I Learned Some New Skills

Superb Owl Sunday was on February 8. Jeremy, Nichole, Jr. Jr., Lucky, and Jet all contributed to Sunday Sketches. I will post about that later.

Jeremy fed us some Rootinest Tootinest Breakfanootinest Casserole (his own creation- we haven't had it in years, though). 

Since the weather was nice, I wanted to take a nice relaxing drive in the afternoon. Several of us got in the van and went for a drive through Provo Canyon, around Deer Creek Reservoir, up into Midway, around Heber Fields, and back through downtown Heber, around Deer Creek Reservoir, and through Provo Canyon again, where we had a tire blow out after we got out of the canyon.

So I got to learn some new skills and recognize many blessings. If I was on my own (without Jeremy), I would have freaked out. As it was, we were both able to support each other. Jeremy looked up YouTube videos and was able to get the spare tire out of the trunk (and managed to get the old tire off and into the trunk- it was heavy). I was able to crawl down on the ground and figure out where to put the jack. We both took turns lifting the van with the jack. I got to put the spare on and put the lug nuts back on. Jeremy did more tightening than I did. We both got to see that the spare was flat so I called some friends and since we were not too far from home (huge blessing), I was able to get a ride home to get our portable air compressor and drive back with our other vehicle. Then I got the experience of learning how to use the air compressor to fill up the spare tire. Jeremy and I worked well together. That's another blessing.

It was a beautiful night. Kids were well behaved. Nichole took Jet walking up and down the sidewalk because we pulled over off the main road to a road that didn't have much traffic. Jet was well behaved in his cute Seahawks jacket. I put that on him because the Seattle Seahawks were playing in the Super Bowl that day (and won). Jr. Jr. kept himself entertained by juggling.

It ended up not being too late when we got home, too.  

The next day, I was able to get kids to school then drove to get a new tire. I got to read some more of The Hobbit at the tire store while I waited and then found out the tire was still under warranty. Woohoo. Yay for more blessings. 

STEM Boy

He did it! He did it! He did it! Jr. completed all 3 summers of UVU Prep and has learned lots of STEM skills.

He's even found interesting ways to use his skills.

 

Jr.: Alphabet Cow lives!

Mom: This is why Jr.'s doing UVU Prep.

Nichole: So he can bring decapitated children's toys to life.

We've had this toy since Nichole was a toddler. It's been stepped on, dropped, thrown, had heavy objects put on it, you know how it is with some children's toys. It's supposed to be "Alphabet Pal" but it sounds like "Alphabet Cow" so that's what we've been calling it for years.

Well, such is life, Alphabet Cow finally bit the dust. The head cracked and came off completely. Jr. decided to use his skills and tools he had and "bring it back to life." He managed to get it to play music through his headphones since originally the speaker was in the head and he managed to get the lights working. That's my STEM boy.

Jeremy and I were able to go to Jr.'s closing celebration for UVU Prep. We all went as a family the first year and last year they just had a drive-thru to pick up shirts since it was all online.

Jr. had a good experience with this program for three years both in person and online. He was happy to be back in person this year. Can't you tell by his smile how happy he was?

Like the first year the closing celebration was crowded but Jr. was able to show us some of the projects he worked on. He also got a UVU water bottle which he's been waiting three summers for. It's interesting the things he gets excited for. We all have things like that, though.

I'm so glad he enjoyed his time at UVU Prep and I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of things come from what he's learned in the future. Bringing more decapitated children's toys to life? We'll see.

When we got home that night, I quickly let everyone have a gummi worm since it was National Gummi Worm Day on July 15.

It was also World Youth Skills Day and I already commented on Jr.'s STEM skills.

Baker Boys

I love my boys. Recently, Jr. wanted to make muffins but he wanted them to be chocolate muffins. I directed him to a recipe I had on my "to try" list and he made these yummy double chocolate chunk muffins from Mel's Kitchen Café. So yummy.

Lucky was not having the best day. He kept getting hurt (you know those days when it seems like it's just one thing after another). Jr. Jr. made a chocolate chip cookie mug cake for him to help cheer him up. I appreciate the sweetness of that boy.

Once again I love that my boys are learning new skills with baking and cooking. And I love that they are serving others with their new skills, even if it's limited to their family members right now.

Deviled Eggs

The other day, Nichole suggested we have deviled eggs with our dinner today.  This morning as I was getting things ready to boil some eggs, Nichole asked if she could help.  She said she needed to learn these things for when she gets older and goes off to college.  Funny.  I use the same line on the kids when I'm trying to teach them how to do certain cleaning.  Kids do pay attention, don't they?
So I let her turn on the stove, put the eggs and water in the pot, put the lid on when it was boiling, turn off the stove, take the pot off the burner, and set and start the timer.  When it was done, it was about time for her to go to school so I told her about the next step of rinsing the eggs in cold water.  I took care of that part, though, and put the hard-boiled eggs in the fridge.
After school, she was all ready to help again.  The boys helped, too.  We all peeled eggs, Nichole cut the eggs in half then added miracle whip and mustard to the yolks, and she and the boys took turns mashing it all together.  She filled most of the eggs and she and Jr. both sprinkled paprika on the tops of the deviled eggs.

A good skill to learn, I'm glad it worked out today.  Now if I can just convince her to load the dishwasher...