Happy Birthday Ethan!

Happy Birthday Ethan- Today you are SIX!  Are you sure you are my child- because I thought my child was a cuddly little baby wrapped safely in my arms....oh there you are- you are still my cuddly little boy and I will hold you forever, maybe not always in my arms, but always in my heart!

Here are Six things I love about you:

1. You are so so so smart- thankfully you inherited all of dad's best genes and will certainly grow up to be a doctor, lawyer, CPA or policeman like you told us last week.

2. You are not too rough and tumble when you are with me and I love that you are learning to be tender with the women in your life.  You even open doors for mommy everywhere we go.

3.  You are brave- you try new things and do things that I wouldn't think you would at such a young age.  Yesterday you went up and gave your testimony all by your self(well Whitney went too-but you stood up to the pulpit and said that Jesus is real and I know you know that is true).

4.  You are confident in who you are and love making new friends.

5.  Everyone is amazed when you stand up in Primary and can say the articles of faith with out help- or read your scriptures alone or know all of the answers even before the big kids do.

6. You have the most contagious and adorable laugh I have ever heard.  You giggle so easily at so many things and you delight in the world around you.  You are never bored because everything to you is meant to be explored and discovered.

Yesterday you heard the doorbell ring and when you answered the door you found this:

I wish I could have recorded your reaction.  You were awe struck and ran back in the house yelling "Dad- Dad- There's a bike at the door!"  You loved it- we can't get you off of it today.  One day I know you will be able to ride it all by yourself.  That's the kind of kid you are- daring, bold, kind, sweet, tender, loving, smart, compassionate, spiritual, beautiful and all mine forever and ever!  I love you today Bubba- more than yesterday and even more tomorrow.  You make our family complete!  Happy Happy Birthday!

Easter Egg Hunt

I took Ethan and Whitney to the annual Easter egg hunt at my grandma's rest home.  Whitney bawled the whole time(hates crowds and agressive, candy hungry, pushy children) So Ethan hunted for all of his candy and then came back and took Whitney's basket to hunt for her (Ashtyn was home sick)  Then we got to make little chicks out of eggs that have grass seeds inside to grow hair with.  Grandma hates crowds too- so she sat in the hall the whole time.  Now Whitney wants to know if the Easter Bunny is real or just me and dad.....

Looks pretty "real" to me

As you can see there were no children even hunting near Ethan, but Whitney still wouldn't budge.

Amazing

"Isn't it so amazing that we can sit at the counter"

-Ethan Shaw

(Referring to these)

Recipe for FUN!

Take one birthday boy: Ethan Shaw

Add eight special friends

Mix in personalized red mini aprons

Chop in some homemade pizza, orange julius and chocolate chip cookie dough

Cream together a few games and cooking lessons

Bake for two hours

Serve with lots of treats to take home

ENJOY!

We threw Ethan a cooking party for his sixth birthday.  It turned out so cute.  They loved getting to make homemade pizza, orange julius and chocolate chip cookie dough.  I sent them home with their own little cook book, a measuring cup and kitchen timer, pizza, cookie dough and a little apron.  Unfortunately these are the only pictures I took.  I can't believe our little man is 6!

Garden

Today we planted our first garden.  I grew up in a home with a huge garden in my yard.  There were rows of corn and peas and carrots and squash.  It filled up a large part of our yard.  Each Saturday we would have to pull weeds and take care of the plants.  My parents gave me a small plot of land to grow my own herbs in.  To be honest I hated the weed pulling part and I can not remember using any of the herbs, but I remember the taste of the fresh peas and corn.  I remember the smell of the dirt and the way it made my hands feel when I worked in it.  I have always wanted to have a garden, but I have always felt like I have more of a black thumb than a green thumb so we never attempted one until now. 

We went to the library a few weeks ago and checked out almost every book they had on gardening.  Then we called my good friend who is an avid gardener and asked billions of questions to learn what to do.  Then we bought some seeds and away we went.  We found a small area in one of our flower beds that is currently not being used for flowers that was perfect.  We planted two rows of peas, two rows of spinich and two rows of lettuce.  I am learning that there are cold weather plants and warm weather plants and fall plants and spring plants, etc.  I don't know if they will grow or produce actual edible food, but it was exciting none the less.  Ashtyn helped me dig and plant and water the tiny seeds.  It was so fun and refreshing to be outside and to work together to create something. 

The clover plants I gave the kids for St. Patrick's Day have already begun to grow and Ashtyn planted flower seeds at Activity Days that too have sprouted so I have confidence that these other plants will also.  I love the idea of providing for our family on our own land.  I love the thought of fresh vegetables picked and eaten the same day.  I love the picture of my family working and tilling the ground together. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Leprechauns made their appearance once again this year.  Jeff and I decided it would be best to let Ashtyn and Whitney in on our secret because they are starting to have kids at school dispute them and Whitney's teacher told the class that leprechauns are fake.  Ashtyn said "I have spent eight years believing in them and I could have gone my whole life and not needed to know that they were you and dad.  Thank goodness Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy are real."  The girls stayed up late helping me to cut out tons of tiny paper foot prints and they helped me decorate the house in green. Then they took my clover rubber stamp and gave Ethan Leprechaun Kisses.  Ashtyn again said "I told all my friends that they kiss me and it was really just a stamp."  I think they actually loved getting to create the magic for Ethan.  This year we gave them each a little potted clover garden kit to try and a shirt to wear today.  Ethan asked me if I leave out green pieces of paper and the Leprechauns step on them to make the foot prints- I told him that was exactly right! Happy St. Partick's Day to all of you!

LOVE IT!

We did it- we hung the curtains up( well Jeff hung them up and I have to kiss him for doing it because it was really late at night, but he knew how excited I was- so he did it for me)  I love them!

This weekend I found this table cloth on clearance and fell in love with it. Of course it doesn't fit my table- they never do because our table is square, but I love the fabric so much that I decided to turn it into a roman shade for our kitchen window- or at least I will when some day a sewing machine magically appears on my door step.

Out of the Deep Blue

I've been letting each of the kids choose activities to do while we are off track. Ethan wanted to make shark cupcakes. I think they turned out pretty ferocious, don't you!

This is what happened when my little sharks got a hold of them :)

In the Leafy Tree Tops

I took my kids to the Tree House Museum this week. We have never been there before but I had heard wonderful things about it and so we went on an adventure. Inside the walls of this magical place I saw a light go off inside each of my children that showed all that they can become. These are some of the things I learned while "playing" with my kids.......

Turn off the TV and read to your children- take them places you never could in a book.

One day your child just may great up to be someone great so you'd better treat them like that now because you may just have a future President on your hand.

The whole world is a stage.

Don't spend your days putting out fires- spend it playing.

The world is so much bigger than our back yard and I need to introduce my children to all that it has to offer through different cultures, languages, foods and people.

Try new things.

And make trying those new things the greatest thing there is.

Make believe, use your imagination, dream and pretend.

Teach your children to fly high- teach them that there is a butterfly inside all of us just waiting to break free and what starts out small and insignificant will someday turn into something great.

You can be anything you want to be and helping others is the best job of all

Hero's aren't born they are made and there is one inside each of us

Making Memories

It snowed the other day after being quite sunny and pleasant. It was the kind of snow that is perfect for making a snowman and great for snowball fights. When Ethan came home from school he was so mad that Jeff had shoveled the driveway because he wanted to sled down it, but the snow was gone. So I told him to suit up because we were going outside to play. We both put on all of our snow gear and headed into the back yard. The conditions were perfect to make an even more perfect snowman. We rolled our three huge balls for his body. Ethan kept saying to be careful to not use all the snow, so that there was some left to play in. He thought it was so strange that the grass had turned yellow underneath the snow. Ethan had to go inside several times to find just the right accessories we would need for eyes, nose and a mouth. He got a carrot for the nose, pennies for the eyes and Ritz crackers for the mouth. The crackers wouldn't stick so he tromped back in to find six nickels to use instead. We found a stick for arms and he got his special Y hat for the head. He was very proud of himself.

Then we built a snow fort and had a snow ball fight. He would make one and tell me to wait while he ran out from behind the fort and right up in my face to throw his snowball at me so it would be a sure hit. He laughed and laughed. When we were done we filled two big bowls with fresh clean snow and took them inside to eat snow with syrup on it(a family tradition). As we were sitting there I was watching him enjoy every last lick. His hair was shaggy from wearing his snow hat and his cheeks were rosy from the cold. He looked so tiny and cute, but I couldn't help but think about how these one on one moments I get with him every day will be coming to a close in a few months. He will be going to school all day in July, so I won't get the given four hours each day we have now to play and talk and laugh. I wish I would have enjoyed this time a little more than I have- some days I would let him come home and disappear into my bedroom to play his Play Station for a bit instead of playing with me. It made me sad- but it also made me happy that I have memories like this and others to think about. He is so independent now and he does everything by himself. I like to watch him make his breakfast. He finds a stool, opens the fridge and grabs a bagel (his favorite). Then he slides his stool back to the counter so he can paint and toast the bagel. He gets his own cup and likes to fill it to the very brim with ice just enough so that the lid will still go on his cup. He loves to use the Shamu cups with the straws we got a Sea World. Then he brings it all to the table to sit and eat. It is just amazing to me. He is such a big boy, yet so tiny and little. What a cute kid. I intend to take full advantage of the last few months we have left together. Love that kid!

He is there

My friend Linda sent me this link- it is beautiful and reminds me "He is THERE and THERE" and I am still praying. (Click on the words in brown to see the links)

Need Inspiration

I have almost lived in my house now for a year- well it will be a year in May (where does the time go and why do I still have boxes downstairs that never got unpacked :)

We have slowly been trying to add our own touch to the rooms. When it comes to decorating I have no talent what so ever. I know I want to fill our home with meaningful things (like I said before- PS- If you liked the "tree of life" picture I got it at Tai Pan), but when it comes to choosing colors and window treatments, etc. I just can't visualize it. I prefer to see it in a magazine and then recreate my own version. I need some inspiration- but from where...hmmm?

What inspires you? When you decorate a room, where do you begin? Is is better to start with the big pieces like furniture first- or with something like a picture, pillow or vase?

These are some pictures of pieces that I am considering for our great room. I normally shy away from blue, but I loved how these colors looked together and how they complimented our picture of Christ and our paint, carpet, etc.- I wish I could keep them for a while and test them out to see- but I'm not so sure the retailers I purchased them from would look kindly on me returning a used rug..LOL.

Do you love the chip clip I am using to try these curtains out on this window?

What do you think of these tones together?

I love this rug- I took this runner back and bought the 5X7 instead, but I am too afraid to leave it out if we aren't going to keep it and we can't decide.

Another thing I am looking for is a certain feeling that I want to convey when you are in the room. Click here to hear what I want this room to feel like (in the upper left corner is the music player- click forward until you get to the song "Leave the Light On". Now if I could just translate that into curtains and accessories. So what inspires you?

Every TV star needs a special dinner

Since Dr Seuss is responsible for making Whitney famous I thought we should hold a little dinner in his honor- nothing spectacular just a little Cat in the Hat toast, green eggs and bacon(my version of ham). The kids thought it was great.

They love making this type of "rainbow toast". If you want to try it with your kids take a muffin tin and fill each hole with a few drops of food coloring. Then add 1T water to each hole and mix. Then we use a q-tip as our paint brush and paint a plain piece of bread. Toast and tada- a colorful creation.

She's Famous

Whitney made her television debut today on our local news at 11 and 5. You have to look closely to see her- but I picked her out right away and she was adorable. Her school was celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with a musical program and activites. I was on the news once as a child when my mother got pulled over for not having us buckled up after the new seat belt laws went into effect. Whitney loved it and thinks she is famous now.....maybe someday...