Easter

We had a great Easter Holiday!

I had a lot of things in mind to do and really didn't get around to too much of it. I wanted to watch the Easter Dream movie and make resurrections rolls but none of that happened. We didn't even dye eggs this year (because the water was unexpectedly turned off that evening by the city). But in the end, I was okay with what we did do. There is a fine line between doing and over doing and I am still trying to find the balance.  I love holidays and coming up with new ideas of fun things to do, but at the same time, I realize the holiday will come again next year and we'll have a chance to do it all over again. It is fun to have new things to do along with old traditions. So here are a few of our happenings.

Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma Julie's

Easter Train Ride on Heber Valley Railroad

with our good friends the Ramsey's

The Easter Bunny did some dancing with us and each child got an egg.

Claire had the unfortunate experience of burning her hand on a curling iron right before we left so she was a little subdued and sad. She insisted that her hand stay on a bag of ice the whole evening.

After the train ride, we ate dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Heber named Don Pedros. 

What a fun and delicious time!

 Sawyer taught the Easter Bunny a few good moves!

Easter Sunday!

Ava takes after her dad and gets too excited the night before holidays to sleep. She was up for quite awhile and because of it, the Easter Bunny had to hide their baskets down stairs and didn't have time to hide extra eggs. Because Ava is getting older, her basket is getting harder to fine.

Here is their Easter Loot.

 Somehow we didn't get a picture of Talmage's basket. His basket had a new long sleeved bib, rice cereal, a binky leash thingy, some new spoons, a few baby toys, a cute book called Mr. Magee Learns to Ski, and some new Toms. All the kids got a new personalized plate and bowl. 

I can't get over how darling these are!

 They didn't have a bald option (haha)!

We went to a great missionary farewell and then hurried to our sacrament meeting where Ava sang with the Primary. The kids were were so adorable in their Easter clothes and I loved how the kept spinning in circles to make their dresses twirl. We had many"validating" moments as a parents that day as Ava kept bearing her testimony about Jesus and the real meaning of Easter. She is so tender and smart. I love to here her bear her sweet testimony.

We hurried home to finish making our food for the shin dig at Grammy Nae's.

We made deviled eggs and this year we used Yoshi's yummy spicy mayo (that Tyson refers to as liquid crack) to make a few. We scored a whole container of it at the Elder's Quorom Sushi Night the Friday before and Tyson has been looking for anything and everything to use it with. They were a hit! Who knew my family were such adventurous eaters.

Grammy Nae's Egg Hunt!

I feel kind of bad that I didn't get a picture that day of all 3 kiddos but here is a group shot in their Easter outfits from Camera Shy a few days before!

Six Months Old

Little man is half a year old!

I know I say this a lot but where does the time go?

I finally feel relaxed with a baby and now I don't feel there is enough hours and moments in a day to enjoy it and enjoy him.

This little man has brought so much happiness into our home. He lightens our moods with his smiles and squeals. Claire use him like snuggle/cuddle buddy. She often lays by him on the floor as she watches tv and he plays under his activity gym. She sucks her thumb and with her other hand rubs his head. Luckily he doesn't act like he minds too much. She also nestles his hands to her face. She just can't stand not to touch him. Ava thrives on the undivided attention she gets from him.  When she is around, his eyes are glued on her. He sits with a huge grin on his face tracking her every move, waiting patiently for her to make eye contact and when she does he squeals and giggles. He loves to watch her dance and jump and wiggle (all the things she does best). He adores her and she adore him (and the attention). Ava loves having a #1 fan.

Something else that has really seemed to blossom this last month is the bond between Talmage and his daddy. Of course he has recognized and smiled for Tyson for a long time, but they now have "their ways." By that I mean that they have their way that they relax in the lazy boy together, or the way daddy carries him like a postal package as walks around the house doing this or that. He now acts ubber excited to see his daddy when he comes home from work and won't take his eyes off his dad until he gets acknowledged. When daddy finally does look at him, he bows his head with a cheeky grin and shyly looks away. Daddy helps with the rough nights and it has helped to build their bond. I love watching the boys bond in action.

Some new things this month:

Stranger Danger- 6 month pictures were challenging because he didn't want to smile for the lady

Food-he has had rice cereal and we are gearing up for vegetable later this week.
Mobility-he can now roll from back to tummy and tummy to back quite masterfully. he also kicks his legs so hard that he really get the bouncy seat going.
Dexterity-he reaches and grabs at everything and he is almost as quick as a professional pick pocket. He especially loves little girls pony tails and braids.
Vocal-he is still very squealy and now likes to hum when he eats and sometimes as he is falling asleep. He also makes that noise (how do you describe) when you breath in and sound like your gasping for air. It sounds so funny and he looks so proud of himself when he does it.
Balance-No signs of sitting up yet. He does well with the bumbo but doesn't seem to have the balance quite yet for sitting up. That is okay though, we are practicing. We put him in the walker and he loves it. He feels like he is in the action and often just giggles for no apparent reason when sitting in it.
 Faces-He is trying to mimic mouth movements and Ava will sit for a long time just sticking out her tongue and watching him mimic her. They both end up in stitches just giggling.
Snuggles-He has always been snugly but I love that when he is shy or tired, she just lays his head on my shoulder. He will stay that way for along time or until he falls asleep. My girls did it occasionally but it was not a common occurrence like it is with little man.

Did I say he melts my heart? Well just in case I didn't get that point across yet....He Does!
He is the sweetest, easiest going, loving, smiley boy and he is mine!

The difference between first bite and second. He takes after his father I think!

 

 

 Tongue in action.  He couldn't quite figure out how to get it out of the way.
Mmmmm isn't he delicious?

6 Month Stats
Weight: 15 lbs 22% percentile
Height: 26 in 40% percentile

Wounds

Claire burned her hand on the curling iron this last weekend. It was a so sad. She cried and sobbed as alligator tears rolled continuously down her cheek. We stuck her hand under cold water and then eventually on a bag of ice.  It was hard to get her to trust us that the ice would help. I reasoned and begged her to let me try and help, but she was beyond any consoling I could give because the pain was overbearing. After just letting her cry until she calmed a little, she stopped ringing her hand in the air and put it on the ice. I think she found immediate relief and insisted on the ice bag the rest of the day and night (she insisted on the ice bag to rest her hand on when she went to bed). We called the doctor to make sure it wasn't something that needed to be seen because of the size and site of the burn and were given good instructions on what to do and watch for. She if finally using her hand again but has some pretty good blisters on her few fingers. It was really hard not being able to kiss away her ouchie.

That night I got thinking about the events of the day and had a little realization. I thought about the fact that my children would continue to experience hurt, pain and wounds in this life and sometimes I was going to be powerless to prevent or cure them. This thought really made my heart ache. I realized that sometimes the only thing I can do is be there and hold them when they cry but no matter how much I wanted to, I can't stop or take away the pain. Being that it was Easter weekend I then thought of the savior and I realized the importance of teaching them how to deal with these wounds and who to turn to in there time of need. Even if it is not me, I am happy to know that there will always be some who understands. I knew the Savior knew my little Claire's pain and could sympathize with the physical discomfort she was experiencing. Then I had another thought. There was more that I could do then just teach my kids who to turn to in their need. I needed to turn to him just as much as Claire does because only he could help me to know what Claire needed from me. Where this was just a small event focused mostly around a physical pain/wound, I thought ahead to the future where I know my kids will experience their share of sorrow, headache and many types of pain. But I was comforted because I have a testimony of the Savior and the example he is to us and blessing he has made possible to each one of us. Every once in awhile it is good to have those experiences that brings those eternal truths to the forefront of our minds. I am glad for the small reminders around me that I am not alone and that someone wiser, kinder and perfect is helping me along the way.

The Seven Year Plan: Step 1

And she is a Pro....almost!

Ava is really enjoying skiing this year. She definitely is a little more brave for a ski instructor than her dad, but she is doing good. I love when she comes home and has this big 'so proud of herself' smile on her face.  I love the confidence and self esteem that comes from trying and learning new things. She can be so hard on herself and so sensitive to what others say or do to her . She can act like any 5 year old having a grumpy episode, but then almost has a hard time letting go and forgiving herself. I think learning to ski will teach her a lot, like respect and control of her body, how to do hard things, how to keep trying and not give up, and how to appreciate nature. And I hope it empowers hers to know that she can do anything if she just keeps trying.

Here she is on the Magic Carpet at Snowbird.

 And some video of her Cutting It Up!

That's my Girl

Oh and she has become quite the little artist. Sometimes she just gets in the zone and you can see the wheels turning in her head as she feverishly works away at a project.  I don't know why I am always so surprised and what she creates.  She is talented and has a wonderful imagination.

This is crazy town. 

 She created a little town, with a store and hopscotch and playground. The features are pop up and the little girls are removable so you can put them by the monkey bars or on the park bench. She created the rainbow path from confetti she brought home from a play we went to the other night. She told me immediately that I couldn't through it away because she had plans for it.

She told me all about how in crazy town they eat dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. She said they wear pajamas all day and put their clothes on for night time. She just kept rattling off all the "crazy" stuff that the people in crazy town did and it was an elaborate story that took a lot of thought. And all this creativity took place in just the hour or so before church. I wish I had her imagination and ability to be creative. I also wish I could keep all her art work forever!
Love that girl!

Mommy Dates

Over the last few weeks I have been so blessed to go on two dates with my Ava Anne.

She has been a little down lately and (like her mother) a little hard on herself. Sometimes I feel like she is a old soul. She is so tender, sensitive and loving, but these traits sometimes work to her detriment because she feels things deeply. Since having Talmage I have noticed that she feels a little put off. She often states that she feels less important or ignored. While I do think she is over dramatizing it a bit, I realize that sometime she is right. She often has to wait while I tend to Claire and Talmage who are smaller and can't do for themselves. I had been feeling like she really needed some 1:1 time so we planned a few dates. (Which when I explained to her what a date was I made sure to say that it often included hand holding and lots of talking so that I could reap the benefit of those two things).

Our first date was to a movie she had been asking to see called Oz. It is a movie that tells how the Wizard of Oz came to be. The night started rough at home with an overly emotional and whiny 5 year old, but once we finally regrouped and left for the show; all was well. We stopped at the gas station for some treat and then headed to the theater. After the show we talked as we rode home and she related her favorite parts and relaxed sleeply in the back. I loved every minute of it.

Our second date night had been in plan for a month.  I had bought tickets to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Hale Center Theater. I planned this along with 5 other moms. We decided to do a mom and daughters date night with our girls. We started out by grabbing a bite to eat at the Pizza Factory. On a side note, I tried the carb free noodles with my pasta (which was zucchini and spinach cut up like pasta) and it was very good. We then grabbed some treats at the gas station and headed to the Theater. We let the girls all sit together in the row in front of us and we all sat behind. They did so good. They were not too wiggly, giggly or loud except when it was appropriate and you could tell they each felt so grown up. They are such a cute bunch of girls.

The show was fantastic.  It was funny and held the girls attention really well. The songs were fun and Ava was in heaven watching the kids in the show that danced and sing on stage (her current greatest desire). We were even more excited because one of my cousins, Brooklyn Pulver was the play (she might really be a 2nd cousin but I always have thought of her more like a 1st cousin because we are the same age). She was in the traveling Broadway play of Hairspray as Tracy Turnblad and has a fabulous voice. Plus she is a great actress to boot. She played the "not so nice" part of the Baroness and did a wonderful job. Ava was so excited to tell the girls we were related to her. Afterwards we got some pictures with the cast. My cousin's husband was also in the cast as the Child Catcher. The girls were a little more hesitant to greet him after. His make up didn't help either.

 Here are the main Characters. Ava loved the female lead who played Truly Scrumptious. She especially liked when Truly Scrumptious pretended to be a life-sized wind up ballet doll. I must say her isolation dance skills were pretty impressive. The girls kept asking if it was a real person or really a doll.

We had so much fun we decided we should do a moms and daughters GNO every few months. Here is the whole group, mom and all!

I must say that my date was pretty darn cute! I loved my Ava time and I plan to continue dating her.

I hope these dates will yield lots of great conversations and build a wonderful relationship with her. I love the relationship I have with my own mother and have always desired to have the same kind of open, loving, accepting secret telling kind of relationship with my own children. I hope we continue to know each other and growing together.

Easter FHE

The real meaning of Easter.

 I wanted to make sure that we talked about the real reason why we celebrate Easter. I found this could idea on Pinterest called Resurrection Eggs for Toddlers. I wanted to keep it simple so that Claire could hold her attention. I numbered six plastic Easter eggs. In each I put something to symbolize a part of the Easter story. We read the associated scriptures as the girls opened the egg.

1- A piece of bread (which Claire promptly ate), to symbolize the last supper and sacrament Jesus had with his apostles.

2- A picture of a cross that I had drawn to symbolize his death upon the Cross.

3- A piece of white fabric to symbolize that they wrapped his body after he had died.

4- A rock to symbolize the heavy stone which was rolled to close the opening to the tomb.

5- A empty egg to symbolize that after the 3 days his tomb was found empty because he had risen.

6- Some lifesavers (a treat) to symbolize the treat or gift of the resurrection that Christ had given us.

We looked at pictures of each thing and then quizzed the girls to see if they remembered what the symbols stood for. Ava was great and even bore her testimony of Christ. I love seeing the look on their faces as they learn things. It was a great Easter FHE with the small ones. Now I am just going to sit and bask in the afterglow of the spirit that comes to our home after FHE.