Oh, Gavin

Emily had talked Gavin into playing dolls with her.  She decided that she was going to be the doctor.  She was examining Gavin's sick baby and here's what happened:

• Emily:  "Gavin, this baby is really sick.  She is going to have to spend 21 days and 20 nights at the hospital."
• Gavin:  "GOOD!!!!"
• Mom:  "Gavin, why in the world is that a good thing?"
• Gavin:  "Then I don't have to spend any time with her."

Future Father of the Year?

Potty Training

I have been patient in waiting for Kate to be ready to potty train.  I found out the hard way with my previous children, that if they aren't ready, it is a disaster.  I have waited 37 months for Kate to be ready. I decided last night that today is the day!

We got the potty chart made, the rewards purchased and pull ups and panties waiting.  She was so excited!

She has been successful twice this morning and I really got my hopes up.  However, the third time has been a little trickier.  I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of to help her be successful.  We have read books, sang songs, counted, recited our ABCs, etc., etc.  Nothing is working.  As I am sitting there, trying to positively encourage her, my mind wanders to the countless things that I need to accomplish today.  Suddenly sitting in the bathroom, waiting, waiting, waiting, does not seem like a great idea.  But, how can I turn back now?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.....

*An update to this post *
Not only do we have to sit for 30 MINUTES every 20 minutes to get any results, she also insists on being naked.  So basically, I spend my entire day sitting by the potty with her.  PLEASE HURRY KATE!!!

Science Fair

Tyler was required to do a science fair project this year for school.  He decided to design and build three different towers using only spaghetti noodles and hot glue.  His best tower held a little over 27 pounds!  He worked long and hard on his project and tonight it all paid off!

His teacher told him that he should probably come to the award presentation tonight, so we knew that he would be receiving an award.  They went through honorable mention and third place without calling his name.  He was starting to get a little bit nervous at this point.  Second place came and went.  He got FIRST PLACE!!!  He now gets to move on to compete at the District level.  After he was presented with his certificate and ribbon, they asked him if he would stay on the stage for a minute.  He was then presented with the Best in Show award for going above and beyond on his project.  He was so excited, and I am SO PROUD of him!

Tyler and the other first place winners from the school.

 Receiving the Best in Show award.  Don't let his frown fool you.  He was super excited, just a little bit nervous.  They made him explain his project in front of the audience.  The microphone was WAY too tall.  It was pretty funny ;)  He did a great job and you couldn't even tell that he was scared to death!

 Here's his board

WAY TO GO, TYLER! 

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Luke Skywalker Pancakes

Kate loves pancakes and insists on Minnie Mouse pancakes every time I make them.  I have gotten so good that Gavin requested a pancake in the shape of Luke Skywalker.  I really impressed him with this....

Who knew I was so talented?

Chocolate Milk and the Favorite Straw

Kate LOVES chocolate milk.  And she loves to drink it in her favorite cup with her favorite curly straw.  We have lost several of her favorite straws in the dishwasher and I have been very responsible in washing her last favorite straw by hand.  Last night we had pasta for dinner.  Her straw was in the sink, waiting to be washed.  Not even thinking, I drained the boiling water from the pasta in the sink that the straw was in.  It warped it pretty badly, but I thought it would still be usable until it could be replaced.  I tried to make it super fun for her this morning when I got her chocolate milk.

 She's not buying it.....

I ruined her entire day.  She sat, silently and stubbornly, for 45 minutes like this and refused to talk to anyone during this time. 

Poor little Kate.  I promise we will get you a new straw.

Lost Tooth

About a week ago, I noticed that Gavin's permanent tooth was coming in behind his baby tooth. I freaked out a little before calling the dentist to see what he suggested. He wanted me to try to wiggle it out. If it wasn't out in a week, to call him and he would have to have it pulled. Well, last night I decided that I should call to make an appointment today.
In the meantime, Gavin and his friend, Skyler, were playing in his bedroom. Gavin frantically ran out of his room yelling, "MY TOOTH, MY TOOTH!!!", with Skyler following close behind yelling, "I AM SO SORRY, GAVIN! I AM SO SORRY!" I found Gavin's tooth hanging by a thread, blood dripping down his face. He passes out any time he sees his own blood so I quickly laid him down, just in case. After I got things under control, I asked the boys to tell me what had happened. Here's Gavin's version (I had the recorded, but my video won't upload)
Gavin:  "I was in my room.  I was biting only my big ball and then Skyler slapped onto it and then my tooth fell out."
Mom:  "Did it hurt?"
Gavin:  "Ya."
Mom:  "Did it bleed?"
Gavin:  "Ya."
Mom:  "Did you cry?"
Gavin:  "Mmm Hmmm."

Poor little Skyler was so afraid that he was going to get in trouble. I should actually be thanking him for saving us the dentist bill ;)

Gavin was so excited to put his tooth under his pillow. Emily even gave him her special tooth box to use. He went to bed way before bedtime which was wonderful! Around 3:00 a.m., he snuck into my bedroom to show me the dollar the toothfairy had left him. He was super excited to go to school today and show his friends and his teacher his toothless grin. He is the first one to lose a tooth in his class and can't wait to put his name on the lost tooth chart!

Talk about a great first story of a lost tooth!

If you're not dead.....

Here's another cutie from Gavin:

"Hey mom, when I get old and if you're not already dead, you can come and live with me."

Thanks, Gavin.  It's nice to know that someone will be looking out for me :)

Camp Out

The kids love when I let them set up their tents in the family room to watch a movie and sleep.  This time we had a boys tent and a girls tent.  I even spent the night (OK, half the night) in the girls tent.  Emily claimed that the boys tent is sweaty and stinky.  I took her word on that!

Doesn't look like a whole lot of sleeping going on ;)

Preston Rodeo

The Preston Rodeo is another family tradition that we look forward to each year.  It is so much fun to spend time with family that we don't get to see near often enough. 

 Gavin has the opportunity to  be his true cowboy self.

Uncle John took Tyler this year to pick out a cowboy hat for himself.  He has declined the opportunity in previous years, but John didn't give him a choice this year.  Look at the smile on his face!  He loves his hat and proudly displays it in his bedroom!  Thanks Uncle John!

Amy took Emily and got her a feather in her hair.  Funny little side note..... Travis and I were talking on the way up to Preston about this exact topic.  I told him I seriously doubted I would ever take my girls and get feathers in their hair.  Amy took Emily to the sidewalk sale and she returned with this....

I was in no way disappointed, because she looks adorable!

 Gavin and Zack

 Ashley and Emily at the parade

Kate and her best buddy, Marlin.

We can't wait until next year!!!

Park

When we weren't swimming, you could find us at the park. I love to be outside, and so do my kids. This is one of the funnest park around. Even Tyler, the fun hater, had a great time. 

Tyler was feeling a little sick to his stomach at this point.

This was the best picture I could get of all four of them together.  And I was lucky to get this one ;)

Summer Fun

I've been dreading these next few posts for a while now. I think it's obvious that I love to take pictures. I've been trying to decide how I could sum up the entire summer with less pictures, but there is no possible way. If you've ever thought I have used a lot of pictures before, wait until this..... Natalie, I really need you to show me how you make your pictures so condensed and neat looking :)

South Ogden Splash Pad

We made several trips to the local splash pads during the summer.  The kids had so much fun cooling down.

This first trip was actually pretty nice.  It was a warm afternoon, however, it was sprinkling.  We were the only ones at the park.  It really didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, because the kids are getting wet anyway.  Who cares if there were a few drops of rain?  We picked up a Domino's pizza and enjoyed the park all to ourselves!

Kate was a little hesitant at first, but it didn't take her long before she got the idea.

Tyler was willing to go along with us, but was a bit of a party pooper.

Aquatic Center

Kate HATES getting water in her eyes.  She cried and cried until she spotted these goggles in my bag.  She insisted on wearing them and was a happy girl for the remainder of the afternoon.  Don't you wish you could be as confident as she is?

Kate's wet little footprint.

Riverdale Splash Pad 

This was Kate's favorite toy.  She didn't move far from it all afternoon.

Wouldn't it be fun to be Gavin for a day?

I love that cute little diapered behind :)

Kate loved being pampered by her cousins.  They each took a turn pushing her in the swing.

Gavin and grandma enjoying their creamies

So fun not to have a care in the world.