Yesterday my boys were on one! I was laughing all day at the things they said. Here are just a few:
Parker and I were having lunch outside in the yard:
M: I love our house.
P: Me too. I love all the other houses. They're yellow.....but I love that we have my third favorite color for our house!.....my fourth favorite color is black.
M: That is pretty great. I love that we have soft grass to sit on.
P: Me too.....whoa, that is one HUGE cabeza!
M: (laughing)
P: What!? I said it to that tree over there...
Landon LOVES taking showers - he asks to take one almost every day (especially after hockey practice...so sweaty!). Parker loves taking showers....with Landon....but Landon has decided that he's old enough to need a lot of privacy. I agree with him, but it's hilarious to hear their exchanges:
L: (showering)
P: Hey Landon, can I hop in the shower with you?
L: Well, the rule is that you have to be able to spell a word to get in.
P: Ok, what word?
L: How about....school.
P: AAAGHH!!! Mom, Landon is asking me to spell words that I don't even know!
M: Landon, just tell him that you don't want him in the shower with you, no messing around!
P: Landon, can I please get in the shower with you?
L: Ok Parker, actually you need to spin the spinning wheel and see what it lands on. If it lands on thumb, you can't come in, if it lands on pinky, you can!
P: Ok! (pretends to spin imaginary wheel) Drrrrrrrrrrrrr. It landed on pinky!
L: No Parker, I tell you what it landed on. Spin it again.
P: Drrrrrrrrr. PINKY!
L: No Parker, that's not it. I tell you, so spin it again.
P: Drrrrrrrrrr.....
L: Bummer, it landed on thumb!
P: AAAAAGHGHGH! Mom!!!!
L: PARKER! I"m totally kidding. I'm just kidding with you...ehehehe
P: OH! That's funny. I'm taking off my clothes to get in k? You are the silliest brother ever!
These little guys are still going strong! They are huge now (compared to when they hatched) and have gone through several molts. They are way more fun to play with now that they aren't so fragile. We catch them flies and bugs outside to eat - it's still amazing to watch them hunt!
We went to a REALLY fun birthday party awhile ago - it was a huge obstacle course in an elementary school gym! The boys loved rock climbing (they got harnessed up and made it 3/4 of the way up the big wall!).
Then we came home and washed off all that sweat :)
I had to take the kids to a store down south, so we decided to make a stop at the temple! It was so fun to talk with them about when Scott and I were married. They both talked about how it always feels peaceful on the temple grounds.
On our flight to Disneyland, Landon leaned over with tears in his eyes and said "Mom, sometimes I feel like I'm the only kid my age who still sucks his thumb". I talked with him about it - pros and cons of continuing to have a blankie and suck his thumb. At the end of our conversation he said "Yeah...I think I just need to be done. Will you put my blankie in the suitcase please?". I put it away and he hasn't used it since! Even in our hotel room I would ask him if he wanted it (since it was a strange bed) and he would just say "No, I'm ok. Thanks". It was as simple as that! Cold turkey! He hasn't sucked his thumb since either. He did say to me "Mom, sucking your thumb is just like smoking cigarettes. If you suck it a lot, it only makes you want to suck it more". Seriously!? I was so proud of him for just stopping, even though it must have been hard for him at first!
When we got home, I told him that I could use his blankie to make something cool that he could have forever - a way to remember it, since it has always been so special to him. He asked if I could make it into a pillow for him, so I made this pillow cover (so it can still be washed). He sleeps with it in his bed and loves it! I'm so glad he's done with thumb sucking - he doesn't even have a rough spot on his thumb anymore. Here's to growing up!
I've known for awhile that I wanted to re-do our family room, but didn't quite know what I wanted. Now that we've made the decision to homeschool, I knew I needed more organization for all of our craft supplies. We decided to change things up and I'm loving it:
The room is much more open - the kids have clean spaces to be creative and to play. We also put up some decorative shelves above our couch. I love having our favorite pictures and other knick-knacks up where I can be reminded of all the memories that go along with them!
They love it and have used their craft stuff non-stop (now that they know where everything is!). And I'm happy because random junk isn't sitting all over little shelves and surfaces. Success!
We spent the weekend with some friends up in Estes Park - it was so cool to explore the area! We went to the Estes Park museum. That town has such a neat history. The boys loved playing dressup and looking at the photographs detailing the growth of the area:
Loved all of the old cultural items:
They had an original log cabin that you could check out:
Loving the sunshine!
Not so much the wind...
Parker pumping water:
These pictures just made me laugh!
Landon loved reading about all of the things people used to do in Estes. The founding families were extremely talented and industrious!
Peyton and Parker checking out car parts:
We watched a video about steam engine cars - those things are amazing! Wouldn't want to have to get one going on my own though...
Of course, we had to stop by the Standley hotel. It is quite the landmark - we'll have to stay there sometime. I hear it's haunted :)
This was the little river outside our condo - Landon was playing Hoth when I took this.
I didn't get pictures of all of the other things we did - snowtubing, sledding, game nights, etc., but we had a blast!! Thanks to good friends for inviting us!
Our next days were spent at Disneyland and then doing all of our very favorite rides! Peter Pan is definitely a must:
Parker was chosen to do the Jedi Training Academy - he was SO excited. Landon decided to opt out when he saw how real everything looked. He was a very supportive brother instead :)
Parker battling Darth Vader:
Parker thought it was pretty cool that he was chosen to use the force on the Storm Troopers!
Then he got a little excited and starting forcing Jedi's
Here's a video...and yes, that is my maniacal laughter in the background...I was a little overexcited:
Fighting Darth Maul. SO many people were asking us about his sweatshirt after this. They were all very disappointed to find out that my Mom made his and Landon's - they all suggested she start an online store so they could buy one :). For those interested: you can actually buy adult versions of these sweatshirts on Marck Ecko's site, but I have to say...my Mom's are better!
While Landon and Daddy did space mountain, Parker, Rhys and I went to Toon Town.
Rhys loved playing on this piano:
He was willing to go down this slide with Parker....though slides totally terrify him at this point!
We got to see Donald!
Parker got a big hug:
Lish and Jess met up with us for awhile, too. The boys were so sad to say goodbye!
Scott used his gorillapod to take a group shot (so we didn't have to wait in line). Love that thing!
The flowers at Disney are amazing!
First time on the teacups (usually the line is so long that we don't bother). The boys LOVED it!
Loved "It's a Small World" as usual - can't wait until they get a bit older and start making fun of it like we did as kids :)
We waited for Landon and Daddy doing Star Tours (for the 3rd time). Parker loved the water ball!
He's always been very creative...
The boys each had some money to spend. Landon was thrilled with his choice (although he's very serious while playing!).
We had a bit of extra time, so the boys did the explorer area by the Grand Californian hotel - it was a blast!
We had to do Little Mermaid a few more times...
And Midway Mania!
This is what I spent my money on - worth it!!
We didn't get any pictures of the show, but World of Color was AMAZING! Definitely a must-see. Yay for Disneyland!!
