Super Strong Saver Guy

Super Strong Saver guy. He helps people in trouble because he's super strong.

Speed Cup Stacking

Ever wonder what teenage boys do in their spare time? Now you know! Sorry the pictures are so blurry, but they move awfully fast to get the cups back into a single stack and my camera can't catch it.

Valentine Cookies

My niece Traci came to show me how to put 'royal icing' on my valentine cookies. She's the 'professional' and EVERYTHING is better when she takes part. Thanks, Traci!

Mouse Fiesta

So Friday morning, I went into Jared’s room to wake him up for seminary. When I gave him his second wake-up call he said, “Mom, there is something in that chip bag.” I listened and sure enough, there was a rattle, rattle, crunch, crunch and a gently wiggling tortilla chip bag next to his nightstand. We figured it was a mouse so I went to grab a ‘chip clip’ to close the top so we could get rid of it. After closing the top, Jared turned the bag around so we could see through the clear front. And there – with it’s paws leaning against the outside of the bag - looking up at us with utter fear was the cutest little mouse you ever saw! It was brown and with it’s feet up like that, we could see it’s plump furry white belly – it had been having it’s own personal fiesta! Jared put down the bag in order to get some clothes on to take it outside, and the little Houdini escaped – it ran over by Jared’s drum-set and I guess they stood there looking at each other not knowing what to do. Jared went to get something to catch him with, but he was never seen nor heard from again. We hope it was a fluke – because we never saw any mice droppings anywhere in his room (or in the house for that matter.) There were probably some in the tortilla bag, but we didn't desire to look that close before it got tossed. We did, however, set up poison under the house just in case he wanted to return and bring some friends.

'Brick' House in Living Room

Abe loves the story of the Three Little Pigs. He usually wants to make himself a house out of bricks using blocks. Well, blocks tend to get knocked down regardless of the presence of a Big Bad Wolf, so I suggested we set up his Hippo Tent to be his house of bricks. Lucily he agreed. Notice 'shelves' for storage on the left side and his bed on the right.

Every respectable brick house needs a fireplace with which to catch the Big Bad Wolf when he comes down the chimney. Abe made his fire with lincoln logs and the flames from construction paper.

Now that he's safe inside his house of bricks, he can enjoy a long winter's nap. When I zipped open a little side vent to remove his DVD player, there he was! All that hard work caught up with him. Hopefully the Big Bad Wolf doesn't find that little access. Sweet dream, 'Practical' Abe!

100th Day of School

Yesterday was Abe's 100th day of kindergarten. He wanted his pancakes to reflect the occasion...

Organized Closets

Last week, I mentioned to Julie (who helps me keep my house clean)that I was going to re-organize the kids closets. She mentioned her husband's business is slow during the winter, and he could help her do a a re-build. Wow-that was an understatement! It seemed like the very next day they totally demoloshed the insides of the exsisting closets. Then they re-built and painted both closets! Motivated, I spent money online at The Container Store to buy clear containers to fit the spaces. I am so pleased with the results! There are empty shelves in Jared's room (of course we took the opportunity to purge a bunch of stuff!).



Today, Abe pulled a lot of his Little People structures out to play, because they are so easily accessable! And they'll also be easy to put away!


Doesn't he look excited?