Flashback Friday

Dad and Treston
"Funny Faces"
December 2005

Hawaii

Aiden's New, New Haircut

Ok, I sure love my Aiden. We had a great day last Friday. We went to get some shopping done, had the boys hair cut, and went bowling. It was a fun outing. Then on Sunday, I found lots of little clumps of hair all over my bathroom, along with Stephen's mustache trimmer. I thought that was odd; and went to search for the culprit.
I found Aiden with a bunch of nicks and chops in his "new" cute haircut. They had left some of the curls on top for him... so he looked very handsome. But, as you can see... he is now sporting another "new" haircut. His nickname.. "buzz head".

Activity Days Party

I just wanted to share a fun night. I just finished my last Activity Days night, until August. We planned a big Scripture Queens party. The girls had a great time. We played a life-size board game - questions about the Book of Mormon and Articles of Faith. Then, they all made their own tiara's. They turned out pretty cute. After that, they were able to have some fun pampering. They took turns with the foot bath, pedicures and manicures. We ended the night with some yummy food. All the mom's came to help pamper their daughters.. it was super fun. Ofcourse Aiden did get really upset that he wasn't able to have a foot bath too. So I promised I would give him one today. Kailea even got her toenails painted! I will miss the opportunity to work with these cute girls for a couple of months.. but I will be ready to go again when I return from the states.

My personality

I think most of this is spot on. The funny and sometimes hard thing is that most of my ward still doesn't get me... so I seem bossy, innapropriate and loud to them. I never thought I was that hard to get to know.. but maybe I am. :-)

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

Flashback Friday

"SANTA'S COMING"

Treston Christmas 2004

Colorado

Fun Crafts

I love seeing a fun craft that I actually have all the things on hand for... the kids saw these on Barney this morning. They thought they were super cute. So we gathered the things together and made a cute flock of birds. Enjoy!

All you need is: lunch bags, cupcake liners, construction paper and glue. Have fun!

Super Congrats to Aiden

Ok, so Aiden decided while Treston was learning to read.. that he should also learn to read. I had my qualms about it. He is only 4, and I wasn't sure he was ready. But, after going over the alphabet, making sure he knew all his letter sounds; I felt confident he could succeed. So we began with the yellow level in Hooked on Phonics. It is kindof a long book.. so we chose a fun reward to work towards. He chose a remote control bumper car set. After much work, and many days of him trying so hard to concentrate on the words....HE HAS FINISHED! You should have seen his face! He was so proud of himself. I said, "You are awesome Aiden. Way to go! I am so proud of you." He looked at me and said, "Mom, I NEVER gave up!" He had the biggest smile. Treston was also so proud of him, saying "Aiden, good job. You did it! I love you!" They just hugged and smiled at each other for a while.
Then they opened up his reward... and had a blast playing with the bumper car set. Aiden had picked it out... because Treston could play with him. What a great day for Aiden!
You know... these are the times that being a mom is sooo worth it. To see the look on there faces when they accomplish something so hard for them. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to teach my kids.
Have a wonderful day!

Some Kailea time...

Kailea always gets pretty annoyed at me when I am doing schoolwork with the boys. She does some coloring and drawing for a bit, but then she gets bored. So today, I thought I would give her some just Kailea time. So, we had our first go at painting her nails. She totally loved it. And she did such a good job, she sat so still with this huge smile on her face. I dont know if you can see the color, but it is pink.. her favorite color!
While taking the picture of her nails... Aiden had to jump in for a pic with sister! He brought Kailea her Barbie, and they sat down for a picture. I mean, what is a picture without Barbie? :-)

A well documented training session...

Treston preparing the hanging ledge from the top bunk for Kailea.
Kailea hanging from the top bunk, to drop to the bottom bunk.
Kailea did the drop, just a small bump!
The culprit of the documenting... however, he did do a good job. Kailea was so proud when she came running to find me to show me her new trick of hanging from the top bunk. It was scary for mommy... when did she get so big? Her brothers were so proud of her. Somehow Aiden always ends up with the camera... I try to hide it, but he always finds it!

Flashback Friday

Aiden

Christmas 2004

Colorado

Close to chunky...

This conversation took place today:
We had just finished dinner. (Scrumdelicious California Kitchen frozen pizza) I walked over to the mirror to examine my latest sunburn. A pretty darn good one of my back. I pulled up my shirt in the back, and

Treston: " Wow, Mom you are chunky!"
Mom: "That isn't a very nice thing to say"
Treston: "Well... ok"
Kailea: "Chunky mommy"
Aiden: "Chunky mommy"
Mom: "I am not really chunky, just really healthy." They all laugh and think its so funny.

So, we sat down on the couch... and I said, "Do you really think I am chunky?"
Aiden: "I think you are .... (pause, pause) CLOSE to chunky!"
Treston: "Well, your pants are getting tighter... that must mean your butt is getting bigger!"
Tons of giggles and laughing.
Kailea: "You chunky!"
Treston: "I do not care though... I will always love you."
Aiden: "Me too. I love you"

I am glad I can find humor in my children calling me chunky, and laughing with them about it. I am glad I can be happy with being a mom! I am so glad that during chunky phases of life, your children will always still love you.

Have a great day!

Flashback Friday

Dad and Treston

Treston was so chunky... he is only 4 months old here!

June 2003 South Carolina

My thoughts...

The best way to feel the spirit and fall asleep at night! I love reading the scriptures. Its seems many of the verses in Alma pertain to me during this phase of my life.. who knew?! :-) They are also a great way to be able to relax enough to fall asleep at night! Heavenly Father thought of everything! :-)

Never under-estimate the power of a well stocked goody jar! It works wonders for almost anything. We all need a little reward sometimes! Yummy!

A good family game gets you through many looonnnggg nights, I was always sure bedtime should have been much sooner!

So I really do not like McDonalds... but when your kitchen looks like this for the umpteenth time this week... it is a much needed fix! This Big n' Tasty never tasted so good! I really miss my sweetheart. He doesn't do much cleaning around the house, but he does help out when he can see its been a long day and the kitchen still looks like this. I love that man!



This is why you have a playroom... if you didn't the whole house would look like this... from morning till night. Can you tell we just cleaned it this morning! Fun times!

Family projects are always fun. Stephen bought this to take on the boat with him for some midway race... but he forgot it. So the boys have been eyeing it ever since. So, I gave in... and we started the pine wood derby car. I cut the pieces and the boys are busy sanding. They have a bit more to go, but then we can paint it. I love things that help the time go by!

I love Hooked on Phonics. Since I am a home schooler... I was a bit nervous on "how" to teach reading. I finally decided to get HOP and am so thankful. Even if you are not home schooling.. this really helps to brake it down. My kids have done really well with it!
Some of our favorite school/learning activities are the ones we make up. I was trying to teach my kids how to read a ruler and measure things. I ofcourse could not find a ruler, a tapemeasure or any other measuring device on the day it was needed. So we created our own with masking tape on the floor. Before I knew it they had half the house in there hands ready to be measured. They measured things for about an hour... and they are still bringing things to be measured 2 days later. They found out that magnetic magnets are 1 inch long.. so now they are seeing how many magnets it takes. It is so fun to watch them learn!

My kids

Treston, he is so fun. He is growing up so quickly. Even when I am sure he is not listening...he turns around and tells me exactly what I said! Like duh mom, I heard you! He helps me whenever I ask him too... sometimes with a sour face... but he always helps. He is a great brother and loves Aiden and Kailea. Treston has really excelled at his schoolwork... he is such a great student. He really cares and wants to learn all the time. At 5 years old he loves reading...and he is moving into red level with Hooked on Phonics. I am super proud of him! He misses his dad so much.. but knows that no matter what we are an eternal family. He loves listening to the Scripture Scouts (adventures in BOM and Family Proclamation). I love my Treston.
My Aiden. Oh goodness... he makes me laugh and scream almost simualtaniously... but I love him so. He is a fireball. Either extremely good or like he puts it... "I listened to the devil!" I remind him that it is better to listen to Jesus! He just smiles and agrees. He has really grown lately, and is becoming a better student every day. He is competitive and always wants to keep up with Treston, so he works hard. He is also reading, almost finished with yellow level HOP. And doing well with his other Kindergarten work... even though he is only 4. I told him that he did not have to start reading, but would not take no for an answer! He has so much energy and just loves running and playing. The other day, while at the park, he climbed to the top of the football goal post! It was pretty awesome! I love my Aiden!
Kailea Sue is such a blessing. I am so extremely greatful that Heavenly Father gave this sweet spirit to us! We all love her so. She is getting so big, turned 2 in March. We are still working on her potty training. Some weeks she does wonderful, others not so good. I am sure it is mainly me.. I get busy and forget to ask her. So really I need to do better. She is certain that she is also supposed to be doing school work. She sits down ready to read, so we go over the alphabet and make all the sounds. She feels so proud! Kailea loves anything cute and cuddly, and her first response to everyone and everything is, "It/She/He loves me!" And she smiles and giggles... she is sure everything and everyone loves her! I love my Kailea

I wish all of you a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Kailea cracks me up!

For some reason, I can't get these certain pictures to rotate.. so here goes anyway. Kailea loves to dress up... but it just cracked me up when she walked in with this getup.
The boys and I were giggling at her... she points her finger at us and says, "Stop laughing, not nice!" She is too funny! The funnest part is that her brothers just adore her!

Aiden Says Cheese

I found this on my camera today. Aiden, is always taking pictures.. and it looks like he is getting pretty good at taking pictures of himself. He is getting so big. I love this cute kid.

Mom's Day Out

I needed a day out so bad. This was the medicine my heart and body needed. I am super thankful for good friends. I hope they had as much fun as I did. From left to right: Maria, Me, Crista and Shannon. I feel blessed to have Jenn be so willing to take my kids for the day, so that I could remember why I love them so! :-) We arrived at the trailhead to Nu'anu Judd Trail, a 5 mile hike, and it was raining pretty darn good. We almost chickened out... then Shannon said, " Let's go for it, we don't have the little ones!" So off we went. Most of the hike was tree covered so we were pretty lucky. Towards the end, the rain let up and we were all glad we didn't chicken out. The scenery was beautiful.
At the end of the hike is Jackass Ginger Pool. Here we had fun watching some guys swinging and jumping from a rope. They were from San Diego and enjoying there Hawaii time. I think this will be a great date day with Stephen. I am sure he will love the rope!
This is the end of our mom's day out. Thanks to all those who helped to make it happen. I am able to handle the trials of having Stephen gone a whole lot better when I can get a small break!

Play it up!

How awesome it is to be able to go to the beach, and see dolphins playing and swimming! The ones we see are the spinner dolphins, they jump up and spin - some of them have quite the vertical. You are able to swim out with them, but we haven't had the chance yet, but I am sure we will before too long. They come to a very secluded beach to hunt for food and frolic!

This is the first year that I have seen sea turtles... they just kinda poke their heads up as you swim around. Heavenly Father loves us so!

Another first for us this year, we were able to see quite a few whales around our side of the island of Oahu. It is great to see them flapping their tales and their fins.

We will miss this beautiful playground... good thing we have a couple more years to play, play, and play some more!