I like them... really

Seth gives us his pirate smile

In trouble?

Best friends... mostly

I like my kids. Sometimes they hit, pull hair, run around like wild maniacs, scream, throw tantrums, cut up yarn and leave it all over the place, whine while I'm on the phone, poke the baby, spill stuff, and so on. But, all in all, I like them. Here are some of things I like about them:

Katelin

1. Took Seth to the car, put him in his carseat and buckled him in today
2. Dances around, sits with, and smiles for Lina when she is crying
3. Makes and gives cards... lots and lots and lots of cards that say I love you, You're my favorite Mom/Dad/brother/sister, I love chrch, Thanks for ______, etc.
4. Reads with, plays with, shares with Seth -- even when it isn't really his turn.
5. Initiates one of my favorite games at the playground. She climbs up the ladder (about 2 rungs up) and jumps into Seth's arms. Then Seth takes a turn. Dangerous? Slightly. Entertaining? Yes - for everyone involved.

Seth

1. Goes along with all of Katelin's crazy games and ideas and is happy to do it.
2. Jumped up and down smiling and laughing when we put big boy underwear on him last week... and he doesn't fight me when I tell him it's time to go to the bathroom.
3. Loves the song "I want to do it myself..." from a little cd we borrowed from the library
4. Puts his little hand on top of mine when he wants to "help" me pour water into his oatmeal, spread peanut butter on his sandwish, or stamp a picture on his paper.
5. Loves playing Billy Goats Gruff, and acting like a snake or horse or kangaroo, or anything.

Lina

1. Smiles, kicks, and waves her arms every time Trevor or Katelin or Seth or I stop and say hello to her. She loves the attention.
2. Laughed with us when we noticed she was wearing one of her teethers like a bracelet. The kids all got a kick out of that.
3. Examines and studies her feet and hands (usually with her mouth) with great wonder.
4. Drinks happily from a bottle when needed (thank you, thank you.)
5. Fights: going to sleep at night. Loves: being swaddled, listening to the blow dryer, and being worn in a front pack.

In spite of all of the work they create, these three kids bring a lot of joy.

On another note, today was Day 2 of my commitment to spend time with myself on the patio and I can proudly report I did it. In addition, I spent a minute reading Olivia Helps with Christmas on the patio with two little kiddos. I love the cooler weather that lends to spending a bit more time outside!

I love it when everyone plays nice!

Playing with baby.

Reading to brother.

Big brother.

Three happy kids.

A little bit of happiness...

Do you remember Ramona? The "Ramona Books" as I called them, were the first books that I devoured in elementary school. I loved reading about silly Ramona, and I especially remember Susan and her boing, boing curls.

So I decided to try reading this with Katelin about a week ago. She loved it and anticipated reading every day. It has been so fun to rediscover this little kindergartener with Katelin. We read a chapter every day while Seth was sleeping, and the only disappointment was that we finished and have to get back to the library before we can read another chapter book.

I really think one of the keys to being happy at home with your kids, is to find things you both enjoy. For Katelin and I, that is reading. Sitting and playing princess games in any way may drive me crazy, but this we have in common. Ramona is so much more interesting than Ariel, or Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty, or even Belle (my favorite princess --- because she is at least a little bit smart). Thank you Beverly Cleary.

What We Learned In January

Notice the bruise says, "I Heart"

That's because Katelin is loved. This is before the swelling drained down below both of Katelin's eyes and made her look like a thug who had lost a fist fight. A cute thug, but a thug nonetheless. We've had some dirty looks at Target the last couple of weeks.

January Lesson #1 (a possible New Year's Resolution): Do not run towards your bed while talking on the phone and eating a ham sandwich. The end.

No Rainy Day Blues...

If you haven't been on a walk in the rain with a four-year-old lately, I highly recommend it. Umbrellas are optional. Splashing in the puddles is not.

Just wondering...

Seriously, who needs toys?

Am I the only parent who has considered tying my children to their chairs at the kitchen table and into their beds at night? Not complaining, just wondering if this might be a legitimate solution....

Little bit of this and that

I haven't been doing a lot of musing lately. Here are a few things we have been doing --

Destroying the house. Toys at my house seem to breed. We can go from clean to this in just a matter of minutes. I'm working on clutter control, and have found some success in simply hiding or giving away many toys. The kids find new forms of clutter, but there is some progress.

Twirling around the house. This is a favorite pastime at our house. That is until one child gets yanked around too hard and starts crying. Then the fun is over. For a minute. Until the tears stop. Then the twirling begins again.

Posing for pictures. I love it when they both look at the camera. This is a perfect shot of Seth's hair - theclassic rooster shooting straight up in the air. It might have something to do with a certain little girl and a pair of scissors, but the double cowlick in the back can't help either.

Trick-or-treating. I wouldn't be a good mother if I didn't post a picture of my kids in their Halloween costumes I suppose. Too bad this doesn't showcase Katelin's pride and joy: her ruby red slippers. Sorry, Katelin. Maybe next month.

Playing nice. I wouldn't be telling the truth if I didn't say that I find these two playing nice many, many mornings. It is a gift to yourself and your child when you have a second child. A gift that comes with a lot of work, but really, well worth it.

Okay, so we obviously haven't been doing much of this around the house. We have just been surviving while Trevor flew half-way around the world to take this photograph. He spent about eight days in Rabat, Morocco and Istanbul, Turkey hosting "study abroad professionals" at the CIEE conference. Here he captured men washing their feet outside of a mosque.

When Katelin Went to the Temple

A few weeks ago in her sunbeams class at church, Katelin learned all about what she needs to do to prepare to go to the temple. She reported everything back to me. She would need to eat healthy food, obey her mother, be kind, and so forth.

A day or two later I asked Katelin to do something. She responded, "Yes, because I want to obey you. I want to go to the temple."

By the end of the week, she was begging us to take her. I explained to her that until she was older and ready to participate in temple worship, she would only be able to see the temple from the outside. "But can Iplease just have a peek?" she asked.

Well, a week or two went by and we found ourselves in Dallas helping my sister-in-law move into their new apartment. In the middle of this visit, we found time to go to the Dallas/Fort Worth temple so I could attend an endowment session.

When I had finished my session, I met Trevor and the kids outside on the lawn and discovered that Katelin needed to use the restroom. Normally, we would take her to the distribution center bathrooms (kind of a temple bookstore) nearby, but they were closed. We thought we would have to head down the street. Then I realized something.

The Dallas temple is set up with a very large lobby and waiting room. This area is available to those who aren't yet able to go inside and participate in temple ceremonies. In this waiting area there was access to a restroom. When I told Katelin she could walk into the temple with me, and take a quick peek, she was elated. She was also pretty excited to use the temple bathrooms, which, by the way, were baby blue. Very memorable.

Katelin getting reverent so she can enter the temple.

I think Seth was a bit mad that he couldn't go inside.

But Katelin told him all about it afterwards.

Overall, a very nice day at the Dallas temple. I'm happy to see Katelin understanding how important the temple is to us. To learn a bit more about temples, you can go here.

Artistic Expression

We are a family that embraces arts and culture. We like to give our children the opportunity to enjoy the arts in any way they like.

This is Seth's version of a self-portrait. Better than eating the crayons!

Katelin made puppets the other day.

They started out very traditional.

Each one was a bit more unique than the last.

What is this, you might ask? A dragon. Katelin felt she had made it just a bit to scary. I see her point.

Fun Week Highlights, continued....

Okay, let me add one final highlight. This is a memorable moment for any parent. It doesn't happen too much around these parts.

Fun Week Highlights.

After a big trip to visit family, and all of Trevor's travels, we opted to avoid more travel and host our own "staycation" in Austin this summer. I'm pretty sure we have hit the pinnacle of hipness, as everybody is doing a "staycation" these days now that it is cool to save money. Anyway, here are a few highlights for your enjoyment...

Who wants to see lions, elephants, or giraffes when there are fish around. This was the favorite location at the San Antonio Zoo, possibly because it has air conditioning.

Katelin decided to hatch a few egss while we were there...

Later in the week, Trevor and Seth had some one on one time at Champion Park.

Seth had a good time digging...

Down the street at Brushy Creek Lake Park, Katelin and I enjoyed the fountains and Katelin's new scooter.

I should have worn my swimming suit... and I'm not so sure about the $1.00 special Target sunglasses??

Although you can't tell, we are all on the train. The Zilker Zephyr. We tried out Barton Springs pool afterwards... Seth thought it was a little too cold.

One of the highlights of the children's museum were the drums, always a favorite for Seth. Katelin liked dressing up (as usual) even though they didn't have any princess gowns.

Bedtime Story Birthday

I love birthdays!

I love the anticipation.

I love the cupcakes.

I love balloons and birthday signs and most of all pretty packages in bright colors.

I love tables set with matching paper plates and napkins.

But more than any of that - I love this four-year-old! She is as cute now as she was then.

Airport Reunion

Katelin greets Trevor at the airport.

This is what happens AFTER Mom and the kids return from their visits with Grandmas and Grandpas and Dad returns from his two-week tour of China. It was a sweet day at Austin-Bergstrom.

How to Get Married

Katelin talking to Seth: And Seth, you HAVE to get a ring, okay?

Me to Katelin: What are you doing?

Katelin: Teaching Seth how to get married.

Katelin continues talking to Seth: Then you get the ring and say, "Will you marry me?" And she puts the ring on her finger, on any finger she wants...

Seth: blank stare

Katelin: Then she wears a white dress... or a purple dress... or whatever color. And you wear something very handsome. Like black. Kind of like this shirt (note: the shirt is actually navy), but without the basketball on it. But you have to look soooo handsome. Okay?

P.S. I'm back in the office and ready to blog again... Happy Wednesday.

One Dollar's Worth of Fun

Mother's Day Kite Flying

My Mother's Day brought a sick Katelin, or at least a recovering Katelin so we spent the day at home, while Trevor headed off to church, where he would be speaking on what a wonderful mother I am... or something like that. I was particularly disappointed to miss his talk and what would have been Katelin's debut with the Primary children singing "Mother I Love You." So sad.

Nevertheless, in the evening we hit the park with some heavy duty kite-flying -the highlight of my Mother's Day. I just can't help but love watching something soaring so high. Oh to be a kite...

Hopelessly romantic

Katelin after a competitive game of "Kiss the Prince" (similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey) at a Princess Birthday Party Yesterday.

Katelin has a few notions about romance and love -

While watching a disney movie, "I think they are falling in love."

My friend Lonna asks, "Really? Why?"

"Because they're singing to each other." Obviously!!

****

While talking about boys from preschool -

"If Andrew is married when I get big, I'll just marry Austin."

"What if Austin is married?"

"I'll marry Ethan, he is soooo funny."

****

"Do you like twirling in that dress?"

"Yes, so  I can get married."

"Oh, you need to know how to twirl to get married?"

"I already know how."

****

"Mom and Dad, when I see you kiss, I want to kiss someone."

Our good friends

Katelin and Andy
Seth with Leo and Jack or is it Jack and Leo?

Talmage, Addie and Katelin

It feels like a long time ago we were in Utah and Idaho enjoying a couple of snowy days. With our perfect spring weather I can't say I am missing home too much. I am missing these cute kids. Mathew and Angie were nice enough to have a set of twins close in age to both of my kids. Her kids definitely have a few more tall genes than ours.

Sweet Reunion

Perhaps there is nothing better for me about a trip home than watching my children interact with their grandparents. Nobody loves my children like their grandparents do. It is a special treat to spend several days in their homes as they take special care to spend time with the kids and spoil them with lots of love and attention.

Grandpa Winward introduces Seth to the dog.

Cuddling up with Grandma winward at the end of a long day

Grandma Budge is always taking pictures. At Trisha's wedding she handed her camera to Trevor while she was in the reception line and gave him specific instructions - "Take pictures of the grandkids."

Katelin and Grandpa Budge greet each other after eight long months