ZooLights and Pajama Party

We went to see Zoolights tonight for FHE. I have never gone before so it was neat to see what it was all about. We had a fun time. The kids started asking us for treats, riding the merry-go-round, light-up toys, you name it the moment we walked in the zoo. I turned the tables on them and asked if they brought their money. They were free to buy those things with their own money, but we were only there to see the lights. That shushed them up pretty fast. They asked a few more times, but I kept asking right back. Anson thought maybe 2 quarters would be enough to buy a light up toy. I don't think so!

We had a "pajama party" when we got home. That basically just means you get all ready for bed, put on your pajamas, and watch a movie. We watched The Princess Bride which I got for Christmas.

Project

I have a new project I am going to make this week - a pack and play netting cover. I'm not sure exactly how yet. I don't believe there is a pattern - so I'll have to figure it out as I go.

Katie has been a big trouble maker lately as far as getting out of bed goes. I gave up putting her in her crib and put an extra crib mattress that I had on the floor of her room for her to sleep on. She does the same thing with a pack and play. Unless she is SO tired, she will just keep getting out of it and get into whatever happens to be in the room.

We are planning a family vacation soon and I am very concerned about the aforementioned problem. So I have determined to make something to keep her in bed for naps and at night. We don't need any wandering, cranky toddlers on vacation!

I am thinking of using the type of netting they use for laundry bags. I thought maybe I would stretch it tight over the top and somehow attach elastic to each corner to put around the legs of the pack and play to keep it on. I'm not sure how well it will keep her in - will she be able to get enough "give" to climb out? What other options are there? If you have a great idea, please let me know!

I did find a commercial product last night. It is about $68 and there is a risk of the toddler undoing the latches and getting their head stuck as they try climbing out. I'm not too interested in that!

We'll see how the project goes. I hope it works. The sanity of our vacation depends on it!

Presents and Such

We had a wonderful Christmas yesterday. We planned for each person to get 2 gifts - one from Santa and one from Mom and Dad. Everything went as planned - until Christmas Eve day, around 3:30 pm. Aaron came into our room and quietly told me that there was a problem with the presents. You see Santa was getting Rebecca an American Girl Doll (the Rebecca doll) with some outfit changes and a few accessories. So there was kind of a "present stack" for that gift (7 packages to open all together). The problem was that Anson didn't have a "present stack". He was getting 2 presents to open.

I was all for unwrapping all of Rebecca's presents and wrapping them all up again in one package. Aaron didn't want to do that though. He wanted to go to the store and get more. Noooo! Well, he got his way and off to Walmart he went (with Katie, thank goodness). Luckily he mostly got food items - like fish crackers, handi snacks, and cereal. Anson felt like he opened Christmas presents on Christmas, and I have a pantry full of snacks for the next couple of weeks. I guess it all worked out.

We kept pretty close to the 2 present rule - only adding in a computer game for each kid and a movie in their stockings. So here is the gift list:

Rebecca: American Girl Doll w/ clothes and accessories, roller skates, Mozart's Magic Flute Computer Game, and the Kit Kittridge movie.

Anson: Baseball Glove and Ball, Remote Control Monster Truck, JumpStart Preschool Computer Game, The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (which we threw away - we don't recommend it).

Katie: Baby Doll that Laughs and Cries (I've pretty much just heard it cry so far - I hope the laughing starts soon), Doll Stroller, Little Bear Computer Game (you push any button and something is supposed to happen), and Care Bear Movie.

Spencer: Sit and Stand Stroller, Prince Lionheart Seat (like Bumbo - off Craigslist for $12!), Life is Beautiful Movie.

Aaron: Fancy Remote Control Monster Truck, Garmin Heart Rate Monitor, Salad Spinner, Casablanca Movie

Andrea: Sweater, Coat, High Heels, Shoe Organizer, Frying Pan, Large Mixing Bowls, Glasses (as in cups), Princess Bride Movie.

I seriously get spoiled every year. Aaron just can't help himself. I was only supposed to get the sweater and the frying pan. At least he pretty much kept to things I needed this year!

I'm hoping to do a homemade Christmas one of these years. This was not my year for it though. I have been way to busy and/or just plain unproductive. At least as far as getting anything done goes. I give myself the excuse of having 4 kids under 5 1/2 years old. That counts, right?

Ice Cream Man

Anson has informed me that he wants to be an Ice Cream Man when he grows up. He is going to be very generous with his ice cream. He is going to let everyone in our family have one. He even said he would give Rebecca 4 ice creams.

Taking a Drive in Good Ol' C.G.

When I downloaded my pictures in September, I found a few that I didn't recognize. These are in the order that I found them on the camera. Take a look:

Can we guess who our mystery photographer is yet?

Can you guess where she went with daddy? I'm really not sure, but you know you have lived in C.G. awhile if you recognize most of those places! Kind of crazy, but I do miss it.

Playing Pirates

Rebecca and Anson came up with a game earlier this year. It goes like this: Take all of the cushions off the couches in the living room. Pile them all on the big couch. Climb on top. Pretend to be Pirates! Also, try to get mommy and daddy to climb on top too. The End.

Mr. Turtle

This is a picture of the kids and Mr. Turtle this last summer. They had TONS of fun using the apple peeler to make yummy treats for Mr. Turtle to eat. Much more than he could handle as you can very plainly see!



Unfortunately, Mr. Turtle met his demise this summer while we were on vacation in Lake Tahoe. He got caught in Anson's soccer net and in his attempts to free himself, he got caught tighter and tighter in the net. Luckily Aaron found him while mowing the lawn and the kids didn't have to see their beloved pet in death. He is now buried somewhere deep in the landfill.

You were a wonderful pet Mr. Turtle. We didn't have to do anything to keep you alive (except we should have untangled you, but we weren't around and didn't know you were tangled). You cared for yourself, yet we could say that we had a pet for the kids to watch over. We will miss you eating our crickets!

Blessed

I smell big yummy ginger cookies. I see Anson wiping off the patio table with a towel after the rain last night. I hear the baby crying. I feel love for these wonderful blessings I have been given.