tongue (that hot chocolate was HOT), a great time was had by all.  Afterward we drove into town for two little errands and then I took the kids to dinner at Red Robin.  What a great mom am I?!  It was a little weird though, sitting at the restaurant, me and my 3 kids.  I wondered if I looked (and I have to admit I even felt) a bit like a single mom.  Just a little interesting.  As time goes on I think I feel braver and free-er (no diapers & naps to worry about) to do these bigger outings on my own with these three little pumpkins.  Heck, I drove 1500 miles this summer with them!

Moving on . . . 

For the kids' halloween costumes this year we are buying one, reusing one, and I'm making one.  I think it will work out pretty well.

I asked the kids what they thought I should be for Halloween.  Their responses . . . . 

• Anna:  "A princess!"
• Payton:  "An Egyptian!"  (he suggested this simply as an excuse to demonstrate "The Egyptian" walk.)
• Conner:  "Hermione, because she's the smartest one like you."

All three sound perfect to me.

four

So Anna's fourth birthday . . . 

We try to make a big deal out of birthdays in our house.  With streamers on the bedroom door, the whole family in attendance for a 6:30am wake-up serenade to the birthday girl, a new outfit to open in the morning, as many balloons as you are old, a dinner menu selected by the birthday girl, too many presents, cake, etc. etc.

All of this, though, must have pushed Anna's emotional meter over the edge because she was in time-out before 8am.  And again after lunch.  The following day we had a little lunch/playdate and in the balloon store she had a horrendous tantrum 2 hours before the party.  I had to do a "mock" call to all of her friends' mom to tell them it was canceled.  After a big talk and big tears the party was back on.  Then she took the opportunity to have another tantrum or two with her friends as audience. {sigh}  I tried to explain to her that just because it's your birthday you can't get away with being a brat.  But I'm happy to report that she has been great the last couple days.  And it makes me happy to see that this was just a birthday-induced meltdown and she hasn't turned rotten on us.

Okay, I just had to throw that in there, because her birthday story just wouldn't be complete (or accurate) without it.

On to the fun!

Next year we are going to remember that all she needs is a handful of $1 bills.  This reaction was priceless!

bottom left:  see the vein bulging from her neck?!

I couldn't resist bringing this back from Hawaii.  There is an instructional Hula Girl DVD to go along with it.

Her cake instructions were:  a pink cake with chocolate frosting and pink hearts on top.  I think I did alright.

Anna at 4 years old.  38 lbs. 41.5 inches

She loves to sing Primary songs.  Especially Baptism and Families Can Be Together Forever.

She got a fairy tent for her birthday and has slept inside the tent every night since.

She goes through phases where she does not want to be called Anna.  If you say, "Anna" she'll firmly respond:  "I am not Anna, I am girl!"

She started ballet class 2 weeks ago and it has opened up all kinds of spontaneous dancing that did not exist before.

She is really good about standing still on the stool while I do her hair.  But she asks me (almost in a  panic) every time, "are we not going to dry my hair and curl my hair?"  I do blow-dry her hair and I do curl it with my flat iron from time to time.  She always does fine and cooperates with me.  I guess it's just the idea of it happening, or the time leading up to it, that drives her a little nuts.

These are some of Anna's "everyday" faces.

 

She loves to color.  I have an extra desk next to my computer and she regularly helps herself to the printer paper.  On a low shelf in my scrap room there is an old Strawberry Shortcake metal pail full of crayons from when I was a kid.  I love that she can just grab the crayons - crayons that I once used - and just go for it.  The desk is covered with crayon markings, but it doesn't bother me too much (I know a Mr. Clean eraser will take care of it).  Usually she will ask me to draw a big heart to which she adds a face, hair, arms & legs.  And no drawing by Anna is complete without a smattering of random letters across the page.  She's also figured out how to use the copy feature of my printer.

She can write her name and almost all the capital letters really well.

She is loved by her brothers.  Conner greets her in the school parking lot with: "how is my cute sweet Anna?" or "how is the cutest little girl in the whole wide world?"  She and Payton engage in fun, pretend play and sometimes I hear exchanges of "I love you" from the other room.

Recently I read a tip or piece of advice on raising girls.  It said: Hold them tight and never let them go.  Well, I'm not sure if that's completely possible, but I'm definitely going to hold & cuddle this one for as long as I can.

blink

zero . . .

 

blink!

one . . . 

 

blink!

two . . . 

 

blink!

three . . . 

 

blink!

four . . . 

 

One day we came home from the hospital with our first baby girl.  A few blinks later, and here we are.  With this beautiful, spunky, sweet, girly, outgoing, keeps up with the boys, and uses the word "delightful" . . . little lady.  Our Anna.

Four is a big one.  No longer a toddler.  Two's and three's are for toddlers.  Four . . . that's approaching big kid territory.  I was searching for something in my blog archives the other day and came across a photo from Halloween 2006.  There I was with kids 1, 3, and 5 around me.  Looking at the photo it jumped out at me: I'm no longer the mom of babies!  Or toddlers.  It was a surprising realization, and took me back for a second.  So, here we are . . . fully immersed in the kid stage, and off we go!

what i did on my maui vacation: soak in the sun

(last maui post, I promise.  I think.)

We enjoyed several fun activities on our vacation, ate a lot of great food, enjoyed the sights . . . . but at the core of our maui vacation, what we really went there to do was sit by the pool and do absolutely nothing.  

We found a good balance by doing an activity one day, then sitting by the beach/pool the next day.  With a book in hand, the ocean breeze in our hair, and the sun shining brightly down . . . . just utterly and totally relaxing. 

this is how we vacation from Shannon on Vimeo.

ya, that last little comment.  I forgot to put sunscreen on my ears the first couple days and ended up with a black spot on one ear.  I'm not so sure that's a good thing.

And speaking of books, during our vacation I read

• The Hunger Games.  Loved it!  A real page turner, intense, really interesting premise to the whole book.  Highly, highly recommend it.
• The Wednesday Sisters.  Also very much enjoyed this book (a gift from Sheila & Jenn for my birthday).  My review is here.
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  When I picked it up in the store and read the first page I laughed out loud.  But by page 30 the zombie element got really really old, so I gave up.  It's essentially the same story line, text, and dialog as the classic Pride and Prejudice . . . they've just added some zombies and knife fighting to spice it up.  If you're curious to check it out on your own, I'm happy to lend my copy.
• Catching Fire.  The sequel to Hunger Games.  When P&P&Z tanked I had to go to Barnes and Nobles to find a replacement.  I only got through half of the book on the flight home but it is equally as exciting and intriguing as the first book.  Now I just need to find some time to finish it!

So it was a great vacation, we are so grateful to my mom for taking the time to watch our kids for 8 days so we could get tan, and we're already making plans to go back in a couple years.  Maybe this time with the kids.  :)