Saucer Magnolia

This a photo of my favorite Spring bloomer. We (my parents dug and I watched the boys) just planted one in my front yard. I first saw this tree in Georgia and it has been my favorite of the spring blossoming trees ever since. In Georgia I called them Tulip Trees because their blossoms look a little like tulips. Their proper name is Saucer Magnolia. I just love them and I'm so happy to have one of my own! I can't wait for its blossoms to appear. I'll post a photo when they do.

A Damsel in Distress

I have long felt that kitchen cleanup is pure drudgery. The past month though I have made excuses to go and clean my kitchen. It has never shined like this before. We had a subscription to Audible and we now have a good collection of audiobooks. I have just started to listen to them on my ipod player. I am just about finished with 'A Damsel in Distress' and might just have to head up to the kitchen now to listen a little more!

P.S. Most libraries have a decent selection of audiobooks, so that could be a great way to listen for free.

Learning Letters

I love this idea that my friend Mina uses to teach letters. She cuts out things for the children to glue on to a letter that she has already traced. O loves doing these projects. For K she did Kaleidoscope and used bits of different colored paper. For M she did Metallic and used bits of shiny tin foil. 

Alesund

Alesund, Norway. I want to go there. T had this picture pulled up on his computer screen. I am really having "green" envy. Perhaps it is the holiday... Perhaps it is because I live in the desert. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Green bananas, green salad, green grapes, and green mac and cheese! What could be better? We topped it off with green milk. O loved thinking about all the green things we could eat and especially liked pinching S. who forgot to wear green today!

Cookie Bouquets

I made these little flowers today as a thank you for our Primary chorister & pianist. They are so simple; I thought they would be a fun craft for preschool or a sweet spring surprise.

Pears & Bears

Aren't these clothes darling?! Have you ever heard of Kayce Hughes before? Check out the children's Spring Collection and Fall Preview. I would love to dress my wee three in these clothes. M&L should really go into business. These classic, tailored lines remind me a lot of their designs. Take a look at her story.

Still Shots

I have been working on my photography. I liked this photo of O. It is so hard to get him and W. to hold still long enough to take a photo. I have to try all sorts of techinques to distract them so that they will stay put long enough for me to click the camera! Any suggestions for photographing busy toddlers and preschoolers are welcome!

Ruby Slippers

I have become quite smitten with red shoes. My mom told me she always loved to have a red pair; perhaps it is hereditary. I took my kids to story time last week, and the librarian exclaimed, "What cute shoes!" as I whisked E past her so we could be prompt for Mr. Eddie's performance. She then spotted mine. "You, too!" I couldn't resist purchasing these adorable patent leather Mary Janes for E. Like mother, like daughter.

A Love of Elephants

Is it any wonder that W. loves elephants? One look at his room and you won't be surprised that he loves animals. A close up look at the fabric for his bedding and curtains reveal that he has been staring at his good friend elephant for a long time now! One very clear memory that I have of my room growing up is staring at my curtains as I dozed off to sleep. They were yellow with a variety of circus animals on them. I loved looking at them and watching the different shades of color as the sun shone threw them. I have to credit S. with the drawing of all the animals on the little boards resting on the plate rail. I love Will's room and I know that he does too. Every morning when I come to get him he either calls out his elephant noise and points at all the elephants or sings E-I-E-I-O while pointing to the rest of the animals.

Rocket Balloons

Aud,
I know your boys love to blow up balloons, so I had to post about the greatest toy - Rocket Balloons. J got this for his birthday (you can find it at Target for $5.99). You blow up a balloon with the pump until it looks like a giant hot dog (or the balloons the magicians twist into all kinds of animals) and then you hold it upright (pinching the end with your fingers) and let go. These balloons fly! I'm including a few photos of them soaring over the roof of our house! I'm telling you, you've got to try this! Your boys would be in heaven. We took ours to the park, and we had a crowd of kids swarming around us within seconds. Good, cheap fun!

Spring Gardening

Spring is in the air here. True it was 30 degrees today, but I can feel it coming! The days are getting longer and there are birds singing in the morning. The photo above was my first garden. When we moved into the house pictured above the backyard was nothing more tahn a dirt pit. S lovingly laid all of the brick on a steamy 100 degree day and we both transformed the clay soil into great earth that would support life for all of these beautiful plants. I loved that little yard. As I looked out into my new yard today I felt a little overwhelmed. This time we didn't start with a brand new pit of dirt, but an 40 year old yard full of weedy grass. Looking at all the weeds that are just waiting for the first sign of warmth to pop out of their winter hiding places has me feeling a bit intimidated to say the least! Hopefully I can figure out some way to win the fight!

PB & Jana

I have come to be known in my current ward as "The Treat Lady." I'm not sure this is the best reputation to have, but I do love to take yummy things to friends' houses. One of my favorites is a Cox family recipe from my sister-in-law, Gayle, who is a fabulous cook. This is definitely not a low fat dessert, but it is so, so good. You must try it. Here is the tasty concoction:

Gayle's Peanut Butter Balls
12 graham crackers, crushed
4 cups powdered sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1 1/2 cubes butter (my brother uses 2 cubes), mostly melted

Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until texture is fine. In a bowl, combine graham crackers, 2 cups powdered sugar and all of peanut butter. Add butter and remaining 2 cups powdered sugar. Form into small balls, place on cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes. Melt 1 bag of Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips in the microwave (30 seconds, stir, another 30 seconds), and drizzle with a spoon over balls. Freeze for 30 minutes. PB balls taste best cold. Store in fridge or freezer.