stuff we are doing

Well it's been a couple weeks since D's birthday, so I need to get those pics up. My excuse? We got a "new" computer, and I haven't' moved everything over yet.....ok, that is a terrible excuse.

People always ask us how things are going, or what's going on, I never know what to say, nothing new, Mark is in school and working, I'm at home with the kids....never know what to expect with that one. :)

But I guess now that I think about it, there have been a few new things going on. Ris can walk now. She doesn't do more then like 5 steps at a time, and she still crawls everywhere, but she will stand up on her own. She loves L and D. And she will go where they are and play with them. She likes it when you hold her hands and let her walk. L does it ALL the time. And R has her mouth open wide with a great big smile every time.

D is starting to sleep better. A week or so ago we started a new rule. No drinks of water at night. He would get up 2 or 3 times almost EVERY night and wouldnt go back to sleep till he had a drink of water. And often it was a TINY sip and then he would lay down and go back to sleep. Well add that to R getting up 2 or 3 times a night, and I was DONE!

The first night with the new rule I got LITTLE sleep. It was a down right battle every time he woke up, and I lost count how many times he was up that night. BUT the next night, he slept ALL NIGHT, AND he slept in till 7:00! Un-heard of. I can remember ONE other time EVER that he has slept that long. I think I have gotten up at 6 only once since we started that. Usually it's more like 6:30-6:45. SO AWESOME.

He is FINALLY potty trained! All it took was he saw his cousin stand up and go pee, and he wanted to try it. Ever since then going potty in the toilet is cool. And he has had very little accidents. That was about a week before his birthday.

L is amazing. She is such a good big sister. She sets a great example for Danton. The theme in primary is Choose The Right this year and she has taken it to heart. She talks about it all the time, and since it's important to her, it has become important to D to. The Stake primary presidency aslo challenged the kids to read the Book of Mormon this year. L is 5, and she is doing it. (well I'm reading to her, but I read as much or as little as she wants each day) She loves it. In primary they have a chart to mark the kids progress. Every 50 pages they read they get to move their star to the next marker. On Sunday L got to put her star on the 100 page mark. The primary president told me that only ONE other kid in the primary has done that so far. (which is actually a pretty big deal too, cause that kid has actually read it on their own)

They also have a scripture to memorize every month. L has done that (and in so doing D has done it too) They can come pass it off at church and get to pick out of the prize box. So far we are 2 for 2! (so proud of my kids)

As for me I'm setting a few goals for my self. I have a journal for each of my kids so I can write for them till they are old enough to do it them selves. Only I'm not so good at writing in my own journal. My last entry was 2 years ago. So my new goal is to write one entry a night. I started with A, then I did D, tonight is L, and then mine. That is writing in each of them once or twice a week. I have a white board in the kitchen that I write the funny stuff they saw down when the say it so I don't forget. Then I will record it in their journals. It's a fun project.

Also I'm not a very good house keeper. mostly cause i would rather do other stuff. But this week I have been feeling over whelmed. I can do the dishes and living room just fine. If you come to my house, you wouldn't think I was a bad house keeper cause I keep the "public" areas relatively clean. But when it comes to laundry, bathrooms, bed rooms, as well as other things, yeah, not so great. PLUS on top of that I STILL have thoes NASTY Indian Mealy Moths. Yes I know EXACTLY what they are now. Turns out that I BOUGHT a bag of brown rice that was infested. YAY! And now I'm paying for it with my food storage. Lucky for me I have not been as good at keeping my food stocked as I should, so the number of things to be thrown out was less. But today I get to start pulling EVERYTHING out of my cabinets and pantry, vacuuming and wiping everything down and inspecting all my food. FUN HUH!! I decided against the big bombs after reading about them, they just repel the bugs (which means often they just go deeper in the house to escape the fog...lovely)

So that is pretty much it. The new stuff out of the every day stuff. :)

Lydia's Birthday Party

Lydia is a little princess, and she LOVES superheros, so naturally she wanted to have a Superhero/Princess party, and invite boys. This girl has a bazillion best friends, so I told her she could invite 5 kids since she was turning 5. It took nearly 3 weeks for her to decide on her 5 friends. Her first pick however was her friend Nathan. On every different list of different kids she wanted there, Nathan was on all of them.

Side note: She is in LOVE with Batman. He is her husband actually. Uncle Joe has a lot of batman stuff, so he is now Batman, or "uncle batman" to Danton. She knows that that is just pretend, but she gets all swoony and flirty with him, it is hilarious. But in all seriousness, she knows that she will actually marry Nathan when she grows up.
I asked her what she wanted at her party, and I did my best to fit it in. The boys dressed as Superheros, and the girls dressed as princesses. (although she her self couldnt decide between superhero or princess. I told her she could do both. But even still through out the week she was flip flopping between, princess batgirl, (regular) Batgirl, Princess Heart-Breaker (also a super hero), and Princess Lovely Lydia....there may have been a few others, I don't remember.

She also wanted to make sure that Nathan came as Batman, and she could be Batgirl with him. (I can't tell you how many times she said that)

She wanted to play a game where the superheros rescued the princess from the bad guys, and she also wanted to punch a bad guy. Her cake was becoming elaborate, so I talked her down to this:

We also decided on capes and masks/crowns, cause I saw an easy cape idea online. The capes are just old t shirts, the back of the shirt is the cape, and you cut the front of the shirt, and the sleeves off but cutting around the collar. So they slip the cape on like a t shirt.

First they made their capes. I already had them cut out, and I had several colors and shapes cut out from felt that they put together to make their own superhero/princess emblem. I had fabric glue to put them together. Only, they couldnt wear them for most of the party, the glue took 2 hours to set. So they got to wear them at the end.

Then they played a little. I had the video camera set up and plugged into the tv so they could watch them selves

That was a big hit with the big screen tv. Then they made masks out of craft foam while we waited for the last couple kids to come. We needed EVERYONE there to make the movie. Which out of the 5 that she invited, all 7 showed up. :) (I invited a few other family members so they wouldn't feel left out)
Before the movie everyone was deciding who they wanted to be, and Nathan decided (on his own) that he wanted to be Batman, and he wanted Lydia to be his Batgirl. (course since it wasn't her idea, she didn't want to do it....silly girl. But she ended up being princess batgirl, with her batgirl shirt over he princess dress anyway.)

Finally everyone was there and had their mask/crown, and we could start the movie. THEIR movie.

I ran out of space on my disc, so I had to change right at the end

Then we did presents while they waited for the pizza to finish cooking, then pizza, then cake and ice cream. Then they got to watch their movie, they LOVED it.



Yes, we did things a little out of the typical order. :) But since when are we typical.

By then the capes were dry so we took superhero pictures of them flying over the city. They all had such a great time. (this is Nathan)I didn't realize that Lydia didn't get a princess OR superhero picture in the city till after the party was over and I had already taken it down and put it in the hamper to be washed. So later on that day I got it back out so her and Danton could take pictures and play. The chalk was slightly smudged, but it still looked pretty good. I told them both to say cheese, and Danton said cheese with a big smile, and Lydia said cheese very seriously with this face:
Here you can see Danton flying like a superhero, and down in the corner is a "damsel in this dress" (as Lydia says) that is in need of a rescue.
I saved my villain pictures and my pow signs to use for future superhero themed events. The city scene was just black sheets. One tacked to the wall, and the other draped over the couch. I drew on them with side walk chalk. My total cost for the party was about $11. (not including food) I bought the chalk for $5 (50 pieces, that will last forever) and the paper plates, and the fabric glue. I had everything else. Oh, I also made little pow magnets for the kids to take home. (only cause I already had all the stuff to make them. I printed off the sheet of pow signs on card stalk, and cut them out, covered them with clear contact paper and put adhesive magnet strips on the back. they loved them)

My kids keep asking me to put the city back up. That thing was a big hit. It was such a fun (and cheap) party.

Buggin

A couple months ago I started noticing tiny months congregating in my Pantry. Just a couple at first. I would smash them or vacuum them up. Then as many as like 30. I figured they were eating something in my pantry, it was disorganized and cluttered. I knew I needed to clean it, but part of me was afraid to find the source of the little buggers.
So I continued to clean them up when I saw them, usually by vacuum. It was not unusual to suck up about 30 at a time, usually once a week. I thought that maybe since I only vacuumed them, they were finding their way out of the vacuum and going back to the pantry.

The Laundry room and Pantry finally got to be too much so I cleaned and organized them yesterday. I did not find any like cocoons, or caterpillars or anything. Must have been a fluke. I havent seen any moths in a while anyway.

But then today I went to grab something out of my nice clean pantry, and when I pulled it out there were two tiny caterpillars on it. I frankly smashed them, and checked it further to make sure there were no more. I didn't find any more, but then I realized that I had just moved that item next to the brown rice. I had a bunch in a box. I looked closer and guess what I found. TONS of tiny caterpillars all over, and inside my rice. Can you see him? just above the i
They had pretty much gone in every bag I had, but on a closer look I found the source, I don't know if you can see it very well in the picture. It almost looks like very thick cob webs
So I threw out all my brown rice, I have no idea if that is the only thing they were eating or not, but my dry beans were right next to the rice so I threw them out too. no big loss, I cant remember the last time I cooked with my dry beans... And now brown rice is kind of ruined on me.

All about poop ...sorry, no pics

This evening as I was getting Danton's diaper on him for bed he stopped me and said "Iwannagopotty! I wannagopotty!" (I wanna go potty) So we went potty.
He went pee and I was excited (although it's not unusual for him to go pee on the potty. Justtrying to get HIM excited) I asked if he was all done, and he said "um, NOPE" Then he got 2 little poops in the toilet. Which of course are not actually poops at all. They are CHRISTMAS TREES!
So I said something about his Christmas trees, and he corrected me. They are little fishies.

I asked if he was done. " Um.....NOPE. I gotta go fishing" a little grunting later and LOOK what do you know, more fish. He then esplained that they are little fishies, but they didnt' have eyes. A few fish later I found out that you don't eat those fishies either, they are YUCKY. (seriously I was cracking up. We were in there for like 10 mins)

Then he had one that went *PLOP* "MOM! That was a POP!" So then we had Christmas trees, little yucky fishies with out eyes and a pop. (but we werent dont yet)

Next he had to examine as he pushed. He got excited again cause THAT one was a BIRDIE!

You know most kids find things in the clouds, but it take a really creative one to find shapes in their POOPS.

Then next came two little oranges. Then a BUNCH of oranges, and at last examination, there was a pretzel. As I was telling Daddy about everything (which was a lot to remember) I forgot the pretzel, but don't worry, Danton reminded me.

That was the funniest 10 mins I ever spent in the bathroom.

Christmas Weekend

We had a GREAT Christmas. Christmas Eve we went to my parents house. Marisa came with her kids. Mark and Joseph diapered into his room and worked on his bike. They were having a great time.

We ate dinner and just hung out. Then we did the Christmas story in Luke and I let my family do their Christmas Eve presents. Everyone else had already done theirs. I made Mark and BBQ apron that said I (picture of a hamburger) cows. He loved it. The kids got pj's. Lydia got a pink batman shirt (cause batman is her husband you know) Arissa got a pink shirt that said Jigga cause that is what we call her, And Danton got a motorcycle shirt. I also made them pj pants. And when Danton opened his jammies I said "What is it Danton?" Expecting him to see the motorcycle on his shirt and get excited. But instead he said (excitedly) "CURTAINS!" I used the same fabric on his curtains that I made his pants out of. It was so funny.

Christmas morning Daddy usually gets up with the kids and then they Christmas carol me awake. It's fun. This year I heard Danton wake up, so it woke me up, and I went in Lydia's room just as they were starting to sing. The only person left was Arissa, so we all caroled her awake. Then Daddy sent them running in. They both were attracted to the bike cause it was not wrapped.

Then I showed Danton his presents. L got a bike, a blanket fort kit, Batman, and a big mirror from D. D got his big motorcycle, a big woody,

the movie Cars, and a cool race car from L (which the doors broke that day, so we returned it and got him a blue angel plane. No moving parts) A got board books,
a little penguin hat, and a super soft elephant with a blankie.
Mostly she liked the paper.


Mark and I decided not to do Christmas for each other....but I can't resist. Bedsides, we decided that in Sep...I had his gift since July. :) I got him a nice watch, and had Dad engrave it for me. Then I wrote him a letter explain exactly what I meant by it. I wasn't sure how he would like it, but he loves it.

As we were getting the kids ready for church I finished brushing L's hair as she was holding her new batman. She said in a low voice "Your hair looks pretty" Then in her regular voice (with a little giggle) "Thanks Batman!"

We did see my parents for a bit. We stopped by their house before church so Dad could size Mark's watch band.

We went to church and it was AWESOME. I always love the music on Christmas. We sat infront of the Schweigart family. Danton LOVES them. He always wants to go sit with them. So he spent the meeting going back and forth between us and them. It was funny though, I discovered that he can't say their name. He kept saying "I want to go to Sister Garden!"

Then we went home and enjoyed a quiet morning/afternoon. At church we discovered that D had pink eye. So we called some siblings, and turns out that Marks sister had some eye drops for it, and Christmas dinner was at HER house. I think we caught it early cause it's pretty much gone now.

On our way to his sisters we heard D in the back. He was playing Church. Talking quietly pretending we were at church. "Guys we have to be quiet. I'm going to go sit with Sister garden" He said a few other things, but now I don't remember what they were.

Dinner with the Rones was fun. Kids played, we joked and chatted. The food was great. Then after dinner everyone opened presents from Granny and Papa. Kids got some nice new clothes, Mark got a fly reel, and I got a rockin sander! YES!

Mark had Monday off too, so we just stayed home and chilled out. I actually had to put a few finishing touches on L's tent kit, and make a few repairs on D's motorcycle. I spent all day sewing, and Mark was great to take care of the kids while I was working.

It was such an awesome weekend. I love my family. The kids did and said few other things that made me laugh, but I can't remember what they are now. I'll edit and post them later if I remember.

EDIT::I remember the other thing. I got Sweedish Fish for the kids stockings this year. When Danton pulled them out of his stocking he said "Wook! It's baby crappie and they are SLEEPING!" And they have called them crappie ever since.

LAST years Halloween

Last year my camera was broken on Halloween, so I had a friend take my pictures for me. She does professional photography and offered to take pictures of my kids any time. We did Peter Pan. Mark was Mr. Smee but he didn't come with us when we did pictures so I didn't get a picture of him. Basically I found a blue and white striped polo shirt at a thrift store that looked like Mr Smee, and I already had a red pointy stocking cap, and he wore his jeans. Easy, but it was awesome with the 4 of us together.
She just took some real quick snap shots, but I LOVE them so much.

"I got you now HOOK!"

And in True Danton fashion he has an awesome expression

Halloween Costumes

ok, So I took a TON of pictures of Lydia, a Lot of pictures of Arissa....and like 3 of Danton. But he didn't really want to do pictures, Lydia LOVES doing pictures. so these are my favorite ones of Lydia:

I found the Pascal print out on line from Disney for free,
it was a fun addition to the costume.

This is my FAVORITE. I told her to be a princess.

Danton, I learned, does not really like costumes. Well actually he doesn't like the extra stuff. First was was going to be lightening Mcqueen. I though EASY! He has a lightening mcqueen hat that has his eyes on it. So I bought him a red hoodie and put a yellow lightening bolt across teh front. He can wear his hat and jacket, BOOM, costume done. But he wont wear his hat for more then a few mins. He wore that costume to the bon fire last week, at grandmas, but he didnt' even take his hat out of the van.
Then he wanted to be buzz lightyear, since I don't like spending $20 or more on cheaply made costumes, I usually make them...wasn't going to make a buzz lightyear costume that late in the game, I talked him into woody. Went to a thrift store to find a yellow shirt, NOTHING. But we found a batman costume for $5. But he didnt' like it cause it was too big.....so for the ward trunk or treat he wore his woody pj shirt, and jeans and a cow boy hat, only he didn't wear the hat. And yesterday we put on his superman pj's. Best costume so far. Should have done that in the first place!

He liked to fly around like Super man.

Arissa was easy. I made a monkey costume for Lydia's first Halloween, And It fit Danton, and I pulled it out again for Arissa. Fit her great too!

Isn't she so freaking cute!

This one cracked me up cause of the little blue underwear and bare legs in the background.

This is like the only one where you can see her eyes very good

This is my favorite:
She has BECOME the monkey.