Begging to clean

I got a carpet cleaner for my birthday. Brady put it together and it's sitting in the living room. Since it was all screwed together Zenock has been begging me to use it. I kept saying that we can when Gideon wakes up. Well, now Gideon is awake and Daddy and Ayla are still napping. So now I have Gideon and Zenock begging me to use the carpet cleaner.  It's so funny, in an annoying way, how much my children enjoy watching me clean with these big, noisy machines. First the vacuum (which has already been asked and granted twice today - both before lunch), and now the carpet cleaner!

First Day of school

Today was the first day of second grade for Ammon and the first day of kindergarten for Zenock. Zenock loves his class. He just went right in and got to work on coloring the paper at his desk. I gave him a high five, and that was it! Ammon is really excited to learn, especially since there are several kids from his first grade class in his class again. His best friend, Alex, is in the class next door. Zenock couldn't decide what his favorite part about today was. Ammon said he loved being with his friends and having recess. He is really excited for PE tomorrow. Brady and I enjoyed the older kids being gone by running errands and doing the grocery shopping. 

Brady also gave me an early birthday present today. He hired his coworkers wife to come clean our entire house. Oh my gosh! It was the best present in the whole world. She even cleaned the microwave and the toaster looks brand new. I can't even say how nice it was for someone else to clean up. I wish my sparkling house could last forever!

Pondering

During the huge rainstorm yesterday a teenager got swept into the current near Sunset and Stephanie in Pitman wash which runs right behind our house. The news reporter said he just stuck his foot in to feel the current and got swept away. The command center for LVMPD and heavy rescue is at Sam Boyd Stadium. Today there were three helicopters flying around the downstream area, Duck Creek, looking for him. On the way to my friend's house this afternoon I saw the search and rescue helicopter hovering over an area close to the road. He hasn't been found yet, but the search volunteers haven't given up.

After seeing this mission in action and all the rescue equipment and volunteers flanking the area I was touched. I thought how awesome it would be to have the proper training to get involved with search and rescue when my kids are older. I feel strongly that being involved in such efforts is going to be necessary in the years to come.

Tonight I am pondering what skills I have and what needs further development to help in similar situations later on. I know there will be many more opportunities for disaster, natural or otherwise, wherever we live. Being prepared in such events is vitally important to my family's survival. I have been constantly reminded over the last year or so to build up food and emergency supplies, and to be ready to evacuate at a moments notice. Last week Brady and I were talking about further education in EMT training for his work in security....training which would also come in handy in a disaster. I have been thinking I might like to do some EMT basic training for myself as well; not specifically to get a job, but to be more prepared just in case. Perhaps I am a worry wart. Perhaps I am thinking the future is more dim then it really will be. Perhaps I get to help save lives someday. Who knows what's really going to happen in the future. I just want to do everything I can to keep my family safe and help those around me.

RAIN = puddle splashing!

I went out in the rain on purpose to take my kids puddle splashing. I was hoping all the water movement would give the van a much needed bath. We checked out some washes close to our house, all of which were full with fast moving water. These two pictures are at the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex where Ammon plays baseball. I think this one is called the pitman wash. The picture below doesn't look like a big deal, but water was bouncing so high. Gideon could see it out the window, and he was really excited about it. The streets surrounding my house were closed at one point due to various stranded vehicles. We made it home though! All the boys liked seeing fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars driving with their lights and sirens....most were going to block off intersections of severely flooded streets. I wish Brady could have been awake to enjoy this morning with us because he would have loved it too.

Toddler activity

He was seriously bored one day, completely under my feet, and incredibly whiney. So we found something fun for him to do. He's wearing a bib to reduce water soakage on his shirt, but I don't think it made a difference in the end. Gideon sure had fun though! The next day he ran over and pointed to the sink. Apparently he loved playing in the water and wants to do it again.

Toddler messes

This little dude was "helping" make something. I was actually working on making a busy bag for him for christmas. I have since decided that crafting while he is awake is kind of like brushing my teeth while eating oreos = completely ineffective.

New sign

Gideon has a best friend. his name is the vacuum. This morning he asked and begged and downright whined for the vacuum to come out of the closet. I decided it was time for an actual word for vacuum instead of his insistent whining. So I taught him to sign the word vacuum. Some time soon I'll get a video of it, but for now I wanted to tell you that I taught him a new word. Hopefully now he will ask nicely to get the vacuum out.

A few pictures

Ammon giving Gideon a piggy back ride. This was the first time, and now Gid asks for one many times a day. If anyone sits forward on the couch, they get to be the next ride giver.

Ammon made a sign for the Olympics. It says USA is the best.

All the kids like to play on the computer

Ayla's first time in the bumbo. She was okay with it for a minute or two, and then wanted out. I was just trying to keep her happy so I could clean the kitchen a little.

Another "keep Ayla happy" moment. It didn't work very well either. She has a few grumpy days here and there, and I can't seem to fix it. That's when I resign to sitting on the couch and get nothing done. It's something every mom has to be okay with once in a while.

Popover Recipe

Tonight for dinner Brady and I made THESE popovers. Oh my goodness!!!!!!! They are delicious! He saw and episode of Diners, Driveins, and Dives at work one night recently featuring a restaraunt in Austin, TX who makes these. We found a popover pan at Bed Bath and Beyond last night, and headed over to Walmart for some Gruyere cheese. We added a little smokey in the middle of each popover along with a cube of cheese. For next time (because there will be a next time) we need to fill the cups half way with dough, add two smokies and another cube of cheese in each cup and then fill the cup the rest of the way with dough, making the dough almost to the top. I would also like to try putting cinnamon and sugar in the dough and filling with blueberries and a cube of cream cheese, or scrambled eggs and sausage, or little smokies and cabbage, a slice of apple and cinnamon. There are so many possibilities with popover filling.

Building towers

These stacking cups are the best birthday present Gideon got. He absolutely loves this toy. He understands when there is one missing because it doesn't stack right. He plays with this toy over and over. It's just as fun to build as it is to knock down!

Ayla's first laugh

Zenock was playing pat-a-cake with her and she just started giggling. At first we thought she was getting upset, but then I came over to check it out and saw her big smiles. I have never caught a first laugh from any of the kids on camera before, and Brady has never been home to hear a first laugh from any one either. It was a special time for us this afternoon. We love this little girl, and our three boys!!

Gideon signing all the words he knows

Although this 19 month old doesn't say hardly anything, he knows a few words in sign language. More, hi, bye bye, please, thank you, and all done. In this video he actually says "all done". I don't think I've heard him say it before. I did hear him say bye bye one time, but only once. He understands lots of directions like putting stuff in the trash for us and picking things up off the floor. He knows it's time to leave when we say go or bye. He puts a hand to his ear like a phone for hello. And he sticks his tongue out when he tries to say Ayla's name.

 

Big boy!

I think it's safe to say Gideon is weaned from bottles. I gave him one yesterday morning when he first woke up - which I normally do. At naptime he had a sippy cup of milk, and again at bedtime. He didn't seem to care if he drank out of a bottle or a cup. Again today he was only offered a cup for both morning and nap.....and he was fine with it. He doesn't whine for a bottle at all. HURRAY!!!! I'd say 24 hours of success means we are done with bottles. I think he weaned at an earlier age than the other two boys, and I know for sure he has been the easiest kid to wean so far from both breast to bottle and bottle to cup.

Sleeping

Ayla is getting better and better at sleeping. Today when she was done eating she didn't fall asleep, but I could tell she was tired. I laid her down and she wiggled for a minute to get comfortable and then she was out. She has done this many times since she was born, and it's happened twice today. I love that she is able, and wants, to put herself to sleep. This makes life so much easier when she gets into her own room and has a regular nap schedule. A baby who sleeps like they should is a happy baby which makes a happy Mom!!!

In honor of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London

Zenock and the cricket

So we have  this cricket in our house that we can't catch. It's quite the jumper. During Zenock's prayer tonight this is what he said: "Bless the cricket that's in our house to not make any noise, so it won't bother us and so me and Ammon can sleep good and not be grumpy in the morning."
I love 5 year old prayers!

Funny from Ammon

Ammon, "I talk alot. That's just the way I am made."
HAHAHA!!!

Reminder of a really fun day.

I don't have any pictures of what we did today, but we had so much fun I wanted to write about it to remember for later. Back in May we won an auction item for two hours of free babysitting. We have tried several times to use this, but timing and vacations just never worked out....until today! Brady and I got to go on a date in the afternoon (with Ayla). We both are expanding our horizons and trying to do new things. Today we went on a date to ride the roller coaster, Manhattan Express, at the New York New York hotel and casino on the Strip. We found out shortly before leaving they have a local discount, 2 rides for 1. So, for a grand total of $28 for our ENTIRE date, we got 4 rides on the coaster and a babysitter. AWESOME!!! After we got home we changed and packed up for a swim to the splash park just down the street. We got some nachos while they made everyone get out for a CPR refresher and poop check. Yes, they close the pool for 15 minutes every couple of hours to check for logs floating, or sinking, in the water. I'm seriously not kidding. And I bet you are laughing, aren't you Dad? Then, we got home and had......banana splits for dinner. My sweet boys - all of them- thought I was pretty cool for letting us have icecream for dinner (except for Gideon, he ate a corn dog and threw his carrots across the room. One of them hit Ammon in the head). Of course, Brady and I had corndogs and fries for dessert a little later. And some others had string cheese and popcorn. The floor is still holding evidence of that. (Seriously, I vacuum once a day, sometimes twice). And THEN, redbox decided to send us free promo code texts, so now after the boys are all tucked in bed, we have a free movie night. What an awesome way to spend the day on Brady's day off. It was busy, relaxing, fun, and funny. I sure love my family of boys and our baby girl. I wish we could have fun days like this more often!! Usually his day off is filled with errands and doctor's appointments, so it was really nice to not do any of that today. All the laundry managed to get washed and dried today as well......but folding is still a work in progress :)

Almost too cute to be funny

Daddy fell asleep with Ayla when I was at the store. Gideon brought them Big Bird to sleep with.

Tornado Gideon has left a path of distruction unloading everything in his path in less than 10 minutes. Yes, this ENTIRE mess is from an 18 month old.

Teaching Gideon, "Thumbs up dude!" Today he also learned where his ears, nose, and eyes are. When we ask him where his belly is he bends in half to look at it and find his belly button. Then he pushes it a few times. It's so cute. Also today I almost got him to say "cheese." He made several valid attempts at the word, but it wasn't quite there. He speaks all the parts of words and sounds, but he still lacks any actual words in his vocabulary. For a while we thought he was saying dada and momma, but I think he was just mimiking us because he doesn't do it anymore. He sure is taking his sweet time saying his first word.

Cute pics & stats

She was so comfortable on Ammon she just fell asleep.

This little girl weighs in at 10 lbs 11 oz at her 2 month checkup on the 30th.

Gid is holding her hand. She kept pulling away and he would find her hand and grab it again.

Gideon was doing thumbs up, then he saw a plane.

Homemade granola bars recipe

I made some granola bars today. This is the recipe I used. I did have to add about 1/8 cup more oats, and I used craisins instead of raisins and added some sliced almonds. The dough is delicious! It tastes like a no bake cookie - which I love!