{happy times}

Settling in…

May 28, 2012 4 Comments

Last night before Brendan went to bed he asked what our family rules are. He is such a sweetheart. We told him we have two basic rules – 1. work hard 2. be nice. We found these from an inner city school in New York and love them. It pretty much covers everything. He nodded and then headed off. Jim Bob and I looked at each other and knew we would not have any troubles from him. (Not that we were planning on any…)

This morning our big boys set Brendan up with his very own chore chart. That way he can earn stars and rewards. When I let Brendan know he would have a chore while he was here he said “Great!” He will be sweeping the dining room and kitchen floors. I told him he is welcome to do them once a day – or after every meal – or however he’d like to do it. A little bit later he came and asked if he could please sweep morning and night. Works good. (See? No worries.)

After breakfast, scripture study and chores the boys have been together almost all of today. This morning they watched turkey vultures (first thought to be eagles) in our big willow tree from the backyard treehouse. A few video games, lots of planning and talking, some legos and cards… just time together.

This evening we went to Ben & Holly’s place for a Family BBQ. We ate delicious food, visited and played. Ben got a four wheeler not too long ago – so short, low-speed rides were in order. Multiple short, up the street and back, low-speed rides enjoyed by many.

Some of the boys were chillin’ on the trampoline eating. I asked them to make a happy face while I shot through the net enclosure. Here’s what I got:

Sillies.

Menus today:

Breakfast: Scrambly Eggs, Bacon and Canteloupe

Lunch: Nachos and Blackberry Lemonade

Dinner: Family BBQ – avocados on burgers, potato salad, green salad, chips, watermelon

Not bad for a first day. 😉 Brendan helped crack the eggs for breakfast. He politely asked if it would be okay to try cracking eggs against each other – with finesse I believe he called it. We were making plenty of eggs so why not?

What a crack-up. 😉

Tomorrow night is try-outs. Jim Bob let Brendan in on little details tonight – like how to act out parts big – most of the audience is quite a ways away. They also talked about the parts he will be trying out for and some experiences Jim Bob has had when trying out. More on that tomorrow.

Sweet dreams.

Filed Under: {happy times}, {Mormon Miracle Pageant}, {tickles and smiles}

Cheeky Kisses

May 27, 2012 1 Comment

I treasure these moments with my little one.

One of my favorite treasure quotes:

“The most precious jewels you will ever have around your neck are the arms of your children.”

I also treasure my hunny that is patient enough to get the shots that I have in my head.

Cheeky kisses to you all!

Filed Under: {happy times}, {holidays and celebrations}, {one little word}, {tickles and smiles}

Get Caught!

May 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

May is Get Caught Reading month. There is “a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read”. There are lots of celebrity posters on the site – from Abraham Lincoln, Alicia Keys and Donald Duck to Yoda and Jeff Gordon. Celebrities of all sorts, even Santa.

Usborne is getting in on the fun. They are having a Get Caught Reading! photo contest. The top 5 photos (after a public vote) will be used as official Usborne Timeline Cover photos on Facebook (eh…) – and the top one will get a $100 Usborne gift certificate (now we’re talking… 😉 ). Love their books.

These are a few of the photos I’ve captured so far:

(Late at night + sleepy boy = stealing Jim Bob’s phone for the camera abilities; not great shots, but such a sweetheart.)

Caleb always has a stack of books in his bed. I don’t mind, within a short time it usually leads to this:

Even with a favorite book. He especially loves the “trick page”. Stunts on bikes – and I learned that some cyclists race on ice. Crazy. All fascinating to a two-year-old. Or a thirty-two-year-old for that matter.

Like the getting caught guidelines say – it would be wonderful to have photos of myself getting caught reading too. I’ll just have to read a little more and leave the camera around. We’ll see what happens. 😉 Join in the fun!

Filed Under: {happy times}, {Usborne}

Smiles

May 19, 2012 1 Comment

I adore Purdue Avenue and all the inspiration found there. You might already know that.

I was invited to write with these girls which feels like the best play date EVER.

My post is all about future planning. Of the grandparent sort.

Learn how to simply (I promise!) turn these:

into this:

and how it will help you now and in the years to come. Happy smilin’!

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {happy times}, {one little word}, {tickles and smiles}

Proof

May 19, 2012 1 Comment

Caleb has been here.

Want to know how I know?

It’s the purse.

He’s crazy about spiriting away his sister’s bike and her purse. And filling said purse with all kinds of treasures.

My favorite to date:

And this is, apparently, the latest in how to carry a purse.

{The first in my playings with Sarah Cornish’s lightroom presets – this set is called Happenstance.}

Filed Under: {bonne buche}, {happy times}, {tickles and smiles}

Cake and Kisses

May 12, 2012 2 Comments

Happy International Nurses Day – and Happy Birthday Florence Nightingale.

Our plans for Nurses Day, made with Paper.

My sis Anna has a blog. She’s wonderful, sweet, adventurous, an amazing baker and a nurse. We all adore her. So we are celebrating Nurses Day in her honor (wish you were here sis!).

We will read posts about nursing, a Florence Nightingale book and run around the park a little. I’m also serving a buffet, based on this collage made by Anna:

While they might be daily staples for our nursing aunt – quick and can be eaten on-the-go, most are rare treats for our children and they’re a little excited. 😉 It’s going to be fun.

Recommended posts (there are so many to love!): History of Nurses Week, Birthday Cake for Florence, Why I became a Nurse link-up (Anna’s story and a dozen others linked up), and all the Nursing Tuesday posts are great. I really like the ones on capes (who knew??), and band-aids.

There’s also a post she wrote for LA Family:

… and don’t forget her nursing giveaway (ends tonight though, so hurry on over. 😉 ).

From what I read about Florence – she was so kind and gentle. She trained nurses and worked near battlefields in Turkey. She would walk the wards at night and soothe the suffering men. They would see her “lantern moving through the dark like a comforting angel and named her the Lady with the Lamp.” She adjusted pillows and put flowers by their beds. The soldiers she cared for adored her – when she walked by some would lean out of their beds to kiss her shadow. She researched nursing throughout her life and wrote about the importance of fresh air and a quiet and peaceful ward. Florence’s Notes on Nursing: what it is and what it is not became a best-seller. After nursing, Florence continued her research and helped in many areas. She set up a training school for nurses. She interviewed each herself and followed their progress. She sent flowers and books to them – and cake on their birthdays.

Nurses – caring, beautiful, kind and sent cake for birthdays? Florence and Anna have a lot in common.

Filed Under: {happy times}, {holidays and celebrations}, {tickles and smiles}

Drewby Special

May 12, 2012 1 Comment

Two of our boys have a “special”. It started years ago when Jacob decided a bean and cheese burrito was his special. No salsa. No sour cream. Just the burrito. Not to be left out Joshua chose jell-o. Any flavor. That way he could have lots of specials… well, we don’t have jell-o that often. Which led to his request to have grilled cheese sandwiches and/or jell-o be his special. Now whenever we have those foods they announce to the whole family it is their special. It took a few years, but two weeks ago after church Andrew chose his:

A pancake. Hollowed out in the middle and filled with strawberry jam.

Not just any strawberry jam. Store-bought strawberry jam. And then fresh homemade jam spread across the top. He was very specific and super pleased.

Here’s to many more Drewby specials.

Filed Under: {bonne buche}, {happy times}, {tickles and smiles}

Treasure

May 7, 2012 1 Comment

We reviewed President Uchtdorf’s talk today in Relief Society: Forget Me Not. It’s one of my favorites. I made this art journaling page a few months ago with his thoughts in mind – a treasure map full of everyday moments.

{list of supplies here}

I used a few of President Uchtdorf’s quotes on the page:

“The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.”

“…don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.”

The lesson today reminded me how much I LOVE President Uchtdorf’s talk. It also reminded me that I should introduce my study topic for the year – I already have half of a notebook full of thoughts and scriptures, but hadn’t posted about it here yet. With my study on effort last year – time and again my thoughts turned to treasure. Quite a few scriptures connect the two. That and studying about my 4th great grandfather gave me a feel about what real treasure is. Here are the thoughts from my notebook at the beginning of this year:

Treasure (Looks so much prettier when written by hand – all embellished. 😉 )

I’m thinking on how treasure fits/inspires me in my life. There are so many people, memories, things, blessings, and doctrines that I treasure. I want to study the word as a noun and a verb. What do I treasure? How do I treasure? What treasure do I want to earnestly seek? What do I share with family and friends?

Treasure usually involves a journey of some sort – with treasure being the reward. How else can treasure be discovered? I hope this year brings lots of answers – & lots more questions too. I’m ready for the adventure.

It seemed natural to have silver or gold be my color for the year. I couldn’t decide – so I went with both. 🙂 I’ve learned some significance to those along the way as well. I will continue to share throughout the year. You are welcome on my journey!

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {happy times}, {one little word}, {worthwhile}

Fiesta!

May 4, 2012 4 Comments

Plans for tomorrow:

{made with Paper – sweet app by 53}

Filed Under: {happy times}, {holidays and celebrations}, {tickles and smiles}

Adventures in Chocolate, con.

May 4, 2012 1 Comment

Maybe there should be a whole series?? 😉

In this post here I showed this fun lovin’ photo of bunnies from story hour at the library:

I love how with the same pieces the bunnies can look so different. 🙂

Now for the big reveal:

The “chocolate bunny” belongs to Katey. She might love it a little:

And this one:

He is named “Grandfather Rabbit” and belongs to Andrew. The mustache was drawn with some help by me. Andrew started to and then decided it needed mommy help. When I finished I realized I drew it upside down. oops… oh well. Maybe bunny mustaches grow that way. 😉

Caleb’s is the one all the way on the right. The one with a monocle. I’m sure that’s what he was thinking.

{Ruth – I loved reading your guesses and the logic behind them. I bet if I had told you the names you would have gotten it for sure. ;)}

For fun I grabbed three books from the stack we borrowed. One that each of them picked out. You would definitely want a monocle to read about monster trucks – especially the Spanish sections – that’s Caleb’s. The dinosaur one picked out by Drewby (he can read it himself!) and the Lalaloopsy girls – that would be Katey’s selection.