Sisters and Egg Cups

My sister Jen lives in town. We don't always see each other or call each other too often. However, she moved into a new place and adopted a dog about two months ago, and since then we have seen more of her, which has been great. She will often stop by on a weekend to get out of the house and to let her dog play with our dog. She stopped by fairly early last weekend. The boys had already eaten cold cereal, but I had not had breakfast and neither had Jen (a coffee doesn't count!), so I offered to make her an egg and toast soldiers. Soft-boiled eggs don't seem to be a popular breakfast anymore, if they ever were. I first tried one less than five years ago, and I think my sister had never tried a soft-boiled egg before today. She was a fan. One reason I enjoy eating them is because I find egg cups to be such adorable dishes. I do not intend to start a collection of egg cups, but I do have my fair share, including these five Polish Pottery egg cups (three of which my mom gave me last month when she was in town).

Brett saw me hesitating as I selected an egg cup for myself and for Jen. He asked me what was going on, and I told him that I was trying to pick out the perfect one for Jen. I was thrilled when Jen told me I had picked out the one she had her eye on! It was such a small and insignificant thing, but it felt good. Maybe I really know her better than I think I do.

In case you were wondering, I selected the green-patterned egg cup second from the left for Jen, and the middle one for myself.

Also, if you make boiled eggs (frequently or ever) consider this musical egg timer. I received mine from Brett's cousin from Germany. It works beautifully and is so fun to use. Yes, fun. It plays three different tunes: one for a soft-boiled, medium, and hard-boiled. I lucked out--my timer features three great classic rock songs: "Killing Me Softly", "House of the Rising Sun", and "The Final Countdown". Seriously, boiling eggs has never been so fun!

Time With Todd

On Wednesday I skimmed an article that talked about some things we can do to help our families be functional (as opposed to dysfunctional). It mentioned being intentional about the way we express ourselves towards our children. I thought about how I could do a better job of spending quality time with my boys. I spend time with them; I talk to them; I sing a song to them and tuck them in bed at night; I read scriptures with them in the morning; I attend class parties and special functions; I try to make them good meals, including the occasional just-for-fun foods (like the star-shaped chicken hand pies we had for dinner last week) and encourage family mealtimes. But so often I feel like many of my activities with them are rushed.

It made me feel good when I thought about the past few days; I recognized two times that I slowed down for Todd. Ryan is an easy one to snuggle with and feel close to. Even today when I was in Ryan's classroom to watch his presentation he was sitting in my lap. (There weren't enough chairs to go around and that was an easy and mutually agreeable solution.) Todd really enjoys one-on-one time, but he doesn't always get it. I had been feeling like we have been really busy, and I wanted to play some games with the boys on Sunday. We played a game of Scattegories Junior with Jen. After she left I let Todd pick a game. Todd picked the game Life. I ever-so-slightly rolled my eyes, but agreed. I'm so glad that I did. We ended up having a really nice game together. I know that it means a lot to Todd when someone takes time to play with him, whether it is a board game or a backyard game of football or tether ball (like Papa played with him on Tuesday afternoon).

I had another opportunity to spend time with Todd Tuesday evening. On Wednesday there was a special dinner for the Cub Scouts called the Blue and Gold Banquet. All the boys were invited to make and decorate a cake. I felt like Todd should do as much as possible on his own. Knowing that he has little experience in the kitchen (because I don't have the patience to cook often with my children) I knew it would take a while. I wanted it to be good experience so I added some songs to a new playlist I called "Cooking With Todd," and I let Todd add some songs as well. Having the music helped me relax and have more fun with the activity. Todd impressed me with how well he knew his way around the kitchen finding all of the ingredients and the measure spoons and cups. He did a great job and we both had fun with it.

On Wednesday we decorated the cake. We were running a little late after school trying to get everything done, so I did feel a little rushed. But, Todd still decorated the cake using his own design and was really proud of the final product. I need to let the boys cook with me in the kitchen more.

Whenever I do something right with my boys I think, "I'm so glad that I am helping to create such a positive memory for them." It would behoove me to ask myself, "What kind of memory am I creating for them?" during those times that I allow things to get too rushed and show impatience with them. I want them to have and to remember a mom who took time with them.

Diary Of Our Sick Day

Todd started coming down with a fever last night a little before bedtime. He had been acting a little tired after school on Tuesday, but I figured that's all it was--a little worn out from a long day at school. Around midnight last night when I was on my way to bed, my suspicions were confirmed: Todd was sick. He had a fever and I ended up giving him some medicine to help bring it down so he could sleep. I knew that that we would be having our first sick day--Todd wouldn't be going to school in the morning. Unfortunately, Todd woke up quite early in the morning after the medicine wore off, and I was feeling like I was in need of a sick day myself.

Ryan woke up quite chipper and excited that he had Todd home to play with all day. From my cozy bed it sounded like Ryan was bouncing off the walls, and he didn't quite understand that both Todd and Mommy could have used a little more sleep. Todd ended up crawling into bed with me and even asked to borrow my eye mask to help him sleep better. (I don't think it worked, but it's fun to wear anyway.)


Todd definitely did not have his usual energy, and spent most of the day doing quiet activities like taking care of his virtual pet. (For once, his little puppy got some attention! I'll try to post more about that later.) Ryan, on the other hand had plenty of energy. Here, Ryan acts like a frog. (Sorry for the bad photo. Remember, I'm still using that broken camera.)

Todd who took a little downhill turn (101.8), moves to the couch for a rest while Ryan works on an art project. Finally, Mommy let him do painting!

We still talk to Todd and include him in our conversation (or rather, Todd is the one who really keeps the conversation going--that boy can talk!) as Ryan and I make Raspberry Cream Cheese Muffins for lunch. (I didn't get motivated to make them for breakfast this morning. The boys requested cold cereal, and I gladly complied.)

I asked Ryan to clean up the ice cubes he spilled all over the floor. . . . but I was really thinking a towel might be the easiest way to pick them up. Ryan, however, thinks acting like a dog is more fun. Let's hope that floor isn't too nasty.

Poor Todd! He snuggles with the ice pack. Ryan makes an interesting bed in a cave.

This is, by far, my most favorite photo of the day. Despite feeling pretty bad and sticking to the couch for a while, Todd is still enthusiastic in his conversations with Ryan. And Ryan still finds ways to have fun and stick close to Todd.

I gave Todd some more medicine before lunch. He was able to get some nourishment in his body and take a decent nap. Even better, Ryan went down without any problems as well. He has not been taking many naps these days, and I was worried that he might not have expended enough energy staying home to nap today. Unfortunately, I missed my opportunity to take a nap with them.

Despite the fact that Todd was feeling bad (and I would never wish that on him), I enjoyed having a lazy at day at home with both my boys. I think they enjoyed the relaxed schedule as well. From the looks of it, we'll be able to repeat it again tomorrow! Todd just woke up a bit ago (11:00pm-ish) feeling bad again. Even if his fever is down in the morning, he doesn't need to be going to school yet. Let's hope he's able to go on Friday. It's school picture day.

Ryan's Helicopter Cake

What are you willing to do for your child's birthday cake? I have really enjoyed making fun cakes for my boys. Some have been more impressive than others. I am sure as the boys get older the taste will be more important than the looks. For now, the boys and I have fun picking out their birthday cake's shape. They look forward to it and usually pick out their cake months in advance.


Ryan wanted a helicopter cake last year. I was a little scared about that undertaking. I found no pattern to go by, but I talked to my mom and she gave me some ideas. In the end, I thought the cake looked great.
A few months ago Ryan informed me that he wanted another helicopter cake this year. However, about a week ago when I asked him more about his cake he told me that he did not want the same kind of helicopter as last year. He wanted one with two propellers on top. Great--another cake with no pattern!


We went to the library yesterday and I asked Ryan to show me a picture of the helicopter he wanted. We looked at a number of helicopter books with no success. I thought maybe Ryan wanted a cake that looked like the V-22 Osprey, but that wasn't it. Ryan clearly had something specific in mind. So, we went online and searched for helicopters. When we came across the photo for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Ryan excitedly proclaimed, "Yes! that one!"


Although I did not spend too much time decorating the cake and doing fancy piping, I think it still passes.

I can't wait to see what Ryan has me doing next year!