In our continuing effort to ease 1) Naps, 2) Going to Bed at Night, and 3) Time-outs/Disciple/Learning, we took this weekend and moved some stuff around. Namely, Ally's bed went into Jacob's room, and Jacob's toys went into Ally's room.
Now we have "Our" Bedroom and "Our" Playroom (as Ally proudly calls them). I was a little worried about how she would take it, but she is actually very excited about it. Well, except for the face that she doesn't have a dresser in "our" bedroom.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Ren Fest 2012
We went to Ren Fest yesterday with the Keller's and Meadows'. Well, we were together for about the first 15 minutes and then we got split up. It was a perfect Autumn day - bright sun, breezy, and mid-60's. The kids enjoyed it, especially Ally.
Another successful trek to the Ren Fest. We'll be heading back (just the adults) later this season so that we can do more of the shopping and adult activities. Indulging the kids for a day was pretty fun to though.
Getting her face painted!
Listening to a guy play the bagpipes. He spoke with us afterwards and I think I only understood a couple of words. Kind of sad for me.
Maze!
Ally on the BIG trampoline. I thought she was going to cry once she got going, but she settled into it and enjoyed it once we said she was flying so high like a fairy. The guy would pull her down and spring her up into the air - the girl was really flying.
"Look! Docker Whoo's house!"
Side Note: "Cast members" at the Ren Fest are very friendly to little kids. Most would ask for "the little Princess's name." Ally finally caught on that they were referring to her. She would shyly respond, "Allyson Frances Kelso." It's the first time I've heard her tell people that, especially saying the full "Allyson." Usually she just says "Ally" and rarely adds the "Frances" or the "Kelso." She gave the whole thing all day. That will prompt some new conversations with her about stranger safety but it was really very cute.
The Secret Garden, with fairies (they did a great job interacting with the guests) and little fairy houses all around. I got a few pictures of some of my favorites.
There were LOTS more that were pretty unique and interesting, but my camera was having trouble.
Petting Zoo.
Mermaid Cove!
The mermaid "spoke" to Ally. It was really nice.
The Fairy Gifts that she was given in the Secret Garden.
I didn't get pictures of the incredible crepes that we had before leaving. And, you must get a bag of their fresh kettle corn. We finished off the entire bag later that night while watching "Over the Hedge."
Another successful trek to the Ren Fest. We'll be heading back (just the adults) later this season so that we can do more of the shopping and adult activities. Indulging the kids for a day was pretty fun to though.
Another Craft
A couple of weeks ago the primary lesson we were on was about Tithing. I decided that my class of 5-6 year olds would make tithing boxes as part of the lesson. The boxes were a hit!
I cut out pieces of foam to make the sides and bottoms of the boxes. In the essence of time (and the fact that I was making these for 1st graders), I just used hot glue to put the sides together, attach them to the bottom, and attach the lid on one side. I supplied markers for the foam and a bunch of stickers and shapes for the kids to apply liberally. Since it was at church, I didn't get a photo of what they did in class. But we did make Ally a larger one in the evening that she got to decorate.
I cut out pieces of foam to make the sides and bottoms of the boxes. In the essence of time (and the fact that I was making these for 1st graders), I just used hot glue to put the sides together, attach them to the bottom, and attach the lid on one side. I supplied markers for the foam and a bunch of stickers and shapes for the kids to apply liberally. Since it was at church, I didn't get a photo of what they did in class. But we did make Ally a larger one in the evening that she got to decorate.
No-nap Ally
So so so so sweet and fun when she is rested. A terror when she won't take a nap.
Two kids eating peacefully at the table. I go into the hallway to finish the conversation with my brother. I come back into the kitchen and Jacob's plate is upside-down and Ally has ketchup all over her plate and Jacob's sippy cup. Yay. As I went to snap the picture (previously she was laughing) she starts yelling, "I have ketchup in my eye!" Ya think?
Ernest went out of town of 4 days for work - over the weekend. It really wasn't too bad on the weekdays, but the weekend was hard. She didn't take a nap either day. I was also tired, so we were in fine form. I think this was the first shouting match that we have had, and I certainly didn't like it.
Ally: "You're not listening to me!"
Me: "No, YOU aren't listening to me!"
Yeah, arguing with a 3 year old...not my brightest idea.
She is so smart it is scary sometimes. I'm trying out different strategies with her. She is so active and bright.....and stubborn. We're working on it. And in the mean time I am so glad that we don't live in an apartment, and I get reassurance when I read other blogs about Moms that I admire and what they go through with their little ones. I guess we are normal.
Ernest went out of town of 4 days for work - over the weekend. It really wasn't too bad on the weekdays, but the weekend was hard. She didn't take a nap either day. I was also tired, so we were in fine form. I think this was the first shouting match that we have had, and I certainly didn't like it.
Ally: "You're not listening to me!"
Me: "No, YOU aren't listening to me!"
Yeah, arguing with a 3 year old...not my brightest idea.
She is so smart it is scary sometimes. I'm trying out different strategies with her. She is so active and bright.....and stubborn. We're working on it. And in the mean time I am so glad that we don't live in an apartment, and I get reassurance when I read other blogs about Moms that I admire and what they go through with their little ones. I guess we are normal.
40
My husband hit the bit 4-0. Neither of us are sure how it happened really, because I certainly didn't marry an old man. But, nature takes its course and it happened.
Technically his birthday was last week, but he went out of town so we kind of missed it. To make up for it, I planned a small surprise party for him for this weekend.
The guests were scheduled to arrive around 5:30, with Ernest arriving around 6. Every night this week he was home late, so I was expecting it to be the same on Friday. Just to be safe I called and asked him to stop at the store on his way home. However....he arrived right about 5:40, before half of the guests had gotten there and before we were quite ready. So, my pictures aren't of the completed food and everything and we got a bit rushed. It was still fun though - it was still a surprise for him and we got the party started a little sooner.
Technically his birthday was last week, but he went out of town so we kind of missed it. To make up for it, I planned a small surprise party for him for this weekend.
The guests were scheduled to arrive around 5:30, with Ernest arriving around 6. Every night this week he was home late, so I was expecting it to be the same on Friday. Just to be safe I called and asked him to stop at the store on his way home. However....he arrived right about 5:40, before half of the guests had gotten there and before we were quite ready. So, my pictures aren't of the completed food and everything and we got a bit rushed. It was still fun though - it was still a surprise for him and we got the party started a little sooner.
Ernest's Favorite Cake - German Chocolate
Several of the guests (me included) are following different diets, such as low-fat, low-carb, or glutten free. The menu...
Low-fat Party Meatballs (recipe below)
7(ish) Layer Dip, which was actually 5+1+1+1+1 dip (recipe below)
German Chocolate Cake
Strawberries
Bananas
Oranges
Milk and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Dip
Jacob chomping up cake.
Maddie enjoying a chocolate covered strawberry
We ended the evening by visiting and playing Telestrations (an awesome party game and super-easy) and 5 Second Rule.
Happy Birthday, Ernest!
Low-fat Party Meatballs
3 lbs 93% Ground Sirloin mixed with 1/2 sleeve saltine crackers (crushed), 1 egg, 3 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce, 3 tsp Salt, 3 tsp Pepper, 3 Tbsp dried minced onion. Mix well. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on jelly roll pan. Handroll meatballs and place on the pan. Cook in preheated oven (350) for 20 minutes. Move to serving bowl. Heat 2 jars of Chili sauce in a saucepan and add 1 cup of grape jelly. Once Jelly is melted, pour the mixture of your completed meatballs.
7(ish) Layer Dip
Mis 1 large can of fat-free beans with a couple tablespoons of taco sauce (just to get the beans to a "dippable" consistency). Brown ground Turkey Breast in skillet and add Taco Seasoning and Salt to taste. Once cooked and drained, spread the turkey over the beans. Layer in 1 jar of mild Pace picante sauce. Shredded lettuce, and then diced tomatoes. I put the rest of the ingredients in separate bowls so people could customize as they wanted. Guacamole, Fat-free Cheese, Fat-free Sour Cream, and Black Olives. Served with Corn Chips and Potato Chips.
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