Addresses

If you are on my Christmas card list and you moved during the year, please email me (fiveunderfive at gmail) your new address so I can update my list. Thanks

Native American Pow Wow

Paige's teacher is an achiever. The class puts on monthly programs with songs, poems and choreography. The first production was patriotic, then we had the teddy bear picnic and the halloween monster mash. In honor of Thanksgiving the kids presented a Native American Pow Wow.

After the program, the kids rotated through four centers. At one center a parent read them books about Thanksgiving. At a second, they decorated ice cream cones to look like teepees (I mistook them for Christmas trees until I saw the toothpicks sticking out of the top). At a third, a parent discussed the first Thanksgiving and then they played a duck, duck, goose game with the names switched. Finally, they made Blessing Mix. It was a cute way to discuss some of the symbolism of Thanksgiving and would be a cute activity for kids on Thanksgiving or as a favor. Angie posted a downloadable tag here.

Losing Sleep

Most people get insomnia when they are under a lot of stress - family illnesses, loss of jobs, pressure at work. Not me. I lose sleep over whether Ellie is going to miss a birthday party because of pink eye or wondering if I have the right ingredients for a planned breakfast.

My latest sleep-reducing stress - my Christmas card. I loved last year's card below and am at a bit of a loss as to what to do this year.

Can I use pictures already featured on my blog? Should I go with a folded card or another double-sided postcard? Who has the best prices for printing this year? Will we get any Christmas cards this year since we've moved so much in the past year?

I think I'll head over to some of my favorite sites to try to get some ideas.

Every morning...

... I am grateful I am a morning person. I don't know how I would get everyone fed, dressed, and off to school plus pack lunches if I weren't. Some nights when I am dragging as I get everyone in bed, I wish I was a night owl but I can't have everything.

Gratitude Journal - Road Trip Style

Jeff had to work last weekend so I decided to just take the kids and head to Utah for my grandma's funeral. I can remember many years ago, I wanted to go to Phoenix and Jeff couldn't go. He told me just to drive by myself and I was sure that was a sign he didn't love me anymore because why else would he send me into the desert alone? I must have grown up in the last few years because suddenly driving twice as far with five kids seemed completely doable. The trip was not without meltdowns, lack of sleep and some tears but overall it was good. I'm choosing to focus on the good:

Pre-trip:

- I'm grateful Chase and Ellie were diagnosed with ear infections and Chase with pink eye on

Thursday so we were already on antibiotics and feeling better by the time we left Saturday afternoon.

Day 1 (San Diego to Las Vegas):

- I'm grateful for tv/dvd in the car.

- I'm grateful Wal-Mart had Home Alone for cheap as it thoroughly entertained my kids for hours in the car. Plus, it has fun music and I've seen it enough times I could picture in my head what was going on the entire time.

- I'm grateful Chase slept for a couple of hours.

- I'm grateful young kids don't mind going to the bathroom on the side of the road. Stopping and getting everyone out of the car automatically means a 30 minute stop. Roadside stops are only 2-5 minute plus it was a good time to change out the movie.

- I'm grateful the kids only fought for the 15 minutes when I was looking for a place to pull over to start a new movie.

- I'm grateful we were met in Las Vegas by my awesome in laws (who had already volunteered to keep the kids in Vegas while I went to Utah or to come to California to watch them for me) and pizza.

- I'm grateful my brother, his wife and four kids also live in Vegas so the kids could get out their excess energy running around their house screaming their heads off.

Day 2 (Vegas to SLC)

- I'm grateful we caravaned with my brothers and parents so my mom could ride up with us and

help entertain the kids.

- I'm grateful ziploc bags can contain vomit when your carsick daughter throws up mid-trip.

- I'm grateful when we arrived at Grandpa's the house was full of family and noise.

- I'm grateful my aunt Cathy (my dad's sister) was excited for us to stay with her and provided a delicious kid-friendly dinner then volunteered to watch the kids while I went to the viewing. Then she continued to spoil us with breakfast and homemade cookies.

- I'm grateful cousin Sarah seemed to enjoy blowing out my girls hair and then curling Paige and Ellie's.

- I'm grateful my Dad was willing to climb up in the treehouse in his suit with Chase so I didn't have too.

- I'm grateful my brothers helped clean up dinner so I could go get ready for the viewing.

- I'm grateful so many old friends and family came to the viewing (including a couple of my mom's bffs from high school).

- I'm grateful melatonin helped the kids go to bed easily and for once Seth didn't wake up extra early (his reflux is acting up again and waking him between 4 and 5 most days).

Day 3 (funeral day)

- I'm grateful that whatever was hurting Chase's mouth during the night and making him scream for 10-15 minutes at a time, seemed to heal over night and he woke up happy as ever.

- I'm grateful that all but one of my dad's siblings (the absentee aunt lives on the east coast so I guess we can forgive her absence) came to the viewing or funeral so I could visit with that side of the family too!

- I'm grateful that all but 10 of the 86 grandkids were in attendance besides all the aunts and

uncles and many great grandchildren. It was so fun to see everyone - many of whom I hadn't seen in over 10 years. Plus this way the entire chapel was reserved for family and we could choose a row in the back in case we needed to make a quick exit.

- I'm grateful Wal-Mart had Color Wonder sets half price which entertained Ellie, Kate and Chase for the entire funeral.

- I'm grateful all my kids wanted to sit by Stephanie instead of me.

- I'm grateful my kids were good during the funeral and I didn't have to take anyone to the bathroom for the entire hour.

- I'm grateful for a funeral that only lasted one hour and not only made us cry but also made us laugh as we remembered Grandma.

- I'm grateful for Grandparents who are full of faith.

- I'm grateful for great weather since all of our winter clothes are in storage.

- I'm grateful to have so much family around to help take care of the kids so I could relax and enjoy visiting.

- I'm grateful for the ward who set up and provided dinner for over 200 family members (Grandpa paid for the hams and other family members made all the desserts but the ward took care of the rest - quite a feat!)

- I'm grateful my cousin, the football star, was there and so great with the kids.

- I'm grateful that my mom's family is loud and silly. At the end, as they were taking some group shots with grandpa everyone was laughing. The perfect way to end a funeral, in my opinion.

- I'm grateful I have an awesome photographer for a cousin (he took pictures throughout the weekend, including the three below, which he is putting on cd for the family).

- I'm grateful we had a chance to visit with Nancy, Dallas and Hallie.

- I'm grateful for a mom who will sleep with her grandkids and put them to bed.

- I'm grateful that despite falling out of bed twice and hitting his head on the bedside table once, that Chase didn't have any major injuries.

- I'm grateful that despite not feeling well Jeff rid my kitchen of fruit flies.

Day 4 (SLC to Vegas)

- I'm grateful my brother-in-law Erich worked on my car before the drive home including adding oil, transmission fluid and air to my tires even if it was in the Wal-Mart parking lot (which according to him is not very classy). I'm also glad he offered to take three of my kids in his car so we could have Mandy, Laney and Allie ride with me, my mom and the rest of my kids. The kids all agreed this was the best leg of the trip.

- I'm grateful Cedar City now has a Cafe Rio right off the freeway which makes for a convenient and delicious lunch stop especially with free kids' quesadillas.

- I'm grateful we spent another fun afternoon with cousins and that I was able to hold my new niece the entire time.

- I'm grateful my mother in law makes really delicious chicken noodle soup that even Ellie had three bowls of (the same Ellie who cried "Can't we please stop at In-N-Out" when I told her Grandma made soup for dinner).

- I'm grateful for a father in law who will play chess for hours with a seven year old and a mother in law who will do puzzles.

- I'm grateful Seth didn't get pink eye until tonight on the verge of returning home.

- I'm also grateful that my OBGYN from Phoenix doesn't mind getting calls at 10pm to call in a prescription for eyedrops even though we no longer live in Phoenix and none of my kids are his patient.

Day 5 (Vegas to San Diego)

- I'm grateful we had the chance to visit with Jeff's grandmother and that I was able to read short stories to the kids that she wrote almost 30 years ago.

- I'm grateful the kids were once again pretty good for the drive home.

- I'm grateful I stopped and bought a Dr Pepper so I didn't fall asleep in the last portion of the drive.

- I'm grateful we arrived home!

Here are the front and back of the program from the funeral. My grandparents are so prepared they had obituary pictures taken 10 years ago!

Lazy Lady Cake

(Photo taken by one of my boys - the Lazy Lady Cake is the yellow cake with the coconut topping)

When entertaining a large group in a casual setting, I love to serve a couple of sheet cakes - it's easier than making layered cakes and they are easier for guests (especially kids) to eat when sitting away from a table or standing up. Of course, Texas Sheet Cake is always a hit and one of my favorite desserts. Another favorite is Pumpkin Bars.

At the luncheon after my grandma's funeral, they served many of her favorite desserts - all different cookies, homemade pies and Lazy Lady Cake. I had never heard of Lazy Lady Cake but my mom said Grandma often made it while they were growing up. I tried it and thought it would make a great addition to my sheet cake dessert selection as it is completely different but also delicious.

Lazy Lady Cake

Beat 2 eggs until light, gradually add

1 cup sugar.
Add:
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat well.

Bring the following ingredients to a boiling point:
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
Add to batter while hot.
Bake in ungreased 9 inch square pan for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

TOPPING
5 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons cream
1/2 cup coconut
Mix together and cook until butter is melted. Put on hot cake and put under broiler until a golden brown.

Pumpkin Bars

I got this recipe from my friend Bluestocking Mama

3/4 margarine (I use butter)
2 cups sugar
1 can (16 oz) pumpkin
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350. Cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in pumpkin and eggs. Add combined dry ingredients. Mix well. Spread into greased and floured rimmed cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool. Ice.

TOPPING
1 package cream cheese, softened
3/4 margine (once again I use butter)
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
evaporated milk or cream

Combine cheese, margarine, vanilla, mixing until well blended. Add sugar gradually, mixing well after each. Slowly add enough milk to make spreading consistency.

How could I not love this guy?