Poop!

On March 17th Hayden ran up to me and started tugging on my hand, "Mom! C'mere!" I followed him into the bathroom and he pointed to the toilet bowl. "Look Mom! My poop is green!" It was like glow in the dark neon green. I have no idea what he ate to make it so. What a happy-St. Patty's-day surprise lol.

Since learning his numbers, Hayden loves to count his poop.  He still needs some assistance with his bum-wiping, so while he's bent over he will count his pebbles..."One, two, three, four, five...look Mom! I did five poops! Then he will elaborate on the sizes.  "I did One, two, three, tiny poops, and one, two, big ones!" And if he's really on a role he will launch into color descriptions, "Dat one brown chocolate milk one, and dat one got red yellow ones in it! What!?! Why dat one got red and yellow ones in dere Mom?"

Made my heart squeeze -in a good way!

The kids and I were heading to feed the ducks at the pond. I had brought my pool key just in-case the boys wanted to turn the splash pad on.  I noticed a young couple with their little baby all decked out in swim gear and bags loaded full of floaties and stuff.  They were standing at the pool gate searching through their bags and pockets, evidently looking for their pool key.  I just walked up (like anyone would) and swiped my pool key and held the gate open for them, then continued walking on toward the pond with my kids.  Reese took my hand and looked up at me and said, "You a reawy nice Mommy, you know dat? You hold da door open for da baby and his Mommy?" 
I said, "Yes, I held the door for them."
Then his little arms sprang around me and he gave me a big hug.  He said, "I wanna be reawy nice boy too, just like you!"

This exchange meant a lot to me because I've been feeling pretty down on myself as a parent lately. I don't do very well at family prayer, reading the scriptures with my boys, and Family Home Evening.  I am diligent about my personal prayers and scripture study though, and I try my best to live the gospel.  I felt like this was The Lord's way of telling me, "It's ok. You're doing a good job.  They are learning from your example." I'm crying as I type this because of how much it meant to me.

Mrs. Jannifer's Brilliant Beginnings!

I missed their first day of school because I was working, 

but this year I got to be there for the end of the year program! 

(They will both do Preschool again next year, so I get lots of first chances. ;)

Hayden dislikes lots of people staring at him, hence the scowling.

Mrs. Jannifer is an awesome teacher -love her!

Weekend trip to Page =)

Reese vanquishes his opponent.

Many such tackling matches happened with poor Uncle Buzz over the course of our stay ;)

 Grayce got lots of cuddling time with Grandma!

 Both Buzz and my Dad made great horsies!

Cookies n' books -my kind of vacation!

Grayce Dae!

 Pretty in purple! My Grandma Washburn's favorite color was Lavender, 

so every time I put her in this outfit, I think of her.

 

She fell asleep with her foot in the air -like a little Thumper rabbit.

 

She loves sucking on her toes...

 She'll switch from the right foot -to the left -and back again. 

Sometimes a toe from each foot in her mouth at the same time.

 She is such an easy going baby. Sleeps and eats good. Smiles and coo's all day!

I've noticed it seems to be her mission in life to cheer people up.  She'll lock her eyes on someone at the store, restaurant, library, church, etc. and stare them down till they look at her.  Then she gives them the BIGGEST grin and works her charm.  I can't tell you how many times I've glanced behind me and found the whole restaurant, or check out line at the grocery store, or whole row of people several pews behind me at church just beaming at her and smiling ear to ear right with her.  She sure gets lots of compliments.

She sure brings me a lot of peace, joy, and happiness!

Reese tidbits

 Reese made this Bunny face at school. He ran and grabbed it while he was watching "Max & Ruby" and started hopping all around the living room. =)

Thus far Reese has been a somewhat less than enthusiastic reader -only recently has he begun to sit through a whole book.  The main problem we have at the library is the computer section is a major distraction to him.  He just wants to sit and play games or watch other kids play computer games.

I found that Barnes & Noble does wonderful things for him though because there are no computers! I was excited that he picked this book up on his own and started flipping through the pages and wanted to read it! It's "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" only it's a St. Patty's version.  You can see Reese below as he was exclaiming, "Why dat lady eat bugs mom!?" 

Reese came out dressed like this (with his boxer on his head) and gave me a martial arts bow.

Sweet goofy kid!

Swing!

I got this cool swing at IKEA.

 I love seeing little feet stick out :)

We have one good swing branch that stretches out over the yard sufficiently -but it's not the strongest.  I'm hoping it grows at about the same rate the boys grow or we may soon have to set a "one person" at-a-time swinging rule -and that makes for only half the fun!

Irish Twins

This last picture was taken at The Rainforest Cafe.  Reese was pretty scared of all the moving animals till I finally whispered in his ear that they were just robots.  Then he got a big smile and started teasing the Alligator ;)