Junior Jazzers, Hair Nets and Storage Bins

We're not talking basketball here, though that would be fun too. We put on some good ol' jazz music and the kids got musical! I highly recommend it! Drums, piano, recorder, pots, guitars, pans, wooden spoons, whatever you've got, pull it out! Arianna would have played all day! Massimo just couldn't get enough of the drums, and Enzo really took his music seriously!
I would also recommend a trip to the Sweet's Candy Factory for a little tour if you haven't been yet. Mostly because the tour comes with this fashionable blue hair net (and LOTS of candy samples)! Be forewarned that you can take NOTHING in with you(except an epi-pen and Benadryl, just in case you have a reaction to the nut dust in the air). Not a toy for you little ones, not a stroller (though you can use some of their's), not a healthy baby snack to keep little ones entertained, nothing. That is part of their scheme, I think. They want us all to become addicted to candy, candy, candy and they know that the earlier they can get people hooked, the longer they will be begging their parents for SUGAR! Thus you see that Massimo got his first taste of candy (unless Grandma slipped him some when I wasn't looking...possible, but unlikely). It was the only way to keep him calm and content through the 30 minute tour. Every time we passed a candy machine they offered a sample of what was being made, YUM! It was a fun time, really.

And if you're children are looking for some excitement, get organizing! I think my kids would rather I buy endless storage bins than any single toy. They ALL had fun climbing in and out of these things and dragging each other around the house in them too. Ahhh, to be a kid again! Marco wanted a ride too, I just didn't buy a storage bin big enough...next time, next time.

Snowy, Blowy Winter

We have been waiting a long, long time for some snow to fall from the sky! Arianna found a recipe for a snow treat at the back of a winter library book and has been dying to try it out ever since. The old snow that hung around for a month just wasn't going to cut it! They enjoyed gathering the snow almost as much as eating it, I think. Super simple and lots of fun! Enjoy if you dare!

Snowy, Blowy Ice Cream
4 c fresh, clean snow
½ c Whole milk (or ½ and ½ )
¼ c sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

In a glass measuring cup, mix milk, sugar and vanilla until the sugar has dissolved. Gather 4 cups of FRESH snow and put it in a mixing bowl. Then, pour the milk mixture over the snow and mix well with a spoon, about 2 minutes. You can even add your own toppings, like chocolate syrup, sprinkles, or a cherry.

Makes 2 heaping, delicious servings or 4 kid-size portions.

Our Ogden Hideaway

Marco had a killer week (um,or month or quarter) at work. It was time to steel him away, and the rest of us too! Park City was booked w/ Sundance Film Festival, St. George was a bit too much driving for an exhausted husband and so Ogden it was. The kids LOVED every minute of it! Marco and I loved being away from work and responsibility and just having fun! First was a stop at the old Union Station.
The kids became engineers at the Train museum.

We ate at a couple of really tasty joints there; lunch was at Karen's cafe and then we were off to the Dinosaur park.
The kids weren't quite sure if these dinos were going to eat them or not, so here they roared fierce to fend them off!They kept moving so the cold never got to them.In fact, they moved so fast Marco and I had to abandon any hopes of actually reading up and learning anything about these ancient lizards. Oh well!After they had all they could take of dinosaurs it was off to swimming and then dinner and then they were all exhausted and fell right into bed! The next morning we hit the Hill Air Force Museum which was arguably Enzo's 'most favoritest' experience EVER! He is enamored with planes and rockets and helicopters and he literally ran from one exhibit to the next. We will definitely return!

Super Heroine and Super Dads

Arianna has long wanted to be a superhero (Batman, Spiderman, Superman; she had the next 5 years of Halloweens planned out!). I finally put a makeshift costume together for her. She wouldn't take it off, not all day!
And Enzo is a VERY good little Daddy, he gets a good amount of practice and I love how gentle and caring he can be.
He has an AWESOME role model to follow which always helps!
Happy Birthday to all our guys!

The kids love it when they get a chance to bathe in mom and dad's tub, so we filled 'er up and turned on the bubbles! Enzo was a bit frightened at first but really got to liking it!
Massimo is eating up all sorts of things...just not anything that comes from a cow or an egg (serious allergic rxn!). He seems to enjoy it though, what he CAN eat. As for baths, I think he prefers the smaller tub...seems pretty content in there! If there is water running, it is next to impossible to keep the Mass-man out of it!
My new year crew!

I love the look on his face here! He is such a calm and peaceful little soul. So sweet!