warning, long post, lots of pictures....

So, it's been quite a while since I last posted, I'm going to catch up at the risk of boring you all.

The kids had spring break earlier this month, and we woke up Friday morning to Maddie saying,"Stay in bed, we have a surprise for you!" My first thought was great, what kind of a mess have they created? And when they were ready, we came out to this!

It was a pleasant surprise.

I asked Colin where he got the pancake mix. He replied, "I printed a recipe off of food network." Then he continued, "but I couldn't find the oil or the baking powder, so I didn't put those in." Oh boy! They were a little flat and rubbery, but edible. The sausages however had to go back in the pan for a while. They were still frozen inside. :) It was the thought that counts, right?

They also made us a few love notes.


Also this month, Colin had his pinewood derby. Seeing as we only own a few tools, none of which will cut anything, Jared and Colin found a precut car online. We painted it and then added stickers. He had to come up with a name, so he decided Black widow. We got a few comments about how the black widow was not black. That's what happens when a ten year old has to come up with a name on the spot.

The kids at the derby. Colin's car took second in each of his races. I thought that was great, better than last, right? That's also my philosophy in life if you haven't noticed. I don't strive to be better than everyone else, just kinda in the mix.

I asked Colin to smile, and he said, "How about a smolder?"

I think he needs to perfect his smolder just a bit. He's a nut.

And for joy school, I made paper mache tombs. Although they started out like big Easter eggs, they ended up looking more like a big rock/tomb thingy.

Kate took her time, and covered every inch.

And these were the finished projects. I thought it was a cute idea. We read the story of the Crucifixion to our kids and then buried Jesus so he could "rise again" this Sunday. I thought it was perfect timing, but learned today that he was actually buried on a Friday. I guess I need to study up on the facts a little more. Oh well, the kids enjoyed it, and I think it helped them think more about the real reason we celebrate Easter.

And finally, we had a speech evaluation for Mr. Gavin this past Wednesday, and he is an entire year behind on both receptive and expressive communication. So we get to start speech therapy now. I've known it all along, it just took some time for everyone else to get on board I guess. His new favorite activity is playing with playdoh, and although it is messy, I get it out everyday, because he really enjoys it. And his latest random word/sound is "mee, mee" He walks around mumbling it over and over again. It kind of reminds me of Beeker on the muppets.

I'm getting less and less worried about him, and more positive. He's so loving, and bright, I know the language will come along with a little patience, and some extra help.

And hopefully the sun will start shining more which will help with keeping a positive attitude!

seriously...

So, I am the worst chocolate chip cookie maker. Seriously! No matter what recipe I try, they turn out like this. Anyone want to come over and teach me how to make the most basic cookie on this planet! No, really, it might be fun, let the kids play, educate me in the fine art of cookie making, and then eat cookies. Sounds like a great way to forget that it is again snowing outside, which by the way has made me quite grouchy today.

They are always... flat. They still taste good, but totally flat. I've heard to add more flour, or take out sugar. Not easy to do when you've already mixed them, and baked a dozen.

And in happier news, this little guy said please today! We've been working on this for a while, showing him the sign for please, etc. And he finally said it for a few chocolate chips. Four times in a row actually, until I decided that was enough chocolate for him. His version is more of a "mees", but I'll take it!

And, he discovered where we keep the fish food, and how to open the fish food. We had a mess shortly after this picture was taken. :)

Are these not the cutest cupcake wrappers? I loved them, and decided they would be cute for Maddie's birthday. Once I put the chocolate cake batter in them, they weren't so cute though. You could hardly see the polka dots. Oh well, at least my cupcakes turned out o.k.!

I went with pink and green for her party, she had a few friends over for pizza and a Just Dance competition. I think she had the upper hand considering she'd been playing it non stop for a week. The little butterfly candies on top of the cupcakes were cute too. I found them and the cupcake wrappers in the Easter aisle at Walmart. If I had put more thought/effort into it, pink and green tissue paper butterflies would have been fun too. That just isn't me though, thought/effort doesn't run through these veins!

only in Rexburg...

So it finally felt warm enough to lace these babies up on Saturday, and other than the wind, it felt great! I've been running on the treadmill all winter long, and feeling very slow, but I actually ran faster outside than I have been running inside. Who knew? And of course, now that the snow has melted, I found a few treasures along the way. Two dirty diapers, both huggies, and a pregnancy test. Only in Rexburg. We really need the street cleaners to get busy, our streets are disgusting!

think and speak positively...

I definately needed this advice, and can't wait to read this talk again. I hate to admit that I am not always the best at speaking positively about my family. They truly are gifts and I need to treat them as such! This would include speaking to them and about them in a way that really shows my love for them.

happiness is...

So the other morning while spending some bonding time with World Gym and the treadmill, I watched a news story on a study that was conducted on happiness. They asked couples to rate their levels of happiness as they experienced life changing events, like marriage, having children, then having preschool age children, etc. Not surprisingly, the percentages of happy people went down with each added tax deduction. :) Of course, marriage is hard, children are hard, and as you and they get older, it only gets harder.

BUT, it is so worth it! As I huffed and puffed away, I had a little spiritual moment. I wouldn't trade the happiness I have gained from getting married, and each of the four rambunctious blessings that followed for anything else in this world. I think if we focus on the many positive things that they bring into our lives, and focus on the teachings and promised blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings, we will find happiness no matter what stage of life we are in.

This kid makes me smile, even though he's being totally cheesy. He's wearing the Spongebob pajamas that Santa's elves brought as a joke, but he ended up totally loving. We got quite a laugh at his reaction when he opened them. He couldn't wait to put them on.

He gets his geekiness from me!

And this little girl has had me laughing all morning. She hasn't stopped talking since she woke up, saying things like: "My boots smell like cowboy boots, cause they're stinky!" And "Mom, when I have my party it's gonna be at night! "

Me: what party?

Kate: my christmas party of course

And at lunch, Kate says: Mom, we should turn our house into a restaurant, I can be the server and the spooner and forker and the drinker (she was setting the table)

Me: ya, great idea because everyone would come to buy our special Campbell's soup surprise

Kate: exactly!

Who wouldn't want to experience the first time their child gets to eat a taco? Gavin devoured it, we usually cut it up and put it in a bowl, because he tries to shove it all in his mouth at once (one of his sensory issues), but last night I gave it to him and he never put it down.

He was too cute.


And this cute, sad, homework hating girl has become very good at giving us the evil eye. I consider it a step toward motherhood, we all have to acquire a look that can stop people in their tracks, right? Otherwise our kids might walk all over us someday. Today she gave me a great evil eye as she was getting out of the car for school. As Colin yelled "goodbye and love you" to each of us, she was really struggling. You could tell she wanted to just be mad, but as she slammed the door and ran into the school she yelled, "I love you!"

And that is where I find happiness, who can't find happiness in the day to day adventure that children bring. I really am happy with the choice I have made to create a family, they do bring me joy, and I know that I was meant to be their mom. I can't imagine my life in any other way!

a little light reading...

A little light reading, ha! So I was thinking about all the books that I've been reading lately, and I decided to gather them all into one place. Now I know why my mind is in utter chaos! I'm learning a lot, scaring myself a little, and trying desperately to find some solutions.

This of course doesn't include all the train books that Gavin and I have read in the last few months. The boy is obsessed, and I can't find enough train books at the library. He loves them, and I love having a moment to cuddle with him and hear him shout "all aboard", which sounds more like "ba ba bor" and of course his little "woo, woo" train sound. He also added a new word in the past two days, "boo" for book.

And just in case you were wondering which brand to buy, wonder no more. They are exactly the same! Go for the cheaper one. Jared thought I was silly for taking a picture, but both these pasta boxes say the exact same thing, right down to the recipe for lasagna on the back. I can't remember which was cheaper, because I bought them at different times, I just thought it ironic that this company would pay for two different types of packaging, if there is really no difference!

celebrations...

So miss Kate had her fifth birthday yesterday. She's never had a friend party, and really wanted one this year, so I obliged. I asked her what kind of theme she wanted, and she responded, " a valentines day party"! Pretty easy, but you know me, the easier the better. I did hang a streamer, yes, just one! She came up to me and gave me a hug and whispered, "thanks mom, that's so cooool!" I was wishing I had put a little more effort into it, she was so grateful!

Aww, she's too cute! Last night after a full and busy day which included being late to pack night, she asked, "are we going home now?"

Me: yes

Kate: good, cause I'm ready for bed, I'm exhausted.

Me: I feel your pain.

I'm not a fan of busy days, I'd rather just be a home body most of the time.

I did find some cheap decorations from the dollar store. She loved the cupcakes which were apparently edible, because each child had at least two. Which is good for me, I'm trying to reduce my sweets, and chocolate is a temptation.

And this little man said mama again Saturday, twice in two years, I'm sure it's a record! We ate at Applebee's to celebrate Kate's birthday as a family, and he leaned over the table and mumbled mamamama, reaching for me. He hasn't said it since, but I'll count it as another little victory. He makes me smile, communication or no communication, at least he lets me smother him with kisses. Who can resist smooching those cheeks!