Experiment

I'm not a vegan by any sense of the word.  I admit I love meat.  I love a good juicy hamburger or perfectly barbecued ribs or even that moist chicken.  I can't see me not eating these things, but that is what I am trying today.  The reason is simple:  My health.

I've been suffering from headaches every day for months.  These aren't migraines, not even close to them really, but annoying all the same.  Yesterday I had just a little chicken at lunch and then quite a bit for dinner.  It was after dinner that I realized I hadn't had a real headache all day.  I had a mild one in the afternoon after lunch and then shortly after dinner I got a big one again.  Could meat be the culprit?  Well I'm going to see.  This day may be hard, but if the pain leaves it will so be sort of worth it.  I say sort of because I really do not want to give up my meats.  I guess if they are what is causing my pain I must limit them some, but knowing me I will never fully give up.

So there it is.  Experiment day is here!

P.S.  Diet change did not help for which I am thankful and grumpy about at the same time.  So glad I can eat meat, but I really want these headaches gone.

No school=Lots of time on hand

This weekend our school district decided to have a mid-winter break.  I think it is the most stupid thing I've heard.  This weekend happens to be President's Day weekend and added to that one day the school is giving the kids the Thursday and Friday before too.  Stupid!!!  I can see maybe the friday but the thursday too.  Really? 

Anyway, I was reading the Disney FamilyFun magazine and there was this cute idea for a book party.  Invitations and all centered around books.  I love it!  However, I'm not having a party this weekend centered on books, but I do have lots of books for the kids and they have lots of time.....So I made the library cards from the website and have given my children the task of filling it up. 

Once filled they will be able to choose a prize.  This card is good all weekend and if filled I will issue a new one.  The amounts of prizes really are only limited to how fast they can read.

Rules are simple:

1. Read books

2.  Get stamp of approval from parent

3.  Earn prizes

Now for Ben and Chris I did add a little twist.  They can only read one easy book per card.  The rest are filled by reading (10 for Chris and 15 for Ben) pages out of a chapter book. 

My house is now quiet with reading.  Ahhhh pure bliss!

Lexie turns 3

I really don't know where to start with Lexie.  She is a fire breathing sweetheart with a fuse so short you can barely see it and attitude a mile long.  She loves playing games, reading books, and watching "movies" (mostly cartoon episodes on DVD).  She has more energy than a cheetah and seems to be able to move as fast especially if she is in trouble.  I do love my one and only little girl.

Singing happy birthday

Blowing out the candles.  I tried a new recipe for a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.  The cake goes but the frosting was divine.

Little Pony pack with all sorts of little pieces.  Can you feel my excitement?  She loves them!

Please ignore the chocolate cake residue.  She is modeling the necklace and bracelet her Aunt Brin made her.  She wears them almost everyday if she can find them.

Christopher turns 8

My little babies just keep growing.  Why won't they listen to me and slow down?  Having said that, Chris was super excited to turn 8 and be baptized.  He was excited to talk to the bishop and having passed the interview plan his baptism.  This year was the perfect year for him to turn8.  As it happened his birthday landed on a Saturday so he was able to be baptized on his birthday, a rarity for sure.

He asked me to play the piano for him and that is something I really don't do.  I said yes of course and then practiced my little fingers off.  Made it through the songs without passing out and only a few minor mistakes that nobody really noticed.  He had Ben give a talk and his daddy did the baptism.

Chris is such a sweetheart with a little devil inside.  He's super angelic and very easily touched by his emotions, but then the devil peeks out and he pesters his brothers and sister until they are running around crazy.  Does any one else have this issue?  Just wondering if we were alone in this situation.  Anyway, I love having him in our family and thankful he made the choice he did.  Now if we could just trap the devil for good...

My 8 year old

Daddy and Chris before baptism

Tradition family photo after all was said and done

Chris and his cake and ice cream

Blowing out the candles

And just because... my little big goof with the Chinese dancer from his school nutcracker play.  He was so excited to bring it home.  I had to hang it on his bedroom door until the rest of the kids torn it down.

Peter

Guess who's 9 months!

Peter is growing so fast and I'm not just talking about size either.  This kid is a smarty pants and adorable to boot.  Not a good combo when he needs to be disciplined.

Chef in training

Little train engineer

Last week we could put Peter down in the middle of the floor and have no worries that he would move.  Then everything changed.  I put him down, turned and walked a bit away then turned and found him at my feet.  What!?  I moved him back and then happened to look back and this kid was on the move.  Crawling!  This is where the adorable and smarty pants cross paths.  He'll take off towards the movies or something else he isn't suppose to be in and I'll call his name.  He stops, turns to look at me and then laughs and takes off again.  The chase is on.  Me trying to catch him before he makes a mess and him laughing all the way.  He can cross the house in no time and I'll often find him missing and have to go find him because I've turned my head for a second.

He's been crawling so much the last week that his knees and shins are red and chapped.  So he now gets up on his toes and elephant walks.  This kid is going to be walking so soon.

I love this boy so much.  So glad he is a part of our family.

Hat night

3D movie

For Christmas my brother Jason took us all to the movies.  Our family saw Yogi Bear in 3D.  This is our first experience with a 3D movie in the theater so of course I took pictures.

Look at all these cool dudes with their shades on

Ev

Chris

Lex

I took pictures of everyone, but of course technology stepped in and ruined Ben's.  His was sooo cool and I'm totally bummed I no longer have it, but such is life.

The movie was ok but really not worth the 3D in my opinion.  I'm not sold on the whole 3D experience.  Maybe I'll have more luck with the next movie I go to.  Until then I'll stick with 2D thanks.

Pizza Hut and Chuck E Cheese

For part of November and December Doug was in China for work.  This was a very long 6 weeks without him and you could tell.  By then end we were all stressed out and need of him.  The day after he came home was a much happier day and full of smiles.  It was like Christmas had come early.

Anyway, we always go to Chuck E Cheese when he comes home for a long trip, however I don't like their pizza.  So we went to Pizza Hut for dinner (Chris and Evan and coupons for a free personal pizza.  Gotta love coupons) and then to Chuck E Cheese's to play.

Ben and Peter at Pizza Hut

Chris

Ev

Lex

Peter

Play time!  Watch out Peter is driving!

And sliding!

Lex on the merry go round

Evan won a ticket.  This is a big thing because without tickets there are no prizes and we do love the prizes.

Chris and Lex in the big toy.  Her first time and she loved it!

Again on the big toy

So much fun to be had

So little time to have it

Evan

I don't know where this child comes from.  He must get his weirdness from his dad.

I love this boy.  He can be sweet and so fun at times.  We're still working on those times that he's not.

I give you Evan

Power outage

We've had some normal winter weather as far as the area is concerned, but it's come in punches.  Bam!  We get hit with a storm then it melts and Bam! we are hit again.  Power lines and trees are not liking this not to mention all the ruts and potholes.  These puppies will swallow a small car with ease.

Outside the boys' bedroom window.

Luckily we are semi-prepared for power outages.  We still need to get an alternate heat source but so long as it isn't out too long we are fine.  We bundle up, light the lamp and hang out.

Science Fair

Yes I may be late, such is the story of my life, but at least these pictures are going up before the next science fair comes around.

Ben and Chris wanted to participate and really I'd rather they didn't, but oh well.

Ben did his on the absorption ability of different items

Chris' was on what conditions a banana turns brown at. 

I think he's saying, "'Bout time mom!"

Now trying to act all smart

I'm really hoping we don't have to do the fair this year but knowing my children we will and now we'll have 3 to do.  Sometimes life would be easier if there was no school.



Christmas Finish

My Chrustmas quartet.  I made the big boys vest and ties and Peter just a tie for Christmas this year.  I love how they look in them.  Evan really does love his we just had a hard time during pictures.

This is Sheilah's grandma and Lexie.  Grandma Vanderholm was in good form for Christmas at her house and gave the younger great-grandchildren rides on her scooter.  Lexie loved it and so did Evan.  You'll notice there is no picture of Evan.  I love technology except when it doesn't work.  I downloaded the pictures and somehow his got corrupted during transfer, unfortunately I had already deleted it off the camera.  Bummer!