Selfies

This week Tate has been full of one liners. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. 

"Once upon a time... hmm... just a second the story is loading...."

"Who turned on the black?" -driving to Nauvoo at 5:30 am

"Mommy I don't see any people, they must be inside doing beautiful things or watching Thomas."

And he told his friend who is a girl he loved her, she returned the sentiment, and they giggled the rest of the moment away. 

Upon exiting the bathroom after a lesson on not wasting toilet paper and water Tate exclaimed, "Daddy just taught me all sorts of things!" We'll have to see if they one sticks. 

 This is my first successful selfie with both of my boys in it in focus.

The older Tate gets, the more I realize how hard it is to let someone grow up and be their own little "self". Occasionally I find myself struggling between dictator and walked all over. The best moments in my daily shenanigans center on these boys and I'm so grateful for all they teach me, even when it is something about myself they recorded and played back just for me.

What a Week

In the last 10 days we not only experienced our first day with temperatures that actually felt above freezing but they then soared into the 60's. It was truly a beautiful thing. All of the snow from our yard in now gone and we even raked up several bags of leaves that had fallen on top of our winter snow last fall. 

 The boys LOVED playing a game we call scoop. They would load their scoops and then chase me launching the snow in my direction. Tate even perfected some sneak attack skills by asking me to look at something or telling me we were building a snowman. He had to get creative because I was so good at dodging.

 They were busy at work. Ian could stay outside all day long if I would let him. He never fully enjoyed it in the fall. Now the outdoors are the only place he wants to be.

We made a fizzling rainbow with baking soda and vinegar. Tate thinks we should do it daily. 

 Teething... on my table... I gave in and gave him a binky after this one.

 We had an armor of God FHE with friends. It was a lot of fun. I don't know how much they actually learned, but they really enjoyed the props.

 Tate's tower building skills are definitely improving. We were stuck on rainbows as we talked about St. Patricks day. This tower was taller than him but you would never be able to tell because he NEVER stops moving.

 Painting is a party at our house. I gave Ian some wet water colors, turned around, and came back to find him dumping the container on his paper to make a puddle. He then decided it would be more fun to paint the back of the paper. He would lift it up, paint on back and set it back down, effectively painting his artwork and my table.

Tate and his buddy so thrilled to be riding together in the car. Lovely rear facing cart seats exclude Ian from the picture.

 Enjoying being in a tree. He was so proud to be taller than me.

 My little poser. I love this goofy little guy.

His new face when I ask for a smile.... He will be the one in all pictures that is beating to his own drum.
We had so much fun enjoying the sunshine, playing at parks, and remembering life outside this week. I just hope it lasts.

Potty Humor

This post is for all people who have ever potty trained, or live with a newly potty trained child. If I didn't find humor in it I would definitely go crazy. My three year old was motivated to be potty trained by his third birthday with a birthday present only fit for a potty trained big boy. It worked like a charm. I never imagined the continued learning that went along with it. Here are my few favorite instances that I have to remember to share with him someday when his kiddos are making him nuts.
1. One morning while still living in a diaper I entered his room to find him squatting on his bed and dousing the trains on his sheets as he named them one by one. "I got you Percy, I got you Thomas.." I am grateful toddler beds are plastic and easy to clean but at this moment I about died. He never even figured out the tabs on his diaper to remove it. He simply shimmied it over his little hips. After this he started wearing backwards pajamas at night and overalls for every nap.
2. The first time Tate pooped on the potty was a miracle in our house. It was one of the most praised single events of his life thus far. Since then, still to this day every time he poops lets me know to make sure I am so happy.
3. On a trip home from Nauvoo last week I had my first scary car ride. My little man announced he had to go... bad... The trip from Nauvoo is only 2 hours and he holds it FOREVER at the house most days so I was a little exasperated. Fifteen minutes later we made it to a gas station. As I carried him inside he said, "Don't worry mom, I will try not to pee on you." I may have worried a little, but I was grateful for his reassurance.
4. Last week Josh took Tate to the bathroom and I was informed he had his first urinal experience. I guess he was impressed that he didn't have to flush. I thought little of it until yesterday when I entered the bathroom to find that Tate had tried to reenact the experience substituting our humidifier for the urinal. It was a disaster.... It's a good thing I love him.
I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that said something about it's a whole lot funnier if you aren't the one who has to clean it up. I agree whole heartedly. Oh the things I have to be thankful to my parents for that I never imagined.

Our End of February Break FUN

Two years ago when Josh finished his Winter trimester we went to Monkey Joe's to celebrate. I think we are going to make that a tradition for every trimester. Our kids were in LOVE!!!

 Can you tell who is who? They were both about the same age on their first visit. My photo skills have definitely improved in 2 years.

 This kid is GOOFY!!! Getting him to smile in a picture without reinforcement is nigh impossible.

His dream car. It looked a little girly to me but he was not deterred.

 Family photo op; I think it's almost wall worthy. Next time I'll put my hair down and go for the static fro.

My little sister Tawnie got to come join the fun. It was awesome to have her here. The kiddos agreed.

  Father son bonding. Tate has already asked when daddy will be done with school so we can go again. (he just went back today)

 We journeyed to Nauvoo and visited the temple. It is such an amazing place.

 Tate and Tawnie went in the think shop at the museum and crafted a train. I am grateful Tate has a safe environment to play with tools in. I don't think I'd have the vigilance at my house to keep it standing if Tate and Ian got loose.

Tate's train we made last week. It lasted so well until it flew to it's demise in a burst of frustration. Cool hot glue, the adhesive for minimal patience, is not long lasting.

 Ian was exhausted by the time we were leaving but I am grateful he is usually amiable when he's tired. Tawnie is a child handling champ.

Then we all snuggled in to watch Hero 6. I was very impressed by the movie. My children still don't have the attention span for a whole show yet so I think we may forgo another family movie night for a long time... a really long time... or just use a piece of the show and make it last all week...

 Tate was loving wearing Tawnie's boots.

This morning we were out the door right on time to drop Tawnie at the airport and found ourselves with no keys. I had left them inside in my attempts to carefully get my kiddos out the door and down the icy steps safely. Luckily Josh had left not to long before us and had left the garage open. The kids thought it was great. I thought it was cold. Josh came to our rescue. I'd never survive without him.