A candid shot

This morning Tucker and Mason were watching tv together in my big rocker, I had to take a picture because they were so cute.

Pictures for Grandma

I haven't been regularly updating my blog like I should, so I took a bunch of pictures this weekend to appease the grandparents.

Kissing

Howdy

After watching "Bedknobs and Broomsticks",
the boys were playing army

Brother and sisterly love

Dirt

I don't know what it is about dirt, but it's like a magnet that pulls little boys in. Our neighbors across the street have an unfinished flower bed between their sidewalk and the street and it's been the main attraction for all the boys in the neighborhood. They all drove their play cars over to it, brought as many shovels as they could find and set to digging and creating a make shift camp site. It's nice that it keeps them entertained for hours, but then our boys come home covered in dirt and looking homeless.

Who's the homeless kid?

Live, Love, Laugh

I have slowly been working on decorating our bare walls and I found the perfect sign for our kitchen wall. I also built and stained the cabinet underneath it that has been in our garage in pieces for over a year and I am so glad to have more storage space. With the sign as my inspiration, this week I am determined to just live life as it comes, love my kids a little more and laugh instead of getting annoyed.

The following pictures have inspired some laughing already this week. Gabe made the kids some balloon hats and Mason was excited to wear his while at the same time trying to put on one of Gabe's socks that he found.

Last week I pulled everything out of our storage closet downstairs so I could re-organize everything. Tucker found my knee high black boots and decided to wear them around for the morning. They go up to his thighs and even though the picture doesn't do it justice, it was hilarious watching him shuffle around trying to keep his balance.


For family night on Monday the kids played steamroller for the activity. After daddy was too tried to roll anymore, Mason decided he would take over.

Back to School

Brianna and Hayden started school a week ago on the 19th. School starts at 8:45, so it works out perfectly from Gabe to leave the house with them at 8:30 and drop them off on his way to work. We don't get the option of a bus since we live within 2 miles of the school. I would let them walk to school with friends, but since Hayden is still not used to the new schedule, he's not waking up until after after 8am and then it's a mad rush to get him ready.

Tucker's first day of kindergarten was today. They were all eager to start class except for Tucker. He was excited all summer long, but when the day finally came, he had separation anxiety from Mom. Luckily the first day was only 2 hours and he did have fun once I left. Hopefully after a week of school it will become Old Hat and he'll be telling me to leave the classroom. I signed Tucker up for afternoon kindergarten and Mason naps at the same time so I could possibly get something done while the house is free and clear. But we'll see what happens, I should make that time my nap time too because I am so exhausted by then.

Brianna 4th grade

Hayden 1st grade

Tucker Kindergarten

39 Things Every Mom Should Know

I saw this on my friend Felicia's blog and I loved it! I was laughing so hard with so many of them because I can relate oh too well!

39 Things Every Mom Should Knowby Kacy Faulconer, Parents Sept. 2009, pg 64

When it comes to raising children, everyone's an expert. Your kids won't be little forever, so enjoy them! Wow, that was helpful. Thanks. But here's something very specific to enjoy about your little kids: They don't know what you're actually up to--so savor it while it lasts. When they get older they notice when you burn food or fall asleep at the school play. But with a toddler you can eat frosting out of a can while watching Blue's Clues adn the kid will never bat an eye-- or judge you for it. Want more unsolicited but totally honest advice from a mom of four kids ages 1 to 11? Of course you do.

1. You never have to go to obnoxious kid-themed restaurants. Ever. I wish someone had told me that.

2. Don't make birthday parties a huge deal.

3. Do your chores while kids are awake. Using up naptime to wash dishes or clean the bathroom is truly soul-crushing.

4. Put Band-Aids on everything your kids want you to. Why not?

5. If the kids are awake, bite the bullet and be awake yourself. You'll waste so many hours trying futilely to extend early-morning snoozes that it's not worth it. If you are sick, pregnant, or it's the middle of the night, ignore this advice.

6. Just throw away the poopy underwear.

7. Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe.

8. Teach your kids not to pee outside unless you're camping-- you'll be glad you did. But if other people's kids do it, don't judge teh parents too harshly-- it's all about karma. (If you're in the midst of potty training, all bets are off. You've gotta do what you've gotta do.)

9. Buy cheap shoes when kids are little. Feet grow faster than you think.

10. Don't forget about board games. You'll suffer through way too much Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders, but Connect Four and Battleship aren't half bad. And Clue rocks.

11. Embrace their quirks.

12. Know this: That stain won't come out. And it's okay. (The sooner you accept this, the better.)

13. At some point it will be February. Things will seem bleak. You will think about vitamins, glasses, more exercise, more sleep, more chores, less TV, more rules, fewer rules, and organic food. Just wait. Things will get better when the snow melts. Know that it will happen again at the end of summer, right before school starts. It's the circle of life, baby.

14. Always get boys' haircuts at barber shops instead of hair salons.

15. Answer this question: What is the worst thing that can happen if your kids sleep in their clothes?

16. Never stifle a generous inclination.

17. Try to like what they like. It kind of sucks when it's Bob the Builder, but the payoff will come when they discover Lemony Snicket.

18. Teach them to pump on the swings ASAP.

19. If your child falls asleep occasionally without brushing her teeth, don't wake her; baby teeth do eventually fall out.

20. I know you are supposed to use natural consequences to punish bad behavior, but sometimes it's hard to think of natural consequences. In these cases try threatening your kids with clipping their toenails or some other activity they dread. I've had great success with this one, but you must find your own.

21. Get used to the word zerrissenheit. It means a state of disjointedness, and it's the new normal for most of us. At least you can feel fancy because it's German.

22. Buy kids deodorant before they need it.

23. Teach your children to make their own breakfast-- and allow enough time so they can do it without pressure.

24. I can't stress this enough: Use duvet covers on your comforters and forget about the top sheet. Not only will you thank me for this advice, but your kids will thank me as well when they are learning to make their bed.

25. Remember clogging lessons are not in the best interest of the child.

26. Don't administer a punishment that hurts you more than it does them.

27. Always pack wipes. If your kids go somewhere without you, send along wipes. It's like having a mom with them.

28. Do not allow the word wienies in your home.

29. Dress your little girls like, well, little girls.

30. Make sure your kids know how they like their eggs and burgers cooked. You don't want them to feel stress when ordering at the diner.

31. It's fine to brag about yourself to your kids.

32. Buy quaint wooden toys and hand-knit stuffed animals, but don't expect your kids to play with them.

33. Just say "No" to any toy or doll that comes with packets that have to be mixed with water.

34. Teach them to like cool music. Why suffer through The Wiggles when you could be enjoying Wilco or counting along with Feist?

35. Don't buy the most expensive school-picture package. It's a waste of money.

36. Give out awards for actual acheivements.

37. You're never too old to dress up and decorate your house for Halloween. And it's more fun for everyone if you are into it. It also entitles you to more candy.

38. If the school year, new babysitter, or karate class gets off to a rocky start, don't totally stress out about it. Instead, think of the improvement that can be made by the end of the year.

39. Independence is a wonderful thing. For everyone. So is together time. Make sure you have a healthy dose of both.

Camping and the Ocean

Two weeks ago I drove to Washington with the four kids (by myself) so we could visit my parents before they left on their missions to Rome. As a tradition we always go camping out by the ocean so we can visit our favorite beaches. Beach #2 is a must visit if you are ever out that way. We also love Ruby beach because it has a fresh water river on the opposite side of the ocean. When we first arrived in Kingston in was a mild 98 degrees, so we were looking forward to a warm visit to the ocean. Unfortunately all the heat inland caused a huge cloud cover that kept the camp ground and the beaches from seeing much sun. So although we only had one long sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans each to stay warm, we still had fun running in the waves and swimming in the frigid cold water in the balmy 60 degree weather. Okay correction, when I say "we" I mean the kids who have no temperature gauges and don't care if they have sand wedged in every possible crevice of their bodies.

Hayden "king" of the tree stump at the camp ground

Keeping Mason contained so we could set up camp

The first day of camping we went to beach #1 and the kids had a blast trying to outrun the waves. Mason was quite happy just throwing rocks into the water, but once he saw how much fun everyone else was having he had to join in. Needless to say I did get a little wet running in to pull him out of the water after a wave knocked him over and he couldn't regain his footing. But hey, he was worth it : )

Mason throwing rocks at the waves

Brianna and Mason running from a wave

Hayden content to play in the sand

Indiana Jones a.k.a. Tucker with his kelp whip

Grandpa, Mason and Moroni laying in the sand to stay warm

On the second day of camping we went to Ruby beach and the kids played in the fresh water river the whole time. Uncle David (my brother) had brought some rope and he fashioned together a raft using the drift wood. My kids spent hours on the raft. There was also a huge tree stump out in the middle of the river that my boys named Volcano Island, and it really did look like a small volcano. Fortunately the sun did come out for over an hour that afternoon and we actually got to use the sunscreen we had so amply packed. My kids did not want to leave when it was time to go, but luckily hunger and exhaustion won out and we headed back to camp for burgers and a warm fire.

Tucker and Cody on the raft

Hayden paddling around on his log

Brianna and Cody on the raft and Hayden on Volcano Island

Ruby Beach

Happy 5th Birthday Tucker!

Tucker had a belated birthday party 5 days after his actual birthday since we were in Washington visiting the Burts last week and then we immediately went to a Gosney reunion at Bear Lake. Tucker hasn't minded that we've been on vacation the past 4 out of 5 of his birthdays. This year we gave Tucker the choice of having a friend party at home or going to Chuck E Cheese with the family, he opted for the latter. Still the Luigi enthusiest, Gabe and I made him a Mario and Luigi cake. I bought 10 Mario World mini charaters on e-bay and we used 2 of them as cake toppers. The kids have been playing with them non-stop in the boys room ever since, it's been wonderful for me!

Mario and Luigi Cake

Super-cool frog balloon

A rare smile captured on film

Hayden's a pretty intense driver

Tucker received 2 Jack sparrow swords with belts so there would be no fighting between the boys, (hopefully).

Turning 2 years old

Mason age 2 weeks

Mason turned 2 years old yesterday! I'm a little sad that my "baby" is no longer a baby. But it's fun to see his personality take form. Mason loves the book Dinosaur Roar so I decided to make him a dinosaur cake. It was a big hit! The kids all had a hard time keeping their hands off.

Mason's dinosaur cake

The birthday boy gets the first taste

Yum, it's as good as it looks

I videotaped the kids all playing with some of Mason's presents. His favorite was the roll-around ball pound. After he opened that he didn't want to do anything else.

Empty Bed

A few nights ago I went to check on the boys before I went to bed around 10:30 pm. When I glanced in the room I realized Tucker's bed was empty and started to panic a little. We had put them to bed 2 hours earlier after which Gabe and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. I was about to start ransacking the house but stopped when the thought popped into my head to look under his bed. And there he was sound asleep.