Hope your busy days (and years) are also good.
Happy end of 2012!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy Almost New Year
Hope your busy days (and years) are also good.
Happy end of 2012!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Mercer Mayer's Birthday
In my last post, I talked about major anniversaries or birthdays in 2012 and wondered what major anniversaries or birthdays were coming up in 2013. Well today, December 30, is author Mercer Mayer's birthday. And in 2013 he will turn 70.
We love Mercer Mayer in our home. I grew up reading Mercer Mayer books and was so happy to introduce our children to his books years ago. I shared a cute blog post of Jr. Jr. with a Mercer Mayer book a couple years ago. My mom knows we love Mercer Mayer and has gotten us several of the Little Critter books, including "Just a Little Critter Collection" with 7 books in one.
Tonight I thought it would be great to read some Mercer Mayer while we were having some food at the table. The kids brought their own books to the table, so Jeremy had me get a picture of what it sometimes feels like when the kids have books in their hands (I do love that our kids have a love of reading, but sometimes they are supposed to be doing other things).
I did get to read the kids a Little Critter story later, though.
Happy Birthday, Mercer Mayer. We love you.
We love Mercer Mayer in our home. I grew up reading Mercer Mayer books and was so happy to introduce our children to his books years ago. I shared a cute blog post of Jr. Jr. with a Mercer Mayer book a couple years ago. My mom knows we love Mercer Mayer and has gotten us several of the Little Critter books, including "Just a Little Critter Collection" with 7 books in one.
Tonight I thought it would be great to read some Mercer Mayer while we were having some food at the table. The kids brought their own books to the table, so Jeremy had me get a picture of what it sometimes feels like when the kids have books in their hands (I do love that our kids have a love of reading, but sometimes they are supposed to be doing other things).
I tried to read you a Mercer Mayer book... but you were too busy.
I did get to read the kids a Little Critter story later, though.
Happy Birthday, Mercer Mayer. We love you.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Tick Tock Day
Tick Tock. Tick Tock. The clock is ticking for the end of the day and the end of the year. December 29th is Tick Tock Day and it's a good time to talk about some major anniversaries we haven't yet mentioned this year.
I blogged about 2012 being Oreo's 100th birthday and the LEGO wheel's 50th anniversary.
2012 also marks the 50th anniversary of when the book, A Wrinkle in Time, was published. We were planning on reading it with the kids some time this year, then forgot about it until today. So we were going to pick it up from the library today, but forgot about it again (we're not intentionally forgetting, Madeleine L'Engle. We promise). Sigh. Maybe for it's 51st anniversary.
We did celebrate Krispy Kreme's 75th birthday, though. On Talk Like a Pirate Day, people who dressed up like pirates were able to get a dozen donuts free at some Krispy Kreme stores.
What other major anniversaries happened in 2012? Do you know of any coming up in 2013?
I blogged about 2012 being Oreo's 100th birthday and the LEGO wheel's 50th anniversary.
2012 also marks the 50th anniversary of when the book, A Wrinkle in Time, was published. We were planning on reading it with the kids some time this year, then forgot about it until today. So we were going to pick it up from the library today, but forgot about it again (we're not intentionally forgetting, Madeleine L'Engle. We promise). Sigh. Maybe for it's 51st anniversary.
What other major anniversaries happened in 2012? Do you know of any coming up in 2013?
Friday, December 28, 2012
Another Creative Combination
Here we go again. Combining celebrations. December 28th is National Card Playing Day. It is also Stan Lee's birthday. Stan Lee is the creator of several Marvel comic book characters, including Spiderman. Our creative solution to combining these two?
Nichole took a picture of me playing solitaire while Jr.'s Spiderman figurine looked on. Heh Heh.
We were going to play card games with the whole family earlier, but it didn't work out. Instead we watched a movie together. That did work out.
We were going to play card games with the whole family earlier, but it didn't work out. Instead we watched a movie together. That did work out.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tacos and Beyond
If you have no idea what the title of this post has to do with this... post, click on this link to see what my original Tacos and Beyond post was about. Every once in a while you'll see something written that doesn't look quite right. In this case, it has to do with a gift we were given for Christmas (thank you, friends).
The brown box of mints came inside the festive red box.
Now look closely at the weight listed on the inside box
and the weight listed on the outside box.
So... when you put the one box inside the other, it makes the whole thing lighter? Jeremy says it must be an anti-gravity box.
The brown box of mints came inside the festive red box.
Now look closely at the weight listed on the inside box
So... when you put the one box inside the other, it makes the whole thing lighter? Jeremy says it must be an anti-gravity box.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Another One For You, Honey
This post is so you can look back in a few weeks and remember what wonderful things we did with the kids and not remember the contention that was going on in our home all day.
Remember how we took the kids to the school and went sledding down the hill in the schoolyard.
Remember how we played the game, "Sorry!" with the kids. We thought toward the beginning of the game that either Nichole or Jr. was sure to win since they both had more pieces in the safe zone, but it turned out that we both finished before they did.
Also, remember that the kids did do some helpful things today. Jr. helped shovel the sidewalk. Nichole helped wiped down the table. They both did some picking up. It wasn't all fighting and rudeness.
We also worked on organizing things. We organized the games cupboard... in our own ways.
Oh, and don't forget some of us had hot chocolate after we came in
from outside. And some of the hot chocolate had candy canes in it.
December 26th is National Candy Cane Day. Isn't it nice that we were
able to celebrate another holiday?
There were some really good things to the day. Remember those.
Remember how we took the kids to the school and went sledding down the hill in the schoolyard.
Also, remember that the kids did do some helpful things today. Jr. helped shovel the sidewalk. Nichole helped wiped down the table. They both did some picking up. It wasn't all fighting and rudeness.
We also worked on organizing things. We organized the games cupboard... in our own ways.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
We got a white Christmas this year. Yesterday morning it started snowing and continued all day. When there was enough snow, but not as heavy as it got later, Nichole and Jr. convinced me to take them out to play with their sled.
It's been a while since we've had snow like this, so it was fun to take advantage of it.
The kids enjoyed me pulling them, pulling each other, and even pulling me.
Today was still white, though I don't know if it snowed any fresh snow. We spent the whole day inside in our pajamas.
I don't feel like uploading any new pictures so you just get what you get.
Oh, I did do handmade gifts for the kids again this year. Thankfully what I had planned was simple, because I ended up making them on Christmas Eve. Bookmarks. I started making them on the floor of my room where the kids were involved in watching a movie (heh heh heh, I'm tricky) and I finished making them in the bathroom. Why, you ask? Because Jeremy needed to help the kids wrap their Christmas gifts to me in my room. And the living room was freezing. Why was it freezing? I'll tell you. How Jeremy cooks turkey smokes up our apartment for a while (it's supposed to do that) so when he does it, the kids and I hide in our room watching a movie, and Jeremy opens up the windows in the living room, and closes the doors to the rest of the apartment. I already mentioned the snow, and the cold came right in through the open windows. The bathroom is the warmest room in our apartment, and that's why I finished the bookmarks in there.
I forgot to get a finished picture of the three, so here's a finished picture of them... after they were wrapped.
Merry Christmas!
It's been a while since we've had snow like this, so it was fun to take advantage of it.
The kids enjoyed me pulling them, pulling each other, and even pulling me.
Today was still white, though I don't know if it snowed any fresh snow. We spent the whole day inside in our pajamas.
I don't feel like uploading any new pictures so you just get what you get.
Oh, I did do handmade gifts for the kids again this year. Thankfully what I had planned was simple, because I ended up making them on Christmas Eve. Bookmarks. I started making them on the floor of my room where the kids were involved in watching a movie (heh heh heh, I'm tricky) and I finished making them in the bathroom. Why, you ask? Because Jeremy needed to help the kids wrap their Christmas gifts to me in my room. And the living room was freezing. Why was it freezing? I'll tell you. How Jeremy cooks turkey smokes up our apartment for a while (it's supposed to do that) so when he does it, the kids and I hide in our room watching a movie, and Jeremy opens up the windows in the living room, and closes the doors to the rest of the apartment. I already mentioned the snow, and the cold came right in through the open windows. The bathroom is the warmest room in our apartment, and that's why I finished the bookmarks in there.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 24, 2012
We're Ready
Kids are wearing their new pajamas they got from Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa.
Treats are out for Santa. This year he gets pumpkin pie and Chex Mix with eggnog. December 24th is National Eggnog Day after all.
Now it's time for a bedtime story and sleep. Though it seems like one of the kids has already fallen asleep.
Nighty Night.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Noche de Rábanos
December 23rd is Night of the Radishes. Traditionally it's celebrated with radish sculptures. I did not have the time nor the energy to sculpt radishes. Instead I sliced them up and put them in salad for dinner. Yay! Now we have our side salad for Christmas Eve dinner as well.
Speaking of Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Eve in general, I still have so much to do, so... Bye.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Bah Humbug
Kristin: There's just something about homemade bread bowls.
Jeremy: Humbug.
Kristin: Ha Ha Ha Ha. Because of the day. Ha Ha Ha Ha.
December 21st is Humbug Day. We decided to make grumpy faces for a picture after Jeremy's comment.
The grumpy faces were a change from a little while earlier when the kids and I were happily singing, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," rather loudly. I hope the neighbors didn't mind.
After our grumpy picture, Jr. Jr. decided to pose for some more pictures.
P.S. Jeremy actually liked the bread bowls I made. Just in case you were worried.
Jeremy: Humbug.
Kristin: Ha Ha Ha Ha. Because of the day. Ha Ha Ha Ha.
The grumpy faces were a change from a little while earlier when the kids and I were happily singing, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," rather loudly. I hope the neighbors didn't mind.
After our grumpy picture, Jr. Jr. decided to pose for some more pictures.
P.S. Jeremy actually liked the bread bowls I made. Just in case you were worried.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Not So Picky Today
Every once in a while, my children will actually compliment the food I make (my husband compliments it all the time). And sometimes it is quite the compliment.
Jr.: These are the best muffins in the whole world. And they're homemade.
I'm sure glad I made oatmeal muffins to celebrate National Oatmeal Muffin Day, December 19th. Those will now go on the list of foods my children will eat without complaining.
Nichole: What kind of muffins are these?
Mommy: Oatmeal muffins.
Nichole: Jr., you have to try the muffins.
Nichole: I definitely like the onion rings.
Yay. Onion rings were a hit today as well.
And I made cauliflower macaroni and cheese, a recipe from the October 2012 FamilyFun Magazine. Mmmmmm, I almost couldn't get enough of it.
Jr.: These are the best muffins in the whole world. And they're homemade.
I'm sure glad I made oatmeal muffins to celebrate National Oatmeal Muffin Day, December 19th. Those will now go on the list of foods my children will eat without complaining.
Nichole: What kind of muffins are these?
Mommy: Oatmeal muffins.
Nichole: Jr., you have to try the muffins.
Nichole: I definitely like the onion rings.
Yay. Onion rings were a hit today as well.
And I made cauliflower macaroni and cheese, a recipe from the October 2012 FamilyFun Magazine. Mmmmmm, I almost couldn't get enough of it.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day 2012
Jr.: What holiday is it today?
Mommy: Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day.
Jr.: Ooooh, I want to wear a plunger on my head.
Nichole: Your face is part of your head, right?
Mommy: Yep.
Nichole: I'm going to stick a plunger on my face like Daddy does.
Monday, December 17, 2012
National Maple Syrup Day 2012
How did we celebrate December 17th, National Maple Syrup Day?
In the obvious way... with pancakes and syrup.
But we did it with really cute kids.
In the obvious way... with pancakes and syrup.
But we did it with really cute kids.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
National Chocolate Covered Anything Day 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Annual Polar Express Party!
National Cocoa Day, December 13th. Great day for our annual Polar Express Party. Nichole remembers two years ago when we moved the furniture around to make a booth on a train to sit at with hot chocolate and oranges. She was insistent that we do that again, though she was happy about having Clementines to go with our hot chocolate this year.
We did move a couple pieces of the couch and put a tablecloth over a crate to set our food on. And we watched the movie, The Polar Express. Mostly. Both Nichole and Jr. had books they couldn't put down so they kept going back to reading during parts of the movie. So cute.
The kids wanted jumbo marshmallows in their hot chocolate (which don't melt that quickly), so after they drank their drinks, they took forks to hold their marshmallows while they ate them. Tee Hee.
Jr. was way too tired after the movie for us to read the book, The Polar Express, so we'll have to do that tomorrow.
The kids wanted jumbo marshmallows in their hot chocolate (which don't melt that quickly), so after they drank their drinks, they took forks to hold their marshmallows while they ate them. Tee Hee.
Jr. was way too tired after the movie for us to read the book, The Polar Express, so we'll have to do that tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Don't Want To Miss It
Happy 12-12-12!
Not too bad for the wiggly 2 year old.
The sunglasses were his idea.
Happy celebrating!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Happy Hanukkah- A post by Jeremy
As a way to help our children respect other cultures and religions we'll often talk about beliefs and especially holidays. (We have a thing for holidays here.) Last month we had an opportunity to talk about Shiva from the Hindu religion, though there was no specific holiday attached at that time. In the past we've celebrated passover, though you'll have to forgive us if it wasn't completely Kosher- getting every piece of leaven out of our home just wasn't going to happen. Hanukkah started last night, and our kids love to play Dreidel! They love to make them spin, they love the simple rules, and most of all they love the piles of chocolate coins.
In the past we've taught them about why Hanukkah is celebrated and the miracle of the oil in the Temple (It got too late tonight to review). What are some other holidays that are a good way to introduce a religion or culture?
P.S. We've got Christmas covered- thanks :)
P.S. We've got Christmas covered- thanks :)
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Let Me Tell You About My Day
We got the kids up early this morning because we drove Jeremy to Thanksgiving Point to do balloon twisting at a Breakfast with Santa event. Then the kids and I went home for a bit to finish getting ready. Then we headed down to Salem to take Nichole to a dance practice at a school- lighting and spacing rehearsal for a show that afternoon. The lady in charge of the dance company is a good friend and said Nichole could stay there while the boys and I went to pick up Jeremy from Thanksgiving Point, which we did. We left Nichole with a lunch and Jeremy, the boys, and I ate in the car on our way down to Salem again. I got to sit with Nichole's class during the show. She really enjoyed having Mommy sit with her.
After the performance, we all got in the car again to head back home to change because we had tithing settlement to go to at the church building. After tithing settlement, we loaded everyone in the car again and went to Orem to do some shopping at Winco and pick up some pizzas for dinner. Then we headed home where we ate dinner, did scripture study and family prayer, bathed and showered the kids, and dealt with stalling until the kids finally went to bed. And Jr. Jr. got a haircut.
Oh, and it was cold and windy, too.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
There's Always a Bright Side
Cold and flu season is not my favorite time of year.
On the bright side, some good things have been happening.
Nichole's third tooth came out just in time to sing, "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth," for her school's Christmas Sing. Before it came out, she was singing, "All I want for Christmas is my loose tooth out."
We also started our Advent Calendar scripture study again with the M&Ms. So far so good.
Plenty of other things, but I don't have time to talk about them right now.
On the bright side, some good things have been happening.
Plenty of other things, but I don't have time to talk about them right now.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
December Holidays Coming Up
December's a big one for celebrating- mostly because of Christmas. Here are links to posts we've written about ways we've celebrated.
December 13 is National Cocoa Day.
December 13, 2011- Cocoa Day 2011
December 24 is Christmas Eve and December 25 is Christmas.
December 13, 2010- Catch of the Day
December 15, 2010- Quick, Hide Your Red Nose
December 19, 2010- Santa!
December 23, 2010- Polar Express Party
December 24, 2010- Merry Christmas 2010
December 25, 2010- Merry Christmas from the Telfords
January 8, 2011- Handmade Christmas Gifts
December 21, 2011- KAT's Kreation
December 23, 2011- It's a Train
December 24, 2011- Merry Christmas 2011
December 30, 2011- Past and Present
January 5, 2012- In No Particular Order...
January 11, 2012- Handmade Christmas Gifts 2011
December 31 is New Year's Eve
December 31, 2009- A Little Taste of Hungary
January 1, 2010- Happy New Year- Happy Cheeseball
December 30, 2010- Not Just For Guacamole
December 31, 2011- Happy New Year!
Advent Calendar
For the past few years, our family has been doing a Countdown to Christmas/Advent Calendar. The first year, we focused on the counting down (or up) and having an activity to do every day as a family.
December 1, 2009- Advent Calendar
December 2, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 2nd
December 3, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 3rd
December 4, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 4th
December 5, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 5th
December 6, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 6th
December 7, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 7th
December 8, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 8th
December 9, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 9th
December 10, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 10th
December 11, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 11th
December 13, 2009- December 13th- Advent Calendar
December 14, 2009- December 14th- Advent Calendar
December 15, 2009- December 15th- Advent Calendar
December 16, 2009- December 16th- Christmas Dinner
December 17, 2009- December 17th- Christmas Shopping
December 18, 2009- December 18th- Wrap Presents
December 19, 2009- December 19th- Enjoy Beauty
December 22, 2009- December 20th & 21st & December 22nd
December 23, 2009- December 23rd- Toys For Tots
December 24, 2009- December 24th- Christmas Eve
December 26, 2009- December 25th- Christmas!
The next two years, our countdown activities were connected with our family scripture study.
December 1, 2010- We're making a whole advent out of it!
December 12, 2010- More About the Advent
December 16, 2010- More Advent Fun
December 18, 2010- KAT's Meow
December 21, 2010- The Light of Christmas
December 1, 2011- Countdown to Christmas
December 5, 2011- Not So Pleasant Tradition
And today, December 1, is Eat a Red Apple Day. We're eating pizza and red apples for dinner, then for dessert we'll eat mint M&Ms as we start our advent calendar scripture study..
December 13 is National Cocoa Day.
December 13, 2011- Cocoa Day 2011
December 24 is Christmas Eve and December 25 is Christmas.
December 13, 2010- Catch of the Day
December 15, 2010- Quick, Hide Your Red Nose
December 19, 2010- Santa!
December 23, 2010- Polar Express Party
December 24, 2010- Merry Christmas 2010
December 25, 2010- Merry Christmas from the Telfords
January 8, 2011- Handmade Christmas Gifts
December 21, 2011- KAT's Kreation
December 23, 2011- It's a Train
December 24, 2011- Merry Christmas 2011
December 30, 2011- Past and Present
January 5, 2012- In No Particular Order...
January 11, 2012- Handmade Christmas Gifts 2011
December 31 is New Year's Eve
December 31, 2009- A Little Taste of Hungary
January 1, 2010- Happy New Year- Happy Cheeseball
December 30, 2010- Not Just For Guacamole
December 31, 2011- Happy New Year!
Advent Calendar
For the past few years, our family has been doing a Countdown to Christmas/Advent Calendar. The first year, we focused on the counting down (or up) and having an activity to do every day as a family.
December 1, 2009- Advent Calendar
December 2, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 2nd
December 3, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 3rd
December 4, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 4th
December 5, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 5th
December 6, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 6th
December 7, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 7th
December 8, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 8th
December 9, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 9th
December 10, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 10th
December 11, 2009- Advent Calendar- December 11th
December 13, 2009- December 13th- Advent Calendar
December 14, 2009- December 14th- Advent Calendar
December 15, 2009- December 15th- Advent Calendar
December 16, 2009- December 16th- Christmas Dinner
December 17, 2009- December 17th- Christmas Shopping
December 18, 2009- December 18th- Wrap Presents
December 19, 2009- December 19th- Enjoy Beauty
December 22, 2009- December 20th & 21st & December 22nd
December 23, 2009- December 23rd- Toys For Tots
December 24, 2009- December 24th- Christmas Eve
December 26, 2009- December 25th- Christmas!
The next two years, our countdown activities were connected with our family scripture study.
December 1, 2010- We're making a whole advent out of it!
December 12, 2010- More About the Advent
December 16, 2010- More Advent Fun
December 18, 2010- KAT's Meow
December 21, 2010- The Light of Christmas
December 1, 2011- Countdown to Christmas
December 5, 2011- Not So Pleasant Tradition
And today, December 1, is Eat a Red Apple Day. We're eating pizza and red apples for dinner, then for dessert we'll eat mint M&Ms as we start our advent calendar scripture study..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)