Spring Break 2012

For spring break this year the kids came to us anxiously awaiting to hear what adventure we would be taking.  Two years ago it was Disneyland.  Last year it was a cruise.  You can imagine their enthusiasm when we told them we were heading to Shoshone Falls and then Lava Hot Springs.  Actually, they were really excited thinking these were exotic locations which involved many plane changes.  When we explained that we would be driving to Twin Falls and then over towards Idaho Falls, their enthusiasm seemed to wane a little bit.  However, we had one saving grace in our pocket:  we were meeting our good friends, the Lancasters, over in Lava Hot Springs.  When they heard this they perked right up and got excited. 

Shoshone Falls was beautiful but FREEZING.  They were more excited to head to Chili's and get some dinner.  :)

The next day we headed over to Lava Hot Springs.  We were a little nervous when we saw the hotel.  I believe Ted's actual text to Frank said, "What the heck?  Norman Bates says hello."  Frank thought it was hilarious - the kids were a little nervous.  When we emphasized that it was all part of the adventure then they managed to perk up again.

We had a great time sitting in the springs, playing games, and having the kids run back and forth between rooms was perfect for them - and us!

All in all it was a great spring break.  Thanks for everything Lancasters!  Our kids are already asking when we are going back!

Pinewood Derby 2012

For a boy whose whole world revolves around soccer, it wasn't hard to understand what his vision was for his Pinewood Derby car.  :)  Good job Sammy!  (Excuse the blurry picture - all I had was my phone!)

Emma turns 15!

Do you see that beautiful but exhausted girl?  That is the look of someone who got only hours of sleep because her parents caved in and let her go see the Hunger Games premier at midnight - even though it was a school night.  She was a good sport, though, and did her best to keep her eyes open and be pleasant throughout the coming days.  She still says it was worth it. :)

 She had no idea what this was, but since she would soon be getting her license I made a stoplight cake.  I think she was too tired to show much ethusiasm.  :)

 The day before she had spent her energy singing in a choir concert and doing a beautiful job.  Emma is very talented and is such a joy to have in our house, even when she has only gotten three hours of sleep! 

Happy Birthday Emma!  We love you!

Tessa Wants A Tattoo (a.k.a. How to Miscommunicate With Your 5-year-old)

I have mastered the art of miscommunication with my sweet 5-year-old.  Seriously.

For example:

We had gone shopping for new soccer shoes for the kids and Tessa saw the flip-flops on display.  Of course, these aren't the $2 flip-flops, these are the $45 flip-flops.  No less than 20 times did I tell her she did not need shoes like that yet because it was still cold outside.  The following day we were driving the kids to school and Lincoln asked me what I would be doing today, and I informed him I would be voting on the school levy.  Tessa got real excited and asked if she could come with me.  She continued to go on and on about how happy she was to be going with me.  She then said in her "I know everything" voice, "Mom, I TOLD you I needed flip-flops!"  All of the other kids looked at her and asked her what in the heck she was talking about.  She turned to them in her sassiest manner and told them, "I need them because me and mom are going BOATING!"  She was a little less civic minded when I told her what I really was doing that day.

The weekend before we were at Joann Fabrics and we were waiting in line to get something cut.  As we walked around Tessa informed me (in I swear her loudest voice) that she wants a tattoo. The rest of the conversation went like this (with about 40 women waiting at the cutting counter listening in - one of whch had tattoos plastered across her arms):

Mom:  "Why do you want a tattoo?"
Tessa:  "Because they are so beautiful and cool."
Mom:  "Well, I don't think that is a good idea."
Tessa:  "Mom, I really, really, really want a tattoo.  If I wait until my #6 birthday can I get one?"
Mom:  "Honey, the prophet has told us that we should not do that to our bodies." 
Tessa:  "Why doesn't the prophet like tattoos?"
Mom:  "Our bodies are so special and sacred and we don't want to do that to our bodies.  And we don't need tattoos to make us realize how special they are. "
Tessa:  "Why doesn't the prophet like ballerinas?"
Mom:  "What??"
Tessa:  "How can I be a beautiful ballerina if I don't have a tattoo?"
Mom:  "Do you mean TUTU???  Do you mean the skirt that a ballerina wears?"
Tessa:  "Yes."
Mom:  "That is called a TUTU, not a tattoo.  And yes, you can have one."
Tessa:  "Thanks! What is a tattoo?"

Sam Wagner acting as Lincoln's Son

Sam had a great Presidents Day.  He was asked to act out the part of one of Abraham Lincoln's sons for a presentation being done for the legislators on Lincoln's birthday.  He was a little reluctant until I told him he would be missing school to do this.  All he really had to do was stand there as they spoke about Lincoln, his family, and the way Lincoln's influence can still be felt today.  I was happy as a clam to snap a few photos and gaze at the beautiful capitol building.  :)

Definitely a Presidents Day that Sam will never forget!

Tessa turns 5!

Tessa had been planning her fifth birthday celebration since the day after her fourth birthday celebration.  She knew what she wanted for dinner, what she wanted to drink, what presents she wanted, and what kind of cake she wanted. 

We tried not to disappoint.  :)

Tessa's koolaid smile says it all!  She loved the dinner, the butterfly cake was to her satisfaction, and she received the puppy dog and crayons that she had been hoping for.  Most of all she received Princess Celestia - the My Little Pony toy that she was begging for for months! 

The following days she didn't let it out of her sight.  One day we were out and about and she turned to me and said in her sing-song voice, "Mommy, let's go home. I want to play with Molestia."  After a few concerned looks I quickly told her that the pony's name was CELESTIA NOT MOLESTIA. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Tessa!!!  We love you!!

Sammy turns 9!

My sweet Sam turned nine, and I am am wondering where all the time has gone.  He is so inquisitive and fascinated by space - hence, the cake.

His big brother decided to surprise him by giving him his old Ipod Touch that Lincoln had bought with his own money the year before.  Linc wrapped it himself in the corn dog box, and Sammy was thrilled to pieces to receive it!

His favorite gift, however, were the Celestron telescope lenses that he asked for.  These fit his large telescope.  He had been asking for these for a long time, and he didn't want anything else for his birthday.  Just the lenses. 

He loved his cake, and he loved having a special surprise visit from his cousin, James, too!

Spaghetti and meatballs were the order of the day. 

And the next night he got his award and moved up in Scouts.  All in all a pretty great week for one amazing kid. 

We love you Sammy!