Resolved

OK, I am resolved:

1. Exercise three times a week: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If feeling so inclined, I might include Thursday and Friday, but they will be "light" work days. I have not given up on the idea of running, but I can't work that into my plan when it is -10 with a wind chill outside, and the sidewalks are covered in ice. Yeah, I could drive to campus, but who has an hour in the morning before you have to deal with lunches and buses? I treasure my sleep too much. Although that might change a bit if I meet my next goal:

2. Get to bed by 10:30 pm. Of course, that doesn't count for tonight since it's still 2008. I haven't done so well with this goal in 2008, which means there is plenty of room for improvement.

3. Speak in complete sentences. I often find that I will half start a

Most frequently this occurs when I'm busy at something and my hubby asks me a question. So, it's more of a being conscious and considerate of my spouse, but it overlaps to others, too.

I am glad to report that I completed my goal of reading the New Testament before the end of the year. I finished it yesterday! I wish I could say more than that I have just read the Holy Bible from cover-to-cover- such as that I understood more than maybe 0.1% of it. But, I have a lifetime to work on that. I'm debating if I should read Doctrine and Covenants with the Sunday School class this year, or if I should pick up the Book of Mormon again, or maybe try to study the Bible. For now, I'm just glad that I met this goal. Although, I didn't accomplish it by reading every night. I did miss a few weeks and played catch-up, but I feel I did pretty well overall.

I wish you all a Happy New Year! I hope this next year brings us all exciting adventures, but most especially lots of joy, good memories of family, and wonderful blessings.

Welcome 2009!

Woodworking Projects

Around Thanksgiving I finally got my Scroll Saw fixed. It's been sitting unusable for about 3.5 years because a pin broke when I tightened the tension just a little too much. Thankfully I was wearing safety goggles! I didn't see it go flying in our garage in Pearland, and I just never had time to get a replacement; Megan was born, we moved to an apartment, we moved to South Bend, it sat in our basement for a couple of years, Miranda was born.

Well, I decided enough was enough, and I really wanted to make some things for Christmas. So, I went to a wood crafting store and the lady there said to head to Ace Hardware and ask for a pin there. 3+ years and 20 cents later, I had a working machine again!

I knew I wanted to make a Nativity puzzle.
I found an incredible design on a blog. I then bought
some wood, some sandpaper, some water-based stain, and got to work. Whew! It was more work than I expected. I remember sanding taking up a lot of time of wood shop in high school, but wow! It took a while, but when I finished, I was very excited to give it to Becky for Christmas, and looking forward to making another for myself.

I checked out a bunch of books from the library. I was amazed at what was possible! I started trying some different things. I failed with a few of the attempts, but succeeded with ideas for new crafts.

One thing I made was a dinosaur puzzle for my Twin's son:

I also made a little fashion doll where you put scraps of material behind a plate, and then when you close it, the outfits "mold" to the doll. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of that.

I am excited to keep practicing and come up with some new designs, or maybe to remake/improve the old.

It's so fun to have my tool back again. Now, I just need a dremmel too, a sander, a...

Kid with a Camera

She takes after her mom.

We got Zoë a camera for Christmas. It isn't a very fancy camera. It doesn't have a flash, or a view screen. But, it can take pictures at two resolutions (small and extra small- the largest is 640x480 pixels. I think that's 0.25 MB), can shoot (silent) movies, and can take more than one shot at a time. Zoë has worked on it, and does rather well figuring out the buttons. However, she is still learning her technique at photography- such simple things like framing, content, and holding the camera still.

Yet, I think she got some pretty cute shots of our trip on the South Shore Train to Chicago and the Shedd Aquarium yesterday. We had a great time. Zoë said that the train was her favorite part. Miranda loved all the animals (including the coral, but I'll put a picture of that elsewhere). Megan had fun being with her big sister, and seeing the turtles, jelly fish, riding in the stroller, on the train.

One of the coolest things I thought was that the train conductor invited Megan and Zoë to come and pull the train whistle! They each got to pull on the rope twice to sound the LOUD horn, and were so happy and excited as they came to sit down.

Here are some of the things Zoë captured on film:

Travis liked the look of the building being built.

Zoë got Megan and Travis in this shot.

There is a glass floor in one section of the aquarium where you can walk out over the top of a bunch of stingrays.
Miranda was unsure of how to act- she was afraid she was going to fall through.


Zoë wanted to see the sharks first.

On the train ride home, Travis kept them entertained the first hour so Miranda (and Mom) could catch a snooze. (I took this pic & the next four).


Megan loved looking out the window and watching everything going by so fast.


We packed lots of snacks and some activities.


Miranda had the hardest time. She needed a nap, but couldn't fall asleep.

Here we are, all 5 of us scrunched into a 3-seat bench.
It is making me dread our flight to Utah this summer.

I read Five Children and It to Zoë while we were on the train.
She loves listening to stories. (Zoë took this pic)

Here's the movie Zoë took with her little camera:

Christmas Morning

OK, it's a long slide show. And, you can't click on pictures and then save them. I might try to get a Christmas web page up eventually, but I'm tired.

So, enjoy the pics.

I'm going to bed!

Christmas Eve!

One of the Christmas Traditions we have is to read the Christmas Story out of the Bible (and Book of Mormon) on Christmas Eve. This year, we made that part of our Family Home Evening, talking about the story, and about obedience. This year on Christmas Eve I read from the scriptures about the Gifts that were given to Christ by the Wise Men, and the Gift that He gave us- his Life and the Atonement. I also encouraged the girls to think of gifts (of service) they could give this coming year.

I did this because with all the craziness of gift-giving, I wanted to take one more shot at reinforcing what Christmas is all about- The Hope that came when Christ was born, and the greatest Gift we could ever receive.

Another tradition we have on Christmas Eve is that the kids get to open one present- chosen by Mom. It is almost always Jammies. All three girls went to bed as Princesses, thanks to Nana.

Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker

I saw an advertisement in the Sam's Club Christmas brochure they mail out in November. I thought it looked really cute, but I wasn't sure.

I spend LOTS of time in the kitchen "playing" with my girls. We make LOTS of messes! But it can be a lot of fun to bake with them. Some of our favorite things include calzones, chocolate chip cookies, bread, and pretty much anything else I'm doing. Most of the time I enjoy the "help", especially if they are good about sharing and taking turns. It's hard to let them participate when I've just mopped the floor or if I'm in a hurry.

At any rate, I wasn't convinced to make this purchase, but broke down after my Twin said she was getting one for her daughter. Sorry I copied, but it was the final stroke of persuasion.



It says it has 4 flavors of cupcakes (chocolate, cinnamon, yellow cake and red velvet). Plus, four types of frosting. The cupcakes cook in 30 seconds in the microwave. I was shocked and dismayed to discover that it makes FOUR INDIVIDUAL cupcakes! I nearly laughed myself out of the kitchen after we'd mixed the batter and realized when we were ready to pour it that it was to make only one little cupcake.

I was a little leery of whether it would cook, but 30 seconds later (and a little wait time), it was puffy and fully cooked! We then mixed the frosting (chocolate was a little runny) and the girls depressed the pink lever to swirl it onto the cupcake.

Megan, Zoë and their friend Leah all had so much fun! (Ages 3 and 5). They loved seeing the cupcake turn out (as did I), and they loved swirling the frosting on (even though it didn't turn out perfect). They even enjoyed eating it. The taste was not gourmet by any means, but it was passable for a cupcake. This is definitely more of an entertainment for the mind and hand as opposed for the taste buds.

Well, today I decided that spending $1.25 a cupcake was ridiculous! (the refill cupcake packages with 4 individual cupcake mix sold for $5 at WalMart). I actually decided it was ridiculous last night when I realized one package made ONE cupcake. So I looked to see if there was a homemade recipe. I didn't find anything googling the title of the machine, but I did get some success with searching for microwave cupcakes. We made the chocolate cinnamon cupcakes for Grandma's birthday today. I halved the recipe so it made exactly 5 cupcakes, and I had regular paper cupcake holders. They tasted pretty good! I also used regular store-bought frosting in the machine and that turned out great (maybe even better than the chocolate frosting mix that came with the package- I haven't tried the other flavors, yet).

I also found recipes for Carrot Cake and Chocolate Cupcakes and Brownies. We'll have to try those sometime, too.

Would I recommend this purchase? If you have the storage space, and your kids like to cook? Yeah, I think it's pretty good. Especially if you're up for making your own batter (or you don't mind spending $1.25 per cupcake!) They needed supervision, but I think that a responsible 8-year-old or surely a 10-year-old could probably do this by herself (if she knew how to work the microwave). Really, the girls had a LOT of fun, and loved eating something they made so quickly.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Grandma!



Megan with the cupcakes she helped make and frost. She picked out the green candle for Grandma.

Megan really enjoyed eating her cupcake. I guess it tastes pretty good!
Zoë loved putting the batter into the microwave and pulling out the finished product. She was very careful!
Zoë was excited to eat the cupcakes for Grandma. We were wishing we could share them with her in person.
But, we enjoyed them anyway.

Even Miranda "dug in" to her cupcake.

She was so sweet trying to hold it just right so she could get a bite out of it. However, she ended up getting a lot on her fingers. No problem...

She just licked them off.
And enjoyed every mouthful.

Hmmm, Santa.

I do not like Santa. At least, not the commercial Santa. A jolly fat man that magically brings presents? Only to find out when you reach an "adult" age that he doesn't really exist? I've been a major stickler about it since I got married- NO SANTA IN MY HOUSE! I've given in a little (we have some Santa books, and a few Santa-related decorations). But, I've never played up Santa, or wanted the girls excited about him.

Unfortunately for me and my lofty ideals, time, commercialism, public schools, and unwitting strangers have destroyed my hope for my children to grow up without the prevalence of a fictitious character. I don't mind the meaning of Santa. But, I really don't want Christmas to be about the jolly fat man. I want it to be about Christ; His promise of Peace and Hope as we celebrate His birth (even though he wasn't born in December).

We have Family Home Evenings talking about Christ in Christmas. We give presents because we love people- just as Jesus Christ gave the ultimate present to us, whom He loves, and as the Wise Men gave Him presents. We are celebrating His birth, and the hope of the Resurrection.

Then somebody comes up to my daughter(s) and says, "What's Santa going to bring you for Christmas?"

The said daughter(s) give the person an odd look. Huh? Who's Santa? Zoë even called that jolly fat man "Ho, Ho, Ho!" the first two years of her life.

* * * * * * * *

When we went to Fernwood Gardens

to see the beautiful lights, and enjoy the (cold) nature, we came across Santa. Zoë spotted him first, "Look, Dad,! It's the Fake Santa!" she yells across the open area where lots of other children are gathered, eagerly (or anxiously) awaiting their turn to sit on the jolly old man's lap. Travis was mortified. That was the one thing he was worried about: will our kids ruin Santa for everybody else because they don't "believe" in him?

When we got into the house with the Santa, Megan was most willing to follow the suit of the people in front of us. She jumped up into his lap.
The "fake" Santa asked the obligatory question, "Have you been a good girl?" Head nod. "What do you want me to bring you for Christmas?"

My heart sang with joy as I heard my 3-year-old answer, "We get presents on Christmas because that's when baby Jesus was born!"

Sadly, the old man must have had a hearing problem because he did not register that she had not asked for anything. "Sure, that would be great."

Zoë did sit on his lap, but she was scared a bit at first.


Miranda didn't know what was going on.

Yes, I did take pictures, and part of me still feels a little hypocritical. But, then I thought: If I went to Disneyland, would I want to take pictures of my daughters with Cinderella or Mickey Mouse? Yes! Do they know that Fairies are mythical? Jack Frost is a fun story? I am pretty sure they know they aren't real. We read lots of fun fairy stories that include the mischievous and naughty Jack Frost and all the trouble he causes fairies and mortals. But, the girls know this is make-believe, and still they love pretending, playing, and making up their own stories. Megan even asked us, as we were loading up the van to head home, "Oh, Dad! I forgot to ask Santa where his sleigh was!" (I believe this is in reference to the Holly, the Christmas Fairy story we were reading earlier that afternoon).

So, can I do the same with Santa?

Yes, I can. So long as my children understand that Santa is mythical, not real. We can believe in his spirit- that of community, cheer and love, and gift-giving. But, I'm so glad that they know Santa Claus isn't the focus, reason or anticipation of Christmas, but that the whole purpose of Christmas is the Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

I'll try not to let Zoë or Megan (and someday Miranda) spoil Santa for your children. But if my daughters give an answer like Megan answered Santa, then I'm OK with that.

*Note- I wrote this and then saw that Buffy had written something about Santa.

Christmas Lights

I discovered the difference between sleet and freezing rain yesterday. Both require similar weather patterns- cold enough to make snow that falls then warms up and melts enough only to hit another level of freezing weather that causes it to refreeze. Depending on how much it freezes a second time, it is either freezing rain- it is water until impact when it turns into ice, or sleet- where it forms a frozen ice ball (still different from hail).

We awoke to the sound of rain hammering (not softly pelting) our house. The sidewalks were literally a sheet of ice. Shovelling them is impossible. There are two things I am grateful for. One, that it didn't rain enough to cause an "ice storm" resulting in power loss. And, two, that it was beautiful.

Every tree branch, even the trunks. Power lines, christmas lights, anything that water could stick to (which is everything) has a glossy coat that catches and reflects light. I had to wait to take pictures until tonight, so the actual light bulbs no longer have the ice crust on them, but the branches reflecting the lights around them are still amazing.

,

22 Words for Snow

No, not four-letter words. I do hate the cold, but not the snow. Weird? Well, I have to admit I don't enjoy driving in it and I'm liking shoveling it less the longer I live in a corner lot (I often hear the voice of my mom/dad complaining about a corner lot and how "Never again!" will they live in one... I think I know why, now) in the Midwest, but I still love the quiet white blanket.

It is no wonder that Eskimos have so many different words for snow. As I've lived here these last few years, I've seen some very different kinds. Take today, for instance. This morning when I went to shovel the walks, it was a glittering wonderland. Each flake was flat, pointy (like those paper snowflakes kindergarteners or college students with too much time on their hands make), and so individualized that together they reflected the light like a diamond with millions of facets. It was breathtaking! I also appreciated that, despite the 2 inches on the sidewalks, it was still very light and fluffy so it was a cinch to shovel the walks.

It was gray and dark most of the day, but after Zoë got home from school, the clouds descended and started cloaking the world in a new blanket of snow. Only, these weren't pretty flakes, but more like shards of snow.

I've also seen mini pom-pom like snow, heavy wet snow (that is more like a snow-cone), clumped snowflakes, and then there's all the varieties of sleet, frozen rain, and so forth. I think the one this morning is my favorite- except it's been accompanied by BITTER cold. I'm not so fond of that.

I wish I'd had a mega-macro lens to capture some of the awesome flakes Megan and I found in our breif foray outside this morning, but these pictures of morning and afternoon flakes (respectively) will have to suffice for now.

After-Thanksgiving Trip

Instead of heading out to brave the sales, the Saturday following Thanksgiving I took the girls up to St. Joseph (by Lake Michigan and it has one of the BEST beaches we've been to up here!) They have a decent Children's Museum there. It is nothing like the Houston or Indy museum, but it's pretty good for a small town. I wish South Bend had one as nice.

They had 2 special activities the day we went up: Reptiles and Dream Catchers. No, I don't think they were suppose to be related. But, the girls had a lot of fun.



There was an animal handler that had a small boa, a yellow LARGE boa, and an alligator. I've seen alligators up close, even ones as small as this, but I've never touched a live one before. It was pretty freaky.



Yes, Zoë actually held a snake. Not at my insistence, either. She asked if she could and the animal handler let her hold it. However, I did have to beg to get her to do it a second time so I could snap a picture.



Of course, Miranda was very excited about seeing animals. She goes so nuts over living things (dogs being the #1 on her list, but squirrels, cats, or just about any other animal will get attention).




After making our Dream Catchers and touching reptiles, we headed upstairs. Megan and Zoë started by painting their faces:

Then Zoë disappeared to explore, and Megan came with me and Miranda to the "toddler" room. One of the main attractions there is the water table. Even Miranda got in on the action:


I think Miranda's favorite part, aside from the live animals, was riding on the horse. I was a little nervous, but she had so much fun rockin' out.



As a child, one of my favorite things about the Seattle Children's museum was that we could pretend to play life. There were some houses and stores, complete with food, shopping carts and fake money. It was GREAT! This museum has an adaptation- you have to harvest the apples, and then you can buy them. Megan handled the money while her sisters worked in manual labor- or maybe it was Zoë doing the manual labor, while Miranda supervised?