First Time at the Splash Pad 2012

Today we met up at the Mission Hills Park with a few of our friends for some water fun.  The kids all had a blast and loved the water.

Jasper doesn't have preschool on Friday's, so that is usually our day to go do a fun activity.

It's been hot here in Henderson, we're sweltering, and we're only half way though May.  It's gonna be a long, HOT summer!

I'm not sure why, but they took down the red fence around the splash pad.  It's easier if you have older kids, because you can sit on the shaded picnic tables and the kids can run over to check in.

If you have tiny tots who you are worried about wandering off, you might wish the fence was still there.

Here's a wet and cool summer...and trying to beat the heat.

Dental Check-Up for Jasper - 4 1/2 years old

I've been a little slack on Jasper's dental check-ups.  The irony is that I took Jasper in for a 1 year check-up and 2 year check-up.

The fact that we don't have him signed up on our dental insurance has not helped in me getting him in.  I did the math to add him to our policy, and it is cheaper to just do cash pay visits for him.

Our dentist moved, and that's when I went downhill on my diligent efforts.

Jasper did have a 3  1/2 year check-up, but the dentist decided he probably wasn't going to sit still for x-rays, so he just got a cleaning.  Everything looked fine then.

 We are now going to Dr. Brandon Grieve.  His practice is called Tiny Little Chompers.  Dr. Brandon is a great dentist and is great with kids.

He told Jasper that he was going to count his teeth, and asked Jasper to guess how many teeth he had.

Of course Dr. Brandon knew the answer already -- 20.  Jasper has been walking around all day saying, "I have 20 teeth."

At this 4  1/2 year check-up Jasper had front x-rays but wasn't too keen on getting the films way in the back of his mouth, so they just said we'd try again next time.
 
He was a bit fidgety for the cleaning, but did okay.  He does not like the suction or water spray.  Jasper did bring 2 of his baby puppies with him to the dental visit.

It had been over a year, so I was a bit worried about my sweet-tooth boy having cavities.

I was right.  He has two tiny cavities.  So we're going back in two weeks to get them fixed.

And we are getting on the 6 month check-up schedule. :)

All Lined Up

Yesterday Jasper had his 4  1/2 year dental check-up at Tiny Little Chompers with Dr. Brandon.

They were showing the movie HOP, and promised Jasper that if he was good during his cleaning he could take the movie home and borrow it.  Jasper's favorite line from the movie is, "What about China?"

He lined up his three Hot Wheels cars and three Transformers cars that Grandma Sharon gave him in an Easter basket and got settled in to watch HOP.

We don't have TV and rarely watch movies, so he was so excited to get to watch a movie with his cars.

RECIPE: Mango Blueberry Quinoa Salad

Last night our ward recipe group theme was "summer salads" at Tenille Strode's home.  

Her mom made a Mango Blueberry Quinoa Salad  that I am still swooning over.

I'm trying hard to cook with quinoa more, so I am always thrilled for a new quinoa recipe. 

This recipe and the above photo comes from VeggieBelly.com. 

Here's the link for the recipe, instructions and photos.

 Blueberry Mango Quinoa Salad

Cook 1/2 cup quinoa and let cool.

Fruits and veggies
½ cup fresh blueberries
½ cup cubed ripe mangoes (can substitute or add fresh pineapple)
½ cup cubed cucumbers
1/2 tablespoon dried cranberries

Lemon basil dressing
1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
10 Basil leaves, chopped finely
Salt and pepper

While the quinoa is cooking, combine the fruits in a bowl and refrigerate till you are ready to serve the salad.

Whisk together all the dressing ingredients, except the chopped basil. Refrigerate till you are ready to serve. Chop and add the basil to the dressing just before serving. If you add it earlier, it will go black.

Add half the dressing to the quinoa and mix gently.

Assemble the salad just before serving – toss the quinoa, fruits and cucumbers together. Serve other half of the dressing on the side. Serve  immediately.

If I Had a Dog

 Jasper is studying pets for the entire month of March at preschool.  Same as last year.  This is always an interesting unit for us, because we have no pets.  So without fail Jasper comes home from school with visions of  pet ownership.

I did much better last year when Jasper would come home with a paper list of homework assignments.  We would pull it out of his backpack after school, read over the assignment together and talk about how we would complete it.  No one else is living in the 80's besides me, so this year we have to log in a website, pull up the weekly newsletter and try to read the 12 pt font on my phone.

I didn't log in until yesterday to see he has a big project due Thursday, which means it needs to be finished tonight.  Yesterday we talked about some options, and then I forgot about it until 5:45 PM tonight, and we were going to be gone from 6:30 until bedtime.

Homework for four year old's is another soap box I could climb on.  I will say -- I do not love it when the assignment is something they clearly can not do on their own.  I try to have Jasper do as much as possible himself, but it's hard.  I do like homework he can do 100% on his own, with supervision and encouragement.

The assignment:  Make a poster or book about your pet(s).  We modified it to be about a pet Jasper would like to have.  Luckily he was realistic and we did not research having a Zebra in our backyard.

He chose a dog.  The not surprising part of that is that his best friend and confidant is baby puppy the stuffed animal.  The surprising part is that he is scared of real dogs.  He didn't used to be.  But he had some run-in's with some very large (i.e.  much bigger than he is) dogs and it freaked him out.

Throughout this assignment Jasper has told me over and over, "I just want a small dog mom."   We had dinner at the Fortier's on Sunday night.  Their dog Tobi (small to medium size) was there, and Jack and Susie's dog Sandy (medium size) was there too.  Jasper did okay with them by the end of the night.

Back to the homework.  We decided to make a book, as I have no idea what to do with posters afterward.  No scanning the original with a piece of posterboard.  We found an old board book and I printed the pages off on white cardstock that's made especially for photos and then modge podged the printed pages onto the board book pages.  It works best to modge podge the back of the page on, let it dry for a bit, then add a light coat on top for durability.

I had to add small items in between each page so the book would dry without the pages stuck together.  It is currently fanned out on the kitchen table in hopes that it will completely dry overnight.

I am SO EXCITED about this project and how it turned out.  I asked Jasper to tell me about the dog he wanted, what they would do together, etc.  Most of the text in the story is word for word from Jasper.  A couple of lines really make me laugh. 

We got online and I had him select photos to use for the book, mostly just from the Microsoft Office clip art gallery, so I don't think we are using anyone's photo we're not supposed to.  We also went through and picked a few of our own photos to add in.  Without further ado...

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

This week is reading week at Jasper's school.  Yesterday Jasper dressed up like a character from a book.

I need more than 48 hours notice to be "that" creative.

My friend Lindsay (Wilson) Cannon had the same idea that Jasper had.  A Polar Bear.  She said that when she pictures Jasper and reading she instantly thinks of this video I posted a year ago of Jasper reading "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you hear?"

A polar bear was out, because I don't think I own enough stain spray to send Jasper to school in all white clothes.  Jasper has a cute fuzzy brown bear hat.  He wore brown pants, and brown shirt and a brown coat and we called it good.  Surely we did not win any points on creativity.  But he did participate.  And he did look really cute in his hat.
 
 Here are some great costume suggestions that my friends gave me that I want to remember:

Nate the Great - Boy Detective
Where's Waldo
Cat in the Hat
Thing1/Thing 2
Pirate (Book: How I Became a Pirate)
Dinosaur (Book: How do Dinosaurs say good night?)
Wemmick (Book: You are Special)
Curious George
The Man in the Yellow Hat
The Lorax (Mustache and an orange shirt)

Adoption and Foster Care Through DCFS

Take a leap of faith.  Cast your nets wide.  Those are our two mottos when it comes to adoption.  We are still working with LDS Family Services, and attend and training class at their office once a month.

In an effort to keep all of our options open, we are also signing up with the Nevada DCFS. 

Tonight was our first class.  An introduction and overview of how things work.  Since we have 10  more three hour classes to take that Jasper can't come to, we decided to bring him tonight.  He was an angel.  He brought a book bag of Highlights Puzzle & Maze books and a Lego magazine.  He sat right up at the big table with all the adults.  The room was full, and as a white couple, I was definitely feeling like a minority.

We have 100% involved Jasper in the adoption process.  We told him that we are looking for a baby or kids who need a home and want to be a part of our family.  Tonight he said, "Do they need a mom?"  And I replied, "Yes, and a brother and a daddy too." 

Mike had to leave after class for Bishopric meeting.  Jasper and I stayed to look at the book of kids waiting for a home.  Listed are their photo, name, and a little bit about them.  Jasper LOVED going through each page as we tried to pronounce everyone's name correctly.  I would read him a little about each kid and he would say, "They like pizza.  I like pizza.  They like soccer.  I like soccer. They like to swim.  I like to swim.  Their name starts with w J.  My name starts with a J."  It was really cute to see him looking for things he had in common with each kid.

When we were done he said something that really surprised me.  And he said it loud enough that the case workers could hear.  "Mom, I don't really want to have two kids join our family."  Great, I thought to myself.  No points for us.  Then he said, just as loudly, "Mom, I want A LOT of kids.  Not just 2, how about 6."  A little ambitious.  :)
 
We just want to adopt, but we are trying to be open to foster care and foster-to-adopt.  My heart is already broken over not being able to have any more kids, and I'm not sure that I can take the additional heart break of having kids in our home, getting attached to them, and then having them leave.  I think if we were already happy with the number of kids in our family I could do it.  But since we still want more kids, I think it would be really hard.

Here's the low down:
1.  Pass background check that we applied for tonight -- takes 1 week.
2.  Get finger printed ($55 each) and clear that check -- 2 to 4 weeks.
3.  Get assigned a case worker and get assigned a class schedule.  10 consecutive weeks for classes from 6-9 PM once a week.  And yes, class is at least 30 minutes away.  So we're talking 10 weeks of needing someone to watch Jasper at a fairly inconvenient time: 5:30-9:30 PM.
4. Start our home study and get to know our case worker at class each week.

Here we go!

Family Scripture Study These Days

We read scriptures as a family together every day.

Usually at night.  If we have a particularly busy day, we might read in our car.  If we are out on a hike, then sometimes we read on the trail during a lunch break.  If Mike is out of town for business, or Jasper and I are out on an adventure, we video chat or just read together on speaker phone.

No matter what, we read every single day.

Our incentive to Jasper for happily showing up for scripture study the first time he's asked and for sitting reverently is that he gets to read.  He LOVES it when it's his turn to read.  Of course since he can't read yet, that means I read 3 or 4 words at a time and he repeats them.  Yes, it's a lengthy process.

I remember last October when Jasper and I stayed at a condo on the beach with some friends.  At night during their family scripture study he was always begging to read every verse.  It definitely is one of his love languages.

In the last few weeks we have watched our friends four kids as part of a babysitting swap.  We usually just have Jasper for scripture study, so adding four other kids, ages 8 and under, is a little more difficult.

Each of the kids sit down with scriptures in their lap turned to the correct page. The first time we had all five kids only read five verses, and the next time read nine verses.  These experiences made me really respect my friends who have more than one child and persevere with family scripture study.

Tonight we read in the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma, Chapter 14.

We spend A LOT of time explaining vocabulary words.  Here's a small sample from just 15 verses.

Chief Judge = The Big Boss
Smote on the cheek = Punched in the face
Bound with strong cords = Tied up really tight
Loosed their bands = Busted free
Began to flee = Run like crazy
Cast into prison = Sent to jail
Answered him nothing = Didn't say a word.

My favorite from tonight was every time we would read 'Chief Judge' Jasper would chime in and say "The Big Boss."  We don't get very far along in the chapter stopping to explain everything.  We do have a good time and I feel good knowing that Jasper understands what we are reading.

Double Date Dinner ---- With Kids!

 We are so happy that Captain Fortier is home from his recent deployment.  Not as happy as his 10 month old baby girl Raynee.

The entire Foriter family met us for dinner tonight at Claim Jumper in Green Valley.  It's the first time we've seen Jeremy, even though he's been back since Feb. 3rd.

We are proud of Jeremy Jasper was thrilled to share some ribs with Mike. He also was quite concerned  about Raynee.

He always checked on her and worried if she needed a bite or a drink or anything. 

Jasper is so anxious to be a big brother.  Hopefully we will be able to adopt soon and he can have a brother or sister to look out for.

  

(Photo of the Fortier Family at Jeremy's Homecoming, Feb. 3, 2012)

Jasper LOVES Raynee and is always concerned if she's not happy or needs anything.

Library Books --Lost and Finally Found!

Jasper is only four, and I'm pretty sure that the amount of money we've paid to the Henderson Library System in fines and lost/damaged books has fully funded the new Gibson Library!

When I found Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile tonight I shouted for joy.  It's $16.95 to replace this book that has been checked out long enough for the library to declare it "missing." 

I am afraid that the fines are going to be as much as the price of the book.  Maybe we should keep it, but I don't even really like this book much.  Jasper picked it out.  Because it has a crocodile on the front.  Of course.

Do you have a great system for not losing library books and avoiding late fees?

My trick that works most of the time is to keep renewing the items online until we can find them.  :)

YOU MAKE MY HEART HAPPY - Valentine's Day 2012

Sending some love and sunshine your way.

My friend Heather made these cute Valentine's for Jasper.   If you think this print is cute you can get it here.http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/2012/02/valentines-special/

Heather also made Jasper's Valentine last year.

Here's some love from 2010, 

and Happy Valentine's Day from 2009.

 Here's hoping your day is filled with lots of love!

Happy Valentine's Day to My Sweetheart

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweetheart, Mike.  This May is our 11 year wedding anniversary.
I'm not sure why he puts up with me, but I'm glad he does.  I sure love him!

This is kind of a silly photo.  It was so windy that my veil kept blowing everywhere during our pictures.

I remember that I was mad at Mike for leaving his contacts in Oklahoma.  He had to wear his nerdy glasses.  I told him to just take his glasses off.  If you know Mike, you know that he is blind without his glasses.  He refused to remove them because he wanted to be able to see.

I have to laugh at myself that I was so concerned with Mike looking nerdy in our wedding photos.

Our photographer was Kelly at Gallery Photography, who I highly recommend.

Pirate Island Chicken Salad - RECIPE

Last time we were at Disneyland we crashed my friend Stephanie Warner Bacon's party with her sisters.  Steph lives in Anchorage and I haven't seen her since my baby shower for Jasper in July 2007.  Too long.  Way too long.

Steph brought a yummy chicken salad for lunch.  Adults ate and the kids happily explored Tom Sawyer's Island, which Jasper calls "Pirate Island."

Because of the location for lunch, I have taken the liberty to rename Janna Harkey's Bostonian Chicken Salad. 

Pirate Island Chicken Salad 
by Janna Harkey


1 box Uncle Ben’s long grain and wild rice recipe—cook as directed on box (my husband can't eat rice, so I use min bow tie pasta)
3 chicken breasts, shredded
juice of one lemon
1 bunch green onion, chopped
1 fresh red bell pepper, chopped (I use whatever color pepper I have -- and usually add 2 or 3)
3 oz. resh Chinese or Snow pea pods, cut into thirds (I add in the whole 8 oz bag)
2 med. avocados, diced (still tastes good without avocados)
1 c. chopped pecans (still tastes good without pecans)

Dressing:
2 cloves garlic
1/3 c. seasoned rice vinegar
1 T. dijon mustard
½  t. salt
¼ t. pepper
¼ t. sugar
1/3 c. oil

Combine all salad ingredients.  Blend dressing ingredients and pour over salad.  Serve in pita or croissant.   Best if salad made 2 hrs. before.  ENJOY!

*Everyone who I have shared this recipe with LOVES it.

 (Jasper and Stephanie's son Warner on Pirate Island)

Cute Valentine Printable

I love my creative friends.

Late last night I emailed my friend Heather (Price) Smith the tagline "You Make My Heart Happy" that I want to use for Jasper's Valentine cards this year, and first thing this morning I get these cute prints in my inbox!  LOVE THEM!

Heather is offering this print in 10 different color combinations and 2 sizes for $2.00 in her Etsy shop.  Plus a 10% off coupon for other prints she carries.  (Scroll to the bottom of her post for the coupon, which is good until Valentine's Day.)

Heather has 5 young kids (including a baby) and serves as Relief Society President in her ward.  She also is a meal planning guru and one of the nicest gals you will ever meet. Here's a link to her free meal planning sheet and a link to the 4 week meal planning sheet too.  She is one talented lady and is also one who shares her talents freely with others.

Heather and I served as Academy for Girls counselors together back in 1997 and I am smart enough to have held on tight to her as a friend.  She is a real inspiration for me.  She always has great quotes and uplifting thoughts on her personal blog.  And has oodles of free printables on her Simply Fresh Designs blog.

Heather makes my heart happy!

Love is in the Air

"When is it going to be time for the holiday where we make people love notes and tell them how special they are?"

Jasper has been asking me this question since we started working on our Halloween costumes last year.  Five months.  Five months he's been waiting for Valentine's Day to arrive.

Needless to say, he's a little excited for this holiday.

Busted!

Jasper has a record of sneaking snacks into his room along with some type of instrument or implement to open the snacks.

Yesterday morning I saw that his room door was mostly closed.  Jasper loves to have his door open so I peeked in to see what he was up to.

And there I found him.  In his chair, reading The Sneetches.  Underneath the book pages I found 2 packs of fruit snacks and a can opener.