We took the kids for a hike this morning up Stone Mountain. It is the only point of elevation around, and it’s a fun hike for them. It wasn’t too hot and humid this morning, so we thought it would be fun. The kids did great. There are frequent stops, but they are little troopers. This time I had Nate along and that was helpful when it came to toting a toddler up the steep parts, and he’s just great company too. :)
Afterwards we took them to splash and play at the Quarry again. This was such a hit last time when Zac and Kate were here that they’ve been begging. This time we wore the appropriate footwear, so they could splash and play in the creek too. We had a little picnic lunch by the creek too.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Kid Updates
Summer is in full swing and we are busy and having fun. Owen loves going to the pool these days and his favorite thing to do is “dive for stuff” he says. I missed the chance to get him on the swim team and I’m both bummed and relieved about that. He’s a good swimmer and I’d like him to learn the strokes, but then it’s a more relaxed summer schedule for all of us too. Next year. He is a great hiker and we have been having fun going to stone Mountain. I am excited to take the kids to Utah this summer and try out a few hikes there too. Anything that involves water is going to be a big hit!
Owen is a good reader and we are practicing that most days at home too. We took him to Brockett Elementary yesterday to get him registered for 1st Grade. “I can’t believe I’m going to be in 1st GRADE!!!” Me either little man.
The last few weeks he’s been taking pictures with the camera whenever we pull it out and above is one of his latest. I just find them so darn cute... He has been very self motivated lately and on his own decided to clean all of the mirrors in the house yesterday.
A recent Owen story that I love to share and want to remember:
He wants to be a scientist or a Ninja Wizard when he grows up. I asked him one day if he wanted to take Karate lessons, to which he replied, “I already know Karate.”
Me: really?
Owen: Yes. I have a little school in my brain that teaches me stuff. I taught myself Karate. I don’t DO Karate very often, but I KNOW it.
Me: Awesome! I’ll save my money I guess.
Love this boy!
My girl is a lot of fun and is always making us laugh. She loves swimming at the pool too and I am surprised by how motivated she is to swim by herself. If she sets her mind to something she works at it really hard, but it does need to be her idea. She practices swimming further underwater when we are at the pool and it is a riot to see her do a “can opener” as she calls it. (Jumping in the pool holding one leg...instead of both...which would be a cannon ball). She and the boys can swim all day. We like going later in the afternoon so the sun isn’t soooooo hot. Just hot. It is Atlanta after all.
Olivia is confident and adventurous, but in her own way and time. When she decides to do something she is tough. She loves to make us laugh with jokes and tricks, following in the foot steps of her older brother. She looks up to Owen and relies on him a lot to explain things to her. She has a great imagination. She still loves to play with her pet shops and dolls and loves to dress up like a princess. Right now she is in a toting phase and will schlepp every doll/stuffed animal from room to room with her as she goes. She will cram every pet shop into a basket and tote them around, giving them baths in the bathroom sink. I am amazed at all she can carry at once too. Though she gets that from me. I would rather carry 20 grocery bags, staggering my way into the kitchen then have to make TWO trips. She apparently feels the same way about all her beloved toys.
She loves playing (or starting to play) board/card games, but we lose her about half way through. We do learning time while Jonah is napping: reading books, games, work books, etc. and she likes doing that. She’s a great little hiker too. I like doing challenging things with the kids and seeing what they can do. She’s slower than Owen so he stops to rest and by the time she catches up he’s off and running again, but she still keeps on going. I’m amazed by her. She is a strong girl who adds a softness and sensitivity to our family as well.
Love this girl!
Yesterday Jonah broke my heart. I call him baby Jonah, or just baby and yesterday he told me: “No baby. Jonah.” Sigh.
Jonah is growing up. He is by far our sassiest kid. I have had to sprinkle water in his face to stop him from screaming (joyful...but screaming just the same), and boy does that ever tick him off. He loves his mom and does not like to be more than about 5 feet from me. I’ve tried taking Olivia to the bathroom at the pool and leaving him with my friend (who he knows very well), but he always ends up screaming and running his way to the bathroom with us. The same thing happened at church last Sunday. I don’t know why but that’s the status lately. Him and me. He is cute and snuggly still, which I love. He wants to be cuddled after a nap and when he gets a scrape on his knee, unlike the other too. I love that.
Jonah loves the pool too and is getting around pretty well with a float. He hikes about 50% of the time when we go. He wants to keep up with his brother and sister in every way, so nap time is just a huge disappointment for him these days.
He loves trains and cars still and talks and talks. He loves reading books and eating yogurt and putting his shoes on (that means we are GOING somewhere...and it’s sure to be great!) and dogs and treats and hanging out with his family. I will cherish that as long as I can.
Love this baby! (I will hang on to THAT as long as I can too.) :)
Owen is a good reader and we are practicing that most days at home too. We took him to Brockett Elementary yesterday to get him registered for 1st Grade. “I can’t believe I’m going to be in 1st GRADE!!!” Me either little man.
The last few weeks he’s been taking pictures with the camera whenever we pull it out and above is one of his latest. I just find them so darn cute... He has been very self motivated lately and on his own decided to clean all of the mirrors in the house yesterday.
A recent Owen story that I love to share and want to remember:
He wants to be a scientist or a Ninja Wizard when he grows up. I asked him one day if he wanted to take Karate lessons, to which he replied, “I already know Karate.”
Me: really?
Owen: Yes. I have a little school in my brain that teaches me stuff. I taught myself Karate. I don’t DO Karate very often, but I KNOW it.
Me: Awesome! I’ll save my money I guess.
Love this boy!
My girl is a lot of fun and is always making us laugh. She loves swimming at the pool too and I am surprised by how motivated she is to swim by herself. If she sets her mind to something she works at it really hard, but it does need to be her idea. She practices swimming further underwater when we are at the pool and it is a riot to see her do a “can opener” as she calls it. (Jumping in the pool holding one leg...instead of both...which would be a cannon ball). She and the boys can swim all day. We like going later in the afternoon so the sun isn’t soooooo hot. Just hot. It is Atlanta after all.
Olivia is confident and adventurous, but in her own way and time. When she decides to do something she is tough. She loves to make us laugh with jokes and tricks, following in the foot steps of her older brother. She looks up to Owen and relies on him a lot to explain things to her. She has a great imagination. She still loves to play with her pet shops and dolls and loves to dress up like a princess. Right now she is in a toting phase and will schlepp every doll/stuffed animal from room to room with her as she goes. She will cram every pet shop into a basket and tote them around, giving them baths in the bathroom sink. I am amazed at all she can carry at once too. Though she gets that from me. I would rather carry 20 grocery bags, staggering my way into the kitchen then have to make TWO trips. She apparently feels the same way about all her beloved toys.
She loves playing (or starting to play) board/card games, but we lose her about half way through. We do learning time while Jonah is napping: reading books, games, work books, etc. and she likes doing that. She’s a great little hiker too. I like doing challenging things with the kids and seeing what they can do. She’s slower than Owen so he stops to rest and by the time she catches up he’s off and running again, but she still keeps on going. I’m amazed by her. She is a strong girl who adds a softness and sensitivity to our family as well.
Love this girl!
Yesterday Jonah broke my heart. I call him baby Jonah, or just baby and yesterday he told me: “No baby. Jonah.” Sigh.
Jonah is growing up. He is by far our sassiest kid. I have had to sprinkle water in his face to stop him from screaming (joyful...but screaming just the same), and boy does that ever tick him off. He loves his mom and does not like to be more than about 5 feet from me. I’ve tried taking Olivia to the bathroom at the pool and leaving him with my friend (who he knows very well), but he always ends up screaming and running his way to the bathroom with us. The same thing happened at church last Sunday. I don’t know why but that’s the status lately. Him and me. He is cute and snuggly still, which I love. He wants to be cuddled after a nap and when he gets a scrape on his knee, unlike the other too. I love that.
Jonah loves the pool too and is getting around pretty well with a float. He hikes about 50% of the time when we go. He wants to keep up with his brother and sister in every way, so nap time is just a huge disappointment for him these days.
He loves trains and cars still and talks and talks. He loves reading books and eating yogurt and putting his shoes on (that means we are GOING somewhere...and it’s sure to be great!) and dogs and treats and hanging out with his family. I will cherish that as long as I can.
Love this baby! (I will hang on to THAT as long as I can too.) :)
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Lake Oconee
Our friend, Sharyl, invited us up to her family lake house this past weekend and we had a great time. Growing up I swam in a lake not too far from my house, so this was nostalgic as well as fun. Sharyl brought their dog, Juno, and my kids wore that dog out throwing tennis balls into the lake and watching her fetch them back to us. We had never been to Lake Oconee before and it was really beautiful. Great time had by all! :)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Father's Day
We had a full and fun Father’s Day this year! It was a busy morning, with Stake Conference, but once we were home, we pampered our dad. We made him mini-german pancakes for brunch after church. They were fun and delicious! The kids gave him a book they made found here, and we gave him his favorite treat: PB cups from trader joe’s. Then he took a much deserved nap before we headed up to party with the Puzey’s. It was Carter’s birthday party as well as father’s day. :)
I am so grateful for Nate and what a wonderful dad he is! He is so patient and loving with the kids and me and I feel lucky to be married to him. I knew not long after we started dating that this guy would be a great dad.
And I’m grateful for our dads too. Nate and I have both been blessed with dads who are wonderful examples for us.
image via lds.org
I am so grateful for Nate and what a wonderful dad he is! He is so patient and loving with the kids and me and I feel lucky to be married to him. I knew not long after we started dating that this guy would be a great dad.
And I’m grateful for our dads too. Nate and I have both been blessed with dads who are wonderful examples for us.
image via lds.org
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Puzeypalooza
This week we have had Zac and Kate at our house for a few days while Cheryl is at Girl’s Camp. My kids have been in heaven! They LOVE it when friends come over and when COUSINS come over and they SLEEP OVER?!?! That is something special. :) We have been running around doing all sorts of fun things.
Tuesday we went swimming in the pool, then took the kids to dinner at Maddio’s. Wednesday we hiked Stone Mountain and they all did great! It’s 3 miles round trip. Owen was very tired (as you can see in the picture where they are lined up by height). Partying until 10pm takes it’s toll. They all hiked by themselves, except for Jonah, but he only needed to be carried occasionally. I was really impressed by how well they did. I took all 5 kids by myself, so I was a little worried, but it was fun. Then we went to the Quarry for a picnic and to splash in the creek. We came home and then went to the pool for a few hours. Thursday we spent 4 hours at the zoo, this is the only time I managed to bring a camera. We had a blast. We stopped by on our way home to visit a Kris and her cute girls since they are in town. I forgot everyone’s swimsuits so I just let them hop in the pool and play anyway. Am I a cool mom or what? Tomorrow we will head up to drop them off again, but we had a great time having Zac and Kate over to play this summer!
Tuesday we went swimming in the pool, then took the kids to dinner at Maddio’s. Wednesday we hiked Stone Mountain and they all did great! It’s 3 miles round trip. Owen was very tired (as you can see in the picture where they are lined up by height). Partying until 10pm takes it’s toll. They all hiked by themselves, except for Jonah, but he only needed to be carried occasionally. I was really impressed by how well they did. I took all 5 kids by myself, so I was a little worried, but it was fun. Then we went to the Quarry for a picnic and to splash in the creek. We came home and then went to the pool for a few hours. Thursday we spent 4 hours at the zoo, this is the only time I managed to bring a camera. We had a blast. We stopped by on our way home to visit a Kris and her cute girls since they are in town. I forgot everyone’s swimsuits so I just let them hop in the pool and play anyway. Am I a cool mom or what? Tomorrow we will head up to drop them off again, but we had a great time having Zac and Kate over to play this summer!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Cub Scout Day Camp
I don’t know who is letting this boy grow up so fast. It is certainly not me. :)
This week we spend a fun and tiring week attending Cub Scout Day Camp. I was there helping out, so Owen was able to attend as a wolf, even though he isn’t in cub scouts yet. Olivia and Jonah tagged along with me all day. I was impressed at how well the kids did. Apparently they CAN play outside for 8-10 hours a day. They had a lot of fun too. We did crafts, played on the playground, went for nature walks and blew bubbles. We were all worn out by the end of the day and It sure made bedtime easier.
I was a little worried that Owen would be a little apprehensive since he didn’t know many of the boys. But boy was I wrong! Every morning he ran off to his den. On the first day I checked in on him at lunch to see if he wanted to eat with us but he wanted to eat with his den...next thing I know I’ll be embarrassing him!!!
This week we spend a fun and tiring week attending Cub Scout Day Camp. I was there helping out, so Owen was able to attend as a wolf, even though he isn’t in cub scouts yet. Olivia and Jonah tagged along with me all day. I was impressed at how well the kids did. Apparently they CAN play outside for 8-10 hours a day. They had a lot of fun too. We did crafts, played on the playground, went for nature walks and blew bubbles. We were all worn out by the end of the day and It sure made bedtime easier.
I was a little worried that Owen would be a little apprehensive since he didn’t know many of the boys. But boy was I wrong! Every morning he ran off to his den. On the first day I checked in on him at lunch to see if he wanted to eat with us but he wanted to eat with his den...next thing I know I’ll be embarrassing him!!!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Happy 2nd Birthday Jonah
We celebrated Jonah’s 2nd birthday a little early this year, while my parents are in town. The kids and I made the cupcakes and decorated them with trains, which Jonah is particularly fond of right now. Owen and Olivia drew the trains and then Nate scanned them in and printed them out so we could use them to decorate the cupcakes. It was fun and turned out really cute. We had Grandma, Grandpa, the Puzeys, the Hinckleys and Miss Beth over to sing Happy Birthday and eat some cupcakes and ice cream. Jonah LOVED it, of course. I can’t believe my baby is already 2. He is such a fun and happy kid. He is smart, courageous, confident, funny and oh so cute, but I am biased. :)
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