Just For Fun- prom retrospective

I was set up to get a picture of the skirt I sewed. Then my cute wedges found a pothole and the skirt and I went a tumbling down. We both survived- the skirt better than me- and Rotten, in the baby carrier was surprised, but unharmed. So. for fun, here's this instead today.

I gathered up all our pictures from the proms we've attended. these are going backwards from this year to 2004, with 2010 missing- we were unable to go. It was fun to look back on them to see what changes (my waist and hair length) and what doesn't (my step-into-the-sun-and-I-just-might-sparkle skin) . Hope you enjoy them.

Sunday Inspiration

Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.”

David A. Bednar,

Family Hike at the Nature Center

"Mom," Stinky began, "If I went deep into the woods, you would miss me so much. So all of us should go into the woods together." A few months ago at preschool, we took a trip to the nature center, which has trails to hike, animals to see in the center, and a beautiful playground. They're easy trails, and there are lots of things to see, so we decided to try a family hike, and we went into the woods together.

The trails offer options for how long you can hike, and I'm proud to say Stinky only said he was tired once when we decided to take the long route. He loved listening for and looking for the animals.

Despite this face, Rotten was a good sport in the carrier for the hike, occasionally babbling to us as we walked. Other hikers chatted up Stinky about the waterbugs and woodpeckers.

The playground at the nature center is a great bribe for "if you make it to the end of the hike and don't complain...." All of the climbers and slides are made to look like logs or trees. There's also a water pump and tree house to play in, so Stinky and WBH ran all over. Rotten mostly tried to eat bark.

We'll be back for another hike, without a doubt. Next time we plan to print out one of the brochures and explore the markers along the trails a little more.

Pardon the celebrating...

But WBH is home for the summer, starting at 3:05 today, and we're ecstatic. That whooping and hollering and shouts of hooray I'm sure your hearing? That's us. We'll calm down later. For now, we're going to celebrate having him home for the next two months, as well as today being his birthday. I know I filled up Sunday's post with mush, but I'm so grateful for you, WBH! Happy Birthday to the best thing ever to happen to me!

I Made it Monday: Dinosaur Planters Tutorial

Have you seen the awesome dinosaur planters that are popping up online? Considering how much Stinky loves his dinosaurs, I'm just surprised it took me this long to get around to making them.

You score a bajillion bonus points if you name the show. When I picked up the dinosaurs it was all I could do not to start re-enacting this scene in the middle of Goodwill.

You'll need:

A sharp serrated knife

Toy Dinosaurs

small cup or container to fit inside dinosaur toy

soil

seeds or plant

File (optional, but reccomended)

First, cut your container to about an inch tall and make a drainage hole

Then, draw an approximation of the shape of your cup on your dino's back. Stab and cut. Be careful, please.

Cut the hole out of his back, then file away the shredded plastic. It's optional, but it makes it look a lot nicer.

You'll have to crumple up your cup probably, but fit it inside the dinosaur's back. Fill with dirt and plant seeds, or fit your plant inside. TaDa!

I'm going to admit that I've taken out this plant from the brachiosaurus and the stegosaurus and planted basil in them. Why? Because they're herb-ivores. And you thought the TV show reference would be the geekiest part of this post.

You can also spray paint these for an added pop of color, which is fun. Succulents and herbs are a good choice for these, as they won't grow too much for the size of the container. Enjoy!

shared at skip to my lou and 733

My BabyDaddy

for the days you come home and start working all over again,

or take over for me when I'm going to lose it,

for the ways you teach our boys to be men,

just by being a really good one,

for the way you overlook my shortcomings,

and help make up for them,

and for the way I look at our son's faces ,

and love them even more because they're half you,

I love you so much.

Happy Father's Day

Sunday Inspiration

Clyde, protecting our refuge.

We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes.

L. Tom Perry

Cookie Friday: Cherry Chocolate Chip

This one is really easy,but they are so yummy. The picture doesn't really do them justice, they remind me of little scoops of ice cream.

Mix up the Jello cookies recipe, using cherry Jello.

Add 1 cup of finely chopped chocolate.

Roll into a log, and freeze.

Slice into 1/3 inch rounds and coat in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

You could use chocolate chips as they come, but I think chopping it makes the cookies smoother, doesn't take very long, and looks pretty. If I had them, I'd chop up some maraschino cherries and add them to really make these cookies something.

Enjoy, let me know if you make them!

shared at Raising Memories, 733 and sweet as sugar

The Way to His Heart...

The old addage goes "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Stinky is starting to show me how true this is. At the library on a 'mom date,' he started handing me cookbook after cookbook as we browsed "because there's things to try."

The other day, he said "Remember when you made the macaroni and cheese with the real cheese, the tuna sandwiches with hot cheese and apple slices on the side? Yeah, that was really great of you."

I brought him dessert the other night (vanilla pound cake from a mix, strawberries and vanilla yogurt), and he sighed contentedly, saying "You are such. a good. mom."

May he always be this easy for me to win over. Food I can handle.

I Made it Monday: Father's Day Ties

We've started a new tradition for Father's Day. I took Stinky to choose fabric for a new tie for WBH. Stinky chose the brightest dinosaur fabric he could find, explaining "because my daddy's favorite color is blue, and he teaches me about dinosaurs." I got enough fabric to create matching ones for both of the boys, too. I think they were the best looking guys at church.

I used the Little Boy's Tie and Father's Day Tie, both at PurlBee for Stinky and WBH's, and I just sort of winged Rotten's. It was probably 4 hours of work but totally worth it, and a sewing machine is only necessary for a very small part of it. If you try it out, let me know, I'd love to see them!

shared at 733, Raising Memories

Sunday Inspiration

"The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be."

Dieter F Uchtdorf

(not) Cookie Friday: Chocolate Bananas

Stinky has been asking for those frozen banana dip packets everytime we'd go to the grocery store. What little was in there seemed like it wasn't worth the price. So, after lunch, we skewered bananas and put them on wax paper in the freezer.

After dinner, we melted 2/3 cup chocolate chips in a glass bowl over boiling water, then dipped and spread the chocolate over.

The frozen bananas cool the chocolate almost instantly, but for good measure, we put them back in the freezer and made a trip to the library. We think these each have about 125 calories.

For what it's worth, frozen banana chunks make teething babies really happy.

Have a beautiful weekend!

This week:

Oh, Blogger. Sometimes you make me sad. Sometimes you eat up my posts and then I have to write them all over again. Thanks for only eating half of this one, today.

This weekend was so busy, but so nice. The weather was stunning, temperatures were perfect. We heard about an activity put on by the zoo at a local beach- so Swe walked the beach with a naturalist, helping to catalog the sea life there. We mostly saw barnacles, but also saw the leather sea star that Stinky's petting above, and a hairy helmet crab. We hear about this at Sounds Fun Mom, which is a great resource if you live the South Puget Sound area. She lists events several times a week, so you may want to subscribe. After an hour of listing animals, Stinky decided he was done, and introduced himself to a group of siblings, and played with them for the rest of our stay at the beach. I spent that time making sure Rotten didn't eat every rock he could get his hands on, much to his displeasure.

Later that night, WBH and I chaperoned Prom. Like his suit? We were at the EMP, so we got to visit all the exhibits while we were there- Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and Battlestar Galactica all had displays. I played Joan Rivers with another staff member's wife, critiquing dress choices, and WBH joined a dance circle. We've chaperoned 7 proms now, making this the tenth prom I've attended. Fun as it might be to go get a formal dress and all, I'm glad I don't have to be a teenager again. Though the picture doesn't show it well, my hair was rocking that night.

We only made it through the first hour at church on Sunday- neither child cooperated for more than that, and were both put down for naps the moment we got home. Later that evening, we went to the birthday barbecue for WBH's co-worker. Stinky and Rotten both enjoyed swinging in their hammock- which is, coincidentally, what WBH is getting for his birthday and should be arriving sometime today.

Now, it's back to life as normal. I've been trying to get our house in order for the last few days, but my children's attitudes have made it a challenge. Wish me luck as I try to get my ducks (and ducklings) in a row today!

We Made It Monday: Thumbprint Hearts

We wanted a gift to send to my sister on her mission, and the thumbprint necklace at Meet the Dubiens was perfect- so I made six of them, for other women in our family. I added the poem below, too, creating a gift-card combo. Feel free to use it if you do this craft!

"We took our tiny thumbprints,

And pressed them into dough

So that you can feel our love

No matter where you go."

These are off in the mail this week to some loved ones far away. I hope you're having a great monday. Any crafts in your week's plans? Please share, I could use some inspiration!

This is linked up with Skip to My Lou this week!

Mary Poppins

Both being theater geeks in high school, Chris and I try to see one big show a year- this year it was Mary Poppins. It was wonderful. The sets were stunning, the music was lovely, and the details in the costuming were gorgeous. Our favorite number was "Step in Time" where the chimney sweeps were re-imagined as guardian angels. The music was re-worked from a fun dance number, cool harmonies and lyrics added. These were some of my favorites from the show:

"Childhood is a step in time
Parenthood's the same
Never miss a chance to get it right
Don't it seem a perfect crime
Don't it seem a shame
When the steps aren't going
As smoothly as they might
That's when we step in, step in time "

I found a great quality video of this song on facebook- if you've got seven and a half minutes, this will make you smile!

Our performance was also attended by the most gorgeous seeing-eye dog across the aisle from us. He was so sweet, I had to snap a picture of him.