Teaching Moments

So, I took advantage during lunch the other day to teach the boys something new--I thought.
I had cut up a huge peach and had given the boys several slices to eat with their sandwiches. They didn't remember them from before, so they told me that they didn't like peaches. I replied that they did like them; they liked all kinds of fruit. I then named a bunch of fruit--watermelon, apples, strawberries, bananas, oranges...After naming them, I told the boys that fruit grows on trees. Yeah, I know that not all fruit does, but that's beside the point. I named all the different kinds of fruit trees. I was so proud of how well the boys were listening and how much it looked like they were absorbing of my lesson. Until--after my lengthy speech, Cooper looked at me and said, "Mom, popcorn's not a fruit!"
I couldn't do anything but laugh. I love Primary songs!

Meanwhile, Lucy is getting around very well--unfortunately. She is better at rolling from her back to her tummy than the other way! That's new for me. The boys loved their tummies, so that roll came way before the other. I guess this baby girl's just got a mind of her own! She is also getting ready to sit up. She lays on her back and lifts her head as far as she can to see things around her. She is so funny!

For the record, I've made dinner FOUR days in a row. I cleaned my whole house. The laundry is in progress. My visiting teaching will be done after 2:00 today. And I've already exercised twice this week (and planning to go again tonight!)

RICE CEREAL

Lucy had her first taste of something other than bm yesterday. She loved it! I'm a little sad to see her growing so fast--and really sad that she's going to get more stinky as she starts to eat food. The boys couldn't believe that I fed her anything but milk, but they were excited. They watched me feed her every spoonful this morning.

I love to see how much Camden and Cooper love their baby sister. They take such good care of her, and they let me know when she's crying and I need to do something about it! They are the ones she gives her biggest smiles to and the ones who make her laugh the hardest. It is so precious to see them all interact, and it makes me so grateful that our loving Heavenly Father sent us these three beautiful children. I love them all so much!

Yesterday Lucy and I went to get my hair done, Cam and Coop went to school, and later Shea and I went to their back to school night. We had an hour long lecture on how to help them read--but it was given by a teacher who is perkier than Barney--and, to Shea, way more annoying. I'm glad she loves her job! Shea's glad she's not the boys' teacher! Anyway, I'm excited for Cam and Coop to start reading soon.

--Tried but failed to fix the red eye before Lucy was ready for lunch! Sorry.

Just another Manic Monday

except I don't wish it were Sunday. Sundays are not really relaxing, but I do love visiting our families every week. I love to sit around and chat about anything and everything with my family and my in-laws. I love to see my nieces and nephews and find out what's going on in their lives. So, although Sundays are hectic and stressful when I wake up, they are great and enjoyable after about 3:30 when Shea gets home.

Yesterday was baby Audrey's blessing. Ben gave her a beautiful blessing, and she looked so cute in "the dress." I did feel a little guilty though, since I still have to take Lucy to get her picture taken in it. I know if I let her grow out of it without a good photo I'll regret it. So, add that to my list. Baby Audrey is so darling--we love her!

Today was a good one. The boys woke up in good moods, and they played well together all day. Only 25 times did I have to tell them to be quiet while Lucy was asleep. Somehow, it seemed like they were trying harder to remember. They are good brothers, and they love their baby sister very much. Yesterday Cam was telling me about the raccoon he saw at Grandma's house. Ben asked him if he wanted the raccoon as a pet. Cam said he didn't because raccoons bite, and if a raccoon bit his baby sister, he would have to "just kill it, Mom. I wouldn't let it bite our baby!" I'm glad they're looking out for her. She will be so happy when she starts to date and she has Shea and the boys to satisfy with her choice of dates.

I made dinner (including Jane's snickerdoodle recipe), took dinner/dessert to a neighbor who just had a baby, went to Chrismom's party at Todd/Jane's (thanks again, guys!), went walking, and now I'm blogging! I do have to iron a white shirt for Shea to wear in a few hours to the temple still, but blogging sounded like more fun.

Reasons I'm looking forward to tomorrow--
--2 hours with just Lucy while the boys are in school
--it's not my day to blow dry my hair
--I might get to hang out with my sisters-in-law and shop/lunch/??

Reasons I'm not looking forward to tomorrow--
--Lucy has a doctor's appt. and will get shots
--RS meeting (which is fine, but sometimes they last too long and are depressing)
--Shea is at the temple until 11, so I'm alone with the kids until then (some mornings are good, others can get crazy)

Cookie Monsters

Today has been another busy one for us. I think it seems more busy because of the one car situation, but maybe I'm just making it up.

I had a baby shower for my neighbor, then the Roxana Leavitt whoever-she-is reunion.. I really need to read Shea's genealogy so I can know who these people are! I know my ancestors, and now I need to know his. What a big job! I can barely keep my own three kids straight--let alone all these relatives! After that, we had our neighbor boys over, Ben and Olivia stopped by to get the blessing dress for baby Audrey's blessing tomorrow, and then our neighbors, the Webbs, came over for Chinese take-out and cookie decorating. What a mess! But we had a great time.

I would be looking forward to a restful day tomorrow, but it's not going to happen. We have Audrey's blessing (after I get myself and the kids ready alone) at the same time as our bishop's son's farewell. I was supposed to accompany a musical number for it, but Audrey's blessing coincides. Then, Shea wants to try to make it back to our ward to hear the bishop's son, I conduct Relief Society, the boys sing in RS, Ben and Olivia are doing lunch at my parents' after the blessing, Shea has to be back in our ward at 2 to do temple recommend interviews, count $, etc. So, we'll see how the day goes.

I still have to dry the boys' church pants that they got dirty at the reunion today, but Shea's white shirt is ironed and ready.
I'd better go get that done and go to bed!


(Josh Webb, who's almost 2, wanted to hold Baby Lucy. She wasn't very happy about the idea!)

Cam and Coop have been into posing themselves and Shea and taking their own pictures. They are pretty funny--and they're pretty good little photographers! (They definitely take after their father.)

It's been a good Tuesday

Today has been a good day. Shea went to work his temple shift from 5 to 11 a.m. and the kids and I got up at about 8:30. The boys were cute this morning, and very excited to go to school. I love afternoon pre-school; they just get a little antsy waiting around until we leave at 11:45. It works for us though, since I can get everyone up and ready, beds made, breakfast and lunch for the boys cleaned up, sometimes a load of laundry done, and be ready to run errands with Lucy after I drop them off. Afternoons work for us.
While the boys were at school, Shea and I went to Costco. It's one of our favorite places, and it's close to the boys' school. We picked up some toilet paper, Christmas cards (yes, Shea protested that purchase, but he'll be happy come December when it's already done!), Lysol wipes (a must with 4-year-old boys who insist on standing when they use the bathroom), dishwasher detergent...you know, just the exciting stuff.
After Costco, Shea dropped me off at my parents' house, and my mom, Olivia, Audrey, Lucy and I went to the mall. I had a coupon, a gift card, and it was the baby sale at Gymboree--three great reasons to shop. I also had to return Shea's tux from Brett's wedding last weekend. We had a good time--thank you, Shea, for watching the boys all afternoon! I love you!
I made dinner tonight, and the boys ate it. They also told me I could make it another time. They've never said that, so I'm going to have to follow through this time. We had potstickers and spring rolls from Costco. Elaborate, but it counts for making dinner! That's two days in a row for me. I don't know why, but I feel like a better wife/mom if I make dinner for my family. By no means do I do it often or very well, but no one's starving here. I am looking forward to the meals from My Girlfriend's Kitchen--I think we'll have one tomorrow. Thanks, Mom! That dinner will count too.
We took a gift to our neighbor who had a baby last week, and a little something to Brynn since she fractured her arm last night. Then, my friends called and Lucy and I went walking! I made dinner and exercised all in one day! It's not much, but it's been a goal of mine that doesn't get accomplished most days. I'm working on it.
So, now the kids are in bed, including Shea, and I'm having a little "me" time.
It's good to be me today.

I love this picture!

Shea's new toy

So, after I read Jane's poem, I started to have a better attitude about life. I spent five hours yesterday with my aunt, Amanda, and her 3 week old baby, Laila Rose. We went to get the girls' pictures taken and it took over three hours!!! I was done after one, but we had to bf, change diapers, try to rock babies to sleep for pictures (Lucy is too old to just nod off anymore), and pose two babies. It was crazy, and I was sweating! I hope I get at least one good picture out of the ordeal. It was good to spend time with Amanda, and we went to Cafe Rio for a salad after our adventure.
Today, Lucy finally took a nap, the boys went to school, and I got to vacuum my bedroom and the stairs. I also made dinner and folded two loads of laundry. For me, that's what I could manage after I spent two hours talking to the neighbors and watching the boys ride their wiggles. They were happy, I was happy, and Lucy was happy. Those are three more things I accomplished.
While we were outside, Shea, Todd and Jake went to the bike store to "hook Shea up" with a new ride. He got a new Cannondale Prophet--and he is so excited. I think he likes getting the gear to go with the bike as much as he likes the bike. He is excited for his first ride tomorrow afternoon with his brothers. He has worked hard for over a year with OS Tailors, so I think he deserves a splurge. (I would like him to splurge and get a second car, but that's for another day.) At any rate, Cam and Coop are excited to get to ride bikes with their dad. It will be a fun boy thing to do.
Tomorrow brings another day, and Brett and Jill's wedding dinner for us. Finally!!! A break from the kids for an hour or two. I need it, and I'll come home a more rested mommy.

It all started well...

Then the kids woke up. I had the best intentions to get at least my upstairs cleaned today--bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming--but Lucy had other plans. She took about seven ten minute naps instead of one or two longer ones. It was pretty frustrating. I even had Shea take the boys to school thinking that without the noise I'd have at least 15 more minutes to get something accomplished. It takes a day like today for me to want to hire a housekeeper.
We had a good Labor Day. We took the kids to the park for lunch, then we went on a walk up in the canyon. The boys had fun throwing big rocks in the river and looking at bugs. Lucy enjoyed being in her pink stroller. Then we went to Nana and Papa's for a bbq where we left the boys. The other counselor in the bishopric, Brother Mortensen, and Shea talked all about food on Fast Sunday, so he and his wife invited us over for open-faced enchiladas last night. Shea liked them, and I ate mine...I wouldn't be a very good missionary for very long. I would get tired of trying to stomach everything people tried to feed me. Maybe that was Lucy's problem today--too much spice. It was nice of the Mortensens to invite us over, and they provided a nice meal--I'm just not a spice-lovin' gal.
Tonight I went to my mom's Enrichment--Peg Fugal came and talked about compassionate service and visiting teaching. It was great. Then, Lucy and I went to our weekly Relief Society presidency meeting.
I guess I'll try to tackle the cleaning again tomorrow--I'm way too tired tonight.