Stitches and the Bee

We were sitting around on my bed talking last night while Rick was at work and the girls got talking about getting stitches/staples and the scars from them. Summer had staples in her head about 18 months ago and is very proud of the fact that she didn't even need a "numbing shot" because she was tough enough to just take it (I'm still not sure that I believe that, but since I wasn't there I just have to take the story as it is told). Anyway, the girls were talking about when Hunter got her stitches in her forehead. So, they had to retell that story. I didn't get the complete story, but Sierra said that she jumped up off some rocks because a bee was coming. Hunter jumped up as well and followed Sierra to get away from the bee. But, she slipped and fell and hit her head on a sharp, pointy rock. I said, "Sierra, are you the reason Hunter fell and had to get stitches?" Sierra said, "No, it was the bee's fault that Hunter got stitches." Good job, Sierra, pin the blame on somebody (or something) else.

It's official...

my Tuesday nights are now booked for the entire year. Yep, I'm the proud new owner of 17 high maintenance Beehives (the 12-13 year olds at church). As if Cole didn't drain every ounce of energy from my weary body, I now have a bunch of tweens to keep me busy. I'm actually pretty excited about it. The YW presidency is brand new and so are all of the advisors. They're all really fun ladies and I'm looking forward to getting to know people--finally. I loved my 5 Primary girls, but I needed a little bit more than teaching Primary every other week. This ought to do the trick.

mystery 13

The mystery is where these 13 pounds have come from that I have gained in the last year. I believe that 3 of them have shown up over the holidays. I really am OK with that (not) because most people gain an average of 7 to 9 pounds over the holidays. So, I am doing better than average.
Another 3 pounds are from the trip to Seattle and Vancouver Island where Rick thought it was necessary to test out every single bakery on the way (and my oh my that Beehive pastry from the Goat on the Roof store was delightful). OK, so we've accounted for 6 pounds that leaves another 7 pounds that have shown up out of nowhere. I think I will blame it on the Mapleton water, although if I were just drinking the Mapleton water I would weigh seven pounds less instead of seven pounds more. I've decided that living in Mapleton is like living on the moon and I just weigh more because of gravity. Except that if it really were like living on the moon I would weigh less instead of more. So, I guess I will just stop making excuses and take full responsibility for every one of those 13 pounds. I brought it upon myself one cookie at a time.
So, this is what we are going to do about it:
no more treats, except on Treat Day. That worked great for us in Michigan it's just that now we're in Mapleton every day is Treat Day.
Another thing that I'm super excited about is the wonderful Christmas present that Rick and I got: a tread mill, a rowing machine, a stair stepper, an elliptical machine, free weights, and more. All we have to do is go down the street about a mile and a nice man named Dave will let us use all this stuff for about $50 a month, plus we can use it 24 hours a day 365 days a week. You guessed it--a gym pass. It's the closest thing to the convenience and atmosphere that we liked in MS at the YMCA plus the comfort and style of the Genesys Athletic Club in MI.
I got new running shoes a few weeks ago and the kids got me new exercise clothes for Christmas, so we should be set.
The last thing I need to do is to finish off all of the pumpkin pie in the fridge, chips in the pantry and chocolates in the cupboard so that we can get off to a great start on New Years. I just need to get over this nasty head cold so that I can workout without coughing up a lung. Wish us luck.

Vacuuming

we are seriously vacuuming for the third time today. The first time was just because. The second time was because Cole dumped an entire box (sam's club portion) of dish washer detergent on the kitchen floor. And now the girls are downstairs vacuuming beads up off the floor. I don't even care if the beads are made of gold, I am so tired of his messes that I am willing to clean it up the quickest way possible. Hmmm, sounds like he is in the bathroom with the plunger--can't be good--better run...

Christmas Day

Lance, Fisher, Cole, Summer, Sierra

Fisher and Cole

Uncle BryBry

Grandma Nan

Grandma Nan got a camera for Christmas.

December 25

Is it too early to take down the tree?

More sleepy pictures

Summer wasn't home and I was talking to Sierra. For a while she answered me and then she stopped. This is what I found.

Then Cole discovered that Sierra was asleep. So, he helped me to wake her up. She didn't wake easily so Cole took out her earrings.

can I mow your lawn?

I don't know why I thought this was so funny, but when Cole got out of the tub all he wanted to do was mow.

snowcones...

The Wise Women

Compliments from an email from my good friend Janey...

What would have happened if it had been the three Wise Woman instead of three Wise Men?

* They would have asked directions...

* arrived on time...

* helped deliver the baby...

* cleaned the stable...

* brought practical gifts

* made a casserole

But what would they have said as they left?

As they left, they would have said...

"Did you see the sandals Mary was wearing with that gown?"

"Did you see that Drummer boy, He can beat my drum anytime"

"Want to bet on how long it will take before you get your casserole dish back?"

"I heard that Joseph isn't even working right now!"

"And that donkey they are riding has seen better days too!"

"Virgin, my ####! I knew her in school!"

"That baby doesn't look anything like Joseph!"

Trolls

We are currently reading the 5th Harry Potter book with the girls. Rick was on our bed reading a few nights ago and I was getting Cole ready for bed, cleaning up the bathroom and doing about 8 other things all at the same time because that is what moms do. I could hear bits and pieces of Rick's reading and one word that kept coming up was TROLL. I was just laughing out loud. Because I didn't hear the entire context of the reading, the thoughts that came to my mind were from years ago when I would hear my dad use the word TROLL. He would use that word in reference to someone who was not blessed with a cover model face. ie "That girl in line behind us at Walmart was a real troll." ahhhh, Kentisms.
So, next time you see a troll, just laugh and think of Papa Kent.

Christmas Morning 2006

Christmas Questioneer

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? gift bags. My mom was a gift wrapper at ZCMI for years and years. Her packages were always decorated to the nines. I was so intimidated, I was lucky to get my gifts wrapped at all.
2. Real tree or artificial? artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree? the day after Thanksgiving
4. When does the tree come down? The day after Christmas if I can wait that long.
5. Do you like eggnog? love it. Reminds me of my dad when he would bring it home and add a little bit of 7up.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? package from Grandma each year. She'd wrap a toothbrush and tooth paste, a few other little odds and ends, add in a US saving bond, and wrap up the whole thing. We loved opening the little individual packages.
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? RICK
9. Easiest person to buy for? Summer
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? morning sickness, thanks Summer
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? I love to get a letter in the mail, I'll keep sending them as long as stamps are less than $1
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas vacation, although I'm realizing that the kids don't need to watch it with me.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? January
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Christmas, no
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? peacan pie, ponoche, oranges, sugar cookies
16 Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent night
18 Travel at Christmas or stay home? HOME
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? yes, and it's Donder, by the way
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? traffic
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? leaving cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer
24. Up early or sleeping in? sleep in, please
25. Who hands out the gifts? the person who happens to be closest to the tree
26. Does Santa wrap your gifts? He used to at the Robison's, but not at the Herlevi's causing quite a controversy over the years.
27. Do you tell the Christmas story? yes
28. Do you leave cookies for Santa? yes, and milk--skim

Fire King find

This is my latest find. These are fireking primrose custard cups. They were made some time between 1960 and 1962. Two of them have designs on the back side also. Total price: $1.50

Christmas Elves

These are the cute little Christmas Elves that Sierra and I made last night. The most exciting part about it is that I made them entirely from supplies that we had on hand. No purchase necessary! Now, there is one for each child to keep watch on them for the next 10 days to see who is naughty and who is nice.

Christmas Basket

This is the Christmas arrangement that I made for the ward party. After the party we will take it to the cemetary to Papa Kent. The little bear in the middle is a kid's meal toy from Arctic Circle that the girls added.

Playin' Hooky

The girls had a dentist appointment this morning at 9:00. We left the house at 8:45 (to look for the missing cell phone BUT that's another story). The dentist took less than hour. I wanted to go to Target but Sierra is NOT a shopper and Summer voted that because we had Cole and a "non-shopper", Target would not be that much fun. So, we went to Grandma Bette's and ate cookies and watched the cartoon network until 11:00. We waited until 11:00 because that is when Color Me Mine opened. (a ceramic do it your self place where the kids got a gift certificate for Christmas last year.) Summer, Sierra and I pulled up and found a parking spot about 3 miles away. We walked in 17 degree temps to the front of the store to find that the doors were locked. Tight. All 3 doors. No lights on. Another girl was standing off to the side. She had been there for 15 minutes waiting for the place to open because she was hoping to pick up some things that she had made last week to give out as Christmas gifts. Another girl showed up at about 11:20. We all waited until about 11:30, then we decided to go grab some lunch since it was too late to get back to school in time for lunch. Where did we go? Arctic Circle. We like the prices. Hehehe. I called my mom and she said she'd meet us there as soon as she got her hair done. She was going to bring me some things I needed so I thought it was a good place to meet. We ate a small lunch (we are trying to eat healthy) and waited and waited. We ended up working for free for an hour just to have something to do. Even the girls helped. It was kind of fun. Then Mom came and we chatted for about 3 minutes. We had to get Summer back to the last 30 minutes of school. We went back to Grandma Bette's to pick up Cole. He was having fun and Summer decided to go back to CMM and do a project since we had that planned--finally--after having the gift certificate for 50 weeks. I think she was afraid that it would take another 50 weeks to get back. I called this time to make sure someone was there. I happened to mention that we had tried to come earlier, but nobody was there. I think I got someone in trouble. Oooops. We went in and found a project to do. Sierra did a little ladybug jewelry dish with a lady bug lid. Summer did a pink, black and gray plate to go in her future Paris bedroom and I did a blue dish the brown polka dots to use as a ring dish on my shelf in my closet. We had so much fun. The girls want to go back tomorrow. I was kicking myself for not having my camera with me. (I really wish I had a better camera--I sure hope I get one for Christmas.) Our projects will be ready on Tuesday and I will be sure to post some photos of our art. We went back to Grandma Bette's and Cole was taking a nap. We left him with Grandpa and a peanut butter sandwich for when he woke up. And we were off to the mall. We were looking for shirts/sweaters for the upcoming Herlevi Family Photo Shoot. After about an hour Sierra was asking, "Why didn't you tell me we were just going to walk around and look at clothes?" Summer replied, "Sierra, that's what people do when they go to the mall, duh." So typical of both of them. Summer was really upset when we left without anything for her and Sierra was thrilled to death that we were finally leaving. We grabbed Cole and our gear and headed back to Mapleton because it was snowing and because it was almost bedtime. The girls couldn't stop talking on the way home about what we are going to do next time they play hooky. They said it was their "best day ever". I love it when they say that. I can't wait to play hooky again, too.

Great elf Idea for kids

I found this online and I thought it would be fun to do so I posted it on here so I would remember where to find it...

Christmas is approaching, and this is the day

Santa has sent Mr. Peeps to your house to stay.

He send this small elf to your house and mine.

The day after Thanksgiving, He must be on time.

Mr. Peeps has a purpose. His purpose will be,

To whisper to Santa all the good that he sees.

Soon after he gets here, he moves only at night

To high places, low places, he stays in plain sight.

In the kitchen, for instance, he sits high on a shelf.

Mr. Peeps can sit anywhere, for he is an elf.

He holds very still when he thinks you are watching.

His magic is precious, it fades with on touching.

He sits on the tree on Christmas Eve day.

He knows that Santa is soon on his way.

He waits and he waits without making a noise.

He waits until Santa arrives with the toys.

So you better be nice and mind what you say

Because Mr. Peeps will tell Santa when he comes with his sleigh.

Once Christmas is here and Santa has come,

Mr. Peeps must leave, for his job is well done.

But, he will return next year on the very same day,

To watch your behavior as you work and play.

- Sharon Reynolds

So whatcha think? It's a fun way to keep the little ones good because Mr Peeps is watching to tell Santa if you are good or not and how fun for them to discover where he has moved to during the night.

If you are feeling a bit "elfy" now I found a few elf DIY projects.

clay pot elf

Elf poop anyone? *snicker*

Elf Pixie Hat

Elf coloring page

'Tis the Season

So as we all enjoy this fun time of year I'd thought I'd pass along some Holiday sites.

Elf Yourself! - tee hee hee

Which of Santa's Reindeer are you?- Fun quiz

What's your Elf Name? - Fun quiz

Northpole - Fun for the kiddos

Make a snowflake - LOVE this one! If you ever watned to really make an out of this world snowflake - try this site! It's addiciting and so FUN!

Snow Humor

Let it Snow

After a couple of days of rain, it snowed and snowed and snowed. I shoveled the driveway and walkway 3 times and it still keeps piling up. It's so beautiful out there right now, but then the ugly, dirty snow will still be here in February and I will hate it.

All I Want for Christmas...

Santa was at the BYU Museum of Art this morning for a Nutcracker Christmas Activity. Cole was so intent on his bag of candy that he wouldn't even look up at Santa or the camera. Santa let out a big, "Hohoho" and Cole was still focued on the candy. I'm sure it was because he knew that Santa was going to ask if he's been a good little boy this year. He got off Santa's lap without moving his eyes off his candy bag or saying one word. (I wish he was that quiet at chruch).












Summer and Sierra jumped into the picture while Cole was still sitting on Santa's lap and his gaze still did not move from the candy.
Sierra told Santa that she wants a my littlest pet something or another. I guess I better figure out what that is.
Summer wants a DS and is way too big to sit on Santa's lap. I remember taking her to see Santa at KCOM when she was Cole's age. She cried and didn't want anything to do with Santa.

Orem Tigers State Champs

On November 23, there was a reunion for the football players who played on the Championship Football team. It was headed up by Carter Rockwood who did a fantastic job running the evening. He gave a recap of many of the players and what they have done since 1987. Rick and I were glad to know that we weren't the fattest or baldest.

Papa Kent in Fairview

This is just another random photo of dad. We were at the cabin in Fairview building stairs off from the deck. Dad loved to spend time at the cabin. Jason managed to make this photo, too.

Rick's big news...

Rick was unable to withstand the local redneck pressure of growing a mullet. He crumbled under all of the stress and had a haircut. You know it's bad when a 2 year old tells you that you need a haircut.
Now we both have short hair. Yippee.

Next, Rick went to his work meeting yesterday. He has been at Utah Valley Emergency Physicians for 18 months. They voted, and he is now a partner, effective January 1. Double Yippee.

And, he ran 6+ miles yesterday.

Christmas Funnies from Sierra

What do you call a snowman on a warm day?
a puddle

What's a skunk's favorite song?
jingle smells

What do Christmas Tree drink at a party?
rootbeer

Where did Mr. Moose kiss Mrs. Moose?
under the moosletoe.

What's a duck's favorite ballet?
the nutquacker

What's a grape's Christmas greeting?
'Tis the season to be jelly

O Christmas Tree

Here are my littles kiddies in our entryway in front of the blue Christmas Tree with plastic bulbs. Yes, plastic. You can take them off the tree and bounce them on the floor and they will not break. I know that because Cole has tried it with almost every bulb already.

Tractor Man

Cole loves tractors more than any other thing in the entire world. I may be partly to blame for painting his room "tractor yellow". Or maybe Rick is responsible because when he was young he wanted to be a "John Deere Man" when he grew up. I guess it's in his genes.

Eating Birthday Cake

I didn't know that Cole even ate any of his birthday cake until I saw these photos that Rick had taken of Cole eating cake with Grandma Bette.