Kids Are Funny

Wow- way behind on posting. I am trying to catch up today so updates are coming.
Enjoy these scans that have been piling up to share with you.
1) This top one from Sadie is awesome. Read to the end.
2) Didn't know Sadie even knew about Hawaii.
3) Luke's idea of a presidency (as a teeny, tiny president with an enormous head. Hey, we have that now!)
4) Luke's ship doodle one day littered with drama: Man eating whales, high fives and a mermaid romance at the bottom of the sea while a shipmate is eaten by a shark.

Random Coolness

S and I went to San Diego last weekend for a little getaway. He had a conference to attend so I explored the city a little while he went to meetings about important stuff. Unfortunately the weather was not as sunny as it could have been, but ees okay. One of the shops we walked in had these awesome wire sneaks on the wall. What art! Why do I drag my feet to do this? I am determined to make a wire sculpture. Soon. So I need an idea of something. So begins my stalling....
On another note, my style savvy brother sent me this link today that I absolutely flipped over. This is what I call Mt. Biking. Sign me up because I would so prefer to ride something like this than in the mountains around my house...
Does that look super fun or what?!

VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

Leggo

Thanks to some awesome friends and their gifting of Williams Sonoma gift cards for my Bday, I decided to splurge on this weird egg waffle pan (among other things). First of all, I cannot walk into that store, no matter how dedicated I am to only purchase what I intend to (a cookbook, for example) and exit successful. I always end up with arms full of things I must have. Must. Things that are essential for feeding the hungry mouths that depend on me.
Like this waffle pan.
How fun to make these with the kids? And isn't that noble of me to think of the children with my birthday gift? {Think of the children!}
I thought so.
As you can see, we did make them and had lots of fun but mine are no where near as beautiful. Our mouths didn't care, though. They tasted like crepes and were perf with a wee dusting of powdered sugar. YUM.

We Have Funski

I haven't been skiing in a looong time. I went a lot during High School, then tried snowboarding during college & after (but was never great at it) and then had kids. That pretty much squashes slope time for a while. But I digress...
We have talked about starting up with the kids but I keep dragging my feet, putting off acquiring all the gear to suit up the family. Scott's business partner invited us to join him recently at Mt. Charleston so after borrowing a few things and renting the rest, we met him on a Friday morning after dropping the kids off at school. Mt. Charleston is about 45 mins. from our house so we got in a good 4.5 hours before having to head home. Now Scott, he's been snowboarding with me, but this was his first time skiing and he did really well. He loved it, and I forgot how much I loved it. The snow was better than I expected and it was a beautiful day. I kept telling him that he was lucky- everyone would like snow sports on days like this. It's the windy, snowy, wet days that test your loyalty. :)
So now my focus is renewed. I can't wait to get all of us up here next season. If you have any old kids ski gear you want to ditch, ring me up!

Vogue Vent

You know what I am REALLY tired of? High fashion prices.
It is Spring. A time when wardrobe renewal receives a little TLC, a new lift. I'd like to try because mine is really overdue. But it's hard to find unique items that are designed well and not millions of beans. Is it really that hard to make a simple, flat leather sandal such as this? That is NOT around $500?! It's just leather straps; no intricate, woven, hand painted with vintage horse hair brush designs or anything. Just straps. $500. This upsets me. And you'd be surprised- you'd think you could find something like this out there, but I have been looking and you can't.
And this dress is fantastic. Way cool print, flattering and modern, {LONG ENOUGH}...Oh- what's that? $415? Faaaaantastic. I can't justify that in my lifestyle of professional domesticity.
Where are the designers making modern lines for the real peeps?

It's OUT

Preview the sounds here.
It's great stuff, peeps!

Close...

Luke has these pages in his homework every week where he needs to read a simple story and answer some comprehensive questions. Lately he has been reading the story and answering the questions himself. Which is why I review them. He kind of, sort of doesn't comprehend that much when the stories are "boring".
This week the story was "Cry Wolf" but instead titled, "A Boy And His Trick", and as the story goes, he tricked the town people by calling "Wolf!" and they responded by running to scare the wolf, which was no where to be seen. You know the rest. Here were his answers (the last one is the best; the entire point of me keeping this memory):
1. What happened the first time the boy called out "Wolf!"?
The people in the town wanted to scare the wolf.
2. What happened the second time the boy called out "Wolf!"?
The people went to scare the wolf.
3. What happened the third time the boy called out "Wolf!"?
The people did not come.
4. Why didn't the people come the third time?
Because the people thought (he had 'thinked', which we corrected) he tricked again.
5. What lesson can you learn from this story?
Kill the wolf.

Instant Love

Well, if you're a last minute Mom like me this year, then perhaps you will find these useful. I needed to make some Valentines quick-like so I googled some ideas and this owl one came up (see first image). I thought it was A) clever and B) could be improved upon. A few minutes later (+ a free vector owl) I whipped these out, all in different colors according to my kids requests.
My kids will finish with personalization, but thought I would share them with you in case you need something fast, like me. Don't I lerve you so?
Slice two openings by the feet, thread a pencil for the 'branch' & you're set. Oh-and of course glue some festive sugar on there somewhere (like I did on the top one). It is Valentines.
Click here to print the Purple ones
Click here to print the Green ones
Click here to print the Pink ones

Estate For Real

Why didn't I think of this? Genius!
A customizable, stackable doll house.
Even I would play with this.

MLK Hike

During the MLK holiday we took the kids for a hike up at Red Rock.
It was an unseasonably warm, sunny and calm day. Just beautiful. We packed the back pack with lunch + snacks and spent the entire afternoon up there. Oh that sun felt soooo good. Scott had done this particular route before but it was new to me and harder than I thought. I was impressed with the kids for having the energy to climb and descend the technical terrain like they did.
We came home tired and happy with that warm, sunny glow still simmering inside, turned on the hot tub and soaked after dinner. Ah. Can you tell we are desert folk? I'm looking forward to that summer warmth!

Booky Stuff

Reading books is a good thing. And having a good book group helps me with that because I probably wouldn't fit it in otherwise (or my recipe experimentation's).
But having a book group that goes to L.A. for the January "assignment" is the best. :)
Our little group was joking over the holidays about taking advantage of cheap San Francisco airfares and traveling for one of our meetings. Not long after this a house swap offer arose for a gorgeous home in West Hollywood via one of our members, which she offered for us to take advantage of. Should we? Of course! We are smart. We read books.
Sure- there are a lot of cool things you can do while in CA. But after the holidays, most of us moms just wanted to compare cupcake bakeries (Sprinkles is still tops, imo), shop, dine out, laugh really hard, talk late into the night about important things like gel manicures and school lunch shortcuts,.... you know, smart stuff. So we did. And it was wonderful.
My sister takes girl trips with friends a couple of times a year and now I know why. You come home so recharged and motivated. I loved getting to know these friends better. Now let's see if I can pull off wearing vintage!

Healthy Crack

I love Trader Joes.
I pick up the tasty staples I am familiar with and enjoy trying a few that I am not. The upside: I discover new things that are great (Needless to say, this method is not often successful at the local grocery). The downside: my list of 'staples' grows more and more and they are usually snacky things that I shouldn't be shoving in my mouth all day. But this is one I can! I know they look weird but they are so freaking dynamo. They are tangy, chewy, and crunchy from the little seed inside... I've been burning through the bags and keep going back for more. Like an addiction. To a fruity, chewy drug. You should see me in the aisles of the store... wearing a trench with messy hair, all shifty eyed; my possessive arms full of these bags, elbowing people out of my way as I run to the register...
Time to eat this photo sample.

Friend

Found this on the marker board in Luke's room the other day.
So funny.

North + South

The weather has been a little wonky around here. I'm sure most of you heard about our snow in early January? That was one wet week. It was fun to have a change of weather but after it all melted away and dried up, it was coooold. Then last week it was so wonderfully warm. We took the kids on a long hike and it was at least 75 degrees and so sunny. We just soaked up the vitamin D that day. I loved it. Temps are starting to slide back to their usual place now but I'm so looking forward to that sun again.

StayCay

We usually go to Utah and visit family during the second week out of school but this year we decided to stay home and enjoy some R&R in our hood. I am glad we did, too. We filled it up with lots of fun with friends and family. All you can eat Crab night, The Springs Preserve & game night with the Leavers, the Shark Reef down town with good friends...
We also took advantage of sales and did some post holiday shopping (scored those large West Elm nutcrackers at a steal!) and Scott and I caught up on movies we missed.
The fun week ended on a high note with a great New Years Eve party thrown by our friends. We ate great food, played a bunch of "Minute to Win It" games that were a complete riot. These pics are from that; the fastest to empty tissue boxes and knocking over soda bottles with baseball-toed stockings on your head. See those brown paper bags you see by my friend Kath's feet, all cut at shorter lengths? Scott and I were competing each other and were supposed to pick those up with our MOUTHS only. No kneeling, no hands, nothing. It's pretty hard and you look ridiculous (he won- bah!). We played more games and the classic white elephant swap before ringing in the New Year.
What a nice week we had. I loved spending time with Scott and our family vacationing at home.
And what great hopes I have for 2011! I am excited for this new year & new goals. 2010 held some great changes as well as some difficult times but I'm learning to accept, grow and move forward. Thanks to our friends and loved ones who are part of our lives. We love you very much. Happy New Year!

Christmas 2010

Wow! Check me out updating my blog weeks late. Here's a quick run through of our holiday break.
Christmas Crafts:
Prior to Christmas, I covered my office table with pipe cleaners, feathers and tons of colored pom poms. The kids made some fun decorations but the best was this garland from 6yr old Sadie. She had all the letters bent and ready and asked for my help in gluing them onto this tinsel ribbon & dotting the ends with tiny white pom poms. It. was. so. cute. I have been saving many pages of school homework to record their cute handwriting and this has further immortalized it. I confess I did try to sway her to give this one to me and make another for Papa & Nana (I admitted this to my Mom already) but Sadie relented and said she'd make the 2nd one for me. Which I never got.
Christmas Eve was spent with family here and always fun to enjoy each other. We had our costumed reading of the Christmas story and then came home and set out all the Santa goods. I love that my kids are young enough to not expect much and still want innocent little toys- no crazy iPad requests or mp3 players...yet. It's around the corner... I know it, so I am savoring it's lack now. Note the Wii Chores game which sleeve I created to throw Elliet off from guessing the D.Me movie inside. It worked great- she was a little bummed to see it really was a Chores Wii game, and then I tossed her the movie. After we finished our presents, we hurried over to the Leavers and joined everyone else for the day. The kids got some more fun gifts and we all relaxed together through the day. It was great being with people we love and enjoying the spirit of the season. Hope you all had a great Christmas!

Pure and Simple

This may be a little dorky for me to post but journals are dorky sometimes...
But I wanted to post this because I don't want to forget something I absolutely love about my husband. Every time the kids are asked to give a talk in Primary, he calmly volunteers to oversee that task. Sometimes he has time to sit down with E/L/S and have a little visit reviewing the topic and helps them write a little something. But really, most times we don't have time to do that so he'll whip up something like this.
I have tried to do the 'whip up' a few times before and the paper is covered in words crossed out or erased, phrases that don't flow well and horribly executed. And then there is Scott who jots out something organized, error free, to the point and thoughtful in less than 60 seconds.
Now for the dorky part: as much as I envy his simple talent, I adore his wisdom and how our kids can have a dad like that. It inspires me to take a good look at myself and strive for similar mental clarity so I can reach the quick-awesome-talk-writer status.

Merry Christmas

A nearby Stake puts on a great production of The Nativity and we went to see it for one if it's few precious nights. It is always so well done. There are beautiful narrations, music and lighting, angels up high that appear from no where who sing and make me cry, ...the set was really cool complete with live animals AND the best part is? It's under an hour. We bundled up the kids and went on a beautiful, calm evening. Isn't it amazing how something like this can create such a beautiful spirit? It was a great prelude to the season.
We had some friends in the show and, as an interesting side note, my friend Katherine was Mary. They took professional photos from the evening for the cast members and I loved this one of Kath +her husband (and a baby from a family in our ward. See? We're even pals with the wee King). Isn't it beautiful? This is untouched and from the live performance.

I also loved the music from the Christmas Devotional that our church broadcasts every season. This song is so, so beautiful. I suggest as you sit here online while escaping the world, that you stop you for a moment - click the link to listen - and feel the purpose of this season and bring a peace and calm into your soul. And if you like it, you can download it for free here.
Happy Christmas Eve! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas among family and friends you love and find comfort in all of your blessings!

Little Luke

So, we signed up Luke for Basketball season this year. He is in the youngest group and it shows because the poor kid has never played the game in his life. He's enthusiastic as ever, though... runs all over and he has an awesome coach that has taught him quite a bit already! Last night he was telling me about his "Z" drills and defense stuff.... it's so cute it makes my mouth water.
He is a foot shorter than any of the other kids. Look at those shorts. Oh he's so adorable. I love my little Lucas.

Me Oh Moi

I am telling you... 2011 has some wicked awesome tunage awating.
Here is a peek of more to come.
This track from the upcoming Toro Y Moi release is off the hook!
*via Stereogum

Wii Can't Wait

This is wrapped & waiting under the tree with a tag saying, "To: Everyone".
Elliet has picked it up and guessed that it is this movie.
I told her it is a Wii game that teaches kids how to clean toilets. She's not buying it. Butcha know what? I am quite savvy in computer graphics so to ME, her response has become a challenge. I think I'm going to make a fake sleeve of 'said' game, slide it into one of our old games and wrap it up to really throw her off.
I love Christmas.
For realsies, though...I can't wait until we all watch this together.

Gingerbread Houses

Well, this year the Gingerbread houses were a little less of an execution, which was just fine with me. I had all the supplies on hand and we happened to have an open evening so we had a last minute get together and let the kids go at it. I am a loser Mom because I have to exercise major restraint when we do things like this. I watch the mess form : crumbs and sprinkles going everywhere...eegh.
They love it and it's fun to see what they come up with.

Mallow Out

So the week has been crazy but it's over. The kids are now out of school until after New Years so I was trying to get as much done in order to enjoy Christmas time together next week and relax. Is that even possible the week before Christmas?? I'm going to try.
This week was full of meetings, appointments, visiting teaching, helping with class parties at school and parent teacher conferences. The latter motivated me to get some baking done and delivered. One of the things I made this week were homemade marshmallows. I'm not fond of them, mind you.... S'mores, fluorescent peeps, mud pie cookies or rocky road... blech. Then why would I want to try them? Curiosity. And most people like them, right? Hopefully the receivers enjoy them anyway...Plus, I hear once tasting them, they convert non-mallow lovers into believers. So I googled this recipe by Alton, whipped them up with Luke one night and they worked wonderfully. Since I am giving them away I didn't venture into funky flavors or coating, but I really want to try some clever combo's. Alas, I have enjoyed a few and they do taste great in cocoa & postum. Too bad (or maybe it's good) I won't eat them because I really want to keep playing with it. Think of home made Peeps in the Spring!
Anyway, the point of me posting this was to say: they are really easy, fun to do with kids and taste yummy.

I wanted to share this idea for teacher gifts that I *ahem* sort of swiped from a source online. It is hard coming up with new things every year to give teachers and I always appreciate finding something to inspire me so perhaps this will inspire you in the future. My talented and very nice friend (Thanks, Jackie!) cut these out of vinyl for me so all I had to do was find a big, heavy cup (Ikea), stick them on and fill with pencils. Check!

Sans Red

Have you seen this picture circling the web of the "Desaturated Santa"? Thought this was really clever. This is not photoshopped in any way. She made this B&W Santa costume and wore make up to look completely void of color in a sea of red Santas.
Brill.

Why Notsy

I did it. I succumbed and created an Etsy shop. I have a few of of these shield necklaces left and thought it would be an easy venue for that.
Go have a look if you'd like.

Kids Are Cool

I have had these sitting in my office for months (you can tell by the date), waiting to be scanned.
Thought you may get a giggle out of them.
Highlight from the first:
"frod". Awesome.
Highlight from the second:
Apparently these punctuation questions came off more like a personal interview. Needless to say, we never 'finished & returned'. I selfishly kept it. Or, perhaps I should say, I didint return it.

Ear Prezzies

Until lotsa good stuff comes out early next year, I have been foraging to and fro for music discoveries.
Thought I'd share some things I have been enjoying lately. Wanna hear them now? Click the links.
-Crystal Stilts - Shake The Shackles
(I am in serious love with this one right now.)
-Cut Copy - Take Me Over
-Erol Alkan MGMT Remix - Congratulations
-Alexander - Truth

Colorful Bums

Despite the mass Pantone branding everywhere, I can't help but to like it.
These chairs are the most "cheeky" yet! So cool.
*via DesignSponge

Halloween Weekend

With Halloween on a Sunday + many days school free before and after + Scott moving the remains of the old office all weekend, I heeded his recommendation to take the kids to Utah. Saturday night the kids put on their costumes and ran around happy as clams eating their huge candy stash from our ward trunk or treat the night before. After all the kids were in bed, my Mom, Julia and I slipped out and went to "Dracula". It was done as an old Orson Wells Radio show with about 10 total participants all in 40's attire reading from dimly lit stands. A few were in the background playing the piano, tapping shoes on the table for 'walking' sounds, wiggling panels of sheet metal for thunder, etc.... it was awesome. It was a small, damp room up at the Castle theater so we all sat there, huddled together... shivering from the chill... or was it the eveeel vampire HIMSELF?
Luckily the rain did not extinguish the annual reign of ghost flying around my house. They were at it again- flying across the yard to the neighbors, across the street and back...the kids loved it.
On Sunday morning I thought it would be fun to make pumpkin pancakes so I used apple slices. YUM. Sunday night was our big family celebration. We ate tasty food and played Just Dance.
Oh Yes.
Just Dance.
This is a new phenomenon around our house and I brought it with me to spread to my family. WE LOVE IT. The music is awesome, the dance moves are sweet, and the laughs are the best. If you haven't played this yet, I really recommend it. And then I challenge you to Rasputin (Click on it. Seriously.) Yes, we did look scary most of the time. Disco kicks and the running man do not come easy to some, but we had a frightfully good time nonetheless!
Besides, what could be more scary than these foot long Twizzlers I found!?