"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."
-Pres. Thomas S. Monson

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Boy Genius

I know I'm his mother and I'm a little biased, but my son is brilliant.  Will has far surpassed his grade level in reading this year and picks up on new concepts so quickly.  He has been showing some interest in math lately, so Dallas has sat down with him a few times to do some math problems.  The other night Dallas wrote down a bunch of random problems, and Will was able to solve them himself- including carrying over!  I was so impressed.

And the drawing skills!



My little boy has continued to amaze me for nearly six and a half years now.  Go. Will.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Things Are Changing

I just moved my baby into the basement to make room for my new baby.

I don't like it.  Not one bit.

Annie is much older than Will was when we moved him downstairs, but for some reason she seems so much smaller.  I know I baby her- WE baby her (Dallas is guilty of this, too).  We can't help it!  She's so super sweet and sensitive; she is just so much different than Will was at this age.

The kids are excited.  Tonight they told knock-knock jokes to each other until we told them it was time to close their eyes.  They feel like they just get to have a sleepover every night.

We'll see how it goes.  I have a feeling that I'm going to be up in the middle of the night checking on her down there.

My baby is really growing up.




Sunday, February 17, 2013

Of Late

I find it funny how it feels like nothing and everything is going on at the same time.  It's already the 17th of February?!  How did that happen?  We've been busy with the day-to-day and I'm grateful that time is passing quickly.  (For now anyway; in about 7 weeks from now I will want it to move very slowly so I can soak up every minute of a fresh newborn).

Will had Hat Day at school to celebrate the letter "Hh".  He has been really into Mario lately and spends hours drawing and designing new levels on paper- which we all get to play.  His favorite character is Yoshi, so that was the center of his crown.  He really loved it and loved wearing it to school.  He even wore it around the house for a day or two after.

Annie wouldn't be left out on Hat Day either.  She had been begging me to see my wedding dress, so I pulled it out and let her wear the veil.  We played "Married" and she was the bride and I was the groom.  I love that my little girl still wants to marry me.

Valentines day was so much fun!  I love making it special for my kids.  I set their valentines out on the table for them to see when they first got up.  We had a special muffin breakfast, and then we had a movie morning and watched "The Princess and the Frog" together.  It was well worth putting off all of my chores to spend an extra couple of hours making memories with the kids.

 
My favorite part of the day was my Valentine from Dallas.  He let Will pick out the card and we're still laughing about it~ this is one fish story that will never get old!

Annie and Will both gave me Valentines as well.  I was so proud of Annie for writing on hers all by herself!  She still has a hard time writing so I know it took a lot of effort for her.  She told me, "Mom, I put three hearts on yours because I love you so, so, so, so much."

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Health advice... from a 3 year old.

Dallas hates vegetables.  After 9 1/2 years of marriage I've somehow brainwashed him that broccoli and peas are okay, but that's about as far as it goes.  Tonight with dinner we had fresh carrot sticks and cucumber slices, and he (of course) never dished himself any.

Annie noticed.

Instead of getting an earful from me, he got it from our 3 year old.  "Dad, if you don't eat your vegetables then you aren't going to live forever."

The little darling continued for a good fifteen minutes about the importance of healthy eating.  I wish I could have recorded the entire conversation, complete with eyebrow raises and "Hu, Mom's".  It was priceless.

Her tirade included the following:

  • It's important to eat oranges because of the vitamin C, and they are so tiny that you can't even see them with your eyes.
  • If you eat a hot dog every day for lunch you will die.
  • Do you know what Ranch is?  It's all just fat.
  • You can have cookies and treat sometimes but not, like, all the time.  Maybe only once a day.
  • You shouldn't eat your hair.
And my personal favorite, the grand finale...
  • And you shouldn't pop your eyeballs out and cut them in half and eat them.
What is with this girl and eyeballs?!  She did me proud.  It's good to know someone is listening to my healthy food lectures.