who's idea...

I have to sit back and wonder... who is the crazy person who thought creating a candy stamp. It is a candy in the shape of a stamp with enough dye in the end that when you lick it... well I think you get the idea. This has got to be easily one of the most tempting mess makers to children. Obviously someone who either doesn't have a child or maybe hasn't had a young one in the house in a long time.

This candy is appropriately called a Candy Stamper and as I found out an imaginative child can get in to all sorts of trouble with one. I fell in to the trap of thinking how fun they would be for my kids and Jessi showed me just how much fun she could have.

You can clearly see the fun she had. What a mess! Thank goodness the bath wasn't to hard to fill. I decided never to buy Candy Stampers again. (until the next time, after the memory faded)

Actually it really wasn't that bad and I got a laugh I needed that day.
Thank you Jessica for being you!

love and logic anyone?

Well today I had it with Knighton and Jessica and all their bickering. I decided to try something drastic I learned in my Love and Logic class.

I tied them together!!!

I took an old piece of tubing we had for air in the small fish tank and looped it through their belt loops and tied it together. Needless to say (then why say it ;)) they were not too happy with me.

They fought and argued but now I could look at it different, now instead of just annoying me they were also learning something valuable. How to work together and compromise.

It took a long time but they finally earned the right to be separated. This evening has been quite peaceful and it has been amazing to watch them cooperate even not stuck side by side.

The true test will come tomorrow. I will be sure to have the tube ready. Love and Logic says to hope your kids give you the chance to help them learn things when the "price tag" is small. It can be kind of funny too and we all know laughing at a tough situation can work wonders on dealing with the anger you may feel from the contention.

So here's to hoping they mess up again... and not!

cap and shirt

I want to move away from the wedding cakes for a moment. I was asked by someone in my neighborhood if I could make a graduation hat for her brother. this is what I came up with.

The top and tassel are made of Fondant but I didn't give it enough time to harden so I had to cut some cardboard to keep it the right shape. I got a fun extruder to make the strings on the tassel. It was supposed to be darker blue. Bingham High blue. I need an air brush bad, that would solve all the issues on color I have had over the years.

The graduate was also being made an Elder so they wanted a shirt and he was going to the U of U so it needed a red tie.

I had so much fun making this one. It is also made from fondant. If you look close you can see the tags and buttons. Of course it needed to have the U symbol on it.

pictures

Jessica's baptism pictures

My beautiful 8 year old

Jessi and Grandpa Smith, Jessi and Dad

Knighton, Elijah, Allyson

Grandpa Smith had the privilege of baptizing her and Grandpa Breitling got to confirm her.
Sorry I need a pic of her with Grandpa B... anyone?

what a world

I will apologize now that the tone of this blog will not be light as I am trying to do in general.

Today I witnessed something that brought reality into my life.

I was taking my kids to school and needed to go in to the office, something I rarely do. I usually drop the kids off at the door and get home. As I walked into the school with Knighton and Jessica at my side, marveling that they still seemed to not be embarrassed by me, we saw a child stride up to another and all out hit him, yelling "I told you to wait for me! Why didn't you wait for me? You're supposed to wait for me!" I heard the other one say, "Don't hit me." and then some words I could no longer understand.

As we got closer the older child shoved, with all his strength, his little brother (I assume they are brothers) with the single minded purpose of getting him on the ground. He stood over the other one in a way that was obviously meant to intimidate. I wished I wasn't in that situation and was wondering what I should say and how much I should interfere, When Knighton spoke up and asked the kid, by name, "what are you doing"

I heard two answers. One from a girl that walked up with the big one and the response from the doer. The girl seemed to be stating the facts, "He pushed my brother because..." at this point she was drowned out by the answer from the boy, "he didn't wait for me and then he was dissing me."

As we walked in I asked Knighton to never ever treat his brother that way and he solemnly said, "never." We parted ways and I went into the office, another young boy was explaining the situation outside to the lady in the office and I needed to get home so I decided she had all the information needed. As I left I noticed the bully had left, probably not wanting to stick around after seeing an adult witnessed his assault.

My thoughts are troubled this morning by many things;

First, I come to the conclusion from the child's actions and words he has been in the younger ones roll at times in his life by either a mother or father figure or possibly a older sibling.

Second, My actions. I walked by not wanting to get involved. I am not sure what I could have done but I feel I should have done something.

Third, as I look back I watched the kid who told the office worker be told to sit on a chair like he had done something wrong, I hope it was so she could help me first and not because she was upset with the child. Again I wish I had said something.

I am also proud, as proud as a parent can get and still not a sin. (no fall here) My children fight with each other, who doesn't sometimes, but I know they respect each other also. What I saw this morning would not happen with my children. There would be angry words, maybe some hitting (I hope not but I am not naive) but the attempt to dominate the other one, no. they would walk (stomp) away first.

I am also reminded of the relationship I had with my brother and sisters. We had some really hard times, and some physical fights. I have 2 vivid memories of fights that got physical, one with Robert (me throwing a whisk at him...I missed) and one with Christina (her in a head lock and clawing her way out.) I think I started the physical part of the fight on both occasions, sorry to both of you for being a mean sister.

I am way off point, I am just trying to say through all that there was never the purpose of humiliation or the goal of domination. we were just frustrated and letting ti out the wrong way. What I saw and the way the kid at school talked, he felt that physical violence was not only ok, it was fully justifiable.

I worry about my kids daily and this happening in elementary school scares me even more. Knighton will be in Jr High in 2 years and if I don't end up with an ulcer ill be surprised

.

Once again I am thankful for the love and respect my children show and I am happy my sisters and brother and I have love and respect for each other too.

cake 2

As you can see, I kept my promise to myself. At least on the second wedding cake I ever made. I learned a lot on this cake. Like how much my time should be worth.



This cake was for Kevin's cousin. Her parents were trying to keep the cost of her wedding low so I said I would do the cake. Those who know me wouldn't be surprised to know that I did it for cost. That didn't include the separator plates I needed to have. Back then I was still struggling with the cake coming out of the pans in one piece. The cake came together as perfect as one can though.

Over all the cake took about 10 hours. All the flowers are royal frosting They needed to be made a day or two in advance. (thankfully my mother in law is a patient woman because we were living with her at the time) and oh the ease of buttercream even if not completely smooth.

I got some fun experience and some new toys, pans stencils, separator plates and probably some tips and bags! I think I am most proud of this cake because it is all edible and only the second one I had done.

In the beginning

I want to share my cake decorating experiences with everyone. I decided to start with the cake that turned me into a "professional".

The brother of friend from high school was getting married in 98 or 99 (I think) and his mom called me to see if I would be willing to make a small cake to display at his second reception. I was nervous and unsure my talents could or should go to that level. I had been making birthday cakes since.... well for a long time. Oh, I wish I had pictures of those early cakes. Mom? I mean really, Ill never forget the day I got the recipe for buttercream frosting and realized that you needed more than a few tablespoons of butter if you plan on doing anything but glazing. (One year I decided to try a 2 layer cake for my sister, ended up calling it the blob. She got two birthday cakes that year.)

After some assurance that this wasn't as big a deal as the usual wedding cake, I decided to try. We looked in the Wilton cake books and morphed two different cakes to make one. It was the first time I had ever used fondant before, but that was what was wanted. this was when fondant was becoming more popular, and look how much it is used now.

I went to the craft store and bought ready made fondant, came home and baked the cake. I read the directions on how to prepare the cake and lay the fondant.

What a nightmare! All the folds and creases. I had to cut the fondant! For those not familiar with fondant it is rolled frosting, in simple terms. The smooth almost porcelain finish most wedding cakes have these days. You roll it out larger than the cake you are frosting and in theory, you drape it over the cake and smooth it out. not cut to fit. (unless going for a different look)

Anyway thankfully I had some detail work to do on it and that covered the seems on the cake. It turned out nice. My friend said everyone thought the cake looked nice but the frosting tasted bad. I promised myself I would never do a fondant cake again! As you will see in future postings I did not stick to that promise and all has worked out. Especially since I make my own.

Oh and on a side note not many people can eat a cake with the fondant on it, the fondant is to rich and has a doughy texture. I like mine a lot but still can't eat much at a time. It really is all about the look desired and the moldability the fondant has to offer.

How many scarys do you count?

This morning I was awakened very early (okay 8:30 isn't too early, but the kids didn't have school and anything before 9 is early) by my neighbor who asked if Knighton would like to go to Frightmares at Lagoon With her and her kids, and that she would invite Jessica but she is to "chicken livered" for scary things. What a way to start a day...

Anyway I decided that I better do something fun with her since she wasn't invited. All day I had things come up and then she needed to go to sylvan. Finally after dinner I decided to teach Jessica the game of Rummikub. The strategy is lost on my 8 year old, but boy does Elijah at 4 think he gets it.

While playing I decided to find out if Jessica would like to go even if it is scary. She told me she would ask Knighton how he liked it. I then reminded her that he likes haunted houses and she didn't so he might not be the best person to ask. At that Elijah piped up saying "I love scary houses!" Of course my first thought is weather he had ever been in one. while looking through the cluttered files of my brain a voice penetrates and I hear "scary...., scary ho..., scary monkeys, scary crocodiles and scary... bananas!"

I think we watch too much Scooby Doo around here. I am sure that is where he knows about said scary houses... not to sure if the rest he saw or made up. On a show or in his imagination only Scooby Doo can be responsible for,

SCARY BANANAS!

Poor Kevin

My husband Kevin has had a wonderful hobby for the past 2 years... well maybe I should start at the beginning.

While pregnant with child #3 I got a little emotional one day and decide we needed a fish tank, Kevin was not sure about that idea. I did a little coaxing and we came home from Wal-Mart with a 10 gallon tank, stand and the bare necessities. We had the tank maybe a month when Kevin's brother said he had a 100+ tank we could borrow. Suddenly a tank was the best idea he had come up with. He brought it home along with a big, black, uh beautiful? stand. try to envision a tank about 2.5 feet high, 2 feet deep and 6 feet long, on top of a 3.5 foot stand made out of 2x4 and painted black. My first thought was, uh uh, not in my house.

Thankfully I have my own Dr. Dad who can make almost anything he puts his mind to. He crafted a nice open stand that would hold the 10 gallon tank under the big one. We decided to have a fresh water tank with African Chiclids and breed guppies as food. We realized the tank was only 80 gallons while treating our fish for ick and killed them with to much treatment. so we started over and they grew to be 4 to 9 inches the kids had a grand time with them.

Then we added a 30 gallon salt water tank to the mix. I realized Kevin really wanted a salt water tank and I didn't want a front room full of fish and their habitats. We decided to trade up to a 144 gallon half round tank, and only one tank. We used our tax return and had one delivered.
With all the compliments we received I always referred to the tank as Kevin's baby. I got mine and now he had his. All his birthday and Christmas presents went into the tank he learned a lot about Salt water aquariums and would light up if anyone was interested in his hobby.

Recently he had to put a lot of hours into school and couldn't put in overtime at work so our finances came to the front burner and he realized just what this hobby was costing and decided that he needed to cut losses and give it up. After two years investing all the time, money and emotions he decided he would be ok and this was what he could do to help. I must say I am proud of him in doing what he thinks is good for his family because I don't think I could have ever asked him to.

He sold his fish and corals in two weeks and just sold the rock and tank this week. It was suggested that he keep the tank and put plants or something in it but I cant imagine the annoying feeling of having to look at the tank every day wishing there were fish in it. Who knows what the future will bring.

All I know is I need to be very careful what I decide I need in the future, because who knows how big the end result will be... I want a miniature Schnauzer, he wants a Mastiff... I want a 40 in TV he wants nothing less than 60 in... I want a cat he wants a... lion?

*Kevin says not a lion, a Siberian tiger

Happy Birthday Daniel

Today is my sisters boyfriend, Daniel's birthday. I want to take some time to tell him I appreciate him. A couple of reasons are that he has always been kind to me, helped me with things he could and also for being good to my sister and her kids. I know he makes her happy and I am glad for that.

Happy Birthday Daniel!!!
I look forward to getting to know you more in the years to come.

Thanks to all who came to share in the excitement of Jessica's baptism. She felt and looked like the princess that she is. Every one who came added to her wonderful day. We missed those who couldn't make it and thank others for their calls. I gave a talk on confirmation that was thankfully short. Dinner after was a success! Thanks also to those who brought things.

I will post pictures of the event as soon as I can.

Thanks again to all.

meltdown

Moms unite! (OK Dads, Aunt's, Uncle's, Grandma, Grandpa's, cousins etc. come join too.) We need to stand strong against the Temper tantrum!

Knighton may never talk to me again after this post but I gotta tell, I just gotta. My kids have been spoiled in the fact that they get to watch movies at bedtime on the weekend. So much that they feel entitled to this privilege. I am not sure how this happened other than laziness on my part. Oh how much easier can it be to get them to bed at 8:00 (or even 7 on a really bad day) than to plop in a movie and say goodnight. how sweet the sound of silence is after a full day of arguing, and believe me Knighton and Jessica have bickering down to an art. Elijah is king of whining and even Allyson has perfected the "awww" after being told no. Of course the reward for this behavior is "watching a movie to bed" as we call it in our house. Prefect logic right. OK I know every love and logic parent out there is cringing right now.

Anyway, last weekend I had the kids down to "bed" with the usual delay tactics one of which was Knighton telling me his DVD was not working right. I told him I was sorry and he needed to go back downstairs. In frustration I yelled "next!" Christina, Audrey and Megan were over playing SkipBo with me and got a big laugh at that because we all knew it would be only a matter of time when we saw the next child.

It didn't take long until we heard a cry from Elijah as he came up the stairs. When asked what was wrong, he said Knighton had stepped on his tummy. Next step, I had Knighton come up and talk to me in another room. He was angry that his DVD wasn't working and decided Elijah would make a good target for his frustration and stomped on him. (though I am sure he would have chosen who ever was closest) I started to lose my temper and realized that was a bad example especially at this moment so I counted to 10 (or maybe 3) and started over.

I said I was sorry that he couldn't sleep in the toy room with Elijah and Jessi and to go to his room. You would have thought I stomped him. he wailed all the way down the stairs and gave me more opportunities to try love and logic. I told him to cry louder. love and logic says to egg your kids on and maybe they will defy you and stop.(my words not theirs) And it defiantly lightens the mood.

He cried like that for 30 min, sounding like a car trying to start and a polar bear after their 1:00 swim. I decided I had had enough and calmly asked if he would do me a favor. He said yes and I asked him to close his door. oops, the cry came out ten fold. Eventually he was out. The next day his voice cracked and he was a little sore but still alive and whole.

The moral for all those who are united with me;
Stay strong, lighten the mood anyway possible and all will end... eventually

Happy Birthday Elijah

Today is my son Elijah's birthday. I cant believe he came into my life 4 years ago already. Elijah is a little singer. He loves to sing anything he hears. He has been such a wonderful addition to our family.

He was born between 7 and 8 in the morning, although I went to the hospital the night before. The doctor on call didn't want to come in to the hospital that late so she/he just said call if she gets any further along. My water has a really hard time breaking on its own so I was miserable. My contractions were staying high so I had to get an epidural. The idiot anaesthesiologist took 20 min to put the darn thing in, and it came out before labor anyway. Just as Elijah was starting the journey into this world I found out my doctor was almost there. I was asked if I wanted to wait for her or push. Those who know me well will probably not be surprised to know I waited all the rest so "WHAT" and "WHY." My logic was she missed the last two births so third time is the charm, right?..... right? Anyway Doc. got there and Elijah exploded onto the world. My biggest baby at 8 lb 3 oz.

He grew like a weed the first year (31 lb at birthday #1) Earning him endearing names like "the linebacker"(almost everyone) "the bubble" (my sister Christina's boyfriend) and my favorite "chunky monkey" (me of course, he was born in the year of the monkey)

Having so much weight to carry around he didn't start walking till age 18 months. Of course he also wanted to be carried everywhere. when he started talking he gave Allyson two of her many nicknames, Iceson and Ah-ee, because he had a hard time saying Allyson and Ally.

Lately he has been learning sign watching Signing Time with Alex and Leah. He still loves Diego and Dora but has added Backyardigains to the list. I think I would be happy with just the Backyardigans though.

He has grown into his chubbiness but is still solid as a rock I love watching people try to pick him up. (no more bubble or chunky monkey but still the linebacker) I look forward to seeing the changes yet to come in the next year and sharing all the fun and joy he brings into our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH!!!

you know you're a mom when...

a trick played on you isn't even on purpose. Last night I was on the computer till about 1200 when I decided having blurred vision meant it was time to stop searching facebook and go to bed. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth (no mom I didn't just wet the brush) After putting the toothpaste on and starting the brushing process I noticed my toothbrush tasted funny. I thought "oh well" and finished the activity, rinsed and thought "Humm what is that awful taste" the more I contemplated it I came to the conclusion....SOAP... soap. on. my. toothbrush!!! Oh how bad can it get, I drank water, milk and finally (sorry mom) chewed bubble gum. My guess... Elijah either thought he was helping or just found a cool thing to put in the bar of soap on the counter. (I am going with the latter)

moral of the story: go to bed before blurred vision and maybe see soapy residue on toothbrush....... maybe not

hummm

Any one who has been to my Moms when the grandkids are around would reconize this...

so how about this....

Jessica was quite proud of herself for thinking of this creative use of Allyson's pigtails.

Just look at her grin...

and a couple of more shots 'cause they are so cute...

Update on mixer

So I made sugar cookies yesterday and Mixer was fine. =) She has forgiven me.
I also have to say Mom still has the really bad hand mixer we used all those years. I wonder if it still burns the motor when making chocolate chip cookies. Mom has no idea because she doesnt use it. Christina maybe you know?
Anyway thanks for the memory on your comment Christina.

Jessica's baptism

Jessica's baptism is going to be on sat the 11th at 400pm the church is on 4000 west. If you go north on 4000 w from 6200 s its the first church you see. We will be doing a pot luck dinner after her confirmation that same day. I hope to see you all there.

Kitchen Aid

All my growing years we never had a stand mixer. If we wanted cookies we pulled out the hand mixer and got an upper arm workout. Some of my best memories are of mixing cookie dough with my sisters, sneaking bites and even flipping the batter when the beaters same out of the bowl to soon. Still I always wished for a big stand mixer. So you can imagine the happy day I got one.

I have used it for so many things, frosting, cookies... frosting... yep that's about everything. Now, I have been so thankful to have it, can you imagine the pain of making 20+ cups of frosting for a wedding cake with out it. I can. (the color drains from my face) Its. not. pretty.

I have recently decided that I have not been using this mixer to its full potential. (Seriously what mixer wants to be known as a uni-tasker, I think they all aspire to be multi-taskers.) I decided to make bread using the ever so nifty dough hook that comes with my amazing mixer. I got an awesome recipe from a neighbor (only takes an hour from start to finish) and made it.

The kids got home from school and you would have thought it was Christmas morning. had I known how easy they are to please I would have employed the mixer in this task sooner. There were cries of "homemade bread", "can we have some", "when did you make bread" and reading (listening) between the lines,"I didn't know you could learn something new" and "why didn't you make bread years ago" even "wow, is that my mom, who knew she could be cool"

We were off and running till one day I decided to use "Dear Mixer" for an old purpose... cookies
I guess she decided she was better than cookies now, hit a brown sugar clump and quit working. I was devastated. I have been so spoiled since I got her I thought I was not going to be able to finish the cookies. Then the light came on, the hand mixer! Ugg not sure how we made it all those years only using that tool of torture. I guess if you have nothing to compare it to, its not so bad. Anyway I finished the cookie dough and had no energy left to make the cookies, (wink wink)

Next I had to find a place or person to fix my baby. I called so many places and got the same answer from everyone. the only authorized "clinic" was downtown. I was worried what that would cost me if they had a monopoly on Kitchen Aid stand mixers, so da ta da da, Kevin called "Dr" Brian, his father. He can fix most anything. He kept Mixer two nights and brought her back to me as good as new. Only a 35 dollar part and I had it back. Now I will be sure to talk sweet things to her before I ask her to mix beneath her lofty aspirations.
Thanks so much to "Dr" Brian!!!

Happy Birthday Lisa

Today my little sister, Lisa turns 29. Though I will forever see her as 18 because that will keep me 21. She has been a wonderful friend to me over the years. From being a good listener to taking half of the blame on a broken window so I would not have to admit I lost my temper and did something stupid, (again) Of course she has used that as "ammunition" since. ;) She is a great person and so good and letting things go that would bother me for a long time, she says something along the line of "is it important" when I am upset and it usually helps. I am glad I have gotten to know her again as an adult and see how different things look as we talk now, thank goodness she has given up on saying "reeerr" although she now says she did that to annoy me. Oh how I wish I could add to my sisters elephant collection this year! I have loved that I know just what to get her each year. so I too will add pictures of elephants to this happy birthday blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LISA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!