The Goose Attacked the Grandparents!

I know I am a little (well okay...a LOT) behind in posting! My parents had been here from Idaho visiting! They came down for Stevie's birthday and we had been playing a lot! It was an awesome visit! The first day they were here, we decided to take them to the duck pond. I guess they must have look appetizing--the big brown goose decided to sample my poor dad. (He also got Kimmy--she has a big bruise on her leg) We had to run away from them--the goose was too demanding and would try to nip you--and it HURT!


Kimmy (injured leg and all) had fun feeding the BIG fish in the pond. They are HUGE and it is fun to watch them jump for the bread! There was a turtle that day too. Oh yeah...and the ducks *grin*


Stevie and Missy just stayed away from the goose! They went on the other side of the pond and had fun playing in their imaginary world--they are always in some magic kingdom with creatures of all sorts around them.

My mom...can't you just hear her saying "Don't you take my pictures Heidi!"?? One of these days she'll get used to her shutterbug daughter! LOL! She was busy feeding the small birds around her.

I love this picture of my dad feeding the ducks! Isn't he handsome?

It was a fun trip...goose bites and all! We had a lot of fun playing this week. (Sadly they already went home) I have lots of fun pictures to put up! Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! You made Stevie's birthday extra special! We had a BLAST!!

Well...that was fun...NOT!

Last weekend I decided to show some "team spirit" and take the kids to the Bttn Easter Party. Okay...admission time here...I used to be the FRG leader...and an overachiever FRG leader at that! (Does that surprise you??) LOL! Our kids used to love our FRG parties...so I thought "Well, we'll give it a shot..."


Stevie really liked the Longhorns sign! His Scout council is the Longhorns and he made a longhorn at Build-a-Bear last month. He had to have his picture with the sign *smile*

Missy decided to get a dragonfly stenciled on her hand. They had a few crafts--but no one was forthcoming with help or instructions...plus everything seemed geared for the under 5 crowd.

They had an Easter egg hunt--the kids looked around but didn't find any--they weren't looking too hard I think. My kids let the younger kids go first--since they were so much older. After 10 minutes they begged to go home. I was very ready to go too. I am grateful I didn't have to run it, but sad that it didn't have much to offer my family too. They really could have used a good activity with other kids whose dads are deployed. It could have been so much more. Once in awhile I miss being as involved as I once was...then I remember how nice it is to have time to myself and to spend with my kids! The atta-boys were a lot of fun and I have awards a-plenty, but I would give it all up for a hug or a snuggle with my kids. Maybe we'll have to plan our own Easter fun this weekend while my parents are here from Idaho to visit!

Stevie's New "Do" is a "Don't"

Can I just say...it has been one of those weeks? Sometimes it seems like a really good idea to just crawl back in bed and sleep until November 3 or so. Everything that could go wrong this week pretty much did. *sigh*

Wednesday, Stevie and I went out for our "Mommy-and-Me" date. (Each week I take a different kid). We had a great lunch at Logan's and then decided we should get his hair trimmed before his grandparent's get here next week. Who knew this would be such an adventure *grin* I took him to the place Steven has always taken him. We walked in--signed in--and waited our turn. The stylist looked him up in the computer and I tried to explain what I wanted done. She kept telling me she already knew--they stored it in the computer from the last visit. I mentioned he likes his hair longer--just to trim it and not a military haircut. (Is this foreshadowing or what??) Well, I went back to the waiting area to work on a crossword puzzle...looked up just as she took the shears right up the back of his head and shaved the back!

Momma Bear went running in yelling "STOP!" Did she not even listen to me?? I made her go back and look at the computer again--yep--you guessed it...She had looked at STEVEN! Well, the damage was done--all we could do was finish with the back the way it was--but she had promised she would make the top spikey and cute. Well, she kept trimming more and more and more--until there really wasn't much to work with at all. He was devastated. I kept trying to make him laugh but it was a tough sell. We went to Target and tried to buy some spikey gel or some cool colors or something. It definately put a damper on our good date. I finally took him to Gamestop and we found a fun game to take his mind off it. I know...it's just hair...and it will grow...but to an almost 14 year old boy...it is important. My sister will say "But it looks good" (she likes short hair) and my parents will probably love it...but it is his feelings I worry about. I am grateful that none of the Young Men made fun of it Wednesday night--that would have devasted him I am sure. Anyways...here are the much requested pictures for my family:

I decided we should take it into our own hands to make him laugh...so this is our try at longer (and laughable) hair for him...SILLY STRING!

He is so good natured...he just let us spray him! What a kid! We never did find any colored hair gel though. I read where Dennis Rodman used Kool-Aid (would that work?) Any ideas? Let me know!

We had a fun time with the Silly String! What a crazy thing to do in the middle of a windstorm though--it kept flying back at us!

Happy Birthday Girl Scouts...or...Who are These Weird People in Walmart??

Today is the birthday of Girl Scouts (WHOO-HOO...Go Girl Scouts!!) I have been a Girl Scout leader since Kimberly was 5! Until this past 2 years...Due to moving, we decided to Juliette Missy in Girl Scouts--basically we are home-schooling Girl Scouts too LOL! She likes it and we have a lot of fun with it.

So...after a long day of homeschool today...I decided we should celebrate this holiday in the BEST way I could think of...with a "MOM-MIS-ADVENTURE" (Pause for dramatic effect *smile*)

I had Missy put on one of her Girl Scout t-shirts and we all loaded up in the van to head "who-knows-where"! The kids were trying to figure out what mom was up to this time (Well, Kimmy knew--since she is usually in on my plans while Steven is gone) but the two younger hoodlums were trying to figure it out!

We ended up at Walmart. Walmart? For a Girl Scout Birthday Celebration?? As we were walking into Walmart...I went into full-movie director mode..."Okay Missy...we're shooting our big number next...the "GIRL SCOUT BIRTHDAY" What is your motivation for this part...feel the birthday...be the birthday...focus..." By this point Missy is cracking up and can hardly walk. Kimmy is the "paparazi" on this film shoot. She is constantly snapping photos...the flash...the roar of the crowd...okay, well the roar of laughter from my children who are wondering what is up with their mom!

We reach the cake department of Walmart..."Focus Missy...focus on the CAKE...Be one with the cake...Find the PERFECT cake..."

After MUCH debate on the theories of the PERFECT cake for Girl Scouts..."Would it have pink? Girls like pink. Or should it have sprinkles? Multi-color sprinkles--Girl Scouts is world wide...We finally chose chocolate (for Brownie Girl Scouts" with blue frosting accents (for Daisy Girl Scouts) and lots of sprinkles of every color!

The next part...the ice cream! Not just ANY ice cream would do...by this time Missy thought SHE could direct ME! The GREAT...one and only...MOM! I don't THINK so silly girl!

We auditioned the PERFECT ice cream...Dreyer's Ice Cream...the actually have Thin Mint Ice Cream and Samoa's Ice Cream! Ooooh yum...they got the part immediately!

Stevie...through all of this silliness...kept trying to be "cool" and "duck the paparazi"...but she was too quick for him! It's hard to be almost 14 and have crazy parents like he does!

The final event...the culmination of the night's events...the birthday cake candle blowing/singing/and EATING! (Yes, that is a Yankee candle on top--That's what happens when you plan things spontaneously and don't have candles! *smile* Mom, the director, instructed Missy on the proper blowing techniques before the big event! Missy had to do practice breaths and lip exercises in anticipation! After a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday Dear Girl Scouts" and the blowing out of the candle...it was time to...EAT THE CAKE!!

Unfortunately for Missy...this did not involve silverware *grin* Yes, those are her fingers...in the Girl Scout sign--three fingers together like a good Girl Scout! Eventually we did take pity on her and gave her a BIG slotted spoon to eat with...messy but extremely funny! But it could have been worse...

Stevie didn't even get to use his fingers. We just told him to eat it out of the bowl and...

...that wasn't fast enough...Mom decided to HELP!

It was a fun night...and I am sure it will be worthy of a few more therapy sessions when they grow up!

Happy Birthday Girl Scouts! (and to my cute Scouts in Miami who read my blog! I miss you!)

My Beautiful New Flowers...on Steroids!

Steven sent the most fun surprise last week! MORE FLOWERS!! Yep, still trying to get out of that birthday doghouse I think. Shhhhhh...don't tell him but he is on my good side already...but I love the presents anyways!

Anyways...he told me last Tuesday that I had a package coming...so ALL DAY I anxiously wait for my mystery package. I HAD to run to the store...but I just kept waiting...two o'clock...four o'clock...six o'clock...Finally Kimmy volunteered to stay home and wait for the package. So...10 MINUTES after I left, she called me laughing...the package had come while I was gone. *sigh*

I always thought it was so romantic in the movies when the woman opens the door...there is the delivery man with a box of long-stem roses. Well guess what? IT IS ROMANTIC! (well okay...maybe not the delivery man since I missed that part...but OOH LA LA...roses in a box!)

Well...fast forward a few days...

I have had lots of flowers over the years...I mean...I started dating Steven when he "didn't send me a rose" *grin*. (He sent a carnation but the flower shop goofed. I tease him that I probably wouldn't have dated him for "just a carnation") But I have NEVER had flowers that have opened up THIS much! They are beautiful! The kids and I joke they are super-flowers on steroids! I love them Handsome! Thank you for spoiling me!

Fifteen Minutes a Day...

You can be a new person in just 15 minutes a day! Well, at least you can according to many of the magazine articles I have read! You can have a clean house...it just takes 15 minutes a day...Supper ready for the family at night...take 15 minutes in the morning to throw it in the slow cooker! Exercise just 15 minutes at a time, conquer your laundry pile in just 15 minutes a day...Pick up any self-help book or magazine...and there are those magic words! "Fifteen Minutes a Day!"

I especially feel the 15 minute guilt from church...morning prayers, nighttime prayers, scripture study, compassionate service, visiting teaching, family home evening...the list goes on and on! Hobbies? I just need 15 minutes a day to practice my piano, another 15 for cross-stitch and don't forget my 15 to read a chapter in that new book!

And family time? 15 minutes of special mom time per kid per day? Journal writing, story time, games and just taking time to listen to them talk about friend problems or school...it just all adds up!

Okay...so why is this in my mind tonight? BECAUSE I AM SWAMPED!! *sigh* I keep trying to find that elusive 15 minutes right now. I must not be allocating my time well? I am so far behind I don't think I will ever catch up *blech*

One time I sat and wrote out all the "15 minute" things we *should* be doing or that I *wished* I was doing--and it came to over 40 hours a day. Now I admit I don't sleep very much (which might account for being so cranky!) but I do need a little at least LOL!

The kids and I are trying to finish the school year early since we know we have a move coming up next year. If we get done, we will be able to get our new books and work over the summer. I love my kids...but doing school for 10+ hours a day AND everything else I am supposed to do...I need another 15 minutes a day AT LEAST! *grin*

So...if you don't hear from me...or if I look frazzled...tell yourself "ooooch--she hasn't found those 15 minutes yet" and please don't be mad--if I can find 15 minutes of spare time...I'll give you a call *smile*

Welcome to the Weatherston Art Museum

We have been doing LOTS of art projects lately! The kids are trying to work hard and get ahead since we know we will be moving mid-year next year. Sooooo...we have lots of fun projects for show-and-tell!


This is a memorial made out of clay (It's supposed to look like a yellow ribbon--not a partial pretzel!) It was for the unit on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Stevie had to design a memorial of his own.


This is one of my favorites! It is based on a sculpture by Louise Nevelson called "Dawn's Wedding Chapel IV" In it she took a bunch of objects and created basically shadow boxes of shapes. We made a MUCH smaller one (instead of room size) with things we had around the house. The original artist painted hers all ivory and white but we used Steven's leftover black spray paint he had from doing his duffel bag to deploy *grin*


How many things can you figure out? Here are just a few of the items: plastic easter egg, pop lids, bell, toilet paper tube. What else can you see?


This was Stevie's sculpture inspired by Alexander Calder. He chose to do a dinosaur out of popsicle sticks and clothespins. Once again--he had to use objects from around the house.


Now we are starting a landscape unit...This is his picture of Myrle Falls at Mount Rainier. He learned all about the painter Thomas Moran who made so many paintings of Yellowstone he was known as "Thomas Yellowstone Moran"!

Missy has been working hard at school too. She has been doing lots and lots of history...we currently studying Russian history which has been very interesting. She did do a couple fun art projects recently though. This is her African mask she made this week. It is based on a Baule mask that inspired Pablo Picasso's work "Three Figures Under a Tree" and other Cubist artists.

I thought it turned out really cool! The colors don't show up as good as in real life though!

This is her oil pastel she did recently. It is based on works by Paul Cezanne. I loved how bright her colors are! She was very proud of it! (as she should be) *grin*

Okay...so since I showed off the younger two...I better show something fun of Kimmy's too! (Be SURE to check out the link to her artwork on the side of my blog--she has LOTS of cool stuff there!) But I snuck into her photos to share my birthday present she gave me. A little backstory though...every year she draws me a picture of Beauty and the Beast. Well...she has run out of ways to draw it. (In other words...I am OLD) So this year she drew a red panda (which is my FAVORITE animal at the Idaho Falls zoo) holding a Belle doll! How cute is that?? Thank you sweetheart! I love it!