Dinnertime Talk

I don't know about other houses but dinnertime at our house isn't always the funnest!  Especially for mom!  I hate dinner time (I know that is a pretty strong/harsh word and I don't like my kids to say hate but when dinner is involved it is allowed)! 

It's always so hard to decide what to cook and find the time to squeeze it in at a time everyone is home and hard to even have time to cook with all the running kids here and there.  Not to mention how different and picky kids are.  Well, when you have four kids it's really hard to find something that everyone likes.  So, most nights we end up having something that is someone's favorite but someone else's least favorite. 

Tonight we had what my mom called growing up cha cha chas, which is Frito chips, with chili, topped with cheese and lettuce and any other topping one might like.  This is one of Abigail's favorites but Jaxon and Grayson's least favorite (cuz it has beans).  Really how bad can this really be!?!  It's not healthy, chips, cheese and a little canned chili.  yum!

But no, its a fight every night.  But I don't give my kids the option, they eat whats on the table.  I give sides and when it is their least favorite thing I only give them a small portion and load up on the sides (usually apples, carrots, cheese, peaches, etc). 

So, on to dinner...  After sitting for 10 mins, I'm about done eating and Gray is still picking at his beans and pushing stuff around on his plate, trying to pick out all the fritos....

I say, "Gray, hurry up and get a bite"

He says, "I don't like it"

I look over and see, to my surprise, that Jax is almost done with his (yippee!) then say,

"look Jax is eating his, he is almost done"

which Jax quietly responds with, "yeah, even though its nasty, I still ate it"

I think to myself, did he seriously just use nasty to describe dinner....  I let it slide and giggle inside but continue on trying to persuade Grayson to eat his dinner. 

Oh, the things kids say.  You gotta love them and their honesty!

 

Christmas Decorating

Many of you know that I love to decorate for the holidays.  My favorites are Halloween and Christmas.  My decorating consists of taking everything down and putting holiday décor up.  I love going into houses that just add a touch of holiday with their regular décor, it just adds a beautiful festive touch.  I'm not good at doing that.  I don't know how to incorporate and add too.  So, I usually take down all the regular décor and put up holiday. 

That way I don't get sick of the regular stuff and it feels new again when it comes back out.

This year with moving into a new house, I got to start with holiday décor first.  At first it was a bit overwhelming but once I got it all out and got going I fell in love with my house.....  and Christmas!

 

 

Picture of my new tree all decorated in the new house.  I wish I would have turned the tree lights on and checked the picture before taking in down....  not a great pic but you can kinda see it.

 

 

So many people asked how I got all my decorations up and how I decorated the tree.... well, here's how....  I used a 10 foot ladder and went to town.  I have no fear of heights and I just do it. 

 

 

 

 

 

After all the lifting, climbing, leaning, stretching, grunting, and sweating, here is the finished project.  (don't mind kids tv show, the hanging wires, computer and toys - pretend they aren't there cuz they really were hidden most of the season).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I was sad to take it all down cuz now the real work has to be done.  The day after I took it down I heard one of my kids say, "it looks like we just moved in".  I wish it was as easy to decorate and make my home have that feeling I want it to have with my regular decorations, when the holidays aren't around.  Here's to hoping I can figure it out. 

Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

Ice skating at The Peaks

They couldn't wait to get on the ice!

 

 

Abigail has been after me to go ice skating for three years now.  It just has never worked out.  Saturdays are always full or we think about it too late or one time we tried going but it wasn't open skate, so we had to find something else to do.  We finally made it, although we almost didn't make it again today.  We looked up online open skate times and it just listed all day, so we got there at 4:10 go up to pay and see that it ends at 4:30 and the next session was at 6pm.  I had a few errands to run so we left to do those and came back for the later time.

We had a few hiccups getting back but we made it.  There was a little wait to pay and get skates but we finally made it on the ice and boy were they excited.

 

 

Abigail is a natural and doesn't have any problem getting use to the skates or ice at all!  She's been on rollerblades since she was 5!

 

Grayson is trying to figure out how to make this thing move....  He wanted to go fast and do it himself but he couldn't quite get how to dig into the ice to push himself forward.  But he loved every minute of it!

 

After a bit of trying it out the kids were really getting the hang of it and having fun.  Jaxon was feeling good and comfortable on his own when all of a sudden he went down face first hitting the ice.  He was all by himself and luckily I was not far behind him, I saw him fall, sit up start to stand then he saw me and put his little head down and brought his hands to his face.  He was trying so hard to be tough but you could tell it hurt.  I hurried and got him and helped him off the ice.  After quick inspection, he decided take a little break, and sit on the side for a little rest. 

But it wasn't long before he was up and at it again.... 

 Open skate went to 10pm and I thought there was no way we would last that long, but they would have.  At 9:30 I was tired and done, so Grayson and I stopped took our skates of and waited for the others to stop. 

We ended the night with yummy hot chocolate and talks of coming back.

Grayson turns 4

This year I kinda messed up on Grayson's birthday.....
I didn't make any big plans, didn't plan a party, I did think about and remember his birthday but when I did think about it all I saw it was on a Sat and knew with it being summer and dave having the dave off that we would probably have plans and be gone or on the lake so I chalked it up to that.  I did plan the family party but it worked best to do on Sunday, leaving Sat wide open. As the day grew closer we still didn't have any plans, and I didn't think to plan anything.  Then the day was here and it was too late to throw a party together......
So, Sat morning came, I had a baby shower to run to, so I left before he was awake.  I did wrap all his presents the night before and set them out for him to see.  Proud that I did that! 
Well, when I returned home from the shower Gray was awake and happy but the first thing he said to me was, "where are my letters?", meaning the birthday decorations that I always put up but didn't for him thinking he would be fine and wouldn't notice (I had a hard time sleeping the night before and thought I should get up and decorate just to have it done, but didn't and thought he will be fine with them up later in time for cake and stuff).  So I hurried in the house and put up the streamers and happy birthday banner.  Once he came in he smiled and was happy but said, "but what about my balloons?", oh my heck?!?  where did this kid come from?  I am still seeing him as my little baby who doesn't notice or need all those things yet.  Okay, Candice get it together, he is FOUR!!! (I had had the thought of running and getting balloons on the way home but didn't again thinking he won't notice and will be fine with it later when we do cake and stuff, stupid me!).  So, I sneak out really fast, run to store get balloons and return while he is outside playing.  Get them in the house and got get him to open presents.

I have the thought of I should just call and have some friends come over while he opens presents and then just let them play but decide against it cuz I would feel stupid for being so lame and last minute, plus didn't want them to feel dumb for not having a present so we just opened presents with the family.
He was so excited and loved every minute of it! 

After he opened the presents I gave him the cards he got in the mail.  When he opened the ones from great-grandma's and saw money in them, he was so excited he said, "Now we can go to the gas station!"  I laughed and laghed, that was all he needed to make his day great!  So after presents we were trying to make plans for the day  I asked gray what he wanted ot do for his birthday and all he would say was ride bikes to the gas station.  I asked 4-5 different times and different ways, offering boating, swimming, golfing, fishing, and seven peaks but all he would say was ride bikes to gas station.  I even told him he could go to the gas station and do something else but he didn't care.  His day was complete riding to gas station and spending his money.  LOVE IT!

Back to School

It's that time again.  Summer has flown by and time to send kids back to school.

Back to school always brings mixed emotions for me.  On one hand I'm ready for some structure and schedule and on the other hand I'm so not ready for the schedule and running and waking up in the mornings.  Part of me needs the break from the kids and welcomes the daily send them off to school, but then part of me is sad to not have them home to just go hang at the park or spend the day being lazy and playing in the sun.  No more boating, Seven Peaks, and no more freedom! :(

This summer went by so fast, we didn't get in lots of things we wanted to.....  we didn't make it to the grotto, didn't hike the Y, didn't go to Spanish or Paysn pool (only seven peaks), we didn't even get together with Tina and her kids, but I guess there is always next year right?!?

Here are my kiddos all ready to head out.

 

 

Colton 5th grade his teacher is Mrs. Bundy,

 

Abigail 4th grade her teacher Mr. Thorpe (Bundy's dad)

and Jaxon 1st grade his teacher Mrs. Diramo

Jaxon switched schools and decided to join Cole & Abi at Riverview, and is pretty excited.

I love that Abigail still has so much excitement and love for school.  She is such a good helper and gets Jaxon excited about going too. I hope that some of her excitement will rub off on both of her brothers.  Colton lost his love of school last year and we hope he gets it back. 

The first week of school is always nerve racking for me.  I worry about how they are going to do with their teacher if they are in the right place, if they have a good group of kids, if they are going to enjoy it, if they are going to learn, etc.  I hate it!  I think (okay, I know) moms worry about it all more than the kids do.  Wish I could just let it all go and be excited about it all, but I don't I stress and worry and fret over every little thing. 

It is funny seeing the difference between the first day and the last day of the week.  The first day they are up early and ready to go so they can be early, but by Friday they are sluggish and tired and dragging themselves out of bed hurrying to get ready so they aren't late.

So, here's to back to school, crazy school scheduals and adjusting to it all.

Piano Star

Colton has been taking piano for a few years now.  Although he complains about practicing and playing all the time, I really think he enjoys it (a little).  He has gotten to be quite the piano player, I am impressed with the pieces he is playing.  Tonight he had a recital and did really well. 

After everyone had played, Kristy got up and gave a couple awards.  She has such a great program and gives all kinds of incentives.  They keep track of practicing points and at the recital give awards to the top team and then top students.  Colton got 3rd in the most points, and was totally excited about it.

After those awards, Kristy gave out the star student of the year award.  She said it was hard to narrow down to just one so she awarded two students with it.  The first one was a cute little girl, and as she was talking I'm thinking (as I know most moms were) that is so neat, that would be cool if colton got it, but there is no way, I'm sure it's like Parker or someone....  Then, she says and the next one is, (drum roll) Colton!  Um, what?!?  did I hear that wrong/right?  I teared up and was so proud of him!  She said he is so good at listening and trying to do what she asks him to change or work on.  She went on about how well he listens and what a great studen he is.  It was just what I needed to hear cuz we have been butting heads so much lately.  I know he is such a good kids and listens really well and tries his hardest to do his best, but at home we struggle.  So this is just what I needed and just what he needed too.  Great job Colton!

What a great "proud mom moment" that was!

Just Another Day....

Okay, so I have been passing birthdays off as just another day and referring to them as that for a few years.  But why?!?  Why down play it?!?  They aren't just another day!.....
Today I celebrated the BIG 3-5!  Wow, where does the time go?!?  and yes I have some new gray and I'm sure a few new wrinkles, but what do you do?  Embrase them!
What a great day I had!  Yes, it was kinda just another day when it comes to waking up, getting kids off to school, cleaning up breakfast, putting in a load of laundry, showering getting dressed, picking up the house, switching over laundry, etc....
But in the middle all those things and through out the whole day, I got messages and notes, and treats, and cards, and get to go to lunch with friends and people stopping by saying happy birthday and my kids giving me extra hugs saying "I love you mom"!  People I love telling me hey, you know what, today is your day and you are pretty awesome!  They take time out of their busy day to think of me and give me a little extra attention.  And to that I say, "Thank you!", I feel so blessed and so loved AND that is NOT just another day.
What a great week I have had.  It started with lunch with my wonderful hubby on Monday, then my mom came out and suprised me.  We went to dinner that night just me, my mom, aunt and family friend.  Tuesday was spent with my mom hanging out and venturing to a few fun stores.  I took her to Salt Lake to meet my aunt for her ride back home, where she got me my favorite cheesecake.  Then I got the night off dinner for scouts blue and gold banquet which was kinda just a party with a musician, the kids loved it and I just sat back and enjoyed.  Then today was filled lots of birthday wishes, lunch with friends and dinner with my cute family at one of my favorite places, Brick Oven (3rd night off dinner).  Tomorrow I get to continue the celebration with my close group of friends (Michelle Smith, Jami Evans, Melissa Tippets and Brianna Evans), we have been doing bday lunches for the last 5 years, I love them and cherish the times we get together.  After that, tomorrow night the kids and I are going to the UVU bball game and then Friday I am headed to Lehi with my sister friend Tina to scrapbook and hang out all weekend.  Who could ask for a better birthday week?!?  Not me thats for sure!
I have loved my birthdays the last few years because of the birthday wishes on facebook, the little birthday cards in the mail and on my doorstep, the friends stopping by, neighbor friends getting together for lunch, yummy treats and spending time with my family.
Today, I saved up my pile of cards and gifts and took a few minutes to myself to sit down to open them all at once, to be thankful for the people who took time to think of me.  It's so nice to sit and read nice things about myself, it makes you actually feel good about yourself.  We women, are too hard on ourselves.
I think that is one reason I love birthdays now, is it is a day I am reminded how much I am loved and I am reminded of the friends and loved ones I have. 
So I will take all those happy birthday and cherish them and look forward to the next one.  and I will remember that Birthdays are NOT just another day.....
love you all!