Tumbling Twosome!

We all know how I scarred Gage for life by forcing him into tumbling (I tried twice), and making him play soccer. Now, he doesn't want to do anything. I did get him to do T-ball last year however. Anyway, I have waited with Landen to try anything. Landen's friend Peyton started tumbling so I mentioned this to Gage and Landen to see if they wanted to try it. They both said no. Well, I finally talked Landen into it because I knew he would love it. Gage said he wanted to go and watch Landen. Let's just say they are both now taking tumbling! Gage couldn't stand sitting on the sidelines watching. He joined right in. It is funny to see their personalities come out. Gage listens really well and follows the rules. Landen does his own thing. He has to be first for everything and has a hard time listening to the teacher. Bottom line, they are having a blast! Hopefully, I can get some action shots next time we go.

They had to open a new class for my kids so right now it is just Gage, Landen, and Peyton.

Gage insisited on wearing tank tops because that's what tumblers wear he said.

Fire Station Field Trip

I am so grateful that I have such a flexible job. I have started working nights when I work during the week because I just don't want to miss out on any of the kids' school activities. Last week, I worked a night shift, came home, slept for 3 hours, and then went on a field trip with Gage to the fire station. It was so worth being tired. Gage was so excited to see me at school. He introduced me to all of his friends, and held my hand everywhere we went. We went to the fire station and learned about fire safety. Of course I forgot my camera so I made Gage pose after the field trip when we got home.

Gage copied the note on the board that the teacher had written for the day. He is learning so much and is so excited about learning to read.

Kids Are Surprising

On Monday, I was supposed to go to a Trauma Conference at work that I was really looking forward to. I had arranged for my sister to sleep over and take the kids to school for me while I was gone. Well, around 4am Landen woke up saying he was going to throw up. Since there was nothing in his belly to throw up he just kept dry heaving and he did it all day long. I just felt so helpless. I didn't know what to do for him. Finally by 10 am, I was willing to give him whatever he wanted to make him feel just a tiny bit better. I said I would snuggle with him, let him lay in my bed, or watch any movie he wanted. He said he wanted the tv off which is not at all like him. Mike and I have been trying to not let him watch his favorite Fast and Furious movies since he started mimicking the naughty words, but I was desparate. I said, "Landen, do you want to watch Fast and Furious?" Landen quickly replied, "No mommy. That show has swear words in it." I was shocked!

Mike and I always tease Landen about how many "girlfriends" he has. He is so friendly and social. Since he started preschool, the number has jumped from 4 girlfriends to 7! Gage usually joins in on the teasing but never talks about girls himself. Today Gage said to me, "Mommy, a girl told me I was cute at school yesterday." I replied, "Did you tell her thanks?" Gage, "No, I said nothing." I can't believe how old he is getting.

Yesterday, I was telling Gage how I was going to go on his field trip to the fire station with his school class. What he said next I will never forget. Gage said, "Finally everyone will get to meet my mommy!" I hope he always feels that way about me.

Happy Birthday Merrill!

I wanted to wish my hubby a very Happy Birthday! He turned 31 years old today. He is such a great husband and dad, and I am so lucky to be married to him. I hope he had a great day. Last night we went and ate dinner just the two of us. Today, we took the boys miniture golfing and then had a Tailgate BBQ at the Weber State Football game. We didn't stay for the game because Mike wanted to make it home to watch some real football games on tv. I got him his favorite thing for his birthday. A punch pass to go golfing. I also bought us some tickets to go to a Real Soccer game in their new stadium. I can't wait. Some how I always seem to benefit from his gifts. Oh, well.

Check out pics of our golfing experience. I don't really recommend Fat Cats' mini golf in Ogden. The kids had a blast and it was glow in the dark but we paid $2o and we were done in 10 minutes because there are only 9 holes. Apparently, Gage and Landen thought we were doing some sort of speed version.

This was Gage's 2nd time mini golfing so he thought he was a pro.

It was hard to try and help Landen because he is left handed.

Landen ended up on the ground a lot trying to golf. It looked like he was playing pool instead of golf.

Syracuse Elementary Freedom Carnival

On the 11th, we went to the Syracuse Elementary Freedom Carnival. The kids had so much fun! We took our niece Ava along with us. She is so good. She stays right by us. We lost Landen for what seemed like the longest two minutes of my life. One minute we were talking to some friends and the next he was gone. I finally found him on the playground oblivious of anything wrong. The kids were able to play on the inflatable bouncers and even try some fun carnival games.

I wish I could get a cage like this for my backyard. Just kidding.

Tanner is defiantely the climber of my three boys. Gage and Landen weren't able to do physically at this age what Tanner can do now. Here, Tanner is attempting to climb up some jungle gym ladder. He made it up a few bars.

It is so funny what kids get fixated on. I have noticed Tanner going up and down tiny steps in a few different places we have gone. This video is of Tanner doing just that although he had already been doing it for a few minutes before I whipped the camera out so you don't see him doing it very long here.

Cousin Sleepover

Last Friday, Ava danced in Syracuse High's halftime show at their football game. Afterwards, Ava slept over. The boys had a blast. They had a pillow fight and watched The Incredibles. Ava is such a good kid. I didn't even know she was there. I could totally have kid #4. Well, I'll have to think about it.

I think the boys ganged up on Ava.

The Next Lance Armstrong?

Growing up, I thought I was ok at sports. I played soccer all my life and am pretty decent. I could play other sports, run, ride my bike, etc. Mike was a little more athletic and excelled at soccer. My dad claims he was an All American at Ogden High (just kidding) so one would think it would be in the genes for my kids. Not so. For some reason, Gage and Landen just can't get the hang of riding bikes. Needless to say neither one of them will be the next Lance Armstrong. I have to place a little blame on Mike and I for not encouraging them to get oustide and excercise. Maybe we also let them watch a little too much tv as well. Not anymore! We now have daily excercise time. We have to ride bikes around the block each morning.

Gage is riding his new larger bike he got for his birthday, but isn't anywhere near getting his training wheels off. He is so afraid of going fast or even going down our driveway for that matter. Again, I partly blame myself. I am such an overprotective parent. I am always telling him to slow down and be careful. I think it might have something to do with where I work. Go figure.

Landen hasn't been able to pedal a trike (yes, he will be 4 in November) until recently. He loves to ride trikes but would just push with his feet. Mike had enough the other day and forced him to learn. He is actually doing pretty well now. He still pushes with his feet to get him started.

Maybe Tanner will be my bike rider. Poor thing. I usually only have pictures of him when he is strapped into something. At least its not a stroller this time.

Good Times at the Park

My dad found this great new park in South Ogden pretty close to where he lives. My mom thought it would be a great idea to have our Sunday dinner there this past week. It was a great idea, until the wind and the rain kicked in. There always has to be some sort of Zampedri/bad luck involved doesn't there? The food was great we just had to eat it really fast. Thankfully we were out of there before it started raining too hard.

Here's Tanner enjoying a roll. He loves to shove as much food as he can into his mouth at once.

Gage

Landen

Tanner

The three amigos!

This is why the park is so awesome. It has play toys and water and its free! It is right behind the Ogden Athletic Club. We haven't gone on a good day to be able to test the water out and now it is shut off until next year. I can't wait to try it out.

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Little Boys in a Tub

My kids love nothing more than playing in mommy and daddy's big tub. It's a rare occasion that I let them take a bath in it because they make such a mess. However on Sunday mornings when I am trying to get ready for church, it is a good distraction for them and I am able to keep an eye on them. Tanner loves to stand and let the water coming out of the tap splash onto his hands. He used to be afraid of the jets when they were turned on and would start crying, but this last time he loved it! We end up making a mess full of bubbles.

Landen's First Day of Preschool

Today was Landen's first day of preschool. We have been waiting for this day for a long time. Landen watched for two years as I dropped Gage and his buddy Zach off to this same preschool and Landen has wanted to go ever since. Mike and I had Landen pick out his school outfit last night and he knew just the one he would wear. He was so excited!

The backpack is almost bigger than Landen!

These two are such the best of friends. I don't know what they will do once we really get into the rythm of school and they won't see each other as much. Gage was really excited for Landen telling him what to expect and what to do.

Here is Landen with Mrs. Call. He walked right in. Some of the other kids were crying.

When I picked Landen up, I asked Mrs Call how he did. Landen replied for her, "Mommy, I did awesome!" He then ran up and gave Gage a big hug.

I always joke about how Landen is my difficult child, but he also amazes me. Since he was born while I was in nursing school, I feel like I wasn't there for him as much as I was for Gage. Landen is super smart and I can't take credit for any of it. He taught himself his colors by asking me what color each of his cars were, he taught himself to count by counting his cars and he learned his letters and sounds by doing them along with us as we worked with Gage. Landen is also my social child. He makes friends with everyone. Landen loves hanging out with Gage and his friends, but he also has many friends his own age. Gage still can't tell me the names of the kids who sit on his table at school and he has been in kindergarten for two weeks now. Landen told me the name of someone he met at preschool today. He also has three "girlfriends." It is so cute to listen to him talk about his "girlfriends." They are Hannah and Laken from church and his cousin Ava.

I am so proud of Landen, and I can't wait to see all the things he will learn in school!