Jingle Mouse Day 6...and other business

Day 6 and little Jingle Mouse is tired of us not decorating, so he's stepping in and doing it himself. I know this will make the kids giggle!

In other business...do you like the new blog look? I had loads of fun trying out different templates tonight, trying to make it look Christmasy (is that a real word?), but still simple. I like it. Speaking of blogs and simple...I'd just like to say that I friggin LOVE the blogger app and can not believe that it never occurred to me to look for it sooner. Doh!

In other news, Lizbet is still refusing to eat solid food. So, for all those who have been wondering and worrying...here is what she gets each day. She gets 20 oz of whole milk. (2 sippy cups full)I try to get her to let me put Carnation Instant Breakfast in one of them for more nutrients, but even if she wont let me  she's at least getting her daily serving of protein and fat in. The only thing she really wants is fruit punch. So, she is getting fruit punch that is mixed with V8 Fusion light. That gives her fruit and veggie servings. She also gets some gatorade that has a dose of vitamin drops with iron. This is all she consumes. She lost almost 3 pounds at first and was very close to going under the 30 pound mark, but now that I've got the whole milk worked in, her weight is steady. She behaves normally and all of her, er, bodily functions, are normal. She just refuses to eat...even CHOCOLATE!!!! She says, "I'm not hungry." I say, "Yes, you are!"and she says, "I'll get a hairball!" ...translation...she had absolutely convinced herself that if she eats food, she will throw up...something that is so unpleasant a thought that she (and her iron will) will not let any food pass her lips! We are waiting it out, presenting her with lots of food options. If she starts complaining of any types of unusual pains, we will take her in again, but for now, it's a battle of the wills. (and she's winning!)

She's stubborn, but cute! (like our snowman fridge?)

In other other news, I have about 70% of my Christmas shopping done. I need to step up my sewing projects and also get some baking done...and probably should drag out the decorations. We are getting our tree on Saturday. That is when the real decorating extravaganza will begin! Also, our Ward Christmas dinner party is this Friday. We are so excited for it! We super duper love our ward. We are bringing salad, rolls and lemon bars. The kids can't wait to see Santa. (side note there...even though Joseph knows the truth this year...he's been awesome at pretending for the little kids)
Anyway...happy Wednesday everyone! I'm gonna go read a book and sip some peppermint hot cocoa.

Jingle Mouse Day 5

First of all, the foam tree kit that Jingle left last night was a huge hit. Travis had to work tonight, but we had fhe without him. We talked about free agency...not the topic that I had planned, but the topic that the kids had questions about. I tied it into how we use our agency to choose to behave so that Jingle gives a good report about us. Then, we broke out the kit and all sat on the floor and decorated the little tree. After it was finished and a picture was sent to daddy, we watched Twas the Night Before Christmas (which, coincidentally is about a mouse that uses his agency to make poor choices..or as our kids say, CTW...choose the wrong!) We had hot chocolate as we watched the movie. So, in the end, we had a great night together and we really appreciate Jingle's gift.

Now, on to todays Jingle Mouse activity. Our favorite Christmas story/movie is A Christmas Carol. Travis and I especially love the George C. Scott version. I was so happy when Disney made the animated version with Jim Carrey, because it follows the classic story almost to the word, but is animated...which captures the attention of our children much more than Mr. Scott's version. (off on a little tangent here, but...last year, we even did a venn diagram comparing Mr. Scrooge and the Grinch...so interesting what they came up with)
ANYWAY! Back to Jingle! I thought it would be fun if I made it look like he had watched A Christmas Carol, so I put the dvd in the player, gave him the remote with the empty case, and made him some popcorn. I'm pretty sure that the kids will want to watch that movie tomorrow because Jingle did. I hope they do...cause I wanna see it.

Jingle Mouse Day 4

Today Jingle kick started our Christmas decorating by pulling out the new tinsel and leaving a foam tree kit for the kids to build. I can't believe the difference in their behavior the past few days since Jingle has arrived! The best part so far for me is...they have all thought that the new places and things that Jingle has been doing are all awesome!

Jingle Mouse Day 3...and a Discovery!

Tonight I discovered....the Google blogger app! My blog will never be the same!

Here is Sunday's Jingle picture. (since it's technically Sunday now at 12:02am) He is wearing a tie and reading the scriptures. What a good little church mouse/Santa scout!

Jingle Mouse day 2

Day 1 was a big success! Elizabeth touched Jingle, which sent Connor into a tearful tailspin for fear of Jingle losing his magic...but...we had him reread the book and told him since Lizbet was little and didn't fully understand, we would probably be given a second chance.

This morning we found Jingle on top of the fridge, reading purple Yoshi a story. Purple Yoshi is Elizabeths reward...if she ever eats solid food again. (whole nother blog post there) Jingle was nice enough to keep poor Yoshi company. Connor was thrilled and behavior has greatly improved since Jingle came to our house.

Introducing Jingle Mouse- Day 1

So, have you heard of "The Elf on the Shelf"? Does your family have a scout elf at your house? Well, in our house, we have a scout MOUSE! See, I bought the book, "The Elf on the Shelf" on my NookColor. I bought it because it had cute little fun interactions that Elizabeth really loved...plus, I had seen a lot of people doing the elf activities. One little problem...you don't get the elf doll when you buy it in ebook form. Whoops! So, in total Nelson style, we improvised. (cause you can't find one of those elf dolls anywhere here in our town...any..where!) We went to Walmart and found a little stuffed mouse that looked kinda like he could be a good friend of the elf. He's wearing a red hat...and a festive shirt.

Today we read the book together. We named the mouse, cause the book said we had to. That's when the magic enters him! The only rule is you can't touch him or he loses his magic! (so, of course, Connor has already tried to touch him...he can't resist!)

Here is our very own Santa scout helper...Jingle Mouse. Tonight he baked cookies. Connor is going to pee his pants from excitement when he sees this. He sat and whispered to the mouse all evening...discussing his Christmas plans.

 

So, here ya go! Our take on this Christmas Tradition. I will try to post some of the things that Jingle Mouse does throughout the month!

Stuff

Lots going on around here these days. Here is a a small snippet of our week.

 

Travis bought me a new crockpot. We got, literally, a half dozen when we got married...all different sizes and types. (but none were the wide oval ones) Well, after 18 years, all but one are gone...so, when I saw the big oval crock pots on sale at Walmart...all I had to do was express a slight interest and Travis had that thing on its way to the registers. I never buy things for myself because I hate spending money and always find a w ay to convince myself I could do without. So, when Travis sees a chance to get me something he knows I really want...he seizes the opportunity. I have had lots of fun trying new recipes. This picture is of my chipped bowl...I mean of Cheeseburger potato soup. Oh my heart clogging goodness! It was divine! So, yay for new crock pots!

  

Thanks to "The Avengers" and Nick Fury, Connor REALLY wanted to know what it was like to wear an eye patch...so I sewed him his own. He wore it all day. Funny kid.

Elizabeth decided that she didn't want to eat anymore and we don't know why! Some of us have colds and sore throats, so I thought maybe that was what it was. I took her to the doctor...which is what this picture is...at the doctors office. They have no clue why she's refusing ANY food! She was even refusing drink, which was why I took her in. Her throat is fine...her ears are fine...no tummy problems....so frustrating! All she has consumed for four days is Kool-Aid! Today, I told the boys not to make any punch. Her only choices were milk or water. (yes, she even refused chocolate milk!) She cried and cried, but wouldn't give in. Finally, I put ice cubes in her sippy cup with milk and a dash of vanilla. I shook it and shook it and told her I was making ice cream. Then I set it on the counter and walked away. She took the bait and drank the whole thing! So, she has so far consumed 2 sippy cups full of "ice cream". It's the most nutrients she has had in her body for a week. What the heck? We'll keep you posted...she needs to eat soon...she's almost 4 years old and weighs just over 30 pounds!

We had an inspection of our house. It went well...we passed. I had to snap a picture of Joseph and Connor's room, because, well, it's CLEAN! Plus...I wanted to document how cute I think their "decorating" is. Lots of moms make up their kids rooms to look like an amazing out of the magazine room. I get jealous, briefly, but then I know my kids. 1. They would totally destroy the cuteness in a day. and 2. I love that they are expressing their own styles and likes. Just out of the picture, on the left, you can see the very corner of one of Connor's hub caps that he has hanging on his walls. Yep, hub caps and monster truck posters and pictures hand drawn galore! I love it!

This is just a silly picture of me and my girl.

 

Also...in the Nelson news...Travis was standing on the garbage container trying to smash down the garbage, when the big can slipped and he fell on his face. Seriously. Knocked himself out! He had a big old goose egg on his head and is now suffering from some bruised ribs, but seems otherwise ok. It was kinda scary at the time.

 

And...on my way home from taking Little Miss to the doctor, I was stopped at a light, when my foot slipped off the brake and I bumped into the car in front of me! The girl insisted on calling the police cause her bumper got a little dent. (I asked if we could just exchange info beings that I had four kids in my van and one was feeling crappy...but nooooo) Needless to say, when the officer arrived and saw that our van, I now call "the Beast", had 0 damage and her damage was minimal...he seemed totally annoyed that he had to respond. He gave us each others insurance info and left. I got no ticket and our insurance already called me and told me it was all covered. Phew! It was a weird day!

 

So I will wrap it up because Spencer is sitting here watching me type, patiently waiting for his computer turn back. Thanks, Peppo, for loaning me the computer.

As Promised...

As promised...a picture of the Halloween kiddo's.

Spencer was a computer nerd. (recycling his costume from last year)

Joseph was a zombie.

Elizabeth was a kitty cat.

Connor was a foam brush from a car wash...or most people just said he was a car wash.

Daddy and I wore our pumpkin shirts...but didn't take pictures.

And...here they are all spruced up.(Connor's baptism night)

I have cute kids!

 

Punkins

My oldest lil punkin went to his weekly Young Mens activity tonight. They carved punkins! Joseph absolutely loves going to mutual...and waiting for something so awesome as pumpkin carving was practically unbearable! When i picked him up, he was waiting for me. He was so excited to show me his masterpiece. Of course he took the green pumpkin.            On our drive home I totally embarrassed him by telling how proud I am of him and how lucky I feel to be his mom. He is such a blessing...and our miracle. 

 

Now...while Joseph was gone to mutual, the other three kids and I carved our big pumpkin. I took pictures, but I'm too lazy to get them off the camera at the moment. But, a good time was had by all and after I cooked the seeds, they were devoured with much enthusiasm. 

Tomorrow is the ward chili dinner and trunk or treat. Pictures will be posted soon. (I hope)

Connor's Baptism

Tonight Connor got baptized! We didn't have any family that were able to come, but our awesome ward family showed how to represent! Here are a couple of picture to document the super awesome occassion!