Cabin Fever

It's the end of January and it feels like there's no end to winter in sight. I feel like the kids are always on top of me. Their favorite game right now is "Booger Monster". Indie is the monster and they run from room to room screaming "AHHHHHH! The Booger Monster is coming!" I need to be able to send them somewhere! They go to the neighbors a lot, but I still feel like they are always so loud! I send them outside to play in the snow, but that never lasts long and Park won't even go. And he was the one I couldn't get to come inside during the summer. This morning I decided to cruise the internet and find ideas to help with our cabin fever. I came across the perfect one. They say to use tape on the carpet to outline hopscotch and a freethrow line, and I got to thinking...why not do it in the basement? So I made it a project.

Here is the before. Not very playable.

And the after. I know you can't see it all so here's everything we've got going on down here: A free throw line with the hoop, hopscotch, plactic balls to throw around, soccer goals and bikes with a gas pump they can fill up at that I found at DI for $3! Hopefully this helps!

Last night Annicka was especially tired. Normally after prayers and scripture stories I'll read a chapter book out loud. Right now we are reading "A Series of Unfortunate Events". Anyway, Annicka was crying because she didn't want me to read out loud, "because I'm too tired and it keeps waking me up." Park still wanted me to read and I tried telling her that she has been able to fall asleep while I was reading before. But she was adamant with the whiny crying voice. So I got out "Where the Wild Things Are" and I read it to Park very quietly. Guess what Annicka did half way through the book. She got out of bed feigning a desire for a stuffed animal to sleep with and came over to Park's bed wanting to see the pictures. "I thought you were too tired for me to read, Annicka." "I just want to see the pictures, mom!" Typical five-year-old!

Happy Birthday, Indie & Scott!

Indie's Birthday was Wednesday. It was very low key...just us. It was kind of nice that way. I do like to entertain, but I had a cold and wasn't up to having lots of people over anyway.

Indie was our first child who really got into his cake without any coaxing. Annicka we had to coax and Park wouldn't touch it, even with the coaxing.

What a handsome and messy one-year-old!

Indie got a fun present that I think Park and Annicka got more into than he did.

And today is Scott's birthday. Happy 35th Birthday, my love! You know how much you mean to me and to the kids. I'm so grateful for a loving and patient husband. And thank you, Rolyne (and Ron), for doing such a fine job of raising him! You've done an amazing job with all of your children, but I am especially grateful for Scott, for obvious reasons. Happy Birthday to my favorite husband and my favorite #3 child! I cannot imagine life without you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all! We love this time of year and the time we get to spend with our family and thinking about the birth of our Savior!

This girls was made for hats!

Getting ready for the Nativity play!

Park has the best reactions to presents! Everything he opened was like this.

You know Park's red pants? Well he has some blue shorts too, that he absolutely loves. The kids got new PJs and Park got all excited when he opened them, when asked if he wanted to put them on? "NO!" He agreed to the shirt but wouldn't put on the pants.

Most of the grandkids with grandma and their new hats.

Mister over stimulated cranky pants! He makes a cute cranky pants, though, right?

Getting into the Holiday Spirit!

It finally got warm enough for the snow to make a good snow man. We decided to make a girl.

Last night for FHE we made a gingerbread house and train.

Park wanted the train and Annicka the house.

Aren't they beautiful?

And of course I had to get a bathtub picture of Indie in. He gets so happy and crazy in the tub.

So, Annicka and Park got some crayons and coloring books from Aunt Maureen. I thought they were coloring in their coloring books. Apparently not. I went into their room and saw this on Annicka's sheets. I called Annie in and asked her, "What happened here?" her response?..."Park did it." "Annicka," I said, "Park, doesn't know how to write, let alone spell your name. What really happened?" I'm sure Park may have contributed to some of the coloring, but really? Your name? Part of me wanted to giggle at her very sorry attempt at lying. She came clean and her consequence for lying was that I didn't read "A Series of Unfortunate Events" that night while they were going to bed. Thankfully they were washable crayons and all I can hope is that she is always this terrible at lying.

Happy Birthday, Park!

For Park's Birthday we decided to go bowling. This was Park's first time actually going (you know, besides Wii bowling) and only Annicka's 2nd. We had a GREAT time!

We had someone in our ward who is trying to start her own cake business makes Park's cupcakes, they were delicious and it was totally perfect for Park!

Can you tell that Park liked his cupcakes?

And for his birthday he got a carpet to drive his cars on, along with a few new cars.

Happy Birthday, Park, we LOVE you! You are so happy and cuddly and you always make us laugh. You are so mellow, except for that stubborn streak, don't ever stop being stubborn! Use it to learn to be stubborn in good things. We are so happy you are part of our family!