The New Improved Aquarium

Our new Aquarium just opened and we are so excited about it.   It is so much bigger, nicer, and funner than the little one we had.  It's just it's first week open and we've already gone and few times with family and friends.

I love when my kids can explore and learn in a fun environment.  They loved the new rope bridge, otter exhibit, rain forest room, and the shark tunnel.  We sat for a long time just watching the fish and sharks and turtle swim by.  It really is breath taking.  We are glad we have passes so we can continue to come and discover new things as they keep adding to it.

 

My James

I just had to snap of picture of this little cutie because I noticed as we walked out of the store that he had two different shoes on!  He said he liked it that way because he didn't know what pair to wear.
I love this kid!  He has such a personality and knows who he is.  He helps keep the smile on my face!

First Stitches and Second Stitches

While in Preston I got to assist our brother-in-law as he removed a wort from Seth's finger and stitched it up.  I didn't realize I would love helping out so much.  I was excited and intrigued instead of grossed out.  It was really fun.

You know when you have those moments after something has happened and then you see how it was supposed to turn out that way?  Well, I had one of those moments today. 

Sweet little Chloe fell off a stool in the kitchen and split her chin open.  She and James had been messing around while eating lunch, and I warned them to stop.  When I heard the crash and the cries I was bothered because I knew this was going to happen.  I lost my patience and went in to talk to them about listening so they wouldn't get hurt.  Then I saw the blood and the poor little chin.

Chloe handled it pretty well.  She was so brave.  Once we got the bleeding to stop I was able to see that she was going to need some help closing that wound.

 

 After cleaning the wound and waiting for the medicine to numb it up I talked to Chloe about how she would have to be very still while the doctor stitched up her chin.  We decided that if she was brave she could go to Target and get the set of Lip Smackers she had her eye on.  So when the doctor came back in  and started talking to Chloe she asked where Chloe was going to go if she was brave.  Chloe stated without missing a beat, "Disneyland."  The doctor and I both started laughing.  The doctor said I must be an amazing mom to do that.  I quickly chimed in that Disneyland was not on the agenda!  What a little stinker! :)
Chloe bravely laid on the table and held still for the doctor.  I was grateful for my experience with Seth the day before so I knew what to expect.  I have to admit.  It was harder to watch my little girl get stitched up than my husband!  I was comforted to know all the steps and what was happening and needed to happen since my brother-in-law had walked me through it the day before.  I was amazed, and so were the nurses and doctor at how calm Chloe was.  What an amazing girl already and she is only3!

 When we got home Chloe and Dad had fun comparing stitches!  I guess it's true what they say...when it rains, it pours! :)

A Visit North

We had a fun weekend.  We headed up to Preston, ID for the kid's cousin's baptism.  We always have a fun time there, taking advantage of the small town perks.  We had a fun visit to the local firehouse, went 4 wheeling in the fields and hills, swam, and laughed all weekend as we watched the two dogs play non-stop.

We love that we have so much family so close that we can share in these special times and make memories to last a life time.

 

Shades of Pink

 

Whenever you see Chloe you see pink.  From pink bows, to pink shirts, to pink pants, to pink socks, to pink shoes, to pink coats and hats and bikes and chairs and helmets....if it's hers, it's pink.  I love my little pink bundle and I love that she knows what she loves too!

James on 2 Wheels

 
 
 He did it!  James did it!  What a big day it was today for James.  He wanted to be able to take his training wheels off last fall, but just wasn't quite ready, so when it was nice enough to get the bikes out and hit the road he wanted those things off.
As soon as he got on his bike it only took him once or twice to get it.  He mastered the straight shots right away.  Turns?  Well, that was another story, but I know he'll get it quick with just a little practice.
I see many hours out in the alley in my future as he masters his new talent.

Ice Skates

Chloe was so excited to get her very own first pair of ice skates.  We met a women who brings her grand daughter to lessons who had already grown out of her practically new skates so she offered to sell them to us.  We were ecstatic and excited for Chloe to get a nice pair. 

As soon as we got them Chloe wanted them on immediately.  She was cute and patient as she waited for her lesson.  When she got on the ice there was a noticeable difference.  She was doing so well and she was so proud to show them off to all the coaches who had matching ones.  I can see going far with this skating thing.  She has picked up on it so quickly and loves it. 

Morning Giggles

I feel like everyday I am noticing another "big kid" moment with my kids.  They really are growing up and its happening so fast!  This morning I woke up to the sounds of giggles.  I loved it.  I went downstairs to see what was going on with the amazement that they hadn't got me up yet.  My sweet kids were huddled up together on the couch watching some cartoons on the iPad.  They were so cute.  I can't believe that they were just up themselves without having to get mom.  This is one of those milestones that I have wished for for so long and now that it's here I feel a little ping of sadness. My little ones are needing me less and less and learning to do more and more on their own.  Definitely a bitter/sweet moment...but more sweet I think! :)

Garden Party

My current calling is in Relief Society.  I am on the activity committee.  It's an easy calling in some ways and a really difficult one in others.  I have been learning so much.  I'm not great at working with adults.  Anyone who knows me knows I would prefer to hang out with the kids any day.  It's easier for my to deal with kids because if they make a mistake, it's okay, they are learning.  They usually also fess up to it.  Adults...not so much!  :)  So learning to work with, depend, and rely on other women when planning an activity is a challenge for me.

We put on a "garden party" for the Relief Society activity.  It turned out beautifully.  (That's the easy part of my calling).  I love parties and decorations and seeing what can become of an ordinary church gym!  I wish more people would have come with all the work we put into it, but for us who were there we had a lovely evening.  It was beautiful, tasty, and uplifting. 

Ice Bunnies

Lexi decided to try ice skating with us this month.  Chloe was thrilled to have a girl come with her.  It was fun to watch Chloe be the little motivator as this was Lexi's first time on the ice.   I don't think Chloe even noticed that she was the little one out there! I just loved watching them hand and hand as they inched down the ice with Chloe reassuring Lexi the whole way that she could do it and that she was doing great.

Chores and Down Time

My kids are getting so great at helping out around the house.  I love that they are learning how to work and learning to love it.  I love that in the morning they are learning to just get up, do their daily chores and then they know it is time for fun. 

Today to make sorting the laundry a little more fun I set a timer to see how fast they could get it done.  They were pretty good, but did get a little distracted by this and that and the pile constantly tempting them to jump in it!

 I love how Chloe "rested" after doing the laundry.  She was so cute all curled up in her own little zone.  She deserved it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We had a very fun St. Patrick's Day.  (For James it was especially fun.  He got a visit from the Tooth Fairy and the Leprechauns!)

The kids woke up and were trapped in their rooms!  They had a fun time trying to get out.  Once they got out they found a trail of gold coins that led to a rainbow with "treasures" under it.

They loved their Lego sets and the yummy green donuts that were left for them.  Chloe had fun playing princesses all day.

 And the day wouldn't not have been complete without some green toes for this fun day!  I love that I have a girl to do these fun things with.

Caught Ya!

 

We went next door to Chloe's friend, Paige's birthday party and on our way back we found Snuggles struggling her best to get out of the backyard.  I felt so bad for the little thing, but I couldn't stop laughing.  She had gotten herself trapped.  It took us a minute, but we finally freed her.

Elder Roa

We were just driving and we saw this guy on the on street with his new companion.  This is Elder Roa and we love him.  We got to know him very well when Regan and Lexi were being taught the discussions.  It was fun to pull over and catch up with him and give him a ride.  What a great example he is to our kids of a loving missionary who tries their best.  We are thankful we got to know him.