December so far

We have had fun this month. It finally got cold and has felt like winter was here. The leaves fell off our tree, so Mike spent a Saturday raking with the kids help. We bought our tree and have even been able to put presents under the tree that haven't been unwrapped. We went to a Christmas party at church to see Santa. The kids had holiday parties at school. We have made ornaments for the tree and been shopping. We have been making our favorite treats like caramels, puppy chow, and scotch o roos. Last week, we enjoyed decorating a gingerbread house which lasted a few days without being munched on.

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Clara's First Lost Tooth

 

Clara came home from school today with a loose bottom tooth. She was very excited since many friends in her kindergarten class have lost teeth already. Later that evening, she was eating some banana bread and her tooth hurt and was bleeding. I had a Kleenex and rolled it just a bit, so it came out. She put it in a small ring box and into her backpack to show her teacher tomorrow before letting the tooth fairy take it. She does love her teacher. She is doing really well in class. She has me sit down everyday after school to look at each of her papers. I am not allowed to peek first.

Apple Valley School

Jonas and his cousin Jaimee just finished a six week social study about the pilgrims called Apple Valley School. They learned about school in a one room school house and had the opportunity to do projects to learn more. Jonas interviewed his great-grandfather, chopped wood, prepared a typical meal, and learned about quilting for some of his. The video includes the graduation ceremony where he performed some songs and received his diploma.

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Flowers and pumpkins

This year we planted morning glories and pumpkins instead in our garden. Something got the pumpkins although they looked great for a while. We had visions of a pumpkin patch to invite friends over to pick from, but it didn't work out. The morning glories surprised us and just took off in the last month. They were marked red, white, and blue. I expected them around July 4th. We even had some smaller wild pick ones take spill over the fence onto the deck. Jonas planted the ones on the birdhouse on the back hill. Clara and Greta planted the blue ones in the garden that went over the light pole and filled up the bucket by the fence. They are such a nice complement to our breakfast view.

Since we didn't succeed in growing a pumpkin patch- Greta and met up with Aunt Amy, James and our playgroup friends at Owen's Farm. We were able to feed goats, sheep, longhorns, baby buffalo. We saw donkeys, chickens, a big turkey, ponies, ducks, and pigs. We had a hay ride and picked pumpkins.

Greta turns 3!!

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Greta had a great birthday last Saturday. She was very excited to turn 3 years old. We celebrated as a family by going to Chuck E. Cheese, spending her birthday money on a magnet Mickey Mouse book, and eating at On the Border. She had a Mickey Mouse cake.

Oklahoma & Missouri trip

We went on a trip north to Vinita, OK where we met friends, the Androsko's at their high school home coming football game. It was fun to catch up and watch the band march. We toured the huge dam outside Disney, OK. We drove through Afton, OK and saw the old car museum where they had models from the movie, Cars. Then we headed to Springfield, Missouri where we went to the Discovery Museum and the Bass Pro store. Next stop was a civil war battlefield where we hiked and saw where battles were fought in a cornfield. We ate at Lambert's Cafe and had hot rolls thrown at us! One of Missouri's trout fish hatchery is in Branson and we saw lots of fish, could pet a snake, and feed the fish. We then enjoyed Branson's boardwalk with its water and fire fountain. We toured Bass Pro's resort and the kids had horse rides. We enjoyed the car ride as much as possible with books on tape, junk food, and silly songs.

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Jonas sleeping and reading

Here is a shot of Jonas in bed. Why won't he let me just close the door to make it dark? He is such a fun kid. We are halfway through the 7th Harry Potter book and he is loving it. He always stops to discuss and this and remember that. It is amazing how he puts it all together. He has become a great reader. His favorite books are the Magic Tree House series and a compilation of stories from a company called Usborne Books called Illustrated Stories for Boys. My sister-in-law had a book party and I was really impressed by all the neat books. The jigsaw books are really fun for Greta. I am totally a sucker for a great book. Now, I am going to host a party. Check out the website and let me know if you want something. http://ubah.com/ecommerce/main.asp?sid=S2139&gid=37264031
I think my bookshelves are full, but as my kids grow I feel the need to expand my library to fit their abilities. Of course, I go to the public library every week also. I just like to read. I have been reading the Pendragon series as recommended by my 12 year old cousin and they are pretty interesting. I sure hope that it is good for my kids to see me reading because I could read to them more if I read less. :)

Every day update

So this picture is of Greta and Clara sleeping heads and tails. Doesn't Greta look comfortable with her legs thrown over the side? Actually, this is her favorite sleeping position. Now imagine she is sleeping next to you and throws her legs onto you. You are relaxed and comfortable and then get a kick to the stomach or lower. She doesn't sleep with mom and dad much. Now, you might wonder where Clara is- under the blanket on the right side. Her hand is just sticking out. Are you really scared of the dark if you can sleep under a blanket? She went hysterical last night when the lamp wouldn't turn on (it was unplugged) although the door was wide open and the hall light turned on. It just isn't logical to me. Why all the light if you are going to block it out? I guess I will just have to settle for Jonas being my logical kid. Boy, do we have some conversations. It has to make sense to him or we aren't done talking about it. I know he thinks a lot like me. I remember as a child feeling frustrated when my parents didn't see my logic- it was so obvious. Another note about Jonas- he has the memory of an elephant if you promised something and it didn't happen. example - "You said we could go there last summer and we never did." But he can't remember that you asked to him to brush his teeth twice in the last minute. I guess his brain is busy thinking up something else.



I have now been released as Relief Society President after 3 /12 years! My new callings are to lead the congregation on Sunday, direct the ward choir, and organize musical numbers. This last week was my first time to lead. I had bought Greta and pocket size hymnbook to give her on her birthday, but decided it might help keep her occupied and not missing me during the sings. She became very attached to Mike's before we misplaced it. I wrapped it up and told her to practice opening up a present for her birthday which is in another week. She was thrilled and only once tried to walk up and visit me on the stand.

First day of school

Jonas and Clara started school last week and both love it. Clara has Mrs. Fuller, just like Jonas did for kindergarten, she was excited to learn that her friend from church is also in her class. She loves all the coloring they do and has adjusted to being gone all day. She comes home and plays well with Greta. Jonas has several friends in his 2nd grade class and likes his teacher. His favorite subjects are math, geography, and reading. He doesn't like spelling. He also doesn't like when he has to watch a movie because it is too hot or wet to have recess.

Greta and I are having fun. She loves to help me around the house. Last week we visited her friends who had a new baby and another with a broken leg. This week we played at home more and did some shopping for her twin cousins who will arrive next month. I am enjoying the new schedule more than I thought.

Pay it Forward

I won this fun little contest on my sister-in-law's blog last night and part of the deal is that I would post the same contest on my blog! Here you go:

PAY IT FORWARD
I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.)

How fun! Now let's all pay it forward, give each other gifts just for fun, and comment away! If you are one of the three, I'll contact you to get your mailing info (if I don't already have it.) If you're not one of the three, hurry and click over to the winners' blogs to see if you can make it!

** "Handmade" could mean something crafty, something pretty or something yummy coming from me. I'll cater it to the recipient.

Clara's cousin slumber party

Last month Clara had her slumber party at Aunt Amy's house with Madi and Madison. We joined them in the morning for the 4th of July parade.

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Cousin slumber party

Jonas got to sleep over at his Aunt Amy's house with his cousin. They went to a display of playhouses at North Park Mall and had a great time as you can see. Amy did the video, so all the credit to her.

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The countdown -1 week left

Well, I have been feeling all this pressure the last month to do stuff with my kids before school starts. I also want them to enjoy being home and having time to play. We have crossed a few things off our list. We didn't plan a family vacation in one block, but decided to do activities around town throughout the summer. We have gone to Six Flags, Bounce-Town, Dallas Nature and Science Museum, Ft Worth Science Museum including the Star Wars exhibit, The Cowgirl Museum, Barnum and Bailey Circus, spray park, swimming, miniature golf, laser tag, and bowling. We still want to go to see Underdog, go fishing, and roller skating.

I also make sure and stay home at least 3 whole mornings a week, so they can have unstructured play time including chores. You might think it is crazy to feel like I need to cram so much in, but since Jonas is going into 2nd grade, I feel like I am a seasoned school parent. I am not excited that Clara will be in all day Kindergarten. I feel like I will have very little happy time with my Jonas and Clara once they are in school. Mornings will be getting them out the door, afternoons are snack, play, and homework while I get dinner done. So I might have an hour before bedtime when I can enjoy them; assuming I don't have a RS appointment, Jonas doesn't have cub scouts. Then Jonas wants to start karate or soccer and Clara wants to do gymnastics. I want to give them these experiences, but I feel like it takes away relaxed family time.

I am looking forward to being with Greta during the day and focusing on doing fun 3 year things. I have new play-do for the first day of school and we are decorating a folder with Spider man stickers to make a letter book. I hope she doesn't get too bored with me; she plays with Clara a lot. We will go to the gym, do playgroups, library story time, and visit baby cousins and grandparents.

Zip Line

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This is a video of the zip line that Mike and Ivan put up in the backyard. The kids all loved it even Ivan took a turn. It was all squeals and laughs.

Baby school

Mike decided the kids were going to have baby school the other day. Clara always wants to play school with Mike. It was pretty fun to watch him show them how to hold, sing, and play with a baby. I think this lesson was how to dance with the baby. Of course when he taught them how to change a diaper- he said call Mom. Jonas kept goofing off and didn't get as good a grades as Clara and Greta. The kids have had lots of fun with their 2 new baby cousins and are excited for our new baby to come in January.

Greta on a horse.

One of Greta's rewards for potty training was to go on a horse ride. She got to go Tuesday to the zoo and ride this pony names Bubbles. She loved every second.

Ivan is home!

We welcomed Ivan home this last weekend. Here are some photos from the airport. Mike, Baranie, Jonas, Clara, Greta, Selonna, Kay Taylor, Bruce Petty, and Bryan, Amy, and James Hamilton all came to greet him. Then we met more family on a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Ivan was pretty tired, but was still able to smile. He was released that evening by the stake president. We have had fun looking through his photos and souvenirs and tasting the Swiss chocolate he brought home. Afton, Jimmy, Dallin, and Jett came up from Houston to stay. It feels like normal to have him home. The kids will do anything he asks; he sets a good example of cleaning up his room and doing chores. We are looking forward to being together this summer. He goes back to BYU-Idaho in September.

Gatti Land

My kids had a day at the zoo planned with their Aunt Ginger and cousins and then we had this major storm come through and had to cancel. We went to Gatti Land instead and ate pizza then went on the rides. You see the morning rain from our front door, then Greta on a ride, then by the time we left the sun was shining and we had a ride on the train. The last photo is Jonas, Clara, and Austin on bumper cars.

Greta is potty trained!

After several months of half- hearted attempts by Mom to potty train Greta, I was kinda hoping she would pick it up on her own if I gave her the tools. Well, it wasn't working so well and my friend was about to start training her little girl who isn't even 2 until August, so I decided I would make up my mind just do it. The first 2 weeks were awful about 1/2 success and 1/2 messes which sounds better than it is. Then, she got it together and hasn't had a mess for a week! She is great on the going and doing, but we still are working on the finish. She comes out all excited and I have to be all excited about and then walk her thorough washing hands and getting dressed again. These photos are when Jonas was using the bathroom before she got her clothes back on and she decided to put his on instead of hers, pretty cute.

Clara's photography

Clara loves to take photos. Here are a few samples. She does get some interesting shots sometimes. She arranged her stuffed animals one afternoon in various poses alone and in a group shot. The second is her self-photo which I love.

Jonas' top tooth is gone!

We were at the park last week and Jonas was kneeded in the mouth by his friend which knocked his already loose front tooth even looser. After messing with it for 15 minutes and running around with blood dripping out of his mouth, it came out. His friend's were calling him vampire and shark as he chased them.

Missionary Ivan

Ivan has been in Switzerland for almost 2 years now serving his mission. We are excited for him to arrive home on June 30. This is one man he taught named Simon. He is currently in Zurich, but has also been in Winterthur, Bern, Zollikofen, and Basel.

Jonas' pinewood derby

Jonas made his first pinewood derby car. He is a Tiger scout and competed against older scouts and got 2nd place overall. Mike is his den leader and they are currently making puppets and writing a puppet show about dragons.

Greta dressing up

Greta loves to dress up like her sister, of course she thinks that the more you have on the better the outfit.

Clara's date

Clara got this beautiful formal dress from her best friend Aubreielle's grandmother who has a children's choir. She loves to dress up, so Mike asked her out on a date. They went out for Italian food and stopped by Great-Grandma Lois' house to say hello.

Since our famly really enjoys looking at other people's blogs; I have fianally decided to start ours.