Random moments in February

Wow another month done. It has been full of wonderful moments. Here are just a few that I captured in a picture. 

Messy crafting. 

My cute park girl. Somehow she got dirt smeared across her face. 

Jack figuring out blowing bubbles. We just have to remind him not to put it in his mouth when he blows. 

Jack climbing the slide. 

Measuring up to be so big!

Brothers with blocks. 

The doll house was added onto with a marble factory that turns marbles into money! Wish it were real. 

Jack enjoying his parallel play with his little friend. 

Making a super fast fire car with playdough, playdough toys and money. 

Here is Clair's money playdough car. 

Beauty all Around

I love sunrises and I love sunsets. They are one of the many signs to me that God loves me. In Houston living in apartments and not feeling too comfortable to go out running by myself I have missed the brilliance and hope that sunsets and sunrises bring to me. I remember walking early morning to high school and always been filled to overwhelming with peace and love from God as I walked and enjoyed the sparking dew or snowy walk and the refreshing crisp air and the sun waking up the land. I am so grateful God put so much detail into the beauty of this earth.

I am also grateful that I have this time in my life to come back and enjoy it again. 

Sunrise on the wheat fields

Morning view of the Rexburg temple. 

Happy Groundhogs Day

We have been excited for this groundhogs day. Mostly because the kids are old enough to get excited for it. 

To celebrate we went to the park. Made ourselves into groundhogs and looked for our shadows. When they were found we traced them... And of course decorated them. 

Yeah for an enjoyable cold sunny day, and now it looks like we will be going back in to hibernate for another 6 weeks until it really turns to spring. 

The perfect dinner

So dinner prep starts early, like 2:00. This is when we eat the last snack for the day and then start working up an appetite.

We do this by playing inside- making forts, playing house, pretending to be Cinderella, or monkeys.

Or going outside to a park. 

Look a double headed tree. 

This is Caleb mastering the climbing wall!

And the tree

By 5:00 the kids are very very very hungry and starting to melt down from being tired. Don't despair!  This is the perfect mix for a great dinner ;)

we come home and quickly pull out a table time activity- like painting, coloring, small toys, vegetables... It distracts their tummies. 

Here is an example of painting. Jack is painting with water. He ended up pouring the water out onto the paper then throwing the wet paper to the floor and splashing in what was left)

Jack doesn't quite understand "wait" yet so I have been giving him a pre dinner snack.  Usually a frozen snack like peas, corn, blueberries. This keep him going while I make dinner. And just a side note, marble works toys work well with frozen peas. 

Meanwhile the artists really get into their project. 

Then jack is done. Perfect timing to wash the mixing bowls. So of course I let him help. He loves this part!

And so does everyone else. This is,again, perfect because while they do the dishes I can clean up the table activity. 

Once the table is cleared we set it and hungrily eat!  When everything on the table has been tried and plates are cleared then it is Popsicle time. And that is when the table is cleared, wiped, and the floor under jack is swept and wiped up. Then off to the bedtime routine. 

 Okay so this doesn't happen every night but wouldn't it be nice! :) this happened because I prayed so hard for help when Jason was gone for the night. Prayer is the best way to get super power patience and super power mommy fun ideas. Jason was gone to North Carolina to completed his third boards test! Yeah! Now to finish the semester and then he will be all done! 

A long day's happy moments

Some days are just off and really hard. I don't know why... Didn't sleep well, someone else didn't sleep well, someone woke up another too early, I let myself sleep in, my schedule didn't go as planned... What ever the reason some days we just get through it. Luckily I took some pictures to remind myself even when it is hard I can still enjoy moments and feel grateful for all my challenges.

Like Clair finding left over pizza and HAVING to have a picture with it.

Or when Clair came out of the kids room announcing the new baby prince!  Oh Jack was so proud of himself. He kept walking round and round the house with a "look at me!" Smile. 

Or when a quiet moment of sensory play with Pom poms turned into a wild throw party. 

And then Clair again needing a picture with a Pom Pom that is her new favorite color- gold. 

There were a few moments with almost broken faces and fingers from little brawls. Luckily they were easily distracted. 

Here is our family! Including "Abby" our future baby girl that Clair is praying for. 

Caleb made an extra tall man. Later he surrounded him in pokies. 

I reflect on my day and wonder how in the world do I ever feel frustrated with these amazing little people. I am grateful for their forgiving little hearts and the amazing example to forgive and forget. I wonder when we learn to stop doing that? That has been my goal this year. To forgive easily. I am so grateful for Jeaus Christ and the help he gives in this process.