Words of Wyatt

(looking through a book about barn animals)

Wyatt: "I like horses.  I like cows.  I like sheep.  I like dogs.  (pause) I don't like chickens.  I like cats.  I like goats."

About 18 months ago, Wyatt had an apparently traumatic incident with a chicken.  That chicken has since been made into soup, but he still holds a grudge.

Lyrical Lydia

We all love the movie Tangled here.  Espcially Liddy.  So much in fact that my darling 2 1/2 year old daughter who doesn't have more than 100 words in her vocabulary can say "simpatico" complete with air quotes.  Frying pans-who knew, right?

Super Big Picture Post! Early 2011

 The kids playing on the slide on one of our trips to Artic Circle.  This place was nice during the winter because it was close, indoors, big and got their wiggles out.

 One of the first warmish days we had, they insisted on a picnic outside.  They are eating mac and cheese.

 On Sunday afternoon.  And I promise, this picture is not staged!  I walked into the living room and they were all sound alseep on top of each other!  Jeremy sure is a good daddy!

 I was cleaning out the kitchen and the little found these plastic margarita glasses.  They wanted their juice in them.

 Ace loves ice cream!

 My boys!

 I am always finding Lydia in weird places like this.  And with a dirty face.  That girl cannot keep clean!

 She also has taken to making her bed in weird random places.  I also find little beds for dolls everywhere too.  Like, in the kid's training potty.

 Wyatt has a hard time going to sleep by himself.  So we started locking him in his room at night.  At the beginning of this, he would always fall asleep by the door, and we would move him to bed.  This night, he fell asleep propped up in the corner.  Poor kid!  He is sleeping much better now.

 We were all being silly one night before bed and I drew smiley faces on their tummies.  Wyatt thought it was AWESOME!

Wyatt and his best friend Graham.  I have watched Graham all year long.  These two are only a few months apart in age and get along so great!  They are also the trouble twins and have wreaked havoc on many a thing.  It is so fun to see these to together.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

 At the Idaho Falls Kite Flying Festival!  It was a perfectly windy day to take our kites to Sandy Downs and test out our kite flying skills.  They had a professional company of kite flyers there showing off their HUGE fancy kites and doing some trick kite flying, so it was a lot of fun to see them do their stuff.

 But we didn't do too bad either!  Aidan was pretty good at it!  He kept this kite up for a while, until the wind died down.  Unfortunately, Wyatt wouldn't even try.  He did like watching all the kites.  There was a dog one there that he loved!  Lydia even kept her kite up for a little bit! 

All the kids there also got these pinwheels too.  It was a really fun day!  We hope to see you there next year!

Easter

 Their Easter clothes.  Wyatt was being a little stubborn today.  And I love Lydia's bows!

The Easter bunny came to the Barnes house on Saturday morning.  For several reasons.  I didn't want the sugar high to happen right before we attended Sacrament meeting, I didn't want to have to pry them away from their toys when we just barely gotten them and we really wanted to keep an empahsis on the meaning of Easter and why we celebrate it for that Sunday.

 The kids each got their own chair and Easter basket.  They all got a Butterfly Habitat to share.  We are going to send away for the catepillers very soon so we can see them grow!

 Major candy haul!  I love doing their Easter baskets-I color code everything.  Lydia gets pink stuff, Wyatt gets blue and Aidan gets green! 

 Of course, Wyatt got lots of Thomas things.

 We also had a small Easter egg hunt with just us 5.  We have some cute plastic eggs in the shape of animals that we have had since Aidan's first Easter, so we filled those up and hid them in the backyard.  Thankfully, it was a beautiful day.

 Wyatt REALLY got into the Easter egg finding groove.

 My silly kids.  Lydia was NOT into the hunting, so she pretty much jumped on the trampoline while her brothers found her eggs.  She was, however, into the eating of the Easter egg candy.

 That night, we dyed eggs.  It was MESSY, but the kids loved every single second.  They kept wanted me to boil more eggs, but they don't like to eat hard boiled eggs, so it would just go to waste!  We need to think of something we can dye that wouldn't be a waste of food, because they could have painted for hours.

 I didn't want to stain their clothes, which is why everyone is stripped down to diapers (well, Aidan had his pants on, and Jeremy and I took the chance of getting dye on our clothes).

 The fruits of our labors.  They turned out really nice, I thought.

After the egg dying mess was cleaned up, we told the kids to get in their jammies and we were going to learn more about the reason we celebrate Easter.  We made Easter cookies.  Using scriptures, we made a cookie recipe (like meringue) that helped to illustrate what Christ went through.  We end the night by placing a sheet of cookies in a preheated oven and sealing it up with tape (to represent Jesus being sealed in the tomb).  No cookies are eaten.  The next morning, we removed the tape and talked about the Resurrection, as we ate the cookies.  It was a neat experience that I would like to repeat when the kids are a bit older.  Aidan got it, but the littles didn't.  We also watched Lamb of God before Church.  I was really glad we did the fun Easter stuff the day before.  It really brought the Spirit into our house and I think it made an impression on Aidan too.

After Church, we went out to the Barnes for our Easter dinner and egg hunt with them.  Again, Lydia did not get the egg hunt thing.  It was really beyond her, apparently.  So everyone just started to stick eggs in her basket, and she would say, "Ank Ooo!"  I think she got more eggs than everyone, even though she didn't do anything!

 She wouldn't even pick up this egg.  Silly little girl.

 Wyatt was EVERYWHERE!  He loved the egg hunts!  I am going to have to do that again this summer-some sort of hiding game.  He had a blast!

 Aidan had fun as well.  This was about half way through.  This was also his first year to be allowed to go with the big kids. 

We spread out all the eggs to give back to fill for next year (we were figuring there was about 750 eggs total!)  That was a whole lot of candy!

Happy Birthday Wyatt!

 On March 8, Wyatt turned 3!  (Yes, I have a 2 year old and a 3 year old.  Have mercy on me.)  He wanted trains, and trains it would be!

 I was actually ridiciously proud of this cake.  I thought it turned out super cute!

 And what did Wyatt get for his birthday?  Thomas the Train stuff, of course!  This kid loves Thomas.  The shirt he is wearing was for his birthday too.  He got Thomas play sets, Thomas books and movies, Thomas clothes.  Everything Thomas!

We took them to Artic Circle for his birthday dinner too.  He loved it!  What can I say about my sweet little boy (other than his obsession with trains)?  His favorite color is blue, his favorite food is cereal and if we let him, he would be outside 24/7.  Our Wyatt is very independent and knows what he wants, and few things deter him from getting his way.  Wyatt loves to go to nursery, and loves to sleep with all of his stuffed animals.  We love you so much Wyatt!  Our family wouldn't be the same without you!

Happy Birthday Lydia!

Way back on February 21, Miss Liddy turned two!!!  My baby is really no longer a baby anymore.  I thought it would be sadder, but I am actually really excited to see them all growing up.  We always decorate their bedroom door with streamers and fill their rooms with balloons the night before so they wake up to a surprise!  Then they spend the day running through the streamers and playing with balloons.

Her ladybug cupcakes.  That I made myself!

She was all about opening her presents and blowing out her candles this year!

Her BIG present was a play kitchen that we found at DI for $10!  It was a big hit, especially with the play food and dishes she also recieved.

And books-of course she got books.  We still read these princess books all the time to her.

Her party was on a Sunday, so the 5 of us went out to Artic Circle for her actual birthday dinner the next night.  Everyone had a really good time.  They even got ice cream!

What else to say about our sweet Liddy Lou?  She loves shoes.  Loves them.  She is starting to really improve at talking (however, on her actual birthday, she wasn't really saying much) and really doesn't stop talking, even if you have no idea what she is saying.  Lydia can be VERY girly (wants her nails painted, her hair done, put on tiaras, loves to wear skirts and dresses) but will not hesitate to get down and dirty with the boys either.  She has a white kitty that she takes almost everywhere.  Lydia is also a wonderful dancer and loves music.  She dances everywhere, to everything.  Miss Liddy is really very easy going and says hi to everyone.  She also loves to color.  But she is also fiercely independent and always wants to get her way.  I guess just like any typical 2 year old!  We love you so much Princess!  I cannot wait to see the wonderful person you grow into!

More Loved Than Thomas

Someday (like in 2 weeks!) I will be writing and reading for fun once again-let me finish up this semester and I will update with birthdays, holidays, milestones and the boring mundane stuff of life I don't want to forget.  Tonight, I want to write a few words about my Wyatt.

It is after11 pm, and he is sitting on my lap, drinking apple juice (or gurgling apple juice all over my laptop), and talking my ear off about Baby Zoe (his new cousin), Thomas and Percy (his obsessions), his age (he will hold up 3 fingers and tell you he is 3 and his birthday is in March), Jeremy (he will NOT call his Dad by his proper title, which tickes Jeremy off), his favorite blanket, and whatever goes on in his active and imaginative 3 year old mind.  And he is giving me lots of hugs, snuggles and kisses.  A little known thing about Wyatt is that he is a snuggler-a very touchy feely, needs lots of physical attention-type of boy.  But he is very particular with who he snuggles with.  Wyatt hates going to bed by himself (which leads to his late nights, and his falling asleep with us), hates waking up alone, and basically just hates being by himself.  He can tell you every train that lives on Sodor Island and will only wear the latest in Thomas clothing, play with the latest in Thomas toys, and watch only those show that have to do with Sir Toppham Hatt and his happy little train workers.  His birthday was a Thomas the Train Extravaganga.  His favorite food is cereal, and some days has that for all 3 meals.  He fiercely loves his sibilings and his Barky.  He is also fiercely protective of his independence, and will not back down from a power struggle in order to get what he wants.  He likes to be called "Wyatt" and nothing else.  No nicknames for him!  He knows who he is, and he wants you to know who he his too.

I just asked Wyatt I just asked Wyatt who he liked more, Thomas or Percy.  He replied with Thomas.  I then asked him if he loved Thomas or Mama more.  After thinking for a couple of seconds, he answered, "Mama!" and rewarded me with a hug around my neck and a kiss on my cheek.  I am learning that I can't force him into what I think I want him to be.  I can't (and shouldn't) force him to wear dinosaurs when he really wants to be wearing trains.  And a million other little choices that I try to make for him every day.  He knows who he is-he knows what he wants.  And he knows what is important.  And what is important is that Mama, Jeh-my, A-in, Lee-a, Barky, Grama, Grapa, JuJu, Z-hoie, 'Nam and his other friends and family members are more important than Thomas. 

A long awaited day . . .

Aidan has lost his first tooth! He was so so so excited-all of his friends have lost teeth and he was the only one that hadn't yet and he was aching to join "The Tooth Fairy Club." Ace said that it didn't hurt at all-he was biting down on a marshmellow and out it came (it had been loose for a couple days). This of course warranted calls to grandparents to tell them the exciting news.

So, what does the tooth fairy give out these days? Aidan says $15. I told him that he tooth fairy wasn't big enough to carry that kind of cash.

Will You Be My Valentine?

The day of love came to our house quietly and with heart shaped pizza! And pink strawberry flavored cupcakes (that the boys helped me make).
Yay! Presents and pizza! This is the best day ever!
Each kid got one of these sock monkeys and new jammies (because I love new jammies!) Both of the boys are being silly with them. Lydia wasn't feeling great-she caught the flu the day before and we spent part of the day at the doctor. Her medicine hadn't quite yet kicked in yet. And because I promised you a shot of her wearing her new outfit . . .
Happy Valentines Day! We love you!

9 years and counting . . .

On February 8, Jeremy and I celebrated 9 years of matrionial bliss. We took the kids to Mom and Dad's (thanks!), came home and made ourselves a candlelit steak dinner, with dancing (to a custom made playlist) and cheesecake. We always have cheesecake on our anniversary because that is what we served at our wedding reception. We have been through a lot in 9 years, and our love has only grown stronger. Happily we have 3 wonderful children, a dog, and a house. We have all we need. Love you babe!

Words of Wyatt

I was holding Wyatt as he was waking up from his nap and we were talking. "Wyatt, are you a monkey?" "No." "Are you a shark?" "No." "Are you an elephant?" "No." "Are you an airplane?" "No." "Are you a choo choo train?" "No." "Well, what are you then?" He thinks about it for a minute and says, very dejected sounding, "I'm just Wyatt."

Anyone can sew!

Even me! I got a sewing machine for Christmas and have been having so much fun with it. Look at some of the projects I have made (links included if you are interested in making some of these too!).

Church bags (my own inventions, I'm sure you can figure it out) and crayon rolls. Each kid has a bag (Aidan's is the flames, Wyatt the trains and Lydia's the pink, flowery, girly one) and a matching crayon roll. We added a spiral notepad, a book, a treat and a small toy and that is what they get to do at Church. They have really enjoyed these, and are quite protective of their bags. These will get a lot of use in the years to come! Valentines day skirt and shirt for Lydia. This took me less than an hour to do. (I love the ribbon hem.) She is going to wear it to Church tomorrow and then again of Valentine's Day. I will be sure to get a picture of it on her. Sewing things for the kids have been so much fun! I am going to make some pillow covers for my next project. These make me so happy! I actually can sew something!

And as long as it is brag on Rachel day, I was on the news talking about the new educational plans proposed in Idaho. Check it out!