Thursday, September 27, 2007
September 26th
Hi Everyone.
I am happy to report that this weekend we had two good days in a row! No tantrums, Jens was well behaved and responsive, and we really enjoyed spending time together as a family. He still isn't feeling the greatest--his runny nose continues, and if he runs too much he has major coughing fits, but it is nice to be reminded that he can be sweet and cute and that he isn't always a terror!
The big accomplishment for the week was CANNING! I did it, all by myself. It wasn't fun and I made a huge mess, but I was successful. I did 28 quarts of pears on Thursday, then we went to Apple Hill on Saturday and found 40 lbs. of peaches for 8 dollars, so I did 27 quarts of peaches on Saturday. I also did 16 quarts of plums. Our pantry is very full! We have tried the pears and peaches and they are both good. I am working up my nerve to try the plums. The juice is a really pretty color, but the plums themselves look a little scary. I will send a picture of my jars because of COURSE I took some! After I finished we went to to Jamba to celebrate. Jens loves going there because he gets his own little cup and straw.
We went to a church activity on Friday. I took lasagna, which didn't turn out as well as I hoped. I used the no bake noodles and they got really soggy on me. I think it works better when I use the regular noodles and don't cook them. We only stayed for about an hour before Jens was driving me crazy and threw a tantrum when I wouldn't let him play with a pair of scissors. I am a mean mommy!
Tuesday I was supposed to go out to see Becoming Jane with Natalie, but what do you think? They have taken out of the theaters already! I was very disappointed. Also on Tuesday I made a different version of lasagna where you fill and roll up each lasagna noodle. It turned out SO good. I will send the recipe to anyone who wants it. It took a little time, but it was worth it. I really do enjoy cooking, though, so maybe it is only worth it if you don't mind doing the work.
In case you all are wondering, Jens has stopped wanting to use the potty. I had visions of early potty training in my head, but oh well. We aren't going to push anything.
One little Jens funny. I watch Sarah Harrison on Wednesday mornings. So she was here this morning and Mike was getting ready to go to work, so Jens said his usual "I love you, Dad," then turned to Sarah and told her to say I love you Dad, too. He also demanded that I give Daddy a hug and kiss. He is pretty bossy sometimes.
Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
I am happy to report that this weekend we had two good days in a row! No tantrums, Jens was well behaved and responsive, and we really enjoyed spending time together as a family. He still isn't feeling the greatest--his runny nose continues, and if he runs too much he has major coughing fits, but it is nice to be reminded that he can be sweet and cute and that he isn't always a terror!
The big accomplishment for the week was CANNING! I did it, all by myself. It wasn't fun and I made a huge mess, but I was successful. I did 28 quarts of pears on Thursday, then we went to Apple Hill on Saturday and found 40 lbs. of peaches for 8 dollars, so I did 27 quarts of peaches on Saturday. I also did 16 quarts of plums. Our pantry is very full! We have tried the pears and peaches and they are both good. I am working up my nerve to try the plums. The juice is a really pretty color, but the plums themselves look a little scary. I will send a picture of my jars because of COURSE I took some! After I finished we went to to Jamba to celebrate. Jens loves going there because he gets his own little cup and straw.
We went to a church activity on Friday. I took lasagna, which didn't turn out as well as I hoped. I used the no bake noodles and they got really soggy on me. I think it works better when I use the regular noodles and don't cook them. We only stayed for about an hour before Jens was driving me crazy and threw a tantrum when I wouldn't let him play with a pair of scissors. I am a mean mommy!
Tuesday I was supposed to go out to see Becoming Jane with Natalie, but what do you think? They have taken out of the theaters already! I was very disappointed. Also on Tuesday I made a different version of lasagna where you fill and roll up each lasagna noodle. It turned out SO good. I will send the recipe to anyone who wants it. It took a little time, but it was worth it. I really do enjoy cooking, though, so maybe it is only worth it if you don't mind doing the work.
In case you all are wondering, Jens has stopped wanting to use the potty. I had visions of early potty training in my head, but oh well. We aren't going to push anything.
One little Jens funny. I watch Sarah Harrison on Wednesday mornings. So she was here this morning and Mike was getting ready to go to work, so Jens said his usual "I love you, Dad," then turned to Sarah and told her to say I love you Dad, too. He also demanded that I give Daddy a hug and kiss. He is pretty bossy sometimes.
Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Hurray!
I was feeling very sad about the vanished pictures, so I decided to look again and voila! They magically reappeared. So I will send you a few of them in celebration. They are:
Helping vacuum the Burley. Jessica, he really loves that vacuum you sent. Every time I get out my vacuum he RUNS to get out his vacuum, too, so he can help. It is pretty cute.
Helping vacuum the Burley. Jessica, he really loves that vacuum you sent. Every time I get out my vacuum he RUNS to get out his vacuum, too, so he can help. It is pretty cute.
September 19th
Hi Everyone.
Jens is sick again--the joys of a kid who is susceptible to every cold bug that comes his way, and who's body blows those little colds into a huge asthmatic attack. We are having a great week with lots of snot and crankiness.
Our most exciting news this week is that I am, at last, the proud owner of a NEW bike! I don't think I have ever had my own NEW bike. Garage sale bikes, hand-me-downs, yes, new no. And the last bike I owned was gone by the time I was ten. On Monday we went and picked up a shiny black bike for me--a "hybrid" between a road bike and a mountain bike. I am looking forward to some family bike rides! Also on Monday night we bought a Burley. We found one on Craig's List for 180, which was by far the best price we'd seen. The new ones cost 450! We went to look at it and it was dirty, but it had been garaged and it had been barely used. The stickers were still on the wheels. So we brought it home and Jens and I vacuumed and washed it and now it looks brand new. I always love a good deal!
Saturday we went to Apple Hill (of course). We bought 40 lbs. of pears and are going to have a go at canning them. Wish us luck! The 40 lbs. only cost eight dollars, so we figure even if we ruin them all it isn't too much of a loss. Friday Jens is going to the Harrison's for the morning and I am going to go to it. Jens loved Apple Hill, of course. We went to Denver Dan's where they peel, core, and spiral cut an apple, then stick it on your thumb so you can try their special dipping sauces (cider sauce is our favorite). They had Jens get one and took his picture to put up on their wall. He loved it there because they had animals you could pet and feed--goats, geese, donkeys, alpaca, and even a pig. I had never pet a pig before. They are very bristly. He cried when we left, but luckily we were going to Costco to meet Natalie and JP, so he recovered.
Sunday I made apple pies and we had friends over. It was a pie fest because the Nielsens brought a pumpkin pie, then I made an apple pie with crumb topping, pecans, and carmel, and a regular two crusted apple pie to have with cider sauce. Sunday night when I went to bed I felt VERY VERY full of pie. Monday morning I woke up still full and couldn't bring myself to eat breakfast. Sometimes, you just have to eat as much pie as you want and deal with the consequences.
I guess those are the highlights of our week. The rest was just the norm--storytime, music makers, park day, visiting teaching, etc.
A Jens funny--one morning this week he marched into the living room and announced to Mike: "Daddy, I wearin' a sweatshirt. I'm handsome!" Then he kindly told Mike that he was handsome, too.
His most uttered phrase this week: "I do it." He wants to do everything himself. Give himself the medicine. Put on his own diaper. Get dressed. Set the table. Empty the dishwasher. Notice, this list is of things that he CAN"T actually do by himself, but he thinks he can. He gets real mad when I have to help him or when he isn't allowed to do what he has in mind.
We have been improving on the tantrum front--they are a little less often. He has moved on to a "push mommy's buttons" phase where he races from one naughty thing to the next. Pulling things off the fridge, coloring on everything in sight, playing in the dog food, hitting the blinds, dumping dirt out of my plants, you name it, he does it. Today he was inside while I was getting Sarah out of her car seat. When I came in he was holding our big expensive camera, which I had put at the very back of my work table, where I didn't think he could reach. He had pulled the lens cap off and somehow managed to erase the pictures that were on it and put the zoom all the way out. I am just glad I came in before he dropped it, and that it was just the last couple weeks' worth of pictures. That means I am not sending any pictures this week. Sorry. Sigh. Good thing he is cute. So cute that strangers at Denver Dan's want to take his picture and put it on their wall.
Have a happy week, everyone, and wish me luck on the whole canning thing.
Love,
Alison
Jens is sick again--the joys of a kid who is susceptible to every cold bug that comes his way, and who's body blows those little colds into a huge asthmatic attack. We are having a great week with lots of snot and crankiness.
Our most exciting news this week is that I am, at last, the proud owner of a NEW bike! I don't think I have ever had my own NEW bike. Garage sale bikes, hand-me-downs, yes, new no. And the last bike I owned was gone by the time I was ten. On Monday we went and picked up a shiny black bike for me--a "hybrid" between a road bike and a mountain bike. I am looking forward to some family bike rides! Also on Monday night we bought a Burley. We found one on Craig's List for 180, which was by far the best price we'd seen. The new ones cost 450! We went to look at it and it was dirty, but it had been garaged and it had been barely used. The stickers were still on the wheels. So we brought it home and Jens and I vacuumed and washed it and now it looks brand new. I always love a good deal!
Saturday we went to Apple Hill (of course). We bought 40 lbs. of pears and are going to have a go at canning them. Wish us luck! The 40 lbs. only cost eight dollars, so we figure even if we ruin them all it isn't too much of a loss. Friday Jens is going to the Harrison's for the morning and I am going to go to it. Jens loved Apple Hill, of course. We went to Denver Dan's where they peel, core, and spiral cut an apple, then stick it on your thumb so you can try their special dipping sauces (cider sauce is our favorite). They had Jens get one and took his picture to put up on their wall. He loved it there because they had animals you could pet and feed--goats, geese, donkeys, alpaca, and even a pig. I had never pet a pig before. They are very bristly. He cried when we left, but luckily we were going to Costco to meet Natalie and JP, so he recovered.
Sunday I made apple pies and we had friends over. It was a pie fest because the Nielsens brought a pumpkin pie, then I made an apple pie with crumb topping, pecans, and carmel, and a regular two crusted apple pie to have with cider sauce. Sunday night when I went to bed I felt VERY VERY full of pie. Monday morning I woke up still full and couldn't bring myself to eat breakfast. Sometimes, you just have to eat as much pie as you want and deal with the consequences.
I guess those are the highlights of our week. The rest was just the norm--storytime, music makers, park day, visiting teaching, etc.
A Jens funny--one morning this week he marched into the living room and announced to Mike: "Daddy, I wearin' a sweatshirt. I'm handsome!" Then he kindly told Mike that he was handsome, too.
His most uttered phrase this week: "I do it." He wants to do everything himself. Give himself the medicine. Put on his own diaper. Get dressed. Set the table. Empty the dishwasher. Notice, this list is of things that he CAN"T actually do by himself, but he thinks he can. He gets real mad when I have to help him or when he isn't allowed to do what he has in mind.
We have been improving on the tantrum front--they are a little less often. He has moved on to a "push mommy's buttons" phase where he races from one naughty thing to the next. Pulling things off the fridge, coloring on everything in sight, playing in the dog food, hitting the blinds, dumping dirt out of my plants, you name it, he does it. Today he was inside while I was getting Sarah out of her car seat. When I came in he was holding our big expensive camera, which I had put at the very back of my work table, where I didn't think he could reach. He had pulled the lens cap off and somehow managed to erase the pictures that were on it and put the zoom all the way out. I am just glad I came in before he dropped it, and that it was just the last couple weeks' worth of pictures. That means I am not sending any pictures this week. Sorry. Sigh. Good thing he is cute. So cute that strangers at Denver Dan's want to take his picture and put it on their wall.
Have a happy week, everyone, and wish me luck on the whole canning thing.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
September 12th
Hi Everyone.
Another standard week here. Jens continues throwing tantrums, however, we have a few new twists: First, he rips off his clothes while tantruming. It is actually kind of funny because he can't really take his shirt of by himself, so he usually gets stuck, which makes him madder. Second, he is having fewer and shorter tantrums, which is quite nice. Third, I realized that his morning tantrums seem to mostly stem from the fact that he is hungry, so when I go in to pick him up, I take a granola bar and stuff a bite into his mouth before I talk to him. It has had quite an amazing effect. So, the constant fear and terror is fading and we are feeling like we can handle things.
We had music makers at our house last week. The kids had a great time, and Jens loved it. He is starting to sing whenever the spirit moves him. This afternoon when he got up from his nap he started yelling "Sing I am a Child of God, Mom! Sing it!" That was how I knew he was awake.
Friday night Mike and I went on a date. We went to REI and one of the local bike shops to find ME a bike. I have decided I would like some variety in my excercise, but I don't anticipate being some crazy person like Collin or Matt seems to be.
A Jens funny--a few days ago I made Jens a PBJ sandwich and carrots sticks for lunch. I walked into the kitchen and came back and he was sticking the carrots into the sandwich. i was about to reprimand him when he started singing Happy Birthday to you and blowing out the "candles". It was pretty funny.
Ok. One more little funny. Today I am wearing my hair down, which I don't do very often. I asked Jens to give me a hug, which he did, and his head rested on some of my hair. He patted it with his hand and I said "That's Mommy's hair." and he said "It's . . . comfy." He had to think about the right word to use and I thought the word choice was cute. I am glad he didn't say frizzy or brittle.
A BIG news bulletin for those of you who care about this kind of thing--Mike got his hair cut today. And I mean cut. I haven't seen it in person, but he sent me a picture and it looks really nice. I think the long hair was a little too hot with his new biking regimen, which, by the way, he is really enjoying.
One last Jens piece of news--he went pee in the potty twice this week. He was very excited about that because he got a chocolate chip each time. He also pooped, but he was very scared of that. He got two chocolate chips for that, though, so then he was excited. I don't think we are anywhere close to potty training, but it is nice that he has had a few successes.
That's it from us! Have a happy week, everyone.
Another standard week here. Jens continues throwing tantrums, however, we have a few new twists: First, he rips off his clothes while tantruming. It is actually kind of funny because he can't really take his shirt of by himself, so he usually gets stuck, which makes him madder. Second, he is having fewer and shorter tantrums, which is quite nice. Third, I realized that his morning tantrums seem to mostly stem from the fact that he is hungry, so when I go in to pick him up, I take a granola bar and stuff a bite into his mouth before I talk to him. It has had quite an amazing effect. So, the constant fear and terror is fading and we are feeling like we can handle things.
We had music makers at our house last week. The kids had a great time, and Jens loved it. He is starting to sing whenever the spirit moves him. This afternoon when he got up from his nap he started yelling "Sing I am a Child of God, Mom! Sing it!" That was how I knew he was awake.
Friday night Mike and I went on a date. We went to REI and one of the local bike shops to find ME a bike. I have decided I would like some variety in my excercise, but I don't anticipate being some crazy person like Collin or Matt seems to be.
A Jens funny--a few days ago I made Jens a PBJ sandwich and carrots sticks for lunch. I walked into the kitchen and came back and he was sticking the carrots into the sandwich. i was about to reprimand him when he started singing Happy Birthday to you and blowing out the "candles". It was pretty funny.
Ok. One more little funny. Today I am wearing my hair down, which I don't do very often. I asked Jens to give me a hug, which he did, and his head rested on some of my hair. He patted it with his hand and I said "That's Mommy's hair." and he said "It's . . . comfy." He had to think about the right word to use and I thought the word choice was cute. I am glad he didn't say frizzy or brittle.
A BIG news bulletin for those of you who care about this kind of thing--Mike got his hair cut today. And I mean cut. I haven't seen it in person, but he sent me a picture and it looks really nice. I think the long hair was a little too hot with his new biking regimen, which, by the way, he is really enjoying.
One last Jens piece of news--he went pee in the potty twice this week. He was very excited about that because he got a chocolate chip each time. He also pooped, but he was very scared of that. He got two chocolate chips for that, though, so then he was excited. I don't think we are anywhere close to potty training, but it is nice that he has had a few successes.
That's it from us! Have a happy week, everyone.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
September 5th
Friends under the table! Sarah and Jens
Before the buzz.
During the buzz.
After the buzz.
With Matisyn Johnson at the park.
Happy Birthday, Dad! I hope you are having a fun day.
We've had a rough week at our house. Last Wednesday, the Tantrum switch turned on in Jens's brain. As a result, every day since then we have had a huge tantrum. Crying, kicking, and screaming--I've never seen any thing like it. It has been truly horrible. If I didn't really love Jens, I would have sold him to the gypsies a few days ago. As a result, I feel more exhausted and worn out then I did when he wasn't sleeping through the night. I have had a headache for about five days straight and I live in fear of my own child. It has been great. In case you can't tell, today has been a rough day!
Other than that, we have been up to our usual. Thursday we had the missionaries for dinner, which Jens was so excited about. He loves it when we have company.
Friday night we buzzed Jens's head--As soon as we started, I felt a little sad. It makes him look much older. I will send pictures of his new doo.
Saturday was the opening day at Apple Hill. We took Jens up in the morning and went to one of our favorite places. We walked around and looked at crafts, which Jens loved, saw the ponies giving rides-- Jens watched that for about fifteen minutes, and had some delicious treats. Jens threw a tantrum all the way home. Saturday night, Mike and I were happy to leave him with friends to go on a date. We went out to eat and ran some errands. It is amazing how lightning fast errands can go when you don't have to haul someone in and out of the car with you!
Sunday we played games at the Harrisons. We learned a new game called Acquire, which was fun, and played a quick round of Blokus.
Monday we drove down to Micke Grove to meet up with the Johnsons to celebrate Matt's birthday and just hang out. We went to the little zoo there, had a picnic, and sat on the grass for almost three hours while the kids played. It was a really nice day, and it was fun to see them. That night we watched Young Frankenstein, one of Mike's old favortie movies. I have to admit that it was slightly funnier then I remembered from when he inflicted it upon me while we were dating.
Yesterday story time started back up, which made Jens very happy. I went visiting teaching afterwards and drupped Jens off at the Harrisons before doing so, which made my visit to Phyllis MUCH more pleasant. She has a new kitten, which was very darling and very playful but VERY fierce! I played with her quite a bit and ended up with several scratched on my arm.
That's all from us. I hope next week will be a little easier!
love,
Alison
Before the buzz.
During the buzz.
After the buzz.
With Matisyn Johnson at the park.
Happy Birthday, Dad! I hope you are having a fun day.
We've had a rough week at our house. Last Wednesday, the Tantrum switch turned on in Jens's brain. As a result, every day since then we have had a huge tantrum. Crying, kicking, and screaming--I've never seen any thing like it. It has been truly horrible. If I didn't really love Jens, I would have sold him to the gypsies a few days ago. As a result, I feel more exhausted and worn out then I did when he wasn't sleeping through the night. I have had a headache for about five days straight and I live in fear of my own child. It has been great. In case you can't tell, today has been a rough day!
Other than that, we have been up to our usual. Thursday we had the missionaries for dinner, which Jens was so excited about. He loves it when we have company.
Friday night we buzzed Jens's head--As soon as we started, I felt a little sad. It makes him look much older. I will send pictures of his new doo.
Saturday was the opening day at Apple Hill. We took Jens up in the morning and went to one of our favorite places. We walked around and looked at crafts, which Jens loved, saw the ponies giving rides-- Jens watched that for about fifteen minutes, and had some delicious treats. Jens threw a tantrum all the way home. Saturday night, Mike and I were happy to leave him with friends to go on a date. We went out to eat and ran some errands. It is amazing how lightning fast errands can go when you don't have to haul someone in and out of the car with you!
Sunday we played games at the Harrisons. We learned a new game called Acquire, which was fun, and played a quick round of Blokus.
Monday we drove down to Micke Grove to meet up with the Johnsons to celebrate Matt's birthday and just hang out. We went to the little zoo there, had a picnic, and sat on the grass for almost three hours while the kids played. It was a really nice day, and it was fun to see them. That night we watched Young Frankenstein, one of Mike's old favortie movies. I have to admit that it was slightly funnier then I remembered from when he inflicted it upon me while we were dating.
Yesterday story time started back up, which made Jens very happy. I went visiting teaching afterwards and drupped Jens off at the Harrisons before doing so, which made my visit to Phyllis MUCH more pleasant. She has a new kitten, which was very darling and very playful but VERY fierce! I played with her quite a bit and ended up with several scratched on my arm.
That's all from us. I hope next week will be a little easier!
love,
Alison
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