Celebrating St. Patrick's

St. Patrick's Day is such a fun holiday to celebrate with kids. We love it here in our house and have so much fun when the Leprechauns come to visit.

This year Savannah was invited to a friends house to make Leprechaun traps.

Our hostess was sweet enough to provide some yummy green snacks as well.

RJ's school celebrated with St. Patrick's day stories about Leprechauns. His first grade teacher explained to the kids that Leprechauns were make believe. RJ came home very upset, he didn't believe his teacher and she wouldn't listen to him when he tired to explain that he almost caught one in his trap last year. Later I helped out in the Library and the Librarian told the children that Leprechauns were fictional and RJ's hand shot up. Ms. Thomas, he said. I know for a fact that Leprechauns are real! Then is explained about all the candy he got last year and how his milk was green and that he almost caught one. The librarian dind't know what to say, she turned to me and I told her it was true. Then the other kids chimed in and told stories about the Leprechauns visiting their kindergarten class last year. Ms. Thomas later told me she might have to rethink what she tell the kids. You think?! Yes, Leprechauns may be fictional so is Santa Claus but do you go around and telling younger kids that he is not real? These are first graders!!

RJ understands that some people just don't believe and those are the people who don't get visited and experience the fun. He is happy to know that in our house, we have fun.

This year the leprechauns brought us new shirts, a box of Lucky Charms, dyed our milk green, and left some yummy chocolate.

The trail of chocolate started from the kids rooms and made it's way downstairs to the play room where all the green toys were piled on top of each other. Zachery enjoyed collecting the chocolate on his way down the stairs. He never made it to the play room.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

February Photo Shoot

So a lady in our ward is studying photography and graphic design, she asked if I would model for her for one of her homework assignments. I agreed. However, she asked me to dress in something I wouldn't normally wear or something that was out of my comfort tone. She was thinking Charlie Angel type attire. I searched my closet for something that wasn't me, but all my clothes were plain boring me stuff. So I decided to go with the classic white shirt and jeans look but I'd add a tie and do something outrageous with my hair to spice it up. After looking at the internet for ideas, I found hair tutorials for the Lady Gaga hair bow, so I went with it. Needless to say my photography was in shock when I should up with a big bow on my head. She said she would never have thought I'd have it in me to do something like that. It wasn't really the look she was going for but she did want something totally not me, and this was it. I had a fun time shooting pictures with her and they came out looking good. I did have to run some errands after my photoshoot, I was crazy enough to walk around the mall with the bow in my hair. Don't think I'd do it again, but it was an experience.


The inspiration-Lady Gaga's hair bow:

My Hair Bow:

This a layout documenting one of those reality check moment I had.

Journaling:
As I was standing in line to check out at the Wal-Mart (buying supplies for RJ's birthday party), I watched the friendly older cashier tease the college students in front of me. She asked about their majors and what year in college they were in. I thought to myself, it doesn't seem to long ago I was in college, I still feel as young as they look. I wonder if I could still pass for a college student or if I really do look like I am about to turn 30. I seriously thought I could pass as a college student. When it was my turn to check out, the cashier looked at me and asked, are you a teacher? Ouch, I certainly don't look as young as I feel. Where has the time gone? I look forward to my 30's but I swear these past 10 years have gone by way to quick!

RJ's Birthday and More

Wow, it has been awhile since I have updated this blog. My goal is to get all the pictures on here in order starting where I left off. So this is a post about our February.

RJ turned 7 on February 20^th (I guess not much happened before then, because I have no pictures). To celebrate RJ's birthday we had a Super Hero Party and it was tons of fun! We sent invites to 7 friends requesting that they report to the Super Hero Training Center ASAP. They were expected to pass 3 tests in order to receive their Super Hero License and help stop the Riddler from ruining the birthday boy’s party.

I dressed up as the Super Mom and Secretary for the SHTC. As the boys arrived I welcomed them to “boot camp” and made sure their parents knew that they would be official super heroes when they came back to pick up their child. I also issued each of them a uniform (a t-shit with their initials on it and a super hero symbol). They were able to decorate their uniform with fabric makers while the rest of the trainees arrived.

Once the boys were done, a surprise guest arrived to kick off the training.

(It took a lot of coxing to get Papa Wight to dress up, and we are so thankful he did.

The boys LOVED it.)

The first test was to test their memories. The boys were to find all the villain matches, but the fun part of this game was that they could shoot the cards they wanted to turn over with a Nerf gun. Once they passed the test they were able to dress in their uniforms and prepare for test two.

Test two was a test of speed and rule following. The kids were put through a rigorous obstacle course. (We were so excited to have had perfect weather to be outside!!!) But just before the course started, Riddler crashed our party and dropped a bunch of bombs that the boys had to quickly disarm.

Once they passed the second test they were issued their masks

Test three was a test of strength. (Every party needs a Pinta!)

RJ requested a Pinta, and I created this in two days, it was a rush but I am more then happy with the results

Once they passed this last test the boys were rewarded their capes and were to prepared for graduation. But as soon each boy had their cape on, the Riddler appeared! The new super heroes stepped into action with little fear, grabbing a can of silly string they rushed out to defeat the Riddler once and for all.

At this point I went to the computer to put the boys’ pictures on an official Super Hero License. I soon learned that the Riddler was locked up in our shed with a pad lock that we had no key for. I was worried that a lock smith was going to have to be called or something and the party would come to a close sooner then later. Luckily we were able to slide the locked door over just enough for our prisoner to escape. But those super heroes were sure proud of themselves.

With the Riddler defeated we celebrated with birthday cake, followed by the announcing of Super Names, and gift giving. It was sure a fun party!

Papa Wight has been to every one of RJ’s birthdays. We always look forward to his visit. This year he gave RJ a bow and arrow which he has LOVED.

RJ was pretty upset when we told him it was time to say good bye to Papa.

On February 25, RJ, Savannah, and I went with our neighbors to the Nature Zone. Savannah is a little animal lover and loved the whole experience.

The end of the month brought signs of spring and we were all excited to see the flowers start to bloom. And the last day of the month the weather was just perfect for a camp fire. We had our friends, The Malone’s, over for roasted hot dogs, it was a fun night.

That night Savannah said "Mommy, we had a LONG day! We woke up and had breakfast and went to church and Ethan and Lauren came over and we had hot dogs and a fire. I am so tired! Nite." and then she quickly feel asleep.

And that was our February!!!