The Little Blue Man

The following video is of Doug's sisters Heather and Tiffany singing "The Little Blue Man". If you listen to the words....it is a little creepy, but my kids loved it anyways! Both of his sisters were in Madrigals during High School and have beautiful voices. Take a look:

Klutzy me!

The other day my vegetable lasagna came to life and jumped right out of my hands. After doing a little dance, it flipped upside down on the inside of my oven door. Okay, Okay...so I may have contributed a little bit to it's little dance. After scooping off the top of the lasagna back into the pan and cleaning the inside of the oven door at a temperature of 375 degrees, I decided an oven cleaning was in order. In my earlier married years I was intimidated by cleaning an oven. It looked so difficult and I just didn't want to deal with it. I remember my Mom cleaning my oven when I moved out of my house in Roy, UT. Now, however, after owning a cleaning business and cleaning SEVERAL ovens, I learned that ovens are very easy...as long as you know all the tricks.

I thought I would share a few tips on oven cleaning. I know that most ovens these days are self cleaning ovens, but I hate using them. Every time I do...it doesn't come out as clean and shiny as using oven cleaner. I like using fume free Easy off oven cleaner...safe for self cleaning ovens. Here are a few easy steps:

• Spray Oven and racks. Close Oven and let sit. (I like to let it sit for a few hours)
• Take racks out and wash with SOS pads. Rinse, Dry.
• Take a tile and glass scraper (This is a razor blade...found in paint section at department stores) and scrape the entire bottom of oven and the oven door. (Make sure it is a new razor blade) THIS STEP IS A LIFE SAVER!
• Wash sides of oven with SOS pad
• Wipe out with old rag or paper towels.
• Shine oven with glass cleaner and paper towels

Another tip: You can put your racks in a large heavy garbage sack and pour ammonia in the bag. Close the bag up tight and let sit several hours. Take the racks out and rinse. All the black stuff will just fall right off. CAUTION: The ammonia is very strong. So be careful when taking the racks out.

The Before Picture:

25 Minutes later:
I hope this helps anyone who feels intimidated to clean their oven!

Eventful school days

Yesterday, Jordan turned in his Science Project and presented an oral report. He had the choice of making a spaceship, the solar system, or a future city. He was set on building a future city. Here is a picture of what he created:

A few features "Robotica"provides are neighborhoods built up above powered by a windmill, hovercrafts that can float on or fly above the "water roads" (powered by hydrogen), and buildings only made up of recycled materials. Oh...and people can purchase robots for $500 that will do chores and tasks at home (like pull weeds, cook dinner, fix your car, clean up after pets, etc.). There are some days that I wouldn't mind having something like that around. He hasn't received his grade on this yet, but he said that he did well when he presented his project.

Today was career day at school. The kids were asked to dress as if they were going to a job interview. I took a picture of each of them before school.

Kaylee

Jordan

Lexi

I hope this will teach them how to act during an interview so they can get a well paying job that they enjoy.

Dress up

Yesterday Mason let Lexi and her friend Alexa (a girl I watch 3 days a week) dress him up. I was really surprised that he let them because it is a fight every day to get him dressed.

Mrs. Speedy, Fishy, and Sparkle

A few weeks ago we "caved" and let the kids buy their own fish. We are not really pet people, so this was a big deal for our family. Now we have a hamster and 3 fish. I am actually enjoying having fish. My only regret is having to find someone to take care of them if we go out of town (and cleaning the tank, of course).

Meet Lexi's goldfish "Sparkle" (on left), and Kaylee's goldfish "Fishy" (on Right). I know you are just so impressed with the names they came up with.

Jordan chose a female guppy and named her "Mrs. Speedy". She is really speedy.

I won! I won! I won!

Hooray! I won the Tiny Talks vol. 9 book. If you read my blog article from Saturday, you'll know that it was a simple drawing. All I had to do was post an article linking to Anne Bradshaw's blog. This week she is giving a different book away, so she is definitely someone to keep on your list of blogs to visit.

I have a few people to thank. First of all, my brilliant cousin Heather. If it wasn't for her I would have never found out about the drawing in the first place. Secondly, Anne Bradshaw, for hosting the drawing. And Thirdly, Lee Ann Setzer, the author of the book who is giving it away. I'll stop there since it's starting to sound like I won the Emmy's or something. :) (But I am really excited that I won something)

Green Stuff!

Happy St. Patricks Day! I like St. Patricks Day because it is one of the easiest holidays to please my children....and it only takes a few drops of green food coloring. Here's what was on the breakfast menu today:

Green scrambled eggs, a green drink, and green buttered toast. I had to convince the girls that it tasted exactly the same as it does when it is not colored. I joined in on the fun too:

I often make a fruit smoothie for breakfast and today I just added a drop or two of food coloring. Next to the smoothie you'll notice green butter, green mayonnaise, and army green peanut butter. I thought I would extend the food fun to the kids' lunches today. Happy St. Patricks Day!

Have you done anything fun to celebrate the holiday?

Happy Birthday!

I am the youngest of 8 and Doug is the oldest of 5. We have a total of 31 nieces and nephews. With such a large family I decided to list monthly birthdays on the side of my blog this year. Today, however, I felt that I needed to do a special post for the Birthday Girl. Today is my mother-in-laws birthday (I would get sick of wearing green on my birthday and at some point rebel...and maybe even hate the holiday. I'm not sure how she feels.) I've told several people over the past years how lucky I am to have the in-laws that I have. They are perfect! I'm not trying to make anyone jealous, but if I am...too bad. My in-laws have always made me feel like I am part of their family...not like some outsider who barged into their lives 14 years ago. My mother-in-law would do anything for me...and not just for me, but for anyone who she knows. I feel privileged to be her daughter-in-law. Happy Birthday Mom!

Tiny Talks by Lee Ann Setzer

This week Lee Ann Setzer is giving away a free copy of her book "Tiny Talks" (Vol 9). I think any LDS mother who has primary age children has probably heard of her before. Having 4 children and being in the Primary Presidency...this sure would come in handy. If you haven't heard of this book before,they are primary talks already prepared. You can use the talk straight out of the book, or just get the idea to start a talk for your child. They're great. If you would like to enter her contest, just click on her name above (although I'm secretly hoping not very many people do so I have a better chance of winning...mwaaa haa haa).

Lexi's 6th Birthday

On Thursday, Lexi turned 6 years old. She said she felt taller and bigger. She was able to take cupcakes to her Kindergarten class and be the line leader for the day. Her teacher gave her a special hat and she felt like a Queen all day long. The next day (Friday), she had a princess party. She said that she only wanted to invite girls to her party this year (I guess this is part of getting older). I made her a Castle Cake and decorated the house with princess decorations. When her guests arrived, they painted sun catchers. I was tired of doing the standard party games and suggested painting at her party instead. They all had a great time painting and loved taking their projects home. The kids were stuffed after eating pizza, cake and ice cream. Lexi opened her birthday presents and was very happy with getting so many fun and exciting gifts. She handed out goodie bags before the kids left and overall Lexi had a great 6th Birthday Party! Happy Birthday Lexi! Here is a slide show of some of the pictures I took for her birthday: