More Visitors

One of the great things about living in Nashville is we're the stopping point for a lot of people on the East Coast.  My cousin and her family are moving to Austin from Virginia and stopped by our place last night and got to hang out for a few hours this morning.  We talked about food, kids, and how much our moms are alike.  It was so much fun and the kids had a blast playing together.  I never see extended family so this was a great treat.  We hope they stop by again some time!

Caroline and Abby reading books.  They were so cute and giggled the whole time.

Brett and Emily were kind enough to take us out to lunch and my kids were in heaven at Chik-fil-A.  Graham acted like he had never had chocolate milk and after his first sip said, "What is this?  I lub it!" I"m pretty sure my cousin and her family are now their favorite people in the world.  We're simple people; feed us food and we'll love you forever. 

Those little girls are so sweet and played so well with my crazy boys.  Devin and Graham were heartbroken when they drove off.  Devin said he thought they were moving here and also declared he loved the "older girl" best.  We may need to work on names a little.  

Resolutions 2013

I'm finally getting around to posting and revisiting my resolutions last year.  We had talks all about setting goals in church today so I thought it was about time to write some down.
I really try and keep things simple last year I wanted to learn to play the piano, bake more, attend the temple more and be consistent with scripture study.  I think overall I fulfilled all of them.
I know I baked more, that's pretty easy.
I was really good at scripture study for the first 6 months and then was more inconsistent.
I did attend the temple more but I could still increase my attendance so I'll keep that on for this year.
As for the piano I did nothing until August but once I got my book I'm happy with my progress.

So this year I'm keeping it simple again.
1. Teach Devin to read.  I think kindergarten will be a big slap in the face for him so I'd like him to be academically prepared.  I've got my book and want him to have a good grasp of reading by summer. Wish me luck.
2. Cook more vegetables.  I really need to learn how to make yummy veggies.  I've got baking down pretty well, now I need foods to help me combat all the fat and sugar I eat.  I'm really excited about a roasted cauliflower recipe I just found and I also want to try roasted brussels sprouts (just don't tell Shawn) .  I'll keep you posted on how that turns out.
3. Just say no to teaching preschool with Graham next school year.  I know I may sound like a horrible parent but I really don't like teaching preschool.  I usually do two years with my kids but I'm already doing one with him this year and I'd really like a year off.  I also think I would do a better job of doing more one on one teaching with him since I can't say he's going to preschool.  Does that make sense?
4. Be more patient with my kids.  As most of you know I can get very irritated quite quickly and sometimes I can be a little short with my kids.  I'm really trying to not get too worked up over small things and if I am mad to put myself in a little timeout.  My kids are great and I'd like them to remember me being happy as a mom.
5.  Go to the temple more.  I know Shawn's schedule is crazy but it really needs to be a bigger priority.
6. Finish my piano book and continue to improve.  I'd like to be able to play some pieces harder than Once there was a Snowman.  At the end of my piano book I should be able to play The Entertainer, and I'm really excited about it.  I'd love to be good at that piece.
7. Not be afraid of volleyball.  My ankle still doesn't feel the same and I've gone back to volleyball but I'm not nearly as fearless as I used to be, I used to love playing the net, and trying to block but not so much anymore.
8. Ride my bike more.  I took a brief hiatus when my ankle was broken but I'd really like to know the trails of the Warner Parks a bit better, its really beautiful and although it totally kicks my butt with all the hills its so fun riding in all the trees.
That's actually more than I thought I would have but oh well, at least they should keep me busy!

Too much

Graham is too funny sometimes.  The things he gets upset over often crack me up.  A few minutes ago I heard the all to familiar, "Mommy I need you to wipe my bottom!"  I swear I do this at least 3 times a day.  I had no idea we had such a high fiber diet.  Anyways so I go in wipe his bum and then leave him to pull up his pants.  Instead Graham comes running out of the bathroom, pants and underwear around his ankles yelling, "Now I can't go poo poo!"  I asked him what was wrong and he told me he couldn't go because I had wiped his bum.  Really?  He had just yelled at me to come in and help him and now I"m in trouble for it.  He then stormed off and said, "Now I have to start all over."  I guess he wasn't all done when he first asked me to help him out.  It's nice to be appreciated around here.

This Week

This last week of Christmas vacation was a fun one.  We actually celebrated NewYear's Eve, had some visitors, Caroline started basketball, and Graham started Primary.  Big week.

First off our great friends from Houston got to spend an evening with us on the way back from visiting Ohio and we had a great time with them.  I love it when you have friends when you get together all they kids play together so well its almost like there are no kids at all.  Except for all the noise, there's always lots of noise.  We are so happy they get to stop by every once in a while to see us.  We really miss being closer to them!

All the cute crazy kids together.

Yesterday Caroline had her first basketball game yesterday.  It was so funny!  They lost pretty bad but it was so much fun watching her play, when she could remember what she was doing she did pretty well.  I'm excited for her to get more experience this year.  Go #30!  And you know those loud embarrassing parents at games?  Yes I'm one of those parents.  At one point Shawn had to put his hand on my leg to keep me from standing up.  I don't yell at players, I'm very supportive, I just get really excited.  Lucky for me Caroline still thinks I'm pretty cool.  

And I can't believe it but Graham started Primary today at church.  He looks TINY compared to the other classes and I love it.  He was even picked to play a game today, he didn't really understand it but had a good time anyways.  I could hear him a few time talking to his teacher saying things like, "Hey my know him."  and "Hey my like this song."  He's such a ham.  

New Years Eve 2012

New Years Eve is usually very uneventful for us.  And this year wasn't going to be much different since Shawn was on call (just in case you were wondering it really is the worst night to be on call) but a friend invited us to come over and party early. We had a great time eating and hanging out with friends and playing with Oreos.  

Graham playing "cheers" with the cute little girl next to him.

Caroline decorating cookies.

This was our game.  We tried to see who could stack the most Oreos on their forehead.  And I won, I"m pretty sure I could win any game that involves Oreos.

Devin blowing is  noise maker at "midnight" I think it was actually 8:30.  

All the kids together.  

We had a great time and Caroline and Devin now have new friends.  This was WAY better than doing nothing at home.  Happy New Year!

Boys and Girls

I love getting to see the differences between they boys and girls in this house.  Mostly in the kids, after 8 years Shawn and I have become quite a lot alike.  Anyways the last few days I've noticed a few things or just thought they were funny.  

First, boys wear through clothes insanely fast.  Devin has had several pairs of jeans for a few months and almost each pair has a hole in them, even in the bum!  I have no idea how he got a hole in the bum of him pants but whatever. Caroline on the other hand has a pair of jeans and they still look brand new.

  

Second, boys are so clumsy! Today Graham was running up our driveway and fell down where it levels out and scratched up his face, I'm just glad he was wearing his helmet at the time.  

Third, Caroline loves making things for people, and more recently its been food.  She got a new cookbook for Christmas and is so excited to make things out of it.  We, well she, made deviled eggs last night and they were really good.  She felt so big and was so proud, so was I.  Graham on the other hand destroyed the puzzle I had been working on this morning.  He apparently loves destroying things.

They're quite different.

Caroline filling the eggs.  They were really good!

Graham insisted that we put a bandaid on his nose after he ate it up the driveway.  It was hilarious!