Which One Am I, The Parent or the Child?

So, it was one of those days. The kind where the kids are telling me everything they want and need constantly. I mean constantly. And not even just one at a time. All four, all at once, every waking moment. This is typical in our house, as I am sure it is in any home where children abound. For whatever reason though, today I just hit my "wanting" and "needing" limit. So we were in the car on our way home from picking Trenton up from Scouts (the four children and I) and they all started in again. "Mom, you need to get our vitamins when we get home." "Mom, when it's my birthday, I want to go to Chucky Cheese." (My favorite place in the world by the way. Not!) "Mom, Vivi won't stop making that noise. Will you make her stop?" "Mom, I'm hungry. I didn't get seconds of dinner. Will you make me seconds when we get home?" Well, you get the idea. Needless to say, I lost it just a little bit. A.Little.Bit. Do you ever have those moments when after losing it, you kind of take a step back and think, "Whoa, which one am I? The parent or the child?" I mean, it's a little sad when I, the mother, am sounding a little (lot?) more like a whiny 2-5 year old than the adult that I am (or should be). We all have our moments, right? (Please tell me it's not just me!) Well, I think my kids were a little shocked because nobody said a word the rest of the way home. Total silence. They didn't even ask me for anything when we got home. They brushed their teeth, got their PJs on, and even said their prayers and read their scriptures without even being asked. It is hard to imagine, after all is quiet and they are all looking so angelic, lying there asleep, that I could ever be upset with them about anything. Until the next morning when I wake up to "Mom, why do I have to pack myself a lunch? I just wish I could have hot lunch every day!"

The House of the Lord

Trent and I have had the opportunity to go to the temple several times over the last few weeks. It has been so nice to go and leave the cares of the world behind, even if it is just for a few short hours. I find so much peace and comfort in going to the temple. I love how quiet and serene it is, and the spirit that I feel while I am there. What a blessing it is to live so close to a temple. I've heard stories of people who travel for days and miles to be able to go to the temple. I just have to jump in the car and can be there in 25 minutes. I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple in my life.

Beauty King

We thought one Sunday we would try and get Preston to take a nap before church. Things got pretty quiet in his room, so we thought he had totally zonked. Trent decided to peek his head in just to make sure, and instead of an angelic sleeping child, he found Preston covered in purple and blue. Vivi had gotten some make-up at a birthday party a few days before and thought she had been really sneaky putting it in a pocket in one of her purses. Everyone in this house should know that we can never ever be sneaky enough for Preston because he is the sneakiest one of us all. Well, of course he found it, and this is the result of 20 quiet minutes all to himself in his room. We tried our best to get it all off, but he did go to church that day looking a little black and blue. We heard at least five times, "Oh! How did he get his black eye?" We really don't beat our children at this house. We just let them play with make-up so it looks like we did.

From the Mouths of Babes

Trenton and Colson did the sweetest thing tonight. Without even being asked, they both put Vivi and Preston to bed for me. I went up to check that everyone had brushed and flossed, and there were Trenton and Colson reading books to their younger siblings. It was too cute. Well, after the reading was finished, I guess Colson thought he would sing a few songs to Viv and Preston. He came downstairs when he was through and said, "Mom! Dad! I have to tell you something! I was singing "I Am A Child of God" to Vivi and Preston, and in the middle, my singing must have gotten so beautiful because I looked over at both of them and they were just staring at me and couldn't take their eyes off me!" Trent and I just looked across the room at each other, trying to contain our laughter. Once Colson was out of the room, we couldn't hold it in any more. I sure love being a parent. I can't imagine life without my four sweet little babes (and their beautiful singing;)

Please Don't Grow Up So Fast!

Vivi has been so funny lately. All this last week she has been obsessed with her tummy. After everything she eats, she'll lift up her shirt and say, "Mom, does it look like my tummy is getting fatter?" Of course being the string bean that she is, I always say "Nope, you're still skinny minny!" Well, she wasn't ever very happy with my answer. So after a couple days of this I asked why she wanted her tummy to be bigger. Her reply was "Because then I can be big like a mom and a dad silly!" WHAT?! (I keep telling her to please just be happy and have fun being a kid.) I told her that if her tummy just kept getting bigger and bigger now, it wouldn't make her big like a mom and dad, she would just be a chubby little girl. She did not like what I had to say. She doesn't ask me anymore if her tummy looks bigger. She just lifts up her shirt after every meal and says, "Yep, it's getting bigger!"

Best Friends

This is Vivi's best bud, Tyler. They just love each other. They have the best time when they are together. It doesn't seem to matter what they do or play, they just always get along so well and enjoy being around each other. Tyler has even played dress up with Viv when he's been over for play dates in the past. (I won't show those pictures though... Lamar probably wouldn't be too happy with me.;)

When a Two Year Old Takes Out the Trash

So, I was in my sewing room the other day just working away while Preston was happily playing in the toy room... or so I thought. All of a sudden I hear the door to the garage slam closed. I run upstairs to find this. So I go to look for Preston in the garage, and I find this...

He totally took out the trash! I think he did a pretty good job for being only two!

Day at the Zoo

We had a fun trip to the zoo a couple of weeks ago. The kids had no school and the weather was gorgeous, so we thought we would take advantage. A great time was had by all.

Preston especially loved picking the gorilla statue's nose. (What is it with boys?)

Love the gorgeous Colorado weather!

I Give Up

I am at a complete loss. I am convinced that child-proofing doesn't work with Preston. Everything we try, he figures it out. It's like he's an evil genius or something. I have decided that I am just going to have to buy one humongous safe, and put anything dangerous or lethal in it (which might as well be half our house as far as Preston is concerned). Until recently, the only safe place (or mom's only have a break place) was his crib. No longer. He has figured out how to lower the side of his crib, and can now climb out. I spent 1 1/2 hours yesterday putting him back in his crib and raising the side of it back up. He did finally fall asleep after much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth (mostly on my part). One of the best things about Preston, life is always exciting with him around.

Last night Trent and I were so lucky to be able to go and see Phantom of the Opera. I have read the book, seen the movie, and have listened to the music a ton, but this was the first time I had ever seen it in theater. It was AMAZING. I absolutely LOVED it. Trent's parents had given me tickets for my birthday. (Thanks mom and dad!) If any of you get the chance to go see it while it's here, it was outstanding! The actor who played the Phantom was phenomenal! All of the actors in it were, but him especially. He is the first and only actor to have played the Phantom and Jean Valjean (Les Miserables) on Broadway. Sorry, I'll stop gushing now, but it was sooooooo good! Wish I could see it again.