Planet of the Apels

Presidents

2012-02-11T22:51:00.000-06:00

Mica's really into learning about the presidents! He's learning about them in school. He had some off thoughts. He thought Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were friends. I'm just glad he knows about them and seems interested in what he's learning.

He made this image at school of Abraham Lincoln's log cabin:

Looks like pretzels are good for more than just eating!

Today he wanted to draw George Washington. I said, "Well let's look him up."

Source

Mica drew George Washington and got all frustrated because his drawing looked nothing like the image we looked up. Daddy said to start over and draw in pencil instead of crayon, so he could erase. That's what he did. This is what he ended up with:

I thought for age 6 that's pretty darn good! I helped him put a pattern in the hair.

Did you know that George Washington wasn't our first president? You can read about that here and here. Daddy has a text book that talks about each and every president. George wasn't the first.

Kimono

2012-02-11T21:50:00.004-06:00

Mica made this Kimono in school.

Ha Ha I didn't realize all day that Mica's shirt was buttoned all off. It wasn't until Daddy came home and tried to help Mica unbutton that top button that Daddy realized his buttons were all off.

Dinner

2012-02-11T21:33:00.000-06:00

We went out to Dixie Quicks for dinner. We love going out with Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs. They help watch Isaak a lot and it's a nice break from a busy week. Grandma and Grandpa enjoy going to gallery openings like we do. Dixie Quicks is right next to an art gallery. This time around I didn't really care about the modern showing. It was just colored tiles on the walls. Just not my thing. Dinner was good. We had to wait a bit because it was the weekend before Valentines Day, but it still was good.

I like this shot of Isaak. He looks so handsome and grown up in his grey button down shirt. If only he wouldn't of cut the front of his hair. His bangs look a little funny.

Grandpa and Grandma Spiehs-

Mica posing per usual-

Boating

2012-02-11T21:10:00.003-06:00

Last week Isaak learned about boat safety at swim lessons. The little kids were so excited to line up and get inside a boat.

I got a photo, but it was all blurry. I did a few Photoshop effects. It's still blurry. Oh well.

His Butt is Getting Big

2012-02-11T17:09:00.000-06:00

Today we ventured out in the bitter cold to get a few things. I thought we'd have to go to more than one place; instead we just stopped off at Target.

I had to get Valentine treats for Mica's class party. I dislike that their treats have to be bought. I understand it, but I like to make things. I think it's so funny that we can't bring homemade treats, yet the PTA board can sell them at their fairs to raise money for the school. I ended up buying low salt Vics popcorn and mini granola bars that had pink candy melts in them. The only problem is that those granola bars were processed around peanuts. What sweet treat isn't? Lets be honest, kids do not want healthy foods for a Valentines Party. I don't know if I should venture out yet again, or just keep what I have? If I send them, I'll also send a note that they were processed around peanuts. Then any child that's allergic can just have popcorn.

I also went through the boy's section and got Mica another winter hat, gloves, silver exercise shorts and underwear. I told Mica, "Son your butt is getting bigger, so you need some new underwear." We both had a laugh. In truth he has a tiny butt for how tall he is. I let him know that. The last time I got Mica new underwear he told the meet and greet lady at Walmart, "We're here because my butt is getting so BIG." That lady could not stop laughing. Mica was so excited to pick out new underwear this time. He picked out Cars 2 and Superhero ones. He refused to put them in the cart. He held them the rest of the time throughout Target. When we got home I un-packaged the new underwear for Mica to put away. NOPE he undressed and tried them all on. Not because I asked him to either.

Their Noses Are Growing!

2012-02-08T22:36:00.000-06:00

Source

Our boy's have never really had issues with lying. Mica actually has issues with being too honest sometimes. He'll blurt out anything that is on his mind without thinking.

A story involving our six year old-

On Friday Mica came home saying something to the affect that someone did something to him at recess that made him feel uncomfortable. He said to Daddy that he told a teacher and that teacher said, "Oh Mica I don't want to deal with you right now."

Daddy and I thought that was horrible that a teacher said that. It NEVER entered our minds that Mica could have been lying about the situation. Daddy emailed Mica's teacher his concerns.

Then when Daddy went to pick Mica up from school, he was confronted by three teachers. Mica was in fact bothered by a kid. What he lied about was in regards to what the teacher said. In fact Mica never told that teacher anything. Therefore that teacher did not say, "Oh Mica I don't want to deal with you right now."

When Daddy asked Mica why he lied? Mica said, "Because this good angel was sitting above me on one side, and an evil character was on the other side. The evil character won." We really could never get out of Mica why he lied. All he would say is that he did in fact lie. The only thing we could think of was a clash of personalities. I'm a college instructor. I know with experience no matter how I try to relate to all of my students, every once in awhile there is a clash of personalities. I have to say that I'm super lucky to relate and have positive experiences with the majority of my students. Every once in awhile student might dislike me because of a poor grade I gave them, a critique I gave them that they didn't agree with, I've caught a few plagiarizing, I've called them on it and they all the sudden decide they don't like me. Like I said, usually I don't have a problem like this. Every once in awhile I do. Maybe Mica and this teacher have a disconnect for some odd reason. The hard thing is, is I don't know the reason.

With Mica we felt his lie was was horrible because it really hurt a teacher's feelings. It also put Daddy in a rough spot because he was sticking up for Mica. Then when we found out Mica didn't need backing up; we felt horrible for this teacher.

Mica had to come home and write two apology letters. One to the teacher he lied about and another to a teacher he should have told the truth to. Then tonight while we swam at the Y for fun; Mica sat out on the bleachers. He didn't argue about his punishment. He knew that what he did was wrong.

A different story involving our three year old-

On Monday Daddy asked Isaak if he needed to go potty after preschool? Isaak said, "No." Daddy didn't much argue with him not going. Isaak often times says he doesn't have to go when he does. I wish we could break this. He knows how to use the potty, but sometimes is just too busy enjoying life to stop and go. Even though Daddy knows Isaak says, "No" when asked if he has to go potty, Daddy had his hands FULL. Cupcakes went as a special treat, then he had Isaak's crafts and Cousin Elijah's crafts as well. When Daddy got Isaak out of the car at home, he noticed Isaak was wet. Daddy asked Isaak, "Did your teachers take you potty?" Ready for the lie? Isaak said, "No! My teachers were too busy reading the Bible!" He goes to a private preschool. It's hard to know if one should laugh because his excuse was so funny, or scold him for lying? Isaak didn't get in trouble for his lie. It didn't hurt anyone, he also is 3 years old.

Daddy made him take his wet clothes off, take care of them, go potty and get dressed again. That I suppose was his punishment. He's in a, "I can't do it!" stage!

Have your kids ever lied? What did you do about it?

I imagine the way a parent reacts and the punishment varies with age and the impact of the lie.

WW: Sumo Wrestlers in Training {Linky}

2012-02-07T16:22:00.000-06:00

I decided to put small pillows in the boy's shirts and let them wrestle. They loved it! I didn't think about the pillows stretching their shirts out; luckily they didn't.

I have no clue why Mica is giving this face?!?! I have to say that it cracks me up.

Cousin Evan is all giggles and Mica's oh so serious.

Isaak decided to join in on the fun. Mica clearly won the match.

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Finally Good News

2012-02-06T16:28:00.000-06:00

Cousin Emerson/Nephew to me was able to get off the ventilator today. He underwent jaw surgery last week. There were a few scary moments. His lungs filled up with fluid. Now he's able to be in his parent's arms. He's off his pain meds and is only on Tylenol. Day by day they will have to see his progress to know when he'll be able to go home. He had more done then just jaw surgery.

Today while Cousin Evan is at school, Cousin Emerson's in the hospital, Cousin Elijah and Isaak went sled riding with Uncle Travis/Daddy.

It snowed over the weekend. We have a excellent backyard for sledding.

By the way Cousin Elijah has a new name for me. All weekend he's been calling me, "Miss Alissa". Not "Aunt Alissa," it's "Miss Alissa". It was too cute to correct him.

Glee Gum - Make Your Own Chocolate Reveiw and Giveaway! {Rafflecopter}

2012-02-06T15:20:00.000-06:00

I was so excited on Friday when I got our Make Your Own Chocolate From Scratch Kit to review! I decided to make chocolate around 3:30 yesterday.
The packaging is so great!

I knew Mica would be drawn to this product right away. He likes to dress up like a Native American. Chocolate comes from cacao beans. They were found originally in South and Central America. The cacao tree was brought from paradise to the earth by Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec God.

The boy's started out separating the paper cups out and putting different things in them. These paper cups were provided in the Make Your Own Chocolate From Scratch Kit.

Then I set out on the journey to make chocolate with Mica. Other things the kit provided:

Certified organic cocoa butter
Cocoa powder
Confectioner's sugar
Starter crystals
A temperature indicator
Instructions and the story of chocolate
Cocoa beans to just try out

We used a double boiler to melt the chocolate, but you can use a microwave. It was really easy, but for some reason I was freaking out thinking the temperature gage wasn't working. The instructions even say that it takes up to 15 min.

In the end we had YUMMY chocolates! Glee Gum makes other wonderful all natural candy kits.

US readers, want to win a kit of your choice? Fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win by February 22!

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Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. Glee Gum provided me with a free sample of this product to review. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review.

The Joy of Melt and Pour Soap Crafting - Review

2012-02-06T13:28:00.002-06:00

I had the pleasure to review a PDF of The Joy of Melt and Pour Soap Crafting by: Lisa Maliga.

The Joy of Melt and Pour Soap Crafting is available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook for $4.99.

Ever since I had a hive outbreak from Methosulfate {an ingredient that was in a lotion I was using}, I've been looking into making my own bath products.

This PDF answered a lot of questions I had. I still need to refer to it before purchasing stuff to make soap.

My favorite chapters are:

Soap Secrets
Recipes
Don't Make These Mistakes!
Resources

There are tons of recipes to choose from! I decided to try and make Bars of Coffee 'n Cream Soap.

It's really pretty easy. Mica helped me chop up the soap base. He loved the whole process of making soap.

I put it in a double boiler. Then added ground coffee and powdered goats milk. I decided to stay simple this first time and skip the optional coffee fragrance. I kind of wish I would have added it. There's always another time.

Silicone molds work really easily for putting the soap in and when it's time to pop them out. I used a heart shaped one. Here's how they turned out:

This particular soap is for the kitchen. It's an exfoliating soap that is meant to take away strong kitchen odors.

I want to try a few more soap recipes. I think: Oatmeal + Honey + Goat's Milk Soap sounds wonderful. I know my older sister would love the Jade Buddha Soap!

I think when Christmas time comes up next year, my family and teachers are getting homemade soap on their packages.

To follow Lisa Maliga, the writer of The Joy of Melt and Pour Soap Crafting, you can go to:

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. Lisa Maliga provided me with a PDF to review. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review.

Valentines

2012-02-05T22:34:00.002-06:00

I helped Isaak and Cousin Elijah with Valentines this weekend. Cousin Evan did his already. I didn't get pictures with Isaak or Elijah because I was practically doing it for them. They both still need to by guided when writing.

This is the first year I didn't have to help Mica.

He knew exactly what to do and wanted it done his way. I went over and started stacking the Valentines he had done, BIG MISTAKE! He got annoyed with me. He had them in the same order with his directory. He wanted to leave them that way on the table. Funny thing is, is that they all got thrown in a bag in the end anyhow.

Preschoolers Trying to FIgure Out the Alphabet

2012-02-05T21:34:00.000-06:00

I heard Isaak and Cousin Elijah in Isaak's room singing the alphabet many times over again. I stepped away from decorating cupcakes for their preschool to see what they were up to. They were playing with the wooden letters Grandpa Apel made Isaak. They sang the alphabet each and every time they put a letter down. Sometimes they sang it twice. Some of the letters were backwards, but they were learning together. It was so cute!

Faux Camping Again

2012-02-05T20:37:00.000-06:00

Faux camping was such a big hit last time we had Cousin's Evan and Elijah over that we decided to do it again. This time the little guys got to sleep in the tent. Evan and Mica got to sleep in it the last time. I guess Elijah was so excited for this! Then in the morning they all got in the tent to watch a movie, while I made breakfast.

In Order: Elijah, Evan, Mica and Isaak's way back behind and to the side of Mica (you can't see him).

Coloring Fun

2012-02-05T20:18:00.001-06:00

I printed off coloring sheets for the boys at Frecklebox.

Evan couldn't wait to color! He loves turtles; I was excited that they had an image with turtles on their site.

Mica likes to color to! He sticks his tongue out a lot when he colors. It's his concentration look.

Isaak seems to get into coloring. He just usually stick with only one or two colors. He doesn't color the whole image ever. Someday he will.

The coloring sheets were a hit with everyone except Cousin Elijah. He took his coloring image, turned it over and colored on the back. He wanted to be original. :)

Interviews With the Six Year Old's

2012-02-05T11:55:00.000-06:00

I printed out interviews here. Mica and Cousin Evan had fun answering the questions to their interview. I tried interviewing the 3 year old's, but they only answered the first five questions. Each answer was a one word answer.

Here's a few of Mica and Evan's funny interview highlights:

Mica

Question: I Really Like to Wear...
Mica's Answer: Cowboy Clothes.
Me: (LOL)

Question: I Would Describe Myself As...
Mica's Answer: An American.
Me: (Elaborate Mica)

Question: I Wish...
Mica's Answer: For Santa to Come Everyday.
Me: (Don't You Think One Time a Year is Enough?) Mica: (No!)

Question: I Love it When...
Mica's Answer: It's Christmas.

Question: The Best Thing About Me Is...
Mica's Answer: That I'm Strong.
Me: (Hummm....)

Question: When I Get Older I Want To...
Mica's Answer: Get Married to My Wife.

Question: I Really Look Up To...
Mica's Answer: My Father.

Question: I Want to Practice...
Mica's Answer: Getting Big Muscles.
Me: (Hummm....)

Evan

I handed his Dad his interview, so I'm going strictly off memory.

Question: I Really Like to Wear...
Evan's Answer: My Superhero Cape.

Question: When I Grow Up I Want to Be...
Evan's Answer: A Dad That Gives My Kid's My Old Toys.
Me: (This Made Me Laugh Because His Dad is The Same Way!)

Question: I Love it When...
Evan's Answer: My Dad Buys Me Toys.
Me: (Hummm....)

Question: My Favorite Memory is...
Evan's Answer: When Emerson Was Born.

Question: When I Get Older I Want To...
Evan's Answer: Be a Dad.

Question: I Really Look Up To...
Evan's Answer: God.

Question: I Want to Practice...
Evan's Answer: Reading.

Snow

2012-02-04T21:48:00.001-06:00

We woke up to snow this morning. Daddy was outside shoveling. The boys were watching. Daddy started pushing snow up to the window. The boys thought it was pretty funny!

Cousins

2012-02-04T21:14:00.001-06:00

Since cousin Emerson is in the hospital, we took cousin's Evan and Elijah in.

The night started with me picking up Evan at a friend's house, then Isaak and Elijah at Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs' house. I had a crock pot meal ready because I knew the night would be crazy. Daddy set up the tent in the living room for sleeping arrangements the night before.

After dinner we met one of my friends from high school and her family at the Y for open swim. A girl Mica goes to school with was there as well. I think everyone had fun. Isaak did get a little jealous because I was playing with other kids. I still played with him as well. ;) Cousin Elijah was big about playing on the side of the pool. He doesn't like not being able to touch the bottom. Cousin Evan was all about jumping in and splashing people. It must be that age, Mica does that to.

When swimming got over with, we came home and put them to bed ASAP. We had them say, "Goodnight" to their Daddy on the phone. Then their Mommy called to say, "Goodnight" as well. It was probably 9:30 before they went to bed! That's pretty late for them!

In the morning we woke up to a snow storm. I made a big breakfast: Banana whole wheat waffles, orange juice made from the juicer and eggs. They ate it down like their food was going out of style. Mica kept sneaking more waffles off the counter. I'm pretty sure he ate a whole waffle by the time he was done. Usually I only start them off with a 1/4.

20 minutes went by and they wanted a snack. They had a Banana Split.

At 11 they were hungry again. I decided to make a pretty big meal, determined to fill the boys up. I made Chicken Bitki, Daddy made Cauliflower and we had sweet potatoes. They again ate everything on their plates.

Good things: Besides eating, we did a lot of things today. They watched a movie, Mica helped me make homemade soap, the littlest two took a nap, I gave them bathes, we colored, Mica wrote out his Valentines, Elijah wrote out his Valentines, they played and I had interviews for kids that we filled out. Our day was pretty busy.

Sucky things: Emerson's had ups and downs at the hospital, today was a down day. Daddy, Isaak, Evan and I have a crappy cold. Isaak and Evan are in the coughing stage, Daddy's in the middle stage and I'm in the stuffy nose stage. This means no visiting Terra and Emerson at the hospital! :( Elijah was missing his Mom and Dad. He cried a few times for them. :(

Surgery is Over With

2012-02-02T17:03:00.001-06:00

Cousin Emerson got out of jaw surgery! The surgery went well. He was in surgery longer then expected because the doctors decided to fix his diaphragmatic hernia. It was just too big and was something they wanted to fix. They also removed his NG tub and put a g-button in.

Lots of stuff done to Emerson in one day.

Now it just another waiting game; we have to wait for him to come off the ventilator.

Waiting...

2012-02-02T09:23:00.001-06:00

So today I'm waiting! The boy's cousin/my nephew Emerson is having jaw surgery today. It makes me shiver to think about the pain.

Before I forget to mention, I read a wonderful article written by a mom that has a baby with Trisomy 18. Many people do not know what it is, so I'm just spreading the word. It's what little Emerson has. Rick Santorum's daughter Isabella has Trisomy 18 as well.

I stole this photo from my sister! Yep Emerson got his first tooth last week!

Emerson's jaw surgery makes me sad, anxious, worried, yet happy that it will help him. I'm all mixed up emotionally.

I felt mental pain when it came to my cousin Megan getting bone cut our of her skull because she needed more of a soft spot for her head to grow (she's now in high school doing just fine), my Mom getting her ankle fused because she had Post Polio problems (she isn't fine, but is better off with the surgery), my Aunt Becky, Uncle George, Father-in-law getting total knee replacements (they seem to be doing ok now). Every family has their things, and I'm no exception!

I know I'll be feeling the anxiety when my Dad gets Atrial Fibrillation Ablation surgery on his heart later this month!

Let's just say there is a lot going on and I don't like it.

I keep trying to think about the fact that Emerson wouldn't be getting this surgery if the doctor's didn't think this is the best thing for him. They are hoping in time with this surgery little Emerson will be able to breathe better, choke less, swallow and possibly eat. All those this are good! His lower jaw is just too small to do all those things effectively.

With my Dad, well his Atrial Fibrillation Ablation will help him to not take meds with nasty side effects! Hopefully it will help him to have less acid reflex problems and it will work, unlike the meds do now! Having a fibrillation problem in the heart is pretty normal. My Dad has suffered with it for years and it just seems to to of gotten worse.

So if I had a wine glass, cheers to healing, strength and future happiness! (Up goes my glass of water and drink).

I guess little Emerson smiled a lot yesterday for the nurses. Maybe I should be smiling to. :)

Instead of flowers and/or balloon I got him a little lamb that plays soothing sounds.

Image found here. Except I got Emerson's at Whole Foods for half the price: $14.99.

WW - Couch {Linky}

2012-01-31T16:08:00.000-06:00

Sometimes they just won't look at the camera. When they do, they give me faces.

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Run Run As Fast As You Can!

2012-01-31T15:29:00.000-06:00

Isaak now runs from me and shouts out, "Run run as fast as you can you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man."

He then runs and hides in the same spot as always, behind the chalkboard.

Usually he does this when I want him to do something that he doesn't want to do.

Shadow

2012-01-29T23:15:00.000-06:00

Mica's hit a new stage in his childhood. It's the help stage. I'm not sure if all kids go through this or not? Mica is. He's my shadow all the time. Most of the time I love it.

I only find it hard when there is not too much for him to help with, or Isaak and him are fighting over who is going to help me. Isaak's generally liked to help in the kitchen and with laundry as soon as he could. Mica was pretty neutral to it until recently.

Along with this stage comes more responsibility.

What Mica does now:

He's taken care of putting away his socks, underwear, pjs and pants for a long time. Now he has to hang his shirts up. He doesn't really like doing this, but I know he knows how. Therefore I make him do this task.
He has to collect all the trash and takes it out, while we watch. The rule is, is that he can not go out without letting us know. Someone from my sister's high school went to take out the trash and never came back. I'm paranoid about our kids going in the front of the house alone.
Mica packs his own school lunch with me talking him through it. This is a pretty big step. Before Kindergarten he had trouble spreading peanut butter on a piece of bread. He doesn't have peanut butter sandwiches all the time. Sometimes he does.
This is a task I'm still shaky on, he started peeling his own carrot. Daddy helped him the first time. I did the second. He tried telling me he knew how to do it. I watched and he was peeling towards himself. YIKES I stopped him right away. This is a task that has to be overseen.
He helps unload the dishwasher. Basically he stacks dishes, while I put them away.
He also dumps ingredients in a bowl when I'm making things.
He takes the plates to the table.

Were you ever weary to let your kids start certain tasks? If so, what were they?

Spinning

2012-01-29T21:30:00.000-06:00

Isaak was spinning in circles like many kids do. He stopped and said, "Mommy why is the floor spinning? Do you see that?" I said, "Nope I don't see the floor spinning." Then I just laughed. Maybe I should of explained to him why the floor seemed like it was spinning. I just let him think that the floor was magically spinning.

It reminded me of the time when we were driving and Mica said, "Why are the trees moving backwards?" I don't remember what I said to that.

Packing to Go Nowhere Again

2012-01-28T12:34:00.000-06:00

Isaak likes to pack! He started packing when he was really little. You can see him with all his hats and a couple bags stuffed full of toys here. I have empty boxes for Isaak to stuff full of whatever he wants.

The other evening when I went to go pick up Isaak from Grandma and Grandpa's; I found a box by his bag. Inside was a stuffed dog.

This morning I found this box in our living room:

The contents inside look like this:

Fake plastic chips, fake plastic babies, fake beads, a plastic Easter egg, "MikerDonalds" money, a fake credit card and a little set of penguins made by Schleich.

Breakfast With Mica

2012-01-28T12:01:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I had breakfast at Mica's school. It was a Mother/Child Breakfast. Daddy served. I didn't say this, but kind of wished I ate before I went. A chocolate doughnut shortly after having the stomach flu doesn't rest easy on the belly!

Mica and Isaak were hyper, other then that it was fun. I know Mica loves having me come up to his school. Daddy most always drops him off and picks him up.

On the front bulletin board was this picture:

The day Mica got the principles award was pajama day.