Costumes and Cake

We had a busy Saturday yesterday. Shawn worked in the morning while I watched a friends' kids so she could go over to the church and decorate for the Christmas party that was last night. I knew we had to run to the fabric store when Shawn got home so we could find something that would work as a costume for a Lamanite for that night's performance of the Book of Mormon's nativity story. So in anticipation of the running around, I got on the ball early and made a cake to bring to the party early that morning, so that job was done and out of the way.

We had a fun morning playing with friends, doing laundry, and eating lunch and then we had a successful trip to Joann's.

Enter Samuel.......



I realize all the ladies are very jealous and the men are wondering how they can get their hands on such finery. I can help you all, but I do have a small consultation fee.

Shawn then had to go to a surprise birthday party for an employee while I got the rest of us ready to go party. Upon my exit of the from the bathroom, I found a surprise waiting for me in the kitchen.


Enter my eldest..............

Livid doesn't even begin to describe me. I was so mad all I could do was cry. I cut up the half of the cake that wasn't destroyed, added cookies to the plate and called it good.

We made it to the church, dinner was tasty, Shawn did a fabulous job as a prophet, and for the highlight of the evening.....

.......enter Santa.














We had a nice evening with friends. Luke and Ronin were quite upset that Daddy got to wear a costume and they didn't and since I haven't updated in forever here is a picture of the boys in their costumes for Halloween.



Life continues to be good to us. We're blessed to be where we are, but in the middle of the holiday season, I find myself wishing we were closer to some family.

I'm looking forward to a fun day on Friday, I'm not sure what's happening, but I'm sure Shawn has something great planned for my birthday, aren't you? I'm not very excited to turn 29, but not nearly as unexcited as I'll be next year, I'm sure.

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

So, I realize I am a mother of boys, but maybe one day I'll have a girl or two, and I know girls, and I have nieces! It's ok that I want these right? I mean, they're beautiful, and I want them. Wish me luck.


Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

In Celebration of the Day...

... I would like to officially announce our own day of labor around February 24th.

A post about our summer activities is coming soon. In even better news, preschool starts in about 2 weeks! I apologize for the brevity of the post, but I'm supposed to be working on a talk.

More to come, stay tuned.

Baby steps

I was raised in a home where everything had a "correct" way of being done. Making beds, cleaning toilets, folding laundry--everything. My mom's house is immaculate. If you wanted to, you could eat off the floor. Some things have stuck with me since I've left my parent's house. Shawn can't touch the clothes since he can't fold right (he's pretty torn up about it). Unfortunately, the compulsive cleaning gene didn't transfer to me. But one way I see my upbringing in my life is my cooking. I need a recipe. If I don't have one, I don't make it. (I follow a recipe for hard boiled eggs). If I don't have have an ingredient, I don't make it. I don't like to substitute things, it causes me stress.

I didn't plan dinner for tonight, not a rare occurrence, especially when I know Shawn won't be home to eat with us. But, there's always something we can eat. Tonight I thought waffles would be good. So, I get out my Krusteaz, and remember I don't have vegetable oil. It's okay. I can use apple sauce! Huge step for me. So, I open the fridge to find we don't have apple sauce either. I do see apple butter. Now, most, or all, would move on, not me. I take out the apple butter, and think and worry and stress about the outcome of waffles that don't have oil in them. But, I'm hungry, the boys are hungry, and I already told Luke that's what we're having and if you're smart you don't change plans on the 4 year old. So I do it. I use apple butter instead. The world is still spinning, and the waffles were still waffles. And tasty.

Sisters!

Let's get you up to date with my goings-on, shall we?

I got to go home in April for a long weekend with my two sisters, and spend some time with our parents (without any children) before they leave on their mission. We had a tons of fun. We went up to NYC for a day, we took my mom shopping for her missionary apparel, and we got to celebrate Christine's birthday. The trip made me wish I lived closer to them all. It was a great girls' weekend. There were definitely times I'm sure my dad wished his sons were there.

And I couldn't mention this trip without mentioning my fabulous, beautiful, smart, and wonderful friend Kristy who kept my boys for a few days while Shawn was working. Thank you, Kristy!










I was going to get more posted, but I'm being told it's lunch time, and I guess it's my turn again to make it!

I got told

The following conversation took place at dinner tonight.

Luke: "Mommy, I'm all done being patient"

Me: "What are you talking about, Luke."

Luke: "I'm talking about being all done being patient with all your yucky dinners."



Ouch.

Poop

Maybe this isn't the most pleasant title, but I think all parents can appreciate that upon the birth of children life begins to revolve around poop. As a new parent, you're told to pay attention to frequency and consistency. I've never seemed to move past that, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this. I could tell you when both my boys last number two-ed, and more details then you could ever possibly want to know.

I hated potty training Luke. It took forever, and he was stubborn and uninterested. All I could think of was that I had another boy to go through this with. A couple of months ago, Ronin, who can't really talk, came to me and said "pee-pee" and went to the toilet. So, I humored him and put him up there, and he went. That was exciting, and we all cheered. And that's continued since then, he'll tell me when he's in the mood and he'll go and we clap and say "good job" and he claps and says "good job".

Why am I telling this story? Well, people, tonight he pooped! My almost 23 month-old pooped. On the toilet. I know I'm not supposed to compare, but Luke was well past 3 before he did that. I know having Luke has been a huge help on this front too. Ronin likes to do what Luke does.

I need some help going forward. When I potty trained Luke, we could have a conversation and understand each other. Ronin and I aren't having any discussions. So, any advice would be appreciated.

Even if it is awhile before he's out of diapers, this has got to prove it's going to be WAY easier than last time, right? I mean, he POOPED!!

I guess I'm doing this

I've often thought of joining the blogging world, but have always hesitated. My excuses have gone from "I don't have the time" to "I don't think I want people reading what I'm thinking". But, if I was honest with myself, it's because I didn't know what to call it. I didn't know what I wanted it to be, just that it had to say something about me and my life. Then inspiration hit.

We went for a walk today, and as Luke was rambling on and I was half listening, something he said reminded me of this phrase he has.

"Mommy (or Daddy), I just wuv __________"

Sometimes he says things that melt me, like "I just wuv when Grandpa and Grandma come" (recent event, more on that later)

Sometimes its more 4-year-oldish "I just wuv feeding the ducks"

But, it always brings a smile to my face.

I read enough blogs to know that I won't post as often as I plan to, but I'll try. I'm excited to start this. Shawn's had a blog for awhile now, and now the world can read a different (more correct) perspective on what's happening with us. I can tell already that this is going to be fun!

Here it is, my blog about me and all the things, places, and people that I just wuv. I hope you'll enjoy it too.