best of the day

March 29 - Took Nana back to the airport - not the best.  But, the two little girls and I stopped by a farm park on the way home.  They had a great time sliding and viewing the animals.  We would love to take the rest of the crew on another venture to the airport via the farm park.  We will miss Nana.  Kinda quiet and loud without her here.  We all will miss her entertaining during times of rioting.  Thanks so much to Nana for making the huge effort to come visit the house in the middle of nowhere.

best of the day

March 28 - Nana's last day here.  Ate at the bakery.  Nana went off the diet for the first time since being here.  She is an awesome warrior.  Had delightful savory tarts and chicken salad.  It was nice to have a lunch buddy.

Best of the Day

March 27 - Tired kids from track practice.  Does it get any better than that?

And, more pear crisp.

best of the day

March 26 - Ron's basketball games are over, so we had him home for dinner on a Monday night.  Yippee.  We grilled turkey burgers - one of my favorites and tried corn on the grill - not so much my favorite.  Had Kat's pear crisp for dessert.  We may be addicted.  Full on yumminess in a jar. 

best of the day

March 25 - When I tried to put Jill to bed, she reappeared and said, 

"I have a bad case of my eyes not wanting to close."

(Books can be so influential.)

best of the day

March 25 - Ron and I snuck away to Springfield while Nana watched the kids.  We discovered our favorite cupcakes in Missouri.  (We've tried a few)  Gigi's in Springfield are the best we have found.  I fell in love with the lemon poppyseed cupcake.  Delish.  Thanks, Nana, for watching the crazy people at home.  

I didn't have to worry for one minute.

best of the day

March 23 - Nana, the 4 oldest, and I went to Branson to see SIX.  The kids loved grabbing Freddy's before the show and all of us thought the show was fantastical.  If you ever come to see us, Kat, we are going to drag you there.  Six brothers sing accapella with all sound effects included.  

One Branson show down, a million more to go.

best of the day

March 21 - 

No Wednesday night activities due to spring break.  

So, we challenged the Wood's to a basketball game.  Lots of fun and free.  Would love to do it again.

The quilt shop is closing so everything is 50% off.  Nana and I went and got fabric for a couple of projects.   Somehow a few items came home just because they were beautiful. 

best of the day

March 20 - 

Sticky buns.  

By far the best of the day.  

The only thing better than one of the bakery's sticky buns is two.  

Especially fresh ones with lots of goo. 

best of the day

March 19 - We were listening to a storytelling cd in the car that Nana brought.  The best part was when Anna would repeat "whatever" whenever whatever was said.  Did that make sense?  Funny girl.

best of the day

March 18 - The talent show.  The kids put on a talent show for Nana with a wide variety of acts.  We had piano, juggling, jump rope, a puppet show, joke telling, a princess costume, and gymnastics.  All were fabulous.

best of the day

March 17 - Lucky Green Day.  Any pinches or yelping because of a misguided pinch?  We had some.  But, the best was a yarn maze that kept the kids busy for an hour this morning.  Nearly 2000 yards of rainbow yarn was strung and the kids found green gum at the end.  I wanted chocolate coins, but of course I couldn't find any at Walmart.

We had fun.  

Might do it again, much to Ron's chagrin.  We did leave Nana a clear path to the bathroom, 

but other than that the inside and outside of the house were fair game.

best of the day

March 16 - Just hung out with Nana.  Didn't have to wake Anna up for school drop-off or school pick-up.  It's amazing what a simple thing makes such a huge difference.

best of the day

March 15 - We got Nana today and that is the best! 

best of the day

March 14 - Today I am grateful for friends.  I was spray painting shutters getting ready for Nana's arrival, when I ran out of spray paint.  I begged Michele to grab me 2 more cans while she was at Walmart.  Oh, true friendship.  Happy day.  I didn't have to lug my two little people to the back of Walmart to secure the cans of paint.  I'll post pictures soon . . . maybe.

best of the day

March 12 - I really don't remember what we did today other than I had a relief society meeting.  Am I getting that old?  Oh, I remembered after I posted . . . the BYU game?  Yah, that was the best of the day.  I had almost given up, but the Cougs came roaring back.  Fun.  But, I wish they were really good.
It's way more fun when your team wins. 
Plus, after posting I realized I lived March 12th twice.  What is wrong with me?

Best of the day

March 12 - After a cold, rainy Sunday, the sun was out and the weather beautiful.  

I can feel spring in my bones.  The "pocorn" trees are in full bloom with a few light green leaves poking out. I love the early leaves, they own a green I never saw in the desert.  The robins are in the yard and Anna loves to watch the "birdies." Spring is most definitely my most favorite season in Missouri.  

It was so nice we decided to bbq and eat outside.  As we ate, the sun went down and the stars were bright.  

The kids were all happy and close.  All in all, it was a very good Missouri day.

best of the day

March 11 - Is it really already March 11?  Crazy.  Crazy is also the Jensen home on Sunday afternoons.  Finally, I remembered the kids needed to practice for the "talent" show they are presenting to Nana and that diverted their Sunday blues for a while.  Any Sunday ideas?  They are mighty long these days.

best of the day

March 10 - I got to go through Soho today.  Oh, yah. Two hours up, two hours back.  

And that's what makes for a happy Super Saturday.  

Cassidy Simpson, however, was hilarious on the way home.  The game is as follows.  

If she uses 5 phrases, such as:

My imaginary pet iguana, Bert . . .

Sister Jensen totally rocks

This morning I had tuna

in her talk next Sunday, there may be a monetary reward.  
Oh, what desperate lows we hit entertaining ourselves on the trip to SS.

best of the day

March 9 - Ron and the boys went on a campout with the scouts, so the younger four and I tried to live it up in WP. Whoop, whoop!!  We managed dinner, custard, card games, and cupcake wars.  Maggie was thrilled at dinner because she got chili and fruit and crackers and chips and hot chocolate.  Oh, spoiled central.  They had fun playing on the 3 by 3 lego table and with the grocery cart full of fake food.  Again, whoop, whoop!  As we watched some favorite shows, Mags wormed her way right next to me on the couch, loving that she was the oldest at home.  I quickly realized how much my kids actually do have to share.  In a house of 6 active, demanding kids, it seems to be difficult to get one on one time, especially with the older 4.  I definitely need to sneak them out of school for lunch more often.  Of course, they all, minus Anna, (she's not invited yet) converged on my room.  We had 3 across and one in a fort at the foot of the bed.  Whoop, whoop!  After settling Anna back down at 4:30 am, I went back to bed to find Maggie in my spot.  I nudged and pushed and shoved to get her back in the middle and climbed back into bed.  Immediately, she was back breathing my air.  I pushed and shoved and huffed until she said, "Can't I be by you at all?"  Definitely needing my own space, I most politely told her, "NO, you cannot."  Needless to say, I woke up with a crink in my neck and bags under my eyes, but it was a fun night minus the two boys and the dad.

Hair cuts

I had to go to church early last week, so Ron was in charge of bringing the bunch.  For some reason, when they arrived I saw my kids through a stranger's eyes.  I decided it was time for hair cuts.  So, off we went with bribes of suckers and smiles.  Thanks, Lacey for putting up with us.

science projects

Jill today

Jill.  Socks.  Silly.

blue eyes, wild hair

birthday picture

One more forgotten picture.

Homework with Jill

best of the day

March 8 - What a great night at Relief Society.  It was relaxed and uplifting to hear the sisters recall quotes and stories from "Daughters in my Kingdom."  Renee Cawvey told of moving to Missouri when she was 8.  At the time, there was not a ward in the area.  She and her family were part of the long process, building a ward that today has 200 active members.  She remembered meetings in various buildings through the years, especially one that was so cold that the sacrament water had frozen.  Inspiring.  Rhonda Lincicum recalled the tornado that destroyed her home and property.  They had to haul her porch away so she could get out of her front door.  Her experience taught her the value of priesthood and relief society working together, complimenting eachother.  

It really was a nice evening thanks to a book and sisters that have relief society in common.

 

best of the day

March 7 - The best of the day ended in a scream by Sam into his pillow.  I couldn't agree more.  

Science fair week will do it to you.

Pictures of projects will be posted when the boards make an unwelcome return later today.

best of the day

March 6 - Today we got back in the water.  The kids were a little rusty, but happy to be there.  (At least most of them.)  Anna wore a suit thanks to the older people.  Since she was in a suit, she could not resist the 

water . . .  like, way ready to hurl herself into the abyss.  The lifeguard came and offered her a life jacket and then there was no stopping her.  Wish I had my camera.  She was in heaven.  Giddy.  So cool.  

And utterly happy.
Oh, and Case got third in the spelling bee so off to districts he goes.  (It really helps to be chosen 11th out of 12th for spelling order.  Especially in 1st grade)

best of the day

March 5 - Trying hard to think of the best of the day because it wasn't the best day.  For no reason, things just did not click today.  I felt very much like a mom of small children today.  I sometimes forget that I am.

Jill threw a baziillion fits everywhere we went = many embarrassing moments
3 hours sitting at gym with Anna = exhausting. 
Miss Veda gone = Zach and Mag not working so hard = waste of my time. 
Ron gone close to 14 hours = angry tiger mama. 
All the kids acting like they have spring fever = bouncing off the walls
Tired mom = 7:30 bedtime for everyone
4 science fair projects = frustration

So, it was just one of those days that makes me grateful that I don't have many of those days. 

best of the day

February 4 - Jill has had a hard time going to primary since the year started.  It all boiled up last week when she was brought, kicking and screaming, to me in RS.  I worried about what this week would bring.  But, I was pleasantly surprised.  She went right in, sat down, and told me that primary was thumbs up.  

Hopefully, we can replicate it again next week.

best of the day

February 3 - Ron and I made a quick late night trip to Cabool to our favorite sourthern Missouri food stop, El Imperial.  It was one of the best batches of salsa ever.  Most definitely worth the trip.

best of the day

March 2 - No more birds today.  The weather was crazy so maybe they flew away to a more gentle land. 

Jill has strep throat so we had a day in.  We watched a few shows, did puzzles, played the ipod, drank lots of juice, and even took a nap.  It actually was a nice change of pace.  The kids came home from school and continued to play school, pop two brand new balls, and try to fly Zach's kite he earned at school.  I told him it was much too windy for such a thing, but I have learned by now that my kids know way more than I do.

best of the day

March 1 - (The birds were back today.  Ron said that as he drove out of our neighborhood, the birds could be seen till the car hit the pavement.  That's a half-mile of birds.  Wonder what they are looking for.  

Could it be six small children?)

Anna is 2!!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

  We can't believe it.  Two years have gone by soooo quickly.  But, the transformation is amazing.  Anna is now talking, walking, running, jumping, shouting, pouting, laughing, playing, singing, loving, and all other things 2.

Here are 2 things that I really like about you:

1.  You love to play and do anything with the older people in our house.  You love to play house with Jill, you love to imitate Maggie, you love Casey to be your "babysitter", you love to give Zach loves, and you feel quite secure in Sam's arms.  It is fun to see a family rally around the youngest in the family and (I know from experience) it is always fun to be the one that gets such love and attention.

2.  I love your loves.  You are fantastically sweet and your hugs melt my heart.

You are an amazing baby with so much personality.  Once someone gains your trust, you will love them for always.  We love you tons and can't imagine our home without you.

(The cake was a slight disaster.  One layer crumbled, so instead of 4 layers, we had 3.  The frosting was interrupted with a unexpected trip to urgent care, and it had to be finished hastily with a ballgame starting and the missionaries joining us for dinner.  But, it still did the job and sure was a great day to celebrate a very awesome girl.)

best of the day

Happy Leap Day.  Happy Birthday to Will.  

My kids think it is awfully funny that Will is finally one. 

Walmart.  Not the best, but a story.  Needed hot glue sticks.   Went to Walmart.  

Bought 45 dollars worth of who knows what.  Got home.  NO glue sticks.  Frustrating. 

Oh.  The birds were back again today.  With more friends.  Getting creepier. 

Now for the best.  The park with Michele and Ashby.  No food.  Kids don't eat at the park.  Finally, I get it.  Beautiful day.  Lots of rides on the frog.  Lots of rides on the "chickmunk".  Lots of rides on both horses.  Wet from tornadoish storms.  Pouting lips.  Muddy feet for Anna.  Giggles.  Sliding into leftover puddles.  Fights over the red baby swing.  Lots of driving the firebus.  And, lots of posing by Jill.