Clark Clan Chaos

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Homework Diversions...

Hayden decided that he wanted to do his homework under a laundry basket the other day, and so of course, Ana had to, too...

Hey, if they get their homework done under there, why stop them?!?

We got to watch our friends kids for a couple days while they went on a quick trip. It was super fun for my kids to have a "sleepover", a rarity at our house. It was such a blast, the only chaotic part was trying to feed 8 hungry kids at one time. I'm really not sure how my Mom fed 11 kids EVERY day!

We went to a playland at a mall. How?? You may be asking... it had only one exit, so I could keep them all contained...

The mall also had a giant sandbox, Sophie and Lucy were in heaven...

Thanks for the fun time, guys! My kids already miss you...

Cupboard Scavenging...

We got some chocolate chips, we got some sprinkles, and what else...? I guess bananas will work. And that is how our afternoon snack evolved. Not bad for a quick, sweet treat...

And don't forget to lick the bowl... literally.

April 2011...

So I sort of forget to post about all the happenings in April. So I'm inserting these pictures in here so that we can document that we did celebrate Easter and Rob's birthday (Love you Honey!)...

The kids made Rob breakfast in bed. An apple, a plain bagel, and chocolate covered pretzels. It doesn't get sweeter than that...

For his birthday, Rob wanted to have a "guys night". So one of his friends brought over his poker table and they played and laughed until who knows when...

Happy Birthday Robbie!

Super-Sized Noogie...

Hayden's latest garage sale find led to the funniest family moment in a long time. Hayden and Rob are always giving each other "I love you" noogies. It's actually really cute, you can always tell when Hayden is really happy because he will give his dad a gentle noogie and say "I love you, Dad." Well, this is what I turned around to see when I heard Hayden say "I really love you, Dad" the other day....

And then Hayden laughed and laughed... and so did we.

Turning 8...

So we are a little behind on posting, but better late than never, right? That's just kind of the way we roll...

Hayden turned 8 this year, and so you know what that means... he got to decide if he wanted to be baptized as a member of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I always just assumed that he would want to, and never asked him straight out until a couple of weeks before his birthday.

Me: "So Hayden, I never actually asked you this, but do you want to get baptized?"
Hayden: (apparently very offended that I had to ask) "Of course, yes!"
Me: "Sorry, just makin' sure."

So... he got baptized on March 5th, 2011 at 4pm, by his Dad. It was a wonderful, (but emotional) day. It is hard to believe that our sweet little (I guess not so little) Hayden-boy is old enough to decide what he believes. I'm so proud of the choices that he makes, he has great faith, and isn't afraid to show or share it...
(Please overlook the quality of these pics, never fails that something will get messed up with the pictures of important events)...

Both sets of his grandparents were able to make the trip out for his special day (Woohoo!), along with a few other aunts, uncles and cousins...

It never ceases to amaze me how we can never get a good family picture at important events...

...Seriously, what was Ana doing? Oh well, we'll have a good laugh over them in a few years. Those are the kind of pictures that you remember anyway, the funny ones.

It was a great day, sorry it took me so long to share it...

We also went to the new Real Pirates exhibit at the DMNS while everyone was here. The kids loved it...

Punkin Boink...

What is this?? (I'm sure you are asking yourself.) Well... Sophie has developed a strong (OK, strong is an understatement) attachment to this little piece of plastic, and has lovingly dubbed it her Punkin Boink. Ana got it as a prize from the Kindergarten treasure box a couple of months ago and it has been in Sophie's little fists ever since. She's very protective of the little thing. So I'll warn you now, if you're ever around Sophie, don't even think about swiping her PUNKIN BOINK!!

I just had to document this little craze that Sohpie has so that we wouldn't forget it once the Punkin Boink is lost or forgotten. Love you Soph... and your Punkin Boink.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Pinewood Derby...

Hayden participated in his very first Cub Scout Pinewood Derby this year. I'm not sure who was more excited about it, Hayden or Rob? They spent weeks fashioning the fastest, coolest car that they could dream up. It was some great quality time for the both of them..

Waiting for the checkered flag...

The Cheetah on the starting line...

Hayden was super proud of his car, it won more races than it lost. Way to go Hayden!!

The whole troop...

What an awesome and fun bonding experience for fathers and sons. I love Cub Scouts!

Daddy Daughter Dance...

It was Ana's very first Daddy daughter dance at school. It was a western theme, so these two cow pokes gussied up in their best get ups and headed out for the night...

They had a rootin' tootin' time, Ana's favorite part was learning the "chicken dance".

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Trap Has Been Set...

Ana has been begging me for days to help her build a leprechaun trap, so today was the day, the final chance to get it done before they arrive. And she was so cute about it. She didn't want it to be just any trap, it had to be "tricky". So we thought and we searched,and finally came up with one that she was sure would catch her a little green man. So this is how it went down...
We created the bait, gold of course...

Added an obstacle, because she only wants to catch an adventuresome one...

Embellished with a rainbow, because we all know that leprechauns can't resist a rainbow...

We set the trap! That little bugger better tread lightly, or he'll be Ana's for sure...

And here is the finished product, a highly sophisticated rock climbing wall, trap door snare. Sure to catch even the most clever little 'chaun...

Good luck, Ana!!
.............................................................................................
The next day:
So, the leprechauns were a lot trickier and smarter than Ana anticipated. They ripped every rock off her climbing wall, and swiped every last piece of gold without falling through the trap door. Oh well, she's already planning a more sophisticated trap for next year.

They did leave a few things behind though. Leprechauns have a really soft spot for cute kids, and can't take off without leaving them some souvenirs...