Pocketful of Bliss: April 2010

As if I needed another reason to love IKEA...

SCAVENGER HUNT!

Yes, I absolute love the magical land that is IKEA! About 85% of the furniture and furnishings in my house is from there. Hubby and I have always made it our go-to place when we need anything for the house, be it a new bed or curtain rods. But one of the things I find most endearing about this Swedish import is how incredibly family friendly they are.

Yesterday was no different...being the awesome company they are, our local IKEA store agreed to let our homeschool group have a SCAVENGER HUNT! This was actually the second time they let us do this, and this time was even more fun than the first. Thanks to my friend and fellow homeschooling mom, Irina, Jer and the rest of the kids in our homeschool group had an amazing time deciphering clues and finding answers to questions on their team's list. Some of the items they had to look for were:

Count the number of arrows on the floor of the showrooms.
What is the area of a {insert Swedish item name here} table?
How do you say 'goodbye' in Swedish?
If you bought one of every size TROFAST bin, how much would you pay?
What is swinging on swings in the Kids Department?
Find a 3-inch swatch of fabric in your favorite color.

Some bonus items they had to find were: something hard and green, an IKEA napkin, a bus schedule, the number of a local taxi service, a bendy straw, something that is a gel, something that magnifies sound (see pic below!!), a hinge, something that opens and closes..and so much more! The one item that eluded all the kids was a 2010 penny. Ian, one of Jer's good buddy and teammate, was so determined to find that one last item on his bonus list that he was actually asking random people, employees and customers, if they had a 2010 penny! I don't know if I was supposed to be embarrassed or not, but I honestly thought it was too cute. All the kids on Jer's team asked the cashiers if they could check their cash registers for a 2010 penny, and they all did. Again, I so love IKEA! Here are a few pics from the hunt (and there's only a few because I was running around too much with the kids):

The hodge-podge pile of stuff the kids grabbed during the hunt.

The kids had to find something that magnified sound...so they grabbed a small boom box on display!
I promise, we gave it back.

They had to find something that is a gel, and something that is abrasive: Shower Gel, and Foot Salts!

And to top off an already awesome time: Jer's team got FIRST PLACE! Yay!! And because Irina is just so awesome at talking businesses into donating stuff to a worthy cause, she was able to actually get sponsors for our scavenger hunt, so she was able to award some great prizes: a free milkshake at Chik-Fil-A; free game of laser tag at; passes for each kid to play one free game of bowling every day for the summer; and a coupon for two bucks off a game of extreme bowling at night. How cool is that! Jer's team also got these really geodes as an extra prize for coming in first place. Here they are celebrating as they hear the news about getting first place:

Great jobs Team 3!

So if you have an IKEA in your neighborhood, or if you don't live too far from one, and if you're looking for a fun activity for your homeschool group or other kids group, give IKEA a call and ask if you will host a scavenger hunt. Maybe if you tell them that Ms. Multiple Personalites sent you, they might just say yes...ok, well, maybe not, but they just might say yes because IKEA is just such an awesome company. So give it a try!

And to Irina, a true homeschooling mom guru, in case you're reading this, THANKS SO MUCH for setting this up! It was awesome!

Jer's Spring 2010 Photo-Shoot

A few days ago Jer and I decided to go to the park since it was a such a warm and sunny day. I thought it would be fun for Jer to get out and play, and since we had such good weather, I figured it would be a good day to take some photos. Then an idea formed in my head...since Jer had just procured himself a snazzy looking fedora, I thought to myself: why not get some great shots of Jer, model photo shoot style? So after Jer picked out the two outfits he wanted to wear, me with my camera in hand and he with his new hat, we headed out. And I must say, I was very pleased with the results....

I really love how these photos turned out. But even more important, I absolutely loved the whole experience. It was wonderful to watch my little boy have a great time as he smiled and posed for the camera. Shrugging off his usual shyness, he didn't care at all about the other people at the park watching us. He even suggested certain locations, poses, and had some smart opinions about the lighting. Having these pictures is of course awesome, but being able to watch my boy shine during his impromptu GQ-esque photo shoot, and realizing that he's developing his confidence and his own sense of style....priceless!

And don't forget...

[click the above button or HERE to see photo shoot pics in a larger format on my PHOTO BLOG]

Jer is Rockin' and Rollin' All Night

Do you remember when you were young, and the moment you first heard that song or saw that music video that was the beginning of your obsession with that singer or band that would forever change your life? No matter what genre of music you prefer, we all have at least one musical group that we remember as the one true band that TOTALLY ROCKS. For me, it was The New Kids On The Block. And no, I'm not ashamed to admit it! They were the cutest and sweetest-sounding guys I'd ever seen, and I couldn't get enough of them.

But enough about me, because this post is actually about my son, Jeromy's, fascination with his most favorite rock band...KISS! Yes, folks, THAT wild and crazy and legendary band. I'm not exactly sure when it all started, but I know that I have my hubby to thank for introducing our son to their music. Jer and daddy were in his truck, having some daddy-and-son time together, when hubby decides to put it in his KISS CD, and apparently that was all it took; Jer was hooked! Ever since then, for roughly the past 2 years, Jer has been obsessed with all things KISS.

During a recent routine inspection of his room, I took a minute to really take a look around...and I had one of those O.M.G. moments. Because as I scanned Jer's shelves, it hit me that this kid has accumulated so much KISS merchandise, so much so that I'm seriously thinking we should be able to invest in the company! I mean, he's gone way beyond the typical POSTER IN THE BEDROOM thing; he has toys, books, clothing, a Gene Simmons wig, etc. And every week, he HAS to watch Gene Simmons' Family Jewels..which I actually like to watch too. Here are a few photos showing just some of the KISS stuff currently adorning Jer's room...

Jer emulating his favorite KISS member. The shirt was bought at the KISS concert we took him to this past October for his birthday.

The most recent additions to his collection: KISS ROCK TAGS!

The KISS-ology DVD collection

KISS edition Mr. Potato Heads...apparently, there is no end to the marketing genius of Gene Simmons!

KISS action figures

Vintage KISS comic book, handed down to Jer by his daddy.

KISS boxed trading card sets

KISS edition toy cars, another collectible handed down to him by daddy

The ticket stub from the very first KISS concert he got to attend...he displays it proudly, folks!

Ok, so now I will admit, hubby and I are total enablers when it comes to our boy's love for all things KISS. I guess we figure it's a harmless obsession, since it does keep music a part of his life, which I'm sure most will agree is not a bad thing. For me, I do appreciate that he does love the music and not just the showmanship stuff. Thanks to his uber-cool guitar teacher, he's even learned to play a few of their songs on his electric guitar. Yes, it does feel like I have a little rock-star on my hands!

Past or present, do YOU have a favorite band or singer that you are totally obsessed with?

Sundays In My City: More Farm Photos

For Unknown Mami's awesome weekly meme, I decided to share a few more photos from our farm trip...

Wordless Wednesday: Slurpee Edition

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday! The pictures I post for this meme all have a story (usually a hiliarous one) to it, but instead of telling you that story, I'd love for you to tell me what you think would be a great caption for the photo(s). I know, it sounds like I'm asking you to do work. But hey, it'll be fun! And join me.... just grab the button on my sidebar and start your own Wordless Wednesday series!

What do you think this photo says?
Please, do tell!

Scrapbook Page: Snow Buddies

I'm way behind on my scrapbooking, so I'm just now getting around to scrapping these cute winter photos from when Jer was three years old...

At the Sheep Farm...

One of the most rewarding things about homeschooling is the seemingly endless amount of opportunities out there for our children to have some amazing hands-on learning experiences. Last week some wonderful homeschooling friends invited us to tag along with them to a sheep farm where the children, who happen to be the most wonderful set of triplets I've ever met, actually work and care for the sheep. They feed the sheep, give them water, and they even feed some roosters and chickens. I was most impressed that the triplets, named Ian, Dorian, and Claire, knew every single ewe and ram, knew each one's names, and remembered whether each one got special feed or grass or hay. Now I will admit that I'm not exactly what you call a farm gal, and I did sort of hide behind my camera while we were there. Hey, it was enough of a milestone for me to put on my rain boots and walk around the sheep pasture, stepping in mud and droppings, all without being too grossed out...or at least I was able to hide my grossed-out-ness. What can I say, I wanted to look cool for the kids.

Honestly folks, I did get over my grossed-out-ness not too long after we arrived there, because it was just such a beautiful place, and I was just so darn proud and awed at these kids. They were all so enthusiastic, energetic, and so committed to completing their tasks. The sheep were all so greatful for the love and care these great kids bestowed on them. And as a bonus, it was a wonderful learning experience for all of them, especially Jer, who had never done anything like this before.

So here are some pics from that wonderful day...