Left me in Stitches!!

So the other night I was working on sewing patches on Victor's Cub Scout Shirt when he came over to inspect my work. "Mom" he asked, "do boys have to learn how to sew?" I told him yes, that while he didn't need to learn to sew just yet, he would have to learn to sew someday. Why? Well what if when he is on his mission he needs to fix a button or a small rip in his shirt or suit? What was my son's answer to such a problem as this? "Can't I just have my companion do it?" When I was done laughing and gained my composure I said no that wasn't how it worked. "What if his companion had the same idea and neither of them learned how to sew?" I think my laughing had done him in and the conversation was over. However the Missionaries just happened to be coming over the next night and after I asked their opinion of the situation they both shared with him their own sewing needs. I hope that he now understands the importance of learning to be prepared to meet his own needs.

O Christmas Tree!!

Well for better or worse the tree is finally up. The late Thanksgiving really seems to have zapped me. If you go back to the summer it has just been one thing after another to get ready for and no recovery time to relax. But like I mentioned the girl has really discovered events this year. First Victor's birthday and baptism had her on a two month quest to reach her day explaining the four year wait till her baptism is another story. Then Halloween a week before her birthday was fun. Now it is Christmas. She was a big helper to dad as he set up the tree and me as I did the lights. Those two experiences lead me to decide that it wouldn't be in my best interest to put up all my ornaments. So I put up a few of of the special ones that shouldn't break, then divided the kid ones I felt that were relatively unbreakable. The pay off has been that Rowan has been free to rearrange the tree at will. Which she has done. Victor being more like me was always very good at hanging the the decorations to mom's rules, Rowan however like everything else in her life goes to the beat of her own drum.
Rowan bringing the next branch to her dad so she can make sure he's doing it right.Rowan making sure she was finding all the right branches.Rowan working hard on her ornaments (she didn't wait for Victor so I had to make two piles so each child would get a fair turn).Victor the old pro tried his best to fill holes and the tree. Little did he know every ornament would be moved multiple times.The funnest part of decorating was the night that Rowan decided the stockings were foot wear and put all four of them on. That's Right TWO on each foot!!!

It a Frame of Mine!!

So as best as I can recall for almost two years I have had a huge collage frame hanging at the bottom of my stairs without any pictures in it. Well finally I not only started it but it is full and rehung and I even got up a picture I took of the Boston Temple as well as a poster of the kids I made at Snapfish. Most of my family and friends know that I love to take pictures and scrapbook. However most don't know that on of my desires is to have a house that has a staircase where I can hang tons of pictures like you see in the movies all the way upstairs. No there wasn't any such wall in my house as a kid, actually there were only a few pictures of us hung at home and they were usually in my mom and dad's room. I have always tried to have photos up but a real huge collection that is in a frequented area is just so, I just love it and I want one. It is one of the reasons I was glad when we moved here because of the stairs. I laughed with Kel the other day I will probably finish the wall just in time to pack it since he can't do his 180 mile commute forever. I would have more done but I listened to Kel when I placed the order so I didn't get the true 4x6 and I have three more that take 10 4x6's each along with 4 5x7 and I had to get an 11x14 for the poster and now I need two more 11x14's for the school collection mattes that Kel got me for Christmas. Yes, I know what he got me and I even started to fill them when he wasn't looking. So here is the scene:

Now of course I have taken many long looks to admire my work but I keep catching Kel and the kids doing the same thing. Victor is always asking where I got this or that picture he had never seen. Rowan loves to find her baby pictures and say "Look there is me as baby Rowan!"

Board Games Anyone!!!!

Most of our friends know that we are big gamers. The kids have always had their own set of games that they could play but we have tried to keep most of the nicer ones out of their reach, Rowan has a bit of a reputation to ruin them. However she has been getting a lot better about that. Actually it was her desire to play the same game everyday for two weeks straight that started the new board game fest that has been going on around here. The game was Guess Who Disney edition. Now she isn't great at playing it correctly because well thinking of questions to ask to narrow it down is a little hard. Astonishingly though she did manage to memorize where everyone is locate on each game board. Her father actually tried to switch the placement of one the characters and she spotted right off and made him fix it.

The really funny thing was that I have started to teach Victor how to play some of the grown up games. We have played game he knew like Checkers, Uno and Jenga, but then started some new ones like Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly and Life. It was really cute the night that we played Monopoly. Daddy was at work so Rowan was only really allowed to watch. She really wanted to play with us so we let her choose a token and occasionally roll the dice. She really wanted $40, but she was so cute she would roll the dice then move in any direction she wanted. Every so often she would move to the Electric Company and go "Look I have an idea!" This would crack us up. She would change her token and willingly go to jail every once in a while. Poor Victor after two days he gave up on Monopoly even though he was doing well, but he won Life. This week has been Candyland or Canny Lane as Rowan calls it. Getting her to not cheat is an issue but she has been pretty good.

Rowan turns 4!!

Well the baby isn't so much a baby any more. This November she turned 4. What a difference a year makes. To think that last year she barely talked and was still such a baby in many ways. She has grown a lot and has come close to catching up to where she should be. I requested a PPT but they didn't find anything but did confirm that she still has some sensory issues we need to help her with. The ear tubes however has made a huge change in her. We have to be careful that there isn't anything to loud around her and she has ear muffs that we bring to public events. However she talks a lot more and while she is still wary in some situations she is more vocal when she feels comfortable. It has been awesome to see her bloom. She really enjoyed Halloween this year, I mean who else but a little chocolate nut could find sheer joy in knocking on peoples door and have them give you candy!!

So a little about her. Her favorite color is usually pink but every so often it is purple. She loves her fairy collection. Her favorite food is strawberries, but whip topping is a very close second. She also never turns down anything chocolate. She has finally hit the stage where she gets obsessed with a movies and I am forced to watch the some movie and hear the same songs and lines over and over and over and over again. Currently it is Hercules, and honestly I am very ready to ship it back to Netflix!!! The sad part is that we own it on VHS but she doesn't get it. We have always had dvd's with Rowan so those she knows and knows how to but them in and work the player. The VCR how ever is hooked up in the play room and that whole rewind thing is just to much for her patience. Oh how the world has changed!! She still loves to do puzzles and she is improving on learning how to play games as long as she wins. She loves to call herself daddy's little girl. She amazes me at how well she can surf the web and play on the computer. She still loves her gymnastics class. She loves to ride her bike. I am very thankful that she is still a total snuggle bug. She insisted that she was going to read her own birthday cards this year, and each and every one of them said "Happy Birthday to Rowan". She loves school and her teacher Martha. She loves to draw, color and paint. She is currently very into photos. Her favorite place to go is to her grandma Paula's house.

Victor Turns 8!!!

Where does the time go? My baby boy turned 8 in September and while this meant great things for him it brought a tear to my eye. We had a huge party because he was baptised on the same day. When you have that many coming from all over a two for one is always a good idea. While the new level of responsibility isn't his favorite part of his birthday I thought that an update on what he is like would be fun.
He is in third grade now. His favorite color is still green. He loves the Red Sox and his favorite player now is Dustin Pedoria. His favorite foods are still hot dogs and chips. He is now a Cub Scout and talks all the time about getting his Eagle and Silver Beaver. His best friend is still Nate and they both gave prayers at each others Baptisms, it is a friendship that I am so very grateful for each day. He still loves Legos and always carries the current catalog in his backpack. He loves Webkinz. He likes the High School Musical movies and wants to be the next Zac E. He is very sensitive and caring. His new thing is making me go over and over what his name means and who each person is or was that he was named for. I have started to teach him how to play lots of non little kid board games.

Update continued!

Rowan is ready with doggies and all to go to her parents visit to school.

Finally Rowan's first day of school. No more melt downs!!

Victor turned 8!!!!!

Victor was Baptised!!!!!We had a great time as always at the Big E.I got to go to the last regular season game at Fenway against the Yankees.Nate was Baptised!!Came up with this fall into books theme for RIF and had my mom paint this awesome tree that the kids hung apples on that Afton and her sister cut out.Went on Victor's field trip tour of the town. I have been volunteering in the classroom for an hour a day when ever I can!Carved pumpkins for Halloween!!!Victor's class learned the Monster Mash song and went around the school singing it!!TRICK OR TREATING with my King and Princess!!!

Better Late Than Never!!

Well sadly Kelton went back to work and the kids went back to school all together and mom got out of her mind busy. Things have started to calm down a little bit. Just in time to get ready for the holidays of course. So Here is a quick update of what We have been up to and then I hope to be able to blog more often.
Victor went back to school.Victor took part in the back to school assembly and helped read a book to the school.Finally got buds on my Zinnias and came home to them having been eaten by a grasshopper. Where are the seagulls when you need them.My Nate's mom had her baby and I got to have tea parties. It was awesome because Rowan didn't go back to school till a week after Victor and had melt downs when we would take Vic to school. Being able to tell her that Annalynn and Evan were coming over was a life saver.Victor became a Cub Scout!

Splish Splash!!

The kids and I had a good time one morning. We went to a local park that we knew had a splash pad. I was picturing one from like when I was a kid the big concrete circle with a fountain in the center. Well were we delightfully surprised when we got there and found this huge area with all sorts of water sprays. Victor loved it the most and ran around for an hour straight. Rowan was too funny. At first she was very uncertain of it and spent a long time walking around trying to walk between the showers but she eventually got into the spirit of things. Unfortunately it started to rain on us so we had to have our picnic lunch on the living room floor.

Class Act!

Well I have to say that we are really happy with Kel finding a new job. The commute is long and aggravating but I have to say that any company that would send a gift basket to you the Saturday before you start to welcome is pretty cool with us.

Best $3 I ever spent!!

So the kids and I went shopping one day to Wal-Mart. I had been looking for flip flops for Ro but hadn't had any luck. Well we were just about done when Ro announced the need to find the ladies room which is right near the shoe department. I don't know where they came from because I had looked there before but they had an entire aisle of clearance summer shoes. Well not only did they have flip flops for her but they are Disney Princess Shoes!!!! They were a little big but the point that sold them was what Ro calls them. They are her "Slip Slops"!!! Too cute!

Back Yard Play Spot

As soon as the weather got good this year we decided that it would be a good idea with the price of gas if we arranged a place for the kids to play in the back yard. We laid down some weed guard and got the kids sandbox and pool from my mom's house, then crafty mommy made a chalkboard to hang on the side of the deck. Well it has been a hit!! Rowan has spent many many hours out there which allowed mommy to get things done. We had our friends the Corless two kids for a play date so there mom could pack in peace. Then there was the week were the Seal kids came to wait for their new sister. Annalynn even said that the sand box was the best part of coming to our house. Victor in the pool with Colin and Layla
Rowan and Colin in the sand box!!
Rowan the model!
Fun with the Corless's in the pool.


Evan Loved the little climber and he was really good at it.

The five buddies playing!

One evening Rowan wanted to go out and play so bad she put one of her swim suits on over her clothes!!!

Horsing Around!

Don't Panic I know that these are not all my kids!!!! Auntie Afton wasn't feeling well the other day and we were watching our second favorite sibling crew the Seal's. It was also the night that Afton's library was having free pony rides so off we went with the 5 kids to get turns. Nathan LOVES horses but it was Rowan who was in tears when we left. She would have kept going through the line if we let her. Even little man Evan was into it. He was so cute while he waited his turn he gave me the blow by blow. Annalynn o horse. Ro o horse. Which in 1 year old is the cutest. Victor was there but he does not like riding horses so there was no cute pic of him in a riding helmet to share with you all sorry.

Nate the Great!!
Rowan kept asking "I am going to ride the horse?"
Little Man! Evan didn't even fuss a bit with the helmet while he waited.
Annalynn is the best picture poser!! I love the curls!!! She wishes sometimes that she had straight hair like Ro, but I wish Rowan had those curls sometimes too!
A natural in the Saddle. This girl loves animals. Maybe when we move if I can't find a gymnastics program for her we will look in to horse back riding.

Basball Loving Family

While we have been going to games at the local Double A ball park it was this past spring that my Aunt Lori and Uncle Joel came to the game we sold tickets for from a school fundraiser. They fell in love with the park and so we got tickets for games once a month. The AA team for the Red Sox was a must this month and a good time was had by all. They may want to warn Internet buyers where the PA speakers are though. I picked out seats for the games that were right under the speaker. It is a good thing we got Rowan ear muffs for the fire works at the games because as you can see, she got a lot of use out of them. Why do we even bother to buy her a seat when she is usually on some ones lap? Love up Lori!!!

One of the best parts of going to games on Friday nights is the free fireworks display afterwards. Of course with all the rain we ended up at a double header and the kids were really tired but they give one of the best displays I have ever seen and they are always different!!!
Rowan not only made friends with the little girl in front of us she seems to have found an admirer in the local mascot!!!