Ransom Notes

January

2012-01-16T15:18:00.004-05:00

We're just plugging along here...hibernating when the temps are too low, nibbling/chipping away at our gingerbread house, getting used to writing "2012," all that good January stuff.

One thing we haven't had much of is snow. My kids are wishing for a nice white play land throughout the neighborhood; it hasn't happened so far. BUT, if you ever wanted to make an alien snowman craft, check out these...

We made these at an art/craft class I co-teach at the YMCA. The idea I was trying to copy looked cute online, but when they were done I thought they were quite hilarious-looking. Oh well. Happy January!!

It's the holiday season

2011-12-18T23:35:00.012-05:00

I really don't know how anyone manages to blog during the month of December. I feel so swamped with...everything, involved in preparing for Christmas.

It is all great, it really is. I LOVE this time of year, but there is just so much to do. I'd love to document all of it, but I just can't fit that in right now--I think it's more important that I just live it. And that's probably okay because most of the happenings are about the same as they are every year--lots of good stuff, but not really new stuff.

But I do love having a record of this life that I'm living, so I'll just jot down a few tidbits:

1. Today we did a ton of baking all at once, to try to create enough goods for goodie plates to deliver this evening. And my kids (well, the older kids) were a huge help! Is the day finally here when my kids contribute to, more than they are a detriment to, a project? So cool. I didn't touch the rolling pin or cookie cutters, and yet pan after pan of beautiful sugar cookies came out of the oven. Thanks, Tyler and Tessa. They helped with lots of things, and were even quite handy at maneuvering and twisting the candy cane cookie dough this year. Amazing. It made the whole process happen much more quickly, and the kids loved being so involved. They felt important being an integral part of the "cookie factory."

And I loved hearing, "Hey, Mom, do you like the face I frosted on this snowman?" So sweet innocent...this from my 10-year-old son, who was either too cool or too grumpy to sing the hymns in church today. But he was certainly engaged in our family kitchen endeavors, and that was encouraging. It was a happy and productive afternoon. (of course it didn't hurt that my darling, treat-tasting two-year-old was taking a nap for most of the baking party; and I didn't even attempt the really delicate baking items...but still, this isn't bad for an afternoon's work)

2. Autumn decor doesn't always have to be thrown out when the evergreenery moves in. I liked the gnarly shapes of the gourds in my front porch pots through the fall and didn't want to part with them yet. So I painted them red and white a few weeks ago, which gave them permission to stay and blend with the winter decor.

3. If you want to make sure you slow down and enjoy the Christmas Spirit during the season, sing about it. I joined my church (Stake) choir that was formed to learn & perform songs just for the Christmas concert, and it was great to be a part of. I loved spending 1.5 hours each Sunday evening singing tender songs about our Savior. When it came time to perform, I was so touched by the song we sang about making room for the Christ child in our hearts, that I could hardly get through it. I am grateful I had this opportunity.

I do love Christmas. I hope I can survive all the fun.

Merry, merry Christmas to everyone!

Giving Thanks

2011-12-02T16:24:00.007-05:00

Thanksgiving is a great holiday--time off work and school, lots of good food and family, no worries about gift-giving...yet it opens the door for the magical Christmas season.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. My sister Melayna came to visit and my kids hardly left her alone from sun up to sun down. She cares about them so much, and they love her back for it.

We did a few fun things with her in downtown Des Moines--the Festival of Trees, the Botanical Center, and "Disney on Ice," which was a special treat for the girls (Tyler graciously bowed out of that princessy event).

...a funny picture, but a fun memory.

The rest of the time we really just hung out at home. Luckily Tessa helped liven things with a Talent Show she concocted. We learned about it for weeks before with signs plastered around the house announcing try-outs, etc.

Sadly, Melayna and I did not make it into the final four--I guess my rendition of the Macarena just didn't "wow" the judge. Ansley's dance moves probably were more entertaining and original. But I can't understand why Melayna's expert piano performance of Christmas songs didn't make the cut. Anyway, it was fun for all...

The other thing that makes Thanksgiving great is the element of tradition. There is something special about repeating holiday festivities year after year. I felt a sense of satisfaction as Tyler went crazy over the cranberry-apple pie we made, more this year than before. That pie was a holiday must when I was growing up, and it feels good to have my kids adopt those same favorites. Tom hasn't taken as well to the tartness of it...yet, so it was fun to have Tyler love it as much as I do. He had like 3 slices!

I have so much to be thankful for. I need holidays like this to force me to remember just how blessed I am. I'm forgetful like that.

One last look at Fall

2011-11-11T20:58:00.001-05:00

A few of the fall-ish things we did this year:

Pumpkin patch with hayride, corn box, pedal cars and pumpkin cannon...

Pumpkins carved and apples bobbed for...

Pumpkin harvesting--about 10 of the small pie variety; then came ripping out their vines...those sprawling monsters will take over a flower bed.

And then it felt like Fall came abruptly to an end this week as we woke to 5 inches of snow one morning. I am okay with it--first snow in mid-November seems reasonable. But my kids were ecstatic. Still in my bed at 7am I heard, "Mom, where are my snow pants?" And soon after Tyler, Tessa, and Eden were fully bundled and out boarding and sledding down the backyard hill. I couldn't believe they were so anxious that they had to get in a few runs before school. I always appreciate and envy the zest for life that kids have.

Our Halloween

2011-11-03T15:27:00.007-04:00

Here's the bunch this year...

If you want to hear how their guises came about, read on. If not, just scroll through the pictures--the best part!

Tessa is into the Harry Potter books these days, and wanted to be Hermione. I was happy to oblige because these kids love playing "Harry Potter" and I knew they would use these costumes a lot for dress-up play. So once again I dreamed of doing the whole-family-costume-theme thing-- Tom could be Dumbledore, Ansley was going to be Hedwig (I saw a cute, simplish owl costume tutorial online), Eden could be someone's cat, etc, etc.

But as much as Tyler adores everything Harry Potter, he has already been there, dressed up like that. So he didn't want to do it this year. Fair enough, I don't want to force it on anyone.

Then I made the mistake of telling Eden her hair looked a lot like Hermione's after we had braided it one time. She was sold, and we couldn't talk her out of it.

So to Tessa's chagrin, we ended up with two Hermiones. Tessa told some people who asked that she was Ginny Weasley...but ultimately she wanted to be the more well-known heroine. Whatever, they were cute in their matching Gryffindor uniforms. (although their photo together turned out extra blurry)

I am actually pretty proud of myself for making the robes. They turned out well, if I do say so myself. They weren't hard, but I am such an amateur seamstress...that the nice results surprised me.

So I told myself I would work on those 2 robes first, and then I would focus the remainder of my time on Ansley's owl costume. Well, sewing projects always take me longer than they should, so of course there was next to no time left before Halloween parties began, so Ansley was happy to wear something we already had.

For our ward Trunk or Treat party, she was a dog. I love this costume...I wish I had a good picture of it. I bought it for Tyler to wear the Halloween he was 2, but of course he refused to put it on when the time came. Not sure if it's ever been used for Halloween, but it's been worn a lot at home.

For subsequent parties and trick-or-treating, Ansley deferred back to the ever popular "princess" costume. And now that I think about it, I am glad I didn't work hard on an owl costume, only to have her turn her nose up at it and choose something from the dress-up box.

(here she is hiding in the corner with her loot)

Now for Tyler...he saw a fake M-16 and army helmet at a costume shop and convinced me to buy them. It seemed an easy costume to throw together, and he is all about war history and military strategy these days, so I thought it was fitting for him. I also like that this form of "violence" is patriotic and noble and brave. I like it when Halloween kids are armed with pretend weapons to be heroes, not villains. So Tyler became a camouflaged Army soldier.

This was the easiest face-paint job I've ever done.

Here he is with one of his best friends from church and his Primary teacher/buddy.

So that's how it all went down. Fun, fun holiday...but I am always a bit exhausted afterwards from the costume-building, school parties, church parties, and now the candy wars.

And now, it's November! How does that happen so fast?!

Double Digits

2011-10-18T22:30:00.009-04:00

Big news! I have a child with a two-digit age! 10 years old. That's big. But it's really not too hard for me to believe. Tyler is definitely maturing and gradually becoming wiser than I.

He actually does seem like a 10-year-old to me, when he acts his age.

We haven't had a true "friend party" for his birthday for a few years, so when he requested it this year, we had to go for it.

I am so grateful for brilliant people who come up with great ideas, so I don't have to. Thank you, creators of "Minute to Win It." Our family room got a little crazy with several 10-year-old boys swinging tennis balls attached to strings tied around their waists, stacking and collapsing cups, blowing ping pong balls through a straw around an obstacle course, shaking balls out of a box affixed to their backs, and on and on.

It was fun for the whole family.

The coolest part was that Tom's parents decided to drive here from Idaho for the weekend, so they were there for the festivities. It is always a blast to have them around.

So the chaos of the party games I anticipated, but I didn't expect the complete pulverization of the pinata in the backyard afterwards. They didn't just knock the thing out of the air and bust a hole in it so the candy could fall not. No. They took turns continuing to beat the poor donkey until he was reduced to many many pieces. Wish I had some pictures. Boys, gotta love them.

Pizza and root beer floats rounded out the evening, and I think everyone had a good time.

My Tyler...my first born; my only son; my imaginative, book-loving, high-intesity, deep-thinking, enigmatic, decade-old child.

I truly am grateful for him in my life, antics and all. Tyler challenges me, he tells me jokes, he thinks I am the best chef (except when I cook with mushrooms), he surprises me, he doesn't want me to interfere with his homework, but he wants me to tuck him in at night. He makes me laugh, and he makes me cry...because I love him so much.

Halloween...

2011-10-18T22:24:00.003-04:00

...is kind of a bizarre holiday.

I wonder what little children are thinking as they take in all that holiday has to offer.

Oh it's a fun time...but still a bit bizarre.

My little big girl

2011-10-04T16:33:00.013-04:00

I love this face.

Eden is crossing over from one of my "little kids"--the ones that are attached to me and basically shadow me all day, the ones that stay home with mom for a nap while dad takes older ones somewhere fun...to one of my "big kids"--the ones that leave and do lots of things without me!, ones who pick up on everything I say (even when I spell it) and ones who are really starting to take care of themselves. Sniffle and hooray.

It started last Spring when she was on her first real soccer team.

Then she seemed old as she wore a cardstock cap and graduated from home preschool/Joy School in May.

And last month she started a "real" preschool where she is away for 3 hours, four days a week. She loves it. I think she feels very official and independent. (didn't realize until now she wore the same outfit on her last day of home preschool, and her first day of real preschool--huh, must be one of those "big day" outfits for her)

Then she started her first formal ballet/tap class a few weeks ago.

I guess her time has come. And she is soaking up all this big kid stuff.

Then to top it all off, Eden turned 5 last week! FIVE just sounds so much older than FOUR.

Here were some of the highlights of the day:

hanging out at the mall...

...with quarters to spend as she wished (I never sacrifice money to those enticing, greedy machines on regular days:).

To preschool with rag-curled hair, because it also happened to be picture day...

Then a park play date with friends and cupcakes.

(speaking of shadows, can you tell Ansley is never far behind her big sis?)

Dinner at (Des Moines') NYC Pizza Cafe...to which we all gave a thumb's up. Because it tasted so authentic, we even folded our slices in half to eat them.

And then home for silly party games, presents, and cake.

It's fun for me to watch her grow and take part in new things, but I am trying my best not to throw her out into the world too soon! I am grateful to still have Eden shadow and accompany me for a good part of my day right now.

Easy on the eyes

2011-09-22T11:23:00.000-04:00

In case anyone's eyes are burning from the icky camera-phone pictures I've been posting lately...here are some beauties, that are very pleasing to behold.

My incroyable sister-in-law, Erin, snapped some photos of the kiddos while we were in UT last month.

Yea for people with sweet skills and fancy tools. Thanks tons, Erin.

Garden variety (or garden monotony?)

2011-09-15T13:25:00.004-04:00

Guess what we are eating an abundance of these days??

We have let our backyard zucchinis get way too big before we remember to pick them, which means oodles of the stuff shredded into bread, cake, quiche, spaghetti sauce, chili, lasagna, etc. It would have been manageable except that our friends have been steadily sharing their garden's zucs and yellow squash with us.

So with a bounty of those two vegetables, my family is getting pretty weary of squash-a-fied meals. Apparently nothing grows quite as heartily as squash. I've spread some around my neighborhood, but the remaining produce, I feel compelled to implement. My heart wouldn't be full of thanksgiving for this plentiful harvest if I didn't put it all to good use!

Ansley's new look

2011-09-08T23:15:00.001-04:00

She's got a new accessory, and it's not the pacifier. We recently discovered that the poor girl is quite far-sided, and apparently the thick lenses really do help her see the world more clearly, because she has taken to the glasses very well. I am pretty shocked. I envisioned her ripping them off and twisting or throwing them regularly, but she has graciously accepted them into her life. What a relief!

Of course it helped during the first few days that I allowed the passie (which was supposed to be only for sleeping) when she wore the glasses. The girl is obsessed with her passies, and I am only feeding the obsession. It's been a week with the specs, and she is more attached than ever to her "pass" as she says...but I feel it is worth it for now.

One two-year-old crisis at a time.

...and a celebratory Happy Meal--don't judge me, Meredith!

Our Big Summer Trip

2011-09-03T17:19:00.017-04:00

I wish one of my talents was taking pictures of the best moments--the ones with everyone in them, ones you want to remember forever, ones that capture the moment, even the simple moments. That is clearly not my talent...but my consolation is that I don't have a good camera right now anyway, so "that moment" I missed wouldn't have turned into the best picture anyway.

What I am trying to say is that the photos I have of our 2-week summer trip (late July to early August) to ID, UT and CO don't thoroughly represent the large amount of fun we had, nor the great number of people we were able to visit. But here's a random representation:

IDAHO
We first went to ID for a reunion with nearly all of Tom's immediate family, and to see his parents after their return from English-teaching in China. It was so fun to see everyone! If any of you have good pictures from that week...I want them!

We toured Yellowstone and enjoyed its mudpots, fumaroles, bison, waterfalls, and of course Old Faithful and ice cream cones from Old Faithful Lodge.

Side note: Tessa kept breathing deeply and saying she loved the smell! Not everyone appreciates sulfur's odor, but apparently she does. I am thinking it reminded her of eggs...and she likes eggs. Funny.

And fitting for the state we were visiting, Tessa learned to drive a riding lawnmower. She enjoyed the power way too much. Thanks for your trust and your "driver's ed" course, Aunt Jan.

UTAH
We went south to UT and stayed with my sister, Mirien, and her awesome family for a couple days. It was a blast.

We spent a day on the beautiful BYU campus and hit the major landmarks, which included the newish athletic "hall of fame" building and some athlete sitings--very fun, the Tanner Building (old stomping grounds for a Marriott school grad), and the Museum of Art.

Tyler was thoroughly impressed with this mountainous book structure/exhibit.

We spent another day downtown SLC and toured the Conference Center and Temple Square. Always a treat.

I like how not only my 2-year-old, but also my 9-year-old, look like they are considering a dip in the fountain (inside the Conference Center).

We also went on a super fun triple date with my sibs, Mirien and Mitchell, and spouses; sadly we have no photo documentation. But I know that none of us will ever forget that night and the memorable, extra...ordinary? performance we saw. "I am what I am!" ...enough said.

COLORADO
Last stop on our trek back to Iowa was good old CO. We hung out with everyone there--three siblings and spouses and my parents--and had lots of fun. We packed it in for 2 days, and went to a carnival-type place and a quirky, but fun Mexican restaurant--the infamous Casa Bonita.

That smile is because Eden got to drive her own go-kart for the first time.

So much fun that it was sad to return home. I am happy that our kids look so forward to times with their extended fam. Visiting family makes a great vacation...

KC

2011-08-28T23:55:00.002-04:00

...a re-cap of another weekend getaway. This is two-month old news, but still noteworthy for us.

Some great friends of ours from grad school (the Motts) were stopping in Kansas City as part of a big road-trip tour of mid-western MLB stadiums. We hadn't seen this city that is only 3.5 hours from us, so we decided to meet them there.

They have 6 kids, that line up nicely with ours, so everyone had fun.

We hit the KC highlights:
a famous hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint,

a walk along the Riverfront Trail and an unexpected dragon boat show (one even tipped over--ha),

a foot bath in a cool downtown fountain,

and a complete soaking at a splash park.

Then the younger kids did some hotel pool swimming while the "men" cheered on the Kansas City Royals (the real highlight and purpose of the trip for some).

We packed a lot into that Saturday, then slept in a cozy hotel room that night. On Sunday morning we found a nearby church building to attend, then spent the day visiting the LDS Church history sites of the region.

We hadn't seen the Independence Visitors' Center before, and really enjoyed the depiction of pioneer life in the displays. Our kids needed a play break, and we indulged them. They pretended to drive/ride in this covered wagon forever!

It had been years since we toured the Liberty Jail Visitors' Center, so we stopped there again. And again I was impressed and humbled by the sacrifices of our early church leaders.

I would be proud to bear my burdens with the dignity that these men showed in their afflictions. Something to work towards.

On our way out of town we drove past the site of the new Kansas City Temple, still under construction.

A great weekend. It was short, but sweet; muggy, but memorable; fun, but also functional--that's because I learned some things. Being around this amazing family was good for me. They showed me how life with lots of kids doesn't have to equal chaos. This suave mother-of-many strolled around the city with kids all around her, and sometimes too far away from her, like it was effortless. Even when one panicked on the escalator, or one fell and hit his head on slippery pavement (sorry if I am revealing too much, Joanne:)...parents were calm, situations were resolved and life moved on.

I guess I saw that from my parents when I was young...but I didn't realize what I was seeing. These observations mean more as I am in the midst of parenting myself.

Families are fun. I knew that, but I like seeing it in action.

"Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo"

2011-08-21T20:00:00.000-04:00

Since our summer break is officially over, I should probably squeeze in a few more of our summer happenings before I forget they even happened.

At the beginning of June several of my family members drove from Denver (and a few flew from UT) and met here in Des Moines. We regrouped, then caravanned to Nauvoo, Illinois. We've visited here a few times since living only 3.5 hours from this historic city, but we always love coming back. You get to step back in time, and observe how life was for our ancestors.

There is A LOT to do in Nauvoo. We rented a vacation home, and spent almost 3 days there and still did not see/do everything. We loved attending the temple, watching the musicals and variety shows put on by the missionaries, and touring the restored homes and businesses--like the bakery, post office and gunsmith's shop.

Also popular were the horse and oxen-pulled wagon rides. We loved them both. Tyler really loved them...

Ansley loved the horses from a distance.

There was much for kids to do in the way of pioneer games and activities.

...and plenty for big kids, too.

It was awesome to be together--touring, site-seeing, pretending to be pioneers...

We might have forgotten what century we lived in...if it weren't for that pioneer woman on her cell phone at the cabin door.

Joking aside, Nauvoo is a special place. The saints that lived there suffered and sacrificed much for their religion. Something about their simple, hard-working lifestyle intrigues me. I like to think I would have fit well in that era, but truthfully I don't know if I would have had the strength or stamina. I hope I can endure the hardships of my era as honorably as they did.

Our final summer fling

2011-08-18T21:30:00.005-04:00

The kids went back to school yesterday. I can hardly believe it. It happened so fast that I don't know whether to feel happy or sad. One morning the kids were PJ-clad at 10am, building forts in the basement...and the next they were dressed and fed at 8am, ready to make the five minute walk to school.

Such is life; I guess all I can do is embrace it.

So, the day before this happened...

...I decided to celebrate the last day of summer break with a zoo outing. Somehow our family had never "done the zoo" in Des Moines. We heard it was nothing spectacular, and having been spoiled with high-caliber NYC zoos (snobby, I know), we weren't overly anxious to get to our local zoo. But when we finally did, we were pleasantly surprised.

They had some big cats, and giraffes...

...and plenty of interactive exhibits for kids.

A tortoise this size is always impressive.

We had a fun, leisurely time...running on no one's schedule but our own. Days like this--just me and my 4 kids--are priceless to me.

And now it's back to school for half of them...

Lemonade Stand Story

2011-07-26T11:58:00.001-04:00

One day last month Tessa and Eden came to me dying to have a lemonade stand. I want to encourage an enterprising nature in kids and we didn’t have much going on, so I complied. We luckily had some Kool-Aid pink lemonade, and paper cups (which aren’t a staple around here), and then I made some oatmeal cookies to accompany the TJ's JoJo’s I also had on hand (apparently those are a staple?).

Tessa asked me to draw the sign in “Bubba” letters. (Ha! she has always thought people were saying "Bubba" instead of "bubble" letters. Funny side note.) So I did, but they worked hard coloring in the block, or "bubba" letters.

Then they set up shop at the end of our driveway. Tyler decided to become a business partner but he was only half-committed to it, hence the reading material. I think he just smelled profits and didn't want to miss out.

Business was slow at first, but picked up as the afternoon wore on. We have some generous neighbors, although I felt bad that they probably felt obligated to buy. The kids had a good time, and raised some money. I thought it was a successful day’s activity, even in spite of the large amount of cookies Ansley consumed (every time the cookie pan’s lid was removed for a customer, she reached in and helped herself).

THEN, the girls started begging to go to the mall, and I realized the method/madness behind the lemonade stand. The price was strategically set at 25 cents for a glass of lemonade and a cookie…in hopes of collecting tons of quarters...so they could raid the mall’s candy machine center, the one they drool over every time we pass it. Great, sell my lemonade and cookies to earn money enabling you to gorge yourselves on candy.

But they were so intent on completing their plan: gathering lots of candy to be compiled and brought home, then rationed a few pieces at a time for each girl, each day. So I played along. We visited the mall the next day. They were in heaven dropping their quarters and watching their stash grow. I liked their teamwork and collective planning and their determination to set a goal then find a way to reach...so I guess it was a positive, productive experience in the end. The candy stockpile dwindled sooner than planned, but about like I expected.

I am so happy that these two girls are friends...and partners in crime!

Before and after

2011-07-20T10:00:00.001-04:00

Every so often it just needs to be done. Tessa's long hair can be flowy, shiny and lovely...but it can also be straggly, fuzzy and TANGLY. She was actually the one begging to cut it this time, and I was the one hesitating--to make sure her wishes were sincere.

They were...she never quit talking about it.

So we had it chopped.

Here she is before, looking somber.

And here is the after hair... (excuse the sub par pictures)

It was a shock at first, but now we're all diggin' it. It usually dries cute on its own, and even has a few token flips that add some spunk.

Tessa really cares about her hair these days, and spends time in front of the mirror brushing, styling, experimenting. So lately I don't have to worry/remind about her hair, especially with the new easy do.

Love that.

And I sure love these four...

What our summer looks like...

2011-07-12T22:38:00.007-04:00

4 kids in one place and looking in the same direction at once...wow

that hair just keeps intensifying, due to increasing length and humidity

it didn't seem so much like a mud puddle in person...

Lots of time spent outdoors, although mostly when water is involved. It has been pretty icky and sticky here, but we're enjoying our summer freedom. We do make time for libraries and reading and math and chores...but the kids make sure there is oodles of playtime on the agenda each day.

They built it...

2011-06-16T15:17:00.007-04:00

...and we came.

The site where they filmed "Field of Dreams" still exists--in Dyersville, Iowa...a tiny town somewhere between Des Moines and Chicago. This was something high on our list of things-to-see when we moved to Iowa, so on the way home from our Labor Day trip to Chicago (yes, I am still blogging in the past) we took the scenic route and stopped for an hour or two in "heaven..." no wait, it was still just Iowa.

Everything looked just as it did in the film--the house, the ball field surrounded by corn fields...

...the bleachers where the little girl fell and choked on her hot dog...

It was all there for visitors to soak up, and they even let you take batting practice. Tom knew this, so you better believe we hauled bats and balls and gloves from home so we could all take a turn playing on the "field." Just like Shoeless Joe Jackson. I think Tom had his own little dream fulfilled that day.

Fun time, in spite of the crazy wind we get out here in the plain states.

There is something kind of magical about a large field of tall corn. A couple feet inside and you almost feel like you've stepped into a different world. We used to play in our Indiana cornfields when I was young, and I liked to try to get lost, then see if I could tell which way was out. Magical...a perfect setting for a movie. I know you all want to come to Iowa now; or at least you want to go re-watch the old flick.

A Visit to Chicago, Part II

2011-06-02T17:48:00.000-04:00

So what really helps turn a trip into a vacation (especially for kids) is staying in a hotel, right? They loved that part, and we could even spread out a little in the suite-style room with the hide-a-bed sectional.

Now to continue with the travelogue...

Sunday:
We found a local church building to attend that was near our hotel, then we went back to the city. We walked around near Lake Michigan and had a picnic, then walked some more to Chicago's Museum Campus.

We saw the Planetarium, where we pretended to be space-travelers...

Then we were off to the Field Museum of Natural History...

Then we continued walking to take in more of the interesting and curious city sites, before retrieving our car and driving back to the hotel. Fun place.

Monday:
We spent the whole day at the COOLEST museum we have ever been to--Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Wow, it was huge and interactive and fascinating.

We learned about the human body, the science of weather, inventions through the years, and on and on and on...amazing. One highlight was running on a human-sized hamster wheel--somehow I got no pictures of that, but I snapped a few others:

Nobody wanted to leave this place, but at the day's end it was time to leave Chicago behind, and visit some old grad-school friends that live about an hour outside the city...to be continued...again.

A Visit to Chicago, Part I

2011-05-27T16:12:00.005-04:00

This is old news, but what does is matter if we went to Chicago last weekend, or last September? The point is we took a little road trip, about 5.5 hours due east of our home, to the Windy City (over Labor Day weekend 2010).

We had a blast. Obviously there is tons to do and see in this, the 3rd largest city in the U.S.

We stayed in a hotel outside of the city, and drove in each day to pack in as much fun as possible. Lots of walking and on-the-go napping and head-counting (note: we only lost one child and only for about 10 minutes) were necessary, but it was still a great destination for the whole family.

Tom and I did dream of a day when we could come back on our own and soak up even more of the sites, the museums, the food, and maybe even a show.

But the kids loved it, and still talk about all the fun things we did. I won't go into tedious details, I'll just offer a flood of pictures...

Saturday:

Tom made sure that he and Tyler saw a game at the legendary Wrigley Field. (kind of cool that the Cubs were playing our NY Mets that afternoon)

In the meantime I toured the Children's Museum with the girls.

We met up afterwards and walked to some of Chicago's famous landmarks.

The "Bean Statue." A large reflective structure, shaped like a kidney bean.

The Crown Fountains in Millenium Park, or the "Spitting Statues."

This was super cool--a projected image of a person on one side of a large structure makes faces, smiles and looks around....while you patiently wait and watch...

Until it finally purses its lips as a stream of water pours down from its mouth. Then it repeats with a new person on screen. You could stand there forever, watching the changing facial expressions, anticipating the next "show."

I better stop there, and save the rest of the photos for another post.

Ansley--a peek at her current hair & personality

2011-05-20T15:14:00.006-04:00

Ansley--curly girl chat at 2 from Marliese Ransom on Vimeo.

As the humidity increases here in the Midwest, so does the intensity of Ansley's curly hair. So cute on little ones...whether or not it's cute when you're older is debatable, I should know :). But we really can't fight the ringlets on Ansley's head, so we're embracing them, and loving them. They are fun and full of personality...just like her.

Tulip Time

2011-05-14T22:20:00.004-04:00

Who says there is nothing to do in Iowa? We have found there is actually quite a lot to do here that is interesting and entertaining. Last Saturday we drove 50 miles southeast of our home in West Des Moines to the town of Pella. You may have heard this name in association with the window and door manufacturing company, and yes it's headquartered there, but that's not what we went to see.

Pella was originally settled by Dutch immigrants, and that heritage has been preserved in the quaint downtown area, and in other ways in the community. Every year in May they host "Tulip Time," a festival with parades, performances, activities, and THOUSANDS of tulips decorating the roadsides and greens spaces throughout the town. It was beautiful and festive. We enjoyed watching the parade participants dressed in traditional Dutch clothing including wooden shoes--I can't imagine you could walk very far without terrible blisters, but they didn't seem to be in pain.

I think the Dutch word for these shoes is perfect, very descriptive: "klompen."

It was a great time, with lots of photo ops...and lucky for us we even ran into some friends there that were kind enough to take some pics for us.

Thanks J and E, you guys are handy with a camera.

A Baptism

2011-05-09T22:52:00.001-04:00

I think Tessa was really ready for her big day. She is a girl who is quick to think, feel, reflect on...just about everything. Then she loves to share her emotions, so we had talked a lot about her decision to be baptized, and what it meant to her. She even set a goal to read her scriptures every day for the six months before her baptism. She kept track with a chart by her bed, and came pretty close to reaching her goal.

We are proud of our Tessa.

Living far away, our extended family was not able to attend, but we were honored to share the day with many of our Iowa friends. Tessa even shared the ceremony with a friend from her Primary class who also recently turned eight.

This was one of those days...one of the truly significant ones, that I'll treasure forever as a mother.

She likes her birthdays, every one

2011-04-29T17:18:00.000-04:00

Egg-in-the-hole birthday breakfast

What kid doesn't love their birthday? It is pretty much the best day of the year to most kids. Tessa has been anticipating and talking about her birthday for weeks, and was so happy when it was finally here. Each year she is eager to have a party with all of her friends, and each year I say, "didn't we just do this last year? we really don't need to have a 'friend party' every year." But then I crumble against her eagerness, and agree to something simple. And truthfully the parties we do are simple--we always have them at home, with a few decorations, some games, some food and a cake. Not a huge deal, but it's still takes a fair amount of effort.

Then when I see how happy it makes Tessa, and the great time she has with her sweet friends, I am always glad we did it. This year we did a "Cooking Party." I made some simple, ruffled hostess aprons for the girls (and they got to personalize their waistband).

They made their own pizzas, built their own salads, and I planned to have them cut, bake and decorate sugar cookies...but we ran out of time.

In keeping with the theme, we played kitchen-gadget Pictionary, and the "flour game." (you know the one where you place a small object--a button--on the top of a precarious, bowl-shaped pile of flour; then you take turns cutting away parts of the flour, and the one who makes the pile topple and the button fall, has to retrieve the button with her teeth) Silly game, but it was a hit.

For dessert, I told the girls we were having pizza again, and they groaned when they saw the cakes. Some of them were pretty skeptical right up until they bit into the shaved white chocolate & coconut (cheese), the fruit-roll-up (pepperoni), and the carved marshmallows (mushrooms--not pictured, they were on the cake I didn't photograph before it was eaten). I'm not nearly as good at "trick" cake decorating as my bro and SIL, Mitchell and Erin, but I tried.

The other thing that troubles me a bit about throwing a party, is the present factor. I don't like guests feeling obligated to spend money and bring gifts, then I don't like the piles of toys left after everyone leaves. We don't need more toys, and I don't want my kids to expect all of that with every birthday and every party. I've tried in the past to avoid the problem by saying "No gifts, please" on the invitation. But EVERYONE ignored my plea. Thanks a lot, friends. :)

So this year I said, "don't feel obligated to bring a gift, but if you'd like to, we are asking for books only." It worked! A couple girls came without gifts--yea! and the others did in fact bring books! Am I a lame mom who doesn't want my kids to have fun? Hope not. I just don't want them to have too many toys and trinkets. There's a difference, right?

I think the birthday girl and everyone involved did have fun. Mission accomplished, another birthday celebrated. Of course there was more to come--we had her family birthday dinner on her actual birthday (4-11) a few days later...manicotti and cheesecake, Tessa picks those every year. (the girl loves her cheese; too bad she isn't supposed to eat it much due to her chronic ear infections/issues...but that's another story)

And then there was the most important event of all, since this was her special eighth birthday. But that deserves its own post...with pictures that weren't taken on a phone like those above (ugh).

Hope your Easter was happy!!

2011-04-24T20:00:00.001-04:00

What a great holiday...yummy food, pretty clothes, excited kids to play with, fairly minimal effort with big payoff...all on a Sunday with time to reflect on and discuss the reason we celebrate this sacred day.

Generally a great weekend

2011-04-04T16:38:00.002-04:00

I am still on a bit of a high from an uplifting weekend. General conference tends to do that. It's always great to spend so many hours of our weekend ALL home together, in the same room even. We all sit/lay in piles of blankets, pillows and beanbags in the computer room and soak it up. Of course, with this arrangement comes a fair share of playing, poking, bothering, juggling (toddlers), "my turn-ing," and general restlessness.

That can get exhausting, but we persisted, and most of the time everyone was at least in the room, absorbing something. Tom and I got a lot out of it, but I wasn't sure exactly how much the kids took in.

But later when we played Conference Trivia, quizzing each other with questions we wrote, I was pleasantly happy with things they did remember.

The best thing was on Sunday evening when we were cleaning up from the affair. I was revisiting a talk I wanted to hear again on the computer. And Tyler came right over and said, "It's so sad that Conference is over." Huh, it was hard to tell he felt that way given his attentiveness and behavior at a few choice moments during the weekend. But it made me so happy to hear him say it. Parents need little moments like that.

Still using old photos; this sunny, "warm" picture is not from this weekend...but I am happy to report that my kids are outside right now--playing, riding bikes--in short sleeves! This hasn't happened yet this year for us, so it's pretty exciting.

And it was awesome

2011-03-26T10:59:00.009-04:00

...our trip to Denver. My family members totally paused their lives, skipping school, work, soccer practice, whatever they should have been doing, to spend time with us while we were there. They are the best. By the end of the week, my kids were ready to move in to my sister's basement rather than drive back home to Des Moines. I've said it before, but one of my favorite things is watching my kids become best friends with my siblings' kids. Cousin love is the best.

The other big highlight of the week was March Madness, and more specifically, Jimmer Madness. Tom was in heaven, watching him work his magic live and in person...even getting a picture with his brother, TJ. (a super-fuzzy phone pic, or I would post it) The rest of us got in on the action by attending the BYU practice that was open to the public. And then of course supporting our Cougars via the TV. Fun times and fun memories.

My apologies to Meredith...I blatantly stole these pics from her blog. She's good behind a camera, don't you think?

Break for Spring

2011-03-15T01:54:00.002-04:00

We're headed to Colorado tomorrow. Hooray!

I am excited to relax, see family and friends, and enjoy balmy 65 degree days.
The kids are excited to play with their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents.
Tom is excited for all of that, and to cheer on the Cougars in person.

3-6

2011-03-06T22:02:00.007-05:00

03-06-09 was a special day in our family, and 03-06-11 marked the day our littlest one turned TWO!

In some ways she seems much younger than our others did at age 2. But I think maybe I'm just comparing her to how big my other kids are now. She's a baby in comparison.

Or maybe it's the fact that she still has "baby hair"...it's cute and curly, but there's not a whole lot of it. I'm not used to that with my daughters.

She certainly is maturing rapidly, though. By the way she converses with all of us, I should think she was much older than 2.

After we get out of the car, "Can I shut da ga-wage now?"
When Eden's upset about something, "Eden needs a passie; she needs to go to bed."
At the dinner table, "Can you pass my water cup? I need a dwink."
As Tom's about to leave for work, "Time for pway-er, eveybody!!" (with arms folded)

She entertains us all so well. We had the best time watching her blow out candles, open presents and play "Doggie, doggie, who's got your bone?" tonight. (that game's her favorite--anyone else familiar?) There is something great about raising a baby that has older siblings. She is sort of everyone's baby. There are lots of hands available to help and comfort and play with her. The attention she might miss from me by being a fourth child, I think is made up with the love of the rest of her adoring fans. She enjoys that attention most of the time.

Ansley has a cute sense of humor. She comes up with her own little jokes, and laughs like crazy about them. Of course we do, too, which only fuels the fire. She figured out the hilarious game where you put the same consonant in front of every word in a song, like, "Pinkle, pinkle, pittle par..." Really hilarious, right? She thinks so.

I'm a lucky mom. My kids bring me so much happiness, but also many opportunities to be challenged and humbled, and to try to be better. Too bad I'm a bit of a slow learner. I'm working on my fourth toddler, tantrums and all, and I wonder if I am more or less patient than I was when I started this process? I do know that I learn so much from my kids, and their goodness and sincere desires to follow God. If I teach them half as much as they are teaching me, I'll feel like I've succeeded at this parenting thing.

I love you, Ansley. Thanks for coming to our family and letting me be your mommy.

Note: pictures taken 3 months ago by a friend of mine, aka Amanda Bills Photography

Thank goodness for daughters...

2011-02-25T12:50:00.001-05:00

...because I get to see fun scenarios like these around our house:

The above and below photos were "photo shoots" of her dolls that Tessa set up (years ago).

I always love it when they play "mommy." Even princess mommy...

Here are some of Tessa when she was not quite three years old. She has always had a hefty dose of the motherly instinct in her.

Then there is the dancing, and the hair, and everything else feminine.

Ansley is certainly getting into the girlie dress-up/baby doll scene, but I haven't captured it on camera much. And...we're having camera issues lately, which is why none of these photos are very recent.

I love my girls!

Thank goodness for a son...

2011-02-20T21:10:00.001-05:00

...because I find intriguing scenes like this all around our house.

(these are "Magnetix" rods affixed to metal parts of our lamp)

No symbolism or explanation here--just a random padlock hanging from our chandelier, courtesy of my son.

Tyler is an expert at imaginative playing. The kid is truly never bored. A pile of Legos or army guys or fallen sticks or wooden blocks can entertain his mind indefinitely. If those things ever do run out of appeal, give him a stack of pages with words on them--the subject matter is immaterial--and he's lost again. I love this about him. I am so glad I have my sweet son!

(this picture was obviously taken in a different season--a warmer and greener one that I vaguely remember)

Happy "Eat a lot of sugar" Day!!

2011-02-13T15:12:00.002-05:00

But of course it's not all about sweets. I am proud of the dinner I whipped up for the family. We started with a salad of mixed greens (including arugula--my favorite), grapes, avocado, feta, and balsamic vinaigrette served with artisan bread and dipping sauce. Then it was baked salmon, a cilantro-lime rice, asparagus, and skewered-roasted vegetables. I loved it all and thoroughly enjoyed eating it...but I don't think the rest of the table appreciated it nearly so much.

Oops, I guess this time it was all about me. :) But they were good sports, and no one complained about the cupcakes and strawberry-cheesecake ice cream for dessert. The Valentine Bingo game was also a hit. So it was a fun night for all.

Tessa's bed, now underwater

2011-01-31T12:40:00.000-05:00

Ever since Tessa moved to a big-girl twin bed, when she was three, this has been the sleeping arrangement: Tyler and Tessa sharing a bunk bed, each with cute quilts (we already had), that sort of coordinate, and don't scream a specific gender--since they were the centerpiece of a mixed-gender bedroom.

The same situation persists today, over 4 years later. Tessa has been fine with this for the most part, but recently has wished she had more of her "own" space, and more of a feminine space at that. That's tough. How girly can you make the bottom half of a bunk bed, when there is a boy sleeping directly above it?

Not much we can do there, but we decided to try to make the space more hers, and more fun. She had the idea of painting a mural on the plywood she stares up at every night, the stuff that supports Tyler's mattress. I thought it was a great idea--something just for her, something hidden so it wouldn't be an eye-soar for the bedroom if it turned out poorly.

But...I am no artist. I had no idea how to paint a decent-looking mural! We decided on an under-the sea theme, since her sheets are blue and tan (like water and sand). So I took baby steps. I figured I could handle painting the whole thing blue...then I would see if I was brave enough to continue. But if not, at least the blue would be prettier than the unfinished wood.

I picked out a pretty shade of blue and bought a $3 sample at Lowe's. I let the kids help me with that part--they had fun and made a mess. Then days went by, and I decided I could add an ocean floor, why not? After looking through a "Little Mermaid" book, I tried my hand at seaweed, then some shells. (I just used random craft paints I had for everything else)

I was satisfied, so I kept going. Next was this little guy...or girl? The pink octopus. He was fun to make.

Mr. Octopus was cute enough, which gave me courage to try some fish. I painted a school of tiny un-detailed fish...and these yellow ones turned out alright, but another group I tried looked terrible, so I painted over it and went for turtles.

The sky above the water's surface was super easy...and that was it! I did it--one step at a time, I did it. And it wasn't even that hard. (But this whole process was spread over a few weeks...I'm not that ambitious and decisive.)

My ocean-scene mural is totally amateur, but I am proud of myself for attempting it. It was rewarding to create something with my hands, especially when my audience was so easy-to-impress. I have a much more critical eye, but I even like it. I surprised myself. I think it's good to try new things occasionally, especially low-risk ones like this. It keeps life interesting.

But more importantly, Tessa loves it. I also sewed a simple curtain to hang along the edge of her bed area, so she can truly have her own space, and a bit of privacy. I think it all made her feel special. I am glad, because until bedroom circumstances change, this is the best I can do.

Sisters II

2011-01-24T11:29:00.000-05:00

Speaking of sisters, it is so fun to watch my daughters "sister" each other. They get along great, when they get along. I am so glad they have each other. And Tyler joins right in the fun most of the time--I don't think he feels left out of the same-gender-sibling bonding...(but I do hope he gets a brother someday)

Sisters

2011-01-15T16:45:00.001-05:00

I am part of a great group of sisters. Just look at this line-up. I am fourth of the the five good-looking girls below. I loved having sisters. There was always someone around willing to play "house" or Barbies or some other imaginative, girly game, not to mention to borrow a shirt from. Being on the younger end of the group, I had much to learn from my wise sisters. My little sis and I carefully watched our more mature siblings, and tried to be just like them.

It was fun to grow up together, and now that we're all sophisticated adults, I still count on my sisters, and continue to learn TONS from them. Here we are last summer, in age order, but youngest to oldest this time. We don't form a perfect staircase anymore, but I think we make a nice group.

What would I do without my sisters? They are the greatest, and they do so much for me. The week after Christmas we were lucky enough to travel to Denver and be with my parents, a bunch of my siblings, and lots of nieces and nephews...and it was awesome.

Here is a taste of how much my sisters amazed me, just in that week--I saw one enthusiastically host some super-fun "older cousin" slumber parties to the detriment of her home; I saw one muster much more patience than I have in convincing a precocious two-year-old to go to bed (including trips to the garage to see if that might be a better place to sleep); I saw one create the best toffee you've ever tasted, then round everyone up for scripture reading, followed by silly "boardless" games, then later bust a move like she was one of the teenagers, not a mature mother of 4; and I saw my newest sister-in-law make perfect and delicious Thai curry for all of us, and perform masterpieces on the cello...in her spare time when she didn't have her adoring nieces attached to her.

Amazing, right? And those are just the ones I saw that week. I could go on about my other sisters and sisters-in-law. They are all dynamite.

My sisters teach me so much; so much more than how to bake great bread (although I am grateful for the bread I can make now...see last post).

I am always uplifted and inspired when I am around them. They make me want to be better.

And now that my sisters and I have kids of our own, it is awesome to see the bonds of love and friendship and silliness be passed down to that generation. My kids love their cousins.

Family relationships are pretty incredible. The unconditional love I feel from my family is a great support to me. I am blessed to have my sisters, but I can't quit without mentioning my awesome brothers! They are equally as amazing (and have chosen stellar girls for their wives). So glad the boys came along after all those girls, to attempt to even things out a bit. I love you all!

Simple, yet delectible

2011-01-03T15:03:00.001-05:00

I wish more things in life could be that way...a perfect, delicious result with minimal effort. That is how this artisan bread is. So easy, so perfect, and so reminiscent of the bread Tom and I ate by the handful when we visited Europe 9 years ago.

But I guess that is not how life is, nor is it supposed to be. I do believe in work, and I'm not afraid of it. But since life always feels full and busy, I won't complain when I don't have to spend time kneading and fussing over yummy bread.

I just stirred some up today, and am waiting the designated two hours to shape and bake it. (the picture is from a previous loaf I made) I love this bread-making technique: you have to plan ahead and allow time for the dough to sit and for the chemical reactions (or whatever) to take place, but the active-time-spent is very small. You just mix until the flour is incorporated, and let it sit. Kneading is unnecessary when you follow this procedure outlined in the book I read. (kind of like the genius of the washing machine--throw it all in, turn it on, and let it do its magic while you do something else) There are a few other tips to implement at baking time, but nothing too complicated.

I can't take credit for discovering the book and this method. One of my sisters is pro at researching and perfecting recipes and baking/cooking techniques. She found this one, and tested it before spreading the news. I am so grateful she shares her findings. In fact, my whole family is very grateful. Yum. Love simple, love delicious.

Happy Holidays

2010-12-20T01:09:00.005-05:00

The quality of this photo is terrible...but the quality of our holiday season is not. We're having a great time--baking, singing, decorating, partying, crafting, shopping...

Although I never quite seem to do all I want to do, or in the way I planned to do it, there is joy in trying. It really is fun to see the anticipation build in my kids, and to see how excited they are about non-stop Christmas music and compiling goodie plates to deliver...because I remember feeling these feelings as a kid!

My Holiday emotions as an adult are a little different--not quite as magical, but still wonderful, and every bit as sacred.

The excitement of wondering what will be under the tree has sort of disappeared, but man, the satisfaction I feel when I stuff a stack of sealed envelopes in the mailbox, or tape and deliver a completed package to the post office, or pile my freshly-dipped "buckeyes" in a tin to be stacked in the cupboard--that's pretty great.

Hmmm, I think I need to get back a little of that childlike excitement (instead of the check-things-off-your-list-adult kind of excitement). I suppose that is the challenge of growing up--accepting and managing many responsibilities, while still appreciating the pure and simple joys of life. What a great time of year to work on that.

Too much "divide and conquer"

2010-12-12T18:37:00.004-05:00

That is the tactic we use quite a bit around here. Back in NYC, it happened a lot. Tom would take the older kids on the subway and off to Manhattan to see something cool--a tour of a battleship, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, an art museum--while I stayed home with the newborn, or the fussy toddler. We really did do a lot all together (strollers and Baby Bjorns were well-used), but sometimes it just made more sense to let the little ones nap and roam free at home, and let the older, more interested ones sight-see unencumbered.

It still happens a lot. Late night basketball games (BYU came to Omaha this month), football practices, etc, etc... And one day when the "divide and conquer" strategy is in full-swing is Sunday. Tom has obligations and meetings at church, so he takes care of that while I take care of getting kids ready, keeping them reverent during Sacrament meeting, then working in the Primary. And that's okay; that is how things needs to be right now and I am fine with that. But it isn't typically a day filled with much family togetherness.

So...yesterday was a welcome surprise. Church and all meetings and Christmas concerts were canceled due to terrible weather--mostly the sub-zero temps and ice-covered parking lot. This doesn't happen very much, maybe once or twice in my lifetime, and it is strange to miss church. I didn't like that part, but I did thoroughly enjoy having the whole family (especially Tom) home together ALL day. It was heavenly. There is a special balance and strength that comes from two parents interacting together with their kids. Not feasible all the time, but I think important enough to make time for when possible.

We had our own little church session, and then had lots of time for resting, singing, playing the piano, fudge-making, playing games...just being together. What a treat. I know a day with nowhere to go and no obligations is a rare things for most families, but it sure is nice.

I need to slow down and allow for more of these days...even more so at this time of year.

When Grandpa and Grandma come

2010-12-04T17:03:00.000-05:00

We had a simple and lovely Thanksgiving weekend. No extended family...just our little family hanging out, decking our halls, taking family photos, touring the Festival of Trees downtown, and enjoying a fun dinner with some sweet friends on Turkey Day. I really enjoyed Thursday morning when we all lazily watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in our PJs. It made us sort of nostalgic...

But...we were lucky enough to have a visit from my parents earlier in November. Having "Grandma and Grandpa" all to ourselves was the best.

We took them to a few of the Des Moines points of interest including the Science Center of Iowa and the stunning State Capital building...

...the interior is even more stunning, but difficult for our amateur camera to capture.

Our Saturday touring downtown and the Capital was windy and FREEZING, but it warmed up by Monday so we went on a mini-hike around a lake. Eden had the best view of all.

But as is typical, the most precious moments happened right at home.

There is something so wonderful about grandparents. I guess it's because they are two people who care about your kids almost as much as you do...AND they don't have their own little kids to care for, so they can give their grandkids lots of attention.

I loved hearing my mom giggle and giggle as Ansley talked and babbled to her. At one point on Sunday afternoon, Ans had Grandma lying on the floor so she could lay blankets on her and tuck her in.

Meanwhile my dad was getting a ballet lesson from Miss Tessa, and doing quite well. He showed off his "five positions" for us later.

See? Undivided attention...so sweet.

I loved this moment, too. Tom and I went with my mom to a meeting one evening and left my dad to babysit. I told them they could watch a movie, to make things easy on him. But when we came home we found the younger two tucked in bed, and Tyler and Tessa awake (past their bedtime:) but engaged in a wonderful strategic math game with Grandpa. The TV hadn't been on all evening.

Babysitters do NOT get better than that!

It was a great weekend. We were so thankful they drove the ten hours to visit. It would be nice to be a little closer to them...but we can't complain. We're just glad we are now within driving distance. We love you guys so much!

The play experiment

2010-11-19T15:22:00.005-05:00

I want to be better at letting my hair down, and truly playing with my kids. I know I should do it more. Maybe this is a common theme among moms; maybe it's normal to feel this way...but trust me, I am really not good at this. So I've been trying to improve.

Why is this so hard? Playing shouldn't be a chore. But it doesn't come naturally to me. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to play. When I have a few spare minutes, what does come naturally to my mind are all the tasks I need to scratch off my to-do list. There is always something that needs to be done, and their is always an impending deadline. Maybe I am just too practical. I should think more like a kid. When they have a few spare minutes while they're waiting in line at the DMV...they start playing! My kids are really good at this. Maybe I could get good at it, too?

I am attempting to work PLAY into our days more often. Here are some things I've tried with Eden (her age makes her my prime target right now, but I'm working on it with all of them):

*"Camping" in our indoor play tent
*Acting "Little House on the Prairie" (she always wants to be Charles and I play Caroline--Eden goes *hunting while I take care of the homefront)
*Playing the Disney princess memory game
*Racing tricycles on the sidewalk
*Popping out from under a blanket with a new facial expression that the other has to identify

Of course, it is nothing but great to spend time this way with these little ones that I love so much. I always enjoy it, and feel good that I am nourishing our relationship. I am learning more and more that motherhood requires a proactive approach. All the teaching, listening, guiding, playing, memory-making that I want to happen doesn't just happen...if I don't make it happen. The time I have with them living in my home is finite. Sometimes it feels like an eternity :), but it will come to an end. The time to play is now.

I have so far to go, but I hope I am slowing turning into the mother I want to be.

refurb

2010-11-11T14:58:00.002-05:00

Is there anything better than turning an almost-piece-of-garbage into something cute and functional for your home? Not much.

I found this funny little bookshelf thing on the curb during my neighborhood's Spring Cleaning effort months ago. (remember, Monette and Melayna?)

From another house, I drug home this child's chair. It was sturdy, but scarred with a pink paint spot and some weathering.

All it took was mild sanding and two coats of mossy green paint, and Ansley now has a reading corner in her room.

These kind of cheap, trash-to-treasure projects are perfect for practical, non-committal me. I never would have purposely purchased something like this, but when it's sitting out for the garbage man, I have no problem welcoming it into my home.

Couldn't resist

2010-11-04T16:23:00.003-04:00

I think it must be an obligation of every blog owner to do a Fall post of some sort with pictures of pumpkin patches, pumpkin carving, and costumes. At least that's what I've gathered from my observations. So, I guess I have no choice...

All of the costumes came from our "costume pool" from years past. The only things I came up with this year were the Batman briefs (made from an old black t-shirt), belt, and boots (old ladybug boots painted black...it worked amazingly well). Either I am a slacker, or I am really lucky.

Just imagine

2010-10-29T11:27:00.001-04:00

One evening as I was driving home from respective Dance and TaeKwonDo lessons, with all my kids in the car, I tuned in to some classical music--loud enough for the whole van to hear.

It was a lively song that seemed like it could be background music for a movie, so I asked the kids to imagine what would be happening in a movie scene or cartoon set to this music.

I suggested something generic like, "It sounds like people jumping or running..."

Then Tyler says, "I'm picturing a duck...making pumpkin pie. Now he's spinning the pie on his finger."

A bit more creative than my vision...

And he didn't stop there. "Now I see a bunch of mouse maids cleaning a house....dusting the TV, sweeping the floor."

"...okay now I see a king and his knights are trotting on horses...now they are going over a bridge. Now they came to a man in a hut chewing on toothpicks."

what the?

He paints a vivid picture. It is fair to say that his imagination is a finer-tuned machine than mine.

Sometimes I wish I could get inside his head, so I could better understand the mysterious, creative creature that Tyler is. And I have a feeling it would be fascinating place in that head.

Hemming and hawing

2010-10-21T20:55:00.005-04:00

Which pant leg looks better? Hmmm...that's a hard one.

Kidding! It's so obvious, yet I have been wearing these jeans around for a couple years now...with both legs looking like the one on the left! Sad but true.

Why didn't I hem them? Maybe I'm lazy? Maybe I was holding out in case I bought a pair of shoes with a five inch heel? (cuz that's so me) Maybe I was in denial that I am too short for these pants, and I was hoping my legs might still grow a few more inches?

Or perhaps the real reason is that I feared the "homemade hem" look. It's always so apparent when you shorten your own jeans...or so I thought.

Then I came across this great trick on someone's blog--where else? Maybe this is old news, but it was new to me. You just fold the jeans up to where you want them to be, and sew on the inside, right above the original hemmed edge, then trim the excess (or don't trim). Don't know if that made sense, but it was easy, trust me.

And I think the end result is great--almost professional-looking. I am excited to try this new technique on other pairs of pants in our house...it's so fun to learn a new trick to make life a bit easier.

The new me

2010-10-15T15:16:00.002-04:00

I got my hair cut...a lot. It is shorter than I've had it since I was about 3 years old. I have always been afraid to cut my curls too short, for fear the whole mass would puff up and become afro-like. I thought they needed the weight to be tamed, but it turns out that proper curly-hair-care techniques, ample product, and a few clips here and there when needed, can keep it in control for the most part.

And I am liking it! This is not something I have always said about my hair :).

It's hard to capture hair in a photo, considering all the dimensions and angles...but I think I managed to show it pretty well.

Of course the main drawback of shorter hair, is that you can't "draw it back." This is a good and bad thing. I wore a bun way too much with long hair, so my new do has been a much needed incentive to leave my hair down, and work with it.

Wind and humidity can quickly create a lot of frizz, but I truly can't put my hair back to deal with that problem now. I can no longer hide my hair in a bun--I have to face it. Here's me on a frizzier day...not completely tame, but I made the best of it. I had to.

I will never have calm, predictable, sleek or smooth hair. But it does keep things interesting--I never know quite what I'll be left with each time my hair dries.

I am coming to appreciate and embrace more and more the head of hair I was dealt...this haircut helped.

And one more ...

2010-10-12T14:38:00.008-04:00

There are always lots of candles and "Happy Birthday" songs around here during the Fall, but after Tyler's big day last Friday, we were done for the season. Whew...it is exhausting to party so much :).

For his 9th birthday dessert, Tyler chose coconut cream pie...so I made an extra large one.

I always wanted an older brother...lucky girls.

Wish I saw this sibling affection more often:).

His birthday festivities weren't all that picture-worthy (those arcade/lazer tag/pizza places sort of annoy me, but he was itching to go and use the free tokens he had earned through the library). But here are some that I never posted from Tom's birthday last month. He would have preferred a round of REAL golf for his birthday, but humored his family and let us tag along for some mini-golf. It was a hap-hazard attempt, and I think our gang was a bit of a spectacle, but we made it through. And had a lot of fun.

Does one of my children finally have hair as "free-spirited" as mine??