Shoppers

 

                       Zany the shopper

I love to shop. It doesn't matter whether it's for groceries or socks or dishes.  I love the looking, the considering, and the choosing. When I have to make a quick dash to the store it's exciting who knows what I'll find?  I also love deals and bargains. Guess who else loves to shop my sidekick Zany. 

She also loves finding treasures and trinkets! Of course when the store throws in a free cookie with every visit who doesn't look forward to going there. Since we were only picking up a couple items I got the small cart. Zany still wanted to get in but it was a tight fit.  

She stayed in there for most of the shopping. She is getting so big she won't fit for much longer.  Strange to realize next year she'll be in kindergarten and she won't be my shopping sidekick, sad. Better enjoy a companionable shop while we can!

Happy Halloween 2016

I can't believe Halloween is here already. It doesn't feel like Halloween it is far to warm here much warmer than normal, sadly. Good thing none of my kids are wearing furry costumes tonight. 

We had our church's trunk or treat party so the kids got a test run at their costumes. 

 

McCoy as a Star Wars Guy

 

If he could wear his hair sprayed colors every day he would!

 

Archer as Captain Armerica

 

Zany as Vampire Queen!

 

 

 

Eddy as a Sheriff, his other office staff are going to be prisoners. 

Tonight we will be eating pumpkin chili for dinner, then take to the streets of our neighborhood for trick or treating which means lots of walking all the better to burn off calories from all candy.  When everyone's legs are tired we will head home and watch a Halloween movie outside next to the fire pit. Unlimited candy will be consumed! 

Happy Halloween!!

10 on the Tenth

Mr. Commodore (his middle name) has turned 10 on the tenth. His golden birthday was celebrated with great gusto as there was no school for Columbus Day.  McCoy was very excited about this as he had all day to luxuriate in birthday bliss. 

He got to sleep in late,  go to breakfast with just mom and dad at Denny's,  play the fifty cent claw machine,  go to Tractor Supply and pick out a Schleigh animal (he got to puppies), he opened 10 presents, he got to play as much video games and play outside as he wanted, he had no chores, and he got to pick a family movie to watch with pizza and rootbeer.   I'm worn out just writing about it. 

 

Eddy and McCoy at breakfast

 

McCoy not so lucky but he tried

 

Opening presents

He had a great day and gave me many of his excellent hugs while thanking me for it. He is really the sweetest boy!  You got to have a mellow one in the middle, thank goodness I've got McCoy he is the mellowest ten year old I know! Happy Birthday Mr. Commodore!

Happy Conference October 2016

With the beginning of October arrives the Latter-day Saints much looked forward to General Conference.  A few years ago, I decided to make a proper holiday of it. With decorations, activities, games and of course tasty food & snacks!  Everybody gets to pick a favorite snack that is shared with everyone through the course of the two day conferences. The kids play conference bingo and do other activities that hopefully help them pay attention.

The best of of course are the talks by the prophet, apostles and other leaders. They teach doctrine and bare pure testimony of Jesus Christ.  It is very uplifting but sitting with kids for eight hours worth of gospel teachings can be long so the treats and games help. I still look forward to it every October and April. 

                                             
                                                        Kiddos with their chosen snacks

                                               

               Of course big bros love to tease even during conference!

                                               

Quinton--Twix

Declan--Mountain Trail Mix

McCoy--Caramel Apples

Archer--Cheetos Mix

Zaynzley--Princess Fruit Snacks

 

Happy General Conference!

Combinations

There are combinations of siblings that get along really and other combinations that don't get along so well. And then there is the combination of Archer and Zaynzley. Together they are both hot and cold from moment to moment. They totally love each other and are the best friends or they are mortal enemies and will do anything to antagonize the other.

They are the absolute worst combination to take shopping. Individually they are just fine though. Imagine trying to shop with two Tasmanian devils spinning around you, knocking into stuff, playing tag, getting into all kinds of mischief. I avoid taking them with me at all costs. BUT sometimes I can't avoid it. 

While we were shopping Zany found some awesome sunglasses and wanted to get a picture in them with Archer. Archer did not want to get a picture in the sunglasses. Archer despite the three year gap only has about four pounds on Zany. Zany is quite strong and simply grabbed hold of him and wouldn't let go.

 
Archer on left, with Zany getting a good hold
  

 

Don't worry Archer how mean can she be she is wearing ice cream cone glasses!

I got out of that store as quickly as I could, I was so fast that totally forgot to buy those awesome shades. Although the daisy and ice cream do make a nice combination of end of summer style. 

Slipper Confessional

 

I like slippers, a lot. I have realized I like to buy a new pair every fall. In the past few years I wouldn't realize that is what I did. It seemed so silly to buy a new pair when the old pair was still serviceable.  I decided that was my bit of luxury a new pair every fall. This year I got rid of a few pairs to make room for that new pair of specially selected slippers. I bought them and then waited until a lovely cool day to wear them. That day was today, cloudy, rainy and so refreshingly cool. 

 I think my love of slippers can be traced back to a scorpion. When was in high school, I had gotten back from the renaissance fair and it was about  midnight. I took off my shoes and stepped right on a scorpion. It felt like a needle that was on fire was jabbed right through my foot. It hurt, a lot. For quite a few years I was never barefoot-NEVER.  Even now over twenty years later, I dislike being barefoot especially at night!  Hence my love of slippers. This years pair has some lovely memory foam and some wool like nubby fabric and a good hard sole.  They are quite cozy and comfortable,  I feel like I am ready for anything in them even scorpions!

My Vintage Sewing Room

 I wanted a sewing room for some time but there wasn't any spare room in the house for one.  I decided to use my tiny laundry room which is just 6 feet by 10 feet. I stacked my washer and dryer to give as much room as possible for my sewing room.  I love all things vintage sewing related and it was a easy decision to go with that as my decorating theme.  I also wanted lots of bold color for this tiny room.  It had to also function as a laundry room and give me room to fold laundry.

I framed a bunch of vintage patterns and embroidery patterns and put them in brightly spray painted frames.  A vintage printers drawer holds all colors of threads.  A spice rack with glass vials hold my sequins.

I collected a bunch of jars and spray painted the glass lids for a pop of color. 

They hold some of my vintage buttons.

I was able to hang my thread rack from the ceiling along side my dryer

My sewing desk 

One of my many vintage sewing machines

Vintage planters hold my sewing scissors

My vintage singer red-eye sewing machine

Now that I have it all decorated, I just need to find some time to actually sew!

First Day of School 2016

After a summer that went by too fast, it was time for the first day of school.  Lots of mothers cry on this day, some with sadness at sending their baby to school others cry with joy at sending all their babies to school.  I was ready to send my babies back to school, even though it meant the end of sleeping in late.  

This year everyone of my kids is at a different school.  The kiddos were pretty excited for the first day: new clothes, new shoes, new backpacks, & new teachers.  We had our traditional first day of school breakfast: boiled egg, banana, and donuts.  I tried talking the kids into healthy muffins instead of the donuts but they insisted we hold to tradition.  I drive the kiddos to school on the first day but they ride the bus home.  I don't know who was more looking forward to getting back to routine and a schedule me or the kids.

Zaynzley's first day of preschool in the 4 year old class

Archer first day of 1st grade

Look at that big backpack!

McCoy first day of 4th grade

Declan first day of 7th grade, junior high

Declan loves his high top Nikes

Archer with his new teacher Mrs. DeSpain

Quinton first day of Sophomore Year, high school

They all had fantastic first days of school and they all like there teachers and classes. I enjoyed a quiet house for a few hours. So it was a great first day all around!  Let's hope we can keep our enthusiasm until summer rolls back around!

Dog Days of Summer

By the time the town baseball playoffs roll around it is the dog days of summer!  It is hot, hot, hot.  It doesn't stop these Arizona boys from playing ball though.

Dog days, indeed!

Quinton plays on the oldest group of boys, the 13 to 16 year olds.  He has been playing town baseball since the young age of 5.  Despite the heat and humidity, he really loves playing town baseball.  Not sure how much his fan club loves to sit and sweat while watching him play but it is an integral part of summer.  This year Quinton played 1st base and short stop.  He also was third up in the batting order.  His team played very well all season but then fell apart in the championship game.  They still came out with second place though and a trophy!

Quinton, in navy shirt, waiting to run to third base

Here he (navy shirt far left of photo) comes running to third!

Quinton (center) playing short stop

Ready for the ball

Nona kindly brought donuts for Quinton's fan club. 

Declan loves the filled donuts!

Quinton at bat

Quinton's coach handing out a trophy

What a slugger!

I think he may be choked up here or not?

2016 Yankees- 2nd place

Quinton (second from left)

They don't even look hot and sweaty maybe the dog days of summer are yet to come?
Gulp, can it get any hotter?

Country Playground

Nona had a friend who set up a country playground at his farm and he invited us to come a play at it. The kids were really excited as they're all kinds of fun equipment to try out. I was a little worried but kept it to myself.  There was a zip line swing, a super high rope swing, spinning tractor ride, atv, and horses.  The kids had so much fun and got to enjoy their first ever horseback ride.  Zany has loved horses since she was little.  She talked about getting to ride a horse for days afterward.  

Declan tries the zip swing

McCoy was fearless

Archy took it a little slower

Archy just loves animals, especially dogs

Zany on the rope swing

Gives you and idea how high the rope swing could go. 

You climbed up the hay bales and jumped off

Archer and Zany

Tractor seat spining ride, faster you pulled the level the faster you went.

Quinton even enjoyed it

Archy's first horse ride

Zany enjoying the view!

It was a fun outing, and no one got hurt! Big plus when you're a worried mama!