Childhood dream realized

The big yellow slide. It taunted me every time we would attend the Utah State Fair when I was growing up. Even just driving by the fairgrounds I would see it and daydream about it. I wanted so badly to go on the big yellow slide. Nothing else. No other ride called to me like the big yellow slide did. But I was not allowed. Denied the thrill. All because my Mom once heard that someone put syrup on the bottom of the slide and a girl was hurt on it. My sister Aimee remembers the syrup story. My Mom does not remember it at all. But I do. It has always been a dream of mine. And finally, that dream has been realized. That's right- now I'm the Mom and I was able to say "Syrup be darned! We're going on that slide!" We took the boys to the fair on a Friday afternoon just to ride rides. They were grumpy. And hot. And thirsty. The rides were shockingly expensive. Scotty only wanted to ride the big ferris wheel. Grant didn't want to ride anything. Collin just wanted out of the stroller. Miles knew how much I wanted to go on the big yellow slide, so we made the trek to the slide amid protests, whining and repeated "I'm thirsty!"'s. After all the trouble I was starting to doubt the big yellow slide would be worth it. Boy, was I wrong! It was SO worth it!! We had so much fun on the slide. Scotty and I went first and it was so fast and we were both a little scared when we caught air. Grant and Miles went next and they loved it. Then I convinced Scotty that he could go himself and Grant and I went together. Then we decided to get more tickets and we all went- Scotty by himself, Grant and Miles and me and Collin. Everyone loved the big yellow slide and wanted to go again and again. We're going to start saving right now for next year!

Even the long, steep, looong stair climb to the top was worth it. Even having to carry the awkward slide mats. Even having to carry Collin. Even when Grant had a scared screaming fit halfway up and I ending up having to carry him plus the awkward slide mats. Worth. It.

This shot made me laugh so hard. I look terrified!! I was really surprised at how fast you got going and that we caught air. It was great!

Grant's face is funny! He looks scared too, but as soon as they stopped he was all smiles.

And don't worry Mom, there wasn't a drop of syrup anywhere to be found.

Muffin Tin Monday

It's Muffin Tin Monday again! There is no theme this week so we just did a regular lunch.

We had milk, a cheese train, ham on toothpicks, pretzels, apples and grapes on toothpicks. It's amazing how much more fun food is when you put it on a toothpick!

Be sure to stop by Muffin Tin Mom to see more fun posts.

Muffin Tin Monday Tuesday

We finally did another muffin tin lunch today. Scotty asked to do it and then he helped me find the food for the theme of shapes. It was Collin's first muffin tin lunch and we also had my nephew Logan over and so he got to join in too. It was fun!

We had oval olives, triangle corn chip, star pb&j sandwich, circle bananas, square cheese and rectangle Club crackers.

The favorite shape was the oval olives. Grant especially loved them and had about 3 fingertip servings!

Stop by Muffin Tin Mom to see more fun Muffin Tin Monday posts.

Jumping Beans

What is it about jumping on beds that is so fun?? Whatever it is, my boys sure love it!

Look at those faces! Pure joy!

Size doesn't matter when it comes to crazy, mad men jumping.

The 4 of them jumping on the bed made me a little nervous, but we lucked out and didn't have any disasters.

Collin hiking

We went hiking a few weekends ago to Donut Falls. It was a fun, easy hike- perfect for families with little kids. The boys had a great time. Collin started out in the Snugli on Miles' back, but it wasn't very long before he wanted OUT! Then he only wanted to walk- no being carried in arms or on Miles' shoulders. Here is what he would do if we tried to pick him up:

He is one funny little stinker!!

Special moments

Speaking of enjoying moments with my kids....I thoroughly enjoyed this one:

I got Collin undressed and sent him down to the bathroom to get in the tub. I guess Miles waited just a little too long to put him in the tub so Collin let him have it! I laughed really hard!! Miles laughed too.....after the initial shock wore off!

Slowing down

This morning after I put Collin down for his morning nap Grant and Scotty were watching a movie, so I sat at the computer to read a few blogs. I read this great post on NieNie Dialogues about the Lord's tender mercies. In her post she told of Ashley who lost her 18 month old baby girl in a tragic accident. I then read this post on Ashley's blog and it touched me. Their story is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. She is able to say she has very few regrets concerning the time she had with her daughter and she shares the advice to enjoy, treasure and capture the time you have with your kids. After I read her post I went in with my boys and Scotty immediately asked me to come sit on the couch so he could sit on my lap and watch the movie with me. Those of you who know Scotty know that he is not normally a snuggler! I jumped at the chance, and then Grant came over to snuggle too. It was wonderful! I went on to have a really fun day with my boys. We played monster trucks together, went outside and played in the water, had a picnic lunch underneath the trampoline, and then later on we had a great time playing at the park and having a picnic dinner as a family. It was a fun day because I did slow down and focused on having fun with the boys. I'm thankful to these women for sharing their insight.

I love these boys so much and I don't want to have lots of regrets when they are grown. I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father has sent me such loving, sweet, fun, wonderful little boys to raise. I am so blessed.

Weird day

Today is a weird day. Scotty is at school for his first Wednesday. Excelsior has the kindergartners rotate going on Wednesdays for half-day. The AM class went last Wed and the PM classes had the day off, today the PM classes are at school and the AM class is at home. So we had to get him to school at 8:15am instead of 12:30pm and he'll have a long day- until 1:30pm. Then today is also Grant's first day at his Play-N-Learn class. He has his speech therapy through DDI Vantage and they asked if we'd be interested in having him do the class. It's an hour and a half two times a week and I think he'll really enjoy it. It's like a preschool class, just for 2 and 3yr olds. They do free play, large motor skills, circle time, art, snack, story time and they guide them and help them with learning to share, take turns, etc. When I said goodbye to him he said bye and went right back to playing- no crying or clinging to my leg! I think that he'll really enjoy the classes. So, now I'm at home, Collin is napping, the other boys are at their "classes" and the house is quiet. Very weird!!

Scotty will be eating lunch at school every other Wednesday. I have been reading and seeing a lot of blogs where moms do Bento boxes for their kids. It seems fun so I thought I'd do a Bento-ish type of lunch for Scotty.

I did a pb&j sandwich cut to look like a truck and it even included a "load" in the bed! I got some Lunch Punch sandwich cutters and they are so cute. I added some cheese for the wheels and windshield. I also have grape kebabs. I used this printable to turn regular toothpicks into a fun superhero pick. Then I did a checkered apple and a car shaped hard boiled egg. I got an egg mold to do the egg and I think it's fun!

I enjoyed making a fun lunch for him and he was excited to see it in the morning. I also included a note on the Superman card from the superhero printable. And we got him a Star Wars thermos without him knowing and put it in the lunchbox as a surprise for him when he opens it at school. I hope it makes him smile!

**Grant DID have fun at his class! The teacher said that he didn't cry, he was talking a little bit, ate his snack and seemed to have fun. She said that he did get a little annoyed when another little boy hit him, but who wouldn't?? Here he is with the cute art project that he did. He's very proud of it!