Shaving Cream Paint

Tonight, in an attempt to turn things around with everyone's attitude (and also get Sienna to take a bath, because every time I try to make her do something she doesn't want I hear "I want DADDY!" and Daddy isn't around right now), I made some shaving cream paint for the bath tub.

This is my favorite kind of activity. It was fast, easy, cheap, the kids LOVED it, and it left the bathtub cleaner than before. I squirted a blob of cheap, white, shaving cream onto an old Cool Whip container lid.  Stirred in some food coloring. Gave the kids paintbrushes and let them have at it.

When the paint was gone, I gave them each a rag and had them help wipe the walls.  I had to change fresh bathwater, but I think it was worth it.

Dalton School Pictures (Kindergarten)

Dalton practiced his school picture smile for me. His fake smile with teeth looks a lot like grandma's. Apparently he decided a real teeth smile was too hard so we ended up with this. He's still pretty darn cute, though.

Maggie School Pictures(3rd Grade)

Oh hi, third grade. I drove Maggie and our neighbor to school on picture day, so that she wouldn't have helmet hair. I'm not sure it helped. She was wearing a nice skirt, but paired with a t-shirt, it didn't look particularly nice in a portrait. And the mardi gras beads. Well, that's Maggie for ya!

New Car, Blue Car

Excessive hassle later, we got a shiny new-to-us blue Honda Odyssey.

It seems like there was a time I didn't want to drive a van because it was uncool, but I can't remember that time. I feel pretty cool in my van.

Pumpkin Patch/Zoomars

We had no school on Monday, so I took the kids to Zoomars petting zoo/pumpkin patch. 

We did pony/horse rides.

Played in the hay maze and corn box.

Rode the train (met some friends there, too).

Decorated pumpkins with foam stickers,

But mostly pet and fed the guinea pigs.  The kids had a blast with this.

(34 weeks)

Happy 6th, Dalton!

Happy 6th Birthday to Dalton!  On his birthday, he requested chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, In n Out for dinner, we got to go swimming to try out his snorkel set, play Wii to try out his game, and watch his new movie (Aladdin) together as a family.

The next day, he had a bowling party with his Primary friends and one friend from school.

Bowling cupcakes!

Birthday Dates

For my birthday, each of the kids picked a date they wanted to do one-on-one with me.

Sienna and I went to see the Minions movie at the cheap theater (with popcorn!) and got ice cream after.

Maggie picked bowling.  We did two games and had lots of fun.

Dalton picked mini golf.  He was actually really good! I only won by one point.

Conference Walks

We had a great time watching General Conference this weekend.  The kids were actually in the room for most of it! (Sienna napped during the afternoon sessions.)

Sunday was the most beautiful rainy Fall day.  I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, which were delicious and nice on a cooler day.  In between sessions, we went for a walk on the trail and threw rocks into the "river".

And jumped in all the puddles.

After the afternoon session, we drove down to Laguna Beach.  We got a parking spot right in front of the beach, and then backed up into the spot behind us where the guy offered us the remaining time on his meter.

An even bigger puddle to jump in!

Jumping off the boardwalk was Dalton's favorite part.

We watched dogs swim in the water, looked in the tide pools, climbed rocks, and played at the playground. It was the perfect end to such a wonderful day. 

September Sampler

Super Sienna!

Playing along.

Took the little kids and a friend to Centennial Farm before school one morning.

They were crating up the piglets.

Sienna started "preschool" one day a week, rotating co-op.

Pirates get free Krispy Kreme.

Pit stop on our way to Sea World.

Dalton was "Star of the Week" and got to bring the class "pet" home.

Dalton's portrait of Maggie eating fish.

John got a new office with a sit/stand desk.

Sienna in denial that it's time to go.

"Bye doggie! I'll miss you."

Pumpkin milkshakes after church.

Night swimming - new favorite family activity.