Giant Snowman

We got more snow and after shoveling the driveway and sidewalk, Tom, with his two little helpers or course, made another one of his giant snowmen. I don't think he knows how to make them small.

Hot Air Balloons and Swimming

These hot air balloons were going up right by our neighborhood. We were watching out our window and one came so close that we could see the people in the basket waving at us. It totally made our day!



A few weekends ago we went to this awesome pool near our house. We've been wanting to go for a while and finally had time. Tom and Kya went down the huge slide a few times before they told Kya she was not tall enough. She was bummed for a second and then found other slides for kids her size. Conor and I each went down once and that was enough for us. We're the not so daring ones in our family. At least we have each other right?

Extracurriculars

Conor's Archery goes year round, we just sign him up every month. There are actually twice as many kids in his class than you can see in the picture and there are a lot of different skill level classes. He is trying out different things trying to find something he likes. He is liking archery and has improved quickly. Tom takes him on Saturday mornings while the rest of us sleep in. Last time they got out 3D targets, like fake animals, and Conor shot every one at least once. I think maybe I'll take him next time so I can witness his mad skills.




Soccer is in the Fall and the Spring here. Lucky for Kya because she is always asking when soccer starts again. This was her third year to play and she loves it. I go through the list of things to sign up for with her because she wants to be in something right now but all she wants is soccer. She only has to wait a few more months to play and she can hardly wait.

STAR OF THE WEEK

Conor was star of the week and got to bring in some pics and stuff he wanted for his bulletin board. He brought a target from archery lessons and his favorite book, Peter Pan. His teacher made a special bullletin board about him and each kid in his class and his teacher and parents got to write him a letter telling him why he was a star to them. She compiled them into a little book for him to bring home. I went to his classroom after school one day and took a pic of him in front of his board. On top of the pic I cut off the part of the paper that says, "Star of the Week," but I got all of that sweet face in so I'm good. Conor truly is a star and we love every minute of him!

Boys will be boys

I need to post a million things but because of a busy little guy in our house I don't get much done lately. So while Tom is here to wrangle him I will post about what my days have been filled with.
Mostly keeping up with three amazing little people. Although exhausting, and sometimes frustrating I have to say I'm enjoying every minute of it. I love my job!
We call Crew our little explorer. He is into everything and nothing can stop him, not even those child proof outlet covers or closed doors both of which he has conquered. He empties cupboards and drawers, and rearranges every room in the house daily. He stands up in his high chair, even when we strap him in. He will not stay in the cart at the grocery store either and stands up even with the strap cinched up tightly, little Houdini. I have given up on getting anything done when he's awake. I just watch in amazement how quickly he goes from emptying all of his diapers and half the wipes to unrolling the toilet paper and emptying the bathroom cupboards. We try to channel his abilities, we give him things to throw in the trash or shoes to put in the shoe basket and he happily helps out and then claps for himself. Conor and Kya painted little cardboard mailboxes that we found at Hobby Lobby. Tom and I leave little notes and treats in them and they also leave treasures for each other in them. So today someone decided to leave a little sentiment in Conors mailbox. It was left over toast! Any guesses who that was from? Kya told me today that something smells funny in her room. If we could interigate our little explorer we'd probably find something he was storing in their for a snack later on. He loves it when the kids include him in their play. The other day they were all three hunting crocodiles with toy guns. This sweet busy little dude keeps us on our toes and very entertained. He blows us kisses by sticking his index finger in his mouth and blowing. We love him tons and wouldn't have him any other way.
Plug covers........check

Open bathroom door......check

Black tongue from candy......just cool.

crocodile hunting.......check

see if one of my toys fits in daddy's trophy....check

oatmeal cream pie out of wrapper and into belly before Mama notices.....check

flash a sweet grin so they can't be mad.......check

dive in for left over crumbs......check

let "BuBu" know how much I care.......check

Kya shows COURAGE

Today at the school assembly Kya was presented with a "Courage Award," for showing Unity. When she showed me I screamed with excitement because at orientation I was told about these awards. Each letter in the word courage stands for something such as unity, compassion, respect, etc., the kids are taught what these words mean and if they are seen showing one of these, the teacher puts their name in a drawing bucket for the assemblies. I asked her what she did to show unity and she doesn't know. She is however very proud of her achievment, as are we. Notice the bracelet on her wrist, it says COURAGE and has little paw prints on it for cubs(their mascot). Conor was at the assembly and said he was proud of his little sis and clapped for her. Tom asked if he stood up and cheered for her. He said, "no that would be embarassing."

p.s. As I am posting this, I am feeding Crew water out of a spoon. He brought me the spoon and a water bottle he found and insisted I feed him.

Halloween Fun

At school the kids made jersey costumes in their classrooms and then got to have a parade before their parties.

I made popcorn hands for Kya's class party.

Briley, aka cute little monkey, came over on Halloween to trick or treat with the cousins. It was so fun to have her! Conor was Zorro, Kya an astronaut, for the second year in a row, and she is hoping it fits her next year, which I'm trying to prep her for the fact that it won't fit. It was already a little small this year. Crew was the honeypot which we've had since Conor was a baby and we love it. Thanks Aunt Suzy!




Our ward is awesome! We had a party in the afternoon on Halloween at a farm of a family in our ward. The hayride took the kids over to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin to paint. Kya rode but Conor didn't want to and then regretted it later as usual. If he's not prepared ahead of time for activities then it is hard for him to do them. My fault for not preparing him for it. oops. There was a trunk or treat at the farm party and then we trick or treated in our neighborhood to a few of our friends houses and then it was time for that cute little monkey to go home. The honeypot and Mama stayed home to hand out candy and Daddy took Zorro and the Astronaut to beg for more candy around the neighborhood. It was a great day and we ended up with tons of candy. Crew now knows what candy is and can't get enough of it!