Well, the kids have been sick off and on (thanks to the allergies, these things start to go away but then just linger on and on) and we've pretty much stayed home the last week and a half. You would think that would give me more time for things like blogging, but I've actually been busier. Because now I have to workout at home while the kids nap. Nap time is my only free time, so you see the conflict. But I've discovered that I kind of blog my life in my head. It's kind of like I chronicle our daily events as I go along. I don't mean to, it just happens. I even woke up from a dream the other night and realized I'd been doing it in my dream. Weird. I'm not sure I can handle this whole blogging thing. Maybe it's being shut off from the world. It's been kind of boring and we're all going stir-crazy.
Before the kids got sick we did a couple fun things. One day we met some friends to play at the mall. It has a great play center, but is unfortunately, 30 minutes away so we don't get there very often. Of course, this may be where the kids picked up their bug, so maybe that is a good thing.
Bryce kept climbing to the top of these stairs and just sitting there. That was fine as long as it was vacant like this, but he was right in the way of any other child trying to play.
Kayli always makes new friends wherever we go. Here they are in a little row boat.
Bryce kept playing peek-a-boo over the side of this little barrel.
My friend's daughter Riley. She is adorable. We got to take care of her one evening last week and she was so sweet and quiet. I don't know what it's like to have a quiet child.
Kayli's make-shift slide. A little bumpy.
It snowed again. This time Blake was home so we put Bryce down for a nap and then made a snowman together. It was kind of warm, so he melted quite a bit that day. It's too bad I didn't get a picture of how he looked by the end of the day. Suffice it to say, it looked like he was "leaning".
Have any of you seen the movie "The Break-Up"? If you haven't, I'm not suggesting you do because we didn't like it all that much. But if you have then you might remember the part where Jennifer Aniston's character gets mad at Vince Vaughn's because she "wants him to want to do the dishes". He, of course, thinks that is ludicrous. Why would anyone ever want to do the dishes? As a woman though, I understand what she meant. She wanted him to want to do the dishes for her. Then she wouldn't have to feel guilty for him doing it, or nag him to do it. I remember at the time feeling that scene was a little too familiar to me. But I understood where the guy was coming from too. Why am I going over all this now?
Because I have found the answer. Blake genuinely wants to do the dishes. Every night. He chastises me if I do any during the day. Now, mind you, we have only had a dishwasher for 3 months of our entire marriage. So, we're talking about hand washing every single dish that gets used during the day. What is the reason behind this great change? The ipod nano I got him for Christmas. He downloads free podcasts from ESPN and listens to them while he washes. It is SO GREAT! And it's sparing my poor hands from their usual cracked and dry winter state, as well. I stopped buying the gloves because I kept slicing the fingers off while washing the knives. I only slice the fingers off of the gloves, not my own. I'm not sure how I manage to avoid cutting myself. Anyway, I was going through those gloves so quickly, it just started feeling very wasteful. I'm pretty sure they are not eco-friendly. So, I had to abandon them and just use extra lotion. But it is no longer an issue. I don't even know how many days it's been since I washed a dish. I love ipods!!
Blake also makes dinner most Sundays. A couple Sundays ago he made yummy calzones. Bryce climbed up on our little step stool to supervise and help when needed.
You can't really see the smile that was on Bryce's face. But I love this picture.
And to sneak a bit of the dough too.
Blake and I are Cub Scout leaders for our ward. We just had the Blue & Gold Banquet, celebrating the birthday of scouting. Neither of us really knew what we were doing (although, I don't really understand Blake's excuse for that since he is an Eagle Scout, for crying out loud!), so it was a bit of a challenge to prepare for it. Fortunately, the boys helped write a really cute skit. The theme was "Cub Scouts in the Future", so it involved a day trip to Mars, the death of their scout leader by an asteroid wound, aliens, and Mars Cub Scout Traps (think Venus Fly Trap). We also had to make dessert for 125 people and design the center pieces for our tables. As much as I wish I were, I am not artsy. So, don't laugh at this next photo.
It's suppose to be a tent on the moon. Blake made the aliens. I didn't really get any good photos from the dinner, sorry!
Being sick is not holding Bryce back too much. He is getting ready to walk in time for his birthday, possibly. Here he is standing. A few days ago he covered and then uncovered his eyes and said, "Boo!" But he hasn't done it again since, so I'm not sure if it was just a fluke. We'll see.
Look at that cute belly!
I promise we don't really let our children stand on the table. I don't remember why we did this time...
Bryce always does this with his tongue. I hear that many adults can't roll their tongues. Blake can't even do it. We are so proud that he has mastered this skill at such a young age.
So, this was a very long and rambling post. Now you all know what happens when I'm kept away from adult conversation and interaction for too long. And left blogging inside my head. So, let's all pray that the kids really are over their cold/allergies today, so we can get outside of the house and be with people tomorrow.
While we were eating and chatting, Kayli was entertaining herself by making a little Minestrone art. We heard her say, "I made a duck!" And sure enough, she had.
The next Wolfgang Puck?
Seriously, we were all pretty impressed. It even has an eye. I wonder if there is a market for food art?
Kayli modeling hers.
Get it?
Kayli modeling hers.
Get it?
