magic time

For the last 5 minutes in class each day, Jacob's teacher takes out a book and reads a chapter with the children.  They have read Magic Tree House (MTH) books since Jacob has been going to the class, and he loves them!  We have collected a few over the years as the series was a favorite with Madeleine & Bryson as well.

Last week, Bryson Jr. cleared off all the MTH books from his bookshelf and brought them to Jacob....who was thrilled to see so many of his favorite books in one spot.  We tried to read them for his bedtime story, but often if the kiddos do not get in bed on time, they lose the privilege of having a story.

Instead, in the morning after Jacob & I wave goodbye to the older 2 kiddos who are now walking to school (hooray for good weather and that they think it's wonderful to get to walk on their own!) - we get one of his chapter books and we snuggle up on the couch to have our read.  I love how entertaining the book is, and yet it's full of historical facts from the specific time that the characters Jack & Annie travel to. 




We've had a lot of fun reading together my Jacob and I - it's quite magical to just sit down and get to read for our chapter (or two or three) each morning.  These happy & magical moments are brought to you by the Magic Tree House series :)

missing

The boys worked most of the day yesterday turning a rectangle piece of wood into Bryson's dream Pinewood Derby vehicle.  And what type of fast, sleek, and amazing vehicle did he choose?  The WINNEBAGO.  Oh yes he did & thinking more about it, what a perfect match-up that is!  Bryson's an all-in-one type of kiddo, he wants the biggest bang for the buck in what he does and what he gets....so I suppose an all in one vehicle makes absolute sense for that boy!

The exact Winnebago he has his eye on to paint wouldn't copy - so click HERE to check it out.  Bryson Sr. & I have no idea how to accomplish that paint job on the piece of wood!

The only problem is that today no luck on finding the Winnebago.  He thought he put it on his dresser - and after searching his room, the house - it's nowhere to be found.

Either we hope and pray we can find it within the next 24 hours....or a new Winnebago will have to be made.  Again.

Thankfully Bryson's version isn't as pricey as a real one....although finding another few hours this week to sand and work on the wood isn't exactly what we need.  Please, oh please, let's find that Winnebago! 

Central Park ~ Spring 2010

I am working to do a photo book at least every other month this year - however to get through the thousands of images I have it should be at least a book or two each month!

This is my latest order - I needed to do a quick project as the deadline/deal I was trying to use at Shutterfly was expiring within 24 hours.  I can't believe how much the online sites have improved since they started - I can add so many embellishments, change the paper, and add captions/words anywhere on the page.  It's almost like original scrapbooking - it's just not multi-dimensional but I've been really happy with the results!

This is from 2 years ago (I'm so far behind!) the spring when we were able to go into Central Park with a photographer that needed some subjects for a photo shoot.  I'm so glad that we got in on this - the memories of the day & of course the pictures are priceless!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Go to  Shutterfly photo books. to start your own book.....they are 20% off for Mother's Day!  

girls just wanna have fun!

For Activity Days the girls are getting ready for a Mother & Daughter Garden Luncheon we are having. They put together the invites tonight - I had the print done, but they made a flower & wrap for the card & we think they were cute! Added bonus - the girls have a headband for their American Girl dolls :)

We then mod-podged a flower vase using the stain glass technique - I was amazed & impressed that the girls finished & that a huge mess wasn't made!

I forgot to take a picture of the girls - our fingers were rather sticky all night, but these were some of the end results. It's a lot of fun serving in a calling where I get to hang out with Madeleine :)

on my honor

 Little B got his new Cub Scout uniform today & he is SO excited to wear it to scouts tomorrow! We are lucky that he gets to start a few months early with scouting...and of course it involves a story - what part of our life doesn't have a story with it!

A family moved in across the street from us few weeks before we moved in. They are from Omaha and their son is in 3rd grade - a year older than Bryson. They aren't members of the church, and the mom was lamenting to me one day that it has been hard for her son to make friends. I asked her if she'd consider signing him up for scouts and she was very enthusiastic, but asked if Bryson was in a troop. I told her that he wouldn't start until 8 years old, but that maybe they would let him come along with her son just so he could feel easy in a new group.

I shouldn't have worried, as once the leader of scouts found out the situation, they invited Bryson to start at the same time and so he and his friend Christian are the newest Cub Scouts in our neighborhood troop!

They have had such a great time at the last 2 meetings & the best news...the Pinewood Derby is next week! Bryson is super excited about making a car with his dad and trying it out next week!

I thought it was so awesome how excited he was to put on his uniform - he asked me to be sure that the picture showed the wolf on his belt.

We are excited for the road we are on with scouting with Bryson and then Jacob. Let the fun, adventure, and honor of scouting begin!

Deep Thoughts by Jacob

It usually takes Jacob the longest to fall asleep of any of the kiddos. He has to be completely worn out, to fall asleep quickly. Tonight, we tucked him in and he is trying to fall asleep as he says - but every so often he calls out from his room to ask a question. Here are my favorites :)

"Mom, if I don't go to bed will I shrink?"

"Do you remember that I don't have school on Thursday?"

- Me: "Yes"

"Why don't I have school again?"

-Me: "They have a big event at school that day & the moms and dads can't drive up there"

"Oh yeah, some guy is going to be singing really loud and it will hurt our ears!"

{I'll have to ask his teacher how he got that answer...kids walk away hearing the craziest things at times!}

"If I close my eyes, the sun will still come up...right Mom?"

"How does my body when it's asleep, know that it's time to get up?"

I love that boy - he is the cutest, craziest, goofiest and greatest 5 year old around!

looking up

I ran into this poster while looking for an idea on Pinterest -- I haven't been on there lately (which is a good thing!), but when I go I always find little gems...and this was a favorite :)  When Elder Cook gave his talk during the last General Conference (October 2011 - click HERE to read), I loved his story of being in the elevator and having President Monson tell him it's better to Look Up.  True advice for anyone, anywhere.

For myself, I remember hearing that during an extremely hard time we were going through with the PTA.  I sometimes have to laugh because I tend to talk about how crazy and hard everything was - there were great moments as well, and some amazing friends...but it was a trial for sure!  Anyway - the talk, the quote and remembering to LOOK UP really helped me out during that time.

I'm thankful for the words of encouragement and advice we are given in the gospel.  

Here are some of the favorite lines that I keep handy in my mind....what are lines that you remember?
Look Up - Do it NOW - Stop IT! - Lengthen Your Stride - Every Member a Missionary - Come What May and LOVE It! - and on and on and on.