Luke's Birthday Party

This year was the first year Luke has had a "friend" birthday party. And since Luke wanted to invite 10 boys I knew I needed to find somewhere for them to go besides our house. We decided on Farr West Tumblers which is a little gym in our area that hosts birthday parties on Saturdays. The kids had two hours to play games and run around the gym. Of course their favorite parts were the huge trampoline and the giant rope swing. We kept it simple with cupcakes and capri suns. The boys were all great and Luke got some really neat gifts.

UEA mini vacation

For UEA break this year we decided to go on a quick, easy family vacation. And it was fabulous. We ALL needed the break. We stayed at the Zermat Resort in Midway, Utah. We really didn't make any plans to do anything special so we brought the Wii, some movies, a football and definitely bathing suits. We were not disappointed. And we had beautiful weather. We arrived Thursday afternoon and made a quick stop at the Park City outlets. Thursday night the kids wanted to head straight to the pool. They had an awesome indoor pool that connected to the heated outdoor pool as well. There were also a couple big hot tubs. I still haven't figured out why my kids can stay entertained in a hot tub almost as long as a full size pool! On Friday we took advantage of the beautiful weather and played at the outdoor sand volleyball court and threw the football around. Then we walked across the street to the Homestead Resort. We walked to the top of the crater to enjoy the view and take a couple pictures. In front of the Homestead Resort they had a big scarecrow display that we had fun picking out our favorites. Later we went swimming in the crater. The water is about as warm as a hot tub and life jackets are required. It was a really cool experience. The kids had fun dragging me around as I laid on my back. They also loved using the snorkel masks and tubes. Saturday we spent some more time at the pool and then decided to rent a RAZOR for a drive in the mountains. It was so much fun. A little nauseating at times, but for the most part fun...until we realized we got off the beaten path and were pretty far from the resort. And it was getting dark...and cold! Luckily our experienced driver got us back shortly after sunset. Grayden got sleepy about half way through our trip. He pulled his hat over his face and fell asleep!! It was so funny. Sunday we spent time packing up, making our room look recognizable again and headed home. We were all a little sad to leave but had a great time together.

DIY After School Snack

I am not a sugar cookie decorating fan. For ANY holiday. But for some reason kids love doing this. So for the kids after school snack one afternoon I bought bake and serve sugar cookies and cookie icing IN A BAG. Best invention ever. So with little effort on my part, the kids and I were both satisfied with checking this activity off our October to do list. Another day we did spooky houses. I saw this idea on Pinterest and unlike most things I pin on there I actually did it! We hot glued graham crackers together to make a house. Then armed with a bag of orange frosting and a lot of Halloween candy they got busy each making their own house. They turned out so cute and somehow as I was throwing them away yesterday I realized I never got a picture. Ahh! But this was something we will definitely make a Halloween tradition.

Allergy Shots

This past spring Luke was tested for allergies. We found out that he is allergic to every common tree, weed and grass in Utah. He is also allergic to indoor and outdoor mold as well as cats and dogs. So this summer we started allergy shots. At first we went twice a week for a total of 4 shots a week. Luke has been incredible! It has been a tedious venture to go twice a week until this fall when we started going once a week. And this week will mark the last of his once a week shots! We are so excited. He now will only go once a month!! We don't make an appointment for his shots but just kind of "show up" at Jason's office when its works into our schedule. Most of time we hardly wait at all, but there are those days when we have to wait a little longer. Luke and Gray usually entertain themselves with the rolling chairs but this past week they decided to decorate my hair with random office tools. Luke took this picture of a tongue depressor and a cotton ball in my hair. I think there is an ear curet in there too! Don't worry, we threw them away when we were done!

Octoberfest

I usually get a lot of good ideas of stuff I want to do with my kids around holidays, especially Halloween but for some reason life doesn't stop long enough for all my creative ventures. My laundry room counter is stocked full of things to create all sorts of fun stuff with my kids this month. So on Monday we went to the cemetery and did a scavenger hunt. Luckily for me I get to be Nate's bear cub scout leader so it made for a great outing with our scout group as well. I gave all the kids a scavenger hunt of items to look for in the cemetery along with paper and crayons to do a rubbing. A few of the scouts had relatives buried in that cemetery so that was neat for all of us to find. I find cemeteries (in the daytime) fascinating! I love the historical mysteries that lie there. The oldest tombstone we found was from 1871! The boys did some neat rubbings of soccer balls, the Angel Moroni and some even found their first names. I think it was a fun "Halloween" inspired activity but I also think it was good for my children to have an appreciation for those that have passed on. I can't wait to do this again next year.

4th and 18

This year Nathan decided to play tackle football. The commitment has been crazy, especially for a bunch of nine year olds. They started practices in mid July four times a week, an hour an a half each day, two days with full pads and helmets. After the second or third day Nathan didn't want to go anymore. But because he made the commitment to his team, we told him he had to finish out the season. Jason has never tried to pressure our kids into playing any specific sport and Nathan has pretty much tried them all. But I know that Jason was pretty excited about Nathan playing tackle football. The first game was the end of August and the last game was this past Saturday. They have only lost one game this season and most of their games have been blow out wins. Nathan has played center almost the entire season. This is a pretty tough position to play when you weigh a whopping 68 pounds. But he has persevered and done better each week. On Saturday they were playing to be division champs and a chance to play in the playoffs. Early in the game Nathan got knocked pretty hard and scared us half to death when he was still laying on the field when all the other players cleared off to switch positions. A coach finally ran out to get him and hardly beat Jason who was already down to the sideline. He ended up getting a good knock to the earhole that gave him a pretty good headache. Jason gave him some motrin and told him to sit down for a little bit. After a while he told him to "get back on the horse" so to say and don't be afraid to play again. Well, apparently that knock in the head did something to him because after that it was like he was a whole new player. Toward the end of the game the coach put him in as defensive end, a new position he had been practicing for a couple weeks. The opposing team was on their fourth down (they don't punt in pee wee football) and was going for the endzone. Nathan lined up as defensive end and when they snapped the ball he ran off the line like I'd never seen before. Next thing we know he is taking down the QB! BY HIMSELF! NO BACK UP! NATE SACKING THE QUARTERBACK! I'm sure I was in that moment one of those moms that people are embarrassed for but I didn't care. I was screaming, jumping up and down, going crazy like a mad woman. I was half tempted to yell "That's my son!" but I resisted. Luckily, I had finally given in to Lauren begging to use my camera. I had brought my huge lens to the game that day and was tentative about her handling it. I told her she could use it if she went and sat on the grass by the field. Best decision EVER. Lauren caught the blessed moment on camera. Sometimes giving in is a good thing! Nathan was on a total high after that. In the car he told me he was so happy he was going to cry. Let it out little man, let it out! I went to bed smiling that night thinking about that play over and over in my head. It still makes me smile to write about it.

Death Masks

A few weeks ago Lauren told me that her class was going to be making death masks in association with their study of Egypt. They needed parents to come in and death mask your child. I was super excited about the idea...Lauren not so much. I don't know if I have ever seen her so anxious about something. The teacher told them ahead of time that they would have their entire face covered with plaster of paris. It would require about 15 minutes to harden before being removed. Lauren is a mouth breather and a talker. So to not be able to breathe out of her mouth or talk for 15 minutes was absolutely terrifying for her. When we started she made sure I did everything except her mouth first. I got everything done and then started to cover her mouth. That's when she started breathing really heavy out of her nose. I could tell she was on the verge of a panic attack. So I had to talk to her and tell her funny stories to calm her down. When it was all said and done she did GREAT! And it was experience she will probably never forget.

Luke's Special Day

In Kindergarten each child gets a "Special Day" at the beginning of the year. So last week we got to fill out a book about some of Luke's favorite things. His favorite food is fish tacos. His favorite color is blue. His favorite number is 155. Don't ask me where that one came from, but moving on. His favorite day of the week is Friday because of our family movie night (a tradition we've had now for almost 6 years!) and his favorite team is BYU. When Luke was in Preschool he only knew how to right his name and BYU so every paper came home with "Luke BYU" on it until his teacher just had to teach him how to write his last name. She's a Ute fan I'm sure. Anyhow we started off the day by going to McDonald's for breakfast. I have to admit I seriously do not like McDonald's play places and rarely take my children there. I mean do they really clean those huge things? What normal size adult can fit in there to even wipe it down? And in the wintertime, ugh don't get me started. Thankfully I am sure that McDonald's play places are what keep my husband in business, so I'm glad some people are not totally disgusted by them. When his class started he was able to present his book and mobile (that hangs above his desk) to the kids. Then he choose to read a book to the class. I have almost taken for granted how awesome it is the Luke can read at a young age. The other kids in his class looked on in amazement as he read the book and the teacher had to tell them that he was reading the words by himself. I think Luke felt pretty special that day.

Grayden's Goggles

So much has been going on since I last posted (the reason I haven't posted again). There are some Sunday nights when I lay in bed and say out loud to myself "I'll be glad when this week is over." To which my husband replies, you say that every week. Ok, not every week but probably more than I want to admit. We try to be pretty conscious about our kids not being over involved so that school and church responsibilities don't get put aside for sports and other extracurricular activities. But a couple activities times 3 kids can feel pretty overwhelming some weeks. I was sitting in church a few weeks ago and the boys decided with about 30 minutes left that they were done behaving. Jason was rounding at the hospital so I was left to manage these maniacs on my own. That's when Grayden decided he was also done wearing his shirt. He kept trying to take it off himself but when he couldn't get it off he started having a meltdown wanting me to take it off. Instead of completely losing my sanity in front of 300 church members I just took off his shirt. That's when Luke and Nate lost it. They thought it was so hilarious that I was taking his shirt off in church. I was even having a hard time at that point to keep from laughing (or crying). The point of this story is that after a sister siting behind me (whose children are grown) leaned forward and told me how patient I was and how well I handled the situation. I wanted to hug her. Not only for what she said, but mainly for what she DIDN'T say...which was "they grow up so fast!" I have been told that so many times in stressful situations with my children by older adults that I want to scream back "NOT FAST ENOUGH!" Of course we always appreciate things more when we are not knee deep in laundry, dishes and children. What any of that rant has to do with this post I'm not sure. Except for the fact that I think having Grayden has finally made me chill out a little as a mom. Hence, the baby of the family syndrome. I am fascinated by birth order and how it effects families and siblings into adulthood. It is always one of the first questions I'll ask people when they are complaining about a sibling or friend or whatever. So when Grayden found these ski goggles in the basement last week and wanted them on to eat his lunch I was like sure. Then when he wanted to wear them to the grocery store, why not? Would have never happened when Lauren was two.

Really?

So today at Walmart the lady standing behind me in line told me how cute Grayden is. After I politely said thank you she replied..."He looks just like Brad Pitt. I've seen his baby picture.". Really? He's so much cuter than him. Just sayin'

Luke's First Day

It is hard to believe that Luke was finally going to Kindergarten! He was SO ready. It was hard for him to watch Lauren and Nathan start school a whole week earlier than him. A couple weeks before Kindergarten started we made a chain to countdown to the first day of Kindergarten. Each loop had a little activity on it to prepare for the big day...write your name, practice letter sounds, read a book, etc. We had a lot of fun doing that together each day. So when the first day finally rolled around Luke was pretty excited for school to start. He is my first child to attend afternoon kindergarten. Luke is not the fastest kid when it comes to getting ready so I thought I would enjoy this last year of lazy mornings with Luke. And by the time he is bored with me or done with running errands, school starts! And best of all he gets to ride the bus home with Lauren and Nate. On his first day of school the PTA did a 'boo-hoo' breakfast for all the new kindergarteners and their moms. We went a few minutes before school started to eat donuts, take pictures and "boo-hoo." As hard as I tried, I didn't shed a single tear! Luke has been such an angel to have at home. He is very laid back, easy going, and just fun to be with. I think if he wasn't so ready to go to school I would have been sad. But I was just really excited for him. And the highlight of his first day of kindergarten? He got to play with his big brother at recess!

Binki baby

Grayden is definitely a binki baby. All my kids have loved their binki's but Grayden is literally obsessed. Lauren had her binki until she was two years old. She was our "Manipulator." One night, as she had done on several previous nights, she threw her binki out of the crib after she had been put to bed in an effort to get us back into the room to get it for her. On this one night Jason decided he was fed up with the routine and went in as usual to get the binki only this time he took it with him and shut the door. She screamed her head off for a LONG time that night. But that was the end of the binki for her. Nathan was our binki lover. He used to walk around the house going "bee are u?" Over and over and over until we would all join in on the search to find it. One day when he was three years old and we had done the "bee are u" search with no luck he had to go to bed without it. I promised him we would look again the next day. Of course we didn't find it then either. He was pretty melancholy for a few days but eventually got over it. Then about a week later Lauren and Nate were playing in the toy room and I hear Lauren shout with joy, "Mom, I found it!" I ran upstairs to see Nathan with the binki back in his mouth. I quickly took it away because I knew I didn't want to break it of him again. Luke was my easiest going about the binki. He got to an age where he was fine leaving it in the crib in the morning and only having it at naps and bedtime. When he was a little over three we decided that we should have him give Santa Clause his binkis and Santa would bring him presents. As I sat there that Christmas Eve and watched him contemplate this decision, tears filled MY eyes when he set them all down on the plate with the cookies. I'm not sure how Grayden's story is going to end...do they have binki rehab, binki AA, or self help books on ditching the binki? All I know is it's not going to be easy. But you know what they always say "He won't go to Kindergarten with his binki!" Oh wait, that saying is for potty training.

First Day of School

I don't know what it is about the first day of school that makes me want to start blogging again. Probably because I look at my kids and think where has the time gone? I am lucky to have kids that love school. They were even besides themselves about back to school night. And I admit I love this time of year too. I was so excited this morning I was up at 6:30 this morning making cinnamon rolls and sharpening pencils. I love school shopping, lists, new backpacks, the whole thing. Lauren, Nathan and Luke will all be in the same school this year which I think will be the only time this will ever happen. Lauren is in 6th grade, Nathan in 4th and Luke starts Kindergarten next week. After a crazy busy summer I may actually be productive again. I always have big expectations for myself when the kids get back in school....I'm going to scrapbook, finish a book in less than a month, clean out and declutter closets, and other projects that won't get done. I love first day pictures. My kids are usually pretty patient and I even got a diva pose from Lauren this year. I am blessed with such great kids. And I did the usual "pretend like you love each other" picture of Lauren and Nate to which they usually respond...we do love each other mom! That's what I want to hear.

Twice a Year Blogger

I decided I am really good at blogging every six months. It really doesn't feel like my routine changes that much from day to day. Dishes, laundry, driving in the car and always looking forward to a nice tall Diet Coke from the Maverick fountain. Makes my day complete. Once in a while things come up just to throw things out of whack for a little while and then we are back to the daily grind. I decided not to long ago that I needed to be better at keeping a journal...well at least my style of journaling which always involves a calendar. I have a calendar obsession. As long as I can remember I have always kept a calendar...several actually. In October I got my first iPhone and absolutely love the calendar on it. I have little dings for everything. Tighten the retainer...ding! Take the kids to piano...ding! Change my birth control...ding! And I also love that my husband's phone also has all my calendar items on it as well. So when he thinks I am at home blogging in my pajamas in the middle of the day (who me?) he has several dings to tell him differently. But I have to admit I miss my paper calendar just a little bit. After going through a little withdrawal I bought a desk calendar. Not really to write on, just to look at on my fridge. Then I bought a little planner calendar. I decided this would be a great way for me to journal. I still remember my mom keeping a calendar journal. One notation was of my brother walking with his older sisters to school in his snowsuit. It was August. Priceless. I love that the small calendar gives me just enough room to write down a little snippet of my day and I don't have a whole blank page staring at me to fill. This past Sunday I noted that while I was getting ready for church, Luke was sitting on my closet floor also getting ready. After a few minutes he started to sing his own little jingle..."I like Jesus, but I don't like church, I like Jesus, but I don't like church..." So Luke. This is also the child that cannot physically shut his eyes for any of our daily prayers. And who also told us that maybe Joseph Smith was the one who decided that we should give candy with our valentines. So its these little moments this year that I am going to jot down in my precious little calendar notebook. Especially those days when I need to remember why I do each day what I do and my purpose here on this earth, no matter how hard it is some days. I know having a family has nothing to do with me teaching them. Its how they are going to teach me to be a better person. I need to jot that down a little more too.