February Fun with the Florys

Games Kids Play

I have great memories of making up games as a kid. My brothers and I played "roller coaster" which consisted of layers of pillows and blankets with children layers in there too all piled on a couch and on the count of three push off and land on your head. Of course the lower level was swished at first, but then took less of a smash on the fall. We also played, "fat kids" where we would stuff pillows and whatever else could fit into our pajamas and do a show for mom and dad. I could usually convince my little brother to put underwear on his head for the final number. And who could forget cat, dog and mouse. Where we would choose and animal and then go attack each other in the correct pecking order. And my favorite...spin around in dad's 360 rocking chair till you're dizzy and then try to walk straight. It didn't have a name but was so fun! Well, my kids have come up with some great new homemade games lately.

Fire Hats Rules: Whenenever Mom or Dad takes out the vacuum, grab the firehats, hop on a safe location off the floor and yell till they are done.

Meatloaf Rules: You run around chasing the dogs yelling "Meatloaf!"


Waiting for the Babysitter's Spy Game Rules: On your cue, sneak up to the door and do the choreagraphed sneaky moves.


Laundry Diving Rules: Take the big piles of folded or unfolded laundry and make a big mountain, wait in line patiently till it's your turn, then dive in. Follow up with Bury your Brother Game


The M Game


Chairs

Trip To Stockton

I was very honored to be able to take a road trip in January with my little man Carter to a sudden and sad funeral for my aunt who lived in Stockton, CA. I hadn't been in that town since I was a child. While there, I was able to see relatives I hadn't seen for years, view my grandparents graves for the first time, show Carter the house my dad grew up in as a boy, and all his childhood spots, and honor my aunt at her funeral. It was held in a church house that my grandfather helped build, and that my parents had their wedding reception near, and that my father left for a mission from, etc. It is now what I consider "Holy Ground." Here are some pics:

Grass is Greener or Something else?

Today, while out with my mom and sister at a conference, we breaked for lunch and were discussing how life is going right now for my sis and us. They just graduated and got a job and my husband is job hunting like crazy with no callbacks. We are beyond frustrated and it doesn't help that everyday the kids remind us that big houses with stairs are much cooler than ours. We moved in 6 years ago and had tons of empty drawers and room, but now we share rooms, have a garage full of stuff that won't fit inside and are ready for a "next house." Yes, I tend to complain about it sometimes (okay...a lot) while still feeling grateful we have a house, and wishing we could jumpstart into the next phase. Well, my mom reminded me today at lunch that I said years ago while living in an apartment that I couldn't see us moving into a home of our own and that perhaps I should just accept where we were and be happy. Apparently, I am still singing the same sad song. I don't think I'm envisioning anything that is extravagant or selfish. I just want a house with room for the kids, a yard to run around in with grass and a trampoline, room for a garden (so I can learn how to grow one), and a pantry for food storage. The way I see it, we've got all the pieces to the puzzle and are waiting for them to fit together-beginning with a new job for my newly graduated hubby. Sigh. So, is this grass is greener or is it a prompting for the family? I'd love your thoughts...

9 pm - 10 pm

I think I'll stop here but the remaining hours usually involve Michelle coming home and Doug waiting for her to eat a late dinner together. One mindless TV show to unwind and then off to bed. Hey...I did 14 hours. Well, what do you expect...I'm tired!

8 pm - 9 pm

Get back in bed. Get back in bed. No more questions. No more water. Get back in bed. Get back in bed. Get back in bed. Get back in bed. Get back in bed. Get back in bed.

7 pm - 8 pm

Bedime routine. Teeth, Books, Prayers, and Lights Out. Usually Dad does all four kids while Moms at work. SuperDad!!

6 pm - 7 pm

Dad comes home from work, dinner and snuggle time with Dad.

5 pm to 6 pm

Haleigh got a hold of the camera while Mom made dinner

4 pm - 5 pm

Kids play with sitter usually, or mom begins to think of dinner. Carter does homework.

3 pm - 4 pm

Back from school, and snack time! Mom gets ready for work and sitters come over.

2pm - 3pm

Getting ready for church. We go from 3 till 6 on Sundays.

1 pm - 2 pm

Naptime and Haleigh and Mom have quiet time.

12 pm - 1pm

Pretty much the same thing as the day before. Lunch hour stuff. That day we stayed in PJ's all day. You know you would if you could too! :)

11 am to 12 pm

Back from outings, usually with lunch picked up (a terrible habit we're trying to quit), a few chores, a cartoon to keep Miles busy before naptime. Oh Yeh...someone let in the dogs! This happens every day! I forget about them...:( That day it was raining too. I'm awful!

10 am to 11 am

Off to preschool. Little boys go with mom on errands.