The Castle Fort

 December 20, 2012 - Versii, Paxton and I built a huge fort in the basement from all the cardboard boxes we had laying around.  When Kaden came home from school, the boys went to work decorating it with pictures.  They were so excited to draw and scribble everywhere.

Paxton just kept saying, "What should we draw next Mom?  What should we draw?"

 Versii next to his "Scary Face" drawing and Paxton next to the drawing of himself, which he calls "Me when I was big!"

Kaden standing next to his "Angry Bird" picture.

He wrote: "I feel the need for speed!"

Kaden says, "I don't ever want to take this fort down...I just want to keep it here forever!" 

They are having so much fun in the "Castle Fort", as Paxton calls it.

Jefferson Winter Program

 December 14, 2012 - Josh and I went to the boy's school for their Winter Music Program.  Versii was so excited to sing.  Unfortunately, the above picture of Versii singing is the only one we could get.  After that, the people sitting in front of us shifted and I could not see him for much of the program, although I caught glimpses every now and then.

 After the music program, we volunteered in Versii's kindergarten class for "Polar Express Day."  They watched the movie, had hot chocolate and popcorn, and did several craft activities.  Versii had a lot of fun.

 Paxton enjoyed being in school with Versii too.  They both love recess.

In the afternoon, we went back to the gym to watch Kaden's music program. 

Here he is, with his class, singing a song about Utah.

And this is their performance of "Hip Hop Reindeer."

Crazy Hair Day

December 13, 2012 - This week has been Spirit Week, at the boys school. 

Monday - Silly Hat Day

Tuesday - Silly socks & shoes

Wednesday - Pajama bottom Day

...And today is Crazy Hair Day.

The boys were so excited to make their hair "crazy out-of-control."

Kaden wanted to dye his hair blonde for the occasion, but I made him settle with spiking it up.

Christmas Crafting

 December 11, 2012 - I decided to make a wreath for our front door.  

...And it didn't cost me a dime.  

I used some of Josh's electrical wire to form a ring and then collected twigs from our backyard.  I attached them to the ring using some craft wire, then wrapped it with a strand of beads I had stashed in my craft box.  I made the flowers out of some left over flannel, felt and fleece from last year's stocking project.  And tied a bow with some ribbon I had.  

I wasn't sure how it would turn out when I started, since I didn't really have a plan, but I really like it.

Next Friday, Josh's work is having an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" Contest.

So that's been my other project this week.  

I found the sweater, tree, yarn and Santa's at DI -- all for $7.75.

I may still add a little to it, but my boys tell me, "It's not ugly, it's cute!"

Cupcakes!

 December 10, 2012 - Kaden wanted to make cupcakes for FHE.

So we decided to let the boys frost and decorate their own.  

They loved it!  These cupcakes may just be a new favorite dessert in our home.  I've now found a frosting recipe that Josh actually likes.  

These cupcakes are delicious!

The frosting is made with milk, flour, vanilla, butter & granulated sugar.  

It's devine!

Coloring Fun

December 1, 2012 - Kaden had to make a poster for his report on the Mountain Bluebird.  I helped him pencil in the picture on, then he traced it and colored it.  And after that, Versii and Paxton had to have their own bird posters.  

 Here's Versii's poster.  He just loves to draw and color.  

 One of his little guys up close.  

He said, "Look Mom, he's got glasses and a mustache!"

...And here is Paxton's.  He's kind of a minimal colorer.  

He said, "Look I drew two L's and two O's...cause my name has 2 L's and 2 O's in it."  ---Not exactly true, but sometime soon he'll learn to write his name.

Our Elf Chippy

This is our 2nd Christmas with our Elf Chippy.

The boys try pretty hard to be good 

and they love to think about where he will land tomorrow.

The first thing they do every morning is look for Chippy.

Usually, our Elf is very well behaved, but since the boys were really naughty recently...it seems Chippy has pulled a few tricks of his own.

The morning after the boys misbehaved, they awoke to find that Chippy had spilled sugar on the table and made a "sugar angel" and he had also thrown their dirty clothes out on their floor, in the shape of "C".

The boys couldn't believe it! 

...And then they had to clean up his mess.