Paint the Fence

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~Pablo Picasso

Slow Down; You Move Too Fast: I've Got To Make This Moment Last!

Today was a rare gem in that the girls and I had full free day. This summer has shaped up to be fun, but also full of things to do. So with a day to ourselves I was feeling compelled to do something totally special and out of the ordinary. I suggested lots of places to go. But with every suggestion I got a resounding "No" from the backseat. The girls wanted to go nowhere but home. Reluctantly I listened to them.

Staying home all day didn't sound too fun. My girlies proved me wrong. I forgot about the dishes that were piling up. I forgot about the laundry that needed to be put away. I forgot about the toilets that needed to be scrubbed. Instead of doing the mundane I watched my kids play. I turned on a sprinkler and filled up the wadding pool. It was a summer day like I remember them. I need to remember the best part of being the mom is seeing the world through my children's eyes.

Note to self: Slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.

Dancing Cuties

Saturday was the Mountain West Ballet Recital. Chloe and Jess did a fantastic job dancing. They could really hold their own up on stage. I was proud to watch them remember the steps they've been practicing. Three cheers go to Miss Andrea and Miss Ashley for having patience with these tiny dancers and choosing such adorable costumes!

They like it, they really like it!

Thursday was a momentous day. I never want to forget this feeling of accomplishment. I had been dreaming of this day for way too long. So many tries and so many fails. And now here we are on the success train. Woohoo!

My reason for celebrating: EACH OF MY CHILDREN ATE THE DINNER I MADE! Not only did they eat it, but they liked it! And not only did they like it, they finished it!

Is it bad to have my kids eat the same thing for dinner for the rest of their lives?

I'd like to thank the creators of Pediasure for starting us on this long journey. Also, I would be ungrateful if I didn't give a shout out to Hebrew Nationals for their palatable "fluffy meat". But now, I'm happy to say, we've moved on to bigger and better things. I'm proud to unveil my secret recipe that has taken me from Short-order Cook to Su Chef at Chez Robinson.

I call it: Homemade Bacon Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper. The name stems from the need to explain food in terms my children will understand with the word Cheeseburger to start the saliva flowing.

Now, don't get all upset by the word homemade. It just means that instead of creating a dinner out of one box, I made a meal with fresh ingredients. Take your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, add half a pound of browned ground beef and three strips of cooked bacon crumbled on top. Now all I need to do is add a veggie that is tasteless, odorless and colorless and I'll have a complete balanced meal!

What will your pickiest picky children eat?

Discovery

Literally

One night after ballet I was about to go through the drive-thru at McDonalds. I was short on cash this particular day (plus they didn't have a great toy that week), so I announced that we wouldn't be getting happy meals that day. After a bit of thought Jess asked, "Well, can we at least get a sad meal?"

"Use It Or Lose It"

I have definitely lost my mind several times over being a mother of three small children.  However, I'm proud to say I have not lost my brain.  Shows like Good Things Utah and the Today Show have been talking about exercises we can do for our brains so that we stay sharp into old age.  I might not have washboard abs, but I do have brain power to solve a hard level Sudoku puzzle.

It feels great to admit I'm a geek and proud of it.  

I've spent many years thinking that my daily doses of Sudoku, crosswords and wordfinds were a total waste of time. . .But now I'm liberated!  

We have some great friends who introduce us to games like Acquire, Nerts, Puerto Rico, Ticket to Ride.  Sco and I are always looking for the next Spiel des Jahres.  Social setting, strategic plays, I'm in heaven.

My friend Wylie introduced me to Professor Fizzwizzle as a fun educational game for my kids.  I love this computer game as much as my girlies (and any other kids who happen to drop by).  I highly recommend this game.  The graphics are so cute and the game has different levels for kids and adults.  

Last night I started to explore grubbygames.com to find out what else they had to offer and I found my new exercise routine.  

Hop aboard the Amazing Brain Train.  I'm so excited to play it with the girlies.  Check it out before you judge.  Your brain and your kids will thank you!

No More Pencils, No More Books. . .

Summer is finally here! Chloe's last day of Kindergarten was last Thursday. When I went to pick her up from school I found all the children gathered around the flag pole with their principal leading them in the Pledge of Allegiance. As soon as they finished the principal gave the signal and the kids went CRAZY. Parents were crying. Teachers were smiling. I am so excited for summer. I am excited to be in charge of our schedule.

My goals for this summer are:
1. Teach/learn gardening with my girlies.
2. Get girls swimming without floaties.
3. Go camping more than once.
4. Learn to wake-surf?

My kids are at such fun stages. I can't wait to see what they can learn and do. I'm wondering if Chloe will learn to waterski or knee board this year? Will Jess jump off the diving board without her teacher? Will Ashley potty train?