Date Night With My Kids

 I was able to take each of the kids out on a date or an “outing” as Zander would prefer me to call them. I took Lucas out first for some dessert at Kneaders, I took Zander out to dinner to Cracker Barrel and Target so he could buy some Pokémon cards and legos, and then I took Hannah out to watch her cousin, Isabelle’s, dance recital and ice cream afterwards. While we sat and ate I was able to ask the kids some questions and got some surprising answers to some of them. 

Questions:

What do you think happiness means?

L: To be kind.

Z: When you’re kind and just happy.

H: You have lots of love in you; you play with people and don’t hurt them.

What does it mean to be a good friend?

L: To be nice

Z: To be kind and make sure they’re having fun playing with you. 

H: If somebody gets hurt you see if they’re ok.

What do you think is the hardest thing about growing up?

L: Having wiggly teeth.

Z: Being the oldest.

H: Asking nicely.

What is something dad always says?

L: I have to do work. 

Z: I’m trying to work. 

H: He says “I love you” a lot and “please”

What is the best book you’ve ever read? L: The toilet book (at school). 

Z: Hello neighbor.

H: Ponyella 

What is the hardest thing about being a parent? 

L: To have to get angry at all your children. 

Z: Having kids and getting money.

H: Listening and not plugging their ears. 

What magic power do you wish you had and why?

L: To make everything turn into candyland so I can eat the entire world.

Z: I don’t want a power; I want to be a soldier in Halo.

H: Ice power to make an ice castle.

What makes you feel loved? 

L: When my parents kiss me and hug me. 

Z: You (mom), dad and my siblings. 

H: Treating me with kindness, giving me treats.

If you could change your name what would you be called? 

L: Luke Skywalker

Z: Preston

H: Elsa 

If you won a million dollars what you buy? 

L: Every fgtv toy and X Minecraft.

Z: I’d give it to charity-the poor and hospitals. 

H: A bike and a whole bunch of Oreos and strawberry ice cream

What job would you like to do when you grow up? 

L: A video gamer/YouTuber.

Z: YouTuber. 

H: A ballerina AND a scientist

What song makes you want to dance?

L: Fgtv’s Granny’s House.

Z: Coffin Dance.

H: Sail Away and Let it Go

How much does it cost to buy a horse?

L: $1,000 bucks

Z: $500 

H: $41

What are you scared of?

L: Lava, monsters, and ghosts.

Z: Being tickled and being kidnapped. 

H: The dark and heights 

Where do you want to live when you grow up?

L: In California because it’s nice and hot. 

Z: Dallas, Texas because it’s hot and has a huge water park, and cool history.

H: On a mountain 

What does mom always say? 

L: You’re grounded from video games.

Z: Be quiet and I love you. 

H: I love you

Who is your best friend? 

L: Drew

Z: All my friends from school

H: Linley 

What is the thing you are good at the most? L: Swordfish.io

Z: Football

H: Scientisting, and asking nicely

Who is your hero? 

L: Mom and Grayson because whenever I get hurt the runs over to me and hugs me.

Z: Preston (YouTuber)

H: Zander and Grayson 

What is your favorite thing to do with the family? 

L: Playing Mario kart and super smash bros.

Z: Playing super smash bros. 

H: Watching a movie and playing Elsa 

What is the most important rule? 

L: To be kind and safe. 

Z: Don’t talk to strangers. 

H: Saying please and cleaning up

What do you think heaven is like?

L: Angels. It’s made of angels.

Z: White, blank, clouds.

H: It’s like Jesus and our father. 

If you could change one thing about me (mom) what would it be? 

L: That I would love to play video games.

Z: Nothing; I like how you are. 

H: That you would do chores just like me and the boys. (Hannah first misunderstood the question and thought it was what would she change about herself.) This was her reply: I would change that instead of me saying I hate you, I’d say I love you

 

Blood Moon

 I was really looking forward to seeing the blood moon this last weekend. We got my telescope all set up and ready to go. We waited until the right time and….we couldn’t see it. We looked everywhere, but apparently the moon was behind some clouds. So disappointed. We finally got ready for bed I spotted the moon before the eclipse was over, so we ran back outside and shot some pictures of the moon through the telescope. 

Old Testament Tabernacle Replica

 An exact replica of the tabernacle built by the Israelites from the Old Testament came to town this month and was set up at our stake center. We got to take a tour of it as a family and learn a little bit more of the tabernacle and it’s significance. 

The kids favorite part was the alter because it looked like a giant fire pit. They got to look inside of it. Lucas had to go back and look at it again. It was cool to see the items that were kept in the arc of the covenant. That thing would’ve been incredibly heavy to haul around. 

Mother's Day

 I hate to spoil this for everybody else, but I have some of the best kids around. They were all so eager to give me my handmade Mother's Day projects they had been working on the last week. Zander was excited to make me breakfast in bed, but I ended up getting up early to do my hair and get ready for church so I had breakfast waiting for me. Lucas made me a coaster with a picture of us on it that he drew, Zander made me a mirror and wrote down some of the things he loves most about me, Hannah drew me a beautiful picture of us and a rainbow, and Grayson was just excited to be there on the bed with everyone else. He really wanted to eat my breakfast. 

There is no better breakfast than a tall glass of water, a banana with honey, crackers, and Hannah's touch--a fruit snack. I love my kids!

Later that evening we had dinner with the family at Rachel's house. There was SO much food; it was more like a feast, haha! That's actually how all our Washburn gatherings are. Stephen and his siblings brought dishes from their childhoods that they either really loved or remember their mother making for them. There was lime jello with pears and carrots in it, Stephen made Tres Leches Cake, but the one that intrigued me was Loren's. He made orange jello with red hots melted into it mixed with applesauce. It was actually really good. Then the siblings took turns telling stories from their childhood. Those never get old; its always fun the hear these stories because we usually end up laughing our heads off.    

Tulip Festival

 All of us Washburn women got together and attended the Tulip Festival this year at Thanksgiving Point. We met up for a nice lunch and then rented a golf cart for Pat and Grandma Roberts and toured the gardens. The flowers were stunning and I really enjoyed discussing flowers and talking with all my sisters-in-law. 

Spring is Here!

 I planted a bunch of different tulips in my front yard last year. I have been having a fun time coming outside to new surprises each day as they all bloom. It has been a wet and cold spring, so all my flowers are staying in bloom a lot longer than usual which is nice. The younger kids have been having a fun time helping me weed and identify the flowers coming up too.

This little guy here is my rare unicorn tulip. One of my white tulips has a genetic defect causing it to twist and curl. when I saw its "horn" I dubbed it the unicorn tulip.