Justin Brushes Cami's Hair

I was getting ready to brush Cami's hair when Justin grabbed the brush and started trying to brush it, I thought it was too cute so I grabbed the camera.

Maddie and Justin

I was just looking at my pictures today and saw this picture and wanted to share it, I have lots to update on this blog and maybe someday I will do it but this is just a quick, cute picture.

Justin Thinks He's a Big Boy

Justin was so pleased with himself for pulling himself up on his box of toys. I think he looks so old sitting there on his knees sorting through his toys. He is growing and changing fast now (well, maybe not growing so fast because he's a very small baby) but he sure is changing! I really enjoy this stage much more than the newborn stage. Yesterday, Aaron went in to get Justin from his nap and was shocked to find him standing in his crib.

My Boys

I went to check on my boys one night before going to bed and this is what I found.  Zach had climbed in there to comfort Justin who was fussing and they both ended up cuddling up and going to sleep.  Notice how Zach has tucked both of them into the blanket.  Aaron picked Zach up and put him in bed because we were worried that he might smother Justin (he is a very sound sleeper) but I thought that this was way too adorable.  My kids are great older siblings.

End of the Year Homeschool Party

I've joined a homeschool group and they threw an end of the year party this week that was lots of fun.  Here are a few pictures of my kids.  Yes, Zach was there but when I got the camera out he was inside.  He didn't want to play in any of the pools because the water was "dirty", due to grass getting in it from the kids climbing in and out. 

Sibling Snuggles

Justin on the Move

Zach's Birthday

Zach's birthday was very simple as well.  He wanted to go to Sonic so Aaron took him there for lunch before his baseball game on the 18th.  Then on the day of his birthday we had a simple celebration with friends, Rhys and Camden and cousins, Jack and Abby.  My parents also joined the celebration.  Once again, mommy made a tacky looking cake that Zach loved.  We bought a pirate lego set and put that on top of it, Zach also helped make the cake which he enjoyed.

Sea World

We took the kids to Sea World while Aaron was off track in April.  It was a homeschool day and we got a really great educational rate.  We were joined by Uncle Tim, Aunt Kari, Jack, Abby and Ryan too.

Maddie's Birthday

We kept Maddie's birthday simple this year.  She had a great day at home, highlighted by watching Dancing with the Stars with mommy in the afternoon while eating popcorn and drinking her own glass of coke.  Then in the late afternoon she had dance class which we followed with going out for pizza with grandma and grandpa and Aunt Kari and Jack and Abby.  I was feeling bad for not planning anything fancier when Maddie said, "This is the best birthday ever."  I forget that it is sometimes the simple things kids enjoy the most.  I made Maddie's cake and although I'm not the best decorator ever, she loved it so that's what counts.   I was surprised at what a huge hit the Walmart crown, earrings and ring were, she couldn't wait to wear them and still wears them frequently.  I think she really believes that she is a princess.

Real Mom Moment

So I've been threatening for awhile to write about how my days really go so here's one little snippet.

I always think one day I will get really organized and my days will turn into a smooth running machine instead of running around putting out one fire after another and feeling like I'm never completing anything.  But alas, it doesn't seem to be happening.  Here's a small portion of my day today:

I got Justin down for a nap, he's coming down with another cold and has been a bit fussy so I rush to my desk to fill out some of Zach's school paperwork and start him on some Math.  While he is working on Math I begin a grocery list (our fridge is getting ridiculously bare.)  He finishes his first Math page, I grade it while he takes his time test.  Then I hear Cami say, "Mommy, I put it in my diaper but it fell out."  "What fell out, Cami?"  "The pee."  Sure enough her diaper is sagging to her knees, oops, guess she was due for a change.  Fortunately the diaper has wonderfully captured almost all the mess so I'm able to quickly clean her up and return to my task.  Zach has disappeared by now so I call him back to remind him we're not done with Math.  Fortunately Zach works quickly so school requires very little time.  He has read the first 4 books of the Chronicles of Narnia this week already so if I don't get to spend much time with him, he keeps growing educationally.  Well, I'm back to work to see if I can start some laundry before any more distractions come my way.

Kid Quotes

Here's some quotes from this week that I think highlight my kids' different personalities:

As we drive into the In N' Out Burger parking lot, Cami says, "Hey, this is Hamburger's house."

Maddie is talking in the car about a princess on a Barbie movie that she watched recently named Annika, Aaron mentions he has a girl in his class named Annika.  Maddie says, "Oh, is she a princess?"  Aaron says, "No, she's just a regular girl."  Maddie says, "Well, you know I'm a princess."

Zach was doing schoolwork at a table this morning.  In an effort to keep our house tidier I'm trying to train the kids to pick up little things as they go along so there is never a giant mess to clean up.  (My training is seriously lacking still in this area but I'm trying.)  Anyway, I tell Zach, "Before you leave this table you need to put this Math Notebook and this book away."  My VERY literal child says, "That's impossible because I have to leave this table to put them away."

Justin

Having four children has certainly kept us busy, especially this last week with all of them being sick, but I also think we're enjoying our family more than ever.  We have been blessed with a really wonderful little guy, just look at that smile, who can resist that?

Justin and Maddie

Truckee

For New Year's we headed up to Truckee to visit Aaron's brother and family.  This is a minimum of about 9 1/2 hours of driving and we had a 5 week old baby but the kids did amazing (although it did take about 12 hours at our pace.)  Aaron's sister, Rebekah, also joined us on the drive.  There was lots of beautiful snow and the kids really enjoyed playing in it.  We had a great visit, it is wonderful to have family we enjoy visiting so much.  We had a crazy drive home as we got caught in a snowstorm.  We were exhausted by the time we were clear of the snowstorm and it was already 7 p.m. so we got a hotel and took an extra day to get home.

Maddie sitting in the snow, she ended up getting really cold and when we went inside we discovered she had never put any socks on or pants underneath her snowpants

Justin all bundled up

Zach climbing back up the sled run after a bad wipeout, we were so proud of him for trying again.

Zach with Daniel and Morgan

Cami

Autumn, Maddie, Cami

Some Christmas Fun

Here are just a few cute pictures from Christmas time. We are all doing well, although we are very busy and I hope to post more about our lives soon!

Justin with my grandpa.  It is great that he has been able to meet all my children.

Maddie adores her baby brother and holds him whenever she can.