Daddyday - Oct. 26

Yesterday was another daddyday. We woke up early and decided we would take the kids to the conservatory at the Bellagio. However, before we made it downtown we made a detour to IHOP to sample the Pumpkin Pancakes. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of the pancakes because what kind of weirdo brings a SLR into IHOP?

We had a great time (both at IHOP and the garden). I highly recommend the display to anyone living here and if your looking for cheap food that is kid friendly, I recommend IHOP (not really).

There are a couple things I like about this picture. 1. The kids' faces. They were in complete amazement. 2. Do you see how Steve is holding my purse in the background. He's such a swell guy. He carried my bright-red, heavy purse around all morning so I could play with my camera.

I am sure my face looked like theirs when I saw the tree below.
This tree /fountain was amazing. They had 3 of them. They were made out of copper or bronze (I'm guessing) and had thousands of holes for the water to drip out. I have never heard ANYTHING replicate the sound of rain like these did. If I had money to spare I would buy one of these and place it in my living room.

Nothing like a nice, wet kiss from a 4-year-old!

Finally, there was this terrifying, horrific talking monster tree. I was so excited to show it to the kids and BOTH of them started crying when they saw it - before it even started talking! They definitely have the scardy cat genes that have been passed down from me! It was kind of cool, but now that I think about it kind of freaked me out, too.

perfect landing

Guess what happens when you are playing the lets-spin-and-get-really-dizzy-and-fall game and there are legos on the ground?

The lego wins.

I love...

his chocolate eyes,

her blue eyes

and how much they love each other.

Reenactment

There are certain milestones in childhood that are dreaded by parents. Clara reached one last night. I had a feeling that it was coming, but I was in denial.

Thomas was 2 1/2 when he learned how to climb out of the crib. I figured she was going to learn a lot sooner because I have caught her taking private lessons in secret from her big brother.

She was not too happy that I was making her demonstrate her new skill.

Or, maybe she wasn't too happy that I was standing in the room with my camera waiting for her to get out. She has not been a fan of the camera lately.

I must admit she has great agility. I was quite impressed with the strength in her upper body.
I'll add that she is very quite when she does it. One might even say she is stealth like.
Thomas and Clara are sharing a room right now and she did it twice while he was reading on his bed, he didn't even notice she had done it.
She doesn't make a thud when she gets out. I know this because I was in the office right under the bedroom last night. I usually hear every noise in their room, last night it was silent. She had a plan and she knew what she was doing.

She finished off her performance by sticking her hands in the air and saying "TA DA."

Come ON!!

I have never attempted to cut my kids' hair, or Steve's hair. I don't have enough courage to do it myself. I am always afraid that it will end up looking...well, kind of like it does in the picture.

I DID NOT do that. I actually paid someone to do that.

I think I need to rethink my position on cutting hair, because I am pretty sure I could have done a lot better than that.

Thank heavens her hair grows fast and thank heavens she's not old enough to have self esteem issues.

She's falling in love.

Clara has always been a Mommy's Girl. I am sure it has something to do with her nursing for a year and a half, or that I was the one to get up with her during the night, or just the fact that I am with her all day.

Recently, she has discovered how fun her Dad is.

She is always the first one to hear his truck pull in the driveway. As soon as she does, she starts yelling, "Daddy 'ome, Daddy 'ome!" She runs to him when he comes in the door and does her trademark scream / squeal. She hugs him, kisses him and screams some more - this time in his ear.

She still is my little shadow during the day, but I think Daddy is moving up the ranks. It's too cute to see the two of them together.

And I think he loves her just as much as she loves him.

Fro Grow '09

We are in the first week of Fro Grow 09. Thomas should have had his hair cut this past weekend, but he is growing it out for the next month. We are trying to grow the perfect accessory for his Halloween costume...

I am so excited to make this costume. I bought a pattern that I can modify last week, so I need to make a mock up before I make the real one. If anyone knows where I can find a large, gold square belt buckle, please do tell. I have been searching the internet but can't seem to find the right size. Steve says I need to use rollo wrappers and make my own. I would rather not, but if I can't find anything it may be my only out.

I also need to find a pair of bright yellow leggings (sz 4T or 5T). We are going to be in Washington for Halloween and I think the weather will require something warmer than tights. Maybe I should just dye some long-johns yellow. Any ideas?

My little bathing beauty.

I was recently introduced to the blog momtog. I love it! I have learned quite a bit from her entries and was thirlled to get this picture today of Clara, shot in manual mode. I am finally getting the aperature / ISO / shutter thing figured out. For any of you wanting to get off automatic mode, give it a read.

Expressionist

On our hike Monday, we came across a lady with a dog. As you can see, Clara was so excited.

I love how the dog looks like it is trying to lean away from her. Smart dog.

I think the visit made her day.

Monday

Yesterday was Daddyday. Around here that is the name we give any day of the week that Steve has off. After hearing that the leaves were starting to change up at Kyle Canyon we decided it would be a perfect time to take a picnic up to the mountain and go on a little hike.

(Please know that I use the word hike very loosely, it was more like a very S L O W walk up part of a trail because Clara was insistent on walking by herself. )

We started our afternoon with a tailgate lunch. Steve and I were the only ones to eat lunch. Thomas ate chips and chocolate while Clara slept in her car seat. Next time we need to plan our timing better and bring food the kids will eat. I figured that being on a fun picnic would somehow magically get my kids to eat a ham sandwich, but I was wrong.

This is one of my favorite pictures I got. This was taken right as a breeze started to come down from the canyon. Clara was amazed by it, Thomas couldn't care less.


The color was beautiful! I love fall, and I think I would love it even more if we had color like this in the valley.

Clara's hair blended right in with the color. I felt bad that I didn't do it up, she kept brushing it out of her face all afternoon.
A rare appearance by me. I sometimes wonder if my kids will think they were motherless because I am never in any pictures with them.

I can and can't take credit for this picture. I manually set the camera, but then Steve took the shot. I thought it was pretty good for a white boy.

Maybe this is my favorite shot. This is so typical of Clara. She is so affectionate and gives the best hugs. They are tight and they are intentional. She is such a little lover. This was completely unprompted. She just turned to the boys and gave them a big squeeze.

Thomas deep in thought.
Taken moments before the big hug.
This is his favorite pose.

The end.

Proff!

I am the new sunbeam teacher in our ward. And yes, Thomas is in my class. Yesterday was the first time I taught and all the kids were so good and so cute...except for mine. I am sure his behavior will improve within the next few weeks, he just needs to understand that I can't call on him ever single time I ask a question because he is my favorite son.

.

I thought he hadn't paid attention at all, and then after church he drew this picture. I guess he did listen to the lesson.

.

(I love the beard!)

Anyone else?

Am I the only one, or has anyone else found that all the kids' fall/winter clothes have shrunk over the past few months?

(The bottom of those jeans were touching the back of his heels 4 months ago!)

Grocery store post #25436-B

I was at the market today (I really like to say market because it reminds me of my grandma). Again, I had Thomas and Clara strapped into the disgusting car cart. Again, Clara was screaming. However, this time she was screaming because Thomas kept touching her. We were in a hurry. I only had 30 minutes to get my shopping done, feed the kids (thank you service deli corn dogs) and get Thomas to school.

.

I told Thomas to stop bugging his sister, but he was having too much fun. Finally I stopped the cart and knelt down next to him. Very calmly, but firmly I said, "you better stop touching her or you are going home and are not going to be able to go to school today." Thomas didn't say anything. He put both hands on the steering wheel and then rested his head on his hands. I felt a little bad, but I also felt like I had properly disciplined him. About 30 seconds passed and Thomas still had not raised his head.

.

Me: Thomas, are you crying? Don't be sad, I'm not mad at you.

He lifted his head up and I I could see that he was fine.

Thomas: No, Mom. I'm okay. I was just saying a prayer.

Me: About what?

Thomas: Nothing.

Me:Why won't you tell me what you were praying about?

Thomas: Because

.

I got down to his level. I am thinking in my head how this is a perfect teaching moment, and about how we have raised such a righteous 4-year-old, and what a good kid he is...

.

Me: I am happy that you are saying a prayer. That is a good thing. What are you asking Heavenly Father?

Thomas: Mom...(he hesitated for a bit) I was praying that you would be nicer.

ouch.

I guess I can rule out a career in Cirque Du Soleil