Treasure Hunt

We finally had an easy weekend after not having one all year. Camden is don't with ski club and the both got a break from drama before their big performance this weekend, so we decided to plan a fun activity for all of them. I told them earlier in the week that we'd go to the library and get more book, so that made for the perfect opportunity to get the kids out of the house. Brad  and I put together a treasure hunt and with us all gone, it gave Brad the little extra time to set it up and have waiting for the kids to get home. We went to lunch and when we came back the kids could tell something was up, but it took them a min to find the map and first clue. Once the did they were off and had a blast. Beck didn't want to open the letter, he said it may be a trap...  

 Jacks was the best to watch with all of this, because for him it was real. He didn't like the blood on the letter.

 The puzzle was sitting next to the letter, but it still took them a min to figure out that this is what they needed to do.

 Jenga was next. They had to play the game to find the three blocks with the clue where to go on them. The game didn't last too long because they were all grabbing pieces, so the tower fell. Even with that it took them a bit to get that they block rhymed with the spot on the map.

 This paper was a mirror image that they had to take all the red letters to spell out where to go next. Jacks hated this one. Once Beck read the letter he said he's getting out because it like bloody Mary. I didn't know he knew what that was. They kept trying to unscramble all of the letters. We finally told them to read it again. This time they read it right and only did the red letters.

 Next was Beck's room with this cypher. The key was on the back of the map. We didn't think we'd have to give them so many little hints but they couldn't get this one for a while.

 This lead to the cave of death aka laundry room with a black light. They all thought the light was the coolest thing, well everyone but Jacks. Again he didn't like the skulls and wanted to leave. (He did have a lot of fun I swear) The clue says go to the keys of back and white, play is wrong is death so get it right. They looked all over the laundry room for a black and white object. Again we told them to re read and think what has keys of black and white?

 I way  underestimated this one. I gave them the lines and beats, they just had to unscramble the notes. It took forever, the longest one yet. I thought Cam would get how to play it by ear if he had the notes. We even listened to the song but it took a while. I'm not sure if they even get it now that it's done.

 The underlined notes had to be put into a code on the map that told them where to go next.

 Here they shot down keys that let them into the next room. They had to be careful to not fall into the lava, which is what the blanket is for, because you know blankets are lava proof.

 I told Jacks to sit on the balloons to pop them, this was his look. I'm with him, I hate sitting on them to pop them. I went and got him scissors.

 Each clue they got right they got an animal square which then matched one in the garage with a few extra thrown in there. They then had to unscramble the letters on the floor to tell them where the treasure was at. It spelled out blankets and they all ran.

 Of course there was gold, a small prize and 3 coupons. The whole thing took about an hour more or less and they all loved it.

 Brad made the map and spent a while on it. It turned out really cool though and the kids loved how real it looks.

 We started at Ay Mate and followed the dotted path.

It was worth the time it took to put it all together and made for a fun weekend activity. Not sure how we'll top it though.

Catch-Up

My goal for the new year was to write once a week and take more pictures. I did well in January but February has been a bad month. I didn't take enough pictures or write much at all.

Camden has his last ski trip last week. He loved doing it and I'm so glad he stuck with it. He loved going each week. I think a part of him liked that he could go and Beck couldn't. He tends to lean on Beck a lot, so it was a good activity that he could do alone and get a twin break.

It was 100's day at school and Jacks dressed like an old man. The day before we got the letter about it we buzzed his hair. Had we waited a day we could have made a really cool hair cut. I'm not sure what his love for markers on his face is, but his mustache is washable marker.

 I saw our dogs playing with a 'toy' outside the other day and initially walked away. I then remembered we don't have toys outside and went to see what they had. I guess we don't need a cat, we have dogs. (its a mouse if you can't see it)

 I've started Emery too early to have a love for Pinterest. I get lots of good book ideas on there and way to many project ideas. Emery uses mine to find hair styles, nail art and her favorite this month was her Valentine's box idea. She wanted an iPod, not and iPhone. I'm not sure she has ever held an iPod, but she loved the design. It turned out really cute.

Fall Out Boy came out with another great album a few weeks ago and the kids all love it. Brad and I have been to 2 concerts for them and decided this next one we'll take Camden and Beckham. Every time Beck plays his game time he listens to the CD on Alexa, so we all hear it. Jacks loves to sing, but won't do it very loud or if he knows your looking. He was really into whatever game he was playing he didn't notice I was watching. You can't hear it very well, and he doesn't really know the lyrics, but it's still cute to watch. The deeper voice is Brad; Jacks' is a little higher pitched.

Special Buckets

 

This weekend was the start up again of special nights and Camden was up first. he waited all month because he wanted to see "Maze Runner." We did it a little different this year with the meal though. Usually the three of us went and some of the times Brad and I would start talking, then the kids wouldn't say much, which wasn't the purpose of the nights in the first place. So this year the meal is one on one, we'll switch each time so they get a meal with both of us, and then the activity is the three of us. I think they are all excited for this and it worked great with Camden. He isn't a big talker, but he did talk a little more. I think he was most excited that he was the first of the kids who got to try out Blaze pizza here in town. I think it will be a new favorite for everyone.

Last week for FHE I taught how we should just be nice, say nice things to people and do nice things for others and not try to always show each other up. Our kids have really gotten bad with this. Every time one of them says they can do something another one has to disagree and show how they think they are better. I found a really cute book called "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" It talks about how everyone has this imaginary bucket that others either fill with kind deeds and words or takes from it with mean words and actions. We made a BINGO of different things we can all do throughout the week to fill others buckets, Like hold the door, make someone's bed or just say hi. They have been doing pretty well although a few times we just asked if what they were doing was filling a bucket. On Monday Emery and Jacks were fighting over something, I never could understand Jacks when he told me what, but he was really upset. He marched out of his room and told me that Emery was being a bucket dipper. It was really hard to hold in laughter due to the conviction he had when he said it, but thankfully they made up and felt much better. I think we now have a new catch phrase in out house.

Beck's Ramblings

Beckham was happy to have the ice cream from Grandpa and he had the perfect plan for it. On Friday we watched a movie and he told us he was just going to sit on the couch with the tub and eat it with a spoon. He and Camden ate a scoop and thought of Grandpa (he asked them to since he no longer eats ice cream) Side note, he did not eat the whole thing.

The other day Beckham came to us excited that he was growing facial hair. I told him it was just peach fuzz but he insisted it was dark and real. Camden was a good twin and agreed with him. Can you see it?  

Camden had his second ski trip this weekend and it was his first without Beckham. He really likes being with Beck and having that friend always there, so we were worried how this week would go for him. He does have another friend on the trips too so that helped. Camden said he had a really fun time. They did the bunny hill a little but then he went on the big lift and loved it. I'm proud of him that he went on the lift because he could not get over the fact that you are just sitting there and there isn't a bar over you. This time his legs hurt the next day, but I told them over and over that would happen. He did say he got a little home sick, which was sad to hear, but I love when he is honest like that because he usually always tries to put on a brave face and not let anything bother him (even though we can read him really easily) Thanks to this good week he is so excited to finish out the season of boarding, or as he keeps saying sledding. 

FHE

We finally decided to let the kids teach some FHE's this year and so far they love it. In fact they all wanted to be the first on lesson. Lesson and treats are the two tasks that they kids fight over and are happy when they actually have. My family tells of how my lessons were always draw your favorite temple. I only remember doing it once, but it must have been more than that because they all say so. Emery was first up and she did a little better, she taught on Easter. When I was younger my mom made a lot of FHE lesson packets and recently she gave us a bunch of them which really helps the kids out. She did a great job and loved being in charge.

Another task is activity which Jacks was on this week. We played hide and seek and Cam is the master. We couldn't find him for a bit and when we did we see why. I made him stay in a little longer so I could take a picture. 

 

The week before I taught about goal and making goals for the new year. I have a journal that I'm tracking a few of mine, which the kids have noticed and wanted to take part in as well. Emery has a goal of keeping her room clean, which is marked by the heart stickers. We tell her all the time if she just did a little each day then she won't have the big days when I go in and find all of the things shoved in corners that she then has to clean and it takes a lot longer. She's been doing awesome. The only bad thing is Jacks doesn't have the same goal, so his stuff still needs works. None of the kids got my OCD on cleaning....

Jackson's was he wanted to read more. He is already really good at reading, so I loved that he just like to read and wants to do more. I have the same goal and the same way of tracking it, so I think that helped him come to that goal. Brad drew bookshelves for him and each time he finishes a book he can write it up there and color it in.  

Beckham is in drama again and he wants to keep getting better so one of his goals is to practice him lines every night.  He also has a list of books he wants to read and piano songs he wants to learn. Since Cam and Beck are older we tell them that they have to keep showing more responsibility, so both of them have made a chart to track that. Mainly it's doing their chores without being reminded or just forgetting all the way. I have to say so far they both have done a decent job. There have been a few missed times but they have really improved since they started tracking it. I should also say that the reason they are doing this is because they want to earn the ability and do jobs to earn money for a PS4 each and a TV in their room, little do they know we won't let them have that in their room, but we'll cross that bridge if we get there.

Camden has the responsibility tracking too, but he is also wanted to learn more magic tricks and origami. He's been watching how to videos on magic and done really well. It's most fun to have Jacks see the tricks because he is so amazed by them. They all wanted to get better at drawing, or it ended up that way. Jacks said it first so I told him I'd get him a sketch book and that set it all off and they  were all  interested in drawing. I'm ok with that though, it keeps them busy and their minds working. 

This week was Beck's turn to teach and he was excited to teach the Plan of Salvation. He knew it pretty well when he was getting ready and telling Brad and his lesson went really well.  

 The kids liked putting it together after Beck mixed them up. It's fun to see how they explain things and the lesson topics they are excited to teach about. I think it will be a really good year for FHEs.