This is what bedtime looks like at our house. For some reason my girls get super hyper right around 7:30-8. Thankfully as soon as they're in pajamas and the bedtime routine is complete, they crash! Wish I had that much energy at the end of my day!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Praise to the Man!
I have to take a minute and brag about how dang smart Makenna is! I am the primary chorister in our ward and have been working on teaching the kids "Praise to the Man". I love the song, but it is an incredibly difficult one for the kids to learn because of all the words they don't understand. With all songs I have to teach, I memorize them myself first by singing them to my girls...over and over! I guess I did that with "Praise to the Man" as well, I just didn't realize how much Kenna was paying attention. One day she said she wanted to sing the "man song" and then proceeded to sing the entire song on her own - every word! Because it was so dang cute, I recorded it for proof. Here it is:
How many 3 year-olds can do that?
How many 3 year-olds can do that?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kenna saves the day!
Last Thursday we were out running errands with the family and decided we really needed to wash our car. Days earlier I miraculously ran across a hidden self-car wash facility so we were pretty excited. Now most people wouldn't think much of such a find, but apparently in Eugene Oregon, people do not believe in washing their own cars because we have looked for MONTHS for such a car wash to no avail. Not only that, but there are also no touch-less car wash facilities in this entire city!! (Guess I also need to say that we can't take our car through a "contact" car wash for fear that our gorilla-glued on side mirrors will fall off...it's a long story!) Needless to say, we had not washed it since one of our trips out to Utah (probably about a year), where there are car washes aplenty and self-service ones on seemingly every corner. Our car was a sad sight. So long story short, we headed to the car wash. Nate got out and started the scrubbing and I decided to be helpful and take out all of our mats so they could be sprayed down as well. I hit what I thought was the unlock button and shut my door. Upon trying to open Sage's door to remove the mat, I realized it was definitely not the unlock button that I had pushed. I had just locked both of our girls, strapped into their car seats, into our car.
Looking back, I am surprised how calmly I reacted in such a situation! After the initial shock, I timidly asked Nate if he had his keys with him (which he didn't), and then began thinking how I could call the police to come jimmy-rig our door open. Nate on the other hand, kinda freaked out (which he apologized for afterwards...obviously it was an accident). However, he was the one to come up with the idea of having Kenna unlock the door. We yelled through the car window for her to climb out of her seat belt and into the driver's seat - yes, go against everything we've ever taught and climb OUT of her car seat and into the DRIVER'S seat! (Of course the car was turned off.) She miraculously wiggled right out of that seat belt and then we proceeded to try to point out which button she should push to unlock the car. It took some serious effort. To be honest, it was probably a very funny sight to any onlookers. Here were two adults, standing outside of a car, yelling through the window "okay, do you see this button...no, not that one, don't push that one, look where my finger is, do you see my finger?...now follow it down and push the one right under where my finger is...no try it again, that's the wrong one...can you hear me?...look at me, push the one right under my finger!" Now just imagine watching that for 5 minutes! It was pretty humorous, but in the end she did indeed push the right button, which unlocked the car and saved the day! (It ended up taking her going to the passenger side to unlock the doors from that side - there are a lot fewer buttons over there!) Afterward we had to reiterate the fact that you really should never climb out of your seat belt or into the drivers seat...unless Mom & Dad are outside yelling to you to do so. :)
I am thankful that everything turned out well and that Makenna is grown up enough to be such a big helper. I love that at this age she is so intelligent and thoughtful, but still young enough to say things that make me laugh! For instance, a few nights ago at dinner Nate and I were talking about dreams we'd had the night before and Nate mentioned something about his parents. Makenna piped in and said "I had a dream about my parents, too." Nate said, "Oh really, do you know who your parents are?" Makenna replied, "Yes, they are Mulan and Boots!" While I was pretty happy with being compared to an Asian warrior princess, Nate wasn't too thrilled to be Dora's pet monkey. :) I can't take too much credit though, she's never actually seen Mulan and only Dora a handful of times at Grandma's house. Where does she come up with these things?
Kenna is also having quite an effect on Sage these days! She's constantly trying to teach Sage new words and songs. The other day she taught Sage to say "nobody", which has turned out to be pretty funny (and irritating). For example, while the girls were in the tub I said, "who wants to get scrubbed up first?" Sage whipped out a huge grin and yelled "NOBODY!" Or if Nate says, "who's ready to get in pajamas?" she'll enthusiastically respond, "NOBODY!" We've tried to trick her with it by following up with "okay then, who wants a treat?" Unfortunately she's much better than Kenna at thinking things through and will hesitate and then say, "I do!" What a turkey!
Looking back, I am surprised how calmly I reacted in such a situation! After the initial shock, I timidly asked Nate if he had his keys with him (which he didn't), and then began thinking how I could call the police to come jimmy-rig our door open. Nate on the other hand, kinda freaked out (which he apologized for afterwards...obviously it was an accident). However, he was the one to come up with the idea of having Kenna unlock the door. We yelled through the car window for her to climb out of her seat belt and into the driver's seat - yes, go against everything we've ever taught and climb OUT of her car seat and into the DRIVER'S seat! (Of course the car was turned off.) She miraculously wiggled right out of that seat belt and then we proceeded to try to point out which button she should push to unlock the car. It took some serious effort. To be honest, it was probably a very funny sight to any onlookers. Here were two adults, standing outside of a car, yelling through the window "okay, do you see this button...no, not that one, don't push that one, look where my finger is, do you see my finger?...now follow it down and push the one right under where my finger is...no try it again, that's the wrong one...can you hear me?...look at me, push the one right under my finger!" Now just imagine watching that for 5 minutes! It was pretty humorous, but in the end she did indeed push the right button, which unlocked the car and saved the day! (It ended up taking her going to the passenger side to unlock the doors from that side - there are a lot fewer buttons over there!) Afterward we had to reiterate the fact that you really should never climb out of your seat belt or into the drivers seat...unless Mom & Dad are outside yelling to you to do so. :)
I am thankful that everything turned out well and that Makenna is grown up enough to be such a big helper. I love that at this age she is so intelligent and thoughtful, but still young enough to say things that make me laugh! For instance, a few nights ago at dinner Nate and I were talking about dreams we'd had the night before and Nate mentioned something about his parents. Makenna piped in and said "I had a dream about my parents, too." Nate said, "Oh really, do you know who your parents are?" Makenna replied, "Yes, they are Mulan and Boots!" While I was pretty happy with being compared to an Asian warrior princess, Nate wasn't too thrilled to be Dora's pet monkey. :) I can't take too much credit though, she's never actually seen Mulan and only Dora a handful of times at Grandma's house. Where does she come up with these things?
Kenna is also having quite an effect on Sage these days! She's constantly trying to teach Sage new words and songs. The other day she taught Sage to say "nobody", which has turned out to be pretty funny (and irritating). For example, while the girls were in the tub I said, "who wants to get scrubbed up first?" Sage whipped out a huge grin and yelled "NOBODY!" Or if Nate says, "who's ready to get in pajamas?" she'll enthusiastically respond, "NOBODY!" We've tried to trick her with it by following up with "okay then, who wants a treat?" Unfortunately she's much better than Kenna at thinking things through and will hesitate and then say, "I do!" What a turkey!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Celebration!
This week was definitely one of celebration - Nate officially completed his second year of law school!! It has been a busy couple of weeks (and a long past 4 months!), but he took his last final Monday afternoon and then we savored every minute we had with him before he starts his new job tomorrow. Of course we tried to fit in way too much and kind of came away from the week exhausted, but it was wonderful nonetheless. Beside the overwhelmingly long honey-do list of projects we had, we squeezed in a lot of family play time. Tuesday we spend the entire day at the zoo (literally we left at 9am and got home about 7:30pm). My friend Christie was in the hospital that day having a baby, so we took her son Carter with us. The girls had a fantastic time running to see all the different animals, and loved it even more to have their good friend with them. It did make Nate and I realize the challenge of having 3 children, however; you are always outnumbered! It adds a whole new level of chaos when each adult is watching one child only to notice that the third has run off. I can't say I'm looking forward to having 3 mobile children...hopefully by that time Makenna will be a little more reliable. :) The rest of the week we spend working hard and playing hard. We hosted 2 barbeques with friends, went to a Duck's baseball game and dog-sat our favorite giant German-shepherd, Raider. I also worked one day so Nate got some quality one-on-one time in with the girls and he was able to get out and play racquetball with a good friend (which his arms are still sore from...sorry Nate!) Hopefully he had a great week.
We are really looking forward to starting this next phase of the year. Nate will be working for a local law firm Monday-Friday, regular hours with nothing to worry about when he gets home but us. We've never had that kind of consistency since we've been married! I am excited to have somewhat of a set schedule (although I'll still be working 1-2 random days a week, but Nate will have a routine!). I am really proud of him for all the hard work he has put in to do well in school, get a great job and still make us feel like his top priority. I wish him luck in his new job! I think he's going to love it, and I also know he'll be fantastic at it...he always is. So with that, we welcome SUMMER - it's going to be a good one!
The Oregon Zoo!
Some of my BEST friends! Chelsea, me, Christie and new baby Olivia. Congrats Harris family!
Our good buddy Raider. Sage wasn't the least bit scared of him, despite the fact that he is about 5 times her size! He is literally almost 6 feet tall on his hind legs, but such a sweet dog. Can't wait till we can get one of these!
We are really looking forward to starting this next phase of the year. Nate will be working for a local law firm Monday-Friday, regular hours with nothing to worry about when he gets home but us. We've never had that kind of consistency since we've been married! I am excited to have somewhat of a set schedule (although I'll still be working 1-2 random days a week, but Nate will have a routine!). I am really proud of him for all the hard work he has put in to do well in school, get a great job and still make us feel like his top priority. I wish him luck in his new job! I think he's going to love it, and I also know he'll be fantastic at it...he always is. So with that, we welcome SUMMER - it's going to be a good one!
On Monday we were doing our usual chores, so while I sorted laundry, the girls turned the frame of our hamper into a fort! They had a great time playing in it and were so imaginative. As always I had to play the scary monster that was coming to get them. It was so worth it, they were entertained for a solid hour!
The Oregon Zoo!
Some of my BEST friends! Chelsea, me, Christie and new baby Olivia. Congrats Harris family!
Our good buddy Raider. Sage wasn't the least bit scared of him, despite the fact that he is about 5 times her size! He is literally almost 6 feet tall on his hind legs, but such a sweet dog. Can't wait till we can get one of these!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
One spoiled mom!
First I have to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the fantastic mothers in my life. I am surrounded by amazing women who are incredible examples of righteous motherhood. I was blessed with a mother who is the most selfless, sweet and supportive woman in the world. Then I got lucky enough to have a mother-in-law whom I adore and have a wonderful relationship with. I also have amazing sisters, sisters-in-law and best friends that I love and look up to in every way. To all those women, I hope you know how loved you are!
Secondly, I want to say what a great day I had today! My sweet husband let me sleep in this morning and then helped our two cute girls bring me breakfast in bed. Afterward I came downstairs to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers complete with calla lilies - my favorite! It was a relaxing day and I got to spend lots of time with the two little people who made me a mom. Oh how I love those girls! I also want to say how thankful I am to Nate for making it a special day for me...despite the fact that he has FINALS TOMORROW!! Now that's true love. :)
Lastly, I am so grateful for the adventure of motherhood. It is definitely not the easiest adventure in the world, but one that is oh so worth it! For mother's day my mom sent me a book called "A Mother's Book of Secrets: Keys to Making Motherhood Memorable, Meaningful, and Magnificent". As I've read it, it reminds me over and over again that this time of having little ones is going to fly by, so I need to cherish every minute of it. I have to be honest that I don't cherish the tantrums, the messes, the stress, the screaming nor the sickness, but I'll take all of that to have my girls come up, unprompted, to say "I love you Mommy!" and give me a kiss. They truly are my little angels and I am so blessed to be their mother.
Secondly, I want to say what a great day I had today! My sweet husband let me sleep in this morning and then helped our two cute girls bring me breakfast in bed. Afterward I came downstairs to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers complete with calla lilies - my favorite! It was a relaxing day and I got to spend lots of time with the two little people who made me a mom. Oh how I love those girls! I also want to say how thankful I am to Nate for making it a special day for me...despite the fact that he has FINALS TOMORROW!! Now that's true love. :)
Lastly, I am so grateful for the adventure of motherhood. It is definitely not the easiest adventure in the world, but one that is oh so worth it! For mother's day my mom sent me a book called "A Mother's Book of Secrets: Keys to Making Motherhood Memorable, Meaningful, and Magnificent". As I've read it, it reminds me over and over again that this time of having little ones is going to fly by, so I need to cherish every minute of it. I have to be honest that I don't cherish the tantrums, the messes, the stress, the screaming nor the sickness, but I'll take all of that to have my girls come up, unprompted, to say "I love you Mommy!" and give me a kiss. They truly are my little angels and I am so blessed to be their mother.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
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