Joseph's first swimming lesson

Rebecca started swimming lessons at age 3, so this year when I was signing her up and Joseph (now 3) begged to start I decided to go for it. He is more shy and so I was worried about how he would do and whether it would be a waste of money or not. At first it looked like he wouldn't get in, but a teacher just grabbed him and took him in and he was fine. He wouldn't blow bubbles in the water, but he did kick and go out in the water with his teacher. It was very cute to watch. When he was done he got out and declared: "I DID IT!"






During family night Rebecca did a little photo shoot.



Not sure what was going on here.





That's one tired momma.

Sunday nap and walk in the park

I was lucky enough to get a Sunday nap even though Warren wasn't home. What I didn't count on was that two of my three kids felt the same way about wanting a Sunday nap.

Later that evening we went for a walk in a park that was new to our family. We often take a Sunday walk around the neighborhood, but it has gotten more stressful with Joseph running ahead and not stopping when we say stop. I get nervous about people backing out of their driveways. So we went somewhere they could run a little more freely. I know I've said it before and I'll say it again, but it brings me such joy to watch Rebecca and Joseph's friendship. People often comment on what a good little momma she is.

Deals to Meals

A few weeks ago in a church lesson on Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage the teacher mentioned a website called Deals to Meals. I was intrigued because she said it helped her save money on her groceries and so I signed up. The basic premise is that it organizes the grocery store ads for you and helps you know if things are a better deal than stores like Costco or Walmart. It also helps you know when things are on super sale and how long those items can be stored for so you can build up your food storage when things are on sale. I've been enjoying it so far. With a new baby I don't have too much extra time on my hands, and I feel like this website has helped me quickly organize the sales with the touch of a button. I have been able to do one big shopping trip that sometimes lasts me almost two weeks (except for milk).

Another feature is the weekly recipe pages. They try to give you recipes using things that are on sale that week and also include recipes that use items you have in your food storage. I've tried some of their recipes already and they were a hit. So it's been fun.

The deals to meals blog website is also hosting a Bosch mixer giveaway this week. So go check it out! If you end up signing up this week, mention my name so I can get credit. I'll even bake you something if I win. Hee hee.

Goodbye Andrea

This week the kids and I went to LA to say goodbye to our dear friends, Andrea, Steven and Matthew. They are moving out of State and we will miss them. But we are excited for them and their new adventure.

Andrea is one of the sweetest people I know. An angel on earth. She is incredibly kind, compassionate and forgiving. She is a wonderful mother and friend. She has such a great ability to love and to hug and make you feel good about yourself. She makes you feel that you are special.

I love my friend and "sister" Andrea and am grateful our lives crossed paths.

First week of Summer Vacation!

Seems like I titled a post exactly the same way last year, but what can I say, it's great to have Rebecca out of school.

She had a fantastic year and just really took off with her reading and writing. Her teacher had especially high praise for her story telling ability in writing. I'm not surprised. That has been a talent we've picked up on as parents since she was a little girl. Long before she could read she would tell stories out loud to the picture books she looked at. Even if she didn't know the story she would invent something so interesting and use such an animated voice to tell it that at the library other kids would gather around her.

We weren't really able to go out and celebrate the end of school like I wanted to because Theo had had his 2 month shots that day and wasn't up to going anywhere.

My motto for this first week off school was "some work, some play." I have so many projects I want to get done, but I want to make sure I do something fun WITH my kids every day. I don't want their childhood to pass me by. Even though pretend play isn't my forte, I played dolls and Strawberry Shortcake with the kids. We also did 3-D chalk and a visit to the library with a musical show involving a mandolin, ukelele, banjo and guitar. It was great and the kids loved it.

Our work included organizing the kids room, going through Rebecca's clothes and general clean up. It felt really good. I'm excited for the projects I have going on in the house and just wish I could get to the garden as well.

Rebecca is a great helper.
Theo has fallen asleep in her lap more than once this week.
It is the sweetest thing to me.

This is just a little demonstration of what I went through one day this week. All of those plates/bowls are Joseph's and all of them had to be exactly that way. Ketchup on one, taquito on one, nuggets on one, cereal on one. You do things just to keep the peace sometimes.

Theo two months old

My cousin Julie asked me to post more pictures of my little guy, so what's a proud momma to do? Post more pictures of course! Theo is an incredibly responsive baby. He coos and talks to me, smiles and talks some more. He has the cutest little dimple. Luckily with skype his grandparents have been able to see his smiles for real, because we haven't gotten any good pictures. Not ones that are a good representation of what he looks like smiling anyway.

Cute outfit made by my friend Jen Wegner.
Start them early wearing a tie to church! :)

A portion of his melt mommy smile.

The little lamb swing. It has saved us.

I love sleeping babies.
They are the cutest thing ever.

Ha ha, fooled you. This last one is actually Joseph. Crazy, huh?

Joseph still loves Theo's toes and Theo's peach fuzz hair. He's always taking Theo's socks off so he can touch his toes.
Rebecca likes holding him, but only on her terms, now that he has gotten so heavy. I'm grateful to have her help though, when I really need it.

Pinewood Derby

Our ward had a open to anyone pinewood derby. With a little help from our dear neighbors, Rebecca and Joseph actually had cars to enter into the race. They painted them all by themselves. Our cars weren't fast, but the kids didn't care. They had a great time and were glad just to see their own cars race down the track.

Police Station Open House

Our community Police Station had an open house. The kids had a great time looking at all the vehicles, including horses :) and eating at the pancake breakfast. As I was walking around the booths I thought to myself: it's good to belong to a community. I'm glad to live here with my family.
Rebecca is currently fascinated with horses and has been begging for riding lessons. I'm having her "earn" the money for it by doing various things I want/need her to do. We'll see how it progresses!

Three little piggies

I like pointing out interesting pictures to my kids that I see in the newspaper. Today I saw a picture of a wolf and showed it to Joseph at the breakfast table.

He looked at me and asked in all seriousness: "Is he going to blow the house down?"

My best friend

Rebecca did a little photo shoot with her brother the other day. There were many more pictures, but I just chose some of the best to give you a feel for their activity. I know the quality isn't great, but the drawing and writing she did during her free time at school today says it all. They are best friends and have a lot of fun together. What more could a mother want?