Tough Guy

Dan got up early this morning to run in the “Go to Hale 5k" Race”.  He has been trying to get in shape, and thought this would help with motivation.  He did awesome!  His best time yet of a little over 25 minutes.  He came in 4th in his age group.  He averaged 8.14mph on his running.

Doesn’t he look excited?  The cool thing about this 5k was it was actually worth the money.  I could never understand why you would pay someone $25 for the privilege of running.  Oh yeah, that’s right, you get a cheap T-shirt. 

This race gave out nice running shirts, plus every entrant got 2 tickets to a Hale Center play.  Oh, and proceeds were donated to a charity.  So totally worth it in my book.  There is another race scheduled for October, which I think I will do with Dan.  He will totally kick my butt, however, I may keep up if I actually try running.

Dishwasher Job

Garrick discovered the dishwasher this last week.  Well, he discovered he could stand next to the dishwasher and help remove the silverware. 

I’m lazy and haven’t adjusted red eye.  Sometimes I hate my children’s blue eyes.  You know it is bad when you simply look at their eyes, and can see the red eye glaring back at you.

Playing Pennies

Connor and Haden have made up a game which they call “Playing Pennies”.  They have found coins around the house and spend hours rolling them along our wood floor.  As far I can tell, to win you just have to roll it the farthest. 

 

Ah, the simplicity of childhood.

The Wii is a Serious Thing

At least at our house. The boys saw Mom playing games on the Wii Fit and have totally loved trying to work through them. Unfortunately, due to age, or maturity, they struggle with getting things to work out the right way. Connor gets especially frustrated. So the entertaining video:

The funny thing is that I am totally like this with video games. I look like I am spazing out and I hate how frustrated they make me. Sometimes I wish I could cry. Oh well, my son does actually get something from me.

A Little Late to Celebrate – But we did anyway

On Wednesday, we finally did a friend party for Haden.  I almost skipped it this year, but after having a party for Connor, Haden was just counting down the days until he could have one.  So I caved in, and totally went the easy route.  We invited a handful of friends to come for lunch at McDonalds and then did cupcakes.  It was great!  The play area at McDonald’s was enough to keep them entertained, and it was very low stress for Alicia.

The kids were running around so much that most of our pictures were of the back of their heads.  Oh well, it was a lot of fun.  Something I would definitely be willing to do again.  Which when I started figuring things out, I will probably not have to do another party for another 2.5 years.  Yep, for those that are confused, it all works out in my head.

Book Review: The Ascent of Man

Okay, I feel like I totally cheated on this book. I picked it up from the library, and when reading the cover realized that it was written in conjunction with a 13 part BBC documentary. The book was basically the outline for the documentary. So I marched back to the library, forked over $2.50 and spent the next 5 days watching 13 hours on the history of science.

Yep, the movie went almost word for word with the book. I should know, I had the book open and followed along. It was completely fascinating. When I first picked up the book I thought it would be a boring science book, and then I saw that there were pictures and visuals on every page, something to break up the monotony (or clarify the science). I can totally handle that. The cool thing was that since the book and documentary were created together, all the pictures in the book were from the documentary…awesome, moving pictures, much better (or a good change) from just reading. I know I could have probably read the book a lot faster than watching it, but I hope that I may have picked up a little more information, seeing it and reading it at the same time.

The verdict: Yep, it could have been a boring documentary on the history of science (or a brief history of man on earth, however you want to look at it), but the scientist, J. Brownowski, while being a complete nerd with pants up to his nipples, was very engaging. His segment of Galileo facing the inquisition was enthralling. His description of the rack, chilling. Dan was so interested he ended up watching most of the documentary with me. So, for a science book, I actually enjoyed the tour through history.

Oh, and I am totally just watching Shakespeare’s plays when I come to that portion of my book list.

Way to go Mom!

If I would only just pick up my baby, we wouldn’t have to deal with this.

Yep, we have our first black eye.  Garrick was trying to climb up the side of my bed to get to me.  Can’t wait until he is a little more stable on his feet.  Luckily, he forgives his Mom almost instantly.  I don’t know what I would do without my little vacuum.

To Build or Not to Build

Connor and Haden have kept themselves busy with their Legos the last few days.  They have been building airplanes to fly around.  Each one just gets bigger and better.  I love Legos.

My favorite plane was the one Connor put together with one person facing forward and one facing the back.  Of course the person facing backwards had guns to shoot down other planes.  No such thing as a simple plane trip.

Book Review: The Grapes of Wrath

Finished my first book of the year.  Yes, I did read it in High School.  I was kind of hoping I would like it better this time around.  Yes and No. 

Yes, I enjoyed it, since I could go at my own pace.  In fact, I was surprised at how quickly I went through it.   It was nice to read the book without worrying about Ms. Morris having me tear it apart for symbolism and all that crap.   It was interesting reading it with more experience under my belt.  I could feel the desperation of the people.  I could understand better the “adult” parts of the book.  The sheer terror of watching your children starve and not knowing where the next job would be.

The end still bugged me.  I remember in high school going into class and telling my teacher it was disgusting and getting a big lecture on true selflessness and such.  Yeah, the ending was still gross in my book.  I was a little more tolerant of it, but still icked me out.  The biggest disappointment was that it felt like the book ended too abruptly.  No resolution to fall back to.  So, I made it through easily, and will probably add it to my library simply because my kids will need to read it for school, but I really don’t need to read it again.

Already?! Really?!

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t I just write that my baby has only just started crawling?  Here is bath time last night.

Yep, I look over and he is totally standing at the side of the tub.  So I sit him back down, (run to get the camera) and come back to this:

Time to lower the crib.

Flarp Continued…

Mom graciously provided pictures of the men at Christmas.  Like I said Pure Joy!

Sorry you missed it Ian.  Although, I hear you and your companion have been busy with your Christmas present.

Alicia’s Favorite Present

Dan has just been chuckling over my favorite Christmas present (other than the camera….which I LOVE), just because it was a little unexpected.  He went against the “rules” and bought me a crock pot.  Yep, another one.  I now have 3.  Just about enough.  He got me a 3 quart which fits my family MUCH better.  I have been working with a 6 quart for most of my marriage, and it was way to big. 

Don’t I look lovely??  One of the few pictures of me from Christmas, since I hate my picture taken that early in the morning.

Anyway, sorry about how I ramble on, I have been in crock pot heaven. My mom, coincidentally, gave me the “Fix It and Forget It Cookbook” for Christmas.  I have already tried out about 5 recipes, and have about 6 more planned.  Every one I have tried has been a winner.

Dan was asking whether it was a New Year’s resolution to embrace the whole crock pot thing.  Nope, just a chance to increase my repertoire.  It is going to be great when I start up teaching next week.  So don’t be surprised if I share some good recipes I find. 

BTW – Let me know if you have any good recipes.  I’m game to try almost anything right now.

8 Month Update

With the hectic ending and beginning of the year, Garrick turning 8 months old kind of slipped by.  The poor kid really isn’t getting ignored.  It was a big month for him.  2 biggies!

1.  Garrick can now crawl.  He started on Christmas Eve.  He has perfected the crawl to sitting position in the last week.  He is starting to do the “standing crawl” (known to those children who don’t like the feeling of carpet/grass on their knees).  I have been trying to get video of it, but he just cries at me when I pull it out.  Don’t know why, he just does. 

There he is with his butt in the air!

2. He FINALLY broke through his 2 bottom teeth.  At the same time!  He has been trying to get those suckers through for about 2 months I swear!  It was not pleasant.  But they are now through, and he is having fun trying to chew things with them. 

As good a picture as we could get with those teeth.  He tends to cover them with his tongue.

There they are.  Whew, how many more to go??  He is definitely more content now, which makes it nice for Mom.  Although, now I have to make sure my floors are swept and vacuumed, I am getting sick of pulling things out of his mouth!

Thanks a lot Mom!

Okay, I get that grandparent’s are supposed to give annoying gifts to torture their offspring, but come on Mom!  What were you thinking giving this to Daniel!

I had no idea what this was about until we were sitting around the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

Yes, you too can try to make realistic farting sounds with a tub full of putty (slime).  GAG me!!  ‘Cause you know the men in my family can’t come up with enough sounds/smells naturally.

Although, I do have to say it was hilarious observing the looks of pure joy on all the men’s faces as they tried to come up with the most disgusting sounds.  Who said competition didn’t bind a family together?  Don’t know how you are going to top this one next year Mom!

Come Sled With Us – Connor Turned 6

Okay, the last of my big week. Halleluiah we made it through! Connor hit the big 6 on Saturday, thank goodness. He was freaking out earlier this week when it was Haden’s birthday, and Connor didn’t get to do the fun things Haden was. So now it was finally his turn!

I ended up throwing together a last minute party for Connor. We were planning to do something later in January, when things calmed down. Then he told me he would like to do sledding. So with all the snow we had this last week we did a sledding party with his friends. It was a blast!

We brought a pile of sleds, and let the kids sled to their hearts content. Then we took a hot chocolate break, and did presents with cupcakes.

I love the way the mountains came through as a background. It was so fun trying to get good pictures. This hill has an amazing backdrop. I love living so close to the mountain!!

Connor has started saying he has a girlfriend. So he made sure to ride down with her a couple of times!

Then they spied the play equipment at the park, and went to work off even more energy. We ended by “painting” the snow (squirt guns with colored water). Connor claims that was his favorite part. It was a great group of kids and we managed only one black eye. Oh well, better that than a broken bone. (which I was seriously concerned about when I saw how snow packed the hill was). I loved finally finding a winter party idea that was extremely low key and I didn’t have to have my house invaded by tons of kids.

I love this little guy! Okay, maybe not so little anymore. He’s my bud and I don’t know what I would do without him. (By the way mom’s, let me know if you want pics from the sledding. I got at least one good shot of all the kids)

Happy 2010

A new decade?  Really?  I remember growing up thinking that the year 2000 would never get here.  (I was never going to make it to 20 years old) 10 years after that?  Where am I?  What am I doing?  Not what I anticipated.  All is great though (okay most days)

We did our annual movie marathon with the Harwards.  This year it was the Bourne Series.  Totally awesome.  I had not seen the last movie, so it was exciting to see.  I think I need to invest in the series.  Along with the marathon we did a lunch with family and celebrated the boys birthdays---yes, again.  (that's what happens when you live close to both families)

  

The boys love the model airplanes.  They spent the entire day running around the house having airfights with the cousins.  I love these boys!

New Year’s Eve

We did our usual party for New Year’s Eve with Dan’s family.  Grandma Burrell and Don and Denise’s family came to join in the fun this year.  We went to our favorite Chinese place and then met again at G’ma & G’pa’s for games and to celebrate both the boy’s birthdays.

Grandma always makes us don the festive hats for pictures.

Grandma Rita and Grandpa Derek loaded the boys up with Star Wars stuff for their birthdays.  It was great!  They have kept themselves entertained for 2 days now.  The biggest his was the stormtrooper and Darth Vadar outfits for their stuffed bears.

 

Connor trying to help out Haden with his candle. 

Plethora of Star Wars.  Between birthdays and Christmas the 2 boys now have 9 action figures, 2 dress ups, 2 vehicles, a book, and a game.  Wow, can you say obsessed?  Funny thing, is they were confused about the “classic” stormtrooper outfit on one of the figures.  They were telling me it is supposed to be blue not black.  Ahh, the generational gap at its best!  All in all a fun evening.  2 parties down how many more to go??

Haden Turns 4

After a busy week, I have finally had a chance to sit and start going through pictures. In December I tend to triple the number of pictures I take.  Having the new camera has not helped at all. 

Haden turned 4 on Thursday, and it was a long time coming.  The kids have been on a countdown to their birthdays since school started.  Haden woke up excited to start opening presents, since you know he didn’t get to do that too much during Christmas. 

  

Haden’s favorite gift was the new snow pants.  We took advantage of them and went sledding that afternoon.  There was a new layer of snow, and it was awesome!!

That night we invited cousins over for pizza and a sleepover.  The kids had a great time playing the Wii and decorating cupcakes. 

(We missed you Ethan!!)   The boys consumed almost as many sprinkles, as they put on the cupcakes!

Haden actually struggled with blowing out candles.  He would have to take time to try and blow out each one individually.  I can’t believe how big he is getting!  He is convinced he is as old, and as smart as his older brother.  I can’t wait to see what this new year brings.