Snow white

So we had our own "Snow white" experience over here today. We got this awesome blender yesterday at Costco with an awesome price tag attached. It blends up marbles, rocks, metal... which is perfect since that is what I typically make smoothies out of. It also blends up fruit with the skins and their seeds. The man selling the product was talking about how nutritious watermelon and cantaloupe seeds are and how great the inner most part of a pineapple is for you (the part we usually don't eat). We make smoothies at least once a day- especially Brady. He is the smoothie king and I can always count on being ready for bed at 11pm when he decides he has to have a yogurt shake. He made a big deal about it saying shakes and smoothies are his favorite all time thing and he usually isn't that passionate or opinionated about anything! So, I figured this would be a nice surprise for him (and me too since it makes bread by grinding grain and even soups!)
After bringing it home yesterday afternoon, we made our fourth smoothie this afternoon with lunch. I put in spinach leaves, flax seed, yogurt, strawberries (with stems on) and an apple. A WHOLE apple. The seeds are especially nutritious right???
So, I'm telling my mom all about how cool this blender is and all the nutrition we'll be getting now so and mention our afternoon shake. She says, "the whole apple?" I told her I at least took off the stem first. She said, "I think apple seeds are poisonous." Yeah right I think. Funny mom. But still on the phone, I google it. Google is always right.
So, apple seeds do in fact contain cyanide.
I thought this quote from the google site was fascinating, "At least within the realm of murder mysteries, cyanide is the darling of poisoners because it acts quickly and irrevocably, once a fatal dose has been ingested there is no effective antidote and death takes place within minutes."
Uhhhhh..... oppps.
Well, it said "fatal" dose. One measly gala apple isn't a "fatal" does right?
If this is my last blog, you'll know the answer. Crap. Great, another day goes by when I don't win mother of the year just because I poison my kids.
(quite the resemblance don't ya think? Of course the poision apple I offered was pureed).

Dumbo

My kids LOVE Disney's Dumbo as of late. They watch the pink elephant part and rewind it again and again cracking up laughing. I think it's weird they do that since I would always fast forward that part because I thought it was creepy scary.
However, despite serveral little issues I have with the movie (ie bird smoking, calling names, etc) I have to say what concerns me the most is Bryce running full speed and jumping off the bed screaming "ME DUMBO!!!"
Yeah, really, he did. A few times. So we've also had the talk that Dumbo flys, Bryce doesn't. A few times. He says, "Dumbo fly, Bycie not fly," but we'll see if that stops him.

Full moon

(Is it still indecent exposure if your bum is this cute?)
Bryce has been doing an awesome job using the toilet. I've been letting him run around without a diaper if we are home (sometimes with pants on, and sometimes without- as you can see). I put a diaper on him when we go out, but today it's been dry all day! What a big boy! He is 2 1/2 today actually.
We have a Elmo potty book that we read when Elmo teaches his doll baby David how to use the potty. At the end it says, Elmo's a big monster now! Bryce says now, "me a big monster now like Elmo!" Cute kid.

I knew the boys were too quiet upstairs...

Closer look...

You should have seen the walls and floor... I just thought pads on the fan were amusing.

(FYI, after a few inquiries about how they got the pads up on the fan, thought I'd update this post. Our bed is just below the fan so they can jump and stick. Or Carter is almost tall enough that if he stands on a pillow or two and on his tiptoes he can reach it. So there ya have it folks!)

Welcome Home Elder!

Ok, I'm SO behind in the journaling portion of the blog. I always tend to write these random thoughts/ideas/happenings, and don't blog events as much. I'll try to do better. So here is the first bit of news....
My little brother Matt came back from his mission in MN! It was so great to meet him at the airport. Jason and Shandra and their kids came as did our family and of course my mom and dad. I've joked calling my mom a "psycho type girlfriend" with all the letters, emails, care packages and constant thoughts for Matt.
It's been so awesome getting to know Matt now. He truly has grown and matured into a man (and not just because he's gotten buffer and taller).:)
Welcome home Elder! We've missed you and are so proud of the service you've done for the Lord these past 2 years. We have all truly been blessed by your selfless sacrifice.
(holding up signs anxiously waiting to see Elder Petersen come through the terminal gate)

(comparing 'battle wounds from similar surguries a few weeks apart)

"To be learned is good..."

But how wrong is it that I learned more from "There is No Place like Space" by Dr. Seuss than I've learned in the past 6 months plus??? For example, Jupiter, although the largest planet, is so light it could float on water?? And Neptune gives off a blue hue??? I know, you all sit there as amazed as me... don't pretend like you remember this stuff from 5th grade. (And if you really do, don't tell me).

But, I can whip up cookies, or brownies from scratch without a recipe, recite "green eggs and ham" perfectly without looking at the book, kiss away boo-boos, comfort fears, make a great el dorado beef cheese casserole (and say it without mixing up the words three times fast), sleep on a sliver of the bed because two children and a 6'5" man are in there with me, function (although barely) on just a few hours of sleep, can tell what my children want/need based on the type of cry, pack for one adult and three children for a week vacation and not forget anything, have inventive ideas to keep my kids occupied in the store, doctors office and car, teach my children manners and respect, teach them about the Lord and his love for them. Mostly importantly I can love with all my heart with complete selflessness and be happy doing it.

So what if I forgot that Mars was cold with red dust? I know other things. :)

On that note though, I can't to see what I'll learn from "Dinosaurs, the real monsters."

Parenting poll

So I have a question for all the parents out there. Actually even people who are not parents can answer. (Although I don't think many people read this blog. Maybe I'm boring, maybe I don't have many friends... or both! GASP)
Anyways... it's not that big of a deal but still something I wonder how to respond to. Here is the situation:
Carter likes to save his money and buy toys he saves for (or candy/gum when I let him). So that's the thing. "When I let him." Should I have a say what he spends his money on?
He constantly says things like, "I want to buy one for me and one for Bryce, or one for me and one for Uncle Matt or daddy or a friend or everyone in my class"- if it's candy or gum. If he does by one for everyone in class, he's spent his 15 dollars already he's worked so hard to save. Is that okay? I have a hard time letting him do it although I do sometimes.
Today he was browsing the toy store while waiting for new tires to be put on Brady's car. He saw a harmonica and wanted to get one for Bryce too. So he spent his 10 dollars on a five dollar harmonica for him and for Bryce. Here are some pics. It really is sweet and exciting for him to give gifts because gifts is one of Carter's love languages. So is it my issue I need to get over and just let him spend all his money he's worked so hard to earn? Feedback please!
Carter almost more excited than Bryce for him to open the gift he bought him).
(making beautiful "music" together)