Dentist Feb 2011

We had our bi-annual trip to the dentist-and Tate's first visit to the Dentist. As usual the waiting room was a big hit. Everyone loved the Carousel....

and the arcade game...

Would've loved to get a picture of one of the kids in the dentist chair, but as soon as their names were called they were scarce. Tate went first and was more terrified of the nurse than the dentist. I'm not sure how Dr. Miller is able to see anything in those screaming mouths but the report was good.

Tate has 2 of his 4- 2 year old molars in which was a surprise despite the daily brushing. Made sense as to why he's been such finicky eater lately.

McKenna also is getting new teeth-she has 1 of her 4- 6 year old molars in.

Tyler didn't have any new teeth-just a clean bill of health...for her teeth.

I'm actually very proud of our teeth brushing kids. No cavities thus far-we just need to start flossing and get that into the mix. Good job kids!

Grandma Payne is Here!

Our Grandma Payne is finally HERE! We're so excited although we all wish it was under better circumstances, she's having surgery on Tuesday for Knee Replacement.

The kids couldn't wait for her to get her here, can't wait to take care of her and her knee, and to go see her in the hospital.

It's been quite cold-so we've been couped up at home and she's been great to have around. The kids have had a lot of fun-playing toys, painting, coloring, and dancing! In the store Tate even grabbed her hand and preferred to go with her than hang out with Mom.

She took a test run on her set of wheels-and the kids thought it was a jungle gym with wheels

I hope we haven't worn her out too much! She might be looking forward to the excuse for a lil R&R. Right....

We're all a bit nervous with her, but she's ready to move forward! Good Luck Grandma!

Just thinking...

I've been trying to come up with a plan to really ENTICE and Strongly Encourage Tyler to get rid of her binki. I hate the crying at the thought of even going to bed without it and I really want it to be her decision to let it go. She only uses to fall asleep at night and at times has fallen asleep when she's really tired during the day without it. It's all in her head...right?

So last night I devised a plan and sat down with her and told her that if she gave up the binki for 3 nights in a row-I'd give her....Tangle's Rapunzel & Flynn Rider in their Wedding Clothes. She really wanted it for her birthday and is the only thing I can think of that would tempt her. She got a big grin on her face and coyly responded, "I'll have to really think about it."

This morning she got up all giddy and handed me her binki and said, "it's broken Mom, let's throw it away and get my Tangled dolls." After looking on line and calling stores, I learned I promised an item that is hard to find, thus making it expensive...but not as expensive as dental bills? Note to self-research before promising the impossible.

As bedtime approached the girl was still giddy and excited until it finally came down to the actually falling asleep, well she began to sing another song. She decided to hold the binki...and maybe just put it in her mouth "for just a minute".

We're going to keep trying but I think the doll might have to be in our house?

Haircuts

The girls and I got haircuts today. So happy to have found Julie Brame, a very smart, cute and very good at what she does...hair.

Tyler considered herself, very proudly, Tangled-with her ever so long hair! Most of the time it was just that-tangled. I think she had about 3 inches cut off.

McKenna got a trim, just as she asked.

It's just the girls, but That's a lot of hair!

Tate's Room-Paint...Check

I pry shouldn't post until the actual decorating is done, but anyone who knows me knows it will take a while before the finishing touches are complete...

I've been itching to paint Tate's room since he was born and before it was his room. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I started looking and with the help of a friend came up with exactly what I wanted to do. Jorelle taught me what you do when it comes to decorating-starting with picking the bedding to find the colors for paint. We found some great fabric samples that hopefully I'll be turning into a quilt in the next couple of months and from there we found our paint colors & a willing husband to make the wainscotting. Both vital factors for a a fun, happy room.

Happy Valentine's Day

Holidays in the world are becoming extravagant-and I'm not complaining, it's easy to get caught up in with all the fun and Hype. It's really just not helping my desire to simplify-life.

I love Valentine's Day for the exchange of Valentine's-homemade or bought to me its really the thought that counts. I love the tradition of kids exchanging them at school and I remember going through and trying to give just the right Valentine to each person. Not wanting to send the wrong message to the boys so making sure they weren't too lovey-and wanting the girls to be impressed by the Valentine they received. I chuckle at my -overthinking things through and realize I haven't changed much over the years.

I'm glad that this hasn't passed onto my children...yet. They loved making and addressing Valentine's to their friends, although McKenna didn't like the quantity of names she had to address...although she didn't complain much with the amount of "loot" she brought home. She doesn't even really like candy-only chocolate and so she gave some to Tyler and traded the rest of it to me for M&M's. Suckers make great bribery for Tate.

Tate & Tyler went to a little Valentine's Party where we sang songs, played toys and made Valentine Flowers and exchanged Valentine's

Dinner was a favorite Valentine's Tradition-Pink Heart Pancakes...

although Daddy John came home with surprises he brought home Olive Garden for Dinner-Chicken Alfredo and a Papa Murphy heart shaped Pizza for another dinner this week. What a Man, what a VERY good Man!

It's been a Very Happy Valentine's Day!

Cupcakes

I've been dabbling in cupcakes. It's more of a hobby and actually quite fun to have a reason to look up a new recipe and try my hand out in decorating. This recipe was fantastic! It's a Chocolate Graham Cracker Cupcake with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting. You're supposed to use the blow torch, but the broiler worked out ok. They were delicious!

Natalie decorated and held the shower at her house and Leslie Made the menu and put it together. It was beautiful and I was honored to be a part of putting it together!

Rainbows

I'm sure that in Tyler's Heaven it is full of Rainbow's and White pieces of paper that are just waiting to be painted on.

The Results: McKenna's & Tyler's (Bottom) Rainbows

Tyler's Happy 4-Year Old Birthday

Tyler LeAnn Payne-4 years old as of 2 am this morning.

A little about Tyler: You are such a ray of sunshine in all of our lives. You crack us up with the witty things you say, you are the epitome of sharing, and have one of the kindest heart, although you're also a lil spitfire when you decide to put your foot down. You love music, coloring, painting, and singing! You just entered primary as a Sunbeam and you've already learned the first song of the year, "I Hear My Savior's Voice" and at night when I try to sing it to you at bedtime you often correct me on the words. You love your teacher Sis Johnson, so much you wanted her to come to your birthday dinner celebration.

Your favorite moments of the day are: your morning hot chocolate, playing with Mom during Tate's Naptime, Playing with McKenna after school, and playing "Don't Catch Me" with Dad & Tate in the evenings.

I think you had a great Birthday-and you were so graciously Thankful for each and every moment. Having phone calls from Grandpa, a song from Maddie & Keira, the morning at Jack & Jills jumpy place where her whole sunbeam class and a few other friends all came for a lil party Leslie put together just for her. Several times you came up and told me how much fun you were having and that it was the perfect day! Daddy surprised you by coming home to have lunch and to feed the goats and play. As we were preparing for your dinner celebration the glorious cake I had planned didn't quite work out-after a couple phone calls Sis. McClellan came over to help fix the cake and Leslie brought the crowning jewel. It was better than anything I could have dreamed up-and I know you loved it because you told me as you were going to bed that you liked it better than the first one.

You were thrilled to have your friends come over to and share your night with you.

2/11/10: Thank you friends and family for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts. She's loved each and everyone of them. She loved not only playing with them, but sharing them with her sister-they've had a ball! We're still working on sharing with Tate-and teaching him not to destroy everything he touches. :)

What a weekend...Starting out with the Flu bug-I woke Friday morning feeling well enough when I stepped out of bed, not even 30 minutes later to find my stomach turning and churning. As bad as I felt Tyler and Tate did quite well, cuddling with me on the couch, coloring and letting me just lay and be still. What I found humorous was after McKenna came home I fell asleep on the couch and woke to my children running around with the bag of chips. I have to say that would be the first time my kids have gotten in the food and helped themselves. They really don't mind me being sick to much, back to back movies and chips and cookies, anything to keep'em happy. As the girls went to bed that evening they bid me a sweet "hope you feel better in the morning Mom!" It was really quite sweet!

It was a bad day, but alas 24 hours later it was gone and I was well...sadly the take doesn't end there. Saturday morning McKenna wandered into my room with a sad, "Mommy my tummy doesn't feel good." Yes a little over a month later McKenna came down with the stomach flu again. Poor Girl, although I'm proud of her for handling it so much better than she did the last time. I'm really one for details and I'm fighting the urge to divulge but alas you don't need to read it. Occasionally she called out for the need to have her back rubbed, but twice she asked us, "Does Jesus Love Me?" My heart dropped as I tried to figure out why she would wonder... WE quickly responded with a, "yes, of course he does!"

Many a prayer was said that evening, and by the time they all headed to bed, McKenna seemed to be doing better. She woke up quite happy and although I was planning on staying home with the kids from church, after quick baths, they informed me that we WERE going to church. By a miracle and the Spanish group starting 15 minutes later than the Dnglish we actually made it on time. The kids were great during Sacrament Meeting and afterwards Tyler was excited to head to Primary. She knew the other 2 kids were leaving with me, but with the knowledge that the Primary would be singing "Happy Birthday" to her gave her the courage to stay. Not only stay, but she sat so reverently with her arms folded waiting for her teacher and class to join her in the primary room. It was adorable! She's so excited for her upcoming birthday, she brings it up in each and every prayer she says.

Well this entry is pry long enough-so until the next time...

Ground Hog 2011

We were a little oblivious to Ground Hog's Day until McKenna came home and shared her craft project and song with us. She was cute enough to teach Tyler all about Ground Hog's Day.

Modern Day Couple

It's official-we've entered the 21st century, we're a couple who spend time together on the couch with our laptops watching tv. Aren't we cute?

Happiness Returns to the Farm

I don't know why I named the post this other than there is a part of me that wants to believe I am still a country girl in my heart.

Tonight when I got home from a meeting I was presented with the most wonderful gift...and it's not even Valentine's Day, My Birthday, Mother's Day or Christmas. What could bring such a glow of sunshine into my life...the return of the link into a world beyond the walls of my home. A computer...or rather it's called a Netbook/IdeaPad by lenovo...
I'm feeling overwhelmed and aged as I sit with this little itty bitty thing before me that looks like a miniature laptop one minute and the next a giant phone after being folded up. It's wonderful and so much more than I ever imagined!!!

It's small enough I might even be able to keep it hidden from little hands, fingers and eyes.

Oh Thank You, Thank You giver of this wonderful lil piece of technology. Now if I can overcome my inept ability on a smart computer and find my inner techy teenager once again.

May the Blogging (reading and writing) commence once again!!!