Christmas in July

We had a baby! Well - a couple months ago we had a baby - and because I'm the world's worst blogger (as I also claim to be the world's worst facebooker) - I haven't posted pictures - or even written about. However - trying to 'catch up' on blogging or journaling or scrapbooking or whatever choice medium of perserving memories I may be embracing at the moment - can seem overwhelming and so instead I am choosing today to simply write about this past weekend. Hopefully at a later date I will post pictures of our wonderful baby Evan and write about his birth story (I do have oodles of pictures and have written the gory details of his birth in my journal) . . . However for now, for the blog - I want to write about our Christmas in July!

We didn't plan any summer vacations or get-aways due to the recent birth of Evan, however we decided to have a little mini-vacation this weekend in Colorado Springs. I've decided I don't think it really matters how far away from home we might go, or even the nature of the trip itself - simply the word 'vacation' infused our home with a palpable level of excitement all week. We got a 'Car Travel Games' book from the library - and Allison made sure we went through it and picked out some good games (which we played enthusiastically in the car and while waiting to be seated at Village Inn for breakfast). The night before, Allison and Carter packed their bags with so much energy and enthusiasm, I was almost excited to pack my bag.

So we left Friday morning - choosing to head straight down to the Springs rather than stop at Walmart for diapers because I calculated that we had just enough to make it until Saturday night. On the car-ride down we listened to audiobooks, kids-songs, played the alphabet game, and a new word game from our travel book. When we arrived an hour later we found a delightful park (Thank you GPS!), and had a picnic lunch. I think the playground must have been filled with brand-new sand that day - because it was so full and soft and not a bit of it was tracked-out into the surrounding area. Allison asked if she could bury herself in it - and after a moment of hesitation, I decided - absolutely! This is the closest my kids are going to get to the beach for awhile - let them have their fun. So they did. And we did. We ate ham and cheese sandwiches (thank you to Dad who packed our lunch that morning) and 'Foodles' - which make eating apples and pretzels and cheese cubes so much fun.

After some serious dusting-off, we made our way to the Focus on the Family headquarters. They were having a chapel-session for all the employees and so we waited a half-hour outside until they opened. Allison and I put our handy travel games to use once more while Anthony and Carter left to find a potty. At 12:30 the doors were opened and we had a wonderful afternoon of fun. There is such a nice spirit about the place. Upstairs they have interactive displays and movies and a bookstore (a lot like a temple square visitors center and deseret book), and downstairs is a world of fun for the kids. The highlight is this big - 3-story twisty slide. Allison went down once - and then related how fun it was that I had to try it. You put your feet in these big duffle sacks and put cut off socks on your elbows to prevent them from hitting the sides - and then you slide! She was right. It was super-fun. We also enjoyed the world's best soft-serve ice cream. Seriously. I have never tasted such yummy soft-serve. It was Dreyer's brand and it was the richest, creamiest, chocolatiest cup of ice cream I have ever mooched off Allison (I always say I don't want anything and then just snitch off what the kids order. I should stop doing that).

One more note about Focus on the Family. The mother's nursing area is the most ornate nursing room I have ever seen. Artwork, antique clock, ornate rocking chair, indoor plants - it was beautiful.

After several hours of fun at Focus on the Family, we went to Garden of the Gods. We walked around the paths - and occasionally Anthony and the kids would find these little trails that they would go explore. After one escapade Allison and Carter come running out of a bunch of trees and declare that they've just escaped from a 'deep dark forest', but not to worry - because there weren't any bad-guys. We have dinner at Schlotzsky's and then return to the hotel where the kids swim for an hour before crashing into bed.

The next morning we sleep in a bit, have breakfast at Village Inn and then head up to the North Pole. As we are walking in we see a big sign that says '50 Years of Fun!' Allison looks at the sign and with amazement in her voice declares, 'Mom, I think that means it will take us 50 years to go on all the rides!'. I laugh and explain to her that this amusement park has been around for a long time and that I use to come here when I was little girl.

We have a wonderful day. The park is perfect for a 4 and 3 year old. They are able to do nearly all the rides . . . no actually every single one. I think we hit every single ride during the day, except for the one or two that were out of order - and I think Allison informed me that we missed a shiny car one . . . Oh - and they did take a shortcut through the haunted house . . . but aside from that - they experienced the full North Pole.

The little boats that had bells that the kids could ring brought back vague memories for me. I remember the joy of ringing the little bells on the boats - and I'm happy to report that the charm of the bells has not been lost. Allison and Carter rang those things with vigor! I also think I might have vague memories of feeding the deer??? But maybe I'm inventing memories . . . I don't know - but Allison and Carter loved that. Allison was delighted that the deer were clamoring for the food she was feeding them out of her hand.

We did the rides, saw Santa, went to a magic show, and then finished the day with one last ride on these umbrella things. I went with Allison (Anthony went with the kids on most of the rides throughout the day while I stayed with Evan) - however I decided to give this last ride a go. It has been awhile since I've been on amusement park rides - and it made me a little sick! Nothing drastic, but not something I wanted to do again.

OK so now let's see if I can post some pictures . . .

Endings and Beginnings

These last few weeks have brought an end to several things that have been part of my life this last school year. I had my Spring piano recital - ending another year of piano, we had our last movement and music class I've been doing with Alli and Carter and some of their friends all year, Allison graduated from Mother Goose Time preschool, and Carter ended his 3rd year of life with a Thomas the Train birthday party. Well, he'll technically finish his 3rd year of life this Sunday - but we had his birthday party early so we can welcome a new little addition to our family . . . hopefully this next weekend!

I can't figure out how to caption these photos individually - so I'll just tell about them all right here . . .
1 - Anthony's Mom came to visit this last weekend and we were able to go to the science museum together and see Bodyworlds: the Story of the Heart. This is a traveling exhibit - and we were able to see many body parts and organs that have been preserved through plastination. The exhibit left me feeling so grateful and in awe of the human body. Anyway - this picture isn't of the BodyWorlds - but this is Anthony and Allison doing an experiment in the Exhibition Health part of the museum.
2 - We had the kids decorate freight cars for the party. This is one of the few pictures I got of Carter wearing his freight car. He loved helping to paint the cars and played with them all morning - but when the party started - he was simply not interested. I ended up wearing his frieght car for most of the party. :)
3 - Carter's Train Cake . . . I discovered how to 'crumb-coat' a cake this time around. I've always struggled making the frosting look right after cutting and shaping a cake - but I learned that I needed to first do a thin layer of frosting to seal in the crumbs and then refrigerate before putting on a 2nd coat. It worked! Allison helped me choose the 'frieght' to put in the cars. Her favorite candy was the candy corn.
4 - Anthony leading the kids around a train track drawn with chalk on the driveway. They had to complete different assignments from Sir Topham Hat's boss . . . Sir Mighty Hat.
5 & 6 - more birthday pictures . . .
7 - Sir Topham Hat giving instructions on how to play 'Thomas-in-the-Box'
8 - Carter and I pacing off 3 steps before playing 'Load the Freight Cars'. This was probably Carter's favorite game. He got to throw balls into his box.
9 - Grandma and Carter painting the boxes in preparation for the party.
10 - Invites/Boarding Passes
11 - The kids and I went to see Coppellia a few weeks ago (I'm not sure if that is the correct spelling??) It was a ballet - and the kids loved it! Carter is smiling for the camera before the show. As I was uploading this picture, Carter came and sat on my lap and looked at it and declared "That's me being cheeky!" I'm not entirely sure what 'cheeky' means - I think it's a term from Thomas the train . . . but I agree - he does look 'cheeky'.
12 - This is Allison playing Struttin' at the piano recital. She also played Toes in the Sand - which has a little improvisation part in the middle. She did a great job! I'm so proud of her hard work.

Grilled Cheese, Easter Eggs, Princesses, and a 5K

So I haven't blogged in awhile - but Carter said something today that I just had to post. I was in the kitchen getting ready to make lunch and I asked Carter if he'd like a grilled cheese sandwich. He said, "No, I want a boy-cheese sandwich." I didn't quite understand what he said the first time and so I asked again and he adamantly said, 'No - I don't want a girl-cheese sandwich, I want a boy-cheese sandwich'. That made me laugh! We all enjoyed our respective boy and girl-cheese sandwiches for lunch.

Allison participated in her first piano festival in March. She did great. She played Butterflies and Rainbows and Wake-up Dance. I didn't actually go in to see her since I am also her teacher . . . but Anthony went in with her and he said she was a little awestruck by the judge. She sat down (sort of - she stood more than she sat on the bench) - and then looked directly at the judge while playing, rather than at the piano. I think the highlight of the experience for her was the ribbon she got. Anthony ran a 5K last weekend. The kids and I went to cheer him on. He did great! He ran it in 28 minutes. After the 5K they had a little mini-race for all the kids. Carter ran about 100 yards and then Anthony put him on his shoulders. Alli ran alongside. The kids had fun. They especially liked seeing the Chik-Fil-A cow.

Carter's lot, having a fully-princessized older sister, is that he is well-versed in princess culture. When Allison chooses a movie, it's a princess movie. When she chooses a book, it's a princess book . . . and he is along for the ride. I caught him singing 'I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream', from Sleeping Beauty the other day after using the bathroom . . .


Easter Morning . . .


This last video is of Allison reading one of her princess books to Carter. I wanted to get some video of her reading. If Anthony and I are there and available she usually wants us to read, but occasionally (like in the car, or in her room at night) she'll read to herself or to Carter.

Adventures with Thomas the Train

Our home is saturated in Thomas the Train right now. Ever since Christmas, when Santa Clause gave Carter a Thomas the Train set, the box of tracks and engines is the first thing that is grabbed off the toy shelf each morning and the last thing that gets put away at night. The Thomas-love has even rubbed off onto Allison who plays in the pretend world of the Island of Sodor with as much vigor and excitement as does Carter.

In the trainset that Santa brought are two Thomas engines, both of which are a little smaller than a larger Thomas the Train engine that we had purchased for him earlier in the year. This week I knew Thomas had reached a whole new status level when I heard Allison and Carter playing with the 'Mommy' Thomas (the big train) and then the 'sister' and the 'baby' Thomas (the two little Thomas's). No longer is Thomas simply 'Thomas the Train', he now is his own species -with Moms, Dads, and kids.

Earlier this week I was on my bed reading an Ensign article by President Monson. Carter comes into my room and climbs up onto the bed to join me.

"Mom, can I read with you?"
"Sure," I say.
Sensing a teaching moment I flipped the page back to the beginning of the aricle and pointed to the picture of President Monson.
"Carter, this is the prophet, Thomas S. Monson."
His face lights up. "Thomas!" he squeals - clearly delighted.

Later during the week we were doing the bedtime routine and I pulled out an old poster from when I was the primary chorister and we sang the song 'I Wonder When He Comes Again'. We sang the first line "I wonder when he comes again, will herald angels sing" (**note to self - I have another story about Carter's singing I want to write about - don't forget) Anyway Carter jumps up and shouts - "Harold! Harold!" (For those not as thoroughly immersed in Thomas culture as we are - Harold is a helicopter in the world of Thomas the Train). I don't think I can sing 'herald' angels without thinking of the little white Harold helicopter.

OK . . . Carter's singing. We went to a baptism for a new member of the ward on Saturday. We were a few minutes late and so we snuck into the back row after the opening hymn. It was a beautiful meeting. I love the peaceful spirit at baptisms. It was time for the closing song and I realized that we didn't have a hymn book. I didn't worry too much about it thinking that I'd probably know the words to the song. But as the song started I realized I really had no idea what the words were. Anthony and I just sat quietly in the back listening to the others sing, but Carter - no way - he starts singing his heart out . . . singing the syllables a split second after others sing them. It was wonderful. :) He just loves to sing. As we were singing our 'herald angels' song again tonight - he asked if we could sing it again because he forgot to sing the last few lines. He doesn't like to be left out of a good song.

Follow the Prophet

There is nothing like a 4-year-old to keep you humble. I had just picked up Allison from preschool and we were driving home, munching on the chocolate chip cookies she had made that day, when she says:

“Mom, Dad always follows the prophet doesn’t he?”
“Yes, Allison, he does try to follow the prophet.”
“But Mom you don’t always follow the prophet.”
“Oh, well I try to follow the prophet too.”
“But, Mom – you make mistakes.”

That I do. We had a little discussion about repentance and trying our best and then the conversation turned to dinosaurs and thinking of a good place to put the last cookie so Dad could have one when he came home from work.

Infinite-Power-of-Hope

Infinite-Power-of-Hope

Allison's Birthday

I just imported almost 200 pictures from my camera to my computer . . . pictures from the whole summer. I'll have to do a photo dump here pretty soon - and just post a bunch of pictures. But first I wanted to blog about Allison's birthday party. We were able to have her party on her actual birthday - September 1st. We went to see Suessical a month before and decided to have a Dr. Seuss theme.

I had fun putting together a Seuss-style poem for the invites . . .

(on the cover)

The sun did not shine

It was too wet to play

So we sat in the house

All that cold cold wet day.

(inside)

But wait! This cold, wet day is September 1st!

And that means it's Allison's birthday, of course.

There are games to be played

Tricks to be done

Things to be made

Prizes to be won

It must be a party!

Let's Skittle on over (attached a pack of skittles)

There could be a cake

And a cat and a clover

With who's that are lost

What will poor Horton do?

We'll need everyone's help

To save all the Who's

Nine to eleven o'clock

Come what may

We'll celebrate Allison's day

The Seuss-way!

We had 6 of her friends come over. We started with a gathering activity on a blanket. We had a bunch of Seuss books and we looked through the books and talked about them. Then when everyone arrived we had a magical reading of The Cat in the Hat. If everyone was super quiet and listened very carefully. We might have a special visitor come to life out of the book. And sure enough, it worked! About 4 or 5 pages into the book - the cat in the hat himself started to peek over the loft. A few girls caught a glimpse of him. Then he peeked around the staircase. Then he was here! The cat and the girls played 'I Can Do That' - a game of tricks. Then in honor of The Foot Book - they played musical feet - walking around the feet until the music stopped. We did a 'Green Eggs and Ham' call and respond game, and then made elephant ears - so the girls could find the Who's on the Dum-Dum clovers hidden outside. We ate the poor fish from the Cat in the Hat book in blue gelatin, and went fishing for a Cat in the Hat pencil in One Fish, Two Fish. We ended with a Cat in the Hat cake and presents. I think it was a memorable birthday for Allison I think. Oh and Anthony did practically the whole party speaking in rhyme! That was the best. :)