Nolan I am so proud of you. On October 1st, 2012 I told you that you did not need diapers anymore. I showed you a cool little toilet that was just for you and I gave you a whole pack of cool underwear. You were a little hesitant to give up your long time friend the diaper but once you felt those soft briefs on your bum you warmed up to the idea. A few accidents into it you got the message of what I needed you to do. When you finally got that pee in the potty I went all crazy yelling and shouting and dancing and singing...WHOO HOO... PEE PEE IN THE POTTY! YOU DID IT! YEAH! WHOO! ALRIGHT! BIG BOY! on and on till you joined in. The next time you needed to go you jumped up ran to the bathroom, did your business and then said to me, "do the potty dance Mom"!  And you have had it down ever since. Of course a few accidents now and then but you mastered it in a day. I am so very proud of you and think you are one smart little two year old.

Now I was wondering if we could discuss this...

Saturday Memories

I think it is great to get the kids out and working on a Saturday morning. Nothing wrong with a little hard work and house cleaning to teach them that life is about working and getting done what needs to get done.
And after the work is done it is a perfect time to PLAY!

So we do. We took our kids down to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute (about 45 minutes south of us) in Oregon. Ethan and Emma have been learning about the early settlers (Emma in our region and Ethan all over the US) and so we thought it would be fun to explore this museum. It is a very neat musuem with a cool light show and great pictures and artifacts. I learned a lot.

 

The museum is right next to a casino where we have heard they have a great buffet. We were starving so we paid half a months salary and ate lunch. It was really fun and the kids loved how much food there was and that we did not limit them at all. I love that they are getting older and can help themselves and enjoy a buffet. I was very proud of their manners. No finger lickin' from my kiddos.

Next we headed home but not until we saw that Wreck-it Ralph was playing at the theater there. Nolan needed a nap and I wanted to get home but the kids kept begging and they all decided they wanted to go so badly that they would pay for themselves to get in. DEAL! So Nolan and I stayed home and Joey took the older kids to the movies. Fun yet productive Saturday!

Halloween... a lot late.



Emma as a dementor
Jayci as Theodore the chipmunk
Lily as Hermione
Ethan as a mummy
and Nolan as Mickey Mouse



Halloween Day was one of the craziest days I have had in a long time. I seriously thought, at a few points, I must be on some "let's see how crazy we can make a mom" show. Our school let's the teachers dictate who can dress up and when. All the kids except Emma has to bring their costumes to school and put them on after lunch. Emma had to wear hers to school. So Halloween morning Emma gets suited up, Lily wore half her costume and put the rest in her backpack, Jayci had me pack hers into my bag since I would be there to help her anyway and Ethan was no way going to warp himself so we would have to meet up later. Nolan who was scheduled to go to Trey's house was in his normal attire however all the kids begged for me to parade him to their classrooms in his Mickey Mouse costume so I packed that one into my bag too. Not sure this is a good idea to bring him to school but something came up with the sitter so what the heck Nolan can come and join the festivities.

Quick breakfast, scriptures and we are out the door. Drop off kids and take Nolan to the sitters. First up, I hit the office to get the rest of the supplies needed for the kindergarten craft project. A few cuts and copies later I am headed to 4th grade. I help kids move desks and get their stuff cleaned up and then the teachers send me to the store because a parent forgot to send cupcakes for the school party. No problem, jump in the car, hit the gas... am there and back with the cupcakes in 15 minutes. Time to head to 2nd grade for some science time. All goes as planned and an hour later I am headed to 5th grade for my super silly reading group where the boys read with fake accents. Done with that I go and meet Angie in the parking lot where she drops off Nolan. A quick change into his Mickey costume and we are rushing back to 5th grade to mummify Ethan. This is wear my day starts to fall apart...

Nolan has only had his costume on for 2 minutes and he is wanting it off NOW! Ethan is more worried about missing recess than getting wrapped well and I am rushing to get to lunch. I pretty much ignore nolan who has stripped down to his scivvy's (which BTW has history with the scrivens name). 

All the kids are out at recess so who cares. I am wrapping like a mad woman and Ethan is eyeing the clock. Next thing I now the toilet in the boys room has flushed more times in five minutes than it should in a day. I finally give in and go check on Nolan. He is now bottomless and swirling his undies in the toilet. AHHHH. I do the only thing I can think of and wring them out (yes I know it is toilet water) wrap them in paper towel and throw them in my bag. Then I scrub mine and his hands and get back to wrapping. I do not have extra underwear in my purse so Nolan has to just put his itchy pants back on.

Ethan is finally wrapped and ready so I dab some brown ink on him and send him off to lunch... Sorry bud guess you miss recess this time.

Off to kindergarten. Nolan is mad. He wants to play. I get to kinder and the teacher is already putting me to work. I was hoping to drop my bags off and head to lunch but I need to get Jayci in her costume. I get Nolan to calm down since they are watching a movie and he has a little distraction now. Jayci and I squeeze into the tiny restroom and get her into her costume... BTW I have not dressed appropriately and I am sweating bullets now. A quick glimpse in the mirror and I am horrified. Who cares! Jayci is dressed but I am starving. Other moms have shown up so I quickly excuse my self and run (which is not aloud in the halls) to lunch. Emma is there so we sit with her while Nolan and I share the "delicious" school lunch. He will still not wear the mickey portion of the costume so the kids want to know what he is since he is in all black. A ninja at the moment!

Lunch is done. Back to kinder. Again no running rule gets broken. Most of the kids are in their costumes. Parade is beginning. Time to set up for party. Nolan out on play ground. Another concerned mom pipes up to see whose unruly kid that is. I decide not to claim him... hahaha not really but it is getting to that point.

Finally get party set up and Nolan working on something. Kids are back and party starts. Yeah for extra moms and lots of helping hands because Nolan was more than enough for me to take care of.

Bell rings.. pheww.

Gather kids plus one (Emma's friend Ashley joins us for the night), hop in car and head home. I never did parade Nolan to the other classes and he still wouldn't put that costume on. Ethan unwraps and we all get a snack. I have a house full of people coming so I make some chili and get things ready for our party.

Time to go to the trunk-or-treat. Re-wrap Ethan, get kids back into costume. Nolan gets into his and wears it long enough to get the above picture and it is off again. He falls asleep while I am painting faces and I know it is sad but I am truly relieved. He has many more Halloweens ahead of him he can afford to miss one. Trunk-or-Treat is great fun. I just sit in the back of the car and pass out candy and make silly jokes to the kids. I am just glad to be sitting and not sweating anymore.

Back to our house for chili with our friends...four families, 8 adults, 22 kids. A small bought of trick-or-treating in our neighborhood and a lot of candy trading going on.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!



Jayci's Kindergarten Class



We did find time eventually to carve our pumpkins

The house full of kids, minus a few little ones.



On a more personal note.

I have been doing so much lately that I am debating how much to blog. I get so behind when I am busy with life that going back through pictures that I took intending to put on my blog I no longer want to even go there now.

I have been reading my old journals lately and I enjoy being able to remember events I have not thought of in a long time. I love this blog for that reason. I want to remember these times and what my kids were up to. I want to remember how they grew up and the fun things we did.

So my conclusion is that I am going to try and simplify and update more often (or try anyway).

I have also noticed that I am not very good at blogging about what Joey and I are up to. I rarely talk about us on here and I guess that is fine but I think I might try and add a few things that we are doing too. Some of my blogging friends are so good at writing about their thoughts, feelings, ideas, creative projects, ect and I enjoy reading those blogs so much.

Whether Joey wants this out here in the blog-o-sphere I know not but... better to ask for forgiveness than permission in this case...He's busy!
Joey is working as an Administer in a Skilled Nursing Facility (aka nursing home).  It can be a high stress job and has its challenges but he is a rock star and is killing the competition right now.  He has put a very good team in place and really has a nice building. We try and do fun things on the weekends to keep his mind off work. Last weekend he and Ethan, and their good friends Spencer and Ben all went to a UU vs. UW football game in Seattle. They had a blast and I am so glad that Joey has a good friend who gets out and does some fun stuff. Joey stays busy with his three callings too. Sunday school pres, Sunday school teacher, and Elders Quorum teacher (not many folks in our ward). His fave past time is words with friends that he plays often against his parents who are in Colorado. He and I get in a date a couple times a month and last night he took me to Twilight Breaking Dawn 2. We got home and the babysitter and the kids told us we were not gone long enough so we left and did the only thing their is to do in this town after 8 p.m. WALMART. ugghhh! It actually was not that bad and gave us a chance to talk uninterrupted.

So a little about what I am up to these days. I volunteer every Wednesday at the kids' school. I spend about an hour in each class (a little more in kindergarten) and I get to eat lunch with one or two of the kids each time. Nolan goes and spends the day with my good friend Angie and her 3 year old Trey. Then on Fridays Trey comes and hangs out with us all day while Angie takes a sub job. It is such a great trade and works well for both of us. I am the PTA Vice President this year and I love this job. Basically I do whatever they tell me. Seriously it is great. I love being involved and the other board members are so amazing moms. We had a very good start to the year and our one fundraiser is already over. This is the best PTA I have worked with so far. Very inclusive bunch of ladies and they love fresh blood. Thus why I was seduced into the VP position after only one year at the school. I stay busy with daily chores that my kids no longer have time to help with since they are gone all day. Laundry piles up when I turn my back and my couch has become its usual resting place till someone decides to put it away. Nolan keeps me busy but I could not ask for a better toddler. I did not post his big accomplishment yet but he has been potty trained for over a month now. That has been so great for me and I know he loves it too. I have been going a little crazy this APPLE season. My friend taught me how to use a water bath so I have made batches and batches of apple pie filling, apple sauce, and apple butter. I bought a nifty tool that I sure wish I had last year.



Peels, Cores, and Slices... whoohooo!



Nolan loves helping me wash the apples.

I have done a few projects too, mostly chalk board windows. I got a little carried away and made a chalkboard for almost every room. I ended up putting knobs on the ones for Lily and Jayci and they love it because they can hang their scarfs and sweaters up.


This one is in the entry way. I have since taped tons of picture
over the window portion and I just love how it turned out.



This is in the playroom.



I am currently a Sunday School teacher with Joey and I am also the Achievement day leader for the girls ages 8 to 11. I love both callings and enjoy getting to know the youth in our ward. Achievement Days is only twice a month but sometimes takes quite a bit of my time when I am trying to really put some effort into what we do. I find myself mostly busy with the kids school homework and projects, taxing to different events, attending field trips, class parties, choir assembly's, parent/teacher conferences, dental, doctor and eye exams... and the list goes on. I always wanted to be a mom and I am so grateful that I have been so blessed to have this great opportunity. I love the busyness and I enjoy being so involved in what my children are doing. I love it that when I need to tell the front office that all four kids need to not get on the bus that day that I can quickly recite all my children and their teachers without hesitation. I love that when I get a call from the school nurse that I can be at the school in less than five minutes to get my sick child. I love trying new ways to better my home organization and my kids bedroom arrangements. I love bargain hunting and spreading my budget thin. I love teaching my kids that they can't have everything they want right when they want it. I love showing them by example that it is worth the stained and cold hands and hard work it takes to gather walnuts from our backyard so we can enjoy the otherwise expensive nut in our salads, cookies and brownies. I love watching them show concern and care for each other in moments of panic, sadness, and stress. I love cheering them on during their games and letting them cry on my shoulder when they had a rough day. I love watching the joy in their faces when they aced a test or scored a goal. Everyday I am grateful that my Heavenly Father blessed me with five beautiful, strong, healthy, and brave children. They are my angels and I cherish each one of them.

The Month of October was Super Busy!

Soccer ended and each child was a little sad. The first day without games or practices was a little nice and the kids even got in a little T.V. time which they had not had after school all season.

Jayci went on her first Kindergarten Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Nolan got to tag along and they both had a great time.

Super Huge Slide was a hit!

Mrs. Reiters Class



Nolan sure misses having Jayci at home during the day. Jayci can now read and it is so fun to see her share this with her little brother who adores her.

  Emma's fourth grade class took a field trip tothe Whitman Mission. They have been learning about the early settlers of teh area and this is rich history.


Such a Beautiful Spot... no wonder they wanted to settle this valley.



Emma's Best Friends Catherine and Ashley



Mrs. Watson's Fourth Graders

Prospect Point Elementary has one fund raiser a year. It is called a FunD Run. The kids ask for sponsers (basically a flat donation) and then all the kids run around the school together about three times on our FunD Run day. I love it because 100 percent of the money goes straight to the PTA and we do not have to deal with cookie dough and wrapping paper orders. We make enough to cover all expenses for the year and then some.  (I am the VP this year and enjoy working with this group of parents) All the kids get to participate regardless of wether or not they collected donations.

After the crazy busy first couple of weeks of October our family was ready for our Camping trip to Ensign Ranch with our friends.

Crazy bunch of kids!

The horse back riding was a highlight even though we were all freezing and the poor Dads were getting soaking wet.

Nolan absolutely loved riding the horse and wanted to go again and again.

Lily enjoyed riding too!

Poor Jayci was so cold I wasn't sure she would be able to hang on. She crying up until she got on the horse and then she was all smiles. I guess that horse warmed her right up!

Ethan I think is ready for a trail ride!

My parents came out to visit us since they only live about an hour away. We were so glad they braved the
cold to come and spend the day with us.

Nolan singing... "I'm a grumpy old troll... You can't go over MY bridge!"

All the kids exceot Nolan went for a canoe ride.

The three oldest went by themselves and I must say I was so proud of tehm for being able to get that
 canoe around the lake and back...twice.

It did rain a bit and SNOWED on us but we survived and still had a GREAT time.

The kids always put a play on for us when we go and this time was no exception. It was really a good performance with solos from Emma and Nolan who sang Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Look out Hollywood!

Our good friends from W2. The Ashton Family

Our Good friends from LS. The Bates Family

Last year we had two other couple who were not able to make it this year. I hope we keep this tradition up and just add more and more families. It was so nice to spend a weekend in the
Great Outdoors!

New School Year and Soccer.

Ethan: 5th grade
Emma: 4th grade
Lily: 2nd grade
Jayci: Kindergarten
Nolan: Stay at home kid!

Jayci's First Day of full time Kinder

Nolan wanted to be a big boy with a backpack.

All four kids are on four different teams. It seemed like a lot to take on and took quite a bit of schedule juggling but really worked out great. We have all really enjoyed the soccer season and the kids have learned so much. I have found that I am one of those parents cheering loudly from the side lines. I get so excited for them.

 Lily's team
Golden Cowgirls

Jayci's Team
Sparkling Cougars

Ethan's Team
Clementine Crushers

Emma's Team
BFFs (Blue Flaming Feet)

Ethan has an undefeated team. He has really learned a lot this year and his couch was suprised to hear that he has not played before (not including the year he played when he was four). He really enjoys it and is getting more aggresive with each game.

Jayci is a fast runner which really helps her. She runs circles around a lot of the girls her age and scores an avergae of five goals per game. She loves soccer and it has been great for her. I love watching this age it is so adorable.

Lily has done so well this year. She made the first goal of the season and has really learned to be aggresive and go after the ball. She makes a great goalie too and is not afraid to grab that ball. Lily plays with her good friend Maya and it is fun to cheer for them. She gets really into it when she hears us cheering.

Emma's team is very good and it is full of girls from her school. Thagt has been so nice for her to make such close friends through soccer. Emma has sure worked hard this year to learn the game. At her age it is pretty competitive. She has learned to go after the ball and stick with it. She made her first goal the other night and we were jumping out of our chairs.

Nolan takes everything in stride and always finds something to entertain himself with at all these games and practices.
I am looking forward to when he can play too. It looks like all the kids are wanting to stick with soccer and do this again.