More Camping

The older boys had jars to catch bugs and Ethan loved it. Next time will bring him a jar for bugs. Sophie loved playing in the dirt and got a lot on her face from eating it. There were a lot of mosquitoes and they loved Brandon. He has about 30 bites maybe more. I have 6. They must not like sweaty people. I also think mosquitoes like certain blood types and it's not O+, but who knows, might be some other reason. I'm glad they don't like the way I taste. The kids seemed to not get biten or it doesn't show on them.

Camping

We went camping this weekend with a few other families in the ward who invited us. The Mom's who invited us meet at the park day on Tueday's. We have never been camping with other families and it was nice. The kids loved playing with all of the other 11 kids. We had a good time and want to do it again soon. The 'Beware of Bear Activity' signs are a little scary, that's probably why we stick to camping by the beach. Brandon got a lot of cute ones of Ethan behind the trees, I couldn't choose. We stopped to have lunch at Newcomb's on the way back and we missed Dad by a little bit.

Climber

Okay. Last night Sophie wouldn't fall asleep while rocking her. (This is pretty normal.) So, I laid her in her crib to cry for a few minutes (which then she falls asleep for the rest of the night). I do it this way because I've read in many parenting books and magazines that kids that put themselves to sleep, sleep more sound. (which she does.) This is my usual routine for her. But last night I laid her down, then went hunting for her blanket while she cried in her crib. I wasn't gone long and when I opened the door to her room, there she was grabbing her sippy cup off the dresser and running for my legs! The crib bars were still up and she has no way of climbing on anything near her crib. (The crib is in the corner with nothing next to it.) So I rocked her again and put her down when her eyes began to close. Within a few minutes she was opening her bedroom door. She's always trying to climb and she watches Ethan do it so maybe he gave her some pointers. But now I just can't lay her down in her crib anymore. Ethan never climbed out of his crib and he was almost two when we took him out. She is crazy.

The After Party

Ethan just crashed after everyone left for his birthday. It wasn't a sugar crash either.
I realized after the birthday cake was gone that Ethan didn't even get any. So I had to make him another one on his birthday which wasn't as good. It was a peanut butter filling and chocolate cake and frosting. He liked it. I feel bad that I didn't get him a peice.

Candy Leis and Palm Tree

The candy leis that took forever to make. Brandon helped me with the curls while watching Hustler and told me the whole time how much he hates doing arts and crafts. Thanks honey!

Sophie and Brandon.

My sister Danielle and her son Jace.

Ethan playing with his friends and cousins. There were a total of 10 kids including Ethan and Sophie.

My palm tree in the livingroom and Ethan's balloons. I didn't know how to rotate the picture so you'll have to tilt your head. I think it needed another frond but didn't have time to make another so I left it like this.

The Coco Cabana

One virgin pina colada please. Oh wait how about a virgin bahama mama;)

Brandon's dreaming of the beach and Sophie just wants the candy lei.

These were taken after the party.


The table had a long grass skirt around it and I made paper flowers to cover the tap which turned out pretty cute. This was before the party started, but without the food and the cool watermelon skewer display.

Ethan's "Tropical" 3rd Birthday Party

Ethan's party was a lot of fun. This long blog is for those who were unable to come. The theme for Ethan's party was "Tropical" with a palm tree in our living room, and a cabana in our kitchen. Even Ethan picked out the perfect colors to go along with the theme, he chose green, a lighter green and yellow. I had leis for everyone and candy leis I made as party favors along with cheese popcorn for the kiddies. For the appetizer, I had my Dad make kettle corn and Mom made a veggie platter with some awesome homemade dip. (I want the recipe please.) We barbequed the Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs (from a previous post), fruit skewers that we stuck in the watermelon rinds, rice as a side and this punch (from allrecipes) made with jello and adorned with paper umbrellas. Ethan wanted chocolate and chocolate for his cake, so I made a dark chocolate cake (from of course allrecipes) filled it with fresh strawberries and Mom made a frosting (I found on allrecipes)which was delicious but kept melting because of the heat. The ice cream Ethan wanted chocolate so I got chocolate chip. We were so busy opening presents that he didn't even get a piece of cake. Last night we gave the rest of the cake to our neighbors and did think about him getting a piece until it was too late. Though our neighbors swaped us a piece of cheese cake from Cheesecake Factory (his birthday was last week), so Ethan got some of that. Too bad, I guess I'll have to make him another one for his birthday;) Ethan had a lot of fun playing with chalk, riding bikes and eating otter pops with his friends and cousins. I didn't get to take any pictures because of how busy I was. The pictures are compliments from Dad and Brandon. Thanks. The thunderstorm never happened, thank goodness. I think everything went well and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Sleep Eating

Ethan has done this a couple of times but we've never gotten it on video. The first time he ever did this is when he was running his cars across the side of our bed with his head down, eyes shut, and munching on a graham cracker. He probably was around two, either he just turned two or would be soon.
This was the night before his birthday party and we were eating dinner really late. He hadn't taken a nap at all that day so he was exhausted. Poor little guy. But it makes for a funny video.

Excuses

Okay I feel guilty not letting the kids play on the back patio. I have a list of reasons and most are pretty selfish.
1. I gave them a shower this morning and I don't want to have to give them a bath tonight.
2. The patio is pretty dirty. It needs to be swept, organized, and cleaned of spiderwebs. (Okay it really isn't that bad but I want it cleaned because of 1. excuse.)
3. It is hot outside, too hot to be barefoot which means too hot to play.
4. I don't want the side door kept open because of the bugs and dirt that come in. Especially since the floor is clean.
5. I would have to sit outside and watch them and I have a long list of things to do.

Like I said most of these are just excuses because I feel it would be more work for me to let them play outside. Tomorrow they'll go to the park and play, but Monday I like to focus on the house. They have only watched one movie (only once) so they're not in a tv trance. I had Brandon bring out a bucket of cars, trucks, buses, ect... last night that they haven't played with for a while. You know the rotating of toys. I still feel bad since I know how much I loved playing outside as a kid. What to do?

Happy Independence Day

Sophie's just practicing.

Sophie found her seat. We had cheese popcorn and apples as our snack. The kids loved the show. I agree it was great.

Fruit Loop

Our craft for the day. Fruit Loop necklaces. Brandon likes to buy them sugary cereals, I think it's a Daddy thing to do.

Kabob'n

Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs from allrecipes, and watermelon-pineapple skewers. Didn't have any other veggies to grill except onion. You'll need to try this recipe, the kids loved it. I think we have a theme for Ethan's birthday party. Tropical. With this as the dinner, or something like it.

Okay Here's the Recipe

Chocolate Malted Cookies

1 cup butter-flavored shortening
1-1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup malted milk powder
2 Tbs. chocolate syrup
1 Tbs. vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks
1 cup (6 ounces) milk chocolate chips

Combine first five ingredients; beat for 2 minutes. Add egg. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chunks and chips. Shape into 2-in. balls; place 3 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375*for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. YEILDS: about 1-1/2 dozen.

Found in a Taste of Home magazine that won the Grand Prize for that issue. Brandon made them as is for his work and they were delicious especially if you are a chocolate lover. But I want to experiment with butter instead of shortening (because according to Paula Dean everything is better with butter:) No, it's really because I just always have butter on hand not to much shortening. I'm thinking I'll put less chocolate chips and add in pecans. I'm also wondering if the chocoalte syrup is omitted if they would look more like a chocolate chip cookie. More tips are they don't make much because they are a decent size cookie so you might want to double your recipe. The malt really makes them yummy. Let me know how yours turn out.