We have a problem

This little child of mine is quite the character.  

     She never tires of eating, unless it is something healthy I cook for her.  She asks for candy first thing in the morning and once I explain, for the millionth time, that we don't eat candy or brownies for breakfast she will stop look at me and ask, "mama, it will make me throw up?"  I tell her yes.  It may or may not be a lie but she doesn't know if it is, neither do I.  The reason why she asks about "throwing up" is because two weeks ago she had minor surgery on her ears {to take tubes out since they didn't fall out}.  For about 6 hours after she threw EVERYTHING up.  Water, banana... whatever small thing went down - it came right back up.  She would just stand there and look at me and say "it's coming, it's coming"... I did a lot of laundry that day.  So... yes, if I don't want her to eat something I tell her it will make her throw up.  Hey it works for the time being.

Reagan has also adopted a lisp.  It is horribly cute and I do not correct her... I say whatever she says the correct way after her, and figure she will figure it out.  It isn't a constant lisp, but every once in a while it will appear and I love it.  

She also has a few pet names for things... 

Grey = buba {?we never called him this.  I think maybe Rach did?}
Soda = frosted drink
swimming suit = badding dute
Hudson = hudsie
movie = mooouuvie

All in all she is my ham.  She cracks me up.  Constantly.  Before going to bed she will plead with me to sleep with her, she then will ask for me to tickle her tummy and back.  She will lean in with a kiss, lay her head on my chest, under my chin and say, "Mama, you are my favorite mama.  I love you."

She is my social social butterfly and makes friends everywhere we go.  And she names them all "friend".

She will be crying one moment then if something is done to make her laugh she will immediately stop crying and give a deep gut laugh.  No matter what... when excited she does her deep gut laugh as well.

Yesterday I went to put her shorts on her and I had to loosen all of them {shorts}.  They were a little tight... that only means on thing... she will be growing very soon.  She tends {like all kids} to gain a little weight then shoot up.  It makes me a little sad to think she will be getting taller.  I kinda really really really like her this size.

She asks at least ten times a day to go to the swimming pool, then gets all giddy if we do go.  She loves to go to the gym, and asks for it everyday.  I told you - social butterfly.  She will be sad once her stable friend leaves for school - Hudson.  Even though he teases her relentlessly; she loves to be with him at all times.

The other day we went to the mall, yes with all three.  I had to run an errand.  On the way back to the car I saw the See's candy store and headed that way to get some suckers.  To get to the store I had to go on the escalator.  Reagan has gotten on all by herself a good handful of times, but I should have been thinking a little better.  I was in a hurry so I told Hudson to jump on, he was in front of me.  I then propped the stroller up and told R to hurry.  She hesitated and then it went down hill from there.  I couldn't let go of the stroller so I told her to just jump on like she had a few times before.  {What was I thinking letting her go on behind me?!!?}  So she half jumped and one leg got on... she was soon doing the chinese splits.  Right behind her just watching, mind you, a mother and daughter were just sitting there.  I looked at them, at this point I was about 8 stairs up, and asked them to please help her.  They had no idea what to do {please do not try to guess the nationality}.  Reagan is falling {backwards/upside down now} towards them and they just glared at me.  Finally the old woman stepped on and tried to pull ?!?!! Reagan up.  That is while the witch of a daughter just stared at me.  SERIOUSLY PEOPLE get smart!!!  Help the child.
Now I have observers everywhere while Reagan is screaming, I have a loud man going down the escalator {on the other side} screaming "OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!" over and over.  That helps.  Finally the old woman grabs Reagan and sets her up, then falls herself onto her rear two stairs down.  I was dying.  By this time I am waiting at the top.  I grab Reagan, then apologize profusely to the women and hold my traumatized daughter.
I then get another older woman who walks up and asks Reagan is she is okay, over and over again.  Reagan didn't respond she was just wanting me to hold her.  The woman looked at me and told me that I looked like I probably needed help to my car {because I am obviously a completely brainless mother/woman}.  I don't know maybe she was just trying to help; but at this point I was not in the mood for a "maybe".  So I told her no thank you quickly and high tailed it out of there.
The mall and myself do not mix well lately.  Spencer is most likely happy for that one.

Beauty of the Temple

In the LDS religion we have temples.  

...to learn more go here

While in Utah I took the kids to the Salt Lake City Temple.

We took the afternoon {on the most humid day I swear} to venture out and about the temple grounds.  We went to the new LDS church history museum.  I wish I would have had a little more time to look at everything.  But with three kids under the age of 5, not going to happen.  Anyway - what I saw was fabulous.

 H & R were hilarious, when not driving me crazy, they wanted to take millions of picture.  Hudson with his peace sign is hopefully a phase.  Fingers crossed.  I love that they are familiar with the temple.  That they know little tidbits about temples in general and that they want to be there.  I hope that never changes.

...and here is Paige.  She is such a good sport.  I think I may have cured her of ever having children.  ever.

slip -n- slide

Who doesn't love a little slip -n- slide?

 {She wouldn't slide down it... only run/prance.  She is such a girl}

It is Hudson's favorite place to kiss. I guess the back of G's head is the softest.  

I believe him.  He has kissed G almost everywhere.

While in Utah this was one of our activities.  

And...Grey pretty much lives in his bumbo.

More than a hand

When I was little I remember being in a store and a man asking me how old I was.  I held up five fingers; a whole hand.  He then replied with "Well, I bet you are excited for your birthday... because then you will be more than a hand... you will be onto your second hand."

  It was a moment that I remember.  Funny what things we store in our heads.  I remember looking at my fingers and thinking that I was excited to be older.  Now I think... I would love to be five again some days.

My little Hudson is turning 6 today.  

He is a sweet thing, although at times I think he may be the end of me.  Seriously.

He is a tender soul.  A good good boy by nature. He cares for others and is interested in ALL things.  He wants to know how things work, how to read, how to whistle, how to cook etc. etc.

He is just a sponge that soaks up more than I realize.  

He starts kindergarten in less than two weeks and I am a little nervous.  I think I am nervous because he is such a tender boy that I hope others do not bully him.  And then there is the flip that I hope that he isn't influenced to do bad to please others.  Not that he is a "follower", but he wants friends badly.

When we moved to our home a year a go I thought it was going to be GREAT for Hudson.  And it has been in many ways... it just has been difficult in other ways that I never thought of.  Mainly in the friend arena.  The transition to an area where he isn't the "oldest" of the kids with my friends has been hard; as well as all of the kids "his age" are already in school... so that puts a damper on play dates.  

But, I do believe that school is going to be a great adventure for him and us.  I can't wait to see him blossom in the next year; but it pulls at my heart to think that now is the time that "time" will fly.  My mother has told me that once your child hits school the rest is somewhat of a blur.  And ya know what I think she may be right.  

I will sit and watch Hudson.  When he thinks no one is looking and I will watch him play, build, draw or make himself a small treat and it amazes me how much a child learns by watching.  By watching us in our everyday movements.  It makes me realize how much better I need to be.  How much more I need to consider being an example in EVERYWAY for him, R and G.  This is my job.  This is my blessing.  

Anyway - I have gone on a tangent.  Back to Hudson and the beginning of his 6th year.

I love him.  I love his ability to melt my heart.  To make me think, and remember.  I love his sweetness with Grey and how he loves him.  He favorite place to kiss Grey is the back of Greys neck.  He says it is the softest part of Grey.  He may be right.  I love and hate his bossiness.  I have to remind myself that it is a step in the direction of being assertive, and a leader in a way.  Right?!  

I love how he gets up every morning dressed and ready to go.  I love his modesty.  His fascination with mother nature and the destruction it may bring.  I love his ability to make worlds/lands in his room with all of his toys.  I love that he draws and is more intricate with his drawings and detailed than I have ever noticed a boy being at his age.  I love that he loves to read with me, that he loves to be with me and our family.  I love his willingness to help and work.  Always.  His eagerness to be outside playing really any sport.  I love that he loves his grandparents.  More than he loves us... ha.  That he always wants to be around them and asks for them.  I love that his prayers are longer and more thought out than mine.  Sad but true.  That he still gives me kisses on demand and smirks after.  He is still my buddy, I hope that never ever changes.

*Today while I was dropping the kids off in the kids club at the gym I noticed Hudson had hurried himself over to the "big kids - kids club" to play a little wii with the other boys.  Once I got R and G in their area I turned around and got his attention through the window.  I smiled and waved and blew him a kiss.  He waved back but when I blew the kiss he kind of looked at me like he didn't know wether to blow a kiss back or to be embarrassed.  He choose to give me a half smile and a shake of the head, like "mom... nooooo, not here!!?!"  When he completely denied the blown kiss I started to laugh.  And then I realized the days of mushiness around other kids was gone.  I got really sad but was able to understand... I guess he really is getting older.  I just had hoped he would always want a kiss blown his way by me... but I think I may have been in la la land.  Oh well.

Maddie Girl

I was able to take some pictures for a friend of mine.  

Her daughter is turning 8 the end of the month and they wanted some pictures of her in her baptism dress.  

Maddie is quite adorable as you can see... it was a delightful evening.

Plus the lighting that evening was pretty amazing.

     

                  

                  

Sunday Sundance

Every time we are in the Provo area we make it a point to visit Sundance.  And funny enough it is always on a Sunday.  We take the drive up the canyon, walk around a bit, play in the FREEZING cold water and then get a sucker and head home.  

The little things, like taking a drive up to Sundance with all of my family makes me so 

grateful for them and all that I have been blessed with. 

I love this picture of Aarean nuzzling Sages face.  She is such a good mommy. 

Now let's be a little honest.  This the true reason why my camera makes it out lately... 

how could you not want to take pictures CONSTANTLY of him.

 The lips people.  The lips.  Look at those spit bubbles... I mean really?!?!

Swing swing swing me

While visiting family in Utah this was one of my kid's favorite things to do:

Swing

I love the shot with Mt. Timpanogos in the background.   

Every day, all day, Reagan would be heard asking anyone and everyone if they could swing her.  I would say that the pleading, done by her, resulted in many hours of swinging.  

She, as well as Hudson, was a very happy happy girl.

Phone pictures

Here are some pictures from my phone that have been from the last few months...

 Can you believe the size of this rose?!  It was bigger than my head.

Below: a letter from Hudson to "someone he loves" which was baby Grey:

It reads: "Dear Baby Grey,  

I love you because you just came out of mommy's tummy.  I love you because you are a boy.

Love Hudson" 

When I found that letter at the end of his school year I got all teary... I love that my children love each other... although sometimes H and R put a good fight on.

 I was cleaning out the car and turned around to see Reagan walking around our street with this on.  A life jacket and a car freshener around the wrist.  Nice.  She is hilarious. 

 Some of our best friends... the Crocketts just moved around the corner.  

We are so lucky to have them... but now to have them so close!!  Happy Day.

 Summer thunderstorms in Utah are some of my favorite things.  

There is a powerful beauty about a summer thunderstorm.  It calms everything inside of me.  

 Hudson and Reagan wading in the water in Provo Canyon.  The water was freezing!

I have no clue where Hudson got the habit of the peace sign?  

 My grandfather and Grey.  I think Grey may have stolen my Grandparent's hearts.  He does that to you.

 My dad and Hudson fishing up at Redfish Lake in Idaho.

The above picture is a funny story:

On sundays all of my family that lives within an hour of Provo all come over to my grandparent's home. On the last Sunday we were there, the older boys went downstairs and put on "Saving Private Ryan", which whatever... can't do much about it now.  When the movie started Hudson and I were downstairs and Hudson's eyes got big and he told me that the movie they were watching was an "army" movie.  I could tell he wanted VERY badly to watch it.  I told him that we should go upstairs and play a game of sorts... or do something to get him upstairs and outside.
As the night went on, people in and out of the house... about 25 - 30 people in the home, I just thought Hudson was outside playing with some kids in the back (good parenting skills I tell ya).  When everyone started leaving I went downstairs to put something away and I came down the stairs and saw Hudson all alone watching Saving Private Ryan.  No one to be seen except my little guy in all his glory.  He thought he had hit the jackpot.  I just started laughing.  This is where better parenting skills on my part would have been good... single parenting {for me it was 2 weeks} not so good.  So to all you single mothers out there... you amaze me that you haven't lost your kids {planned or not planned}, or that you are dressed by the time I see you.  I do not know how you all do it.