My Own Little Concert...

We have a little bedtime ritual:
I yell and yell more until the kids

1. take baths
2. put lotion on
   
3. dress in jammies
4. brush teeth
5. read scriptures
6. say prayers
7. read three books (always three.)
8. sing two songs (always two.)

At this point, they beg and plead for all sorts of special treatment: the light on, more water, a Popsicle, cookies, etc. (Um...No.)

So tonight Ya Ya chose "I've got a little candlelight" for her song (pretty much knew that one was coming. Is there ever another choice??)
Jake usually chooses a primary song.
But not tonight. His choice on this historic day (surely something historical happened?) was

AMERICA. Yep. America. (Who knows why...)


So, I cleared my throat, collected my pitch and started singing.
"Oh beautiful, for spacious skies..." At one point, I got a little choked up. I usually do in that song. Jake didn't catch it though, and I made it through. ;-)

Quiet.

YIPEEE! They are asleep! And I successfully did it with my "Mormon Tabranacle Choir" rendition of AMERICA!

And then a sweet little voice said, "Mom, I just love your voice!" HAHA!! I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. How sweet is that?

The Worlds Greatest Invention

We recently discovered the worlds greatest invention. It isn't a computer. It isn't sliced bread - it is COCOMOTION by Mr. Coffee!!! Since it is snowing, again, I was reminded, again, just how incredible this little contraption is. All you do is dump a scoop of hot cocoa mix with water, hit the button and wait a few minutes while this baby spins itself into a glorious cup of frothy, thick, just-the-right-temperature hot chocolate. We literally use this daily... So, if you don't already own one, you are missing out on the greatest thing since, well, the dawn of day. And to give you an update on Organization week: Tuesday was duct work day. We are moving the washer/dryer downstairs to make way for a new pantry closet. I didn't have to do much on Tuesday because my talents don't lie with HAC. We moved the dryer downstairs yesterday and will move the washer today. Jeff is starting to build the shelves. I will keep you posted. We are still diligently working on Organization Week 2008 - well, Jeff has anyway! My work comes when the shelves are built!

Organization Week 2008!

This photo has NOTHING to do with it - I just LOVED this outfit (1 of 4 today.)

ORGANIZATION WEEK 2008! Well, we have begun folks! Remember, this is my new years resolution. I actually was able to enlist hubby. We started this daunting task Saturday morning at Ikea after a cheap and tasty meal. Hubby checked boy into the day care and we walked around the idea floor - writing, analyzing and debating. I had come with a catalog, highlighted and everything. Let's just put it this way: I did not buy anything I originally planned on! Everything wasn' the right size, height, etc.

I was getting a little frusterated....And then we SAW IT!!! 38 semi-adjustable compartments of organizational heaven! A pull out drawer that can hold EVERYTHING!!! Take a look at that baby - isn't she a beauty?

Lucky for your eyes, I don't have a before photo. This closet finally emerged organzied four hours, 3 trash bags, 3 DI bags later. But lucky for you, I found this:

Me, sporting lovely PINK sweats, Cousin Jamie, Cousin Mishi and Cousin Gretchen - all in Montana. 1992 Maybe?? Anyone know?
I ALSO found a high school photo of Cousin Zach with a full head of hair- but try as I may, I CAN NOT FIND IT!!! Sorry - I didn't get rid of it intentially. It somehow got thrown away. Maybe my organization isn't all that great?!

We now have the pantry, laundry closet, coat closet and broom closet left to do. This will happen with in the week. Exhaustion might kick in, but I have purchased a large supply of cinnamon bears, mint patties and water bottles to push me through it! GO ORGANIZATION WEEK 2008!

Organzation Week 2008 - Monday's Job

After resting for the weekend, we tackled THE DEN!!! The funny thing about all of this organization is I keep coming down to these rooms to look at my work! Yep - still organized and STILL CLEAN!
BEFORE:

And After:

The Closet BEFORE:

And After:

Sledding Party!

Jake wanted a Sledding party this year! EASY!!! Only Easy because we have a cool sledding hill right by our house. So, we invited a couple of kids from his school and cousins. They sledded for an hour or so, then came back for Hot Coccoa and Donuts. Then each child decorated a cute little snowman cupcake. They all had a blast, and it was an EASY party!

Cousin Shane

Cousin Paul

Jake's Party

Happy Birthday Jake!

One thing about blogging, is that I can never REMEMBER that the first post you create will be seen last... This is the most important event this month - Jake's birthday, but it won't be "in order" because I forget.
Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE! He turned SIX on January 16th. I can't believe it. Where did it go? He is such a great little boy - we love him so very, very much. He is always full of energy and excitement. For his birthday, Jake wanted a birthday party. I didn't want to do a birthday party. I do one every year and I am just plain tired. BUT, he got his wish - a birthday party. Just not on his birthday! That came later (Friday.) But we did celebrate at Kangaroo Zoo and pizza at our house with Mimi, Papa, Unlce Daren, Uncle Craig, Aunt Karalee and Austin. Jake said he wanted the game Battleship. How convenient! I actually had one hidden under my bed!!! (He totally found it!) He had a great birthday. He is a special kid!

Ok, this story is HYSTERICAL! The day before his birthday, Grandma Millie and Grandpa Bo sent Jake some money. Jake went to his piggy bank and deposited the money with his dad. Jeff came out and asked me if I had given Jake a $20 bill. I said, no. We asked Jake where he got it - he replied, "I got it from Mimi's wallet!" So, we had to inform the "little theif" that what he did was called stealing - and technically against the law! :-) He had to call Mimi and apologize. (Turns out he really didn't steal it - he asked if he could have a dollar out of her wallet. He doesn't know the difference, and took the 20 instead.) Anyway, we felt we accomplished a very important parenting mountain.

So for Jake's birthday, Uncle Daren gave Jake a "Get out of Jail Free card!" Quite appropriate!

Birthday Boy

Birthday Photos

One thing that Jake REALLY wanted to do was go to Kangaroo Zoo (a jumping place). We had a BLAST! The kids LOVED it and we even snuck a few rides in.

Ok, Juliana didn't LOVE it the entire time. This was during one of her drama episodes. We all pretty much ignored her :-)

Birthday Photos 3

Birthday Photos 2

Austin came along with us - he was 15 months going on 15. HE LOVED these slides!

More fun. Unfortunatly, I didn't catch Jake in the photo. I think I was trying to get out of the way!

Karalee and Austin

Jake getting eaten by one of the jumpers.

Birthday Photos

Jake is BIG into breakfast in bed. In our house, we have a special BIRTHDAY DOOR (a plastic table cloth cut into stips and hung in the doorway). We practiced the night before - I would come in with a tray and he would wake up to blow out the candles. Of course, it didn't work out that way. He had to come and wake ME up to get out of bed and deliver his tray!

This is his cute cake that Mimi made him.

Jeff and Jake at Kangaroo Zoo

Jake, Jeff and Juliana coming down the slide.