A Patriot, A Cupcake and A Cute Girl

On Thursday Kylie dressed up as Eliza Pickney and her class went on a field trip to Riley's Farm where they reenact periods from U.S. history.  The employees at Riley's Farm never break out of character and the students join them in role-playing scenarios.  What a fun way to learn history!

We did her hair in a cute pioneerish style.  (We are still having fun with cutegirlhairstyles:)

That same day was Brayden's Blue and Gold dinner for scouts.  I had to take one dozen Boy Scout-themed cupcakes and a salad.

Introducing...campfire cupcakes...

I used pretzel sticks for the firewood, cherry orange wildfire Fruit Roll-Ups for the flame and a marshmallow on a toothpick for, well, a marshmallow roasting on a stick.  If I make these again I'll add a little brown coloring to the white frosting to make it look like dirt.  How often do you build a campfire in the snow?  If you make these, here's two things I learned:  1) I started out carefully cutting the Fruit Roll-Up to look like flame but quickly realized this was going to take way too long.  Just tear it.  It actually looks better with the jagged edges.  You can easily bend and fold it to take the shape of fire.  2)  The Fruit Roll-Up is floppy.  I used frosting as an adhesive to glue one part of the flame to the marshmallow.  The Fruit Roll-Up will also harden a little if you put the cupcakes in the fridge or leave them on the counter, uncovered.

For the salad I tried a recipe from AllRecipes, Cranberry-Black Cherry Gelatin Salad.  I had to follow the directions on the Jell-O box for quick set because I forgot how long it takes Jell-O to set.  The salad still tasted fine with the extra water.  I know this recipe calls for a strange combination of black cherry Jell-O, whole cranberry sauce, sour cream and walnuts but it all comes together quite tastily.  

And the cute girl part of this post is Brynners.  We did a hairstyle this morning that many teachers commented on (I was helping out in her class this morning.)  This picture was taken after school, and her hair still looks good!

There are twists like this on both sides of her head.

Zander likes watching the cutegirlhairstyle videos with us.  This morning we were watching this particular hairdo and I left after a minute to gather the necessary tools.  Zander came running to tell me, "Mom!  She said you need sunscreen too, okay?!"  Glad he's watching out for his sister :)

President's Day Golf

We had a great President's weekend.  There was plenty of time to play as well as get things done around the house.  I wish every weekend was three days long!  On Monday we headed to Scandia in Ontario because they give kids money for good grades.  We told the kids we'd take them there when their report cards came out...in December.  Better late than never, right?!

Scandia doesn't actually hand the kids cash, it's credit towards a pass for unlimited miniature golf and unlimited rides.  For our three school-age children it only cost us $10...total!  What a deal!  This mini-golf course was WAY better than the lame one near our house.  The kids were very impressed with the cool castles, opening/closing gates, pipes, all the things that make a golf course fun.

Justin did his best to get everyone to follow the rules and have proper golf etiquette.

But it was more exhausting than it was worth so we threw the rules out the window and just had fun.

It didn't take Zander very long to figure out how to properly hold the club and swing it.  If this kid doesn't excel at sports when he's older, I'll be very surprised.  He has natural athletic ability and an aggressive streak that will serve him well in sports.  Right now he channels it into beating on his siblings.

Later in the day Justin took just Kylie and Brayden back to the golf course.  The less-chaotic environment was perfect for teaching them how the game is really played.  Brayden commented on how much nicer it was to play without the younger two.  This is always the dilemma when it comes to doing family activities.

The rides were mostly for the little ones but Kylie and Brayden had a blast on the swinging pirate ship thingy.  He needed a little convincing but Brayden loved every minute of the ride.  I have never seen this kid so excited about a ride. Or anything else for that matter. Who knew my quiet boy who hates new things with a passion would be such a thrill seeker?

They rode the pirate ship until Kylie was going to hurl.

One would think that places like this would be crowded on a holiday weekend but not so.  They were slow enough that there were a limited number of attendants to operate the rides.  So we'd go on a ride then follow the attendant to the next ride they were going open.  We're not a fan of crowds to this was nice.

We enjoyed our unlimited passes for a few hours then ended our day of fun at White Lime, using the remainder of the gift certificates we received as Christmas gifts.  When we got home the kids feasted on tortillas for dinner.  (Mom was too tired to cook and it was bedtime:)  Funtastic day!

Cute Hair

I have never been good at taking the time to make my girls' hair extra cute.  I'm just happy if it is brushed and there is a clip or rubber band in it to keep it out of their face.  This week Joy inspired me to get creative.  Thanks to cutegirlhairstyles my girls had fun hair for church yesterday.

I did the cage braid for Bryn.  I like that there are youtube videos for me to follow.  I'm a visual hair-braider.  This braid really was easy to do and took five minutes.

Bryn loved her Barbie-like 'do...

Kylie chose the waterfall braid.  Another easy style.  Excuse my yellow pictures.  At this point we had spent too much time browsing cutegirlhairstyles and we were behind schedule getting ready for church.  If I'd had more time I would've straightened Kylie's hair too.  But she still looked cute.

Happy Heart Day

Bryn's class did a "Love Bug" performance last Thursday, which I missed because it was at the same time as Kylie's gymnastics class.  Mom guilt hit me hard.  Kylie was very thoughtful and told me I could leave her at gymnastics while I went to Bryn's performance.  It was like choosing which child to abandon.  But Justin and the other kids were with Brynners so I stayed with Kylie.  Bryn was so excited all week for her performance and she was constantly singing the songs around the house.  I'm not sure what changed that night but she didn't look like she was enjoying it so much.  Justin said she couldn't see him in the audience so maybe that had something to do with it.  Or maybe it was because she knew I wasn't there and now she's scarred for life and years from now she'll be sitting in her psychiatrist's office working through her abandonment issues...and it will be all my fault!!!

The night before Valentine's Day I set out the kids' gifts and put some chocolate covered pretzels in Justin's car.  Each of the kids got a giant Reese's bar, roll of gum, a book and the three younger ones got dodge balls while Kylie got clothes.  Handball is Brayden's sport of choice these days.  He plays it every day at recess and lunch.  So I bought him his own handball and sternly told him that he is not allowed to use the garage door or any part of the house as his personal handball court.  I'm so mean.  But he is allowed to throw the ball at his siblings on the trampoline and against the walls at the park.

I love buying my kids books.  But I've learned that I can only give them books on small holidays like Valentine's Day and Easter.  Books tend to get lost among more exciting birthday and Christmas gifts.  I go through Scholastic's books and buy the ones that look good but that our library doesn't carry.

I was way on top of things Tuesday afternoon and managed to get dinner started before my piano students came.  I fixed our favorite sweet potato casserole and chicken pot pie with heart-shaped puff pastry.  We ate off our china and drank sparkling cider out of fancy glasses.

For dessert I tried a new recipe, Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cakes, from my February issue of "Better Homes and Gardens".  It was pretty simple to throw together and was delicious topped with ice cream and strawberries.

Kylie and Brayden both bought Valentine's candy for the family with their own money.  Funny example of the difference between boys and girls...  Kylie has been planning for at least two weeks what she was going to get for everyone.  She and I went to the store and she must've spent twenty minutes trying to decide what to get.  She ended up buying each sibling a heart-shaped box of chocolates and chocolate covered raisins and cranberries for Justin and I.  Brayden, on the other hand, didn't give any forethought to Valentine's Day, at least not that he verbalized.  We were at the 99 Cent store getting Valentines for their school parties and Brayden grabbed a bag of Smarties and threw it in the cart.  Done.

Both Kylie and Brayden did little scavenger hunts for us to find our treats.

Zander has eaten one of his chocolates every morning for breakfast.

The evening of Valentine's Day Bryn came up to Justin and I and with tears in her eyes and her little lower lip quivering she sadly told us, "My Valentine for you isn't what I hoped it would be so you'll have to wait until Valentine's Day next year to get one from me."  So heart breaking!  She had a very nice card for us that she made at school.  After a few hugs and lots of reassurance she felt better.

Everyone felt loved and there was lots of chocolate so it was a good Valentine's Day :)

Where to Start

Holy cannoli...it's been awhile since I've blogged!  I am redecorating the boys' bedroom and I kept thinking the finished product would be my next great post but it's taking me a little longer than I anticipated.  So, in the mean time...here's what we've been up to lately...

Kylie made gold honor roll again this semester...woohoo!

Brayden is taking an art class.  I think he is enjoying it.  Last time he came home from class he couldn't stop talking about his teacher and what he drew in class.  Then the next morning he told me everything all over again.  They're studying abstract art right now.  Let's see if I can remember how Brayden interpreted his work for me...there's Mr. Bear in a tiger's mouth getting his head cut off, fire, a monster, not-so-abstract skull and crossbones and a rocket.  There's more but I can't remember what they are.  I'll have to ask the artist in the morning.

I started helping out in Bryn's classroom every other Friday.  At "Back to School" night I had told Mrs. Hernandez that I wanted to help out and I would let her know as soon as I found a friend to swap babysitting with.  Six months later I still hadn't gotten around to figuring it out.  Life is just so crazy busy!  So she stopped me at pick-up one day and asked if I was still interested because she was losing parent helpers and needed more.  Bryn had also been asking me at least once a week, "When are you ever going to help out in my class?"  It was fun seeing her with her peers and meeting her friends that I hear so much about. 

I had forgotten how much of a chatterbox Bryn can be.  She and I went shopping one day, just the two of us.  She. Talked. The. Entire. Time.  She pointed out all the shapes and colors and words on the street signs.  I got to hear her opinion of daycare.  It's for kids who don't know how to walk up and down stairs but Zander already knows how to do that so that's why he isn't in daycare.  Kindergarten is for smarter kids because you get homework.  She has two Barbies named Delancy and Delaney.  Delancy (or is it Delaney?) is two and she's the big sister.  Bryn wanted me to tell the cashier that she had too many tattoos and she shouldn't do that to her body.  After the first hour I was reduced to responding with the occasional, "I see" or "Oh, really?"  It was exhausting!  And entertaining.  Poor girl has three other kids to compete with so she has to take advantage of one-on-one time whenever she gets it.

I can't decide whether to enroll Zander in preschool in the fall or not.  The lady who taught Bryn's preschool is no longer doing it so I'm faced with the daunting task of finding a new place.  I've been asking around and every preschool that has been recommended is either a) too far...I am not driving 30 minutes one way for preschool, I'm in the car waaaayyy too much already! or b) tuition is more than I'm willing to pay.  On good days I think, "I can teach Zander how to read and write and he has playdates and church to teach him about the social aspect of preschool.  He's my youngest and I want to spend every minute possible with him!"  Then there are the days where Zander is a needy little stinker who has to be entertained by me every minute and throws a tantrum when I have to take a break to do something like pick kids up from school.  That's when I think, "I will pay any amount of money necessary and drive any distance just to get a break from this kid!  He needs to go to preschool for my sanity's sake!!!"  This battle will probably rage until he starts kindergarten...in 2013.

I'm reading "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" with all the kids.  A beast of a book with 533 pages but ninety percent of it is pictures.  It's a refreshing new format for us and the illustrations are fabulous.

I finished reading "The Grey Wolf Throne" and loved it!  Justin is listening to it during his commute now.  And we're happy that "White Collar" is back!

And there you have it, a collection of randomness that is our life :)

Race Day

It's Pinewood Derby time folks.  Justin and Brayden have been hard at work getting tips from friends and online on how make the fastest car possible.  Realistically, Justin was just hoping not to finish last.  Brayden was more confident.  Kylie and I thought we'd miss the race because of her gymnastics class so Brayden told her, "I'll take a picture of me getting the first place trophy for you."  Turns out, he was closer to the truth than he realized.  And we did get to watch him race.  Since it took them a long time to inspect and weigh all the cars we were there in time to see most of the races.

Here's Brayden's car.  Aren't cars supposed to have names?  I'll have to ask Brayden if he named his.

I would tell you what Justin did to make a car that came in first every time but all I know is it involves something about sanding and graphite and lead maybe?  I'm sure they're not trade secrets I just didn't pay much attention.

Zooming across the finish line...

Sporting his first place Pinewood Derby pin...and trying not to look too excited but you can see that smile just itching to break free, lol...

Congrats, Brayden (and Dad)!!!

Sneaky Sneak

Tuesday morning when my neighbor was picking up the kids for school she told me that Hobby Lobby had put all their artificial Christmas trees on sale for 90% off.  (I've been wanting an artificial tree for a couple of years but haven't been willing to pay a couple hundred dollars for the ones I like.)  So I skipped my morning workout and rushed down to Hobby Lobby because I knew with a markdown like that the trees wouldn't be there for long.  I got there in the nick of time!

Another lady and I were looking at the same Christmas tree trying to decide if that was the one we wanted.  The display tree had one of those little clear envelopes containing slips of paper that said, "To purchase this tree take this slip to the cashier".  Well, that lady took the last two slips of paper.  Yes, TWO!  Now, the regular price of this tree is $499.  It was on sale for $50!!!  How rude, share the bargain find lady!  She was talking on the phone and I overheard her say that she was going to hurry up to the cashier and pay for the trees.  I was disappointed until I discovered that the boxes containing these trees were sitting right next to the display.  There were four boxes to be exact.  I'm assuming there were two other customers in Hobby Lobby happily holding their little slips of paper, thinking that all was well and they would be going home with a Christmas tree.  Until I showed up.

The box containing the Christmas tree was huge and not light.  It is a 7.5' tree.  I decided to heft that huge box onto the tiny shopping cart and make my way to the cashier before anyone was on to my sneaky plan.  I struggled with the box but I didn't want to risk asking an employee for help because they would probably point out that I needed a little slip of paper to take a tree.  Whatever.  If I can heft it to the cashier by myself, I deserve to buy it.  (Evil Pamela comes out when an unbelievable deal is on the line!)

I saw the two-tree lady waiting in line to pay and I made sure to go to a cashier far from her, lest she spy the huge Christmas tree in my cart and report me.  Just my luck, I get in the one line that isn't moving because the cashier ran out of cash.  And the Christmas tree is too large to maneuver around all the displays to get in a different line.  I stand in line for 15 minutes...sweating.  I have to hurry and pay before I'm discovered!  Meanwhile, I keep my eye on my competition.  She has paid for her trees and is standing at the front of the store waiting for her trees to be brought up.

When I reach the cashier, she doesn't even ask for my slip of paper.  She simply scans the barcode on the box, takes my credit card and sends me on my way.  I tip-toe past the lady I may have just cheated out of a Christmas tree and to my car, fully expecting to hear a Hobby Lobby employee running after me yelling, "Ma'am, you can't take that tree!"  I decided that if that happened I would show them my receipt and say, "Sorry, but it's mine now."  What could they do?  I really did have it all planned out in my mind, that's how nervous I was about getting caught.  It wasn't until the tree was in the car, the trunk was closed and I was safely inside the car that I called Justin to tell him about the deal of the year and confess what I had done.

I don't feel too bad for the other lady.  She'll still end up with at least one Christmas tree.  I just wonder who the other two people were and what happened when they took their slips of paper to the cashier only to be told that one tree was unaccounted for.  I'm not going to think about that.  Let's pretend the whole slips of paper process was messed up anyways and everyone who wanted a tree, got one.  That makes my conscience feel better.

I'm so happy to finally have an artificial Christmas tree...and a funny story to go with it :)