Let me tell you how OUR family home evening went....

I hesitated to post this a couple weeks ago...Sorry...

It was Monday night...our family night...Family home evening...(as we are Mormons-Monday nights are times we spend time as a family and play games, have a mini lesson, sing songs, and we can't forget ...have a yummy dessert)... okay...now that I've explained that bit of our lives...here we go!

As Brent was giving the lesson, the kids were on the couch yawning and seemed half awake. Hmm...This isn't that bad of a lesson... The kids had to stand to read the scriptures they were given to read since they weren't keeping up with the lesson. More yawns....grr...what's with these kids?...were my thoughts....

Finally, the lesson's over and it's my turn to pick our closing song....Guess what I picked?
"The wiggle song!"....yes...I know my kids are too old to sing this song. Alycia's almost 12 and Joseph's almost 10...It's just....they used to ALWAYS want to sing this when they were young, and since they're my ONLY kids, I figured....why NOT? right???

Everyone sang and did the wiggling of the fingers, toes, shoulders, and nose....All except my tween Alycia...Well, in our family if you don't participate you get to sing a SOLO...So guess what Alycia had to do...Yup, sing a solo for us. It was the straw that broke the camel's back for her. She cried throughout the whole song. It was the saddest wiggle song I ever heard, with tears and everything...(Brent and I felt horrible)...

Both kids gobbled up their dessert and went straight to bed. I was surprised. They Chose to go to bed 7:30. They were asleep by 7:45! We were SHOCKED. What was so different in their schedule to make to go to bed so early??? Ahh....the pool. The kids swam in our pool all afterschool....THAT'S what exhausted the kids...duh....

As for singing the Wiggle song....I don't think I'll pick that one out again...I will no longer think of it as a happy song from now on....Whenever I hear or think of it, I'll always have Alycia's sad version of it...

Yummm-my

A few nights ago while Joseph was clearing off the table, we asked how his field trip went. He said it went well and that he went Easter egg hunting.
"Whaaaat?" Brent and I looked at each other puzzled. The permission slip stated that they were going to a Museum.
"I found a Jolly Rancher!" said Joseph.
"Hmm...Did other kids find candy?" Brent asked.
"Nope, I was the ONLY one to find the candy...it still had a wrapper."
"I see...Did anyone ELSE go on the hunt?"Brent asked.
"No...I was the only one to find candy. It still had the wrapper on it!"
What's with this fascination with the wrapper? were my thoughts....
Oh No....if it's what I think ....noooooo....
"Joseph, where did you find the candy?" I asked
"In the grass where we were eating our lunch after the Museum...I found it with the wrapper still on it"
"Did you eat it?" I asked...please say no....
"No, Gavin paid me a dollar for it"
"Did you tell Gavin you found it on the ground?" Brent asked...
"Nope, he didn't ask...so I didn't tell him...it still had the wrapper on it, so it's safe to eat!"

After explaining to our 9 year old the hazards of eating candy found from the ground, even WITH the wrapper still attached to it....I'm not completely convinced he understands this concept. Brent and I could not keep a straight face when Joseph told us he sold his new found treat to a fellow classmate.

....Yummmmy!

Joseph....the artist....at the Getty....

While we were in L.A., we visited the museum "The Getty". It was an amazing museum. One day is not enough. The grounds and views were spectacular! There are only so many hours an 11 and 9 year old can tolerate being educated in Art. The Getty is free of charge, but you do have to pay $10 for parking which is so worth it! A private tram takes you from the parking lot area (bottom of hill) to the top of the hill where the museum is located. The views from the tram are really cool. They have paintings by Van Gogh and other famous artists...

While we were there, there was an area where people could draw. Joseph was the brave one in our family and he chose to display his drawing...

So our son Joseph was semi-famous for the day! Go Joseph!

Our pictures from vacation to Los Angeles

We were in the LA area for a few days....This was a much appreciated break for ALL of us.... We were all counting down the days til Spring Break.





We were not used to the amount of smog we encountered while we were there. I personally think the Bay Area is way better! Anyhow... It was great to see the south side of California!

We went to Universal Studios for a few days...I think one day is enough to spend there. I think Disney is way better, since Universal only had a few rides. My friend Nicole gave us some ideas on fun stuff to do in L.A. since she's from there. Thanks Nicole! On her recommendations, we went and checked out the La Brea Tar pits (there was no time to visit the museum...bummer...), The Getty Museum (which was really amazing!!!), and the Santa Monica beach. In all...we had a great time!

It was so hard to get back into the school groove for the kids and myself... Now I'm counting down the days til Summer vacation! Woohoo! Just a month and a half to go!

What's a parent to do?

I seriously need to catch you all up on the happenings here at the Smith household. I've been struggling with Chemistry, so I've been dedicating alot of my time studying. I'm a bit burnt out. Big Sigh.....

About 6 Saturdays ago, I had a very, very grumpy 9 year old son. He had dark shadows under his eyes and was a bit whiny. He had barely gotten his gaming privileges back, due to him sneaking out of his room during the middle of the night to play the Playstation. When asked WHY he made that decision...I was told that he was just so excited that he couldn't wait to play. Well, guess what happened AGAIN! Joseph decided to wake up at 5am. In my blog post of Joseph at the Pinewood derby, that's a picture of my sleep deprived child. Arrg.....

I couldn't believe my eyes! A whole box of Skittles and Starburst are missing from my candy stash. Someone got into MY Sour Skittles! I was not a happy camper! No one knows where I hide my precious candies, except for my Wonderful Husband. Hmm....he wouldn't dare! He denied getting into it. And...of course I believed him (a little)... One day, I was cleaning Alycia's room...and what did I find? Wrappers of my PRECIOUS Sour Skittles! How could SHE know where I keep them. They're not locked. My mother-in-law Linda is one smart cookie....she was wise enough to put her candy stash under lock and key when her kids were living at home. Only a privileged few knew the combination....Brent not being one of them...Okay, I'm getting sidetracked....Well, I confronted my little candy thief...the look in her face was one of shock...How could my mom know? I think she realized then that Mom's know EVERYTHING.... In the end, she ended up paying $20 for her little feast. At first I thought the amount was a little steep...Should I give her the family discount?....Nope....She needs to learn from her mistakes....I thought for sure, she'd throw a fit about the amount....Nope...she didn't even bat an eye....grrr.....

What's a mom to do?

p.s...I plan on getting myself a container with a lock...and only "I" will have the combination...

Priceless....

We typically don't buy pictures at amusement parks...but this one is Priceless....

Santa Monica Beach....

We recently returned from our visit to Southern California...Here are some pictures of our trip to the beach. I have to admit...I was a bit disappointed. I guess nothing compares to Santa Cruz or Monterrey. When we visited Santa Monica's beach, there was a ton of smog and fog. Not a good combination. It was also missing the salty smell of the ocean. I'm sorry dear So. Cal friends, but the beaches up north are way better.

It was great to get away from reality for the few days we were out there. I forgot how much Brent hated the sand. The picture of him tells it all! I told Brent that when we retire, we HAVE to get a beach front house...I know I know...in my dreams....But I've forgotten how much of a beach bum I used to be living in the Bay area...

Ahh...someday....