My Little Helpers

What do we do all day while McKenna is at school?

I'd like you and McKenna to believe that it is this:

But really the help comes more in the form of this:

Tate's Tongue

I don't know what happened, but Tate re-discovered his tongue today...in the mirror and was fascinated with it. He was cracking me up the way he was waggin it and checking it out. Funny kid!

In regards to his mouth he also just popped a couple of new teeth-a top molar and the tooth next to his bottom two-both on the right side of his mouth. Kind of explains some of the awneriness and lack of appetite.

Memorial Day

Memorial day was still rainy-but we resolved that rain or shine we would hike. We traveled up to Twin Falls-a hike we did about 4 years ago with McKenna was a year old. We went with our friends the Justeson's who have the same number of kids, the same age and the same gender. :) We brought a long Kaylea & Kendra to help out with the kids.

It was very muddy but it was a lot of fun!

That's alot of PINK!

Kaylea & Kendra

The Justeson Clan-Minus Dad who had to stay home and Study

Stopping for a bit of lunch!

Tyler & McKenna both took a couple of spills but Tyler won for the most Mud

this was by far the winning shot!

Salad Box

John's latest project was put together yesterday-a salad box, mostly for lettuce.

Basically a raised bed to plant salad in. One of our attempts at gardening, and saving our lettuce from the slugs and our backs from weeding.

He did a great job involving the family in the project. Tate went with him to pick up the wood and putting the box together. Tyler went with him to pick up the dirt, and he let me help him lift it onto the legs.

Tate couldn't get enough of his Dad yesterday and couldn't have been more thrilled to spend so much time with him. John thought he was drunk on the cookie he got at McClendon's which he was thrilled about, but I know it was just being with his dad and playing with the tools.

Appropriately named he is little mini John.

Great idea John and again great job!

So Tired...

While taking a shower I heard the usual crying for Mom to open the door. But honestly didn't expect to open the door to this. Sadly we let him sleep for 45 min like this since on Sundays its hard to get naps in.

It's Definitely a 1st for him to be so tired he could sleep anywhere.

More Zoo fun

I probably won't write about every zoo trip we take, but with the weather being so nice and a zoo pass how can we not go to the zoo ALOT? Besides we love the zoo and we always discover and see new things, plus we were able to get together with some friends we don't see very often and had a wonderful time.

We found out that the female tiger at the zoo is going to have 2-3 cubs, but unfortunately the male/father has cancer and isn't going to be around too much longer. That mother sure looked pregnant-a feeling I know too well without the fur coat.

The new snow leopard cubs were out so we could see them

and they brought out a little armadillo they called Scooter-because that's what he looks like he's doing when he walks-and the kids were able to pet him.

Did I mention I love the zoo!

A little Fun in the Sun

McKenna came home sick Thursday afternoon-the first thing she asked for when she got off the bus was a blessing. Her faith is so much stronger than mine-I learn so much from my kids everyday. She knows right where to turn when she needs help. She slept in late Friday morning and after a few hours of R&R she was feeling well enough to get up and play-but we still took the day off of school.

Needless to say we're Excited the Sun is OUT.

We'll be doing A-L-O-T of this all summer long!

We often find this kid climbing anything and everything

No fear this skinny little white boy.

A day to play

My mother told me she used to try set one day a week aside and play with the kids. No laundry, no housework, no shopping, just play. Sometimes this is easier said than done-but with the memory of Mother's Day still fresh today was that Day to play. I even let McKenna play hookie from school since she slept in late.

We did clean up our toys and rotate the ones we didn't play with and bring out new toys. We played with Moon Sand-which inevitably always ends up on the floor. We played toys, did crafts-we read books, homework and we even watched a movie after naps. It was a great day! Thanks McKenna, Tyler and Tate for Playing with me.

Craft-Egg Carton Flowers and Spiders.

Mother's Day

I have to tell you yesterday was Perfect for me. I don't expect them all to be and they haven't been in the past-although I don't recall a specific bad day since those memories are usually pushed back and forgotten.

I was able to sleep in, read a little and then my sweet family brought me breakfast in bed. Pancakes with strawberries, bananas and cream-which they helped me eat :) They also gave me a gift certificate to one of my favorite stores in Cute little downtown Sumner, Simple Tidings a Kitchen store that I drive past almost daily and always stare at the window display wanting to stop and shop. McKenna also gave me a pot she had decorated at school with 4 little flowers in it. It is beautiful and I can't wait to see what she's planted.

After finishing breakfast we worked on Mother's Day cards for a few friends and neighbors and went about the usual business of getting ready for church. The girls accompanied me to Sacrament Meeting and were exceptionally well behaved and reverent...probably since we were sitting next to Grandma Carol. :) When the primary kids got up to sing McKenna got up for the first time, taking Tyler by the hand up to sing. Tyler didn't know the words (which I know was hard for her because she LOVES to sing) but It was so very sweet to see them both up there with all the kids. I was so proud of them! Between the singing and the morning-this truly was one of those Mother's Day's I would dream about before I was ever married.

The Elders Quorum came through and took care of the Primary giving us the afternoon off. Tate went to Nursery a couple of weeks early but he trusts other men and with them taking care of the nursery he pretty much waved good-bye as I walked out the door. Plus Tyler was happy because she had Tate in there with her. It was the first time in years since I've been to Relief Society, and without a child to take care of. It was wonderful! The Elders Quorum also brought in a table full of Desserts in the gym for Mom's only. Yummy food and female company? Do the Men know what we want or what? The Spanish Branch also spoiled me with Chocolates and flowers.

After church the sun was shining and warm and so we visited neighbors and had a nice dinner on the deck. We were then able to play outside and call our Grandma's to wish them a Happy Mother's Day.

I would be remissed if I didn't mention the many wonderful women I'm blessed to know- now, and over the years. These women who teach and inspire me to do and be a better Mom. Especially my own Mother whom I grew up knowing that we were first in her life. She loved us enough to teach us right from wrong, how to love one another and the gospel and it's importance. My Grandmother's, aunts, teachers, friend's Moms, bosses who acted more like mothers, and more recently a sweet and thoughtful Mother-in-law, Sisters and Sister-in-Laws and friends who are Going through the Mother Experience with me and neighbors who laugh and enjoy watching me go through it.

I came across a poem in the Friend this evening which struck a chord in my heart reminding me of my mother and hoping that I can do this as a Mother:

My Mother's Hands by Lorrie Barton

I’m thankful for my mother’s hands, which help me every day.
With her hands she shows me how to work and how to play.
It seems that when I need some help, her hands are always there
To tie my shoes, or make my lunch, or comb my messy hair.
Her hands know how to fix my bike and how to make my bed,
And how to find a scripture verse to ease my worried head.

I want my hands, like Mother’s, to serve others every day.
I want my hands to know, like hers, how to work and play.
I know that when she needs some help, my hands can help her too.
Because she’s taught me well, they know exactly what to do.
I’ll thank my mother for her hands and hug her really tight
And promise her to use my hands to always do what’s right.

Thank you and Happy Mother's Day!!!

Sunshine & Summertime?

Everytime "Mr Sunshine" comes out which over the last couple of weeks is in 5-10 minute splurts we, the kids and I run out to catch a few rays and some Vitamin D.

I've been told its going to be out for at least a week but my skin is so pale that I might have been caught laying out and soaking it all in. What can I say bad habits are hard to break and apparently I'm going to be passing them on.

Case in point:

I am Happy to report that Sun Block was applied.

Zoo Days

The sun is here...at least for a couple of days. Friday morning we woke to sunshine and so after sending McKenna to school the 2-T's and I headed to the zoo.

I forgot how easy taking care of 2 kids can be, not that McKenna makes things hard it's just Tyler pays more attention to Tate and he loves having her to himself. They play off each other laughing at everything and nothing all at the same time. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing the joke, but I know it's really just 3 year old energy.

Tyler's favorite thing-petting zoo.

Tate convinced one to come over and then tried to poke his eye out.

Not the best way to make friends but a tactic he continues trying on every kid he meets.

Tate went crazy for these little critters-the Artic Fox He didn't want to leave.

Tyler got to touch the skull of a "juvenile" walrus

Takin a Snooze-what we should be doing

Time to Go!!! But we'll be back! SOOON!

It Happened to My Baby

The Parents Magazine has a small section at the bottom of one of the 1st couple pages Titled, "It Happened to My Baby." Whenever something bad happens to Tate I always think of the horrifying things I read there.

Sunday I was manning all 3 kids, getting ready for church and making/assembling cupcakes for the break the fast we were going to attend after church. You can see the excuses piling up. My house as usual was chaotic. Tate still in his pajamas was wandering around as usual seeing what was going on and if anything had changed from his last round. I had left my the bathroom where I was doing my hair to check on something in the kitchen when I heard a scream from where I had just left. Knowing the scream was related to the curling iron that had been in the sink with the cord behind the faucet so little hands couldn't reach I ran and picked Tate up assuming he had burned his hands. Running back into the kitchen I put his hands under cold water but found they were unscathed. After a few minutes he stopped crying but I still couldn't figure out what had happened.

An hour later I noticed a red mark on his cheek and thought maybe he'd burned his cheek-but as another hour passed I found where Tate had burned himself. This is not going to be pretty-I still feel sick as I type it out. My auditory boy had picked up the curling iron and put it to his mouth-and burned his upper lip. The next day it was looking a bit worse and John said it was pry a 2nd degree burn. Today it looks more like a cold sore and a tiny bit better. It's still an awful incident, I'm just thankful for quick healing little bodies. I wish I could say maybe he'd learned his lesson about putting things in his mouth but I haven't notice him slowing down too much. I remember why I haven't curled my hair in a while and why I probably won't for another long while. I'm so sorry Tate!

It Doesn't look too bad here does it?