Congratulations

*Day 332*

I would just like to say Congratulations to all of you bloggers who took this challenge when it was first given and have blogged everyday for a whole year now.  It's been fun to read your blogs.  I'm looking forward to getting together with you.  (Matt has approved me to come even though I have not blogged an entire year.)  And, I'm a little jealous because I have had a really rough time with blogging lately (I don't know if you could tell from some of my lame-o blogs...).   I almost quit, but I'm so close to the end now.  I'm excited to see what everyone will do now with blogging.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Trick or Treating

*Day 331*

Today we took Logan trick or treating at Macey's grocery store and Papa Murphy's.  Then we went around Grandpa and Grandma Pauline's neighborhood in the rain.  I think I'm glad that my son doesn't feel the need to get as much candy as possible.  He's just good with something.  It's nice because then I don't have to stay out for hours.  And it was cold tonight.  And rainy.  But, Logan didn't make me stay out in it for long.  Then we visited Dax, Jace and Aunt Jennifer.  Then we came home and he went straight to bed.  I'm ready for it too.  I'm not looking forward to church tomorrow.  I have never seen this boy on such a bad sugar high.  He was pretty much a jerk.  I hope he sleeps it off, so I don't have to deal with it during church.

Fall Festival

*Day 330*

Tonight we went to the Fall Festival at Logan's school.  I don't know if it's this way everywhere, but a lot of the schools around here try to avoid the dressing up thing and celebrating Halloween at school.  One of the schools I worked at, scheduled parent-teacher conferences around Halloween so they had school off on Halloween and didn't have to do anything for it.  This week was Red Ribbon Week at Logan's school.  Today was wear red day  (not wear a costume).  So, the fall festival is their way to celebrate Halloween without doing it during school hours.  They did a costume parade around the block.  Then we had a trunk or treat.  Each class was in charge of having a trunk and passing out candy.  They had a pumpkin decorating contest and donuts and cider.  It was pretty fun.  Good, Halloween fun, in a safe environment, with friends!

Me and Logan. 

Our spooky car.



Halloween Decorartions

*Day 329*

We have Halloween decorations!

The Street By My House

*Day 328*

I like to look at pictures of beautiful places.  OK, maybe sometimes I don't, because then I just feeling like I wish I could go these places when I know I can't, but......  We live in a beautiful world.  At least when I'm looking at the pictures I can still get the peaceful feeling of the place, even if I'm not there.  And I see how amazing and beautiful the rest of the world is.  The other day I was looking at this picture I have had for a long time.

I love the trees lining the road in this picture.  After I looked at this picture, I was thinking how I would love to be on a street like this.  Where there are trees on both sides and the leaves hang over and touch in the middle.  And if you walk down it, it's like being under a bridge of trees.  Yeah, I thought that would be cool.  And then, one day we were walking to school and I realized I live on a street like that! 

Maybe it looses a little something with the paved road and power lines (and I'll admit the photographer isn't the best), but the trees still line the road and cover over it.  And it is beautiful, especially when the leave change colors and when the snow sticks to them in the morning.  And it's only a block away from our house.  On a clear day, the mountains stand higher behind it.  Throw in a deer or two and some squirrels and you'd think your in the mountains.  And, if you look close you can see Logan walking to school!  I love where I live.

Halloween Decoration (singular)

*Day 327*

I am such a lame mom.  Halloween is this week, and we have done nothing Halloweenish.  We don't have any decorations up.  We haven't carved pumpkins.  And, it doesn't look like any of that is going to happen before Saturday.  At this point, I just look it and think, it's not worth it to do all that work for 5 days and then have to clean it up again.  I did get the Halloween decoration box out a couple of weeks ago.  We were looking for costume stuff for our family party.  Then Logan found it, moved it into his room and started playing with the contents.  I asked him if he wanted to help me decorate.  He said no.  If he wasn't worried about it, I wasn't going to.  But, he did find some things to play with.  And really, we have one Halloween decoration.  Logan found the light up pumpkin and has been using it as his night light for the past couple weeks.

Of, course, we have to turn the face away from him so he doesn't get scared.  (His words.)

Better

*Day 326*

Oh, I'm so happy.  Eating dinner today actually sounded good.  I was starving.  I ate dinner, and I still feel good.  This is a good sign.

Football

*Day 325*

When ever I watch the Broncos play at home it reminds of when we went to Colorado to visit Matt's Aunt Julie and Uncle Jerry.  We were there just after the new stadium opened.  Julie had us a read an article about it.  They had a concert or something at the stadium to celebrate its' opening.  The guy writing the article was saying that they should have tested the sound system and worked out the bugs before they started because from where he was sitting it sounded like they said, "Welcome to Nabisco field at bile pie."  I don't know why I still remember that but during the game today when they said "Invesco Field at Mile High", me and Matt both said, "Nabisco field at bile pie." 

Science Class

*Day 324*

Today I got to go to a science class.  They gave us a lot of cool ideas to help teach our children science principles and encourage them to wonder.  The best part was that we got to do the experiments and try everything out.  I didn't take my camera to class, so when I got home I let Logan try the stuff we did, and I took pictures of him. 

We learned how to hold bubbles.  Here's Logans'.  Also, I saw a square bubble.  I need to get some materials, but if I get it to work, I'll show ya.

This is snow that is growing in Logan's hands.  I know it would be better as a video, but you couldn't see it very good.  You'll have to trust me.  It grew and it looks like snow.

We made a solution then added the worm goo and out came worms.  We also made slime and glow sticks. 

Logan asked me if I was taking this stuff Lynn's.  I told him I didn't know.  He said I should leave it here so he can play with it.  He said it was fun.  Then he told me, "Usually I just play video games, but this is funner than playing video games." 

Another Lame Excuse for a Blog

*Day 323*

All week I've felt like I've got a million things to do and I haven't had time to get any of them done.  Somethings gotta give.  So, I'm choosing to do something else tonight instead of blog.  Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you all about the class I get to go to.

What's For Dinner?

*Day 322*

It was Logan's turn to make dinner tonight.  Well, we got celery in our bountiful basket last time.  Logan was excited to see it.  He immediately talked about making soup.  In the past we've used our celery to make homemade chicken noodle soup or Greek lemon soup.  I told him we could make soup.  He wanted me to make Greek lemon soup, but he talked about making chicken noodle soup on his night.  So, tonight I asked him if he wanted to make chicken noodle soup for dinner.  He said he did.  So, I got chicken cooking and had him start making homemade noodles.  Then we were getting the veggies out and chopping them up.  Then Logan says, "I just wanted the kind from the can."  Well, that would have given me the whole night off.  He could have handled that by himself.  Sometimes it good to find out exactly what your kids mean when they say something or ask a question.

It was just a couple of weeks ago that I gave him chicken noodle soup from a can for lunch.  He thought it was awesome.  I made his day by buying some at Macey's when it was on sale.  I got a big hug from him when I got home and showed him what I bought.  I thought it was funny that he liked it so much.  But, he admitted that the soup we made tonight was better than the canned kind.  He still wants to eat that canned soup though.  I'll probably save it one of my dinner nights when I really don't feel like cooking.

I'll Take a "P", Vanna

*Day 321*

Right now I have four pony tails in my hair.  I am wearing purple plaid pajamas with a pocket which were a present, a pearl bracelet, my personal progress necklace with a pendant, pumpkin earrings, a flag pin, perfume, and pink and purple striped socks.  My last name is Platis, and I ate pink popcorn. 

Tonight at young womens we had a personal progress party.  We had a contest to see who could come with the most things that start with "P".  I didn't win.  But I had fun. 

Life at Daycare

*Day 320*

Logan was out of school last week, so he came to work at Lynn's with me.  Later he informed me that he wasn't going to go to college.  When he finished school, he was going to work at Lynn's house.  Lynn's right, he is very businesslike.  (When he wants something.)  He proceeded to tell me that he already knew all of the activities, because he's done them, so he would be able to teach and help the kids.  (All ready for his interview.)  I informed him that he would go to college and he would have to work hard in school to earn a scholarship.  He told me he would go to Utah State.  But, I'm getting a little off.  That's not really what I was going to blog about today. 

Logan was playing at Lynn's house.  The kids were playing cats.  Logan was a pet cat and Kya was his owner.  Kya was talking about going to the store to buy some salmon for her cat to eat.  I'm pretty sure this idea came from Logan.  He loves salmon.  I don't know where he got the idea to feed it to a cat.  I'd never pay that much for cat food.  Anyway, Kya was heading out to get some salmon for her cat.  So she told the cat where she was going.  "I'm going to salmontonio to get some salmon."  (San Antonio if you didn't get it.  Kya was in Texas last week for a family reunion.  They went to San Antonio, or salmontonio, as the kids call it now.)

Life With Logan

*Day 319*

These are the kind of things I get to do when I'm with Logan.  Notice where the real sidewalk is, on the left.  Logan is riding on the little "bonus" sidewalk he discovered.  I am instructed to "follow me", so I get to ride on it too.  I'm really not sure if I would have noticed the mini sidewalk there if it hadn't been for Logan.  I love that when I'm with him I get a chance to see new things and discover.  (Unless, of course, I'm in a hurry.)  But, I do love that he takes the time to notice things around him and explore.

Halloween Party!

*Day 318*

Yesterday we went to Salt Lake for our family Halloween Party.  Not everyone was able to come.  We missed those that weren't there, but we decided to have fun anyway.  (Sorry guys.  Pencil it in for next year.)  We played pictionary (go girls, for the win!), the kids had a bounce house and blow up slide to play on, we had some good food and of, course, great company.  I love spending time with my family!

Logan and Addie going down the slide.

Matt going up against Renae at pictionary.  Did I already mention that the girls won?

Wa ha ha ha ha!!!  (That's Logan laughing.)  When Lynn tried to go on the slide, she collapsed it and got stuck inside. 

We made some peanut butter truffle pumpkins. 

Happy Birthday Breanna!

*Day 317*

I like Breanna being all anti-social in this picture.

Breanna was my first niece.  It was so nice to have a sweet little girl around.  It is just amazing to me how she has grown into such a beautiful young lady.  She is still sweet, and I still like to be around her. 

Happy Birthday Breanna! 

Spiders

*Day 316*

Logan helped me make a few Halloween decorations.

Fall

*Day 315*

It felt like fall today.  It was a nice day.  We don't have a yard of our own so, we used Lynn's to rake leaves, clean and play.  It's really fun to watch Logan play with the little kids there.  He's so good with them.  My day was easy because he came up with things for them to play all day.  And they played together well (unlike the other day).  It reminded me of how we spent our time when we were kids. 

Logan making a leaf storm. 

Logan, My Baker

*Day 314*

Well, I think Logan has a new specialty.  He perfected his eggs, now he's become very good at cake mix cookies.  While I was gone tonight, his aunt called.  She wanted to talk to me, but since I wasn't here, she talked to Logan.  They told me she asked some questions about making cake mix cookies.  And, Logan answered them.  Then he went into the kitchen, pulled out the recipe and checked to make sure he gave the right information.  He did.  I think it's so cute that he has the recipe memorized and can make them all by himself.  Now, what should I teach him next?  Something that will really help me out.

By the way, I hope the cookies turned out great.

Ughh

*Day 313*

I just feel really bad for my daycare kids on days like this.  I try really hard.  It's good they have Lynn.  Hopefully tomorrow will feel better.

Parent Teacher Conference

*Day 312*

Today we went to parent teacher conferences.  The good news is that Logan's teacher likes him.  He's doing well in reading and math.  He still has a hard time keeping on task.  But, he can be off task for most of the time and work the last few minutes and still manage to get his work done.  I'm not sure if that's good or not.  His teacher said that he has a hard time pairing up to work because everyone wants to work with Logan.  She also said he's very helpful.  He even likes to help other students.  But, sometimes he forgets to finish his work before he helps others.  As long as he's getting his work done, and his teacher can handle him, I'm happy.

Stuffed Mushrooms

*Day 311*

Sometimes I just crave stuffed mushrooms.  It's one of those times.  Here's the recipe if any of ya'll ever get a similar craving.

Stuffed Mushrooms
1 lb. bulk sausage
1 pound mushrooms (big ones are easier to fill, but there's less of them; small ones are bite size.  Choose what works for you.)
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese

Wash mushrooms and remove stems.  Cook and drain sausage.  Mix sausage into cream cheese.  Spoon into mushrooms.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until they are bubbly.  (My mom always turned it to broil for a few minutes at the end to brown them on top.)  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Lynn!

*Day 310*

Happy Birthday Old Lady Lynn!

Lynn has this neat trick hair in the morning.  And, I hear, that if you push it down, her leg comes up.

Lynn is 40 years old!  My big sister, 40!  Whoa!  Holy cow!  She's getting old.  She's 40!

Well, Lynn has been my big sister for as long as I can remember.  And for about that same length of time Lynn has also been my idol.  She was good at everything.  She was smart.  She was good at sports.  She..... well, that's really all I cared about.  I wanted to be like that too.   So, I tried to be like Lynn.  She was on the high school basketball team when I was in elementary school  (yes, she's that old).  She used to run around the neighborhood for conditioning for basketball.  So, I started tagging along.  And She was nice enough to let me.  She helped learn me learn the basic skills I needed to be able to compete in sports.  She still helps me.  Just last year in region basketball after I missed my first shot, she told me what I needed to do to make it.  I went 4 for 4 after that.  (Of course, the next day when we played her team, she didn't give me any advice.) 

We've done a lot of stuff together through the years.  We've logged many miles together and had conversations on all sorts of things.  From comparing and contrasting Charles Dickens, to the gospel, to rehashing last nights softball game.  It's always been interesting, educational, testimony building, thought provoking and uplifting. 

I planned to come to Utah State when I graduated high school.  I had no friends coming up here.  Me and Lynn planned on being roommates.  I was so excited because we were going to have so much fun.  Then, she got married.  I had to move into a dorm with 5 people I'd never even seen before.  But having Lynn close by was still very comforting.  We still did "stupid" things together and she was there when I needed her.  When I wanted to visit home so badly, but didn't have a way to get there.  Me and Lynn walked to the grocery store to get ice cream, then we ordered pizza and I slept over at her house.  And I felt really bad when I got a job and moved to Salt Lake right after her husband died.  I wished I could have stayed for her.

When we moved back to Logan Lynn started babysitting Logan.  I was kind of sad that she took him to the Library for the first time or that they always went to the park.  But, I was glad that Lynn was taking care of him because I know she loved him and that he was safe.  Lynn is such a caring person.  She doesn't think about herself first.  After she married Darrell she asked me if I wanted to come work with her.  There aren't very many people out there that would willingly cut their pay in half so that someone else could have a job where they could be with their child all day and have a schedule that works for them.  But Lynn did.  It amazes me because I'm not sure I would be selfless enough to do that for someone else. 

I have been blessed to have Lynn for a sister and friend.  She is such a good example to me.  She still offers me excellent advice and is a source of strength to me.  I love Lynn for everything she is and stands for.  And I'm glad she takes my teasing too.  YOU ARE SO OLD!!!  I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE 40!   Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

*Day 309*

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

When you are meeting your boyfriends family it can be worrisome.  You worry whether or not they will like you, but you also worry about whether or not you are getting involved with a crazy family.  Especially if you're thinking about getting married.  Because then those people will become your in-laws.  I was scared to meet Matt's family.  But it turned out just great.  I couldn't ask for better in-laws. 

I remember the first time I met Jennifer.  Matt was performing in the play "Chess" out in Smithfield.  I wanted to go see him, but I didn't have a car.  Matt arranged with Jennifer to give me a ride.  I was totally scared.  Not really of Jennifer (I mean, I didn't know her), just the situation.  I was (OK, still am) shy, so I was way out of my comfort zone.  But Jennifer was really nice.  I'm sure she had to work really hard to keep a conversation going.  We got to the play early and were waiting in the car for a while.  So, she gave me the dirt on her brother.  (Well, she tired, then she told me that she didn't have much because he was really a good brother.)

I'm not so scared of Jennifer anymore.  I love her and the example she is to me.  I love that she is so strong.   She can (and will) do what ever she wants too.  She's her own person and doesn't worry about what other people think.  She is good at her job.  She was good at all the jobs she's had.  She works hard and gives her best.  She is very loving.  She is concerned about other people.  I admire that she is a social person.  It's something I'm not.  But watching her makes me wish I was little more.  And she is funny.  I wish I could do some of things Jennifer does, and envy her talents.  She is just great, and I'm glad that she was willing to accept me into her family and welcome me as a sister.

And, I'm sorry that I don't have a super cool rap, or even a poem.  But Matt wants me to exercise my abilities in the kitchen so you have something to enjoy for your birthday.  Or slightly after.  (Even though it won't be as impressive now that you can do it yourself.  :) )

Super Slug

*Day 308*

Today on the way to school, Logan saw the biggest slug I have ever seen in my whole life.  It was amazing.  So, of course, I had to catch it and take it to preschool to show my kids.  They were pretty amazed (until Mikell and Ashlynn brought their new puppies for show and tell).  There was talk of seeing what would happen to this Goliath if we sprinkled salt on it, but in the end, Logan had pity on it and released it into the backyard.  After he helped (pushed) it off the porch because it was taking too long for it to get there itself.  Enjoy some picture we took while it was in our care.

It's HUGE!

I have never seen any markings on a slug before.  Aren't they beautiful?  (Please read with sarcasm.)

There was this hole in him.  I think he breaths through it.  It would get bigger and smaller.  There was only a hole on one side. I thought that was kind of weird.   And Jessica is pretty sure that it has eyes on its antennae.  (Yeah, we might have spent a little too much time looking at the thing, but I was just amazed.)

I promise that tomorrow I won't post pictures of the dead rat Matt saw on the way to pick Logan up from school. 

Happy Birthday Joey!

*Day 307*

Joey has been patient and easy going ever since we started pushing his forehead to make him angry baby, or his eyebrows to make him sad baby.   (I really thought I had pictures, but I can't find them anywhere.)  I love Joey.  He is kind and gentle.  Even though he is older than Logan, he always takes time to play with him.  I love that in his cousins.  They are such good examples to Logan.  I love having Joey as a nephew. 

Volleyball

*Day 306*

Volleyball tonight!

Night Out With Mom

*Day 305*

Matt left this afternoon to go to the Alice Cooper/Rob Zombie concert in Salt Lake.  So, me and Logan got to spend the evening together.  We...
- went and browsed at the Book Table
- Rode our bikes to the new Carl's Jr. for dinner.  (Matt has the car.  I asked Logan if he wanted to order pizza or something, but he wanted a burger so he didn't mind the bike ride.)  We only got rained on a little.
- Played some football (was going to take some pictures, but dad has the camera.)
- Read some books
- spent 20 minutes getting Logan into bed.  He doesn't feel safe without dad here.  But, he'll be asleep in 5 minutes.

Logan's Cookies

*Day 304*

I knew teaching my child to cook would have it's benefits.  I (usually) love it when Logan comes in the kitchen and helps me cook.  I can't wait for the day when he isn't afraid of the stove and oven and can finish something all by himself.  For now, I'll take all the help I can get.  Like today.  Matt wanted some cookies, and I was busy.  So, Logan made cookies.  He can do all of it but put them in the oven and take them out. 

He uses a simple recipe, but he can do it all himself.  He knows where the recipe is, and can measure everything himself.  Really, I was so happy today.  I only had to put them in the oven and take them out.  That's it!  So, here's his recipe.

Cake Mix Cookies
1 box cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs

Mix all ingredients together.  Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.  We usually add frosting and turn them into "oreos". 

Today Logan used spice cake mix for his dad.  They were good.

Logan Time

*Day 303*

Matt was gone at the Priesthood session of conference tonight so me and Logan got to spend some time together.   We went on a bike ride.  (After we fixed his flat tire this afternoon.  And, why can't we get a stupid thorn in a front tire every now and then?  It would be easy to fix the front tire.  No brakes, or chains or gears or any of that crap to worry about.  But, no, it's always the back tire.  And we have had so many flats this year.  All form stupid little thorns.  OK, now I can move on.)  Then we walked over to the Island Market and got a Frazil.  Came home and drank them while we watched TV. 

This is my Logan moment of the day.  We walked out of the Island Market and he wanted to cross the street to watch the water in the canal.  We started across the street, and some dogs that were out next door started running over barking.  Logan panicked right away.  I tried to get him to keep walking, but he just froze.  Soon, he jumping up on me with his drink in hand, and I was trying to get to the other side of the street.  The kid was crying and nearly hysterical.  The girl finally got the dogs back in the house, but it took a while before Logan would let me put him down.  They had to be in the house, not just on the other side of the street.  Then, we were a block from home and there was another dog out on the corner.  This dog is out all the time, so I was able to coax him past it on his own two feet.  Poor kid. 

Logan quote of the day.
"Dad, I  T-I-M-E you." 
(After listening to President Uchtdorf, who said, "Love is more often spelled T-I-M-E."  I was impressed that he heard something from conference.  And that it was funny.  Good kid.)

Elementary

*Day 302*

Another reason I'm glad I didn't teach elementary school.

It's the little details I wouldn't have done well with.  Like having little envelopes made and ready so that a student has a safe place to keep their tooth if they loose it at school.   Logan's friend was pointing at something and poked Logan in the mouth.  His tooth fell out.  It's the first one he's lost at school.  And, I was glad his teacher had something for him to put it in. 

Logan is planning on keeping the envelope.  He thought it was perfect that the tooth fairy took his tooth out of it, and put his money in it.