Becoming Little Builders, just like Daddy

I saw this idea in my monthly Family Fun magazine - you buy birdhouses and have the kids decorate them. Well, it seemed simple enough.....it turned out to be a bit harder than we initially thought it would be.



First, Will had to help the boys build their projects (Clayton chose a bird house & Hudson chose a bird feeder)










*Hudson uses his feet to hold two pieces in place!

After assembly, their creations had to be painted. This took 2 days because of drying.









Then, using wood glue, I helped the boys decorate.

The final products.



Now - just to hang outside.

I do love these fun projects with the boys!

Highlights from the Season

Today ended Clayton's 2nd season of Upward Basketball. Coach Will (Dad) and Coach Steve (Poppy) are now "veteran" coaches of the game. Taking a look back at the season.........

Clayton's Cheering Squad made an appearance each week.











Clayton became a more confident player.









Clayton became a more accurate shooter.



Clayton became a more aggressive defender.









Clayton learned what it means to be a true teammate.





Even Hudson got to take part of some of the action today, as Ms. Shana let Hudson help families fill out season evaluations. Hudson's got was "pen distributor" for all the guests. He was too cute!






This was our last season with just Clayton playing sports. Soccer jerseys are in and Clayton and Hudson will be gearing up next month! Let the chaos and juggling of boys begin..........

What Valentine's Day has become...........

Valentine's Day has definitely changed quite a bit over the last 10 years in the Daniels' home. When Will and I first got together, Valentine's Day was about the perfect card, beautiful flowers, and a fancy meal together.

Now..........things are definitely different.

With three small boys, there is no way I'm fighting massive crowds of people people on Valentine's Day nor am I getting a baby sitter so Will and I can fight those massive crowds. Instead we choose to celebrate Valentine's Day as a family - we have a Family Valentine's Night. This still involves delicious food and gifts for all!

This Valentine's Day was even different that in years past. We invited Grandma and Poppy over for Valentine's - complete with our "fancy" meal of ribs & the sides. Grandma and Poppy surprised the boys with a ice cream Valentine's cake from Baskin Robbins! After food, it was time for presents - for the boys! (My present is being made/shipped and Will's present has not been purchased yet)



A dump truck (complete with music and sounds) for Gray.





A learning globe for Hudson.



And a Mario Cart Lego set for Clayton.

Can't wait for Mommy's gifts to arrive.



Will ordered three of these rings for me (one for each boy) from a lady on Etsy! - I'm so excited!

~ ~ ~

Oh and here are the treats I made for Clayton, Hudson, and myself - included 23 treat bags, 24 rockets, and 10 shovels. That's what happens when you're a Mommy and Kindergarten Teacher!

Yummy Sweets for Your Valentine!

These homemade sugar cookies are a recipe from my mom - they are absolutely amazing! This Valentine's holiday I made one batch for home, one batch for Hudson's school party, and one back for Will to take to work for his factory friends - they received raving reviews!



What you will need:
2 cups of flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick of butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp. orange juice

What to do:
Blend the stick of softened butter and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, salt, egg, vanilla, and orange juice and mix with your hands. Mold into a flat round ball and refrigerate for one hour. Use flour to roll out on the counter, cut cookies into desired shapes. Decorate and lay on baking sheet (I lay them on aluminum foil or parchment paper). Cook approximately 8-10 minutes in oven at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

Uh-Oh, Gray can talk!

We have been (not) patiently waiting for Graydon to begin talking over the last several months. Occasionally we would recognize a word that he would say, but he wasn't "talking." He does listen and respond to the words that we speak - "Graydon, go get a book to read." "Graydon get that ball." But he was very quiet and preferred screaming or pointing to get what he wanted.
We all have been working with him for many months, even big brothers have stepped in - "Graydon, say ball, SAY BALL!"
I guess all of our work finally paid off or he just decided it was "time to talk."

Here is a sneak peek into our now "Toddler Gray"


Here are a few other things Gray has been heard saying:
Mama/Mommy
Daddy
Pop eye & Poppy for my dad
Bubba/Bubby for both brothers
Ma for Grandma
Ball
Cook for Cookie
Choo Choo (at trains)
Chip
Donut
Up
Uh oh
Shoes
Santa
Baloo for Balloon
Kack kack for duck
Pat pat (at the Little Einsteins show)
Juice
Apple
Flower
Clock
Bath
Car
Clap, Clap (when he is clapping his hands)
Backpack
Whoa!
Five (when he gives a hand "five")
Cat
Dog

Here's to three wild, rambunctious, CHATTY boys!

I'm Committed!

It seems like I have been committing myself to tons of things lately.

1) My sister started the Jillian Michaels 30-shred workout. She has convinced me that I need to join the band-wagon and complete this workout regimen as well. I'm currently on Day 6 (haven't missed a day yet) and I am definitely feeling it!

2) My school has begun a 10-week challenge. What is this? I don't really know all the details. I do know that I have agreed to run 3.1 miles in 10 weeks - I MUST be insane! Thanks Ashley Cowan for this encouragement - we shall see.

3) Will and I have not been actively in a small group for several months now. We have recently joined a new group, hoping to find the accountability and spiritual growth that we desperately need. Our group's goal is to read through the chronological Bible in a year. I am WAY behind - I should be reading now instead of posting this blog!

4) I have also joined a facebook bible study - You Are My Strong Tower - (before I was in a small group officially) - needing a spiritual challenge. And since I'm on facebook quite a bit, I thought it would be a benefit for a social network.

5) This blog - I used to plan out my blog topics a week ahead of time. Now, I'm lucky if I publish 2 blogs a week. I do miss it - I will try to do better.

6) Oh and then there is my 1.5 jobs (teaching and first steps kiddos), husband, 3 munchkins, and all things that come with being wife and mommy!

I think that's it for now - back to reading, or exercising, or ...............something!

Family Meal Planning

Ok - so we are trying something new at the Daniels' House. Mealtimes have become rather of a hassle lately - Hudson picking at his food, Clayton asking "how many more bites" - we needed a change.
I thought the idea of "Family Meal Planning" (I made that name up) sounded like a great idea. There are 7 nights in a week - so Will & I choose 3 meals, Clayton chooses 2 meals, Hudson chooses 1 night and 1 night we get dinner somewhere out.

Last week's meals:
Sunday - Clayton's choice - Homemade Biscuit Pizzas
Monday - Hudson's choice - Chicken nuggets/fries
Tuesday - Will's choice- Meatloaf, green beans, potatoes
Wednesday - Will's choice - Tacos
Thursday - McD's night
Friday - Mommy's choice - Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Saturday - Clayton's choice - Steak, sweet potatoes, & salad

Not too bad........

This coming week:
Sunday - Mommy's choice - Breakfast w/Snowman pancakes
Monday - Clayton's choice - Hotdogs (I'm adding chili to go with these)
Tueaday - Hudson's choice - Chicken with mac/cheese
Wednesday - Out to eat (something Chinese probably)
Thursday - Will's choice - Lasagna
Friday - Will's choice - Roast with potatoes/carrots/onions
Saturday - Clayton's choice - Grilled hamburgers, fries, & baked beans

This is forcing me to prepare better & cook more for my family!
I guess we all win!

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a sneak peek into my day