Playroom

Part of February’s goal was to finish the playroom.  I have tons of pictures and descriptions that I will post when we get back from Utah. Here are a couple of pictures: 

Ski School

I've been taking the girls up to Bogus Basin for ski school on Thursday mornings. There are not a lot of skiers on the mountain and the classes are small (2 or 3 kids/instructor).

Chloe likes to be first.

That kid really held back Stella.

Fred and I hang out in the lodge or cruise around in the sled.

The big haul.

On the way home they are really hungry.

And tired.

Flashback Friday

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This video is very shaky (Dan must have been nervous for her) but it is the only one we have.  This was last year when Chloe was five.  She came in last and she cried.  (Have I mentioned how competitive she is?)  It was her first and last race.  Dan thinks bmx racing in Idaho is too redneck so we quit. 

18 Months

Fred is 18 months old today. This is such a fun age. He is growing and learning so fast. To document this stage I’m going to celebrate blog-style by listing 18 things about Fred that make me smile. (Not 18 things ‘I love’ because lots of these things cause extra work for me. But they still make me smile.)

1. He says, “ahm” almost every time he takes a bite of food.
2. He gives hugs by laying his head on you. So, he’ll walk up to you and tilt his head until it is resting on you.
3. I tried to teach him to sign ‘eat’ and ‘more’. He quickly learned to say, “mao” for more and for ‘eat’ he gives his pointer finger a suck. So cute.
4. He has three styles of kissing. He’ll come at you with his tongue sticking out, with his mouth wide open or with a fish-face pucker (my favorite).
5. He sings a lot. Including Hannah Montana’s ‘Best of Both Worlds’. Not kidding. “behhhh bohhhh.”
6. He loves to dance. He can rock out or twirl like a graceful ballerina.
7. He rides his spring horse with reckless abandon, often standing up in the saddle. But before mounting up he has to find his cowboy hat.
8. He really loves books right now. He is always bringing us books and asking, “boo-uh?” But he is really hard on them. I tape them back together but he just pulls them apart again.
9. He has a natural mohawk/alfalfa—two cowlicks that swirl in. He also has the mullet that each of our kids have been blessed with. So ugly on the girls but I kind of like it on Fred.
10. He is very resourceful. He has learned to push chairs around to reach what he wants. Or he’ll get a pot out and stand on it—just the right height to reach into drawers.
11. When he doesn’t want me to set him down he’ll wrap his legs around mine.
12. He is really good at using sound effects to emphasize his actions. Usually, “whoa!” or “uh!”.
13. He likes to open the dishwasher and take out a spoon then open the cupboard and take out a pot and create ‘music’.
14. My girls used to guide me by the finger to show me what they wanted. Fred tries to push or lift me up. He really thinks he can do it.
15. He rarely says 'no' but when he does he screams it. “Nnnnah!!” And he’ll swing his arm around. Usually when I put something in the microwave.
16. He tickles whenever skin on a midsection is revealed and says, “Ticka ticka”. He also tries to tickle Stella’s bum when I’m changing her diaper. (Or he’ll get a wipe and try to help.)
17. He sings “cheese” for the camera. But he won’t let us film him anymore because he just wants to look at himself. (Why did I show him that?!)
18. He is a good climber. He loves to be on the counter or the table.

I’m already to 18? Well, I really want to remember these things so I’m going to keep going…

• Whenever he does something he says, “deh” for ‘there’. If it is really cool then he’ll raise his arms and say “ta-dah!”
• He takes two good naps a day then goes to bed at 8 until about 8.
• He loves to bury his face in the cat’s fur. Or just knock her off whatever she is perched on.
• He usually has something on his face or in his hair. Usually marker but sometimes cream, chapstick, maskera, superglue, toothpaste or anything that has a lid that he can remove.
• He finds it very entertaining to throw things down the stairs or over the railing.
• He can squirm his way out of safety straps no matter how tight I get them. This makes shopping and eating out a pain. I can get the shopping cart strap really tight but somehow he manages to climb over the back of the seat while still in the strap and ends up hanging by his waist.

Ok, I think that will do. We love Fred. We think it is so fun to have a boy around. We are really glad that he is old enough to go into nursery on Sundays.

Happy Valentine’s

The other day, I clicked over to Ashlynn’s blog from Jordan’s blog just in time to see this Valentine idea.
I added the text and border in Picnik and had them printed in wallet size at Walmart (Costco’s wallets are too small).

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to use them for Chloe’s class because they sent home a paper saying ‘no treats’. NO TREATS. On Valentine’s! They are trying to teach the kids healthy eating habits. We were told we could only send healthy snacks. Well, we kind of cheated. We taped sugar free gum to some store-bought valentines. Not healthy but not bad for you—unless sugar substitutes cause cancer. We’ll doorbell-ditch the sucker ones on Valentine’s night at their friend’s houses.

Chloe's Thoughts

Before I relate this conversation let me remind you that I come from a family that watches a lot of sports on television and we currently live in a town that is very fanatical and proud of their blue field.


Chloe: Mom, why do so many people love to watch football on t.v. but we don't?
Mom: I don't know, we just like other sports better. And we don't really watch t.v.
Chloe: But why do so many people like it and we don't?
Mom: I guess we are just more into the sports that we can actually participate in.
Chloe: But why does everyone else like it?
Mom: I don't know. Chloe, you can like football if you want.
Chloe: But I don't.


And that was the end of the conversation. If any of you sports watchers would like to explain this feel free to do so in the comments.


After reading Sleeping Beauty, Chloe asked: How come in all the books and all the movies the good guys always win?
Me: I guess people just prefer to have things end nicely.
Chloe: I don't.
Me: So you would rather have the witch kill the prince and Princess Aurora stay asleep forever?
Chloe: Yeah.


She said it so matter-of-factly--not trying to be funny or different. But I'm pretty sure she likes a happy ending now and then.

This was taken at the Discovery Center in Boise. Reminds me of the mirrored wall we had growing up.

Tribute to Uncle Jordan

I found that jacket for Fred at the D.I. --Jordan's favorite shopping destination. Too bad there weren't any boots in Fred's size.

Jammin' with Jordan in St. George.

New Year's Resolutions

When setting and reaching goals it is helpful to write down the goals, record your progress and tell others what you are trying to accomplish. So here you go:

• I want to get settled into our house. So, each month I will focus on a different space and post before and after photos. Since I missed January I will work on two rooms this month, the playroom and the girl's room.


• Make a quilt. Nothing fancy.


• Finish a photo album for Fred, Stella and one for the family.

When Will It End?

I am really, really, really, REALLY sick of Stella crapping her pants. (Dan says, 'Do you really have to say crap?' Yes. When it is a three year old who knows how to go on the toilet but goes in her pants, it is crap. If it is a baby, it is poo or poop. If it is a three year old going in the toilet it is also poo. Sorry if the language is too strong for you.)

She will turn four in May. That is in four months. In four months she will be a four year old that isn't potty trained. I am so frustrated. If it was any other task she was trying to learn I would be a little more relaxed at her delay (stubborness) to catch on. But since it is CRAP I have to wipe up--often so toxic that, I swear, it is singeing my nose hairs--I am losing patience. Probably lost.

Charts and rewards don't work. Bribes don't work. Threats don't work. Abundant praise doesn't keep her motivated. Yelling and being mean and mad doesn't scare her. She won't go commando. She has better success if she is in underwear. Rarely performs if she is wearing a pull-up. She is not afraid of the toilet. Is not afraid to poop in the toilet nor does it hurt or bother her. She has gone in the toilet many times but has no problem going in her pants. I've started making her clean herself up. I stand her in the tub with a box of wipes and a garbage can. She doesn't love or hate this. She just doesn't care.

If anyone has any advice that doesn't revolve around some sort of reward (it doesn't motivate her) then let me know.

Flashback Friday

January, 2006.

Stella had the cutest face. And baldest head.

I was trying to take a picture of Stella. Alone. I offended Chloe.

Chloe at Itty-Bitty-Basketball.

Last Holiday Post--I Promise.

One of my favorite holiday traditions growing up was New Year's Jack--or, Jack Frost. On New Year's Eve you set plates out on the table and Jack Frost comes in the night and leaves presents on the plates. As a kid this gave me one more thing to look forward to before heading back to school. Plus, none of my friends did it so it seemed extra special.

(I found these little dolls at the grocery store. There is a kayaker, surfer, bmx rider and snow skier. I love them.)

New Year

Dan's family flew back to Maine the day after Christmas and the day after that I drove to SLC on snowy roads. Seven hours. With three kids. We got to see Kate and Scott briefly, stayed at the Ball's residence (thanks!) and got to see friends and neighbors in our old ward. When Chloe walked into primary (late) all the kids yelled, "Chloe!" It made me feel really sad because we took her away from a neighborhood packed with great kids to play with. I really like our current ward but it is spread out and there aren't that many kids near us. Anyway, then we drove down to St. George.

My visit there was pretty typical. Eating out with Rachel. Lots of sports on t.v. Sister missionaries over for dinner. Not seeing much of Chloe. And not sleeping much. Fred was sick one night (thanks mom, for helping with that). I was sick one night. And Fred was teething one night. I spent much of my time following behind Fred and taking things away from him. I missed having safety latches on all the drawers. He climbed out of his crib one day and got into: deoderant, mascara, lip gloss, chapstick, toothpaste and pink marker. In less than five minutes.

My mom wanted a picture of all her kids since we were all together. Here we are:

Zach-baby, Rachel-3rd, Sam-1st, Dad- old, Mom- 20 days older than old, Jordan-5th, Me-4th, Nate-2nd

My sister thinks she looks fat. I think she looks good--it is the belly bag under her shirt that makes her look fat. I, on the other hand, look five months pregnant. If I were a celebrity the tabloids would be going crazy.

Here are the grandkids:

I won't try to name them. It would be too hard to follow.

On the way back we stayed at the Balls' house again. Dan met us there and we got to go up to Solitude. And since our ward starts at 3:00 we had plenty of time to drive the rest of the way Sunday morning.

An Evening Stroll

On Christmas.
To feed the ducks.

Stella. Chloe & Mom. Stella & Pepe.

Stu & Val.

I thought Chloe had worn Stu out on this walk but when we got home they went straight to the backyard and played in the snow on the trampoline. I love having people to entertain my kids.

Christmas

1. Chloe asked for a Hannah Montana Guitar. I asked, "A real guitar that you can play?" "No, just a fake one so I can dance around and pretend I'm Hannah Montana." "But Hannah Montana doesn't play a Hannah Montana guitar; she plays a real one." "I know, but I just want a pretend one." The other thing she asked for was a big, plastic, pastel vanity that she saw in Walmart. I did not want her to brush her hair and apply makeup and jewelry in front of a mirror, so she got the guitar.

2. Fred's rocker face.

3. Stella asked Santa for a Barbie last year. Until I heard her say it, I had no idea she wanted one. This year we had not talked about our Christmas desires before visiting Santa and to his "What do you want?" question she replied, "A Barbie." We have plenty of Barbies and they aren't her favorite, I think that is just her under pressure response. So I didn't get her one but realized as we were setting out the presents on Christmas eve that I should probably have gotten her the one thing she asked for. Luckily, the guitar came with a Hannah Montana doll. So we just took it all out of the packaging and split it up.


4. Every boy should have a spring horse.

5. The horse can support 60 lbs. Chloe will be able to ride it until about 5th grade.

6. Fred loves the car I got for the girls. He wanted to take it for a drive.

7. The girls got a doll house. Stella is wearing the dress-up Meme gave her--her favorite gift.

Dan got a subscription to audible.com. And I got a necklace, books, a game... It was a good day.

Christmas Eve

Dan's mom, dad, brother Sam, sister Valerie, and Val's boyfriend Stu flew out from Maine to spend Christmas with us. It was really fun having them here--even though everyone had a turn puking or pooping (it finally hit me when I was in St. G).

Dan's family has a tradition of going to a movie on Christmas eve. I stayed home with Fred because he barfed in the garage on our way to the car (nice timing Fred, no carpet or carseats to clean!). Then the kids got new jammies and we read the story of Jesus' birth.

New jammies and Val being sick.

Gangsta Joseph and pregnant Mary. The narrator. The wise men. The angel.

Polar Express

I guess I'll stop procrastinating...
Before Christmas we took our kids on the Polar Express. It was really lame. We went on a train ride, which was cool except for Fred's need to move around. When we arrived at the 'North Pole' everyone got out and formed a line to see Santa. It was cold and the village was made up of props and they had four people dressed up as village people caroling (they could never land jobs at Disneyland). My girls didn't care to see Santa. Chloe is a connoisseur of Santas and doesn't waste her time with the fake ones. So we grabbed some 'free' cookies and milk and waited on the train.

Clockwise: Eating cookies. Looking cute. Freezing on an open car.

Getting a picture with Santa for Mom.

Quick picture before getting back on (and snagging better seats). Peace, at last.

Christmas Cards Are Soooo 2008

We didn't want to replace the Holy Family with ours so we're sending out New Years cards.

Unfortunately the rolodex got lost in the move and I have to look up each address on-line. So if you get it late or not at all, we're sorry. But you are not missing much. Since we keep a blog we didn't include a letter reviewing our year. Those that don't already read our blog wouldn't want to read a letter.

We're heading down to Santa Clara as soon as there is a break in the weather.

Ho Ho Ho

The Pianist

Chloe had her first piano recital. She had her songs memorized but choked under pressure and had to use her music. I'm still proud of her. She has an amazing memory and learns quickly. If only she was more willing.

Road Trip

I love road trips. I love maps and planning out the course. I love seeing new places. I haven't been on a road trip in a long time. We left Friday after Chloe got out of school and came back Wednesday just in time for her to make it to her afternoon class. Dan didn't want her to miss too much school. She has already missed more than her fair share. But she's smart so I'm not worried. Anyway, we drove up past Portland and down the Oregan coast to the Redwoods in California then over to Crater Lake and back home. It was a little cold for a beach vacation but these very touristy destinations were completely empty. I had a goal of getting a good family picture to use for Christmas cards. We did not succeed. I'll try to post more pictures later.