Chess Anyone

Yesterday, it rained all day so Lance kept the kids busy by teaching them to play chess. I was surprised at how much they enjoyed it and how much the understood. Lance let them win and they were very proud of themselves. Later in the day they started playing "chess" using themselves and the kitchen tiles. Lance joined in and asked Brycen what piece he should be to which Brycen responded "the puddle guy." Lance and I just looked at each other and then I figured it out. Brycen thought the Pawn was a Pond and then he forgot the name, but remember it had something to do with water and came up with puddle. It was too funny!
Last week I taught the kids about Michelangelo. We learned about how it took four years to paint the Sistine Chapel. Then I taped paper to the underside of our table and the kids practiced "painting on the ceiling." They thought it was very cool. When Lance got home, the boys had him search for the new artwork, which was still under the table. Finally, after a lot of clues he found the artwork.

Abstract Zac

Brycen's picture is Noah trying to warn all the people about the flood.

Scott's Workout Program

Scottie loves to do sit-ups! He can do at least 50 of these rolling sit-ups and the whole time he is doing them he laughs. It is just a riot to watch him go. He has always had Abs of Steel.

This Mystery is History!

On Valentine's Day we had a How to Host a Murder Mystery dinner party. It was an absolute blast! People really got into their parts. I can't remember when I have laughed so hard. It is truly amazing what people can put together as costumes. Goodwill is a very fun place to shop; I found the perfect Nancy Drew outfit for less than $10!

I was an Art Dealer/Hostess and Lance was a Big Game Hunter

The Reverend and the Senator were having an affair. (No they are not married in real life either!) The Rev. was constantly calling us all to repentance and asking for funds for his church. The Senator, Sutton, would do anything for a vote! Sutton did a great job playing her part!

Our sleazy attorney was hilarious. He must have handed out a hundred business cards. Jayme was our multi-level marketing saleslady.

The Heiress, Fortune Teller, and Novelist

Once the Fortune Teller met her demise, her real life husband, and Psychiatrist for the night, stepped in to give her some major mouth to mouth. No wonder they had another baby!

Nancy Drew discovers some deadly evidence!

Me with the Movie star and the Heiress. The Heiress searched all night for rich husband number 13!

My mom was the animal activist/Cat lady. The mink wrap was okay with her, because they are just rodents.

Kirsten, on the left was the result of an alien abduction. Her mother is human and her father was an ET.

These two were a real riot! She was a ventriloquist and her husband was Mr. Mike her dummy.

The party was a blast! It was hard to see people at church the next day and not just crack up laughing.

Way Out of My Comfort Zone!

On Thursday morning the secretary from Brcyen's school called and asked if I would be able to come in and teach the 5Th graders for the day, because their teacher was feeling sick. I was grateful that I was watching little Alex that day and therefore was unable to sub. See I am not a teacher! I love kids, but teaching other peoples children is just not my thing. My degree is in business I have never taken any type of education class or child development class. I purposely avoided the education building at BYU. However, when I explained that I couldn't come in that day I made the mistake of sounding as if I would have loved to help out. Thursday evening the secretary called to see if I would sub for Friday. I have never acquired the skill to just say no, so off I went Friday morning to face 14 private school 5Th graders. As Brycen and I drove to school I told him I was very nervous because I had never been a teacher. Brycen thoughtfully and honestly replied, "but Mommy you've been teaching me for a long time. You taught me to talk and to walk." His sweet words comforted me slightly although I really doubted that any of these kids would need help walking or talking.
The day went okay. I don't think that I will be getting the teacher of the year award, but at the end of the day everyone was present and accounted for, I wasn't tied to a chair, and we accomplished everything on the teacher's lesson plan. I think the kids even did like me. The hardest thing was that the owner/director of the school came by twice to observe me. I really wasn't nervous once the day got started, except of course when Ms Merrill was standing in the doorway. I feel proud of myself for making it through the day and; I hope they don't ever ask me to sub again!

Yesterday I attended an enrichment class on pruning roses. Along with not being a teacher; I am not a gardener. I love flowers and admire other peoples yards and gardens, but I am clueless when it comes to tilling the earth! Still I came home and got straight to work. I think my roses bushes look like I pruned them right, now I will just have to see how they do this Spring.


I think the kids may have more of a green thumb than I do. I took this picture of Zac, Brycen, and Alex playing in the garden dirt the other day. They had a great time and came out very dirty.

Today Brycen taught me a valuable lesson. As we were driving home from church I said that when we got home I was going to make some yummy snacks for us to eat while watching the Superbowl. To which Brycen replied, but Mommy I thought that on Sundays we were supose to do things that make us think about God, not watch football. Oh no, I thought as I tried to think of a reasonable justification that what appease him. Before I could speak he said "It's okay Mommy, you can watch the game I will just go in another room and think about God." Needless to say, the game is not on at our house! Thank you Brycen for setting the example for all of us.