We love Aunts and Uncles

There are a few things that our kids really love. Two of them include getting packages and going to Bonkers. This past week they were thrilled to experience both of them thanks to their aunts and uncles.


They got a sweet package for Valentine's Day from Mike and Steph which was full of yummy treats. Jacob had stuffed all his kisses in his pocket and when I warned him they would melt he said, "I will just eat them all now." I proceeded to tell him they would make him sick, he said, "that's o.k. I'm already sick." What else could I say?
One of the treats was a push pop with a cupid on the lid. So, after learning the purpose of the cupid from his sisters, Jacob then slyly asked me, "Mom, do you know what a cupid does?" I answered, "No, what?". "They shoot people with their arrows and make them loooove". He felt so mischievious just saying it.


After many weeks of wondering when we were going to take them Bonkers, we finally went on Saturday for their Christmas gift from Uncle Jason and Aunt Debbie. The kids had a blast running and climbing through all the tunnels and going down the slides. It really is a fun place, but Moss and I didn't last long before we both felt a little nautious. I also understand a little better now why we are counseled not to gamble. When we took the kids to the upper level to play arcade games, they went crazy trying to get as many tickets as possible so they could buy a prize. Forget all the fun games, all they cared about were tickets, tickets, tickets. They went straight for the big jackpots in hopes of winning it big. Luckily they did win it big a few times, and they were able to pick out one of those amazing prizes.

A Crappy Moment

I have to admit that I love to watch when this happens. It seems that each of our kids has had this same experience of freely pooing in the bath, and then being horrified by it. I love how they call out for help as the floater is moving toward them. So, of course I had to document it. I have a clip just like this of Jake trying desperately to get away.


(Dedicated to Aunt Steph!)

Valentine's Day Dinner

So I totally stole this idea from my very clever and creative friend Sarah. She was telling about their tradition of having a family restaurant where they serve the kids (many of you have already read about it on her blog). I knew it would be a big hit with the kids. So we decided to give it a go. Moss was the waiter and I was the cook (of course). The girls loved having a menu and sitting at the table alone, and then to be served by a dramatic waitor was very entertaining. Poor Jacob missed it all. He fell asleep on the way home from decorating Moss' truck.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a very nice day. I ended up being in charge of Mary's class party and never even took one picture it was so busy. I was just glad it went off without a hitch. After school we went and decorated Moss' truck in the parking garage. The kids had a great time tieing balloons onto it and putting Valentine stick-ons on the windows. (I have to give Lisa credit for that idea.) How is it that after a whole day focused on the kids they ask "Is there a Kids' Day?" It stems from the fact that there are holidays officially titled "Mother's Day" and "Father's Day".

The Answer

Well, I found the answer to my question posed in the previous entry, Dinner time or Torture? I went to our church leadership broadcast yesterday, and Elder Oaks repeated something he had taught in his most recent General Conference address, Good, Better, Best. I had to include it since I imagine many young Mom's face very similar battles when it comes to dinner.

The number of those who report that their “whole family usually eats dinner together” has declined 33 percent. This is most concerning because the time a family spends together “eating meals at home [is] the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.”3 Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs.4 There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner is you.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=5ce926cb31cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

After having read this I decided the benefits of having dinner far out-weigh the negatives. So I guess I will keep making it. Some how gagging, crying, spills, wasted food, and dishes pale in comparison the possibility of smoking, drugs, and drinking. If you are trying to decide which battles to fight, this might be one you want to win!

Dinner Time or Torture?

It is amazing the time and energy I put into food, all the while thinking that I am truly blessing my family. Well some how over the past 8 years I totally missed the reality that I am actually torturing my children! How is it that of all my responsibilities as a mom, my least favorite task is making dinner and cleaning it up, and the kids least favorite thing is to have to eat it, yet I keep doing it night after night????

Mary is trying to finish her dinner without gagging in order to get some ice cream. Very motivated!

The Annual Pine Wood Derby

This is the second year a pinewood derby has been hosted by the Elders Quorum in our ward (much thanks to our friend Matt Webb). Some how it comes up so much faster than we anticipate and Moss runs out of time to perfect his car. Unfortunately we underestimated the hopes of the kids for winning the race. Needless to say, our car did not perform to expectations. Mary was devastated. We will definitely have to take it more seriously in the future! Thanks to the Hill's, we did manage one victory for which Jacob was very proud! He is still carrying, the now 3-wheeled, car all around. He loves it despite its failings.

Here they all are having a good time in the cold garage the night before the big race. It's all about the experience, right?

Busy, Busy, Capable Brooke

This girl is going to wear me out! She is a chair pushin', counter-climbing, brother-wackin' girl. She being so adorable does not help. Her sisters protect her ferociously from her brother, who is usually the victim of an aggressive attack. This is her after a climb on the counter to find a bag of thawed mixed berries. The picture below is her 30 seconds after I left the kitchen. You'll notice the bar stool on the counter. I accidentally left one down when I ate lunch. She took full advantage of my neglect! She was so proud.