Book Lovers

We were at our friends' house for a playdate one day and the two littlest ones decided to sit in the chairs and read stories. I love how much my children love books and reading, even our little Ryan.

First Snow

We received our first bit of snow last week, at least the first bit with enough snow to build a snowman and have a snowball fight with. On Tuesday, just as the sun started to set the snow started to stick to the ground. After dinner Michael helped our kiddos get all of their snow gear on and took them outside to play. I stood at the back door and took their pictures as snow continued to fall.

BYU Basketball

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Stephanie, invited me out for a girls' night out with her and a couple of other girlfriends. Because of Stephanie's season (Booster) passes we all got the "star" treatment for free. We had dinner catered by a fancy restaurant, treats and water bottles under our seats, and half time treats all while being 4 rows from the court. It was a fun way to have some girl time even if none of us really cared about the outcome. Oh, BYU did beat Santa Clara that night, 95 to 78.

The Star Wars Party

Benjamin's party was a huge success! We had a blast playing keep the planet (balloon) in orbit, clean the asteroid field, pin the light saber on Yoda, find the Ewok, and light saber training (keep the balloon up with the light saber. The "Jedis in Training" were cooperative while still having fun, and they were delighted with all of the Star Wars treats.

11 Jedis & 1 Princess

Star Wars Party Decor & Food

Thanks to Pinterest and the Internet I was able to collect a lot of fun ideas for Benjamin's Star Wars party. This was my first themed party and I just might have to continue with themes because it helps add variety and creativity as well as direction for putting things together.

Food we ate (I should probably say "they" because the kids ate it, I didn't):

Ewok Food - pretzels, goldfish, & raisins

Light Saber cupcakes & Yoda Soda (lime sherbet in Sprite)

The decorations were all used for the games we played:

 

What is a Star Wars party without Yoda?

(We played "pin the light saber on Yoda.")

The Asteroid Field

(tin foil covered candy)

The Jedis had to help clean up the asteroid field to make it safer to fly in space.

Friday Flashback: Benjamin Talking on the Phone

Sometimes I wonder if my children will every know what a "real" phone is. You know, one that stays connected to a wall and makes a "brrring" noise instead of one you carry in your pocket and sings songs when someone is calling. We have some toys shaped like "real" phones and Benjamin loved playing with them when he was little. We captured him playing with his phone in April of 2006.

Train Show 2012

Homemade Light Sabers

Start with styrofoam rods (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby). I thought about using empty wrapping paper rolls, but given how hard my kids like to hit each other when "play" fighting, I decided against it.

Spray paint half of them green and half of them red (different sides of "the Force" and for variety).

Use silver or gray duct tape and wrap ends to create the handle.