Unplugged

Did you know this week was National Unplug week? We decided as a family to take the challenge (I didn't say it was unanimous did I?!)

Monday was hard. There was complaining, arguing and general unrest all around.

Tuesday was harder. The little kids needed an entertainer, and the big kids weren't offering to take on the role. And the noise...wow 7 unhappy kids make a lot of noise!

By Wednesday things were settling down. The kids knew we weren't giving in (I can't say I wasn't tempted...especially when it was just me and the babies at home and I had a ton of homework). They all seemed to find their non-electric groove though. Zach read two books, Mckenzie played dress up with the girls, Zane and Ammon discovered a forgotten box of Legos, and Dan and I managed to get to bed on time for a couple of nights. Thursday we kept busy baking cookies and playing games, and going to the ball field to watch a softball game. When Friday fianlly rolled around, and the 5pm plug in drew near, the kids waited impatiently. I made them clean the basement to dull the anticipation (what a great mom I am to help relieve their anxiety). Well the time came and the TV's and video games blinked on...for about 20minutes...then they were all back out with their freinds, reading thier books, or playing in the yard. What a lot of drama for nothin!

Fire!....oh it's a cake.

Now that's a lot of candles! We celebrated Grandpa Ricks birthday last week...and din't even set off the smoke detector! Love ya dad!

Princess party by two princesses for two princesses!

Emily's birthday was at the end of February, but with life being what it is, her "friend party" kept getting postponed. Then Mckenzie said she'd do it for her and decided to count it as a Personal Progress project for Divine Nature. I told my good friend Trena what she was doing and she proposed a double party for our 6 year olds, with our teenage girls as the hostesses. What a great idea! So Rachel and Mckenzie got to work planning, and budgeting. They made invitations, came up with games, and made the food. They held the festivities in Rachel's beautiful backyard (thanks Trena!) Emily and Annie dressed up in their prettiest princess dresses and spent the afternoon partying with the girls from their church class. Rachel and Mckenzie did a great job! The girls had a wonderful time. And the first party of the year is over...only 7 more to go!