Fortune Teller Fish, Healthy Sandwich, Mars Landing

Please tell me someone remembers Fortune Teller Miracle Fish from their childhood! I was flooded with memories when a magician handed these little guys out to all the kids at a birthday party yesterday! You put the fish on the palm of your hand and see what he does-move his head or tail, curl up, etc and he indicates your fortune-jealousy, passionate, fickle, in love…

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For lunch, Jason and I made this sandwich. He found the recipe in a men’s magazine.

1. Slice an onion, and red bell pepper and sauté in olive oil until tender.
2. Add chopped, sliced roast beef, and continue sautéing until the meat is heated through.
3. Melt cheddar cheese on top. Slide everything onto a slice of toast. (We used fresh baked whole wheat bread.)

It was tasty and easy to make.

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History was just made–the Mars Phoenix Lander has landed on Mars safely-just a few moments ago.

 

 

Photos Taken Today

Gymnastics, Dance Festival, In Memory

Savannah and Jackson had their end of year gymnastics performance.

Their “Gold Medals” Great job kids!

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Savannah in her school’s Dance Festival. She looked so cute.

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Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted “Forget-me-not”. This flower is connected with romance and tragic fate. It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love. In popular/modern day culture the Forget-Me-Not Flower has become a symbol of many things including miscarriage and infant loss. So, if you see someone wearing jewelry with a Forget-Me-Not symbol, you can know they have experienced this loss in their life. This Memorial Day Weekend, take time to honor and remember those loved ones who have gone before us.

My little one
You have left us too soon
Though my body can no longer hold you
I hold you forever in my heart
As precious and beautiful as this flower caught in time
A mother’s love does not forget

Jackson’s Preschool Graduation

Jackson finished his first year of preschool and today they had a graduation ceremony with memorized parts, song and dance. I made some little graduation hat treats that I saw in a family magazine.

Jackson receiving his graduation binder from his teacher.

Jackson saying his part.

Jackson singing/dancing a silly song.

The graduation hat treats.

Jackson is the most handsome, tender hearted, good-looking, talented boy ever! Did I mention handsome, cute, adorable? We love him so much! He loves to cuddle with mom, help dad around the house, tease his sister and play with his sister for hours. He just learned how to ride a two-wheeler bike and has already started doing tricks. He will only wear shorts and prefers clothing with no buttons/zippers; this trend has been going on since December. His smile will melt your heart and his blonde curls are the best–when he was a baby I was guilty of letting them grow just a little too long. He is 4 years old and I am not ready for my baby to grow up.

Little Footprints

Little Footprints

How very softly you tiptoed into my world.

Almost silently,

only a moment you stayed.

But what an imprint your footsteps have left

upon my heart.

-Dorothy F.

-In Memory of our little boy who has gone to heaven before we could see him wiggle and hear him giggle.

Early morning, May 16, 2008

(No comments are needed on such a public forum.)

Morning and Bedtime Troubles Gone

Thanks to my friend Heather for recommending Children’s Miracle Music! She heard about this system on a local talk show and ordered it up. A few weeks ago we were talking about morning routines and getting our summer schedules ready etc. and she told me about these CDs that guide your child with spoken instructions and music through their morning and bedtime routines.

The description on the packaging says, “There is a better way! “Miracle Music” is the answer! It lovingly explains each task that a child should do in order to get ready on time in the morning and into bed at night. After the explanation of the task, a specifically timed, up-beat song is played. The child then happily runs to do the task before the song ends. If successful, he gets a “point” toward a private date with one of his parents. Children love their responsibilities because they’re disguised as a fun game. “Miracle Music” automatically shifts the parents’ role from taskmaster to self-government trainer with only the push of a “play” button.”

I had my doubts, but it really is working nicely. My kids think it is fun and we get the house picked up, beds made, teeth brushed, hair fixed, prayers, etc. without a whining. Check out the web site and you can see the Morning schedule and Evening schedule and the amount of time alloted for each task. www.ChildrensMiracleMusic.com   (sorry can’t get my link code to work, will try and fix later)

ABC’s Tag

A-Attached or Single?-Attached
B-Best Friend? My Husband
C-Cake or Pie? Cake for bdays and pie for holidays
D-Day of Choice? Tuesdays because I get some alone time in the mornings and pull it together on Monday
E-Essential Item? hairdryer, hot water
F- Favorite color?  Charcoal gray and olive green
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? I don’t like gummy candy except red sour patch kids
H-Hometown? Lawrenceville
I-Favorite Indulgence? Too many to list, perhaps exotic vacations, PB and chocolate, brownies, ice cream, baked just right cookies,
J-January or July? July, I love the 4th almost more then Christmas season, I deck my kids out in red white and blue, BBQ, sun and water fun
K-Kids? Two and one on the way
L-Life isn’t complete without? My family; good and bad times
M-Marriage Date Dec 19th, total blizzard
N-Number of brothers and sisters? 2 brothers, 1 sister
O-Oranges or Apples?  apples (gala)
P-Phobia and Fears? Lots-bungee jumping, roller coasters even the kid ones, roaches
Q-Quote? “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.”-Dave Ramsey  When someone bases his life on principle, 99% of his decisions are already made. -Don’t know who said it
R-Reason to smile? warm weather is coming
S-Season of choice? Fall
T-Tag ten people? I tagged everyone last week with a similar questionnaire, except a new blogger Kim R-you’ve been tagged, but anyone who wants to post this info about themselves or can’t think of anything to post today, please consider yourself tagged
U-Unknown fact about me? See previous post “I’ve Been Tagged”
V-Vegetable? Potato-it’s so versatile
W-Worst habit? I don’t do my dishes right after I cook/bake/eat–I am starting to change this!
Y-Your favorite food? A good salad
Z-Zodiac Sign? Cancer

Happy Mother’s Day

My Mom

is a Canadian and an American

a wife going on 41 years

can get any stain out

educated with a Masters Degree

mends, fixes, cleans, washes

served a full-time mission for the LDS Church in Belgium and France

was an army wife

is a patient, attentive grandma

a loyal friend

is moving to China to teach English classes

irons better then anyone

a breast cancer survivor

survived four teenagers…barely

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! 

Spider Webs, Worms, Popcorn Party

While I was blogging the other day, my kids made a spider web all over the house…with masking tape and pretzels, I am not sure if the pretzels were the spiders or the victims wrapped up in silky threads. Every now and then they would violently tear a pretzel from the web and chew it up.

Then Jackson dug up worms with his friend, only they were holding them in their bare hands and gathering them in an upside down Frisbee, oh it gave me the creeps. They held the creatures right in each other’s face and laughed and let them crawl on their arms.

Today I was able to meet my friend Aynn for lunch at Kneaders, how I love their classic turkey sandwich. After lunch we spent the afternoon at her house and let the kids play. She’s going to have a baby in just a few weeks!

I stole a great idea from Savannah’s teacher-The Warm Fuzzy Jar. When the kids do their chores, show kindness to others, etc we put a little colored fuzzy craft ball in a jar. We also use it to motivate to brush teeth and get dressed quickly on those grumpy days. When the jar gets filled up, they get a popcorn party with soda, junk food and we watch a movie as a family. It has worked really well! So, last night we all helped around the house and got things picked up and put away. The kids were able to put their last warm fuzzy in the jar! We let them pick out a movie and we grabbed our blankets and pillows, snuggled up for a fun family movie night! Now, we get to empty the jar and start again!

My Day, From the Mouth of Babes

I got the kids off to school with teacher appreciation gifts in tow.

Ate Breakfast

Threw up Breakfast

Ran Errands

Mini Facial (a stocking stuffer gift from my MIL) It was really great and some of the products had pumpkin in them, as I was leaving I got a couple funny looks in the lobby, I thought oh I must have some of the product in my hair or something. When I got to the car and looked in the mirror my face was orange like a really bad fake tan, the chic hadn’t removed all the product! It washed off easily with a baby wipe.

Kids home from school/picnic on the front lawn with their friends

Phone calls

Another appt for me in a few minutes

Tonight-dinner and teaching water aerobics

My very sweet tender hearted 4 year old was having a debate in the back seat of the car with his cute blond pigtailed classmate. “My daddy is taller then your daddy, Well my daddy can run faster then your daddy”….etc when my son says “Well, my daddy can cut your head off.” What do you say to that?  I did get some comfort as I told another mom this story, she proceeded to tell me that she had to make the dreaded Wal-Mart trip with four, yes four children under the age of 6 and #5 in the cooker, one of these children had a classic Wal-Mart meltdown. Her husband had no deodorant and the fridge was empty so leaving the cart and bailing was not an option. Her son said things like “I hate you, I am going to tell dad about this when he gets home.” (Yes that was the kid talking) And then the biggie, “I’m going to get a knife and stab you in the brain.” Maybe we better turn off the TV, eh?

With a face like this I don’t need to worry right?

And here is the other angel in our home.

My SIL had her first baby last week and is experiencing all the joys, sleep deprivation and recovery that goes along with it–but here is the reward of her labors. Sometimes I want to eat little newborns cause they are so cute, you just want to eat them up! 

                              Caleb Travis