Father's Day

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home,

Glad as I can be!

Clap my hands and shout for joy,

And climb upon his knee!

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this!

Pat his cheeks and give him what?

A great big kiss!

This truly is the scene at our house when Daddy comes home. Jeremy is a fantastic father and the kids love him more than anything. Lydia's only real word (that she says with any frequency) is DaDa. The kids 1st words are always DaDa. Play stops and everyone runs to the door to be the first to get a kiss from Dad. I am so thankful and so grateful for the opportunity to share parenthood with this wonderful man. Jeremy is patient and loving and gives each child individual attention. He is a wonderful father (and husband, but that really is for another day). We started the day with breakfast in bed. Aidan really wanted to do this for him (he wanted it to be his super special day, as well it should be) and I had to keep Jeremy in bed so we could bring him his breakfast! Aidan helped me make bacon and egg sandwiches, caramel rolls and OJ, and we served it to Jeremy on a cookie sheet, along with his presents. He got some clothes, a Wii game and wheel, a mini air compressor and and iPod case. We also shared some great meals with family (including both of our own dads). And now, I am letting him watch whatever he wants on TV, without me complaining ;)He loves to read to the kids, and does so almost everyday. This picture isn't staged, this is a very frequent occurance in our home. He also plays with the kids until they run him ragged, and then keeps going. Jeremy also works so very hard to provide for us, something we are so grateful for. Sometimes he will work a 70 hour week and then still come home and play, or help put to bed. We know that we are him 1st priorties, because he not only tells us, but he shows us that we are in eveything that he does. Jeremy honors his priesthood and we are blessed to have worthy priesthood holder to help lead and guide us in our home. Thank you sweetheart-from my whole heart. I couldn't have made a better man to create a family with.

Speaking of dads, I want to take a moment to express my love and thanks for the other fathers in my life (I am so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing men!)

To my Dad: I love you so much! Thank you for all the help and support that you have given me over the years. I am a better person because I know of your love for me. You guided me through the years and helped me to develop my testimony of the gospel. I will always be thankful that you joined the Church so many years ago and raised us to believe as well. Now, my kids have the opprotunity to have you as a Grandpa-and they love you so much as well. Happy Father's Day.

To my Pa: I love you so much! You have always been one of my very favorite people, and I still remember how I cried when we moved to Idaho because I wouldn't see you everyday. I love your stories. I love hearing your testimony. The example you have set for me (regarding the temple, especially) has touched me and will stay with me for life. I am so glad I am your very oldest grandchild.

To my Dad-in-Law: I love you! Thank you for teaching my husband how to be a father and a husband. He is such a wonderful one and I know that you and Jill have everything to do with that. Thank you for sharing him with me. Thank you for being Grandpa to my kids. They are truly blessed to be surrounded by such love.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

Guess what came in the mail today?!?!

YAY! All ready for Eclipse now! 14 days left! (Please forgive the awful picture of me, I was too excited to look nice.)

Krazy Kids #1

I walk into the living room, and see a sea of chocolate animal crackers covering the carpet, with 3 kids sitting in the middle.

Me: What the . . .?

Aidan: (pointing at Wyatt) Wyatt did it! It is Wyatt's fault!

Wyatt: (pointing at Lydia) No, Leedia!

Lydia: (grins, and eats a cracker)

They all got to help clean up.

Aidanism #2

Aidan is giving our family prayer. . .

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day, Mom, please shut your eyes. . . (and he continues his prayer while Jeremy and I are desperately trying to hold our laughter)."

Lyrical Lydia #1

Lydia doesn't talk yet. She says a lot (and loudly) but she doesn't make sense. Everything is DaDa. But, the other day, we were singing the Batman theme song (Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da BATMAN!) and laughing. Lydia thought we were funny too, and after we sang the Da Da's part, she contributed by screaming out "BATMAN!" as clear as a bell. So, yup, my daughter first word is Batman.

Playing in the Backyard

Just a bunch of pictures of pretty much the only nice day we have had since last September. (I am pretty sure these were taken in April!) We love our backyard! It is so fun! Rain, Rain GO AWAY! We want to enjoy our yard more!

Summer Plans

I have been wanting this summer to be a lot of fun. I don't want to hear Aidan say, "Mom, I'm bored!" a hundred million times. So, I have made some plans. Lots of plans. And I want to share them. Feel free to steal any and all you would like to and make them yours. I got all of these ideas from one of my favorite craft blogs A Girl and a Glue Gun. And I freely stole them.

Aidan's To Do List

Jeremy and I decided that Aidan is big enough to start taking some responsibility around the house, aka CHORES! So, I made this cute chore chart with a magnetic whiteboard and magnets. Everything is interchageable and he can move the big magnets from "To Do" to "Done." I also have added things like, Store, Homework, Piano Lessons, Church, etc., so he knows what we are going to do today. He also has a weekly thing that he is going to work on learning, tying shoes, making different foods, telling time, money values, things like that. He got to choose the paper and the buttons, and so far, he has really liked it. I hope this system lasts for awhile. I actually like this so much, that I think that I am going to make me one!

I Know What We're Going to Do Today! envelope (Title courtesy of Phineas and Ferb)I want the kids to do stuff this summer, not just sit at home and watch TV or play Wii. I also knew that if I didn't plan ahead, I would allow us to do just that. So, I created this envelope and about 75 cards (the glue gun girl cards are much cuter than mine, but I didn't want to spend days on this project) and each night before I go to bed, I will select 1 and place it in the envelope, and the next morning, after Aidan has done certain chores, he can open the envelope, and we will do what it says inside! The cards are labeled crafts and science projects, outings, activities, and Theme Days. I am sure that I will be writing future posts about things that we do. There are all sorts of different things to do. Aidan helped me choose some and some will be suprises. He is really excited to do more (right now, we have just had an outing and an easy craft). Look for more in the future!

Summer Scrapbook

This was Aidan's 1st craft. We are going to keep a scrapbook of our summer adventures. I will help him write and he can draw pictures and keep track of things. I am not sure how this one will work out, but I hope we can keep it up. I think it could be a really neat thing for the family to look back on.

The "Mom, I'm bored!" Jar
I am excited for this one! When Aidan decides he is bored (usually while the babies are napping) he can pick a slip out of the jar. The papers are labeled with fun things to do (read a book with Mom, jump on the tramp, etc.) and not-so-fun things to do (clean up toys, pick weeds, etc.). It is the luck of the draw and he has to do what he picked out. I will help/do with him everything. I want it to be time together. For example, he decided he was bored today and picked out a paper. It was "Pick up downstairs toys." Well, that is a several hour chore for Jeremy and I, but I put a timer for 10 mins and went down and helped him. He didn't like it, but with me hanging out with him, it was much better.

Well, I know like that sounds like a lot, but we have done all of those things today, and there are still many hours left of the day. I really hope that this is a fun, happy, eventful summer for the Barnes Family!