Boxes

We have played in boxes ALL week long.  First the kids were box children and the boxes were completely unchanged other than the fact that I could see little toes maneuvering the boxes around.  Then they became robot as Ace cut little peephole for eyes.  Then they became box robots with arms (Ace cut them arms out, which I might add I was rather afraid that the kids might fall and break an arm, but it didn't happen). 

Last of all after watching How to Train Your Dragon, they became Dragons.  They cut out cardboard wings, and we spray painted them.  We only had red spray paint which they were highly disappointed with as they were trying to be "night fury's."  Anyway they loved it.  Only bad part was I think Denim really wanted to fly.  She finally decided rather than being the dragon she needed to simply sit on him to make him go. (didn't work.)  Then she told me, "Mom, next time we go to town can we buy a real robot and I will just put him in my dragon and then he will fly."  I said sure.  Don't crush the dreams, life will do that on it's own.

 Blazen has been a big helper to dad lately.  He loves going to help Ace, and he is big enough now to take care of himself with dad.  This week he went for almost a whole day to help Ace.  He was so excited in the morning he got all his cowboy working clothes on.  I went to put his straw cowboy hat on and he REFUSED.  He said, "No mom, I need my black one, like DAD!"  He also had to have a scarf.  Then he was digging in his piggy bank and searching the house over for change.  I asked him what he was doing and he replied, "I got to get this money to buy the bull for dad.  We are going to buy a bull today."  Apparently Ace had mentioned they might go buy a bull.  He hadn't forgotten and was getting prepared.  It was all he could talk about for an hour in the morning.  He was a worn out little cowboy in the evening when they got home.  He didn't want to go the next day when his dad asked.

I just love these little piggies.  They won't be little forever and when asked why in the world was I taking a picture of my children's feet, I replied, "Because I want to remember what they looked like.

We went with Ace to fix a well.  It was super windy so we took Kites along.  Denim's kite was a total Dud.  Do not buy the ladybug kite from Wal-Mart fyi.  Blazen's did pretty good.  Darlin was scared of it for awhile.  And Blazen pretended like it was a Night Fury and we had to hide behind the weed and RUN FOR OUR LIVES.

 Living in the moment:

*We have been reading Hank the Cowdog this week and the kids have really been enjoying Hank.

*Blazen has been being a man's man this week.  He likes to play tough with Denim for about 2 seconds because he like to play with her.  He told her, "Denim, I got these cool games but no girls can use them.....(next breath)...Do you want to play your my mom?"

*Blazen found a caterpiller outside of church and brought his "little buddy" in to be a part of primary.  The caterpillar got to be preached to by Denim, watch a Moses video, eat carmel corn, ect.  Blazen told me on the way home, "Mom I stepped on my caterpillar at church, but he is still alive"  For how long the poor guy will live I can't say.  Then when we got home he informed me that he wanted to be naked like his caterpillar.  Mom didn't go for that one.

*After church as we were eating dinner together Blazen started belting singing a song. (Which I might add surprised the heebeejeebees out of me because he has told me on a number of occasions that he dislikes to sing)  Anyway this is the song, sung to the tune of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reign Deer...

"Jesus is our Savior.  He died on the cross and if we are bad we will go to hell"

Hey, he is learning something at church, even if it is to Rudolf.

Salt block

 We helped Ace out one day by going and putting liquid feed out at one tank.  It was really a pretty easy job since it was just one tank, but we sure took a LONG time doing it because obviously we had to play a little.  Blazen wasn't too impressed with the smell or look of the liquid feed.  Good thing he is not a cow.

It is also a very good thing that there is a nice FULL tank of water to wash my hands in after dealing with the liquid feed.

Denim just loves to spin her little sister around and around.  Darlin puts up with it, Hmmmmm, not terribly well.  

Now they are buds though, because Denim is doing what Darlin wants her to.

Here is a highly used cow salt block.

Here is Darlin looking at something indeed very interesting.

Here is Blazen licking the COW salt block just like a cow.  (We obviously sanitized it before the picture with hand sanitizer if you were wondering.)

He apparently did not get enough, so he now proceeds to break himself a small large piece off, to eat on the way home.

On the way home just after we went through the gate down at long lake Blazen says to me, "Mom, I should have listened to you mom, I really should have listened to you mom and not ate that salt."  After which he barfed all over the truck and me and Darlin.  Denim then started gagging unrolled the window, and we had to freeze to death the rest of the way home because Denim had to keep her head WAY out.
LOVING THAT MOMENT!

Living in the moment:

*Blazen......"Mom when I grow up, my house is going to be just in your backyard so you can come and snuggle me every night."  Talk about totally melt my heart; I just don't know what his wife will think of that one.

*Darlin......Darlin normally loves baths.  So one evening I started running the bath water and then proceeded to undress her.  She started fighting me like crazy.  First it was a struggle just to get the socks off, then the pants, and by the time I tried to get to the shirt she was doing major backflops and screaming bloody murder.  I literally could not get her shirt off.  I got two arms out, then she grabbed her shirt ducked her head and that was it.  I finally said,"Darlin, you love your bath; you have to take your clothes off to get it."  Only a big defiant LOUD scream.  "Darlin, you don't have to take a bath if you don't want to."  A sudden giggle.  "Is that it, you don't want a bath.....ok.....you don't have to take a bath.  Do you want to put your jammies on?"   More giggles.  "Alright then, let's go."  All of the screaming had stopped at this point.  I opened the bathroom door.  Darlin walked over to her jammie drawer, pulled out a pair of jammies, sat on them, and proceeded to take her shirt off her head.  I was amazed.  She just didn't want a bath.  She then HELPED me get her shirt off, put her jammies on and she fell asleep about 5 minutes later.  Wow, she just wanted to communicate!  This girl needs me to do sign language with her.  I think I am going to start.  It sure used to help Denim.

*Denim......Denim just loves Nutella.  She asks for it every morning, but obviously I am not in the mood to make crepes EVERY morning.  This week we were having ice cream for dessert and I asked what flavor everyone wanted.  Denim said, "I want Nuvella." (meaning Vanilla......just a little part of the Nutella came out......on the brain.)

Zoo

We all went up to Albuquerque together because Papa had his lung drained and we wanted to be with him.  

During the surgery I got to take the kids to the zoo.  Ike's Grandma Sharon and Papi came with me to help.

We took a picnic lunch.  The kids ate and ate; they were starving.  We walked all over and it was a warm day, so we really needed the break.  

The kids favorite was the seals and sea lions.

Papi rode the train with the kids while I stayed with Darlin asleep in the stroller.

While in Albuquerque we got to go and watch Ike play T-ball.  Go Ike, GO!!!!

 

Dance Recital

This week I have been totally swamped with Denim's dance recital.  We had practice Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  On Wednesday evening was the dance recital.  It turned out super-duper cute.  Ace watched the kids for the day so that I could go in and decorate.  We worked really hard with all the decorating and it turned out pretty good.  We did helium balloons with candy bags for all the girls afterwards.

Denim Bleu, my little ballerina.

We had a ton of fun.  This year we taught two groups.  K-2nd & 3rd-5th. 

I taught the younger group along with Kristan Carver.  

They did a dance to One Eye, One horn, Flying Purple People Eater.

LtoR.  Me, Cassara, Brandy Lynn, Nazhoni, Jintry, & Kristan.  Bottom.  Taylor, Alea, Denim, Marie.

The older group was taught by a good friend of mine, Krystle Creley, with the help of Rebecca Carver.  They were super cute.  They did a dance to

Krystle, Madeline, Kalai, McKenzie, Rebecca.  middle. Cody Rose, Rain, Elizabeth. Bottom. Janely.

We did a little stunt for the preschoolers.  They did The Wheels on the Bus.  Crystle made these awesome buses.  This was Blazen's group.

Blazen is totally cheesy here.  As you can tell we practiced at home.

Denim did so awesome, she was fun to watch because she really gets into it.  Her favorite dance was the macarena.  Each group had their own special routine.  During the dance season I taught them some fun routines during our dance warm-up.  We performed these routines all together for the crowd.
They learned....Electric Slide, Macarena, Peanut Butter Jelly Jam, Birdie Dance, and Bunney Hop.  They all did so good.  It is fun to see these kids get to do this and learn how to have fun dancing. 

Denim got flowers from Granny. 

Denim made a really good friend during dance that is home-schooled too, Marie.

These are the ladies that helped me coach along with my old co-coach, Candise, and a mother.  Thanks so much ladies for all of your help!

LtoR. Me, Rebecca, Rae Dean, Krystle, Candise, Kristan.

We don't like to have fun as you can tell.  We did a cheesy routine to Stayin Alive.

We got a really good crowd this year, we filled the gym.  We also did cookies and punch after and sold pictures and DVD's of the show.  It was AWESOME!!!!  It was so cool to see those girls perform and to see Denim get to participate with girls her age.  It was so worth it.  It was just enough not to burn me out, but to be excited for next year.

A big thanks to Sarah and Ace for watching Darlin.

Basketball State

 The Quemado Boys Basketball Team made it to State so we went up and watched the final Championship Game.  They WON!  This is Quemado's 1st state championship title in basketball. 

We had a fun time cheering for the boys and visiting with fellow fans.  Ike, Nacona, Grannie and Papa went with us.

We especially loved the slushies.

 Papa, Darlin, Me, Ike, Nacona, Denim and Grannie outside the Pit.  Ace was pulling up the truck.

WAY TO GO EAGLES!!!!

Goat

 I am ready to milk a goat again as I am fixing to wean Darlin and I would like to wean her to goat's milk.  So I have been on the lookout for a good milking goat.  I am selling my others because I didn't breed them last fall so they won't be in milk this spring.  Anyway I found a goat Dairy by Albuquerque that has really good milking goats.  It was fun to talk with them.  I ended up buying a Sable because supposedly their milk is the most  mild in flavor and they are heavy milkers.  The goat I bought is 2 and due in April.  She gave a gallon a day last year, so I am pretty excited.  There is only one problem........She is the ugliest goat I have ever seen. 
I told the kids that she was ugly and Denim was totally offended and thought I hurt our goats feelings.  Her name is Bitsy......so when Denim saw her she petted her and called her beautiful.   So now the new name for our goat is BITSY THE BEAUTIFUL!  ha ha ha.

Here is Bitsy the Beautiful.

This is the other reason that I chose this goat.  She had really big teats, which makes it MUCH easier to milk by hand.  You know what I mean if you, like me, have attempted to milk a goat with little tiny ones.  HUGE PAIN IN THE BUTT!

Bitsy the Beautiful was bottle fed  as a baby and is SUPER friendly.  Actually she thinks that she is one of the kids.  She lets Darlin jerk her hair and she plays with the kids.  They LOVE her.

Darlin wore her first set of pigtails this week.  CUTE!

 The kids played with their miniature bunnies(of which didn't last the rest of the week.)

The END.

Cowboy & Compromise

On Cowboys:

Blazen Trails......"Mom, I am a REAL cowboy like dad, do you want to know what REAL cowboys do?"
Me, "Yes, what is that?"
Blazen, "Real cowboys get up in the morning and get dressed.  Then they go outside and work real hard for the girls  ALL day.  Then they go to the basketball games.  They go to church on church day.  They say their prayers EVERY night.  They work very hard, just like dad.  That's what real cowboys do."
Me, "That's awesome, Blazen, you are a real cowboy."


On Dreams:

Blazen woke up and told me he had had a bad dream, so I asked him what it was about.

Blazen..... "My bad dream was about Indians and they were mean.  They were chasing the little cowboy."

Later we confirmed that the little cowboy's name was Blazen Trails.


 On Teasing:

Blazen was totally distraught and came up to Ace with a little cut.

Ace......"Blazen I can fix that little cut for you."
Blazen immediatly stopped crying and with big eyes looked up and asked his dad how.
Ace...."I will just take out my knife and cut off your whole finger, then the cut will be gone."
Blazen with a horrified look said, "DAD, Then I would have a BIG cut."


On Compromise:

Denim is really good at getting her way since she has more of a command of language than Blazen right now and can pretty much talk him into whatever.  But lately Blazen hasn't been going for her ideas which has made an interesting situation in our home.   One evening Denim wanted a certain movie, but Blazen wanted something else.  When the children are "compromising" in front of us we make sure that it is all fair (meaning that Denim isn't Blackmailing Blazen with threats and what not).  So just into the compromising Denim said, "Blazen how about we go talk about this in our room and then we will decide."  Ace and I about died laughing.  Denim was needing to take her "compromising" to another notch.  Ace ended up listening to the conversation and it went something like this.

Denim, "Blazen, your show is long and my show is short.  We only have a little bit of time to watch it and if we watch the long movie then we will cry when mom and dad turn it off.  You will cry won't you.
Blazen, "Yes."
Denim, "Well if you cry then we will both get a butt whoopin (spankin).  Do you want a butt whoopin?"
Blazen, "No."
Denim, "Well I don't want a butt whoopin either, so I think we should watch the short movie so we won't cry."
Blazen wasn't convinced for a while, but finally she gave him enough reasons that he gave in to her movie.

On chickens:

The kids came in from the yard very excited to show me something ultra special.  I went out and guess what the extra special event was......

They had buried one of my chickens in the sand.  It just so happened to be the fluffy head chicken and they left the head out so the chicken was balking and bobbing it's head up and down, it's whole body buried.  I was ecstatic as you might guess.  Actually the sight was pretty funny and the chicken lived.

Ike's Birthday

Ike Cutter Cline turned 5 years old this week. 

 

We went to his birthday party over the weekend and the kids had an absolute blast.   Brandy Lynn and Levi Chavez also came.  Nacona had some really great games planned for them, and they did a Toy Story theme.

Everyone really enjoyed the Limbo game.  Grannie even took a turn.

 They played pin the star on the sheriff.  Super cute rendition. 

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!   The cake was super cute, it was made of cupcakes.

It was such a lovely day that the kids stayed outside most of the time.  After the presents and cake they played in the sandpile.  These pictures totally cracked me up because I realized that they were digging holes to bury the puppy in.  p.s. Papa got a new puppy.

It looks like the best part of Ike's birthday party was getting to play bulls with his dad. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IKE!