Cowboy Undies

Today I decided to walk up to the mall with the littles and pick up Hyrum some fun undies. We have been working on this potty training thing on and off for a while. He does really good when I remind him, but we still have lots of accidents. Better here than the carpets in our new place! I've been taking it slow, but I think he might be close. I thought some fun undies might help him feel more like a big kid and give him incentive to use the potty. He just couldn't decide between his "cowboy" ones or the monsters.

After our long walk this morning Hyrum and Camilla were pretty pooped and crashed on my bed for their afternoon naps. Joe was still asleep, so I got to snuggle them both for a few minutes. I love watching Hyrum's long dark lashes as he falls asleep, and Camilla always loves a good back scratch before snuggling in.

Joe and I have been having fun hanging out together without his older sibs around.  We went out front and played in the grass for a few minutes. It's a good kite flying day, the wind is pretty strong! 

While the two kiddos finish up their naps, Joseph his working off those crazy thighs of his! I love this chubby little guy. He's been super happy and easy going lately. He gets more and more active by the day and I'm sure he will be crawling along behind his brother and sister in no time! For now he just scoots across the floor on his back.

 

Sunday Snapshots

 The weather has been good to us this weekend! I couldn't resist a few shots of the boys dressed up in their Sunday best beneath the gorgeous pink flowers on the tree in the front yard. Hooray for Spring!

Sold!

 Saturday morning came with waffles, strawberries and homemade syrup. I love Saturday morning breakfasts when we can take our time eating together as a family and no one is in a rush. Joseph hasn't been loving his food lately and gags on pretty much everything. Today we tried peaches...

 He wasn't so much a fan, but finished most of it!

Then Camilla and I went to dance class. Turns out the building was locked and it was canceled today.  I wasn't the only parent confused though. I decided to take advantage of our hour together and we stopped at the park to play. She's growing so big!

We had a nice relaxing afternoon. Mr. Stannix kicked my butt at Skip-Bo TWICE! After the kiddos woke up from their naps we went over to my Grampa's place to surprise him with cupcakes and birthday wishes. We all went out for dinner together and enjoyed the evening.

 Joe was so hungry he could've eaten the whole menu!

On our way back we decided to take the kids to see our new house! Most everything is finalized now and we take possession the end of June, just in time to celebrate our fifth anniversary. It's a sweet little two story with a fenced backyard in a quiet neighborhood. It's just what we need and I am so excited to make the place our own! I won't have to fight spiders to do the laundry and Hyrum won't be able to lock himself in the bathroom anymore.

 

About the only downside I can see right now is that for the first time in our marriage I will have to clean more than one bathroom, but I think I can handle that. We are going to miss our little old house though. As we drove the tree lined streets at dusk I just knew that I will miss the beautiful Elms, especially come Fall.

Kicking off May Long

 My morning started out nice and early when Hyrum woke up. He stood at the end of my bed for a long time watching us. I kept my eyes closed hoping for just a few more minutes of sleep. He soon made his way downstairs and started building towers with his blocks in the office. Before long we were all out on the back deck playing and enjoying the sunshine.

We spent the early afternoon at the park sliding, playing in the sand and collecting rocks and sticks. Hyrum is so big and independent now, it still blows my mind! I love him and his boyish ways. He goes everywhere with his hat on backwards and even naps in it most days.

The littles seem to play so much better together when they are outdoors and unsupervised. I think our cramped little home keeps them from getting the "unsupervised" play they need. I can't wait until they turn the water on at the parks so we can cool off and enjoy making mud pies.

 

Little Joe is six months old today! I can hardly believe half a year has come and gone. He enjoys sitting on his own more now and will often play at my feet or with his brother and sister while sitting. He is definitely getting more and more active each day and has started lifting his little tummy off the ground. Crawling and moving are just around the corner. A part of me is excited for him, and another part of me is sad that he is growing out of his baby ways.

 

 We kicked off the long weekend with homemade pizza and strawberry milkshakes. I love Friday nights. It's great to be with the fam and enjoy spending time with Daddy. Hyrum ran up to him this afternoon exclaiming, "Daddy!" and hugged his legs. Super cute. The littles sure do love that big guy!

Camilla's photog skills!

Happy May Long!

An Hour Ahead

I have been an hour ahead all day today. I knew that we had to get up and out the door pretty early to get to Joe's immunizations. I had fallen asleep in the green chair for the early part of the morning. I heard the front door close twice, once when Faith left for school and again when Daddy left for work. I glanced down at my watch after the second time and decided it was time to start our day. I managed to shower, blow dry my hair, straighten my hair, feed the kids breakfast, and make it to the clinic on foot with three kiddos in tow all by the early hour of 8:00am. The only problem was, Joseph's appointment wasn't until 9:30am. I knew something was wrong when I saw all of these kids biking to school in our neighborhood as we walked. They were either really late, or I was really early. I felt so weird not knowing what the actual time was. So we cruized through the mall and checked out Target, the only store open before 10:00am. The kids did pretty well chilling in the stroller and Joseph ended up falling asleep just as we entered the clinic. He now weighs a whopping 18 and 1/2 lbs.

After the clinic we slipped over to the library for some new books and singing time. It was so fun to see Hyrum singing along and participating. Every time we go he seems so much more mature than the last. He didn't even play on the window ledge half way through like he usually does. We picked up a new bag full of books and movies and then started our walk home. Joseph was quick to fall asleep in the wrap, so we took our time picking dandilions, rocks and sticks along the way. I ended up pushing an empty double stroller all the way home, but the kids were enjoying stretching their legs.

While the boys napped this afternoon I got to spend some time with Camilla. Her naps have been hit or miss lately. I don't know who's more sad about it, her or me. Although I miss my quiet time, I have decided to make the best of the time that her and I get to have together. We sat on the livingroom floor for a long time together and read library books. She asked me to make my legs like a puppy house so that she could climb in and be safe. I love her imagination and her sweet personality. Today at the library she suggested a song to sing infront of the whole group. Even though the program is teacher-led, I am grateful for understanding teachers who are willing to improvise. It's so funny watching miss Camilla in front of a group. She is totally fearless and I can totally picture her as someone who will enjoy drama/dance later in life. It's so fun to recognize talents in my kiddos and I am grateful for them each day!

Afternoon Shakes

Before breakfast was even over today Camilla requested a milkshake. These kids always wake up ready to take on the day. Hyrum was outside in his pj's and splashing boots first thing after the sun. I had just changed his diaper, so his pj's were unzipped showing off his awesome belly, and the empty legs floated behind him as he ran around the yard. Oh what our neighbors must think. Camilla finally got her wish just after lunch. It was hot and we all needed a pick me up, so strawberry shakes it was!

Then this happened...

Rocket Ship Rides

When my siblings and I were little we invented this thing on the trampoline called Rocket Ship. Basically I would pick them up with my legs and they would fly across the trampoline. We got pretty good at it. The best was when we could do it in the house and fly onto the couch. Today the kids were begging me to play with them after all of the laundry and dishes I had to do. I love playing on the floor with them! We did some Rocket Ship rides, safe and slow I assure you. I love their sweet smiles and I love when our home is filled with laughter.

We have also been loving the outdoors. Joseph usually chills in his swing while the rest of us kick around a soccer ball or draw with chalk. We are so glad that the snow is gone!

Love this handsome little man and his adorable smiles!

Being a Kid

Being a kid means blowing bubbles in your milk to your hearts content.



Mother's Day

I have been thinking a lot today about all of the women who have influenced me over the years. I have also been thinking a lot about my mother and if she was always as gentle, kind, loving, wise and forgiving. I wonder if she struggled with some of the same things I did and how she reacted when we tried her patience as children. These are the kinds of things I wish I could remember. Because as I grow and learn with my own small children I sometimes get discouraged with myself when I raise my voice or lose my temper. Surely, my amazing mother NEVER lost her temper with us (not that I remember anyways). Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and be a fly on the wall. I sure do admire my Mother and all that she is. She has taught me so much about nurturing children, giving tender loving care, cooking dinners for a crowd, enjoying life, and loving my role as mother. It is because of her that I grew up with a special love and desire to be a mother. I couldn't wait to have a house full of babies to call my own, to bathe them and wash behind their ears, to make them peanut butter playdough like my own mother did, and to teach them amazing things. Motherhood seemed so much simpler from the eyes of my childhood. Little did I know of all the work, sacrifice, heartache, patience, energy and constant prayers that go into this great role. I am so grateful that I have a mother who taught me all of this and continues to teach me through her example and her tender loving care.

Planting and Playing

 We made it safe and sound to get our girly from the Acreage. Gramma took Hyrum in to see the little chicks last night and he loved it. He gave his "I'm so excited but don't want to show it" smirk. It's the cutest little look.

This morning we went out right away after breakfast to check on the chicks again. This time he actually held one and loved every minute of it. When we separated out the little Turkey's Hyrum kept sticking his hand in to pet them. They're a bit more agressive and curious and munched the ends of his fingers.

Daddy took our car in to the car wash to clean it up and then vacuumed it. When he finished the kids wanted to go for a spin. He drove to the end of the lane and back with them and then each of them took a turn steering (I love the country). It was pretty cute. 

We had a chance to hang out on the deck with Great-Gramma Purdon. She spoiled us this morning with Banana bread and Rhubarb cake. We all got to enjoy it nice and hot.

We spent the rest of the afternoon planting the garden. Hyrum learned how to plant the onions with Gramma. The kids loved playing in the dirt and water.

Joseph enjoyed being outdoors, playing with the grass and trying to eat it. He's getting much better at sitting on his own!

Joe had both his morning and afternoon naps in the wheelbarrow. It was a super hot day, so we had to wheel him into the shade. He snoozed for quite a while and I'm sure the fresh air was good for him. Even though he wore a ball cap the whole day, his cheeks still ended up a little rosy at days end.

We came in for a late afternoon lunch and when Grampa looked outside he couldn't help but laugh. A few minutes earlier I had asked Camilla to take off her muddy clothes before coming in. We peeked out to find her ringing out a sock before hanging it on Gramma's clothes line to dry. So funny! She was taking each dirty piece of clothing and "washing" it under the water sprinkling out of the hose. Then she would ring it out while walking across the lawn to stick it up on the clothes line.



I thoroughly enjoyed my day outside (and I have the red arms and rosy cheeks to prove it!). I love how working in the garden is relaxing in it's own way. We got a lot done today and I can't wait to come out and enjoy fresh carrots and raspberries soon!

It's so nice to get fresh air and sunshine!