No naps

Doesn't he just look like a trouble maker in this picture? :)
Camden hasn't taken a nap for 9 days. It happened all of the sudden- and it's driving me crazy! He turns into a beast in the early evening- and I can't get anything done in the day. So- if there is a lack of posting- most likely Camden is the reason. I keep trying to push the naps on him- but he'll have none of it. The other day he was in his crib, and I heard a loud bang, so I ran up to see what happened. He was able to climb up the bars of his crib enough to reach a heavy picture on his dresser and knock it over. He had also taken off his pants and diaper and was standing there in the buff. I'm not ready for this! I am sure he will be climbing out of the crib in no time and ready for a big boy bed soon after. :(

Political funnies at our house

As we were watching the President speak tonight, Dillon walked in the room and immediately notices Nancy Pelosi behind the President. He shouts- "That's Nancy! The one that Dad hates." I told him that Dad doesn't hate her, he just doesn't like her politics. He said, "Why doesn't he like her politics?" Me "I don't know exactly, he doesn't hate her though." Dillon, "Well- I'm not sure what politics even are, but it doesn't sound good."

Camden was also in the room and he was pointing to the TV and we were trying to get him to say Obama. He kept pointing to the TV and saying, "Bum!" every time he'd see the President. I sure hope he can learn to pronounce it soon. I'd hate for people to think I taught him that the President's a bum. :)

Family Night

At family night last night, we talked about the story of the wise man and the foolish man, and what it means. The kids love object lessons, and seem to remember the purpose of the lesson better, if we include an object lesson. We got a rock, and put a popsicle stick house on the rock. Then we had a bucket full of sand, and put another house on the sand. We let the kids take turns pouring pitchers of water on the houses. Of course, the house on the sand washed away, and the house on the rock stood still. :)

Logan's party

We had Logan's friend birthday party on Saturday at the Tree House Museum. A few months back, Matt and I went to an auction/benefit for the museum, and bid on a party, and won. We took 15- 6 and 7 year olds and Morgan as a helper. They had a blast! We had a 'pirate' who was the guide. The kids did a 'partici-play' where they got to act out different scenes to a pirate story.

Afterwards, they got free time play in the museum.

After the free time, we met in the party room, where the guide helped them make pirate hats, and they had cake/ice cream, and opened presents.

They took care of everything, including the cake, so it was so simple for us. I have always made them a cake for their parties, but since it came with the package- I had to do it. (I made one for his real birthday with our family instead.)

The kids had a wonderful time, and we didn't lose any of the kids. Phew! We won one other party, so it looks like we will be doing this again in the future. It's nice to know they all enjoyed themselves. :)

Why???

This is a pretty constant thing here at our house.

Me: Let's clean your toys.
Camden: Why?
Me: Because they are messy.
Camden: Why?
Me: Because you left them out.
Camden: Why?
Me: I don't know why.
Camden: Why?

etc. etc. etc.

ALL.DAY.LONG.

Happy Birthday Logan!

7 years ago today. I became a mommy of 3. I love that you couldn't wait to be born, and were only 21 months younger than Dillon. I was so happy to have another boy, that was close in age to Dillon, because I knew you would be great friends. You were so cute! You had lots of blond spiky hair. It wouldn't lay flat, no matter what we tried. You were such a great little baby. You loved to be cuddled. You had such a sweet disposition. I could lay you on a blanket, while I tended to Dillon's needs, and you were as happy as could be. I had never had a baby like that! You weren't real crazy about sleeping. One night, I was delirious from lack of sleep, and remembered a friend had told me how her daughter slept on the dryer, in her carseat, so I tried it. I bungee corded your carseat, so you couldn't fall, and I tried it. It worked...and that's where you slept, until you were almost 1. We did have to get a new dryer, because we wore out the heating element, but it's a small price to pay for a little sleep. :) You have been a joy to me since the minute I saw you. I love you little man! I just wanted to tell you 7 reasons why I think you're the best.


1. You are such a sweet talking momma's boy. I love that you always want to cuddle and snuggle with me. You are always saying the sweetest things to me.
2. I love how you are so interested in making art projects, and Lego projects. You always have a new idea to create something.
3. You are so excitable! Your excitement rubs off on anyone around you. I love that even the littlest things make you so happy!
4. You love inventing games, or activities. When you were in preschool they gave you an award that said, "Most likely to own Hasbro, or another game company." Which is funny, because that may be a correct prediction, if you inherit dad's company some day!
5. You are so smart! I am constantly amazed at the way you excel in all of your school work. It seems like you taught yourself to read without me knowing it. One day you knew your letters, and the next you were reading chapter books and the scriptures. You are the same in math, spelling and science, too!
6. I love that you are self motivated. You are so great about getting up and going in the morning, doing your homework, and helping me out.
7. You are so good at sharing. Anytime you have something, that others' don't, you are happy to give it up, or let other's use your things.
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For birthdays we always decorate their chair at the dinner table, and their door and room, while they sleep. For breakfast today, Logan woke up to Creme Brulee french toast, and then he opened his presents.

For lunch I surprised him, by going to school and bringing him his favorite lunch, and eating with him in the cafeteria. We always let the birthday child pick what they want for dinner, and he picked to go out to Chuck E. Cheese. (We tried to convince him of other places, but ultimately it was his birthday- so he got to choose.)

The kids all had a great time. Afterwards, we came home and had cake.

I think he had a great day. Happy 7th birthday Logan!

It's hard to see, but Logan wanted a picture of his birth minute- so he could know exactly when he turned 7. :)

Memories

I decided that every so often, I am going to write a memory of my kids, since I am horrible about keeping a journal. I have been using my blog as a journal for the past year, but want to remember things they did, before this time.

I was thinking about a time when we lived in Virginia, and how Morgan was so outgoing and friendly to everyone. She was 5 years old, and had never met a stranger. We had just moved into our house, so we didn't know the neighbors very well. We were playing outside, when the school bus came. She wasn't old enough for school yet, and wanted desperately to play with the school kids. She ran across the street when she saw a girl near her age, and she introduced herself. She came running back and asked if she could play with the new friend she had met. I told her she could, but she needed to play at our house, if it was okay with the little girl's mom. I then told her, she could go with her to ask, but to come right back. I needed to change a diaper- so I went about my duty, but Morgan never came back. Finally, after several minutes she still wasn't back, so I went looking for her. She wasn't at the house with the little girl. Her mom said they were leaving and she couldn't play, so Morgan had left. I look up and down the street and can't see her anywhere. I start walking down the street, with my 7 month pregnant belly, and my baby in my arms. She is nowhere to be seen. Of course, I start getting panicked, and knocking on doors, and nobody knows where she is. Finally, at the last house on the street I hear some kids playing in the backyard. I go behind their fence and see Morgan playing ball with a couple 9 year old boys. Their Mom came out and said, "She came knocking on doors asking if there were any kids to play with. I told her well, we have 2 older boys. She said, "That's okay- I just need kids to play with." Apparently she kept knocking on anyone's door, until she found someone to play with. It didn't matter that they were 4 years older, and a different gender than her, or that she had never even met them. She needed to play! That is Morgan, though. She is ready to play anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. :)

Happy Presidents Day!

Today the kids were off from school for President's day. We decided to head over to the mall, shop a little, and eat lunch with cousins. We had a great time, playing in the play area, and spending time with family. Logan was born on President's Day, in Virginia, so he decided he would be the most likely to become President.(He said if he became president he would go by L. Alexander, since it sounds more presidential. Funny kid!) Morgan told him that *anyone* can become president now, because who would have thought Barack Obama would be a presidential name a few years ago. We then got into a whole political discussion. They definitely know a lot more about politics than I did at their age. I just love the way their minds work.

Valentines Day

This year was a pretty low key Valentines Day. The kids decorated yummy valentines cookies, and made valentines for their friends.

Matt and I decided to celebrate a day early, because Morgan was already booked to babysit all day for some other families. We went to a nice dinner, and saw a movie. It was just nice to get out with each other, because we don't do that often enough. Matt wrote me the nicest letter, that had me in tears, and it reminded me, that I really don't deserve a husband like him. (Though I'm glad he hasn't figured that out yet.) He sent a bouquet of one of my favorite flowers as well.



We got the kids some little valentines from us, and pretty much hung out around the house all day. It was nice to have a quiet and relaxing day!

Randomness

Here are some happenings this week, that I want to remember:

My visiting teacher brought me a scented candle. I told Camden to smell it, and he takes a big breath, inhaling. He hands it back to me and says, "Smells fun!"

Also, he loves playing with these foam blocks we have. He wants me to help him build a tower, but if I even get two blocks up, he will come and knock it down. So I called him a bully. He started laughing. Then, every time I'd try to build a tower he'd say, "Bully!" and then proceed to knock it down.

In family night this week, we talked about being "anxiously engaged" in a good cause. We want the kids to do the things they are supposed to, without asking them all the time. We gave them some incentives, to help them along. Today, Dillon did everything he needed to, in order to leave for school, without me asking. Yay! I said, "Good job! I'm so proud of you for doing that without me asking you." He says, "Ya- I'm trying to be more anciently engaged." Oh well, he gets the concept, if not the wording. :)

At church one of Morgan's young women leaders said, "I LOVE having Morgan in Young Women's. She is so adorable, and such a character! She will sing, or talk in front of anyone, and most girls that age aren't like that. She has such spunk! I wonder where she gets it from, because neither you OR your husband are spunky." Okay...Thanks? I do appreciate that quality in her though!

Logan is like his dad in many ways. He is a great negotiator. He loves to worm his way into getting as much as he can, for as little as possible. I asked him if he could bring in the trash cans from the curb for me. He says, "I will for 2 marbles." Me, "Well, since it's snowy, I'll give you 1 marble." Logan, "Hmmm, okay, 1 marble, and you lock the gate behind me, AND give me a kiss." I'd say that's a deal I can live with. :)

100 days

Well- it's the 100th day of school. I can hardly remember doing anything notable in the last 100 days. Logan learned to read chapter books fluently, and lost 5 teeth. Dillon improved his reading words per minute drastically, and excelled in Science. His teacher asked him to write what he could do 100 times that would make him tired and sore. His answer, " 100 back bends would make me tired and sore." He was also asked if he could choose 100 of anything what would it be. His answer? 100 snakes. Ya- I'm the mean mom that won't let him even have 1 snake. :)

Happy 100th day of school!

Meet Giselle!

We will be getting to know Giselle quite a bit in the next few months. Morgan is in a drama group and they are putting on the play Enchanted. They just had casting and she got the part of Giselle! She is so thrilled and so are we. Congrats Morgan!

The face of sunscreen

Yes- this should be the poster child of sunscreen advertisers. "PLEASE wear sunscreen...of you will look like this:" :)

Thirty-three stitches later- skin cancer spots are gone.

To be fair, anyone that knows Matt knows he lathers on the sunscreen, and wears huge somebraro type hats to cover his face. He has been called a vampire, because he avoids the sun at all costs. Our poor kids! We never gave them a chance to have tan skin- or even regular skin. White as a ghost or red are the only options here.

Our morning routine

The morning usually starts with climbing, making a mess, and asking for food.


(I think the kids snuck into the food storage cereal. We never have this kind of cereal- and Camden obviously thought it was pretty awesome.)

After breakfast, we progress to thinking of others. We feed the birds peanuts. We feel bad that they didn't fly south for the winter, so they are stuck digging through snow for food. We try to help them out a little.

After we watch the birds, we read books, wrestle on the floor and then get dressed for the day. Morgan was sick this week and therefore home from school.

(We read this book at least 10 times a day. It's funny because this was a favorite of ALL of my kids at the same age. We've gone through 4 copies.)

She said, "Do you do this everyday?"

My answer, "Yes- every single day."

She says, "You are so lucky! All you get to do is play."

At first I think to myself, "Those toilets scrub them selves, and the laundry fairy is pretty good about getting the laundry done. I *am* living the life." But, just as quick, I catch myself and realize she is absolutely right. I am lucky. I might not get to play all day. But there isn't a place I'd rather be.