Snips and snails and puppy dogs' tails

In TWO days my baby turns TWO on TUESDAY the SECOND (is that enough TWOs for you). I am starting to the feel the end of a season of my life. It is hard to believe I am very close to being done with pregnancy and babies. While there are some moments I am grateful to not relive(morning sickness for 5 months, weight gain, sore legs, varicose veins and labor to name a few) there will also be many moments I will miss. There is nothing quite like seeing your child for the first time and the contentment of holding a sleeping infant.

I have had many people ask me if it is very different having a boy after four girls.

Besides the obvious physical differences..........

Not really.

Just like the girls he loves to be rocked, cuddled
and be right around mom all the time.

He can often be seen playing with dolls and Barbies 

(of course maybe that's because we have a ton of these).

There is still plenty of dress-up

And he is perfecting the fine art of hair combing

I must say though, after 12 years
of ribbons, bows, ponytails and braids,

I kind of like just wetting it down and maybe combing through it.

Of course the frequent hair cuts are another story.

Not to worry though, we are starting to notice some differences.

Having a boy means new toys
and he truly loves the cars and balls.

Even from an early age he loved to roar

and it has only gotten better.

After watching him ride his horse, there is no doubt
his rough and tumble side is starting to emerge.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD BOY!

Aye-Yah!

Last weekend Jolly J participated in her first multi-school Shin-Toshi Karate tournament. She was pretty nervous but did a great job. She competed in four different events: forms, defense, kumite (sparring) and breaking. She took second place in all areas but one.

H-Form 4

Breaking-she took first place!!!

Way to Go!

A Family Recipe

Most of my recipes have come from a variety of places- ones my mom used, friends, the internet, cook books from our wedding. I'm sure there are others but here is one that I consider a "family recipe". It is something I remember my mother's mom making, my mom made it and now I love to make it. Especially on a cold, snowy day when the oven can warm up our house.

I didn't grow up living around either of my grandparents. Some of my favorite memories are of walking home from school. As we would round the corner I would catch of glimpse of my grandparents car. Excitement would course through by body as I dashed home, knowing the next few days were going to be filled with fun with these two people.

My grandparents always brought us some things. For my grandpa it was usually a quarter, which of course was given to us with some flair of teasing or magic. You know, the old pull it behind the ear trick.  They always brought milk bought from the store. Growing up we used powdered milk.

I HATE powdered milk! For most of my teenager years I quit drinking milk because of this.  For me, the milk my grandparents brought was a big deal.

My grandmother also brought cookies or cinnamon rolls and of course granola.

Yes, granola is my family recipe. 

I knew my kids loved it but didn't really realize how much until one morning my four year old slid the Cookie Crisp over to get to the container of granola behind it. So here's my families recipe for granola.

(The first key ingredient though is some time
and two very cute helpers.)

My Grandmother's Granola

Combine in a very large bowl:

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

1cup brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

Stir in: 7 cups oats

Combine in a separate bowl:

1/2 cup wheat flour

1/2 cup corn meal

1/2 cup soy flour (I often will use white flour)

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 Tablespoon salt

After stirring, add to the oat mixture. Mix well. Add 1/2 cup raisins. Put in a 9X13 pan. Bake @ 250 for 2 hours. Mashing and stirring mixture every 30 minutes. Let cool and then break apart. Store in an air tight container.

It Looks Like a Perfect Day to Feed the Birds

This picture doesn't show it very well but it is lightly snowing. 

I dropped these two off at their grandparents so I could 

attend a maturation program with my second daughter.

(I still can't believe I have not one, but now two daughters that old)

Tater and Bud Boy immediately started on their tradition

with Grandpa to feed the birds. 

Come, rain (or snow) the birds must be fed.

Thanks, Grandpa F.

At Least One Compliment a Day

I have a confession to make.

(I forget to floss)

I have periods of time where I'm really good and other times were I just don't seem to remember. Yesterday we had our  6-month check-up. I was not looking forward to this, for as you can guess, the last six months I have forgotten to floss. I didn't look forward to sitting in the chair and having the hygienist once again scrap tarter from my tightly spaced front teeth (mind you the only place that really seems to be affected by if I floss or not). I really didn't want to be asked, "How's the flossing?"

I know I should do it. I know there really isn't any excuse not to. I know the health benefits. I know all that. Sometimes I just don't take or have a few minutes and sometimes I just plain forget. I am one of the few lucky ones who can say I've never had a cavity (knock on wood). I'm sure, about now, most of you are thinking, "No cavities. Worried because she hasn't flossed. Oh what a hard life" (yes, I'm being sarcastic).

It wasn't so much the not flossing as the reminder that I have Another area of my life that is lacking.  I don't know if it's the beginning of the new year and the whole new years resolution, goals thing or what?   Over the last few weeks I have truly felt the pressure to do better.

I sit in church and hear how we need to daily study and strengthen our testimonies. I admit that I have often let my calling be the main motivator for gospel study. On Sundays, I currently serve as the primary pianist so I don't have a calling that can serve as my crutch. I don't have to study the gospel as I prepare for a lesson and  I also don't have the opportunity to fill my spiritual bucket by listening to a lesson. I have felt to make gospel study more a part of my daily personal life.

I have an interesting mix of kids. Two of my children are blessed with a high metabolism (I guess). They can eat anything they want. They, of course, are also the ones who don't eat very much. Another two have a much lower metabolism, LOVE food and can out eat me.

I remember something from a college class on food and nutrition. Our professor said we can control the when and what of food but we can't or shouldn't control the if and how much. I don't know if I whole heartily agree with her, but I understand what she is saying.  I have felt like we eat fairly healthy and I don't provide special things so we all are provided with the same types of food.

At a recent Doctor's appointment for one of my kids I was basically told the weight of one of my children was concerning and I should do better. I'm not sure I have a lot of control but we have evaluated areas and started to make some improvements for our whole family in terms of food and exercise. I am also getting a tougher skin as I deal with the whining that comes from children as they try new foods and are told no sometimes to their desires. 

Anyway, back to the flossing, basically my feelings where such that I really didn't want to be told by someone else.... here's another area you should be doing better in. I already knew it, but it was just one more thing in the ever present list of things I was already  trying to improve.

If I was feeling that way, what about my kids?

They have a lot more people with expectations. Teachers at school, parents at home, coaches. They are constantly being told what to do and how to do it better. I know just in this last week I have been after my kids to do better at keeping their rooms organized. I've heard myself say things my mother used to say. Such as, "It's just as easy to put it away correctly the first time as it is to set it someplace where you have to put it away again later."

I am currently preparing my students for a piano recital. I have been pretty picky and sometimes hard with some of them in hopes that they practice and put the polishing touches on their pieces. My own kids probably take the brunt of  this just because they live with me. I can rush in whenever I hear something they can improve.

I remember a friend commenting once that she tries to make sure she compliments her children every night. I don't know that the demands on ourselves and our children will ever change but I know I can do better at pointing out successes. I know I love to be complimented and have someone notice what I have done.

So...yesterday I endured my hygienist's (whom I truly like) gently reminding. As I tucked each one of my kids in bed I spent a few minutes with each one. As I retired myself, I went to bed with a resolve to compliment, in some way, each one of my children daily and to floss.

Happy Valentines Day!

Our family's valentine traditions always include 

plenty of card making and exchanging

This year we enjoyed making our own valentines from supplies my 

Grandmother gave us from when she used to make valentines.

We love to make sugar cookies!

We don't always do this every year but this year the 

kids had an extra day off school. 

Our favorite thing is our valentine dinner.

We usually have heart shaped pepperoni pizza 

but this year as Valentines Day is on Sunday

we are having this when we get together
for family dinner at Grandpa's. 

This year we tried mini heart-shaped fruit pizza 

along with our traditional heart molded jello and sparking cider.

Eight is Great!

And she couldn't wait.

Minnie turned 8 on the 8th (how cool is that!) Here's 8 reasons (in no particular order) why she looked forward to her birthday... 

1. No More Booster Seat!
 

2. Shopping for a baptismal dress (a family tradition)

The ability of the dress to twirl is essential

3. Going to Color Me Mine
 

4. Air Head treats to all her friends

5. Vending machine treats after gymnastics

6. Pot pies, fruit salad, and mint cookie ice cream for dinner

7. Presents!
 

(including family traditions of new scriptures and an apron made by Grandma) 

8. Only one more month until her baptism

Who wouldn't look forward to their birthday when they get sung to like this....