Monkey Business

We made it to story time at the library a few weeks ago. The theme of the day was jungle animals. They started out dancing the Animal Stomp, listened to a story about a monkey who floated away on a lily pad and learned a thing or two from other animals in the jungle, and then we listened to a second story about a boy who was an outfielder on a baseball team that dreamed about being different animals. The activity of the day was making Monkey Cupcakes.

Here is Zoe's finished product. I think she enjoyed the chocolate frosting more than anything.

Noah's finished product.

This project was pure torture for mom, since she isn't supposed to eat sugar. The frosting smelled so good, and the licorice looked so tasty. Somehow I managed to control myself.

I am so thankful that my small town has so many free activities for my kids.

Playgroup at the Park

The weather cooperated a few weeks ago and gave us several warm days in a row. As a result we added weekly playgroup at the Green Valley park to the RS calendar. Unfortunately that was not meant to last, or what is warm enough for some, isn't warm enough for others. On this particular day the morning was really sunny, and things were great until we got to the park, then the winds decided to pick up a bit. My kids were set on staying at the park and luckily another family joined us. It actually wasn't too bad since the sun was still out. Here are the kids enjoying their lunchables at the park. Having picnics outside is one of their new favorite things.Hopefully things will start to warm up and more people will venture out to the park.

Grandma and Sleep

Noah and Zoe got to spend the first week of May at Grandma Sandi's and Papa Tim's. It was a nice and much appreciated break for Mommy and I think Dad even enjoyed it too. I'm not too sure how Grandma and Papa felt by the end of the week, since they had my brother's kids too. But from listening to my kids they had a blast with their cousins and Auntie Tiffany. Since that visit I have learned a thing or two. Papa Tim can drive and steer the car with his knees. Auntie is nice because she rents movies from Redbox and takes them out to eat, I'm just a mean Mom. Cali Jette likes to say No a lot, and Trenity is big enough to wear a bra. Also, Grandma doesn't make Noah share if he doesn't want too and lets him be kind of the boss. Needless to say, the kids can't wait to go back.

What did I do with my time? Doctor appointments, Relief Society Activity Night, watched half the season of Criminal Minds, and was just plain lazy. Thanks again Mom and Dad!

Here are a few pictures taken the day we picked them up.

Just like their father my kids can fall asleep and sleep anywhere. Grandma Sandi's couch surrounded by chaos. On the way home we stopped at the Texas Roadhouse (in Reno) for dinner. The food is so good there, reasonably priced, good kids menu, and you don't have to worry about your kids being too loud. Noah liked that you can throw peanut shells on the floor and that the servers entertain you. The manager and servers thought she was so cute that they asked to take a picture of her for their wall. Poor girl - I think she had a long week of trying to keep up with her cousins, plus since she gets carsick we drugged her before leaving Grandmas.

Here is a picture of Noah. He too was a little drugged up after puking just outside of Echo Summit (he's usually not my carsick kid). Dan and I are getting better about cleaning up puke out of the car. Luckily this time we had an extra car seat and lots of extra clothes. Plus we met a nice gas station attendant who brought out a can of air freshener for us and several garbage bags. We probably looked like awful parents having two sleepy kids out at a restaurant a little past bedtime.

More Gardening

During a warm spell early in May, Dan decided to take the kids outside to plant a few things in the Garden. They planted peas and beans in the main garden box. Zoe has her own little Poppy garden and Noah has his own Carrot garden. Unfortunately the good weather has not managed to stick around. We've had several wind storms, a few snow storms, and a couple of deep freezes. The rest of or garden still sits in the front room awaiting the day when we feel it is safe to move it outdoors. We are hoping maybe this weekend, but last nights' weather has put a little cloud of doubt on that. The kids are really excited and check for growth each day, sometimes even twice a day! Will spring ever come? Someone needs to remind Mother Nature that it is the end of May. However, we should all be grateful for the extra moisture this year. I know our lawn looks the best it ever has and we haven't had to turn on the sprinklers all that much.

Here is a picture of Dan practicing extreme patience with Zoe and letting her plant some seeds, even though it takes 3 to 4 times as long. I am very proud of him. I would have given up in 2 seconds. Noah cooperated much better and is really into the whole gardening thing. He must get it from his Dad.

Erin & Mikell's Visit

Erin and Mikell came for a visit at the end of April. It is turning into an annual thing. Mikell wanted to celebrate the end of another semester at BYU and Erin just needed a break from her job. This year things weren't as action packed, as everyone was in the mood to kind of take it easy. Instead of touring a ton of things we opted for BBQ's at home, staying up way too late to watch movies, and sleeping in as much as kids will allow. But no visit would be complete without a little trip into Reno. Zoe wanted to show off that she was tall enough to ride the Ferris Wheel now, a major accomplishment in her mind and Noah wanted to take them to the Shrimp & Crab place (the GSR Buffet) for all you can eat crab at the incredible price of $7.77. They also got the privilege of experiencing a Sunday afternoon picnic with kite flying, unfortunately I forgot to bring the camera. All in all it was a nice relaxing weekend and it was fun to catch up on the many things going on in their lives and families. Can't wait until next time. Here are some of the highlights I managed to capture on film.

Erin got the privilege of riding with Zoe..... Noah opted to ride with Mikell....

Daddy trying to get Zoe to eat something. She wasn't being very cooperative during our late lunch/early dinner.

Dad and Noah enjoying the good food. I think Noah ate the most crab out of all of us. He loves his seafood.

Couldn't resist his cheesy smile....

Holland Daze

So low carb gets old . . . eggs get old . . . and Shauna loves Eggs Benedict, so I thought perhaps I could take our lovely asparagus, poach some eggs and with some lovely hollandaise spoil Shauna a little on Saturday morning.

I have never made hollandaise before and it is a snap-highly fattening I am sure, but a snap and so delicious both Noah and Zoe mopped their plates clean with toast.

So try it, at least once, it's easy and will make you wonder what else you could drizzle, drench or slather.

4 egg yolks
1 stick butter
1 T lemon juice
dash of salt
dash of cayenne

Melt butter in microwave. Bring a saucepan of water to a low boil. Beat egg yolks in a metal or glass mixing bowl and slowly add the melted butter. Place the bowl over the saucepan ensuring that the water is NOT touching the bowl. Whisk about 2 minutes until almost doubles and starts to thicken. Remove from heat, add salt and cayenne, cover and place in microwave to keep warm until ready to serve. If too thick add a splash of hot water and whisk through.

Bird Alert!

Our yard has been an aviary as of late . . . first with this quail "scratch nest" full of 17 eggs and a mother that would sit patiently and bravely as we worked in our garden boxes just a few feet away. Sadly something ate those eggs as they gradually disappeared shell and all. As we were all feeling the sorrow over the loss of our own cute little quail family . . .
We noticed this cute little bird, a barn swallow on our feeder and then saw there were 2 and they were flying under our porch to see that they have built a nest although theirs is high and protected and has a much better chance. We're excited to share their new arrivals and hope all goes well.