Reading

Another resolution this year is to teach the kids to love books. Is that something you can teach? I'm not sure. I didn't grow up liking books. In fact I purposefully would run the other way when I spotted one. Its for that reason that I find it so funny that I love books so much now, and if at all possible I really want my kids to have that same love and appreciation for books as well.
As many of you already know we had our cable turned off a year ago, in hopes that we would all read more. And while it worked for me, we weren't as successful for other members of the family, they just found other things to do, ...I won't mention any names. Another thing that we started was to make good use of all our time spent in the car, by listening to books on CD. We have listened to all of the Harry Potter books. The last two books were so much fun, that we would find ourselves sitting in the driveway, not wanting to get of the car, just to hear what would happen next, until we then started bringing them in the house and listening to them cuddled on the couch.
A part of our nighttime ritual has always been to read a few books, but now that Ethan is getting to old for picture books (although on occasion, he still enjoys them) we have started reading chapter books together. Even Hayden enjoys it; I am not sure if he is following along with the story line, or if he just enjoys the few hushed minutes together. For Christmas we gave Ethan the Chronicles of Narnia. I wanted to get a series that Ethan was familiar with, so that he would start the book thinking that he already liked the story. And these books, while there is like 6 or 7 in the series, they are still short and easy enough to follow along with and really enjoy.
I read on another blog, here, that to make their reading time more special they read in the parents bed with a flashlight. I love this idea, it seems magical to me. To read some where that you normally don't, and by flashlight, what kid isn't going to want to read for hours like that? Another blog I came across that has some great suggestions, (but kind of made me want to give up even trying, because she's to good!) is write start, visit it here.
Any suggestions on cultivating a love of books, or suggestions on good books to read with the kids?

Valence in boys room: DONE

Valence in boys room: DONE! Next project!
Turned out pretty well! I've made this type of valence a few times. And every time I think: Next time I will use Velcro to attach it to the wood valence. But then when it comes down to it stapling is always so much easier, but I wonder if Velcro would make the top smoother? I don't know? I know I made these way more complicated then needs be, because I added a different fabric inside the pleats, ugh so much more measuring and matching up, yuck! But overall I am very pleased! I want to make a valence in the office next, but I think I may have scarred Shawn, he didn't want to help, the big bugger! But this project takes four hands! Oh well.

Love is in the air!

Some of my fondest memories growing up are of the holidays. My Mom had a way of making all the holidays feel special. She always made a special dinner, such as a traditional Irish dinner for St Patrick's Day, or all red things for Valentine's Day, even red 7up (that was the best!). But she always decorated for each holiday, even the smaller holidays. So I think that is why I feel its so important to me, and so FUN to decorate for the holidays too! The fabric red heart my Mom made I think at church or an FHE group, and was passed on to me! (Oh! and notice my new dessert plates! I wish I would have bought more!) Then I put up this festive heart garland. I made these candy cane hearts from left over, you guessed it, Christmas candy! You just bake them in the oven on low for a few minutes and viola! Happy Holidays!

Loved

This is proof of how sentimental Ethan is. These shoes are literally falling apart. But Grandma bought them so he refuses to let me throw them away. Grandma can you tell him its okay to toss them, that you will know he still loves you even if he lets them go? He's very worried about this. Isn't he sweet? Kind of breaks my heart!

Room Redo

So I have big plans for 2009! I can just feel it, this is going to be a good year!
One of my resolutions for 2009 is to pull out my dusty sewing machine and put it to some use. I have a few projects in mind, but the first and foremost is to sew curtains for the boys room. They have these really tall arched windows, that aren't covered at the top, and that let in a ton of heat. So I've been wanting to cover them for ummm the last year. So make some curtains no big deal right? Ya right, not for me. Because making curtains for this room means picking a new theme, which means trying to find something that both boys will like...for a long time! After a few weeks of searching and searching I found the perfect fabric, its a Henry Alexander out of print fabric called "Peace". So now I can just sew the curtains, right! No way. I have to paint first, so a day and a half of painting, I'm ready to get to work now on sewing. I am trying to come up with other things that I have to do just to put off sewing, cause I am little nervous. Oh ya did I mention I am going to sew matching duvet covers too? Ugh, what was I thinking. Maybe I will just call my lady and see how much she'll do it for? But that would probably take away from my resolution huh? The paint turned out pretty good, look at how straight my lines came out. The lighting was too bright in the picture so you cant really tell, it's a light grey on top and a very red on bottom, with a black chalkboard. I was feeling pretty good about my handy work! maybe I can sew something up...we'll see. I will post pictures when I am done, if I am ever done!

Happy New Year!

Uncle Danny, Becca, and Xander

Our personal chefs! These two always spoil us rotten when we are together! They make me never want to go home! Do you have room for four more at your pad?

For New Year's we went out to Octillo, Ca. It's this place we used to always ride at, but its really far for us now. But for old times sake we headed out there again for New Year. We met up with Shawn's parents and nephews, and my sister and her family, and a whole lot of other people that I am not really sure who they were? But we had so much fun, an absolute blast. In the past when we go out there the kids at times have a hard time going out and actually playing, because Grandma has a sweet motor home, fully packed with awesome movies, yummy snacks, and video games. So who'd want to go out and get dirty when you can stay inside in the lap of luxury? But this time they played all day outside. Hayden started riding the little 50 with no training wheels! He was so cute, he looked like a little bobble head with his giant helmet that makes his body look all tiny! He was on his bike every chance he got. But he was great (well mostly!) at sharing it, with his bro and two cousins. Ethan had fun riding a quad. And me, well I had fun riding the golf cart, and trying to scare the kids! The people that we camped with have a tradition of writing 2009 in gas? that ends in lighting a Christmas tree at the stroke of midnight! Watching a ball drop is for pansies, but watching things lit on fire- awesome!

Riding

Here is Grandma, Hayden, and cuz Noah

The Dad's and all the kids, who can keep up, getting ready to head out for a ride!

Hayden, my bobble head!

The kids were either on bikes or in the dirt, the whole time. By the end of the day they were so tired, they slept so well.