Let it Snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

So we were crazy and drove through the snow storm on Thursday night. When we left Provo around 4:00. There was not even a flurry comin down from the sky. Past the point of the Mountain, it came down hard and fast and took three hours almost to get from Provo to Roy. "Are we going to be there soon?," was said many times. We stayed the night at my Great-Grandma's house and were able to visit with my aunt and her family. We opened the window for part of the night, my grandma likes it really warm! Kacen had to have a car ride to get to sleep at 11:00 and then woke up an hour later and stayed awake wiggling and screaming until three thirty. I got in the car at 2:40 and drove him around, I went to Wal-Mart being very desperate to sleep, went there to get medicine thinking that it would do something for him. I got there and I had no way to pay, so I drove back and got a card and he was so calm at Wal-Mart, passive to say the least. He took the medicine at Wal-Mart and on the way back he fell right to sleep. I made Kacen an appointment thinking that his ear infections hadn't gone away, but nope the Doctor says that his ear infections are on the way out so who knows why he was up so late, so ornery or how much his ears were really bugging him, maybe he just REALLY doesn't like staying at someone else's house. But thank heaven the medicine worked. The kids were all so excited about Kacen's gobble and go hippo that he got from them. Abbi got a baby and Alona a part of the "my little pet shop".
We had fun at Grandma and Grandpa's too! We made Gingerbread house this year out of Graham crackers, ice cream cones and PLENTY of candy. Alona decorated most of her own and Abbi had fun putting candy on her roof. They each got an m&m container with a piece to a train on it that we got to bring home!Abbi dumped out all of her m&m's and ate the majority of them before even decorating. She was really enjoying herself. We played instruments and Kacen had a lot of fun. Abbi was a little energizer bunny. You should have seen her, it was like she is every night, but that night she had an audience! Alona had fun performing too. Then we did pizza and presents, oh how I love Papa Johns! We gave them homemade presents, framed feet and hand prints of the kids with pictures. The girls are having fun with their coloring books and Kacen's train that he got. Alona made a circle with the connecting parts of the train track.
Kacen was so darn fun opening presents at my aunts house. He was great at ripping off the paper and then would attempt to hand you the paper, but ooh..it was a trick! He wouldn't really give it to you. He would also throw some on the floor. A few pieces he would tear up and then put some pieces back on the present like he was trying to put it back on. So fun to watch. He was so afraid of the dogs, if he was so close that there was almost no way out, he would scream and cry hysterically, he really freaked out but if he was close enough to mom to get to me without the dogs, he would freak out and then come to me as fast as he could.
Abbi our little animal lover that would open her mouth and laugh as the doggies licked the inside of her mouth as a ten month old, still loves the dogs. She goes up and pats the back of them and tells them what to do. She also still loves to give them kisses, but now closes her mouth.
We went to my sisters house as our last stop and went out in the 23 degree weather to go on a hayride in the Layton Park. Alona loved to watch the lights and see all the things that they had, a mermaid, an elephant, a bear climbing a tree a choo-choo train that little Abbi couldn't see and so many other things. We had fun though we were all so cold. The kids got Five Little Monkeys jumping on the Bed from aunt Crystal and her kids. Alona wanted to stay at their house and play the game with her kids. It was our last stop, so it was too late to stay and play, it looks like such a cute game.
Kacen says"WOO-WOO! and sings to that tune. He also says cracker and Nuh-Nuh for Alona and more words, but I can't think right now.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is beautiful! We all got in the van and were ready to take our whole family to pick a Christmas tree. We pulled out of the driveway and headed North, less than ten seconds later. We were out of gas.
Paul's comment before we had left was something to the effect of the van is on empty! Yeah I told him, I've already driven at least twenty miles on empty. So what it will just make it out of the driveway, he said. And that is what it practically did.
He pulled into one of the streets passed the stop light and went to get the gas can. He came back and me and the children decided to stay home. The girls were very distraught that they didn't get to pick the tree with daddy, but were excited when he brought it home. Alona did an awesome job decorating it, she put almost all of the ornaments on all by herself and she hung the garland on the bottom of the tree. Abbi didn't quite get the concept of hanging ornaments and is very distraught that she cannot carry around the pieces of the nativity around in her little purses and buckets like her "little people" they will break. One of these days we will have to get a child friendly nativity set.Abbi was so cute, she went through the different decorations wearing them. She really liked the silver beads.
Kacen played with the ornaments and found the breakables first. Yesterday he walked to the tree and took off his Baby ornament that was given to him last year(it has a bell on it, so he really enjoys this one) and took another ornament and ran away laughing, So adorable! He is walking almost everywhere now. It is more than five steps, I promise Papa, wish you were all around him more to see. He went to nursery with me on Sunday(today!) I was asked to fill in. They have about fifteen nursery kids and two nursery people. The nursery leaders keep moving out. He really enjoyed it, though at lesson time he just wanted to push the little chairs into the teacher and singing was more of running around and crumpling up the papers that he was given. And to Abbi I seemed invisible, she crawled up on another Mother's lap and said "I want to go to your house!" Didn't bother me one bit that child! She is really good with the other children, a little withdrawn at first, she really loves to play and build, has a great imagination.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

We went to Fiesta Navidenia on Monday at the Provo Library or in English, Christmas party. We waited in line for an hour to see Santa! They were really good sports. Santa did a good job. Alona so noticed the difference between this Santa and the Santa that was at the mall. Like, "Mom why is his beard longer." "His boots are different." One day we will tell her about "Helpers" but for now it is fun to believe that they are Santa. "His beard grows fast", I told her.
They had ornaments to make. Paper Christmas trees that we glued buttons on. We all did our own, they are all unique and awesome. There was hot chocolate that tasted like coffee. Alona wouldn't touch the stuff. She had never tasted coffee before and she immediately tasted this and said, "Ew, yuck this is coffee, I don't want it." Abbi enjoyed it ALL! There were paper Santa Claus and snowmen that we put on sticks, colored and put cotton balls on. And now we are able to sing Santa songs and Frosty the Snowman with it. And the last part was the singing and dancing. Abbi was mezmorized and Kacen sat still! They didn't want to leave by 8:45. The Dancing was awesome, it was like Hispanic square dancing. Abbi consented to sit with Santa, I had to tell her that we could send a picture to Grandma! And that worked, though she was a little confused. She thought that Grandma would be there when we took the picture. At the mall last week when they saw Santa, Abbi wouldn't go near him.."I don't want to see him." "I don't like Santa." She seriously said those things. She had to have the elves help her get the candy cane. She wouldn't go to close to HIM. The Santa at the Library gave out a bagful of treats! WOW! They were happy all night, and they can all open their own treats, well except for Kacen:)


I managed to get some stocking stuffers at the store while shopping with my children and they didn't notice, probably will be my last time with that. Alona noticed the treats at the register and just thought that it was like the checkout candy, "can we have some." I commented, would you like to have some candy like that in your stocking? "Yes" "I will tell Santa!"
We were at the grocery store and this lady with white hair walks by our cart.
Abbi:"Thats a Grandma"
Alona: Thats not a Grandma, that's a really old MOM."
Just thought that was so darn cute, had to put it on here so that I could remember it.
And Five times a day..."When is it going to be Christmas??"

Once there was a Snowman

Friday was the big snow storm and Saturday during the hour or so that we had with Dad, Paul and the kids built a snow man. By Sunday, the song was so true, "In the sun he melted, melted, melted, small, small, small."His face was missing and his nose was drooping wearily down to the ground. The picture was taken Saturday night, he was in pretty good shape and more had fallen on him.
And then today, me and the kids spent a few minutes outside. Kacen tried eating the misplaced parts, noses aren't for eating, silly boy! Alona made her own snowman and it was so cute, I took a picture of her snowman and she got up next to it and I had to take a picture of her and her snowman, her next to her masterpiece. And then got a picture of Abbi next to a snowman, as you can see it would be a lie to say that she made this snowman on her own, though it is her snowman :) We had fun. The pictures remind me where Kacen's hat is.
My grandpa is in the hospital, I really wish that I lived closer so that I could just drop by and visit him. It worries me, you never know how long that you have with anybody. Losing my dad at eleven years old showed me that.
Semi-warm afternoons in the snow making snowmen make winter worth it, I am so glad to have my children to share it with.

He walks!

We were at the library yesterday and Kacen was walking at story time. It of course helped that the theme of story time was "listen", the other children had instruments that he wanted. So he walked to each child trying to take their instruments. His own was not good enough :}So Cute. And then I tried to record him today, it worked! He went right for the maracas! And my batteries to my camera cut out right when he fell, perfect timing.

Over Thanksgiving weekend I lost my drivers license, I am afraid that I will need to get a new one. Thanksgiving was good. We stayed at my sisters and watched "Santa Clause 3" and "License to Wed". Abbi went and stayed the night at Grandma's house all by herself, she seemed to have lots of fun. I am glad she was able to enjoy that. Alona was fine staying at Aunt Crystal's playing with her two boy cousins. Kacen went to bed some time around one and woke up a little after 3:00 a.m., so I decided to go to the day after Thanksgiving sales. I went to Kohls, got there twenty minutes after it opened, looked around for about half an hour and then stood in line for two hours! Kacen was really good while there and really awake and alert. He enjoyed playing with things along the aisles and wandering off into the clothing racks, he would laugh as he ran away. They had everything half off or more! It was awesome. I got away with some bead blocks for Kacen and a Tonka Truck thet talks and Elmo and Grover cars, oh yeah a "Cars" rug that will go on his floor and it came with two cars to go on it. Abbi will be getting her Dora "Bike" and a piggy by fisher price and a my little pony. Alona her cash register, a my little pony and a dora toy. The girls get Christmas dresses and I got them all character plate, spoon, silverware sets. Hopefully I can find Kacen a Christmas outfit. Thank you to our anonymous helper this season!! We LOVE YOU!
I got back a little after 7:30 and Alona was still asleep. After breakfast I took my sister's kids and mine to Toys R US to look around while she went Christmas shopping. She was able to do a lot without her kids, even get home and put her loot away.

its been a while

Paul and the girls made snowmen ornaments yesterday. They turned out really cute and they all enjoyed their time doing it. Shaking the snowmen afterwards was probably one of the more fun parts.
Alona pretended her "baby snowman" was sleeping and kept shushing her brother and sister.
I tried taking pictures of the crafts that I did today at church, but my camera batteries died on me. There are six blocks and different sayings when you turn the blocks. It says Christ, Santa Joy and I was thinking of adding Noel on to one of the sides of them. On the side that has Santa Claus there is a red and white striped candy cane on the end and the one with Joy there are two white snowflakes, one on each end. The blocks are red and green with white lettering. And I shall be working on a Christmas tree skirt crocheted from ripped up fabric. We rearranged furniture too, I love how our living room is more open.
Kacen is weaned. And now he takes a bottle. I would have never guessed that would have happened. Alona went to library kids Jr. at the library this week, she went there kicking and screaming and came out not wanting to leave. She enjoyed making her crepe paper turkey.(its really cute)
We were playing in the sand box and making "Ice Cream". Abbi puts on her toppings and tells me, "this is just pretend" ! We were just pretending to make and eat ice cream. She was so aware of this and wanted me to be too.
Paul got a raise! Which of course included a promotion. This is the first time ever that he will be working Sundays, long story. I am so proud of him waking up for school this week! Helping out and really being there for me.

No Turning Back

My silly impulses, I was contemplating cutting my hair tonight. The moment that the scissors cut that first strand, there is no turning back. And so I had to finish the job. Of course its not perfect, I am no professional. But hey, it looks straight to me.

Baby Birthday Books

Today was definitely a test of patience...
We woke up got ready and the girls wanted to read books before we left for the store. So we read a few books! And then I went to go start the car to move it out of the way for the van to barrel through the driveway. And the car wouldn't even turn over. I really did try my best, but ended up getting Paul up, he got it revin with only two tries! So he gets out and I ask him, "so whats your trick?" "The ignition's broken!" Well I certainly don't feel incompetent about not getting the car started knowing that.
So Paul went back and layed down while the children were in the kitchen and I moved the car. I ran across the street and started up the van, left it running and came inside to get the kids. Lo and Behold I came in the front door only to find my children covered in RED!
"Mom, Mom! Abbi put paint all over!" Alona lets me know when things happen. Kacen's head was covered in red paint meant for decorating faces for Halloween , Alona and Abbi's clothes were caked. I picked up Kacen and took him to the bathroom sink. Rubbed him down with baby shampoo and ran the tepid water. Tipping his head back I scrubbed and rinsed his head until the shampoo ran all out of his hair and then added two more layers of shampoo one at a time until the water from off his head ran clear and was no longer red or pink. Even though it ran clear, his head was RED!
We get to the store, what do you know child #2 has wet pants, no I don't have a change of clothes, silly me. The cart strolled past the bakery, "Mom, I want a FREE cookie." "We are having these free samples of apple pie",I tell them. "This is gross", "I don't like it", "Yuck!", simultaneous reactions from two of my children that vocalize quite well. So I find a garbage can located in the bakery and they proceed to spit out the partially chewed pie. We keep walking, " I want a donut! Just one donut!" They proceed with the I wants throughout the store(of course), they don't want to be in the cart any longer and so they are informed of where they can safely be while mom is pushing the cart and moms requests aren't what they want, so they find other places to be, and feet get ran over. And children go running down the aisles, both children take off their shoes. Child #1 throws her shoes into the cart, child #1 was placed down on the aisle floor and informed that she could continue to shop with us when she decided to put her shoes back on. And what do you know this works! "I have to go potty" Child #2 tells me and so we go and she goes!
We get to thecheckout and realize that hey, we still need to get a new toothbrush. Down we go, to the dental hygiene aisle. The toothbrush that she could have which was age appropriate for was pointed out and she was ecstatic. Of course the other child Needed a toothbrush too, she grabs one and hides it behind her back. We get to 20 items or less checkout, and child #2 has these toothbrushes in hand and animal crackers in the other, neither of which we are getting! So tantrums flare! Everything gets rang up and the items that we are not getting are given to the cashier.
I check my planner, I check my bag, I check my pockets, No debit card. The only money that I have is Kacen's birthday money from Grandma's that we are going to get books with. I tell the lady I don't have my card and calmly walk away, while child #1 is screaming that we didn't get her toothbrush. The cashier seemed more distraught about having to deal with twenty items left at her checkout than I was about going through the time at the store and leaving everything that I worked so hard to get, and having to come back later and shop for it again.
It is now 90 minutes later and twenty items less than we were supposed to be going home with . Much effort, much effort for what...Mom borrowing some of Kacen's book money to get nuggets at McDonald's. We get a #9, it saves money, it saves sanity, so I thought. No toys to debate over with kids meals. Just one package of nuggets and one thing of fries that we can split up evenly. And then it begins, "I want the bee toy." "I want chocolate milk, I don't want this drink." A mother cannot be perfect. A mother cannot make her children happy all of the time, but she can try.
I put the root beer in the cart that I put for me to drink in one of the girls cups and noticed 75% off Halloween candy at the entrance to the store. We got gobs of pretzels for fifty cents and Butterfingers for 50 cents! And Our Root Beer spilled over at the nice cashier's checkout and she willingly and kindly cleaned it up.
We then were on to our last stop! Barnes And Noble! I changed Kacen in the car before we went in and what luck, he pees on his pants! So here I am taking a half naked child in to a store. And there with Child #2 in her peed in pants, needed to go potty, yeah! We then went to look at the children's books! Kacen found some he liked and also some that were in piles that he pulled down, child #2 found quite a few to look at and left spread all over the floor.

So Here is what we made away with...