The Day I've Been Dreading for Years...

Today was Lewis' first day of school. I admit, I have been dreading this day for years. I remember being up in the middle of the night crying about this two years ago. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. This morning I drove him to school and he was so excited, which is a big deal. Usually Lewis is very apprehensive about new things and does not go into anything willingly. His eagerness to go helped me to get through the morning. I'm glad he's happy. But I'm still sad that he will never be at home with me all day again. This is the beginning of the end of him being my little boy. Sniff, sniff, tear, tear.

Jack is 4!

This week was Jack's birthday. He is one of the funniest little boys I've ever known. He is always saying something that makes me laugh. He is also one of the sweetest boys. I'm so lucky that he's mine. Here are some things about him.

1. Jack LOVES pizza. It’s by far his favorite but has to be pepperoni. He also loves toast, cinnamon rolls, grilled cheese sandwiches, raisins, and orange juice.
2. Jack’s favorite movie is the Nightmare Before Christmas but he calls it This Is Halloween.
3. Jack’s favorite song is This Is Halloween from the Nightmare Before Christmas. He has a dance where he puts his arms out and stomps around with a frown on his face when he hears this song.
4. Jack loves Renee. He cannot keep his hands or his mouth off of her. He also likes to lick her head for some reason.
5. Jack loves to play with Lewis and Ashley too. His favorite game is hide-and-seek. He also enjoys I Spy, Hot Potato, Freeze Dance, and Ring Around the Rosie.
6. Jack likes to pretend he’s a puppy. Sometimes I’ll feel something wet on my arm or leg and look down to see Jack licking me.
7. Jack is a biter. If his mouth is near someone or something he will bite it. He cannot help himself.
8. When Jack gets reprimanded for breaking a rule he says he is just using his imagination. For example, Jack, stop biting your little sister. I was just using my imagination. Good try.
9. Jack loves cards. When he gets or makes a card he’ll carry it around for days.
10. Jack loves his stuffed animals. He likes to sleep with them and play with them.
11. Jack loves his blankets. He has three that he likes to sleep with or snuggle with.
12. Jack likes to be sung to. The song I sing to him when it’s bedtime or when he just needs some comfort is Smile. I have sung this to him since he was an infant. He also likes Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
13. Jack likes to play with play dough. It is one of his favorite activities and he’ll sit there at the table for over an hour playing with it. He also enjoys coloring.
14. Jack likes to be in a stroller or grocery cart when we go out. Unlike some kids who like to run around when they go out in public, he would rather be pushed around.
15. Jack does not like the cold. He likes to play in the snow for a few minutes but quickly heads back inside because it’s too cold. He is constantly wrapped up in one of his blankets.
16. Jack’s favorite word is poop. The punch line to all of his jokes is poop. Ask him what he wants for dinner, it’s poop.
17. Jack does not like loud crying. If one of his siblings is crying loudly he screams, “I don’t like crying!” as loud as he can. It really helps the situation.
18. Jack likes to help. Whenever I ask him to get something for me or to do something he says “Sure!” He is such a sweet boy.
19. Jack likes to show off his tricks. All day long I hear, ‘Mom, watch this!” His tricks include but are not limited to jumping off the couch, throwing stuff, and making silly faces.
20. Jack likes to tell silly jokes. One of his favorites is: Why did Tigger look in the toilet? He was looking for Pooh!
21. Jack has only one volume, loud. He is perhaps the loudest three-year-old boy in the world and there is no getting him to quiet down.
22. Jack likes to snuggle. He will often come climb up on the couch and snuggle up next to me. He is such a sweet boy.
23. Jack’s favorite candy is chocolate, but he is a fan of all candy.
24. Jack’s favorite book is Where the Wild Things Are. He also likes books about animals and the open-the-flap books.
25. Jack is very smart. He knows his animals, animal sounds, colors, shapes, some letters, and can count to at least twelve. The kid is a genius.
26. Jack’s nicknames are Jackie, Jack-a-boo, and Jackie-boy. If you ask him his name he’ll tell you Jackie.
27. Jack’s favorite zoo animal is the tiger. He likes their roar.
28. Jack likes to make threats when he’s mad. Things he has said, I wish a T-rex would eat you, I wish you were dead so I could make my own cookies and eat them, When I grow up I’m going to turn into a raptor and eat you. You get the idea...
29. Jack is such a sweet little boy. He brings a lot of joy to our family and I’m so glad he’s ours.

My Baby is One

My little baby turned one this month. This is the first time I have had a child turn one without being pregnant with another child. Weird. I adore Renee. Here are some things I've noticed about her this first year.

1. Renee loves to smile. She has such a sweet and beautiful smile. She started smiling at a very young age (around three weeks).
2. Renee loves her siblings. They are the only ones who make her really laugh. She always has a smile for them.
3. Renee was born with a mole on the top of her head. She makes it look beautiful.
4. Renee has two different size pupils.
5. Renee loves to be held. I spend most of my day holding her because she does not last long when she is not being held.
6. Renee enjoys playing in her jumperoo and her exersaucer, but not for too long. She loves to jump up and down.
7. Renee loves to chew on things. If she can get it in her hand, it will go into her mouth.
8. Renee is tough. She takes a lot of hits from her siblings but usually takes it without complaint.
9. Renee loves mommy best (as do most infants). She lights up when she sees my face, which makes my heart feel super happy.
10. Renee also loves daddy. She’s always glad to see him.
11. Renee hates being in her car seat. She is very unhappy on car rides.
12. Renee likes to be thrown up in the air. Some of our babies were scared of this but she just smiles.
13. You can look into Renee’s eyes and just tell that she is so smart. She definitely knows how to tell you if she does or does not like something.
14. Renee started walking at about 11 months old. She is the youngest of our kids to start walking.
15. Renee does not like to eat. She practically has to be forced to drink a bottle and won’t often eat people food. She is just too busy.
16. Renee is beautiful. People constantly stop me when we’re out in public to tell me how beautiful she is. I can only agree.
17. Renee’s favorite food right now is popcorn. It is one thing I don’t have to force her to eat.
18. Renee is independent. She does not like to be forced to do things and likes to go off on her own and explore.
19. Renee didn’t start using a binky until she was 10 months old. She took to it quickly though and loves it.
20. Renee can only say mama, and she only says it when she's crying.
21. Renee LOVES dolls. She hugs them and carries them around. She is such a sweet little mommy.
22. Renee is such a sweet and adorable baby. She brings so much joy to our family and I’m glad she’s ours.

More Visitors - Yay!

Just a few weeks after having a baby, Tami came up to visit with all her kids and brought my mom and Shana along with her. It was SO much fun to have them. My kids and I still talk about what a great time we had and how much we wish they could stay. The only reason I don't like Utah is because my family lives in Phoenix. It would be so ideal if they just moved up here because there is so much for young families to do. Here are some pictures of the fun times we had together. Thanks for coming Tami, Mom, and Shana! I know it was a tough trip but it was so much fun!

Summer Fun

We have been enjoying the Utah summer. We go to the park every Wednesday and catch butterflies and play with kids in the ward. We also go to the Dinosaur Park, Union Station Museum, and Treehouse Museum just about every week. It has been a lot of fun going on our little field trips together. It has been a really fun summer! I adore my kids! I love spending time with them. I am so blessed!