The Dentist

Brynn and Tyler both had their very first dentist appointment this morning. Yes, even Brynn at 4 1/2. I don't especially like the dentist myself, and have been putting it off because I was scared to take my kids in 'cause I knew I'd get in trouble for not being a very consistant brusher of their teeth. But I finally just did it, and while I did get a talking to, and they even pulled out this stuffed lion and giant tooth brush to give me a demonstration on how I should be brushing (geez) their teeth, it went a lot better than I thought. Brynn was an angel and sat there and listened and let them do whatever and was so brave and cute and didn't mind it at all. (This was slightly surprising considering the fact that she absolutely loses it when we go in to our WIC appointments and she has to get a little tiny prick on her finger - I never know what to expect from her or what I'm going to get). Tyler on the other hand was very predictible and cried and screamed (they had to shut the door so he wouldn't freak out the other little kids in the waiting room) and wailed and gnashed his teeth so I had to hold him and they had to put a mouth guard in to be able to work. And in the end Brynn had 4 cavities, one in each of the very back teeth top and bottom - and Tyler had one cavitiy (once again in his very back tooth) and will need sealants on the other very back ones. Hence, the need for them to teach me a little about brushing. Sorry to my kids.

Brynn almost seemed like she actually liked the dentist - don't know where she came from. And she was too cute when I looked out after we got home and saw this...
...she had all her equipment laid out on the napkin just like in the office and was working on Elmo and telling him everything they had told her like, "keep it open", or "close your mouth, kiss the tube". She didn't even mind when I told her she gets to go back to get some spots cleaned a little better...I'm sure she'll be just as good this next time around...right...

Johnny Jump Up

Last week we decided to get the good old Johny Jump Up out for Dylan. Brynn didn't understand why he just sat there and didn't jump and have fun in it. So she decided to show him how. He thought she was pretty funny.

Tyler, of course, was given strict instructions that while it looked fun, it was ONLY for babies. Not too long after I heard him screaming for help...

...he hasn't been caught in it since. However, he does like to put baby dolls or stuffed animals in it and then catapult it across the room. Whatever.

Whirlwind weekend

Whew, we had quite the weekend that was jam packed full of fun times.

It started Friday morning with Daddy taking Brynn to her last dance class ;( Once again we are very sad that it is ending - it went by way too fast. Here is a little video of them doing their Yankee Doodle Dance (Brynn is the second one from the left)...

Then when they got home we went over to Grandma's Spa in Mesa so Brynn and Mommy could get their pedicures that Daddy gave them for Valentine's day. Brynn was loving it (and so was I, not sure why its taken me this long to get one)! Look how cute the itty bitty flowers on her toes are.

Then Brynn and Tyler went with Grandma to have dinner and feed ducks at the pond while Mom and Dad went to the Temple.

For some reason I don't have pictures from Saturday...

But we got up and Tyler and Daddy went to Soccer class - it went pretty well. And Brynn went to a wonderful Primary activity on serving missions.

Then when everyone got home we headed down to Tucson for the day. Travis (PJ's older brother) finally got home after spending 5 months in Iraq. It was good to see him and have him home safe. He gave me a T-Shirt from his base over there that said, "Wastin' away in Mortar-Rita Ville." (the nickname for where he was) Apparently in the 5 months he was there his base was fired at by mortar some 73 something times. Good thing he never mentioned that until he got home. Anyway, we took him so good home cooking and had lots of fun playing games.

But we couldn't stay, we had to drive home that night, because I had to teach the Relief Society Lesson at church on Sunday. I love my calling. I love teaching the 4th Sunday lessons from the Ensigns. The apostles always challenge us in the best ways possible and I love sharing their words. They make my job very easy.

Then Monday we got up bright and early and went to our very last WIC (government aid) appointment. Can I just tell you what joy filled my soul when I got to tell them I wouldn't be needing to schedule my next appointment because I wouldn't be needing assistance anymore??!??! It was SO wonderful.

Then we had to run to across town to get daddy registered at his next hospital so we hit up a playplace for lunch and headed off to the zoo. Now, we have a yearly pass to the zoo so normally this wouldn't be a big deal. However, since we go often we just usually pick a few animals to see and then head home after an hour or two and daddy doesn't normally ever go with us. So we chartered new courses this time - apparently, I realized, that we must always pick the same animals to see. So yesterday we rediscovered the zoo.

I collect Fisher Price Little People sets and they had the cutest Little People lifesive Discovery Farm. Loved it!...and had no idea it existed until now...

They stood like flamingos and climbed spider webs...

Tyler tried to squeeze by to see the elephant and they actually were brave and brushed some goats...

It was a great weekend, loved every minute!

One of these things is not like the other...

...one of these things just doesn't belong! Can you figure out which one (despite the blurry picture)?

Yes, it would be that dang bird sitting on my childrens dolly bed! During our time here in the deseret we have had several visitors in our house including hundreds of crickets, sorry to say it but a mouse that we quickly took care of, a scorpian, several stinkin' lizards, and this is actually our second bird visitor. However, the first time we had one I watched it fly in under and through the crack in the bottom of our security door. This time I have no clue what happened...

It was morning...the kids had been playing in their playroom all morning while I got ready. We didn't open any windows or doors. When we left to take Brynn to preschool we went out single file through the garage door which was promptly closed. When Tyler and I returned home we found that very unwelcomed bird flapping wildly around their playroom. Now, I have an issue with birds - I HATE them in all their yucky, feathery, flappy, wingedness. So I screamed, ran over and shut the window and the door trapping it inside. I thought about calling PJ to see if he could get excused to come save his wife but knew that I'd be in big trouble if I really did it. So Tyler and I sat on the couch staring at it fly crazily all over the playroom occassionally landing on my childrens toys - big no no! I knew I needed to do something before the darn thing pooped. I walked over, set the camera down on the kitchen counter, got a huge blanket and completely covered myself up, and yes, I went into the same room as the bird. I was trying to be very brave but couldn't help screaming a few more times as I could feel his wind around me. I also heard Tyler laughing...fortunately he found this situation a lot more funny than I did. I found my way to the back door and eventually he flew out. As I slammed the door and took off the blanket I turned around to see Tyler smiling his biggest smile in the window with none other than the camera in his hand. Oh dear...I asked him if he took a picture of his silly mommy and his response, "Cheese Mama!". Great...luckily he has awful aim and there are no pictures of me to post ;) good boy. However, as I calmed down and was disinfecting the entire playroom and everything in it I got a little freaked out wondering how in the world it got in my house...seriously...I don't understand. Hopefully this will be my last bird visitor...I really can't stand them.

Train Park

Today we visited the cutest little Train Park and the kids had a blast! Brynn loved all the fun playgrounds and the fact that we brought a picnic. And Tyler was in ChooChoo heaven!!! He's really been into his trains lately, so I'm not sure why we didn't think of this earlier, because he couldn't get enough and cried when we finally left after several hours.

They had a minature train that you could ride, along with a real train they turned into a museum, model trains, and a carousel.

After his second ride on the train Tyler knew his turn was ending so he grabbed a hold of the seat and said, "No Mama, No all done! Mis trains (more trains)." I had to pull him off. He was so cute to watch!

Too much fun! I love seeing them so happy and excited. Guess we'll need to make another trip there soon...or at least before we move.

Valentines Day

I have to admit, Valentines Day has never been my favorite "holiday". PJ and I have always laid low and just gotten chinese takeout and enjoyed a movie or something from home. But having toddlers makes it a little more fun and I actually saw an idea on Brandy's (PJ's cousins) blog that I'm going to start as a tradition next year - each member of the family has a special mailbox and then everyone can deliver special love notes or gifts or kind deeds or whatever to each other for the weeks leading up to Valentines Day.

Anyway, this year our day started out a little rough due to the fact that there were three little kids who were...ah...AWFUL at night. So when we eventually pulled it all together in the morning Tyler headed off to soccer class with daddy.

Then we had our special breakfast for lunch...
...in case you can't tell :) it consisted of strawberries, pink cheesy eggs, and painted heart toast***, and pink milk (it was suppose to be strawberry milk but somebody forgot to get the strawberry syrup at the store so we just added a little dye). Very Yummy.

Then we had a few presents for eachother...


...Tyler has always loved to do whatever it is that Brynn does, which has made him do a few things that are considered a little feminine. However, ever since the holidays it seems Tyler is becoming such a BOY. I'll just leave it at that for now. So I made him a special "Cars" blanket (AKA beebee) and got him some cars and mickey underwears to help encourage the potty training. He LOVED them. Brynn got a cool Barbie horse that actually walks.
Then for PJ...he has wanted a ClearPlay DVD player for a while now. However, I had more important things to get him for Christmas so it got put on hold for a while. He knows I'll get him whatever he wants but I didn't want him thinking that. So I decided to try and be cute and funny. I thought of something that, when wrapped, would look like the DVD player. So I went and got him a couple of games that we love but always seem to give to other people so we never have them. And as expected I could see the excitment on his face when I handed him the present, and when he opened it, I could also see the slight disappointment even though he did a great job of acting thrilled. Well, I was going to wait a while and then secretly get the DVD player out for him to notice later on. However, while he was spending the 20 minutes it takes to get toys out of their packages these days, I snuck out to the garage and got the DVD thingy but while I was trying to slip back in side I somehow got my shirt stuck on the door and got caught and made a commotion and he saw it in my hands and then I just looked completely dum and I ruined the surprise. But hey, it is the thought that counts right??!?!
Oh well, and he was sweet. He got Brynn and I a mommy daughter date to go get our nails done at the salon Grandma works at. That will be very fun and very appreciated.

Poor Dylan...he didn't really get anything...other than his first taste of carrots...
...really what more could he ask for?! I think he rather enjoyed it.

I'm not a fishy person. But in an attempt to be more healthy I have been trying to eat more fish lately. So instead of our usual chinese takeout I bought us some lobster tails (neither of us had ever had it before). But due to the fact that they still had little legs and veins and all sorts of fun fishy parts I had to turn the meal mostly over to PJ.

And as it turns out I like lobster. Its been my favorite of the fish I've tried so far. And we enjoyed a quick quite dinner while the kiddos played in the bath and soaked the entire bathroom - well worth it though.

And then yes, despite everything that was said to me (http://keddyskorner.blogspot.com/2009/01/bowties.html) I went ahead and made some cute Valentine bowties for my boys to wear to church today. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of them so handsome together. But here is Tyler kind of showing it off...

I also made one for PJ too just in case he changed his mind about them :) But uh, yeah, apparently not going to happen.

***As a little side note...Painted toast is a really fun thing I found on my friend Megan's blog and is a great activity for kids. All you do is put food coloring in milk, let the kids paint on a piece of bread, toast it, and waa-la!...you have something fun to do and eat!

Long post...sorry...just a lot of things I want to remember...
* I didn't get any pictures of Brynn's Valentines for her preschool class this year. But we cut out little Bear Tags on my Cricuit machine and then put on them, "A Bag of Bear Hugs for___." And then it either said, "You are BEARy special to me!" or "You are unBEARably cute!" or "I can hardly BEAR to be without you!" And then it was attached to a little bag of gummy bears and teddy grahams.
* We also take large amounts of lemons from Grandma's lemon tree every time we go over there. So we made some homemade lemonade, put it in a jar, and made a valentine that said "We love you Grandma, You are our main squeeze!"

5 months

Dylan turned 5 months old yesterday!...and already I've gotten out the 6-12 months clothing - which is wierd for me because my kids have always been right on with clothing sizes. He and Tyler have been sick with a fever/cough/runny nose the past few days but other than that he is doing great. He has to wear a bib a lot because of all the drooling and spitting up he does (that way I can easily remove it when it gets stinky). He loves to have his hands and blankets in his mouth. He has rolled over from back to front on several occassions but usually just arches on his side. I think he knows he can go all the way but also knows he doesn't like being on his stomach so he just doesn't. He's starting to hold his bottle by himself. And whenever he is laying down or sitting in one of his chairs he gets really excited and smiley and talkey and thrashes about when someone comes near - he likes to get their attention so they will pick him up.

And while he doesn't sleep through the night on a regular basis he is pretty darn good about going for pretty long spurts which is heaven.

Creativity

I guess you could say creativity has been at its peak in our house...some good and some bad...here are a few examples:

1). I will often sit Dylan up in his Bumba chair on the floor in the playroom while Brynn and tyler are playing - you know, so he can play along :) Well one day I did so and went back in the living room to sew. A few minutes later Brynn comes in and very seriously tells me that I need to be quiet because her baby is trying to sleep and I am making way too much noise. I see the look on her face and so I ask her to show me her sweet sleeping baby. This is what I found...
...she had picked Dylan up out of his chair and very carefully and gently and lovingly (I'm sure without slamming his head down on the tile) placed him in her baby doll playpen and put him to bed. Well at least he had all the necessities...a blankie and a good bottle.

2). PJ has issues with one of his big toe nails. It is always black and blue and hurting him. So, he has exemplified his training at its finest. First, a while ago he drilled a whole into the middle of it with who knows what he found around the house to "drain" it. Then last night he sat down and just decided it was hurting him too much so he freaking pulled the thing off!?! And then, proceeded to bandange it up with duct tape...yes, here is the proof...(I saved you the before picture)...
...you'd think he could at least steal a few supplies from the office before taking matters into his own hands. He has several issues but refuses to go see a doctor. No, no one should be worried that he will be officially practicing in a matter of months.

3). We used my new food grinder attachment to grind fresh chicken breasts and make ground chicken tacos. Actually very very tasty!
4). Tyler was doing something very creative while playing (he's hard enough to understand as it is, but when he's crying and speaking his language its a little harder to translate exacly what he was trying to do) and ended up like this...

...I guess I should count myself lucky that he hasn't had any major incidences in a while. But come on!...I think his poor nose has had enough and I don't really want it getting any more crooked than it already is.

5). My sister Katy made me a wonderful bag that I get comments on every time I leave the house. So I decided to try my hand at it. K, this picture...not so flattering...but I think it turned out pretty darn cute along with the diaper cases I made to go with it.

And since the picture isn't flattering I'll give you a close up of the fabrics to show you they really do match and look good together - I think...

6). Tyler got this Mickey book that teaches you had to draw and Brynn has been trying her hand at it......I've been so impressed with her. She has made the cutest little frogs and Mickey heads and picnic tables!


OK I'll stop for now and leave our creative Valentines for Saturday. Geez...just don't know where all these creative juices are coming from but they sure keep life interesting!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Brynn, I swear, has two personalities - her sweet, loving, helpful, excited, happy side and then her grumpy, mad-at-the world, unpatient, bossy, rude side. I never know what I am going to get with her. Well the other day she was my sweet little angel and I loved spending the day with her...even though we had quite a few conversations about how daddy was so much better than mommy. For a few examples:

Every week at preschool Brynn goes over a new letter and for show & tell that day they have to take in something that starts with that letter. Normally I try to help her be very cute and fun and creative. However, the schedule was a little goofy and this week I forgot until the last minute that we needed to find something that started with O. As she wasn't having any luck finding anything I thought real hard and then we had this conversation...

Mom: Wow, O is a hard one to think of.

Brynn: Why don't we call and ask daddy cause he is smarter anyway.

Mom: Excuse me?! Mommy is very smart.

Brynn: Yeah but not as smart as daddy.

Then later I was trying to help them clean up their playroom so I could mop it. I was rushing and couldn't figure out how to collapse a new stroller she had gotten for Christmas so I just threw it in the living room. While I was mopping she folded it for me and then said this...

Brynn: Mom look! I did it!

Mom: Oh good job sweetie! Thank you for figuring it out for me.

Brynn: Well daddy could have done it too. He is stronger than you.

Mom: Hey, I'm strong.

Brynn: But daddy is still stronger.

Later I was telling PJ how Brynn had him on the pedestal that day. So at dinner he asks her (thinking he was being cute and funny to rub it in a little more)...

PJ: Brynn, who is smarter...Mommy or Daddy???

Brynn: (with a rather quick come back and a huge smile on her face she burst out...) ME!

A little bit later...

Brynn: mom, why does daddy still think he is the boss of you

Mom: what are you talking about? we all know mommy is the boss.

Brynn: well then why does he always say "kelly why don't you ever listen to me!"?

-Yes, she really said that. And yes, they really listen to everything!

Tyler has always had trouble speaking. He is very vocal now, however, probably do to his nose issues he's got a little speech impediment. He speaks in his own language most of the time and then you can pick out a few words here and there. Anyway...he says the best prayers. He rambles on and on and on in his little language (really they can get quite long). And then all of a sudden you hear him say AMEN!. Its very cute and I've often told PJ that I would LOVE to know what he is talking to Heavenly Father about. So, the other night at family prayer PJ decided to help him out a little. Here is how it went...

PJ: Dear Heavenly Father

Tyler: a wa babawa fafa

PJ: Thank you for this day

Tyler: cheen choo a wis day

PJ: Thank you for mommy

Tyler: cheen choo mama

PJ: Thank you for Brynn

Tyler: cheen choo Bin

PJ: Thank you for Dylan

Tyler: cheen choo bebee

PJ: Thank you for Tyler

Tyler: cheen choo a MY's

PJ: Thank you for the food

Tyler: cheen choo a juice

PJ: Thank you for our beds

Tyler: cheen choo na-night

PJ: (a bunch of other stuff)

PJ: In the name of Jesus Christ...

Tyler: a wawawa mababa AMEN!

I love how he put everything into his own words :) too cute!