January...January

Well, it's January. Oh January. You really are quite the month. Good thing mine and Drake's birthday falls in there, otherwise I would just call the month a complete loss. Its just so dark, and cold, and gloomy. Especially this year. Our weather has been harsh this winter. Weeks of tempratures below freezing, so our snow never melts, takes your breath away cold out there, my garage is a filthy mess, don't even get me started on my car. Kids boots, shoes, gloves, coats are always wet and soggy. We have had three weeks worth of inversion, our air is just horrid. We can't get a decent storm to blow it out and once we do, it comes right back. Not to mention the other nights freezing rain storm. So cold that the rain froze instantly on the roads, driveways, sidewalks. We face north, with our driveway on a slant. It was seriously a skating rink. Treacherous. Found myself out there with a shovel for over an hour trying to break up the ice, so we could get the car into the garage. Cars did nothing but slide. Ridiculous. Anywho, amongst all that....is a few events. Just a few. Thought I would get them on here before the birthdays. Drake's was yesterday, his party will be tomorrow. Mine is on Monday. So here we go...

Along with the glorious weather is the lovely sickness that comes along with winter. Us, as well as the rest of the country has got the nasty bug going around. Somehow I was the only one to dodge it. I seemed to have it first but mine was super mild compared to everyone elses. Poor Carson, Drake and Thiago were the worst. Drake had it over New Years as mentioned, then Thiago had it, left, and came back again and Carson got it the day he went back to school from winter recess. Typical, right when he is supposed to go back. He went that first day and then I had to keep him home the next 2. Poor kid. There goes our perfect attendance. Bummer.

One thing I do love about the start of the New Year is the cleaning binge I go on. Inspires me to get into all those corners and cupboards and just go to town. I always start with a massive toy makeover. Spent 36 hours reorganizing every toy area in our house. Thiago had a couple days off so we sent the kids back to school on that first day and he and I collected a massive pile to donate and another to just plain throw out. Kids are none the wiser. Out with the old, in with the new.

It all looks so lovely...my little heart just skips a beat thinking about it.

Also starting in on my spring cleaning...started with the unfinished part of our basement. It needed some major love. Kinda my collect all for junk and things I don't want to deal with. Looking much better now. I don't want to cry everytime I walk into it, so that must be a good sign.

My babies just kinda hang out, playing with new toys.

And another one of Drakey-bug...just cause he's a cutie pie.

My mama stopped by one gloomy, blah day with a little plate of happiness. She made the kids some snowman cupcakes. Ooh yum, they were delish. I get a big charge out of sprinkles, I love the little crunch they make. And these were the little crystal kind of sprinkles, my favorite. Thanks mama!

In other exciting 7 year old news, my boy is losing teeth left and right. Both of his top front teeth have been loose for what seems like an eternity now. They were both barely hanging on by a thread. There was no way I was pulling those things, freaks me out...Thiago tried multiple times and Carson about had a hernia. We decided it wasn't worth traumatizing the kid so we just left em be. The first one finally came out this past Tuesday. He and Linc were fighting about who knows what, Linc whacked him in the face and out came that tooth. Carson was so glad to have it out he immediately forgot about the fight. Haha. Good job Lincoln, I guess. The next one came out 3 days later at school. Bit into a strawberry shortcake roll and out popped that tooth. This pic was taken before the other had come out, as you can see it is jetting out there pretty good. I will have to take an updated picture of him now without both of them. His new smile is cracking me up.

Me and my boy snuck out for a date night earlier in the month. My mother in law was taking the boys to a birthday party in Salt Lake one Saturday night, so we found ourselves with a few precious hours kidless. Lovely. Olive Garden and "Zero Dark Thirty" were just what we needed. Ahh, the braised beef tortellini. Wish I had some right now. If you guys go to Olive Garden, please get the braised beef tortellini. You will not be sorry. My friend told me about it and I have not gotten anything else there since. Dreams are made of that stuff. Yum!

Speaking of food...January always leaves me wanting to try new recipes. The craziness of the holidays are over and I start to crave home cooked meals. So I start scouring blogs and such for new recipe ideas. This was a philly cheesesteak. Yum! And so easy.

Cinnamon toast crunch muffins I made for an afterschool snack one day. Turns out my weirdo's don't like them. Only ones to eat them were me and Drake. Well whats a girl to do with 12 muffins....I guess eat em all. And share with Ashley!

Can't go wrong with good old fashioned apple crisp. Warm, right out of the oven with a good ol' scoop of vanilla icecream. Pure comfort.

And last but not least....a cousin sleep over. No school on MLKJ day so we gathered up our Lance for a little overnighter.

It was a short little sleepover, just the one night. Popped some popcorn and put on a movie with some other treats.

The next day I was going to meet up with my mom and sisters for lunch and a few errands, so I knew the boys wouldn't have a ton of time together but I wanted them to have something that would stand out to them and make the time fun. So I planned this little muffin tin breakfast picnic for that morning.

They got the biggest kick out of it. Best breakfast ever according to Carson. So it was totally worth it.

After a whole lot of playing with new Christmas toys and a little x-box play it was time to meet up with Lancey's mom.

And there you have it.....til next time friends!

My 4 Year Old

Oh my boy. A thousand thoughts and emotions enter my brain when thinking of this child. He is truly unlike any little person I have ever known. He gives me a gosh dang run for my money thats for sure, every day that we make it through feels like an accomplishment. But oh how I love him. My heart sometimes just hurts for him, he is so unique and there are so many levels to him. I worry so much that I am not doing a good enough job in raising him, I hope and pray I am giving him what he needs. I hold such a special place in my heart for this wild child, he tests me and tests me but at the end of the day I am so completely smitten by him. 110% enamored and completely in love. Here are some facts about my little 4 year old...so I can remember him at this precious age.

1. By far my most snuggly kid. His tiny form just wraps around me. He sneaks his way into our bed every single night, and I never turn him away. He just snuggles right in, I have his little form memorized. He curls into a little ball and doesn't move a muscle.
2. Surprised me a bit this year. As he has entered primary, and preschool, and organized sports I have seen a completely different side of him. He is so nervous around people he doesn't know. He tucks right into himself and it takes a lot of love and acceptance to pull him out. As the year has gone on, I am starting to see the Lincoln I know in these types of enviroments. He is coming out of his shell a bit and that is comforting to see.
3. He is so dang smart. As we sit down each night to go over his little homework and activities that his school has assigned, I am amazed at all he knows. I think back to Carson's first year of preschool and Lincoln is just blowing right by him. I wonder if it has anything to do with watching Carson.

4. Longs to be accepted and included. I have noticed he acts out when he feels he is being ignored or left out. I try so hard to not overreact and discipline, but to take a step back and look at the situation. I want him to learn that the behavior is not okay but at that same time my heart just hurts that he is feeling ignored or forgotten. Oh this boy, and the stress he causes me. Praying I am reaching him.
5. Loves sugar. Loves it. The kid could live off juice, and candy, and suckers and all things terrible for your teeth. Carson has never been a big fan of it, but with Lincoln I am always having to ration what I give him. He would eat fruit snack after fruit snack if I let him.
6. Sports. He's gonna be good. We are blown away by his natural skill when it comes to balls. Sometimes that temper is what gets the best of him though. Can't handle sharing, or taking turns, or when the ball doesn't go as directed. Hoping we can fine tune all that.

7. If I had to choose his one great interest I would have to say super heroes. He loves those guys. He follows along with pretty much all of Carson's interests, but his true love is the superheroes. Particuarely Batman.
8. Favorite shows right now are probably Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Doc Mcstuffins, Higgleytown Heroes and Lego Star Wars. Hates Phineas and Ferb, creates all kinds of drama between him and Carson.
9. Loves his older brother, loves him. Tries so hard to keep up with him and for the most part they are the best of friends. Sometimes the age difference between them seems so small cause he is just right there with him on everything.

10. He is a daddy's boy. Him and Drake. They both tolerate me, but just comes alive when his dad is around. Thiago understands him so well, so often my lack of patience and stubborness clashes with his and we butt heads alot. Thiago was blessed with neverending patience and can reach my boy when no one else can.
11. Has the best laugh I have ever heard. Lights up his whole face, its so contagious. His eyes just shine when he laughs.
12. Such a perfectionist. He gives everything 110%. Gets so upset when things don't turn out the way he had envisioned. He's determined. He just keeps trying and trying until he gets it right. Now alot of yelling is included, but he does not give up.
13. Stands his own. Nobody pushes this boy around. He is strong willed and persistent. Boy is he persisitent.

14. One volume and that is loud. Our house always feels so quiet and empty when he isn't around. He just fills it with fun, laughter, and activity. Don't think the kid knows how to whisper though....LOUD!
15. Favorite foods include hotdogs, soup, macaroni and cheese, tacos, icecream, scrambled eggs and TOAST! He eats about 10 pieces of toast a day...with cinnamon sugar, don't forget the cinnamon sugar.
16. Loves to be kissed, and hugged, and held and being told "love you". Can't even tell you how many times a day he tells me he loves me. Out of nowhere, "love you mom". Oh Lincoln boy...love you too.

17. The funniest little voice. Don't even know how to describe it. Both Cars and Linc have funny little voices. Linc's is kinda gruff yet squeaky at the same time. Thiago always says he sounds like a little angry bird.
18. Loves his electronics. Mobigo, I-pad, phones...anything he can play. We major have to limit it with him, otherwise its all he would do.
19. Kinda a scaredy cat. Always hesitant to be away from us, trying new things..ha, Carson has to do it first then he will follow. And don't even ask him to go downstairs by himself...yeah right. Really is scared of his own shadow.
20. The best little 4 year old I know. He can be so frusterating at times but beneath it all is the sweetest little soul I have ever known. My world would be empty without him. His sweet hugs, his golden eyes, his little chicken legs, his big ol' goofy smile with the front chipped teeth....oh my boy. Love him so much!

2013!

Welcome 2013! Finally, getting this New Years post done...better late than never. New Years is good, one last hurrah before you have to get back to reality. After that the kids go back to school, hubby goes back to work and I get back to putting our life back in order after the holidays. Its a big job...which explains why it has taken me so long to get this post done. Here goes, I'll make it quick, got bathrooms that aren't going to clean themselves unfortunately!

New Years Eve was a really good day. We just ran errands as a family, may not sound that exciting but anytime Thiago is with us is a good time. We bought groceries, grabbed some lunch and then went to spend some of Thiago's Christmas money. He found himself all kinds of new clothes....snowboarding coat, jacket, new dress shirts and ties, new dress pants, a couple of hoodies and long sleeved shirts. All kinds of stuff. Fun to spoil him once in awhile. We hurried home so I could throw together some little appetizers to take with us and then we just headed up to our inlaws for a quiet night with lots of food!

Along with the rest of the world, we have all been sick. For once I was the only healthy one. Thiago got it, then Lincoln, then poor Drake, then Carson then back to Thiago. Stupid winter. Stupid sick. This day was when Drake was starting in on it. You can see it in his eyes. This babe is 100% delightful when he is sick. Not whiney or anything, just incredibly cuddly and lovey. He was so sweet this night. Felt bad for him, but sure did enjoy his snuggles.

We stopped at Dollar Tree in our travels earlier in the day and picked up a ridiculous amount of toys and noise makers for the boys. Thats what I get for sending in dad with a four and seven year old by themselves. A whole bag full of crap.

Sweet bug just got sicker and sicker as the night went on. Burning with fever. Gave him some infant tylenol and he was out for the remainder of the night.

We had tons of appetizers while we were waiting for dinner.

I brought lil smolkies wrapped in bacon and brown sugar, Carson can eat a whole pile of these on his own. We love em'


At little while later we had dinner. Crab legs, shrimp, asparagus, mashed potatoes and of course I forgot to take a picture of that. I was too excited to eat it I guess, or to busy getting all my kids to eat. Either way.

Ash and Souli and the kids came over as well, after dinner we got the kids in their jams and still had awhile to wait before midnight. So we brought Ash's new Disney headbands game. Ever played it? I hadn't either, so, so, so much FUN! Kids just loved it. And me and Ash loved it too.

Finally, just about time.

And Happy New Year...okay lets go home. I am kinda a scrooge when it comes to New Years, I've always thought it was a bit overrated. By that time, especially with little kids I am just ready for bed. Oh well. We stayed, we partied...sorta. Ha! As much as we party I guess.

Next morning comes bright and early. We always meet up with my dads side of the family for breakfast. I am sure to many this sounds way to early and tiring, but I actually really love it. Kinda fun.

Poor Drake, still not feeling all that good.

Headed on home for a bit. And ahhhh, nap time. Snuggled up with my Lincoln boy and we took a little snooze. Lovely.

Here is where my pictures end. My fun did not end though. Met up with my mom and sisters that afternoon for Les Mis. Now musicals are not really my thing, my mom and sisters however LOVE them...I wasn't about to be excluded so I went with too. It was ok. I'm sorry to all you that loved it, I appreciate the story and thought everyone was really great in it...just too much dang singing for my liking.

Later than night me and Thiago left our kids with the Cano's and saw Lincoln. That I completely LOVED! Daniel Day Lewis is my new favorite actor. He was so good. So very good. It was kinda hard for me to follow cause I am kinda dumb, and poor Thiago had to listen to my questions throughout the whole movie but I thought it was amazing. Loved the story, loved Lincoln...very cool guy.

Anywho..that wraps up New Years...talk to ya in a bit friends!