Oh How Quickly They Forget

Hubby has been gone for 3 days. (He's never been gone this long before.) He comes home today.  (YAY!!!) So while on the way to the library this morning, I asked Munchkin and Squirt if they were excited that dady was coming home.  Munchkin said, "I don't even remember what Dad looks like."  Squirt tried to help her out.  "Yes you do.  He has hair and a big head and he's strong."

Munchkin thought for a second.  "Nope.  I don't remember what he looks like."

Knock, Knock

Squirt told me this knock, knock joke a few months ago while we were driving in the car.  I had never heard it before, so when she started I thought it was going to be a typical 3 year old joke that made nbo sense whatsoever.  But, it's a real joke and it's funny!

knock knock
who's there
owls
owls who
of course owls whoo

Swimming?

We finally broke down and bought the kids a little pool.  I needed one that Squirt wouldn't drown in, but that the other kids could still have fun in.

Yes, Munchkin needs a lifevest for 18 inches of water.

 Thumbelina showing off her mad underwater skills.

 And a jump off the high dive...

When Squirt woke up, we played Jaws with a little 4 inch shark and they thought it was the coolest thing ever!  I got such a massive sunburn--now I am a giant peeling mess.  Good thing the kids didn't get burned since they all swim in rashguard shirts!

Super Summer Fun--Classic Skate Style

For Valentines Day, the kids got new skates.  So this summer, when we found out that the local skating rink had summer passes, we bought them.  We were even able to get my cousin a deal on a pass.  Squirt isn't a big fan of skating, but she'll do a lap or two each time we go.

 Thumbelina is almost a pro!  She goes so fast and is just in her own little world.  And her cool skates light up so it's easy to find her.

 Then we always end up in the bounce houses which Squirt loves!

We try to go 3-4 times a week.  It's good exercise for the kids and it's air conditioned so I don't die!

Happy Father's Day

This year, for Father's Day, hubby said all he wanted was a picture for his office.  In Jan, he moved back to the Sales side at his work and is back in an office.  His old pictures only included two of our children.  It was time for a new one.

We tried taking one before church.  Believe it or not, this was the best one!

So we had to try again after church and the kids had to hide their feet from their dad! 

Oh well.  Some pictures should be less staged and more real, right?  We do love Daddy around here!

Water Fun

 We are trying to stay cool and keep the kids entertained this summer.  I found this idea on Pinterest--slight fail!  But the kids did like it and had fun.

 And our slip n slide has been used about every other day.  Usually in the backyard but the irrigation water was in the backyard that day.  Squirt is still trying to figure it out and mostly walks or hops down the slide.  The other kids are more daring, trying to surf.

Uncle Trent

My uncle Trent has started a new tradition.  He sends everyone $10 on their birthday.  Munchkin got $10, the boy got $10, and Squirt got $10.  Squirt decided that our sprinklers are boring and she wanted a new one.  Welcome home Hello Kitty! 

 Then she started running circles

 around and around

She loves it.

Terrible Twos Go Away--Come On Terrific Threes!

Squirt turned 3!  I can't believe she is three.  She loves the book One Fish Two Fish, and can recite most of it.  She loves the fish that is "very, very bad." (I wonder why!) So we did a Fish Party for her 3rd birthday.

Step 1:  Make fish cupcakes

 Step 2:  Make a cupcake stand out of cake circles and cans of beef broth

 Step 3:  Practice for the week before so she'll know how to blow out her candles this year.

 Success!!

 The rest of the pictures are of her opening presents, which is pretty boring.  But she was so excited about every present, she would gasp when she opened it and saw what it was...every time!

 Minnie Puzzle

 Cupcake dress and minnie pjs

 Book and Purse from Lacey (and Lance?)

 Minnie books

 Giant Floor mats from Janet and Lynne

 Minnie Bubble Tea set--coolest thing ever!

She also got a Care Bear coloring set and a Minnie purse from Syd and Logan, and a cute dress from Jessie.  I really have to do better at taking pictures of the people who are there.  We had a lot of family there and she loved it.  And a special thanks to Lance for eating all the extra cupcakes!

Another Year is Over

I was a Room Mom again this year--for the boys class again.  So I was in charge of the Teacher gift for Teacher appreciation week.  I was able to collect most of the money from the kids in the class to pay for it, and I got some off of City Deals so I saved there too.  I was able to get their teacher a bunch of gift cards, and put them in a little book.  Can I just say that I LOVE my Silhouette?!

She seemed to really like it.  She was the most excited about the Barnes and Noble one so I am glad that one was worth the most.  Next year, I am going to try to be the Kindergarten Room mom since it is not very involved!

Easter

For Easter this year, I didn't want anything huge.  The kids did a neighborhood Egg Hunt and got TONS of candy, plus our quick yard one with more candy.  So I wanted the Easter Bunny to bring them stuff they could use.  So the kids got their Easter baskets on Saturday morning since Sunday was Fast Sunday and Eli wouldn't be able to eat any of the candy.  They got the bunny face suckers, a chick that pooped out gumballs and a bunch of other candy.  Then on Sunday, we gave them jello playdough, bath toys and church books.  Along with a bunch of printable easter games I found online.

 This jello playdough was super fun (please note the dripping sarcasm) to make.  Two whole nights and three trips to the store for Cream of Tartar.  And then two weeks later, it was all covered with mold.  Maybe refridgerate next time?

 Bunny ears and bunny suckers

 Not sure where Thumbelina was, but Squirt couldn't wait to get her picture taken.

Bunny Bingo, Tic Tac Crack, Don't Eat Peep, a Bunny Matching game, and Apostle Flashcards.  Most of these from preparednotscared.blogspot.com since I am too tired to link.

All in all a good day--too much candy, but lots of friends and even a little family.

Conference with Children

Everyone with a Bingo card and a roll of Smarties...and they did pretty well. No blackouts--not too many mentions of tithing. But they were mostly quiet through the three sessions they watched with us.

My Crazy Kids

For Valentines Day (really a late Christmas present) we got the kids (and us) roller skates. Thumbelina is the best since she's had some old DI skates for a while. But Munchkin is really getting the hang of it and loves to skate. Poor Squirt didn't get any since her feet are too little...and buying that small of skates when there is no chance of passing them on was pretty much out of the question!
At the river. We've been taking picture of the kids here since we started having kids. It's nice to be able to look at old pictures and see them grow up.

Back in the Saddle Again

My sewing machine has been used very little in the last few months. A project here and there. But then, last week, I saw this pin. Which led me to this awesome tutorial. I wanted to make one. So today, I dug out some fabric. She did contrasting fabric on hers but I had two remnants that I bought with no project in mind (my husband loves when I do that!) that I hoped would work for this. I was able to finish both dresses during naptime. The first one is Carebears fabric. Now if you know Squirt, you know she loves her some Carebears! So naturally, she had to pose with her Carebear, and in such a way that you can't really see the dress much! Oh well.

My straps are a little long I think and I didn't have enough fabric to make them full enough for sleeves, but she loves it. I love sewing for 2 year olds! 7 year olds aren't as much fun!

The 50 degree windy day called for leggings and a cardi. She is so very excited to wear it tomorrow after her bath!