Halloween........

Saturday, October 31, 2009

This year we had no intentions of participating in Halloween events. Hope's first Halloween I dressed her up in a cute outfit and got her all ready to help me give candy out, and then we had only one trick-or-treater and lots of leftover candy for Mommy & Daddy to eat. Last year I went to the dollar tree, got her some fairy wings, made her a tutu and then I was totally deflated when she wouldn't wear them to our Ward trunk-or-treat. In fact, we left early and I gave my candy to someone else to give out. This year Daddy didn't feel like going to the ward party, and I didn't think we'd dress the kids up, but between Halloween books and the candy displays at stores Hope was all about Halloween this year. I had learned my lesson last year and opted to just put Bryce in a Halloween shirt, but we resurrected last years costume with a few more dollar tree items and Hope was a happy, delighted Fairy Princess this year. She was so cute and so excited to dress up. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Forman's ward party and they had a great time. Bryce sat in the trunk with me and ate skittles while the kids came by to get candy. In fact, I attempted to sit in the trunk and got stuck! (It was a deeper trunk then I had thought it was, and I am 6 weeks from my due date) Hope went around once with Daddy, and was done, but I am so glad that we put the effort into it. It was a good experience for them....Halloween doesn't have to be dark and scary!

My baby no more......

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

This is Bryce one year ago....... our sweet baby.......

But baby no more.....our little Bryce today..........(such a cute little boy!)

Where did the time go? Looking back I was so eager to get through his first year of life. I love when our kids start walking, feeding themselves, and can start to communicate. But was I so caught up in those things that I forgot to cherish little moments with the kids? What a blessing children are. Am I only realizing this now!?!? Today we are wearing comfy clothes, playing and reading together. I can't get any time back that I wasted the last year trying to make the house perfectly spotless and laundry kept up. But going forward I won't take them for granted. Hope is going to be 3 in just a few months, Bryce is 16 months, and baby boy is due in 8 weeks. I am so lucky to have each moment with them. They are precious, priceless, and the greatest gift.

craft day....

I have been trying to improve my parenting skills and broaden my horizons. (aren't we all?!?) So I have attempted some crafts. Art doesn't come natural to me and I LOATHE the mess that usually accompanies it, but for the well rounded sake of my children I am trying. I knew I would need an extra set of hands so we went to Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Cox's house. Grandma did a craft with Hope and I attempted one. (Grandma was much more successful!) Anyway, it just exhausts me, but I'll keep trying.

Family Dinner

We had a family dinner on the Forman side this last weekend. We had some good times. We took turns making dishes and playing with the kids. We ate outside. We let the kids play around on the veranda while we sat and relaxed. Hope made a castle, Bryce kicked and threw and endless amount of balls. Savannah was sweet and entertained by her wild cousins. Thank Heavens that the weather is cooling down because "big Mama" is tired of being hot and sweaty. :)

a tower taller than Hope.....

What a feat! I don't know how we did it, but we somehow managed to keep the destructive Bryce away from Hope long enough for her to build a tower taller than herself. She was so proud of her accomplishment!

A nice Sunday

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Daddy had an unusually light day of meetings this Sunday and we had such a good day together. Daddy took Bryce with him to Elder's Quorum, bless his heart. As I walked to Relief Society I saw him conducting with little Bryce in his arms. It is a treat for me because I have been spending most Sundays in the hall. :(

We then came home and Daddy helped us make a traditional Sunday dinner with homemade rolls and mashed potatoes. Yum! I started on the dishes right away, but soon Daddy called me upstairs to play with the kids in bed. We left the kitchen a mess and played with the kids in our bed. They were in Heaven and it was the best day we have had in a long time. The kids jumped around us, on us, over us, messing up hair and laughing all the way. It was fun. I'll cherish those moments forever.

Kids Bad Day

A few weeks ago the kids had a bad day. They were both crying, and not feeling well. One crying child I can handle, but two are a little more of a challenge. I only have so big of a lap and can hold them for so long. I eventually told them if they want to continually cry they can sit in the crib together. :)

I wasn't sure if I should laugh at their rolling around on top of each other and half-faking screams, or let them be; frankly, I think their lives are not too bad. After a good 10 minute break for Mommy I pulled them out, cuddled them, and we salvaged the day. Crying, or not crying, I just love their little faces.