I took notes

I have been filling out a five year journal, well for the past five years.  One of the days in February the prompt asks about the weather.  So freaky thing is that our weather alternates each year, exactly.  First year, 64º, next 48º, then 64º, you guessed it 48º, and this year is was once again 64º.  I'm not sure about this climate change thing.  ;)  Seems pretty regular to me.  FREAKY.

I bought wallpaper for Jovey's new bedroom.  Insert big eyed😳 . . . hey look you can put emojis in blog posts.  I didn't know that.  Whaat?  Ok, anyway, I love the look and idea of 3D wallpaper.  You know the textured stuff, that's also paintable.  Whaaat again?  So awesome.  I found some that is the same flower as the fabric I bought and centered Jovey's current room around.  Fortuitous, yes.  A sign, probably that I had to buy it.  Now to figure out how to do freaking wallpaper.  Not the whole room, ugh, just a small wall behind her bed. . . that I am endeavoring to build.  This whole house construction thing is making me believe I can do all this.  We'll see how right it is.

Miley tells people our house is under destruction.  Bahahaha.  She didn't understand my laughter when I heard her say that.  She's right though, it feels the same.

When we were watching the Superbowl, Miley kept cheering, Go Falco!  It made me really want to watch The Replacements again.  I finally corrected her at the end, before she went to school the next day and said it to real people.  I hate correcting her funny-ness.  I don't know if she'll ever grow out of it and I am soooo hoping she doesn't, at least for my amusement.

Miley has lost three teeth in a week.  She pulled out two of them herself.  Her dentist said she had 9 year old teeth.  Somehow you can tell from an x-ray of teeth how old you are.  Yeah, well wrongo.  Miley just has mature teeth I guess.

Miley gave Jo the job of babysitting her stuffed dog, Duke, one day while she was at school.  Jo took this very seriously and was all sorts of annoying about it.  Mom, shush Duke is taking a nap in here.  Mom, I need another snack for Duke.  etc.  ;)  And then Jo got distracted by the TV and set Duke down and couldn't remember where.  Drama queen Jovey took over from there.  Crying and freaking out that he was lost FOREVER.  Eye roll.  Thanks Miley.  ;)  Once she did find him, sitting on a chair in the living room she was still so upset that she let Miley down and that Miley would never trust her again that she put herself down for a nap.  Oh my stars.  I agreed with that decision.  The drama is strong with my girls.  I blame Dave.

So Dave dropped a 2x4 on my right foot last week.  My toe is purple and black and I can't bend it anymore.  I take partial blame, because I was working in flip flops at the time.  Yeah, I am no good at wearing reasonable shoes.

This week I ripped the toenail mostly off on my left big toe, while moving doors.  This one was all me, once again working in flip flops.  I am not wise.  ;)  Though, I work in flip flops all the time and to just have two accidents isn't too bad of a record.  ;)  I can't walk anymore.  I am tapping out of the construction business until I heal. . . which won't ever happen because I live with the two worst foot stepping girlies on the planet.  My feet aren't even that big, how can they always find them to step on them??!!

Valentine school party next week here is my plan:

Last one of the year!!!!  Being room mom during all this other stuff we have going on was exhausting.  But we made it, and I think it was successful.

Jovey got to teach her class about Ethiopia today. . . she was so excited! I told her to teach them the shoulder dance.  Her teacher sent me these pics.  I wish I could have been there in person, but I saw her practice her presentation enough times I have a good idea of how it went.  ;)

Ok, construction workers need my input.  More questions.  I'm out.

Let Freedom Ring

Some Independence Day pictures. . .

 We decided to make some fruit pizza.  I had blueberries to make them patriotic, but forgot to get them out of the fridge.  They were delicious anyway.  The thing that makes fruit pizza delicious is the orange sauce.  Before you ask. . .here is the recipe:

Fruit Pizza       

INGREDIENTS:

1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough (or homemade which is what I prefer)

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1/2 cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice cookie dough and arrange on greased pizza pan, overlapping edges. Press dough flat into pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool. (Yeah, I used cookie cutters instead)

In a large bowl, soften cream cheese, then fold in the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust. You can chill for a while at this point, or continue by arranging the fruit.

Begin with strawberries, sliced in half. Arrange in a circle around the outside edge. Continue with fruit of your choice, working towards the middle. If bananas are used, dip them in lemon juice so they don't darken. Then make a sauce to spoon over fruit.

In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, corn starch, orange juice, lemon juice and water. Cook and stir over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat, and add grated orange rind. Allow to cool, but not set up. Spoon over fruit. Chill for two hours, then cut into wedges and serve.

We went and saw The BFG.  Miley was so excited since she read it this year.  Jovey was less impressed, but the scene with the frobscottle and the queen really saved it for her. . . and all the kids in attendance.  Miley cried at that particular part.  ;)

 Time for some selfies. . .

Long hair problems.

We made homemade ice cream as well, and waited so patiently for it to be done while we started our fireworks.  We actually did fireworks after it got dark this year. . . but not the sparklers, the girls couldn't wait that long.

Firework pictures were taken with Dave's phone since mine was streaming some Americana music.  Ambiance ya know.  Jovey was not afraid of any firework and wanted to be up close.  We purchased conservatively since last year the girls were still freaked out from previous experience.  We didn't need to worry, their PTSD has waned.  Thankfully we had neighbors in all directions who shot them in the sky. . . and a neighbor who came and gave us some too.  He may have been disappointed in our little show.  ;)  Ha.

We enjoyed our ice cream right before our big finale fireworks, and then the night ended in tears as Jo spilled some ice cream on her dress and proclaimed it 'RUINED.'  Oy ve.

How to make a Star Wars party

Project number 1:  Light saber lights

I used my strands of LED lights, cause they don't get as hot (allegedly) and then cut straws in approximately 2 inch lengths.  I bought shiny metallic silver duct tape and ripped off little strips to wrap around the lights and straw bits.  Boom. Light saber lights.  We made one for both sides of the force.

Project number 2:  Big poster

This one was accomplished easily enough, since I already had a huge roll of black paper.  I mean, who doesn't?  ;)  I gave the girls silver and gold sharpies, and a white paint pen and we made stars (dots in Jo's case) and wrote our birthday greeting.  I would have liked to make it like the movie title more, but we were short on time and so freehand it was.

Project number 3:  The Death Star

We took a punching balloon and paper mached the crap out of it.  We made our own paste with five parts water to one part flour and then boiled it until it made a nice paste.  Added a little salt, supposedly to keep it from going bad.  ??  Anyway, after it cooled down a little we slathered strips of paper with it and applied it to our balloon.

Jovey did NOT like getting that on her hands so her effort was rather feeble.  Miley was covered in paste by the end, and so was our balloon.  After it was all dry and set up, I popped the balloon, and I cut out a circle and then turned it over and used paper and paste to put it back on as the indent.  Spray paint and then hand painting some squares and rectangles.  Done.  I kept the balloon in it so I could use the rubber band as the hanging apparatus.  We didn't fill it with treats piñata style, cause last time we did a piñata it wasn't that fun. . . . so this was just decoration.

Project number 4: Printables to color, and crepe paper

Found the Star Wars sign on the internet as well as some lego star wars characters.  The girls colored them and we hung them up.  I gave the girls two rolls of crepe paper to decorate with and they went at it and asked for more.  Alas, I only had two big rolls or we'd have more of this fine decorating by Jovey. . .

 Project number 5:  Character balloons

 I drew some Storm trooper faces on some of the white ones and then I bought a huge mylar Darth Vader.  It was the perfect touch.  I bought a helium tank for the first time this birthday.  Usually we are store filler uppers, or use our own hot air.  It was pretty slick.  I don't know if it was worth it monetarily, but convenience wise it slick.  We used these balloons as target practice with a nerf gun.  We are excellent shots, just like Storm troopers.

 Project number 6:  Light sabers

This might be my favorite project.  Cut a pool noodle in half.  Use black and silver duct tape to make the handle.  Miley wanted buttons, so I used white electrical tape to add that detail for her.  These things are fun to play with.  They don't hurt to get hit with, well maybe in the face, and they make a nice smack sound when hit, so it is very cathartic.  ;)  Lots of battles were fought with these.  I couldn't find a red pool noodle, so our bad guys used pink.  Our good guys used blue.

I also bought some paper Star Wars character masks, but I didn't get a pic of them or us wearing them to surprise Dave when he got home. . . oh well.

 Project number 7:  The Food

The way to Dave's heart is definitely food.  In the bowls on the counter are the light saber snacks. . . pretzels dipped in colored chocolate.  These were a big hit.  Also on the appetizer menu. . . storm trooper cheese ball.  A really easy cheese ball (cream cheese, monterey and colby shredded cheese with a ranch packet) with olive pieces for the mask effect.  It was pretty good too.

Last but not least the two all time Dave favorites. . . lasagna (no pic) and Texas sheet cake.  To the cake, I added kitkats that I sprayed silver.  With food coloring spray.  They sell it at Michaels and Joanns.  Probably other places.  I used mini chocolate chips in between to make it look like an ammo belt on the one and only Chewbacca.

That's it.  Done.  Jovey wanted to watch Star Wars Rebels at the party, but we were too busy doing other things instead.  I think she was ok with that after all.  After making all the party decorations Jovey told me, "When Dad sees these decorations he'll say, Jovey they are beautiful.  And then I'll cry." Apparently she was taking all the credit for the party.  It was her idea after all.  ;)

Dave had lots of help opening his gifts. . .

(both the girls needed to have 'Leia buns' for the party)

Dave loved his party.  We love birthdays around here.  Come visit us on yours and we'll make sure to create something special.  ;)

uplifted

We are soon to celebrate Easter, and here are a couple articles I've read recently that have filled me up and a couple videos as well.  A much better read/watch than the news. . .

The Difference between Heaven and Hell

Bread or Stones

Hello world

It's me.

I've been sitting at this computer too long so my eyeballs might fall out whilst I type this.  I think we should use the word 'whilst' more often, don't you?

Jovey came up with a theme for her Daddy-dearest's birthday this month, and she is adamant that I get on the computer to work on the details while she is napping.  Thus the eye strain.  I cannot, can not (k)not (I can't help but immediately think of the Winnie the Pooh movie every time I say cannot) do it or I will face her wrath.  It turns out she has wrath.  She's three.  We're so in trouble with that one.  ;)

Anyway, here I am after looking at all the Star Wars crap to create that I can possibly handle.  Don't tell Dave, it's a surprise.  Also Jo's idea. . . well until she buckles under the pressure of having a secret.  She did tell him moments before he opened his birthday gift last year, what was inside.  Her stamina can only last so long.  Miley on the other hand, a pro.

You may be wondering if Jovey even knows what Star Wars is. . . well yes and no.  She knows about the Star Wars Rebels cartoon on Disney and has watched that with Dave, so she is sure that he LOVES Star Wars.  She's right, he does heart it.  I don't know his level of admiration, but I'm sure he'll like her theme choice.

That is of course, if I can get anything done for it.  I feel we are stupid busy right now.  Other people may not agree with that assessment since I just posted a pic on instagram of Nilla's painted toenails.  ;)

I've found the answer to surviving the stupid busy parts. . . doing something silly and simple everyday despite it all.  Even though I had lots to do we stopped and went outside to paint our nails and then the dogs nails too.  It was worth it.  I need a little bit of nothing space to keep sane. . . and then back to our regularly scheduled days.  Yesterday the girls and I played super heroes, but I of course, was the villain.  I was made to play that part.  And I got to catch the girlies and give them squeezes and kisses.  It really is the best game.  So there you have it, key to success when you are swamped with busy-ness.  A small moment of simple nonsense every day.

Pure wisdom right there.  ;)  Yeah whatever, but I did just think of some other things to share.  Ready?

OK, so I was pointed to this site called ipsy.  For $10 a month they will send you a bag of makeup samples.  Different every month and in a cute new bag as well.  You fill out your preferences and skin/hair/eye color info and then get samples that would work for you.  I love this kind of stuff and it's fun to get happy mail each month.  I don't know what I'm going to do with all the makeup bags though.  Miley is thrilled to get them!  I don't know how long I'll subscribe, but for now it's been a fun little treat and I've got some good stuff too.  Totally useful.  You can review the products from your bag on the site and you get points to get more stuff and also it helps them send you even more useful items.  So there you have it, if you feel like getting yourself a little gift or sending someone else some, it's a nice service.  Ipsy.com

Second site that we've found useful recently is Vidangel.  We are picky about what we watch.  I don't want to put garbage in my head or body, except maybe chocolate covered cinnamon bears.  Oh I wish I had some of those right now.  Anyway, edited movies are hard to get and I don't want to buy everything anyway, enter Vidangel and their lovely rent an edited movie feature.  You can even tell them what kind of edits you'd like.  And it's $2.  Goodbye visits to the Maverik Redbox.  Ok, we haven't really been to a redbox in forever anyway, but now I can just stream it to my AppleTV with minimal effort.  If you're in the market for similar fare I would point you their way.  Oh and AppleTV is pretty awesome as well.  We may have been late coming to that party, but Dave has made up for it with his gusto about it now.  ;)

Has Dave mentioned his awesome pants to you yet?  I'm sure he has.  Oh. My. Stars.  I once had a friend in high school that thought the Kirby vacuum was the coolest invention and tried to persuade us all to buy one in speech class, constantly.  I thought he was crazy, and then I married him, well not him, but Dave has turned out to be similarly nuts.  Side note:  For reasons of full disclosure, I do admit that we have a Kirby vacuum and I do heart it, but it wasn't his sales pitches that made the decision for me,  . . . at least not consciously.  Huh, weird.

So back to Dave. . . he found these pants at Costco that he loves and talks everyone into buying.  I mean EVERYONE.  I mock him for wearing his 'Costco uniform' to work everyday.  Yeah he bought that many pairs.  If you have not been given the sales pitch, do not feel slighted, feel lucky, immensely lucky.  ;)

And my eyes just fell out.  So peace out internet people.

3 days, 3 holidays

So Jovey's birthday was the day before Thanksgiving, and then there was Thanksgiving, and then we decorated for Christmas, went to the nativity, and saw Temple lights.  That is a lot of celebrating in three days.

Our Thanksgiving table, and no food pics, but trust me it tasted delish!

 Dave smoked his first turkey and it turned out great!  Miley made these turkeys for our place settings and they also turned out great.  She took the pictures before lunch so you can see by the background what they were doing at the time.

. . . napping. . .

. . .watching the parade. . .  

Jovey was convinced that her turkey looked sad.

. . . cooking. . .

. . . taking lots of selfies. . .

 Thanksgiving a success, now on to Christmas.

Tuacahn nativity.  This pic is why Dave isn't allowed to take them.  He thought he got a good one in the first shot and so we have no others.  Whatever.  ;)

Sitting up close.  We froze our butts off, but that isn't hard for us to do.  Afterward we hit up Kneaders for some soup and sweets.  That helped us thaw out a little.

We've been to Tuacahn quite a bit, but Jovey has never come with us.  You have to be at least 3 to go to the Broadway shows, and we didn't do the nativity last year due to weather.  Anyway, when I told her we were ALL going to Tuacahn, it was the only thing she could talk about all day.  She was SOOOOOO excited!  And it didn't disappoint, but she was slightly confused when we sat down outside for the show.

More Christmas found on the Temple grounds. . .

Miley couldn't be in our family selfie, and it's a peach, because she was too busy running around with her fake phone taking serious fake pics of every bush and light.  Weirdy.  ;)

And finally, decorated my insides and outside, but didn't get a pic of the latter.

I ordered pics from Social Print Studio, I heart them, to use as ornaments for our tree this year.  2015 never looked so good.