Thursday, February 28, 2013

Preschool

My kids go to the best preschool.
Well at least I think so.
It's only one day a week on Fridays so I get to enjoy my kids at home Monday-Thursday (because let's face it once they hit kindergarden they are in school for the rest of their lives) and then they get to go to school to learn, and craft, and be trained and loved on for a few hours on Friday (and I get to enjoy running errands with only one kid). 
It's also a co op model which means that I get to help out a few times a year and get a peek into what they do during their day at school. 
Helping in their classes is one of my favorite things to do (and my kids LOVE it too).
  I love watching them interact with their friends, and seeing them participating and learning.

Last month I got to help in each of the kids classes and I of course went picture crazy. 

Here is Kenzie with her amazing teacher Mrs. Vorrell. 

Hooking different color links together during her listening skills time.

Each week the kids work on a letter of the alphabet, a coordinating character trait and bible verse. 
This week the letter was L and the theme was ladybugs so we made lady bug snacks (ritz crackers, red peanut butter and raisins)

and a lady bug craft. We read The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle,

and the kids got to release 1,500 lady bugs into a garden outside the preschool. 
It was so cool to see so many ladybugs and to be able to hold them.

During snack/recess we got to see Wesley and I snapped a picture of him with his awesome teacher Mrs. Yartz.

Me and my babes. 

2 weeks after I helped in Mackenzie's class I got a chance to be in Wesley's class.

He was so excited to introduce me to all of his friends and for me to see him in action. 

Recess fun.

This week the letter was N and the theme was nests. 
Wesley's teacher made these adorable nests out of chocolate and pretzels with jelly bean eggs inside. 
So cute!

and yummy!

We made these cute little nest crafts together, learned all about Narwhals, read "Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman",  counted eggs in nests, learned about being Nice to one another and more. 

So fun!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Orange Juice Punch Recipe

Orange Juice Punch Recipe

This is the best punch ever.
The past 2 years we have made it for Christmas and Easter morning 
but I crave it every day in between. 

It's called orange juice punch but it is really a mouth full of slushie, tropical goodness.
It makes your taste buds dance when you drink it. 

So grab some cute helpers and let's get started. 

Ingredients: (this makes 2 big batches of punch)
2- 12 ounce cans orange juice concentrate (thawed a bit)
1- 12 ounce can lemonade concentrate (thawed a bit)
1- 46 ounce can Dole pineapple juice
6 cups water
2 cups sugar
6 ripe bananas  
2- 2 liter bottles of 7 up (add when ready to serve)

 Directions-
In a food processor, blend bananas, sugar and one cup water.
In a large bowl, add remaining ingredients with the mixture from the food processor (except 7 up) and stir until mixed together well.
Place a double zip lock bag (gallon size) in a bowl to hold its shape, fill bag with mixture to the top and zip back up.
Place bowl with mixture in freezer and when frozen take mixture out of bowl (in the ziplock bag). 
This recipe should make 2 full ziplock bags of punch mix.
This mixture can be made days or weeks before you need it for your party and stored in your freezer.

When you are ready to make your punch...
Take one bag of frozen mixture out of the freezer and put it in a serving bowl to defrost for one hour.
When ready to serve, pour a bottle of 7 up over frozen (kind of defrosted) mixture and stir/break up chunks of frozen mixture until the whole thing becomes a big, delicious slushie.
Enjoy!! 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

I'm having a baby!

I'm going to have a baby in a month or less.


That's crazy. 
And exciting. 

The other night I snuck in a little sewing time for our little man. 
It was pretty much the first (and only) thing we have done to get ready for our new baby. 
I was getting so giddy thinking about our baby Hudson (that's his name...I can't remember if I have told you guys that?!) and about his arrival.
I can't wait to meet him and to not be pregnant anymore. 
Oh to not be pregnant anymore.
Anyways, just wanted someone to freak out with me (and be excited) about the fact that our 4th child is almost here.
I figured you guys would be good for that.
Ok...I better go now and get ready for a baby. 
Just in case he decides to come early.      

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Adios training wheels

I swear she is 5 going on 15...

 Yesterday Aaron took the training wheels off her bike...

 and on her first try she rode it like a pro!

Watch out world! 

Oh and the other day I noticed she has molars growing in. I'm pretty sure they are the ones you are supposed to get when you are 13. Seriously...I can't handle any more firsts! 

Friday, February 15, 2013

A peek at our week(s)...InstaFriday

Hey guys! 
I just realized I haven't done in InstaFriday post in a while.
Here's a peek at our week (actually couple of weeks) through the lens of my camera phone.
Enjoy!

Maddie got the stomach flu a couple weeks ago.
bad.
Then she shared it with Aaron.

I don't think there is anything more pitiful than a sick baby. 

We have been loving our new backyard. 

This boy eats like a teenager. 
At least for breakfast.
The other day he had 6 pancakes.
And everyday he has at least 2-3 bowls of cereal.

 Pretty.

 I forgot how yummy these are.

I still can't believe in a few more weeks she's not going to be the baby anymore. 

 5 pound bag of the best chips you have ever had.
They only lasted us a week.

I spray painted a set of bunk beds some friends gave us for the girls (their old bedroom set would not fit in their new room). 

 Kenzie was so excited to sleep in them!

We made Valentines for the kids preschool kids.

 I don't know how we ever survived without a backyard and a driveway. 
The kids are constantly outside at our new place and we love it!

 We also got an awesome fire pit that we will be making roasted marshmallows on at least once a week this summer.

 We had a party for the hubby.

 And Aaron got ordained with all of the other elders at our church. 

 morning cuddles

 All face painted from a friends birthday party.

 peek a boo

We have also been spending a lot of time at the park. 

 buddies

Guess who are going to be flower girls this summer?

Fresh squeezed orange juice is the best. 
period. 

 Wesley is bald. 
I'm still getting used to his new haircut. 

 This girl has some serious scooter skills.
She's barely 21 months and rides it like a pro. 

 There favorite thing to do. 
Ride around the backyard. 

 Valentines day breakfast...
blood orange juice and heart pancakes with sprinkles. 

Hope you guys had a great week!
Who else is ready for the weekend?!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

A day off...

Between packing and unpacking, a million trips to Target and Lowes, trying to get the house in order before the party and my general lack of energy these days
 the kids have been a bit...ummm....neglected. 
Not neglected like I'm not feeding or loving them but let's just say the tv has been a major source of entertainment. often. 


And with closets that still look like this


and loads of chores that need to be done I feel like I may never have time to be the fun mom I want to be. Most of the time I think...if I could just get caught up on all the other stuff then we can just concentrate on having fun. But I'm pretty sure I'll never be caught up on the other stuff. Or by the time I am my kids will be in college.

So the other day I was determined to have a fun day. 
Now that didn't mean I didn't clean up after meals or do laundry but it did mean I was intentional about being the kind of mom I want to be. 
Being intentional about playing with my kids.
And loving them and listening to them.
And training them before a situation arising that requires training (or correction). 
And viewing them as a joy and a blessing instead of a distraction. 

So we made some Valentines

rode our scooters,


and explored a park by our new house. 

And just enjoyed being together. 
I forgot how much I love just enjoying my kids and playing with them. 
And how less stressed I am about all the other stuff when I am able to get out and have fun.
Being a mom is fun and a joy. 
And sometimes I just need an intentional day away from all the work of being a mom to remember that.