Joey's latest invention

The UTAHBUTTER-RAH-TEE
the last E is silent.












Here's the story......

In school each week they read a different book, and many of the activities of the week are based on things mentioned in the book. I believe this weeks was called "Joseph and his coat". No, this is a much different story than the other Joseph with the coat one. In this story Joseph grows out of his old coat, but has nothing to buy a new one with, so I guess he makes a new one out of the old one. And thus we get "something out of nothing". So all the children were able to recycle something and make it into something else. Joey took this as an opportunity to make many, many, many, inventions. Inventions are what he likes to call them, until the Utahbutter-rah-tee that is.

The first model wasn't the greatest. It had many mechanical problems. The tube was too low, the tape wasn't long enough in some areas, oh, and the bottle caps....they don't feel so good to step on barefoot.



His teachers keep asking me about all this stuff he "makes and takes" I just smile and tell them about his shelves. I made him organize it one day, and tried to get him to send some to family or something, but no. He must keep it all. He also brings us all mail daily. Usually some of us get more than others do. But it is always a "name tag" inside. See below left. Below right is a letter he wrote one night when he was mad. In case you can't read it it says:

MOM STOP DAD
STOP DAX

This was his way of telling us he wanted us to leave him alone. I don't even recall what we, or he was doing. Maybe he caught me "organizing" his inventions in a large black bag? Just kidding. He would know immediately!







And by Joey's request, here are his kitties. Oh, and Diego too. He is just always hanging out Joey says.

Joey is so sweet and kind. He never leaves anyone out, and is always making me smile. He befriends everyone, and loves to show affection. He has an amazing imagination, and knows WAY more than I think he does. He's always self teaching and then turns around and teaches us. If he doesn't have something, he will make it. He will make something no one has! We are so blessed to have this gem in our lives. I love you Joey!! Always my boo.

Dax is 2!

The day started with a trip to the Dr.'s for his 2 year old check up and shots. Yes, shots on his birthday. It's just easier to remember to get their immunizations that way. Oh, and he also got blood drawn. He was negative for the lead test.

Dax turned 2 years old this past December, and boy did he have a fun filled "Shrek" day! Even the baby Shrek toy got his diaper changed. (Dax's idea.)

Joey gave him a stuffed Baby Shrek, and he also got a Shrek card which played the theme song when you opened it, and opened it, and opened it, and opened it. But if you open it too much and too fast it will break. :( Notice the Vegan Chocolate Cake mug!

See what Joey got me for my "Bert-day" with all the tickets he won at Kalahari!

Playing the piano and singing on the toy from Grandma B.

I had to put these up because they show how hilarious both the boys constantly are. I guess they got their mothers humor! Dax's room is done in a "Whinny the Pooh" theme, so he also got bumped up to the toddler bed, and received a Tigger rug. He loves to run around the house with Tigger ears on grrring at everything. Since these photos were taken, I have added some canvas bins to the shelves and the rest of the toys and shoes. They complete the room very nice.

In case you were wondering what the Mirci boys do after a bath..... Air drying is actually great for the skin!

The prayers of a 5 year old

"Mom, I need to talk to Heavenly Father right now..... I don't want eyes like lola, (she has a cold) I want to be clean and strong... I love my mom and dad and Lola so much, and Dax too... and my kitties, and lots of gum, and lunchables, and my Hot Wheels pillow case, Amen."

Christmas at Miss Janets Lone Star Farm

For Christmas dinner we were invited by our new friend, whom we now call Miss Janet, over to her working farm for home cooked farm staples, and some tractor rides. And if there was snow, some snowball fights, and snowman making. It had been too wet over the past few days, for us to ride any animals, so we just played instead! But first we sat down in her BEAUTIFUL home to a dinner of yummy salad (some of which she got Joey to almost eat!!!), home made bread, chicken with root veggies like carrots, and parsnips. Brussle sprouts, and then a finale of pumpkin pie, vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake. All on her beautiful china and crystal stemware. (AHHHH! I know! Kids! I was on pins and needles keeping their hands off of all her "pretty things" as I called them.) Luckily there was plenty to bring home for many more meals to come.

Dax and Joey playing on big puddles of ice, of course.


Joey checking out the water pump. And a some horse shoes stuck in the cement, that I found to be very cute.

Daddy holding lola. Dax's favorite out of all the animals, Bosco the horse, out on the field.

Checking out the stables.

Here is Miss Janet with one of her older goats. She has arthritis, the goat that is. She was so mellow that Dax was able to feed her a treat. It was a bit too much for Joey to let the goat eat out of his hand, so he opted out.

The Mirci 5 up in the barn loft playing on the hay bales and then a mule on the right.

Off they go in the tractor!

Here's a video of the boys driving the tractor! They had so much fun!

(turn off, or pause the music, down on the lower left side of the blog, to hear the video)

We had a wonderful time, and can't wait to visit again. In the summer she harvests asparagus, along with other neat things like goat milk! We have officially been adopted by Miss Janet, and had a wonderful time. We'd like to thank her for planning such a wonderful Christmas experience for us to never forget!

Christmas Morning

The tree before the paper disaster began.

Joey's final "stash".

Lola's and Dax's.

And a massage (chair) for mom!