Pride?

When I started working I knew I would be doing books and learning how to make the occasional "item." My first week I started making suspenders. The second week, I learned how to make slobber straps. The past week I learned how to make and put together headstalls. In fact I was so proud I bought (traded dirt) my first made headstall.
Now what do you do with just a headstall?

What would you do for $10?

Last weekend, Jacob filled up the hot tub to see if it had any leaks in it. (We haven't used it since 2004.) He filled it up with COLD WELL WATER. VERY COLD WATER. It was 56 degrees cold water.
And then told McKay that he would give her $10 to jump in it.
Honestly.....what kid wouldn't?
P.S. My price would have cost more : )

It's about time

Last Saturday (June 26th) we officially welcomed Summer to Idaho. I think every year we are here the rain / snow / wind linger just a little bit longer. So we got out the swim gear and built a new pool (that's another post) and let the kids play all day (week) long. We also found a storage bin from in the garage that contained the goodies from our trip to Hawaii in 2005 and broke out the swim shirts. They haven't been used since way back when.

So as the kids have grown, the shirts were shifted a little. McKay is now wearing mine, Kirsten is in McKay's (it's still a bit short) and Katanya is in Kirsten's. Cruz is wearing his and it fits (just barely). It's good to know that we will get our money's worth (As we paid $35 a piece for them. I know that's a lot but how many times will we be able to take our family picture in Hawaii?)
The kids had been waiting too long to have a nice sunny warm day.
Cruz was my guinea pig....for only a couple minutes.
And Katanya can't ever be left out.
I love these kiddoes!

What'll we see at the zoo?

While we were in Utah a couple weekends ago, we visited the Hogle Zoo. 3 out of 4 of my kids had never been there. Here were some highlights:
We got in and immediately went to the Elephant show. Kirsten fell in love with the Baby, Zuri.
I remember this fountain from way back when. So of course you have to get the famous picture of drinking out of the lion's mouth.
And of course the kids must climb on all the statues and have their pictures taken......and then more pictures of just them with the statue.
But most of all, I loved the giraffes. Cruz shares my passion for these animals. I would STILL seriously love to have some as pets. Maybe that is one of those things, "If I had a million dollars....."

A long anticipated birthday

Turning four!

Two weeks ago (June 18th) was Katanya's birthday. She had counted down for weeks and when asked what she wanted she replied "a real phone (interpretation: cell phone). So a couple days before I sat her down and told her she was too young to have a phone and she said, "Okay, I'll wait til I turn five."
So instead she got an "ipod" (interpretation: mp3 player). Every other kid had one and she was always listening to one of theirs.
We celebrated early in the afternoon and had an ice cream cake. We headed down to Utah that night where we spent the weekend with the Kerksiek family.

Oops

***NOT FOR THE FAINT***

Last Friday we were talking about being clutzy and I said I hadn't had an accident in a long time.

Last weekend was fun. We celebrated Katanya's Birthday (pics to come) and spent a fun weekend in Utah and it included swimming in an outdoor pool with warm weather, something we haven't experienced this year in Idaho yet. We loved seeing family that we hadn't seen in a long time!

Monday came too soon.....
This was my little "oops." I really knew better too. It was that split moment before it happened that I thought to myself, "I shouldn't be using this knife".

It hardly bled at all (despite the picture) and it only involved 5 stitches on the thumb and 7 on the pointer.

I'm surprised I remained so calm and it didn't hurt that bad. I think I coped with it by making jokes and laughing.

Lesson learned.

My baby isn't a baby anymore

It's late and I'm going to bed. In the morning, my baby will be four. It's just that she's not my baby anymore. Where did the years go?

Sweet Deals

Those of you who know me, I mean really know me, know that I LOVE the store Maurices. So while Jake was doing his homework last week, I was browsing the internet and I came across probably the sweetest deal I have seen in a long time. All of these jewelry items were just $1.99 a piece. Now my only regret is not getting two of everything so I had some spare presents for when birthdays came up.

Giguetta

by Johann Sebastian Bach


After thinking it was on the fourth (and showing up) McKay's recital was on Friday (the 11th). My dad had come up the week before and with all the "confusion" he missed the recital. She did great and looked fabulous! Her and Grandma went shopping over Memorial Day weekend and picked out a new dress. McKay just keeps getting better and better.

A hunting we will go....

Last week Jake bought the kids BB guns. I wasn't big on this but I was outvoted and had no say in the matter. So this week, almost every night he's taken them out to shoot at pop cans and birds.
On Thursday as I was running between doctor appointments, work, getting the house clean for our upcoming visitors this weekend, and going to Wal-Mart for groceries before Katanya had surgery on Friday they headed out toward the dirt piles. It was a cute site to see them all follow their dad with there guns.

(Katanya had surgery on Friday for her teeth. She had 8 cavities with 3 of them being very infected. Possibly the reason she was grinding her teeth very bad at night. Every time she has been put under before she wakes up with Stryders (croup). This was the first time she woke up wanted to drink and they let us go 20 minutes later. She was running around by lunch time. We are hoping she is outgrowing the croup and asthma stage).

Friday night Fakers

Before midnight, this is what I found on the floor. (McKay was at a sleepover). Who's faking and who's really asleep?

Bike Train.....wreck

A Sunday afternoon riding bikes. Notice the progression of the little daredevil at the end of the line.
She's definitely the one I have to watch
Because she thinks she is invincible.
And even when I heard the thump behind me and turned around....
I didn't hear crying, only laughing.

wall art

I've been very slow at getting pictures and art up in my house. Very slow. Jacob told me when we moved in that once a picture was hung it couldn't move. He's very picky about his nail holes in the wall. So in Cruz's room I have 3 big frames hung.....pictureless. They are 20 x 20 and I always wanted to take one of him in an excavator, one in a dump truck, and one in either the Bobcat or wheel loader. So since we don't own an excavator and we only rent one once a year, I had to get them done a couple weeks ago.
And of course......one in the bucket. Now the pictures of getting him up here were a lot funnier.
I'm really surprised Cruz let us put him up there. The buck is a good 8 feet in the air. Cruz is my one that is terrified of heights....even as much as lifting him over your head and onto your shoulders. I guess that he is a typical boy and anytime you get your "big toys" involved it's all fun and games.

Here's the question.....do you like the whole excavator picture or the bucket picture?

Cruzamatic

(Grandpa Smith's nickname for Cruz, and Cruz writes it for his name all the time)

My little guy was sick yesterday. It's always sad when kids are sick and Cruz just couldn't keep anything down. In fact, most times he wasn't sure "how" he was going to be sick he just was. And as bad as I felt for him I was so happy to be able to take the day off and spend it with my kids again. So the day I spent washing sheets, shampooing a bed, laundry, washing a bowl out, and wiping bums and rubbing Cruz's back as he fell asleep while still answering the business line and......IT was all worth it.

In Daddy's Arms

Too cute for words.

Lucky 11

The first of six birthdays in the next six months.

Happy Birthday McKay!

McKay is an official "tween". She turned double 1's yesterday. It's been quite the busy week as yesterday was also the science fair and we have been working on projects all week very late into the night. More on that aspect later.
McKay didn't give a list of things she wanted this year. I also forgot to get an "end" picture of the birthday presents. One gift from the grandparents was a set of beads and watch faces so I based ours off of that as well. We got her a decent size bead organizer with bag, and we are taking her out next weekend for a night of shopping for her taste of beads and clothes! She was excited.
She banned cake from the traditional birthday cake / candle/ singing routine. She only wanted ice cream. So we had four of her favorites there and she was in heaven. McKay is such a sweet girl and I am so glad she is our daughter. I couldn't imagine life without her. We love you, McKay!

not holding back

A couple weeks ago, Keli wrote on Facebook that if we all talked about our problems, we could help each other out. So I'm not holding back tonight.....maybe.

I'm starting work again tomorrow after 9 years of being able to stay at home with my kids. I'm not going back because I "want" to, it's because we "need" it. It's a job that is close by (within 2 miles) and my employer is (I can already tell) the BEST! He understands that I have a family at home. If you want an insight check out his website here. I am going to be running his office, shipping, ordering, managing the books, etc. I'm excited with what he wants to do and that he wants my help in getting there. With Jacob's schedule this semester it makes him at home all but a couple of hours each day. My dear and close friend is helping out so we can make this happen. I really am happy that we have an answer to our prayers and have been blessed. But in the same way...

I'm terrified. The mother instinct kicks in and I don't want to leave my kids. I'm 30 years old and I'm finally realizing what is so important in my life. I have taken for granted that I have been able to stay at home and be with my kids. I have enjoyed helping out in the girls' classrooms and being able to work with their teachers. I've done preschool at home and the Cruz has learned so many things already. I know that I will still be a great mom and that I'm strong and independent but I'm still so scared.

It's official....

Grades came out today and once again Jacob got straight A's ...

Yet somehow he still can't figure out how to use a fuel gauge. Jacob ran out of gas today for the third time this year.

a crafty tick tock

Our Easter 2010

Last Sunday, I slacked and didn't take pictures as the kids found their baskets left by the Easter Bunny. (With all the bad weather, we called off the egg hunt and everything was indoors. Our school district even had a snow day on Tuesday the 6th because of the storms we had got.) The girls had a watch face inside their basket (along with eggs filled with coins) and Cruz had a new Ferret Webkinz.
So on Thursday night, as Jacob was finishing finals, my friend brought over her huge collection of beads and we let the girls make their wristbands. McKay is now addicted and is already talking about doing more. The faces were between 3 and 5 dollars each so if you had the bead collection started it's not an expensive hobby.

Cruz was happy with his toy too. When he names his Webkinz toys he picks out a truck / tractor / equipment name. There are Bobcat, Tractor, Cement Mixer, Dumptruck, and Wheel Loader to name a few. When he was deciding a name for his ferret, he went to his box of trucks and picked out a Road Grader. I was surprised at how well he chose for the resemblance of them both.

She's been JAMMED!

I'm not sure how I should start this post, one way is......
My name is Amy and I am a Turbo Jam addict.
The other way is.....
Poor Sarah! Sarah (Jacob's cousin) has been substitute teaching in Boise and decided to visit us for Spring Break. Luckily I volunteered to become her personal trainer and get her fit for the week while she's here. Actually the truth is I like to work out, but love to work out with someone else, sometimes a little too much. It's always funner to have a workout buddy. Dang endorphins, they'll get you every time.

So on Monday I started her on Turbo Jam. 3 workouts (1 1/2 hrs) consisting of 2 cardio and an ab workout.. Tuesday followed the same way with 3 more (1 hr 50 mins.) Wednesday I took it easy on her and it was only 2 workouts because I had commitments Wednesday night.
We are both sore. Our abs and core scream when finished......but yet it feels so good!
(Kirsten's interpretation of when we are finished.)

the new "no chew" policy

Jacob has always had a rule of no gum. Mostly because he wants the kids to have good teeth and he doesn't like the chewing. I've always sneaked it to the girls here and there but now I have a different opinion....
A little over a week ago, I took the girls in for a trim. Kirsten was the one that needed it most but wanted it the least. We all also know that she is my most opinionated loud spoken child. So I left it to the resort and tried to bribe her. She told me for a pack of gum she would let it be cut. Deal!

So an inch was trimmed off and a couple layers put in. With her hair being so thick the layers made it easier to style (and cuter!) We didn't have to have it in a ponytail everyday. Then last Friday I noticed a chunk of hair in the garbage. A chunk of hair with gum in. After Kirsten came home I asked her where she had cut her hair. It seems that she decided to put an extra layer in the side. Thank goodness she has thick hair to cover up the "new blunt cut".

....I have a rule of no gum.

His nightly ritual

Homework, sugar (just a FEW snacks), and soda. The only thing missing is his second dinner. He's set to go til at least 2 a.m.

what color is your tooth fairy?

After loosing a tooth, our kids put in in a glass of water at bedtime. They are so excited to see what color the tooth fairy is. Sometimes I swear they are more excited than Santa at Christmas time. It's been every color from pink to green to purple. On Kirsten's last tooth, it looks like she collected some real fairy dust. She was just a little too excited and woke us up at 6 am in the morning to spread the news.

"it was like pulling teeth!"

Kirsten came to me almost 3 weeks ago with floss and asked me to pull out her loose tooth. While brushing, her older sister had told her that her tooth was so loose that she was going to fall asleep, it would fall out, and she would choke on it. Kirsten believed her.
So we tied the floss and made sure it was snug and tight.
Then she decided that she wanted to pull it herself. This was okay except for the fact that she never pulled "hard" enough.
Then Jacob had a "brilliant" idea. We tied the floss to a five pound weight and Kirsten was to drop the weight when she was ready.
After a couple minutes of holding the weight, she couldn't drop it. She set it down on the ground and went to stand up. This yanked the tooth even looser. She was near tears at this point and wanted the floss off. The problem was, the floss had slipped up around the root and the knot was hidden. Half of the tooth was clear and free with just a little root keeping it in on the other side. So Jacob cut the floss and told her to go get in bed. Now the tears came as she said she didn't want to choke on the floss too. After a careful procedure, I got the floss off with tweezers and she was left with two teeth that stuck out worse than beaver teeth. It lasted 2 weeks that way until she finally trusted me to pull one of them out. So last Tuesday night, on the count of 3 (I pulled on 2) all was said and done. The tooth was out, no tears, and a happy girl that was counting on the tooth fairy. When Kirsten came home the next day, she told me that if I hung up her coat I could pull the other one out too. The tooth came out just as easy as it was to hang up her coat.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

GO GREEN!!!!
(in more ways than one)

Invention Convention

There are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those that understand binary and those that don't.
McKay built a binary counter for her invention convention in GATE this year. Surprisingly when Jacob started to explain counting in binary, she picked it up and could finish how the numbers went. I didn't pick it up so well.

To tide you over....

I volunteered to help a friend make cookies for a couple's party tonight. Jacob had brought a recipe home for me to make and so I decided why not? I found out that it's an easy recipe, quick, with very little clean up. My kind of cookies. Even better, Jacob was right, they are delicious! So while I'm still needing to download pictures and complete my header (I'm so excited on my new feet creation) here is a recipe to pass the time.

ORANGE POPPY SEED COOKIES

1 1/3 cups sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons of orange zest
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 pinches of salt
2 Tablespoons of poppy seeds.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Makes 36 cookies.
(Allow for the cookies to "spread") I put 12 normal size cookie balls on the sheet and it was perfect.

ENJOY!

Stayed tuned....

I think I'm finally waking up and coming out of hibernation. My two month sleep must come to an end.

This weekend, on top of playing volleyball, writing a talk for sacrament, preparing a lesson, finishing entering in data for Quick Books so we can file our taxes, I'm updating our blog (and yes, the header too!) Let's just hope for a little warmth and sunshine minus the wind!