basketball

Brenna doesn't like to hear the buzzer.  It is very loud and she says it hurts her ears.  Funny girl!

Bryant loves to go to Riley's games.  He loves to roam all around the bleachers.  He will be sitting in one corner one minute and then all the way on the other side the next. 

Riley has had a fun basketball season.  Vince has been his coach and they practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4:30pm.   It has been a great experience for both of them.  Riley is a tough player and Vince makes those kids work! 

dish report

My generous sharing of dish duty is working wonders for me!  But I HAVE to report...

Tonight we had left over tacos for dinner.  YUM! ----  Wyatt had  -clear and wipe down table- .  There were a few pieces of lettuce that spilled on the table.  (Wyatt was OK with this new job until he noticed the lettuce!)  It went a little something like this... 
Wyatt:  "UGH!  (gag)  Oh Mom, (gag),  I don't think I can do it!!  Can you get those pieces of lettuce?" 
Mom:  "No Wyatt, I think you'll be OK!"
Wyatt:  "Gross, (gag),  No Mom!!  I'm practically allergic to lettuce....  REALLY!!"  etc...

Riley -unloaded the dishwasher- just fine, although he put a few things in places they don't go.  That is kinda a 
 -learn as you go- thing.

Then Preston... Oh my Preston!!  He had -load dishwasher- .  I don't think that boy has ever loaded the dishwasher.  I have really deprived my children!!  He loaded cups and bowls in an upright position.  He kept saying "Gross Mom!!  This is really gross!!"  He would grasp the dish with 2 fingers and hold it under the water to rinse off food.  (I'm smiling as I write this...)  Pretty funny!


Ahhh,  a few funny moments to write down so I can remember (with a smile) how much work it is to teach my children to WORK!!  :)

Riley's Super Birthday Bowl!

SUPER BIRTHDAY BOWL CUPCAKES

Hmmm... Shredded Beef Tacos.  A family favorite.

Riley wanted to enjoy the SuperBowl with our family and friends.  The Beaches, Depillos and Thurbers were here along with Nana and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa Gibson.  It was such a fun time together.  Happy 14th Riley!  Maybe next year we can enjoy your BIRTHDAY with the EAGLES in the SUPERBOWL!!  That would be SOME BIRTHDAY WISH COME TRUE!! 

Love Notes

We decorated these fun mailboxes for FHE this past monday.  It was a treat!  The kids really got into decorating and then writing each other love notes.  This is something we will do up until Valentines Day!  I have tried to write a note to each person every night before I go to sleep.  It has been wonderful to look back on the day and remember why I love these little people so much!

"We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love."   

 David A. Bednar  -Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

--A house with love in it is rich indeed--

math lesson

Tonight at dinner I gave the children a math lesson. 

I started out asking, "How many hands does mom have?"  "TWO" yelled Brenna.
"That's right" I said... "and how many people live in our house?"   "SEVEN" announced Preston. 
"That is right again!!... How many hands do seven people have?"   ...Ooo Ooo...  "FOURTEEN" exclaimed Wyatt.

"FOURTEEN,  That is a lot of hands! ...  Fourteen hands sure can make a lot of messes... am I right?"
 "YES" (their enthusiasm fading)
Does it seem right that mom's TWO hands clean up after the mess left behind from  ALL FOURTEEN hands in this house???
Uhhh... "No mom, it doesn't" ...    ---Well I'm glad you all agree!!    :)

So we worked out a system to help with dish duty after dinner.  I personally am very excited about this and it went very well.  Riley cleared and wiped down the table, Preston unloaded the dishwasher and Wyatt and I loaded the dishwasher.  As we were working on the kitchen Brenna cleaned up the family room.  It was lovely!  :) 
          Many HANDS Make Light Work!!

Happy Birthday Riley!! 14 years old!

Hmmm, a card, how nice...

What could fit in this size box that I would want for my birthday??

Oh, another smaller box... this is looking more promising!!

YES!!  A CELL PHONE!  What I always wanted (and hinted for!) for at least 2 years! 

Happy Birthday Riley!!  14 years old!  I can remember the day you were born like it was yesterday!!  You are the oldest and the FIRST to go through these NEW phases of life.  We, as your parents, get to figure them out with you!!  It isn't always easy, but never boring! And it sure is wonderful to have such a great FIRST born son to be an example to the younger eyes watching your every move!! We love you and want you to know, we think you are doing a great job of this growing up thing!!   :)  -- Stake Dances - watch out!! :)

grocery shopping

Here he is... my little helper.  He doesn't always want to sit in the seat.  He wants to walk until he doesn't anymore.  He likes to stack and adjust our food in the cart.  He usually enjoys a little snack of something that looks too good to wait until we get home (usually chips, cheetos are a fave).  He is my little buddy.  I love him.

This is what my kitchen looks like when we get home.  I am usually worn out by this point, but alas, the food MUST be put away!

The "buy" of the day was Caprisuns.  $1.49 at Frys.  Bryant LOVES Caprisuns!  He would drink 10 a day if I let him! 

 So last time I was at Costco I bought the 100% juice Caprisuns.

YUM! and very good for you! (right!!?)  I thought so...  Bryant won't touch these!  Not with a 10 foot pole!  Not sure why?  I think they are very good.  A full serving of fruit even!  So I stocked up on the cheap, 10% juice kind and he is pleased as punch!!

Another successful day of grocery shopping with my little helper!