Spring Break

So to start off our spring break, last Friday, while the kids were in school.  I covered up the T.V., and when they got home explained we would have a "no t.v." spring break.  After their initial groans and upset exclamations, I explained that we would do a little spring cleaning project each morning, and then we would pick from a list of fun activities, and have fun the rest of the day.  They would also each pick one day to plan the meals, and help cook them.  They got more excited, as we made our list of fun activities.  I had looked up some fun activities on pinterest, and they liked my ideas.  The weather wasn't looking very good, so we planned a lot of indoor activities.  Saturday, we had planned to go into Denver to go to the temple, and take the kids to Dave and Busters, and arcade/game type family fun place.  There was a big blizzard when we woke up, and we debated whether or not we should go, but ended up deciding to go anyway.  We bundled everybody up, and put our 72 hour kits in the back of the car just in case, and headed off.  What normally would have been a one hour car ride turned into a two hour car ride in blizzard conditions. The children transformed into gremelins and ate their car seats. Then a giant heffalump came and noozled them with his trunk until they turned back into themselves. (Ignore the last two sentences, I left the computer for a few minutes, and Travis sat down and wrote that).  Anyway, Travis dropped the kids and I off at a place called Dave and Busters, it is a family fun center, with food and tons of arcade games.  Travis had been there before with a single solider retreat,and the manager had given him a $10 game card for each of our kids.  The kids and I had a great time.  I followed Caleb around, while the kids ran off and used up their game cards on games.  Samuel ended up playing skee-ball, but instead of throwing the ball up the ramp to the circles, he climbed up the ramp and put each of his nine balls into the 100 circle, so he won the jackpot and got over 650 tickets.  The second time he tried to do this, an employee caught him, and made him turn in all his winning tickets, and told him he couldn't play that game anymore.  Samuel was quite upset, but I helped him understand he had been cheating and that he had to play by the rules.  The kids ran out of points to play games after about a half an hour.  Since I knew Travis would be at least another hour and a half, I bought another $50 worth of points, but kept it all on my card to get the most points for our money.  Then every time the kids wanted to play a game, they had to find me, and get me to come and swipe my card for the game they wanted.  I succeeded in slowing them down a lot, but ended up getting dragged all over the place for the next two hours.  But we made it, until Travis showed up to come and get us.  By this point I was thoroughly exhausted and it was getting late, so we drove home.  It was a fun place, but definitely on the expensive side.  On Monday, the kids and I cleaned the kitchen for our project, and finished by lunchtime.  It was still snowing outside and very cold, so we did an indoor scavenger hunt.  Here is the list I made:

Indoor Scavenger Hunt List:

1.       A Shopping Bag                                                                 32.  Pillow
2. A Sticker                                                                                        33.  Glue
3. A Photograph                                                                              34.  Wii Wheel
4. Toilet Paper                                                                                                 35.  Scissors
5. Left Sock                                                                                        36.  Necklace
6. Rubber Band                                                                                37.  Measuring Cup
7. A Card                                                                                             38.  Daddy  Bear
8. A Coin                                                                                             39  Something that smells good
9. A Lego                                                                                             40.  Graded Homework
10. A Barbie                                                                                       41.  A Winter Hat
11. Right Shoe
12. A Pencil
13. Piece of Candy
14. Bob Book
15.  Tie
16.  Wash 4 dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher
17.  Build a tower with blocks
18.  Paper Airplane
19.  A movie
20.  Draw a picture of a Caleb
21.  Scriptures
22.  A spoon
23.  Q tip
24.  A ball
25.  Soap
26.  Tape
27.  Mouse from mouse trap
28.  car
29.  a Crayon
30.  Toothbrush

I gave each of the kids their list, and told them that once they had everything they had to bring it to me, and I would check it off, then they had to return each item back where they found it exactly and then I would tell them their prize. 
This worked out really well, it kept them busy for a long time.  Poor Samuel though, he couldn't read everything, so he had to come back to me after each item, and ask me what was next on his list.  It was a lot of good exercise for them, because they were basically running the whole time, so they could be fast, and most of the items were on different levels of the house.  Well except for Betsy, she stopped and looked over her list, and found items that were in the same area of the house, and got them, then would move onto another area.  Travis had to go to a meeting that night, so the kids and I just had dinner and played some board games.  On Tuesday, we cleaned the living room, then the kids made invitations to invite their friends over to a dance party.  (Dancing with the Wii was the only time the T.V. was allowed to be on, since it was exercise).  So they bundled up and delivered their invitations.  Then we made some peanut butter dough, and shaped it into eggs and dipped them in chocolate.  Yummy.  We all did some dancing (to work off the sugar from the eggs).  The kids played on their own until Travis got home, and then we all went to a town hall meeting about Travis' upcoming deployment.  The kids all brought books to read, so they were good, and Caleb played on my kindle.  I learned that Travis is leaving the beginning of July, and will be going to the middle east until November.  (I can't tell the exact country due to security issues, until he is actually there, but we do know).  After the meeting we drove to IT'Z, another family fun center (but a lot cheaper).  We ate from the buffet, then played games for another hour.  I like this place better, because they have a play area for toddlers, that is all free.  Caleb had a great time, running around and climbing and having fun.  We all had a great time, but it was getting late, so we went home.
Wednesday, we cleaned my bedroom and bathroom.  Then we did a photo shoot.  I was making a photo book for Caleb, about the new baby coming, and what to expect when the baby does come.  So we took pictures of all sorts of different things, and the kids each doing things and playing with Caleb.   The kids had a fashion show, while I was making the book on the computer, and took pictures of each other.  We also had the dance party, that the kids invited their friends too.  We made popcorn and danced until we were all exhausted, but it was a lot of fun.  Travis had his bible study class that night, so the kids and I ate dinner and played board games again.  Thursday we cleaned the boys room and upstairs bathroom.  The weather was warming up a little, so we played outside for a little bit, went to the park, then had a limbo contest, played air hockey, and read (I was too tired for anything else).  Joseph got a dog sitting job for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, so he went and met the dogs, and learned how to take care of them.  We had the missionaries over for dinner, and had a good time talking with them.  Friday, Travis didn't have to work! Yeah!!  he helped the kids clean the girls room, and downstairs bathroom, while I went visiting teacher.  Another lds chaplain family was moving in, so we watched their 2 and 5 year old boys until about 3pm.  We took them to the park, and played with them all day.  Travis took the kids to a neighborhood Easter egg hunt at 3pm, while I stayed home to teach piano (but they ended up cancelling so I just got to relax). Joseph basically spent all day playing with the dogs is he taking care of.   Caleb was getting sick again, and towards the evening was wheezing and having trouble breathing again.  I gave him a bath with "Breathe" oil in it, and they seemed to help him some.  We decided to have a movie night for a date night, and allowed the kids to watch "rise of the guardians" with us, since Caleb wasn't feeling well.  Caleb struggled all night long, and didn't sleep well at all, I had to give him is inhaler,and some nebulizer treatments to help him sleep.  He just kept telling me he "couldn't" sleep.  About 3am, I was telling Caleb I really needed to sleep in my bed, so he grabbed me by the hand, and took me to my room and told me to get in, so I climbed in bed, and he walked around to Travis side, and climbed up and over him, and snuggled in next to me.  He was still very restless and couldn't sleep well, but I did manage to get some sleep in between his tossing, turning, coughing, and grunting.  I was so tired Saturday, I was ready to give in and just tell the kids to watch cartoons all day, but instead we got up and went to pick up our bountiful basket, and grabbed some breakfast.  Caleb was feeling a little better (he always does better during the day).  Then we went to Costco and came home.  Caleb napped, and after trying to nap, and not being able too, due to dogs barking, and kids playing, Travis and I watched a movie together.  while the kids played.  I was too exhausted to cook dinner, so we went to Denny's (the kids all eat free there on Saturdays). When we got home, Travis and I got our plastic eggs ready for our Easter egg hunt.  We put a 1.5" glow stick and a coin in each egg, then we told all the kids to wait in the garage.  We turned off all the lights in the house, except on the stairs, and hid all the eggs.  We told the kids it was time for our glow in the dark Easter egg hunt.  We also explained the we celebrate Easter to remember Jesus' death and Resurrection and that he is a light in the darkness.  The kids were let in the house, and had a blast looking for the glowing Easter eggs.  After they had found them and collected all their money, they took turns re- hiding their glowing eggs, until finally after 9pm, I told them they really had to go to bed.  They took their eggs with them to bed, so I'm sure they didn't go to bed right away, but I'm just glad they had a great time, and didn't miss the candy part of Easter.  After giving Caleb his nebulizer treatment before he went to sleep, he slept all night long!!!!!  He is still struggling a little bit in his breathing, but it is so much better then yesterday.  I'm staying home from church with Caleb, and everybody else went to church.  We also colored eggs before they left, so we can have our Easter egg roll when they get home.  We had a lot more fun things planned, but I'm sure we can do them this summer.

Joseph, Austin and Caleb playing ball

Samuel throwing the ball at Joseph

Samuel eating a banana

Caleb looking for Easter eggs in the dark

Joseph, Samuel, and Caleb building towers

Samuel reading Caleb a book

Joseph, Betsy, and Caleb

Caleb holding the "new baby"

Samuel at the fashion show

working it

Joseph at the fashion show

Betsy at the fashion show

Austin at the fashion show

Daddy helping Caleb find eggs in the dark



Caleb found a glowing egg, and had to open it to figure out why it was glowing.

life goes on

Meringue cookies with strawberry frosting I made for the ladies I Visit Teach

Samuel riding the racetrack at IT'Z (family fun center)

Caleb all bundled up and asleep after our walk on a cold day

Austin climbing at the park

Betsy at the park

Samuel and Betsy playing at the park

Austin hanging upside down like a monkey

Austin's cake that she bought for $25 at the dessert auction

All the pictures I uploaded are sideways this time, I'm not sure why, they were right side up on my computer.  The last couple of weeks have been boring for the most part because Caleb  has been sick, and Samuel was sick for a little while too.  So, I've been staying home not doing too much.  We've had some interesting weather lately.  It's been cycling through nice 60 degree weather, to blizzard days, and back again through the cycle.  I've taken Caleb to the park a couple of times hoping fresh air will help him get better.  He was definitely happier at the park, and so was I, I needed fresh air too.  Caleb has been sleeping terribly, and our neighbours are dog sitting for the next 2 months, and they bark all night, so I have been exhausted.  I've tried ear plugs, and even slept in Joseph's bed a couple of times, because his room is farther away from the dogs.  We found our that Travis is deploying either mid-june or july and will be gone to Kuwait until November.  The timing is horrible since, the baby is due mid-august.  While telling the kids about Travis leaving, and the baby being born while he is gone, Joseph piped up and said "I'll go with you to the hospital mom", I looked at Joseph and said "Joseph, what is happening when the baby is coming out of me", and then Joseph said " Oh yeah, well, umm....I'll wait in the waiting room at the hospital for you to be done with that stuff, I forgot the baby doesn't come out of your belly button".  I laughed and told him I appreciated his offer, and then he thought for a few more minutes and said "Mom, if you really need me, I'll help  you at the hospital, I'll just need to wear a blind-fold".  I really do have a sweet boy.  I told Joseph that I will keep him in mind, but Grandma is planning to come and help me in the hospital. 
Saturday was a busy day at our house.  In the morning I got to go to a Relief Society Breakfast, which was very nice to get a break from kids.  Meanwhile Travis watched the kids at home, and helped them work on their chores.  Samuel had a birthday party at noon, so I helped him finish his chore when he got home, and wrapped his present for his friend.  We didn't have any wrapping paper so we taped together an old "friend" magazine and used that.  Then I dropped Joseph off at the church since he had to be there early to prepare and set up for the scout spaghetti dinner.  Then I made a couple desserts to take to the dessert auction there, and we went to the dinner.  Joseph did a good job of being a server.  Although the dinner wasn't very good, that wasn't his fault.  We paid $20 for the dinner since it was a fundraiser.  After we ate they did the dessert auction.  Austin had some birthday money, and really wanted to buy a dessert.  So she bid and bought the cake she wanted for $25.  All the desserts went for more than I was willing to pay so we didn't buy any.  But, my homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream went for $45, and my three plates of chocolate scotcharoos went for $10 a piece, and my irish soda bread sold for $10 as well.  It was a fun evening, except Caleb wouldn't sit still, and we kept having to chase him everywhere. 
Yesterday was a good Sunday, although I still stayed home with Caleb, since he still isn't quite well enough for nursery.  I made bacon, german pancake and green smoothie for breakfast.  Travis told me he was bringing a solider home with him for lunch after church, so I decided to make our St. Patrick's day dinner for right after church.  I made Shepard's pie, steamed cabbage, irish soda bread, and a shamrock made of cucumber slices, surrounded by cantaloupe.  It was all delicious, except while making the Shepard's pie, the onion I was cutting was so potent, that I was crying like crazy, and my eyes were stinging horribly, I could barely see.  The smell bothered me so bad, that I couldn't even eat the pie, since I was so traumatized by the onion.  But, Travis told me it was really good.  We had Austin's cake, and homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.  Then we played some games.  Austin really wanted to play "Apples to Apples", but since we only play church games on Sunday, we decided to make a church version.  So we got out white index cards, cut them in half, and made our own cards about the church and gospel.  It was a really good activity, and then after about an hour, we had enough cards to play the game.  It was fun, Travis made up some good definition and quotes, like, for instance for "Samson" he wrote "he really brought down the house".  Then we played some challenge games, where we would challenge another member of the family to do something, but we had to do it first.  We did things like doing the splits, putting together puzzles, and who could run up and down the stairs fastest.  Then we played "name that tune" with primary songs, and I gave out m & m's for the prizes. 

a fun weekend

Caleb was sick all week, so we didn't go anywhere.  But we did make some meringue cookies with strawberry frosting that was really good, and dropped them off to the ladies I visit teach.  Finally by Saturday Caleb was feeling better, so Saturday morning we went to Golden Corral for Austin's birthday breakfast.  Everybody enjoyed it, and the kids were so well behaved that the couple next to us, told me how nice and polite my children were, and how is was a pleasure sitting next to us.  That made me feel great, and told the kids how impressed I was with their behavior.  Samuel had a birthday party to go to, and had a great time.  Then in the evening we had a babysitter come over, and Travis and I went bowling and out to dinner.  We went to an International restaurant that we had a groupon for, and Travis got a lamb gyro, the owner was very friendly and we talked with him for a while, and he gave us a bag of Belgian waffle mix for the kids as a gift from him.  He also gave us free herbal tea, he makes from Egypt and Jordan.  It was a very fun evening.  Sunday I made the waffles for breakfast and some pancakes for Samuel.  I forgot about fast sunday, so just caleb, sam, and I ate breakfast.  After church Samuel kept sneaking waffles into his pockets, so I found waffle crumbs and pieces throughout the house.  We had a family over for dinner, and the kids had a good time playing together, while the adults talked.  It was a good weekend