Halloween

Halloween is here and the Johnston boys may live through the excitement. (Mom may not however). They were all up at way before the sun. Mostly thanks to Jared enthusiasm for life. Tyler told me it could only be Halloween when to sun got up and he went back to bed which I appreciated. With parties and trick or treating the excitement is rising way above normal and these little bodies just seem to be ready to exploded. I feel very sorry for their teachers at school. Alex came up to me yesterday and said "Mom, do you know what the "H" word is? " cautiously I said "I think so" Luckily Alex filled me in "Well Mom, It's Halloween and we aren't allowed to say that word in class". There school doesn't celebrate any Holiday, which kind of bums me. But that's the policy. We have three caped adventures this year and all in black. Batman, Darth Vader and Dracula. Happy Halloween!

Music

Have you ever noticed how music can transport you back to an exact time and place. I heard a song today that I had not heard in probably 10 years and I was immediately sent back to (well lets not give the year) lets just say high school. It reminded me of Saturday Night Dance and my crazy days of cruising the streets of Modesto, CA with my best bud Amy. We drove all over the place, gas wasn't quite the price it is today. I know I am a insane, sentimental person, and even more so when the holidays start coming round, but perhaps I am not the only crazy person who taken back from a song. Please tell me I am not alone out there. Any other crazy people?

Girls

Today I taught my first ballet class in about 7 years. Now 7 years ago I was barely a mom and knew very little about the world of boys. I had been teaching ballet for years. I mostly taught older girls 10 and up. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I was greeted today by this sweet little 4 year old princess in pink who brought me a flower and a picture of a heart that she drew for her new ballet teacher, because she knew she would love me. Come on how sweet is that? Not one reference to a body part or body function for the entire 45 minute class. Amazing! They sat still and quietly looking up with great adoration for this "ballerina" that they think I am. It was very funny to me. They all wanted to be butterflies or a fairy. Now in comparison Tyler and his good friend George were in the other room for preschool. When I gathered them from class they were whooping and jumping around frightening all around them proudly announcing "I'm a monster MOM!" But truth be told as refreshing as it was to work with a bunch of girls I wouldn't trade my boys for anything. Well, at least not today.

Over too soon.

I can not believe how fast the last 8 weeks have gone. It seems like just yesterday we started soccer season and last night we had our closing soccer party. This was a great season for us. Eric coached two teams. Jared and Alex were the BLUE BULLETS and Tylers team THE BLUE SHARKS! We have coached 5 teams and these were the best teams we have had. We had great kids on our teams and supportive parents. The kids loved to come and play and tried so hard. And we have had the most beautiful weather! We are sad to see the season end. Alex with his 2 BFF's

Pumpkin Carving

Life as usual has been a little busy at our house. Every day Jared has been begging to carve pumpkins. We keep saying yeah, yeah we will get to it. Friday Jared comes home from school and announces that this has to be the day. I said Jared we have a week until Halloween, we will get it done. " No Mom, tomorrow is the TRUNK OR TREAT we have to finish before then they are having a contest! " So as soon as daddy got home we went to work on our masterpieces. We finished the pumpkins took them to the ward trunk or treat party. And well,.... no one else entered the pumpkin carving contest. So all three boys got a prize! Jared was thrilled!

Just In Time For Christmas

I think most of you who read my blog already know Ciera and Dustin. But I wanted to let you know just in case you missed it. They are doing an Photo session that is just in time for your Christmas Photos. The Basics are $25 for a 15 minute session -location Deception Pass Park. For more details see http://pixiedustphoto.blogspot.com/ I think they do a great job.

Another Tag from Mimi

Tagged by Mimi. Rules: Write six random things about yourself. Tag six other people. (This was kind of hard for me).

1. I only thought of this because of my kids but I totally love Veggie Tales. My family has always loved watching them and I think I like them so much because my kids and my husband laugh hysterically through them especially the songs.

2. I love to cook and can actually cook a lot of difficult dishes but I can not make Jello turn out ever or Mac n' Cheese from a box. It is a big joke at our house. Those are Eric specialty.

3. I took a fabulous trip to Europe when I was 18 years old. We went to 7 countries in less than 4 weeks. I have always wanted to go back. I always wanted to do a Study Abroad when I was in college but some how that did not work out. Maybe someday in the future.

4. My first love was dance. I still love to dance. I don't suppose that is too random of a thought. Most of my friends already know that. But I really do love to dance. My kids think it is so fun when I turn on music and we all go crazy.

5. I can down a chocolate malt from Baskin and Robins (which has 4 scoops of ice cream) in less than 60 seconds. Now that takes talent. But for some reason I can hardly finish a bowl with two scoops in it. So whats up with that?

6. I love to play the game Yatzee but no one will ever play with me. I seem to win a lot. Eric has joked before about taking me to Vegas, to try my luck there. But it would probably run out if we tried that.


So there are some random thoughts from me. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be so good luck to AMY, SARAH T., BECKY M., LESHANNA, CRYSTAL, CIERA.

Tagged

I was tagged by Mimil. Rules: Copy and paste questions. One word answers only. Tag other people.

1.Where is your cell phone? purse
2.Where is your significant other? floor
3.Your hair color? brownish
4.Your mother? funny
5.Your father? geneologist
6.Your favorite thing? family
7.Your dream last night? none
8.Your dream/goal? eternity
9.The room you’re in? loft
10.Your hobby? gardening
11.Your fear? doctors
12.Where do you want to be in 6 years? relaxed
13.Where were you last night? homecoming
14.What you’re not? fit
15.One of your wish list items? Hawaii
16.Where you grew up? great
17.The last thing you did? dinner
18.What are you wearing? PJs
19.Your t.v.? none
20.Your pet? Geroge
21.Your computer? dying
22.Your mood? tried
23.Missing someone? always
24.Your car? awesome
25.Something you’re not wearing? shoes
26.Favorite store? Brenda's
27.Your summer? cold
28.Love someone? always
29.Favorite color? green
30.Last time you laughed? now
31.Last time you cried? awhile

I tag Sarah, Becky, Carol, Amy.

"UN" Fun

It has been declared by a 7 year old that I am "un"fun. Now I know these are comments from my more than grumpy child. But I would love to hear what all you FUN moms do. What makes your homes fun? I think I need some new ideas.

it was not a jump suit

...but if I could find one these I WOULD wear it!!!!

EJ

The Hat Shop

What do you think of our new looks!

Not a diet food!

My sister-in-law Sarah posted these are her blog. The are fabulous cinnamon rolls. And I wanted to share. This not a diet food, but who cares Right? Anyways we loved them! But 1/2 of one was enough for the boys. Hope you like them.

THE RECIPE

1 package of dry yeast

1 cup of warm milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup margarine. (I always use butter)

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

4 cups flour

Filling

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 Tbls Cinnamon. (Try the really good cinnamon it does make a difference)

1/3 cup margarine, softened

Icing

8 Tbls Margarine

1 1/2 cups powder sugar

1/4 cream cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

1. Dissolve yeast in milk in large bowl

2. Add sugar, margarine, salt, eggs, and flour and mix well.

3. Kneed the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour.

4. Put in a bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until its doubled in size

5. Roll dough out on lightly floured surface until approx 21 inches by 16 inches wide.

6. It should be about 1/4 inch thick.

7. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Filling

8. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

9. Spread softened margarine over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the surface.

10. Working carefully from the long edge roll the dough down to the bottom edge.

11. Cut the dough into 1 3/4 inch slices, and place in a lightly greased baking pan.

12. Bake for 10 minutes or until light golden brown

13. Combine ingredients for icing. Beat well until fluffy.

14. When rolls are done, spread generously with icing.

My Mini Vacation

Well that was Eric's take on our 30 hour getaway (see previous posting). Our boys were out of school for parent/teacher conferences and we stole away Thursday afternoon after the last conference and headed for Leavenworth, WA. We stayed at a wonderful hotel, the Enzian.

We had stayed there years before but we didn't realize it had racquetball courts, indoor pool and a 18 hole world class miniature golf course.


The boys loved it and the racquetball soon became a highlight to the trip. I loved the breakfast on the roof! They blow the swiss horn (I don't know what it is really called) but that was really neat. He stand right on the edge of the roof. The kids didn't like poking around the shops too much, but they did like the Hat Shop! On the way home we stopped and climbed on the rock and went for a short walk through the autumn leaves. All and all it was a great mini trip!! 30 hours from the time we left our house til we arrived home!

Boring weekend

It's true!!! or atleast that is what the urchins think. Imagine all of these great places to go and do things and we didn't even get to play with friends..

Bubble Bath

So does anyone know how long it takes for a bottle of Mickey Mouse Bubble bath to work its way through the system. I thought after 3 days we would be done. But no, we still have bubbles every time I use my bathroom sink. Ah, Tyler, what a helpful boy!

Finding Joy

After listening to General Conference today and with the inspiration from my friend Mimi I have been thinking of what brings me joy. It has been a really hard week here at the Johnston home and I have been a little down. So with that in mind I have been trying to lift my spirits and remember what I have been given. Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.–Henri Nouwen

Joy is when I watch my children wrestle with their dad and hear their laughter.

When my son tells me "I" need a hug, when he really wants one.

In the warm autumn breeze(that turned cold today).

In the Maple tree out side my kitchen window ablaze in Red.

In being able to run, swim, dance.

For music.

In Tyler's funny expressions "That's wicked cool!"

For Jared beautiful drawings.

For Alex's roaring laughter as he rode his bike in the torrential down pour today.

For my husbands support in all that I do.

The kindness of my friends.

For the drive-thru window at Papa Murphy's.

For Chocolate ( I mean lets be serious I can't go a day without it).

Watching my boys play soccer.

There is so much more and I need to remember to look for the joy more often.

A Day in the Life of.......

I was just thinking to myself yesterday that life was finally settling down since school started. We were finally getting into the rhythm of soccer practice, soccer games, school, preschool, homework, bus schedules, presidency meetings, etc. etc. etc. Well that is what I get for thinking. Thursdays I volunteer in Jared's class in the morning and Alex's class in the afternoon. I was just getting ready to leave when there came a call for help from the playground. That intuition that mothers get went off in my head and I knew it was Alex. Sure enough the student teacher comes back into the room and tells me that they just took Alex to the office. I get there to find my poor sweet boy hyperventilating and blood gushing from his mouth. Now I will admit it looked a lot worse than it turn out to be. But the short of it is that when the bell rang to go in from recess Alex tried to drop down from the Monkey Bars and landed teeth first into the bar below. OUCH!!! We calmed Alex down, gathered him up and dropped in on Doctor Keyes. Our very wonderful dentist. He took x-rays which Alex thought was the coolest thing. (For the last 2 years Alex has wanted to be a dentist). Luckily he still had his baby teeth on top because now we are expecting a visit from the tooth fairy any day. I have to say this day would have been impossible if it wasn't for my wonderful friends. One call and one friend picked Tyler up from preschool and another was able to pick up Jared from the bus. Well I guess it's just another Day In the LIFE of me.