Boutique!

It is almost here. The Shop Chic Boutique. Catch a glimpse of what is to come including my affordable Christmas dresses and skirts:

http://www.shopchicboutiqueaz.blogspot.com/

Field Trip

Grace, Emily & Jessie/ Cute "sheep" Emily

Today was Emily's first field trip in Kindergarten. They visited Mother Nature's farm and had such a good time. She road a hay ride, picked a pumpkin, fed piggies, played a ton and got good and dirty.



Decorating Pumpkins

We all got dirty! Adam helped me chaperon the event as he was strapped to my chest. He loved watching all the craziness that comes with a million 5 year olds let loose. They certainly had fun.



After the first 5 minutes Adam finally resolved himself to wearing a hat.

Sunday night at Home

Usually Sunday nights are filled with cousins and grandparents, but we had a rare Sunday at home. We cooked Dan's favorite, pot roast with roasted potatoes and carrots. Then Dan lit some charcoal and we all enjoyed Smores. Even Adam enjoyed his chocolate & marshmallow free version in between the occasional rock. Good thinking Dad. That was yummy!

I'm Old?

I didn't realize I was old! I never thought of my self that way. I know I'm not as young as the college kids. I feel a little more wise now, like I've got more under my belt, but I'm definitely not old. After a long day doing Jury Duty, a security guard called me "young lady." At first I thought I heard him wrong, but as dismissed me called me "young lady" again. It was then that I realized just how long it had been since someone had called me that. It made me feel old and yet with all my years, I still looked like a young lady. I'll take that! Good looks and a little wiser. Yep. What a great way to end a long day.

Kids and Politics

I have to confess that there are a lot of. . . more serious and political topics that have not entered our home as yet. This is due partially to the young ages of our kids now 8yrs, almost 6 and 9 months. Recent political events have really opened the doors to a lot of questions. They've heard a lot of unfamiliar things on TV and a LOAD of stuff at school. This week I've heard questions like, "Why does a coyote kidnap people?", "How many times did Obama vote in the government?", "Why do we have a sign that says Vote Yes on 201?". Words like "spread the wealth around" and others have poured out of my kids mouths while mine hung open knowing they heard all these things from other people. I had no idea kids talked so much about political things at school! So we delved in head first. Though their naivety is sweet they take to heart anything that adults, teachers or people of importance say.

So we had a huge talk or rather a bunch of little ones. First we talked about same sex marriage. Josh had never heard of any one being attracted to the same gender. Emily on the other hand, who I might remind you is in KINDERGARTEN, had heard of it. We talked about what it meant to "spread the wealth around." We even talked about socialized health care. This one really effects us. We have always paid oodles in health care. As nice as government provided insurance sounds for the average person, it actually makes it very difficult for people with extra medical needs to get the care they need. Specialized and extensive health care for kids like Josh, who requires a whole team of Cystic Fibrosis specialist, becomes not just more expensive, but extremely difficult to attain.

All in all it was a really wonderful experience. We taught them that they should always look at both sides of an issue. The next step is comparing the issues with what the Lord has said and then make their own decision. We also reminded them that not everyone is going to feel the same way about issues, but we should love everyone. Even people we love, teachers & adults may not feel the same, but we can always know for ourselves what is right through our Heavenly Father. He will help us to know truth.

In the end, Josh was really motivated to have his voice heard and vote online. I love to see his own motivation and patriotism!

Pet deprived

Our kids are apparently pet deprived. I know it's sad. We've had a few fish, a bunny on loan (another story completely), and lately a kitty. One morning a couple of months ago, a little cat stumbled into our yard. He seemed very tame, but lost. We gave it some water and some tuna. The kids were so hopeful to keep this cat for their own. I was even beginning to soften up, despite my allergy to felines. That cat was pretty darn cute! The deal was, if the cat was still in the yard when the children returned from school, we'd consider keeping it. To their utter disappointment, he was gone. Our "Kitty" does return often to visit though. They love to play with it and hold it. Here is Emily, trying to put a leash on the cat. The leash belongs to her toy dog and apparently no one ever told her cats don't do leashes. She was pretty persistent and patient though. You can see the gleam of success on her face when her goal was finally accomplished.

Baby Brawl

At the pack meeting I noticed that we were sitting right next to the Jensen and Wood families. Both have baby boys that were born just before Adam. After the first half of the scout meeting the babies were antsy and wanted down to explore a little on the ground. Adam immediately loved finding these new friends. Kids this age aren't exactly gentle with others and they are still a little awkward (sorry again to the Horne's baby who had his hair pulled and head slammed into the church pew by Adam. Really it was all done in great love!) Anyway. We always wondered what Adam and the other boys would do if left to themselves. My money was definitely on our big guy Adam!

The greet / The tackle


The Bonk / The Recovery

I guess we learned that Adam is more a lover than a fighter. Kneeling on his knees didn't help Ad's balance much when he was "attacked" by Caleb. Though Caleb had all the moves, Adam did perfect the art of retreat and sped away with a super crawl. Yep, he left that kid in the dust! Little Aiden Wood (in the brown) played the role of innocent bystander. I supposed we should have been more on top of the issue, but we were too busy hysterically laughing. Please note, no babies were actually hurt in the recording of this incident.

Cub Scouts

Yep, we areThere. Josh is a cub scout. He went to one scout meeting a couple of weeks ago only to completely fall in love with scouting. He has since worked really hard so he could receive his Bobcat award at his first Pack Meeting last Tuesday.






Here are pictures of the ceremony. I got to paint his face to symbolize cub scouting and the Wolf program. He wanted so desperately to keep his face painted for school the next day, but I nixed that one.

Momma!

I am finally Momma! (Don't get any weird ideas now) Adam has said sounds like mum and momma a few random times, but never in reference to me. One afternoon, I was apparently not paying sufficient attention to Adam's gurgles and squeals, because he looked straight at me and yelled "Momma!" He actually meant Me too. He proceeded to spit and mumble something very important to me and then was content to continue and play.

Slow-Mo

I now know my kids have been far too influenced by digital cable. You know, where you can rewind, pause and place in slow motion any live TV action.

On our long drive to Tucson last Saturday, the kids were so good keeping themselves busy and had progressed to the Rock-Paper-Scissors game. I guess something "so cool" happened. Some really crazy move, but instead of describing the moment, Josh told Em "Let's do a slow-mo so mom can see how cool that move was!" Then they proceeded to show me, in slow motion, how their funny move. I barely saw "the move" because I was laughing so hard.

I must confess that I find my self wishing that digital cable abilities applied in other parts of my life too, like the radio. I can't count how many times I've only half-heard something and reached up to rewind the program only to be disappointed at such a primitive feature as a car radio.

109

"Mom, do you want to know how I finally fell asleep in the car? I counted 109 sheep!" said Emily.

I guess our trip home from Tucson was a little long. I've tried counting sheep before. I don't think it has ever really worked. And I never really thought I'd ever remember what number I ended on before drifting off to sleep. I guess I was never patient enough to get to 109

New Talents

Adam can wave hello and goodbye. He also says a sweet Haaaaaaay for "Hi" which is most often accompanied by a wave. He has said the word mum, but has yet to refer it to me though he often has entire conversations with his pal Da, da, da, da daD! If he is hungry and you ask him if he wants a Ba ba (bottle) he gives a little giggle and a smile. He can drink from a straw. Best of all, Adam loves the telephone. Anytime anyone is on it, he is completely enthralled. He giggles and paws at who ever has the phone dying to have his turn. And when he gets his turn to listen to grandma or daddy, he gives a breathy giggle all the while. He still is confused why he can't turn and see the face of whom ever is on the phone, but this does not discourage him. Here are a few more of his latest tricks

I can . . .

. . . Blink!



I can . . .

. . . Slurp!

Josh's Baptism

What a wonderful day. The weather was wonderful, the day was peaceful, family everywhere...I could go on forever. There was so much anticipation in the air. Dad and Josh started the day by practicing again the correct stance for getting baptized. Josh was so cute in his little suit with his new scriptures in hand. We were so grateful to the family and dear friends who attended this special occasion we shared with the Herron family.

The program was beautiful with such a sweet spirit. Josh said the water was nice and warm, but was instantly freezing when he was done. Josh and Emily sang "I am a Child of God" with Alexis Herron and her sisters. Dan did such a great job with the baptism and confirmation. I felt so blessed to have a sweet husband who Dan holds and honors his priesthood. What a perfect picture to see Josh surrounded with dad, grandpas and uncles all there to assist in this special ordinance.


G & G Palmer / Grandpa Hilton & Uncle Mike
When the baptism was complete we gathered in the lobby to give hugs and offer congratulations to Josh. He received a few kind gifts which, for Josh, was icing on the cake. I wondered if all these fun gifts would distract Josh from remembering the specialness of the ordinances he just made with the Lord. Later that day, as Josh was surrounded with his new discovered treasures, he proclaimed, "Mom this is the best day ever!" I was sure he was going to follow with- 'Look at all these cool things', but no, he simply said, "I am so glad I am baptized mom." All I could do was hug him. He did understand. He was genuinely happy and knew he had made a good decision in being baptized.


Great G & G LeBaron/ Great G & G Palmer


Josh with his maternal Grandpas

That night we went to one of Josh's favorite restaurants, where he ordered his favorite dish, pizza and corn on the cob. As if his day couldn't get any better, the corn on the cob loosened his wiggly tooth just enough so that when we got home, it came right out at the first little tug. For an eight year old it was Cherry on Top!

Super Spy Party

I just can't bring myself to spend a load on parties. I admit it. So for $20 and a good amount of my time we planned Josh's Super Spy Party. It really was fun. The boys each got their own Secret Agent name, ID card and disguise. They went through Spy Training camp where they learned how to defuse a bomb, reveal secret messages, decode words, avoid laser surveillance, and defend themselves from enemy spies all while wearing black fedoras and sunglasses. Here are a few moments:

Beginning their mission

Laser Avoidance Training

Team Work

Retrieving Top Secret Information

Decoding messages

Flying to a "foreign" country to rendezvous with Agent Kaylani Power

I missed pictures of them using water guns to disarm the Enemy Spy (me) after which they promptly disarmed the bomb. At the end of "Week-O-Josh" he was pretty caked-out so we opted for making Monster cookies instead of the traditional cake for the party. The cookies were hidden inside the Top Secret Safe. Luckily the boys defused the bomb next to the safe and thus rescued their dessert. Missionaccomplished!

Addicted to hair

It is all Heather's fault! She found all those blogs and sent them my way. Now I'm totally addicted to hair blogs. Thankfully Emily is patient and willing to help choose a fun new do. Above is Saturday's effort.

Josh is Eight!

It has been a whirl wind Week-O-Josh! It all started with his actual birthday on Conference Sunday. He was so thrilled that he woke up at 4am and couldn't go back to sleep. Luckily he was sweet enough to let us all sleep until 6:30. (What a kid!) The video below is of Josh visiting Grandma & Grandpa Hilton's home that afternoon. Their family tradition includes singing the birthday song as horribly as possible and therefore making it better. Inevitably there is always some baby that ends up crying at the end. This year, my niece Montana, won the award.

I wish so badly that I had a video of later that day when we visited my parents house. What I wouldn't give for a video of them singing the birthday song with harmonies and everything. It is quite the hilarious contrast in families, but we couldn't live without either.

We are so blessed to have such a super kid. Josh is very athletic, is an amazing reader, incredibly loving and thoughtful. Need I say more? He has endured so many crazy things and all without complaint. Josh makes everything fun and exciting. It is wonderful to plan anything for him, even a meal, because he is always so thrilled with even the little things. Eight years ago he came into our lives and made us parents. For that we will be forever grateful. We love you Josh. You are the best.