Birthday Party Prep

Jacob had the day off school today due to "state budget cuts" so I took advantage of him being here and put him to work on party preparation for his birthday party next weekend.

He wants a Mario Kart party this year so, after scouring the internet and pinterest for ideas, we decided on a few things we could make. Today we worked on Mario and Luigi hats for all his friends to wear at the party.

Jake and Georgie cut out the white circles for the hats. (some were not circles at all, but it kept them busy and not fighting or playing the wii!)

Then we put the white hats in a dye bath to make them Mario red (& Luigi green).

While the hats changed colors I cut out the 'M' & 'L' that we will be hot gluing on them.

And then we put them outside to dry.

I'm really happy with how they dyed. I was worried the red would be pink and the green might be too dark, but I think they're going to be perfectly adorable, errrr I mean perfectly Mario and Luigi, for all those little boys next Saturday.

Popcorn Popping!

One of the kids favorite songs is "Popcorn Popping" and as we've looked around at this incredible world lately we've seen a lot of trees with popcorn on them. Today Georgie & I decided we should take some pictures of the trees in front of Jacob's school because they are so beautiful right now.

She's pretty beautiful too.

Every once in awhile she goes with me to pick Jacob up from school. When she goes we have a certain routine we follow. She rides the scooter until we get to the wall in front of the school and then I ride the scooter and hold her hand while she balances and walks on the wall. She's getting pretty good at keeping her balance now, most days I don't even need to hold her hand.

Although sometimes she can make getting out the door and to the school a bit more challenging than it needs to be, I love the time alone with her. We have the funniest conversations. It's always fun to hear her thought process and how she views the world. She's a smart girl, I tell you. She's also pretty darn funny. Kids really do say the darnedest things. Sometimes I wonder what on earth she's been watching with the things she comes up with! That Georgie Girl is one smart little spit-fire, yes she is. Watch out world, she'll be conquering you before long. I have no doubt about it.

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i found this on pinterst recently and it fits perfectly with this blog.

popcorn grows on apricot trees... right?! :)

Bald Baby Girl

My sweet baby. She hardly has any hair. She is the baldest of all our kids. She went from having a full head of hair when she was born to a mullet and now a mullet with a big bald spot in back. Poor girl.

At least she's still beautiful... even with her funny hair.

Bed Swap

For the past year the kids (the three big's) have shared a room here at Gram's house. Naomi is in the crib, Georgie on the daybed, and Jacob on the trundle... and to be honest, it hasn't really worked. Our sweet Georgie Girl is not the easiest child at bedtime and most nights we'd have to deal with Jacob crying because she'd jumped (for the millionth time) on his bed and hurt his leg. It got really, really old and really, really, REALLY frustrating so we finally decided to have them swap beds (we'd thought about it many times but figured we weren't going to be here that much longer anyway so...).

Today after I washed all the sheets, instead of putting Georgie on the top bunk (as they refer to it) I put Jacob's sheets on that bed and Georgie's on the bottom.

They both seem pretty happy and excited about it, but we'll have to see how bedtime goes. I don't imagine it'll make getting George to bed any easier, but hopefully Jacob won't be getting smashed and jumped on every night while we read scriptures and say prayers.

While I worked Alice checked out the view from Naomi's bed since she'll be stealing it for herself pretty soon.... hopefully... (that's another dilemma... where are we going to put her and Naomi once Alice outgrows the bassinet in our room?!?!?! we are outta beds and out of space.)

Tired Kids

Some nights getting kids to bed at bedtime is ridiculously impossible.
Tonight was one of those nights.
But... one hour after bedtime I found them here...

Sound asleep.

There's something about being cuddled together in Daddy's arms watching some boring show Daddy chose that works magic.

Too bad that isn't the answer every night.

Georgie Girl

Georgie went to sleep Sunday night almost without any fuss.
It was a miracle.
She even stayed in her bed all night.
Another miracle.

She had a hard time waking for school Monday morning. She kept telling me she was tired. I was the alternate in her classroom that day so I was hurrying her along so we wouldn't be late.

She fell asleep in the car on the way to school.
So not like her.

We got to school and she wanted me to carry her in.
Sometimes she does.

As I helped get the classroom ready for the day she sat there in a daze so I asked if she was feeling well. Again she said she was tired.
So I watched her for 20 minutes.
She was still completely in a daze.
So I asked if she wanted to go home.
She said she did.

She fell asleep in the car on the ride home.
It was 9:30am.

And slept, almost completely soundly, until 3am this morning.
When she awoke hungry.
And thirsty.
And wide awake.
I was not.

The girl slept for pretty much 30 hours straight.

I did notice she had a fever yesterday afternoon.
I'd say her body was fighting something serious.

Today she's back to her normal adorable bossy self.

New Ward Park Day

Today the girls and I ventured out for Park Day with our new ward. We were all a little nervous going into it but it was good to get out and meet new people. Georgie & Naomi made sure they were very fashionable in their matching outfits, hats and sunglasses.

Alice slept most of the time while I chatted with the other women.

I'm glad we went. It was good to get to know a little more about the other moms.

Conversation with Georgia

Georgie is obsessed with my wedding ring. All day, every day she's trying to sneak it off my finger so she can wear it. It's pretty cute... and funny.

The other night while I was helping her in the bathroom we had a very sweet and interesting conversation I want to remember.

G: "Mommy, why do you have that pretty wedding ring?"
M: "Daddy gave it to me when we got married because he loves me very much."
G: "When can I get married? I want a pretty ring too."
M: "When you get lots bigger."
G: "Then I can marry Daddy?"
M: "No, I'm married to Daddy. You can't marry him. Someday you'll meet a boy you love very, very much and you can marry him."
G: "Then I can marry Jakey?"
M: "No, you can't marry your brother."
G: "Then who can I marry?"
M: "I don't know, but someday you will know."
G: "Who will love me?"
M: "Oh Georgie, we all love you, but I don't know who you're going to marry."

She is so cute. I hope she always loves her Daddy & Jakey enough to want to marry them... and knows how very much they love her too.

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Today is day 3 of Jake being back in school. He's loving it and so glad to be back. Yesterday was Georgie's first day back and she was the happiest girl around. It feels good to be back with our schedule.

Georgie & Alice

Some days these two cannot get enough of each other.

Well, Alice might like a break but Georgie's having none of it.

New Ward

After being at my mom's for over a year we finally made the switch to the ward she lives in. John and I have talked about it for months... we knew it was going to be difficult to leave the comfort of the V1st ward, not only for us but especially for Jacob.

Today we attended CC1st and were more than pleasantly surprised to find so many familiar faces. (It helps having lived in two different wards within this stake boundaries!!)

Getting there this morning took some effort, poor Jacob was sobbing and did not want to go. I totally understood where those tears were coming from. I didn't want to leave my friends either.

Sacrament meeting went... ok. When it was time to go to Primary he totally broke down again. It was heartbreaking. We decided to drop Naomi off at the Nursery first -- thinking she might be the easiest-- thankfully she walked right in and started to play. Jake and Georgie were not that easy. Neither one wanted to sit with their classes. So I sat with Georgia and John sat in the back of the Primary room so that Jacob knew he was there. We stayed all of Sharing Time. About half way through we could tell that they were both getting comfortable, they were singing, raising their hands, and participating... it was wonderful to see! An answer to our prayers, that's for sure.

As class time started they walked out the door with smiles on their faces and we headed to our own classes- John to Priesthood (where he was introduced by the visiting High Counselor,Denis DeFigueiredo) and I went to Relief Society where I recognized and could name nearly everyone in the room. It really was quite amazing.

We know we're supposed to attend this ward and we know we'll be blessed by knowing the people there... it's just so hard to leave V1, where we've been for the last 6 years. We loved that ward and the people in it. Our lives were blessed in so many ways by our attendance there.

But now it's time for change.
We left church with happy, smiling, excited kids.
How grateful we are!

3.5 weeks...

This 3.5 week Christmas break business is long, far too long if you ask me, but I have been pleasantly surprised the past few days to find that instead of fighting my children have actually spent a lot of time playing together! It's like it took them two full weeks to remember that they are not the only child in this family, that they can have more fun when they share their toys and play together, and that they actually like each other.

Since Papa and Grandma left on Tuesday night we've been home-- doing absolutely nothing. We haven't been to the park or the beach or really even played outside -- we've been inside with each other --- playing! It's been so nice. There have been several times I've walked into the living room or a bedroom and found three little heads with a big pile of toys playing and actually getting along. It brings a smile to my face.

Those first 2 weeks of break we went a few places but on the days we were home there was a lot of arguing and school couldn't start soon enough for me. The past few days have been really enjoyable. It's like they might actually miss each other next week when we start back to our school schedule! ;)

On a sad note, we found out this week that a position John applied and interviewed for went to another person. It was between the two and in the end someone else got the job. It's a little heartbreaking. I really thought that this was going to be it... that we'd be on our way -- finally. But that is not the case. Now it's back to the drawing board. But... as Amy says in Little Women, "When God closes a door somewhere He opens a window"... right?! So, I'm searching for that window. And praying we'll recognize it.

Grandma & Papa's final day...

Well, the slumber party was a success. We hear that both Jacob AND Georgie were asleep by 9:30pm... which is a miracle really. Grandma says that is was a really good night (although Jacob says Georgie did give Grandma & Papa a hard time... once).

Today was our last day with Papa & Grandma, they flew home this evening, but before they left the kids had lots of fun coloring in their new big coloring books Uncle Ben & Aunt Lisa sent for Christmas. Papa and Grandma both colored with them too.

John was supposed to be working all day but his appointment was cut short and so he got to spend the afternoon with us before his parents left.

The kids have absolutely loved having them here, as have we. Jake was really upset about having to tell them goodbye. When we dropped them at the airport he cried and cried and told us he was "super, super, duper going to miss them!", it broke my heart.

We've had a wonderful visit, although it's never long enough, and look forward to playing with Papa & Grandma again soon....

Alice Kay~ 2 months

Alice Kay, 2 months & the monkey

I'm pretty sure that with each child time moves faster...
Today Alice is 2 months old. She is such a happy, content, sweet baby girl. She's cooing and smiling all the time now. She's starting to bare weight and wants to stand up on our laps, she likes to be sitting up and if you lay her down in your arms she'll pull her body forward. Her head's still a little floppy and her arms are a bit out-of-control but those are the only two 'newborn' things she has left. I hate that the newborn phase ends so quickly, but each new phase brings so much joy and excitement. Although we will miss our sweet newborn baby girl we're looking forward to watching her learn and grow and seeing her personality fully develop.

At 2 months, Alice is:

weighing 14lbs, 9oz.,
24 inches long,
a blue, BLUE eyed girl,
sleeping from 10pm to 3am,
napping for a 4 hour stretch during the day,
loved by everyone!

{and just for fun, at 2 months: Jacob- 12.9lbs & 23 in, Georgia- 16.14lbs & 25 1/4 in, Naomi- 14.6lbs & 24 in. So she's pretty much exactly the size Na was at 2 months}

Day with Papa & Grandma

Georgie has been so excited to show Papa and Grandma her school so today we headed over there. After peeking through the windows into the classroom Georgia & Jacob had a great time playing on the playground and showing Grandma & Papa all the fun things they can do.

Jacob made it all the way across the monkey bars for the first time (he hasn't tried in a long, long time).

After playing at the park for awhile we headed to Papa's 'must have' for lunch... In-N-Out!

{alice was eyein' that root beer...}

Then it was home for naps, more visiting, and a fabulous dinner of --- leftover soup, salad, & rolls! ;)

And then... the much anticipated sleep over in Grandma & Papa's hotel room! Both Jake and George were super excited!! We're pretty sure they took everything from their beds with them: blanket, pillow, pillow pet, stuffed animal/baby doll... they were ready to go!

Naomi was glad they left too... it meant she could eat the leftover cheese all by herself... she didn't even have to share!

Hope everyone has a good night and actually gets some sleep!

Alice's Blessing

Today Alice Kay was given a special blessing from our Father in Heaven through the power of the Priesthood her father holds. John was joined in the circle by Papa M., Uncle Ken, Greg, Ben Keil, our home teacher Kirby, and Bishop Spendlove. It was a beautiful blessing for a beautiful baby girl.

After church we had family and dear friends over for a luncheon to celebrate our sweet girl. Papa & Grandma M. were there along with Gram, Papa & Grandma Cheri, Uncle Ken & Aunt Carolyn, Christine, Cheryl, Greg & Dianna -- Karyl, Freddie, & Nicole, Grandma Baun, Aunt Linda, Alan, & Damien, Ben & Heather -- Kyle & Andrew, Meme & Lin -- Norah, Tommy, baby Amelia, and Chuck & Mema. How lucky we are to have so many people to love and support us on this special day.

We had lots of homemade soups to choose from, salad, and rolls for lunch and for dessert Aunt Linda made the tastiest Trifle ever -- people were standing around the bowl scooping seconds before they'd walk away, it was hilarious, and a Costco cake that the kids all had an opinion about the piece they wanted to eat.

The kids all got along so well. They played trains and cars, dressed up as princesses, made food in the kitchen, took turns playing Damien's DS, and just enjoyed each others company. It was really nice to sit back and not have to worry about whether they were getting along or being entertained.

We truly have been blessed to have so many loved ones with us today. We know our brothers would've loved to be here too, but they all live across country, so although they weren't with us in person, they were certainly here in spirit.

{Mema & baby Amelia}

{The Baun family, Papa & Grandma M., & us}

After most people had left the Keil's, Wilde's and Papa & Grandma M. stayed around for a second helping of soup -- we called it dinner -- and the kids all played Mario Kart.

It was a really, really nice day. We are so thankful to everyone who came to take part in Alice's special blessing day.