Pinewood Derby 2010

Go Ky! Go!

Muscle Man!!!

Here's a picture I'll definitely be saving to show all of Hudson's high school girlfriends.

Ryan and Ashley's newest addition

Congrats to Ryan and Ashley. They just had their baby this morning at 1:22am. It's a girl and they named her Capri Nicole Ostler. She was born 8 weeks early weighing in at only 4lbs 15.9oz. Tiny to most, but right on par when compared with their other babies. She will have to be in the NICU for a few weeks but they said she is looking and doing great!

I threw Ashley a little baby shower just a few weeks ago. It seemed really early to be having it because she still had 12 weeks to go.... but we did it then just in case Capri came early, and sure enough, she did :)

Here are a few pics from the shower.

Shhhhh... don't tell...

...my kids but I just got back from their school. I snuck in and delivered a Valentine surprise to each one of their desks.

This is what the girls will find when they show up to school in the morning...

Roses, a new Valentine Webkinz, and a homemade card that says to pick one of the date options below and a day next week to go on a special date with mom or dad :)

And for the boys...

Balloons (the big one sings), a bag full of Valentines treats, and a homemade card that says to pick one of the date options below and a day next week to go on a special date with mom or dad :)

I love sneaky surprises!

Happy Valentine's Day guys!

Cruel and unusual punishment???

Today I have had it. My children have been fighting, arguing, and tattling ALLLLLLLLL day. Calgon, take me away!

I figured it was because they have been couped up in our little house together all winter so I suggested that they go outside and play in the backyard while I made dinner.

No such luck though. The crying, fighting, pushing, yelling, and arguing continued. Once I was sure the whole neighborhood could here how mean my children were being to each other I stepped out on the porch and calmly invited them all back inside. They followed me into the playroom where I piled up all of their bean bags and told them that I wanted them touching noses for 10 minutes. "No... I'm not joking," I said. "Lay down and touch noses until you're back in love with each other, I'm DONE with all of the fighting!"

I used to have a similar punishment when I was little which involved having to stand there hugging a sibling I had been fighting with until love oozed out of our pores. But I was dealing in bulk today so this is what I came up with. I hope I'm not reported to CPS for cruel and unusual punishment because it actually seemed to do the trick.

At first the kids giggled, thinking this was the craziest consequence yet, then one of the kids made a mean comment saying, "Ew, your breath smells like beef jerky."

So another rule was added. "No talking unless the comments were loving and kind."

So the next thing I heard was "You're breath smells like beef jerky and that is my most favorite snack ever." They stayed like this for quite awhile, until dinner was finished. Nose to nose, with a lot of giggling going on :) At last....Love was oozing out of their pores and I was in a much better mood. :)

Prayer Rock

The kids all have a prayer rock that they put on their pillow so when they go to bed they see it or feel it and it reminds them that they need to kneel down and say their prayers. Then, at night, they move it to the floor so when they get up in the morning they step on it as they are getting out of bed and remember to say their morning prayers. I guess the floor reminder wasn't working well enough for Hailey because when I went to check on the kids tonight before I went to bed this is how I found Hailey.

Sleeping WITH her prayer rock. Maybe waking up to a rock on her tummy will be a better reminder.....HMMM...we'll see.

The "NEVER ENDING CHECKLIST"

Okay, seriously.......I thought that I was out of high school and that my homework days were over. I can't believe what my day is stacked like.

To name a few.....here is how today is shaking out for me.

4 extravaganza projects for each of my elementary schoolers, due all too soon. (Do they actually think the kids do these on their own??)

1 book report

2 church talks to prepare for Jr and Sr Primary (Really??? 2 kids in the same week)

A mandatory Monster Valentines Day Mailbox to make, write a report, turn in and have graded. (The directions say: ask for a parent's help)

2 kids x 2 piano recital songs to pick out and master.

4 kids x 30 valentines cards each to make

"Mom I volunteered you to be in charge of my class party."

"Mom I volunteered to be in charge of our Orchestra Party, I need to make fliers and bring plates, napkins and cookies."

"I need to bring drinks to my party."

"I need to bring sprinkles to mine."

"My teacher needs you to come for 2hrs on Friday to help in my class"

"Mom my teacher sent these home for you to cut out"

And my homework list goes on and on.

Oh yeah.....did I mention that Dan gives me homework too.

I won't even start in on the list of bookwork and taxes I just finished up for Dan's 3 businesses. Does it ever end. My checklist never seems to get fully checked off. EVER!!!!! Ughh!!