A Day Out!

In an on-going effort to separate the kids and have their days out with just parents, no siblings, I took Samantha to have her eyebrows waxed. This is something that had been bugging her. She had gotten some good hearted teasing at school about having a unibrow, but, was worried that waxing and plucking would hurt. So, I told her the truth - yes, it does hurt. But it only stings for a minute and then it's over. She was brave, though visibly nervous as she sat in the chair and tried so hard to make small talk. The lady was very nice and explained things as she went along. Samantha did just great and wants to keep trimmed now. These photos are not as dramatic as the transformation in person.

Samantha before and after - November 08

Thankful ....

Okay, I know it's the tenth of November already, and I am already behind, but, I wanted to put out a challenge. I will list one thing I am thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. Let's all make a list and share our gratitude...
1. my family
2. James
3. the colors of fall
4. music
5. my friends (past, present and future)
6. living in the USA
7. Children's Hospital
8. taco salad
9. my testimony
10. sleep
11. cell phones, dishwashers, internet and modern conveniences
12. forgiveness
13. daughters who will change diapers
14. family dogs (and the lessons they teach the ladies)
15. Primary teachers
16. my brother's military service and all who protect our freedoms
17. James' patience and knock-out smile
18. Jay's sweet giggle and happy disposition
19. Samantha's competitive side (may she always use it for good...)
20. Rachel's constant questions
21. Charlotte's excitment in learning to read - it's a whole new world
22. Josephine's imagination and wonder at the details all around her
23. growing up with my Mom at home with us
24. daily family routines-meals together, scriptures, practice, prayer
25. my father's personal history - treasure now, priceless later
26. a kind smile from strangers day to day - southern hospitality
27. THANKSGIVING DAY

Pilgrim Hats

I have been trying lately to find 'joy in the journey' (President Monson, October 08 Conference talk) and while I sometimes take that as a reason to play with the kids and neglect the laundry, I have also taken it to mean that my time playing with the kids should be quality projects and games, not just SpongeBob reruns. So, in the spirit of the holidays, we made these: Pilgrim Hats. The ladies had fun, they taste great (we used mint choloclate chips...) and they made nice little treats for the families that James and I Home/Visit teach. Enjoy your journey.

Dip the large marshmallows in the chocolate and use a toothpick to set them on the chocolate side of a striped shortbread cookie.

Remember to paint your lips with chocolate and smile for the camera. It is also important to keep the little man of the house away from the chocolate mess because he can make a mess out of just the cookies. And look darn cute doing so, I might add... Add some icing for a buckle and there you have it - Pilgrim Hats!

Two great things about today ...

Okay, these two pictures have one thing in common - they both made me so glad today!

First, the cereal. A local store was having a sale on Chex Cereals - buy two for $3. That's a good deal by itself, but, on some of the boxes there was a coupon for $3 off of three boxes. I love cheap cereal! Now if the price of milk would just go down...

Second, gas is only $1.55. Wow. I just knew that once it broke the $2 threshold that there would be no going back. Happy to say I was wrong. Think it'll go below $1 a gallon again?

Any Ideas?

Okay Friends. I know you are out there. And, I know you are creative, innovative and cheap, uh, I mean frugal... What ideas do you have for gifts for the teacher this year? I am coming up with nothing. Last year we made crayon stacked ornaments and I thought they turned out great. I guess that was my highwater mark. What is teachery and Christmasy? Help!

Dome Climbers

With a few days off of school (something about a big teacher's conference...) we let each of the big ladies invite a friend to spend the night. The more the merrier, right? We've had some great weather lately - just right for being outside in the crisp air.

Frontier Festival

Last week Rachel's Middle School hosted an old-day "fair" called Frontier Festival. It was really quite educational, but, presented in a hands-on, fun way. The school was invaded by Arkansas Frontier Reinactors who stayed in character while explaining the details of frontier life to the kids. There were stations on log-sawing, soap making, firearms (it's weird that a gunshot at school was an educational thing...and welcomed), goat herding, dutch oven cooking, folktales, ropemaking...lots of good stuff. The students were encouraged to come in costume, too - girls in pioneer dresses and boys in overalls and cowboy hats. Out in front of the school is a cabin, a reproduction of a frontier homestead, and it made a great backdrop for the days activities. In the evening, there was a hoe-down, complete with a presentation of the square dances the students had learned. Yeee-ha!
The Frontier Girls - Rachel, Britney and Kayla