Luke's (real) Birthday!

Today was a fun day! The boys helped me decorate the house with banners and signs last night, and I left a little wrapped gift on Luke's bed to wake up to this morning! It happened to be snowing when we got up today...I told Luke it was for his birthday!!! For Luke's gift from Brian and I, we took him to Build-A-Bear workshop...something he's wanted to do for a very long time. He built a little puppy he named BINGO, but was later calling him Burrito, so who knows? Then we took him to Toys R Us, because his birthday cash was burning a hole in his pocket (thank you Donna, grandma Sandy, Gr. Bagley), and there was a Thomas train he just had to have!!! I took Luke to preschool where he happily took his treat bags for his class, got a cool crown, and was the 'special helper'. Brian left to study for the day/night and Kristen dropped Gabe off for the afternoon (the little boy I'm babysitting twice a week). Gabe got picked up at 3:30pm and Preston was home at 3:40pm. I took the kids to Carl's Jr. with a playland for dinner, and we had cupcakes in honor of Luke when we got home! It was a lovely day! I love celebrating my kid's birthday's, because I get to drift back to memory lane to when we first met. When they were first placed in my arms. My "Baby Luke", who screamed his head off for the first several months of his life, has turned 5. It was SOOOOOO worth it! I love you LUKE, forever and ever!!!

Happy (early) Birthday LUKE!!!

Because Luke's birthday is on next Wednesday, and Brian is in SLC every week night, we decided to have his birthday party today. Luke has never had a party with friends, so we thought it was about time. He's made so many friends in our ward/neighborhood here in Utah. The kids all had so much fun playing games, eating pizza, dancing with Chuck E Cheese, eating cake and opening presents. From his friends, he got a LEGOs firetruck, Mac'n Cheese Play Do, a mini basketball hoop, and a build and erupt your own volcano set. From his Uncle Shaun and Aunt Joyce (who were a HUGE help at the party), he got a 500 piece puzzle of a train (he loves sitting and working on puzzles) and a sweet t-shirt that says, "ladies man". It was such a fun time! One of the perks of being a parent - sharing in your child's joy and excitement. Good Times. Happy Birthday to Luke, who will be 5 on the 31st!!!

Day Off

Today the kids had a day off from school for who knows what...teacher enrichment or something along those lines. We just hung out today. I spent all day yesterday doing laundry and housework, so I thought I'd take it easy and enjoy the kiddies. We went to Provo Town Center where the kids could play indoors, spend their quarters on gum ball machines and eat some pizza. Then Preston and Luke spent the afternoon playing with kids from the neighborhood. This is a picture of Preston and his friend Thomas. I love it, because Thomas is actually a month younger. My little Kate is quite unhappy, so I better finish up here.

Kate's been having a hard few days!

Silly Little Boys

What a day!

A woman in our ward called me on Friday and offered us free lift tickets to the Canyons ski resort in Park City. We couldn't pass up the opportunity (a $140.00 value FREE). Kids under 6 are free and Brian's brother Shaun and his wife offered to watch Kate and Fletcher for us. So, Brian and I took Luke skiing! He did so good! I haven't been on skis in over 10 years. I forgot how awesome it was to be up in the mountains, in the snow like that. On our way home, Luke said "this was the best trip". It was pretty special to have one on one time with Luke and to see how excited he was to ski! Thank you brother and sister Neilsen for the passes and SHAUN and JOYCE for free babysitting!!! YOU ROCK!

Skiing in Park CIty

I wanted to do a slide show, too!!!

Dinosaur museum

I first took Kate to the Thanksgiving Point Dino Museum last August. This time, she was outside of me. The kids and I met Brian at the museum after his class got out. We've really enjoyed our family pass to the museum!

Every morning is an EARLY morning in our house!

Here it is Saturday morning, just after 9am, and our house has been buzzing for over 2 hours. The kids have eaten breakfast, taken baths, dressed and done chores and are now playing X Box. Brian's gone to Salt Lake for his class, and Kate has been up and is gone back down for her morning nap. Oh how I miss those Saturday mornings of sleeping in of long ago! As I peer into my neighbors home just behind ours, which is still completely dark and void of movement, I have to remind myself she had many, many years of early mornings (she has 10 kids, her youngest is 9 now). Someday...maybe someday, I too will have earned myself some much deserved sleep! This is my 30 minute window (while Kate cat naps) to grab a shower and some fresh clothes for myself. There is much to do today. Finish lesson preparations, harass the pharmacy (day three) to harass our insurance to get Kate's reflux medicine filled and covered (it's over $100 for a month) because she can't go many more days without it, finalize Luke's birthday party plans, and get the van cleaned, oil and lubed. Fun stuff! Peace out, yo!

This never happens!

I was so excited she was actually letting me hold her while she ate that I had Preston take a picture! This is a RARE occurrence! And yes. I am wearing a JEM t-shirt. The coolest cartoon girl rock band EVER!

Nice try!

But, it didn't last...this is the only way Kate will drink her bottle! What a DIVA!!!

I started watching my friend Kristen's 2 year old boy on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 12:30pm - 3:30pm and it's working out nicely. Especially the money part. It's only $5/hour, but hey it's $5/hour I wouldn't have otherwise. He's really an easy-going kid, but Fletcher feels a little invaded...he'll get used to it.

Does anyone watch American Idol? I never watched it until this week. Brian's gone every night until after 10pm, so I ventured out of my normal TV viewing and found myself laughing so hard! I recorded it and made him watch it when he got home. Hilarious! I also love the Office, 30 rock (love, love, love Alec Baldwin), and Ugly Betty. It's just nice to get the kids in bed, crash on the couch, and have a good laugh.

But, mom. We're hot!

I love how, even when it's 20 degrees out, the kids want to run around with no shirt on! Hopefully Kate will be a little more modest.

Decisions

Today was another cold day. At least it got up to 22 degrees this afternoon. I'm starting to get cabin fever. I babysat my friend Kristen's 2 year old son, Gabe today. I have been offered the chance to watch him 2 days a week for 3 hours on a regular basis, with a little pay. I could really use the extra cash, and so I feel like I need to do this. I need to do my part to bring in some cash, right? Life feels a little chaotic already. Hmmm.... Tomorrow is my turn at dropping off Fletch and Luke with Kristen while Kate and I have 2 hours to ourselves. I'm looking forward to getting some things done around my house. I haven't been nearly as organized or on top of things as I used to be, before Kate came along. It's frustrating trying to balance it all. I don't want to "clean away" my kids childhood, but I need some sort of system? Any suggestions on cleaning schedules and what not? I could use a little "Clean House" intervention right about now. Fletcher just informed me he needs a clean diaper, so I will be on my way for now...ciao!

Bitter Cold

It is way too cold to be going outside these days, but Kate and I ventured out early this morning for a doctor's appointment. I'm not quite sure where she came from...she's in the 88th percentile for length. None of my boys have ever been over 50%, and are closer to 40%, or 10% in the case of Preston. She's a little too skinny, they tell me, but she has trouble eating. She simply doesn't care for food. It's a battle every feeding to get her to eat, and I'm certain her reflux has something to do with that. She will not eat in our arms, or in public...church is fun with that. She will eat in her vibrating bouncy chair, and even that doesn't go flawlessly every time. What a nut!
I started doing a babysitting swap with my friend and neighbor Kristen Jones. I take her two boys (ages 2 and 4) on Tuesdays for two hours and she takes my two boys for two hours on Thursday. It will make running to the store a whole lot easier only having Kate. She's been a great friend to have. She's been taking Preston along with her son to a little karate class at the Orem rec center on Tuesday nights. Preston is having a lot of fun. He hasn't really gotten into any sports or extra-curricular activities before, so this is a good start for him.

Rock and Roll

I found this rocking horse at a consignment shop in Provo. It reminds me of something we had growing up...and it's very strong and sturdy for even Preston to ride on! Fletcher LOVES it!

Winter Wonderland

It started snowing this afternoon and has continued into the night! Brian won't be out of class in SLC until 9:30pm and then gets to face all the lovely roads in his super sweet '92 Toyota Tercel! It sure is beautiful, though.

My Sweet Valentine!

Fletcher helping to spread Christmas Cheer!

Christmas in California

We're HOME!!! We got back from California last night (New Year's Eve) around 8pm. It was nice to be off the road after 10 1/2 long hours! We had an awesome time with Brian's family...Brian was able to get in a couple of rounds of golf, the kids went to the movies with their cousins and grandma, I got a couple of Girl's Nights Out, we ate lots of yummy food, played at parks, had family pictures, went to Knott's Berry Farm, the beach, visited with old friends and enjoyed the 60/70 degree weather. It was a wonderful holiday, but it is good to be home. Brian starts his Bar Prep class tomorrow and the kids are back in school! Back to life!