Photo Shoot

I don't take pictures as much as I used to.  We returned from a trip to Sea World last week during which I did not take a single photo!  We had a great time, I spent the days bonding with my babes instead of documenting every moment.  That being said I also wish I had a hidden camera in every room of the house to preserve their cute little voices, funny comments, and imaginative play.  Josh just turned 6 and Claire will turn 3 in a few weeks so I figured it would be a good time to do a regular old photo shoot.  I did not pose them one bit.  Josh was cracking me up with his ideas of kissing her on the head and such.  Claire was not so interested in taking pictures she wanted to look for sticks and sing about how she "loves this fantastic earth!" (she most often will sing at the top of her lungs when we get out in open nature.)  I have to give Josh credit for how patient he dealt with her uncooperative shenanigans, I on the other hand resorted to bribing her with donuts.  Claire got a nasty sliver which cut our shoot short but I think we got some good ones!  Love these two with all my heart!  So very blessed! 

 some of the treasures we found:

note the deer in her hand, Claire always has at least one animal companion with her:

 accurate representation of the shoot:

 trying to tickle a smile out of her:

DITL February 21 2014

Lately Josh has been waking early. I have enjoyed having these one-on-one moments with him.  He has a bowl of cereal and we start reading Little House in the Big Woods together.  I wasn't sure if he was old enough to enjoy the series yet, but he becomes completely absorbed in the story and wants to read "just one more chapter!" again and again.

We check our schedule chart and head upstairs to pass off sight words and make beds:

 Soon Claire wakes up (as a puppy)  Claire is a puppy more than she's a little girl these days.
Breakfast and scriptures:

Claire is becoming a more independent dresser these days.  She adds a skirt to today's outfit and is quite pleased with herself.  She spends a lot of her time in dresses and skirts these days.  "Going to the ball" is her 2nd favorite pastime behind playing dog.

Josh has mastered the skill of jump roping.

I do Claire's hair while the kids watch Curious George

Time to clean the play room!   It is like pulling teeth today.  Between arguing and being distracted by make-believe I am certain it is going to take all day.  Eventually I leave to do laundry and clean the bathroom because I need a break from the incessant monkey impersonations.  They manage to turn this:

into this:

We play some swing ball before it is time to get Josh ready for school and eat lunch

All ready for school.  LOVE this smile!

This boy is constantly whistling these days and has even mastered Grandpa Ernie's.  I like to imagine him smiling down whenever Josh whistles his tune.

Watching for carpool ride:

Play time with Mom!  We play kitchen, store, and puzzles.

Justin comes home early, a rare occurrence, I stop taking pictures for the rest of the afternoon as we get caught up in a long conversation.  We pick Josh up from school, Claire falls asleep on the way home and I decided to leave the kids home with Justin while I make a quick Costco run.

I come home with a trunk full of costco goods to find the fridge is not working :(.  Luckily the boys fix it before anything goes bad.  I also find Claire asleep still at 5:30 much too late for napping!

dinner:

Homework:

A little fort building while Mom and Dad clean up the dinner mess:

teeth brushing time:

She manages to slip this pettiskirt on seconds after brushing her teeth and is ready for more fun

Bedtime is a long adventure as a too long nap makes Claire full of energy.

 Stories and snuggle time.
(photo by Josh :))

Josh is getting to be such a good little reader! 

Sometimes I get so caught up correcting my children's behavior that I fail to fully appreciate the little people that they are.  This summer I spent a lot of time around other children Josh's age, it has helped me notice and appreciate some things about him that I hardly think about and take for granted.  Thought I ought to jot them down.
I never really think about the fact that he is so brave and willing to try new things, or how much easier this makes my life.  He will try any water slide, roller coaster, or piece of sports equipment you offer him.  He is getting old enough that we can do a lot of fun things together.  I also appreciate how honest he is.   That kid wouldn't lie to save his life!  He is shocked when he sees someone being dishonest  Not sure why he has narrowed in on this virtue, but I'm grateful.  He is also a very good helper.  He loves to organize drawers and closets and is often the one to get me motivated to get things cleaned up.  (as long as it is his idea :))


Love my Claire girl too.  She is getting spunkier by the day.  When I tell her she can't do something she will tell me that she talked to her other mom who said it was alright :).  She also calls me "mean mom" on a regular basis, and has an independent streak that includes not listening to a word I say unless there is imminent consequence.  This girl is creative, while she prefers a companion she can entertain herself for hours and has begun playing make-believe with her toys and stuffed animals.  I love listening to her little scenarios.   I will ask her to tell me a story and without pausing she will begin an elaborate tale.  I love that she loves books and am impressed with how quickly she memorizes the words.  I will hear her reciting books to her doll and stuffed animals that I have only read a couple times with impressive accuracy.  She is happy to read by herself and often prefers it to having books read to her.  She has a great memory and is our go to girl when something is lost in the house, she is often the one who will find it remembering where she saw it.

It is such an experience to witness these little ones grow and see their personalities take shape.  It's interesting to see how different they are and how their personalities blend to create a sibling relationship that I hope will be strong and rewarding.  Sometimes I wish I could just freeze time...

Thanks! Grandma and Grandpa for the bike.  They both love it :)  On a side note, I think I will rip out my vocal chords after listening to these videos.

Toby

This was our first day, she has gotten much better with him.

Life has been busy busy!  In the past two months we:

Enjoyed a 3 week visit from my parents during which we attended the Clark County Fair.  Where Josh participated in mutton bustin'.  His sheep rammed him into the fence which was painful to witness, but he handled it like a champ and left feeling like a winner.

Never judging those moms on Toddlers and Tiaras again!  Look what I allow my child to be subjected to (note the spectators faces):

Traveled to Utah solo twice; once for a wedding and again to visit family.  Here's Josh with his second cousins.  Britley in the middle is hands down the most spunky child I have ever met!  She and Josh have a mutual crush that is hilarious to witness.



Traveled to Logandale to babysit my 6 nieces and nephews while their parents took a vacation:

 

 

Put in the backyard that includes grass, a trampoline, and a garden!

A backyard garden has been on my wish list for a long while.  I am experiencing a ridiculously high level of satisfaction as I see my little plants come to life.  Here are our pumpkins

pushing through the dirt:

Celebrated Claire's 2nd birthday.  Grateful beyond words for this little blessing in my life.  I love her to pieces.  I just want to soak in every minute of her childhood and ignore the panic that comes when I think of how temporary this season is.  Whoever coined the phrase "terrible twos" was crazy!  I think it is my favorite age.
Some things to remember about Claire at age two:
Loves books.  She is especially fond of her "little books" and the nursery ryhm The Queen of Tarts.

• She has started to play make-believe. I love listening to the things she comes up with.
• refuses to be covered with a blanket and will kick it off even when cold
• has an impressive vocabulary.  She is constantly surprising me with the words and phrases she picks up i.e.: I'm irritated, I'm frustrated, Mom you're my special girl, Josh I'm giving you one last chance! 
• Loves shoes and will pass up the toy aisle for the shoe section anyday.
• Can snap her fingers.
• Walks around telling me all the things she likes, "I like birds, I like trees, I like popcorn, I like Daddy, I like snakes....."

Claire's two year pics:

• 

The kids and I went on a ward camp out.  Love being in the mountains even if only for one night!
Justin and Josh went on a boys camp out with Grandpa Terry and brought home this delightful pet. I secretly hope it escapes (outside), but Josh loves it:

and here are a few more pictures most from our travels: