Phone Home

For months now, our old kitchen phone has been on the fritz. The display is for the callerID and the answering machine (showing the time and date of the call) and lately, it hadn't shown much! Sometimes it would just seem possessed, scrolling through or flashing random numbers. If we unplugged it, it would seem to reset ... for a minute or so anyway. I'm not one for change ... but it was time.

Now I know - many people don't even have a home phone in this day and age. Grayson was all for dropping it completely, but I still like having the basic landline and a number of cordless phones around the house. This old phone was actually an answering machine too, and  I even wanted that again (yes, we do have voice mail as part of our phone service, but I like the basic answering machine more). 

So ... we're all set up again. 

I wondered how long it would take 

for the kids to notice the change (it didn't take long). 

So call us maybe *Ü*

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day I got the traditional breakfast in bed treatment, and the custom cards from the kids. I was especially grateful for the coupon from Callahan for "frustration free" wake ups, which will be a change from the usual ten minute tug of war with the blankets we have every morning. There was a new chaise, some chocolates, flowers, and a big tub of licorice (which was gone by the end of the day ... I shared! It wasn't ALL me!). 

All my boys!

After church we went up to Maga's to wish her a happy mother's day, then we hit my mom's on the way home (Scott's family was there at the same time, so it was good to see them too). I'm very grateful for my mom and my MIL, and of course my wonderful boys!

Go BIG at the Blackhams!

At the Blackham home, we go BIG ... especially when it comes to sugar (or so it seems by the picture above)! Can you say sugar coma? While on his trip to New York, Gray brought home a couple of the huge Reeses (the peanut butter cups were a 1/2 pound EACH) and a FIVE pound chocolate bar.  And while he was gone, a box came from Vat19 and we've ordered from them before ... it it was a FIVE pound gummy bear and a three pound gummy worm! (You can also tell that the first couple pictures were taken BEFORE the haircut post, as the boys are still shaggy in them). 

Whenever we get a box delivered, the boys are always anxious to open it up ... especially if it is from Vat19! I didn't take any pictures of the eating of the big gummies, but I did in a previous post (here). That post also spotlights some of the other fun treasures from this unique online store. 

Callahan and Landon both ate their Reeses Cup ... I think Callahan managed it in one sitting (although I can't say he enjoyed it by the end.)  Keaton and I are still hanging on to ours. The gummy worm got attacked after that, followed by the gummy bear. The last to be opened was the chocolate bar. Callahan looks pretty content, doesn't he? That first night, we just made a dent in the side. The kids hacked off chunks to add to their school lunches over the next several days, and friends would help eat after school. It's actually not quite gone yet ... but almost.

If you are what you eat ... then MY boys are sweet!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

It's haircut time AGAIN ... I really wish the boy's hair didn't grow SO fast. They were so shaggy. We were having a big Blackham bash, and we asked Aunt Olivia if she would bring her shears and give the boys a trim. And she did ...  Landon was up first.

 Landon After 

Cooper does NOT like getting his hair cut. But he also doesn't like getting his hair combed. I told him it was one or the other (and the combing wasn't really working at this point) ... so actually he didn't have a choice. It was time for the hair to GO ... 

And it's gone ... 

Callahan was up next ... 

Callahan's Cut 

 Then Keaton

Olivia had been making funny faces in all the photos ... 

Colton decided to give her some competition!

I forgot to snag an "after" picture of the last two boys, but here they are.

From shaggy to shorn!

If only it would last!

Thanks Aunt Livi!

Happy Birthday Maga

May is a fairly busy birthday month. It's Maga's birthday on May 3 (as well as my brother Shane, and my Uncle Merrill). Derek has his birthday a couple days later, and my dad has his at the end of the month. Unfortunately both family parties fell on the same night. We had our RSVP into the Blackham side before we knew about the Westra gathering. We were sorry to miss it, but still had a blast with the Blackhams. 

There was a pinata

 ... and the traditional chocolate cake. Maga is laughing because we used trick candles on her! Even with the wind and her blowing (and the kids helping) those candles kept coming back. Landon finally pinched them off. (If you missed Gray's birthday with the trick candles, it is worth checking out, I have video here). 

 Clay pulled the ol cake in the face trick on Colton

We gave Maga the game Ticket to Ride (European version). She actually gave US the regular version a few years ago and was always telling us to bring it to her house to play. Now she'll have it (in case we forget) and we can learn some European Geography too.

We didn't see Maga on her actual birthday, but the boys drew pictures and we posted them to her Facebook page. Happy Birthday Maga!

Gray Goes to NYC

Gray had been discussing making a quick trip to New York City to take in the sights ... talking with his friend Rob (who he worked with at Symphony Homes) they decided to make it happen. There were many who were a little upset with Gray that THEY were not invited along (Landon, Keaton, Olivia, Maga ... I was actually NOT upset in the least. I am "easily overwhelmed" and if NYC is anything, it is overwhelming!) Kolby and Clay were both chiming in about where Grayson should get a pastrami sandwich for lunch.

Gray took a boat tour ... unfortunately the Statue of Liberty was closed, so this was a close as he got (Colton asked, he has learned in school that there are steps inside and you can climb all the up and look out the crown). The didn't make it to the Empire State Building, but went up 30Rock. They also took a bus tour. They enjoyed the food, visited the M&M and Hershey's store (and brought back some goodies). While on Broadway, the went to see a show ... The Book of Mormon (Gray said it was extremely irreverent *Ü*). He said it was a great trip and I was really impressed with his picture taking. He really documented his stay so we at home could see it vicariously.

Other Off Track Activities

I've already posted about a couple of our off-track activities. Our trip to All Star Lanes and to Planet Play. The last week of off track ... (and it is the LAST, Keaton will be going into middle school, so no more "offtrack" time for him, and I've been looking in the possibility of transferring the two youngest to a school on a traditional schedule) we continued to go out and make memories and have tons of fun.

We started the week (Monday) at Chuck-e-Cheese.

Wednesday we went to Classic Fun Center. Keaton and Colton enjoyed the Blast Zone (Cooper didn't want to try it), then they all roamed around the jungle. Then they bounced for a bit, and finished off at the arcade. They turned in their tickets for a variety of treat treasures.

Thursday we met Grandma and Grandpa at Golden Corral for lunch. 

The kids LOVE the dessert bar. 

 Then we headed to NickelMania. There used to be one at Jordan Landing, but it has closed down. The boys did have a lot of fun there though. They pointed out the Qbert game (featured in Wreck-It-Ralph) and Keaton really liked this Star Wars game. He played it over and over until be beat the whole game.

The little boys seem to like just getting tickets (rather than the enjoyment of the game itself). They ran through their nickels twice as fast as Keaton (who was actually playing to PLAY) ... he had a ton of nickels left over and let the little boys split them up and use them up.

They turned in their tickets, I had to laugh when I saw that both little boys had almost the exact same amount (just off by one). They turned in their tickets for treats, a hacky sack and other little toys.

Ready to go back on track and finish up the school year!

... a BABY in the House!

Landon is taking Child Development in school. Last weekend, he brought home a BABY. Now this was a little more advanced than when he had to cart around a 4-pound bag of sugar everywhere during elementary school. This "baby" had specific needs. Landon had been fitted with a wristband that connected digitally with the doll. He did have an extra wristband for the occasional "babysitter" but he was to be the primary caregiver for a few days. She would cry and need (1) to be changed (2) to be fed (3) to be burped, or just rocked and comforted. The baby came with a full diaper bag of supplies and a car seat.  Landon named her "Peepa" (I'll have to check with him on the spelling) ...

It was an interesting weekend. Everyone (especially Landon) was totally in tune to the cry of the "baby". Luckily we couldn't hear the baby cry during the night (Landon kept her in his room so we weren't subjected to her wail at all hours ... and yes, she was programmed to cry and require care during the night). 

Sunday presented a bit of a problem - I thought it would be fine to take Peepa to church and care for her there (and the chances that she'd sleep the entire time were pretty high). I think this "baby" assignment is pretty well known and accepted. Grayson on the other hand didn't feel it was appropriate to take a "toy" and a distraction, so Landon stayed home. 

Peepa was pretty fussy Sunday evening, but the teacher had programmed the baby to turn off around 9:00, so the kids could actually get some sleep before returning to school on Monday. 

It was rather fun to have a "baby" in the house again ... only for the weekend though!

Planet Play

I'd heard about Planet Play, a new "fun" place located in the VH Factory Outlet in Draper. I'd even bought a "deal" for them before, but didn't end up making it in before they expired.  I did go ahead and jump on the "Pass of all Passes" deal (it was $29, but you got a $20 giftcard back, so it ended up just $9), and Planet Play is one of the places on the pass. I'd redeemed my passes online back in February, and JUST got them. But it was in time to take advantage of the off-track time with the kids. Callahan had gone to work with Daddy for "Job Shadow" day, and got back in time to join us as well.

We played a round of miniature golf. They had these cute cutouts along the way. Callahan ... what big ears you have!  It wasn't a super challenging course, but the price was right and it was nice and cool and uncrowded. 

Then there was mini-BOWLING. I'd never seen mini-bowling before, but it was really cute. Small lanes and pins, and small balls (no holes, but they were heavy ... think shotput). I think all the boys enjoyed that activity.

We tried the go-carts next ... it had a height limit, so Colton had to drive with me (he was quite disappointed in that, but I don't think he would have reached the pedals). Cooper barely made the height requirement (and probably wouldn't with a haircut) but he did NOT want to try, even just as a passenger with me. He just watched. Callahan and Keaton had a few races.

I really didn't want to shell out any more money for arcade games (as they are not included on the pass) but the kids pulled the pouty faces and I caved. If you are planning on arcade games, you can get double credit on Tuesdays. The kids played some games, got some tickets and redeemed them for prizes. They weren't super impressed with the prizes (no treats, just toys).

There was also laser tag, and the boys played a game of that. I really need to get in there and try that with them. There was a little observation area and a video display, so it was fun to watch them too. There is also a buffet, but we didn't splurge on that today but probably will in the future. I do think we'll go back while we have our annual pass. It would be a fun place to take a date.

Bowling Blackhams

 ... I need to work on my picture taking skills with the iPhone, or take my actual camera! Sorry about the blur :(  (I did better with the other pictures, but the boys weren't really in a posing mood to try and retake this one). It's off-track time for the three Columbia kids. We didn't do ANYTHING last off-track, so we decided we'd better get out and have some fun. In the past, the boys always went bowling during their off-track time. The local lanes offered an off-track class for a couple hours every Tues/Thurs. But they stopped doing it a few years ago, and we hadn't gotten much bowling in since.   The boys had fun (even though I won) *Ü* 

 They enjoyed some pizza

 ... and the arcade.

I think they like the arcade better than the bowling!

Tons of tickets

We'd actually been stuck at home for the first couple off track days. Landon's truck was in the shop, and he had the suburban at school. So this was our first day of fun ... but not our last!