Something Ivy would like

leapster

Something Ian would like

The main purpose of this post is to give you pictures and links to things I think Ian would like to get for Christmas or his Birthday or other ocation.





































































 


















































leapster stuff

Children of the New Forest

When I was little my Mom and Dad would read us bedtime stories every night, I have no clue why we do not do this with our kids. After all it was one of my favorite parts of the day.

We would snuggle up and look at the pictures while my parents read us a story. Most of our books came from the library where the librarians knew exactly who we were. I'm quite sure that in my Moms case she was continuing what was done for her as a child because when I think of my childhood and my moms parents Books play a key part in it.

Unlike our bedtime routine with my parents, my Mormor would often read chapter books to us. I remember her reading to my older cousins and finding it boring and for some reason I have a distinct memory of sitting down and really listening for the first time and becoming surprised that not only did I follow the story with out seeing any pictures but I was very interested in everything I heard. Since then I was hooked.

Once our family went to a summer vacation home by the beach. I do not remember much about it and I may have my facts completely wrong but this is what i remember. I know that this was a place that we rented. Normally we would go to a home that was owned by my grandmothers aunt and let everyone use, but for some reason this one time only we actually rented a place. It was modern compared to the house in Vejers. I did not like it nearly as much. in many ways it was just another house. Where was the romance in that? I remember that there was a tray on the coffee table with smooth rocks from the beach and that we drew on them. My Mom made a point of finding some to replace them and I think she was a little concerned that they were not as smooth and rounded by the waves as the ones not covered in markers.

I should mention that this was not us misbehaving. We often would decorate rocks.

while in this vacation home I was bored. There was however my Mormor and a small book shelf. She picked up a very used old looking forest green hardback with yellow uneven pages, minus a few missing part way through, and started reading. It was my kind of story. A group of siblings on their own trying to live in the wild, encountering allies, enemies, hardships, romance and in the end it all works out, but not until after they have been through loss and tragedy, in an era long since passed. When it was time to leave the summer house behind the still unfinished book came along. Do not ask me if this was right or wrong, I have no clue what happened behind the scenes in the world of adults, I just know that I felt guilty for wanting it, and have ever since wondered if any one ever missed it, did we leave a replacement behind? Did we ask first? Did we pay for it?

This book became a regular for me and Mormor, she had a shelf of books that she rotated through and this one was requested again and again and again. In spite of that I can't really remember any details or even major plot. Though I do not really care, I still love it.

The book is....

Children of the New Forest by Captain Frederick Marryat.

One Fine day I am going to have a copy of it again and I am going to revisit those fond old memories all over again. This time it will be in English though and I I'll finaly figure out what happens on those missing pages.

Then i will read it to my kids and maybe just maybe it will be one of the books they ask me to read again. So here's to the past and all the beauty it holds and here's to the future so full of possibilities yet to be determined and discovered and most of all lived.

The sad truth about my lard.

look at this super good looking man.

Being such a stud you would think he was married to someone really hot!

But surprise!

He's all mine hahahaha.

cute Astrid bugger.

I love the reflection in her glasses.

See you can grow out your hair and donate it. So why not my lard?

Turns out that no one has been interested in my donation.

So now I have started working very hard on getting rid of my lard the old fashion way.

This morning I felt like soggy noodles. I did my workout but i had the hardest time mostly because my right knee and ankle was hurting every time I started doing much of anything, but mostly because I felt like previous mentioned pasta.

Some days I swim, some days I run 1.3 miles, but most days I use your shape on the Wii

I really like it. Even though it is a far cry from a personal trainer it does tract my movement and analyses which kind of workout will be the most beneficial for me depending on how I preform that day and over all. It offers me a variety of different workouts and is constantly changing the program to make sure I stay challenged. It does not always work out exactly the way it should but I always get a good workout.

I would love to get some more programs for the Wii like Wii Fit

There are so many different ones though.

Just look!

There are so many options! Some of these require the balance board that goes with the Wii fit so make sure you have everything you need to get the game to work before you buy a game.

I would love just about anything for myself, but most of all the Wii fit above. There are several programs designed for kids that I would love love love to get for Christmas or birthdays.

I'm not the only person around here who could use some extra physical activity.



I would also love to get my bike running again and have the trailer hookup working so i can go for a ride with the twins while Ian and ivy are in school. That would be really nice. Especially now that it is finally getting cooler.


(OK I can not figure out why my links are acting all funky because they are straight enough in the editing page, but I finally got them to stack right so I just do not feel like messing with them any more)

A real crowd pleaser

Don't get me wrong, we've gotten many great presents over the years.

But sometimes you just get a gift that is so brilliant that you love it and use it and remember it for years and years and years.

well, this fort is definitely one of those gifts.

When ever we pull it out the kids get so excited.

Ian and Ivy have had sleep over in it with their sleeping bags and flashlights. It is just so much fun.

If I remember correctly this was a birthday present for Ian. Once it was opened at his birthday party all the dads all of the sudden became kids again and put it together. I think they had as much fun as the kids did.

Sure enough.

Once the kids started playing with it, it did not take long for The "big boys" to start helping, And by helping I'm of course saying that they completely took over construction.

The finished result! So beautiful!

oh wait still more upgrades.

Here is a view from the other side.

zombie hands...AAAAAAAAHHHH!

fun on the inside

Ivy just loves that dress, I'm sorry I can't remember if this is a hand me down if so thank you or if i got used from somewhere else.

My wild child!

Ian almost looking like him self on a picture!

cute!

I was so happy when they all finally started playing together.

I love it when they smile!

"What do you mean I'm not a kid!"

funny girl somehow she just looks misplaced in there.

Scary monster!

Anna giggle but.

A few home repairs.

And a monkey!

This set is called cranium super fort

I'm not sure why it is so expensive on Amazon when I was looking at getting another set at Walmart it was pricey but not this kinda pricey!

That was of course several years ago. From what I can tell they are no longer in production.

I would highly recommend this fort just about anyone including us. We would love another complete set or the booster or both. As I'm scourging the web for a less expensive seller of this i came across another blog about the super ford. fun stuff there. It is from 2008 though and all their links are old.

This, my friends, is an ebay link I just got 2 results.But   really we would love to get more for Christmas. Occasionally we break or loose a part and we always keep building until there are no more parts left.