Funny Things

The kids have been spouting off some good stuff recently, so i thought I had better get them posted before we forget them.

Ky - last week he was asked to give a talk in primary. Since I had to teach my class, Kaeli willingly helped him write and give his talk. I didnt hear anything about it until the Primary Music person asked me if I had seen his most recent post about an unnamed child who gave their talk that day....obviously hinting at Ky. Part of his talk was quoting "I love to see the temple" from the children's hymnbook. Instead of saying that it is "a place of love and beauty" he told the jr primary that the temple is "the POLICE of love and beauty" - definately put the adults who heard it into laughter.

Ky - We went through our 2nd karate belt testing yesterday. The kids all did a great job and received their new colored belts. Since Ky is in the young kids' age group, he gets animal patches on his belts. Yesterday he received his Tiger Patch belt. He was so proud he was glowing. When we got in the car he informed everyone that "I am not a little squirt anymore, I am a Tiger!" He had us all busting up laughing. He has had the nickname "little squirt" because he is just still so little for his age. Today, though, he showed what a big boy he is becoming by being invited to attend, and testing with the bigs and adults in our class! Way to go buddy!

Kelsianne - We have had a friend in our ward helping with Kels, and we have had the girls been helping with her little guy who is just a few months old. Last week was Kels' first time going to her house and she was very apprehensive. My friend and I had a chance to chat and she mentioned a couple of things Kels had said while at her house last week. When our Kels and our friend were playing a game together, our friend mentioned that it was her turn to which Kels replied "well, no, not yet." Our friend asked Kels if she was going to help take care of the baby to which she replied "No, actually, I'm not".

Yesterday when I dropped her off again, she became very shy, but then at the door remembered that our friend had fruit and veggies and games. She asked me her most important question lately "you're coming back for me?" which of course I replied that I was, to which she replied "You can go in the car. Bye" in a tone that inferred "dont let the door hit you on the way out" I am happy that she is happy with our friend, it helps alot to know that there is someone she is comfy with while we are going through the whole separation anxiety stage.

The other funny thing happened yesterday when Kels was talking to preston on the phone to tell him about her day. She was trying to tell him about being at our friend's house and about the baby, who she calls "Baby Medicine" (his name is Edison) It is pretty hysterical to hear her talk about him.

It is fun to have funny things the kids have said written down somewhere. It seems that Kels' attitude blossoms as much as her vocabulary does. I just have stopped being amazed and astounded at the things that come out of her mouth. Crazy girl keeps us in stitches most of the time. I think Ky will always be the little squirt, esp if he never outgrows his little sister. Only time will tell....

Silly & Sweet

Anyone with little people residing in their home knows how fabulously funny they can be. Kels has spouted off with some doozies in the last couple of weeks besides finding her sleeping in very odd places.
Today Colton came to let me know somewhere new she had crashed....Just cant figure out how she can actually sleep in some of the places that she does....crazy girl....

Some of her recent funnies:

Me: In the bathroom (which any mom of really little people knows you can NEVER do by yourself)
Kels: "Whatcha doin' mom, goin' poop?"

Kels: "Mom, my jacket is dirty. We need to wash it with a wipe!" (which we wash just about everything with these days)
Me: "No, we need to put it in the washing machine."
Kels: "I want to help put it in the fishing machine! Pleeeease!"

There is one other thing that she said recently. My brain just cant come up with it. Hoping when I remember that I can add it here....

Ky was my gentle little snuggle bug today, and a true blessing to me because of his sweet tenderness. Last night was very rough for me. Dreams were traumatic and lasted even through this morning when Preston noticed I was positioned weird in my sleep. Sundays are always just rough, kids just seem to be off kilter no matter what. This morning I got after Ky a bit for not listening or obeying. I went upstairs to help him get dressed. Suddenly I looked up at him and saw big alligator tears and his heart broken. I apologized to him and I snuggled him on my lap as we talked about being how we can both be happy - by listening and obeying and being good helpers. Maybe my talk got through somehow because he showed me sweet kindness and was a kind helper at sacrament meeting.

My dreams last night left me feeling very unsettled about several things. My fasting prayer just brought images more to the front of my thoughts and weighed heavily on my mind. I couldnt stop the tears that flowed down my face. My anguish was almost more than I could bear today. As I was praying I felt Ky's little hand touch my cheek and his thumb wipe away my tears. He climbed up in my lap and wrapped his arms around my neck and nestled his head under my chin. He continued to keep his hands on my face and wiped my tears away. When I opened my eyes to look at him he took my face in both his hands and said "it is ok, mom" and then hugged me tighter. I cried even more as I just held him close to me. I dont remember when he climbed off my lap, or when the tears stopped. I only know that when he moved on to his little coloring activity I was much more calm and each of the testimonies today seemed to be just for me. I was able to sit and listen and things were more quiet. The concerns from my dreams still weigh heavy, but they seem a bit easier to bear because my little one was given the precious gift to comfort me today.

Little ones are a joy, through laughter and tears, I dont know what I would ever do without them.

New Favorite Beach!

Yesterday the little kiddos and I got the chance to go out to the coast. Friends who are visiting from Colorado are here for a couple of weeks and since we havent seen them for a very long time, it was the perfect chance for us to get together. We had a fun lunch at their beach house and then went and played for the afternoon.

Our first stop was to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse area. We rambled through the visitors center and got there in time to actually go into the lighthouse. I dont think I have ever been there before when it was open to go inside. There was a great tour guide there who gave us great information and history about the lighthouse. Ky & Kels were too little to be allowed up the 111 steps to the top, so we wandered outside while the others went up.
The grounds and area are so beautiful, even on an extra windy day!

Left-Right: James(7), Kelsianne(3), Jessica(12), Colton(8), Ky(5), Simon(6)

Not knowing what the weather would be like, and for how long we would be gone, I left my good camera at home. Thankfully I remembered that my new cell has a camera on it too. I wasnt holding out any hope that picts would turn out well, but I have been pleasantly surprised that they actually turned out pretty good and I could even play with them a bit. I wanted to esp get a pict from under the amazing staircase in the lighthouse. It was just a very interesting angle I was glad to capture :)

I think that we have found a new favorite beach that is definately worth the 2hr drive. Agate Beach Wayside in Newport is amazing. It is a long, wide beach with a river that runs along the East end and the coastline that runs at the other West side. I am always a bit nervous about the kids and the waves, so this little spot was ideal to let the little ones play and be completely safe and to still hear and see the waves.

There was a big sandbar in the river where we camped out. Ky & Kels had so much fun digging and splashing and playing and I didnt have to worry one ounce about them and could just relax and let them play. The sand was so soft, and very fine density. It was more than perfect for building sandcastles and held the water really well and the shapes . The kids esp loved that the water literally splashed across the surface of the sand and then stayed that way for a long time. I have never seen a beach that reacted that way.

I just couldnt decide which of these I loved more. Little toes are just so fun to photograph!

Usually when you go out to the coast you can guarantee there will be wind - and lots of it. We were about blown over when we were at the lighthouse, but when we found our little spot on the beach, the wind was barely blowing and it was warm. The boys got both the kites out and could fly them all by themselves because the wind was so ideal.

This is our first outing to the beach for the season, so all the sand toys were brand new. Kels couldnt wait to get everything out (literally) and try everything out in the sand. I think she finally decided that digging and splashing were her 2 favorite activities.

The kids were all so close in age that they all got along really well. Our friends moved away when James was very little, so Colton didnt remember him. The kids have never met Simon. They did amazingly well considering they had just met. It really made it fun to just watch them enjoy each other.

More of Kels digging....

Jessica was really sweet to take time for the little kiddos. Ky esp took a liking to her and she was so sweet with him. When Rebecca and I were chatting she noticed that Jessica had buried the 2 little boys. They thought that was great fun.

More of Kels digging.....She just really loved that sand

Colton's special treat was that he was big enough to go play in the waves with Rebecca. She took the 3 big boys to see the waves and play for a bit. When she gets me copies of the picts she took, I will be sure to post them.

Of course Kels had to get in on the same deal as the boys. She was just caked in sand in every nook and cranny, including inside Kels' diaper, even though she had several layers of clothe on. She and the boys will need another bath tonight because we still didnt get the sand out of their ears or all of her hair.

Karate Kids I

Here, finally, are some picts from class. Every class opens with the students and audience facing each other or the instructor and repeating the ATA/KFK oath:

"Each day I will live by honoring my parents and instructors, by practicing to the
best of my abilities, and by having courtesy and respect for everyone I meet."

Anyone in attendance, whether student, parent or visitor, is included in the expectations of the class. Everyone is united in giving praise, encouragement and support to the students.
I have been deeply impressed with the program and the sincere respect, friendship and courtesy that abounds in the school. We are learning good things, and already making new friends.
This is Ky and his instructor. Mr Sipe is an amazing person who truly enjoys teaching all the little kiddos. Ky's class is 4-6 yr olds. His instructor praises, quietly encourages or disciplines, and has total attention from his class. Ky is loving every minute of it. Here the lesson is to learn a self-defense block.
Ky LOVES to practice kicking. He is pretty good at the whole balance thing for being such a little squirt.
Ky really gets into the whole "YES, SIR!" thing. His whole face scrunches up in total concentration and his eyes never leave his instructor.

The "yes, sir!" and following directions and good discipline are also following through at home. We are seeing really positive results even after only being in class for 2 weeks. It makes me feel good to know that even with the extra challenges that come from taking classes, that the benefits are already far outweighing any concerns. This is the right choice for our family. We are all learning things we might not otherwise learn. We are meeting new friends we would have never met otherwise. We are gaining skills and learning to turn weaknesses into strengths. It is good.

Karate Kids II

I think that all the kids' favorite exercises are the kicks. Master Lyon and the other instructors really encourage the students to give 110%. This would be considered a "head level" kick - the kids have made that their goal to do during class.


Ceana has really come a long way in 2 weeks. The first day of class she went into hysterics with tears streaming down her face. Now she is yelling "yes, sir!" and even assisting Master Lyon in the front of the class when asked. She is learning something new every day and the lifetime skills and goals she is acheiving cannot even be counted. She has said that she is learning more about balance and concentration and that classes are helping her at home.

Colton is really learning alot. The exercises done in class are teaching him balance and coordination. The discipline is teaching him respect, courtesy, and many other things. We are already seeing the positive benefits at home from the things he is learning from his instructors.
His favorite exercises so far are the front kicks and the switch jump kicks. He looks like he is about to fall over, but really he is getting pretty good, esp for only having had 4 classes.

The school does an exeptional job at positive reinforcement. At the end of every class Master Lyon or one of the other instructors gives out patches and stars for the kids' uniforms to reward the kids for following through on class lessons at home and at school. They are applauded by their peers and the adults in attendance. The kids' smiles are so big when they receive and also give this praise. Colton has earned 2 patches this week and 2 different colored stars. He was very excited to receive them today. It has been a great 2 weeks and he really is learning alot.

You may notice there are no picts of Caiden or Kaeli. Miss Kaeli specifically asked for me to NOT post any picts of her. She is doing really great in class and gaining more confidence in many areas. Caiden has been out sick all week. Hoping to have picts to post of him next week when he is better and back in class.

There also arent any picts of me...still trying to decide if I am going to let Kaeli take some....It has been really fun for me to attend class too. I never knew I was so uncoordinated :)
It is really hard sometimes to make my brain and body do so many things at once. I am working hard though, and apparently getting exercise enough to sweat even. I have met another mom who also takes classes with her kids, and has special needs boys too. We have shared concerns and a little background with each other. She is a great gal and a great role model for me. Her little family has been taking classes for quite awhile already, and she said it has made all the difference in the world to her and her kids. It was great today to share in a huge triumph for one of her sons. I could totally relate to the story behind the success, I know how hard those are to acheive with special needs, and she has even more than we do. It truly is cause for celebration when they happen. Class was the perfect place for him to be rewarded so fully. I am hoping we will get to know them lots better, and it has just given us one more reason to look forward to going to classes.

January Snow Day I

Midway through the afternoon yesterday it started "snowing" - you know that light powdered sugar sprinkly stuff. Not a whole lot to get all worked up about, except that you forget we live in Oregon where 1/8" drops on the ground and everything comes to a screeching halt, and the kids come out of the woodwork from all directions screaming that they just HAVE to go outside....
It took awhile, but the snow did change to the big, fat, wet flakes that are something to get worked up about, for all of about 10 minutes, before it turned back into ice and then back into rain...

Even a small sprinkling makes for pretty pictures...

The boys were the first to be out the door, and you notice that Colton finally remembered that snow is COLD, and shortly after that made a beeline for the door and inside to get his jacket. They stayed outside for longer than I thought they would, and enjoyed their winter adventure.

January Snow Day II

The kids were chomping at the bit to be outside, no matter what. Kels was esp anxious to be out there and gave no thought to a coat, long pants, shoes, etc. until she had been out there a few minutes and realized that snow is cold... then she and Colton decided it might be a good idea to add some layers if they were going to stay outside.
Caiden was the first to start gathering the bit of snow wherever he could. He came to me with this "Slushman".

Kaeli gathered the more fluffy snow from the hood of the beast and put this little cute guy together.

Ky & Kels thought Kaeli's little snoman was cute and not sure what happened exactly, but it set Kaeli off into laughter - so nice to have the camera in the right place at the right time...

January Snow Day III

I love this pict of the girls. It just shows how much Kels adores "her Kaeli" and how much Kaeli enjoys playing and spending time with her.
This is Ky doing his best impression of a penguin...

Do you notice how 2 girls are NOT dressed for 30 degree weather, but just had to be out there anyway?

Caiden had gathered up a big chunk of snow and probably would have tossed it at Ceana if given the chance...

SUPER HERO BOYS

Now that both the little boys have Superman PJ's Colton insisted that they have their picts taken together. We needed to burn off some extra boy energy so I took them out front and took picts while they did their thing - pretty funny.....

SUPER KY
SUPER COLTON (doing his "Popeye" arms)

SUPER HERO GQ POSE

SUPER CAPES

LOOK MOM AN AIRPLANE! HEY, I CAN FLY THAT HIGH TOO - WATCH ME, MOM!

BOYS ARE A SPECIES ALL THEIR OWN

I have tried to stop laughing long enough to post about my sons. Boys really are in a genre all their own - they do stuff my girls never did...

Tonight Colton has been spinning himself(lack of outside time with temps being in the teens). He stands right in the middle of the room and looks right up at the new light fixture in the office and spins and spins - and then he stops and says - "look mom, the room spins all by itself!"

He then proceeded to RUN out of the office - hitting the dining room chair and bouncing himself off the chair so hard he bounced across and also hit the dining room sliding door before hitting the floor (imagine a pinball machine)- mind you there was PLENTY of space for him to get out the door and past the table...

He comes running back to tell me "the chair jumped out and got in the way!" He had gotten himself so dizzy and run out the door, not knowing what would happen by not having his equilibrium back...

It was hard to not laugh hysterically while trying to comfort him (he bonked his shoulder pretty hard besides being WAY overtired) Poor thing - and funny kid. He doesnt seem to be any worse for the wear though - tough kid too.

Who needs TV or movies or expensive entertainment when you have kids around? He is such a cutie but also can be such a goofball.

Ky is my other goofball tonight. He came downstairs earlier today with his mouth and tongue a dark blue - he had been in the playroom so my only guess was that he had gotten into Preston's game table box - and eaten the pool cue chalk. I took wipes to his mouth, hands and his tongue. The kids looked for the chalk but never found it. Just a little bit ago my suspicions were confirmed when he again came downstairs with his hands and mouth dark blue - and the missing pool cue chalk in his hand. You would think it didnt taste good the first time - apparently he didnt mind it....

He blows me away at the things he finds - and still puts in his mouth. I think things are put away somewhere he cant find them or get to them - and he still does. A couple of weeks ago he raided Ceana's room and came down with his hands (and his mouth)full of hard candy she had been saving. He also found a rogue SHARPIE (yes, that's right folks - PERMANENT marker) - which I keep way up high on the fridge - and chose the wall in the family room as his choice of canvas for his artwork (we will be re-painting - eventually). He also has figured out how to use his toes to literally climb the cupboards and does a chin up as he pulls himself up onto the countertops (he was caught pilfering a plate of cookies that should have been out of his reach)

My girls NEVER did these kinds of things - and the stuff Ky pulls is even stuff the other boys never did. What is it that is so different about braincells in girls vs boys? They are SOOO different, so challenging and so hilarious!

SNOWED IN FOR GOOD?

We woke up to big fat flakes of snow on Sunday morning - which kept lots of families from getting anywhere and resulted in cancelling church - THAT is very rare. The way things look this week with continued nasty weather and water lines freezing and bursting in the building may keep us away again this week....

We have watched the snow and ice come down and the wind blow. We have also watched the school district online calendar for posts about closures. Sure enough Mon, Tues & Wed have been cancelled because of weather conditions. I am guessing we are done for the week as we have continued to get cancellation phone calls about school and community events we were supposed to participate in. It also has kept us from doing any traveling which also resulted in no dentist or ortho appts we have had scheduled for the last 6 months. The kids arent so upset about the appointments as they are about our tradition of going out to lunch as a family afterward (the kids get great restaurant certificates for good check ups).

Soooo, here we are on day FOUR of being here at home. I can say that the weather has been a blessing for our family. Our week was supposed to be bezerk while Preston is away and instead we have had every day here at home to sleep, play, cook, and just downshift (something we have all needed badly). Because of all the cancellations Preston is not missing any of the kids' recitals or awards ceremonies, he is not missing our family appts. He is also not missing the nasty weather - Chicago has been about 5 degrees with yucky snow and winds.

We have tried hard to enjoy our time together. The kids have had a ton of fun playing outside in the snow - I have taken some great picts! They have enjoyed having extra time to play with their friends - they even did a play and made their own video of it! They loved that!

The kids have spent lots of time playing games. They have had fun making treats and baking bread(which I didnt get picts of). They have had fun taking naps (which I did get picts of). They have also enjoyed helping me train the dogs to be in the house more. They have a little pen they usually stay in but with everyone home we have let them branch out and I have been pleasantly surprised that they have done really well and havent had any accidents in the house or chewed up anything.
Kels is slowly warming up to the idea of the dogs being in her space - she screamed hysterically yesterday anytime the dogs got anywhere near her! she would only stop screaming if one of us was holding her up away from them. It was funny and not. She is doing much better today and was even on the floor with them. She wasnt too thrilled when LJ gave her kisses though. I am hoping that as the dogs do better and Kels gets bigger that they will grow to really enjoy each other. It will mean lots of adventures for all of them:)

I have been using my time to work on photography. The change in weather has given amazing opportunities for taking outdoor picts. It has also given me time to work on Lightroom and Photoshop and get picts cleaned up and out to clients. I am still working on one set of picts that I am having some challenges with. My monitor says they look great - my laptop not so much - and my prints are way off. The weather has kept me away from the print store to figure out how to make corrections and why my monitor and the prints are so different. A previous set of prints were great - so we are guessing it was a lab mistake. I have to have these set of picts completely done and printed in the next 2 weeks or less though, so it is making me a bit nervous.

The weather has also given me time to stew and worry about a new CERT position I have been asked to take on. With everyone home I have been in "mom" mode 24-7 for everyone and havent had the time to make phone calls without multiple interruptions. I need to just make myself do it - even though it terrifies me. I feel so unqualified and yet others are waiting on me to get things going. I am very torn as to what to do. My people skills are more than horrible when my mouth has to do all the work. When I can get behind the camera it is completely different - my eye is doing all the hard work, not always my mouth, and it is playtime. When I am needing to talk and interact with others, esp in a leadership position, or needing to request assistance or represent others besides myself it is a HUGE challenge. I just know I am going to mess up and mis-represent our program because when I get nervous my mouth makes even more mistakes. I just need to "bite the bullet" and get the phone calls over with. It is a hard decision.

Well, guess that is our update for now. I have tons of picts I will be posting here and also on my photo blog - so watch for those soon!

BEATING THE WINTER BLUES

We have been experiencing all sorts of weather this month - torrential rain, freezing temperatures, gorgeous blue skies, you name it and we have probably experienced it. With the ever changing weather and the freezing temperatures the boys have been feeling extra cooped up. I discovered we had an extra mattress when I was doing some re-arranging of bedrooms. It became the perfect "trampoline" and helped the boys expend their bottled up energy. They had a great time and it really did help to beat the Winter Blues. It will be something we pull out again - esp if we really get the freezing rain and snow the forcast is predicting in the near future.

BAXTER KIDDO THANXGIVING TRADITION

I know that Thanksgiving was awhile ago but things have been so busy I havent had a chance to blog our picts. Our family has found that we have a special tweak on the "thanksgiving pie" thing. Making pies has always been a thing that has not thrilled me - I love to eat pie - but I dont love to make them. I also found that my kiddos wouldnt eat them if I did go to the trouble of making them. We always used the leftover pie crust to make cookies. One year we just decided to make cookies and use the fillings for dip vs making the whole pies - hence our own tradition was started.
The kids all really look forward to making cookies together - it is the one time of year where everyone gets to help with a big cooking project. The girls and I made the mousse fillings and then all the kids took turns making the cookies.
Ky esp liked to have his turn, and just like with the muffins, he wanted to do everything himself. He did pretty good with the pastry cutter and Kaeli was on stand-by to help as needed.

Kaeli esp likes working with cookie and bread dough - she loves getting her hands messy and rolling it out. She had a bit of trouble with the pie crust - it is different from bread dough in consistency - and she actually got on the step stool and used everything she had to get it rolled out - and then enlisted my help. She gave it a good go and built some more muscles :)

When it was time to cut out the cookies of course Ky went right for the CARS cutter - it amazes me how many different kinds of cars he likes - doesnt matter what shape or size, if it is a car, that is good enough for him.

I love this pict of Kaeli and Ky - this "helping hands" pict really shows what this tradition represents to our family - sharing, laughing, loving, helping, & creating something that everyone enjoys - the process and the product are full of fun memories.