Never posting

A couple things from this week. Me sleeping with Ella. Pictures from the aquarium in draper, ut. And Addison making a castle out of magnet tiles. 

Ella walking

4, 3, 2, EAT!

Today I planned to eat dinner out because it has been forever since I have eaten at Souplantation and I was ready for a treat.  I truly did block out that fact that eating dinner out with 3 little ones is NOT a treat and continued to think about how great it will be that I don't have to think about what to make for dinner and I can get the kids to try all sorts of vegetables.  As we were showering (from doing yard work) and getting ready, Jared said, "Do we really want to spend the money?  We can get 2 $5 pizzas to feed us all." This was tempting because I was a little more confident that they would eat it and it was at this point I realized what he was getting at- we don't like taking the kids out to eat. I didn't put up a fight...but Jared also didn't push it, so we stuck with the original plan.
The kids questioned what we were doing as we were all getting dressed and having them put shoes on. We told them we were going out to get food.  Corban said, "No, I don't want to go get food. I am going to go down and see what food we have." Like he was going to try to convince us that we didn't have to leave to get food?  So we get them in the car and we get to Souplantation and Corban says with excitement, "We are eating at a RESTAURANT!" He was beaming!  I didn't realize that he didn't know what it meant to "eat out". To his credit, it truly is a very RARE occurrence for our young family because I usually remember how miserable it is and would much rather make a meal at home. Again, when planning, I somehow forgot about that.
About halfway through the meal it dawned on me how PLEASANT this meal was. Each child was being well behaved, eating something, and being cute.  They were playing "cookie monster" as they would eat something, but were keeping their voices at a tolerable level. They were allowing each other to eat off the same plate. I was sitting next to Addison and she kept patting me on the back of the shoulder. At one point I kindly took her hand and asked her not to touch me (given that she is eating...and not using utensils). She tilted her head to look at me and said, "You my friend." Oh, melt me!  Okay, go ahead and touch me all you want. And that she did, as she told me all sorts of stuff.  She would pat, tilt her head and tell me about "monsters", "cookie monster", "best friend", and more.
As we were leaving, and older man came up to Jared and told him, "Your children are the cutest kids I have ever seen." There was a point during the meal that I planned a response to someone saying something (and I probably do this all the time because I always have people commenting to me) and my response would have been, "I know, they are being really well mannered. It is even surprising me!"
Who knew that a 4,3 and almost 2 year old could be pleasant in a restaurant?  Certainly not their mother, but she can be taught! I truly have never had so much fun with them eating out, but they are surprising me a lot lately.
(Just as a side note for something else that Addison talked about all day. "Cinnerella, wha happen next, mama?" with a very concerned look on her face- asking about what happened next on the movie Cinderella. ADORABLE! I want to eat her cuteness all day long!)

"Mom, can you get the volume 'cause I can't reach it," says Corban
Distracted outside the room, "You need it louder?" Truly questioning because it was plenty loud.
"No, I can't reach reach it."
So I come into the room with Corban with half effort reaching for headphones.  I hand them to him and give a short explanation how they won't make sound because they aren't plugged in.  I see him fiddle with them, putting them over his ears and fumbling with the plug and quietly say, "It still isn't working." Now he sits, playing the piano with his feet.

I seriously could sit at this computer all day long writing about the funny things the three of them do!

I have a statue of Jesus that I recently put on a very low shelf. I have only put it there because I need to adjust the higher shelves so he fits there. I have thought many a time that I need to get it up because he is going to get broken with all the crazy activity that goes on in this house.  But his low position has served as more funny moments.  One day Malia was holding his hands saying how Jesus was her best friend.  Then Addison was just trying to get on the shelf with him, to stand next to him.  It is really interesting their reaction when something is on there level!  So far they have been very gentle, compassionate, and caring for their Jesus.  Regardless, I do need to get him up before their is a casualty.

Life is so great for us right now.  I have emerged from the difficult times of having 3 under 3 because 4,3,and almost 2 is GREAT!  I love how well they play together. I believe my life to be easier than most because of how close they are.  Many times I have had thoughts of gratitude for where we are at. I remember Corban at Addison's age and how I just wished I had more kids around to do various activities- the more the merrier.  The point at which we are right now is proving my thoughts to have been right.  I am homeschooling Corban this year (he wouldn't actually go to school anyway, but I wanted to try out home school without the stress of him needing to be completing the kindergarten curriculum). It goes great most days because the girls just move right along with us and it makes it fun for Corban to be instructing them on a lot of it.  He is a great older brother!

At another angle, I have Malia telling me Addison is awake when she isn't. This is because Malia adores her little sister (and it goes the other way as well, Addison really looks up to Malia and Corban). She loves to instruct her on play.  This is mostly good, as they keep themselves entertained with dolls and whatever else.  There are times I have to NOT enjoy the silence because it can mean BIG mess.

Corban is very creative right now, with imagining himself as a bird or dinosaur hatching out of an egg. Malia is the little princess who likes to change her clothes frequently and we could never have enough skirts (but at the same time, we don't need anymore because she really only wants the same one over and over). Addison is a little follower with an ever expanding vocabulary.  We LOVE to hear her speak in full sentences.  It probably does take mom ears to understand, but she knows what she is trying to say.

Three amazing kids, patiently teaching their mom how to be a mom!

Summer Play

With temperatures as high as 99 degrees, I am beginning to wonder what are the benefits of living in San Diego? Part of that wondering comes from my unshaded backyard. When you choose to do remodeling and refreshing yourself, you tend to take a lot longer.  A LOT longer. We repainted the house LAST YEAR and have yet to find a replacement for the awning that we took down. I don't regret removing the old one, just wish I had some sort of replacement, any sort of replacement.
Something that adds to my questioning is the fact that I just had a wonderful vacation in Utah where they have fabulous water play just about anywhere you look.  The closest I am aware of here in San Diego is about 20 minutes in the wrong direction. So the beach is the next option- and not a bad one, other than I don't have a beach umbrella. I can't really imagine myself handling my 3 without some shade- they will want to stay longer than my sun limit of 40 minutes. This week, while I actually have 4, I just might give it a try.
Here are a few shots that make me long for Utah. We had a FABULOUS time!

Family Photo

We haven't had a great shot of the entire family until yesterday, so I thought I would share. Thanks to my best friend who made it happen!
Here's to the 54 days that I have a 3 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old. We love our life!

My Work

Corban climbs up in the desk chair and says, "Dad, I have to do my work."
Me, "Your work?"
Corban, "Yeah! My work."
Me, "What's your work?"
Corban, as he opens Google Chrome, "Angry Birds!"
Me, "Only after I do something."
And I open a window to post this...

I Just Want to Kill Dragons

Corban has been slaying dragons all day after watching "How To Train Your Dragon" twice this morning. He was being adorable out in the yard with a yellow stake he found sitting around, imaging it to be a sword. He was running back and forth, usually stopping at the same spot of over grown grass, slicing at it and stabbing the stake down into it.
We were trying to hurry out the door a while later so I was trying to get their clothes on and telling them we were going to go in the van (that usually is enticing). Corban had been outside in the water so he just had underwear on, but now even that was removed because he just went potty (why they have to remove everything completely, I will Never know, but will probably Always be annoyed with). So I am still getting on him about getting his clothes on so we can go.  He sadly walks away from me (NAKED) with his underwear hanging in one hand and his yellow stake in the other, "But I just want to kill dragons." If only I could have caught that on camera!

Things worth repeating.

Addison falls to her back after standing by the couch and Corban says, "Oh, Addison! You are a GREAT faller!"

Corban says, "Are you going to make oatmeal today?"
Me "I was thinking of making toast and applesauce" (Corban has had a sick tummy lately)
Small pause...then Corban says, "You need to make French Toast over here."
Me "We'll see, Corban."
Corban "We just need popcorn first, and then French Toast.  Let's get popcorn in the garage in the bag and make it, then you can make french toast."
I guess his tummy is feeling much better.

If we don't change, life does it for us.

I just finished getting all the kids to bed...not to sleep, just to bed. As I was having my last moments with Corban I was reminded of a thought I have had about a dozen times over the past couple of weeks. I feel kind of hypocritical writing this now after my day yesterday because I didn't "win" as Jared and I like to put it. But I am going to write it because 1 day in the last 30 shouldn't make that much of an impression. AND it is really too bad that I have been in such a bad mood this past year and haven't blogged so life in the present could be compared with life in the recent past. I will also throw a reminder in there (as I am reminded myself that there may be others that read this blog), I write my blog for me, and not necessarily for an audience; hence, the transparency.  Anyway, here it goes.

Corban's not really into meeting the characters yet, but we were first in line (by chance)

Life is getting manageable, but whose wouldn't if you have passes to Disneyland? I am winning most days. I have more moments of joy than I do frustration, sadness, and pain (over how I treat others). I can growl back at Corban and we both laugh. I don't dread going to bed only to wake up and do it all over again- but I look forward to what we will do the next day, what I will see the kids learn, and what more I can accomplish on my LONG "to do" list (which is infinitely long since it isn't written down). I have to say that it really has nothing (or pretty much nothing) to do with me. Corban is a new kid...and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new kid.  I have always loved my Corban, but his energy and excitement have given me plenty to not so much "enjoy" or get exhausted with. He has got to be the happiest, most boisterous kid I know, even when he isn't happy.  He still has that about him, but he has learned to use his imagination and has gone back to self-entertainment. Malia is much more calm and calculated. She has new words and shows greater understanding everyday. Addison is easier now that you can allow her to explore, having learned to get up the step to hang out in the entry way, or anywhere she wants to be.

Typical Addison happy face

"You seeing this, Dad?  It's a goat!"

He really wanted a ride...

I went to a book fair a couple of weeks ago and ever since Corban has been immersed in reading. No, he doesn't actually read, but he LOVES to look at books and have mom "say it". When it gets quiet around the house and I call for him, "Corban, what are you doing?" I get the response, "I just reading, mom." He loves to tell me stories, tell me about things we have done in the past, tell me about things we are going to do, or just plain tell me things.  My favorite, though not necessarily in the moment, is when I do something and he has to tell me, "That's not nice, mom. Don't do that." Malia likes reading the books too, but they don't hold her attention for long. Addison likes to eat the books.

"In your face" -Walt Disney

Excited AND Cold

I see pure joy in all of my kid's eyes when they are playing together. Tonight Malia was tickling Addison's toes with a silk flower while she was sitting in the highchair. Addison was loving it and it would make Malia giggle and continue doing it. They love taking care of each other. If Addison or Malia are crying, Corban will talk softly, "It's okay, don't cry." He is much more tender with Addison than he is Malia, but he is pretty good with her as well. He is easily threatened by Malia for some reason. Like tonight when he was on the potty, she came running in just wanting to check out the scene, being cute, wanting to keep him company, I am not sure. But he says in a panicked voice, "Mom, can you just hold Mleea", translation: get Malia out of here.

Daddy Baby Duty (so Liz could take pictures)

Like a fish...Malia's not bad either.

Gimme 5

He loves playing on the steps not having to perform.

Malia and Corban have been in swim lessons for the past two weeks and they both LOVE it. It is so much fun to remind them at the beginning of the day that they will get to go to swim lessons at night. "And we will find my teacher," says Corban. Malia has no fear, and Corban is so excited to tell you all about what they wanted him to do (not so sure he actually does it on cue).

3, 2, (Jumps), 1...fearless

Crab walk....or just adorable.

My "proud mom" moments are when we get through the day without turning on the TV in the house and Corban is begging to read a book, paint, go to the gym (my gym, meaning I am teaching a class and they are in the Kid's Club), or bounce in the bounce house. We are on a roll of about 4 weeks...when I am in control. I know Jared has turned it on at least once, and he had a pretty good excuse. "I couldn't resist when Corban came up to me and said in his sweet, soft voice, 'Daddy? I asking nicely. Please can I watch Veggietales, please?'."  I probably would have been a sucker, too.  No judgement on allowing t.v.  This, personally, is not a good thing in our lives because it makes grumpy kids (happy grumpy, in Corban's case). Corban and Malia have so much energy stored up, and they are much more pleasant when they get to expend it.

"Gimme all your money"

"Yodel-a-he-who"

I admit that not all moments are winners, as I am still the "not nice" me when all the kids are crying, when one child makes another cry by stealing or throwing toys, when they dump out toys or make a mess of a just-cleaned room, when Addison is still not falling asleep after 2 hours of soothing and rocking (maybe teething???), and most definitely when Malia turns her FULL plate of food upside down. It feels like it was overnight that it changed and it might just be temporary relief so I can handle the next phase. whether or not that is the case, it is a much appreciated breather. I couldn't make the changes myself, so Heavenly Father made some changes for me. I can honestly say I love life! Life is good! I LOVE being a mother of 3 under 3!

Why won't she do this with real food.

Bubbles!

This is my ad for the Gazillion Bubbles Hurricane, $10 at Walmart and WAY more than worth it!

30th Birthday Bash {Amanda's Post}

My gift to Jared this year was a party. The reason this was a gift was because it was out of character for me to do anything, let alone a party that I couldn't back out of at the last minute.  I now get why it is important to still do something special for spouses, even if we both decide we don't have to do presents.  I had the best week planning and preparing for his party...but mostly because I was thinking of him more than usual. Unfortunately having the party also meant that Jared had to take part in the preparations. I tried to prevent the need of him on his birthday, but I was unsuccessful and he was a HUGE help.

Here is a run down of the happenings: 15 guests, 6 children in addition to our 3, all great friends, family, and an EXCELLENT Chef. To tell you the truth, the reason we decided on hosting a party was because we knew we had a great chef that would help me out: Tang. The food was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!!! And she was very smart in knowing that I wouldn't have time to cook for my own party, so without permission she bought all the food and did A LOT of prep before arriving. Tom did the barbecuing. The only things I can take partial credit for would be the Coconut Lemon Grass Soup (but she had her hands in it a lot) and the Spring Rolls (which is just assembling, and Heather and Liz helped finish that up). Along with those items we had her homemade egg rolls, Lettuce Wraps, 4 dipping sauces, Pad Thai, Panang, Teriyaki Beef Skewers, Saute Chicken Skewers, Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango, and fresh cut melon and grapes.  As is the case when we eat at Tangs house, everyone left stuffed to the brim because you just can't stop when the food is SO good.



Birthday Hubby with our little Miss.



Me, organizing the game Gift Grab. Bliss in the background, 2 weeks postpartum.




Tang, loving on Bliss's less-than-2-week-old baby.



Tom and Sophia.

Wilson and Lindsey. Lindsey only has 6 weeks left in her pregnancy, but looks like she is just at the start- tiny tummy on a beautiful lady.

Dan, Liz's husband, with his bubba, Karsten. You won't see Liz because she is behind the camera.

Gary, Bliss's husband, interested in the game being played.

Bliss with Malia.

Lindsy's husband, Mike. It took me a while to realize that they are a Lindsy and Michael, just like our Linzi and Michael.

Heather and Ellie.

Lettuce Wraps.

Rambunctious kids.

Bliss and Gary's oldest, Riley.  He is such an adorable little man...Malia's age.

Bliss with her newborn, Dashal (not sure on the spelling, but he will go by Dash).

Daddy doing what he does best-having a splendid time on his birthday.



A Delicious Lemon Glazed Cupcake. This didn't quite win over the usual birthday cake, so I am back to the drawing board on how to be creative with his favorite cake.



My favorite arrangement of flowers- this one is a gift to Tang and family for all their help. Jared gave me one for my birthday that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!