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!



 

"I wanna eat picnic"

Yesterday we were coming home from visiting our friends who just had a successful home birth. We have warned them that it is much better for visits to be at our house, as our kids would have them revoke their friendship if we came to theirs. Well, we had to see the new baby and we weren't going to make them come to our house for that, so we had our first visit to their house.  After overstaying our welcome and realizing our kids needed to get home to bed, we left them to their evening.  On the way home the kids were watching Signing Time: Neighborhood. It must have been at the picnic part because when we got home Corban asked, "I wanna eat picnic." So with about 25 minutes before Jared was to be out the door again, and 30 minutes before my tired kids really should have been in bed, we threw together a picnic to give them what they wanted (and for me to try to be spontaneous). What a fabulous picnic we had!

Both right on cue, tongue and all!

What a beauty!

Isn't he a looker!

Our nice set up with pears, chicken sausage, and Go-Gurts.

Each pear had to be stripped of it's green skin before either child would eat it.

So that was mommy's dinner- pear skins.

YUMMY!

Jared was out the door a little late, bed time was a little after the appointed time, but all went relatively smoothly. I love it when spontaneity works out! Thanks for the suggestion, Corban!