Splashing

We said goodbye to June on Saturday with a HOT HOT day at the Splash Park.
Thinking both kids would be in heaven we were excited to watch them enjoy the cool water and play. Connor loved it from the get go. But Bella decided the HOT weather was not her favorite. And the crowd of chilren and water didn't make things much better.

 

She screamed everytime I tried to take her into the water and before long she found a spot of flowers that she was much happier sitting in.

 

Things just didn't seem as fun without Bella playing too. 

 

Before long the Carousel opened next to us and both kids were in awe. They decided to run round and round until they got to go on.

 

Bella couldn't contain herself and just couldn't wait her turn. So she started begging for them to let her in. 

 

And finally they did. 

 

A Quarter of a Century

 

Birthday celebrations!

Amberlee decorated and made me a gorgeous card!

Connor helped me blow out ALL my candles!

Saturday, Shea spoiled me with a trip shopping and dinner!

Amberlee and Ryan loved coming along and helping with the
kids, making the day even more special

Bella was a fan of the food ...

... and the company!

Thanks for making my 25th birthday one to remember!
And a special thanks to my Mom, who spoiled me with a storybook from when I was a child, a gift card, and a sweet singing card; not to mention the sound of her voice (even miles away) spreading birthday cheer :) Love you!

Father's Day

To all the Father's out there Thank You!

I love and am truly blessed to have had a loving Father in my home growing up.

Who encouraged, inspired, and supported all of us. Who loved our Mother. Who believed in dreams. Who worked hard. Who served and never judged. Who enjoyed his family and sought fatherhood more than anything else! I love you Dad!

 

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We started our Father's Day out with a special delivery ...

 

To our favorite Hero around :)

 

 

We filled a SUPERDAD package to the brim with all sorts of HERO treats.

Connor wasn't a fan of Daddy's Superhero picture. It was a little scary to him and he was confused and kept telling me, "Daddy's not really a superhero ... not really ... right?" I think it was a little worriesome for him thinking if Daddy was a superhero than he couldn't be Daddy.



 

Delivery Boy ...

"It's REALLY REALLY Heavy!", he says.

 

We enjoyed pancakes for breakfast and watching Bella throw tantrums!

Trying to get a Daddy shot with a tantrum throwing little girl ...

Father and Son.

 

Sporting their matching ties! This is Connor's first tie, and he wasn't exactly excited he kept telling me "I am not a superhero I am not a superhero" because he didn't want to wear the ties and when Daddy opened them they were "Superdad and sidekick ropeties".



 

After church we got to dig into SUPERDAD's treats!

 



Superdad spoiled Bella and Connor, and let them stay up late for snuggles and a movie.

 

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I just wanted to make a shout out to our SUPERDAD.

He is kind and gentle and one of a kind. He loves nothing more than being a Dad.

If he could he would spend every waking moment with his children.

He never ceases to amaze me. He works very, very, very hard. And never gives up.

He loves us and makes every effort to show us his love;

with affection, surprises, service and attention.

Watching him read stories, act silly, give laughter, or teach them;

is my favorite thing in the world.

 I love seeing that brightness that he brings into my child's lives.

I love the little shine that comes from him when he catches me watching him

be a Dad.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have a worthy priesthold holder,

and leader in my home.

He is an example, and takes that role seriously. He is constantly growing and seeking to better himself for our children and for me.

We are one lucky family.

I love this Man, Husband and SUPERDAD!





Child Play Goals

I am trying hard to keep my active boy ... well active. He gets so stir crazy and after a lot of thinking about activities I came up with a list I posted on the fridge to remind me of goals we have throughout the day. It motivated me do something Connor would enjoy that would keep him busy and active. I rarely did everything on the list, but we got very good at having our night time routine down. Having something I get to check off and something to remind Connor all we did that day was very helpful. He loved telling Daddy.


This is what our list consisted of:

• Workout: Connor loved working out with me in the morning, it was a good motivation for me and a good example for him. I hope I can keep up.  
• Games: Connor has a matching game, hungry hippos, candy land and a storytelling game with picture cards; he also likes to play Yahtzee -a revised version,we try to play a couple games and work on waiting your turn, sharing, and being a good winner/loser. 
• Imaginative play: I try to promote Connors imagination every chance I get. Whether it is using things around the house or things he wish he had (a dog), or playing with pillows and forts, it is so easy to inspire him. I love seeing this aspect of his play take shape. 
• Books: I try to read before/after nap and before bed. I also like letting him see me read as well. I sure hear him ask for stories more when I have been reading lately. 
• Music/ singing time: This is by far the hardest for Connor because he struggles in this area, and hates it. So in hopes that more at home would promote him to like it more outside home as well we try to do some everyday. Sometimes it is the kids station from Pandora Radio. Sometimes it is singing primary songs. Sometimes it is kids rhymes/songs: itsy bitsy spider, is his favorite. Sometimes it is dancing to my favorite music. 
• Playtime (-Cars-Blocks): This is a time where he plays with sister or Mom or Dad, usually it includes crashing cars, or building towers to knock down.
• Art: Whether it is by himself with sister or Mom I make attempts at an art session once a day. 
• Coloring/drawing/painting/playdoh
• Craft: I try to do a craft once a week. I find some online or think of easy ones on the spot or sometimes its just a big scissors and tape and glue and construction paper mess. 

• Quiet room playtime: Not usually is this quiet but usually we have the TV on in the background most of the day because I like the noise. And getting the minutes in between where they watch and are satisfied, before they are bored or fighting. But during quiet time the TV is always off and Connor plays in his room, I leave the door open and help him find toys to play with. As Bella gets older this time gets easier but for now it is hard. And probably a consequence of too much TV, but he has a hard time playing on his own and thinking of things to do. But without anything else to do he sure learns quick. 
• Outdoor play/walk: By far Connor's favorite thing to do is be outside. He asks to go outside all the time. And having nice weather makes it hard to think up reasons not to, other then me being lazy. So I try very hard to go on a walk or play outside or go to the park almost everyday in the week. 
• Nighttime Routine:
• Bath: Both kids love baths and usually stay in their playing for 30 minutes or more. They splash and make a mess but they love it and as Bella gets older it is easier to leave them in their together alone, as long as I the door is open and I am close and listening intently. I go in lots to remind them to play nice, not splash big, and to check on them too.  
• Story: Usually its a book, but I am trying to push my creativity a little more and make up stories to tell them at night. I am horrible tho.  
• Prayer
• Listen to scripture stories: I love the LDS apps on my phone and as we lay in Connor's bed all together (Connor, Bella, and I), sleep comes much easier for him when he is listening to something. So I let him control my app and scroll through the bible or book of mormon stories and pick and hold the phone as they tell the story and show pictures. It is a great opportunity for me to talk to him about Jesus and answer his little questions or just ask little questions or make comments, like "Yes that is good guy", "oh that man is mean", "Jesus loves us so much, right?"

As I continue to watch Connor learn and grow I have to push less and watch him take control and apply himself more as he plays and learns. Bella follows in his footsteps and usually is a part of what we are doing as well, her brother's best buddy.

This Moment

Love this moment . . .

Waking up to littles cuddling on the couch.

Love this moment . . .
After church impromptu photo shoot, directed by Connor. 

Love this moment . . .
Surrounded by pillows, blankets, cookies, and popcorn. Family Movie night. With the best snuggles around.

Loved this Sunday.

A Monstrous 3rd Birthday!

CONNOR is 3!
We celebrated with our sweet boy on Saturday and threw a Monster themed party. He is really into monsters lately and it worked out perfect. He wore one of his favorite Monster shirts and enjoyed a day playing, eating, laughing and just plain being three!

 

 Shea was excited to give Connor his very first soda bottle. All to himself. I am picky about soda for the kids and they usually only get a sip if any at all. So Shea was delighted to spoil him.

For Dinner we enjoyed ribs, carrots, cucumbers, and more. A few of Connor's favorite things. We enjoyed his funny faces while he enjoyed his ribs.

 

 Then it was on to presents!

 

 

As you can see he hit the jackpot. Being a son, brother, grandson, and nephew sure make birthdays fun :) His favorite presents so far have been: Hungry Hungry Hippos, Turtle Constellation Nightlight, Big Boy Trike, Monster Slippers and Monster Hat!

 Soon enough it was on to cake! We made our best attempt to tranform Connor's Mint Oreo Ice Cream Cake into a scary green monster. With cake pops for eyes, and green cocunut for hair. Connor LOVES blowing out candles, it is probably his #1 favorite thing to do. So after three rounds of Happy Birthday and three rounds of liting candles. We were on to cake cutting! Connor and Bella each got a cake pop to enjoy, which made things all the sweeter and messier :)

Bella was only too anxious for some outside playtime. So we enjoyed a walk, exploring, hugs, an attempt at a family picture, birthday tickles, and lounging.

The day of Connor's Birthday, (Monday, June 3rd) was much more laid back then I originally would have liked, but our birthday boy did get everything he wanted. Dinner at McDonalds, playtime outside with sister, Redbox second time pick - The Guardians, a birthday brownie, washing new cars in the tub, and staying up late with Mom and Dad all to himself.