Tired

I'm old, so it's no wonder that this group wears me out!

Scotty 5yrs, Collin 1yr, Grant 2yrs, Logan 2yrs. I have been watching my nephew Logan two days a week since his Mom has been in the hospital.

But you know it's bad when they wear themselves right out!

Grant got mad at something and went to his room. When I hadn't heard anything from him for awhile I checked on him and found him like this. I wish I could go take a nap anytime I felt like it!!

These pictures were taken on the same day, but we had to change Grant's shirt. Why, you ask? Because it was yellow day at Scotty's preschool but the only way he would wear a yellow shirt is if Grant did too so they could match. Crazy boy!!!

Muffin Tin Monday

We actually did a Muffin Tin Meal on Monday this time! There was no theme this week so we just had a regular meal.

Grapes, whole wheat pasta with butter and parmesan cheese, salad and a new thing for the kids: blackberries. Scotty didn't like the blackberry, Grant refused to try it, but Collin gobbled them up and didn't want to eat anything else!

Grant was so excited to eat he sat in his chair, put his tray on and stayed there until I was done getting everything ready! Funny boy!

To see more fun Muffin Tin Monday posts, visit Muffin Tin Mom.

Stay at home MOM

Some girls in my neighborhood have started a blog called The Well Functioning Family. They have some great posts about managing your home. Someone did a post about their daily routine and it took me back to when I had only Scotty. After the initial shock of becoming parents wore off I set up a great daily schedule for me. I really hate doing housework, so I would only schedule one big cleaning task a day. It was great- the house stayed clean week to week and I wasn't dreading a day that I had to all the cleaning at once. I did the cleaning while Scotty took his morning nap and then when he no longer took a morning nap he loved to help me- it was fun! When Grant came along I had to adjust to having two kids and my schedule went out the window. I had a hard time keeping myself clean let alone the house! Then only 7 months later I find that I'm pregnant again and begin the months of morning sickness, heartburn and exhaustion- all while still taking care of a baby. Then after Collin was born there was 9 months of the time consuming task of caring for 2 kids under 2yrs plus an energetic preschooler. Let's just say that the housework wasn't on my to-do list. But I'll tell you what WAS on the top of my to-do list: guilt about not doing the housework. I just felt like a loser wife and Mom because I didn't have the energy, willpower or desire to do much housework. I kept up on the laundry and the daily straightening, dishes, etc, but not much else. I would much rather spend my time playing with the kids than cleaning. And I have a strict no cleaning policy during afternoon naps- that is pure "me" time. I need that afternoon break to just relax and refuel for the after nap crazy time. And after the kids are in bed is couple time. Plus by evening I'm way too tired to tackle any major cleaning jobs. But the guilt started to eat me alive. I would argue with myself that I should just do the cleaning during nap time, or make the kids play without me in the morning and clean then. But I really didn't want to do either of those. Then one day I had a realization: I am a stay at home MOM, not a stay at home HOUSECLEANER. My kids are young. They need a lot of attention. They are fun to be with and I enjoy playing with them and spending time with them. They are growing up at an alarming rate. I stay at home so I can raise my kids- not keep a sparkling clean house. I still need to do housecleaning, but I don't need to beat myself up over it. I gave myself permission to dump the guilt and cherish this time I have with my young kids. Someday they will be in school all day and I'll have plenty of time to clean, but for now, I am going to enjoy all the time I have to spend with them. I'm very lucky to be able to stay home and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Even when I'm having a day like the day in my video I just posted!

I am so much happier now that I can stop stressing about this:

And focus on this:

Play time

Bath time

Snuggle time with sick kids

And enjoy lots of moments like these:

Craziness

Awhile ago my sister in law, Mel, asked me if all 3 kids were ever upset or crying at the same time. I told her that it happened a lot and I had even video taped it once. I've been meaning to post the video but never got around to it until now. This was quite awhile ago- last October to be exact. But the craziness still happens today. Except now Collin is mobile, so he'll follow me around and try to climb up my leg while he's crying! You'll even notice the toys strewn all over the house which just adds to the madness. We just have to laugh!!

So, Mel, this is especially for you!

Colorado

Scotty and I were able to take a little trip to Denver to visit Uncle Nate, Aunt Mel and Urban. Scotty was so excited to go- until he had to say goodbye to Daddy at the airport. But, he got over being sad pretty quickly and then didn't want to go home when it was time. He and Urban had so much fun together. They play really well and just have a blast together. And they are easy to entertain- give them a squirt bottle and they're happy for hours! I had fun hanging out with Mel and just being able to relax and read without having to deal with tantrums, crying and poopy diapers! But I did miss my little boys back home a lot and I was very happy to see them when we got home. When Grant saw me he yelled "Ma Ma!" and came running over to me. It was so cute and brought a smile to everyone who was standing around us waiting for other passengers. Thanks Nate, Mel and Urban for showing us a great time!!

Getting ready to go to our plane. This is Scotty's 6th time taking a vacation that involved riding on an airplane. He's quite the traveler!

Another activity that will entertain for hours: jumping!

Best buddies.

Urban is trying to help Scotty master Pac Man.

Playing their own version of pool.

Mel and I were able to attend a session at the Denver temple.

Nate took the boys to a train museum while we were at the temple. They had lots of fun exploring all the different trains.

They worked together to build this cool city.

We had fun playing cards and the boys were a great shuffling table!

We went to a kite festival. It was cool to see all kinds of different kites. The boys got to make little airplanes and Scotty made his own paper kite.

Mel modeled some awesome sunglasses!

He was sad when it was time to go home and is already asking when we'll be going back!

PB&J

This little guy loves a good PB&J!

Feeling better

Last week was spring break so Scotty didn't have preschool, but other than that it certainly wasn't a break week! All 3 boys were sick. Grant and Collin got sick the Friday before and then Scotty came down with a cough on Monday. On Tuesday it was Grant's 5th day of fever and it was climbing so I took him in to the doctor. He had a lung infection and she sent us home with prescriptions for an antibiotic and Albuterol for breathing treatments. The next day his fever was gone and by Saturday his cough was gone too. He was a very grumpy, emotional boy during all of this. He would scream, cry, get mad, hit and push the others all day long. Everything is getting back to normal. Collin still has a little cough and runny nose and who knows how long that will last.

Grant started out being pretty good during the treatments, but the last few times he did not want to sit still anymore.

We had a good Easter. My parents had an Easter party and egg hunt on Saturday. We had to do it inside since there was snow on the ground outside. The boys had a great time finding all the eggs and seeing the treats inside. Every time Grant would find an egg he'd hold it up and say "ball!" The boys liked their Easter baskets and appropriately fought over and shared the new toys! We had Grandpa Steve and Grandma Geri over for Sunday dinner and that was fun.

The loot.

Collin was sitting right there playing with them but he moved at the last second. We got this recycling truck for Scotty, but Grant ended up playing with it all day.

Scotty is showing Collin that he got a Kit Kat in his basket. They all love Kit Kats.

Collin loved these egg suckers and wanted to share!

Scotty's favorite thing was this little bunny on a bicycle (or motorcycle if you ask Scotty!) that peddles as you drive it. He drove that thing all day long.

My boys are so reverent- they sat still and watched conference quietly:

Ha ha!!! This did last a good 10 minutes though. They loved the choir music and sat there listening to the opening songs. The Spirit was really strong during the songs and we talked about how we felt happy and good inside when we heard the music. I'm grateful for moments when I can help my boys understand the Spirit and recognize it. I printed out a General Conference packet for them and they colored them for about 10 or 15 minutes and then it was off to play- loudly, of course! Thank goodness for the Conference Ensign! It was nice to be able to hear our Prophet and the Apostles speak to us on Easter Sunday. I'm so thankful for the Savior and the wonderful gifts of the atonement and the resurrection that He gave us.

He's a stinker!

Collin is a very determined baby. If he wants something he is going to do everything he can to get it. He happened to check in the garbage can right after we had thrown out the remainder of Scotty's birthday cake. Miles came into the kitchen to find him standing there feasting on cake out of the garbage! Then the next day I came into the kitchen and found him standing at the can eating an Oreo cookie. He goes to the garbage can and tries to get in it all day long. We tell him no and move him away and most of the time he immediately turns and starts crawling right back to it. He'll cry when we move him or when we stop him from going back. He also likes the recycling bin. I've found him with empty soda cans, soup cans, fruit cans and he has thrown out a lot of papers. One day he was playing in the pantry and being really quiet. When I checked on him he had reached a package of licorice, pulled it down and was sitting there happily eating a piece. He was pretty mad at me when I finally took the little bit that was left away from him. He is a stubborn one, but he is learning to give us his adorable smile to get out of trouble!