Christmas morning, Trevor and Joel opened their present from us. The one that had been sitting under the tree for the longest time. The wrapping paper was torn quickly to reveal a sleek looking Black and Decker Dustbuster. Just their size. I was pretty happy with myself as you can imagine.
Really, I thought they would like it. I have a friend that gifted one to her 4 year old girl and it was well used! : ) But, this was different because they had not asked for it. I even defended my choice to my Dad who laughed pretty hard when I told him that besides one gift and some stocking stuffers, we got the boys a vacuum to share. I told him, "It's all in the presentation, Dad."
Trevor sighed in disappointment: "Ahh… fooey!"
I can't really blame him, but today, he got to use it for his new chore of helping me eliminate floor trash, and do you know what he said?
"I'd kinda like to be half-maid, half-son."
27 December 2013
10 December 2013
Cousins
The boys are uber, super blessed to be best friends with their cousins.
I'm trying to make space on my computer by transfering the big video files to my back up drive, but before they go there, I squished these together from the past year or so to enjoy:
I'm trying to make space on my computer by transfering the big video files to my back up drive, but before they go there, I squished these together from the past year or so to enjoy:
24 November 2013
09 November 2013
Quotes
"You're the best cooker that I know, Mom."
--Trevor, 6
"Your brain is going wild from all the questions I ask!"
--Trevor, 6
_____________________________________________
One night after making grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup I get this:
"Mom! This is SOOO good. I can't believe you made it. It is the BEST! I love it! You are the best! You are so nice! I am so amazed... I usually don't like what you make for dinner..." --- Trevor, 6
This boy has much to learn ; )
_____________________________________________
Mom, what if I had three buttons (belly buttons) here , here, and here and bald head. Wouldn't that be cool?-- Joel, 4
_____________________________________________
(Sitting at a long red light)
What if red means go and green means stop, wouldn't that be awesome, Mom? -- Joel, 4
--Trevor, 6
"Your brain is going wild from all the questions I ask!"
--Trevor, 6
_____________________________________________
One night after making grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup I get this:
"Mom! This is SOOO good. I can't believe you made it. It is the BEST! I love it! You are the best! You are so nice! I am so amazed... I usually don't like what you make for dinner..." --- Trevor, 6
This boy has much to learn ; )
_____________________________________________
Mom, what if I had three buttons (belly buttons) here , here, and here and bald head. Wouldn't that be cool?-- Joel, 4
_____________________________________________
(Sitting at a long red light)
What if red means go and green means stop, wouldn't that be awesome, Mom? -- Joel, 4
23 October 2013
09 October 2013
Playin' outside
I really thought it would get easier to let the kids outside with less supervision as they got older. And, it is a little, but they don't do normal activities for their age. Furthermore, I have an excellent imagination for tragedy and crying and future guilt.
Don't get me wrong. I do want them to have a healthy fear built from personal experience, but the consequences are getting bigger~ it's less cuts/scrapes/bruises and more the internal bleeding/paralization kind.
This constant realization that I am not in control, and God is, is what brings me to my knees.
So, I watch them speed to the ramp half wincing, then, relieved with the bloodless outcome, I praise them (and Praise God!) : ) . Copy that for the trampoline tricks and the tree climbing and snake catching and skiing.
Don't get me wrong. I do want them to have a healthy fear built from personal experience, but the consequences are getting bigger~ it's less cuts/scrapes/bruises and more the internal bleeding/paralization kind.
This constant realization that I am not in control, and God is, is what brings me to my knees.
So, I watch them speed to the ramp half wincing, then, relieved with the bloodless outcome, I praise them (and Praise God!) : ) . Copy that for the trampoline tricks and the tree climbing and snake catching and skiing.
 |
| Not the proper gear, but it is the proper height. |
 |
| Pendulum play |
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| Brothers are very important people. : ) |
08 October 2013
The best how to cook book for kids
I checked out the book, "Pretend Soup" at the library. I let the boys browse through it and choose a recipe or two. And they were so excited!
And that made me so excited. Because I know understanding cooking doesn't just happen. Some people play like all you need to do is read the recipe, but that is not the case, my friend. At least for me : ) It doesn't not come naturally. I can count on one hand the number of times I cooked a steak well. I am afraid of cooking with yeast. I cannot get past "mix with lukewarm water." I have not ever cooked a turkey. The entire process overwhelms me. I have to re-read the recipe about 20 times DURING the cooking process. It just doesn't click.
However, I am the cook here at Swan, Inc. Therefore, I get to try anway. Everyday. Three times a day! And I've become better at just eating. I have some things I can do very well and those I can now do extremely quickly.
Back to the boys and why I like this book: It's a recipe preschoolers can follow with simply drawn pictures and simple ingredients.
They chose Blueberry Pancakes and best of all they tasted great!
And that made me so excited. Because I know understanding cooking doesn't just happen. Some people play like all you need to do is read the recipe, but that is not the case, my friend. At least for me : ) It doesn't not come naturally. I can count on one hand the number of times I cooked a steak well. I am afraid of cooking with yeast. I cannot get past "mix with lukewarm water." I have not ever cooked a turkey. The entire process overwhelms me. I have to re-read the recipe about 20 times DURING the cooking process. It just doesn't click.
However, I am the cook here at Swan, Inc. Therefore, I get to try anway. Everyday. Three times a day! And I've become better at just eating. I have some things I can do very well and those I can now do extremely quickly.
Back to the boys and why I like this book: It's a recipe preschoolers can follow with simply drawn pictures and simple ingredients.
They chose Blueberry Pancakes and best of all they tasted great!
04 October 2013
volleyball
Scott: Who wants to watch football?
Boys: Neh.
Scott: Who wants to watch women's college volleyball?
Boys: Yeahhhhhhhhh!!!
******************
Trevor: (about my sweet potato fries) Mom, I think the pepper was a bad idea. I makes it taste....unbalanced.
******************
Trevor: (After eating the saltiest popcorn ever and walking a mile through a maze.) I am so thirsty. I need a drink. I need a cold water or a cold beer.
Me: Ummmmm..... you mean root beer?
Trevor: Yes. Caffeine free root beer!
Boys: Neh.
Scott: Who wants to watch women's college volleyball?
Boys: Yeahhhhhhhhh!!!
******************
Trevor: (about my sweet potato fries) Mom, I think the pepper was a bad idea. I makes it taste....unbalanced.
******************
Trevor: (After eating the saltiest popcorn ever and walking a mile through a maze.) I am so thirsty. I need a drink. I need a cold water or a cold beer.
Me: Ummmmm..... you mean root beer?
Trevor: Yes. Caffeine free root beer!
29 September 2013
Books
We enjoy our library so much. It's close enough to walk to, but we rarely do that because it's not worth packing 25 lbs of books. I think I learned after my second visit that there is no limit to the number of books you can borrow! So, I just fill up our bags to what I can carry. We read a lot! Since Trevor was a baby I read to him because it was something that was both engaging and restful. We have easily checked out a thousand books since we moved here. Mostly from the children's section : ). It has only taken 7 years, but the boys are now better able to control their parkour urges at library and so I've been able to pick up books with fewer pictures. Last time, for instance, I picked up this book:
It's totally fascinating. Each chapter talks about a scientist's dangerous self -experiments with things like yellow fever, heat, digestion, radioactive materials and nitrous oxide. I like it because it's both true and crazy and these are scientists that pioneered and made it possible for us all to get fillings without crying like a baby.
And, since my niece Makayla has recently started her own blog with book reviews, I think I better join in the conversation... So Makayla, thanks for inspiring me ; )
Also, from the local public library we have recently listened to: Silas Marner - Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. This is a well done audio drama. Audio dramas use music/a cast of actors/sound effects and leave out the he said/she said in the book. The story had some things beyond Trevor's understanding, but he still liked it. Silas Marner is betrayed by people he should be able to trust, so he instead lives alone and hoards money until one day a little girl is suddenly in his care. He raises her and she is a beautiful gift to him.
The author of Silas Marner is George Eliot. She wrote the book with a man's pen name and is attributed many famous quotes like these two:
And, since my niece Makayla has recently started her own blog with book reviews, I think I better join in the conversation... So Makayla, thanks for inspiring me ; )
Also, from the local public library we have recently listened to: Silas Marner - Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. This is a well done audio drama. Audio dramas use music/a cast of actors/sound effects and leave out the he said/she said in the book. The story had some things beyond Trevor's understanding, but he still liked it. Silas Marner is betrayed by people he should be able to trust, so he instead lives alone and hoards money until one day a little girl is suddenly in his care. He raises her and she is a beautiful gift to him.
The author of Silas Marner is George Eliot. She wrote the book with a man's pen name and is attributed many famous quotes like these two:
&
I'm not denyin' the women are foolish. God Almighty made 'em to match the men.
We are currently listening to The Tales of Desperaux. This was made into a movie a while ago and I don't remember loving it, but this audio cd is so so so good. The narrator is wonderful and it's a very emotional storytelling. Kate DeCamillo is a wonderful author.
Another well done audio book is one called Half Magic. It's about a group of kids and their mom who end up with a magical token that only grants half a wish. It was funny and would make a great Disney movie. It's by Edward Eager.
I'm not denyin' the women are foolish. God Almighty made 'em to match the men.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_eliot_2.html#LdvTxRvS7i41fPG3.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_eliot_2.html#LdvTxRvS7i41fPG3.99
I'm not denyin' the women are foolish. God Almighty made 'em to match the men.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_eliot_2.html#LdvTxRvS7i41fPG3.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_eliot_2.html#LdvTxRvS7i41fPG3.99
I'm not denyin' the women are foolish. God Almighty made 'em to match the men.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_eliot_2.html#LdvTxRvS7i41fPG3.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_eliot_2.html#LdvTxRvS7i41fPG3.99
23 September 2013
Science Club Psyche Out
My sister and I get to be Science Club Teachers Wranglers for about a dozen 6-8 year-old-boys and 1 sweet girl.
We have done odor decoder experiments, float/sink tests, and today we brought in a some super special legless, mucus covered guests: earthworms.
Wendi and I conspired to trick them right at the beginning of class. I made some jell-o worms following this recipe (However, I did use Black Cherry flavored Jell-o instead. I think it gives it a more realistic dark color.) Then, I put them in a bowl of microwave brownie mix which looked exactly like the soil they put in those worms in the fishing department. I may have crushed some Oreos in there too adhere to the jell-o. It was a beautiful mess and I was pretty pleased with my workmanship.
We started class by telling the students that we were going to blindfold Wendi and let her guess what today's experiment was going to be about using all her senses except sight. We let her listen to the worms, then touch, then taste.
I had so much fun listening to them. Here's a clip of it. After Wendi tries second jell-o worm, Trevor told me, " Okay, you better stop now, Mom." Whew... glad we have someone willing to stop me!
We have done odor decoder experiments, float/sink tests, and today we brought in a some super special legless, mucus covered guests: earthworms.
Wendi and I conspired to trick them right at the beginning of class. I made some jell-o worms following this recipe (However, I did use Black Cherry flavored Jell-o instead. I think it gives it a more realistic dark color.) Then, I put them in a bowl of microwave brownie mix which looked exactly like the soil they put in those worms in the fishing department. I may have crushed some Oreos in there too adhere to the jell-o. It was a beautiful mess and I was pretty pleased with my workmanship.
 |
| These are the worms without the brownie part. |
We started class by telling the students that we were going to blindfold Wendi and let her guess what today's experiment was going to be about using all her senses except sight. We let her listen to the worms, then touch, then taste.
I had so much fun listening to them. Here's a clip of it. After Wendi tries second jell-o worm, Trevor told me, " Okay, you better stop now, Mom." Whew... glad we have someone willing to stop me!
12 September 2013
I can't think of a title. There is too much in this post.
Our summer zip zoomed by. We took more of a break from school than I had planned and it was okay. We forgot sunscreen way more times than my dermatologist would approve. We listened to Joel repeat a line from Despicable Me 2 over and over. We had waterfights with 4 generations. We welcomed two little pets into the house. We rode new rides at Roaring Springs, played in the river, and took weekend trips to mountains and to a demolition derby. In other words, it was awesome.
First, lots of circus practice. It wouldn't be home without it. * sigh *
The boys made up games like "Bounce the children" which they ask us to play with them all of the time. This is a workout folks. The object is to bounce as hard as you can to launch a 30 and 40 pound giggling monkey-boy. I could enter myself right into the American Ninja contest if I could just play their bounce the children "game" for an hour a day.
We took down a plant shelf in our kitchen. It was super beefy. It took a whole Saturday, my green toolbelt and several separate cuts to get it down. We've got some updating going on and I'll have to post the 'after' pics when it's totally done.
Before we officially started school we had an impromptu
Craftapalooza! It is finally an activity the boys can do for more than
30 seconds. Here are some of their creations.
We spent a weekend in McCall.
Scott raced the Payette Lake 8 mile race. My husband pushed hard and told me about how he was able to better endure mentally at the end. I know he gave it all because there was some puking at the finish line : (
I'm so happy for him-- he nabbed a 2nd place medal for his age group and 6th overall. YAAAYYY!!
We spent the rest of that day at Ponderosa Park beach.
We biked Ponderosa with the boys. Joel pedaled roughly twice as much as the rest of us on his 16in tires, but he was a trooper! I will not be able to keep up when he has a regular sized bike!
Fishing at Scout pond was successful. These fish were really jumping high out of the water. An osprey came by early to show off his skills and then the boys reeled them in after bait was switched.
Trevor explained one fish which swallowed a hook but was able to swim away a bit, but after a while "convinced itself to die." I thought this was funny AND profound, actually.
After that story I'm convinced to just keep swimming! Do not give up!
Trevor said he didn't want to go to Idaho State because it's too far from home. Scott and I didn't even explain or argue as we are barely adjusting emotionally to the fact that Trevor can turn on the sink without a stool.
First, lots of circus practice. It wouldn't be home without it. * sigh *
The boys made up games like "Bounce the children" which they ask us to play with them all of the time. This is a workout folks. The object is to bounce as hard as you can to launch a 30 and 40 pound giggling monkey-boy. I could enter myself right into the American Ninja contest if I could just play their bounce the children "game" for an hour a day.
 |
| Trevor bounced his knee into his eye socket and got a shiner to show the pain a trampoline can bring. They have the whole MMA pose nailed, but not the concept of when it should be used. I asked for Trevor to smile in front of the ride at the fair with Zeesa and I got a UFC pose. I asked them to pose in front of the pancakes they made themselves and I got the same thing. |
We took down a plant shelf in our kitchen. It was super beefy. It took a whole Saturday, my green toolbelt and several separate cuts to get it down. We've got some updating going on and I'll have to post the 'after' pics when it's totally done.
 |
| I know. Not every craft book has a mustache instructions in it, so when you want to make your own facial hair (which is very likely) just ask Trevor for some of his supplies. He covertly snatched some of his hair off the floor of Great Clips so he could make his own mustache. The one pictured here is made from a costume beard. You were probably thinking I let him borrow my hair, right? |
We spent a weekend in McCall.
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| We played Trouble until midnight. When you're winning bedtime becomes less important ; ) |
Scott raced the Payette Lake 8 mile race. My husband pushed hard and told me about how he was able to better endure mentally at the end. I know he gave it all because there was some puking at the finish line : (
I'm so happy for him-- he nabbed a 2nd place medal for his age group and 6th overall. YAAAYYY!!
We spent the rest of that day at Ponderosa Park beach.
 |
| Larry and Wendy |
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| Trevor paddled on his own! He loved it. |
We biked Ponderosa with the boys. Joel pedaled roughly twice as much as the rest of us on his 16in tires, but he was a trooper! I will not be able to keep up when he has a regular sized bike!
Fishing at Scout pond was successful. These fish were really jumping high out of the water. An osprey came by early to show off his skills and then the boys reeled them in after bait was switched.
Trevor explained one fish which swallowed a hook but was able to swim away a bit, but after a while "convinced itself to die." I thought this was funny AND profound, actually.
After that story I'm convinced to just keep swimming! Do not give up!
 |
| Joel took this for us when we stopped by Idaho State. |
 |
| Beautiful sky at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. |
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| We watched the Pari-Mutuel races and got to see Nakia race. She is Wendi and Jason's niece. |
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| Indian Relay races are probably my favorite. Running start, 1 rider, 4 horses, bareback and CRAZY. This picture doesn't do this race justice. |
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| Pretty. |
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| Demo Derby night |
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| They added a trucks division and a figure 8 race to the night. I love the demo derby. Strong smoke, dirt, beer, mixed with hot scone smells make me feel at home : ) Seriously, though. It's really entertaining. |
11 September 2013
Here comes the Boom
I'm trying to find a way to reduce, sort and store all my videos and
it's overwhelming me. One category I had so much footage of was
boxing/wrestling. I just squeezed the best of 20 minutes into a
highlights reel. Enjoy!
I'll call it Boxing / Bedtime Routine / What to do at Papa's house / Joel's fierce side /
I'll call it Boxing / Bedtime Routine / What to do at Papa's house / Joel's fierce side /
04 August 2013
Science
What are little boys made of?
The little rhyme says snips and snails, and puppy dog tails.
I think it's more like hammers, nails and explosion tales.
That's what these boys are made of anyway. Trevor took a lot of extra science classes this last year during Kindergarten which he loved! And, this year I'll be co-teaching with my sister a Science class for 1-3 grades. I've been hunting for some science that isn't done very often and I'm really excited about some of them-- we'll play with worms, play crash test dummy with eggs and toy cars, guess the smell, and more. This should be FUN!
We had been saving some explosive presents for the right weather and time with Daddy:
The little rhyme says snips and snails, and puppy dog tails.
I think it's more like hammers, nails and explosion tales.
That's what these boys are made of anyway. Trevor took a lot of extra science classes this last year during Kindergarten which he loved! And, this year I'll be co-teaching with my sister a Science class for 1-3 grades. I've been hunting for some science that isn't done very often and I'm really excited about some of them-- we'll play with worms, play crash test dummy with eggs and toy cars, guess the smell, and more. This should be FUN!
We had been saving some explosive presents for the right weather and time with Daddy:
 |
| Trevor is adding a tablet of Alkaseltzer to a film canister and water. |
 |
| POP! |
 |
| He's excited! |
 |
| Trevor got a crystal growing kit from a garage sale. It didn't work, but it came with some awesome goggles. |
This first part of the video is the mentos in a diet soda gig-- a very thoughtful gift from a friend from Christmas. The second part was part of the library summer program. Yes. Our library is THAT cool. You can't see it, but the tennis balls went OVER their two story buidling.
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