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.

Christmas Time

There hasn't been anything too exciting going on, but I have tried to get the kids into the Christmas season. We saw the temple lights, bough a singing/dancing Santa that the kids love to play with, made lots of holiday treats (Cocoa Apple Spice Cake, fudge, sugar cookies in the shape of Gingerbread people & snowflakes), and set up two Christmas trees. My kids have also enjoyed trying on the stockings and all the santa/elf hats. I know this season is about more than the lights and goodies, but they make me so happy and I LOVE to give gifts though I am sure that my giving is more fun than people's receiving my silly things. These last few days before Christmas I hope that we can get focused more on Christ and feel the peace and love that comes with that. Forgotten Carols CDs, reading about the birth of Christ from the scripture, and quiet moments of reflection (when the kids are asleep) here I come.

The following are just some pictures of the kids from December, either being cute or being Christmas-y. Enjoy!

 Jacob cuddled up to Robin after she was asleep and fell asleep himself with his arm draped over her. So cute! Too bad they can't be so loving during the day like that.

These are the sugar cookies we decorated and I do mean we, I didn't do all of them this time. Robin shook the the sprinkles and Jacob's cookies are the ones with not much frosting. I even came up with some names for some, can you find them? Adam & Eve....Daddy (Matt)....there is a ghost...some cute little girls: Robin & Laura. Merry Christmas everyone. Hug on your loved ones, smile at some strangers, and sing at least one carol with gusto.

blah blah blah

Let me whine where no one reads. I would blab this on Facebook, but either no one would respond or people would just feel sorry for me feeling the way that I do. About two years ago I came to the conclusion that if I am having a really bad day, a down in the dumps, want to lock myself in my room day there is nothing I can do about it and no one to talk to about it. I don't have anyone near by that I can call friend enough to have them rescue me. No neighbors, no ward member, and no even my family can be there so I can call and talk with me. Of course I know that they have lives, they have kids or their own and also jobs that they work hard at. Every time I think on this too much it gets me really down, like to tears down. I long for friends, but I am also starting to realize that this probably isn't in the cards for me. I need to be more like Matt and not care that I don't have any friends. Maybe this hurts someone's feelings and maybe no one would care.
There will be no random acts of kindness for me because no one knows I exist. Sure they invite me to things, but they also invite thirty other people to talk to and laugh with. I know most of this falls on my shoulders because I am not willing to butt into other people's conversations. Really if you aren't talking at me I feel really bad about putting in my two bits.
I am just being selfish and wishing that I had more when I should just shut up and be happy that I have three kids of good health who are happy to play with each other and never tell me that they wish they could play with friends. I have a husband who works and brings home money for us to buy food and pay the bills. We have a house that keeps us warm and the bugs out (mostly, somehow those little critters always sneak in). I am not wanting a flood of attention because I tell people how I feel, that I tend to me unhappy with where I am, but I do want to feel that connection with people around me.
Okay, I got that out. Now I can say that I have typed my option and frustrations. Go back to your daily lives now. Hope your day has been going well and that it will still go well after you leave my post. I appreciate you taking the time to read my blah blah blah

Being Thankful

Every November I try to do something turkey with the kids, usually hand turkey variations. This year I started the hand turkeys but they are now taped to the side of my entertainment system, glued on top of each other for easier growth reference next year when I do it again. My next project was a fall cake: yellow cake with some food coloring to make layers, but the layers were barely different colors; at least I decorated the top really cute with a turkey design. What I did do was coffee filter tie-dye turkeys. We colored a folded coffee filter with markers then ran water over them so the colors would run. To make them extra special I wrote on top of them a few things we were each grateful for.

Laura, I'm thankful for Mommy, Daddy, food, and music

Robin, I'm thankful for Daddy, food, and movies (her words)

Jacob, I'm thankful for being born, the swing, and chocolate milk (his words :) )

Matt, I'm thankful for wife, kids, and having a job

Kim, I'm thankful for snuggles, sleep, and desserts

Laura has started to get grumpy and I can only hope that it is teething. She is such a squishy, lovable child and her giggle always brings a smile to my face, I could just kiss on her all day. Just a couple of weeks ago she started to walk, yeah! Every time she falls she gets so frustrated, I wish I could help her, but she just have to practice. Lately she has been trying to talk more. It is fun to pretend to have a conversation with her while she babbles :)

It feels like this month Robin has started to ask a million questions and every one starts with why. Many times she asks the same question multiple time and after a while I just tell her to stop talked because the words coming out of my mouth aren't reaching her ears. Robin loves to smile and is always trying to get in more playing.

Jacob, oh Jacob, he is such a good brother and then at the same time he gets too rough and he is oh so sensitive. He loves to be helpful and right in the middle of projects whether it is handing your the materials or mixing something together. I know that he is smart and I also know that he doesn't like to share his knowledge with me even if I ask him a question. This boy likes to surprise you with what he can do/knows.

 This is my family and I love them very much. At times they try my patience and keep me on my toes, but they are the main reason I get up in the morning and do everything that I do. They are my friends and keep me no matter how many grumpy faces I make at them.

what i have been doing since matt left: day 3 &4

DAY THREE: The day started with my girl joining me in bed and somehow sleeping through all of the wiggles. I know for a fact that Robin elbowed Laura at least a half dozen times, but she slept. The bear slept with me every night so that I could subconsciously say there was someone in the bed with me (I don't like sleeping alone) and the sheet is to keep the fuzzes from the bear off the bed. 

Our activity for the day was to color Halloween pictures. Robin was the only one who got into it though Laura did play with the crayons and put a few marks on her page. Mine is the other picture shown and I spent a lot longer coloring than Robin did.

DAY FOUR: It looks like we did a lot, but really each thing lasted for 10-30 minutes so there was plenty of time just sitting around. The kids decided to become superheros shortly after waking up, so pictured we have Spider-Robin and Wolver-Jacob. Robin wasn't very happy because Jacob kept attacking her and she wasn't up for that much playing so early in her day.

Our next activity was to paint, on card stock this time. I pulled out all the colors we had, put them on a paper plate for them, then let them go. Robin used lots of paint and Jacob just sponged some circles. It didn't take long for them both to revert to painting themselves and trying for hand prints  but they didn't get enough paint for that and simply colored their hands. Luckily they didn't get too much on their clothes or on the tarp though I am glad I put that down anyway. Pictured below is their finished projects.

 The third activity was some balloon volleyball. They decided that this would work best with oven mitt then proceeded to see how long they could keep the balloon in the air.

 And of course there was Halloween which i don't have pictured. Everyone was excited for trick-or-treating and the pumpkin buckets came home half full each. We brought along a stroller for the smallest kids (went trick or treating with my sister, Stefanie) and of course Jacob and Robin wanted a free ride to each house, so of course fit ensued. For about ten minutes Jacob refused to participate in candy getting because a dog scared him, but I wouldn't let him sulk the rest of the night so shoved him up to the next house which got him going again.