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.

Today Vivi tried out the new jump rope she got at the ER the other day. She was having so much fun! She wasn't quite sure what to do with it at first, so I showed her how it worked. All I can say is it has been a long time since I have jump roped. She laughed and laughed at me. So I turned it over to her, and she had a blast with it. I was amazed she could even jump, she was laughing so hard.

Ouch!

I don't know what happened this weekend! All I know is I should have kept my big mouth shut! I was telling some friends the other day how my kids haven't been sick all winter and that we haven't had to go to the doctor at all (except for well checks). Well, what do you know, but two days later Trenton wakes up with a raging fever and is throwing up like crazy. (Thank goodness we have a steam cleaner). We had our first visit of the year to the ER yesterday. Vivi (poor girl, she takes after her mom), was running down the hall, tripped on some air, and landed forehead first into the door jam. Split her head right open. So off to the ER she and Trent went. Six stitches, a new book, about ten stickers, and a jump rope later, she came home all patched up. Trent said she was so brave and didn't make a peep or move a muscle through the whole thing. Just when we thought our night couldn't have gotten any more fun, Preston proceeded to chug a third of a bottle of children's Motrin. Trent had poured a dose of Motrin for Vivi, turned to give it to her, and when he turned back around, there was Preston, guzzling down the bottle of Motrin. Yes, we called poison control right away. Good to know that typically, when a kid Preston's size swallows that much Motrin, the worst that happens is nausea and vomitting. We didnt have any of that, thank heavens. He slept like a rock that night.

Mom! You Better Come and See This!

Vivi came running up the stairs the other day yelling, "Mom! You better come and see this!" I went downstairs to find Preston standing on the counter (yet again) with all of the cupboards open and a bag of Hershey Kisses sitting on the counter amid many (did I say many? I meant many, many, many, many) little silver wrappers, all empty. How he did eat them all so fast? I don't know. All I know is he is quick and doesn't miss any opportunity to be sneaky. I had gone upstairs for all of one minute to throw a load in the washer. The funny thing is, I didn't even know we had Hershey Kisses in the cupboard.