Direct Correlation

Steve's in Yuma this week for work (it's amazing how his clients always seem to have deadlines around the same time so he gets super crazy busy for a month or two then he just stays busy juggling 5 customers).  Anyway I sent him a text tonight telling him that there is direct correlation between whether or not Andrew naps and my mood at the end of the day--no nap day.  It was a rough evening.  I love Andrew.  He is in this wonderful phase of learning and soaking in everything.  Today, he told me he was frustrated because his block tower kept falling over (what 2 year old uses frustrated in the right context), but his busy-ness and my lack of sleep  make a bad combination then you add the girls' homework, chores and other activities that have to happen in a short amount of time after school and it can leave a Mom frazzled--ok this Mom for sure! 

Ellie also has a weird thing about eating leftovers, she chews and chews and in her mind can't swallow it, even though she ate it a few nights ago fresh and loved it, well tonight was leftovers and she was driving me crazy with that.  I sent Lila to the tub with Andrew who was happily playing and they started fighting after a stern talking to, Lila managed to make things work (I told her I don't expect her to give Andrew everything he wants, but to figure out a way to play together).  Then I sent the girls upstairs to shower and Andrew was mad so he threw out all the bath toys including a one gallon bucket full of water onto the floor--guess that was my motivation to mop the bathroom floor.  He went to bed straight from there in tears.  I told him he knows better than to throw toys out of the bath tub.  Not to mention Marcus has been fussy all day today so my nerves were already on edge.

So the conclusion is even though Andrew may not really need a nap, I need it and I'm ok with him waking up at 6:30/7am because he took a nap, I'm up at that time anyway. I think it's a tender mercy he hasn't tried to climb out of the crib yet--if I put him in there before he's tired he'll sing and play with his stuff animals.  This morning when I went to get him he was pretending to throw balls to his friends by the light fixture (definitely is getting creative with his pretend play which I love too).  Now I'm off to bed to get some rest and try to be more patient tomorrow.  I pray my kids will remember the fun times and understand Mommy's rough days as a part of life and be forgiving.

Mixing dry beans and wheat while I grind two kinds wheat, make pancake mix, sweet wheat bread for kids after school, and wheat berries.  I also tried making buttermilk from a start . . .we'll see.

Double Digits

Friday before her birthday we had our Activity Day recognition night and she prepared a poster with a goal she completed regarding planing, preparing, and cooking a nutritious meal.  She cooks simple meals most Thurdays, but wanted to cook something special for the poster so we could take pictures.  She made chicken lime tacos we took up to Venessa's new place to share with everyone while they were moving. The recognition night went well and I'm so grateful for Steve and all of his support in my callings.

She woke-up Saturday morning and I gave her her first clue while Steve made the requested breakfast nachos (thinly sliced fried potatoes topped with scrambled eggs, crumbled bacon, and cheese sauce).  

Your nose is always in one of these.
So go and look if you please. 

She found something wrapped on the bookshelf in the front room-a choose your own ending book.

After breakfast came clue 2:

You may not be tall,
But this could help you catch a ball.

She found another present in the garage by her softball gear-a larger mitt that she's been needing, now to break it in.

It was a stormy morning so softball practice was cancelled and we had a few hours before we were to meet Mimi & Grandpa for lunch so we watched Harry Potter 2 (she's been asking to watch it since she watched the first one during her late night last month).  Then we loaded up and headed to Texas Roadhouse for lunch per Ellie's request.  Towards the end they came over and sang to her and she smiled and blushed it was great.

After lunch we sent the boys home for nap times and the girls went to the mall to get Ellie's ears pierced.  We went to Claire's because they had two people piercing so both ears could get done at once, but there were 4 girls waiting and I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to have her watch 4 other girls get their ears pierced so we went up to Icing and unfortunately the other lady just went on lunch break, but Ellie decided to brave it and did one ear at a time.  There were a few tears, but she loves having them pierced.  We bought a few earrings there (and I had to tell her she had another present waiting at home so she would stop looking at them).

When we got home Steve gave her a present and said:

You look so cute,
here's another present to boot.

She got several pairs of earrings from us and Mimi & Grandpa gave her a jewelry box and other fun stuff. 

Venessa and her kids came down to play for a bit and I whipped up the frosting--literally whip cream frosting (she doesn't like regular or cream cheese frosting so I was trying to find something she might like).  Then we sang and had cupcakes.

Side Note: Lila was feeling really neglected while in Icing.  She wanted to buy something and kept trying to get my attention, but I was trying to focus on Ellie who was nervous.  I almost didn't bring Lila along, but she wanted to come so I let her.  Now every day I hear, "I really want to get my ears pierced." Even a my 10th birthday is on a Monday not a Saturday Mom how are we going to do it.  I told her the store was opened on a Monday.  When Venessa came down she brought a belated present for Lila along with Ellie's present--it is a girls movie night and I was so grateful for that so she had something special that day too.


Just before bed she got her last clue.  When I asked if she was ready she said, "Wow I wasn't expecting another clue."

Before you go to sleep,
there's one more present you may keep.

She found a new nightgown under her pillow (both the girls need new nightgowns as their old ones aren't long enough any more--guess that's what a winter of growing will do). Andrew was helping take the picture on the right hence it cut the top of her head off. ;)

We sure do love Ellie and I cannot believe she's double digit 10 now!  She's smart, thoughtful, and fun. Happy Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Getting it Done

We've had a crazy couple of weeks.  Steve has been working long hours because one of the companies he consults for is getting ready to go to China to work on production.  He also has another company who is gearing up for a big deadline.  Then last week he was asked to speak on Mother's Day (he did a great job!), but it added to what needed to get done so a few other things slipped behind so today we tried to catch-up.

I managed to squeeze in a trip to the nursery yesterday so we could plant our garden this morning.  We went out right after breakfast because that area is shaded in the early morning.  I pulled weeds, Steve tilled the boxes, and then I laid out the plants.  Marcus started fussing so I washed my hands and sat in one of our deck chairs and fed him while the girls and Steve planted.  The girls were wearing their gardening gloves I bought on clearance a couple of years ago and Andrew kept saying, I want gloves, I want gloves.  So I told Steve to just go get a knit pair of gloves from the winter box.  He came out as happy as a clam with little blue mittens on.  I wanted to take a picture at one point they were all working in the same area and Andrew with those little mittens, but I didn't have my camera and neither Steve or I had our phones--I'll just have to remember it and smile about it.  Andrew's job was to take the little containers the plants came in and put them in recycling which he thought was a great job.  He also tried to pull out a couple of plants after they were planted--oops.  We told him they have to stay in the ground so they can grow food, hopefully he gets it now.

We also went down in the basement to do some more cleaning up.  Steve managed to throw away a couple of bag fulls of stuff (he's been holding on to spare computer parts for a long time, which I don't blame him because he's always rummaging through there and finding something to fix a problem, but a lot of it has become really outdated).  He also found a couple of old cell phones the kids are more than happy to play with.  Andrew already dialed 911 once so we threw out the chargers and left them on all night so the batteries would die and there could be no more dialing.

It was a good, crazy, productive day.  Thank goodness tomorrow is a day of rest!

What the?

Andrew has quite a large vocabulary now, but still enjoys repeating what we say which seems to be at humorous times.  Like when Steve said, "What the heck?" and Andrew repeated it at least 5 times with some serious drama in his voice.

We work on memorizing the Articles of Faith during Family Home Evening and recently Andrew started memorizing the first one, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." Now when he sees a ghost while playing the scooby doo game on the extra phone he'll say, "It's the Holy Ghost."  I'm working on explaining the Holy Ghost to him.

He likes to say booya and yeehaw when he gets excited.  Oh and the other day when Steve offered to help him with something he said, "me help me." Classic 2-year old independent stage.

Here he put on special shoes so he could go to work with Daddy. He loves to pretend he's going to work or school. Today I even packed him a lunchbox and he thought that was great.

Marcus is growing like a weed and finally sleeping a little better he now goes from 8pm-1am and then to 5:30am which is so nice to get a little extra sleep.  Things I want to remember:  *He's a snorter.  It cracks us up, but from day one he has breathed through his nose heavily causing a snorting sound.  He also has had rather large boogies we get out every morning-now I don't know if the snorting causes the boogies to surface or if he snorts because he has boogies, but either way his snorting makes us laugh.  *He has the cutest little sneeze at the end of a series of sneezes.  *When he really gets crying he gets all raspy and it sounds pitiful which really pulls on my heart strings.  *He gives the biggest smiles right after eating especially when somebody is talking to him oh does he love to have someone's attention.

Good News the Final Week of Break

This last week kind of passed by in a fog.  Steve woke-up Monday not feeling too great and decided to work from home.  The girls had a couple of friends over (the same ones we've had over each break so the Mom can work).  They had a blast playing outside all day and we even made a little Mother's Day craft.  It was a great day until the end when I got hit by the bug.  Tuesday I drug myself up to the school with Ellie at 7:40, she had ballroom and put up the teacher appreciation bulletin boards I had volunteered to do for the girls 3 teachers. Steve started feeling better so he went to work, he had a big presentation that day and I muttled through the day.  That evening I was feverish and really not feeling well so I texted Steve to make sure he would be home in time to help get the kids to bed. He obliged and took the baby that night even though he was still not 100%. 

Wednesday I had scheduled Lila's follow-up at Primary Children's Urology.  She was not happy about having to do that test with the catheter again, but when we met with the doctor after the imaging tests we got good news.  She no longer has reflux to the kidneys--YAY!!  She never has to do that test again.  The doctor said she may still be prone to UTIs so to keep her drinking lots of fluids and using the restroom frequently, but the kidneys are safe.  She then said, "well I guess you're done with me."  And I said, "well we had a baby in February they think may have double ureters."  She said, "oh maybe you're not done with me. kidney reflux does tend to run in families."  She then gave me a few helpful hints and we'll just wait until he gets his follow-up ultrasound in a few months to see what happens.  Mimi was nice to say in town so she could watch the other three kids. On the way home I got a phone call from the eye doctor saying they had messed up our appointments for the next day and if we could come in that afternoon.  So when we got home I gathered up the older 3 kids, left Marcus with Steve who was meeting with a friend of Jake's about working on the basement, and we headed to the eye doctor. Mimi came and got Ellie so she could run her back to piano lessons.  The kids eyes are good and Dr Jensen (a neighbor friend) was great with them.  He even took the time to talk with me about my stye problem. It made for a super crazy day, but it was done. I met my sister and Mom at Olive Garden for a birthday dinner for Nessa and Mom again--they got free dessert. My stomach was still not doing great so I took most of my food home. Thursday we took it easy--it was a lovely day so the kids played outside and we did a couple of chores.  

Friday, was Venessa's birthday so we had her kids over for a few hours so she could enjoy lunch with Nate and do a couple of errands.  I managed to juggle the 7 kids and we had a good afternoon.  Today we did a little yardwork before the bad weather rolled in then we've been relaxing (the nasty stomach bug is still haunting us a bit) and talking about the basement plans.  Oh and Steve put in an extra shelf in Lila's closet which will be nice especially this time of year when you could where a short sleeved shirt one day and long the next.  I can't believe the kids will start school again on Monday . . . this break flew by and I could have used a few extra days because now there are no breaks until July 1st when school gets out for the year, hold on!

Baby Animal Days Take 3

I was pregnant with Andrew when my sister, Venessa, first convinced me to go to baby animal days. That was an adventure a little farther away than we thought.  The next year we went to the Kaysville location and had a great time.  This year they had a venue in Morgan close to where Venessa lives and I had to vacate the house today so Steve could turn off the power and upgrade our electrical box so we ventured to baby animal days again. I was a little stressed because it took me a bit longer to get out of the house. Ellie had her big AIM performance this morning (side story below). Then I was worried about getting the kids lunch and Andrew down for a nap and juggling Marcus, but we made it there and a had a little adventure.

Andrew touched the pony right when we got there then refused to touch anything else.  He was too excited to ride the train which they did twice.

And wouldn't you know the one thing I forgot in my rush to get out the door was the pump and a bottle to feed Marcus and it was so windy at the event that I could not nurse him there so we bribed the kids with a pony ride on the way out and back to Mimi's in Mt Green to enjoy the rest of her birthday afternoon (we had gone out to dinner as adults the night before to celebrate).

Ellie's AIM side story: two weeks ago I had her play her pieces for me and one she really struggled with so I told her to only practice her AIM pieces and then I taught her that just because the teacher says to play it twice doesn't mean that is all the practicing you need to do. I told her to circle the part she was struggling with and I wanted her to play the whole song once and then play the part she struggled with at least three times before playing the whole song again and that all practicing should include--a little extra work on something you struggle with. Her teacher called me the next day and said she noticed how Ellie was struggling with that song and suggested we switch to a song she played last year. I talked with Ellie and I told her I wasn't really concerned about her score, but I wanted her to learn to work/practice something and see improvement so we chose to keep the original song and she worked hard.  She received her scores and she got 100 on the first song and 99 on the song she struggled with.  So proud of her for sticking with it!

Boondocks Bowling

Remember how last break I was too big and pregnant to take the kids bowling like I promised so we did Wii bowling instead.  Well, I decided this break I could venture out with the 4 kids to bowl.  Venessa met us there and the kids had a blast.  I just sat on the bench with Marcus and watched.  Andrew was pretty good about coming back and sitting by me while he waited for his turn.  Then he would pick up the ball and walk over to the dragon to push his ball down.  He did it all by himself.  The girls were good about moving the dragon back and forth because they tried bowling without it a couple of times.  Andrew did actually get the high score.  Then we walked around and did a few games with some arcade money we had leftover, picked a few prizes and went home for lunch.  Good adventure for everyone especially since it is raining hard today so we were able to have a break from the house for a bit.

 

G&G Moore Meet Marcus

The kids were so excited for Grandpa and Grandma Moore to come.  Lila was even counting down to their arrival before counting down to her birthday, "1 more day until Grandpa and Grandma get here and then they'll be here for my birthday".  Their timing was perfect they arrived just as the girls were getting out of school and going off track so we were able to spend the week together.

 

I felt like the week went by super fast--maybe part of the reason I feel that way is because I was sick in bed for a couple of days in the middle and then dealing with a headache a couple of other days (I'm sure I made a great host in that condition).  Overall the trip was a success, we enjoyed visiting as adults in the evening, Marcus was held and loved by all, grandkids spoiled during the day with puzzles, reading, jewelry making, shopping trips, flower planting, painting, easy bake oven making.  Good times!  Now they are on their way home and I'm out numbered again. ;)

Marcus's Baby Blessing

He woke-up so happy and my head did not hurt any more so I was grateful for those tender mercies.  Sacrament meeting was lovely and Steve gave a great blessing.

It was a beautiful day so the kids had fun playing outside together and we had a really nice visit with family.  Unfortunately my head began to hurt again and it took into Monday before it cleared up again.

Mom's Ski Day

Steve has been trying to take me skiing any time my parents are in town for the past few weeks (so Mimi can watch Marcus and Andrew), but I have just been too exhausted to go.  Finally we decided Friday was the day.  Carole and Russ were going to visit Stephanie in Salt Lake and my parents were in Mt Green so we bought tickets and were excited.  Then I woke up early Friday morning not feeling quite right.  I was cold and my shoulder and back hurt a little.  By the time morning rolled around I had the chills and the aches and thought for sure I had the flu. To be honest I was a little worried to tell Steve that I wouldn't be able to go skiing because I know how much we were both looking forward to going together--I knew he wouldn't be upset just disappointed, but when he saw how miserable I was he helped me get in the bath to soak while he finished breakfast and juggled the kids (which included getting Ellie to and from ballroom that morning).  After soaking for a bit I noticed my right breast was a little red and knew I had mastitis so we waited around the house for a few more minutes so I could call the nurses line when the office opened at 9am.  She called in a prescription for me that we picked up on our way to Mt Green.  I walked in to my parents house their and dropped on the couch miserable.  My Mom took the baby and Andrew and Steve took my Dad and the girls skiing.  I slept most of the day away with an ice pack on my head (it hurt so bad along with my whole body aching) and an ice pack down my shirt trying to stop the fever source.  I slept most of the day away and was sad I could not ski with everyone.  Steve was sweet and checked on us to make sure things were ok.  I was hoping the antibiotic would kick in really fast like last time, but I was still pretty miserable Saturday and considered cancelling the luncheon after Marcus blessing the next day, but didn't because I was looking forward to hanging out with all of the family!

My Dad took a picture of Steve and the girls on the gondola--they thought that was pretty cool and rode it three times.  We just bought Lila new skis on year-end clearance and they are twin tipped so Steve jokingly told her she could ski backwards if she wanted so she did a couple of times (kind of freaked Grandpa out at first).

   

Did I say how sad I was/am that I missed this and how ready I am for my body to heal from this pregnancy/delivery and be able to do all the things I want to.  Ok now I sound like a whiner . . . I have so much to be grateful for, I'm just being impatient because it is taking a lot longer than any previous time.

They got back and I had managed to put a pork roast, potatoes and carrots in my new Instant Pot for dinner and we just hung and relaxed there for a couple of more hours.  It was nice and I'm so grateful my Mom was there to help and that the girls and Steve could still enjoy some spring skiing.

7 on the 7th

Lila turned 7 today, seriously why do they keep growing so fast.  She has been wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese since her last birthday. So when I asked what she wanted to do I wasn't surprised by her response, "Chuck E Cheese".  Since we went off track yesterday we went at lunch time with family.  Since I didn't think we could light a candle there we sang to her and put candles in her requested French Toast breakfast.

Then she was kind enough to let Andrew and Ellie help her open her present from us, an Easy Bake Oven and a few mixes.

I finished decorating her princess dress cake.

 Then off to Chuck E Cheese for lunch where everyone had fun.

After Chuck E Cheese Grandma Moore took the girls shopping and spoiled them rotten.  They got new stuffed animals, dresses, crafts, and stuff to make jewelry, boy are they in heaven.  For dinner that night we had chicken pillows and strawberry spinach salad and one more cupcake at Lila's request.  We sure do love Lila.  She is a delight with a desire to please everyone (hence the reason she let Andrew & Ellie help her open her present).  She handles a middle child position with her own style and flare. :)

Just Foolin' Around

Lila was the star student this past week since her birthday is coming up so for her class treat we took in donut seeds and donuts we grew in our garden (it happened to be April Fools the day she brought in treats).  Ellie made a cast out of a sock and told everyone she broke her funny bone--she fooled a few people.

We were scheduled to have Activity Days on April 1st so we decided to do our Fools Cafe with all of the girls.  It was fun and crazy! :)

We were supposed to head to Idaho that evening, but I was super exhausted after the activity and I had lined up a couple of plumbers to give us quotes and feedback on our basement so we just decided to chill here for the night and head to Idaho in the morning.  We arrived around Andrew's nap time, but Grandpa was out mowing the lawn and he had to help.  After 20 minutes or so this is how we found him--you tell me, is he sleeping? definitely relaxed.

We watched the afternoon session of conference and then took Marcus to meet Great Grandparents.

Grandma Dorothy (Garner) Merrell said he has the Garner nose. ;)

Andrew snuggled right up to Grandpa Bob.

Ellie danced her ballroom dances around their house. Lila spoke some Chinese and Andrew kept running around with Grandma's squeeze balls to work her hand and telling everyone to squeeze it.

Then to see Grandpa Elwood Olenslager.  Andrew found a car card that shook and rattled as it was trying to start up that he kept playing with--I think he may have even tried to take it home. 

The kids hot tubbed with Grandpa Stan after dinner and then we slept.  Sunday we relaxed and watched more conference.  The girls played in Mimi's shop with her hair stuff in between sessions and with bubbles and a little snow left from their recent storms in the afternoon.  We brought Mimi back to Utah with us.  It is nice to have the van with seating for 8--we may have looked like a clown car climbing in and out 4 adults and 4 kids stuffed in there all weekend, but it was nice to travel together.