Library Family Night

I have been trying for months to take the kids to our library's family night that they hold once a month. Something has alway happened and we haven't gone. We succeed this month and it was on tools and building by Home Depot. The teacher taught them about the hammer. What it is for and the names of each part on it. He was great with the kids and had everyone laughing.

Each person was able to pick a project that interested them. Rylee picked a sorting box, Reganne picked a bug catcher, and Ryder picked a boat. Each had their hammers and were ready to start. They only problem is they are blessed with a mother that can't assemble craft projects to save her life. Poor Dad had build all three. I could have build Ryder's but he wasnt' giving up his hammer and I wasn't going to hold the nails for him while he hammered.

Reganne & her hammer.... building her bug catcher.

Ryder and his boat... How do I get the nail to standup?

Rylee...I am done first...I win!!

Rylee, Reganne, and Dad...We did it!!

Reganne...I am a builder!!!

The projects only took about a 1/2 hour to build. What is Family Night without a treats. We were off to McDonalds for an ice cream cone.

It was a great night, full of hugs, smiles, and laughter.

Crazy Weather

These past two weeks have been filled with crazy weather, traveling to Salt Lake City, playing inside or outside. Last weekend we made a trip to Salt Lake to deliver a bed for Dave's Dad. When we left St George the weather was nice and sunny. They were predicting 60 degree weather and full of sun. When we arrived in Springville they were predicting snow and cold. In between Beaver was cold and windy as we had to change a tire on the trailer.

We had a fun weekend seeing and playing with a lot of family. We also fit in watching the Olympics.

Rylee & Ryder enjoying the movie on the long drive.

Ryder the first day of the Big Two's Class at daycare. However, he may now be a big two, but he still is the smallest one in the class.

Ryder decided he needed to do homework along with Rylee. He wanted to color out came the washable markers. However, we discovered black is not very washable. He was trying to trace his hands. Just like they do at school.

You don't have to ask Ryder twice to get ready to go. He quickly finds his hat and glasses. However, he can't reach his jacket or zip it up. So he will pester us when he is ready for his jacket.

It is raining again today, another day of inside togetherness. Thank goodness for the Olympics they all love to watch it and there is always something for everyone.

Dino Days / Happy Birthday

This month has been all about dinosaurs at day care. Reganne & Ryder have loved learning about dinosaurs. We have a museam here in town from the 2000 discovery of foot prints. It is rather expensive to go very often. The displays don't change so once you have seen it you are good. The city announced this year that they were going to have a birthday party for the museaum with free admission for the day. I knew this was my chance to go and let the kids explore.

When we arrived they all received dino stamps on their hands. Ryder would not let her touch him. Then it was off to the movie and the history of the site. Next came time to explore. Only not too much since you have to stay on a path and not touch the rocks. Try telling that to a five year old and two year old.

Ryder, Rylee, and Reganne near a replica of a foot print.

It was bigger than their heads.

Rylee busily reading the signs and asking questions.

Game Time !!! I really can't see! Pin the footprint on the wall.
Reganne & Rylee

Become a palentologist and dig for bones in the sand or rather the mud. Who knew they used toothbrushes and paintbrushes in the dirt.

It was a fun activity to do. I was glad we did it before the rain started. After lunch it started to rain and as of this morning it is still raining. We need the water, but too much inside time makes mom cranky.

Potty Training Update: He went both pee & poop in the potty. He new reply when asked if he needs to go. "There is no water in my maker" and off he runs.

Potty Training

What a fun week it has been with Ryder and sorry no pictures. He has become fascinated by going potty or in his words "Water". When our kids have turned two years old I have moved them out of diapers and into pullups. We make a big deal of them growing up and no more diapers. I have been advised from the time Ryder was born that boys are slow to potty train. There hasn't been any real rush to use the potty or even make the transition.

January came and we finished all of our diapers and moved him to pullups. He finally figured out that something needed to happen it wasn't quite sure of what it was. Then one day he went pee in his little potty. He looked up and replied "Water" That started our potty training adventure. He loves to sit on the potty and earn Yum Yums (M&Ms). I still really haven't pushed it. We put him on before his shower and try again in the morning. When you ask him the reply has been "No Water". When he sits down it's "Come On Water or No water come out".

This week he has started coming and getting us to go water. It has taken me a little time to understand what he wants. He has actually done it. Then he told me he had to poop. So I sat him down. He usually only sits for about 5 seconds. I was running crazy getting everyone ready for church. When I turned around he was running naked through the house screaming. Before I could investigate, Rylee was screaming down the hall that there was poop on the carpet. What a surprise!! He actually started going and it scared him. He jumped off the potty and started running to come and tell me. I felt really bad and couldn't scold him because it really was my fault.

Now, he wants to dump the water and flush the toilet. I quess these are all tiny steps towards the final one.

I pledge to be better and not believe all the advise about boys. Who knows he might be potty trained before 5 years old.

It's a January

Well just as the weather people predicted the weather was nasty this week. It rained, hailed, blew, and finally snow. The kids are so wound up from being inside and my house shows it.

We had a quick visit from Uncle Randy, Aunt Janelle, Brinton, and Holland on Sunday. The kids were so excited to get play with each other. They played until we thought they would drop. Reganne & Brinton finally dropped sometime after 11:00 pm. They were up early the next morning playing again. I am so glad that love their cousins and play so well together.

A weekly game at our house is shred the paper and see how much mess you can make. As I am clipping my coupons Ryder is playing in the scraps and cutting them up. This week Holland joined in. They had a blast with the paper. What a cheap toy.

Then came playing choo, choo train. Ryder had to be right there with them. Holland had dropped off and went to bed.

Another rainy night and the kids decided to watch a movie before bed. It was really quiet and Dave went into investigate. This is what he found much to his surprise.

Let it snow!!!! Saturday morning and there was a tiny skiff of snow on the grass. I told Ryder and he quickly wanted to go play in it. However, I reminded him that he wasn't dressed and it was cold outside. This is the outfit he brought to me to get him dressed. I reminded him that he needed shoes. He promptly went and found his and came back ready and with his smile. "I ready mom".

He loved running around. I was cold and tried getting him back inside. "I fine" he kept telling me.

The snow was gone before 8:00 and the girls wouldn't believe him about playing in the snow.

Well we are in for another week of ugly weather. This means more movies, wii, wrestling. Not necessarily in that order.

Wiggle Carts

Santa's Surpise Gift this year was Wiggle Carts. They have seen and played with them at the neighbor's house. They played with them at the Dicken's Festival. Christmas Morning came and they were under the tree. The kids were so excited and quickly asked how Santa knew they wanted them. My prompt reply was that he saw them at the Dicken's Festival and heard them ask multiple times for one.

This week the weather has been really nice. Each night when we get home they ask if they can ride them. They race up and down the driveway. Even Ryder gets his moving pretty fast and then lifts his legs to coast. Not long after they get started other kids soon show up to play. Of course they want to ride them.

Rylee asked me why I haven't tried riding one yet. I thought to myself why haven't I? But the answer soon comes. They haven't let go of them long enough to try. I quess I will have to wait until they get tired of them.

I love anything that gets them outside moving. However, the garage is becoming a parking lot for bikes, scooters, tricycles, and now wiggle carts. The weather this next week is supposed to turn rainy and cold. I guess this means back inside to play.

I Have Sisters

Our church time has changed to 1:00 on Sundays. There is now alot of free play time at our house. They all play pretty well together. However, Ryder is still the smallest and can't out run his sisters. They came upstairs singing Here Comes the Bride. I thought for sure I would see the girls all dressed up for a wedding. Surprise !! they dressed Ryder up as the bride. He had to parade around the house before the wedding could start. I am still confused on who he was to marry. He loves to play with the sisters and be included in their games.

He had enough of this game. He quickly took off the dress ups and went to play with his trucks.