who invited her?

We have been visiting with a creepy and disgusting guest this morning!

Getting to know about her, this is what we've discovered:

*she's a beautiful color black

*she's got a very distinct red hour-glass shaped tattoo on her belly

*she's a carnivore

*her table manners are revolting!

*she's an artist

*she's considered to be the most venomous species in all of North America

*her latin name is Latrodectus hesperus

*her venom is 15 TIMES stronger than a rattlesnake bite

*if she bites (usually out of self defense) it can be fatal to my young children

*I'm absolutely, postively terrified of her!

Yes, she's a.....

BLACK WIDOW SPIDER


I never considered myself afraid of spiders, certainly because they're common enough. But, Ryan had only seen one of them and this is the first time I've seen one. It was on the house right by the front door and I just happened to glance at it and called Ryan's attention to it. He caught it and showed Dawson, and then I put covered the glass with tape so she can't escape. Ryan was so cute, he explained to Dawson what to look for and how dangerous the spider can be.

You know when you have a tickle on your leg and you jump three feet in the air because of it since you're so paranoid now? That's how I'm acting! I can't stop shuddering, it's just too creepy. Ewwwwwwww! Arachnids!

As soon as Ryanna sees the spider and learn of it's capabilities and what it looks like, Mrs. Black Widow is getting a First Class trip down the Porcelain Waterslide! Bon Voyage.

ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages...

No animals were harmed in the making of this post.

Cole and Bryce were here earlier this week and when we were outside, we pretended that we were the acts at the zoo:

We saw Jedi Knights

We saw cute little froggies

We saw funny crabs

We saw a cute, giggly penguin

The acrobats were amazing! These are the tumblers

Then we saw a slithery silly snake

The actobats on the highwire

These are the scary bears! (they're so cute)

There was a shark, but then he got camera shy

The Animal Curtain Call

They were tired after a hard performance

raining on her parade

Ryanna was disgusted to learn that it was a dreary day for her first day of school! She's gone all day long! Need I say more?! This morning she was giving me "tips" how to make her lunch better and more healthy. She says, "I need a snack, some applesauce, chocolate milk or water, and a sandwhich." She's just got this all figured out, doesn't she?

Dawson was sad to see her go out the door, as they've been buddies all day every day. I'll just play Star Wars with him and he'll forget that he's sad.

Who knew that it could be in the low 50's in summer? I had to break out the fall clothing, long sleeves. It's still summer!

so that's where you got your tattoo

These awesome pictures don't do justice! As a family service project when we were all in Utah earlier this month, we painted my sister Aimee's classroom. She's teaching at a charter school and has the coolest classroom ever! The room itself is HUGE, so there was plenty of room to create a solar system.

See that big Orange planet? Heck yeah, those are MY paiting skills. Ryan painted one of the Green planets. We all did the blue and by the time it was over, I was speckled and spotted. At one point, I leaned up against Aimee's desk with my leg.

I was left with a giant blue blur in the shape of a tornado right above my left ankle.

I didn't think anything of it until Rexburg when I was asked more than once what shape my tattoo was! I couldn't control my giggles as I tried to explain that it was paint! I honestly tried to wash it off whenever I showered, but it was stubborn and didn't come off my skin for a couple weeks!

first-grade shortie pants

I can't believe that I have a first grader! Tonight we visited her classroom and met her teacher. Ryanna was so excited as she went around the classroom and found her nametag on a desk. She got her supplies all organized in her desk.

(Offically, though, school starts on Wednesday. We can't WAIT!)

She's so teeny, she easily fit inside of her locker! I didn't even get these size lockers in high school! No wonder her nick name is "short stuff." What a cute girl!

One of her friends from her kindergarten class. They are so grown up!

Cute first graders!

don't cry over spilled milk, toys and chips

SORRY for the blurry pictures, but I was in a hurry to take them! Honestly, who would have thought that such a sweet little face could produce such gigantic messes?!

In TEN MINUTES time he had spilled his milk, played in his spilled yogurt, and dumped out half a bag of tortilla chips. He then proceeded to play in aforementioned yogurt, slopping and throwing it everywhere.


Another afternoon, we were walking out the door to go to the swimpark and as I was getting the other two ready, I walk into the kitchen to see this:

He found a blueberry-scented marker! He took turns smelling it and then eating it. The marker took two weeks to rub off, as it was not a washable one! (just my luck) It was funny to have other parents smile or laugh with me about it. The messy joy of parenthood!

I also caught the kids throwing toys around the room and quickly blaming their baby brother! It was funny, I honestly think that Carter had some help from his older siblings.... It has since been cleaned up and has stayed tidy.

small portions of pun'kin

I love ANYTHING pumpkin! I will eat it, wear it, wash with it...anything! My friend, Kari, told me about her delicious recipe for these awesomely simple cookies and I have to say, they're quite scruptious. Ryanna ate one and said, "This cookie rocks!"

Recipe:

-One Spice Cake mix

-One 15-oz can pumpkin
(it was a little sticky, so I added a few tablespoons flour to help it bulk up a little)
-Mix and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes (watch so you don't UNDERbake. They're hard to OVERbake)

You can add some chocolate chips and have a hint of chocolate, or leave the batter plain and add cream cheese frosting. Enjoy! Thanks Kari!!