Paul again: Her Morning Elegance

I thought this music video was cool so i added it.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Today would be my dad's 55th b-day! He passed away 23 years ago from ITP. Thinking of you Mom. {{{HUGS}}}

Wasn't he a cutie??

Bugs....

Today started off as a normal day. On our way home from the gym Ronni vomited. As I was getting her and her carseat (so I could clean it) out of the car she vomited again. This continued for the rest of the day (since about 4:30pm). Collin has been a great little helper. He just wants to lay next to Ronni and rub her face and pat her back but Ronni can only take so much of that. I'm like her though... when I'm sick... leave me alone. =D She been pretty cuddly w/ Paul and me though. I was doing dishes and she was curled up in the bean bag. Next thing I knew she was pulling on my pants leg. I looked down to see her sit at my feet and vomit again. I thought it was cute in a weird way... it was her way of saying, "Mom, something's happening again." The picture below is what Paul came home to. The kids and I were camped out in the living room tonight. I figured it would be better so I could watch Ronni and didn't know how to put Collin to bed if Ronni was still up (she goes to bed before him). Ronni has held down some goldfish crackers and some juice now so maybe the worst is over.

Lesson learned

I know that curtains serve as insulation to windows but I never realized how much. In our living room we have a large picture window. I have 6 curtains hanging on it b/c it's so big. I thought today was a good day to wash them. Oh my! They aren't done yet and it's a cold night. The couch is right in front the window so I was curled up w/ a blanket tight around me... my nose was still cold though. =( I've learned my lesson. Only wash big curtains in spring or fall -- not too warm, not too cool. LOL! Just thought I'd share in case anyone else feels like making the same mistake as me. ;)

Snow Day!!

Before you look at these pictures know that I live in the south. Snow is rare. Don't make fun of my pics ;)

Collin thought snow meant we had to make a snow man. I didn't have much to work with so I gathered all the snow on about 20' worth of fence and made this little 2-3" tall snowman. hehe! Isn't it cute? I couldn't find anything small enough to work as eyes and mouth so he's faceless.
This is how well the snow stuck... oh wait!! Yeah, it ddin't stick but it's still snowing -- you just can't see it in this picture. ;)

Here is proof of snow!! LOL!!

"craftivities"

If you're interested in seeing what we're doing daily for our "craftivities" then go here. Or if you want the actual URL it's this http://craftivities.blogspot.com/ I started another blog b/c I thought this one should just stick w/ the family. =D

Craftivities-- balloons day 1

Collin and I have always done some sort of craft or something following a general theme for the week. Since he's 3 years old now I thought we should up it a notch. I have planned out the weeks of January and themes for the rest of the year. This week the theme is balloons. Here is what we did for the day.

Movement: We tied balloons to the ceiling and Collin had to jump and stretch to knock them around. He really seemed to enjoy this.

Science: We learned about static electricity. We rubbed the balloons on our shirts and heads and stuck them to the wall or made our hair stick up. Collin and Ronni both had tons of fun w/ this one. As the static was wearing off the balloons the kids would laugh as the balloon "crawled" down the wall.

Crafts: We used fingerprints for balloons...

then added the strings. =D

I think our first day was a success. I was told by a friend that she thought it would be too heavy for him but he had a blast!! He didn't want us to stop. =D Hope he's ready for more balloons tomorrow. I'll try to keep them posted on here in case anyone wants to borrow ideas. =D

New Years (lots of pictures!)

I really left out a lot of pictures but I thought this should be enough. We went to Paul's family for New Year's b/c on 12/31/08 Paul's little brother came home from his mission. YAY!! If you notice a lot of camo in these pics it's b/c we wore camo and jeans for his home coming... lol! Enjoy the pics!

New Year's Day was also Christmas morning for us. Here is Ronni sporting around her baby in a backpack -- yes, the baby is about to fall out.
Here is Collin w/ his brand new tool kit... toy tool kit that he still somehow managed to drill holes in that box with. *shrug* No idea how.

The doll also came w/ a stroller. She wasn't really so gentle w/ the poor baby though. Ronni likes to grab the baby by the leg and throw her out then push the stroller around. lol! No idea where she got that from -- don't worry, I don't do that. ;)

Ronni w/ Nana opening Christmas gifts.

Collin and Daddy opening gifts.

Dad Smith and his boys; Paul and Karl (the one who just came home).

The girls and some of us older gals worked on this for Karl. If you can't read it it says, "Welcome Home Homeless (apparently a nick name), Uncle Karl, Grandson." hehe! It was fun coloring all the letters though. The girls did most of it... we just helped coloring in the pre-drawn letters and of course hanging it.

While we were there we went to a children's museum which was just awesome! Here is Paul holding a baby gator.

Here is Collin looking very unsure as he is petting an alligator.

Ronni and McKenna exploring the little kid part of the museum.

Collin having fun w/ the flying balls.

Ronni looking all lady like sitting in the boat. =D

Collin climbing the wall (still at the museum).

The 3 younger kids in the pretend lighthouse.

Okay... no longer museum pics. This is back at Nana and Papa's house. Ronni and her new friend running around begging for crackers from g-parents.

Just hanging out around the house. This pic was taken when there were 9 kids and 6 adults living under one roof... don't worry -- more people came. =D

Collin fishing... he'd been waiting MONTHS for this opportunity. We didn't let him have a hook. He was fishing w/ a washer but he didn't seem to notice.

Collin in the paddle boat between Papa and his cousin, Kathryn.

Ronni w/ her Nana.

Collin and Ronni in their Christmas jammies from Nana and Papa. Ronni's is a gown but you can't really tell in this pic. ;)

Resolutions

Yeap... it's that time of year again and I have some... ;)

1) I want to read the scriptures from cover to cover this year
2) Do better w/ FHE (Paul is actually going to be off every Monday this semester so maybe we'll do better.)
3) I want to do a "craftivity" w/ Collin every week day.
4) Be able to run 3 miles w/ ease... hopefully get down to 9 minute miles.
5) Get on the computer less! =D