Joshua Tree National Park - the plants

We went to Joshua Tree National Park for a day trip. We stopped by the Visitor Center & bought patches/pins for the kids to start a collection from places we've visited. Then we headed through the Joshua trees toward a picnic spot. The kids enjoyed hiking around the rocks (see next post). I spent most of my time feeding Jayson. Then we traveled through the park.

It's the beginning of wildflower season. Jon stopped at the pullouts so I could wander about with my camera. If I was REALLY serious, I would have been one of those tourists with a tripod AND I would have gotten up much earlier so the sun wasn't blazing so bright. The kids didn't care much about the flowers. My first impression was NOT to be impressed, but upon closer examination there was a lot of beauty out in the desert.

This second stop was like walking into a Dr. Seuss book. It's the Cholla Cactus Garden. While my family waited in the car, I was captivated & intrigued

Spring Break

Jon was in New Jersey on Monday & Tuesday. I was at home with all four kids with no school. We had devised an incentive plan to help our boys do their jobs & read their books. We made a long list of chores & expectations (set table, make bed, play with Jessica, play outside 30 minutes, read 30 minutes, help with Jayson, etc.). When each boy had checked off 25 boxes, they had "unlocked the vault" and were awarded the Spongebob (Creature from the Crusty Crab) Wii game. Thank you to Lyndsey & Brandon for hooking us up with the games.

I did need to pry them away from the video games and get their bodies moving outside. So, I met a friend at the park. It's always kind of like torture to get everyone moving out the door at a specific time. The kids all ran out front. Baby was screaming in the car seat. I was trying to grab snacks and fill up water bottles. My temperature was rising!!! I locked the garage door. Clasped the sliding door. Grabbed my visor. Started shooing kids back outside to get in the van, but not before cranking the AC to 79 degrees. I was going to loose my mind if the house continued to warm up.

We had a delightful time at the park. The breeze was so relaxing. Two hours slipped away. We loaded up for a Chick-fil-a drive thru dinner. No cooking for me tonight. We planned a relaxing picnic in our backyard.

As we drove into the driveway, my heart stopped. Our front door was wide opened. I couldn't believe it. I was mad that the kids hadn't even shut it on the way out. I was frustrated with myself because it was me that needed to go back and lock it with the key - obviously I didn't. What a waste!!! All that AC energy OUT THE DOOR.

For our friends and family our policy is "the door is always open." We love to have them visit. But apparently we were running a limited time special where the door is ALWAYS open for NO APPARENT reason. Lovely!

Easter Weekend

On Friday I ran into a friend at Henry's Marketplace. She asked if we had family coming to town or if we were getting together with friends of if it was just going to be Jon & I for Easter. It was then that it hit me that this Easter weekend kind of sucked.

We've been spoiled the past couple of years to have family around for their spring break. We've looked forward to the Ward's Easter Breakfast & Primary Egg Hunt and neither of those was happening this year. I was also REALLY discouraged and overwhelmed because Jon was taking a red eye flight on Easter Sunday for business meetings in New Jersey. I was pretty overloaded on his last trip and wasn't exactly looking forward to being on my own again for our Spring Break.

But the show must go on, so Friday I pulled out the die tablets and vinegar. I boiled about 18 eggs, cracked nearly 6, then let the kids dip & color. You can see that Jessica is all about the pink & purple. She stole a couple extra eggs, so most of our eggs ended up pink. I bought a specialty box that came with little sponges & GOLD. After the eggs were colored & dried, you touched them up with some gold sparkles. Jessica made splotchy gold patches on the eggs, but Jacob stuck with the crafty project until his eggs shimmered.










On Saturday Jon recruited the kids to help de-rock our second garden plot. We have lots of sunny space in our side yard that never gets used. So we thought we'd add another garden (don't be too impressed - our other little garden is used mostly for tomatoes). We forget that the soil here is 80% rock & 20% dirt. The kids were excavating rocks all morning. This garden gets to host more tomato plants (I think we want to can some homemade tomato sauce for our pizza nights), yellow squash, & zucchini. The big hole is for a citrus tree - I think we'll choose orange. And next week Jon will dig out another strip of grass for a couple rows of green beans.

Sunday was the third time I made it to 9 a.m. Sacrament Meeting. I spent extra time on Jessica's curls & had the boys wear their spring ties. We were able to get a quick snap in front of our blossoming tree. The winds were gusting like crazy. James couldn't keep his tie down. I look like I'm posing in front of a wind machine. I hope to get a nicer picture of Jessica in her beautiful dress with matching pink purse. Really - it's all about the pink with her.

About 9:30 a.m. Jayson was ready for me to take him to the Mother's Lounge. I went toward the back of the chapel to stand up with him because I wanted to hear the Primary Children sing. This was Jessica's first primary performance. All the girls filed up to the left side of the stand. The boys made their way to the right - except Jessica. She followed her brothers and then stepped up on the stool. She stood up nice and tall in a sea of handsome boys. She never looked prettier to me. Heavenly Father sent her to a family where she would always be surrounded by boys. I don't know how I'll feel about that when she is a teenager.

I listened to Sara's talk from the mothers lounge. She had some great stories to share, but the last one was TOO short. Jayson had just spit up all over my skirt and there was no way I had time to change his diaper. I swiftly walked back to the chapel, handed Jayson to Jon, then went up to sing with the Ward Choir. It was nice to be part of the music. I enjoy the friends that come to choir practice. After our two songs, I reclaimed baby and returned to Mother's Lounge for Feeding Part 2 & a diaper change. Go Mom!!!



The kids were kind of ticked that we postponed our family egg hunt (in retrospect - why didn't I do that on Saturday????) until after church. When the kids came home they were excited to find their baskets and feast on chocolate bunnies. Of course Jessica is just a blur of enthusiasm, but I wanted to include the photo because her headband and curls are still so cute.



I did prepare an orange glazed ham, yummy potatoes, & sweet peas & carrots with an apricot dressing. I did NOT take a picture of it. While it tasted good, it wasn't culinary art.

Jayson 9 1/2 weeks

ABC Movie for You.

A for Adorable Smile. B for Belch. C for Coo.

No More Bandaids

Now that the boys are older, our discussions about the Resurrection have more depth. With the reinforcement from wonderful Primary teachers, our kids were able to explain how Jesus gave us the free gift of the resurrection. Our bodies will one day be made perfect.

My mind was pulled back to the very early lessons when James was about 3. He is a very logical little soul and likes to think things through. I had him repeat the big word: resurrection. I told him that Jesus made it so that our bodies would be perfect. If there was someone who could not see, Jesus would fix it so he could. If our bodies became sick, he would fix them so they were well. He made it possible for everyone who had died to live again with a perfect body - no more owies. James thought for a moment and then asked, "What will we do with all the bandaids?" Just like a little boy to know that bandaids heal everything. What would we do if Jesus healed all our wounds? I told him that would would probably just get to use them as stickers. James helped me to define Easter and the Resurrection. Easter means: no more bandaids.

In Case you Were Wondering

I should SO be in bed right now, but I was somehow compelled to take a typing test. I was a secretary and receptionist for years in high school and college. I'm a bit out of practice, but 75 words

Speedtest

Happy Easter!!!

Pizza Night

It's kind of become a tradition at our house that Saturday Night is homemade pizza night. Jon started grinding our wheat with the grinder I insisted that we get. We keep a supply in the freezer. He uses our bread maker to make a whole wheat pizza crust. The sauce is made with Prego + tomato paste. If I make it, I also add more oregano & basil. Our next adventure is to try to make our own sauce with our food processor. We keep a supply of shredded mozzarella and pepperoni in the freezer. Two pizzas feed our family one dinner + one lunch/snack for the boys.

Hats

Jayson was NOT interested in wearing a hat. I tried taking his picture three different times. He started screaming right after I'd put the hat on. Whatever.

Finally a True Princess

I've dreamed of this day for over a year now. "Mom, come look at my poo in the potty." Jessica has definitely tried my patience with her potty training style. She has made me so proud these last few months by wearing panties and staying dry. She even sleeps in underwear. But, she had poop issues and would only go in a diaper. We ran out of diapers this week. I've been telling her that we weren't going to buy any more. Our diaper cupboard only has Jayson's size and it's for babies. I've sat with her in the bathroom, telling her to imagine she is wearing a diaper. Just push it out. Your poop WANTS to swim in the toilet. But all my ridiculous tales haven't mattered until today. Today was HER day to decide to go diaper free and let the toilet receive her.. well, you know. I hope it lasts.

I made good on my promise to have Princess Polly Pockets. I bought some on my last Target trip. She was so thrilled to receive her prize. Her brothers were NOT happy for her. "That's no fair that she gets THREE toys for just pooping in the toilet." I think it was worth every cent.

Let's Rally

Each trimester our school has an Academic Rally to acknowledge the students' success. They receive dog tags to add to their necklace. Then they are called up in groups to give a big high five to our mascot the Leopard. Both James & Jacob were recognized for their excellent grades. All O's for Jacob (Outstanding). All A's & one B for James. They also get an award for citizenship. This semester James also received the Groovy Mathematician Award. That was especially cool because only one student per class can get it.

The assembly was based on a Groovy 70's theme. At the end the teachers and parents were invited to get on their feet and disco. My kids' teachers were not among those dancing. James and his classmates tried to wrestle Mr. Yasuda to his feet to show his groove.

Everyone at our house was treated to ice cream at McDonalds for this special accomplishment.