Happy Birthday!

Today, my big girl turns seven. I can't believe she's that old. It really doesn't seem that long ago that she was our only child (otherwise known as the good old days) and every second was focused on precious little S.

A few random things about the birthday girl:

• She was the happiest, silliest baby in the world. People would purposely sit behind us in church because she would entertain them with her crazy faces and constant giggling. She still gets into fits of giggles.
• She LOVES to draw. I have so many original works created by S that I'll have plenty to showcase when she becomes a famous artist.
• She enjoys reading books and playing make-believe. I've walked by her room many nights and heard her talking to herself, no doubt creating some elaborate story. Just like her mom did when she was little.
• S is a pretty great big sister. It can't be easy to have two little brothers who only want to play with light sabers, swords, and action figures, but she handles it with a wonderful amount of grace.

We love you, sweetpea! Happy Birthday!

P.S. Also, enjoy this photo of the boys first thing in the morning. :)

Halloween's cancelled

Ok, I know I don't have the authority to actually cancel a holiday, but we've decided to cancel trick-or-treating if our kids don't shape up.

Our children are very intelligent and happy people. They play well with other kids and adults love them. They're helpful around the house (for the most part). But should you happen to tell them they can't do something they'd like to do--oh boy. You could very well be in for a whine session the likes of which you've never before witnessed.

I feel like we've tried a ton of different things to get them to stop whining as much. Endless talks, family home evening lessons about manners and the meaning of respect, talking about what Jesus would want them to do, time out, taking toys away, actually throwing toys away. None of it's worked and the whining has only increased.

Take last night for example. We went to the store for a family treat and each kid picked out one thing. That part went fine. When we ventured over to the Halloween section of the store, things went downhill. We needed to get new trick-or-treating buckets for two of the kids. Since S already had a plain old pumpkin one, I wanted to just get two more pumpkin ones, so no one would have a cool one. Unfortunately, the plain old pumpkin ones are right next to the Spiderman ones. When H found out he couldn't get a cool bucket, he lost it. And I mean, LOST IT. Whining, crying, and actually falling down to the floor. We became those parents--the ones with the bratty kid throwing a tantrum in the grocery store. *Sigh*. A picked him and took him away for a talk, but H continued to talk about the bucket issue (or whine about it, I should say) the rest of our time in the store and all the way home.

Sometimes I just don't get it. It's not like we indulge our kids' every whim. I rarely get them treats at the store-- I mean, really rarely. And they know if they whine, I'll just get more upset, so the logic of the whining completely escapes me. Sometimes I forget I'm dealing with non-logical beings.

Anyway, right before bed, we told them trick-or-treating was cancelled until further notice. We told them we're making up a list of jobs they need to do every day to be able to participate in the holiday. We'll see what the week brings...

Apple Pie in a bag

Yep, you read that right. One of my favorite recipes for Fall is an apple pie that you bake in a paper bag. Our family got the recipe from another family growing up and I've made it for friends and family for years. The thing I love most about it is that there's no rolling out of dough whatsoever. I love baking, but I am not the best at making things pretty. So this recipe is perfect for me. Plus, it's the best apple pie I've ever tasted.

Crust
1 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 C vegetable oil
2 tbl. cold milk

Combine all ingredients and mix until well-blended. Pat into bottom and sides of nine-inch pie pan. Do not roll out.

Filling
4 C apples, peeled and sliced
1/3 C sugar
2 tbl. flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Combine dry ingredients and then toss lightly with apples. Pour into unbaked pie crust.

Topping
1/2 C flour
1/2 C soft butter
1/2 C sugar

Combine ingredients and mix until crumbly. (My butter is usually soft enough that it doesn't really become crumbly, usually just in pieces.) Sprinkle over top of pie. Place pie in brown paper bag and staple the bag closed.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Be forewarned: It will smell a little funny. After all, it is a paper bag! But as long as the bag isn't touching the heat element in your oven, it should be just fine. Move the rack down a little if necessary before baking.

Enjoy!!

What I want to be

Her hands are soft and well-worn in service.
She has six children, 16 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren, with more on the way.
Her house is a haven from the world. No matter what's going on outside, none of it matters there.
She served two LDS missions, served in the temple for seven years, and served as a genealogical missionary for 25 years.

When I grow up, I want to be just like Grandma. I want to serve like she has served, love others the way she loves, and be cherished just like everyone cherishes Grandma.

Happy 90th, Grandma. I love you!

That's brisk, baby!

While the air this week isn't quite as brisk as I'd like for October, we have had several really cool (bordering on cold) days already. I'm more than ready to ditch the short sleeves and bundle up in sweaters and coats, because it means my most favorite time of year is here! October is fun with pumpkins and Halloween; then November and apple pie, apple dumplings, Thanksgiving, turkey, and two days off from work; and it all culminates in December, the hands-down best month of the year.

But I shouldn't get ahead of myself. Plenty of harvest fun to be had before then...

We went to Cornbelly's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest last night with the kids and other assorted family members. This is our second year going and I hope it's a yearly tradition. The highlight is always the pig races. Who knew cheering for little piggies could be so fun! It was hilarious, as always, to watch T being his crazy self. Last year, we had him in the stroller and just took him out for activities. This year, we let him roam free and chased him everywhere. At one point, he sat down next to a random family, no doubt hoping they'd share some of their food.

Yeah for Fall!

I Spy

A funny conversation I heard during lunch today--the boys were playing "I Spy."

H: "I spy something brown. Guess what it is."
T: "Ok... I spy brown."
H: "No, no, I spy something brown. You guess what it is."
T: silence...
H: "See that picture frame? It's brown."
T: "Ok."
H: "Now it's your turn."

(T's turn didn't exactly go well, either. )

Do not adjust your screen. This is a pic of the boys upside down on the couch.