Merry Christmas from Us

Go ahead and admit it to yourself, my kids are adorable. It's okay, I tell myself that every day and it hasn't hurt me one bit. This year our picture was taken at my in-laws over Thanksgiving. It was really hard to pick a favorite picture since someone (a child) was either looking the wrong way or making an unhappy face in every picture. We took the pictures inside because I was just too cold to stand outside without a coat on. I can't say what a year, like we had so much going on because it has mostly been more of the same. Let me tell you about life...

MATT still works for Home Depot stopping the shoplifters and saving company money from misguided employees. He did go on his annual October hunt, but didn't get to stay long because his hunting buddy (his dad) got a new job and couldn't get the time off. 

KIM loafs around the house, the end :) Really I spend most of my time reading books, or working on a craft. I feel lucky that their is a school nearby for my kids to attend because they wouldn't learn a thing from me that was vital to life. I still work for my brother-in-law Mike on his pylons, though this year production was slow (I don't know why, but I can hypothesize). Here and there I also did work with another brother-in-law Julio and his company Shatterworx; I put the stuffing (content) into a couple of websites and assembled a few phone apps (you wouldn't use any). 

Speaking of schools JACOB started kindergarten this fall and loves it. We had our doubts at the beginning of the school year, but he is excited to go everyday and can't wait to tell us whether he received a stamp each day. Just yesterday Jacob received the Student of the Month award for November!! Way to go Jacob. 

ROBIN is bored at home and constantly tells me so. Mostly I think her boredom stems from me not letting her watch as many movies as she can, though she does miss Jacob. I hate to admit it but I have slacked off in my preschooling. The habit of preschool was broken because it was so hot after walking Jacob to school I just wanted to sit down and relax. My relaxing turned into total distraction. Hopefully we can get her into school next fall.

LAURA is now two and finally turning into a person who is willing to not cling on to a parent whenever we venture out and will even play with the big kids. If you listen closely and ask the right things she will actually say something understandable. She has the cutest little voice and is gathering a lot of words.

Merry Christmas to all and happy celebrating family together time whether you gathering be small and quiet, or crowded and noisy. Let us all remember the good times and forget our trials while we bask in the love surrounding us.

Catch Up

Let me see...what have we been up to lately? Of course, school started! Jacob started Kindergarten in August. He loves going to school and really likes his teacher, me too. On the second day of school I walked Jacob to school because I thought he got lost the first day. I left the house early so he could have plenty of time to get there, then I found out that before class starts the kids are allowed to play on the playground (duh). Now we walk almost everyday and all three kids go because they can play on the slides and in the sand. 

As a reward for good behavior I started bribing Jacob with trips to stores so he could look at toys and generally just get out of the house. On our trip to Toys R Us the kids had the opportunity to try out the cars. I got a few really cute pictures (like the one above) of the kids trying out a few. The bribing is going well, but it has escalated from just visiting stores to me buying something for Jacob which in turn means something for everyone. Jamba Juice, donuts, $1 toy, etc

During Conference weekend we camped out in the backyard. We bought this tent for Matt's birthday in January and forgot to test it out before it got miserably hot outside, so now that the weather cooled off I thought it would be fun to use it. Jacob and Robin were so sad when I declared the tent had to come down. Mommy didn't get the best sleeping position and I really wanted to sleep in my own bed again.

And the most resent happenings were a couple of birthdays. Robin turned 4 and Laura 2! They are getting so big, which I only can tell because people keep having babies and they are so tiny. Laura is just starting to trust people other than Mommy and Daddy. It is so cute to see he play with other kids and to snuggle up with relatives. Laura is also developing quite the attitude, usually just a playful thing but there are times that she will throw stuff because she didn't get her chocolate milk (this morning, nearly broke on of my drinking cups). Robin is talking a mile a minute and constantly has something she wants to "ask" you, which means something to tell/tattle. Anything that Jacob can do Robin wants to do too and lots of time she does it better. The latest thing that they do is see who can finish first, which is so stupid because we almost never start eating food at the same time or someone gets seconds.

Bunco

 Yesterday, July 9, I hosted bunco. My theme was Red, White, and Bunco of course in honor of Independence Day. The kids helped model the tables. The cup/bowl, for those of you who don't know, were for the table candy which I guess is a little silly because there were a lot of treats in the kitchen. It was really difficult to keep the kids away from the table candy because the chair allowed for perfect access to the treats.

The game started late because no one showed up on time and there is the tradition of eating first; makes sense so that we can all concentrate on the game instead of eating around the rolling of dice. Jacob, Robin, and Laura tried their best to be in the way and usually one or two of them were in my lap. Throughout the whole night they were telling stores and showing off tricks.

Just as I was finishing with clean-up duty I noticed that Jacob and Robin had crashed, which is really amazing for how much sugar they consumed. Laura on the other hand was still all smiles, so she had time to brush her teeth and get into her pajamas.

July Vacation

 Our "vacation" boiled down to the family spending a couple of days up in Payson to get out of the heat, and boy was it nice. Almost the moment we got up to Grandma's house (Matt's parents) the kids were begging to play in the sprinklers. Though Laura had us dress her in a swimsuit she refused to get near the water, even though Daddy ran through the water with her a few times. Oh well, she missed out. Jacob and Robin, Jacob especially, had enough fun to make up for Laura snugging the activity.

Day two was a sick day. Due to unknown causes Jacob spent most of the day throwing up. Even though he wasn't feeling well I think he enjoyed the love and attention he received from all of us. By mid afternoon Jacob finally got some sleep and recovered from his bug and with his renewed strength came his appetite. He ate a bowl of cereal, some Oreos, toast, a hot dog, and of course juice to wash it all down. Don't worry he didn't eat this all at once, he spread it out over a couple of hours.

 Day three was the fourth which meant neighborhood bar-b-cue and firework. One of the reasons we went up to Payson was so the kids could go fishing. Earlier in the week the kids had spotted Jacob's fishing pole and tackle box, so they were excited to fish. Of course when the time came Jacob was too scared of the water to try fishing and Laura wasn't allowed out of the stroller (though she was willing to smile big for the camera). Robin "fished" for five minutes, there just wasn't enough action. Jacob hid out by the CERT trailer because that is where Grandpa (my dad) was.

The best part for the kids about our vacation was that cousins came up for the fireworks too, so they got to play and play and play. The night ended with a few tears because when the fireworks went off it terrified poor Laura. It seems to be a tradition the my kids sleep during their first fireworks, but the next year get traumatized by them. Jacob and Robin liked the fireworks, but I think they enjoyed getting the glow sticks/bracelets best.

Day four was went we headed home. There was breakfast on the back porch, a short session of Frisbee with Jacob (he is really good at throwing that thing), and a visit from a garden snake and toad (very entertaining).

A few fun things

I know it hasn't been too long since my last post, but I wanted to show those of you who read my blog a few of the fun things we have been up to.

Instead of a little pool this year we are just setting up a "sprinkler" for the kids to run through. Really they just let the hose build up a puddle then run through that, but it was the idea that counts.

Whenever Uncle Jonathan comes over the kids practically attack him. Sometimes it is to chase him, sometimes it is for a horse ride, other times it is for spinning around A LOT, or wrestling around on the floor. He is such a good sport to let them abuse him for their entertainment, but what are bachelor uncles for except to be a play toy. 

 Since the weather has been nice I try to get us outside to enjoy it. It also helps with preschool if we do it outside because the kids know that they will be released to play in the yard once I finish "teaching" them. Most preschool sessions revolve around chalk, so one day I decided to trace them. For a couple of days there were outlines everywhere because the kids couldn't get enough of being drawn and of course their outlines needed hair and faces.

 I know this isn't anything to brag about, so I don't, but I was proud of my idea of shamrock pancakes on St. Patrick's Day. With mine I had a little more fun and colored them green, but figured appearance is everything with kids and didn't think they would eat something green that usually isn't.

 The weather was perfect and Matt wasn't home for dinner so we moved our meal outside. We all had things to share and got a drink. Served was apple juice, oranges, mac & cheese, and hot dog. If I am remembering correctly the food had to keep moving around the blanket because Laura kept trying to sit in the bowls and succeeded a few times. When we were done I shook the blanket in the corner of the yard and for days afterwards Robin would tell me we needed to check on the food we put out for the bugs. Such a cutie! We really need to do this again before summer hits and the weather is too hot to handle.

 All three of my kids a sit on the swings!!! No one can swing themselves, but it was a proud moment that Laura had figured out to balance, at least for a minute or two. Jacob and Robin love to be swung, but Laura can't stand to be left out so usually get hit in the face while walking too close to the swingers.

What is something fun you have been doing, whether with kids or without?

Birthdays

The beginning of the year is so much fun for our family. Just a few days after Christmas Matt has his birthday, then four weeks later there is my birthday, and four weeks after that is Jacob's! All of this partying makes January and February go my quickly and they are a good end to the "holiday" season.

Birthday tradition in our family is getting to pick the family dinner option that day and of course cake. Matt picked hamburgers with deviled eggs and had a chocolate cake with homemade chocolate frosting, the frosting needed work. I was treated to Cheesecake Factory and made a white cake with white icing (my favorite because no one ever wants dessert without chocolate added somehow). Jacob received chocolate cupcakes with blue frosting and sprinkles because when given the option that is what he grabbed. It is hard to get dinner opinions from Jacob or Robin besides pizza, so we skip asking.

Other happenings since Christmas...hmmm. The weather can't seem to make up its mind whether to be spring-ish or still winter. Nonetheless the kids have been having a ball running around outside, throwing frisbees and playing tag. Laura is still working on separation from Mommy and will hang around the back door unless I also walk outside, which I am working on doing more now that Laura is big enough to walk.

Laura has gotten a second tooth, finally; loves walk Matt to the door when it is time for him to leave and actually mumbled "bye-bye Da" to Matt once; has been promoted to a toddler bed and so doesn't scream as much when waking in the middle of the night because she knows she can just walk in to wake Mommy. Her and Robin are still working on their getting along. I know Robin isn't trying to be mean, but when Laura figures out biting I feel she will be justified in chomping Robin.

Jacob and Robin are talking up a storm, though Robin is still far more clear. It is always funny the movie quotes, songs, or new big words that they come up with and use correctly. If Robin isn't getting the attention she wants she says, "I have a question," then proceeds to tell you whatever she wanted in the first place. Both kids are now working on understanding number 11-20 and reading. Jacob is better at the reading (I am so happy he knows a few words) and Robin can get the words right for the numbers song.