John went out to get some shots last night...I think he's getting pretty good. Now I just need to take some time for him to sit down and teach me. Unfortunately I'm not the best student and he's not the best teacher...one of these days though!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Professional?
John went out to get some shots last night...I think he's getting pretty good. Now I just need to take some time for him to sit down and teach me. Unfortunately I'm not the best student and he's not the best teacher...one of these days though!
Friday, July 17, 2009
You're beautiful
Ains has told me three times now that I look beautiful when I get dressed and do my hair. But that she doesn't like how I look when I just wake up or when I don't do my hair and it's all crazy.
Maybe I should take a hint!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Cookies
You can imagine how much help they were!
I'm sure they'll be more helpful in the eating. I offered the kids a broken sugar cookie and Ains declined. Later she asked for one and I said we could only eat the broken ones before we frosted...so she went and broke a cookie to eat. Clever!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Staycation
My dad planned a little 'staycation' and so we were able to have a really fun weekend. Since the camera didn't come out near as often as it needed to, I have no proof of some of the awesomness...so you'll just have to take my word for it.
Friday evening we all got together and made homemade pizza and the kids swam until it got dark. When darkness finally arrived my dad pulled out the projector and screen he had borrowed and we set up a movie outside. We got the old Parent Trap movie, had popcorn cooked over the stove (which is my new favorite btw), bundled up in blankets, and stayed up way too late watching the movie outside. It was awesome...I only wish I could afford a projector and a HUGE screen for my backyard. The screen we watched the movie on was actually a king size sheet rigged to some poles and stuck in the ground...in case you were wondering.
The movie ended after midnight. Amazingly, the only 2 that fell asleep part way through were Owen and Bailey. The grand kids then got to sleep outside with Grandpa and Sydney while the rest of us retired to our own beds.
We were up and going bright and early the next morning, can I just mention how nice it is to wake up on your own, and not because of a child! We packed a lunch and loaded up our bikes, headed back to my parents and caravanned down to the greenbelt. I really do love the greenbelt. I love how you can be riding through downtown and feel like you are riding through the woods. 
I wish we could have gotten a picture of the bike train as we were riding. It was quite a sight. 7 bikes and 2 bike trailers all in a row. We had a picnic in the park, peeked at the giraffes in the zoo, walked through the nature center, and played at the park. We were on the greenbelt from 11:00 to 3:00. By the end there were several tired bodies, two sleeping toddlers, and I think there were approximately 7 sore bums in the group! 
I wish we could have gotten a picture of the bike train as we were riding. It was quite a sight. 7 bikes and 2 bike trailers all in a row. We had a picnic in the park, peeked at the giraffes in the zoo, walked through the nature center, and played at the park. We were on the greenbelt from 11:00 to 3:00. By the end there were several tired bodies, two sleeping toddlers, and I think there were approximately 7 sore bums in the group! 
Afterward we headed back to the pool to cool off for a bit. The kids showed amazing energy in the water for the long night and day they had. We came home in time for dinner and bed. Completely worn out...in fact it's just after 7:00 and both of my children are sleeping soundly in their beds! So I can go pop some more of my new favorite popcorn!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bravery
We were invited to go to the Clocktower Pond yesterday with some friends. I was worried that my kids would be too scared to get in the water and we would just end up sitting on the dock the whole time. 
Boy was I wrong! Owen was hesitant at first, but very excited to be wearing his life jacket. He kept wanting me to lower him in the water but wouldn't let me put him all the way in. And before we knew it, Ains just up and jumped off the side of the dock and into the water...she was the first one in!
The water was surprisingly warm and we all had fun floating around for a while. The hilarious part came when we tried to get out of the water. Luckily there was a man on the dock that was nice enough to lift out a few of the kids because the 3 adults watching the children would end up needing the kids support to get out(one was swimming the pond to train for a race). I got a good laugh watching John try to pull himself out. The dock floated a good foot and a half above the water. We eventually used the tube I was on as a step while I held the tube in place. I had to be hoisted out backwards by John and my friend Lisa (after several failed attempts to get me over my belly). I truly felt like a beached whale and had a good laugh. We all felt a little silly when we were joined by the swimming trainer and he pulled himself right out of the water. I guess the rest of us need to start working out, or next time we could just bring a ladder!
Boy was I wrong! Owen was hesitant at first, but very excited to be wearing his life jacket. He kept wanting me to lower him in the water but wouldn't let me put him all the way in. And before we knew it, Ains just up and jumped off the side of the dock and into the water...she was the first one in!
The water was surprisingly warm and we all had fun floating around for a while. The hilarious part came when we tried to get out of the water. Luckily there was a man on the dock that was nice enough to lift out a few of the kids because the 3 adults watching the children would end up needing the kids support to get out(one was swimming the pond to train for a race). I got a good laugh watching John try to pull himself out. The dock floated a good foot and a half above the water. We eventually used the tube I was on as a step while I held the tube in place. I had to be hoisted out backwards by John and my friend Lisa (after several failed attempts to get me over my belly). I truly felt like a beached whale and had a good laugh. We all felt a little silly when we were joined by the swimming trainer and he pulled himself right out of the water. I guess the rest of us need to start working out, or next time we could just bring a ladder!Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Reverence
Lately Ains has been giving us trouble during sacrament meeting. Owen always gives us trouble, so that's expected, but to have her start acting up again has been a real thorn in my side. Our rule for her is that she can't have snacks or do activities until after the sacrament, and then she is free to color, etc. This has been the rule for a while, it's nothing new. Maybe that's why I lost is 2 weeks ago and just couldn't take Ains anymore. We were about 2 minutes into sacrament meeting when she started whining and crying and fighting. I was so fed up that I told her she had to leave with me. I'm assuming at this point she realized how much trouble she was in because when I grabbed her hand to lead her out into the foyer she collapsed in the isle.
I'm sure we put on quite a show as I grabbed her in my large and pregnant state and dragged her out into the foyer. I got plenty of smiles seeming to say, "I'm so glad that's your child and not mine!" We walked halfway around the church before I was even calm enough to talk to her. After quite a lecture I made her sit quietly in the foyer until after the sacrament and then she had to sit reverently for the rest of the meeting with nothing to do. She did quite well, even though I don't think she realized how critical it was for her to behave at that time...things would have gotten ugly had she not.
Well, I think the lesson set in. Because last Sunday as we were getting ready for church I walked into her room and she was sitting on her bed with her arms folded and informed me that she was practicing being reverent. She then proceeded to give Owen a lesson on his bed. I must say, sacrament meeting was a lot more pleasant this week than it was last week. Thank Heavens!
I'm sure we put on quite a show as I grabbed her in my large and pregnant state and dragged her out into the foyer. I got plenty of smiles seeming to say, "I'm so glad that's your child and not mine!" We walked halfway around the church before I was even calm enough to talk to her. After quite a lecture I made her sit quietly in the foyer until after the sacrament and then she had to sit reverently for the rest of the meeting with nothing to do. She did quite well, even though I don't think she realized how critical it was for her to behave at that time...things would have gotten ugly had she not.
Well, I think the lesson set in. Because last Sunday as we were getting ready for church I walked into her room and she was sitting on her bed with her arms folded and informed me that she was practicing being reverent. She then proceeded to give Owen a lesson on his bed. I must say, sacrament meeting was a lot more pleasant this week than it was last week. Thank Heavens!
A much needed break
Sometimes this one...
needs a break from this one...
And sometimes this one...
Needs a break from both of them...And today we got it (kind of)!
With school being out there has been very little individual time in our house. Lately we do EVERYTHING together. Today we got a nice little break. Ains was invited to go see the Hannah Montana movie with a friend of hers (is that weird that my daughter is old enough to do things like that?!?!). So after a morning of the kids arguing with each other, they were able to be separated! And since Ains got to see a movie, I let Owen choose one to watch as well...thus giving me my break. (I have limited TV this summer to 2 shows or one movie a day. It's been tough, I'm not gonna lie, but worth it I think. I think there have been 2 or 3 days when I was desperate for the TV babysitter and chose to ignore the rule, but other than that I've stuck with it.) Luckily on a day like today where we all needed a little break for our own sanity, we got it!
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