The Arcade

My mother sent me a link to this youtube video of a kid who built an arcade out of boxes. Watch it, it's worth your time.

I showed this video to the boys, so immediately afterward they started planning an arcade of their own.  They began by gathering all the "old" toys they don't want anymore and any game that could be attached to a large box.  They immediately wanted to sit outside and wait for customers to come, but their dull mother convinced them to advertise a little and set up a specific time for patrons.  Here's what they came up with:

 This sign is attached to the advertising scooter:

They had a trial run with one of their friends, Brock, who spent a little money on the games he always plays when he comes over to our house.  The games on the box are a utah football and basketball game where you flip the ball through the hoop/goal posts with a spoon, a pokemon game, a handheld solitaire game, and a lego jousting game that Spencer invented.  When the smaller kids came, they added Balloon Lagoon by Cranium.

 Once the day and time were set, they were so anxious for that time to arrive.  What do you know it, but a few of the neighborhood kids showed up to see what all the fuss was about. The boys couldn't contain themselves as they shouted, "They're here! They're here!" Spencer and D.J. were good guardians of their games and made sure people followed the rules.  James played.

 As indicated by the advertising sign, the cost was a penny per token (the tokens also happened to be pennies).  Thanks to my good-hearted neighbors for letting their children borrow a few cents.

They even sold a few toys and a few books and came away with a little over $5 for their first day.  There has not been a second day.  I guess either the novelty wore off or they are satisfied with splitting $5 three ways.  Perhaps the summer will bring more entrepreneurial adventures.  It was a great learning experience for the learning how to run a very, very small business!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail! Easter 2012

In the years since we've moved back to Utah, we have spent most of our Easter Days in Logandale because it coincides with Spring Break and it's not hot enough to suck all the moisture out of you when you step outside.  We have a fun time hanging out and letting the kids play in the dirt outside. I don't know why I have them pack extra clothes to change into when they really only wear one dirty outfit the whole time. I have them pack extra socks, but invariably we come home with four clean pairs still in their place in the suitcase and one pair for each boy that no longer have bottoms.  You would think we would keep a closer eye on their health and hygiene, but all parental responsibility goes out the door when we're with Grandma and Grandpa (or at least in their house while they are gone).

Mark had to work quite a bit, but at least he could do it on cushy couches and just one trip to the St. George office (which I tagged along for and he treated me to massage and pedicure while he worked! Thanks Wendy for watching the boys!)

The boys spent a good part of their time at Ryan and Wendy's new home and in their swimming pool, even though the water was not up to Nevada bathwater temperature.

We also had a visit from some Centerville friends, the Larsons, who were in St. George for Spring Break.  We took them to Red Rock to ride four-wheelers and also to the reservoir to play in the water and do some more riding.  Yes, I rode the four-wheeler and didn't even have panic attacks or start stuttering.

As always, we had a fun Easter egg hunt with the Nevada Cousins!

Memorial Day Togetherness

In the process of remembering those close to us who have passed away and those we don't know who have died for our country, it's nice to have time to enjoy those we do have around us.  We spent part of Memorial Day hiking to a waterfall in Fruit Heights.  It took us about 4 hours and the trail was a great one with rocks to climb over, water to go through, soft sand, ups, downs and more!

We bring sling shots to keep the boys busy during the hike so we don't hear "How much longer?" "My feet are tired!" Though I carried them most of the time. They were good hikers! 

 Being in nature makes us happy!

 Licorice break!

 James found a perfect rock cradle for his afternoon nap!

 Spencer used the Pringles lids for a sylin' monocle and the bottom of the can to blind us all.

D.J.'s cast didn't stop him from using his sling shot or climbing!

The Race is On! Derby March 2012

Pinewood Derby time again (well back in March)!  This year, instead of having the race with just our troop, we combined with a bunch of others, which was really fun!  The people in charge decorated the whole gym and even had the racers come out into the darkness, through fog, being followed by a spotlight.

Because there were so many contestants, score keeping was a little more complicated.  Thankfully, the man who provided the professional track had his own score keeping board with his own sort of system. AND IF YOU VIOLATED HIS RULES YOU MUST PAY $5! A few kids had to pay up for jumping over the track.

 Oh the excitement of it all!

 D.J. and Brock Gregersen with cars produced in the Mark Astling Wonder Garage.

 D.J. placed 7 out of 37 cars!  Good job D.J. (and Mark too)!

Monster Concert 2012

This year the Monster Concert theme was: Heroes and Villains; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.  Spencer and D.J. played the Superman theme. D.J. conveniently broke his thumb before the concert took place, so he just played his part with his right hand.

Bowling, March 2012

There's something about bowling that makes you feel like anyone can do it.  Perhaps because anyone can.  That doesn't mean anyone can be good.  In fact, some of the fun is watching someone throw the ball down the lane with the confidence of getting a strike and then the ball goes in the gutter. Must have been using the wrong fingers in the holes, or maybe it was that last bit of english I put on it, or maybe I didn't take the right steps, or maybe I have the wrong size ball.  You have ten frames to figure it out. Bowling is a great leveler.  James is likely the best bowler in the family (he's taken a class though - he's edumacated).

Mark is so fast, he's blurry! 

 I'm always impressed that the floors can take such a beating as the balls leave the hands of some people from four feet up.

And then there's the perk of having a hair dryer.

Jump! Jump! Jump Around!

About a month ago we decided to go one week without watching any screens for entertainment.  We could use screens for educational reasons or communicating needs.  Mark and I stretched the definition of 'educational' and 'communication' but the kids did great!  As a reward we decided to go to one of these new trampoline places that seems to be cropping up everywhere.  When I say trampoline places, I'm not talking about a playground sales place.  I'm talking about a huge room with trampolines for walls and floors. This place only lets you bounce for an hour, which I thought wouldn't be long enough. It is. I planned on jumping with the kids, just to have some fun with them.  Mark was undecided.  But it didn't take long for me to become completely enamored with the foam pit!

Me enamored. . . 

with the foam pits. (DJ's back flop)

You would bounce on these long trampolines and do whatever trick you wanted and land however you ended up - without any broken bones or pulled muscles.

That is until you tried to get out of the pit.  That took some doing.  And how very fortunate it was that there was a camera filming your tricks that you could watch from the pit and then it kept running as you tried and tried and tried to get out of the pit so that viewer can watch the front and the back of you struggle.

Spencer's head flop

And James, the only smart one who wore shorts.

Mark joined in too!

My friend told me that if you jumped into the pit for the whole hour, you would burn 500 calories, mostly by trying to get out of the pit!  I discovered that it is easier to get out of the pit if you move across it like a beetle rather than push your feet downward.  Even more fun for views to watch!

 Running on the walls like Spiderman was a favorite activity and James liked to climb to the top and slide down.  I have to say that the owners were smart in their choice of music (80's and 90's) for all the parents who were there. I think I actually embarrassed Spencer with my head banging.

 I'm noticing that many of the pictures we took were of me and Mark.  Perhaps it was because we were so pleased with ourselves for doing it - for an hour straight! We would get in line for the foam pits, hold each other's glasses and then go again!

I feel it necessary for me to give warning to all Moms out there who engage in such an activity.  I wondered why there were so many Moms sitting on couches, just watching their kids and not joining in on the fun.  I know now.  Having children does unexpected things to your bladder.  So, word to the wise: Refrain from drinking anything up to four hours before jumping. Go to the bathroom before you leave home. Go to the bathroom right before you jump.  Take a few pitstops during the hour and don't drink anything until the hour is up. Just sayin'.

But it's totally worth all the bathroom stops!  It's soooo much fun!

You're welcome.