My Valentines

While I don't love this Holiday to much (mainly because I think we should spend time telling others that we love them as much as possible intsead of having a designated day for it) I do love that my kids have gone out of their way to be nice to me and each other. This morning I was greeted by Austin at 5:30 am ; ) with yogurt and grapenuts. Kaytlin came in shortly after with a treat from her valentine box with a note that said "I am proud that your my mom" and when trent finally made it out of bed at around 9 he gave me a green heart that said "Mom, I love you with all of my heart" in French. So while I gripe about it every year, I am once again reminded that I need to quit being so grown up and see life through the eyes of my children.

Two things Rob forgot about working out....

Yes, Rob got up and went to the gym with me this morning. I know, pick your jaw up off the floor, it is pretty amazing and I have to say that I loved having him there! As we were walking into the house Rob informed me that he had forgotten two things about the gym. Other people's bad B.O. and in his own words, the FARTING. Apparently someone had a tummy ache and was breaking wind right next to him which in return made him want to vomit, so..... he then went to wash his hands and his eyes were assaulted by old naked men walking around inside the men's locker room. He had to count the ceiling tiles as he left the restroom. Sounds fun huh!? I hope he'll come back tomorrow....

Queen of the Castle

Kate had foot surgery on Monday and is doing very well. She said to me this morning, "having surgery stinks! but I sure do love all the nice things Trent and Austin keep doing for me."

This is Rob's Grandpa Dexter, we had the privilege of helping him out the last time that Rob's mom went to Missouri. Isn't he so adorable!
Kaytlin and I on Christmas Eve just before decorating ginger bread men which I think was more fun to do than the usual houses.
I LOVE this picture of Trent and I because it just goes to show that he's gotten over the too cool attitude that he had not so long ago. It's OK to look dorky on occasion. : )
Austin trying to look like Arthur. One of my New Year's resolutions is to teach all of my children how to do their own laundry. A few days ago we were all sitting in the t.v. room watching a movie together and as I reached around to the side of the couch to grab a blanket, I saw a pile of something shoved behind the couch. I took a closer look and realized that it was a pile of Austin's clean folded clothes. I have to admit I was ticked! I can't tell you how many times I see clean clothes end up back in the dirty laundry basket just because someone (not always Austin) was too lazy to put them away. So because I was extremely irritated I wanted to inflict the worst punishment possible which I thought was to make him start doing his own laundry. In the beginning it was actually more painful for me but I'm sticking to my guns because he is putting them away on his own, and they actually make it to his dresser not behind the couch because HE doesn't want to have to re-wash and put anything away more than once anymore than I do.

Traditions

This is one of my favorite Christmas Traditions, I look forward to it as much as my children do. Lucky for me I have a cute neighbor who's hubby is gone a lot at this time of year so the two of us get together as much as our schedules permit and do lots of fun activities with our kids.

On another note, Kaytlin made it into the Geography Bee, and today was the finals for who would go on. First of all, I would like to give her credit for even making it in the first place, and second for doing it. She was so nervous to be up in front of all of her peers. I am very proud of her. If it were me at that age I probably would have been making fake throw up and putting it in the toilet so that my mom would think that I was sick just so that I didn't have to get up in front of everyone. So although she will not go on any further in the Bee, I'm so proud of her for even being smart enough to make it at all! Love you Bug!

Best friends are the greatest!

After many tantrums, and much whining about doing his math homework, a knock came at the door. I told Kate that if it was for Austin to say that he couldn't play until his homework was done. However it was Matt. Now, I have a very soft spot in my heart for this little guy because he and Austin are very best friends, and I love there friendship. So... I told Matt he could come in and wait for Austin to be done with his homework hoping that this might help him get it done faster and with out any further boobing. Matt came inside, and says Austin what kind of math is it? Austin said "stupid hard math!" Matt then says to Austin "oh I bet I could help you do this." They then worked together and got it done in about three minutes. Thanks Matt! After they were done they got to go smash little cars out on the side walk, a favorite activity of theirs. : )
Trent's science cake, he had to build a plant cell and label it. Since he loves candy so much, he decided to build it out of treats. (chocolate cake, jolly ranchers, minni pancake, yarn, gum, and jaw breakers) So creative....

Letter "M" for Mother daughter date, "T" for tie dyeing

Ok this is a pix of the apron that I made for Kaytlin for Christmas. I made a goal last New Years Eve to learn how to sew. I can honestly say that I have wanted to learn how to do this forever! My lines stink but who care's I actually accomplished a NY resolution! I made her an apron because she has been putting together a cook book of recipe's that she wants me to teach her how to cook for one of her Faith in God goals

Yes I am still working on the alphabet. These are some pix of the boys and I tie dyeing shirts for our night together. This was way fun! I love letting my kids get creative and seeing what they come up with. They were even thoughtful of Kate and we made one for her too.
Kaytlin and I had a mother daughter date, and it was a really good time. I love being with Kaytlin because she is so easy going, funny, and loves to talk so I could really just relax and listen to all that she had to say. She is kind and thoughtful of others. When I asked her what she wanted to do for our night out, she said "get ice cream and go to Barnes and Noble and read books and people watch", she's a girl after my own heart. However she later decided that she wanted to go to Target and get some nail polish and do pedicures on each other. She is such a sweetheart! When I was her age I would put plastic baggies on my hands when I would have to rub my parents feet, and I wouldn't do it because I thought it was fun it was usually because I was going to earn a dollar or something.