Spring Break 2009

I'm finally getting around to posting about Spring Break. We had a wonderful time! Kelly's mom came to visit, along with Uncle Kalae and his girlfriend, Dani and her little boy, Tristan. Kelly treated us to ribs and tri-tip on the grill. Grandma treated us to homemade cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and soup. I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in bread that week!

We headed out to the coast on Thursday. We had to stop at the cheese factory for ice cream and we ate clam chowder at Moe's (why is it that our trips revolve around food??). We enjoyed showing the sights off. They didn't know that those "cool rocks" were in the movie, "Goonies". I sooo wish that the beach was warm here, but the kids didn't care one bit. Bronson was up to his armpits in the waves and having a ball...I stuck my foot in the water and it cramped up! It was all fun and games until it was time to go and they realized they were freezing. Luckily we're always prepared and brought extra clothes for everyone.Friday, we drove to Mt. St. Helens and enjoyed the visitor's center and a little hike. It was a pretty cloudy day and couldn't actually see the mountain. We decided to drive further up and stopped when there were twelve-foot high walls of snow on either side of the road. I kind of felt like I was in "The Shining", luckily Jack wasn't after us...

Saturday, we had some of Kelly's old family friends that grew up on the rez with him come over for another BBQ. Some of them hadn't seen Kelly's mom in almost thirty years, so it was a sweet little reunion. Grandma also helped Maika memorize the fourth Article of Faith for Primary on Sunday. She did an awesome job, and Grandma was so patient!

Sunday came too soon and the tears started almost as soon and the kids woke up. I think that's the hardest thing about living far away from family; as soon as you get used to them being there, it's time to leave! Bronson fell in love with Grandma, and had her walking him all over the neighborhood. The girls loved hearing funny stories about their dad and aunties and uncles when they were little. They were laughing so hard, tears were running down their faces.

The trip went too quickly. Now we are ready for summer and more visits with everyone we love!

Making Cocoa Rice...

Cocoa Rice for four Cocoa-eyed kids.

My kids are sick of chores and so am I. We are trying to get the house looking presentable for Grandma tomorrow. We can't wait! The kids have all kinds of plans for when she's here. Go to Build-a-Bear, OMSI, Zoo, help make cinnamon rolls, beach, hiking. The list could go on and on. Maybe we'll get to a few things on the list, but I think they are just looking forward to spending time with her most of all.

The chores are done and the house is clean, so now I'm making Cocoa Rice for lunch. The kids requested it. We usually make it for breakfast. It's kind of like a hot, chocolate rice pudding eaten with buttered saltine crackers or buttered french bread (healthy, I know). We got the recipe from Auntie Jo and Uncle Jasen and every time we're at their house my kids expect it.

Cocoa Rice

10 cups water

1 1/2 cups rice

Bring to a boil and cook until thickened (about 20 minutes)

In a bowl combine 1 1/2 cups sugar with 3 heaping Tbls. of cocoa, set aside.

After rice mixture thickens add cocoa mixture and stir together. Add 1 can coconut milk and 1 tsp. vanilla. Eat with buttered saltine crackers or french bread. Try the leftovers cold, a yummy chocolate treat!

I guess if cocoa rice is the only reward they want for all their hard work I can oblige. If only that was all they wanted...

Adventures in Potty Training IV

Well, here I am, Volume IV of potty-training! The final volume! We're doing pretty good. He's got the peeing part down, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as pooping goes.

I love these boxer/briefs! His little buns are very pinch-able now:) After three girls I have to admit that I'm having trouble remembering to call his underwear "underwear" and not "panties". I'm sure I'll get the hang of it sooner or later. I'm happy to report that I've only deemed one pair of these as unsalvageable:)

Wicked

I have very little knowledge about this book/play. I've heard a few songs from the soundtrack. I had tickets to see the play on the 13th, but glad I got rid of them since I get to go see my sister and her new baby that day:) All this being said, I had the weirdest dream last night, you know the ones, when you are so happy to be awake and realize it was all just a dream?

I dreamt I was the star in the play (I was in high school, but married with children, dreams never make sense)! I had secret, very secret, desires to try out for plays in high school, although I was way too chicken to ever go through with it. Anyway, I was the star of the play, it was opening night, and I didn't know any of my lines, or songs, and my green make-up wouldn't stay on. I had such real anxiety, I didn't know how to deal with it. When I woke up, I made sure to stay awake for a few minutes just to make sure I didn't fall right back to sleep and pick up the dream where it left off:) So glad to be awake and NOT the star of "Wicked"!

P.S. are there any Freudian Dream Analysis experts out there? What does this dream mean? :-)

D.A.R.E.

Last week, Logan's school had their D.A.R.E. program graduation. The D.A.R.E. program is designed for 5th graders around the country, to learn how to resist drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. There are over 300 5th graders at Logan's school. Logan and Amy (another girl from our ward) were two of the three students chosen to read their essays at the graduation.We were able to sit right behind Logan, and got some cute pictures of her!


Logan was later chosen as D.A.R.E. Student of the Year for her school. Her essay will be sent on to compete at the state level. We are proud of Logan and of the good student she is! She is a good example to her friends and siblings! Here is the essay she wrote. It was fun to finally hear it, because when we would ask her about it she would just give the standard pre-teen answer of, "I don't know." Good job, Logan!

In the D.A.R.E. program, Officer Borders taught us skills and knowledge to stay healthy and drug free. We were also taught to use the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model to make correct choices when faced with a difficult situation. We learned that instead of abusing drugs, alcohol or making other wrong choices, we can do healthy activities like playing sports.

Officer Borders taught me about certain drugs and other harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco and inhalants. By using the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model process, I learned how I can make wise decisions right now and in the future. I learned about peer pressure and ways to remain in charge. I learned to be a leader and that sometimes best friends may not be friends because they will try to make me make wrong choices. By making wrong choices, I could not only hurt myself, but also hurt other people and could impact the rest of my life and others.

At some point soon in my life, I know that I will be faced with very scary situations that were talked about in the D.A.R.E. program. I am thankful that I have learned these important things now. I know that when I am faced with problems and challenges that are difficult for me, I will use the skills and facts that I learned through the D.A.R.E. program to get over them. The D.A.R.E. program will have an impact on the rest of my life.

I, Logan, pledge that I will stay drug-free and make wise decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful drugs.

Logan's 2009 Basketball Season

Logan was so much fun to watch this season. She was on a combined team of 5th and 6th grade girls. They didn't have enough girls sign up to make a league, so they had one team of about 13 girls and just scrimmaged each other for the games.

At first, I was a little put-out by that, but it ended up going really well. They got to have practice two nights a week, instead of just one, and they scrimmaged the boy's teams during their practices. On Saturdays they would split the team up and play each other.

Kelly was able to help out with the coaching and he and Logan really enjoyed spending that time together.

Bronson made games a bit challenging at times. He even darted across the floor during games twice. That boy is quick! Luckily he didn't get bull-dozed and everyone just laughed and thought he was cute. I had a hard time thinking it was funny at the time...

Logan was a good little ball handler and scorer. It will be fun watching her develop and compete. Good job, sis!

Testimonial

I want to tell you about the testimony that I've recently gained. This may seem sacrilegious to some, but in this time of Economic Crisis, I'm being completely serious. Craigslist rocks! Over the years I've found some awesome deals on Craigslist. My first buy was our crib. Long story short: We let an acquaintance borrow our first crib and changing table and they gave it away. Nice. When Nalani came along we needed a new one. A nice cherry wood with mattress for less that $100.I couldn't find a picture of our crib, and I couldn't take one because we have a big boy now.

The second find was our beautiful piano. An elderly couple was moving to California and didn't want to take it with them. A huge score for $695.

Third came Logan's bedroom. She obviously didn't clean her room or make her bed this morning before school. Hey, I'm all about keepin' in real!Fourth, Santa found a whole bunch of Geo Trax for Bronson. The whole family loves playing with them. Logan is an awesome track constructor, full of creative ideas.

Fifth was the biggest steal of all! Our trampoline. Didn't cost me a penny. One of my friends called and was looking on Craigslist and noticed in the free section, a trampoline in our town. I borrowed a couple of friends' husbands and gave the missionaries an opportunity for service hours. In about an hour and a half we had the tramp taken down and reassembled in our backyard. Thanks guys!Kelly had a couple of business dinners last week so we decided to play a game. We all guessed how long it would take Dad to notice the trampoline in the backyard. We all know Kelly is a hard worker! He leaves anywhere between 4-6 AM and usually doesn't get home until it's dark. Therefore, the blinds are usually shut when he is home. My guess was Saturday. Well, Nalani spilled the beans Friday night while she was talking about "jumping on the tramp in our backyard." Kelly asked, "There's a tramp in our backyard?" Nalani answers, "Ya, you wanna see?" I think he thought it was pretty cool. Especially since it was already put together:) My kids are very thankful. I'm not sure the neighbors think it's so cool with the increase in noise coming from our backyard.

The sixth and most recent find was Bronson's "big boy" bedroom. We found a great deal on the bed, dresser, and night stand. I think it'll last him for awhile! I obviously didn't make Bronson's bed this morning. Like I said, I'm all about keepin' it real. Now I just need to find the right Hawaiian Boy bedding.

Note to Kayela: Do you notice the LouAnn Specialty blanket on his bed? I think I got that for graduation:)

It was fun to set up his room and purge a bunch of stuff. Now we need to decide on a date for a yard sale and advertise it on Craigslist. If you're looking for something, I'm confident that if you are patient and look long enough you'll find what you need. Happy hunting!

*Lastly* And, on a completely different note. Have you tried the PedEgg? This thing is awesome! I'm pretty sure my feet haven't been this smooth since I was Nalani's age. It's kind of disgusting/fun to empty that sucker and see all the dead skin you've shaved off the soles of your feet and heels. I got mine while standing in line at Target waiting to pay...best impulse buy in a long time!