The Obligatory Zoo Post

I think every Mormon mom, or aunt, or grandma has at least one "Zoo Post" each summer. This is mine. We went to the zoo a few weeks ago with some good friends of ours, Karen and Jeffrey. We had a delightful time. Of course, I forgot my camera, but Karen took some photos of me and the kids. Enjoy!

Dissapointment

For the last 9 months we haven't seen much of Daddy. One morning Greg was still home and the kids woke up earlier than usual. Greg went in to get them and Jeremiah looks and exclaims "Daddy! It's Daddy! Daddy's in mine room!"..... Clearly we haven't seen him enough. And all this family sacrifice has been for one goal, well, up until June it was one goal: the CFA exam. (since June it's been the GMAT) And today, we found out the results of those six months of studying into the wee hours of the night- FAIL.

Nevertheless, I'm still darn proud of him for working as hard as he does, and we'll just take it again next year. Oh boy. We love him a lot and hope that after B-school applications are in, we'll get to enjoy him at least for a few months, before he has to begin studying again for CFA again. We love you Daddy.

Enjoying Gods Green Earth

I've been trying to live more naturally, the way God intended. Which means less movies, computer, being indoors, and more creativity, physical activity, and enjoying more of God's green earth. Today we had intended on going up the canyon to spend some time in the mountains, but it was just me and the kids, no cell service, and no one else around. I decided that it would be safer to head back to the local park and play there for the day. We found a nice shady spot, dug in the dirt, examined an ant hill, ate snacks, played with sticks, and had a delightful afternoon, until the kids needed to rest. I'll be chronicalling my transition to a more natural, organic life on a new blog- Becoming Organic. It's mostly so that I don't bore any of you who don't care with my musings. Hope you enjoy the pictures. We had a good day outside. Hopefully the first of many.

PS. This is what Leah's face looked like when we got home (It's dirty, if you can't tell, I couldn't get a good picture). It took a moment to realize it was because Jeremiah was rubbing her face with his foot (and dirty shoe) on the ride home. I can't wait to turn her front-facing in a month!

Mom's Visit

My mom came for a visit with her sister and we were able to steal her for a day. As she always does, she got some good photos of the kids. We had a diaper box from a recent trip to Costco and we had TONS of fun with it. Jeremiah climbed in and we spun it around. He was delirious with laughter.

Leah's newest "trick" is walking. SHE LOVES IT! The block bucket, the shopping cart, anything she can manage to hang on to. Each time we try to pick her up she tries as quickly as she can to grab onto our fingers and pull herself up before we have time to think twice. I know this doesn't show it. We'll get photos of it soon. It's hard when I'm usually the only one home.

Jeremiah's favorite toy is Legos. He got them for his birthday but because of small pieces, and little mouths, he is forced to play with them behind bars. They reside in my bedroom behind the baby-gate and he is allowed to play with them in there while Leah is awake.

Silly face:

Super Silly Face:

"Frowny Face"

I love my kids. More posts to come.

I forgot

I realized that I haven't mentioned the biggest news in our lives lately. We're going to grad school in 2010! Or at least that's the plan. Greg is currently studying ardently for the GMAT which he takes in about a month. We're applying to about a dozen schools and hoping to get into a good one. Greg is doing well, but it all depends of that final score he gets on the GMAT. Because of this new development we aren't looking for a house anymore. A new adventure awaits and we are excited for the possibilities.

PT Update

Potty training is still.... evolving.

We are now pull-up free (by the way, if anyone needs some pull-ups, let me know, I have a bunch that we're not going to use). He has days that are accident/leak free but most days we still have 1 leak. Maybe it's a boy thing, but he just gets so consumed by playing in his imaginary world that he doesn't remember to go to the bathroom. I feel incredibly fortunate that I don't ever have to "clean up" accidents from the floor, or bed, or couch, etc, I just have to change underwear, and sometimes shorts/pants.

He has officially filled up his entire sticker chart. We are going to have our ice cream party this week. Here were our phases of potty training (if you want to know)

1. Going to the bathroom=a sticker and an M&M - this got him comfortable with the process
2. Going to the bathroom + clean and dry underwear=a sticker and an M&M
3. Remembering all by himself + no reminders + clean and dry= sticker & M&M
4. All day without accidents = a sticker on the calender day
5. 7 consecutive stickers on the calendar days = a new lego toy.


We've only had 2 consecutive days on the calendar.... so.... we'll see how long it takes. I know this is a lame blog post, but it's what's going on. I'll have more pictures of the kids soon. Have a great week!!

1-800 Contacts Got Talent

Greg and one of his best friends from high school performed in the company talent show this past week. You can see all of the photos that Janette took at their family blog, click here to go directly to Janettes blog post with all the photos. I was considering taking the time to upload them to my computer, and then post them to my blog directly, but her's is already there, and so darn cute! Anyway, head on over to check it out.

ANOTHER blog reference, click here to find Karson and Betsy's post about our Fellas Olympics. Greg, Nate and Karson created this "club" in high school. They called themselves "Da Fellas" they even made shorts, ties, and rubber stamps with the club name on it throughout the years.... yeah, I know. Anyway, now days Janette, and Betsy and I make up "Da Fellas Wives" club and all 6 of us organized a group date with a little friendly competition involved. Sadly, we did not win, but we all have fun, and have some great pictures to prove it.

Similarities

I think Leah might be slightly older in these photos compared to Jerem, but I still think the comparison is amazing.

Ah, she's cute.This is Jeremiahs new sand box. It's small, and simple, just a rubbermaid box with blue sand in it (the blue makes it much easier to spot, and to clean up after). It sits out on the patio and lets Jeremiah play outside and have some variety when Leah is napping and we can't head to the park.

3 Short Years

It's that time again. Jeremiah turned three last week and I can actually tell a difference. Not really in one day, but in the last week or so he has become more precocious, if that's possible for him. Here are some pictures of his party. OH if Greg had only taken some pictures of Bubble Mania, and the Playdough Party that was going on. But just trust me, is was enough just to sit back and watch the kids play for HOURS.

I'm not one for party themes. Maybe next year, when he cares, I'll do something more theatrical, but this year we had a "Day in the Life of Jeremiah" party. We ate macaroni and hotdogs for dinner, with pink lemonade, and chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. Earlier in the day I had made 6 huge batches of playdough and the kids weren't the only ones having fun with that. We played playdough and bubbles out on the lawn and Jeremiah was entirely wiped out and on cloud nine when we went home. Thanks again to the Hirschi's for hosting us, and for all our friends and family who came and made it a great day for Jeremiah. (and please email me pictures of bubbles and playdough if you have them).

(Jeremiah was sneaking sprinkles from his cake as we were gathering to sing to him)

Jerem's "super silly face"

He was so spoiled and though I'm glad he asked after each one if he could open it, not realizing there was more, I really enjoyed his confused ellation at so many great new things to play with. Thanks everyone!