Fences and Frogs

Although we're a bit late for a garden this year plans are underway to be ready for the next planting season! Tyler built a fence and gate to surround our garden area and had some help from the boys. This year we are going to make it a pumpkin patch, I thought that would be something fun for everyone and I hear it helps make the soil richer for planting season.

As you may know from previous posts, my kids have a thing for frogs. The boys have on many occasions roamed the neighborhood collecting and naming frogs. Well, on May 12 I was sitting at the kitchen table watching Peyton through the windows playing in the backyard. It appeared that she was holding a large rubber frog, well, we don't have a large rubber frog. So I went out to see what she had...

Click on the picture to see the shot of her frog I captured. She kept letting the frog loose in the fountain and then picking him back up, as soon as the frog would start squirming Peyton would squeal and let him go again.

I couldn't think of a title

Ok, so this post is maybe a bit out of hand, but I'm getting behind! I'll keep my words short, a picture says a thousand words right?

MAY 4
I don't know whos idea this was, but the other went right along with it.
When it's not too hot we've been enjoying our backyard. Thanks to Susie V. (my mom's friend) we've had a pretty cozy swing.

Ben is NEVER not posing. Maybe it's just how he is, but he always looks like he's striking a pose

Balls and dolls, that's what this little girl is all about, she is pretty fond of water and dirt too.

She gets a little frusterated with this ball, it's too big and heavy but she still tries.

She adores any small furniture, usually chairs, she loves stuff that's her size, apparently she thought this would make a nice seat.

Ahh, twilight in the backyard, isn't it pretty. Daddy had been pitching balls to the boys back there lately. We really are enjoying having a backyard more than we thought we would.

We're a few people short of a team, I think we need to get together with cousins soon!!!

May 5

yep, another day, same clothes. I promise we won't do that once they're in school!

If you got to hear my talk in church on Mother's Day, this is what I was talking about. It's cat poo, no, none of the kids pooed on the bed. Peyton got into it, but she discovered pretty quickly it wasn't a good idea and came to me for help right away.

May 7

I don't know how Ben will ever decide between these two girls. When he isn't with them he is asking to be with one or the other or both. He adores them and they play so well together. Aubriawna and Rebekah.

May 8

The one thing I do love about summer is swimming. My parents just retiled and resurfaced their pool too. I am so glad they live close to us. Thanks for letting us use your pool!!!

He has to take a break now and then to soak up some heat. The water is still a bit chilly.We have another fish on our hands with this girl. She doesn't mind how chilly the water is and has taken a few plunges and not gotten upset at all. Maybe she'll even start swimming at 2 like big brother Benji did! I love my water babies.

Please, help yourself!

Is it any wonder that illness is constantly spreading itself through my family? I always catch everyone with MY water. I'm always having to search for it and I find it in places I definately did not put it. Peyt looked so incredibly cute though I had to capture it on film.
May 5

?Que?

I have so many other fun posts to do before this one, but I just couldn't resist. I just recieved my official vote by mail ballot, or maybe I should say my "BOLETA OFICIAL". Does something look wrong here???



Ummm....Yeah, it's ALL in espanol. No, there is no Engles on the back. I looked through it all really well, all spanish, Si, es verdad. At least it's just propositions this time and No is the exact same in both languages. I better brush up on my espanol before the next election, no?

Ahwww moments from the end of April

I just haven't been in a blogging mood lately and have loads to catch up on. Since I am sitting here at 6 in the morning with no kids to watch, I thought I's just get it done! Tyler and "the boys" are away on their Father's and sons or Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration campout. Woo Hoo, I love my girls weekends. It's just me and Miss P and she is asleep right now, like I planned to be, I stayed up til 1am and was going to sleep until she woke up and I guess I just can't sleep in anymore. Anyway, to start this weekend off, I always clean the house first. I love it, I get to watch it stay clean for 2 days!!! Last night I picked up Panda Express for Peyton and I and we sat on the couch together and watched a show and ate right out of the container. I was great. After she went to bed I cleaned and scrapbooked and watched 4 episodes of 24. Tonight my Mom and Sister Morgan are coming over for the main event. Subway for dinner and chick flicks, and of course chocolate. This is our second annual girls weekend and I love it, I secretly look forward to it all year. It's a great bonding experience.

Ok, on to the pictures and mini stories from the month of April

This is of course my little mommy diva. There is no shortage of Girlie in her!

We had the tent set up in the front room for a week or so and she loved it. Her and the dogs played in there together quite often.

Peyton now likes Baby Signs and Baby Einstein! Ben still likes them too, so it's really cute to see them watching together. They'll talk to each other and giggle together. Very sweet. In the pic below they are both doing the sign for book, Peyton's needs a little work, she's getting there though!

My sweet girl also sometimes thinks that she is one of the dogs.

The boys dressed up for Rodeo Day, Benji was sad he didn't have cowboy boots until we convinced him that when cowboys work on their ranch they wear workboots. I thought they all looked so adorable.
We love our zoo and go quite frequently. I loved these pics. Ben asked me to take the one below and posed for it all on his own.
He loves his sister.

We went to Red Lobster for Aunt Mo's 17th birthday. The kids have been wanting to go there for a long time. Micah tried some of Papa Louie's Lobster a few years ago and has said ever since that it is his favorite food. Well, we didn't get any kids, or us for that matter, the lobster. They had to settle for the $8 a kids plate snow crab. Ben had fun playing with his crab legs and making them dance. They all liked the food but I don't think we'll be taking the kids to eat there again in the near future, it was a small fortune.

Jacob got Sparthenian of the Month! It is a very big award and I will be putting the bumper sticker on as soon as I wash the car. Micah said he just got it because his teacher ran out of good kids to give it too. That is so not true. Jacob has been working hard at school and his teacher noticed and told me how well he's been doing. Micah is very jealous. They are both straight A students, but it takes much more than good grades to get Sparthenian. It is a very hard thing to be on top of your game all the time. Micah, I know that if you keep working hard and don't give up you can get Sparthenian too! You boys are doing so well in school and I'm proud of all your hard work. I love you two so very much.

This is Miss P sporting her Alice doo. I love her hair!

I better get on to May soon before it's JUNE!

6 of mine

Thanks Melissa, I was actually wanting to do this one. I was tagged to list 6 unimportant things that make me happy.

In no particular order:

1. Sounds, like the sound of a fountain and windchimes, and I can't leave out babies giggles and children's laughter.

2. A clean house, or a clean room for that matter, only then do I feel that I can truely relax.

3. A good, can't put it down, book.

4. A booger free nose.

5. getting rid of stuff.

6. Good surprises. It can be a book or flowers, cookies, kids having done a chore on their own. Any pleasant surprise really. I love surprises. It was the best on the 2 kids I didn't find out the sex of. I wish I would have done that every time.

I now tag Becca, Janelle, Yolawnda, Jill, Allison ans Susie. If you've already done it, do it again!

Toys R' Us, Gramma K, the stroller...

April 13

Grandma Kay likes to take the kids and I to Toys R' Us every once and a while and spoil them. They think this is pretty much the best thing in the world.

This is Ben on our way out. Grandma will even give them quarters to either ride the rides or get candy or toys from the machines. Micah and Jacob always pick the machines, Ben always picks the rides. Smart kid, he just got a toy from the toy store!

He let Peyton share his ride, I like this picture because they are both wearing orange and Ben is being such a good brother.

This is Grandma Kay, my dad's Mother. It was hard to get this, she does not like pictures.

This is pretty much my whole purpose in posting this, and of course because it's a tradition the kids love so much. Anyway, Peyton found this stroller, a doll stroller. She was not walking yet at the time, but this stroller gave her the confidence she needed (it was too light to really be of any help). She pushed that thing all over the store and would not let go of it. The very next day she realized she didn't need it and has been walking ever since. She still likes to push all 3 of her dolls around in it. When one falls out she just stops and tosses it right back in and keeps on going.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Freebie

Sorry, this is no longer available for download because there have been questions and concerns about copyright infringement.

My little Einstein

This post is mostly for me folks, but if you want to tag along, join the ride. Micah is an amazing child. He always has been. From the time he was just a few years old, I knew he was different. Things have recently been brought to light that have made my love and understanding for him grow and double. I won't go into that in this post, maybe in the near future. I feel that a tremendous weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I am so greatful for that. I am also greatful for my supportive, loving and honest friends.
Micah is brilliant, and I don't say that lightly. Since he was just 3 years old he could spend hours just painting or drawing, and he does some wonderful artwork. He can sit down at the piano and pluck out any song his little heart desires. He's learning to read music too. He takes piano lessons from Jennifer Ward once a week and I think he's doing a great job.
For Micah, everything is black and white, good or bad. It's important for him to follow the rules and he's hard on himself when he slips up. He's a good boy. Everything is so literal for him too. You better say what you mean and mean what you say.
Micah has recently discovered that he does like sports. He can hit a ball really well now and is looking forward to playing baseball at school. I feel a connection to him and a love for him that I have not felt since he was a toddler. I get where he's coming from now, finally. His mind works so different from mine that I just didn't get it, well, now I GET IT. I can stay calm and I can do this. I can handle it now. Micah, I can be the mom you deserve now. I am ready for this.

Tyler was not seduced...

Oh my the last few days have been eventful! Let me start by saying that we do have a lawn now, WOO HOO! Thanks to some wonderful members of our ward family, Kristie and Phillip Call and Yolawnda Stutzman. Also thank you to those of you who were more than willing to come help, Margaret McCauley and Craig Saunders and Larry (My Dad), and Ron (My father in law) and Brent Laing too! I also want to thank all of my and Tyler's wonderful friends for their calls and concern, you mean a lot to us!

Ok, so while Tyler was at the ER he called me to let me know they would be sedating him to relocate his shoulder. He called me a little while after and was talking funny (trying to make me think he had been sedated) he let me know that they didn't have to sedate him, he touged it out and the Dr was able to get it back in without too much difficulty. Anyway, he later asked if when he had called and was talking funny I thought he had been seduced. I had to laugh, he of course meant sedated.

So this is the before sod and after Tyler finished the sprinkler system. I am so glad he waited till those sprinklers were done to get hurt. I don't think I could have done that as easily.

Another before view. That is my Fountain that Ty found at OSH on major clearance and sale on top of that.

Look at us awesome ladies doing Man work! Thanks for checking my blog Kristie to know what was going on and take the initiative to come and sweat and get dirty! Yolawnda, thanks for always being there to help me with whatever and making me feel like I can always ask for anything.

At one point Tyler asked me to help him get his sling off because it was "restrictive" I told him no, that was the whole idea. He backed down and did a great job supervising and cutting holes for the sprinklers, I let him do that much.

My sister Morgan was the photographer, so I have no pictures of her, but she helped with my kids as well as Yolawnda's kids. They were very good. Morgan also cleaned up all the messes they made while we were working.
I was dreading laying sod, but I was ready to do it all myself if I had to, and I was prepared to suffer. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it. It wasn't hard. Of course, if I had to do it all myself I'm sure it would have taken lots more than the hour or so it did take and it would not have been as fun or as easy.

See, isn't he a great supervisor. Believe it or not, this is really hard for him. He would way rather be doing the work himself. He has a hard time delegating and not helping.

Savannah was just getting a little toe jam for her bread.

Here is my crew, all sweaty and dirty. Thanks guys, so, so much. I had fun, really, I did. I rarely get to visit with Kristie and everytime I do I always think of how I'd love to visit more with her. I also thought that since the sod was Tyler's Father's Day gift, it was fitting it should be laid for him. I wish I would have thought to do that on my own, without the injury. Phil is a really great guy too, thanks for loading up the wheelbarrows with all that sod. That was a huge, huge help. I learned that I am not that good with balancing heavy wheelbarrows full of sod while pushing them. I only turned one on it's side once though, I'm learning, what can I say?

Cutting the shape into it, and keeping the edges wet. Tyler was telling me how cute my feet are in this pic, I like that we are both smiling. What a happy and fullfilling day.

Right after I got dressed after my much needed shower, the phone rang. It was the kids school nurse, Micah's to be exact. She called to let me know Micah had an accident at lunch recess. He had a double bloody nose, a busted lip and she was afraid he was going to lose his top front left tooth. She asked if I had a good relationship with our dentist because she thought I should get him in right away in case something could be done to save his tooth. My dentist has been my dentist for many years and he's the best. I called his wife at home and she had him call my cell phone not 30 mintutes later. He asked how soon I could get him there and met me at his office.

His name is Dr. Williams, we lovingly call him Dr. Bob. This is what he showed up in to his office. I love it! My mom said it was exactly what she would picture him wearing off hours.

His lip will be swollen for a few days, but the Dr. says his tooth should be fine. He says he got lucky, any lower or higher hit and his tooth would be a goner. I promise I will no longer think Ill thoughts of people that are missing teeth. Teeth are a precious gift, take care of them!



Slep with one eye open, gripping your pillow tight.....this is how I found Ty sleeping. He has been catching up on sleep the last few days, so unlike him! I'm not big on letting him get much sleep, but I'm allowing it now because I think he really needs it to help him get better.

Miss P is enjoying the yard, everywhere there isn't grass! She is super girlie, except when she's not! Helga, I'll see if I can get the stains out of this one for Makyla! I love a challenge.