Chad and I hosted a Fourth of July Party with our friends, the Campbells, for over 50 friends. We started the day at our home decorating our bikes and wagons for a Patriotic Parade. I have always wanted to host a kids' fourth of July parade, and to be honest was the main reason I threw the party. Andrew said this was his favorite part. After the parade, we returned home for water games, ping pong, volleyball, playing in the backyard, and jumping on the trampoline. Ryan loved having access to all of the juice boxes we had placed in a little pool with ice. When I cut him off at 4, he found lots of willing friends who opened at least 3 more of them for him. When we were done playing, we headed to the Campbells for a cook-out. Ryan soaked his clothes eating watermelon, which is why he is wearing only a diaper in the pics. He doesn't seem to mind, does he? The kids helped make yummy snacks for the fireworks together after dinner. (Thanks Janine, Kim, and Shauna). Then we headed to Shallowford Square for the fireworks, which is always my favorite part of the holiday. The boys were asleep before we got home. (Which I think must have been Chad's favorite part. He was so tired after working all weekend to get our yard ready. Everyone should feel sorry for my wonderful hubby. His wife gets all of these fun ideas, and then he has to help me carry them out. Although, I do have to say, I think he looks super hot with the tan he got while slaving away in the hot sun for me). Enjoy the slide show! (Pretend there is a soundtrack of Proud To Be an American playing in the background. I could not figure out how to do it. Anyone know)?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Molly's 10 Weeks Old
Molly continues to be a fantastic sleeper, sleeping anywhere between 11-15 hours a night this week. Wow! She is the most contented and happiest little gal when she is awake. She smiles a lot. She has become a master at finding her hand and sucking on it.
Her brothers still adore her. Ryan walks up to her and says, "Molly like me." Andrew still tells her all the time that she is lovely, and beautiful, and adorable. (His wife will be a lucky woman).
Molly celebrated her first Fourth of July in style. A friend from church gave us this little ruffly outfit at my shower.
I have saved it for the Fourth. I think the big ruffly bum is cute and funny.
Molly was startled by the first firework at the Fourth, but then recovered pretty quickly, and seemed to be watching them intently after that.
Posted by Danielle at 8:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Talent Share
Heavenly Father knew I NEEDED an Andrew in my life. He needed to be my first child, to teach me and to help me grow. As I have mentioned many times before in this blog, I don't enjoy doing things I am not good at. I have never had the self-confidence to fail in front of others. There are probably lots of things that I would enjoy in life, but I don't know because I wouldn't try them. But I am determined not to create this anxiety in my own children. I try so hard to let them be who they are, to not expect perfection, but I have to admit, it really is hard for me. I never had that problem with other people's children. I could accept them as they were, love them, adore them, teach them, feel no need to change them. But with my own it is completely different. Something I have to consciously work on daily. As soon as I think I am conquering this part of me, the Lord gives me opportunities to grow even more.
Posted by Danielle at 11:26 PM 8 comments
Swim Lessons
Andrew is taking swim lessons this summer, and loving it! He loves wearing goggles, (aren't they hilarious, who is that kid?), playing motor boat, and jumping into the pool. (He isn't too crazy about the whole floating thing or getting his face wet thing, yet).
Ryan loves his swim time with Mommy while Andrew takes lessons. I brought this float for a friend's baby, but Ryan decided it was fun to wear with his goggles.This pic is for Nana. She bought this cute pirate hat for Ryan and he wouldn't wear it while she was here. After his nap, he wore it all afternoon.
Posted by Danielle at 8:00 PM 2 comments
Molly's 9 Week's Old
Molly had her 2 month check up this week. She was 11 pounds 11 ounces and 22 inches long. She is now in the 75th percentile for weight and 50th for height (last time she was 95th for both). Her head is still 95th percentile, though.
Molly continues to sleep through the night, 12 hours at a time a few nights. I have never had one do that before. I am a little worried about my milk supply, but the doctor said to let her sleep and it would be fine. I haven't had any trouble yet.
Molly is smiling and cooing lots. She loves her mobiles and loves her brothers still. She went to the pool for the first time this week, but wasn't too impressed with the water I dipped her toes in.
Posted by Danielle at 11:19 AM 1 comments
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
We had a really fun Father's Day with presents, homemade banners, cards, and yummy food. While we were shopping for Chad's present, Andrew and I had the following conversation.
Andrew-Mommy, I am really excited about Daddy's Day.
Me-Yeah, it should be really nice. I love the cool sign you made for him. Maybe you can help me cook breakfast on Sunday.
Andrew-Umm, actually I am really excited because we don't have to go to church on Father's Day.
Me-Really? Why not?
Andrew-We didn't go on Mother's Day! So Daddy shouldn't have to go on Father's Day.
(I was still not taking Molly to church yet on Mother's Day and so we drove to Pinehurst for the day. We got there too late for their church and left too early for the guys to make it to ours).
Andrew spent the next three days trying to convince me that we didn't really need to go to church. (He loves his primary teachers, I do not know why he prefers staying at home).
But, much to Andrew's dismay, Chad and I (AND the kids) attended a great sacrament meeting today where both speakers spoke about lessons they have learned from their fathers. On the way home from church, we talked about lessons we had each learned from our fathers. It was hard to choose just one or two like the speakers had done. It was a neat conversation as we contemplated the MANY times our fathers had set examples for us. We wondered what our kids would say they learned from us 20 years from now when they gave talks in their own congregations. We both have been blessed with fantastic fathers.
Chad said that he had learned kindness and respect for others from his dad. He said he had never seen his dad be unkind to anyone (even rude cashiers at Wal-mart). His dad is warm and friendly and is able to put people at ease. People just instantly know he is a good person.
I have been blessed to have two fathers in my life. My Dad, Gary, is a very hard worker. He goes the extra mile at his job and has a strong work ethic and commitment to quality. He takes responsibility for himself and those he supervises. I admire that in him and enjoy talking with him about his work. He is also a great grandpa and loves to play with his grandsons. I really appreciate the time and sacrifice he has made to be a part of my children's lives. It means more to me than I could ever put in words. I love you, Dad!
My Dad, Bryan, has taught me to have very clear priorities in life. He is committed first of all to our Heavenly Father, then our family, then our church, then his country. In that order. I know without a doubt that he loves God more then me, my sisters, or even my mom. And because of this, I know that he loves us more than he could if he did not love God more than us. He is a noble and courageous man. A man of great integrity. I love him and am grateful for his love for me.
Posted by Danielle at 9:46 PM 1 comments
Fun with Our Cousins
On Monday we went to Pinehurst to celebrate Masen's 5th birthday at a swimming dinosaur party! It was very fun! Aunt Emily made a yummy chocolate cake shaped like a volcano. Andrew is a bit obsessed with volcanos these days and asked, "Where's the lava?" Then he answered his own question, "Oh I know, when you light the candles. That's the lava."
A local theater is offering summer movies for kids. Because I am so choosy about media with my kids, they have never actually been to a theater to see a movie since they were newborns and went on dates with mommy and daddy. So it was a very big deal for them to be able to go with their cousins Alex and Evin to see "Curious George" at the movie theater this week. They loved it and have asked to go back every day since.Andrew and Alex sat together and watched the whole movie. Andrew got out of his seat once to bring me his empty popcorn box. His eyes never left the screen.
Ryan sat through the whole movie next to me. He kept saying,
"Monkey is big, Mommy. Dat monkey is funny."
Posted by Danielle at 9:28 PM 0 comments