My children will never....

When Ethan and Olivia was little I had a laundry list of "I will never let my children...."and one of them was "I will never let the children wear exercise clothes to school." Well, this little lady wore me down today and I gave in. While my stance is still the same I am going to blame this exception on sheer exhaustion! Ha

Never Say Never!

Baby Snuggles

We LOVE this baby. We can hardly keep our hands off of her. We are so very in love and grateful to have her here and part of our family. 

I have been calling Kai and Elle twins because Elle looks exactly the same as Kai did when he was a baby. I am curious to see if she will change a bunch or continue to look like him. 

Listening

Lately I have been watching the children play and they always seem to be just out of ear reach. As I watch them I wonder what they are saying to each other. At the Lake of the Ozarks when they were on the tube just talking and talking I would have given anything to have heard their little conversations. When they are out playing on the trampoline and get tired so they just lay down and talk. Oh, how I wish hear what they said.

Well, today my wish came true. Olivia was in her piano lesson, I was nursing Elle, and the boys were playing football right in front of the truck. I was watching them play of course but then I noticed how much they were talking to one another. So I rolled down my window and listened in. They were running plays, and dreaming of furture days playing in the NFL. They told each other what positions they wanted to play, and Ethan expressed his disappointment in the fact that at the NFL level he wouldn't be able to play both sides of the ball. They talked about what teams they would love to play for, and what would happen when they would inevitably have to play each other.

My heart melted as my two sweet boys shared in a love for something. Dreamed of their futures together. All while laughing and playing together.

I am neck deep in mothering, and boy oh boy can it exhaust a person! I am so grateful for this moment to pause and enjoy this sweet relationship that I have been working hard to nourish. The children's bickering often makes me feel like we aren't making progress on strengthening the sweet relationship between the children, but moments like this give me hope.

Bundle Up

Since we spend our Saturday's outside watching ball games, so does Elle. It is getting chilly outside and I am so glad I found this suit to keep her warm and snuggled!

We got the 0-3 month size thinking it would be a perfect fit by now, however it is still HUGE on her. He little feet go to about where the knees are supposed to be! Maybe by the end of winter it will fit! HA

Happy Birthday, Kalia!

 This morning we headed to Fun Fore All to celebrate Kalia turning 4. Luke loves Kalia and they crack me up when they are together. Not to mention they are totally adorable! They had so much fun playing in the ball pit and riding all the rides together.

While we were there Kalia fell and scraped her knee up. Since they live out where there aren't sidewalks this was the first time she had ever skinned her knee. Poor Luke's knees are always skinned. She got a band aid and of course Luke insisted he needed one too! HA

After we said our goodbye's and headed to the car Luke asked me,
"Well, who am I going to play with now?"

He wasn't too excited about my answer, "ME!"

Happy Birthday, Kalia! We love you!

Bishop's Interview

Today after church Olivia had her interview with the Bishop for her upcoming baptism. We are so blessed to have such an amazing bishop, and I am so grateful that he was able to interview both Ethan and Olivia. We are all looking forward to Olivia's baptism. We love you Ollie!

A Few of my Favorite Things

It would seem most predictable that I would do a favorite things post dealing with all things baby being that Elle is only 6 weeks old, and I am consumed with things like nursing bras, diapers, baby clothes and accessories, blankets, and Mylicon. However, I am putting that side of my life on hold to focus on a few things I have fallen in love with recently!

1. Kenra Volume Spray 25

I have been trying different hairsprays every month for the past 5 years and have fallen in a love a time or 2, but this has stolen my heart my for good! I use it, my boys use it! It is the perfect balance of a great hold without making your hair brick hard!

2. bareMinerals Well Rested

In the interest of full discloser I have never own/tried another highlighter, so my love for this one could just be that I love highlighters in general. It is too soon to tell. But I love this! I use it on my nose, below my eyes/above where I put my blush, and on my forehead, and it is perfection!

3. Urban Decay Naked Palette

I first discovered this while searching youTube for eyeshadow application tutorials. Almost everyone I watched used this palette or another Urban Decay one, so I figured it must be awesome! Turns out I am a good guesser because it is! I love love love this! 

4. Shellac Manicure

This nail polish is like magic! Last year while I was shopping for our upcoming family photos I ran into a lady who had the neatest color on her nails. So while standing in line I asked her what color it was and then she told me all about Shellac. Her nails looked PERFECT but were almost 3 weeks old. Not a single chip! WHAT! Best invention EVER!

5. OPI

My favorite wear with anything color. So Many Clowns....So Little Time. Just a hunch but I think they might be running out of name ideas at the OPI factory! 

6. Make-Up Brushes

I bought these brushes with living social deal and absolutely LOVE them! I am still figuring out how to use all 24 brushes. It might take me a while since I don't have a ton of time to dedicate to experimenting (see the first paragraph of this post), but I am happy to figure it out slowly but surely! 

More awesome products at Kelly's Korner

Elle's 6 Weeks Old

Today our little lady turned 6 weeks old. Man o man is time flying by! 

To celebrate this milestone she got a nice warm bath, then got her freshly cleaned cupcake jammies on, and headed out to watch Ollie's softball practice.

We really know how to celebrate around here!

My Love Hate Relationship

I have a serious love hate relationship with library that has been going on for almost 10 years. Here is how it works:

I LOVE going to the library and picking out books!

I HATE getting the bill because it has been 6 months and I still haven't returned them!

The Library HATES when I come because they know it will be a seriously long time before they get their books back!

The Library LOVES getting my BIG FAT late fee check!

At least the love/hate goes both ways!

Well today I checked out more books (gasp) with the thought that I have to walk past the library 2 times a week now that Luke has started preschool. It couldn't be more convenient for me to take them back. There is no reason that I should get another late fee!

But only time will tell!

Growing

After Luke was off to school I went quickly to get Ollie from school for her yearly physical.  When we got there she had to put this awesome gown on. She wasn't so sure about it! HA The doctor talked to her about nutrition, exercise, and safety. She seemed a little board, but at least she was using her manors! Ha Olivia is 53.5" tall which the dr told her is as tall as an average 10 year old! 

 Then it was Elle's turn for her 1 month check up. Elle weighs 7lbs 8oz (5th percentile) and is 20.5" tall (15th percentile). Everything checked out great.

 After the appointments we had to get Luke from school, then get Ethan and Kai from school, and head straight to piano. Since all three children have afternoon lessons we are there for an hour and a half. The children just run and play around her yard when they aren't having lessons. That usually works pretty well, but when the weather gets cold I don't know what we will do!

For now though I will just snuggle this sweet baby, break up a few fights here and there, and read while we wait!

Then it's a race against the clock to get the boys to football and Ollie to softball, and second dinner starts at 8:30.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

It's off to Preschool Luke goes!

 The first day of preschool (and the day he could wear his new Perry the Platypus shirt) finally came! Luke was showered, dressed, and ready by 9am. Unfortunately for him, he is a PM preschooler! After so much waiting it was finally time for pictures.

I love the progression of his poses! He starts with a sweet smile, but that doesn't last long before he is in full on model mode!

The smile turns into the angry face

 which turns into he pouty lips

 then onto the pouty lips with a head tilt

 which goes to the head tilt wink with a grin

 and ends with this signature move.

Too bad he doesn't have a personality! Then we could really have some fun!

Sunday

Friday Happies

1. Friday is their favorite day because they get to wear their jerseys to school!

2. Olivia asked me to do her hair for the first time in over a year! I braided a little slower and enjoyed talking to her while pulling her hair up! Time, why do you take away my favorite things?

3. This perfect smiling baby, and that fact that she will soon need her hair done!

Meeting Luke's Teacher

Today we headed up to Luke's school to meet his teacher! He was so excited he could hardly wait. The original plan was to go to the morning meet the teacher, but life with a newborn changed that plan so instead we ended up 15 minutes late for the afternoon session of meet the teacher. I seriously hate being late!

Luke liked his classroom. Although, I don't think he was expecting so many grown ups! HA The whole classroom had been rearranged to fit chairs for all the parents coming to get information about the year! I think he will do great when there are less parents in there!

Now he just has to wait one more week until his first official day!

Labor Day

Last night was long. Elle got up every two hours to eat and I was exhausted. I am grateful that Brian and the children were home today so I could sleep in a little! An hour or so before it was time to go to the ward brunch Luke came in and the three of us just snuggled.

It was my perfect morning!

1 Month

Sunday