Mama's Mascara

Don't worry dear, you have years to practice.

Saturday Chores

Generally speaking, as long as it isn't picking up after themselves, my kids enjoy cleaning (we'll see how long this lasts) and ask to do it! It isn't slave labor if it's voluntary, right?

 Every once in a while, they get burnt out unless something new is added ... like when I taught them about the small vacuum in the kitchen, or when I periodically, begrudgingly allow them to use the mop.

Well, on Saturdays, Audrey cleans the downstairs bathroom, and Aaron does the upstairs one. 

Someone decided to take Saturday chores to a whole new level. Instead of a rag, Audrey decided to use a magic eraser to clean the bathroom - counter, toilet lid and sides, floor, mirror, doors, light switches, door handles ... At least I know that this week, she remembered all of the surfaces she's supposed to clean, and she had fun doing it!

Selfies Are Better Than Stories?

Selfies are, obviously, more important than listening to storytime ... Especially to this little lady!

The Bass Family!

Our wonderful friends - the Bass family - came down to Oregon and stopped in for a visit!

Ninja Training Course

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a craft-hoarder ... anything I think could be used for a craft, to fix an object, or could perhaps come in handy one day, I keep. This means I have acquired a lot of ribbon. It's time to put it to good use! It's time for .... a Ninja Training Course! **cue epic music**

 We had to get actual, real-life Ninjas-in-training to test this course. 

Nothing could stop them - so what does that mean for the fully-trained Ninja Daddy? It means he needs more of a challenge! Get him!

 Ninja Daddy was patient as we left the course up for a few days, slowly removing ribbon as cupboards needed to be entered. Not only am I a craft-hoarder, those who know me know I am also crazy about organizing ... which means I'm excited to tackle this ribbon! #kiddingnotkidding

Fall Basketball

Aaron's Elementary School offers a basketball program in the fall - it is right after school, at the school. Sign us up!

Aaron grew a lot through the program. It was a struggle at first - the program is K-2 so a lot of the kids are already adept at dribbling and shooting. He was quickly discouraged. He wanted to switch to soccer ... I told him I wouldn't pay for soccer if I couldn't trust him to stick it out in basketball. Well, better believe the rest of the season turned around!

This kid is an all-star!

 (Shout-out to my uncle Craig for paying for the lessons!)

Circular Cushion Play

... don't ask me ... I have no answers ...

"Please Help Me ... Pretty Please?"

Needless to say, my day started out great!

No screaming to get out of the crib (she only does it to pester and annoy me) - simply, "please help me ... pretty please ... please get out ..." repeated over and over.

Music to a mama's ears!

Cheerio Noob? I Think Not!

It isn't a noob move to bring Cheerios to Sacrament Meeting when you know the culprit will clean up her own mess!

Ride Cowgirl, Ride

...where seldom is heard, a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day ...

Mic Drop

This started out as Audrey pretending to be Mother Gothel and I was Rapunzel, but it quickly morphed...

Audrey hands it to the millennials ... Tell the truth!

When Dota 2 Willingly Meets with League of Legends

Don't get me wrong, I am ... and always will be ... a Dota 2 girl ... note the swag.

However, I'll have to admit that the League of Legends turned boardgame, Mechs vs Minions is pretty great!

Extra Storytime with Daddy...

 Extra storytime ended up extra long tonight :)

New House Death Trap ... Bathroom Edition

This guy literally fell apart as soon as Eric took the cover off of the light to change the light bulb in our commode. Yeesh...

Fun Night Out

LOVED going to the Andy McKee concert with these lovely folks! Thanks for inviting us along!

2016 Primary Program

Aaron stayed on the stand the whole time this year! He didn't get shy, need me to go up with him, or end up sitting in the audience. He was, energetic, at the end, but overall, it was a win!

New Game - Find the Doggy

Adelynn invented a new game today - Find the Doggy in Mama's Closet ...

Pretty simple. Mama hides the doggy, Adelynn finds it.

Well, apparently I was pretty sneaky with my hiding place? You can't hear her in the video, but when she runs out of the bathroom, she's calling, "Doggy! Dooooooooooooooggy!" 

Is Someone in There?

We Like Our Food

By we, I mean the royal we ... Adelynn is a bit obsessed with food. Yogurt in particular.

 Can't get enough of it, apparently...

  Oh, and bibs are useless. Shirtless is the new way to stay clean.

Adelynn - Why are you taking pictures instead of getting me more yogurt?!

Apples

Another Climber

Et tu, Adelynn?! Even Aaron had the courtesy to wait until he was 18-months-old ... the few times you've circumvented your traditional bedding in the last week clearly weren't flukes. AS you are now well aware, Aaron was not pleased to find you'd gotten up from a nap and wandered into his room while he was at school. You've come trotting into my chambers enough times tonight that it is evident: playpens can't hold you, cribs can't hold you, doors can't hold you, and, seriously, at this point, even I can't hold you! Have some pretzels, have some milk, and have a good night! #holdingouttildawn

I just want to read a story...

Only a heartless mother could send her back to bed when all she wants to do is read her sleeping brother a story.

Painting the Turkey

Coloring the Turkey for Kindergarten obviously requires paint, stickers, glue, and glitter!

Also, this is the best way to keep the kids occupied when you want to clean up by yourself to avoid glitter messes...

Like this one ... sigh Can't win 'em all, right?

Painting Pumpkins

Look - let's be real here ... pumpkin carving with kids sucks.

No, you can't use the knife.

Please, don't eat that goop ... HEY! Don't throw it on the floor, either!

... Still can't use the knife ...

Just cause Mama and Daddy carve with the power-drill doesn't mean you get to.

Ask about the knife one more time and you're off to bed.

Here, have a pin and poke it, huh? Oh come on, don't look at me like that - poking it is fun!

and on and on and on ...

This year, we got to the whole pumpkin-ness-thing a little late and I was totally not up for the battle between sanity, safety, and mutiny. So, I decided we would just paint. I wouldn't exactly call it cheating ... I'd call it a getting creative mom win.

It was great. I couldn't be happier. Granted, each kid did a super cute picture on their pumpkin, and then, not knowing when to stop, continued to use every color over the top of it. Still, everyone had fun so, it's a win.

   

  Adelynn rather loved her pumpkin ... can I get a collective awwwww!

  Eric's epic space battle and my Starry Starry Night - pumpkin style.