Lately March n April

I still get to rock this cutie to sleep sometimes, when he's not feeling good.

This little guy is 1!

Little guy would not let me get him out...he loved it in there

Just wearing my shirt caveman style, mom forgot to do the buttons by my neck

It's like builtin a little playpen in the kitchen...lol...he loved it there too. Mom was actually able to do some dishes, while he was awake.

Raining, but still sun shining

One last chance to go sledding..even though I was sick this day, we haven't gone sledding at all this year!

It was a small enough hill, that I wasn't afraid to just let them go on there own. Then Claire would carry up up the sled each time, no complaints either!

Ryan and I hung out at the top. Ryan was good enough to be content in his car seat. Amazing!

Trevor got tired and hung out in the car with Ryan and I. While Claire went sledding on her own for another 20 minutes.  Here she is trying it backwards.what a great day!

Saturday watching general conference. Pretty much the best weekend, of relaxing together as a family watching tv and listening to amazing speakers from church.

Well actually we keep the kids busy, so we can enjoy it!

For the priesthood session, Jason watched it at home while I took the kids for a walk. On the way we found some friends outside.

Ryan is finally trying out the walker ( or whatever they are called) ...it is funny the stuff he will push around instead of trying out the walker. He pushed Claire pink horse around and a small red kid chair, before deciding this lion thing isn't so bad.

After Sunday morning Conference, we tried feeding some ducks, but after pelting them with bread and no response we decided the pigs were much more excited about the bread.

Silly Ryan and I

We made cafe rio salads..I didn't even make everything for it. And wow it took a lot of work! But we are still eating yummy leftovers. 

Claire liked her salad, Trevor opted for the meat and rice.

For st. Patricks I added four green hearts to this wreath I made a while ago. Previously, I had it on our door for about a year, until I actually made another red wreath for Christmas.  Then when I put it back out in march, it died a few weeks later....crazy wind!

This quote has been really helping me!

Yay! I made an spring wreath!  Once you get over a cold, it's amazing how you feel you can do anything!

Cute Trevor with his new haircut.

For Jason's work at qualtrics, we got free passes to thanksgiving point's museum of curiosity.  It was a lot of fun! Even for adults!  But I wouldn't feel safe taking all 3 kids with just me. You defintley need two adults, at least with our active kids.

I was supposed to keep up with Claire, that lasted for one minute. Jason was sick and actually don't got to work that day, but was feeling better to go that night.  So here he is going a little slower with Ryan.  Tough to go across, but he did great while holding Ryan. 

Our little monkey Claire, we need to find a place that has a bigger climbing wall for kids.  Any ideas?

Giving Trevor a boost, he didn't love it.

Where did my ball go?

It's gone?

Ryan is amazing sweet and gentle around other babies!  One time I was at a Zumba class at a nearby church, and Ryan sat by a newborn in their baby swing, and even gently pushed their swing a few times.  He was even a fast crawler at the time, but opted to be near the new baby.  So cute!

He is so fast at crawling, and fortunately is a little interested in walking.

It was a really fun museum, and we only went to one of the sections, lol.

A few funny moments today! Ryan is the cutest little jabberer, if you are fortunate to witness it, it is so cute.  When he sleeps well at night, which is more frequent lately, he usually jabbers a lot to wake up Jason or I. Well this morning I let him jabber for a while. It's kinda tough with Claire going to bed at 10 pm, and Ryan waking up at 6 am some mornings. I digress, so I was lazy and let him jabber for a good

10 minutes, before I finally got up.  When I did get up, he throws his head back, as if looking toward heaven and jabbers something that sounds like thank you. So funny

Trevor says the cutest things too, I love i how he gets really excited for something and says, pwease mom pwease!

Claire's been really trying to be good lately. It so sweet how she asks, "did you like how I...." Insert something good she did.  I am glad she is finding good ways to get all the positive recognition she needs. In stead of acting up get more attention.  Things are looking up over here!

Now to just get Trevor potty trained, and Jason to finish his dissertation, then we can actually do something this summer. Arg, here's to hoping!

February little things

At the time, this seemed like a miracle, two kids playing happily together.   Now this happens more often than not.  I honestly remember that I couldn't leave them alone for two seconds without them fighting and yelling.  Good thing things got better when they did, Ryan is taking up a lot more time with his ear infections.  I pondered on why things are miraculously better, and this quote from President Benson came to mind."There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. "  I have always loved scripture study, but this talk, helped me remember why it's so vital to study the Book of Mormon daily!  Such a huge blessing to have this book!  Things are not perfect between with Claire and Trevor, but they are a million times better!

Practicing for playing at my nephews baptism...so glad that it is done... It actually went well, but I get so nervous!

Claire's pictures while I practice...anything to keep her occupied...it's hard not being the center of attention.

One Sunday after church, Trevor was so grumpy and he ran to his room.  I was busy in the kitchen with dinner, it was around 5 pm, but I wanted to just give Trevor a hug.  Soon after Jason asked what he could do to help, referring to dinner (I am so lucky that my hubby likes to help in the kitchen!)

I asked him to give Trevor a hug, then he comes out like this...crazy boy fell asleep in a few minutes.  We woke him up,to eat dinner, otherwise he wakes up 4 am hungry- done that before... Not fun!

Poor Ryan burst his eardrum, his awesome hat helps protect those little ears!  And silly Claire, makes winter weather seem like spring.

Claire's cute creations

Cute kids wanting a picture 

Cute Cousins at nephews baptism

Ryan found something good to help pull himself to standing. Now he pulls himself up on practically anything (see end of post)

We got this up just in time!  

Claire and Trevor pretending to be "lookers" or detectives

Cutie Ryan with his glow worm

Silly Claire...she is finally staying in her room..it's only taken 4 years of getting out numerous times each night... I think I have read almost every parenting books section on bedtime battles.  They helped for a few days..but this last idea was our own and it has worked for about a month.  Here is what motivates our 5 year to stay  in bed- she gets 3 jelly bellys  if she stays in bed all night.  So after we say goodnight and shut her door, she obviously still takes a while to go to sleep...but it's still a huge improvement!

I had a love-hate relationship with these things. Now my genius hubby hard wired it- connected wires from inside to wires that plug in wall, and taped it up with electrical tape...this also helps Claire stay in her room at night.

This little guy loves the toy kitchen... And Claire loves him!

Getting a bite with my old visiting teachees and companion. (Tiffany isn't in picture, she was ordering, sorry) I had them for 3 years, time flies! I am going to miss seeing and chatting with them as much!

Kid table

Trevor helped me decorate with sprinkles some treats for my new visiting teachees.

Claire wanted to clean the whole house to earn princess fruit snacks...can u tell she likes sugar.

Grandma likes her valentines from Claire...

Then she realized I was taking pictures...lol..gotta love grandma

Summer reading reward, just now getting it.

Joys of emptying drawers or laundry baskets full of clothes

Took a two hour nap..so crazy for last 9 months he usually only naps a hour at most

Silly Claire

Poor guy has his fourth ear infection, this time I am trying essential oils to help- hope it works!

 I don't want the surgery, or more antibiotics on his poor tummy.

Pulled himself to standing on glass window of door...  Much happier to watch from inside than when I tried to put him in baby swing- I think its the recline of the seat, he didn't like the stroller today either. (And usually he likes our double stroller)  Fortunately, the car seat recline was fine for a few minutes today.

Other things to remember:
-Got our fridge fixed... since realizing our fridge temp was only 45 degrees, supposed to be below 40.  Trevor doesn't have really loose poos anymore! Hopefully when he gets over his little cold we can test cooked butter.
- Trevor is #2 potty trained!  Since earning the movie Cars for going poo on toliet (about same time our fridge was fixed) we have had only one #2 accident.  This is amazing and makes potty training worth it.  New incentive for him, I thought of today-  When Clarie goes to kindergarten he can go to preschool at Adam's house if he is potty trained (hopefully Claire and Aaron have kindergarten at the same time).
-Claire and I had a rough couple days, but more praising (I can still do better, especially the little things) /more rewards /chore chart for earning money have really helped!  Thanks to our neighbor Misty for helping me figure out what was going on!  I am so glad to have my helpful Claire bear back!
- Love and Logic: The early years- So awesome!  Every mom must read, unless you have angel kids.  Helps you understand good ways to discipline and why your old ways are ineffective!  And helps with what to say to your kids so they will want to listen.  When Claire and I were having a rough week, I tried out different disciplining ideas, timeout standing on a chair (cuz she can't sit still- still somewhat impossible, even at her age).  But one thing the book helped me realize is that you should shouldn't over emphasize bad behavior,  because this leads to more bad behavior. Kids that feel good want to do good. (The only point in the positive parenting book that resonated with me) Take them to their room, tell them to come out when acting sweet.  But don't rub it in when they have done something bad, and lecture and have them brainstorm ways to never do it again.  Every thing in this book resonates with me!  Unlike other books, where just a few things here and there sound good and actually help.  This book is all good!

-Once we put more positive rewards/sticker charts for Claire, and started using this book's ideas, she has stopped hitting Trevor!  So it may not seem like when a child hits another, that sending to room is enough, but usually Claire's hitting is preceded by her yelling, and that is when I should take her to her room.