The Big 5

When asked what kind of birthday party they wanted
Owen & Clara came up with "An Under Water Party".
They got their inspiration from this ad in a magazine.

With 50 balloons on the ceiling we played games while we listening to
"Under the Sea", "Octopus's Garden", and "At the Codfish Ball".

We had a treasure hunt and found a sunken treasure full of lots of goodies.

Many thanks to Aunt M. and Uncle A. for
the exquisite treasure chest ice cream cake
as well as their photography.

Stay-cation

A couple of weeks ago my brother-in-law and sister-in-law came to interview for a job and to check out restaurant and bakery options for my sister-in-law to work at. We had fun going out to dinner with them and sampling baked goods from nearly all the bakeries in town. I enjoyed driving them around town to places I’d never visited before. It was fun to discover the city I’ve lived in for 13 years from a different perspective.

What a fun way to explore where you live from a different angle by visiting different museums, libraries, parks, playgrounds, or snow shacks each day or each week. It could even make for a fun “Stay-cation.”

Tiered Twirly Skirt

I made this skirt using this tutorial. Clara loves skirts.

New Year's Resolutions

Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? It’s never too late to set goals. I just finished mine.

When I was working outside the home we would do strategic planning each fall. I liked the reflection process we used to review the previous year, what we wanted from the new year, and how to bring that about.

It helps me think through things rather than just set a to do list or rather than recycling last years goals. It helps me develop a new vision for the new year.

Have a go at it!

What did I accomplish in 2009?
What are some disappointments?
What have I learned?

What are my limiting paradigms? (What is holding me back?)
New Paradigm (New Motto for 2010):

What do I want to have happen in 2010?
What steps can help me accomplish those things?

. . .What we did

Shortly after the previous post, 8 months ago, I decided that maybe we would have to just do away with naps. That’s not to say that they didn’t need them. So I would try to put them down for naps by reading them stories as usually, trying to select LONG books. If they fell asleep great! If, not, I would just let them out to play. “Quiet time” didn’t work because they would not stay quiet and would get into mischief as seen in the previous post. I was sad to give up naps but was glad to not have to clean up as many messes. They still pulled some of their usual tactics but it has been a good change for everyone.

So we continue to live, and learn, and love ‘em!

What would YOU do?

This is what happens if we don't or can't "read" these Munchkins to sleep and leave them awake in their room during nap or bedtime.


Originally we just had mattresses on the floor. We put theirs beds on frames hoping it would deter them. But it hasn't seemed to slow them down. We tried strapping the mattress, box spring, and frame together but that became a hazard when Owen slid under the strap. So we've separated the beds to opposite sides of the room hoping that will help. But as I type they are trying their hands at the new furniture configuration. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

How tall?

Last time with Munchkins-R-Us we were growing plants, but we are also growing little people. Owen and Clara helped unload the groceries and this incident reminded me of this Curious George episode.


Owen and Clara are 18 cans of chicken tall. Oh, the things they learn on PBS Kids.
You can play the Curious George game here.