A little of this and that

A bunch of phone pictures of stuff that goes on around here.

This is music class we go to on Wednesdays. The kids like it and are usually ok about sitting through it. Colt sits with me and Ellie wanders around. She loves the songs and Colt loves all the props.

Each week there is a craft too, Colt loves hanging his up with the girls pictures, or ripping them apart right after he makes them, like he did with these pretty flowers!

Cheese! Sporting Aunt Becky's tie dye!

Playing in the best thing there is .....a box, while visit a friend!

Puppy love

Ellie loves eating the freeze dried blueberries. Which is great for her when she doesn't try to get it for her self and spill the whole bucket on the floor. Oh Ellie!

Colt loves collecting snails after it rains.

We had one last October pool day and they all enjoyed the somewhat cold but heated pool water!

Thoroughly enjoying her mess!

Ellie's first try at painting, and her first taste of paint!

She is becoming a sticker-a-holic like Colt!

Ice cream together, yum! I love when they all get along!

And when kids just want to play in the rain there is no stopping them. They were running all over the backyard having a great time together, yay!

It is busy and crazy and for sure messy around but when I get a second to take it all in I love it. It's hard and frustrating and a lot of work but right now Colt and Ellie are napping so I have a peaceful moment and yeah I love it, love it all. Ask me in 3 hours when the girls are home and we are trying to get to the table for dinner and everyone is hungry or crying and asking for something and I will probably still say I love it, I just might be yelling it without a smile "Yes I love it, can't you tell I love it!"

 

Monkeying Around

After school one Friday we headed to the zoo. It was perfect timing. It was cool, there was hardly anyone at the zoo at that time, and we didn't hit traffic either way. We skipped the zoo this summer because I just can't handle the heat, I know I'm kind of a wimp like that. So the kids have been wanting to go for a while and dad actually got to come with us so it was great!

 

They are quick zoo viewers. They don't look at anything for more than 30 seconds so we are always on the move but they love everything they get to see. We had a scraped knee with some crying and then it was time to go, we made it out just before they fell apart!

Their favorite part was playing in the prairie dog tunnels. Up and down, up and down.

Here are some shots of a Sunday after noon when I desperately wanted to take a nap and they wanted some mom play time. They don't get much time with just me now because while the other two are sleeping the girls are at school so it is 4 on 1 the rest of the afternoon. So another thing to feel guilty about. Some how they ended up taking some pictures on my phone. I love when they smile for real!

When I am talking to the girls lately about having to do something they don't want to or learning something hard, Rachel's new line is "It's easy for you to say, most of your life is over with already." Thanks tv, I don't know what show she got that from but I don't appreciate it!

New Stuff

Since school started we have had a few new things for the kids to work on....

Mainly, homework! This was from the first night of homework and they enjoyed doing it. Livy loves writing and drawing so for her it was fun and a breeze. I guess Ms. Livy is a chatter box! For a few weeks on her weekly report she got "needs to control talking". After she figured out how it goes at school she has done great and really loves school. She is happy to go everyday and is doing great on her assignments and her weekly reports. I am so proud of you Livy!

Rachel wasn't such a huge fan of writing so the first few weeks were more of a challenge for her and for me as I tried to convince her to write each letter! I'm happy to report that now she does it much more willingly and is doing great at school. She loves going to school and says Ms. Ford is the best teacher ever. She is happy to have Livy in her class and has so much fun with all the kids. She gives me the reports on who has crushes on who each week.

And for me, I've had to work on scheduling! After school is such a crazy rush. They want to have play dates but they make my life crazy!! I do let them once or twice a week but it adds so much stress and fighting with Colt around that I'd rather not, I just feel bad if they don't get to have any play dates, they are in kindergarten, they need to play! What I have found best is to put Ellie to be at 7 and then we have an hour to do homework, scriptures, books, prayers and bed. With Ellie awake it is just literally a train wreck. Eating markers, sharpening crayons, standing on he table, hanging on the chandelier light, playing with dog food, pushing the water on the fridge until there is a small pond on the floor, eating erasers, ripping her diaper off and throwing it in the trash, emptying the cabinets, spilling food and toys all over, etc. And I know you are thinking, just strap her in her highchair, well believe me I have tried and my ears can't handle it, nor can the girls work with it. That is one loud screaming child. And lucky for me she only naps for about an hour a day so she is happy to go to bed. I say it's time for Ellie to go to bed and she walk by everyone blowing kisses, grabs her blankie and paci and runs to her room! That is awesome, makes me so happy!

We have been going to the school to eat lunch with the girls probably once a week. They love it and so does Colt. It is fun to see them get so excited and for them to show me their friends too.

 

The girls also started ballet and tap! They totally love it and would go everyday if they could. It has been so fun to watch them each week. Wow are you guys grown up little ladies. You are both so beautiful and kind and I couldn't be more proud of you! I love you Rachel and Livy!

 

Colt started a pre-school too! He has it for two hour on Tuesday mornings with kids from his church class. We rotate homes and who teaches and all the kids seem to love it! He is so happy on the days he gets to go to school too and likes to talk about his stuff too at dinner with every one else! Everyone says he listens well and sits for the lesson, woohoo, way to go Colt! You are growing up so fast and getting so old! I love you buddy, even if you only love Ellie and not me. (That is what he tells me now when I say I love you, he says "I love Ellie.")

 

 

 

More from New York!

New York was a great trip and we were there for almost a month so there were lots of pictures. Here are some from around the house.

Our first time to meet Ms. Cora and she is a doll! So tiny and precious. She started sleeping well at night while we were there and giving this cute smile!

What an angel this one is too!

At home fishing. We got too lazy to take the kids fishing so $7 and a trip to the pet store got plenty of goldfish to catch in a kiddie pool, and they loved it! Way to go mom!

Dan enjoyed the craziness!

Ellie was yelling at them the whole time, she couldn't catch them but loved trying.

Catch them, put them back in the pool....over and over :)

We finally did make it to do some real fishing but they lost interest after 5 minutes...

We had Ian there to help us out with all these crazy kids,

And Hannah and Dad caught one.

Ellie getting a ride from Katherine. She loved sitting in this barbie bus and Katherine zoomed her around the house.

Rachel came for a visit and Ellie totally enjoyed it!

Grammy and italian ices!

Smile Rae!

The kids each got a beta fish that they were excited about. Lucky for me we got to leave them there!

Josh's Birthday! It was a nice time together for Josh's birthday, usually we end up leaving a day before but it was fun to be there and celebrate with him. We all had colds by then so we hung out on the deck outside in hopes to not pass them the sickness!

Dan wasn't too happy for a picture but we ran out of time! Luckily other took lots of pictures because I didn't use my camera much at all this time. Love you Dan. Thanks for sharing mom and dad and your swings with all the kids, they really love you!