4th of July Party

Our ward/neighborhood put on an awesome pancake breakfast (complete with dutch oven eggs- yum!) yesterday morning. They even had a bounce room thingy which Audrey beelined for right after she finished eating.

Then after breakfast they had a children's parade and they even brought a whole bunch of cool stuff for the kids to decorate their bikes. They had streamers, flags, windmills, noisemakers, party horns, you name it (we were very sad to find out that during the water fight, someone stole Audrey's flag and windmill, but left the noisemaker and party horn. Why couldn't they have stolen the loud things?).


Decorating Audrey's Bike


The only wheels Kierra owns belong to her baby doll "schtroder." She was very happy with only 2 balloons on her stroller.


Like Audrey's fancy helmet, blowing in the wind?


(Sigh) My Rambo


Here's the crowd at the start of the parade. Audrey is the one in purple, checking to see how many people were behind her. We waited there at the beginning for her to loop around the neighborhood with everyone else, like a big girl. When she finally came near the end, Jeromy found her pedaling as fast as she could and in tears, saying, "I'm not as fast as them, Daddy. I'm not winning." Poor thing thought it was a race! We felt so bad!



There she is, almost to the "finish line." She didn't give up!

Happy 4th

2 Months In Draper

Well, we've been here a full 2 months, so I thought it was about time to get the "what we miss/what we love" list on here.


Things We Miss About Our Old Place

-Great friends
-Great community we felt a part of
-The home we became parents in (I am a very nostalgic person)
-Our awesome "on-the-ball" ward
-My old Albies (Albertson's for you non-couponing folk) that took all my prescription coupons and loved us couponers-- I think I'm alone here in Draper :(
-The Provo Library- they are so involved with kids there! I loved sitting with Kierra in the story bowl pit while Audrey went to the big kids storytime. Plus, it was nice to win the grand prize (a computer!) a couple years ago in their summer reading program!
-My awesome hair dresser, Jamie, who I will still go to as long as we live in the same state!
-Hard water (we have a water softener here, and we loathe soft water)


Things We Love About Our New Place

-It's Huge! It has 4 big bedrooms upstairs, each with walk-in closets, and a huge loft! (pictures will be posted soon!)
-Jeromy can get home in about 10 minutes! Rather than an hour!
-I can do dishes etc. while watching the kids play or watch TV
-The loft: I can do coupons, blog, crafts, etc. while the kids play on the other side of the room
-Our yard! We have an awesome swingset and enough lawn for the kids to run around and play ball, plus we have a garden! Yeah!
-Proximity to Ikea- it's such a great store!
-Room to grow in basement (whether that means finishing it for more bedrooms or expanding our food storage down there :)
-My very own library! I have my big red couch and reading lamp next to 2 bookcases filled with my favorite books
-Our neighborhood Albies is right next door to Rite-Aid and Walgreens (and Smith's- but we don't like them too much), and a hop skip and a jump from Costco and WalMart. What more could a coupon-freak ask for?
-Draper recycles! From shopping bags and newspaper to plastics and small appliances. I'm very excited about this!!
-My new washer and dryer, they're front loaders with so many different functions that you really have to read the manual before you do anything. It has an internal water heater to extra-heat the water for the awesome sanitary function. This comes in very handy with a potty training little girl, let me tell you!

My Night

So I didn't get to bed till midnight, at which point I took the girls to the bathroom so they won't wet their beds. As soon as I got to the potty with Audrey and pulled down her pants, she flipped out. She has a hard time figuring out what is reality in the middle of the night, and so she started screaming. For a HALF HOUR! Neither of us could calm her down or fully wake her up. She kept saying things like, "Kierra lied!" "I want fish!" or other gibberish. Yikes!

Between 3 and 5 (I don't remember) I fed Jacob.

At 7, when Jeromy was leaving for work, the girls started screaming because they heard the garage door go (which is just underneath their room) and didn't want Daddy to leave. So before I could even wake up, they were down in the garage flagging down their Dad. He gave them a hug and I told them they could cuddle with Mommy in my bed. So we all piled up in my bed to sleep a little longer (they usually don't wake up till at least 8).

At about 8, Jacob and Kierra woke up, so I sent her in to his room to play with him so I could buy more time.

At 8:30, I got a swift kick in the back, on purpose, because apparently I was taking up too much room on the ONE foot edge of my QUEEN bed. Whatever.

Needless to say, we didn't really start the day off right. And now I'm really regretting staying up to read last night for many reasons. And I think we've decided that Audrey just can't handle being woken up in the middle of the night, so if we do take her to the bathroom, it will be only a short while after she's fallen asleep. We CAN learn from this!!! I must!!!!

Determined To Be Irreverent

So tonight during family scripture study, I was feeding lines to Audrey to say. She was supposed to say, "...because of us." Instead, she said, "because of Kierra," and then snickered a little bit. Kierra (not paying any attention to the giggling and Mommy and Daddy reproving her sister) said, "I'm in your scriptures, Mommy?" She was thrilled. Well I'm glad one of them was listening!!

Then a few minutes later, Kierra was saying the family prayer with Audrey's help (we have Audrey help Kierra when they're fighting over whose turn it is) and Audrey was determined to get her parents to laugh, I guess. She had Kierra bless everyone in the family, then, "Bless Daddy, and please bless Daddy's car, and please bless Mommy's silly car, and her head..."

I'm not sure if she's testing her boundaries or what, but ever since we started family scripture study a few weeks ago, it's been crazy. We thought they'd be able to handle a whole chapter, then it turned into just a single page, now we're lucky to get a column and still feel sane enough to put the kids to bed. Me thinks we're being tested to see if we're actually serious about this goal. Baby steps, keep thinking baby steps.

Do any of you have any tips and tricks regarding family scripture study or prayer you'd like to share?

Wall-E

Let me just say that this movie was super cute! So much fun! And I'm so glad that I picked the dentist that I did because every quarter he has these types of events, for free, with tons of prizes (ok- plus he was great with the girls when they went in for their checkup). Audrey won a $5 gift card to 7/11 and Kierra won a T-shirt with the dentist's logo on it (a toothbrush superhero). They were thrilled!

This afternoon Audrey got her crayons out and was wondering what she should draw, and I told her to draw a picture of Wall-E. She said she didn't know how, so Jeromy told her to close her eyes and remember what the robot looked like, and then open your eyes and draw what you remembered. This is what she drew:



Isn't she a great artist for 4-years-old!?!? She had no help with this, but she was able to make him have block-ey kind of feet (she colored in the track lines on his feet so now you can't see them) and clamp-like fingers. Okay, so the girl robot is actually white, not green, but I guess that's a hard one to do on white paper. And she didn't have feet or hair. Oh well, creative license. But she even put a little door on Wall-E's belly for the trash-compacter part. Oh, and if you're wondering, the yellow line is the cricket friend.

Bottom line: my daughter is talented (yes, I am biased and I'm okay with that), and you HAVE to see this movie!

Jacob Giggling to Audrey

Apparently, he thinks pulling on his feet and yelling is hilarious. I wouldn't. But he was giggling so much that we had to get the camera out. Believe me, he was giggling even harder before we got the camera out. Love these kids!!

She's Very Inventive!

She just couldn't quite reach that high shelf, so she made herself some stairs.

Engulfed In Books

I've got a problem. I seem to enjoy acquiring and talking about books better than reading. Well, that might not be altogether true, but it's just so hard to find regular time for reading. I am able to cram a book in the couple of days before a book club, but then my kids are neglected, and I feel guilty, so I don't open a book for awhile, yada yada yada. Meanwhile, I keep collecting and adding to my to-read list and the books pile up.

It doesn't help that I'm a very slow reader. Neither do my I've-got-to-get-out-of-the-house-by-myself shopping trips to the book store.

I guess I like to surround myself with great books that I'd love to read, but don't seem to have the time for. So, in a way, they're sitting there on hold till the kids are in school, or we're empty-nesters. Now that's just silly thinking! I want to read now, dag-nab-it!!

I've GOT to find a solution to this crazy cycle, and not buying any more books does not really appeal to me. So, Jeromy and I have decided that every Wednesday night is going to be my night to get out of the house and do whatever I want. I can go couponing/grocery shopping, clothes shopping, or most importantly, go to the library to read!!! I am very excited about this. I hope it works out. I'll just have to be very good as I walk by the For Sale book counter in the entrance of our library (my newest guilty pleasure- the hardcovers are 50 cents and the paperbacks are only a quarter!).

But I still need your help. How do you all find a regular time to read? How do you make it a habit? How do you put a good book down to deal with life (i.e. kids)? I need some good ideas!!

Great Kick!

This was Audrey's first kick in the first practice! She's such a natural!!

Audrey's First Soccer Game

Audrey started soccer today! She sooo needed an outlet for all her energy and is very athletic, so we've been looking very forward for when she could finally sign up for soccer.

We are so proud of her for how hard she played tonight! It was so much harder than she thought, but she stuck with it, after running off the field several times to tell us she was done and wanted to go home, but she stuck with it. For the first half, she was practically the only one on her team that was aware of where the ball was and that you were supposed to try and get it (and I think she was the best kicker and runner on our team, but that's just my opinion;). She was trying really hard not to get frustrated that whenever she got the ball, someone either took it from her, or she couldn't get it quite in the goal. Put she kept going, and finally she asked the coach if she could be the goalie. She loved it! Good job, sweetie!!


Nervous Anticipation


A Few Pointers (I think she's listening)


Our Firecracker


Can I kick it now?


In The Lead


In The Lead Again


Great Catch!


True Calling


So does this make me an official soccer mom now?

We're So Lucky!

There was a drawing at the girls' new dentist for tickets to go see Wall-E and we were one of the families to win! Plus, there will be more prizes at the movie! Rock on!!!!

Whew!

It's official: I'm all caught up with everyone's blogs on my Google Reader!! Yeah! (It only took me a week of diligence!) And for those of you who haven't converted to the wonderfulness of Google Reader and RSS feeds, I'll try to get to yours soon.

Friends Are a Gift

We made some friends!! Yippee! A gal in our ward that I have come to know in the Mother's Room at church, invited us to dinner at their house last night (isn't that one of the easiest and greatest places to make friends, the Mother's Lounge?). They are such an awesome couple and we had so much fun chatting and eating fabulous food (I have no idea how I could even come close to that to invite them over here for dinner:). So now I just hope they didn't think we're really boring or weird (I sound like I'm in Junior High, don't I). And we're going to the neighbor's house tomorrow to play, so that'll be fun too.

Plus, the Wilson's from our old ward came and visited us this weekend and we had so much fun catching up and playing. Thanks for visiting us guys!

The hardest part about moving was leaving so many good friends behind. I know, I'm whining again, sorry. I just have to have a pity party every other day or so until things gets better I guess. Our neighborhood and ward felt so close and this new one does not (I'm still miffed that the 3 new sisters that have moved in since we have were cheerily welcomed and introduced in Relief Society and I was not!). But Jeromy and I have been trying really hard to get out of our comfort zone to make it work here.

Anyway, we're loving our house now and wish you all could come and see it! If you can afford the gas, you're all welcome!! Until then, I'll try to start posting pictures as more and more areas of the house become more presentable.

Okay, Obsessed

I will admit that I'm a fanatic of Psych! So that's why we created this awesome cool widget for the most awesomest show ever!!!!! Yipeeee!!!

Obsessed?

Some may think I'm a fanatic about these books, but seriously, I think I'll be able to live for the next 42 days, 2 hours, and 4 minutes. I just happened upon this widget today and thought it was cool. (I am excited though!)

Audrey win's an Oscar

Tonight I was putting Audrey down for bed and she wasn't going quietly. After 5 books, 4 stories, and two songs I was ready to make my exit. That is when the following scene took place:

Jeromy: Audrey, It's time to go to bed.
Audrey: But Daddy, just one more story.
Cue puppy dog eyes, suddenly long flapping eyelashes, longing gaze, and hypnotizing powers.
Jeromy: Audrey, it is late. You need to go to bed.
Audrey: But Daddy...
Jeromy: No Audrey, lay down and go to bed.
Cue eyes filling with tears, slight quiver of the bottom lip, ease into a frown, prepare to cover face with hands, start line strong - but end it nearly in a wisper.
Audrey: Daddy, you're breaking my heart.
Cue shocked expression from "Daddy" followed by a:
Jeromy: What?
Audrey: Daddy, you're hurting my feelings.
Cue 5 more books, 4 extra stories, two verses, and 1 lecture followed by a promise to be stronger.

The Best $100 We've Ever Spent

When we bought our couch at RCWilley, they were doing a promotion for this swing set for only $100, so we got it. It takes up a good chunk of our yard, but it's worth it. We're so excited to be able to send the kids out back and play! And the girls are so excited too! They're so willing to do anything for us if it means they can go play out back. Boy, it was a bear to put together though, I'll tell ya. Oh, and since we got it just a few days ago, Audrey has learned how to pump her legs! Yeah!!!





And speaking of spending money, this is the best $60 we've ever spent. Jacob just loves his Big Toy! And I just love how he "devours" the star he's chewing on. I could just eat him he's so cute!

New Couch!

I can be so gloomy sometimes, yikes. Sorry 'bout that. So here's something a bit more cheerful. Our couch finally came!! We're so excited! It even has feathers in the cushions so it's way comfy. Now we're just waiting on the ottoman. What do you think?

Note to Self

This is more for me than for any of you, but I thought I should post it here so I can refer back to it later, and maybe even learn something new by writing down the old. Plus, maybe I'll get some kind-hearted, tried-and-true tips from other parents? (hint-hint;)

In an effort to figure out my strongly stubborn daughter, I want to make a list of things that I've learned work well with her, but can't exactly recall on our hardest of days (why is that?). So here's a list of them, in no particular order:

-The power of choice: if it's okay for her to decide about something, then by all means, let her decide!
-Give her responsibilities so she feels like Mommy's Big Helper.
-One-on-one time with her on a regular basis is vital. Make sure many of these are very silly!
-She gets cranky when hungry and/or tired. Just be prepared.
-Although it takes much more effort, a happy-go-lucky tone works so much better than a you're-in-trouble-missy tone
-Routines help her feel more in control
-Her temper is a mirror of my own. She learns how to deal with frustration from watching me, so set a good example, would ya Hil?
-Discipline immediately after the offense, have the punishment fit the crime, follow through, consistency, yada yada yada. (it's getting late and I can't remember anything else)

I know these sound pretty basic to you all, but they were hard ones for us to learn. I'm ashamed to admit how crazy it's gotten, but feel like I need to announce it so we can build a support system. Great, now she sounds like such a monster child, and she's not. We love her and are so glad to have her. Our lives seriously wouldn't be the same. She's such a great big sister to her siblings and (usually) loves to take care of them. She is always so honest with us. I'm amazed at how at just 4 years of age she can explain her feelings so well and get to the root of what's really bothering her. I know adults that can't do that. And by golly is she smart! She remembers practically everything that is told to her (we just wonder what she repeats back to her Primary teachers;). We love her dearly and that is why we are working so hard to be good parents for her.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings. I'm probably not making much sense anyway because of the hour.

(By the way Megan, the chart idea for her "accidents" problem worked like a charm! We hardly have to use the chart, because the threat of taking stickers off if she makes a mess was enough. Thanks!)