There are good and bad times...

We've done some fun stuff these past few weeks!

The boys always love wet, rainy hugs. :)

Rain puddle fun is the best!

The boys played with their friends while their parents packed to move. :(

Frozen pops are a main staple around here during the summer.

My friend Michelle (left) and I sending off our dear friend, Jennifer. :( Sad day. Her mom's on the right, isn't she so cute? :) May 2011.

May 25, 2011. Christian's after school year picnic at the park. Alan playing with Miles. Such a good Daddy.

Christian got thirsty after playing hard with his preschool friends.

Miles. Ain't he cute? ;) On the swing. May 25, 2011.

May 30, Memorial Day, 2011. Gifford Pinchot Park with our friends the Stucki's.

We weren't supposed to be swimming there and we eventually got kicked out.

I love the Stucki's, and am glad we could have such a fun time together! We love friends, but don't get together enough. :)

Some friends lost, some friends remain. I figure sad times and great times are there to balance each other out. Isn't that what life's all about?

My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal is a free app I found on my iPod...and I'm in love with it! You can also use it online at this link. You put in the active level of your lifestyle, your weight and your goal weight. Then you put in what you eat every day and any exercise you do. It tells you how many calories you can eat each day according to your goal weight, and according to how much exercise you've done each day. I've lost 4 pounds in almost 2 weeks doing it! I never go hungry and I'm under the calorie goal every day...I just cut out the unnecessary treats I used to eat because I was bored. I love that it makes me think about what I'm eating so I don't go overboard! And knowing I'll see all the numbers in front of me helps keep me in check. ;) It's the good old fashioned calories-in-to-calories-out math. So awesome!

Happy Mother's Day to me...

So my Mother's Day started like this: with 3 1/2 hours of sleep, my husband kissed me on the cheek and said something to the effect of, "The house is a mess and the kids are being rambunctious, but there's a flower for you on the table." HA! All of it was true, including the beautiful orchid he'd bought me...which was very thoughtful. My mom had bought me the same one (from Costco) after I had Miles...and a couple weeks later, Christian broke the vase. I was so mad he'd broken my mommy's gift I cried. So it made my heart happy that he bought me a new one, especially since I'd already spent around $40 for my own Mother's Day gifts (including the blue GAP cardigan you see in the mirror, hehehe...). :) And Christian had painted me a picture and made me a card at preschool. SO precious.

The best part of the day, however was at church when the primary kids came in to sing to us in Relief Society. Christian saw me, shouted, "Hi, Mommy!" and smiled so big. Then he signed "I love you" and sang so loudly, making sure I was watching him the whole time. I teared up even. ;) He never sings in primary, to the extent that I've been slightly worried. But he knew the words pretty well and sang them so loudly, for both songs. Then, after they were all done, Christian sang again, "Mother dear I love you so, your happy smiling face. It's such a joy to look at....". He'd forgotten the last line but it was my own little solo. ;) He's the sweetest boy and I love him oh so much. :) It was a fabulous Mother's Day!

Ode to Locals...

On my latest trip to Hawai'i (in Aug 2007), I searched for a pair of Local flip flops (called "slippers" there). I'd bought a pair during my second trip, but had lost them (I'm pretty sure my sister claimed them as hers). ;) So I was excited to find a pair LARGE enough for my GINORMOUS feet. I use them all the time; in the shower at the gym, around the house, and outside. They are this wonderful neutral color that go with everything and have held up so well!!! The bottoms are a durable rubbery material, they're light and comfortable to wear, and last forever! Apparently you can have them shipped to you for $15 (TOTAL) from Hawai'i at this website, well worth it. (though that website either doesn't have a lot of sizes, or their find your size drop button is broken. :D I love them!

UPDATE: Here's a MUCH better website! Have a look-see. ;)

Brothers...

I just love how these boys are tegother. I mean...they fight like any other set of brothers, but they're so affectionate!

They're also very in tune with one another. :)

And they love to play with one another. Though they may push and kick and bite one another, they also love one another fiercely. I love it! And I love them. :)

Of sinus infections and death

I've had a few sinus infections in my life, but, like childbirth, you forget just how miserable it is.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to die.

They're nasty-flat-on-your-back-wish-you-would-die-ness. Seriously. I've been exhausted, achy, feverish, stuffed up I can barely breath, SORE and swollen lymph nodes, sore and swollen tonsils, dry, scratchy throat, headache, and oddly the muscles through the back of my neck are super tight and sore. And snot is everywhere, of course (you're welcome).

I just lay on the couch, wanting to die. BLAH!

Alan said he thought he'd come home one day and I'd be laying on the couch, dead. :D HA! So sweet. But that's how I look. Like death.

I feel a bit better today, though not 100%, and now Miles is acting like he's coming down with it. Great. I guess I'd best go cuddle the little man. :)

Kid History videos

I have fallen in love with these videos! :D HA! They're so funny and original. ;) Five dad's have gotten together, recreating stories their kids tell. :D Take a look!
Here is Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4.

Tooth Fairy

Christian decided to celebrate his fourth month of being 4 by losing a tooth...well, two actually, but one is lost forever amongst the dust bunnies under my brother's couch. :) He lost them while he and Miles were up in Canada visiting my bro and his family. :D My sister-in-law forgot to send his tooth with him back in January, so she brought it here today. (They're visiting for Spring Break, yeah!)
Tonight is the big night. I sat down with Christian, had him put his tooth in the pocket of the "tooth fairy" pillow my mom gave him, and explained that the tooth fairy would come take his tooth in exchange for money.
"When you wake up in the morning," I explained, "you might have a dollar in this bigger pouch here on the pillow."
His eyes got really big. "Or maybe a NICKLE," he whispered, his face alive with excitement. I told him the tooth fairy only visits sleeping children. He laid down and closed his eyes, telling me he was excited to go to sleep (he wasn't 5 minutes before). It was so precious. :D I wish he would never lose that childlike innocence.
I was worried he'd ask more about the tooth fairy, like what one would look like...I mean, I don't know, but I kind of picture the tooth fairy looking like this:

3/13 Update: Here's Christian showing us his spoils. He was, as he said, "so happy". :D Such a cutie.

The tooth fairy must've known he loved dinosaurs & didn't have any of his own. :D

A WHOLE quarter!

Feeling to make sure that the tooth fairy had indeed taken his tooth. :D He was amazed. ;)~

Special "yoga" poses I made up...

On-the-computer-duh pose.

I-stick-my-tongue-at-you-sucka pose.

Growl pose.

BlueSteel pose

Soooo-happy-when-I'm-writing pose.

Grrr-tiger...or I'm-going-to-kill-you pose. You interpret.

I'm-so-surprised-to-find-I'm-taking-pictures-of-myself pose.

Did-I-step-on-your-toe-again? pose.

That's-very-interesting pose.

Now your turn. ;)

Kids say the darndest things...

Christian (my 4 year old) is starting to say the funniest things. :D I thought I'd share a couple from yesterday and today...

Yesterday we were driving home from a fun time at Hershey Chocolate World and Miles (2 yrs old) saw a hawk soaring through the air. "You see a bird?" I acknowledged, just to let him know I was listening. "That's cool."
"Did you run it over with the car?" Christian asked, "Because that would be funny."
"No," I said slowly. "Do you know what would happen to the bird if I hit it with the car?"
"Yes," he said demonically. "It would die. And that would be funny."
Though I was growing slightly concerned, wondering where he got the idea of killing animals with the car, I also had to turn my head to hide my smile. He's the most sensitive kid; he'd probably cry for days if we killed an animal.
I thought I'd illustrate the seriousness of the situation by sharing a story. "One time Daddy and I were driving and a bunny rabbit ran under our car and we ran it over. We were very sad because he hurt it."
"I wouldn't be sad," he said. "I would say, 'That was funny. Ha-ha-ha!'"" throwing his head back and fake laughing. Like the crazy Mr. Hyde. I had to turn my head again before proceeding to explain that Heavenly Father created all creatures and it's a sad thing when one dies needlessly. We kill them for food, but death is never funny. He would not be swayed.

This morning he apparently changed from Mr. Hyde back to the nicer Dr Jekyll because he woke me by curling up to me in my bed and giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Mommy, you're such a beautiful girl," he said sweetly.
I said, "Thank you, Christian. That was very nice. You're pretty handsome yourself."
He thought for a moment then said, "I'm beautiful too. Want to know why? 'Cause I'm almost a beautiful girl just like you."
"You mean you'll be a beautiful girl when you grow up?"
"Yes," he said with a smile, tickling my neck with his little fingers.
I told him that he would be a handsome man, just like Daddy. He wouldn't believe me and changed the subject by starting an argument, insisting he loves me more than I love him.. :D It was so dang cute. I wish he could wake me up that way EVERY morning! :D