Crazy Hair, Bling, Commando, & Papa

E is loving being here in Utah! He absolutely loves Papa and he reaches out everytime he sees him. Here is a pic of the two of them sharing "Papa's Orange Drink." E loved it.

E has hair just like Papa.

Here is Jack and E playing at Papa's Place

So Jackson was given the option to pick out anything from the Redemption Counter.

Creighton Picked out a pack of cars.

Jackson picked out.....

His "Gold Money Necklace"

Wow Jack, you are cool.

The whole time while playing, I kept noticing Creigh was doing a quarter moon with his pants. I finally went over to try and help him pull his underwear and pants up, but guess what....no underwear. Last time I let him get himself dressed.

We went swimming at a rec center with the whole family and it was so fun. My dad was in charge of taking Jack and Creigh to get dressed because they have a sign that says no males above the age of 4 in the women's restroom.

I think my dad must have missed the sign because he headed on in.

It wasn't until he got this point where a women was showering that he realized where he was.

I caught up with him coming out of the women's bathroom with my two boys and checking the sign on the door. Yes dad, that big painted sign says "WOMEN."

When I walked in the woman in the shower was still a little in shock.

We are having fun in Utah even though it SNOWED ALL DAY LONG and I got many texts to let me know that yes, it was 80 degrees in Omaha. Seriously, Seriously....the luck. That's Ok, it felt like 85 degrees in the rec center while swimming. :)

Week in Review

Here are a few comments about last week since it has been a whole 4 days since my last official post. We spent the week getting over colds, enjoying the sunshine, preparing for a craft fair and flying to Utah. I'm typing this currently as I am flying. After a 15 minute scream fest with Easton battling him to go to sleep, he finally nestled in my mom's arms. The other two are watching a movie and I find myself saying, "is this for real?"

It's been 3 months since we've been back to Utah. That's a long time for us. My mom keeps begging me to come out but with Mitch's job it's just not an option and I will not fly alone. She's tried everything to try and get me to have the courage to fly. She kept saying, "it's just because you didn't have a stroller." However, it was NOT just because I didn't have a stroller. (see post 26,for the traumatic experience). So my mom finally just decided to fly out and get me. She was desperate.

So what adventures did we encounter last week?

Dr visits. I spent about 5 hours in dr offices with Easton. You would think that being a mother of 3 I would be more prepared and equipped with snacks and activites for a dr visit. However, being in a rush to both, I was very ill prepared. A 15 month old is not an easy person to entertain and after scouring my purse to find a bag of peanuts(from my recent flight) and gum (he wasn't very interested in my microscopic pieces) I knew it was doomed to be bad. It was and that's life. Live and learn. Both dr trips were a waste of time and $. Found out nothing but e is better and so that's all that matters.

Jack & creigh have spent a lot of time outside collecting sticks and "stones" and creating artwork. They even built this Jesus collage.

They were really proud of it and I have to say I was too. This was an activity that they made up while I was in the shower and I must say it was a pleasant surprise. They also spent a lot of time coloring. The problem: I obviously only said "please put the Lids in the markers 25 times" and maybe if I would have said it 30 times 5 of the markers would not have been eaten by the Eastonator. Oh well.

Mitch has been super dad and my mom has been amazing this weekend and I couldn't have survived it without them. I had a sinus infection and running low on sleep from easton's illness and getting 6 teeth (poor kid) so it was so nice to have them around. Mitch took care of them all weekend while my mom helped me with the craft fair which was so much fun and there's no way I could have done it without help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh one last picture. The other night I pulled this tupperware out from under my bed to get some socks out. It was dark and I was half asleep, but this is what I saw. We will just say I am glad I didn't have tochange my sheets because I almost peed my pants I was so scared.

I have a moisturizing glove that happened to be on top. I totally thought it was some dude's hand and he was about to reach up and get me. Scary stuff. I'm telling you.... Mitch didn't even move when I screamed. So much for protecting me. It could have been real.

Joy

My sister in law just came up to me and told me she loves reading my blog but she is always so sad for me when she reads it. I started thinking, maybe my posts come across that I am so stressed and upset (maybe that's what I get for always screaming ahhhhhh in my posts) so I wanted to set the record straight.

My life is completely full of joy. I have 3 of the funniest, sweetest, and most creative little boys in the universe and they make me completely happy. I have the best life and I have so much to be grateful for.

Just wanted to make that public knowledge.

Jackson's Birthday

Jackson is so excited about his birthday. He has been since his last one, but especially since Creighton's. Since Creighton's he has been making big plans for it. Here is a conversation he had with his little friend.

G: I'm going to "Pump It Up" for my Birthday (this fun inflatable bounce house)

J: Guess Where I Get to Go? THE DOCTOR.

G: The Doctor? Oh.

Yeah, he is pretty excited about going to the dr. I had the same reaction as his little friend. Now I just laugh as he tells everyone about his "big day."

His new idea:

Yesterday he told me, (and I hope that this is not irreverent, but please know this is straight from the "mouth of the babes")

J: Mom, I want to have a Heavenly Father birthday party.

A: Oh yeah?

J: Yeah, and maybe we could play a game, like, we could hide all these shoes down stairs and pretend they are the plates of gold and we have to find them"

I love you Jack! Please stay this innocent and sweet. Oh...and easy to please. :)

P.S. Can you believe he will be 5? Ahhh! Time goes way to fast.

My Baby Seal

Yesterday Easton started breathing really funny. I don't really know how to describe it, so here there is a sample below.

After 3 hours at the instacare last night, a breathing treatment, a chest x-ray, and a steroid shot, they decided to diagnose him with "croup" even though he was asymptomatic. He doesn't have a cough like normal so that is what was throwing us all off. I took the video above after we got home from the dr. Even though it was a rough night with little sleep, I think the shot must have worked because when he woke up this morning he sounded much, much better. Thank goodness! Crossing my fingers the rest of the kids don't get it. Cross with me.

Urine

Have you walked into a "cat lady's" house and smelled that overwhelming smell of urine? Have you ever felt that your house is becoming the "cat lady's" house? Ok, it better not be that bad, but lately I feel like all I do is clean up urine (rather that than something else, but still).

Case in point:

Last night, Mitch got up in the night because we saw the light was on in our hallway so he went to check on the kids. He came back and said, "Someone must have gotten up to go to the bathroom. There is pee all over the floor." Lovely I thought. Back to sleep.

5 a.m.: Go into the bathroom, step in something wet. There is so much pee on the floor. My thought, "Are you KIDDING me? Mitch....you tell me they went to the bathroom on the floor and you just LEAVE it. GRRRRRRR." Being the awesome wife I am, I hold back from yelling at him and instead nicely mention "It would have been nice if you just would have gotten a towel and put it down so I didn't have to step in it this morning....just a thought honey. Love you so much though. :)"

Later, I go in the boys room to check on the boys and there is an overwhelming smell of urine. Ask the boys. Of course they didn't pee the bed. (Lately Jackson will tell me, "I think I just got really sweaty mom." Oh really Jack. That's so funny that you only get sweaty in your pants and no where else.) Creighton is damp (how he can pee the bed and continue to sleep in it, I will never understand). Time to wash the sheets.......AGAIN. I have washed them 5 times in the last 10 days. In fact, they were both sleeping on the bottom bunk because I didn't have time to get it made up on top yet. Now, here is the REAL reason for my huge frustration....

(P.S. Not actually the boys room, but that is the bed.)

Dear Bunkbed,

I wanted you so badly. I thought you were the perfect solution to a space problem. I dreamed of when Easton would be old enough to join the other two on you and then I would get another "room" to craft in. You failed to tell me what a PAIN IN THE REAR END YOU ARE TO CHANGE THE SHEETS ON! You failed to tell me it is next to impossible and I would break a sweat each and every time. You failed to tell me that I would hit my head numerous times every time I tried. And you failed to tell me that every time I would climb on top of you I would get self conscious about my weight because I felt like I was going to break you. I think you should add this to a disclaimer.

Sadly,

A Frustrated Mother

Ok, I'm done venting. I just needed to yell at the bed in writing.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ferocious

THE GOOD:

On Friday, I wanted to finish a project I was working on and so I asked Creigh & E to have quiet time and watch a show. I laid them down and every time I checked on them, they were STILL laying down but in different positions on top of each other. So sweet. Creigh actually ended up falling asleep and E got bored but E actually laid down for an HOUR.

THE BAD:

It is questionable whether it is really worth shaving my legs anymore. Yesterday, after laying E down for a nap and getting Jack and Creigh excited about coloring, I decided it was time to take a much needed shower (it had been 2 days...gross, I know). While in the shower, I also decided it was necessary to take an extra 5 minutes to shave my legs. When I came down after, I regretted the extra 5 minutes. They had cut out pieces of their pictures and taped them ALL over. They were everywhere...including on themselves. I thought it was pretty humorous (yes, I was in a good mood that day, no yelling in fact) and throughout the last 2 days the pictures have slowly been coming down. It's amazing what my kids can do in 10-15 minutes of unsupervised time. Let's just say their creativity tends to really flourish during this time.

THE FEROCIOUS:

In case you didn't know, you are looking at a FEROCIOUS FOUR HEADED DRAGON.

What they called themselves at least.

I love my family! They are the best!

Aunt Josie & Baby Beck Come to Visit

We love visitors and our last 2 visitors were a lot of fun. It was so good to see Baby Beck! He has grown up so much since we last saw him. He was talking, waving, and interacting and it was so fun to watch. We had lots of great moments including cooking, stroller walks, visiting the zoo, museum & mall, and also some crying moments with 4 little children. Josie and I worked together feeling like single mothers and we pulled through it all with smiles on our faces. Thank you Jo for sacrificing and taking the time to come and visit us! We love you guys!

Creative

Jackson is extremely creative. He is always building, drawing, or doing something very creative. I think I tell him he is creative a lot, because now he has starting showing me something and says, "Aren't I creative?"

Here are a few pictures showing his creativity.

The 1st is a contraption he made out of pipe cleaners. I think it looks like head gear. (Perhaps he is designing what his might look like one day.....do people still wear those???)

2nd pic - He loves to do his own hair. Without fail it involves him using a lot of water and slicking it straight down on his head. Gotta love it.

3rd pic - Jackson's self portrait. When we went into Parent Teacher's back in October they showed us that Jackson stick figure self portrait did have arms, legs, and a body, but just 2 months later it evolved into a head with legs...possibly arms emerging from it. No body. This picture was done on my phone. Have I ever mentioned that my kids are better with my phone than I am. Creighton and Jackson love it. They especially love to take pictures on it. Like this one:

The story behind it: I asked Jack to go upstairs and get any dominos he could find so we could put them with the other ones downstairs. I few minutes later he comes down and says, "I found some, Look." He shows me the photo above on my phone. I say, "Thanks Jackson, that's super helpful. Now can you go and get them." "Wait mom, I took this photo too of them."

"Wow, thanks dude."

Jack, you are the most creative little boy I know. Love you dude.

Ages & Stages

I have to admit, I hate this age & stage. Love the person completely, but I swear if I have to take him off the top of the table more than 20 times (like I did today) I might really be losing all my hair. Oh....and here is another "moment" from last night....

Shoes, socks, fully clothed, binky & all

HE IS TOO FAST!!! AHHHHHHH!

Truth is....I think it is just beginning.

Bath Time Orchestra

I hate splashing. I hate the floor getting all wet. I hate my socks then getting all wet. And I hate that my boys then slip and fall almost every time after.

This particular night, there was no stopping it, so I finally said, "whatever," and took a seat outside the bathroom and video taped.

The New Blog

So Mitch is starting a new blog.

Last night we got in a big argument over the blog. It all started because someone called and was talking to me about the peanut butter sandwich in the toilet incident. When Mitch found out I posted that on the blog he got very upset. He said that he is starting a new blog with every embarrassing moment I have ever had. Apparently, Mitch is convinced that my 1 year old little Easton is going to grow up and be so upset with me that I told family and friends that he dipped his peanut butter sandwich in the toilet.

What do you think? Am I going to far? I have always thought that my kids will get a kick out of their "book" (I am printing the blog into a book for them) and it will be a little story book of humorous stories. I thought it would be fun. Mitch now feels that I should have my very own book too.

We'll see. He said he will be posting the link soon. I am sure you all can't wait.

Saturday is a special day!

We have been trying to sign up to clean the church when it's is our ward's turn. I used to shy away from signing up thinking I would have to find a sitter or just one of us would go. However, we've been taking the kids and it has been so much fun. Afterwards we take them to the "Pancake House" (IHOP) - which is my kid's favorite restaurant - and it makes for a fun family outing. We were given 4 jobs. The gym, garbages, cleaning the windows, and the boys favorite: picking up the sticks (yes, that really is one of the jobs).

Stats - Creighton 3 & E 15 months

We went to the dr. earlier this week and Creighton and Easton were weighed and measured. Here are the stats:

CREIGHTON: Height - 40" (91.41%), Weight - 39 lbs. (95.74%)

EASTON: Height - 32.5" (88.69%), Weight - 26 lbs. 12 oz. (79.91%), HC - 47 c.m. (46%)

Since Easton is 15 months now, I thought I should probably get around to posting his 1 year photos. I decided that I am good about blogging about quick events that happen, but not so great about the bigger events. Whoops.

Thanks Carissa for the photos!

The Grossest

NOTE: The above picture is of a sandwich....not anything else.

I ran down to do a load of laundry and came back up to hear some splashing. I ran into the bathroom to find Easton dipping his peanut butter sandwich in the toilet and eating it. My face is still making a cringe face. In fact, my face muscles are actually starting to ache.

Back in the Trenches

I think that 2 days "off" did so much for me. I am refreshed and rejuvenated and the little things aren't eating at me like they would have last week. Wahoo!! Thanks Mitch! This post is just random.

I asked Jackson what he did with daddy while I was gone. His response, "We watched tv in the morning.......and then at noon and night." Lovely. Well, I'm glad it was relaxing for Mitch and the boys. I just appreciate Mitch so much! He is the greatest dad and he thinks he had more fun at home with the boys than I did with my friends.

GIRLFRIEND:

Jackson announced to us that he has a girlfriend. Her name is Ava. She lives in the neighborhood and he loves when she comes to play. Everytime when we have people come to dinner, he asks if it can be Ava. I told him she was going to come play at our house and I had to have the "talk" with him. I told him he couldn't get married (he loves playing 'married') until he is over 22, I told him there is no kissing until I give him the OK and that he must ask me, and I told him that I should be the only girl in his life. His reaction: he just smiled...you know, that smile that says, "I'm pretending that I am listening, but really I am just thinking about my girlfriend Ava."

After Jackson's announcement, we asked Creighton if he had a girlfriend. He got a huge shy smile and said, "Jenny." Who is that, just his best buddy Tanner's mom.......

You better watch out Andrew! Creighton might make a move while you're studying all the time. Seriously though, Creighton gets giddy and happy whenever we talk about Jenny. It's funny.

PLAYING WITH FOOD:

Creighton yesterday said. "Look mom, I made a slide and a pool." Very creative and a very proud mom...even if he was playing with food.

THE HAIRCUT:

Last night after the kids were to bed, I got the following message from Jack's teacher.

"Hi, nothing is wrong. Just wanted to make you aware of an accident that happened at school today. One of the little girls cut Jackson's hair. I've looked and I can't tell where, so it doesn't seem like it's noticeable, but I did want you to know. We have taken away the little girl's cutting priveledges for the remainder of the week."

Justice was served! Hahahaha.

no sign of a haircut as far as I can tell

SUMMARY:

Even though Easton is getting a tooth and is extremely clingy, Creighton continues to have accidents and Jackson is sometimes a little a too creative......I love listening to my children's stories, I love their hugs and kisses, and I am so happy to back in the trenches with them!

VEGAS!

I probably have a hundred of pictures and lots of stories, but I decided that since this blog is mostly about and for my children, I won't put a lot on.

It was such a fun trip. A few months ago, I realized that my friend Angie's 30th birthday was coming up. I called up Shauna (we all now live in different states since our husband's graduated in May) and we made the necessary arrangements and the day finally arrived last Friday.

We attempted to surprise her, and she claims she was surprised. We then had a less than 48 hours for our girl time and we packed a lot in. We seriously acted like 13 year girls, doing photo booths, laughing, posing at the wax museum, etc. It was incredibly fun. We saw a movie, a show, and we even got to go for a run together. Here are just a few pics from the weekend. P.S. Mitch, check out our Tiger Woods picture. Just sayin'........ :)

My Return

I got home from Vegas yesterday (more on this later) and after a long day I knelt down to pray so I could go to bed. The smell of urine overwhelmed me.

"Mitch, did the boys sleep in our bed while I was gone?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Did they pee the bed?"

"Oh yeah.....whoops, you can sleep on my side tonight."

O well, at least they were safe, healthy, and they had a TON of fun with their dad. Thanks Mitch for watching them so I could go. You're the best!

Sneaky

Yesterday Creighton comes down from his room holding his piggy bank. I know his plan is to take it downstairs and dump out all the money, so I tell him no and to take it back to his room.

He comes down the stairs slowly 3 minutes later.....

He had the book up just perfectly so I had no idea there was a piggy bank behind there (sense the sarcasm?). I told him to go back and take it to his room, but that he is quite the creative one. Two minutes later he comes down again with his hand in fists down to his sides. Somehow I had an idea what was inside and I wasn't shocked to find the coins when I made him open them.

You got to give him credit for trying. I guess that's why this is the trying threes. Love it!

Jackson learns to read

Last Thursday we went to Parent Teacher Conferences for Jackson. His teacher talked about what a good kid he is and that he is ready to go to Kindergarten. She went over the skills he has and she said she tested him on his reading just to see if he knew any words. She said,

"He knew two words, I and a. That's good and I think he will........."

Did she just say he knew two words, "I and a?" Mitch and I laughed pretty hard when we got home.

Well, I decided maybe it was time to start being a good mom and start teaching him to read. Back when I was a great ambitious mother (with only one kiddo), I had my mom get Jackson the B.O.B. books (beginning reader books). How long ago was this, um, about 3 years ago. That's sad. I was ready to teach him to read at 18 months but for THREE years has since forgot about it.

I pulled them out and after only about 10 minutes of teaching him how to sound words out, he read 2 books cover to cover. He was so excited and took them to school to show his teacher. I am so proud of him!

Poor E

Yeah, that's all dried snot all over his face and gluing his eye shut. Poor E.

If I Only Had A Brain....

They say you loose brain cells with each child. I have lost a LOT of brain cells.

In 30 minutes time today I......

*Watched my pizza fly off my van through my rear view mirror (put it on top of my car to buckle the kids in and then proceeded to leave it on there. It fell off about .5 mile down the road on a VERY busy road. I was really looking forward to that pizza. Sad.)

*Did the self service at the post office with 3 kiddos by my side. I printed the postage, put it in my purse, and mailed my package without the postage. Found the postage in my purse 15 minutes after the post office closed. Brilliant.