Emily has become very possessive of the stereo remote. As soon as we are upstairs, she wants some music ON!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Pajama Day
We love being in our pajamas when school is cancelled. 
Emily has become very possessive of the stereo remote. As soon as we are upstairs, she wants some music ON!
Emily has become very possessive of the stereo remote. As soon as we are upstairs, she wants some music ON! 
I Did It!!!
A few weeks ago, I had a horrible experience in a little store. It's a tiny Amish store but they have fabulous produce and great prices. I had all three kids with me, with super strict warnings to stay with me and be incredible listeners! They were; they did fabulous, until...we were checking out. Ben and Annie were unloading our cart. I was semi helping them and trying to move forward to pay. Emily was standing on the edge of the cart and reached over in a split-second and touched the cash register next to us. OOPS! The lady pretty much went ballistic.
I have received my fair share of comments in stores (of having my hands full) and have learned to basically roll with the punches. I do have THREE children - that is sooooo many! Alas, this cashier proceeded to talk incredibly rude about me and my children to her customers, other cashiers and the people waiting in line. In her 2 minutes interaction with me, I was an unfit mother who didn't watch her children, had too many children, and basically should never take them to a store unless I was going to control them. (This was nicely tempered by the 4 comments I'd received while shopping about how helpful and well-behaved they were.) After I had paid, I reached over and touched her on the shoulder and apologized as sincerely as possible(for the 4th time) - telling her I was so sorry. I got a, "Ya, well, you need to watch your kids." Hello? I was watching; that's why I could tell you what button she pushed!?! **Just for my sake, my child is 2 years old AND I've been noticing that every other cash register in the store (and every other store I've been in) had a little plastic piece between the register and the next aisle protecting it from possible little wandering fingers, except that one.) Granted - still my child's mistake.
By the time I left, I was in tears. Not a typically Lindsey thing! I think I'm pretty easy-going. Once I vented a little bit to a friend and Andy, I expected to fell better about this. Well, its still bothering me enough I don't want to go back. I talked to a friend this morning (who is picking me up some apples from that store) and kind of shared my experience. After learning I'm not the only one who has had issues, I called the manager. I DID IT!
I've never called a manager to complain before. It felt good. After I explained what happened and how I felt, he said she had mentioned this situation to him and Emily had wiped out the order. I apologized (AGAIN) and said that the woman had re-entered it in less than a minute. He apologized profusely. I did great; stayed calm and said everything I wanted to to. It was a good 8 minute conversation. My heart is still beating rapidly (2 hours later!) and I worry that next time I'm there she will shoot daggers at me, but that's okay. She did that before too! No one should be made to feel like dirt because their two-year-old had quick fingers. Nor should a woman be made to feel inferior because she has THREE whole children! Earl asked me to please call him again if I am ever in the store again and am treated that way. You betcha!!! What an empowering feeling to stand up to a BULLY! At least to the bully's boss... :)
I have received my fair share of comments in stores (of having my hands full) and have learned to basically roll with the punches. I do have THREE children - that is sooooo many! Alas, this cashier proceeded to talk incredibly rude about me and my children to her customers, other cashiers and the people waiting in line. In her 2 minutes interaction with me, I was an unfit mother who didn't watch her children, had too many children, and basically should never take them to a store unless I was going to control them. (This was nicely tempered by the 4 comments I'd received while shopping about how helpful and well-behaved they were.) After I had paid, I reached over and touched her on the shoulder and apologized as sincerely as possible(for the 4th time) - telling her I was so sorry. I got a, "Ya, well, you need to watch your kids." Hello? I was watching; that's why I could tell you what button she pushed!?! **Just for my sake, my child is 2 years old AND I've been noticing that every other cash register in the store (and every other store I've been in) had a little plastic piece between the register and the next aisle protecting it from possible little wandering fingers, except that one.) Granted - still my child's mistake.
By the time I left, I was in tears. Not a typically Lindsey thing! I think I'm pretty easy-going. Once I vented a little bit to a friend and Andy, I expected to fell better about this. Well, its still bothering me enough I don't want to go back. I talked to a friend this morning (who is picking me up some apples from that store) and kind of shared my experience. After learning I'm not the only one who has had issues, I called the manager. I DID IT!
I've never called a manager to complain before. It felt good. After I explained what happened and how I felt, he said she had mentioned this situation to him and Emily had wiped out the order. I apologized (AGAIN) and said that the woman had re-entered it in less than a minute. He apologized profusely. I did great; stayed calm and said everything I wanted to to. It was a good 8 minute conversation. My heart is still beating rapidly (2 hours later!) and I worry that next time I'm there she will shoot daggers at me, but that's okay. She did that before too! No one should be made to feel like dirt because their two-year-old had quick fingers. Nor should a woman be made to feel inferior because she has THREE whole children! Earl asked me to please call him again if I am ever in the store again and am treated that way. You betcha!!! What an empowering feeling to stand up to a BULLY! At least to the bully's boss... :)
Christmas Snow!
We had such a great time with Andy home over Christmas Break. We didn't get near enough done, but he got to play in the snow for a few hours most days with Ben and sometimes Annie. We got a big storm, and they decided to make a snow cave.
After packing down all the snow, they cleaned out the inside!
This was big enough for Ben to lay all the way across. I never went in this cave, seeing as how it is COLD outside and I didn't want to be wet or cold. I just got to see the pictures and make hot chocolate for when they came back inside!
My sweet girls staying warm inside with me! I don't think I have EVER stayed in my pajamas as much as I have the past 6 weeks, and I love it!!!!
A preschool day! We were learning about animals in the snow and what we do in the snow. Since we couldn't make snowballs (all the snow melted), we made popcorn balls!
We've been trading babysitting with the Castles for the last few months and love it! I've found the easiest lunch for everyone is quesadillas with ketchup, ranch, salsa, and sour cream for various kids to dip. :)
This day I bundled everyone up and we went outside. The majority of the snow cave melted, but there was still plenty of digging room!
I love this sweet little boy! He didn't have shoes, so I put several pairs of socks on him. He wanted to shovel just like everyone else! What a doll he is!!! 
After packing down all the snow, they cleaned out the inside!
This was big enough for Ben to lay all the way across. I never went in this cave, seeing as how it is COLD outside and I didn't want to be wet or cold. I just got to see the pictures and make hot chocolate for when they came back inside!
My sweet girls staying warm inside with me! I don't think I have EVER stayed in my pajamas as much as I have the past 6 weeks, and I love it!!!!
A preschool day! We were learning about animals in the snow and what we do in the snow. Since we couldn't make snowballs (all the snow melted), we made popcorn balls! 
We've been trading babysitting with the Castles for the last few months and love it! I've found the easiest lunch for everyone is quesadillas with ketchup, ranch, salsa, and sour cream for various kids to dip. :)
This day I bundled everyone up and we went outside. The majority of the snow cave melted, but there was still plenty of digging room!
I love this sweet little boy! He didn't have shoes, so I put several pairs of socks on him. He wanted to shovel just like everyone else! What a doll he is!!! 
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...
This was a decent snowfall in the end of December. (Notice the new shovels from Santa) Super fun; everyone was very enthusiastic about shoveling... The decided to push all of the snow to one end of the driveway.
On New Year's Eve, the Castles came over to hang out. About 8 we did sparklers with the kids and then put them downstairs to watch a movie and fall asleep!
Super-cute Jensen is 10 days younger than Emily.
They loved taking the sparklers out into the snow!
Carter, who is 4, stayed up LATE and took this picture for us a little after midnight. Happy New Year 2010!!!
Super-cute Jensen is 10 days younger than Emily.
They loved taking the sparklers out into the snow!
Carter, who is 4, stayed up LATE and took this picture for us a little after midnight. Happy New Year 2010!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Merry Christmas!
The kids were so excited that Santa brought sleds and butterfly wings!
Trying on dress-ups that Mom made.
Helping Dad make the turkey.
Taking a little opening break to play with toys. Emily loves her new grocery cart!
I'm not sure what Annie is pouting about, but it's not an unusual face. I think she was ready to open more presents, but we were still working on getting the turkey in!
What a fabulous Christmas morning! We're still having a LOT of fun with all the Christmas goodies! Thanks everyone!
We got to finish the night having the Missionaries from our ward over for dinner. We did the traditional turkey, stuffing, potatoes, etc. They all liked my (friend Autumn's) sweet potato/cranberry casserole that is just divine! I was so sure we would have leftovers...not of that!
Trying on dress-ups that Mom made.
Helping Dad make the turkey.
Taking a little opening break to play with toys. Emily loves her new grocery cart!
I'm not sure what Annie is pouting about, but it's not an unusual face. I think she was ready to open more presents, but we were still working on getting the turkey in!
What a fabulous Christmas morning! We're still having a LOT of fun with all the Christmas goodies! Thanks everyone!
We got to finish the night having the Missionaries from our ward over for dinner. We did the traditional turkey, stuffing, potatoes, etc. They all liked my (friend Autumn's) sweet potato/cranberry casserole that is just divine! I was so sure we would have leftovers...not of that!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thanks...
For not hasseling me for a new post. No good reason why..other than I lost my written list of the pictures I was going to post for Christmas day and just didn't want to make another one of my favorites. What if I picked different favorites the next time?
Life just seems really busy. We've gotten Ben back in school, Andy back to classes (and late nights :( ), Annie back in preschool, and time to get back on routine. I've been cooking a lot. Andy and I aren't eating sugar (for the last 2 weeks and probably at least another 2 weeks) and instead are eating a LOT of vegetables and fruits instead with lo carbs and actually measured portions of meat, shocking, I know! I've had to go grocery shopping a lot more often because we just don't have enough room in our fridge for it all!
I will share our new favorite meal, everyone's - not just mine!
I get the super-trim ground beef (could use ground turkey, but I think it's disgusting) and put it in a bowl.
Using my Pampered Chef chopper, I chop whatever vegetables I have laying around. (Last night we did 1.5 pounds of meat with 18 oz vegetables. I made 7 BIG hamburger patties, about 6 oz each.)
Chop up the following:
4 stalks celery
1/2 zucchini
1/2 green pepper
1 onion (or more, it's sooooo yummy!)
few handfuls of spinach (I steam for about 3 minutes first)
handful cilantro
1/4 yellow pepper
1/2 jalapeno (wish I had this last night!)
Add a few healthy shakes of Worcestshire, few shakes of Tabasco, lots of pepper, and a LOT of Season All. Stir together with hands and shape into patties.
I mix the kids a little bit differently - less veggies, no Tabasco, and little fattier meat from freezer. I used 1 lb meat and made 6-4 oz burgers for them.
The kids eat theirs on bread.
Andy and I wrap ours in BIG green lettuce leaves, top with pickles, mustard, sliced red onions, and salsa.
These are FABULOUS! and surprisingly addictive. We love to eat them for lunch (incredibly filling) and the kids beg for some too.
Try um; you'll like them too! They almost taste better heated up the next day... or 3 days later!
Life just seems really busy. We've gotten Ben back in school, Andy back to classes (and late nights :( ), Annie back in preschool, and time to get back on routine. I've been cooking a lot. Andy and I aren't eating sugar (for the last 2 weeks and probably at least another 2 weeks) and instead are eating a LOT of vegetables and fruits instead with lo carbs and actually measured portions of meat, shocking, I know! I've had to go grocery shopping a lot more often because we just don't have enough room in our fridge for it all!
I will share our new favorite meal, everyone's - not just mine!
I get the super-trim ground beef (could use ground turkey, but I think it's disgusting) and put it in a bowl.
Using my Pampered Chef chopper, I chop whatever vegetables I have laying around. (Last night we did 1.5 pounds of meat with 18 oz vegetables. I made 7 BIG hamburger patties, about 6 oz each.)
Chop up the following:
4 stalks celery
1/2 zucchini
1/2 green pepper
1 onion (or more, it's sooooo yummy!)
few handfuls of spinach (I steam for about 3 minutes first)
handful cilantro
1/4 yellow pepper
1/2 jalapeno (wish I had this last night!)
Add a few healthy shakes of Worcestshire, few shakes of Tabasco, lots of pepper, and a LOT of Season All. Stir together with hands and shape into patties.
I mix the kids a little bit differently - less veggies, no Tabasco, and little fattier meat from freezer. I used 1 lb meat and made 6-4 oz burgers for them.
The kids eat theirs on bread.
Andy and I wrap ours in BIG green lettuce leaves, top with pickles, mustard, sliced red onions, and salsa.
These are FABULOUS! and surprisingly addictive. We love to eat them for lunch (incredibly filling) and the kids beg for some too.
Try um; you'll like them too! They almost taste better heated up the next day... or 3 days later!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Eve
We had another fun day with last minute shopping trips. However, about 4:45, we were all ready for our annual Chinese night! My parents started several years ago to take us out to a Chinese buffet on Christmas Eve, then lights, then caroling to our favorite friends. This is one tradition that Andy LOVES! Then we came home to do our Nativity, which the kids were so excited about! They have been practicing all week their costumes to be Mary and Joseph - with my white kitchen dish clothes and my headbands. Dad was wicked King Herod and the star. I was the shepherds with my pet sheep.
Emily was the wise men with her gift. Annie was Mary while Ben played the part of Joseph. Joseph took great care of his donkey (the step stool) and even made it a pen with an opening/closing door.
The wise man reallllly wanted to hold Baby Jesus, but Mary just couldn't give him up! Either she was holding him, or he slept in his manger (the other step stool turned upside down). It was a great night, but the kids were so exhausted, they went to bed without putting cookies and carrots out. Dad kindly took care of that for them!
Emily was the wise men with her gift. Annie was Mary while Ben played the part of Joseph. Joseph took great care of his donkey (the step stool) and even made it a pen with an opening/closing door.
The wise man reallllly wanted to hold Baby Jesus, but Mary just couldn't give him up! Either she was holding him, or he slept in his manger (the other step stool turned upside down). It was a great night, but the kids were so exhausted, they went to bed without putting cookies and carrots out. Dad kindly took care of that for them!
BYU Bowl Game
We finally got 'real' tv and with our special package, we get the college sports pack. So, we got the BYU bowl game in Las Vegas. Yippee!!! We are on Eastern time, so everything here starts later - except wake up time for the children. Happily, we were able to watch half of it and save the rest for the next night with the kids. Annie and Emily were just being silly.
Ben watched the entire second half while Andy and I explained the rules to him..
Annie decided she would rather play with toys than watch since Ben already claimed Dad's lap.
Ben watched the entire second half while Andy and I explained the rules to him..
Annie decided she would rather play with toys than watch since Ben already claimed Dad's lap.
Sugar Cookies
Since I was little, we have always made batch after batch of sugar cookies to take to neighbors. This year I just couldn't do it, so we made batch after batch of fudge to deliver instead. It goes much faster and makes less mess! However, I realized we hadn't made ANY sugar cookies and needed to send some of my brother. Out came the mixer... We had two little friends over for the day to give their mommy and new baby sister some break time. Me vs five kiddos with the dough...the cookies turned out a little bit tough since we rolled and re-rolled the dough so many times, but put enough frosting on and they were great!
Making 'Gingerbread' Houses
I'm thinking gingerbread houses are just too much work, so this year we got very enthused to make our houses with graham crackers! It became a fun activity instead of a 'have to' project.
Doing the prep work - it was pretty good frosting...
Everyone needs a taste test...
Engineers at work! This house was very sturdy. Andy, Ben and Emily worked together.
Annie and I did another house.
Although for some reason I think more candy may have gotten in Annie's mouth that on the house. Hmmmm
Yeah - nine at night and all done!
Finished products! Our favorite part was the pond with the red pop rocks on it - looked awesome!
They loved turning Ben's car into a tractor so it would fit and the contemporary architechural style!
Yummy yummy houses!
Doing the prep work - it was pretty good frosting...
Everyone needs a taste test...
Engineers at work! This house was very sturdy. Andy, Ben and Emily worked together.
Annie and I did another house.
Although for some reason I think more candy may have gotten in Annie's mouth that on the house. Hmmmm
Yeah - nine at night and all done!
Finished products! Our favorite part was the pond with the red pop rocks on it - looked awesome!
They loved turning Ben's car into a tractor so it would fit and the contemporary architechural style!
Yummy yummy houses!More Snow Fun
The kids have had a lot of fun in the snow. Thankfully Ben is self-sufficient and Annie is mostly there, so getting outside isn't such a production. And, the right equipment makes the time outside much more enjoyable!
VERY posed picture; they have had lots of reminders NOT to throw snowballs at mom!
VERY posed picture; they have had lots of reminders NOT to throw snowballs at mom!
Cutting Down a Tree
When we got marries, Andy said we could only do a real tree when we could 'hike' through the woods and cut down our own. We now live in a place this can be done, so we did it - on a VERY cold, but somewhat sunny, day!
We found it! Annie said it was perfect!
They had the tree cut down before I could pull my camera back out, so we had to pose this one again!
The outdoorsman and his kiddos!
We tried to get a Christmas picture before leaving for church this past Sunday. This was the best we got! We were running late and supposed to be early and the morning just went downhill from there! 
We found it! Annie said it was perfect!
They had the tree cut down before I could pull my camera back out, so we had to pose this one again!
The outdoorsman and his kiddos!
We tried to get a Christmas picture before leaving for church this past Sunday. This was the best we got! We were running late and supposed to be early and the morning just went downhill from there! 
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