Janika, the mini mom

Josh is entering a difficult stage of the terrible twos! He is often having tantrums over who knows what and has been acting very demanding. He is sweet and funny one minute and screaming the next. Last week we were going to church and Josh was SCREAMING the whole way because we didn’t bring his blanket. I told Janika, “Maybe he will stop if something is in his mouth – will you give him some gum?” Then she retorted, “You are going to reward that kind of behavior??” My brother suggested that a sock might do the trick.

A few days later, Janika walked into my room after school and exclaimed, "Why are you in here folding laundry?" I thought she was going to continue with something like, "You are pregnant -- go lie down!" Instead, she chastised, "Jaiden is about to ride the big wheel down the stairs, Josh is standing up in the high chair and there is goop all over the kitchen counter and floors!" Hmmm...so your point is....?

Janika really is a life saver -- I don't know what I would do without her!

Potato Flake Sculptures

Genevieve and Layla Purdy came over for a little play-date with Jaiden and Janelle and all of the girls had fun making sculptures out of potato flakes. We had some in our food storage that was past its date and so I just stirred in some water and plopped some down in front of each kid. The girls made snow-men, volcanos, and all sorts of fun stuff. The only problem is that it does make quite a mess to clean up!

Cow-Girl Jaiden!

Today was Cow-Boy/Girl Day at pre-school in honor of the rodeo this weekend. Jaiden is totally in her element whenever any type of dress-up activity is going on!

Raingutter Regatta

Jase and Jared just had their first Raingutter Regatta. This was very non-competitive. All of the scouts made their boats during Den Meetings and prizes were given equally to everyone.

Blow Jase blow!

Ky Phillips and Jase hanging out.

Come on Jared, you can do it!

Karen made these little boats for dessert out of twinkies -- very cute!

The Dentist

Last week I took Janelle, Jaiden, and Jared to the dentist for their six-month check-up and cleaning. They actually love to go to the dentist. They get to see the cool fish in the giant aquarium, play in the play area, watch TV on the ceiling, get a brand new toothbrush and best of all they get to choose out a cool prize! We have usually had pretty good luck with our kids' teeth so far but today the news wasn't so great...Janelle had FOUR cavities (ouch!) and Jaiden had one. Luckily Jared didn't have any. The dentist also recommended sealant for all three kids.

So I brought Janelle back in a few days later to get part of the work done. I was worried that this might change her positive perception of the dentist. But she did great!! She came out with her cheek looking puffy and drool running down her chin and talking funny but she she seemed okay with the whole ordeal. She is even looking forward to her next visit in a few days so that she can get another prize. Amazing what a few trinkets twill do. Jaiden and Jared did great too -- in fact they are jealous that Janelle gets to go back in and they don't -- crazy kids! These pictures were taken by the dentist right there in his office. He just stuck one of those metal rods close to their mouth and clicked.

Tea Party

I was wondering if Jaiden would be sad when Janelle was off to kindergarten, but it hasn't been a problem at all. She and Josh have been playing so well together and Josh seems to love this one on one time with her. Today they were being so quiet that I went to check on them and they were having a "tea party" in their room! I thought it was so cute! They had set up these little trays with lids and other miscellaneous dishes and were having a great time!

Cub Scout Day Camp

Jared had his first Cub Scout Day Camp today and Jase had his Webelos Day Camp a couple of weeks ago. They both had a fun time. They started out with six identical cards and they had to trade cards with kids from the other groups until they had six different cards. They learned several things throughout the day including orienteering, archery, ultimate frisbee, flag football, doing an obstacle course, fire safety, knots, and crafts. Jase made a catapult, a solar oven and a terrarium and Jared made a recipe holder and a bug house.

With Rick's new calling I was finally released as our ward Cub-Master after serving for more that three years. I never thought I would say this, but I actually miss it (a little)! These boys are such great kids. It is fun to see them progress and learn and have fun!

No More Training Wheels!

Now that it is finally cooling off enough to actually play outside, Janelle wanted to learn how to ride her bike without training wheels. So Rick fixed her bike and took off the wheels and soon she was on her way!

Janelle was very surprised when she looked over to see her dad running right next to her (and no longer holding on)! She started shouting, “I’m doing it, I’m doing it!”

I still remember the moment when I learned to ride a bike. It was a sparkly blue bike called "spider." My dad was running behind me holding on to the back of my seat in our cul-de-sac when suddenly I turned around to see him standing quite far away. He had let go and I didn't even know it. Suddenly I felt that quick feeling of panic which then turned to realization and then to triumph!

That is probably how Janelle felt when she saw her dad running next to her no longer holding on to her bike. Way to go Janelle!

Our newest Kindergartener!

A couple of weeks ago Janelle started kindergarten. She was VERY READY! I love to hear her chatter on about all of the things she is learning at school. She shares every little detail of the day. Today after school she was practicing writing her name -- making sure the "J" was a capital letter and all of the other letters were small letters. She suddenly got this far away look in her eyes and I asked if she was okay. She said, "Yeah, I was just thinking." When I asked what about she said, "I was thinking that what if my teacher had a big contest at school for writing your name. Then I wrote my name perfectly with no bumps and I won the contest and got a BIG trophy!" I had to smile as I watched her little imagination work it's magic, allowing her to triumph in something so simple as writing her name! Maybe I can imagine winning a contest for cooking a meal that every single person in the family likes...

Janika as "Little Eponine"

Janike has been in Les Miserables at Tuacahn as part of the ensemble since July, and a couple of weeks ago she started playing the part of  "Little Eponine," taking over for the girl who was previously playing that part. Here she is in her wig and costume. She has become good friends with Ellie Smith (playing "Little Cosette") and Caroline Labrum (playing the understudy). They are also little beggar children. (They look all ready for "Annie" next year, don't they?) "Les Miserables" runs for another five weeks and so if you haven't gotten a chance to see it then put it on your calendar!














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Josh's Hot-Pad Hat!

Josh was emptying the contents of a kitchen drawer when he came across this hot-pad. He shouted, "It's a hat!" and proceeded to put it on his head. It fit perfectly! He found a green one and a yellow one. He now calls them his "rah rah" hats and has gone around wearing one everyday since. He looks so funny -- I wonder what the neighbors are thinking!

Sisters

Janelle and Jaiden usually get along so well together, but lately they have been fighting a little too much! After an argument today they had the following conversation:

Mom: "Jaiden, say you are sorry."
Jaiden: (in a sarcastic voice) "Sorry."
Janelle: "That was a mean 'sorry!'"
Jaiden: (more sarcasm) "Sorry."
Janelle: "Mean!"

Then Jaiden screwed up her face like she was about to cry and in a whimper said, "Sorry."
Finally satisfied, Janelle said, "Apology accepted."

Then Jaiden put this cocky smirk on her face and said, " I was just ACTING like I was sad!!"

She knows exactly what she is doing, doesn't she?

Jaiden's First Day of Pre-School!

Today was Jaiden's first day of pre-school -- at least for 2008. This is actually her second year of pre-school so she is up to speed on what to do. I brought her into the class and had Josh with me. When I left with Josh to go back to the van, he started screaming, "I go pre-school! I go pre-school!" He kept screaming all the way home and for about fifteen minutes afterwards. I finally got him settled down with some story-books. He did the same thing when Janelle kept talking about kindergarten. He walked around saying, "I go kindergarten! I go kindergarten!" Poor kid -- he just wants to grow up so fast!

Mmmm -- Chocolate!!

Janika is always baking something and today Jaiden got to lick the bowl. YUM! Look at that smile!!

Can I get any bigger?

I made it to September...yeah!! Just a few more weeks now! Although I don't possibly see how I can get any bigger -- I am already HUGE!!