Disney on Ice

I took the girls to Disney on Ice in March.  I told them all week I had a surprise date for them.  They were soo excited and of course counted how many more sleeps until their date.  Brigitte and Holland joined us as well.

The day of the event I told them we were taking a train and that Mickey and Minnie had left their homes in Disneyland to come be in a show we were going to see.  They were so excited but almost as excited as they were to see Mickey and Minnie they were so excited to ride on the train.

 

We had such a fun time.  The first 5 minutes of the show the girls sat in their seats just waving to all the characters.  I bought them a tub of popcorn thinking they would never come close to finishing it but they sat there the entire time eating the popcorn and it was completely gone by intermission. 

We had a great time and the girls were amazed at it all.  They talked about it for days, even remembering each princess they saw and what a fun time they had.  It's always so fun to go to a few special events like that especially to watch your kids eyes light up.

Winter round up

Now that's it's almost summer, I thought I would do our Winter round up of things we did this winter.  (I know it's already time to do a spring one.)

We took the girls' on the ferris wheel at Scheel's for the first time, since they're finally tall enough.  Siena was nervous but once we got on they had a great time.

We spent a lot of time in the basement riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline and it was a fun place to stay warm and still do something active.

I started letting the girls take naps together in our room. They thought this was such a fun idea.  They would talk for a while then actually go to sleep.  It was all good and working great until I came in to see this mess one day along with Siena practicing writing her S's on my stool in a permanent marker she found in my drawer.

These kids love their shows.  It's so cute when they first get up from their naps to see them all on the same couch watching a little show with their water and snack cups.

We had a very mild and actually warm winter this year.  One day in February is was in the high 60's so we decided to have a picnic. 

We did get a few snow storms enough to go out and play in them.

 

And just some other misc pictures....

 

 

Jaron's backpack imitating his sisters when they walk around the house with their backpacks on.

The girls took 3 rounds of swim lessons.  Although they're not swimming quite yet, it was great to get their confidence up around water so they aren't so afraid of it anymore.

Shane and were lucky enough to get tickets to the Jazz game on the 2nd row.  It was such a fun night and an exciting game even if they did lose a very close game to the Lakers.

 

 

Jaron sure loves his pluto and elmo and sleeps with them every night.

Aunt Margene gave the girls a hair cut.  They loved the specialized attention they got with treats and everything.  Great service when your hairdresser gives you treats.

 

Easter 2015

We had such a nice Easter this year.  Of course the girls were all geared up for Easter the entire month before.  They convinced me to get out some Easter eggs the week before and entertained themselves all week doing practice egg hunts with empty eggs.

We had our family dinner the week before since my parents were going to be out of town.  Easter weekend, was also General Conference, so it was kind of nice to just stay home all weekend and relax.  We had our neighborhood Easter egg hunt.  The girls are so funny, they kept walking past eggs to make sure they got all the pink and purple ones they could.  Jaron of course was loving picking them all up since he had been practicing all week with his sisters as well.  He needed no coaching and help.  I don't think he even knew these ones actually had candy in them until it was all over and he opened them up.  He was just excited to get to pick up the eggs.

Sunday we didn't really have to get dressed or go anywhere so it was nice to just relax, watch conference and enjoy the day.  One of my favorite moments of the day was eating breakfast together as a family.  We always eat dinner together, we eat lunch together a few times a week when Shane is home but we hardly ever eat breakfast together.  With no time limitations it was fun to sit around in the morning and talk and enjoy breakfast together.

That afternoon we had Margene and Jennifer over for dinner.  The girls were so excited to have them both over and enjoyed the individual attention they gave each girl.  We even had a little karaoke party after dinner where the girls proudly displayed their loud singing skills.

The week before Easter, we had a little FHE lesson on the real reason we celebrate Easter and although they don't really get what it means to die, they can at least say 'Jesus died and is resurrected'  Resurrected is a hard word for them to say.  They also know that the tomb was empty, which I didn't think they knew until we had the missionaries over for dinner this week and when they said the tomb, Aria jumped at the chance to tell them the tomb was empty.  So they might not really get the real reason but at least they are trying to understand and that makes me happy that they at least know there is a real reason we celebrate.  Jaron recognizes all pictures of Jesus.  It's kind of crazy cuz I know I haven't taught him that but every time he sees a picture, he points to it and says 'Jee-uh'  How lucky and blessed we are to have the knowledge of the gospel in our lives.  I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ and his atonement and resurrection so that I know I can be with my Shane and these 3 cute kids for eternity!

The Miracle

I have to write a quick story about my girls singing with the Primary in Sacrament meeting for Easter.  The primary taught them this song.  The Miracle.  Go listen to it, it's such a pretty song.  Well my girls loved it as well because I'm pretty sure we listened to it at home close to 100 times, no exaggeration.  At lunch each day I turn on music on my ipad so during the month leading up to this, they requested this song each day at least once.  We listened to it before bed and any time someone would come over and willing to listen.  They knew every word of the song.

One of the phrases, 'Jesus healed, the leper'  well Aria insisted on singing 'Leopard' and would emphasize the D at the end.  So we had a little lesson about what a leper is and so when I related it to the song, that the word is actually leper, she turned to me and said 'ok mom, but I'm still going to say Leopard.'  funny girl, but she did stop singing the D shortly after that.

Well it so happens that Siena this same month has been going through some anxiety issues.  Long story but the week leading up to it I knew there was no way she would get up in front of our congregation and sing with everyone else.  Aria is my little singer and lately has no fear so I wasn't worried about her.  But because they had been practicing it over and over I really wanted Siena to get up there and sing as well.  So I did what any mother would do...I bribed them.  Tell me I'm not the only mother that bribes her children?.  So I told them if they got up and sang the song that when they sat back down I had a few candies and a cookie for them.

They had the whole primary come early that day and practice.  Aria got right up there but didn't sing a word.  Siena cried every time I tried to walk her up there.  At the very end of practice she got up there and stood and was fine.  But neither of them sang.  I was totally ok with that.  I just wanted them to feel like they had participated after singing the song so much all month.

So when it was time to get up there, I walked them both up there and I told Siena I would just sit on the front row.  I also told Aria that she needed to sing loud because she loves this song so much.  So the music starts and oh my gosh it was the cutest thing to see them up there singing.  Siena smiled, waved to her dad when she spotted him and even sang the chorus.  I was soo proud of her because I knew how nervous she was and to not only stand up there but also smile and sing!  Aria though stole the show.  She sang sooo loud.  She sang just about louder then the rest of the primary together.  She was so loud.  I asked Shane if he could hear her back where he was and he said 'oh yes, I'm positive everyone heard her.' 

So here's the best part...the kids are all done singing, the piano is playing the little closing bars and Aria, while the piano is still playing looks right at me and pretty loudly says 'Mom...treat!  I want my treat.'  The first few rows all started laughing.  I'm pretty sure my face was bright red as we all headed back to our seats.  So yes now everyone knows I bribe my children.  They got their treats and it all turned out just great.

It's been 2 weeks since they sang the song and they are still singing it.  It's the cutest thing to see your children sing, especially ones that are so meaningful.

PS Not to be out done, but they sang for Mother's day and this time I walked them up and went and sat back down with Shane and Jaron.  Right as the music was about to start Siena decided to yell back to where I was sitting 'Mom, I have to go Potty.'  When I shook my head no (cuz it's a nervous thing she does, she didn't really have to go.) she said it again.  So she came and sat back down with me while Aria stood up there, but didn't sing cuz we had been gone the previous 2 weeks and she didn't really know the song.  So that's 2 for 2 of making the audience laugh during sacrament primary songs!

First talk and prayer in primary

Siena gave her first talk in Primary today and Aria gave her first prayer.  Before church I tried to get a good picture of them both to document and they were being so crazy.  It's pointless getting them to pose for pictures, they are either crazy, not looking, not smiling, or have the ugliest pretend smile.  So I just took some candids and called it good.

Ok back to the point of this post...
We practiced all week and they were doing great.  I knew it would be a different story once they got up there.  Sure enough before we even walked into the room Siena had to go potty...that's what she does when a situation makes her nervous.

We sat up front and Aria stood right up and as I whispered the prayer to her, she only repeated the last 2 words of each phrase.  But she spoke right into the microphone so I was pretty happy she got right up there and didn't seem to be that phased by it.

Siena stood up and immediately started backing up.  She actually started to tell me she had to go potty but I just cut her off and started whispering in her ear.  She wouldn't speak at all until I picked her up.  After that she kind of, sort of said but would not speak that much in the microphone.  So I'm pretty sure no one heard the talk at all.  When we got home we filmed her saying in at home so we have it on video.

Here is her talk, we held up a different picture for each sentence.  She actually had the 2nd half totally memorized by just looking at the pictures.

Jesus showed us the right way to live

Jesus loved everyone

Jesus did nice things for others

Jesus died for us so we could repent when we make mistakes

3 days later, Jesus was resurrected

Because of Jesus, we can live with Heavenly Father again

 
I can show my love for Jesus by:

Making good choices

Reading the scriptures

Saying my prayers

Being reverent

Being nice to my brother and sister

I love Jesus and Heavenly Father and I know they love me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

I'm proud of both of them.  They were so brave and looked so cute.  I still have a hard time believing my girls are old enough to do things like this.  Where did my little babies go?

Valentine's Day 2015

Leading up to Valentine's day was just like leading up to Halloween and Christmas.  The girls were sooo excited.  I tried to explain we don't get presents and stuff, he just write little letters and pictures to those we love.

My sister in law Whitney gave me a great idea and we got everyone a little Valentine mailbox that we put out the week of Valentine's to write each other little notes.  I would put little treats in there, like a rolo and they thought it was so fun.  They 'wrote' notes to each other and to us and the first thing out of their mouth each morning was 'I need to go check my mailbox.'

Valentine's morning they got a pair of valentine socks and a valentine heart decorated cup.  They were thrilled!  I love that they don't care what they get, any small, little, thing is so exciting for them.

We made sugar cookies which they loved decorating and of course eating.

Valentine's day after naps, we took them to Jungle Jims, a little indoor amusement park with little kid rides.  We haven't been there for a while and the girls are at the perfect age to enjoy it.  They loved every ride but hands down their favorite ride was the 'roller coaster'.  It goes so fast in circles.  I went with them the first time but just sent them after that and I was totally laughing at them.  Their faces looking at each other and laughing their heads off was the funniest thing to watch.  Jaron even loved all the rides.  His favorite was the swings.  Every time they would start to go, he would get this look on his face like 'it's moving and this is kind of fun'  It was so cute.  After that we came home and had a heart shaped pizza and played a new game we got called Zingo.  It's a fun game that the girls can play and enjoy.  Although I taught them Go Fish this week as well and they are loving Go Fish as well.

It was a fun Valentine's and don't worry they are already onto the next holiday and asking how many more sleeps until St Patrick's day, getting out all our green decorations and asking what does the secret leprechaun look like?  I love 3 year olds!

Jaron - 18 Months

Jaron turned 18 months the end of January. 

We had his doctor appointment.  No shots this time, we were 2 days early for the ones he needed.  Here are his stats:
Weight - 24 lbs 2 oz - 50%
Height - 33 inches - 75%

He has turned into such the little talker.  I was stretching it to think the girls were saying 10 words at their 18 month appt.  And I told our dr. that Jaron is easily saying 30-35 words.  He says a couple of 2 word phrases, Not me (wonder where he got that one from) and One more (his favorite saying) which he usually says after I dump a large cup of water over his head in the bath tub.  My favorite word is when he tries to say Trampoline.  He can't say it at all but totally has the same intonation that his sisters say it with, it's hilarious.  He has also started singing a little bit.  Mostly just one word from 2 different Frozen songs.  He'll sing Go, from 'Let it Go', and Gate, from 'First time in forever' when they say open up the Gate.

Jaron has turned into the typical I want my own way toddler.  He throws tantrums like it's the end of the world and will pout and cry for quite a while.  This is how he sat/cried this morning for 10 minutes when I didn't have the book he wanted.  And, I have no idea what book he even wanted...I love how toddlers think everyone can read their mind. Of course he kept peeking up to make sure I was still there.

He's also getting some molars right now and it's causing quite the stir with his sleep, his eating and his mood...hurry up teeth!

But Jaron has turned into my little buddy.  It really is different just having 1 child this age and while his sisters go off and play he loves to just come hang out and play with his mom.  I love that during those times I don't have to divide my attention.  He loves to give me kisses, snuggle on my shoulder, and loves to feed me his 'nack' (snacks.)

Jaron copies everything we do...everything.  If his sisters are messing around at dinner or stand up on the chair, so does he.  If he is walking behind me and I turn around to see what he's doing, he turns around and walks backwards.  If I lay down, he comes and lays right by me.  If his sisters are on the couch, that is where he wants to be.  He wants to play puzzles and write his letters just like his sisters. He copies their dance moves, and I'm pretty sure can do a shuffle step better then they can after 6 months of classes. I even find him copying my hand gestures.

Jaron started Nursery last week.  He missed the first week because he got croup.  First time any of my children have had it, scary thing for me.  The next week was stake conference so we finally got to go last week.  He LOVED it.  He didn't even care that Shane took him in, talked for a minute and left.  Maybe in a week or so he'll realize it and start to care but he's pretty laid back so I don't really see it being a problem.  He played and was happy the whole time.  I was worried since we have 1:00 church but he did just fine.

We love our little guy and love the smiles and laughter he brings to our family.