whoo whee

We've been busy. With one kid in kindergarten and soccer and another in preschool I feel like our lives just got really hectic. What are we going to do when they are all in school? Good thing I'm a stay at home mom. This week it's been one thing after another. Tonight we had Ammon's back to school night and I was a little overwhelmed but excited with all the things he/we will be doing this year. I think I was a little overzealous when I signed up to help with every class party. I'm sure all the mom's were saying, "yeah she's a first timer."

My quiet mornings have been amazing. Can't say I've accomplished much besides cleaning which gets destroyed by evening but the peace and quiet is heavenly! I've decided (rather Jody decided for me) that I can only have certain cleaning days so that I can use some of the free time for myself.

It's also been pretty hot the last few days. Low hundreds and without a/c you can imagine how warm it gets in the house. Luckily it is still cooling off at night.

I've been reading Breaking Dawn, sewing, polling for Proposition 8, cleaning and taxing kids around this week and by the end of the night I'm dead! But it's nice to be busy doing things.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

currently

Ammon:

• Is playing soccer. To his dad's disappointment he isn't too competitive yet but is having fun throwing grass at his friends!
• Love's kindergarten. He wants to ride the bus everyday. He has the last bus stop and he's the last kid on the bus which makes him get home an hour after school gets out! His favorite part of the day is recess. But he didn't have very much fun last week because a girl that he knew in preschool, Taiylor, chased him the whole time. He asked me what he should do and I said, "Tell her you don't want to be chased. Ignore her and don't run when she chases you." His response? "But what if I forget?" Me, "Well then you've really got a problem buddy."
• Loves to go on evening bike rides with his dad.
• Was the helper in primary today. He had to announce in Sunday School and LOVED it. He loves giving talks and talking in the microphone.
• Today he asked me if I remembered when he closed his 'willy' in the movie case! That was a few years ago. He's got the best but most random memory!
• Has had orange and red day at school. Comes off the bus looking adorable (probably dorky to the older kids).

Cohen:

• Is partially potty trained. He's pretty good at home but not in public or if other people are over and he's too busy to go. Because of this I switched him to a preschool class that allows kids to be partially potty trained. He starts tomorrow!
• Has figured out how to start and stop the DVD player. His favorite thing to do now is to switch the movies in and out. Fun.
• Recently told Rylee to, "Just chill."
• Drives me crazy sometimes and other times I can't believe how cute and hilarious he is.
• Thinks he needs to pray every time anyone else starts praying. And always prays to visit Grandmom Cindy, Grandad Larry, Grandpa and Grandma. Sometimes he even prays to go in the potty.
• Is quite helpful at home. He always asks to help me empty the dishwasher or bring groceries in from the car. Something Ammon has never cared to do.
  

Rylee:

• Loves her daddy. And says, "Hi daddy" nonstop.
• Favorite word is hi. But also says doggy, mama, daddy, okay.
• Loves dogs and babies. They both make her laugh and giggle.
• Is loving reading books! Especially the ones her Grandmom gave her when she visited.
• Pulls everything off the table she can reach. Mainly cups full of water or milk. more fun.
• Loves to twirl when she wears a dress or skirt. I think it's time to break out the tutu.
• Is teething. Which makes her whine.
• Is getting more snugly.
• eats anything.
• Got a trim. Her hair was looking a bit mulety so I trimmed it. Now she has a cute little bob! Love my girl.

Me?

I'm doing pretty good. Had a little stomach bug a few days ago. Felt sorry for myself because 'mom's never get to take a sick day' and then got over it. So many people have much bigger problems.

Things are looking good for me. Ammon is in Kindergarten from 8-2 or 3 depending on whether he takes the bus. Cohen will be in preschool MWF from 9:30-12:00 and I will have one child at home three mornings a week! I may start actually doing some things for myself and get out of this house. I must admit things were touch and go a little last year but it's all come together now.

Lately I've really been just taking it all in. Trying my best to enjoy this stage of my life and to give my little kids as many hugs and kisses as possible. They are amazing little people.

Seriously So Obsessed

With the Olympics that is. I just love them. And over the last week and a half have lost countless hours of sleep staying up late to watch them! I have to watch them live because I don't want any spoilers. My favorite? Has to be gymnastics. Though I've been so frustrated with the judging. Shawn Johnson should of had the gold in the floor routine and Nastia Luken was robbed of the gold on bars last night! The all around competition was amazing. I stayed up until 1:30 that night. I was so nervous I could hardly watch. You would have thought I was competing! Michael Phelps was amazing. Let's not even talk about the volleyball, swimming, track & field. I could go on and on. I am loving these Olympics. I've started watching my kids a little closer. Hum.... Which one of you could go to the Olympics...... Ammon for gymnastics? Last week he would circle the room doing cartwheels every time it was on. You never know, right? J/K

Kindergarten!

We've been talking about it for months. Yesterday Ammon had his first day of Kindergarten. I was a wreck! He was excited. He loved getting his new school clothes on and packing a lunch. When we got to school I felt the tears on and off through out the process. Once we got into the classroom Ammon was a little nervous but warmed up quickly. After his teacher, Mrs. Moore read The Kissing Hand, I lost it.

One thing I will tell all of you future mothers of kindergartner's is, don't expect to get any details once the day is over! If I ever become a teacher of kindergartner's I will send a detailed note describing what the kids did on the first day. I had to pull and pry to get even a small amount of info from Ammon. Today he said, "It makes me tired when you ask me all these questions." The nerve!

It's hard not knowing what Ammon's doing all day long. Does he know where the bathroom is? Is he comfortable enough to raise his hand? Does he play with anyone at recess? Besides all of these unknowns I am enjoying the quiet time with Cohen while Rylee is napping. It feels like our home has settled down a bit. This is going by way too fast.

party time

Poor Cohen has never had a real birthday party. This year we were in McKinleyville so I called all of our close friends and had a little party Monday night. We blew up my parents jumpy house and ate cake and ice cream. Nothing too exciting but perfect for Cohen.

Cohen loved opening presents. Ammon was trying to open them for him the whole time and kept trying to bargain with him. "Cohen you can have this and I can have that." Cohen's too smart and wasn't falling for it. "No it's my birthday Ammo. These are my presents!" They got into a few fights over the course of the night.

For his birthday he got:

• 4 movies (Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Diego, Jungle Book)
• Indian Jones whip (very soft and actually plays the music)
• Ninja Turtle gear (Raphael)
• Superman bat and ball
• Tools
• money
• Big blue bouncy ball

He got really embarrassed when everyone sang happy birthday to him. And was actually spitting when he was trying to blow out the candles.

Before the party I took Ammon and Cohen to McDonald's and to the movie Wall-E.

I think he had a good day. When he woke up Tuesday morning he looked at me and said, "Is my birthday over now?"

My grandpa was also at my parents this weekend. It was fun seeing the kids get to know him. As a child Grandpa used to always play pop goes the weasel with us. Cohen obviously enjoyed it as well. It's fun to see my kids doing things with my Grandpa that I used to do. He lives in Mesa Arizona and we don't get to see him enough! On Cohen's birthday Grandpa put his hands behind his back and told Cohen to pick a hand. He had ten dollars in the hand Cohen picked. Being the smart boy he is Cohen said, "I want to pick the other hand now!" That 10 dollars is burning a whole in his pocket. He can't wait to go buy something with his money at Target.

Cohen's 3rd birthday

4 months old

21 months

2 1/2 years

This crazy boy turned three today. He is one of a kind. Loves his brother "Ammo' and sister "Roo Girl." Cohen is quite the arguer. He will find anything to disagree with you on. This morning I told him happy birthday and he said, "No today is not my birthday. Tomorrow is my birthday." When I asked him if he wanted pancakes, waffles or eggs for breakfast he said that he wanted cereal. He just likes to be different. Cohen is such a smart little boy. But for some reason could care less about being potty trained. And he does not want to talk about it. Whenever I bring it up he acts really silly and pays no attention to me. He can be so frustrating but so adorable and loving. If Jody or I leave the house without giving a hug and kiss to him he cries.

At tHReE:

Has to eat breakfast the minute he wakes up.

Loves to jump on his trampoline.

Starts most sentences off with "well....."

Enjoys reading books everyday before he takes a nap.

If he sleeps with you he will want to hold your hand until he falls asleep.

Loves to go to the park.

His favorite foods are mac & cheese, quesadillas and cereal.

Inherited my sweet tooth, which I got from my mom. If he sees cookies, candy or rice cream he literally shakes until he gets some.

He always knows when I'm trying to hide something from him. He'll say, "What you eating?" I can't hid anything from him!

He's a great traveler.

Loves airplanes and going to the airport.

Favorite movies are Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, and Jungle Book.

Sings the Indiana Jones song very well.

Loves to act like he is the karate kid.

He makes a friend wherever we go. Big or small.

Talks a lot and thinks he is the same age as everyone else.

But sometimes still says, "I can't do it. I'm too little." If he wants help with something.

Has to have water every night by his bed. If he doesn't he will get up three or four times needing a drink.

Loves to do anything Ammon is doing

We've said over and over that Cohen is such a different boy! But love him because he is so different. Such a stinker but then the next minute a total sweetheart. Most of the time he could care less if I'm getting after him about something. The other day a miracle happened. I got mad at him and he actually got his feelings hurt and started crying. It made me so happy! He's human! J/K. I love my little Co-Boy and couldn't imagine a life without him!

Grandma's Girl

We spent Monday through Sunday of last week with my mom. She came down to have her sun fix. It was great because I was sad to see Jody's parents go and knowing she was coming made it easier. She stayed in a hotel and took Ammon the first night and Cohen plus Ammon the second. We had yummy dinners both Monday and Tuesday and on Wednesday she watched the kids so Jody and I could have a much needed date to the temple together.

Rylee has gotten more comfortable with both of my parents and recently started giving her grandma kisses (something she only gives me and Jody). The kids and I are driving back to McKinleyville on Sunday to spend a few more days with my parents and Alex, who is coming home, before Ammon starts Kindergarten next Thursday!

10 year

This guy, Craig, said he wanted to look like he was good friends with the hot girls in high school.

Me and some of my best friends from high school.

Okay so the comment I made about people still having the high school mentality at my reunion came off the wrong way. Actually everyone at the reunion was really easy to talk to and genuinely seemed like they cared about being there and seeing everyone. The people who were still stuck in those days were the ones who didn't even show up! So lame. Half of them still live in Humboldt County. Some didn't want to pay the money, some had gained weight and didn't want to see people, and others wanted to have a keg out on the beach. Anyway I really enjoyed spending time with the thirty or so people that did show up. But really missed not getting to see those who didn't come. I was a little bummed. I enjoyed putting the slide show together and really wanted to see those people. Oh well. Those of us who showed up talked about doing something again in five years just because in ten we will be almost fourty! For all of you out there debating whether to go to your reunion I say, GO! The people who put the work into it deserve a good turnout and really it is so good to see people again.

I'm Alive....

We miss you!

I've been such the slacker with blogging lately. Do you ever feel like you have a million things you want to get done and instead accomplish nothing? That's how my life feels with three little ones and extra kids a couple days a week. I can't stand to live in chaos. It makes me a crazy woman. So there you have it. I've been a crazy woman lately. Oh well. Good thing my husband loves me, a lot. It doesn't help that we've had ourselves a little scare this month. Which actually would have turned into a big one. At ten o'clock last night Jody decided to end all the suspense of this scare and buy a pregnancy test. It was negative. Now let's just pray I start my dang period! I am so not ready for another child at this point in my life. At least the result of the test did help me to sleep peacefully for one night.

I got home from Mckinleyville to find this lovely little package on my doorstep! Thanks Aubree. It was so much fun to get a package in the mail of your favorite things. Aubree sent me:

1. A tote from paperchase
2. Heathbar bits for her favorite apple brickle dip. It is soooo good
3. Peanut butter/chocolate covered pretzels from Trader Joe's. Yum
4. Cute notepad.
5. Equally cute post it notes.
6. Some of her favorite recipes. Can't wait to try.
7. Bath and Body Works lip gloss
8. Crystal Light water bottle packets. One of my own fav's.
9. magnet's from IKEA that I was so desperately needing for my YW's lessons at church!

So much fun! Aubree, did you really stay under $20? I got so much stuff.

I had my ten year reunion on Saturday. I had a great time with my friends but was really surprised at how many lame people are still stuck in the High School mentality. Pics and more tomorrow. Now for some me time.....

more

Cohen's freaky face

Cute girl.

ah.

Having a jam session.

After Six Flags on Saturday. Everyone was beat. Notice the boys sleeping on the couch in the background. Rylee on the other hand was ready to go. She had been pushed around in a stroller all afternoon.

Six Flags. On Herald the Helicopter in Thomas the Train town.

We took the kids to Six Flags on Saturday. It was warm and overcrowded but we had a good time. I lost my phone while we were there. Miraculously someone picked it up and turned into Lost and Found. Later that night Jody set up his projector from work and we watched Penelope in our "movie theater." Friday night Megan and I went to Mama Mia. It was hilarious. Pierce Brosnan has a horrible voice! Collin Firth should have had the main male character part. His voice was pretty good. Good times.

Grandad, Grandmom and Cousin Megan

We've been busy having a fabulous time with Jody's parents and our niece Megan. They came to visit last Tuesday and I haven't had any time to blog or even get on my computer because we've been having fun. I have lots of pictures (thanks Megan!) and so I think I'll do a few posts.

We were sad to see them leave today. It always goes by way too fast. The boys played, played and played some more with their Grandad. Megan was a huge help with the kids. Feeding Rylee. Pushing the stroller around the mall and six flags and staying downstairs with the kids so that I could actually take a shower and get ready for the day with no interruptions. So nice. Cindy and I talked and talked about crafts, food and girl stuff. We always love having Jody's family come to visit. They are great company. We laughed, played, shopped, ate and watched movies together.

On Wednesday we took them to the coast to see the ocean. Bodega Bay is about 45 minutes from us. I let Rylee down on the sand and she was in heaven. She crawled around and put everything in her mouth. The boys went up and down the sand dunes. Megan took loads of pictures and Cindy and I just sat and relaxed on the beach.

More pictures to come!