Just Wondering

Just wondering why children love to eat non-edible items. I am wondering, because Elle broke open and ate the contents of a glow stick last night; and today she ate some of the packing peanuts from Johnny’s birthday presents. When I asked Elle why she ate them, she said, “They pop really cool in my mouth.” And since her answer did not clear up any of my confusion, I am still just sitting here wondering why children eat non-edible things.

Family Home Evening--Stones

Our theme for family home evening this week was: stones. For the lesson we told the story of David and Goliath (Elle really likes this one). We then correlated the story to our lives today. We talked about how there are many “Goliaths” around us in the world, trying to tempt us to make wrong choices. We then used a portion from a talk given by our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, entitled, Meeting Your Goliath. In this talk, President Monson told us that David went to the brook and selected five smooth stones in order to fight and defeat Goliath. And just like David, we have to go to the brook—the Lord—and select five smooth stones—courage, effort, humility, prayer, love of duty—to fight our “Goliaths.” If we go to the Lord and attain these stones, then we, too, can fight and defeat our personal “Goliaths.”

After the lesson we selected five smooth stones from outside, and then we put the letter of each quality on each stone. And then we used our own homemade sling to fling stones (marshmallows) at Goliath (Johnny). Very fun. And then we got to eat our ammunition after defeating the tough Goliath. It was a great night.

This Week…

We went and saw Santa Clause. Elle has been editing and editing her Christmas list for the past two weeks, in order to have it just perfect. She wanted to be able to tell Santa exactly what she wanted, and she didn’t want to make any mistakes. Hudson wasn’t really keen on the whole experience, but he did not cry this year. He just sat on Santa’s lap, looked at all of us like we are crazy, and refused to smile. It really was funny. He smiled the entire time before we saw Santa, and he smiled the entire time after we saw Santa, but he absolutely refused to smile while we saw Santa.



We went to my parent’s house for Thanksgiving. We had yummy food, good company, and great shopping. I just love Black Friday shopping. There are great deals and lots of fun to be had. Just looking through the ads is fun. But getting a free camera (thank you Bridget for waiting in line four hours), and getting my children’s Christmas presents at half the cost, is by far the most fun.



Hudson somehow managed to make my mouth and his mouth blue. I don’t know why I said somehow managed, because he managed just fine—quite easily in fact. Basically, our mouths turned blue, because he bit off the top of a blue marker—behind my back—and then put it in his mouth. I guess he decided that during this time of year one should always share, because he then reached over my shoulder—putting blue fingerprints all over my coat—and tried to shove the bitten-off, blue marker top into my mouth. I didn’t realize what he was doing, and said, “Hudson, what are you trying to shove into my mouth?” I then grabbed it from him, and looked and saw not only the blue marker top, but also my nicely stained blue fingers. I immediately went into the bathroom, and saw that my lips and the entire area around my mouth was also stained blue. I looked ridiculous. Johnny couldn’t stop laughing. I laughed, too, until I realized it wouldn’t come off. That was not so funny. It took an entire day to get all of the blue off of my mouth. Thanks Hudson. Next time, keep the markers to yourself. Or better yet, next time color with them and don’t eat them.



Elle has made art project after art project after art project. This girl loves to dream up and create her own masterpieces. I love her creativity, too, but I don’t love the mess. And there is a lot of mess. Luckily, I have found that the shop vac works wonders for getting every teensy piece of paper, glitter and tape that gets strewn all over my living room.



And all except for Hudson getting 102 degree fever, it was a great week.

Family Home Evening—Cornucopia

Our theme for family home evening this week was: cornucopia. For the lesson we learned all about the cornucopia. We learned that the cornucopia is typically a hollow, horn-shaped (or ice-cream-cone shaped according to Elle) wicker basket overflowing with fruits, flowers, vegetables and grains. We also learned that it is the symbol of plenty or abundance. We then talked about how at Thanksgiving time we take a moment to give thanks for the abundance or plenty of blessings we have.

After the lesson, we made our own cornucopia, complete with fruits and vegetables. We then, wrote down a blessing that we are thankful for—family, grandparents, home, gospel, food, Jesus—on each food item. Next, we compiled all of our blessings/food items into our cornucopia, and made our own cornucopia of blessings.

And lastly, we topped off our night by eating some edible cornucopias on top of cupcakes. Elle and Hudson of course found these to be delectable and delicious.

All in all, we were thankful for a fun and delicious family home evening.

This Week...

We played in the leaves, which consisted mostly of Elle throwing leaves on everyone. Hudson tried, too, but his aim was not so good. Wait until next year, buddy.




Elle was the superstar for the fifth time at school (she is very proud of herself). She works very hard every week to be her very best. Now if she would only do the same thing at home.



Mickey and Minnie (these are the hats we got from Disney on Ice), watched some TV.



Elle had a school presentation on her research project about penguins. Parents were invited to come and watch. Elle did a fantastic job on her part. I was so proud of her. And Hudson loved seeing his sister at the front of the classroom. He kept yelling, “Elle!” at the top of his lungs.



Elle got a new, desperately needed—according to her—Minnie Mouse dress. She begged and begged me to make her a dress, and because my kids know they can run me down, I eventually said yes. I then whipped this dress up (with no pattern mind you), in about forty minutes. Elle loved it and was so happy. I emphasize the was, because she has not worn it since. Good thing it was free.



Hudson found new and very silly ways to play with his beloved vacuum. He found out how silly it can be to put the shop vacuum up to his lips, mouth, and tongue. Very comical. And this kid loves to make others laugh.



What a fun week.

Favorite Quotes

Elle: “I’m not sure what is behind that door. Maybe it’s a shark or something.”

Hudson: When Elle got put in time out today, Hudson made sure he ran over to her and said, “No-no!”

Hudson: I was so excited this week when I asked Hudson how he was doing, and he responded, “Dood!” (He usually ignores me or grunts, so it was good to see him answering my questions).

Just Wondering

Just wondering why my two-year-old son, who does not talk very much, has now reverted to calling me Ash.

Family Home Evening—Leaves

Our theme for family home evening this week was: leaves. For the lesson we learned that when someone wants to begin again, or start behaving in a new way, they are doing what is often referred to as turning over a new leaf. This idiom, can also relate to the gospel. When someone repents, they are turning from bad behavior to good behavior. In essence, they are turning over a new leaf.

After the lesson, we then made a leaf garland from leaves found in our backyard. And then to top off our lesson and activity, we had leaf cupcakes that were a definite hit—my kids love eating our weekly theme.




And all in all, our theme turned out to be just what we needed for the week.

This week...

Johnny played flag football with the new company he will work for in the fall. (Johnny was offered two dream jobs this past month, and he just recently chose between them—it was a hard decision).



Hudson made what Elle called a milk waterfall. Thank you Hudson for that fun mess I had to clean up. And he also made the waterfall right as Johnny was leaving for work, so all Johnny had time to do was say, “Good luck, Honey.”



We went to Disney on Ice and Temple Square on Saturday. It was a whirlwind of a day, but so much fun. (A road trip with just the girls is always a great experience).

Elle was excited to wear her Halloween costume, and see her favorite princess—for right now—Rapunzel. Disney put on a great show, like always, and Elle was captivated from beginning to end. She loved every character, costume and song. And I loved seeing her face light up as she watched her beloved characters skate across the rink in a Disney style fashion. It was a great cotton-candy-eating, front-row-sitting, character-watching day.




Temple Square was beautiful as always. But it was even more magical, because big snowflakes fell the entire time we were there. It was especially beautiful as we ate in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and could watch the snowflakes fall around the temple for the duration of our lunch. It was a spectacular day. We loved every minute of it.



And all of these things combined, makes for a great week.