"The best day ever"

Well, we survived the wedding. I posted a whole bunch of pictures in a slide show. If anybody wants any pictures printed for themselves, let me know and I can do that for you. It was a long day for the kids. Andrew was grumpy all day, until an hour-long nap in the car before the reception. Then he cheered up and was pretty good at the reception.

At the reception there was dancing instruction, so Bethany and Dan were learning the dances together. Bethany told Dan, "This is the best day ever, and it just keeps getting better!" You'd think she was the one getting married! I guess she really had a good time. Thanks Sam & Jess! It was a great wedding and you looked lovely.

We got 151 pictures on our camera, and about half of those were taken by Andrew. He took some good ones, but also quite a few of people's backsides (which I did NOT post), and some of the floor, etc.

I have some really adorable videos of the kids dancing, so once I figure out how to post them I will.

Wedding Pictures

Reading Time

Bethany reads a LOT, and sometimes she reads in various unique positions. Today after tumbling class I found her like this reading a book, practicing her leg kicks/headstands, or something, I'm not sure. I missed the cutest pose, but this gives you an idea anyway.

Fun in the Sun

Bethany, Andrew & Nicole

Laying out in the sun (I didn't know little kids did this!)

Well, I wished for warmer weather and we got it! The kids wanted to play outside in their swimsuits, so I set up the Nemo sprinkler toy and they had a good time. I made sure that I slathered spf 50 sunblock on my kids before they went out, since they inherited my burn-prone skin. Jorgen was content to sit on my lap on the porch and squeal at everyone.

Tuesday's Picture - No Roses

Today's picture is just proof that this spring has been colder than normal for way too long. Every year since we have planted our roses, they start blooming around Memorial Day. But not this year! They're not even close yet. They are on the north side of the house, which means they bloom later, I know. But my next-door neighbors have roses on the south side of their house, and they aren't blooming either. I would really love some warmer weather! (Just because I said that we'll have record heat in June, you wait).

Pictures from Memorial Day

Lickin' the Beaters - Monday's pic of the day

Bethany and Andrew helped Dan make a dessert to take with us to our Memorial Day get-together, and he caught them on camera licking the beaters. I hadn't done Bethany's hair yet, so she has a bed-head.

My brother Ben and his wife Mickelle are on a 20-day trip through Asia - Japan, China, Thailand, and Taiwan I think. It's part of his Master's Degree. So my parents are watching their 3 kids for a few days, then the other grandparents will watch them for the rest of the trip. Ben invited us all to his house on Memorial Day so all the cousins could play together. It was supposed to be a barbecue/picnic, but it got rained out, so we all ate inside. It was a lot of fun. My sister Debbie and her husband Adam and their girl Abby were there, too. So, after I get it all loaded up, I'm going to post a slide show with pictures from yesterday. Enjoy.

This Morning

This morning after breakfast the kids decided to write in their journals. I got each of them a small, cheap journal and they can write or draw whatever they want in it. They don't do it very often, but once in awhile they'll pull them out. So here they are in their pjs recording for posterity. Bethany wrote about how excited she is to be a flower girl at Sam & Jessica's wedding this Friday. Andrew drew a picture of a crane. You can also see one of Andrew's bad habits in this picture - biting off the eraser on his pencil. If you can find a pencil with an eraser in our house, it just means Andrew hasn't got his teeth on it yet. It drives me crazy, but I guess there are worse habits he could have.

On the Move

After yesterday's post, I thought, man we are lazy. So today we all went outside and rode bikes (well, everyone but me and the baby - I took the pictures). Dan has decided that, with the rising cost of commuting to work everyday, and his growing waist, that he is going to bike to the new Front Runner station in Layton, then ride the train to work. He decided he didn't want a regular bike so he looked into getting a recumbent bike and ended up buying one on Friday. He drove all the way to Spanish Fork to get it. So, he spent yesterday and today getting the brakes and everything just right, and he even got up early today and did a test ride to Layton and back.

I call it his old-man wheelchair (he's going to be mad at me for posting these pictures, but I know he loves me anyway :)
Andrew is trying out Bethany's old bike (yes, a girl's bike - we are going to paint it "electric blue", that's the color Andrew picked, but we just haven't done it yet, so it's purple for now)
He was really getting the hang of it and loved going really fast.

Bethany has been trying to learn how to ride a two-wheeler with no training wheels. She is really scared to have Dan let go! But she is getting better and better, and I think soon she will figure it out.

Looks like I need to get myself a bike with a trailer, then we can all go on a bike ride somewhere.

Couch Potatoes

The kids were all watching Shrek the Third. Jorgen looked so cute, just sitting there like one of the big kids. I had to keep them separated so Jorgen wouldn't try to grab the popcorn. He was a little jealous that he couldn't have any. Yes, I know I'm not supposed to let a baby watch TV, but what can you do when the other kids are watching? Don't worry, he only sat there for a few minutes, then he wanted to do something else. I agree, my kids watch too much TV. I should send them outside to run around.

Andrew's Preschool Program

This was before the program started. They were whisper-singing their songs to warm up.
Bethany and Andrew with Mrs. Call. Bethany enjoyed seeing her old teachers again.
Mrs. Rowley and Andrew

Today was Andrew's preschool program. It was, of course, so cute! The kids are all so darling singing their songs. I took some video of it with Jorgen in one arm - you can imagine how wiggly he was. Anyway, it was a good program and now Andrew is "off track" for the summer (that's what he says). In some ways I am glad he has the summer off. It is always a struggle every morning to get him ready to go. He is always whining that he doesn't want to go to preschool. He'd rather stay home and play with his toys. But I end up dragging him there 4 days a week. So we are ready for a break! I'm hoping he misses it enough that he is psyched to go back in September.

Brother/Sister Bonding

Bethany and Andrew were playing on the couch. It evolved into a fight and Andrew pushed Bethany off the couch. She said her back hurt and was doing her fake crying, like she often does. I told Andrew to give her a hug and say sorry - but it looks more like a head lock.

During all of this, Andrew said to Bethany, "You're not my friend anymore." Bethany replied, "That's okay, we don't have to be friends, we are brother and sister." I guess according to Bethany you don't have to be friends with your siblings.

Down Time

Some of the neighborhood kids were outside playing on our neighbor's trampoline with the sprinklers going. Bethany and Andrew joined in, but a few minutes later, Andrew came home crying. Someone had kicked him on the tramp and he didn't want to play anymore. I don't think they meant to kick him, but Andrew was pretty upset. So I dried him off and got him changed and then let him watch his favorite show, Thomas and Friends. Here he is on the floor watching TV. It sure is hard when you are the littlest kid in a group!

Can you do this?

Bethany has been taking tumbling and dance classes since September. She was so excited that she could finally do the splits. I realized at the end of the day that I hadn't taken any pictures for today, so this was right after her bath before she went to bed. She sure is flexible! She is excited for her Dance Recital coming up in June. She has enjoyed dance a lot more than soccer last year (she always complained about all the running - I guess running isn't in her blood). Now she says she wants to be a cheerleader.

Quote of the Day

At dinner, Bethany said, "Mom, I wish you were married to Josh Groban." We asked her why. "So he could sing me a lullaby when I go to bed." Maybe I listen to his music too much? Well, I am perfectly happy with Dan (see previous blog entries - he's wonderful!).

Andrew's joke of the day: "Why did the door fall on us? - Because the window wanted to fall on us too!" He makes up joke after joke like this, and they are so funny because they aren't funny at all and make no sense. So we all bust up laughing and he thinks we think the jokes are funny. He's a riot.

Sunday Dinner

Dan made dinner tonight on the grill. I bought a pork tenderloin to try and it turned out great. Andrew even ate some (he rarely eats meat). Corn on the Cob, mashed potatoes, and a banana/berry milkshake to go with it. Delish!
This is the suit Dan found for Andrew. He is so darling! He tried it on with the tags still on, so I could see if it fit okay. The shirt and jacket fit perfectly. I need to hem the pants and get some suspenders so they will stay up. Andrew is my skinny, short boy. I got his preschool class picture back and he is a good 2-3 inches shorter than every other kid on his row.

Day out with Dad

Saturday's Pictures:

Dan took the kids (all three!) to look for some clothes for the boys to wear to Sam's wedding. I had a music gig in Salt Lake and suggested if he had nothing to do, he could go. I'm impressed that he did. I still have yet to go anywhere with all 3 kids by myself, unless it's just someplace quick. Anyway, he took them to the mall and found a darling suit for Andrew and something for Jorgen. They had ice cream at the food court, and then we all met at Layton Commons Park for a picnic dinner and some play time. I have an amazing husband!

Not a tattoo

I disovered Andrew today putting Post-It notes on my piano and scribbling on them with a blue pen. I asked him to stop and took them off the piano. He did his usual fall-on-the-floor and scream protest. I left to take care of something else. Andrew was being really quiet. Too quiet. He came to me a few minutes later with pen all over his face! I guess that was his little protest for the day.

Bubbles

It was such a nice day today that we went outside to blow bubbles. Andrew used up an entire bottle of bubbles, if you count the stuff he spilled on his sock.

Today's Pics

I got some good pictures today, and couldn't decide. So you get a bunch.

After I feed Jorgen he likes to take the paper towel away from me and play with it. He actually manages to wipe alot of the stuff off his face on his own (not on purpose, of course).



Here are my two babies. This is where I teach piano in the afternoons. I sometimes try to practice a little before students show up, but Jorgen ended up in my lap. I remember a time when I used to practice 4 hours a day! Now I'm lucky if I get 4 minutes.

Our piano is the first big purchase we made as a married couple, nearly 10 years ago. We even had to get rid of our ugly couch to make room for it in our tiny apartment in Logan. It's not a Steinway, but you know, if it was a Steinway I wouldn't let the baby drool on it! It's a really nice piano, but it is out of tune. I really need to call the tuner.




Andrew and Jorgen took their bath together, sort of, tonight. I filled up the baby tub, then filled up the big tub and they seemed to like it okay. It made a cute picture, anyway.

Banana Boy

Andrew saw what I was making for dinner and decided he was going to help himself to a banana instead. He LOVES bananas. He eats at least one every day. Sometimes I have to make a mid-week stop at the grocery store just to get more bananas! When dinner was ready, Andrew actually tried it and liked it (surprise!) He usually just tells me he doesn't like it, before he even tastes it. I made "Chicken with Couscous and Juice-Juice" from the Sesame Street cookbook (one of our favorites). It is broiled chicken on skewers with an orange/soy sauce/honey glaze, with couscous cooked in more orange juice on the side. Yum! Everyone liked it! (another surprise).

More Pictures from Grandma's

Monday's Picture - After the Rain

It rained today, and after the kids came home from school, I went outside to get the mail and paper. It smelled so fresh and clean. I love how it smells after the rain. So I got my camera and took a few shots of some spring flowers around the yard. This was the best one - bleeding hearts. If you zoom in close, you can see the rain drops on the leaves. I only wish I could have captured the after-rain scent in the air.

Sunday's Picture - Brothers

We went to Grandma Nay's house Sunday evening to wish her a happy Mother's Day. I like this picture of Andrew and Jorgen together. We had a lot of fun visiting both families this weekend. The only downside to all the travelling was that it totally derailed Jorgen's sleeping schedule (if you can call it that). Today was a no-nap grumpy day. But it was okay, because we had such a fun weekend.

A day at Grandma's House

Abby, Ellie, Josh, Bethany

We spent the afternon and evening at Grandma Baker's house with Connie's siblings and their families. Everyone was there except Eilene and Stephen and Serena, who live in Oregon now. The cousins had a great time playing together. I have a bunch of cute pictures that I'm going to try to put on a slide show, but I think I'll figure that out later. This counts as Saturday's picture of the day.

Teacher Appreciation

Bethany decided she wanted me to put curlers in her hair so she could look like her teacher, Mrs. Adams. I don't do curlers in her hair very often, cause the curls get a little wild. I'm not very good with hair. So this (above) was Bethany last night.


And here she is the next morning:



She wrote a note to her teacher on post-it-notes. It said "Dear Mrs. Pretty, You are my favorite teacher! this apple is saying thank's Love, Bethany PS. That's why I have curly hair!" I don't know why she chose post-it-notes, maybe so it could stick to the apple? She sure is a clever girl. But, then Bethany was disappointed because she had a substitute today, so Mrs. Adams didn't even get to see her hair. I guess we'll be doing this again next week.

Share your tips

Okay, all of my fellow mom bloggers, I have two questions that I need some advice on.

#1: Allowance - when did you start giving your kids an allowance? How much? How often? Do you make them earn it or just give it to them? Bethany really wants a Webkinz (because "ALL" of her friends have one), but I don't want to just buy her one and her birthday isn't until October. So I thought she should earn it.

#2: Baby Proofing - yes, I know how to baby-proof a house. I did it when Bethany and Andrew were babies. Except, when Andrew was a baby, Bethany was still under 3, so she didn't have any toys for "ages 3 and up." Now we have Barbie shoes, Polly Pockets, Legos, Hot Wheels cars, and other various choking hazards that the kids have a hard time picking up. So, my question is, how do I keep Jorgen from choking on these things? How do you get your kids to keep their stuff off the floor?!? He isn't mobile, yet, but will be in a few months, so I need to get ready.

Cute Pictures

After school, Bethany wanted to read Andrew her new library book, "The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi. She gets to go to the school library every day and check out a new book. She is already reading the purple level books! (grade 3.1-3.5)

I was making lunch and Jorgen grabbed this package of Ramen from me. He wouldn't let go! He thought the crinkly package was great. Who needs toys? I found another package to make, and let him play with this.

Dan was playing "Stand Up, Sit Down" and Jorgen was having a blast. (That's Bethany's head)

Ari, thanks for giving this Picture-a-Day challenge. I have a hard time thinking of good ideas for posts on my blog, but this makes it easy. I just post pictures of my family doing what we do every day. The hardest part is getting a few minutes on the computer to post it! (And picking just one picture)

Lunch Buddies

Bethany's friend Nicole stayed after Kindergarten for lunch. Mac N Cheese and applesauce. Mmm. I told them to make a silly face and this is what I got.