Birthday Presents Revealed...

My dad and sister both have March birthdays. One on the 19th and one on the 25th. So Saturday we met at my parents to celebrate.

My dad and sister are some of the most difficult people to buy gifts for, so I just made something, instead. It was easier and less stressful.

Here you go:

Also, a few weeks ago I made a card for my aunt, that I just wanted to share.

What Happens Next...

My Little Bobcat

So last Thursday was our monthly Pack Meeting for Scouts. We had planned a "Career Fair" of sorts for the scouts and their siblings/parents to attend. It was awesome! The kids had lots of fun and Eric (who was volunteered, not by me, but by his buddy) had fun programming a hangman game to help explain his job. (I was even impressed, and I've seen a lot of what he can do).

The highlight of the night for me, however, was that Tanis got his Bobcat. It did takes us 8 months, which is sad - since I am in Scouts. However, we did get it done and he was so excited to finally get it.

His shyness did show through when he was asked to eat a "bobcat heart" - just a jello type thing. He either didn't like the idea of eating an animal heart or he didn't like suddenly realizing he was the center of attention. He burst into tears and wouldn't let go of me for a few minutes. Poor kid...

Overall, we all had a great night!

What Happens Next...

I Love Having Our Saturday's Back...

So for the year that Eric worked at the pizza place we really didn't do much on Saturday's. There wasn't really time for it. We wouldn't be out the door until around 11 (on a good day) and he had to be to work around 4. So needless to say, if we did do anything it was a quick trip to the store or something.

Now that he has quit the pizza place we have our Saturday's back and I am loving it! It's nice to be able to go and do when we can and when we want without worrying about time.

This past Saturday we decided we would go to the zoo. While we were filling the car up with gas, Eric decides to check his wallet for our zoo passes...He didn't find it. I looked in my purse and diaper bag to see if I by chance had the updated passes, but I didn't either.

It took us a bit of time to figure out what we would do instead, but we finally decided to go to the Living Planet Aquarium. We had never been there and we did go see the small one they had at the Gateway before moving to the current location.

This ended up being a better choice anyway, as Tanis was feeling kind of sick and the wind was blowing like crazy, so it wouldn't have been a good choice to take Nathaniel to the zoo in that kind of wind.

While it was a bit pricey for our family (in my opinion - considering what was there), the kids all had fun. Nathaniel even wanted out of his stroller so he could look at the tanks a little closer.

Enjoy the pics...I personally love the one of Nathaniel...

What Happens Next...

Hey, Hey Mr. Policeman ... There's No Way You're Keeping Up With Me, So Go On Back To Krispy Kreme

Okay, so the title of this post comes from a Brad Paisley song entitled, Mr. Policeman. I love the lyrics in most of Brad Paisley's stuff...but that is a different story for a different day.

The other night before I was able to fall asleep for some reason I kept thinking about the first run in I ever had with the "cops."
Let me give you a little background story:

In High School my sophomore year I took Driver's Ed my first semester. (I have a birthday in the Fall) So after passing the written test with "ease" it still took 3 tries to pass the driving test. (Luckily the instructor chalked it up to nerves and passed me anyhow).

So that January I finally got my papers to go and get my license. Well, I wasn't an ordinary 16 year old kid. I didn't run right to the DMV to get my license. No, I waited until it almost expired in March and then asked my parents to take me.
My Dad was the lucky loser winner and took me to the DMV. It was PACKED that day! (Thanks again, Dad, for sacrificing your afternoon). So after waiting what seemed like hours, we are finally called up to the front desk.

I was really worried about passing the eye exam because my glasses were crappy and I didn't have the money (at the time) for contacts. However, I lucked out and a lady in the ward was actually the one to help us. She gave me more time to try and focus on the letters and I passed.

So I was able to get my license. My license then did nothing for me for the next year or two. (My parents bought a huge old "boat" for us kids to drive, but I was too prideful to drive such a big, ugly thing.)

The summer/fall before Eric and I were married I was taking a community education typing class. This was to help me with my job - I was only hired "temporarily" and I had a better shot of getting hired "permanently" if I upped my computer skills and showed an effort. Anyway, so one night Eric had to work (He was working at ZCMI at our local mall) and I had to go to class.

Somehow, Eric convinced me to drive his car to my class and then to go pick him up. (He was adament that I "learned" how to drive before we got married - thanks again, hun!)

Well I finish up my class and head to the mall to get Eric. It started getting a bit dark, but it wasn't too dark to see - it was summer after all - and I was trying to figure out the headlights. I thought I had them figured out and when Eric got off work he made me drive home.

About 3 minutes from home I get the lights and siren behind me. I was literally freaking out! I didn't know what I was supposed to do, didn't know what I did wrong, couldn't remember doing anything "illegal" or anything.

Eric had to tell me to calm down and that he would do most of the talking. So we go through the whole license/registration thing. It was a good thing that Eric was there to explain that the car belonged to his Dad, but that it was pretty much "Eric's" car.

The officer's first question to me: "Have you had anything to drink tonight?"

And he wasn't very polite about it. It struck me off guard and I was like, "Uh, no."

He then goes to his car to fill out paperwork or whatever. Eric and I are just looking at each other like, "What's going on?"

When he comes back he tells me the reason he pulled me over: I didn't have the headlights on. I didn't even notice because we were driving in well lit areas and it was a summer night. He lets me off with a warning and we are on our way.

I can't place why he asked about me drinking and the headlights (I was very naive) until I talk to Eric's aunt at work the next day. I guess that when people have been drinking they will forget to do simple things like turn the headlights on...

Now, why I shared this story with you - I am not quite sure....But it would be nice to hear other's first run ins with the cops.

What Happens Next...

A Little Birdie Told Me...

Okay, so there are some things that happen in Hollywood that I just have to talk about with someone and well Eric isn't that person. He couldn't care less what happens in Hollywood. So in order to share my opinions I decided to start a blog exclusively for that purpose.

I figure I want to keep this one my "family" blog and didn't want to put all the Hollywood stuff on this one.

So here is the blog address, if you are interested. (Keep in mind, this is just stuff I hear that I am interested in)

http://littlebirdiesaid.blogspot.com/

What Happens Next...

A Shaylynism...

So Friday night, Shaylyn and I were headed to the "valley" to meet up with Eric's mom to do some shopping.

During the drive Shaylyn was real quiet (real unusual for her), so I asked her about it. This is the conversation we had...

ME: You're really quiet.

SHAYLYN: Oh, I was just thinking about when Jeremiah and I are married and have a baby.

ME: Oh...Is it a girl baby or a boy baby?

SHAYLYN: I only want girls. I don't need any mischief. Boys cause lots of mischief....

This was just too funny a story not to share.

What Happens Next...

We Have Kids Because...

... Otherwise we wouldn't get to have experiences like this.

DISCLAIMER: Not for the easily disgusted...

That's right, there is a battery in the toilet and the toilet hasn't been flushed...Our little Alexander likes to forget that there's more to going potty than just going potty - like flushing and putting the lid down when you are done...

Enter Nathaniel (I am assuming) who found a battery somewhere and decided to drop it into the toilet...

I am just glad I came across this sight before someone decided to flush...Ah, it made for a good laugh if nothing else.

What Happens Next...

My Little Girl's Forgetful, 100%!

So yesterday afternoon as I am going through Shaylyn's backpack I notice a note...

This week the kids have been learning more about Dr. Seuss and doing fun activities to go along with it. Well, this note states that on Friday Shaylyn's class can dress up as characters from any of Dr. Seuss' many works.

Thursday night I was not home. We had an awesome Service Auction for our Enrichment, and I didn't get home until 9:00 or so. I had no idea what we were going to do and I was just too tired to think of anything at that point.

I kept telling myself, "Had I looked through her backpack earlier this week, we could have run to a store and found something we could be creative with." I slept on it...

This morning I woke up and took a look online for some ideas. I finally came across this.

As I was getting a pink jumper, pink tights and pink shorts together to look somewhat similar, the idea to use Shaylyn's Halloween costume jumped out at me. Granted she was a POODLE for Halloween, but I think what we were able to throw together worked much better than my original idea. Plus, we didn't have to spend any money!

So here you go - one of the mayor's daughters from Horton Hears A Who!

What Happens Next...

Kids Say The Darndest Things...

Ask your child these questions and record the answers! :) This is a fun one, regardless of the child's age! Kids just say the funniest things!

This was a fun one...It's fun and interesting to hear what your kids think.

1. What is something I always say to you?
ALEX: I Love You

SHAYLYN: It's time for school

TANIS: Tanis E.

2. What makes me happy?
ALEX: Going to the zoo

SHAYLYN: When we do good stuff

TANIS: If the basement's clean

3. What makes me sad?
ALEX: Beating you up

SHAYLYN: When we hurt you on accident or if Daddy makes you mad sometimes you cry.

TANIS: When Daddy hurts your feelings

4. How do I make you laugh?
ALEX: Tell a joke

SHAYLYN: When you tell us funny jokes

TANIS: You read me a funny book

5. What do you think I was like as a child?
ALEX: A Child of God

SHAYLYN: Making mistakes sometimes

TANIS: You liked to watch movies and play on the laptop and you didn't like to clean.

6. How old am I?

ALEX: (Shrugs) 16

SHAYLYN: Umm, 92 - 29.

TANIS: 29

7. How tall am I?
ALEX: Big

SHAYLYN: Smaller than Dad, but bigger than us

TANIS: Uhhh, ummm, I think that you are 3, 4, no 4 inches and 23 centimeters

8. What is my favorite thing to do?

ALEX: Watch TV

SHAYLYN: Play Sims Life Stories on the computer

TANIS: Scrapbook

9. What do I do when you're not around?
ALEX: Sleep

SHAYLYN: You do stuff with Alex sometimes maybe.

TANIS: Play on the laptop or clean the basement

10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
ALEX: I don't know, you're going to have to tell me.

SHAYLYN: Being nice

TANIS: Having one nice son who is tough and he is your hero.

11. What am I really good at?
ALEX: Artist

SHAYLYN: Cooking

TANIS: Playing games with me or watching movies

12. What am I not really good at?
ALEX: Jumping

SHAYLYN: Remembering stuff

TANIS: Playing Mortal Kombat vs. DC

13. What is my job?
ALEX: I don't know

SHAYLYN: You don't have a job

TANIS: To take care of your kids

14. What is my favorite food?
ALEX: Macaroni & Cheese

SHAYLYN: Is it angel hair pasta?

TANIS: That's gonna be hard...????.... Ice Cream

15. What makes me proud of you?
ALEX: Watching TV with me

SHAYLYN: When we do good stuff

TANIS: That I figure things out, wait, no, yes.

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
ALEX: Superwoman

SHAYLYN: Your favorite guy

TANIS: You should be like, maybe you should be like Catwoman

17. What do you and I do together?
ALEX: Watch TV all day

SHAYLYN: A lot of times we go places together

TANIS: Read books, play World of Warcraft sometimes, watch movies, play board games, tuck me in and most of all sing to me.

18. How are we the same?
ALEX: You're going to have to tell me

SHAYLYN: We both like playing Sims Life Stories

TANIS: Um, we both don't like explosives

19. How are you and I different?
ALEX: You're going to have to tell me

SHAYLYN: We both don't know how to cook, but you do

TANIS: Um, I like to play games, make stuff for you and Dad, for our whole family, basically. When I grow up I'm gonna make a note to the dr. about taking care of my kids.

20. How do you know that I love you?
ALEX: Because...Because I love you

SHAYLYN: Cause, umm, you always do stuff for us.

TANIS: By, you know I can make right choices, sometimes I can make bad choices.

21. Where is my favorite place to go?
ALEX: Store

SHAYLYN: Is it Smith's?

TANIS: Lava Hot Springs

What Happens Next...