I wanna be famous!

In this age of reality television, where everyone and their dog gets far more than their fifteen minutes of fame, Aiden wants his piece of the "new" American dream (hard work and perseverance are pretty much overrated anyway right?). Aiden has asked me on several occasions if I think he is good enough to be on American Idol, or So You Think You Can Dance. He wanted to know if I thought people would pay to watch our family on t.v. He even jokingly (I hope) wondered how much the people on the Biggest Loser weighed and how much it would take to get him to that point. Well last Friday he began his journey out of obscurity. His school had a talent show and he decided he wanted to be a part of it. I don't like to discourage my children's endeavors, but when Tuesday came around and he still hadn't chosen a song, let alone practiced, I was a little hesitant to agree to give him my permission. He was pretty insistent so I relented. He felt picked on when I made him practice, but he made it through and his teacher even let him pick two of his friends to be back up dancers (the day before the show). The funniest part to me was when about three or four girls on the front row called out a "Hi Aiden!" when he got up on stage. He's well on his way if he already has groupies. I am really proud of his performing courage, a quality I know he didn't get it from his parents.

The woman on the floor is an aide that helps a boy in Aiden's class, and it looks like she helps with choreography as well (but most of those moves are all his). Thanks Miss Molly!

Kaylee's Backpack

I know this looks like Kaylee's backpack is unzipped, but no, it is torn and frayed beyond repair. She's been carrying it around like this for about a month now. I offered Chris's old backpack which, by the way, is still in fine condition but she decided it was to ugly (it's a black jansport with a brown leather bottom, horrid I know). She hasn't complained to me, but she has said her classmates may be taking up a collection to get her a new one for her birthday. I was trying to hold out until the new school year, because they cost less and I'm only getting her one to last through middle school. Besides who doesn't want to take new on the first day of school? But it's driving me crazy and I don't think I can handle it any more. Now it should only take a few more weeks to get her to settle on her right bag.

p.s. Don't faint at the thought that Chris actually wrote a post, I didn't realize I wasn't signed in

P.J.'s!

I don't know why, but I kind of lu-uv pajama sets, so when I found some cute fabric on sale I decided to go a little crazy and make some for all of the kids. I was a little nervous because I've never sewn knits before, but they worked out pretty well. And when (or more likely if) I ever make some more I learned a lot to do it even better.

Boys Day

On Sunday, after hearing about Mother's day every where he went, Dalin asked, "When is it boys day?" So yesterday when he woke up he informed me that it was Boy's day. Not mom's day any more, not girls day, not brothers day, not even dads day but boys day. Pretty much Dalin day I guess, and this meant he could do whatever he wanted eat whatever he wanted and play the Wii as much as he wanted. I'm not really sure how it is different than any other day of his life, but he gave it a title to make it official. I don't think I'm ready to add this new holiday to our calendar just yet.

15 years ago...

...next month, I graduated from high school. I know, it surprises me too. It doesn't really feel like it's been that long. The random point of all this reminiscing is that I was able to hang out with two of my really good friends from high school this week. My friend Sina (who, we realized, I have known for 20 years, 20 YEARS!) lives out of the country and she was going to be in Utah visiting family during BYU's womens conference and she organized a little reunion for us. She did come the farthest by far, but Jen came from Colorado and I drove by myself from Henderson. Any one who knows me well, knows I hate driving. I was almost 19 before I finally got my drivers license (yes my younger brother got his license before me, and even gave me a few driving lessons). So this was the farthest I have ever driven by myself, and yes that sound you heard was me patting myself on the back. It was so fantastic to catch up and reminisce. Except for the crazy cold and snowy weather it was such a fun time. We are already talking about doing it again. I have to shout some praises for my sweet husband Chris who took the days off of work to play Mr. Mom while I was gone. I think I sometimes take for granted how willing he is to help me out. He moved his schedule around to give me a much needed break. love him for that!

Then...
Me, Sina & Jen (1994) Sina, me & Jen (1995)
We were in yearbook together and these are from the signing parties

...and now
(2010 at Los Hermanos. My fave back in the day.)

Chicken Noodle Soup

Because it's been while since I've posted and we haven't really been doing anything new I thought I would post a recipe.

Chicken Noodle Soup

1/2 bag of wide egg noodles (6oz) cooked and drained
(I use Ronzoni Smart taste. It's high fiber, for those of you counting points, but not gritty like some high fiber pastas)
2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
2 quarts chicken stock or broth* (the boxes are usually 1 quart)
1/2 medium onion chopped
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 1/2 Tbs. chicken flavored bullion

Bring water to a boil and cook noodles. While noodles are cooking add one quart of chicken broth vegetables and bullion to another pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 15-20 min. Drain noodles and add shredded chicken broth and vegetables. Add as much of the remaining chicken broth as desired.

*When doubling the recipe, use the same amount of broth

Never underestimate the power of a penguin

When I was in Jr. High we had to run a mile every Friday. This was honestly the bane of my existence. Running and I are not friends, we never have been and I highly doubt that relationship will ever change. Because I never finished in the required time I got a C in PE. Shameful, I know. I now have a child who will soon be entering the middle school world, and I want to conquer this challenge as well as give her some practice so I came up with a deal for my children. There is a website called club penguin that they are currently obsessed with, but they need a membership to access the best of the games. So I told them when they could run an entire mile I would buy them a six month membership. I figured they would be excellent at motivating me, and the prize I offered was exactly what they wanted. I also figured we would have to do a few training sessions before I would have to pay up. I was wrong. Kaylee, Ashton & Aiden all ran the entire mile. Aiden even finished 1/2 a lap in front of me! So now I have to pay up much sooner than I expected, and think of more motivators so they will still want to go to the track with me.

A sleep over and a prankster

Last week in honor of spring break we had a girl cousin sleep over. There were six girls and lots of fun. There was pizza making, song singing, pillow stuffing, wii playing and movie watching. I of course did not take any pictures (I always forget), but luckily Chris was home long enough to get a couple of pictures and some sing along video. I could only hold out until 1:30 am, but I heard most of the girls stayed up until 3 when the voice of reason came in the form of Emily and the TV was turned off and sleep came. Sugar em up and keep them up late, that equals a successful over nighter right?

I made these pillows and the girls stuffed them. Chris calls me an over achiever, but it honestly seemed really simple in my head. Besides you have to go home with a memento! (Those are their initials in case you wondered)


Sleeping beauties!

April fools was the next morning and our true holiday enthusiast, Kaylee, made sure to research some suitable pranks for the day. She and Ashton put plastic wrap across the boys doorway, which unfortunately stuck to itself which made it a little easier to see. So Aiden put tape (sticky side out) across the girls doorway, but Ashton was not tricked either. The best trick of the day was a rubber band around the trigger on the sprayer in the sink. I turned on the faucet to rinse off the breakfast dishes and was sprayed. I thought it was a good prank, but I thought it would have been funnier if it had happened to someone else. So we decided to do it to Chris when he came home. The kids have heard enough stories of Chris's childhood so they knew he totally deserved it. When he finally came home Kaylee distracted him, while Ashton set up the prank. When they led him to the kitchen, I didn't want him to know something was up so I followed at a distance. I waited in the entrance to the kitchen and watched. Chris was definitely surprised, but the sprayer was pointed wrong so only his hands got wet. But never fear, I being across the room got soaked.