Super Hero Party

Benson was invited to a SUPER HERO party for his friend Tate. We walked into their cute apartment and he was given a cape and he got to pick out the iron on embellishments to jazz it up and make it his own. He had a "B" block letter, a lightning bolt and a few other fun shapes.

Jess did such a great job planning this whole party. They ate a Spiderman cake, played pin the power ranger on the poster, fought bad guys (popped balloons by sitting on them), and beat the heck out of a well made "S" pinata. The pinata helped me learn that I need to channel his swing for productive means... he would swing at the thing and parents and kids would dive for cover to shield themselves from his mighty blows! (Slight exaggeration :) Let's try T-ball this year!

So silly

Andrew totally makes us laugh!! I was in their room with them, and missed seeing him pull his shirt over his head. It was Benson's contagious giggle that caught my attention. I turned around and Andrew was wiggling and dancing around with his goofy look. Benson was eating up Rew's performance. ...then we saw his BIG MUSCLES
So silly!!

Then I think he may have thought that we were laughing at him, and besides that I think he decided this was not very comfortable when he gave me this look. Okay folks- show's over.

Building Workshop

Home Depot holds a kids building workshop the first Saturday of the month. (free!) The kids are given a little project and the tools to build it. They also get an apron- which both of my kids declined- maybe they think they are only for girls? Andrew was in LOVE with the "hammer" and Benson was really in to the instructions.

Andrew worked on a battery shelf, but got a bit distracted

if it wasn't time to hammer.

Laura, Luke and Connor joined us and it was fun to watch them build too. Their battery shelf turned out much better than ours!

The heart shelf came with stickers. Benson decided that he wanted to save the stickers and paint the shelf orange. He also told me that the shelf would be perfect for Kimball's sunglasses, and the hook could be for my keys. However, what will I say when he wants me to hang it up on the wall?

This is after he painted the shelf- using at least twice as much paint as needed.

He definately wants to go again next month!

Um...Orange

Benson (and Andrew) recently got a new bed, which needs a bedspread. I have been using our down comforter with a white duvet for them, but Kimball has been asking for it back, so I got to work on a new bedspread/quilt for the boys. I asked Benson what he would like, and just like I would have predicted, he said, "um....orange." I was smart this time and instead of trying to 'wing' it, my better senses decided to make a pattern so that I could avoid the 'pull my hair out with frustration' experience. This was great advice to myself. I 'figured it out' all before I made my first cut. Here's how it started- well after washing, ironing, and measuring/cutting all the fabric.

I used a set of gray sheets to get enough fabric for the front and backing.
I decided to quilt it myself by just sewing straight lines-
I wanted a simple, geometric look.
I finished this little robot pillow months ago, but he was waiting for a bed. It took me a little while to design him and cut out/sew on all the little pieces, but I had a lot of fun doing it. He finally has a place in our home now.

The finished product. The boys love jumping on, laying on, reading on, and sleeping in their new bed.

And...we finally got around to hanging the boys' new oversized (can't miss) hoop that they got for Christmas. Kimball wanted to build a backboard for it, and he did a totally awesome job building, painting, and hanging it. The boys are shooting "hoops" almost constantly. I have a feeling that they will never get sick of it either. They cheer when they make it, and Andrew yells "almost" when their aim is off.

Still winter

Lately, Benson has been wanting to wear shorts, a t-shirt and sunglasses every day. I decided that he could as long as we are inside, but when we go outside, he has to dress for the season. He asks me almost every day when it is going to be summer. Don't get me wrong, the kid loves the snow, but I think he is noticing the lack of "outside" time that we have had this month. I even took them to the park the other day, and they both had runny noses and cold hands... Today it snowed and so we went to Grandma's house to shovel the back deck and play in the snow. Coats came off and they worked their hearts out. They mostly just moved the snow around.
Happy!

I wonder if Benson will ask in the middle of July when it's going to be winter?

942 Belmont Open House

My in-laws have just completely renovated their 3 bedroom 1 bath apartment and are having an open house. If you, or you know anyone that is interested in renting it- you are welcome to stop by or comment or call me.

You are cordially invited to the Remodel Reveal on

Saturday, February 26 from 3-5 pm

Hosted by Darryl and Louise High

South-west corner of Belmont Avenue and Lincoln Street

942 East 980 South Salt Lake City

Just next door to 9th and 9th

A COMPLETE and beautiful Renovation!!

to see pictures, visit the blog at

www.942belmont.blogspot.com

It's almost time again

Andrew has taken a huge interest in potty training lately. He may be just about ready, but I'm still taking inventory on whether or not I'm ready. I think that we may give him a few more months, but I've heard that you shouldn't change anything drastic in a child's life when you introduce a new sibling and our timing is just that. New baby=Potty training. We'll see if we can conquer that before the new baby, but then that adds a bit of pressure on me.

Benson is one of his biggest fans. We all clap and cheer and high five, and make it a BIG deal. Benson is in charge of getting him "a teet" (a treat) after he goes, and Andrew gets to flush the toilet.
I have to say that I have had a significant reduction of changing dirty diapers. Nice.

So I'm pretty sure that he's interested. After I finished changing him the other day, I left the room for a second and came back to Andrew putting on Benson's "big boy pants." He worked at it until he got them on- over his clothes.

It helps that those underwear have footballs, basketballs, and soccer balls on them.

Home Game

My parents treated our family to the BYU vs. Uof U game last week. It was so fun to sit all together. Since we had a bench, an aisle and a row, the boys had a lot of space to dance, cheer and run around a bit. We got there early and we LOVE the opening of the game and the introduction of the players. I have to say that the fans were CRAZY excited at the game!! Note that Benson is wearing his "Jimmer who?" shirt. He calls it that because when Jimmer started to get big, people were asking, "Jimmer who?" Now, people know- Jimmer Fredette #32 point guard for BYU!

Kimball has definately caught a bit of Jimmermania. I'm talking, he's even been on Twitter to follow this dude. I have to admit it's been a lot of fun seeing him on ESPN and well, all over. Thanks Bompa and Grandma!!!

Zach, Tyler, Cooper, Austin, Angie, and Clark.

We went out to Rumbi Grill after and had dinner.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the final score, BYU 72 Utah 59

Happy Birthday Happy Birthday

BOTH Nate and Grandpa Pops share the SAME BIRTHDAY, just 30 years (and 12 hours) apart. We celebrated at Carlie and Jeffrey's new home by eating a great dinner and visiting. Even Grandma Lorraine joined us from Oregon.

30 Weeks

This means that I'm 75% of the way to meeting our newest son... A friend of mine pointed out to me that there are almost NO pregnant pictures of me on the blog. I realized that it was true. I'm the one that takes most of the pictures, henceforth, I'm not in them. The ones I'm in are mostly above the waist. This is not on purpose, and I feel almost bad that this pregnancy is poorly documented. So, here is a VERY pregnant picture. Here's the proof, 10 weeks to go :)

The other day Kimball told me that Benson said to him, "I remember when mom's stomach used to look like yours." Well, I don't ever remember having that flat and toned of a stomach, but it was funny that Benson said that to him. A few days later, I was playing basketball with the boys in their room. Benson was rebounding the balls for me and handing them to me. He said, "Erica, you can't bend over any more because your belly isn't straight." Those were exact words! He knows that the bigger I grow - the closer we get to meeting his new brother. Hey, I don't mind if he picks up for me from now on!!

Boys

Boy names are hard... We've been looking, thinking, and making a list for the new baby. I love when Benson will tell me what to name the baby. His suggestions demonstrate his creative and sentimental mind. For instance, he still wants to name the baby Erica until I remind him it's a boy. ( how sweet ) He has mentioned Kimball multiple times- okay kid lets be a bit more original. He thought of "rocket", "McQueen", and I should start a list, because they are funny.

Andrew just calls him "baby" and I think he will for a long time.

So, while we figure out the right name for the little guy, we can't wait to see what/who he'll look like???

Hello

We like to call dad at work every once in awhile. Benson knows how to call Kimball by himself, but Andrew brings me my phone and asks me, "hello daddy?" So, they talk, or- Kimball talks and asks lots of questions. Andrew always runs to his little rocking chair and shifts around in it while they chat. I think it is the cutest when Andrew says, "I lu you daddy!" and "bye bye daddy."

Kimball doesn't complain about the one minute interuption either- he loves it. There's nothing like hearing your little guys' voice on the phone.

Bishopric

Our Bishop Cullimore was called into the Stake Presidency two weeks ago. While I worked very closely with him as his Welfare Specialist he would say to me occasionally, "This is great experience when you are bishop." I determined it would be best to ignore him for a couple weeks until our new bishopric was set apart.

I did my best but one day we were on instant messenger talking about Jimmer (frequent conversation around here). At the end of the conversation he said, "I need to go, I'll talk to you later Bishop High." Right there I reaffirmed my need to avoid this man.

I did a pretty good job until very late one night when I saw their light on in their home (they live across the parking lot from us) and I sent him a text message. He replied with this message, "Lol. Hey can you and your wife come in Sunday dress and meet with the stake presidency tomorrow at 6pm?" This was Tuesday night at 11:45pm. I was called to serve as Bishop Francom's 1st counselor in our Lee Ward. Am I the first who has been called to the bishopric by text message?

Currently my dad and I are serving in the same calling which is fun. But Bishop Francom has two brothers who are serving as Bishop's right now. Can you imagine his mother? Three sons-a-Bishop's.

With these comments from Derek Cullimore I had been thinking about the Bishopric during the week and came up with the same three names should I be called as Bishop. My I formally state my gratitude that the order is shuffled ;).

Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it's off to work he goes

This is a great representation of Andrew's little vivacious personality! He is so full of spunk, imagination, and energy. He is ALWAYS busy doing something. He loaded up as many tools as he could carry, came to me and gave me kisses and loves, said, "I love you mommy, bye" and had all intentions of leaving the house to go to work (like dad). Thank heavens for the child lock Kimball installed high above his reach.
Benson talked him into staying.

V-Day Wreath

It all started when my mom came over a few weeks ago and commented/asked why I still had my bright orange fall wreath on my door. I never got around to putting my Christmas wreath up and then figured I'd just wait til spring. Then, I remembered that I'd been wanting to make this paper wreath, but my motivations were nixed by Kimball who didn't really want it in the house. So, we compromised and I got to make one, but it's on the outside of the house! I decided that I'd add a little flair that I haven't seen done before by dying the paper before I made it. Since V-day is soon to be, I chose Rit Dye in "fuchsia".

First I summoned my assistant. He was happy to help. He poured the dye into a bin for me.

I started ripping pages out of the book (size of a half sheet of paper) while he dunked them and swirled them around. I got an old copy of "the complete stories of Mark Twain" at the DI. I felt a twinge of guilt ripping it up, and I apologize to all you literary geniuses. However, for right now, this book looks better as a wreath.
Besides, I still have 2/3 of the stories left :)

Once I felt like the pages were pink enough, We placed them on cooling racks, four pages at a time. The longer you leave the paper in the dye, the darker the color. Poor Benson dripped pink dye all down his pirate shirt. I was frustrated that that had happened (of course it was going to happen). He told me that he needed an apron like me- my bad. Luckily, Rit dye makes a color remover, and we were back in business.

This totally looks like a fire hazard- I'm pretty sure that it is, but I placed these racks in the oven on 250 degrees and the pages dried nicely in minutes. Then I took them out and put my next batch in. We had an assembly line thing going.

I rolled the dried pages on an angle (see future picture) and taped the edge. I eventually got so that I'd roll it, and then just hot glue it right then- skipping the taping part. I like to roll some a little tighter and others a little looser for variety.

The paper didn't always dye evenly and often looked a little crumpled. That didn't matter for the finished look.

Roll from corner to corner, on an angle.

This would be when you would tape the edge to keep it rolled, or just glue in the center and fold it in half right away.

Dab a bit of hot glue in the center...

Then fold it in half and hold it for a few seconds to let it dry.

This is the fun part. Start gluing your pieces on the wreath starting with the outer edges. Layer on the inner rings. I used a wooden wreath, but if I were to do it again, I'd use a styrofoam wreath or the straw wreath. The reason being that their surfaces are smoother and easier to lay your petals down onto. When I'd put the glue on the wood, it dripped down, not leaving very much surface area covered in glue. I managed.

Kimball's face was surprised when he saw me at work, and then he joined in and helped me do the layers since the hot glue was off limits to Benson. It started to go much faster and was fun to do this as we chatted about the day. Just keep going around in circles.

Eventually, you will finish. If you want to hang your's by ribbon, or some kind of hook- be sure to put that on BEFORE you start putting on your petals- it's much easier. I probably would have filled it in a bit more, but having to dye more paper after I'd cleaned it up wasn't worth it to me. Kimball surprised himself by actually liking the finished product. I like the variation of the dye on the paper and that the whole project cost 6 dollars! Happy V-Day! My mom likes the new wreath.