That's Using Your Head

A moment with Zion. Tonight at bedtime we told the kids that Rob had to be away for a few days on business. I told them that we would have swim class two of the nights though and that would help the time to pass quickly. Zion was suddenly sad. At first I thought it was because Rob had to go for a few days. She was mumbling though so I couldn't tell what she said except the words "nursery" and "wet hair". It was clearly distressing her but it was not about Rob. As it turns out she wanted to go play with the toys in nursery after her lesson but didn't want to go with wet hair. Suddenly a gasp and a smile. Arms fly up in realization, "I know" she squeals. "We can go BEFORE swim class!" What a problem solver. How to avoid playing with wet hair. What a girl!

Now she's ecstatic and for Zion you know that means she jumping and probably singing about something. She is back to being excited about her swim class. She yells "I'm going to do a really good bob!" Jumps up, sucks in her breath and then collapses to the floor in an imitation of going under water in class. She's so darn cute.

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to pop on real quick and tell everybody Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you will think upon all of the wonderful things that you have to be thankful for right now. God bless you!

Simple Pleasures

Right now it is rainy and cold and very windy outside. I spent the day inside thoroughly enjoying the blustery day (my favorite kind of day). Last week Zion and Gideon ran fevers, this weekend it was Gabe's turn. I also ended up not feeling well and that was a big bummer because I opted to stay home from my nieces birthday party. The two hour round trip seemed a bit much for me today. So I stayed home and colored. I love to color, especially when I don't feel well. It's like comfort food. I'm kind of excited too because of what I am coloring.

Should I tell you or make you wait?

Oh, OK, I'll tell. Don't get all pushy on me. ;)

Last year I bought a Christmas coloring book. The pages are like velum. Thick and see through and have a variety of Christmas scenes in a stained glass style. Last year I wanted to color them and hang them in the windows but didn't get to it (big surprise there, huh?). So a little late but having fun and they are turning out really well. I will post pictures. I think they are going to look so cool with the light shining through them, just like real stained glass. Mostly.

Halloween Lite

Though Fall is my favorite season and I decorate my house in a Fall theme almost as much as I do for Christmas, Halloween has dropped on my list of favorite holidays since I was a child. Every year we kind of revisit if and how we'll participate in the traditional festivities. I firmly believe that this decision is up to each Christian as to what is right for their family and that God will direct them in that decision. I only mention this because I have many friends, in real life and in the blogging world, that run the gamut of celebrating in every way and those who completely abstain. We kind of do "Halloween Lite". We carved our pumpkin which you saw on an earlier post. I'm really bummed that we didn't get to Jamie's for the annual carving party though, that's always a blast. Well, except kind of for last year when it ended up with Zion in the ER.

The night of Halloween was cold, windy and brought us off and on downpours so we elected to bypass trick-or-treating (kind of glad to have a reason to be honest) and skipped right ahead to the Pumpkin Patch Bash which is located in our local high school and put on by one of the churches in town.

There is a mountain of candy. This is AFTER they have already loaded the dozens of booths and activities with their stash to start. I don't even want to know how many cavities this represents.


Their common area of the high school is lined with game booths. Simple things for pretty much every age. Here Gabe, er... I mean Mario, is tossing beanbags to knock the crows of the scarecrow. I thought that was a pretty clever change to the normal beanbag toss type game.


Gideon, or should I say "Frankenstein's Monster", really, really enjoyed his lolly pop. The only thing I might change about this event as we've gone two years now is the amount of candy they give at each booth. Literally one of two HANDfulls. At EACH booth. A little overboard if you ask me. But, it lasts our kids all year long. Their buckets stay in the pantry and they only get pieces now and again.


Stopping for a photo op on the way out to the pony rides. Mario sans hat and cape, the "monster" and our little princess (a good use for her birthday dress that is now in the dress-up box).

Gabe and Zion have loved pony rides since they were born practically so it never even crossed my mind that Gideon might take issue with one. He did. Loudly. The family running the ride kindly suggested that he just walk with Gideon next to the pony which Gideon didn't mind at all really. Just don't put him back ON the hairy beast of terror.


Back at home I grab Gabe and Zion for another quick pic with the pumpkin.


Then so long, farewell, auf weidersehen, good night...

...and Mommy and Daddy are left to answer the doorbell a few dozen times (seriously and that's only between 8 and 9) before getting some quiet ourselves.

Great Globs of Pumpkin Guts

All of our plans to get to a pumpkin farm this year were stymied by weather. It was an unusually cold and wet October for us. We did, however, manage to make it to Fred Meyer the night of the 30th to rummage through the damaged and misshapen orbs to find a decent pumpkin.
Of course, every the process always starts with a good gutting.

And the teaching of future generations.

Interested in pumpkin guts.

Unimpressed by pumpkin guts.

Do you like our pumpkin? We think he's just super. Super Mario that is. ;)

Pretzel Recipe

Here's the recipe that we used for pretzels the other day. Easy and yummy (though I recommend eating them right away or storing them air tight!), it's from www.cookingcache.com (though I found it just by googling "pretzel letters")

ABC Pretzels

• 1 package dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon
• pinch of kosher salt
• 2 cups flour (unbleached) white, wheat or a combination
• 1 egg

Directions

1. 5 minutes before beginning, mix the yeast and water together
2. preheat oven to 425, pour flour and sugar into bowl and mix
3. add a pinch of kosher salt and mix
4. add water and yeast mixture, mix and form into a ball (I had to add a smidge extra water, don't worry if it's a little sticky because when you roll it out on to the floured surface you can use that flour to "unsticky" it)
5. generously sprinkle flour on to counter or cutting board
6. place dough on flour and roll with rolling pin for about 5 minutes
7. roll dough into long pencil-like coils, then shape into various letters (having made these, I would make them thicker, but that's how I like my pretzels)
8. brush dough with beaten egg
9. sprinkle with salt or cinnamon and sugar (some of these I baked, then brushed with melted butter and THEN applied the seasoning)
10. bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown
11. eat!
    

Stacking The Deck

Photo evidence of Gideon's latest obsession. He puts the cards in his hand one at a time making sure they are stacked nicely. He tosses them to the floor and starts over again. If they don't line up right he gets so mad. Not as mad as if you offer to help him. Then he really squeals in anger. It's actually kind of funny.

Twisted

Tuesday I was out running errands with the kids, one of our stops included Target. They convinced me to get a pretzel to share (like I needed much convincing) and Gabe asked how they were made (he's really into how things are made these days) so I told him we would make some. He thought I was kidding. Silly goose.

Wednesday morning I said "let's make pretzels!" waiting for the cheers of joy. Well, let's just say I'm still waiting. OK, Zion was actually the one who was excited, Gabe had apparently gotten over the mysterious origins of pretzels by then.

I'm beginning to think the only reason she likes to help in the kitchen is so that she can get messy.


She was very happy to help with mixing and rolling...

...but when it came to the part of the recipe that said "apply approximately 1 tablespoon of flour to assistants face" she was stellar. Wait a second! Do you think she made that part up? I guess that would make sense since she can't read yet.


We made lightly salted letters, twisted ones with cinnamon and sugar and rings with garlic butter. Yum! And really easy. I was actually surprised at how easy they were.


I asked Gabe to smile for the next shot. Alas, he is one of those kids who can't smile for pictures. His face looks like I just stomped on his foot. This one is actually the better of the two. I'm hoping he grows out of it.



Zion, on the other hand, is back to being my star model for photos and gives me great smiles. Though I do need to do better at combing her hair first. My fault.


Yum!

And So It Starts

Zion and Gideon have had coughs and sniffles and fevers off and on for weeks now. *sigh* The last four days have been the worst. First Zion ran a high fever for two days then Gideon today and yesterday. Poor guy. He tries so hard to still be his happy self when he's not feeling well. I am hoping for a healthier year this year. We're not off to a good start.

On a happier note Gabe was finally tested in reading at school and is at a second grade, month four level. I'd say that's pretty good for a Kindergartner. I have his parent/teacher conference in a couple of weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.

Silliness

*sigh* I had silly stories that I wanted to tell about Zion. She is a very funny child. Her expressions, her gestures. Now I just wish I could remember them long enough to get them on here. So, for now, I can remember one. This morning she was sitting in the round chair with her legs all tucked up watching a show. After she got up and walked for a moment she said "Mommy, my feet are sprinkling." Ha! I'm just glad I understood what she meant or that might have been an awkward conversation. I have to admit, I don't like it when my legs tingle after they fall asleep. maybe if they "sprinkled" instead?

Look Who's Coming To Dinner

Or came to dinner I should say. We were very excited to have Rob's mom, Marlene, and his Aunt Jerri come stay with us a while. The kids latched on to them like they got to see them every day (despite Gideon's expression in this picture). Which was great to see and also gave me a bit of a break.

Maisy was kind of a stinker. She just wanted to go out. And yowled. And yowled. Even cuddles from Aunt Jerri couldn't satisfy.

Gabe and Zion lovin' on Grandma.

We got to take them to some of our favorite places to eat and we spent a lot of time staying dry at home since it rained a ton while they were here (but it was raining at their home too so I didn't feel too bad - ha ha) and we got to have Zion's third birthday party. She wanted to have a princess party and she got a princess party! I will come back on soon and post pics. Honestly, I haven't been to eager to blog lately because Blogspot, which has always been difficult to uplaod photos, has gotten even worse. I'm contemplating switching blog hosts but for now am just reluctant to spend too much time here. I'm bummed about that. So anyway, pics of Zion's birthday soon!