They're growing up...

I have to admit I was feeling a little bit of guilt about the fact that my children have two weeks off school and I had no plans.  Aside from the lack of disposable funds, this break came at pretty much exactly the wrong time with Dan wrapping up his classes and in the throws of projects and papers, all of which require the efforts of his poorly paid but diligent typist.  The first week went okay because the sun shone, but this week the rain has been almost constant and it has been tough.

Then I had a realization.  My kids are getting older.  They don't care if they're entertained.  They just want the break from routine.  They're happy to sleep in, stay up a little late, play with their friends whenever the rain lets up (or even if it doesn't), try to play as much Wii as possible, and just spend their day not worrying about schedules.  It's been a little tricky, but good. 

I had big plans to spend as much time as possible at various parks.  But, I've found my two oldest are more interested in friends than parks.  They don't mind going, but the playground gets old pretty quick.  They want to throw a football, or kick a soccer ball, or play BeyBlade Battles (thanks aunti mal!).  It's all changing.  And I was getting left behind.  I have had little ones for so long, and still do, so my mind thinks like a preschooler.  It's all about energy burn.  But they're all about sociality.  Scary.  But good.  They still want to run around and play, but the nature of it is beginning to change. 

I guess it's just us parents that feel the guilt of not being able to go to Science World or the Zoo or whatever.  They don't care.  Give 'em some open space and a few friends, and plenty of time to choose what they want to watch on t.v. and life's good.  Well, I can do that!

$4 Fun

A couple weeks ago the kids and I watched some video of Old Faithful and talked about why geysers happen.  Today, we made our own.  I'm sure you know how, but in case you've been living under a rock (hee hee), here's how to have your own $4 fun:

1. Buy a 2L Diet Coke and a pack of Mentos
2. Go to an open area
3. Put the mentos in the bottle.  Tip: it will blow fast, so get ready to run.  A good idea is to make a tube out of paper like a funnel that fits the bottle, then drop the mentos in all at once.
4. Watch the coke explode.  Keep your eyes on it, it only lasts about 3 seconds.
5. Listen to the kids shriek with excitement.

Just right for breaking up the spring break rainy blahs!

The bottle of coke

The prep

Ka-Boom!

The spoils

Yuck!  Peppermint mentos and flat coke do not mix well!

Make-It Monday

We were getting really tired of heavy, rising pizza crusts that always fill you up on all that dough and detract from the yummy toppings, but here's a recipe from the Kraft What's Cooking magazine.  We tried it Saturday and it was a winner dinner!  It only takes about 20 minutes to put together, no rising required, and the batch makes enough for 4-12" pizzas.  We baked two and froze the rest of the dough in balls.  Serve with a fresh green salad and you've got the perfect light dinner!

By the way, we didn't really do all the "let stand" directions, but it stands while your getting other stuff ready.  It still turned out fine.

Thin Crust Pizza Dough

5 c. flour
1 c. parmesan grated cheese
1 tsp. quick rise instant yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. cold water
1/4 c. olive oil (or whatever you've got)

Mix 4 c. flour, cheese, yeast and salt in large bowl.  Add water and oil.  Stir til forms a soft dough.

Knead on lightly floured surface for 5 mins., or til dough is smooth and elastic, gradually adding remaining flour.

Cut dough in 4 pieces (each is enough for a 12" pizza).  Spray each piece with cooking spray.  If using immediately, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let stand 15 mins.

 If saving, place separately in resealable freezer plastic bags.  Seal and refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Roll dough into 12 inch circle on lightly floured circle.  Press onto bottom of 12" pizza pan sprayed with cooking spray, stretching to fit (or if you don't have one, like us, just stretch it in whatever shape you want on a cookie sheet).  Let stand 10 mins. 

Put on your toppings.  Bake 15-18 mins., or til crust is golden brown.  Eat up!

Favorite Topping Ideas:

- Real bacon bits, feta cheese, black olives and pineapple (family fave on this crust)
- Spinach, feta and fresh tomatoes (put them on when you finish baking it)
- Chicken, red peppers, pineapple
- All veggie
- 4 cheese
- Ham, mushroom, black olive

Let the Sunshine In...

It has been absolutely spring like, and even bordering on summer, for the last couple of days here.  I was a bit worried about the forecast for this 2-week spring break, but it has turned out to be marvelous so far.  We spent 4 hours at the park on Thursday in the sunshine and have run around outside every other day.  I even pulled out my flip flops to run an errand yesterday, and the kids dug out their shorts and tanks to play hockey.  There are cherry blossoms coming on the trees, and I saw lawns that already need cutting.  I am so ready for spring to actually arrive and stay.  This winter was a tough one for me!

Thursday night we had the chance to attend the Oldtimer's Hockey game.  Dan was given some promotional tickets at work and none of his residents wanted them, so his manager told him to take the night off and take us instead.  I wasn't too sure if it would hold the kids' interest, but it turned out to be a blast.  They keep it so light and entertaining, it's not like watching 3 periods of hard core hockey.  And they had synchronized figure skaters and a laser show.  We took a friend of Clay's from the ward and his mom says he hasn't stopped talking about it yet.  It was so nice to get out and do something leisurely together - a good break from the chaos of the last 3 weeks of school (that's right, count em - we're almost there!). 

 The crew at the Coliseum

Pretty much how everyone felt!

For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

This post is dedicated to my sister, Emily, who celebrated her birthday this week.  We always joke about the fact that her birthday became eclipsed by 2 weddings and babies being born, but I always think of her too.  The title of the post is taken from a Simon and Garfunkel song that always makes me thing of her, not because of the subject (which is basically a wish of finding the girl, Emily, whom the singer loves) but the feel of the song makes me think of her.  Emily played the role of the middle sister, and did it bravely, being picked on from the top and looked up to from the bottom and she is still there, constant and strong and realist.  There are also 3 photos on my wall taken by her that always draw comments from visitors, and I think of her whenever I see them. 

In her honor, I am trying my hand again at a Cinquain.  It's been a long time since I wrote one, but Emily, I hope you like it:

Emily,

Gentle, soft-spoken,

Seeing, listening, evaluating,

Down-to-earth sister,

Friend.

Happy Birthday Sis!  I love you.

Birthday #4 - the Final Installment

Well, birthday season is finally done.  Malcolm turned 5 on Saturday.  He got all his wishes - a pirate ship, a nerf gun, and playing Wii all day.  He didn't get to play all day, but he sure tried.  By the time we get to him, we are all so sick of birthday cake and ice cream, it's good he usually goes for something a little different.  He's had cheesecake, brownies and ice cream, ice cream cake, and this year - yellow angel food cake with yellow whipped cream and strawberries.

At his birthday dinner, we asked the kids to think of all the 'M' words they could to describe Malcolm.  Meatball, mathematician, marvellous, magnificent...the list went on til Madison came up with mindful.  That sums Malcolm up in one word.  He is so mindful about everything he does.  When he chooses to do something it is 100%, all of his attention, dedication and concern (sometimes so much so that you can't talk to him about anything else.  Right now it's math, and when I lay by him at night and try to talk about our day I am met instead with counting to 100, adding 10 bazillion + 20 bazillion, 3+4 and counting by 6's to 60).  Anyone who has the pleasure of talking to him regularly will learn fairly quickly what he's into at the moment: the Titanic, the human body, whatever. 

He is also very mindful about his duties.  When he cleans his room, it's done right.  When he gets asked to sort pop bottles, he does the best job.  He cleans my cleans my van better than anyone else.

But most of all, he is mindful of others.  Like his little brother.  He can pester him like no other, but he makes sure he knows where Spencer is everywhere we go.  He chases him down for me and gives him what for when he doesn't listen, and he makes sure that other people know what Spencer needs or how he feels because Spen, of course, can't be bothered to tell them.  But he is mindful of others too.  He is my best sharer.  He doesn't worry about anything being his.  If you ask him nicely, he will most likely say yes.  He saves things for Dad and Mom all the time. 

So, happy birthday, my little mindful one.  I hope we were all mindful of making it a wonderful day for you!

Happy Birthday Gramps!

I have to say happy 83rd to my Grandpa Wilde.  The title of this post is slightly off since I don't think I ever would have called him Gramps.  Although I always knew he loved us, he is not generally a cuddly bear kind of grandpa.  More like a sandpaper-cheek-rub-your-face-raw kind of grandpa.

My grandpa sent me a homemade leather bill fold for Christmas with a bit of cash stuck inside.  It definitely isn't fancy, but I'll have it tucked away forever because it's just a reminder of everything I did with him and learned from him too.  So here's to you Grandpa!

My grandpa taught me:
- you don't have to say much of anything to have presence
- stick to your principles, no matter what
- money definitely is not everything, even when you have it
- the importance of learning who your ancestors are and the history of where you live
- work hard
- find something you love and do it, because one day you won't get to work anymore and there will be a lot of hours to fill

I lived a mile from my grandparents my whole life before leaving home.  Grandpa was a fixture in my growing up.  He worked alongside us in so many different capacities, but I have a few memories that will always stand out about him:

1. Making a side for the silage truck with netting and a "homemaker's welder" (the glue gun)
2. Putting out a fire at the greenhouse passing buckets of water from the pond
3. Going to see him for Bishop's interviews, which consisted of, mainly, "You're not doing anything I should know about?  Making good choices?  Okay, tell me about your [fill in the blank with whatever I was doing at the time]".
4. Him taking me out to teach me how to drive stick so I could drive the farm trucks
5. "Play us a song..."  ( I should have done that more often.  Too bad I was so shy and self-conscious then)
6. One time when I was being a royal teen pain to my parents, he took me out to move a pipe and proceeded to remind me of the wonderful people my parents are and all they were doing for me.  Then he basically told me in not so many words to get over myself and be grateful for what I had.  I didn't feel targeted and I wasn't upset he had.  I tried to follow his advice.  I still do when I find myself having a pity party.
7. Travelling.  I went lots of places with my grandparents, but the best was the NWT.  It was so interesting to see where he had surveyed the Great Slave Lake and hear his memories of his time there.

In the card that came with the bill fold, my mom said he was looking forward to seeing my kids again.  I am looking forward to them seeing him too and getting to know him a little more. 

Happy [late] Birthday Grandpa!  83 years of memories and still going strong!  Love you.

I'm so sorry

I have to extend my condolensces to my younger siblings.  I just read a stat that those individuals whose mothers have them before the age of 25 are twice as likely to live to be 100 years old.  Apparently I (and a couple of my sisters) are literally the "best eggs".  Mom was 20 when I was born, so I imagine that ups my odds even more?

Of course, with the history of dementia and Alzheimer's running through our genes, we probably won't remember the last 20 years anyway.  So I'm not sure who I'm really apologizing to anymore...

The Celebration Continues

Clayton's birthday week wrapped up with a party on Saturday.  He invited 5 of his friends to swim in our pool and play the Wii, with a little pizza and cake thrown in.  It was loud and wild and a ton of fun. 

Here's a look at the Mario cake as requested by Clay.  It's the best his non-cake making mother could do, but he loved it!  Thank goodness for the internet and colored printers.

A couple shots of the boisterous boys.  It was tech deck mania, and they loved it.  And it never ceases to amaze me with boys that if the Wii goes on, they are all there, engaged and cheering and loving every minute of it.  Super Mario Bros. became the game of the night, and they took turns switching Wiimotes as someone died off.  No arguements, no fuss, just fun.

I talk people to sleep...

I have decided there are two types of people in this world: those who sleep and those who talk them into slumber.  I fall into the second category.  I have my entire life.  I can't count the number of times I have asked a question in the late hours of the night only to realize no one is listening anymore.  Or the number of occasions I have lain awake, alone yet not by myself staring at the ceiling, gazing into the infinite vastness of space and counting stars, or wishing there were a hole in the top of my tent so I would at least have something to look at.  I have a particular friend who used to say to me, "Keep talking, I'm almost out." 

Usually it's just a case of the wheels in my head turning around and spinning off into new tangents that prompt even more ideas and questions.  And it's not all the time.  I go in spurts.  But last night, Dan actually reached over and put his hand over my mouth in a clear indication that he had listened long enough.  Apparently he falls into the first category of sleepers.  Oh well, I'll try and get more in tonight...

monday morning funny

Enjoy for breaking up the monday blahs.

WE HAVE A PLACEMENT!!!

Dan had an interview today with the leader and another TR responsible for the Calgary Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Team.  He said he was so relaxed and they had a great conversation and then they OFFERED HIM A PLACEMENT! 

We are so excited.  Our own and the prayers of many others have been answered.  He begins September 6 for 3 months.  Not only is it in Alberta, but in mental health which is his preferred discipline.  Being in Calgary he will also have his mom's place to crash at and his brother and two sisters to catch up with.  It's also not too far a drive to come down and spend the weekends with us in Welling.  I need to insert another heartfelt thank you here to my parents who are willing, despite what I'm sure are some reservations, to let us stay at their home while this goes down.  You're generosity makes it possible for us to finish up this crazy roller coaster ride called "getting an education with a family in tow". 

We are so blessed.  It is amazing to see the Lord's hand in all things.  We were a little worried when placements seemed tough to find, and his last interview was not good.  But it's neat to see that the Lord had a much better plan for us.  Congratulations Dan!  We're so proud of you.  You've worked hard for the last 4 years to get where you are today.  And a big thank you to all our family and friends who have been thinking of us and praying for our success.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Virtual Job Chart

For any parent like me who has tried oodles of job charts and systems over the years, here's another one that you might really like for this internet generation.  I find points systems tough to monitor on your own, so this one does it for you!  You can set the number of points they earn for each chore and you can choose from family rewards (privileges like t.v., video game time, ice cream, or bigger ticket items like getting a pet or going on a special vacation) or retail rewards (the site actually allows parents to put money on the account through paypal and the kids can use it to purchase items.  Cool if you offer money for chores, which we do not.  But to each their own).

Each chore comes with it's own special icon and the kids log on and check their items off when completed.  The site keeps track of the points.  If you are offering money, they can also choose to donate to special causes or save money in their "bank".  You can also arrange to share points to work toward larger family goals.

The best part - it's totally FREE.  I like that.

So, try it out if you need a bit of a change and motivation boost.  I can't guarantee it'll be the last chore system you ever use, but you may just find it keeps order for a little while.  And it can't be worse than all the other systems that have died off on us in the past.  Like any of us, kids just need a change now and then to keep things spicy.  Have fun, and good luck!

The link:

http://www.myjobchart.com/

Birthday #3

Another week, another birthday.  Yesterday we celebrated 8 years with our oldest son.  He really seemed to enjoy his day.  Because his birthday was on Wednesday and Dad works, he requested chocolate waffles and bacon for breakfast instead of a special supper.  He was also thrilled because the cubs meet on Wednesday night, so he attended his first cub pack meeting on his birthday, where they learned to set a table properly and cook, that's right, french toast!  Nothing like starting and ending your birthday with dollops of whipped cream and strawberries.

I cannot imagine life without my little whirlwind.  You know the poem about the little girl with a curl right in the middle of her forehead?  This is my Clayton.  When he's good, he's very,very good; and when he's bad he's horrid.  He is never really horrid, just grumpy and stubborn.  But he makes me laugh and I always have great conversations with him, and he's so good with little kids and animals.  All the young ones at church have to make sure he acknowledges them every week. 

This past year, Clay has shown remarkable maturity for the boy we were getting a little worried about.  He has made some very tough decisions not to hang around other kids he knows don't act the way he should.  This has left him a little lonely, but the better for it.  It's like he reached his own personal crossroads and had to make that decision.  We're so proud of him!  He's even started to show signs of enjoying scripture reading in the morning (shock and dismay!).  I'm amazed by his answers in primary and at home.  That little mind is always turning.

So, here's to a great boy who changed, and continues to change, our lives.  We wouldn't change him for the world.

You'll notice the tooth.  He lost the other front tooth last week, but this one is ready to go soon.  He likes to push it out on top of his lip like a real hillbilly.  We call him Clyde for fun.

***Tooth Update: it is now missing.  He now has a big gap in the middle of his mouth****

The Best Laid Plans...

One of the most difficult things about living out here has been the lack of a natural support and social network within our ward.  This is mainly due to our ward boundaries being the size of a small city.  The distance between us is so great, that just dropping by or hanging out has to be planned out or it doesn't happen.  I finally met another woman in my ward with 4 children who feels the same - we need to get together more.  So we planned that this morning we would get together, let the kiddos play, see her new basement, and just socialize.  Yeah!

Or not...

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry..." (Robbie Burns)

My visiting teachers came half an hour late and, bless thier lovely hearts, they stayed for 45 minutes.  By this time I was a good half hour behind when I wanted to be out the door to our friend's house.  When i got there, she was out getting her child from kindergarten, which I got confused because in my mind her daughter was going to kindergarten in the afternoon.  So while we waited, the boys and I went to the grocery store to pick up some milk and bread.  We stood in line for over 10 minutes behind a couple of women wanting to use a coupon but not reaching the required amount spent (ps.  they spent over $20 more than they were going to spend in order to save $5.  Explain this to me?).  While there, the school called me to say that Clayton was curled up in a ball on the playground because his stomach was aching.  So, had to tell our friends that we will try again another day....

And all we wanted was to spend some time enjoying someone else's company!  Sorry, friends.  We missed being with you today.  But we can definitely take a raincheck.  Maybe we can check out the park above your place.  The boys were trying to start a mutiny in order to get out of the van and go play on it.

Make-It Monday

Here's a really yummy pancake recipe that just spices up the old standby.  Great if you have kids who want pancakes everyday, and super easy to make.  Plus, they might just be a little healthier!

Blueberry-Cornmeal Pancakes

1 c. flour
2 Tbslp. cornmeal
1 Tblsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 beaten egg
1 c. buttermilk or sour milk (place 1 Tblsp. of lemon juice/vinegar in measuring cup, fill with milk to make
                                              1 cup, then let sit for 5 mins before using)
2 Tblsp. oil
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

Mix dry, add wet, fold in blueberries gently.  Cook on a griddle like you would any pancake.  Serve with sprinkled powder sugar, syrup or (Dan's fave)  pear butter.  Enjoy!

Creativity in Education

I was fascinated by this speaker at the TED conference.  As anyone who knows me can attest to, I am intrigued by learning and why we learn the way we do.  Also, as Dan will attest to, don't get me going on how public schools try to conform children into one pre-determined mold with no room for your own thoughts, ideas, or expression (color inside the lines or it's wrong, add these numbers the way they say or it's wrong, etc.)  I also have a real issue with the lack of fine arts and other modes of creativity in the education system.  We are all talented in so many different ways that how can only 5 core subjects be the most important ones?  This has been brought home to me having a daughter that is so creative and expressive in art and music and drama, but does not give one flying fig about math and spelling.  Not that these things aren't important - they are, but there is no room for teachers to go out on a limb in their approach to teaching and learning.  Not enough time and resources, but that is another subject.

I continue to watch this in Dan's post-secondary education.  There is no room for critical thinking or coming up with new suggestions and methods of doing things.  Just follow the rules and, usually, the outline to the exact letter of the law if you want to get a good grade and graduate (can I just say APA style?  What's up with a bunch of psychologists determining the exact inches to be placed between the top of the page and the start of your words?  In Dan's psych class he got more points for following their style guidelines than he did for the actual content of the paper.  There's something wrong with that!)

 What happened to thinking outside the box?  How would this world have gotten to where it is now if people like Einstein or Newton or Da Vinci were told to conform and just draw their ideas from the pool of resources we already know to be true?

But I digress.  If you have 20 minutes to watch this, please do.  He is entertaining and enlightening on the need for change in our education system to support creativity.  I really enjoyed it, and it made me think.  Oh, and then I watched his talk from 2010 on passions and aptitudes in education.  It is wonderful too.









p.s.  Thanks Lisa for teaching me how to include videos on my blog.  See, it takes all kinds to make the world go round!

Fun, quirky music videos

Here are a couple of music videos that Madison watched at school and she just loved.  The music is a little eccentric, but the camera effects are pretty cool.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2fpgpanZAw&feature=relmfu

I know you can embed these into your post, but I can't figure it out.  Just click on the links and have fun.

Make-It Monday, on Tuesday

Okay, I am a day late because I just forgot.  But this is a meal that Clayton made for us yesterday (which speaks to its simplicity), and I wanted to share it because it was decreed a 'Winner Dinner' in our home.  Clay was drawn to trying it because it has poppyseeds and those are his favorite ingredient.

Poppyseed Chicken

4 chicken breasts (he used 5, cut in half)
1 can mushroom soup
1 c. sour cream
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (i only had sociables, just use what you've got)
1 Tblsp. poppyseeds
1/3 c. melted margarine

Put chicken breasts in casserole dish.  Mix soup and sour cream and pour over chicken.  Mix cracker crumbs and seeds, add melted butter and mix.  Sprinkle crumbs over chicken.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.  Serve with rice.

Super yummy, and, like we love, so easy!