Life's a Circus

Life has seemed a little circus-y lately. Some days I feel like a trapeze artist trying to balance everything and not fall! Most days I feel I have one of the worst jobs at the circus- cleaning up the elephant poo. More often than not, I feel like one of the lion tamers on one of those shows, "When Animals Attack," when the trained animals wait for the perfect opportunity to take advantage of their trainer's vulnerability. All in all, our circus can be quite entertaining. (just ask my parents when they try to skype with us!)

We took a trip recently to the real circus and I'm not so sure it was a hit. We managed to grab three free tickets for Max, Luke and their cousin Jake. (Thank goodness since a kid's ticket is $12!) There was way too many things going on at once for the kids to focus on the entertainment. I wonder just how much money the food vendors make at those things, going constantly up and down the aisles. We had to keep putting Jakey’s hand down as the snow cone and cotton candy guy came by. The little boys only showed interest when the scantly clad rope swinging ladies came out (I don't know what their official title is). I was more entertained by all the carni-folk who all seemed to have some sort of soap opera type lifestyle going on in the background of the circus culture.

Luke's favorite part of the circus?... snacks found in the diaper bag, of course. The most attention Max gave the three rings... This was before the circus started and I'm pretty sure an elephant was pooping. I'll let you come up with your own caption. Cotton candy was a big hit for Jake. Max squished it with enough hand sweat to make it nice and sticky then threw it on the floor.

This was what was going on the majority of the time. Luke has a mouthful of dropped popcorn from the row behind us and Joey was kind enough to let us share this giant communal lemonade to which I was the official drink supervisor.

Three popped balloon animals and one crabby momma later, we headed out just as the death-defying dirtbikes in a metal ball was getting started. The circus is just too long for 3 squirmy little boys... and me! I really hate crowds. Once we left the crazy circus, I let out a long sigh of relief. I guess it could be compared to life. We have to go out in the crazy world and deal with some real characters, but isn't it nice to come home to a safe (sometimes quiet) place? I think that is the main reason I want to stay home with my crazy circus animals, I want to make sure they have somewhere safe to retreat to so they know what is real and right, not just an act or illusion. So in a way, I guess the circus makes me grateful for being a mom!

First Day of School

What did you do when you were a kid in preparation for the first day of school? I loved the first day of school! I was one of those anxious kids would lay out their outfit for the first day like a week ahead of time. I would beg my mom to go school supply shopping in the middle of the summer so I could have brand new crayons pencils. Oh, and new, fresh pink erasers, don't even get me started! I know, I'm a nerd.

You might be wondering why I'm talking about the first day of school when the school year is more than half over. I just dropped Max off for his first day of preschool. We just found out Friday afternoon that he would be starting today, so I didn't have much time to analyze what he'd be wearing, etc. Even so, I had to keep myself from going over various wardrobe choices. He also had to bring a snack, so I ran out the store to find some healthy snacks. (Didn't want the teacher to think I give my kids oreos and other scandalous processed foods...'cuz that never happens)

Although I'm missing him, I'm pretty grateful this day has finally come! It's been a loooonnng annoying road to get him here, but now he's in! (for a few months until summer comes, dang it) I've had to fight, question, and fight some more to get him in preschool. I was almost in shock that he's actually going now after all that work. At times, I felt powerless, but I never gave up. I've seen such an improvement in Max since being in sunbeams and our preschool playgroup, I can't wait to see how much he improves in the early childhood program.

The best part is Max is excited. I was pretty worried he'd be intimidated and anxious, but his main concerns were 1) he'd get to go to a bus stop, 2) They had toys, and 3) They had a kitchen. So far, we're 2 for 3, and he'll get to start riding the bus next week... if I can stomach it. (by the way, the bus has child seat restraints and it's only his class that rides it with aides on board)

I just hope Max isn't like me and only likes school for the first day :)

Here's his accomplice/arch nemesis patiently awaiting his return.

Quiet Books

Sitting through sacrament meeting for about an hour can be brutal for little kids... and parents. We've tried yummy snacks, exciting toys, stickers, coloring books, etc. to keep our two misfits entertained and quiet! These tactics have lasted about as long as it takes to devour a packet of fruit snacks (or shake them all over the pew, in our case). I'm always in search of something that will give us a little piece and quiet during church.

Then armed with a coupon, I snagged a sweet deal on a laminator at Harbor Freight. After laminating everything in my house, my mom gave me the idea to make a quiet book. I love projects like this. Fun, simple and easy! Ok, the cutting can be a little tedious, but I kinda like things like that. I did steal a few ideas from other people online, so I guess I won't charge anyone for my book. :) Here's how I did it and you can use my template to make your own, if you so choose. Or you can mock me for my nerdy laminating fetish.

Step One: Print out your pages. Simple enough, though some of my images were just in black and white. I don't have any fancy smancy software (but I do have a pretty sweet laminator...ok, it's from Harbor Freight so it's really not that fantastic) that will color images. I find it just as easy to print it out and color it myself.

Step Two: Color and cut out the small pieces. One of the great lessons I learned while studying to become a teacher is that there is a trick to making laminated projects last. In order not to have the plastic peel off and curl up after lots of use, you have to leave a edge of clear laminate around each object. So you have to cut out each little piece on the line before you laminate it. Any pieces that I colored, I colored before cutting so I could color a little sloppy.

Step Three: Laminate. Woo hoo! Don't pee your pants, but it is pretty fun. When you laminate the little pieces, be sure to leave about a 1/2 inch space between each piece. That way when you go to cut them out you'll have enough excess to keep that border I was talking about.

Step Four: Cut out the pieces (again). Remember to leave that clear edge. I didn't cut out the pieces until I had enough time to put it all together so that I wouldn't lose any.

Step Five: Velcro. You can buy velcro stickers just about anywhere. I used the clear kind because you can put it over the design without covering it up. There is a bit of a technique to it and I learned a couple helpful hints along the way. Instead of putting each side of the velcro on individually, hook them together first. Then place it on the page. Then, position the piece how you want it on the page and press down. That way you aren't trying to find the bullseye blindly. Make sense? One thing I found along the way was to put the velcro in the center of each object so kids don't have to position them perfectly to get the pieces to stick. Also, you can use half of each velcro sticker. Saves money, and makes for a quieter ripping sound when your kids is pulling pieces off.

Step Six: Bind your book. Use a three hole punch (so you keep your holes lined up) and punch each page. You can find rings to hold it all together at any office store. I recommend using reinforcers on the holes because I noticed several times the books got stepped on and pulled on the holes.

Voila! You have a book that will keep your little one entertained! I tested out our books on Sunday and not only did they keep our boys quiet, but also the kid behind us. They would also be great as travel toys or anytime. Have fun making this one, or go make your own. Here is my template

excuse my tardiness, please

I noticed today that I forgot to post about our Christmas. So I'll do it now... a month later. It doesn't really feel like winter anymore around here (it's supposed to be a balmy 59 degrees by Thursday), so maybe that's why it slipped my mind. We really enjoyed our Christmas Eve with our little family. We went swimming in the morning and had the pool almost to ourselves (besides the old people who really have no modesty or shame in the locker room). Then we decorated ornaments. Max squeezed out an entire bottle of glitter paint, then flung it at the wall. That was fun.


The finished products:

Then we decorated cookies, and ate clam chowder in bread bowls. I think we might make this our tradition instead of Hamburger Soup. (gasp) scandalous, I know!


Christmas morning was really fun for the boys and they loved their new workbench. So much so, that they fight over it non-stop.

Joey insisted on making me "try on" my gifts. I guess they fit... camping... yay...

We drove to the Mucc Christmas Day to spend time with my parents before they left on their mission. We were going to take home our newest edition, Goober, that day, but after learning of his "nervous bowels" I decided otherwise. I don't need my car smelling like big dog diarrhea on a hot day. My parents brought him up a few days later. Goober has settled in with us and resigned himself to be tortured by Max all day, everyday. Max is really fascinated by Goo's tail (and what's under there) and I'm sure Goo feels violated all the time.

Here's our belated Christmas gift from us to you- Max performing the part of Sugar Plum Fairy. Sorry, he is a prima ballerina and doesn't appreciate flash photography's affect on his art.

I'm not sure what this second move is... some sort of scissor kick, twitchy thing. Whatever it was, I think he's future Juilliard material.

We Shall not be Defeated!

For some reason Mother Nature has it out for us. For two years in a row we've had to battle the elements to have our annual ugly Christmas sweater party. But we will not be deterred! After one cancellation, our 2010 party was actually in 2011. We couldn't let another year slip by without displaying our very best! We really gave 110% this year going with an overall theme instead of just sweaters. The Lights' theme this year was "Stay Classy, Dayton." We, like all good rural citizens, were living in the 80's... the trashy 80's. I found Joey a sweet child molester-ish, flesh colored mustache at the Walmart gumball machines earlier in the week. I really think my 50 cents paid off. We, of course, are still the reigning champions, but kudos to all that tried to topple us from our lofty station. I would venture to say that fun was had by all, and thanks Uncle Chris for lending your poncho to Max as a security poncho. He's slept with it every night since.

Here's Joey really showing his stuff playing games... He was kinda the only one into it... like really into it. Thanks friends, for humoring him.

Here are the Pyrahs getting cozy in a poncho for two. How romantic.

I know your eyes are closed, Steph, I just thought it was pretty funny how Tyson and Kurt are doing the same thing with their arms. The earrings were a nice touch!



Here we have the Hunters thoughtfully contemplating the symbolism of Taneil's vest. I think you should frame this one in your home.

And here are your reigning champions. I know we aren't even looking at the camera, but this way you get the full effect of the bangs AND the side ponytail. P.S. I did my make up that way on purpose. Do you like Joey's facial hair? The neck beard was all him... and some brown eyeshadow, of course.

See you next year, Chumps! ...er I mean Chums!

Here we go again...

Wow, ok, I know it’s been for-ev-er since I last posted. Summer came along and things got very busy with scouts and little boys who like to play outside all day. Then fall came and I don’t know, I guess I got a little more introverted. I’m still trying to figure out why exactly, but all this crazy doctor stuff surrounding Max has really thrown me for a loop. I started journaling, but that was more of a personal thing I didn’t feel like sharing with all of blog-dom. Then the other day I was reading NieNie Dialogues. If you haven’t read this blog, do it now. She really gives you perspective on how wonderful life is. When I read stuff like that I realize I really have an awesome life. I want to make this blog more about how really blessed we are, instead of just me whining about laundry and junk like that. So here is my list of awesomeness to catch you up on life in the Light house.

-Today, for the second day in a row, I got to take a shower before 9am without an audience and without anyone destroying any electronics. Awesome.

-I finished all 6 credits I needed to renew my teaching license. That felt amazingly awesome, well, except for my sore eye from running into the door frame late at night while finishing my essay for my final class, but that’s another story.

-Max is getting closer and closer to being potty trained. Less diapers= awesome.

-Luke is talking more and more each day. It seems a little crazy that hearing a tiny person say things like “hot” can be so awesome, but it is. He sort of sounds like he can speak “whale,” mostly because he always carries around his binky between his teeth so things don’t always get enunciated crisply.

-Luke also gives the most awesome hugs. He sure knows how to make a gal feel special. His kisses need to be refined a bit though; I usually end up with a face full of slobber. They’re still pretty awesome, none the less.

-Max has finally given us a break and doesn’t wake up until at least 6am. It’s awesome how non-sleep deprived I feel now.

-We bought a dvd player for our car. That made the 9 hour trip to Utah a couple weeks ago sooooo awesome and quiet. Say what you will, but TV is an awesome entertainer/babysitter.

-Joey got an email from NVenergy the other day saying that he’ll get an interview probably next week. He talks about how awesome that’d be daily.
That’s all for now, people are waking up from their naps. I can’t make any promises, but I’m going to try to be more diligent with this whole blog thing.

Weirdo

That's his binky if you couldn't tell. What a talent! Soon we'll be inserting a giant disc in his lip.