First Field Trip

Well, I am happy to say that the day did get better on Friday. We went on our first field trip for the year to the Tybee Island Marine Center; we just finished a short unit on the ocean. When I say we, I mean the little preschool group that meets at my house on Mondays and Wednesdays each week (I also teach Brooke on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).

Here are a few pictures I took of our open house we had before school started.

And here are a few pictures from our first field trip.

Favorite People

While reviewing what the children learned at church today, Braden explained that his teacher asked them each who their favorite person in their family was (you would think it would be his always sacrificing mama, but no), and he said his was Emma. When I asked him why he selected Emma as his favorite, he explained it was because she is always fun; he also said he likes when she copies whomever is praying.

After asking Braden, I got curious; I wonder what Brooke would say, so I posed the question to my little Priss. I thought, maybe she will remember all I do, all I sacrifice; I wait with baited breath, hoping to hear the angels sing as she speaks Mama. Alas, the name Colton falls off of her tongue, and my hopes are dashed. Again I investigate, asking why she chose her youngest brother. Why did I once again get passed up?! Upon further research, I learn Colton was chosen due to his sweetness, his cuteness, and for his infectious laughter and smile. Yeah, he was definitely a worthy opponent!

Not completely defeated, I turn to my sweet Emma, and again pose the same question. Realizing quickly, that Emma doesn't understand the word favorite, I rephrase the question, "Who do you like the best?"

Emma looks at me, with those big blue eyes (no wonder Braden picked her), and sweetly says,

"Jesus!"

This time no investigating was necessary.

Right?!!!

So far this morning, I have had one child pee in their bed, one child get poop all over their clothes, and one child clog the toilet with toilet paper, and I haven't even had a shower yet! Today has to get better, right?

Right?!!!!

A Matter of Perspective

Ever have one of those,

Aargh I'm going to kill my husband moments?!!!

Yesterday morning I had one of those, or so I thought. As I began to pull shirt after shirt out of the washing machine, discovering with every retrieval, that my husband had not in fact shouted any of the children's clothes, which if you can only imagine, is a necessity not an option, at least if you want to salvage their clothing, I began to get more aggravated with every visible stain. Not wanting to have to buy new wardrobes for my children, I begrudgingly took all of the wet shirts over to the sink along with my trusty bottle of Shout and got to work, thinking critical thoughts as I worked.

'Why didn't he just Shout these? How did he not see ALL of these stains?!!!'

As these not so loving thoughts were going through my mind, and being muttered under my breath, something changed.

I began to think,

'If Rich wouldn't have washed clothes this weekend, I wouldn't have had a blue uniform shirt for Braden to wear this morning; he really saved my butt! It sure was sweet of Rich to even try to help me do the clothes. Rich helps me a lot. He even had the children help clean up the house Saturday, which allowed me to go to Heather's baby shower, completely kid free! Rich is really a great father to our children; he takes special one on one time with them, and he truly cares about them. He takes time to read to them, play with them, talk with them, read scriptures with them, pray with them, and help discipline them; I don't think they could have a better father! Rich is also a great husband! He loves me dearly, plans sweet surprises for me, twirls me around the kitchen, worries and prays for me on hard days, truly is my best friend, makes me laugh, makes me feel cherished and treasured, and still inspires me to want to be a better person! Rich not only serves his family but so many others. He serves with great dedication and love to all those at church, as he counsels and teaches; being a Bishop can't be an easy job! Rich also works hard at his day to day job, insuring we are well taken care of and our needs are met. Now he is even going to be Brooke's soccer coach, so she doesn't have to miss out on playing! I am very lucky and blessed to have such a prize for a husband!'

I guess when all the facts are laid out, a few ruined shirts are pretty insignifcant in the grand scheme of things; I suppose sometimes it is just a matter of perspective!

A Camping We Will Go

Where is my adorable Braden tonight? Braden is on a Boy Scout camp out with his daddy and the other scouts; basically, he is in heaven! He is eating roasted hot dogs, roasted marshmallows, getting to sleep in a tent, and getting his daddy all to himself; what could be better?!!!! I'm sure if you posed that question to Braden, he would answer,
"Nothing!"

(getting ready to head out)

Pure Joy

While others may look at this picture and think, SCARY!!! Is he going to hit the ceiling? Will Rich catch him?

I look at this picture and only see the absolute pure joy on Colton's face. I hear the little giggles he made as his daddy tossed him up and down in the air, I see the trusting love between a father and his son, and I see the exquisite delight on his face, through his bright, beautiful smile; that is why the only fitting title to give to this picture is

Pure Joy!

For those that were worried, Rich did catch him.

Fan Club

I guess I am not the only one who thinks this little squirt is absolutely adorable!

Here are some members of Colton's fan club now.

(pretend you don't see the Princess bib)

Today I overheard this particular little fan professing her unconditional love and adoration to her sweet brother.

Today as I peeked around the corner into the den (to make sure all was well), I saw Brooke looking lovingly into Colton's eyes and then heard her exclaim,

"You are so adorable! I love you so much! I love you when you are crazy! I love you when you are crying! I love you when you are whining! I love you when you are stinky! I love you when you are chewing on your hand! I love you all the time, no matter what!"

What a sweet example of not only sibling love but unconditional love!

I sure am proud of that sassy girl of mine!

This handsome devil...

...is now officially six months old! (He turned six months old this past Thursday.)

He drools, he laughs, he smiles, he babbles, he rolls, he tries to crawl, he explores (using the roll to get where you want to go method), he chews, he eats, sometimes he cries (if he is sleepy, hungry, or needs a diaper change), and he definitely has the looking cute thing down to an exact science! Colton has captured our hearts and has each of us wrapped around his little adorable fingers!

We love him so much, we even think he looks cute when he does this.Yeah, I think we will keep him,

every single square inch of cuteness!