So Proud. So Long

My children are changing so much and I just thought I would share a quick update.

Brinnley can write her name, frontwards and backwards. Impressive huh! She loves to draw pictures and more specifically people. They are awesome, but of course I am partial. She even made us pictures with our names on them so we had assigned seating at the table. Still picky in the food department. We had cereal for dinner last night. I think that is the first time she has eaten dinner in months! Brinnley loves to read books together. And she has a new love of headbands. So do I, they are cute and easy!

Ainsley can dress herself mostly. And she wants to pick out her clothes now. I only have one child left that lets me dress him anyway I want. At least I still buy the clothes, so I know what they wear I will like ;) She loves to put puzzles together and is very good at it. No help, please, I can do it myself. And she is my music guru. She loves music, all types. And she can memorize a song after hearing it only a few times. She still loves to play with babies. She loves to drink milk. Not a huge fan of fruit, but we are working on that. She'll eat applesauce now! But she loves veggies.

Porter Boy. He is a climber! The other day there was a bottle of ginger spice on the floor. I asked Chant if he had been using any spices. Nope. That's right, Porter drug a chair over to the counter, climbed up and raided the cupboard. Funny but also a little scary! He loves to help unload the dishwasher. And watch me cook. He loves getting his hair done and volunteers to come and sit in front of me with the brush in his hand. He loves his bed, blanket, and his monster. He LOVES shoes, anybody's it doesn't matter. He will eat anything except applesauce and green beans. He loves to dip. Ranch, ketchup. He will use the same carrot over and over. (Sound familiar, Mom?) HE loves music and dancing. He is the king of the head bob. He loves to cuddle. And he jabbers, all the time. He likes to color and it is official. We have a lefty folks! Now Mom isn't so lonely! And he no longer sits in his highchair. He is at the table in a booster. Welcome to the family! His favorite ornament on the tree is a green glitter bulb. Favorite color?

Porter and Ainsley love to watch tv together sprawled on the floor. (I make them scoot back.)

I had a huge "I'm Proud" moment this morning. I was doing dishes and I asked the girls some questions about preschool and what jobs they liked best. The girls started talking about it and then they argued about who liked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance more. I asked if they knew it. "Yep." Then both girls says, "Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance." With hands over their hearts they both recited word for word the entire Pledge. I knew they knew parts of it but I didn't know they knew the whole thing. I am so proud of my girls. And it helps that they have the best preschool teacher ever. We love you Miss Becca!

Really long update over now!

Okay, a little longer. Chant is doing amazing in school and he starts in out-patient clinic in a couple weeks. We are so proud of him! He works so hard!

My hair is getting longer, and I like it. I had a miraculous day the other day where I felt kind of okay and I took a picture of myself. Sorry, won't happen again.

Okay, now I am done. A good book is calling my name. Oh, and it is snowing RIGHT NOW. Fluffy white flakes are lightly floating to the ground. I am in heaven. Now all I need is that book and some cocoa!

Ants in my pants

I feel anxious. I have a need to create, beautify, and decorate. I want my red and yellow room. Red couch. A family of 6 red, yellow, and orange decal birds on the wall. Owls, cute ones, made from fuzzy sweaters sitting on my entertainment center and bookshelf. A bright red shelf with a yellow flower arrangement perched atop. Red or yellow curtains, I cannot decide. Yellow chairs, one on each side of my red couch. Stark white walls, okay I can't decide yet, so that my decor will pop.

I have material and patterns waiting. A skirt for each girl, a dress for each girl, and a new bag for me.

Ten months of pictures to be scrapbooked.

The morals of the story: one day I will have a beautiful red living room where my girls will twirl in their new skirts and dresses while I pour through albums full of pictures of my twirling cuties and their wild man brother who is dancing circles with drool dripping from his chin.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The stockings are hung from the ceiling with care. Candy Cane Lane has been strung from wall to wall. The tree has been assembled and dressed with ornaments of plastic and wood. Smowmen and Santas have been placed on newly dusted shelves. The candy calendar has been filled with chocolate delights. And now...we wait. Little hearts are bursting with anticipation of the event that is still 23 days away. But to fill the time we enjoyed a marvelous Thanksgiving with friends. Delicious food aplenty and pleasant company made the day warm and cozy. Next will be the ward Christmas party and other gatherings with friends. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, even if we are lacking two things: family and snow.

Loss

Yesterday Chant's grandpa, Patah as we called him, passed away. He was 88 years old. We are so sad that he is gone but glad that he no longer has to suffer. And we know that he is in a better place and that we will see him again. I am so grateful that my children had the chance to know him. And I too feel privileged to have known that wonderful man. We miss you and love you Patah.

New Moon Madness

At the stroke of midnight I was comfortably reclined in my second row seat among the throngs of other Twihards. The lights dimmed. The crowds hushed. The tension and excitement in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The creepy Wehrenberg Theatres song started. A giggle passed through my lips. The Summit Pictures logo appeared on the screen. And the screams began. I laughed. My friends laughed. Secretly we really wanted to wail at the top of our lungs like everyone else. The title New Moon slowly appeared on the screen. The screams continued. I must admit Edward was looking mighty fine. His wardrobe has much improved. And Jacob's 8 pack was worthy of at least two heart-felt swoons. My head swiveled from side to side in an attempt to take in all that was just merely a few feet in front of me. (Side Note: front row seating is ideal for live performances, not for screen viewings). My heart raced with all the action. Two hours and one minute passed with the bat of an eye. And then the movie ended. I had a smile on my face. Yes, the film was fantastic. Yes, I was pleased. Yes, I wanted more. At 2:30 a.m. I was wide awake. (To emphasize the enormity of that, I will admit that I cannot remember the last time I was up later than 11:00. I didn't even make it long enough to ring in the new year.) And so I will admit, I am now an official groupie or Twihard if you will. Even though Jacob is quite the looker and a very sweet guy, I am still a member of Team Edward and will ever remain true. After discussing the film with friends and pledging our devotion to either Jacob or Edward, I returned home to my real true love.

A Sunday Afternoon

Sunday I was in an extreme amount of back pain, so I stayed home from Church. I had been laying on the bed with a heating pad under my back when I heard the kids. They were up from their naps and it was time to get them ready for church. I came out of the bedroom to find 3 beautiful children dressed, hair done, and ready to go. Isn't their Daddy amazing? I rather think so myself! I couldn't resist taking some pictures. They were just too adorable!

Castles in the Sky

Friday Chant got home from school early, so when we picked the girls up from preschool we were off for an adventure.  We went to Lake of the Ozarks for the day.  The first stop was Ha Ha Tonka State Park.  It was a gorgeous day.  The sun was out and it was warm.  The main attraction at the park for us anyway (there are miles of beautiful trail to be hiked but not by 3 children) was a castle.  It's not really a castle but more a mansion.  It was built in the early 1900s but the interior was destroyed by a fire.  All that is left is the rock exterior walls.  It is a gorgeous view from the top of the mountain where the castle is.  And the mansion itself is quite remarkable.  We had a wonderful time exploring. 

In front of the water tower.  

 

Checking out her map.  Brinnley is out official tour guide anywhere we go.

After exploring the castle we hit the outlet malls and had dinner at Applebee's.  The day was a success!  I just love exploring!

Halloween and Things I never thought I would say

Halloween was great!  It was my friend Becca's birthday that day, so we had a party at her house.  Yummy food and good company.  Then as a big group we took the kids out trick-or-treating.  My girls were confused because we have never gone door to door.  They thought Halloween was the ward party.  I tried to explain and basically what they got out of it was that the ward party was for the Bishop and Saturday was for Becca.  Oh well.  Whoever it was for, they still had fun.  Brinnley buddied up with Becca's nephew and they stayed right by each other running door to door.  Brinnley thought since she was a cheerleader she had to do a cheer for her candy.  She put down her bucket and yell "go team go!"  Very cute!  Ainsley and Daddy made a pretty good team and Porter watched from the sidelines, all comfy in his stroller.  The evening was a success!  

Sunday after Church there was a baptism.  The kids and I didn't go.  They were tired and all sorts of messed up from Daylight Savings Time ending.  While Daddy was off at the church, the girls played in their room.  I took the opportunity to call my mom.  We were chatting away and I realized I hadn't seen Porter for a while.  I started the search.  I found him in the bathroom happy sloshing around in the poop-filled toilet.  I removed my son and cleaned him off then went to inform the girls of the situation.  

Me:  Girls. we need to make sure we flush the toilet.  Your brother was just playing with your poo.

Girls:  Oh, sorry Mom.

Me:  That's okay.  At least he hadn't picked it up and squished it in his hand.  Just a little sloshing.  All is well!

Oh such fun!