Treasures

I've been thinking lately about how great it is to be a parent. I love watching my kids learn and experience life with wonder in their eyes. Joseph for instance has mastered jumping and makes sure to jump off each big rock, bottom step, couch, bed, or chair. It's so funny watching how proud he is when he lands on two feet (after my heart stops racing). Hyrum is really into pretend play and engaged himself in various imaginative games this afternoon while his brother and sister napped. The other day after listening to him and his million pretend voices even Camilla asked, "how does he even DO that?!" It's so great watching him develop his imagination. Camilla is really into drawing and coloring lately. She is constantly bringing me little cards and notes with my name on them which I proudly display on my fridge. When it gets too full, I usually take them up and hide them in a shoe box under my bed. The drawings I get from my children are things I treasure dearly. As my shoe boxes have filled almost to the brim, I realize that I won't be able to keep some of these drawings forever, so I wanted to make a post of some of the most recent artwork around the house. 

 A family picture (including baby)

 Camilla and her pet penguin "Flipper"

 A very colorful painting

 A bear she painted for Mr. H

 Camilla and I out for a walk (I especially love my rosy cheeks)

 She drew this as a thank-you after I took her to buy a new "pet" at the dollar store with her chore money

 Camilla and I again (Loving the way she draws hair now-a-days)

 A picture of her favorite stuffed cat so that I never forget what she looks like.

 Spring Flowers

 Camilla and I

 Camilla being the egg champ last Easter (love her newest obsession with stars)

 Hyrum rarely sits down to draw or color, but when he does he produces some real gems. He gave this one to me tonight and I still crack up when I look at it. It's a picture of him giving me a flower because he loves me so much.

This is also a Hyrum drawing. These are far and few between. Left to right we have Hyrum, Me, Joe, a very tall Daddy, Camilla and her favorite puppy "spots".

DIY Bird Feeders

 In hopes of keeping us all busy and happy this week I planned out an activity for each day. After Joseph went for his afternoon nap the older two and I got busy making bird feeders. I found the idea on pinterest and it turned out to be a lot of fun for everyone.

 Camilla got pretty into it, but didn't like getting messy.

 I love her positive attitude about everything.

 Once they had each finished a couple we went outside to find good places to hang them.

 The kids especially loved climbing the tree in the front yard and hiding the feeders on the branches.

 We've been searching for birdies ever since. 

 Joseph ended up having an extra long nap, so the kids played outside for a bit and we were able to get some school work done. While Camilla was working she grumped, "When am I not going to be a kid anymore?" I told her that when she moved away from home she wouldn't be a kid anymore. She then started to cry, "I want to be a kid forever! I never ever want to leave you!". We then shared a very long, sweet hug and she ended up giggling because the baby kicked her while we were snuggling. I love my little tender girl. 

 

I think this might be a fun craft that we will do again soon!

A Good Day to Fly a Kite

Today we enjoyed the beautiful Fall weather and took the kite out for a spin. It was so great to spend the whole day with Daddy! I'm not even going to caption any of these pictures because they are pretty self explanatory. I will say though that I am in love with them and the way they portray our carefree, fun lovin' afternoon together.

Until next time...

So Happy Together

 We survived until Friday! The littles were pretty darn excited to see Daddy tonight. This morning was a tough one. For the first time in my life I left a store without buying anything because the children were being much less than delightful the whole time I was trying to find what I was looking for. They are kids, so I understand, but that still didn't stop me from crying as I drove us home! While Joseph napped and the other two painted, I deep cleaned all of my bathrooms (and felt a little better about life after that). Then when he woke up I looked around at my well-lived in home and decided to leave the rest for another day. The littles and I spent the afternoon playing in the backyard, and it was the best thing for all of us. 

 I took out my sisters fancy camera (which she is loaning me for a while) and snapped away while we played and laughed together. I was so glad to catch the older two sharing a moment on the monkey swing. Those two are so lucky to have each other!

 I love how handsome and serious Hyrum looks in this one.

 Camilla brought out some blankets and we played on the grass for a while. Our yard is full of lady bugs and Joseph had a lot of fun with them while they tickled his toes. Soon the older two were fully engaged in a game of pretend with their new stuffies, and Joseph was playing on his own.

 I had a lot of fun following him around the yard, watching his mind work as he explored the world around him. He found a few forgotten apples and checked them out for a while.

 It didn't take him long to take a bite out of one. Judging by his face, it was slightly sour, but delicious. 

 While he ate he spied airplanes, hung out on the swing and let the grass tickle his toes.

 You wouldn't know this kid is a total clown. This picture totally cracks me up.

 I'm pretty sure this was his fifth half eaten apple.

 Oh, I just love him!

Daddy surprised us by arriving home just in time for dinner. The children were overjoyed to see him! While we sat and ate I asked Joe if he was happy that Daddy was home. He said, "Happy. I..an...HAPPY!" It was the first time he has ever said that word before, let alone formed a three worded sentence. He then proceeded to shout "I HAPPY!" all night long. It was pretty much the cutest. Daddy played with them downstairs and let me have some time to myself. He tuckered everyone right out and Mr. H fell asleep on the couch shortly after seven. We are sure glad to have him back!

Home on the Range

It's been a long week on the homefront. Mr. Stannix left last weekend for his first week of work in the Calgary office. The first two days were worse than the whole two weeks he was gone in the Summer. But we are truckin' along and counting down the sleeps until Daddy comes home! Though the children sometimes make me crazy, there are moments when my heart just melts from their cuteness. 

Hyrum has recently moved on from his Harry Potter phase. The pencil crayon wand and 3D glasses that accompanied us to the park, grocery store, and church on occasion have vanished. Now he walks around the house shouting "Yee-Haw!" and saying things like, "Yes ma'am" and "After you ma-lady". It's quite cute.

 

I now find myself using phrases like "No Lasooing at the dinner table!" and "For the millionth time, please don't lasoo your brother!" It doesn't take him long to remember that he can only practise his lasooing outdoors.

 

And today I couldn't help but kiss his little cowboy face and snap a million pictures of him.

Too Cute

Sometimes this kid is just too cute for me to handle!

Super Joe

Who's faster than a speeding bullet?

And always go-go-go?

None other than SUPER JOE!

Ward Picnic

It feels good to finally be sitting still. It's been a busy day. Joseph woke up at the crack of dawn and I walked squinty eyed to greet him in the hallway only to find Camilla sitting sweetly on the corner of her bed admiring the pink and orange sky above the rooftops. We grabbed a quick snack on our way to the basement and then they watched Saturday morning cartoons while I finished making a little hat for someone. 

Daddy and Hyrum joined us shortly after and then it was breakfast and a quick hair cut for Daddy. Mr. Stannix spent most of the day packing and getting ready to go to Calgary where he will be training for the next three months. Of course we will still see him on weekends and when we go down to stay with him at the apartment, but we are still going to miss that guy! We ran some errands, picked up some groceries and packed the car. The littles all gave their Daddy a big hug and snuggle before he left. I may have cried my eyes out when we said good-bye. It's going to be a tough three months full of traveling and semi-single parenting. But we will grin and bear it! 

After we waved good-bye to Daddy, we loaded up and headed to the Ward Picnic. It was at a beautiful little park tucked away in the back corner. The children were thrilled with all of the green space and ran to their hearts content. Joseph was a handful, and was also wet from the knees down minutes after our arrival. Hyrum slipped in shortly after and cried for quite some time about it. I wanted to leave ten minutes after we arrived, but stuck it out for the kids. When it was time to eat I juggled three plates, fought off the wasps, and listened to Joseph whine in his stroller. We found a cozy place in the sun to keep Hyrum (who was pretty wet) warm while we ate. Camilla had a hotdog bun with all the fixings minus the hotdog, and Hyrum only managed half a hotdog. Joseph, well, he had a bag of "Cheeze wheezies" as Camilla calls them and a few bites of a bun. We then enjoyed ice cream cones and the children ran around playing games while they dripped ice cream all over their hands. They were happy, so I didn't care. As much as I wanted to stand still and visit with people, I ended up jogging around the park after Joseph who just wouldn't sit still, and then finally decided it was time to head home for baths and bed time. My muscles still ache and I miss that Mr. Stannix of mine more than ever!

And now, here we are. I've demolished a whole Dairy Milk Fruit & Nutt bar and put up my feet. I've decided to forego my crochet orders and call it a night!

Autumn Snow Storms

Yesterday morning I woke up to snow covered roof tops, as if someone had taken a white paint brush and elegantly painted strokes of white on the edges of each. The grass and trees still remained green and I felt a little sad that we seem to have skipped Autumn.

The children woke up excited to see that fluffy white stuff floating around outside. "Is it Christmas?!" Camilla asked.  At the grocery store that day I picked up a bunch of sunflowers for my table, a tin of hot chocolate, and some mini marshmallows. The kettle has been taken out of the cupboard and found a permanent home on my counter for the season.

Today our home was chilly when we woke up. I caved and turned on our furnace. Joseph immediately discovered the vent under the kitchen sink and giggled as it blew his hair around and warmed his cheeks. I pulled out my Autumn decorations, lit a pumpkin spice candle and glued some sunflowers onto our wreath at the front door. Our home felt warm and cozy, just the way I like it. One thing this cold weather has done is remind me how close we are to the end of the year. I can't believe how fast time flies lately! The children are all growing so fast I can hardly take it.

Camilla has officially begun Kindergarten. She is mastering her math skills, writing letters and numbers, and constantly asking questions. I love how curious she is about the world around her. Our readers should be in by weeks end and I can't wait to continue teaching her to read and write. She continues to be a huge help around the house tidying things without being asked and unloading the dishwasher when she feels up to it. Last night we were fighting to get Joseph up to bed and Camilla cheerfully said, "Joe, Wanna play follow the leader? March, march, march...." and up they marched all the way to his room so Daddy could tuck him in. I love her creativity, patience, and gentle heart. Some of the things she comes up with to help the boys along astound me!

Hyrum is continuing to love and enjoy each new day. He talks a mile a minute and even I have a hard time understanding him sometimes! He is a helpful big brother and loves playing with his siblings. He still has a hard time with "Sp" "Sk" "St" and most other sounds like that. Yesterday he was super excited to help make "Wice kswippies squares". His other huge accomplishment is peeing standing up. He just decided that's what he was going to do one day and has proudly stuck with it ever since. Last night he cracked me up when he picked up his toy guitar, stood on the bottom step and sang a song about a lost slipper. "I lost my slipper...." while strumming his guitar. I wish I had recorded it, because it still makes me smile. He is still my tender guy and loves snuggles and hugs. He melts my heart each night as he delicately kisses sleeping Joseph on the forehead before hopping into bed.

Joseph is full of spunk and energy! The child locks have returned to the bathroom doors to prevent excess flushing and my cupboards often stay locked now. When the house is quiet you can pretty much guarantee he is up to no good, or has climbed somewhere he's not supposed to be. His talking has really picked up and he is starting to express himself more with words instead of tantrums and frustration. The other day he was sitting at the table and held up his cup and said, "Mo pees Mom". His "thanks" is still a tongue roll, so it's pretty funny when he says "thanks Mom" because it's "(tongue roll) mom". His favorite words are "Yeah" and "Hi". When you ask him a question now he will respond with a sweet little "yeah" or an excited "yeah!!". Whenever we go out anywhere he makes sure to say a whispery voiced, "Hiiiii" when we pass people. I also here a lot of "Hap Mom" when he needs help. If it's really urgent (like when he's stuck somewhere high that he's not supposed to be) he will yell "HAPPP! HAAAAAP!" We also taught him to say "I love you". It used to be "I.....MOM!" and now it's "I....Wa....DAD!" It's pretty cute. He is still our class clown and loves to make everyone laugh. He will either sing "Dooo DOOO!" and turn his head side to side or pretend fall and say a silly, "Owwwww". He makes me smile every day!

The baby continues to grow and it's movements are a lot easier to feel now. I am about 25 weeks and getting more and more excited to meet this little one. I love putting comfy sweaters over my baby bump each day to keep us warm. I have finished about half of my Christmas shopping and plan to have everything done by November for sure! I have spent many an evening crocheting little projects and I love sitting still on the couch while baby turns and kicks inside of me. I feel that this baby is such a great blessing for our family and I can't wait to meet him or her in December!