Superstar!

Gavin was chosen as "Student of the Quarter" from his class. They had an awards ceremony this morning which Gavin has been eagerly awaiting. Not because of the award, but the chance to have breakfast at school. It was truly a breakfast of champions consisting of donuts, muffins, cinnamon rolls, Sunny D, all things sweet -OK, there was a little fruit. During parent teacher conference a few weeks ago, the only negative thing his teacher, Mrs. Dunigan had to say, was that he always knew the answer and needed to give other kids a chance. He has come along way from our shy little boy. He is now a walking encyclopedia and always has random tidbits of information. He is thriving in Kindergarten, loves his class, and is often asked to help the other kids with their work. We love him so much and are proud of the responsible big guy he's turning out to be.

Day 10 - Aprons

I have finally completed my last project. I'm thinking I won't be publicly committing myself again any time soon.

PROJECT #10: Me and Mini-Me Aprons

Now Addie and I can be a couple of domestic divas together.

Day 9 - Dresser

PROJECT #9: Bookcase/dresser

This took almost the whole ten days to finish, well actually almost 10 years. We built this when we were first married and couldn't afford a dresser. Oh, our Provo basement days...anyway we never finished it. We got as far as functionality (not sure if that's a word) needed, and quit. It has moved from room to room over the years but never finished. We laughed as we took a closer look at the novice construction of it, but it is VERY sturdy. This week we added the trim and moldings, new top, filled most of the MANY knots (we had bought very cheap wood), sanded, primed, and painted coat after coat to achieve a dark blue/navy color. It's done!

(No Mom and Dad, this may have Sunday's date on it, but I didn't work on it on Sunday)

Day 8 - Thing-a-magig

I feel I need a studio. In the past it has been called the craft room, but a "studio" sounds creatively inspiring and professional. I am using the term "studio" loosely as it is more of a walk-in closet. But hey, it's all mine to house all creative endeavors and hopefully look cute at the same time.

PROJECT #8: Wall organizer thing-a-magig

This picture is Traci's wall organizer thing-a-magig in her "studio". Isn't it cute with all of her handmade bags clipped to it? It was salvaged from a friend's house I think. Anyway, she had an extra one, so she was kind enough to give it to me. It was dark wood and pretty dated looking, it's amazing what a few coats of paint will do. I didn't take a picture of mine because it's drying in the garage, hence not a very aesthetically pleasing picture. I can't wait to hang it up, thank you Traci!

Day 7 - shelf & paint

Yes, I'm getting desperate. I'm counting a shelf I didn't hang (Brett did) as a completed project.

PROJECT #7: Theatre painted, and shelf hung

We used the darker brown paint in the basement kitchen and it extends to the stage wall. The shelf is hung to the right of the stage in the kitchen area. Now I just have to find stuff to put on it.

Day 6 - Window trim

PROJECT #6: Basement window trim

We trimmed the windows to make them appear larger in the basement. After nailing, filling, sanding, taping, priming, & painting, they're finished. It's funny how long the "little" projects take. My projects usually halt at the sanding phase. I am not a fan.

Day 5 - Wreath

Wreath making is not my area of expertise. I'm not a fan of this one, only that It was started and completed while we waited for dinner to finish cooking. I may redo it in fall but for now I can cross it off. No, I'm not decorating for fall already, I only hung it for the sake of a picture.

PROJECT #5: Fall wreath attempt

Nuts, pinecones, gourds, berries and flowers adorn this grapevine wreath.

Day 4 - Chalkboard

I have to admit, this project isn't all the way finished. I'm waiting for yellow vinyl to do the dots so I don't have to paint them (Hee, I photoshopped these ones in). But, other than that the project is completed.

PROJECT #4: Theatre Marquee

This 3' x 3' chalkboard marquee is actually the door to our electric box in the basement, see the hinges? It sits to the left of the new stage so it's perfect for advertising upcoming shows.

Day 3 - "Cohen" blocks

I'm running out of the little projects on my checklist, leaving only the time consuming ones which haven't been making much progress. In my defense, 3 of 4 kids are sick, the fourth isn't but is on antibiotics from last week. So the project time just isn't happening. I thought it would be fun to include the kids when I was painting the letters and blocks. I know, 4 kids ranging from 2 to 6 yrs old, all with fully loaded paintbrushes sitting way too close to each other. What was I thinking? It wasn't a Martha Stewart art class, that's for sure. We'll just stick to watercolor paints next time. I still haven't a clue what project will be posted tomorrow as I'm no where near completing anything. I really thought committing myself in writing to complete projects would work. Maybe next time I should just shoot for 2 or 3 finished projects.

PROJECT #3: "Cohen" block letters

7" wood blocks brightly painted and adorned with various sized wooden letters (even a building block), will hang above Cohen's bed to greet him each morning, and provide reassurance that he is in fact in Cohen's room.

(Thank you Brett for cutting the wood blocks out. And see, you still have all of your fingers.)

Day 2 -Swingin' Monkeys

Cohen's room is somewhat of a circus theme. Mostly bright colors with monkeys and maybe a few other animals or a hot air balloon etc. No clowns! Not that I'm scared or strongly opposed myself, I'm just not going that far.

PROJECT #2: Swingin' Trapeze Monkeys

This is Mommy monkey and Daddy monkey (named by Cohen) trying out their new sticky hands and feet (velcro). They bravely glide through the air over 70 inches above ground showing off their new swings.

Day 1 ...i guess

My last post is dated Thursday because that's when I started the entry. However, since I wasn't posting it until today, I thought I wouldn't have to start the 10 days yet. I tried to change the date on the post, and I can't. So, I guess I need to post a completed project. It's a good thing I've been busy doing projects even though I thought I wasn't officially starting yet.


PROJECT #1: Webkinz party hats!

Zoey is modeling a raspberry sorbet party hat, festively adorned with contrasting polka dots and finished off with a mandarin orange pom pom.

(my friend's daughter wanted a Webkin themed birthday party)

10 PROJECTS, 10 DAYS!

I seem to be a starter, not a finisher. I love to brainstorm and plan projects, but the follow through is where I'm lacking. So, I am publicly committing myself to finishing 10 projects in 10 days. It started out as more, but who am I kidding? I will post the completed project the following day to maximize the full 24 hr period (meaning the hrs between 10pm and 2am). I'm hoping this will help me cross off a few "to do's " I've had for a while.



I'm doing Cohen's room in these colors. Aren't they happy?

Veeners and socks

The kids have said some pretty funny things this week. Maybe it's "ya would've had to be there" stuff, but I have to share anyway.

We were getting the kids ready for bed and couldn't find Cohen's toothbrush. So we told the kids, "whoeever feends ze toosebrush eez ze veener (whoever finds the toothbrush is the winner)!" Of course they ask what's in it for them. So we told them "you gets to be a veener". Well, the toothbrush went unfound and the kids went to bed. The next morning, Eli came into our room very excited. "Mom, I foun da toofbru uner da sink in our bafroom...pause...where my ho(t)dogs?" Apparently while translating in his head, he took that he would get a weiner (veener) or hotdog for finding the missing toothbrush.

After reading scriptures before bed with the kids, we were explaining a little bit more about the resurrection. To help them better understand, I put a sock on my hand to symbolize our bodies, and my hand to be our spirit. I showed them separating, and then put the sock back on my hand while explaining. Brett then asked, "So, what happens when we are resurrected?...Addie? She looked very puzzled, then said questioningly, "We put socks on our hands?" Hey, we tried.

And so a new era begins

It's just one more sign of our young family not being so young anymore...the end of our footed-jammie saga is near. This growing up thing is happening so fast, and given the closeness in age, they seem to be doing it all at once.


Among countless others, our losses are at:
chubby cheeks,






baby curls,
















and baby teeth.
While I mourn our losses, I'm trying to embrace our gains. We've gained square footage (now that we don't have a high-chair... or two), I'm able to take a shower anytime I want to, the pay raise (money saved having only 1 in diapers, instead of 3), and our own personal encyclopedia, telling us facts we'd long forgotten about. But still (sigh)...my only solace as we leave this cherished era, is the impressively wonderful people they are becoming.