Another "AHA!!"moment

Last night it was my turn to come up with a lesson for Family Home Evening. I found a video about two young boys who find a pair of shoes on the side of the road that I thought would be perfect to share with the kids. Click on the following link to watch the video before reading this post so you know which story I am talking about. I'll give you a few minutes (it is short)........ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naqX9iYE0V0

We watched the video last night then went about the rest of our evening- baseball, dinner, getting ready for bed. After all the kids had gone to bed, Aiden came back out and asked me, "Mom, if I tell you something, can you keep it a secret from Aspen?" He went on to tell me that over the weekend he and Alexis had come up with a plan for April Fool's Day. They were going to draw scary pictures and write scary stories on pieces of paper then hang them above Aspen's face so he would be scared when he woke up (he sleeps on the bottom bunk). But after they watched the video, the two of them had decided to modify their April Fool's Day joke. Instead of scary things, they decided to draw happy faces and write things they like about Aspen and hang those up for him to see first thing in the morning.

It was such a great feeling to hear him tell me he wanted to do something NICE for his little brother for a change. Those two don't always get along very well and sadly, it usually stems from Aiden being mean to Aspen. I couldn't have been happier! It was another personal "Aha!! They are getting it!" moment.

Book Signing/ Radio Disney

Aspen playing Limbo (the only rule was that you couldn't touch your knees to the ground. Back in the day, we had to bend over backwards!! What is the world coming to?)
Aiden showing the stickers he won

The kids with author, Brandon Mull

Brandon Mull signing our book

There is a fantasy book series called Fablehaven. It is a huge hit with the older elementary school crowd (and a lot of their parents). Last night the author, Brandon Mull, was doing a book signing to release the latest book in the series. We attended it and found Radio Disney was playing games and giving away prizes outside the store. After we got our books signed we went outside and each got to play a game. Aspen won the Limbo (of course, his competition was a bunch of 9-10 year olds who were about 8 inches taller than him) and Alexis and I won a bean bag toss. Aspen's prize was a HSM3 CD and Alexis and I won the movie Pinochio. The movie was a Blue Ray disc but Walmart allowed me to exchange it for a normal DVD (LOVE Walmart!). The night was a lot of fun and now we get to enjoy the new book.

Lori's Challenge

Who's up for a little fun?I saw this on my friend Lori's blog and thought it sounded like fun!Here's how this works:
The first 3 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must re post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post of picture of what you win when you get it! Who's in?
And the winners are:
1.
2.
3.

Don't forget to post it on your blog too!

Put it on your calendar

For those of you who have asked me when Aiden's play is, we just got word that it will be on Tuesday May 12 at 6:00. His school is on Chandler Heights Road just west of Ellsworth. He would love to see any of you who will be able to be there. We will be having dinner and dessert at our house afterwards if anyone is interested in joining us. He has been working really hard on memorizing his lines and I am excited to see the finished product. Hope to see you there!

Spring Break

Last weekend we went up to Pinedale and stayed at Dallas' family's ranch. It was soooo nice! I can't remember the last time we went away just for fun. We have gone away a few times lately but there was always some other purpose- not just to enjoy the family. It was a much needed break and I am so grateful we were able to go.

Friday morning we drove to ShowLow and had lunch at a little Chinese restaurant. Afterwards we went for a short nature walk on a trail we found up there. Nothing fancy, just had fun. The kids were able to run around after a long car ride and we just giggled and joked around with one another. We played troll on a bridge, found sticks shaped like guns, threw pinecones at one another, watched some insects and tried to hear our voices echo. After our walk we went back to the ranch, ate dinner, visited and watched Rocketman.

Saturday morning we had Grandma's biscuits and gravy then headed out to Fool Hollow Lake where we enjoyed a long quiet morning fishing. We didn't catch a single fish but it didn't matter. There was a little playground nearby where the boys would play when they got bored fishing. Better still was the park bench where I was able to take a nap. It was perfect- the breeze was cool but the sun would come in and out of the clouds making it unbelievably pleasant. (Did I mention I had a nice time? ;-)

Keith and Kim, Chad and Caskie and Grandma and Grandpa all met us back at the ranch for fried chicken at lunch time. All the boys ran around the ranch with Chad and Caskie's kids in the afternoon while Alexis, Amanda, Grandma and I played cards. Later in the evening Dallas took the boys shooting.

Sunday morning we took our time waking up and eating breakfast. Afterwards we just cleaned up and headed home with no rush. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip- nothing was rushed. Sure, we may have caught a fish if we had rushed out on Saturday morning to be at the lake at sunrise, but then we wouldn't have enjoyed sleeping in. We drove home through Payson and there was some ice still on the ground. Our city dwelling children screamed "I want to play in the snow!" We obliged, pulling off at state park (?) and played in the snow/ice for a while. The kids all ganged up on Dad. hehehe. I only wish I had remembered my camera.

Overall, it was the best- do nothing- weekend I have had in a very very long time!

Snipe Hunt

On Friday March 20th, our neighborhood is getting together to go snipe hunting in the field south of our home. We will meet at our home at 7:30, hunt for about an hour then return to our home to roast marshmallows,make s'mores, and show off our newly caught friends around the campfire. If you are reading this, please consider yourself personally invited to join us! It is going to be a blast. Bring your flashlights and pillowcases to catch them.

For you novice snipe hunters, here is the low down on snipes:
Snipes are furry little animals that can live just about anywhere. Most of them live in the mountains but we have a different breed that likes the warmer climate so they live down here in the farm fields. Snipes like to eat the veggies that grow in the fields and will also eat the mice. They are friendly but may nip your feet and legs if they are scared. Coyotes like to eat them so if you hear coyotes on our hunt you will know we are getting close. To catch them you look for their eyes- they glow in the dark. Then you quietly bend down and catch them in your pillow case.

I made some cupcakes for the school carnival on Friday and they turned out cute so I thought I would share. Enjoy!

Cat with fishbone cupcakes

Hello Kitty Cupcakes

Frog cupcakes

popcorn cupcakes

sunflowers and ladybug cupcakes