First day of school

Both kids have returned to school. I'm not sure who was more excited, me or them? Londynn is now in 1st grade and Boston just started his 2nd year of preschool. The years are flying by.

A Birthday to remember

At least that's what I told my kids. They better remember this birthday party because I don't know when their next one will be. With Londynn's and Boston's birthdays 2 weeks apart my sister had a great idea of combining the two and having a backyard carnival. While I knew it would be a lot of work it sounded like a fun idea. I'm not going to lie, it was kinda fun planning it. Took a lot of time but still fun. I was able to borrow a couple of the big games from my sisters friend and then I threw together the others. In all we had 7 games. Duck pond, go fish, ball toss, bean bag throw, plinko, spin the wheel and face painting/tattoos.

I love this picture of Boston. Makes me laugh every time I see it.

Austin, Will, Lincoln, Luke, Boston and Hogan

Ian

I had to talk Londynn into dressing up as a clown so we could get a picture. She agreed as long as she didn't have to wear the nose.

Londynn and Kate

Hogan

Birthday Girl!! I can't believe she's 7.

Overall it was a great party. We were threatened with rain after we played games and had had dinner so the party was moved indoors for singing and presents. It was complete chaos for 2 hours and there was no way I could have pulled it off without the help from my family, but I think the kids had a blast. We loaded them full of sugar and cheap toys and sent them home.

Looooong December

Londynn has the WHOLE month of December off from school. To keep myself from going crazy we came up with a sticker/reward chart. Good behavior and doing jobs around the house earns them stickers. Bad behavior and not listening makes them lose stickers. When they have earned so many stickers they get to pick a fun activity to do. So far they LOVE it.

The first reward up was making play dough. Who knew making play dough was so easy. The kids loved help make it and best of all they each got to choose what colors they wanted.


I asked Boston to smile for the camera and this is the look I get.




Such a simple activity that has provided hours of entertainment for the last couple of days.

He's off

Well my not so little guy started preschool this week. To say he was excited was an understatement. I was a little sad because I wasn't able to go inside and drop him off because I had to get Londynn to school. I pulled up and dropped him off and the kid didn't even look back. I can't believe he's already in school. He was definitely ready for something. He's been asking to go to school since Londynn started preschool. I'm excited to see how he grows this year and I also can't complain of the 2 1/2 hours of free time I have 2 times a week.



This was my attempt to get a picture of them together. Londynn would having nothing to do with it.

The unthinkable

I did what I thought I would never do yesterday. Londynn has afternoon Kindergarten. We are well within walking distance from the school but being the lazy mom that I am I always drive her to school. Picking her up from school however is a different story. I forget how crazy pick up can be and all the cars so I have been choosing to walk to school to pick Londynn up. She knows to wait for me at the flag pole that way she is easy to find. Yesterday I thought I would I have her start to walk home and I would meet her. On the way to school I showed her where I would be waiting. If I was where I said I would be I would be able to see her walk from the flag pole to me. I thought this would be a great idea because then she could get the feel to start walking on her own and also make my walk a little less long in the scorching afternoon heat.

The afternoon rolled around and I was dragging. I told myself I would just lay down for a little bit knowing that I would never be able to fully fall asleep because Boston is still around and needs me (he usually comes in my room multiple times while I am trying to rest). Just to make sure I wouldn't be asleep when school got out I set my alarm. Well before I knew it I was waking up and it was 3:35, school gets out at 3:25. I jump out of bed and realize that Boston had also gone to his bed to take a nap. I hurry and wake him up and run out the door thinking that I was late but still would okay. As I came to the place where I had told Londynn to meet me, Londynn was no where in site and the last of the school kids were just crossing the crosswalk. My heart sunk. The nice crosswalk lady asked me if I had a little girl I was picking up. She informed me that Londynn had come to the crosswalk and didn't know where to go to from there. She was in tears. She had sent her to the office to call me. At this time I could see her walking towards the office so I called her name. She heard me and turned around and I don't think I have ever seen that girl run so fast. I was heartbroken.

Needless to say I think I learned my lesson about taking naps/resting while my kids are gone at school. It took a lot of convincing and promises to get Londynn to go to school today and I honestly can't blame her. I traumatized the poor child. Here's to hoping that today is a better day.

It finally arrived

The first day of kindergarten that is. I feel like I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Londynn has a September birthday so she missed the August deadline. I feel like she has been ready for school for awhile. She needed something to keep her busy and quite frankly I needed it to. Everyone always talks about how they cried after sending there first child off to kindergarten. Maybe I was to preoccupied with getting packed up to head to our family reunion after she got out of school for this to really hit me. Either way she was so excited and I was happy for her that I'm happy to admit no tears were shed. She is LOVING school.

Growing up

My little girl has done a lot of growing up these last couple weeks. It started about 1 week ago when she lost her first tooth. She was SO excited. She was able to pull the tooth out herself with a little help from her aunt Kelsey. She was fully aware of the fact that the tooth fair was going to make an appearance that night.

At around 11:30 that night Londynn comes walking into our room excited to tell us that the tooth fair had come and had left her $2. I understand the excitement and didn't mind being woken up; however, the events that continued to happen after that left me less than thrilled. We told londynn that we were happy for her and to take her money and return to bed, which she did. Five minutes later she was back in our room saying that she thinks she heard the tooth fairy in her closet and wanted us to come and check it out. Sure why not it's only 11:30 and we're half awake. Jared gets up to check things out and returns to bed. A couple minutes later Londynn has returned, this time she says she's seen a little orange light and that it's the tooth fairy. She's to scared to return to bed. By this time Jared and I are furious. Londynn is being the drama queen that she is and won't stay in bed, Jared and I are tired and just want to go back to bed. We finally ended up taking her $2 away and threatening her with her life (okay not really but we definitely were not happy) if she didn't return to bed. I'm happy to report that she stayed in bed from then on. I think the next time a tooth is lost we will have to inform the tooth fairy to make an appearance while she is at school.

Her next growing up moment happened last night and today. Our little princess graduated from preschool. I really didn't know what to expect having my oldest child graduate and I was surprised when I found myself shedding a few tears after I picked her up from her last day today. I think she also felt that sadness because once we returned home she also broke into tears saying that she already missed her teachers and didn't want to go to kindergarten she wanted to go back to preschool.

Preschool for Londynn did amazing things. I can't believe how much she's grown and learned over the course of the year. Not a day went by that she wasn't asking if she had school that day and wanted to know what she would be learning at school. One thing about my little girl that didn't change was her fear of being center of attention or being on stage. My little girl definitely has a strong will. I could offer her the world and if she didn't want to do something, she simply would not do it. No convincing could change her mind.

Last night was her graduation. We invited grandma and grandma to come even though we knew that the chance of her getting on stage and participating was slim. We showed up and there was a chair on stage with her name on it. She was the only child not up there. Being her mom there is still a part of me that is saddened when I can't get her to participate but over the last couple years I think I've come to accept this as being part of londynn (and quite honestly I have no where to talk because she gets this from me).

Another school year over and a new chapter beginning. It sure is fun watching my kids grow up even if it makes me cry.

So funny

This is really mean of me to share but it's one of those moments that was to funny and I don't want to forget.

Boston has been potty trained for about 6 months. He's done really great but still has those occasional accidents. Last night we put him to bed around 8:00 and at 9:00 I was to tired to stay awake so I went to bed. Apparently around that same time Boston woke up crying. When Boston wakes up crying it usually means one thing...he's had an accident. I had just fallen asleep and didn't even hear him cry so Jared walked into his room to see what the problem was. Apparently Boston had his legs over his bed rail and had just had an accident. We think that he woke up to use the bathroom and started making his way off the bed when I guess he assumed the position that felt like he was sitting on the pot and let go. lol Poor kid was still to asleep to realize that he had not yet made it to the bathroom. At first I was frustrated (just like I am every time there is an accident because I have to clean in up) until Jared shared his theory with me and then I couldn't help but laugh.

vacation

We had so fun much at Disneyland last year that we decided to go again this year. This year it was just our little family and my sister Kelsey and her husband Derek that went. I am surprised how well the kids did on the long drive. On the way there we stopped at Prim for the night to break it up. On the way home we drove straight through. Our kids are at the perfect age and it makes family vacations fun.

It's amazing how things change in a year. Last year it was torture trying to get Londynn to go on any rides. Boston was pretty easy going last year and went on basically everything we wanted him to go on but if he saw Londynn crying then most times he ended up in tears also. This year there was a lot more smiles and Londynn was willing to go on more rides. Both kids have grown a lot since last year which meant that both kids could go on most rides. With the exception of the "scary" rides (i.e space mountain, haunted mansion and Indiana Jones) we went on almost all of the rides.

Before we left on the trip the weather didn't look like it was supposed to be very warm so I packed long pants and long sleeves for me and the kids. I should have known better because the weather was beautiful and on one of the days it actually got a little too warm.











The Toy story rides was a favorite of all of us and we were sure to ride it many times.





Boston thought it was pretty cool to get a picture with Mr. Incredible. They had just put on a little street show and Mr. Incredible came up and gave him five. He was all smiles.





On one of the days we took a break from Disneyland and did a little shopping and headed to the beach.



We've heard to many good things about The World of Color that we had to see it. Pictures don't do it justice because it was pretty cool. The kids loved it and when it was over we couldn't get back to our car soon enough, the kids were tuckered out.

California and Disneyland 2 years in a row was a blast but I think it's safe to say we have had our fill for a couple years.
The only downside of vacationing this early in the year is that in a couple months I will be ready for another one.

Tender moments

Having sick kids is the worst. Being sick yourself also isn't any fun. I can't decide which is worse? I recently was hit with some nasty bug that left me in bed with a fever, the chills and the aches from 3:30 until I went to bed last night. My kids new I was sick but that didn't stop them from coming into my room every 5 minutes checking on me, whining at me, or asking me for things. At one point after dinner Londynn came walking into my room as somber as could be. She just looked at me and I could tell she was fighting back tears. I asked her what she needed and she said "I just want you to feel better". By this time her eyes have filled with tears but she's still fighting them back. Out of my 2 kids Londynn is most like me. She is very strong willed and I feel we butt heads more than we get along. It's not very often I feel we have those "tender moments as mother and child" and quite honestly that makes me sad. Last night we had one of those moments. As she is trying to hold back her tears for me I couldn't help but to let mine fall as I tried to reassure her that I was going to be okay and I just needed to rest. As she walked away she mumbled the words "I love you mom" and left my room.

It's moments like those that I am reminded of how in tune our children are. Here I was laying in bed feeling sorry for myself and all Londynn wanted was for her mom to feel better. Oh how I love my little girl, even if we butt heads. :)

Ticklish

So Boston came to me yesterday holding his head. I asked him what was wrong and his reply was "my head tickles" aka I have a headache. Too cute!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

So take a look at these photos and tell me if you see a common trend?


Londynn's 1st birthday


Londynn's 2nd birthday


Londynn's 3rd birthday


Londynn 5th birthday

This child does NOT like for us to sing Happy Birthday to her. It all started on her 1st birthday. While we were singing to her she burst into tears. That first year I didn't think anything of it. I thought maybe she was scared of the candles. Her 2nd birthday it happened again. We all started to think it was funny. Third birthday came around and we all started making bets as to whether or not she would cry. Sure enough she did. On her 4th birthday we had a friend party and unfortunately I was a bad mom and totally forgot to sing Happy Birthday to her; however, I'm pretty confident that she would have ended up in tears. That brings us to her 5th birthday. We celebrated the kids birthdays together at a local pizza joint. I wasn't sure whether or not she would cry this year. I was kinda hoping she had outgrown it. We started singing to her and she was all smiles. It wasn't until after we had finished the song and was congratulating her on not crying that she broke down into tears. I think she caved under all the pressure. Poor thing. Good thing grandpa was there to comfort her because I was too busy busting a gut. Yup I know I'm a mean mom, but you have to admit that it's pretty comical right?

The big 15...I mean 5

Well my little/big girl turned 5 today. Anyone that really knows Londynn knows that she is 5 going on 15. People tell me all the time that she is a lot like me. Hmmm not sure what to think about that. :) This girl is full of attitude and personality and I couldn't imagine life without her. At 5 she:

1. LOVES preschool. Everyday she asks if she has school. Poor thing missed the deadline for school so she has another year before starting kindergarten. Everyone says this is a good thing and I'm sure it will be in the long run but it sure is hard having her home when she is ready to go to school.
2. Londynn is ALL girl and still loves everything girly, especially if it is pink and has sparkles (what can I say, she takes after me).
3. loves playing with her friends and makes friends easily.
4. is very reluctant to try new things even if i know she will love it (i.e rides at disneyland, trying new foods, participating in an activity at school or dance etc.)
5. Londynn just learned how to whistle today. She was so proud of herself and the look on her face was priceless.

Happy Birthday sweetie. We love you!!

Look who's 3

Happy Birthday to my little boy!!!

Well another year older and full of personality. I can't imagine life without this little guy. He's my tender hearted go with the flow little boy. At 3 you:

1. just became potty trained and are doing awesome
2. love doing and saying everything your sister does and say
3. are finally getting into "boy" things. With an older sister and all the "frills" having a sister comes with, you were a little slow getting into the boy things. You now love cars and play fighting.
4. LOVE Toy Story
5. are very giving and think of others. When Londynn has a friend over and you ask for a snack you will always ask to have one for sister and her friend, even if you weren't playing with them at the time.
6. are very easy going and rarely fight over toys. You usually just end up giving up whatever it is your sister or cousin or friend wants. Perfect example: We were at aunt cristy's with family and you had just pulled out a bucket of toys to play with. Your cousin a year younger than you saw you pull out these toys and immediately came over and tried to take the toy away from you. You actually fought for it for a minute and we let you fight it out because rarely do you ever do this. A minute later your cousin had stopped crying and we looked over to find that you had given her the toy and went to find something else. That was either you being really kind or you couldn't stand to listen to her scream at you any longer and gave it to her (learning at an early age to give the girls what they want to get them to be quiet :)).
7. love to eat. We have to remind you constantly to slow down and chew your food.
8. have a major sweet tooth (hmmm I wander where you get that? )
9.have a love/hate relationship with the movie Enchanted. i think you love the movie for the music, but you are soooo afraid of the witch. You'll watch the first have just fine and then hide behind my leg telling me how scary the witch is for the second half.
10. when you get embarrassed you shrug one of your shoulders up and down. It's the cutest thing.
11. are tender hearted. I wouldn't say that you get your feelings hurt very often but when you do you have a quivering lip and eyes that fill with tears enough to melt anyones heart.

Happy Birthday little guy. We love you!!!

Summer Lovin'

People are starting to say that summer is coming to an end and that fall is just around the corner. Every time I hear the word the fall I cringe a little. I'm not ready for summer to be over. We've had an awesome summer. I'm not sure what made this one different from all the rest but I think that my kids are at a good age makes a huge difference. We are out of the baby stage and my kids are a little more independent makes for more enjoyable outings. We've kept busy and I've loved every moment of it. Some of our outings have included:



The Tim McGraw concert. We went with my sister and her husband. Jared can't stand country but believe it or not he loves Tim McGraw. His concerts never disappoint (okay except for the sound system is definitely lacking if you have grass seating). Good music (and people watching) and a night out without kids makes for a nice relaxing evening.



Our summer has been full of swimming, which unfortunately has resulted is a few sun burns. :( We kicked off the summer with running through the sprinklers. It was a hit the first time but they weren't so interested in it after that. We are fortunate enough to have an awesome outdoor swimming pool at our gym. On many occasions we have packed a lunch and spend the whole afternoon lounging at the pool. This is where my kids age comes in handy. They are finally old enough to know not to go into the deep water. They are perfectly content hanging out in the shallow while I hang out on the lawn chair in the shade watching. This has been one of my favorite things to do this summer.






I love summer time and being able to spend time in the mountains. I'm not much of a hiker but I love going on picnics and having a camp fire and hanging out with family and friends. The kids are just happy to get out of the house.




My favorite summer outing thus far has been just this past weekend. Some of our friends invited us and few other families to spend the night at their cabin. I don't think I have laughed as hard as I did in a long time. It was definitely a good time. We hung out, went four wheeling, ate, played games, and watched wild life. These two little guys (okay maybe not so little) decided to pay us a visit on Sunday morning. They were fun to watch. We saw deer, bats, squirrels and humming birds all while sitting on the deck of the cabin.


Between 4 families there were 9 kids. Overall the kids did amazingly well. I loved the fact that there was enough for the kids to do around the cabin that they could entertain themselves.




These two love birds were hilarious. There was definitely a lot of love going around. :)







Thanks Millgates we had a blast!!


Summer is not complete without tinfoil dinners up the canyon. We started this tradition a couple years after realizing how much work it takes to actually go camping, and the fact that getting a camp ground isn't as easy as it used to be. This particular weekend we had actually made plans to go camping. We had hoped to wake up early Friday morning and head up the canyon in hopes of getting one of the few "first come fist served" camp sites. Unfortunately that didn't pan out. By the time we made it up the canyon and to the site there was already a waiting list. We decided to have a picnic that night instead. Maybe it was a good thing we weren't able to camp because we got rained out later in the night and had to call it a night before we could shove our faces with smores. Still a good time was had.









Ahhhhh Mill Hollow. Our family loves this place. It's the only place that I know of that you are almost guarantee to catch a fish, because we all know it's only fun to fish if you catch something (even if they are small). This was Boston's first fishing trip. He loved catching the fish. Londynn loved it the first time until she realized that after you reel the fish in it splashes in the water and swings towards you until you grab the line. She didn't so much like it after that. She would reel it in as long as you told her there wasn't a fish on the line.






It's been quite a few years since we have been to the Heber demolition derby. We were able to get tickets this year and went with my sister and her husband. It was just as exciting as I remember it being. The kids loved it but I forgot about all the down time there is while the cars are being towed off the field. Definitely a fun night.



....and there you have it. We hope to add a few more swimming sessions and a few more canyon runs before "fall" arrives. aaahhhhh how I love summer.