Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's on Saturday! We had such a nice day together as a family...

My Valentine, Mo*, always gets me beautiful roses. They are so gorgeous and he picked some really cool accents for the bouquet this year that I love. Thanks hon. (o: He also usually gets the girls a little flower, but for some reason, he found nerf swords on sale and thought they would be much better Valentine's for his princesses!

I thought that was so funny, but guess what? The girls have LOVED them! I guess just because Mo* doesn't have any boys, doesn't mean he can't rough house with his girls!

So all morning we had sword fighting and we even took the swords to the park and played pirate princesses together on the play structure. I think the pre-teens watching us with weird faces were really jealous of our cool swords. (o:

For lunch, we had a family "date" to one of our favorite restaurants Pasta Pronto.

The chef there is so talented and such a nice guy. It is a great little place with awesome food and a quaint atmosphere. It's another kind of "home away from home" probably the closest feeling to Costa Vida as we can get now, although the food is completely different.

Mo* and I tried a new Southwest Lasagna on the menu and give it 4 thumbs up! Here are some pics of the inside of the place.

Saturday was absolutely beautiful in the afternoon so we wanted to play outside. We went to Griffin Oaks park and then ventured to another park we've heard of, but haven't ever been to before. Bagley Park. It's awesome because it has one of those merry-go-round thingys that you hardly ever see at parks anymore. They also have teeter totters and a few other fun and different things for kids. We loved it!

Later, after the kids went to bed. Mo* and I ordered from the Cheesecake factory (Mo* said the line there was atrocious and everyone in the huge line watching him walk out with food said, "We should have just ordered take out!")
We watched Ocean's 13 while we ate our delicious food and cheesecake. I love our in-house dates!

Here are some more fun pictures from the parks - I love the girls expressions - what a fun day...

More Great Books - Kid Friendly

After writing the previous post, I had to include a little section with pictures of the awesome books I found at the art museum. I also wanted to include the book that prompted the title for the "Seen Art?" post. We found this fun book at the library a while ago. It's about a guy looking for his friend named Art in downtown NY. The people all point him to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). While there, he keeps asking "Where's Art?" and the people think he is stating that he isn't a fan of the art in that gallery, so someone comes over and says, "Exactly" and they take him to where they think the "real" art is in the museum. And it continues through several galleries/pieces in the Museum of Modern Art. My kids love this book and so do I. If we ever get to go to MOMA, I think it would be fun to get this book. Oh, and I think he does eventually find his friend, Art. (o:

I am a big fan of David Carter's pop up books. My kids love the "Bug" books. We have the Christmas Bug and Halloween Bug pop up books. They are so fun. I didn't even know about these awesome books until I saw them at the gift shop at the art museum. While looking for pictures on Amazon.com, I discovered two others "Blue 2" and "Yellow Square" that look just as awesome. I really love these books. I think I want to start collecting pop-up books - they have always fascinated me and my kids are now old enough to not rip them apart. These will be the first ones I will add to my "collection". (Hint: great B-day/Christmas gift to whom it may concern!)

The above page is really cool because the pointy parts make clicking sounds as you open the page up. That's one thing I especially love about these books - so creative - who would have thought to have the pages make sounds too?!

Seen Art?

We have lived here for almost 9 years and I have always wanted to visit the Museum of Art, but never have. I am not super adventurous going downtown on my own and our kids have always been little enough that it just seemed too stressful. Well, we finally got to go - Sarah, Angela and I. Sarah's class had a field trip there, so Angela and I ventured out and met them there. It was fascinating. The museum was very organized and divided up the group of nearly 200 into smaller groups of 10. Each group visited a different part of the museum with a docent. Our docent did a great job of making it interesting for the kids - she asked them questions to get them thinking and wondering about the Indian artifacts we got to visit. We heard fascinating stories and facts behind the amazingly ornate costumes, bowls, feast dishes (one was literally as big as a canoe), dolls, purses, etc. It was so interesting and the kids, including Angela were very well behaved.

Toward the end of our tour, the lady had us look closely at some moccasins with a beautiful flower sewn into the leather. She asked us to guess what the thread was made from. We were very surprised to hear it was porcupine quills! She explained how the women would take wool blankets out in the forest and hide. They would wait for a porcupine to come by and they'd throw the blanket on it. The porcupine would go crazy and shoot quills into the blanket and eventually get away. Pretty smart! Then they would pick the quills out and have to chew on them, one at a time, for a long time to soften them. Many women wore their teeth down considerably by doing this. After that they made dyes with their saliva and things like salmon eggs. And after all that, they could finally sew their designs on whatever they were making. When the lady was finished with this very detailed explanation, Sarah immediately asked, "What were all the men doing while the women did all this?" Referring to the room full of artifacts painstakingly made primarily by women. The docent and Shannan and I got a good laugh. And the docent explained that the men were mostly hunting.

Later, when I was telling my mom this story, Sarah overheard my conversation. My mom and I laughed and talked about scenarios when the Indians might have been gone for days and not really hunting the whole time. Maybe having a guys night out - smoking the peace pipe or something. Sarah piped up and said, "Yeah, maybe they went and had rootbeer and pizza around the fire." (o: Ahhh, but we are just joking guys. I have to defend Hal* and say that he is not like this - he "hunts" and works very hard for us. There are just those very few moments when he is 'smoking the peace pipe while I make quill thread for the moccasins'! (o: Hey, I think I have invented a new saying. It rolls right off the tongue doesn't it?

So our first experience at the art museum was fabulous and we will definitely go back. After Sarah got back on the bus, Angela and I stayed and looked at the outdoor exhibit. She loved running around and taking a close look at everything. We also had some fun looking around in the gift shop. We spent over an hour looking at all the interesting things there. They have some really cool things there. My favorites were the pop up books in the kid's section by David Carter (they're so cool I'm doing another entry just on them), a beautiful basket weaved out of chip and candy wrappers ($200 was a little steep for me) and a purse made out of those soda pop can lid opener-thingys. It looked very sheek and high end, believe it or not. I thought it was an awesome idea. That one was $100 - so I settled for a $15 book. See in my book review. Angela's favorite things were these amazing little wind up toys that bounced around and did all sorts of fun things. They looked like little robot bugs. I was so tempted to get one just to watch Twilight's reaction. (o:

Valentine Fun

Angela was playing creatively this week with some candy hearts I gave her.

They are skating on a little skateboard. (o:
While shopping for Sarah's plants for her science experiment at a local nursery (more on that later), I found this beautiful flower, Cyclamen. I thought it was a perfect Valentine accent for the kitchen. Isn't it pretty?

And the leaves are even heart-shaped!

On Friday the 13th, Angela and I went in to help with Sarah and Natalie's classroom parties. Who says Friday the 13th is bad? We had a great day! (o:

Above - Natalie's teacher always plans the cutest activities for the kids on holidays. I love how Natalie made her "lovebug" look a little like Gary on SpongeBob with the poky up eyes.

Angela loves playing in the play "house" when we go to Natalie's class. She was being a cute little mama to this doll and made a lovely dinner AND got to chat with a girlfriend on the phone.

Sarah also had a fun party with rootbeer floats, cookies, candy - yeah, it was a sugar fest! Her teacher commented that it was only once a year, but then I got to thinking how many "just once a year" things we celebrate. (o: Oh well, it makes life fun! Yeah for sugar!

Speaking of sugar - for Valentine's I am always looking for more creative "treats" for the girls to share at school. I get so tired of all the candy and figure doing something different would be appreciated by other moms.

So we found these on the Family Fun website. (I love Family Fun!) These are little play dough hearts. Each baggie got two and the dough turned out really good. (I've made it before and had problems.) Plus the girls liked cutting out the hearts and playing with the leftover dough.

We made 50 of these little baggies - boy was I glad when we were done!

Entertaining and Eye Opening Reads

I have to thank my friend Emily, for mentioning this book in her Christmas letter. I have always been intrigued with North Korea and was curious when I heard about this book. The title especially pulled me in, knowing the things I have learned from documentaries about this country. I have to say that this book has changed me in more ways than I expected. It is not a happy story and many, many parts make your stomach turn, but it's one of those books that really changes your whole perspective on life when you read it. This book is a fascinating, personal history of the author's childhood in North Korea. Obviously, he is no longer living there or this book would not exist.

This book made me more grateful, more thoughtful of "everyday" things we take for granted. But it also was a intriguing look at human nature - what people turn into when they have no agency, yet have to survive; what incredible effect/damage one evil person in power can do; how even in horrible conditions and hopeless circumstances a few break through, a few families stay in tact. (On the flip side, these same circumstances bring out the absolute worst in people and turn them even on their own family.) I was blown away by the absolute and blatant lies and brainwashing that takes place in order to maintain control of the North Korean people.
This book was a jaw dropper. Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Song (who died several years ago, but continues to be worshipped by his unknowing and naive countrymen) are probably two of the most evil men in contemporary times. Even Hitler didn't have his countrymen worship him like he was God. The only difference is that there is no way to get exact numbers of how many North Koreans they have killed, directly or indirectly, because the country is so closed off from the world. And despite all the evil Kim Jong Il does, he twists and lies on such a great scale that, to the North Korean people, he can do no wrong - he is divine, he is beloved, their "great leader". It is terrifying.

This quote refers to some of the ghastly things (including cannibalism) Hyok saw and heard of people doing to survive during the years of famine (which started in the 90's and continue today)
"The misfortune of others, even your own family, leaves you completely indifferent when you have nothing in your belly. Your stomach becomes a thousand more times important than your conscience."
This was later in the book, when Hyok had escaped to China.
"I began to realize that what I had learned in North Korea wouldn't be of much use to me on this other, weird planet. I felt like a frog that had just come out of its pit, from which it had contemplated the circle of sky outlined by the rim, and taken it for the whole of the world. I had passed through the other side of the mirror."

The final thing I came away from this book with was something that completely surprised me. As I read of Hyok's experience of being a North Korean immigrant to South Korea, I was surprised to learn how much prejudice and hate is directed from South Koreans toward North Koreans. I thought that they would be happy for them escaping such a horrible country and surviving to make it into their country of freedom. It made me so sad to read about the kids at school poking fun at the North Koreans because they are so short. (Due to their extreme malnutrition.) There is so much hate that Hyok describes many North Koreans and filled with optimism for their new life only to get shoved back down with all the negative and hateful feelings from South Koreans. I wondered how people could be so cruel, when the North Koreans had survived and been through hell. Many North Koreans lose hope, turn to drinking and crime (thus fulfilling the expectations of the South Koreans) and some commit suicide.
As I contemplated all this, I thought of the Mexican immigrants to this country. There is so much negative propaganda and statistics about illegal Mexican immigrants not paying taxes, yet using up so much of our country's money for food stamps, health insurance, crime, school programs, etc. This creates a lot of suspicion and mistrust of Hispanics. While it's true that there are many people taking advantage of our country and those issues need to be dealt with, it is better to withhold judgement of groups and individuals without knowing their personal circumstances. Hyok spoke of the North Koreans being looked at as second class citizens and not being allowed to go to school, eventually, with South Koreans. I thought this was so sad and worry if the negative feelings in our country continue we could head down that path also.
Enough said, this is an amazing book - a real eye opener.

Yes, this is the same author that wrote the Twilight series. This book is more complex than the Twilight books. I found it fascinating - although the main character, Melanie Stryder, sometimes reminded me of Bella in one annoying way (a little too self-sacrificing, in my opinion). Anyway, this is an interesting and entertaining read. Those who don't want anything to do with the "teeny bop" sensation that Twilight became or who think themselves too sophisticated to read those novels should give "The Host" a try. And if you liked the Twilight books, don't expect this to be anything like those, but I don't think you will be disappointed either. I thought the concept of the book was fascinating - especially the group of people that find creative ways to survive in secret among parasitic aliens. Very cool.

Sorry for the teeny tiny picture. I am currently reading this book, "Isaiah for Airheads" by John Bytheway as I study 2 Nephi and the chapters that cover Isaiah from the Old Testament. I am about half way through and have learned a lot. A great resource to understand Isaiah better. Warning: John Bytheway can be entertaining and funny, but watch out for cheesy puns. (o:

I love this book - a story about what Mary and Joseph's lives may have been like. I read this over Christmas and into January. It is a very sweet portrayal of these two key people in the bible and history. The years that the author must have taken to study the customs, politics and culture at that time, make this a very worthwhile read. It gave me so many new insights as to what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph to bring the Savior into the world. For some reason, this time reading it, I was especially touched by Mary's relationship with her much older cousin Elisabeth and how their close bond must have been such a comfort to her.

Thinking of the Tooth Fairy

We haven't seen the tooth fairy, or rather, had any exchanges with her for a while. Sarah has lost all but her big molars and Natalie hasn't started losing her teeth yet. I guess Sarah was missing her and thinking of her this week. She put this letter under her pillow - the two pictures on the side were two tiny pieces of paper with pictures of teeth. I scanned them all together, but they were actually separate itty bitty papers - thus, Sarah figured they would be a good size for a fairy poster. (o: On the back she drew some itty bitty dresses that I forgot to scan. I told her we will have to e-mail the tooth fairy to let her know we have a surprise for her. Sarah really hoped the tooth fairy would magically know something was under her pillow, but she needs a little prodding sometimes! I hope the tooth fairy can think of something clever to reciprocate this cute gift. (o: What do you think she should leave under the pillow?

Could you please move the cat...

I just rememeberd a funny thing Natalie said last week that I have to blog before it goes where many of my thoughts seem to go these days - into a black hole - never to be recovered again.

She wasn't feeling well one morning a week or two ago. I feel kind of bad now, because I didn't believe her all morning. She has had a hard time, like Sarah did, with homesickness. She doesn't want to go to school quite often, she just wants to stay home with me. I just thought the sore tummy was another ploy to stay home. I tried to be patient, but went on as if we would have a regular day because I was so confident that Natalie was fine. Eventually I gave up on my plans I had made during Angela's preschool. I was going to meet Tina and try out a class at the gym, but it looked like Natalie would be with me. I figured maybe she just really needed some mommy time and that was why she was playing up the sick tummy. I really didn't mean to doubt her - she had no fever and for a good hour in the morning she was running around and playing like usual.

But when we were driving home after dropping Angela off - Natalie's face looked pale. We got in the house and I did some reading on the couch with her. Then Natalie got a really sad look on her face and asked very sweetly as she sat straight up, "Mommy, could you please move the cat so I don't throw up on her?" (o:

I suggested we run to the bathroom instead and sure enough, she was sick. As soon as she could catch her breath, the first words that came out of her mouth were, "See mom, I told you I was sick." Ouch. boy did she get the royal treatment after that. A mother with a lot of guilt doesn't hold back anything. Natalie was pampered like a true princess - she got the special snugly blue blanket that is extra, extra soft and doubles as a layer of protection for the couch, just in case. She got the "hug" heating pad, the special juice she loves in a water bottle, her favorite movie - "Enchanted" and when her appetite came back she got to eat lunch on the couch.

Natalie had a great day. She ate it all up and actually felt just fine after the incident. I think she must have eaten something funky.

I was happy that the cat didn't end up being puked on, and the floor, and the couch. Natalie thought it was really cool to make it to the toilet when she feels sick (her first time) and could see lots of benefits, "Hey, I don't have to take a bath and you don't have to get the big vacuum for the couch, mom!" Yes, a funny milestone to be excited about, but hooray! Great job Nat!

A Lesson in Modesty

Natalie wrote/drew this in sacrament meeting yesterday. Jayson totally lost it and I laughed until I cried.

Natalie is writing lots and lots lately, but it is tricky to decipher her Kindergartenese. The above says, "This is not modest."

Get ready for a good laugh...