Loving the fall colors!

This post is for my friend Sharon in Redlands.

I think of you when I see all these beautiful fall leaves!

The Mom test

As a Mom there is rarely tangible evidence of how you are doing as a parent. There is no pay increase or yearly review, but occasionally things happen that let you know what kind of job you are doing.

Recently Ruby and Lucy have been creating elaborate towns and playing barbies quietly and happily together for hours.

Lucy's teacher told me that when all the candy grams were passed out one little boy did not get any and was sad. She said that Lucy was really sweet and went over and gave him one of hers.

Haley has been treating her sisters nicely and helping them get ready in the mornings. I also have noticed that her room has been clean for about 5 days!

I don't know about you but I think these are signs that I am a good Mom and they are learning to play nice, help others and be kind.

At least that's what I was thinking when this came home from church with Ruby.

Halloween night

Originally we were going to just put Eric's boat (that he is refinishing) out on the grass with a skeleton.

Then we decided to use our Mardi Gras beads and trunks.

Then Eric bought a black light to make this floating skeleton glow.

... and of course we needed a fog machine to make it look more realistic. It turning out to be a lot more then just a boat and skeleton, but it was super cool and everyone loved it.

Lucy was Jasmine.
Ruby was a cute witch.
Haley and her friend Anna were black belts.
Eric was the pirate (with a mullet) that passed out the candy..
I decided not to wear a costume and just go as myself.

I gotta feeling...

That tonight's gonna be a good night.....

... That tonight's gonna be a good good night!

witchalina day 6

No photos today, I couldn't find my camera this morning. They had quite a hunt and found big red gum, pop rocks and a halloween stick filled with candy corn.

Thank you Witchalina!!!!

Witchalina day 5

Ghost peeps anyone?

(What if would I told you they were found in the shoe bins in the garage?)

Witchalina day 4

Why just have cereal or toast when you can have gummy brains, a walking mummy, Frankenstein and Dracula... gotta love Witchalina!

Witchalina day 3

"Oh my gosh, cookies in the dishwasher... what was she thinking" Haley

Witchalina day 2

I LOVE this photo. They were cracking me up with these suckers. Today's poem may be my favorite Witchalina lesson of all time.

(click on image to enlarge)

It started with a scream...

... then the fastest feet running up the stairs. I thought Ruby was hurt. She ran in the room shaking holding a piece of paper. She looked like she had seen a ghost when she said "She came... Witchalina came!". She could barely hand me the paper she was shaking so hard. The girls all started to bolt downstairs but I said "No one can see what Witchalina left unless they have clothes on". All three girls scrambled to get out of pajamas and into school clothes and then flew down the stairs. The little Witchalina was on the counter with my scriptures.

We read this poem:(Our scanner is not working so I took photos)

(You can click on the photos to enlarge them)

We read these scriptures:

Alma 41:14

14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.

Moroni 7:47-48

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

We found witch pez dispensers in the broom closet.

I would love to say that the girls all felt the spirit and had a wonderful morning, I can't.

The truth is as we were getting in the car to leave for school Ruby and Haley had a WWF brawl over who would sit in the front seat.

Hmmm, I wonder what Witchalina should teach about tomorrow?

Could it be true?

I'm not sure...
I could be wrong...
I think Witchalina may be visiting our house tonight!
If you have never heard of Witchalina read THIS post.

Say WHAT?

10/18/09

"If a food rhymes with another, then they taste good together." Ruby

"I know... like jam and ham." Haley

 Ruby starts sining "Carots, ranch and lemonaid" then she says "Oh wow, they do rhyme."

"So what you have a butt... that rhymes." Lucy 

"MOM, can you bust Lucy for saying the B word!" Haley

10/15/09 

I am standing in the kitchen cooking dinner when Ruby walks in really excited and says:

 

"Mom, you are not going to believe this... Dad's balls are 2" bigger!"

I stop what I am doing, turn around and ask what she is talking about.

She flexes her arm and grabs her bicep muscle and says "Dad's in there exercising and his balls are like 2 inches bigger, it's amazing!"

10/9/09- 10/11/09

In the car Ruby was discussing how a hamburger is really a crabby pattie on SQUONGEbob.

While at the Oregon caves park Ruby and Lucy kept pointing out the CHICKmonks. There was a heated debate on Dale they came to the conclusion that there is no Dale in Oregon, only Chip. 

While at the tidepools Ruby and Lucy were looking for SHEshells.

10/9/09 (road trip)

We were going through the Taco Bell drive through and Lucy said that she wanted a burrito but she did not like the beans. So Eric asked the speaker lady:

 

"Can we substitute a quesadilla for the burrito in the kids meal?"

The Taco bell lady says "No can't do that, no quesadilla kids meal". 

To which Eric responds "Then we would like a burrito kids meal with no beans in the burrito, just cheese and tortillia.... can you do that?" 

She responds "Yes, can do."

10/9/09 (Road trip)

While driving through a very windy road headed out to the coast Eric kept crossing the bumpy line (that wakes you up if you are falling asleep) Lucy said "Thats shaking my bootie really weird."

The Girl in a Whirl

When we lived in Redlands we were lucky enough to have this amazing family in our church congregation. Vicki Gunter and her husband are so talented and inspired. They always gave the best talks and taught wonderful lessons. Vicki always had the greatest object lessons to simply teach a more complicated idea. 

Vicki used her gifts to write a book and it was recently published and is available to purchase HERE with several of her wonderful poems. You can imagine how excited she was to have it published. She started a web site to promote it HERE.

However recently this family has gone through some of the hardest trials imaginable.  About 2 months ago they had to burry their oldest son. As if that was not enough, last Sunday Vicki was making breakfast and got distracted when special needs church member dropped by for some help.  She helped the man and then he left for church with them. While they were sitting at church their home burned down (from the breakfast left cooking).  

Being in a different State, there is not that much that I can do to help them but I can help get the word out about her new book. For $12 it makes a great gift for all the women you know that sometimes get discouraged while trying to be their best.

Here is her poem that inspired the title for the book:

The Girl in a Whirl
         by ‘Dr. Sue’ (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)
  
         Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
         You could do what I do
         If you only knew how.
         I study the scriptures one hour each day;
         I bake,
         I upholster,
         I scrub,
         and I pray.
         I always keep all the commandments completely;
         I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
         I help in their classrooms!
         I sew all they wear!
         I drive them to practice!
         I cut all their hair!
         I memorize names of the General Authorities;
         I focus on things to be done by priorities.
         I play the piano!
         I bless with my talents!
         My toilets all sparkle!
         My checkbooks all balance!
         Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
         I attend all my meetings (on time!  Never late!)
  
         I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
  
         But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .
         I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;
         Our t-shirts are ironed!
         My toenails are polished!
         Our family home evenings are always delightful;
         The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
         I do genealogy faithfully, too.
         It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
         I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
         I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
         I read to my children!
         I help all my neighbors!
         I bless the community, too, with my labors.
         I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
         My visiting teaching is done the first day!
         (I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
         It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
         I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
         I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
         I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
         But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .
         I write in my journal!
         I sing in the choir!
         Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
         My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
         My kids get straight A’s!
         And their bedrooms are clean!
         I have a home business to help make some money;
         I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
         I go to the temple at least once a week;
         I change the car’s tires!
         I fix the sink’s leak!
  
         I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
         I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
         I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
         My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
         These things are not hard;
         ’tis good if you do them;
         You can if you try!
         Just set goals and pursue them!
         It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
         If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
         It’s easy!” she said
        and then she dropped dead.

Exploring tidepools

We drove to Harris State Beach to check out the tide pools. The girls were so excited to go and see star fish they could hardly wait. Eric and I were worried that we would not find a starfish and they would be disappointed. 

Even though we were the only ones on the beach, we had our guard dogs as back up... just in case.

The girls took turns gently touching the center of the sea anemones and watching them close on their fingers. So cool.   
We finally found a starfish, but it was in an impossible spot. Down under this fallen tree in a little cave area where the tide came in over the star fish. 
Luckily we have a Dad that is willing to sacrifice his body and dry socks and shoes so that his daughters could feel a real star fish. 

Here is the cool star fish that Eric found!

The funny thing was about 10 min after Eric's heroic star fish adventure, Lucy pulled a loose one off another rock that no one had seen. She was very proud of herself, and her purple star fish. 

We used the timer on the camera to take a photo of all of us together. 

Then Haley found a smooth starfish that was red and blue. 

Everyone was thrilled with our starfish success. 

The Oregon Caves

While driving home from the coast we took a drive up the very windy road to go see the Oregon Caves. Although we did not stay at the lodge, it's so really cool and you can read about it here.

This was the entrance to the cave. It was 41 degrees inside with 100% humidity according to our guide. We were prepared with warm jackets so we were fine. It was tight, with 16 people on our tour. It I had to duck down to get through lots of passages, so I'm sure it was a long 90 min on Eric's back. 

These were the precautions:

The cave tour lasts 90 minutes, is considered moderately strenuous, and is not recommended for people with heart, breathing, or walking problems. The half mile (1 km) route includes more than 500 stairs (most of which are steep and uneven) and a total climb of 230 feet (70 m). The lowest passageway you will have to duck under is about 45 inches (about 1 m) tall. Visitors have the option to leave the cave 45 minutes into the tour.

They didn't mention that you will feel trapped, claustrophobic and may start to panic when the guide tells you you are 200 feet underground. I'm not saying that I felt that way... but I was really proud of myself for not leaving at the 45 min exit (although I secretly wanted to). 

The formations really were beautiful and amazing.

When we made it outside I think we all had a feeling of relief.  Eric, Ruby and Lucy opted to take a long hike back to the lodge. I went with Haley to check out the gift store (per her request).