I prefer to think I am PHAT!

I needed a nice relaxing tub the other morning. So, a good book and I got warm and cozy and were having quite a nice time....

Until Sirri arrived.

Upon seeing me in the tub we had the following conversation:

Sirri: "Mommy, you're tummy is fat."

Mommy: "That isn't a very nice thing to say Sirri."

Sirri: "Saying fat isn't a nice word?"

Mommy: "No, it's not nice to tell someone they are fat."

Sirri (looking quite perplexed): "But Mommy, your tummy IS fat."

So much for nice and relaxing. I think I need to start locking the door!

Here is a little visual. Not exactly the visual poor Sirri got, but this is all you're gettin'!

Notice the tummy roll?

Jensen Family Week in Review Dec. 3rd - Dec. 9th

Sirri:
Sirri has really been into playing house. She and Connor are the mom and Dad, Kendon and I are the son and daughter and Meg is Baby Kelly. Baby Kelly? Where did she come up with that? It is like she has her own little imaginary friend, yet she isn't imaginary! And don't even try to call Meg, Meg. "Mom. Her name is Baby Kelly!" Yes, ma'am!

Sirri had a really BIG moment while playing at Jaci's house the other day. Apparently she and Brooke were downstairs playing and Connor followed them down and began to tease and taunt them (which he has MASTERED lately.) Sirri said, "Connor, I don't want you teasing me. I'm going upstairs." He of course followed. Sirri then said, "Connor, please leave us alone," and went downstairs again. Connor of course followed. Sirri went back upstairs, into Brooke's room and before shutting the door said, "Connor, I'm shutting the door so you can't bother us. Please leave us alone."

WOW! That is seriously really great for Sirri. The reason that Connor loves to tease her so much is that he always gets a BIG reaction. Sirri is a bit dramatic and Connor just loves to watch th esparks fly. So, for Sirri to remain so calm and to remove herself from the situation three time is a BIG deal! GREAT JOB, SIRRI! I'm proud of you!

Connor:
As previously said, Connor has MASTERED the art of naughty this week. I just don't know what to do with him. I'm trying to be more consistent using a time out chair. I'd guess he was in time out fifteen times on Saturday. Maybe I need a new strategy. Oh what do you do with the cutest, naughtiest three year old around? Any suggestions would be helpful.

I did mention that Connor happens to be the cutest naughty boy though, didn't I? He really is so sweet when he isn't being naughty. This week anytime you ask him if wants something or wants to do something he replies, "Oh. Sure I do." It is so cute. And for some reason, it really bothers his sister. Sirri says, "Ugh. Connor, you always say sure." Oh, wait. I think I just figured out WHY it is Connor's new favorite saying. Oh that little stinker! (But, I still think it is cute!)

Connor has informed me this week that next Halloween, he wants to be a door. A door? What?

Meg:
Meg is a BIG girl now. She has graduated to a big girl car seat. Much to her mother's chagrin. That is just one more sign that my baby is growing up and I will have nothing to do with it. She really does look adorable in it though.

Meg had a doctor's appointment this week. While there, I mentioned to the doctor that Meg is a real babbler but doesn't say any words. The doctor started rambling off words that he thought she might be able to say. Momma? Nope. Dadda? Nope. Hi? Nope. Bye Bye? Nope. Night Night? Nope. Uh Oh? Nope. Did I mention that she says NO WORDS? He got the idea and was quite concerned. Just the reaction I was not wanting. Maybe I'm just in denial because like I said, I'm kinda anti Baby Meg growing up. So, if she can't talk...fine by me! Anyway, the doctor said that if she isn't saying some of those words by 14 months we might want to look into it.

Well, since her appointment on Tuesday, Meg has learned to say uh oh! It sounds more like "ah ahhh," but it is so cute. Nothing stays on her high chair tray now. It is all thrown on the floor followed by a sweet little, "ah ahhh!" So, it's progress.

Meg has also learned to sign, "please." I really need to get it on video cause it would melt your heart. (That is, if she will actually do it. Two out of three times she will throw a screaming fit first and then sign please!)

Lisa-Marie:
The highlight of my week was going Christmas shopping all day (and I mean ALL DAY! 9 am -7:30 pm) with my friend Teresa. It has been our tradition for the last six years. We always go somewhere fun to eat lunch and sometimes go out for dessert later as well! I had a BLAST this year. This is the biggest Christmas we have done for our kids yet and I just LOVED spoiling them. Kendon thinks they were OVER spoiled but I don't. I think we kept it reasonable. I don't ever want my kids to get the impression that they get TONS of stuff for Christmas, so I controlled myself, but it was just so much fun! I hope that I don't ever dread Christmas shopping.

I also had saved a little cash to spend on myself. As you know, I could use some new pants and a few shirts. I was really excited to be able to shop without the three little munchkins and was hoping to find something cute to wear on my birthday date on Saturday. Well, NO SUCH LUCK! I am the worst shopper! I don't even know what my own style is and spending money on myself is so hard. I'd rather go to the dentist and I HATE the dentist. I saw a few things that I liked but just couldn't buy them. I came home with NOTHING for me. Grrrr. Why do I have such issues?!?!?! I need help. Anyone know of an AA meeting for shopping dorks?

Kendon:
Kendon is a super sport and stayed home with the kids all day Saturday. And why shouldn't he? He is the dad...but I know of plenty of dads who don't. So, I am alway so thankful for Kendon. He never complains! Thanks honey! (Actually he was a little annoyed that I left him home to fend without any milk, very little bread, no tortillas. I'm not sure WHAT he fed the kids. He's amazing and figured something out!)

Kendon has been really worried about Aseneth this week. She has pneumonia now and they had to induce a coma and she isn't able to have any visitors because her immune system is so low. Kendon has really been affected by this whole situation. He worries about Senny all the time and keeps saying, "it couldn't have happened to a sweeter girl."

I Just Finished Reading.....

This book is absolutely Fabulous. It is beautiful and tragic and triumphant all at once. It is thick with grief, yet full of love. A must read. And a must buy. This is a book that I feel proud to have on my book shelf.

And now I am reading.....
And I must tell you that I am a bit annoyed that I am enjoying this story so much. I have heard a lot of scuttlebutt about this book. The waiting list at my library was LONG and you cannot talk to anyone who is a reader without discussing this book. And for all those reasons, all the reasons that should have had me running to get my name on the waiting list, I DIDN'T. I have a really hard time reading literature that is "trendy." It seems that much of the time, trendy = not good writing. So, here I am. Reading this book because it is our Book Group pick for the month and against my will and better judgment...I can't put it down. Grrrrr.

Full review to come when I am finished.

Here it is...

The how to of making a baggie wreath....

It really is so simple, it's silly!

1. Get yourself LOTS of baggies. I would recommend a box of 200 or so. You want it to be fluffy you know. And make sure you get the old school baggies, NO ziplocks!

2. You will also need a wire hanger. If you are like me you will have to make a visit to the dry cleaners. I dislike wire angers. (Actually I hate them, but I really dislike the word hate too.)

3. Last but not least, LIGHTS. One strand will do. Any color you prefer would be fine. Maybe not white. (But maybe. Give it a try if you want.)

4. The fun begins! Form (pull) the hanger into a circular shape.

5. Now just tie all the baggies around the hanger. Yep, just knot those babies right on! (You know, come to think of it, this IS easy. My four year old might really have fun at this!)

6. Squish the baggies all tightly together as you go. Remember...fluffy!

7. When the whole hanger is covered and FULL and FLUFFY you can stop.

8. Next, wrap the lights all around the wreath. Be sure to tuck them in so they aren't dangling off your wreath. Try and get them as close to the inside as possible.

9. Make sure that you leave enough end of the lights hanging to plug in. And make sure that dangling end is opposite of the "hook" on the hanger (since you will use the hook to hang the wreath up.)

10. Now hang the gorgeous wreath up, plug it in, and just wait for the comments to come. Cause believe me, they will! Everyone has an opinion on the baggie wreath!

I hope you have fun. I just love this wreath. It is so easy and so cheap! It would make a great Achievement day activity. When I was YW president, I made these with my Laurels and they LOVED them. For many of the girls it was their first very own Christmas decoration and they loved it!

And if you don't like it...you can do what Holly said...make it a white elephant gift!!!!!!!!!

Typically when my children are playing well together and then I hear....NOTHING, SILENCE. It generally means trouble. Today this is what I found....

Sorry Kendon. I know they aren't supposed to play with the good flashlights but can you resist this?!?!?

Coming Soon...

The Much Demanded Baggie Wreath Instructions!!!

Thanks guys. I'm so flattered you like it. OR you are just trying to make me feel good after so many years of wreath loathe from so many others.

Jensen Family Week in Review Nov. 26-Dec. 2

A Pictorial

(Though that isn't a promise for no commentary. I'll TRY to keep it to a minimum. Especially since I didn't do the same with the pictures. There are lots! )

ENJOY!

My week started out with some much needed new couch covers. We have had these old ones for 6 years now and they are looking ROUGH/DEAD! Don't worry that I didn't get a picture of the new covers...they look JUST like the old ones (except without the holes and gashes!) I know, I am so boring to get the same ones, but I like them.

Monday we officially started listening to Christmas music ( I would have started weeks ago, but try to keep the peace and hold out a little longer!) We also bought our first box of Clementines of the season. Who cares if they were ten bucks a box. They just taste like Christmas to me and the kids love them. (The best part is they can peel their own!) We also purchased MORE peppermint ice cream. I know I have a serious addiction!

The best part of the day was putting up Christmas decorations. I have very few because I have such an itty bitty house but I love them anyway. Me Standing on the new couch covers. Oops. I was in trouble!

My infamous baggy wreath that everyone makes fun of! I don't care. I like it. And it shines so pretty.

Our stocking are special because they are handmade. My great grandmother Esther Weldon made mine and Kendon's and the kids' were made by my grandmother Marcella. We still don't have Meg's yet.

My Dollar Store centerpiece! $6 total to "make" the whole thing. Works for me!

What a sweet LITTLE tree. Yes, it is four feet tall! We don't have a place for a big tree (unless we move the couch into the kitchen like we did before we had kids. No thx.) I also like that it is stuck behind the couches so Meg can't get it!
I just love my ornaments in the glass vase. So simple, so pretty.

Tuesday Kendon took Connor's stitches out.
"We are Jensen's. We don't pay a doctor to remove stitches."
YES, SIR!
And it was actually a very simple task. Snip snip, tug tug...viola!

Connor didn't wince once.
The only whining we heard was from Drama Queen Sirri. She stepped in the little pile of stitches on the couch. When Kendon took them out of her sock Sirri was saying "ow, ow!" before she even realized it didn't hurt! Oh, Brother!

Along with the peppermint ice cream, we bought Cherry Chocolate Chip. It isn't our favorite so we fed it to the kids. Aren't we nice parents. It is pretty bad that almost the only time our kids get ice cream is when we buy a flavor we don't like. Hey, I prefer to eat my ice cream in peace...after the kids go to bed! They don't even realize what they're missing

Thursday I watched four extra kids. This is what the play room/Sirri's bedroom looks like after three , three year old boys get their hands on it. It didn't help that I spent much of the morning on the couch holding one little guy who wasn't feeling well. Meaning, that the other boys were left to their own devices! SCARY! We did do a fun activity though! Anyone need to know what to do with all the packing peanuts they have this time of year? Lick em, and stick em! They make great sculptures! Sirri loved it. Though she looks a little frightened here. I think she was afraid that her little brother was going to saw it apart for the 5th time. Sigh. Little brothers.

AND the BIGGEST news of the week..... INTRODUCING:
MY BEAUTIFUL NIECE
Sarah Jane
Nov. 3oth 2007
9:02 am
8 lbs
19 inches

Isn't she so pretty! Both she and Mommy are doing well. I can not wait to get my hands on her in January.

Friday we took the kids to the college for Christmas Tree Lane. Santa was there but THIS is as close as anyone would get to him. Aren't they supposed to be unafraid of Santa by the time they are four?

Saturday night I stayed up late creating this advent calendar. I am so excited that it turned out. I am going to fill the pockets with fun Christmasy things that we can do each day. Some will be service, some will just be fun, but they will all be things that we can do as a family to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas! I'm going finish up the list tonight. So we have already missed two days of December but, hey!

Sirri wore this new dress to church today. My cousin handed it down to her and boy does she ever think she is a princess. Well, I guess she is right!!!!!!!!

And last but not least. The sad news of the week. A sweet little 8 year old girl in our Primary class was diagnosed with Leukemia this week. I am just heart broken for Aseneth and her family. Our ward had a special fast for her today. A few of the members of our class fasted for her too. That really touches my heart to see 8 year olds be so hungry and have so much faith for their friend. Just last week our Primary lesson was on the Law of the Fast. It was interesting to hear the things that they have fasted for in their short experience with fasting...to help them find something that was lost, to help their mom get over a cold. Simple things like that. And then BAM! Now, they are fasting for their friend's LIFE. I fasted and prayed today for sweet little Aseneth but also for these sweet little 8 year olds having their first real experience with fasting. I hope that their prayers will be answered in a way that will help strengthen their faith and give them an example of the power of fasting.

OK. Once again, Long winded Lisa! So much for the PICTORIAL!