Snow Day

We've had more snow.  Which I don't mind since it's March and I know it won't last long.  But what really annoys me is how easy our school district cancels school.  I could understand if it was a rural area and we had a lot of people who live on country roads.  But it's Cedar Rapids, we don't.  So let's get the main roads plowed and get these kids to school.  GRRR!

  So we had a snow day.  As I was shoveling our driveway the plow came by and dumped a 3 ft drift at the bottom of the driveway.  Thank you!  I just love shoveling heavy,wet snow full of rocks.

 

Since it really wasn't that bad out, the kids and I ventured out.  I went and voted (but our white-trash town wants a casino anyway..and it's going to be about a mile away from our house..yipee), we went to Theisens to look for sleds, to see the baby chicks, and get some free popcorn.  We hit the library too.  I love that the kids are old enough to look at books and play on the computers while I sit and read for a minute.  Glorious!

We then went sledding at the Renshaws.  They live on this monster hill and have the best sledding right out their front door.  We didn't stay too long, but we had fun.  I've realized that I am not in my sledding prime.  Careening wildly on a piece of cheap plastic just doesn't hold the thrill that it once did.

 

This was our snow day craft.  Silly glasses.  We saw them making them on PBS during their pledge drive and decided to give them a try.  Super easy and fun.

 Today Kylee was busy doing puzzles.  She spends too much time at the YMCA child watch and home with me while I'm trying to get stuff done.  Good thing she is so good at these and is so easily entertained.

I've been on a kick of making homemade yogurt and granola.  It is so super easy and so good.

Yogurt
I just fill my crock pot with milk (skim, but whatever you like) and crank it on high.  I do this at about 4:30 pm (you'll see why).  I periodically check the temp, but it's usually done around 7:30 or 8.  I want it above 180 degrees (about 185).  I then turn off the crock pot and leave the lid off.  I add 1 cup sugar and stir.  I let it sit for about an hour or until the temp is below 120 degrees (around 115).  then I add one container of yogurt that contains live, active cultures (essential!)  It's just the single serving size.  It ends up being about 1/2 cup.  Then I put the crock pot lid on and wrap the whole thing in 2 towels and let it sit over night.  I have it timed so it's ready about the time I go to bed. 

In the morning  (at 6 or 7 am) it should be thick and jelled.  You can drain the excess water off, but I just stir it together and put it in a container and put it in the fridge.  You can add whatever flavors you like.  I usually puree some frozen fruit and add that, but whatever you like.  It's cheap, easy and so good.  You could add more or less sugar but I'm happy with the amount I do.  You also reserve about 1/2 cup of the plain yogurt to use in your next batch as the start.

Granola
There's something about the texture of yogurt that just begs for a little crunch and granola is the perfect thing.  I've tinkered with a  couple of recipes and come up with my own
4 1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup wheat germ (on the cereal aisle at Wal-Mart)
1 cup nuts
1 cup dried fruit
mix together and set aside
In a sauce pan combine:
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4  cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup oil
heat until sugar is combined.  Pour over oat mixture until thoroughly combined.  Spread onto a greased cookie sheet and spread out in a thin layer.  Place in a 350 degree oven.  Stirring occasionally (about every 15 minutes).  Cook until brown and crispy and clumpy.

Feb. doings

Price does an after school program (I'm sure I've gone on and on about Kids on Course before; It's great!)  This unit that he is in now is about science.  They made rockets and shot them off and then this week he came home with some cool Legos.  He got a kit to  make an airplane, but he's been making all sorts of different vehicles with it.  I love that he likes to build things and be creative.  And I love getting free stuff (especially nice Lego kits).

 Grandma Artice sent us a package (or I should say Jami sent it) but Grandma filled it with Valentine and Easter stuff.  Here the kids are showing off the loot; new clothes, sunglasses, balloons, candy.  We love getting packages from Grandma.  She is so good about sending us great stuff.

On Tuesday Price and I went on a little date.  He had a token for a free ice cream from Culver's.  I made him open my door for me.  We had a great time.  It's fun to spend time with him one on one.  He's a good kid.  We then went to Toys R Us to look around.  We found lots of cool stuff and I got some good ideas for birthdays and Christmas.  Although my favorite was the $15 "butterfly bottle".  It was a plastic mason jar.  Whoever thought of that is making a mint.  I can do the same thing with an applesauce jar and do it for less than $1.  I wonder who actually buys stuff like that?  Definitely not me.

For the past few weeks we've been getting snow.  Not a ton, but enough that school has gotten cancelled and delayed.  I wonder if the person who makes the cancellation decisions has kids?  I don't think they have elementary aged kids because if they did they wouldn't cancel school so easily.   It really messes up my schedule when they are delayed or home all day.  But I guess that's why I'm not consulted about these decisions.

On Thursday we had early dismissal from school (because of the above paragraph).  We went to the McDonald's playland to have a playdate with a girl Brynlee was wanting to get together with for awhile.  They mom wouldn't let her come over to our house (because we may be crazy or weird or something-she didn't say that but I know that's what she meant).  Anyway we had a great time chatting and the kids played great together.  I felt like it was a "mom interview".  That I needed to prove we aren't weird or white trash or anything.  So hopefully I passed and this girl can come over to play or something.

The past two days we've gone sledding.  The older 2 have had a great time.  Kylee has just whined and complained and wanted me to hold her (nothing new).  The other 2 have had so much fun and despite the cold have played longer than I thought they would.  So yeah for snow-at least for now.  Although I find it very ironic that I can't find a sled or anything snow related in the stores, but I can get anything summer or pool related.  Go figure.

Last night we had a "sleepover".  It consisted of me and the kids....and the dog sleeping in the basement.  It was quite the exciting night.  We have out VCR downstairs so we watched "Star Wars Episode 1" on VHS.  I was tired so we went to bed early and of course I slept like crap.  With both girls squishing me and the dog in there too I  was neither rested nor refreshed this morning.  But the kids had fun and they think it's a treat so that's all that matters.

Valentine's Day

We had a very exciting Valentine's Day here in Iowa.  The kids woke up to these cute glasses and socks and some treats.  I got a lovely card and some candy from Jeremy.

 All three had parties to attend that day (Price and Bryn's were at school and Kylee went to a friend's house). We didn't do anything too exciting that night. I was tired and the kids were crashing from their sugar highs.  So we went to bed early and that was about it.  I know we really live it up around here.

On Friday Jeremy came home with this gem:

It's a LOOOOOONG stem rose.  My first response was "What am I supposed to do with that?"  Not the best response, but I really do like it.  He is always trying to find something new and unusual to get me.  A few years ago He go me a rose made out of feathers that I still keep on my nightstand.

Then the two of us went out to eat.  We got this coupon book from Emmaly a few weeks ago and decided to try it out.  We went to BBQ This and had some really good food and only spent $13.  So Jer was happy; he had good food and didn't spend a lot.  That's like a double score for him.  Then we went to the Goodwill to find some deals and to visit our friend Gena who is back in the hospital after complications with her abdominal surgery.

On Saturday we found a family in the ward to take the kids and the two of us were able to go down to Nauvoo to the temple.  We don't get to go that often with just the two of us so it was nice to have some quiet time with out the kids.

Happenings

It's been a busy couple of weeks and I've been pretty lazy about posting.  We've been enjoying some spring-like weather here and I'm loving it.  We really haven't had much snow; which is fine with me.  I've been doing my usual; carpooling kids, working out at the YMCA, visiting Gena (she is still back and forth between the hospital and the rehab center).  But we have had some other things going on too.

A few weeks ago I went the Brynlee's class on a field trip to the hospital.  I told her we didn't need the field trip; she's been there enough times to be familiar with it.  She got to be the pretend "patient" when they were demo-ing all that goes on in the hospital.  She was very excited.  We had a tour, a cookie and a movies; a good morning.  She also got a goody bag filled with fun stuff; here she is modeling it.  Paging Dr. Brynlee Hodson.....

I am just glad I am not a Kindergarten teacher. I had a massive headache after just a few hours with those kids.  I am so thankful for people who do this everyday and that they enjoy doing it so much!

 Last fall I attended a training for Livestrong at the YMCA.  It's a program for cancer patients.  The pilot program just ended and I was volunteering with them every now and then.  They were a great group and I really grew to love them and was so inspired by their stories and their strength.  A few weeks ago we had a party celebrating their completing the course and we had a potluck dinner.  Here are some of the participants and the instructors: Stacie (instructor), Christina, Susan, George and Jeff (instructor).

I worked with Susan the most.  She is so positive and caring.  She always had a smile on her face and always so uplifting.  Luckily she is a regular at the Y so I still see her often.  George is a crack up.  He is so sarcastic and funny and has a line for everything.  I really enjoyed getting to know him and laughing with him.

Last Monday my friend Emmaly and I started instructing our own class of Livestrong survivors.  We have 9 participants and it already has been so rewarding.  They come from all different backgrounds and lives yet we have so many commonalities.  It's going to be an exciting 12 weeks getting to know them and seeing them progress.  I'm really excited!

So I've been working a lot more at the YMCA lately. It's been really fun and Kylee has been great about spending more time in the child watch; luckily she has her buddy Ike to keep her company (he's Emmaly's son and he's 3 too-Kylee loves to boss him around).  I even got hit on the other day....I told Jeremy he better be careful.  But he just laughed when I told him about it.  It was a kid from Options (it's handicapped kids)-he didn't feel too threatened.

We've also had the stomach bug hit, but it only lasted a few hours.  Luckily the older 2 kids are big enough to make it to the bathroom in time.  Kylee on the other had puked everywhere and then tried to hit in her bed.  Yes,  a lovely mess to clean up at 2 am.  But we survived and seem to be on the mend.

Busy January

 

Usually January drags here in the tundra, but this month has flown by.  We really haven't had that much snow and it has only been cold for a few days; not too much compared to what we usually have.  Also our friend Gena has been back and forth between the hospital and the rehab center so we've been busy trying to visit her everyday.

 

We have started early on our spring cleaning.  Jeremy had 2 weeks off for Christmas and New Year's and he was going crazy with the cleaning.  He cleaned the fridge (even underneath!), we rearranged our room (love it) and we've totally de-junked the basement. And we even moved our food storage and are trying to be more organized.  We've been busy!

 

The kids have so much art and I feel bad throwing it away so we made a little art gallery in the basement.

 As I was going through stuff I found my old art folder from high school.  It was all pretty much crap because I'm not very artistic.  But I do love this picture.  It's one of the few that I like and actually like.

The other day Brynlee declared at dinner that she "was the cutest girl in Kindergarten".  When Jeremy asked if her teacher told her that she said "No, I just am".  So it's nice to know that she has a healthy self-image.  Hopefully she'll always have confidence in her self; because she is the cutest girl.

Price is continuing to do great in school.  He is a "math genius".  No it's not a self proclaimed title.  He gets to help other kids with math.  He is pretty excited.  He's also been doing really great in reading, spelling and piano (despite his complaining everytime I make him practice).

Kylee has been my girl lately.  She has helped me visit Gena everyday.  She does dances, sings and plays cards with Gena; and also bugs her to get suckers.  We've been on the go a lot and she has been so good about being toted here and there.

I've been busy teaching at the Y, volunteering for the Y's Livestrong program, teaching the Laurel's at church and running here there and everywhere.

Jeremy has been home a lot more with the kids than usual.  Usually I am the one at home and he's running around serving others.  We've had a bit of a role reversal lately.  He's done a great job of keeping things together here at home.  He and the kids have quite the system down on Saturday mornings.  They get the house cleaned and laundry started all before I get home from the YMCA.

 And I don't know what has gotten into Jer this week, but every night he has left me a little treat and a note on my pillow.  I've gotten Russel Stover's chocolates, Cadbury caramel eggs, cake pops, and truffles.  The notes are great too.

Last night we went on a date.  We went to this restaurant called the Ced-Rel.  It was pretty good.  It was a lot of food.  They bring out this relish tray that has this super yummy dip (it's like a thinner vesion of the Price family cheeseball), veggies, crackers, onion rings, fried chicken livers and some sweet and sour meatballs.  Then we had salad and bread and then our dinner.  I was stuffed when we left!  I had the chicken and ribs and they were tasty.  Jeremy had the filet mignot, but he didn't like it.  Rarely is he satisfied with a steak at a restaurant.  I think part of his dislike was due to the price.  Anything not on a dollar menu is too pricey for Jer.  We then went to Wal-Mart and Goodwill.  It was a riproaring good time for us!  Then we went to pick up the kids at the our friends' house; we ended up chatting with them for quite awhile.

January in Iowa

I've been on a bit of a domesticity kick lately.  Price had a ton of jeans with holes in the knees.  He's not big into shorts so I decided to make a quilt out of them.  I made one of these when I was in high school, but let's be honest, my mom did most of the work.  We love that quilt and it is so warm so I decided to  make another.  I did it all by myself too.  I only had to call my mom once for a quick consult about how to tie it without quilting frames.    It turned out really good too.  It's the perfect size for the kids and it even got the stamp of approval from Kinnick.

 I also made some blondies this week too.  (it's like a brownie without the chocolate).  they turned out so good!  I added some butterscotch chips and am very excited about how they turned out.  Now if only I could stop eating them every 5 minutes.

Kylee started Primary last week and is now happily a Sunbeam.  They got these crowns last week and she has been wearing hers constantly.  She keeps telling me that she is the 'Princess of the World' and that I am the Queen.  Can't argue with her there.  She wore it again to church today.  We'll see how much longer it lasts.  She loves Sunbeams even though I can to pry her off my skirt today.  I think she just likes to make a show.  Silly girl!

2013 has started with a bang and seems to be busily on it's way.

We launched a new release of Body Pump yesterday.  I did have a lady storm out because she couldn't hear me.  But I think she was having some other problems that just seemed to be frustrated by the day.  So hopefully I haven't offended her too much and that she will come back.

I am now teaching the Laurels class in Young Women's on Sunday.  This year the church has a new curriculum for the youth.  I really like it.  It's more of a discussion on Sundays rather than a lesson.  This month's theme has been 'The Godhead'.  I've been able to learn a lot and hopefully the lessons have gone well.  I've been trying to get up early in the morning to study and it surprisingly has gone well; despite me not being a morning person.  This morning my alarm went off and Jeremy said "Rise and shine" and then promptly went back to sleep.  "thanks a lot dear".  But I did get up and it's been nice to get some things done and have a quiet moment to myself before everyone gets up and needs something.

New Year's

For New Year's Eve we went over to our friends', the Andersons', house.  We had walking tacos and treats.  We did a puzzle and watched "Galaxy Quest" and had a great time.  The movie was way good too.  It was from the late 90s, but for some reason I'd never seen it.  It was funny and I really liked.  The Andersons are like our own movie preview service.  The watch all the movies and then they let us know what ones are good.  We've seen Sherlock Holmes, the Avengers and Brave with them.  They haven't led us astray yet.  We watched the ball drop in New York; thank goodness for the hour earlier so we could get home and get to bed.

 

The next day they kids decorated some gingerbread men that Indhi had given them. And we just layed around not doing much. Jeremy took the older two sledding for awhile while Kylee and I chilled at home.  I was cutting up Price's old jeans to make a quilt.

We got a call in the afternoon that our friend Gena was in the ER again (she'd gone a couple of times in the last week) and was now getting prepped for surgery for a bowel obstruction/perforated bowel.  So I raced over to the hospital and saw her before she was taken back.  Our other friend Sarah Perry was also there so we said a prayer with Gena and comforted her before she was taken back.  She hates getting put under for surgery.  Then Sarah and I waited while she had her surgery.  It took a little longer than we thought, but things went great.  She had part of her large intestine and small intestine removed and is doing really well.
I spent the next day in the ICU with her.  Luckily Jeremy is still off of work so he's been able to take care of things while I've been gone.  I was in the middle of getting dinner ready for the missionaries when I left.  He did a great job finishing the bread and making a salad and rice. He only  had to call about 5 or 6 times.  But dinner was a success.

Gena is doing great.  She is still in the ICU because they are still monitoring her blood pressure and she has a tube in her stomach that they are still pumping stuff out of (it might help if she'd stop drinking pop and water ;)  but it makes her throat feel better).

Anyway I've been trying to go see her everyday and get things done around here too.  So it's been a crazy busy week.  I'm just so thankful that Jeremy has been around to step in and take care of everything here at home.

So here's to a more boring and calm 2013 as compared to this week!