let's DO THIS THING! or not

She likes to show them off!

I originally was going to post this at the beginning of potty training adventure week 1, but didn't. Leah did fine the first few days. I got some M&Ms, put them in a jar, and told her when she went on the potty, she could have one. The undies came on and it began. She ran around playing with her brother and every once in awhile would run to the bathroom chanting "candy candy candy" Then she would come to me and want me to see. Success!

The next day was harder. She found her dress up tutu thing and put it on. All by herself! She would NOT let me take it off. Later she sat on the potty, but never pulled anything down, including the tutu. I had to hand wash it and hang it to dry. I had to keep it hidden from her so she wouldn't find it. The rest of the day she was off and on getting to the potty in time, just forgetting to pull down the undies.
I win worst Mother of the Day when I was finally so sick (literally) of cleaning up her business that I slapped a diaper back on her.
Since then she doesn't want anything more to do with the potty or undies or anything.

Dillan was easy. I don't know what I did wrong with her, but I like to think it has something to do with her independence and stubbornness. We'll try again in a few months. Till then I can figure out a new plan of attack while munching a jar of M&Ms.

at it again

Oh beloved camera, how I've missed you! I was so worried about you, I couldn't get you off my mind! I am just so thankful for responsible people who found you and took good care of you until we were reunited! It feels so good!



On Chris' day off he decided he needed a haircut. So did Dillan. He's been fighting me for weeks, but I've been so tired and sick that I didn't fight back. Normally it's in the bathtub at home and just a quick buzz all over. Nothing fancy. Chris decided to take him into the barbershop with him. He was kicking and screaming the whole way over. Chris carried him inside while Leah and I went shopping with Grandma. When we got back I was certain he hadn't gone through with it. When we walked in, there he was, sitting on the chairs flipping through a magazine. And he had a step cut! He had the biggest smile on his face and was so proud of himself and the product that was put in his hair. So stinkin grown up!



I was digging through old pictures of Dillan as a baby. The chunk is gone. The big bald head is gone. It's still him, personality and all. He's just too big. I can't believe he'll be 5 in a couple months. The K-word issue has come up. Kindergarten. I don't know how I'm supposed to cope!

Later we dug out our free bowling passes (that were expired but accepted anyway. SCORE!) and took the kids bowling. Dillan was into it, and even Leah wanted to be part of the action. Big surprise. She helped everyone else since she didn't get to play her own game.



Dillan said his favorite part of the day was getting his haircut. When I woke up the next morning, he was right next to my bed and quickly asked "Mom, does my hair still look good?"

More BBall

I can never buy gifts for Chris. He doesn't have a large variety of hobbies. Basically sports and electronics. The electronics he gets for himself when he feels like it, thanks to Best Buy. I don't even pretend to know what a good deal is. I know what's shiny and looks nice, and I've been able to learn how to work a few basic things like a camera, camcorder, and DVR.
So that just leaves sports.
He's a lifelong BYU football fan and Utah Jazz fan. I've given him T-Shirts and jerseys and whatever else, but you gotta draw the line somewhere. So when I was wasting time on Ebay and found some Utah Jazz/LA Clippers tickets for a game in Feb, I was sold. I knew it'd give him plenty of time to get his work schedule figured out and plan for the kids to be taken care of. And I knew he'd be completely surprised, shocked, elated about the idea.



So the night finally came. He was so excited. He spent the drive out there telling me about all those many years ago when he'd go to games with his friend who had court-side season tickets and all the perks therein.
No, we couldn't afford those tickets, nor could I afford the Laker game tickets. He didn't care.

We had a blast. It was my first professional basketball game. There were quite a few Utah fans in attendance, including a cute family of 4 with two little kids all decked out in their matching Williams jerseys. The baby girl's was PINK!
When the team ran out all I could say is Wow! They're huge! I couldn't get over how big they were. TV doesn't do them justice. They looked how I expected them to look, but they're just huge.
Chris wore his Kirilenko jersey and thought about trying to get close enough to get it signed. At one point during a time out I thought I saw AK47 looking over our way and so waved to see if he'd wave back. He didn't.



Another time I looked over, grabbed Chris' arm and said "I just saw Jeff Hornacek!" Then I thought I was just seeing things. But I wasn't. It was him. Sitting with the announcers. That was an added bonus to the night.

It was a lot of fun being there with him. It was the first time I had seen him watch a basketball game sitting down in a chair. Normally he's standing pacing the floor. I wonder if that was hard for him. Our seats were great, squished between four huge mountain men Clipper fans, but at least they weren't mean!
I didn't expect myself to get so involved in the outcome of the game. But I did. I got nervous if the score was too close, and during critical free throws. I knew they couldn't lose! Not while we were there!

I feel like I did something loving for my husband and I know he was grateful. I still have yet to cash in on his Christmas present to me: a spa visit especially for pregnant mamas past their first trimester. Just waiting for the right moment!

BBall

Dillan has become very aware of his schedule. He understands that Mon Wed and Fri he goes to school. "So Mom, what do we do on Tuesday and Thursday?" Answers are typically laundry, cleaning, watch a movie, let Mommy take a nap, run errands. BORING stuff. He says he's ready to play soccer again.
So I started looking for something he could do during the long winter months before spring soccer starts. I was fortunate enough to find a reasonably priced, non-competitive basketball class for 3-5 year olds that meets Thursday mornings at the park.
Dillan is so excited about basketball. It is, after all, "Daddy's game."



It wasn't raining on the first day, but it was cold! He had selected his basketball attire carefully, and did not want to wear a coat. His teacher (coach) is fun and energetic and even brought treats for after class. Dillan is the only 4 year old. The rest are 3.



While it was difficult for the coach to keep everyone on task, there were runaway balls, boys gathering sticks, boys taking a break to chat with mommies, boys uninterested in playing after 3 seconds, one boy remained completely attentive and focused on the coach. Dillan. He didn't look over to me once. Even when I cheered as he scored a basket, he was in total game mode. Proud moment. He was working so hard and having so much fun.



I honestly believe that the Lord spoiled me in blessing me with the exact little boy that I always wanted. A good listener, athletic, charismatic, smart, sweet, and confident. I must have made a list of all the qualities I wanted my son to have and left it in heaven. He's perfect.


I'm not forgetting about Leah either. I don't have a picture of this special moment that happened today, but hopefully by writing it down I will preserve the memory. I don't want to forget how I feel at this moment. It may be the hormones, but every time I think of it, my eyes become wet. I feel warmth all over, and a special glow. A motherly glow.
We attended a baptism today for a boy in the ward. I went to be supportive as a member of the Primary Presidency and also volunteered to lead the music. When we took our seats, the kids were not being cooperative. Leah was tired and Dillan hungry. They flopped from chair to floor, to new chair, to my lap, to fighting over the same chair, to whining, and back again. I wasn't sure how it was supposed to work. When it was time for the opening song, I told them I would be up front waving my arm. The song started ("I am a Child of God") and I started scanning the room looking at all the faces.
Then I heard a child's voice, singing loud. I mean LOUD. The words were correct, and they were more or less on key. I look over to see the sweetest sight I've seen in a long time. My children, side by side on a chair. Dillan had his arm around Leah and they were both singing their hearts out, watching me closely. I had to hold back the tears, I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone, but it was hard and I probably failed big time. She only knows the first verse, but when the chorus came, she was the loudest in the room. Pride. It wasn't the best time to pull out my camera, but I hope that image will never leave my memory bank.

Yummy

We went with some of our most favorite people to Mrs. Knott's.
Of course with all the delicious selections from the menu, all Dillan wanted was a hamburger. To his credit, he did eat the whole thing.
Leah started out the meal by bonking her head in the waiting area and earning a big bump on her forehead, which took over any desire to eat. Oh except Boysenberry sherbet.
It was a delicious meal with fun people.
Yes, not EVERYone was there to make it perfection, but maybe next time!

good times

Thanks to Dillan's soccer league in the fall, we had a free round of mini golf for the whole family. I believe the last time we took Dillan, he was in a stroller and just watched Mommy and Daddy, not really knowing what else to do.

Dillan had a lot of fun. He insisted that Daddy help him get set up each time. Daddy would patiently get his hands in the right position, then demonstrate how to hit the ball. He did very well and was having so much fun. He's been asking when we can go back and do it again. He still practices his grip, making sure he's got it right.

Both the kids loved the hole that the ball was hit into the hole and then magically popped out of a hole a few feet away to a completely different patch of green. Over and over again, Dillan was determined to figure out how this was happening. We must have returned to that spot a million times. He'd hit his ball, watch it fall in the hole, and then sprint top speed down the hill to see it come out the side of a rock. Seriously, that boy could be an engineer. A brain like his Papa's no doubt.

Daddy Kisses

Daddy has established a morning routine around here. Once he's all dressed and ready to leave, he'll announce "Kisses!" for everyone to here. When this happens, 4 pounding bare feet come racing to him.
Leah always comes first. Daddy leans over and she plants a big wet raspberry on his cheek. Sometimes the lips.
Then Daddy waits till she says, "Dillan kisses!"
Dillan shares his kisses and hugs with Daddy.
Finally, Leah shouts, "Mommy kisses!" and it's Mommy's turn for luva luv from Daddy.

She watches closely to make sure each of her commands is executed to her satisfaction. Then, as he descends the stairs, she says "OK, bye Daddy!"

Chris loves this. He lives for it every morning as he leaves for work. It's something special that he shares with his little girl.


Oh and here's the latest joke of the day my sweetheart shared with me. He had heard it from a stand-up comic.

My wife has become very lazy lately, or as she describes it: "Pregnant."
Yeah. So funny. Of course, I don't expect him or any other man to understand what its like.
And, thanks to the many male influences I've encountered in my life, I know not to take him too seriously. Ever.