Saturday

Saturday was a bit crazy!! Duncan had to be up at the crack of dawn to get to the church so he could go on his 10 mile hike. They went out to Jordan, and Duncan did really well. It really didn't seem to phase him at all. He even left his water pack in the car on the last leg. It wasn't as hot out though. So I'm sure that made a big difference.

Brett and Jake have been trying to dig up that stump for weeks now. It's CRAZY! They tried to blow it up on Saturday. That idea didn't pan out. They will keep trying.

This was going on while we were waiting to see if there would be a big bang or not. I just love this picture.

It was also Brett's Birthday! Happy brithday love!!! We went to Van Huesen to get him a few more dress shirts. Now that he has to dress up at work, and wear a tie everyday he's wanting to build his wardrobe selections.

As you can see, Brett wasn't too thrilled I had my camera

As you can see from the next few pictures the kids were really thrilled to be there too.

Tori was helping her Dad while I took Jason out in the hall.

Poor Jason, I don't know how Samantha can pick him up still.

The kids were ready to leave the store!
Jason was climbing back and forth over the benches. He also dropped his bottle in the garbage can next to them. He kept the kids running.
We went to Traci and John's house for Hallie's Birthday party. They always go all out. The kids had a ball!!!!

The first thing Jason did was go into the bounce house. He's such a sweet boy. He just loved every minute. I couldn't get him to come inside, even though it was 40 degrees.

Next he tackled the blow up obstacle course. There was no hesitation on his part. He went straight up the ladder. I told John he needed to buy one of those and store it at my house. He didn't seem to agree with me....

Duncan was sweet with his baby brother. He went and played with him for a minute.

The girls loved the bounce house. I don't think I saw Tori do the obstacle course once.

Tori did spent most of her time waiting in line to get her face painted. She didn't go outside until it was WAY to cold.

Jason spent a lot of time just climbing and playing. His feet were purple by the time I convinced him to come inside.
Cotton Candy! Duncan's favorite
Brett pushed Jason on the swing for a good hour. Poor Brett was so cold by the time he finished he almost felt ill.
More cotton candy. I think Samantha had 4 different turns at the machine.
Duncan thinks he's so bad!
This was his I'm a stud look. He was flirting with Traci's nieces who are quite a bit older then he is. I'm in trouble!!!

Tori was a chihuahua. Duncan claims to be afraid of them which is why Tori chose this look.

Samantha is a dalmatian. She has been this every time we have seen this lovely face painting lady. She said she was going to be a chihuahua too, but I told her to use her own head and be what she wants.

Duncan was a princess. He thinks he's so funny!!!

Friday

It's been a while since I posted anything. This weekend has been a little crazy! Jason didn't sleep well last week, but he's finally seeming to be back on a routine.

Friday was pretty mild, other then my crazy boy never sits still.

The kids got out of school early, and then the girls had to go to a big Jazz practice with the rest of the girls in Jazz. All students that are in Jazz class are in this one number. The girls had fun and they got their pictures taken with the group as well.

Brett had a meeting with a couple other couches to discuss what will be coming next year. I think they have come up with a good way to have a successful year, that won't cost as much. There also should be 4 coaches total so maybe their will be less stress for Brett.

Play Group, Painting, Neighbors, Music, and Dance

Jason and I had a hard time waking up yesterday morning. I wasn't really sure we were going to make it to Playgroup on time but we were successful. Jason does really good with the schedule strip. He really understanding what they want him to do. He sat through circle time pretty well. He really likes the train song. He smiles every time we do the actions to that one. They have a bubble machine and instead of jumping up and running through them as the other kids do, he lays down and lets them fall on top of him. Kind of a funny reaction if you ask me.

We then played with the play dough. Jason is my artsy boy. He loves anything that he can create with.

I love the look on his face here.
Then Kerianne pulled out a tent and tunnel. He wanted to just sit in the tunnel and hang out. Of course there were three other kids there so that wasn't quite as successful as he wanted it to be. He actually participated in his own way though. The last time he wouldn't even look at the kids.
We got home and Mom came over to do some more painting. She isn't liking the way the backward sunflower is looking so she will repaint that to be a forward facing sunflower. The girls get excited everytime they come home and it's been added to. Jason and I sat on the girls beds and watched Mom paint. Jason was enthralled, and then he wanted to help. He was so cute, he kept crinkling his eye brows and bighting his lip as he watched Grandma paint.

I finally got Jason down for a nap, and the kids were home from school. Our new neighbor came over and we talked on the front porch until Brett came home from work.

Brett let me jump back into working at this point and made dinner. Right before he had to run to a stake music meeting. The poor guy has had more stuff to do after work this week then ever. He wants me to go to the Organ lessons. Ya, right!!!!

Tori had Ballet and Tap while Brett was at his meeting. I'll be glad when we finally get a good break.

Tori, Dance, Scouts, and Soccer

Jason hasn't been sleeping very well, so I'm really sorry if this entry makes no sense.

Tori has been struggling at school lately. She tells me she has no friends. I asked her how many she has and she said, 5 or 6. I'm not sure if this is really Tori's way of looking at the bad side of things or if she is really feeling alone. We'll be working on that and hopefully she'll be happier.

Samantha had ballet last night. She played with her friends until about 15 minutes before we had to leave. Some days it's like pulling teeth to get her inside to change for dance.

Duncan had scouts last night. He will be earning his first merit badge next week. I'm not sure what it is, but he's very excited.

Brett had a coaches meeting last night. It was for the upcoming tryouts and next years fees. If Duncan really decides to continue it will cost us $1,200.00 for him to play next year. Thank goodness it won't be all at the same time!!!!!

Rain, Jean, Joel, Dance, and Achievement Days

Yesterday was nothing but appointments and running around. That and the rain. I'm not sure that I can be too upset about this since we really can always use the rain.

Jean Fowles came to see Jason yesterday morning. She brought a questionnaire to fill out for his transition meeting. I asked her where he would most likely be going to preschool, and she said that would be determined at the meeting. More info to come on that.

Then the kids got home from school and Samantha had Jazz and Tori had Achievement days. I ran them to their respective places and then ran home to do a bit of cleaning. It always feels like I just get started on something and I have to go back and get them again. Cleaning is something I can drop without having to finish the next thing. I know I'm pathetic.

I knew that Joel was going to be there very soon to see Jason so I left Duncan home and told him not to let Joel leave I'd be back soon. Tori, being herself was the only girl to not come out and see if her mother was there to get her. I had to go knock on the door and get her out of the house. I swear she senses when I need her to hurry and slows down. Then I got stopped by a train on the way to the dance studio. Finally I got there and Samantha was absorbed in something so I had to go inside and get her as well.

I finally got home and yes Joel's car was parked outside. Brett's was there as well, thank goodness. I got Jason inside and they got to work with the occupational therapy. He said that Duncan was very cute when he knocked on the door. He had his hands up and said, "My mom told me not to let you leave, she will be back in a few minutes. Come inside and sit down." That's my boy. Jason is getting very good with the routine that Joel has. He knows whats coming next and what Joel wants to do. He's also making some really good eye contact, and he's anticipating what Joel is going to do next.

After Joel left, I laid down on my bed. WHEW running is over. Then at 6:15pm Tori comes upstairs and says I need to go to Dance. She was already 15 minutes late. So I ran out the door, got her to the studio as quickly as I could. Then I went to pick up some pizza at Little Ceasars, by the time they were done with our food, it was time to go get Tori again. I think I drove for over an hour. Sigh.....Isn't that life?

Painting, Dance, Missing Tooth, Cleaning, and Tired boy.

My Mom got a new shift so she is working 4am-12:30pm. I would hate it but she is sooooo excited. She came down around 2:00pm and started painting the girls mural again. It will get done someday.

The girls had Hip Hop yesterday. I went to pick them up and Tori had a cup of water, and asked if I wanted a drink. Of course I was VERY suspicious. I looked in the cup and there was a little tooth in the bottom of the cup. I looked at Tori and asked her if it was her tooth. Then Samantha smiled and I could see that it was her tooth. As you can see she is still missing a lot of teeth. Will they ever grow back???

I asked the kids to clean the frontroom for me. Tori was sweet and put on an apron and went to town.

Duncan tried to find any excuse possible to not clean. I even had to show him how the cushions went on the couch. He makes me laugh, he'll mow the lawn with out balking but ask him to pick up the house and it's like pulling teeth.

Samantha advised me more then once that she was like a maid. This was said with a big smile on her face so I didn't feel too bad about it.

Jason was on his mattress by our bed until he was almost asleep. He stood up with his eyes not quite being able to stay open and whined until I picked him up. This boy has me wrapped around his little finger. He's such a cute little thing though.

Church and Grandma Childs

Not too much occurred yesterday. Jason got up at his usual time. The other kids were downstairs watching t.v. The only difference is I got up to take care of Jason instead of Brett. He slept until about 10:30am. He never sleeps this late so I'm sure he needed it. Probably spawned from sleeping on the ground Friday night.

We went to church and had a great lesson on the prophets out of the gospel principles book. Our teacher is very good and always prepared. Then during Sunday School Brett decided he needed to meet with the pianist for the choir and discuss the practice that would be after church. Neither one of them really knows the music that they are supposed to be performing soon. In the middle of class Samantha's teacher poked his head in and there was Sam tears in her eyes. Sadly I knew it was nothing. So I got up and asked what was going on. She got her feelings hurt. Her poor teacher said they hadn't been doing anything that should have gotten her feelings hurt. They were just playing Simon Says. She has two men teachers. They really don't know how to deal with my Samantha. So I asked her what was going on after her teacher left her with me. She explained they had been playing Simon Says and Olivia was talking so she couldn't hear very well, so she got out. So Olivia hurt her feelings. REALLY?????? I told her she could go back to class or sit with me. She chose to sit with me. Then during sacrament Jason decided that he really didn't want to be there so we spent the first 10 minutes in the foyer. Brett of course was up on the stand to lead the music so the other kids were by themselves on the bench. Samantha was on one so she was under the bench playing with a 1 year old that had climbed under there too. The problem with that is Samantha CANNOT be quiet. So I went back to sit down hoping that Jason would be good. I did remember some snacks in the diaper bag so that helped him behave. Samantha however wanted to get up and run around. So she had to sit next to me in hopes that she would behave there. She was only slightly better. Brett had choir practice after church so I left Duncan with him and went home to fix rice for dinner.

We went to my Mom's for tacos. Within five minutes of us being there, Jason had dumped red punch on his new white shirt. I knew I should have changed his clothes. He went shirtless after that. Everything else was pretty uneventful. We played a little soccer, and I got to hold some babies. Gotta love holding babies.