Love is Forever…and so are Roaches

My husband is an…interesting…sort of guy.  This was my Valentine’s Day gift.

Yep, he had a cockroach named for me.  Isn’t he great?!  “Cockroaches can survive a nuclear holocaust, and so can our love.”  His words.

Yay.

It’s gross, disgusting, and possibly insulting, but to be honest, I’m smiling as I write this.  Somehow he came across this and couldn’t resist, and it IS kinda funny :)

And he was smart enough to bring home flowers and chocolates…

Minute to Win It Night

Inspired by Pinterest (and who isn’t these days?!), our family had a Minute to Win It game night.  It was loads of fun, and I hope you’ll bear with me as I post TONS of pictures- hey, it’s my blog, after all!

First up, ‘Throw Marshmallows Through a Wreath!’  It’s as simple as it sounds :)

Minion 1was super-impressed with Hero’s shot!

And the winner was Awesome McAwesome with EIGHT marshmallows!

Next, we had one minute to stack cups into a pyramid.  The older kids had to use one hand, while the younger ones played an easier version.

The best part of this game?

Knocking the cups down!!

Then they played ‘Get the Cotton Ball to Stick to the Vaseline on Your Nose.’  Don’t you just love my creativity with the names of these games?!  Hero, McAwesome, Sweetheart Girl, and Twinkle were the only ones that wanted to do this one.  Minion 1 and Minion 2 did NOT want anything on their noses!

Here are pictures of the classic ‘Get the Cookie in Your Mouth Without Using Your Hands.’

She did it!

Next was an impromptu change since my materials weren’t going to allow us to follow the original rules.  With a partner, you needed to place as many ornaments as possible on a yard stick that was balancing on a paper towel tube.

We’re almost done, I promise!

Next, the kids had to see how many candy canes they could move from the table to the Christmas tree in one minute.  The catch was that they could only use their mouths!  Let the fun begin!

And the winner (with SIX candy canes) was…

Twinkle!!!!!  She used her hands ;)

Here are the girls celebrating Twinkle’s victory!

And finally, ‘Stack Mini-Marshmallows on a Popsicle Stick.’

There you go- lots of pictures, lots of fun!  But, in case you’re dying for just one more picture, here’s one of my favorites from the night:

Labor Day 2012

Sooooo…it’s been 7 months since my last post, and yet, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long to me! I guess it’s true that as you get older, time goes by more quickly :)

There’s no way to recap everything we’ve been doing so let’s just say that we’re a busy family of nine! Ya'll can use your imaginations!

School is in full swing again, but we did take Labor Day off for a special reason. Daddy-man ran his first 5K! He’s been running for a few months now and was looking forward to this event. We all wanted to go to see him cross the finish line so we woke up bright and early (well, early- it was still dark out!) at 4:30 a.m. and made the hour-long drive to Saguaro National Park. It was crowded, and the area around the start/finish line was much smaller than I had envisioned!

The kids and I, being the ever-dutiful cheer section, managed to make some signs for dad to see as he finished. We even managed to keep them a secret!

As soon as the runners cleared the starting line, we lined up!

The sun was rising in full force, and of course we were looking right into it! The kids were a little antsy- after all, they were up so early with a pathetic breakfast in the van and then nothing to do but wait. Thankfully a 5K is pretty short, and it wasn’t long before the first runners began their way back. Not long after that, we saw him! We held up our signs and cheered!

The kids ran to him, and we congratulated him, and told him we loved him and were proud of him.

There really weren’t a lot of ‘extra’ people out there (like the kids and I), and we were the only ones cheering. Having never been to a race, I really wasn’t sure of the proper etiquette, and felt slightly out of place, but I figured at least everyone would know that We Love Our Dad!

~~~~~~~

P.S. The rest of the day was spent being exhausted (shocker!)

Father’s Day’s a Comin’

I saw a really cute and easy Father’s Day card that the kids could make and thought I’d share!

Chances are you already have what you need to make this. 

You can find the directions HERE.

I’m going to have my Sunday School kids make one to take home.  If I pre-cut everything, it takes all of two minutes!

Now, technically the iPhone my husband got a couple weeks ago is his official Father’s Day gift (not to mention his anniversary gift!), but it seems that he should receive something from his children on his day, so we made this:

We just spray painted a wood frame from Michaels and some old puzzle pieces, add a little glue, and voila!  Just add a picture!  I’ve got the perfect picture waiting for me at Walgreens. I just love being able to order prints online and pick them up in just a few hours!  No more hanging around the store for an hour or making a second trip a few days later!

Back on subject-

Happy Father’s Day to the best dad in the world!

Sweetheart Girl’s First Sewing Kit

I was looking through some old pictures, and I realized I had wanted to blog about the little sewing basket I put together for Sweetheart Girl’s 5th birthday last month.

Before I begin, I should say that I saw a similar project on another blog that I stumbled upon quite a while ago, but I cannot find it again!  I need to give credit to someone, but I just don’t know to whom it belongs… so…sorry to whoever you are!

I was able to find this adorable basket at a thrift store that I believe once held a little tea set.  The little nooks and crannies were perfect because I was trying to figure out how I would be able to do that on my own!

I bought some yarn needles, cute big buttons, and a sturdy, plastic embroidery hoop, and I had everything else at home.  I cut some ‘bobbins’ out of some sturdy cardboard for the yarn and knotted one end of the yarn and taped the other end.  For the ‘fabric’ I used shelf liner, netting from a bag of limes, and tulle.  I also gave her one of my extra measuring tapes, a thimble, and some ‘pretties’ (lace, etc.).

Sweetheart Girl LOVES it!  Here’s a picture of the very first button she’s ever sewn!

I just love her crazy ‘fresh from the bath’ hair.  She’s inherited my frizzies- sorry, baby girl :)

Notice her dress up shoes?  Those are the one item she asked for, and she received seven pairs from the grandparents and a friend- needless to say she was a very happy birthday girl!

Eventually I’ll start teaching her some basic stitches, but for now she’s just having fun (and learning how to keep her yarn from getting all tangled up!).  Of course, I’m not much of a seamstress myself so I’ll probably practice right along with her!

Our Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent with my parents, opening their gifts, watching White Christmas, and chowing down on cookies, sausage and cheese, eggnog, and hot cocoa (ugh!  I’m full all over again just thinking about it!)  Surprisingly enough, we went to bed at a fairly decent hour.

Unfortunately, I woke up at about 5 am, feeling absolutely miserable.  I got up to get some water, hoping that I just had a dry, scratchy throat, but sure enough I just began to feel worse with every passing hour!  That aside, we had a great Christmas morning!

The older boys woke up at 6, along with Mom, Dad, and Grandma.  Sweetheart Girl wasn’t too far behind, and we woke the twins at about 6:30.  We were hoping that since we woke them up early, they would nap early so we could make it to dinner that afternoon at my grandpa’s.  It worked!

Grandpa was also feeling sick, and I didn’t have the heart to wake Twinkle, so we let them sleep.  I guess it’s kind of wrong to do Christmas in shifts, but that’s what we did!

By Saturday evening, I was sooo sick, and I had to go to bed.  Daddy-Man was SUPER Daddy-Man and gave everyone their baths and got everyone into bed.  Not only that, he got everyone ready for church the next morning while I slept away!  No kidding, that’s not a small feat for a pastor on Sunday morning!

I pretty much stayed in bed all day Sunday, but by Monday morning most of the achiness was gone.  Sweetheart Girl got strep Monday, and I’m fairly positive that’s what I’ve got, too, so we’ll see if it passes on down the line!

The First Christmas

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
                                       Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying not one in the house
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there arose such a clatter
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be the day.

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus, returning just like he said
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him, in spite of myself.

In The Book Of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose name had been written in love
He gathered to take to His Father above
With those who are ready He rose with out a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate
I stood and cried as they rose out of sight
Oh, if I had only been ready tonight.

In the words of the meaning is clear.
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

                              ~Author Unknown

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us not forget that He did not stay a baby in manger!  He grew to be the perfect Sacrifice for my sin and yours, and He will one day judge the world!

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.            Philippians 2:10-11 

The Annual Christmas Photo

I think my children believe the camera will steal their souls or something!  This is what we came up with this year :)

I do what I can…

Uninvited Guests

It’s bad enough we put the wise men in our nativity scenes when they didn’t come around until a couple years after Jesus’ birth!! 

Who are these guys?!?!

Awesome McAwesome put his Mars Heroes up the other day (and they’re still there!), and he’s been quite pleased with himself since!

I feel I must point out that the Mars Heroes are good guys- two are watching the baby Jesus, and the other one is standing guard.

I don’t plan on them being a part of this scene next year!

Christmas Gifts- Episode Five

Whew!  It’s almost midnight, but I just finished Twinkle’s gift so I’m just going to post real quickly!

Deciding what to do for her took forever!  The only easy thing I could come up with was a blanket, but I happen to know that a friend is giving her a blanket so she hardly needs another!

I almost just gave up and went to the store to buy her a toy, but instead…

Click here for this tutorial.  The dress is made from a thrifted pillowcase, and I used ribbon instead of the bias tape.  I recommend using the bias tape!!  The ribbon was a pain.

And click here for this one.  I’ve made a few hair bows before, and I’ve been anxious to try this one out.  So cute!  This site has a couple more that I want to try out later.

Now…what to do for her birthday one week after Christmas…

Alright, one more Christmas gift to go…that one depends a bit on the hubby and he’s been incredibly busy, so I have a feeling it’ll end up being pretty last minute ;)

Christmas Gifts- Episode Four

Here’s one of the twins’ presents.  It’s a bean bag toss game!  One spray-painted cardboard box, some felt for the eyes and teeth, and some cloth and filling (I ended up using rice) for the ‘bean’bags equals a lot of fun…I hope :)

I’m still deciding if I should address this to either Minion 1 or Minion 2, or if I should address both gifts to both boys.  They are definitely entering a possessive stage so single ownership could lead to fights…but is it totally wrong to NOT give them individual gifts yet?  They’re only two…

…But my main dilemma with this gift is…

How do I wrap this?????

I Heart the Mail Carrier!

Don’t you just love getting packages?!  The FedEx guy just rang our doorbell, delivering the gift I bought for Daddy-man.  I LOVE it!!!

On the off-chance he’s reading this (he’s under orders not to), I won’t say what it is, but it’s one of the few times in our almost 10-year marriage that I saw something and knew right away that I wanted to get it for him!  Usually, Christmas, birthday, and anniversary times roll around, and I have no clue!!

While passing time on my flight to Hawaii, I browsed the Sky Mall magazine and found it!  I was able to get a little extra money, shopped on amazon, used two $5 amazon e-gift certificates (thank you Swagbucks), and got it at a steal!

If you’re really that curious, here’s the link to see it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001FVRUFQ/ref=sr_1_6_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1291787067&sr=8-6&condition=new

If you know my husband, you know he’ll like it!  I think it’ll be great in his office!  Because I don’t want it in my house :)

About an hour ago, our mail carrier rang the doorbell, delivering some way cute Croc shoes I got at a steal for Sweetheart Girl.  Two pairs (I bought a bigger size for later) plus a jibbitz (a charm for the shoes) for $9.48 shipped!  Here’s what they look like: http://www.crocs.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-crocs_us-Site/default/Search-Show?q=gabby

If you know Sweetheart Girl, you know she’ll LOVE getting new shoes…it really must be born into some girls- she’s loved shoes since she could make her opinion known!

I still have a few homemade gifts to post about, and I promise they’re coming!  I finished one more but still have two to go.

Christmas Gifts- Episode Three

Alright, here it is!  Sweetheart Girl’s Christmas gift (well, half of it).  Click here for Episode One and here for Episode Two .

Eggs sunnyside-up, bacon, and silver-dollar pancakes

How about a sandwich and chips for lunch?

Mmmm…ham, turkey, and cheese with lettuce and tomato

And, of course, PB & J- a staple around here

All that and a bag of chips?

Ruffle Chips!

Drumsticks and broccoli for dinner

I’m loving it!  I freehanded pretty much everything, but got all the ideas from various websites:

http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-felt-food.html

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/03/09/felt-brown-bag-lunch-tutorial/

There are a ton of ideas out there- I could have made more, but Sweetheart Girl’s birthday comes up quickly after Christmas.  If these foods are hit, I’ll work on more for her birthday.  Maybe some of these…

http://www.onecraftyplace.com/2009/02/27/felt-food-tutorial-round-up/

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/build-a-cake-play-set-923565/

I stayed pretty two-dimensional, so maybe I’ll branch out next time around. 

Along with the foods, Daddy-Man and I are working on a little stove for her.  That will be another post…