A Day to Remember

Yesterday was a day to remember. 

It started the day before (Wednesday) around 5 pm when I was feeling pretty good about myself because the kids had cooperated nicely with getting their chores done in the morning and played well together pretty much all day, which left me with plenty of time to get many items checked off of my house cleaning to-do list. The house was sparkly clean when I started dinner (this hardly ever happens), and I was quite happy about it.

I am a den leader for the Bear Scouts in our ward and we had pack meeting that evening, so I had to leave before we were quite finished eating dinner. Sam was busy getting kids put to bed, working on an outside project, and trying to comfort a very sad baby while I was gone, so he didn't get a chance to clean up. By the time I got home and bathed, fed, sang to and put to bed said sad baby and finished up some homework for a family history class I am taking, I was exhausted and figured I would do a quick dinner clean-up in the morning. Besides, the entire house was clean except for the dinner mess, so I figured I would be in a good place in the morning.

On Thursday morning I woke up later than I hoped to, which meant I got home from my morning run right as Sam had to head out the door for work. The kids were still eating breakfast at that point, so I figured they would be occupied for a few minutes.

And they were definitely occupied... But not in the way I had hoped.

I sent this picture to Sam when he had only been at work for a few minutes with the caption: "I have been punished for trying to use the bathroom by myself."

Spaghetti from the night before was strewn ALL OVER the kitchen, and immediately Ellie and Nathan said "It was Jonah!" (Yes, I had forgotten to put the left overs away too...) And Jonah had been kind enough to walk through it, smashing it into the floor... While wearing my shoes. 

As Ellie told Sam's mom later that day, "Mommy sent us downstairs to watch a movie so she wouldn't get mad at us." True story. Sometimes moms need a little time out before they react in a way they will regret, you know?

So I took a long shower. And when I got out, I fixed Ellie's hair and dropped her off at preschool.

When we got back I debated having the boys help me clean up the mess because, you know, natural consequences and all that. But I decided I didn't need any more smashed spaghetti noodles tracked throughout the house... So I turned on yet another movie for them while I cleaned up their mess. Yep, I'm awesome like that.

Let me just say, that was not a quick mess to clean up. Wet spaghetti noodles stuck to every surface of the kitchen, with spaghetti sauce left over once I got the noodles up. Whew!

Once the kitchen was cleaned up, I brought the boys upstairs so I could bathe Jonah. I wish I had a picture of him before his bath because he was covered from head to toe in spaghetti sauce. But he sure is cute when he's clean!

While I was bathing Jonah, Thomas decided to leave me a nice present:

So then we had take 2 on bath time. 

But apparently the older boys got hungry while I was taking care of that little issue, because I came out to this:

See the empty salt and pepper shakers behind Nathan? They had dumped those all over the counter and floor as well. I am so glad we didn't have to do take 3 on baths after that - a quick wipe down took care of it.

At that point we rushed out the door to pick Ellie up from preschool. I'm sure I looked like I had been hit by a tornado when I went into Ellie's class to get her.

I brought the kids home, made lunch, and sent them to bed. Then I collapsed into my bed to take a nap myself instead of cleaning the kitchen again, which I probably should have done instead. 

Luckily we left for swimming lessons right after naps, so they couldn't do any more damage to the already-destroyed house. Spirits had improved when we got home, so we all worked together to get the house cleaned up.

Sam had a work party that night, and I don't think I have ever been more excited for one of those in my life. It was the perfect day to take a little break from the craziness. Besides, BYU-Idaho caters these delicious little mint brownies, so I got to have way too many of those... Anyway...

I woke up this morning recharged and ready for another day. Even though some (ok, most) days are overwhelming, there is no title I would rather claim than "Mommy" to four of my favorite people. 

A Whole Tub of Ice Cream

While Sam and I were outside working on building part of the chicken coop where we needed the kids far away so things didn't fall on them, Nathan asked if he could have ice cream. I told them sure, and said, "Why don't you just bring the whole container out and share it?" They looked at me like I was crazy... That's definitely not something I would normally say, but they were already dirty from playing outside, and there wasn't very much left in the container anyway. Besides, that's one less treat for me to be tempted by!

Anyway, they thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Actually that's a terrible analogy. Sliced bread does not compare to ice cream...

I am so glad it is warming up so we can spend some evenings outside as a family. That is one of my favorite things in the whole world.

Sickie Jonah

Poor little Jonah is not feeling well at all today. He woke up early this morning crying in his bed, and when I went in to see what he needed he had the saddest sick look on his little face, and he kept asking me for Daddy. So I sent Sam in, and he brought him back to our bed where he just stayed on Sam's chest for quite awhile. That is VERY unlike Jonah. Usually once he wakes up he is ready to run. (and eat... that is usually a very high priority on his list!) 

He was breathing really fast, retracting under and in between his ribs, and just laying still. We kept a close eye on him and called the doctor's office right when they opened, and we got an appointment for first thing this morning. The nurse measured his oxygen levels, which were up at 93%, and the doctor decided he needed a breathing treatment since he was struggling to breathe so much. Let's just say Jonah was less than pleased with that whole ordeal, and I'm pretty sure I got more of the treatment than he did... But it helped quite a bit, and by the time we left the office with a couple prescriptions, Jonah was a little happier. He talked to the fish in the lobby, was excited to show Daddy his batman stickers, and asked me for eggs. He fell asleep in the car on the way home, though, so I snuggled him for awhile, then had to lay him down so I could feed Thomas. I put him on the couch because I figured he would wake up soon wanting me, but I ended up moving him to his bed since he was so sound asleep. We will see how he is when he wakes up.

Poor little guy! I hope he feels better soon. And for now I'm trying to not be terrified about Thomas getting it...

Photo Dump

A post full of random pictures that have accumulated on my phone:

Ellie learned to clip her own finger nails, and it was quite funny/cute how happy she was while doing it.

I'm not exactly sure what was going on here... One of the kids took this, but I thought it was funny.

These two sure love each other! Any time Thomas is sitting in his bumbo chair on the floor, or hanging out somewhere, Ellie will walk up to him and start talking to him. He loves it when she holds onto his hands and talks to him.

I put Ellie down for her nap in the guest room, then when I went down a little bit later to run on the treadmill I found her like this:

First time in the big boy stroller!

I took the 2 youngest boys running on the track at BYUI while Ellie and Nathan were at a friend's house. While we were in the elevator, a couple was talking to and gooing at Thomas, then when I turned to leave they said "oh, there are 2 in there! It's like a bunk bed!" I thought that was a funny description of the stroller.

Crazy hair!

Just hanging out in his swing.

Daddy is the best book reader around!

And, finally, while we were at the store Nathan pointed to Sponge Bob and said "Take my picture by this silly yellow guy so I can ask daddy if he knows who he is!" I have to say, I am NOT sad that my kids don't know who Sponge Bob is!

Life just keeps cruising by. It's kind of crazy to think that 6 years ago today Sam and I got married. I don't think either of us would have imagined that life would be like it is right now. Life is so good!

Reading in the Fort

Today we decided to make a fort and read books inside. Why is it so much more fun to read books inside a fort than on the boring old couch? Funny how that works.

(We will excuse Ellie, who couldn't be distracted from painting at the table for long enough to join us for pictures. But she did come over when she realized it would be her turn to choose the next story!)

We all gathered around the books and took turns picking which book to read next. (Please ignore the weird selfie arm... I just wanted to document the moment!)

Nathan especially enjoyed it.

And he really wanted me to keep taking pictures of us making silly faces...

We had a great time reading, laughing and asking/answering questions... That is until Nathan and Jonah decided to start wrestling on the couch, which pulled on the sheet, which knocked the books that were holding up the fort onto the ground, narrowly missing Thomas's head. That was a pretty abrupt end to the fun.

All in all, I am trying to enjoy every moment I have at home with my kids since Ellie will start kindergarten in the fall, and we will never have these slow, schedule-less days all at home back again. (Yes, I know there will be weekends and school breaks, but still. It will never be quite like this again and I'm a little sad about it!)

Jonah's Birthday

Jonah is 2! We had Sam's family over for cake and presents, and our little man had a good time opening presents, eating cake, and generally being the center of attention.

We are sure glad he's part of our family!