Spring Break

The kids had off the 26th of March through Easter. We stayed busy and enjoyed the summer like weather. The first Friday we went swimming at the YMCA. Jacob was getting frustrated watching everyone go to swimming lessons week and week. He wanted to swim so badly so I took all the kids to open swim. Bella was excited to pass the deep water swim test which allowed her to jump off the diving board. It was an exciting accomplishment for her. She was nervous her first time and turned and walked back off. I jumped in and that gave her the confidence to jump, knowing mom was in the water to help her. After that, we could hardly get her to stop. Jacob wasn't so thrilled. It was one more thing the girls can all do that he can't. Patience little buddy, patience.

Monday I made the girls clean sweep their room. Lets see how long they can keep it looking so nice. Tuesday and Wednesday will have their own posts. Thursday we met our friends the Westons and Kraudes at a park for a picnic. Jacob's little buddy Tyler was so freaked out by the wind that they had to leave early which was sad. My allergies had been bothering me all week and were especially bad on Thursday. Friday, I realized that it was not just allergies. I was supposed to run my last big run before the race, but was too sick to run for several hours straight. We had lunch at the Pearsons, and then the kids played there well I ran to the Walgreens take care clinic. I LOVE that place. In and out so quickly with my prescription filled 5 minutes later. Friday night we watched Ice Age 3 as a family. Jacob laughed so hard the movie was much more amusing to me than it would've normally been.

Potty Training Prodigy

I substitute my blog for a journal/scrapbook. For me, blogging is the easiest way to document pictures and stories. In looking back a previous posts, I realized that I never blogged about Jacob's potty-training. Even though it is old news now, I thought I better post for posterity's sake.

Jacob was starting to show signs of potty training readiness leading up to the Holidays. I noticed the signs, but chose to ignore them. I had pushed the girls too early and as a result, they protested and the whole process was horrible. Besides, the Holidays were at our door and everyone knows that potty-training and travelling aren't the best mix. On top of that, I was stressed with preparing for the RS Christmas dinner. The first week of December he started changing himself after wetting a diaper. He wouldn't tell me, he'd just take care of it himself. I would find wet diapers discarded in corners throughout the house. I still wasn't ready to full out train, but I thought it was ridiculous. Anyone who could change himself could surely use the potty in the first place. So, out came the potty chair. I showed it to him in the restroom and told him to use it when he needed to go potty. Again, without telling me he would randomly do his business. I would go in the restroom and find little surprises in the potty chair. When we finally started "potty training" it was a snap. I won't claim that we never had accidents or setbacks. But all in all, it was the quickest potty training adventure with the least amount of accidents of all 4 kids. And in reality, I didn't do ANYTHING! If only all babies came programmed like that.......

Drama Club

Katy was in the Drama CLub this year. The practices were before school once a week. Being as I cannot fit my kids and the two neighbors in my car (legally at least due to carseat laws), I wasn't going to let her participate. Luckily for her, she found a friend whose mom was willing to pick her up. She had a lot of fun, but I'm glad it over now. At the end they were having rehearsals everynight and it was starting to wear her down. They put on a play called Character Matters II. It was a really cute spin on Fairy Tales with the importance of having good manners. I never got a really good picture but I wanted to at least document it.

Brainwashing

Nope, there's no indoctrination going on in this home !
(you can't tell but the socks are also BYU)

As Jared says, Jacob has his agency. He's free to choose BYU OR Ohio State.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

My little Leprechauns!

The Leprechauns were up to their tricks as usual. This year's pranks included:
1)Dying the milk green
2)Dying the toilet water green
3)Hiding mom's purse on top of the cabinet
4)Hanging Katy's lunch bag on top of the Dining Room light
5) Hanging Xandy's necklace from the ceiling fan
6) Putting Jacob's hat on the candle on the mantle
7) Turning the toothbrushes upside down
8) Switching their clothes around
9)Turning Bella's B-day cards upside down
10)Hanging the front door decoration upside down
11)Turning a picture frame upside down
12)Leaving a "Piece of gold" for each child that was in reality just chocolate

The neighbor girls were upset that the Leprechauns hadn't visited their house. I told them it must be because I'm part Irish. Luckily that seemed to appease them. Alexandra was ecstatic to learn she had some Irish in her and couldn't wait to get to school to tell her friends.

I played with our typical dinner recipes this year. I added some carrots and onions to the cabbage and potatoes. I also found a Dijon mustard spread for the cornbeef. Jared was a little wary of this so I tried it the day after with our extra cornbeef. We were planning on having some friends over for dinner so I bought two roasts but plans were changed. We did have the missionaries come eat with us. They really loved the shannon cakes so I sent them home with some extras. The less leftover, the less I'll eat!

Children's Museum

We have a Children's Museum right here in town, but somehow I've never made it there. My friend Amy started a monthly playgroup back in the fall. (She is the best fitness instructor ever and used to teach preschool.) In addition to quality playtime, we try to provide educational activities, stories, crafts, rhymes, etc for the kids. This month we went to the Children's museum. Amy actually sweet talked them into opening early so our group could have it to ourselves before the morning rush hit. Jacob and Bella had a blast!! Jacob loved the upstairs that was set up like a library, firestation, and policestation. I wasn't sure I'd ever get him out of the fireman costume (I guess I know what he wants for his B-day). Bella enjoyed playing in the hospital area, the grocery store, and the postoffice.

Great Grandpa B would be so proud!

Locked in jail. They really loved locking the Moms in jail!


Fireman Jake to the rescue

A funny side note: Bella's shirt says Justice on it. There is a little boy in our ward named Justice. Therefore, she was convinced it was a boy's shirt and did not want to wear it anymore. I had a hard time convincing her that Justice is also a clothing store/brand for little girls.

Signs of Spring?

Today is cold, rainy, and dreary but.........................The last few weeks have been BEAUTIFUL!!! I have loved the return of warm weather and sun. While I was running on Friday I could hear the frogs' mating calls and I saw a snake. Yep, I think spring is coming!! Here are some signs of spring from inside and outside my house.