Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We love it!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ain't She Purdy?
Introducing the newest member of the Clark Family...
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We love it!
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We love it!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
O Bumbo Seat
*set to the tune of O Christmas Tree*
O Bumbo Seat
O Bumbo Seat
You have made my life complete
I doubted if
You were worth the price
But you've made life easy
And that is nice
O Bumbo Seat
O Bumbo Seat
You make meal time such a treat
O Bumbo Seat
O Bumbo Seat
You wipe up, so nice and neat
Because of you
There's no highchair
Taking up room
Everywhere
O Bumbo Seat
O Bumbo Seat
May Addie never outgrow you!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Love, Delaney
You know how bribery is a debated parenting technique? As in, many people expect their children to listen and are not willing to bribe them.
Me? Not so much. Maybe 8 years ago, when Jackson was 4 months old, I would have looked down on bribery as a form of behavior modification, but not today. No, sir.
Do I think my kids won't do anything without being bribed? No. But obviously it is an oft used technique in the Clark household. Where's my proof? Here is the valentine I got in the mail today, sent by Delaney from preschool.
Me? Not so much. Maybe 8 years ago, when Jackson was 4 months old, I would have looked down on bribery as a form of behavior modification, but not today. No, sir.
Do I think my kids won't do anything without being bribed? No. But obviously it is an oft used technique in the Clark household. Where's my proof? Here is the valentine I got in the mail today, sent by Delaney from preschool.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Calamity Jane
This one's for Steph and Lois. They want to re-make this cowgirl quilt I made for Delaney over Christmas. Delaney loves to be cuddled up in my quilts, so she surely deserved this "big girl" upgrade from her baby quilt.
It is 6 x 9 blocks. There are 40 solid blocks.
There are 7 4-patch blocks and 6 8-patch blocks.
The finished blocks are 7 1/2 inches, so cut them at 8 inches.
Cut the 4-patch squares 4 1/4 inches.
Cut 2 3/8 inch strips for the 8-patch squares.
It went together really quickly! I sewed rick-rack down the seam in the back.
It is 6 x 9 blocks. There are 40 solid blocks.
There are 7 4-patch blocks and 6 8-patch blocks.
The finished blocks are 7 1/2 inches, so cut them at 8 inches.
Cut the 4-patch squares 4 1/4 inches.
Cut 2 3/8 inch strips for the 8-patch squares.
It went together really quickly! I sewed rick-rack down the seam in the back.A close up of the fabrics. 
Updates
Just a follow-up on some past entries...1. We have survived the cold surprisingly well. The entire weekend held above freezing for us! What a luxury! Delaney was thrilled, because even in -20* weather, she hates to wear a jacket. The next two days are supposed to be in the teens, but 40's are in store for the end of the 5 day forecast! I'm sure I blog more about the weather than anyone else you know, but I've been obsessed with it over the past few weeks.
2. Thank you for weighing in on Addie's name situation. I didn't mean I would actually, legally change it, I was just trying to start calling her Cate. And, we've failed miserably. We start a day with the best of intentions, to only call her Cate that day, and by breakfast we're calling her Addie again. I blame Jackson. He definitely has the strongest feelings about it. But, Jeff and I are still trying. We'll update as needed...
3. Someone took me up on my offer to come be my neighbor. The house next door to us sold, and we actually are friends with the couple who bought it! They are in our ward. He's my orthodontist (I wear a retainer at 32 years old - pink, sparkly one if you're interested). My kids are super thrilled because there is a stage in the basement and our neighbors-to-be have already committed to letting them come play on it. They have a 10 month old boy and Jackson and he were matching at church yesterday. Matching sweater-vests. (*slight tangent* - Why don't "they" sell a bigger selection for boys? How many argyle sweater vests can one person own? Well, we've owned two a year - Christmas and Easter - for the past 8 years, so I suppose we've owned at least 16. And all from Gymboree, Gap, or Children's Place. Which means there's always at least one other little boy at church, on said holiday, who Jackson matches with. Any ideas of anywhere else to shop for a boy?)
Mr. Orthodontist wants a Wii and Mrs. Neighbor-to-be doesn't so Jackson's excited to share his knowledge of all things Wii, in hopes his orthodontist friend will be over to play ours. Jackson had this to say to Mr. Orthodontist yesterday as we're leaving church..."You aren't good at Mario Kart? Ohh, I'm so good at it. I'll teach you more about it." Mr. Orthodontist may not know what he's gotten himself into! In any case - we're thrilled to have great people next door again.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Is it that bad?
So, Jeff has a really nice singing voice. So nice, in fact, the ward choir director "negotiated" terms with me two weeks ago so he can join the choir again. See, because of Jeff's church calling, he gets up on Sunday morning, showers and dresses, eats and drives himself to church, just as I am getting up. However, on my Sunday mornings I am showering myself and at least two other children, dressing myself and three others, feeding myself and three others, and racing out the door with three in tow. But, I listen to the wise words of my mother, who loves to say, "Where much is given, much is required." and so I try not to complain about my Sunday mornings. But, do you see how Sunday mornings are a little off balance?
So, if Jeff then wants to sing in the choir, he gets to stay after Church, sing, and then drive himself home, feed himself lunch and change his clothes. What do I get to do if Jeff practices with the choir on Sundays? I get to drive all three friends back home by myself, again feed all three, re-dress all three out of their church clothes, and then fend for my needs as time (and Addie) will allow. See how Sunday afternoons would be a little off balance?
In hopes of attempting a "day of rest", I decided when I was pregnant that choir would be no more. That's until our choir director approached me two weeks ago?
"Can Jeff sing in the choir?" she asks. And then, I launch into the big speech about what a stress Sundays are when he does, yadda, yadda, yadda (see above).
"If he can read music, how about he stay for choir just on the Sunday before a performance?" Well, one Sunday, once in a while sounds okay to me. So, all should be secure in knowing Jeff is once again in the ward choir.
What about me? Why is there no negotiating on my behalf? I assume it's because I got my singing voice from my father. While he has many admirable qualities, I think it safe to say he's never been invited to choir, either.
How do I know I'm no Celine Dion? Addie Cate has taken it upon herself to let me know. Here is her reaction EVERY time I sing:
So, if Jeff then wants to sing in the choir, he gets to stay after Church, sing, and then drive himself home, feed himself lunch and change his clothes. What do I get to do if Jeff practices with the choir on Sundays? I get to drive all three friends back home by myself, again feed all three, re-dress all three out of their church clothes, and then fend for my needs as time (and Addie) will allow. See how Sunday afternoons would be a little off balance?
In hopes of attempting a "day of rest", I decided when I was pregnant that choir would be no more. That's until our choir director approached me two weeks ago?
"Can Jeff sing in the choir?" she asks. And then, I launch into the big speech about what a stress Sundays are when he does, yadda, yadda, yadda (see above).
"If he can read music, how about he stay for choir just on the Sunday before a performance?" Well, one Sunday, once in a while sounds okay to me. So, all should be secure in knowing Jeff is once again in the ward choir.
What about me? Why is there no negotiating on my behalf? I assume it's because I got my singing voice from my father. While he has many admirable qualities, I think it safe to say he's never been invited to choir, either.
How do I know I'm no Celine Dion? Addie Cate has taken it upon herself to let me know. Here is her reaction EVERY time I sing:
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Christmas 2008
Yes, I am just now getting to posting Christmas. Better late than never, and I figure I'm good since I am only a month out from Christmas. I'm trying to be good about keeping a record for our family. So (brace yourself for picture overload) ...
All in all, it was a great vacation. The kids loved spending time with family. We loved playing in all.that.snow. And, in the end, the 10 suitcases was worth it. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!
Before I get the details of our trip, I wanted to throw in a picture of my favorite Christmas decoration. In our house we do fake trees, but real garland. Fake trees look just as nice, if not nicer than the real thing, but I don't think fake garland comes close to the real stuff (well, not in my price range anyway). So, I do the stairs every year and love the way it turns out.
We spent two weeks out in Utah for Christmas. Yes, we're crazy, and no, we won't be doing that again. Why? Because it took us 10 suitcases to get all of our stuff to and fro and we were stuffed with stuff! From now on we're sticking with our plan to travel AFTER Christmas. We got plenty of stares as we approached the check-in counter with an airline issued cart full of luggage. Not to mention all the luggage that is our children, carry-ons and carseats.
This is the path from the barn to the house.
And, the tree on Christmas Eve. 
Matching pjs. The kids were really into snowglobes this year, so these were perfect!
Hmm, it looks like we have a few unwilling participants for this photo. Here are all the kidlets, with Grandma and Grandpa Critt, ready for Christmas Eve.
I started a new tradition this year with Santa bags. I didn't pay too close attention to the dimensions on the Pottery Barn website, so we got some seriously big bags!
So big, it even fit Addie and her exersaucer!
Jackson had a LEGO Christmas. 99% of it was LEGOs. The only other thing he asked for was a word search book. Delaney asked for a Barbie Mermaid set, a Swim to Me Puppy and a Little Mommy Go Potty doll. Santa delivered on all three accounts.
Two gals, chillin' in the basketball court on Christmas.
We got about 2+ feet of snow on Christmas day. Our friend Kyle flew in for the occasion, and much time was spent playing racquetball, basketball, and ping pong while snowed in.
Jackson and Delaney got in their first ever ski runs and took two days of lessons at ski school. 
A few days after Christmas, I was getting ready in the bathroom when Delaney called to me, "Mom, come see! I dressed Addie up like Mary!"
And, we enjoyed a day of tubing at Soldier Hollow with Grandpa, Kyle, Uncle Marcus, Jeff, Kelli, Jackson and Delaney. A big thanks to Aunt Tessie and Grandma for watching Addie while we did a "big kid" activity.
We spent two weeks out in Utah for Christmas. Yes, we're crazy, and no, we won't be doing that again. Why? Because it took us 10 suitcases to get all of our stuff to and fro and we were stuffed with stuff! From now on we're sticking with our plan to travel AFTER Christmas. We got plenty of stares as we approached the check-in counter with an airline issued cart full of luggage. Not to mention all the luggage that is our children, carry-ons and carseats. But, isn't it pretty, once we arrived?
This is the path from the barn to the house.And, the tree on Christmas Eve. Matching pjs. The kids were really into snowglobes this year, so these were perfect!Hmm, it looks like we have a few unwilling participants for this photo. Here are all the kidlets, with Grandma and Grandpa Critt, ready for Christmas Eve.I started a new tradition this year with Santa bags. I didn't pay too close attention to the dimensions on the Pottery Barn website, so we got some seriously big bags! So big, it even fit Addie and her exersaucer!Jackson had a LEGO Christmas. 99% of it was LEGOs. The only other thing he asked for was a word search book. Delaney asked for a Barbie Mermaid set, a Swim to Me Puppy and a Little Mommy Go Potty doll. Santa delivered on all three accounts.Two gals, chillin' in the basketball court on Christmas.We got about 2+ feet of snow on Christmas day. Our friend Kyle flew in for the occasion, and much time was spent playing racquetball, basketball, and ping pong while snowed in. Jackson and Delaney got in their first ever ski runs and took two days of lessons at ski school. A few days after Christmas, I was getting ready in the bathroom when Delaney called to me, "Mom, come see! I dressed Addie up like Mary!"And, we enjoyed a day of tubing at Soldier Hollow with Grandpa, Kyle, Uncle Marcus, Jeff, Kelli, Jackson and Delaney. A big thanks to Aunt Tessie and Grandma for watching Addie while we did a "big kid" activity.All in all, it was a great vacation. The kids loved spending time with family. We loved playing in all.that.snow. And, in the end, the 10 suitcases was worth it. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!
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