February Adventures

So, it seems like we've been out and about a lot (and in a LOT more), and done a lot of things I haven't posted about, so I thought I'd do a catch-up catch-all post. So, we went to a Clifford day at the Mall of America and then got to meet Dora (John didn't want to hug her).

We did some painting one day for school, and I noticed that Sara was using both hands at the same time. Is that normal? I thought it was cute.


We went to Minneapolis a couple Saturdays ago to visit the Swedish Institute of America, which is housed in a cool castle, right near Jared's work. It was pretty interesting, and a truly amazing building. Kind of a sad story of the family, because they were "new money" so they were never accepted into society, so their lavish mansion was basically never used. I guess they invited guests once for a party and no one came, so they never did again. Guess money can't buy everything. Anyway, the kids liked this fun room where they could design things. Sara made the thing on the black wall behind her, and John was having fun with the snap blocks. Truthfully, so was I....


I've already forgotten what these cool Swedish horses are called, but Brady and Jessica brought us one as a souvenir from their trip there a few years ago, so we thought it was cool to see this giant, toy one, and of course the kids loved the ride.


And the outside of the castle...

And a few days later, this is the scene that welcomed the day. Doesn't that make you want to go outside and play? Ha.

Jared thought he better get some of that snow off the balcony, and also get rid of some of the icicles, so the kids loved that.

Oh, and Jared has decided to go for the beard thing. I actually think it looks pretty good, and I might grow one myself if it'd keep me warmer around this joint!


And for Valentine's day, we made some fruit loop rice krispie hearts for our Joy School party.

And in honor of the Olympics starting, and to see how my kids stacked up to cousin Maggie, who is quite the gymnast, I found an open gym to go to last Friday. I've got to figure out how to get a video on here, because I took some that were pretty funny, but let's just say that my kids were not flipping off the end of the trampoline into the foam pit like Maggie was. Sara kept saying, "I'm frightened!" I even offered them money, and they really were trying, but just a little too scared. I tried to help them, and they were improving, and anyway, we had a lot of fun, but I think Maggie wins. That was fun, though, and Sara especially keeps asking to go again. I'll have to look into classes, but this one was kind of far. There are probably some closer.




And one more picture to show what a lovely winter we've been having. A few days last week were especially foggy, and so in the morning we woke up to this:

I guess it's called hoar frost, which is a bizarre name if you ask me, but it's pretty cool looking. Every square centimeter is covered. Every twig, every everything is covered in this white frost. It actually was beautiful, but just looked COLD!

So, there you have it. You're all caught up. Oh, one more story. I took John to the doctor for his shots for kindergarten, but it was just for him (they had an opening for just one that I took so I could get the shots done by the registration deadline). I'll have to take Sara in soon, too, but this time it was just for him. He was very brave, and told me he just needed to take four deep breaths and then he wouldn't cry. So he did. Then that night they were telling Jared all about it, and Sara said that she didn't get shots because she had tights on! Isn't it funny the way things make sense in their minds?

Sara desperately wants to type: sarazxcvbngojohnpoiuytgfrrrrrvvvtcdevbhgyiopzzasjuitreszxq1

Now I am ready.

So, I've been spending a lot of time trying to envision this whole YW thing this week, and I decided I wanted to take inspiration from my mom and so I created this:



When she was my YW Pres, she made a flower arrangement for the table that had all the value colors in it, and I remembered liking it, so I copied the idea. I'm not good at arranging flowers, but I'm actually kind of pleased with how it turned out. Very simple, but kind of eye-catching, right? They already have tablecloths for the different value colors, so I think adding the obligatory flower arrangement will be just the thing. I've got to prepare these girls for RS, right?

Of course, I should probably have been spending more time preparing the actual details of the New Beginnings program which is next week, but somehow, this seemed more fun. :o)

Oh, by the way, the new value-virtue- is the color gold, so that really pale yellowish one that looks more like white is supposed to be gold. Close enough for me.

Just wanted to keep you waiting a little longer...

So, you were all pretty much right, and I'm the new Young Women's President. I'm very excited, and begging for all your input--give me ideas of your favorite activities, favorite camp things, anything you can think of! :o)

I really feel like the ward here is great and will be supportive, I think my counselors are awesome, and the girls are great, too.

Here's one thing, though--our ward has to do our own camp this summer! Yikes! I've never heard of that, but I guess here the Stake only does it every other year, so that seems intimidating, but I think it'll be fun to figure all that out.

So, that's the news. I hear that the the K-town ward has news, too--I know congratulations isn't really the right thing to say, but it's hard to know exactly what to say. How about--he'll be great, Emma!

Big news

So, I was trying to decide on a title and here were some of the finalists:
Whoa.
I am excited!
What were they thinking?
That's what I get for starting to read my scriptures better...
Me?
How in the?
Did I mention whoa?
HA HA! That's funny.
Cool!

So, can you guess? One hint--I'm not going to tell you till after Sunday, and I probably shouldn't even have said anything, but my mind has been racing, so I thought I'd write something here. And, no, I'm not pregnant. Maybe the "What were they thinking?" hint tipped you off...

Oh, and just thought I'd share this little story. The other day John really wanted me to take him to Target to spend his three dollars he'd "saved" up, so I finally did, but told him we'd really have to hurry. I didn't want to spend the whole day agonizing over every little thing. Anyway, we get in the store, and he takes off toward the toys. He gets a little bit ahead of me, and then stops and turns and YELLS, "Come on! We ain't got time for foolin'." Excuse me? Where did my five-year-old learn to speak to me like that? (I actually thought it was funny, I don't know if I should have, but I did.) This phrase seems so familiar. Oh, wait, I remember. Jared says it all the time when we're trying to get out the door. It's from O, Brother, Where Art Thou? Thanks, hon!