Magic Markers, Mixing Colors and Magic Tricks

Another snow day, another house full of neighbors! This time, 9 friends + 1 mom = let's find more fun things to do today! Weston colored most of the morning. Whoever invented washable magic markers deserves the Nobel Prize for ingenuity!

While Weston napped in the afternoon, our neighborhood friends joined us for indoor fun (it was way bitter cold today, no outdoor fun to be had.) Taking turns on the Wii worked great, but I needed to keep the others engaged while they waited. I hauled out the Play Dough (brave but desperate momma), thank goodness it wasn't as hard as a rock! Rather than fretting over keeping all the colors separate, the boys had a ball creating, rolling, mixing and cutting. Collin created this colorful left hand:

l to r: Jacob, Jack, Collin, Drake, Nick and Wes

I also hauled out a bin full of magic tricks that my father-in-law gave to us a while ago. Thanks Rich! The older kiddos taught themselves the tricks and then would perform for all of us once they got it right. A bottle in a tube trick, the needle through the balloon (way cool), squishy balls that seemed to multiply and straight pins through the finger (well-hidden carrot.)

l to r: Nick, Drake, Connor, Carly and Ben

I'm all out of my bag of tricks. Please pray for nicer weather tomorrow!

Jack the Pianist

The boys are off from school today and tomorrow (oh joy, didn't we just have Christmas break?) so that the teachers can work on report cards. Needing something to do, we went to Toys R Us to spend some Christmas money. Once inside the toy mecca, after visiting aisles and aisles of toys, Jack (7) saw the keyboard stand and that's what he decided to buy! Sure makes this mother proud! We do have a piano, but now he can practice in the basement when the living room is being used by other members of the family. He is so excited he came over to me just now, gave me a big hug, and said, "Thank you so much for taking us to Toys R Us." Love ya, Jack!

Why Do I Bother...

...to make the bed with a toddler in the room whose job it is to mess it up?

...to cook all afternoon making a delicious meal that will be eaten in 5 minutes?

...to buy only 1 gallon of milk at a time?

...to even try to listen to music in the van loaded with talkative kiddos?

...to read at night when I can only get through 2 pages before my eyelids get heavy?

Happy Snow Day!

13 kiddos + 2 moms = a houseful of fun! I just knew that the Wii would come in handy during the cold months of winter! After playing out in the beautiful snow this morning, the kids spent the afternoon having a Wii party with their friends. The Baldwin House was full to the brim with neighborhood kids. Sorry, don't have a picture to share, but you can imagine the scene!

Wii Had Fun!

I'm picking on the Guikemas, but they are pretty much the only family in the neighborhood without a Wii. They joined us this afternoon for a Wii party and we had lots of fun. Boxing with your spouse is definitely something to experience. The kids were cheering...it was pandemonium!

I made some salsa which was a hit. Now you know why Nick wants his Chia Pet to grow cilantro. This is the only way one of my boys (Jackson, 7) gets his serving of veggies for the week!

Daddy's Salsa (usually made by Mommy)

1 bunch of cilantro
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
1 medium vidalia onion (or any onion from the cupboard will do)
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic (I use the refrigerated version already chopped)
1 tsp. salt
Juice of 1 lime

Grab a handful of cilantro leaves and break off from the stems. Put in blender along with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth and enjoy. You can always adjust ingredients and consistency to your liking!

You Know You've Always Wanted One

Every Christmas you just can't miss those catchy ads on TV: Ch..Ch..Ch..Chia! While shopping at Walgreens for last-minute stocking stuffers I saw a very cute last-minute Christmas present to buy for my 9-year-old son Nick. Meet our Garfield Chia Pet. Nick says, "Wouldn't it be great if it grew something like cilantro, so that you could use it?" Why yes, Nick, cilantro would certainly be nice!

Just Getting Started...

I'm just starting with this blogging stuff. Bear with me while I try to be as funny, witty and clever as my neighbor, Laurie!