Backward Day 2022

Backward Day on January 31. Jr. Jr. actually wore his clothes right side out and frontways.

I did encourage everyone to eat dinner for breakfast and to make sure if they didn't have their cookie last night to have it first this morning.

 

For dinner we had toast and hot chocolate breakfast foods. Today is also National Hot Chocolate Day after all.

 

We did break from the backward thing for a bit in order for me to roast Brussels Sprouts for Eat Brussels Sprouts Day.

 

I mentioned to Nichole it was also National Bubble Wrap Day. Her response: You're welcome.

Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

Wow. My life really does revolve around food... and I'm not even a food blogger. I blog about reasons to celebrate and ways to celebrate. And one of the easiest ways to celebrate is with food. Well, easy to plan to celebrate with food. Sometimes the food takes a long time to prepare like when I make Indian food.

Anyway, here's more celebrating with food. 

January 30 is National Croissant Day. I happened to be looking at my calendar before I went into Costco the other day and saw this so I picked up some croissants so I could make chicken salad croissant sandwiches. Mmmmmm.

It was the kids turn to make dinner but I did want these sandwiches so I contributed and the kids did the rest. Good job, kids.

Fill the Stockpot to the Top Day

It's been years but I was determined this year. Since we have more freezer space, I was determined to make the huge batch of taco soup for National Corn Chip Day, January 29. And I did it.

The funny thing is... originally when we started doing the huge batches of taco soup it was because the hominy came in huge cans. This year when I wanted to find the big cans of hominy, I had to go to three different stores before I finally found what I was looking for. But I was determined so I found it and I made that huge batch of taco soup. Yay.

A Room of One's Own Day 2022

I made it very clear to the kids that Tuesday, January 25, was going to be my day off. I would make sure they got to and from school then after school they were to take care of themselves and each other, including dinner and Jet. I had plans for how I was going to relax that afternoon/evening in my room for A Room of One's Own Day. I have fond memories of celebrating this holiday in the past.

It was to be my day off.

Sigh. Days off haven't worked very well for me lately, though. I won't go into all the details. Here are just some.

While the kids were at school, Jet and I started inventorying the pantry. Oh, he had fun by the end throwing things out of boxes as soon as I put them in. Oh well. Toddler. I didn't get everything put away by the time it was time to go get Nichole and Jr. from school so after picking up Jr. and setting sleeping baby down, I finished up. By the time I finished the others were home and people were asking me for things even though they knew it was my day off. 

I went to my room for some well needed Me Time then every five to ten minutes there'd be a knock on my door from kids wanting things. Then I could hear them fighting as well. I had plans for what I was going to do to relax in my room that day. Sigh.

I don't think it went as well as I hoped. It was not relaxing at all. And the one picture I got was of something I took while inventorying.

 

The next day, January 26, was Spouses Day. I told Jeremy I wanted to support him that day. It turns out he and I both had the same idea on how to support each other with dinner for these two holidays. Winco salads and pizzas. Jeremy stopped by the store and picked up a pizza for the kids and salads for himself and me, mine that I could eat in my room on A Room of One's Own Day.

That was what I had planned to do for Spouses Day. Pizza for the kids and salads for us. I did it anyway. So we had the same two days in a row.

 

Earlier in the day on Spouses Day, Jeremy invited Jet and me to go walking with him. As soon as we got out of the van at our destination, Jeremy pointed out a bald eagle sitting in a tree. It turns out there were several bald eagles in trees and flying around, both adults and juveniles.

An eagle landed in a tree along the trail as we were walking back. I was about to get a picture when I saw another flying so I waited for it to get in the picture so I could get both birds.

 

We had a lot of fun. It was good getting out. And I was so happy to see bald eagles.

Jet (waving): Bye, Bald Eagle.

 

Jeremy: Oh no. The dilophosaurus is eating you.

Jeremy and I did little things throughout the rest of the day to support each other. I love my husband.

Better Than Gold

Family Home Evening on January 24.

It was the anniversary of the beginning of the California Gold Rush. At dinner we told the kids a little bit about what the California Gold Rush was and made comments about how members of our family were as good as gold or better than gold. That fit right along with National Compliment Day. 

For our FHE activity and treat, we started watching The Apple Dumpling Gang and ate peanut butter cookies that Jr. made for National Peanut Butter Day.

These cookies from The Food Nanny are our go-to cookie when we need or want cookies for something. We make them so often.

By the way, January 24 was also International Day of Education. I think we celebrated that with teaching the kids what we did about the California Gold Rush, don't you?

Birding Field Trip

I miss getting together with other birders. It's been a while for obvious reasons. It was nice to meet up with one of our birding friends when we had our two day date. We ran across another birder we knew looking for the same bird. 

Utah County Birders have had less in person meetings and field trips the last couple years. It makes a difference when you have octogenarians in your club and want them to be safe. We've been having virtual meetings. Plans for field trips this year are mostly Saturday trips, not so much carpooling, and not too much crowding when we're outside. Jeremy and I took the opportunity to get out for a field trip to Burraston Ponds and Mona Reservoir recently. It was cold but worth it. I loved seeing more birding friends in person. There were approximately 14 vehicles and it was nice to see that quite a few of them had multiple people in them, spouses or families or close friends.

It also happened to be my brother's birthday the day Jeremy and I went out so we took the time to let him know we were thinking of him that day.

 Happy Birthday, Paco!

 

Before we headed on the field trip that day, we stopped by Thanksgiving Point and set up a balloon caveman at the Museum of Ancient Life for an event they had that day.

 

After the field trip was over, Jeremy and I stopped for lunch then headed to another spot to see some birds along the Provo River. 

We had a nice walk.

Going for a walk with the ducks.

 

Toward the beginning of our walk, Jeremy kept saying how he thought he heard brown creepers. We saw several other birds but didn't see brown creepers. However as we were walking back we heard the sounds again and Jeremy looked up and spotted a brown creeper. Then we spotted another brown creeper. So he was right, he recognized the sound and we got to see two.

It was a good birding day.

Mommy, Look

Lucky: The dinosaur is looking at a pterodactyl. It's birding.

Hot Sauce Day 2022

January 22 in 2022 was Hot Sauce Day. I made Sweetfire Chicken using the Panda Express Sweet Chili Sauce Jeremy got me. He loves me. 

I loved the food. Both Jeremy and Nichole picked out the pineapple but did not feel the leftover pineapple flavor was overbearing so they liked it. Jet loved it, too. Jr. said he liked it. The other boys refused to even try it. Sigh. 

Hug a Squirrel Day

January 21 was National Granola Bar Day. I told the kids they could have a granola bar for after school snack and if they wanted a second, they could eat a mandarin orange first. Several of the children took that to mean they could eat as many granola bars as they wanted throughout the evening and give lots to Jet while I took a nap.

Sigh. Oh well.

We also celebrated National Hugging Day (or National Hug Day) with hugs and the kids watched Flora and Ulysses for Squirrel Appreciation Day.

Penguin Awareness Day 2022

For Penguin Awareness Day on January 20, Lucky's penguin said, "Ah, my favorite holiday.... Now give me treats." It liked that we had goldfish crackers for after school snack. His penguin also spent time with Lucky and read a book with him.

To go along with tradition, we had fish sticks for dinner... with vanilla pudding, of course.

The kids started watching Penguin: Spy in the Huddle that night.

Appreciate Dragons Even More

Nichole and Jr. made some dragon comics on Appreciate a Dragon Day. I couldn't find them to take pictures for my blog post for that day. Since I found them later, I'll give them their own blog post. They're worth it.

Brew a Potion Day 2022

Wednesday, January 19, was Brew a Potion Day. We decided to do Family Home Evening that day since again we were so busy on Monday. Jr. Jr. was in charge of the treat so he wanted to make chocolate frogs. Then he and Lucky got really excited with the idea of making them the colors of poisonous frogs. I couldn't tell them No, not with that creativity.

I was a little concerned with the idea of them using food coloring on that particular holiday. See my blog post from January 19, 2013, to see why. I'm not actually superstitious and they did a good job making the chocolate frogs with the poisonous colors.

Jet did get a hold of the red food coloring while it was on the table. He is getting really good at getting things open. Luckily he only got a tiny bit on his hands and the floor... this time. Just Monday he found blue food coloring and got it on his hands and face. Talented kid.

When it was time to eat the frogs, there were some interesting things said.

Nichole: Pass me a paper towel and a frog.

Jr.: That's a scentence you don't hear everyday. "Pass me a paper towel and a frog."

The kids also got into a discussion about whether to eat the head or the feet first. If you eat the feet first, it can't run away. Potions call for eye of newt and toe of frog. Maybe you eat the head and leave the toes. This is not the first time we've had a discussion about what part of a chocolate animal to eat first. Remember those chocolate bunnies from my blog post on April 10, 2012?

Apparently Jr. Jr. and Lucky made a good choice in coloring these frogs they way they did. Lots of fun conversation.

Jr.: The legs are red and the body is blue and it's filled with a sort of whiteyish goo.

I did something else to celebrate Brew a Potion Day as well. I made instant pot caramel apple cider from Six Sisters' Stuff.

January 19 was also National Popcorn Day (the kids had some) and Jeremy informed me that it was Whisper "I Love You" Day. I hadn't heard of that one. He informed me right after he whispered, "I love you," to me. Then Jr. Jr. came up and whispered in my ear, "I love you, my precious." What is he? Gollum? And I'm the one ring?

We had some fun. And I'll have to remember Whisper "I Love You" Day for the future.

An Expotition

Winnie-the-Pooh Day became a two day event this year. The actual holiday was on January 18. Since Monday, January 17, was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the kids didn't have school that day so we did some of the celebrating that day.

The kids watched "Piglet's Big Movie" then we went on an "expotition." It would normally be an expedition to the North Pole (Nichole even got our Winnie-the-Pooh book out to compare the A. A. Milne stories to the mini stories in the movie). Instead of going to the North Pole, Lucky wanted to go to the South Pole because... you know... penguins.

So we bundled up, got in the van, and headed South... to Spanish Fork.

I took the kids to a place I hadn't been to in many years. Dripping Rock. You can walk along the trail and the river/stream is below. Across the river/stream there are overhanging rocks that have water dripping/pouring from them. I found out recently from Utah's Adventure Family that in the wintertime if it's been cold enough, there are icicles hanging from the rocks. I never would have thought to go there in the Winter. So that is where we went on our expedition... to see if we could find any icicles at Dripping Rock and get some "fresh" air. We've been cooped up so much with sickness and Winter and the kids had online school on Friday, we needed to get out and get some exercise.

 

It was good to get out. We had a good time. Jet was especially happy to get out... after he woke up. He's been cooped up more than anyone.

There were definitely icicles hanging from the rocks and foliage at Dripping Rock. Jr. Jr. got really excited to see them as we walked along and with his imagination, he could see shapes in them and started thinking about stories to go along with them. 

Besides the icicles there was also plenty of water dripping from the rocks. It was neat to see in some places both together.

After the Dripping Rock area, we continued on up the path, going over some bridges then up some switchbacks (all paved, though. We saw several families pushing strollers) to the end of the trail where it met up with a road and some houses next to the golf course. We definitely got exercise. We even got to see the wind turbines since we were so close to Spanish Fork Canyon. I like wind turbines.

While we were walking along we were singing, "Sing Ho for the life of a bear. Sing Ho for the expedition." Jet was even getting into it. I'd sing, "Sing Ho," and he'd sing, "For the life of a bear," in his cute little voice.

Being a toddler, he did want things to be a certain way. He wanted to be held, he wanted to hold someone's hand while walking, he wanted to look through my binoculars, he wanted to let go of our hands and run off and he would throw a tantrum if he didn't get his way. Toddler.

It was still fun, though. Some of the boys started kicking pieces of ice down the trail as we walked. Jet wanted to be like his brothers so he was kicking ice on the trail, too.

Lucky was happy to have kicked this piece of ice all the way to the van. Way to go, Lucky.

We really did have a good time out and the kids are in agreement that we should come back sometime in the Spring or Summer to see even more dripping water at Dripping Rock. Jr. Jr. suggested we come back when it's even colder to see more icicles.

Later at home the children watched "The Lorax" because January 17 was Betty White's 100th birthday and she did one of the voices in that movie. Sadly Betty White passed away just a few weeks before she would have turned 100 but she had a long life and career and we can still celebrate that.

January 17 was also National Hot Heads Chili Day so we had chili and the kids ate spinach because it was also Popeye's birthday. Good job, kids. I made lasagna for dinner the next night because we didn't have enough time Monday. And hey, if we can celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh Day both days, we can celebrate Popeye's birthday both days, too. 

On the actual Winnie-the-Pooh holiday, the kids watched more Winnie-the-Pooh movies. They had at home school that day and a couple of the kids were sick anyway.