My Boys

These two boys are truly a joy to my life.  We have so much fun together during the day while Kallie is at school (not that we don't love her, we do) but I think this time with the boys is special.  Cole is so imaginative and fun these days.  He is smart as a whip and very creative.  He really likes to watch T.V. so I have to monitor closely or he sneaks off to the tube.  When he plays though, he really plays.  He created a sled to ride down the stairs recently and his newest invention was a punching bag.  His very favorite thing to play with is string or ropes.  In fact we were at KMart the other day and they had a big spool of nylon string and he wanted it so bad, I told him no but he is now asking for it for his birthday.  Cole sets booby traps all over the house too, string mazes and different traps.  The other day I heard a loud thud and then Hagen screaming.  I ran in the living room and Cole had this huge grin on his face. "My booby trap really worked mom!" Indeed it had, he had cut a hole in the top of a box and then set the cut out piece back in so it looked like it was still attached. Hagen had climbed right up onto the box and fell right through.  Cole felt bad that Hagen was hurt but was so excited that he trap actually worked! 

Goals Improve Grades

 First off I forgot to post about our little darling losing her front tooth! That is a huge deal to a first grader by the way! She really wanted to loose it before Christmas so that she could tell Santa all she wanted for Christmas was her "two front teef". Her wish came true and I maybe shed a silent tear. I have always felt that as soon as kids loose their front teeth they no longer look little. I want Kallie to stay little for just a bit longer:( Kallie's baby teeth are super tiny and really spaced out so when she lost her front tooth it left a huge hole, I am sure her "chicklets" coming in will fill it right up though.

At the first of January Weston went into super charge mode and decided to take charge of his life and ours.  He sat us all down and made us write out yearly, monthly and weekly goals.  He has held us accountable and brings us together for a family council once a week to take note of how we did on our goals for the week. He is super organized and has it all written out.  I secretly mocked a little inside at first thinking "this will last for a week tops". It was truly inspiration on his part as head of our household, I now have to admit.  We have to report to each other so we put more effort into completing our goals. Kallie is the one that I have really seen a big difference in.  At school they take comprehension tests on the books they read, she reads really well but wasn't doing too hot on these test. Her week 1 goal was to get 100% on every test. She was 4/5 for that week, but 31/2 weeks later she is 17/18. I am sure slowing down and taking her time on the tests is key. I have loved the boost of confidence she has gotten from this.

The kids goals have also eased homework and bedtime routines by making goals to not whine and do things the first time they are asked. (they make up their own goals by the way) which brings me to the funny parts. Cole is smart, a little too smart and he doesn't really want to leave his comfort zone.  His goals are hilarious, he makes goals to do the chores he is already assigned. For example he has to feed the dog and the goats every day. He made this his week one goal, and was proud to report that he did his "goal" every day! Nice, he also made the goal to take his scriptures to church every week. Instead of actually carrying them himself he put them in Kallie's case and lets her take his scriptures to church. Seriously that kid??

Goal setting has improved my life as well.  I feel like I am accomplishing more and am being a better person. However my goal a week or so ago was to get all the ironing done.  I had just put the baby down for his nap and Cole was playing in the living room. I sat down on the couch to take a break for a minute and Cole looked up at me and said, "Why are you sitting here? have you done your goal yet? Don't be lazy Mom"! If he wasn't so cute (and right) I would've slapped his hind end.  All in all I would say super charged dad was inspired, we are a much more organized and peaceful family at the moment. I sure hope we can keep the momentum!

January Overview

 Hagen got properly introduced to The Candy Man (aka Uncle Brett) He has been stuffing my kids pockets with candy for nearly 7 years now and they all love him because of it.  It is kind of a joke, and he is mostly trying to irritate me but win the kids as friends too.  One time he handed Cole a giant size Symphony Bar as we were getting in the car to go to a dance recital. It was hot outside and I didn't know Cole had the candy until we got to the recital and he was wearing it.  I was livid and Brett still laughs about it.  Anyway, the other night Hagen was being a bit grumpy and Brett handed him a whole ding dong.  Hagen was in heaven and ate every last crumb of the thing!

 Cole and Creed got to play a few times this month and that was a treat for Cole.  They are frienemies those two are, but they are sure funny.  They decided that they are going to be sheriffs when they grow up. 

 The kids played outside in the sand pit and rode their bikes most of the month as we have had literally NO snow.  (I haven't minded too much but Cole wants to go sledding, I told him I would pull him on the grass behind the four wheeler.) This picture is dated January 3rd, but we really haven't had snow until this week and we now have an inch or so.

 Weston turned 31, we went to dinner and had some cake with his mom and dad. It was rather uneventful until the weekend when him and I left ALL the kids and went to I.F. for dinner and some entertainment at PetCo. Now if you are really bored and don't want to spend money to go to a show or whatever people do for entertainment, just visit the pet store.  I don't know how we ended up there but it was pretty fun!

 The kids surprised me by having 5 cavities between the two of them!! Lucky Me!! They were great though and have since promised to brush better.  Cole was hilarious on the gas. He was waving his arms all around weird and talking really funny.  Then on the way home he said, "Well it really isn't our fault we have so many cavities, all Grandma has to eat at her house is pop and candy." Perfect Grandma can pay the dentist bill!! (She was a little offended though and says she is not buying junk food anymore:( ) I hope she is lying!

 

Hagen is really something special these days! He is one busy boy and it truly makes my heart happy, but gosh it is a lot of work to clean up after him all day.  He is the master of disaster.  He says "mama" and "dada" and waves and claps his hands.  The kids are trying to teach him some sign language but his is a little stubborn. He shakes his head "NO" if he doesn't want to do something.  He is super fast, he can escape and crawl to the top of the stairs in about 3 seconds. He unwinds all the toilet paper in the whole house and plays in the toilet.  He is a mess for sure but we love him lots and enjoy every second we are with his slobbery face and disaterous messes!

Debbie Downer Meets Christmas Spirit

 For any of you who know me well or have been following for at least a year, know of my open dislike for Christmas.  I have spent the last 7-8 years whining about how annoying Christmas is.  We all spend too much money, stress ourselves out, and gain weight.  Don't get me wrong I love the Christmas spirit, just not all the worldly Christmas hullabaloo. This year as the season approached I listened to my children express excitement to one another about the upcoming events, I knew I only had a few short years with them and I had to change.  It was probably mid November when I decided to quit being the Grinch and allow my heart to grow.  I quickly got to thinking of how I could help myself enjoy the things about the season that I couldn't change.  I decided that the more organized I was, the less stressed I would be.  I had my Christmas cards printed and in hand a few days before Thanksgiving, (check that stressor off my list) Truthfully Christmas cards is my very most favorite part of the season.

Next I made a list of all the gifts I needed to buy or make and really tried to stick to it.  I made our neighbor gifts and delivered them nearly the first week of December. I did almost all my shopping online, and scaled back from years past.  I had teachers gifts and other small things completed ahead of time.  I put the tree upstairs so that the kids could enjoy it and I wouldn't get so annoyed by the "mess" of it.  I even let the kids decorate it completely by themselves and left it the way they did it. I only put up about half of my decor so that I wouldn't be so overwhelmed putting it up and taking it down later. I played Christmas music throughout the house incessantly for weeks, and spent my few minutes before I crashed at night studying the birth of our Savior in the bible.  For family home evenings we watched the church videos of the first Christmas and I even read a few Christmas stories to the kids before bed.  I really put forth every effort to enjoy the season, and for the most part I did. There were a few stressful days with sick kids and self inflicted worry about whether or not the kids were getting "enough" for Christmas. 

When Christmas Eve arrived Weston and the kids helped me clean the house and Wes even went to the grocery store for me (a story in and of itself:)) Christmas Eve was delightful and Christmas Day was perfect.  Kallie came downstairs around 4 am and was upset because Cole wouldn't wake up.  I tried to get her to cuddle me and go back to sleep. No doing, she finally watched T.V. until about 6 when I heard her crying.  We got up and it took all of us to wake up Cole! Both kids were full of excitement and that doubled when Hagen woke up.  The kids were way more excited about what they gave then what they got.  I was so proud of them.  My mom and dad came for about an hour that morning and we were thrilled to have them.  Church was awesome, the spirit there was so strong and I felt so content.  We had Christmas breakfast at G&G Crapo's house and then went to my mom and dad's to skype with Elder Angell in South Carolina.  What a great gift to get to see his face and know that he is okay. I miss him like crazy and can't wait for him to return!

Around five we headed to Island Park to stay with Braxton at the condo.  The very best part of Christmas for me was this; Kallie got a journal and in it she wrote, "I love Christmas, do you want to know why? Because it is Jesus's birthday!"  All the pre-Christmas preparation helped me to enjoy the holidays, but the private thoughts of a six year old taught Debbie Downer the true meaning of Christmas!

Pre Christmas Festivities

 We started our crazy week of Christmas off with the Angell family party on Monday.  This is always a lot of fun for me to see my cousins that I really only see once or twice a year.  Every family is expected to perform some sort of talent for the program.  I am overjoyed that our kids are now old enough to take our place in this area.  Kallie played a song on the piano and did a fantastic job.  We ended the evening in style when we checked out early because Cole got sick:(

 Wednesday was the school program which was awesome.  The kids all did so good and have been practicing for a long time.  This is most of Kallie's 1st grade class, they are a great group of kids and I am happy that she has so many great friends.

 Thursday night was our ward party, I was surprised to see Cole in the program as King Benjamin.  He did a great job looking stoic, and they all sang their little hearts out!

 

Christmas Eve was hosted by the Jensen's, it was fabulous as always. They are the best hostess's ever. We were surprised when right before the prayer over dinner was about to be said, some extremely loud hip hop music started blaring over the surround sound and all the grandkids came strolling out from all different rooms doing a mob dance.  They were pretty good too and had it choreographed really cute.  It was pretty impressive.  After dinner each family was required to perform some sort of musical performance. Weston rocked an awesome solo accompanied by none other than Kallie Jo and Cole accented with the symbols! After the movie of the first Christmas and a family sing a long of Silent Night; Grandma busted out the gifts.  Each kid opened their pajamas and quickly put them on.  (Some a little more modestly than others) We snapped a few pix and did a little cleaning up and then headed home to bed so the big guy could come. 

Wild Animals

 We no longer have an infant and we don't quite have a toddler at our house, we are in the wild animal stage.  You know what I mean right? Hagen is just mobile enough to crawl around and destroy and chew on everything but not walking or talking yet.  Sometimes it feels like I literally opened the door and let a wild animal in.  Hagen thinks he is super cool now that he can crawl and pull himself up to things.  We had to turn his crib around backwards to keep him from falling out until we have time to lower it.  He is also adding his own teeth marks to the sides of the crib to match what the two older kids left.  I can't bring myself to paint over them, I think it is a little cute! How is it that time goes so fast? He was just barely a newborn I swear it. 

As much as I hate to see him grow and become mobile I have to admit that I am pretty happy to see him developmentally right on track.  We were told to expect delays and I have yet to see them!!

Weekend Getaway

 We have been planning a little trip to SLC since August when I purposely scheduled Hagen's eye appointment for December.  (Weston really doesn't enjoy traveling to the "big city" much but I was dying for my kids to experience Temple Square at Christmastime) Thanks to Hagen's eye condition we will get to go see the lights every December and to Hogle Zoo every June for at least five more years!!

 

We cruised down Friday morning and met up with some friends for lunch and then we were off to Temple Square.  It was gorgeous as always, and the giant nativity really caught the kids attention.  They have really scaled back on the lights, there just doesn't seem to be as many as there used to be but they are still breathtaking. It was pretty much freezing cold so we didn't spend too much time there.  Back at the hotel I was mom of the year and swam with my kiddos! Hagen loved it and Kallie and Cole were regular little fishies!

 Saturday we went to the Children's Discovery Museum at the Gateway.  I strongly suggest going, it was really a lot of fun.  We spent a few hours there and it wasn't enough.  My kids could've spent all day! Everything was from a "Kids Eye View" and it really was a lot of fun.  Even Brand and Weston seemed to enjoy themselves!

 This part was our favorite. I really want to build a replica of this construction zone in my toy room!

**As for Hagen's eye appointment, it actually got cancelled.  The receptionist that called said the doctor had a medical emergency and would be out until the end of January.  I really hope everything is okay. I was a little disappointed not to have Hagen's eyes looked at. I am really curious what they are going to tell us.  He is doing really well and I think he seems to see actually quite good.  Truth is though a post-Christmas shopping trip the end of January might be pretty fun!:)