Arrow of Light

September 25, 2008 (What a week!) Sheridan's Arrow of Light ceremony was my first as cubmaster. I knew it was to be somewhat of a big deal, but I made the mistake of looking online and saw just HOW big a deal it sometimes is. Well, it sure stressed me out, and I stumbled over quite a bit of it, but it's done and Sheridan was really jazzed to get his award. It was a little bit of a comedy because I asked Guy (as Scoutmaster) to fill in for the 11-year-old Scout leaders (who were sick) and "welcome" the two boys into Boy Scouts. This left our two youngest "off the leash"--I'll try not to repeat that part of the ceremony again. (Thanks to my neighbors who took these pictures for us.)

The Great Mask of Cake

So, Sheridan had a definite idea of what his cake should look like and directed me to the image here. I used my 1/2 soccer ball pan (the same one I used for Caleb's cake), and trimmed the sides so it would be more "head-shaped." It ended up being a rather simple cake thanks to fondant, though the fondant was really dried out and a challenge to work with (as evidenced by the "ruffles" I ended up with). The writing is in the Bionicle alphabet and simply says "Sheridan. 11 years." The mask cupcakes were a big hit--enough so, that we didn't get around to cutting the cake on Sheridan's birthday. I guess Mitchell got impatient because the final picture shows what I found the next afternoon.

Unity, Duty, Destiny. . . and Birthday!

Sheridan turned 11 with a Bionicle birthday celebration. Guy had a last-minute, out-of-town obligation so my parents came and helped big-time with birthday celebrations. Mom stayed with Mitchell (and hung up streamers and balloons) while Dad and I took the big boys, Drake, and Sheridan's friends (John and Jonathan) to Jump On It in Lindon. Guy joined us via Skype (on our web-cams) for a search for the Bionicle masks (and ultimately the birthday treasure), and Sheridan opening presents and blowing out candles. Everyone had cupcakes, then Mom and Dad and the boys and I went to McGrath's Fish House for a birthday dinner. Sheridan chose this restaurant because he loves fish, AND he REALLY wanted to wear the fish hat while we all sang "Happy Birthday" to him. I love that he's still young enough that wearing a fish hat is a fun thing.

My "Blue Period"

Here are the finished knobs on the drawers.

Mitchell--The Blue Period

September 20, 2008 I cannot do a project, however small, without help, and Mitchell joined in with gusto as I painted the base coat on some drawer knobs for the little boys' room. I did swap the paint to something washable, and let him go to town on the one knob I didn't need for the dresser. Of course, he did manage to add his touches to the 5 I was planning to use. Also, note how well the bib I put on to protect the clothes is working. What a grand mess he made, but this kept Mitchell busy for most of an hour.

Thankful for Evenings Like This

September 15, 2008 Another lovely evening (and easy FHE) at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.

Instant Gratification?

I'm here on the computer and Caleb scrounges for a snack (since he can obviously see that dinner is not being made yet). He finds a kid energy bar and I tell him he can have it but he has to share some with Mitchell. He agrees, and even gives me a small bite so I can taste. Then after everyone has chewed for a minute, Caleb asks, "Do you have more energy, yet?"

Oh how I wish. . .

Update: Caleb finishes his energy bar and runs up the stairs calling "Now, I have more energy than MARCUS!"

Here's One for the Reynolds

I saw this in the new health food store we have (that I love), and I couldn't resist buying it. I'm trying to cut sugar out of my diet, but I did have a taste, and Alden, you done good!

There's Always Something. . .

This picture was taken the first part of September and things DO look different now--there's NOTHING left. We had thought that we'd keep the supports for the deck, but Guy decided they were not in good enough shape to save. So now, we've got the drainage corrected and Guy's sent away for sample materials so he can get the "best" decking material available. Here's hoping we have a deck by Spring :-).

Signs I Have a Two-Year-Old in the House

1. My kitchen floor gets "mopped" almost daily as a result of Mitchell playing in the sink.



2. The pantry doors are always open because, though Mitchell can't reach the handles, he has figured out that he can grab underneath the doors and pull them open. He usually climbs 1 1/2 shelves up before he gets stuck.



3. We have to completely close Mitchell's bedroom door when he sleeps because he has recently figured out how to climb out of his crib, and will wander around the house when he wakes up, whether anyone else is awake or not. (Unfortunately, he's awfully close to being able to open doors. . .)



4. I haven't downloaded pictures off my camera in weeks.



5. I'm just now updating my blog after about a month.


6. My blood pressure runs at unhealthy levels most days because of experiences like finding Mitchell a) halfway up the staircase on the WRONG side of the railing, b) opening "child-proof" bottles in the medicine cabinet, c) inside the washing machine, d) standing on a chair leaning over the second-floor railing, e) trying to make the macaroni--the pot of water was at a full, rolling boil--f) and in other situations that I'm blocking right now.