Kid update

Catching up on the kids....

Abigail hasn't been lying anymore. Also, since I got her some gold... or as she says "golden"... hair clips, she hasn't been twirling her hair anymore either. Also, she's been acting really mature (but in a giddy strawberry shortcake sort of way) about going potty and doing other things that I ask her to. "When we get inside, will you put your shoes away and go potty?" "Oh! [giggles] sure! [more giggles] of course!" I'll take it!  Tonight I got impatient with her at dinner and raised my voice a bit.... And it made me realize that I haven't done that in a while. Hallelujah because for a while, that was a way too frequent occurance. 

She still uses the Lucy voice inflection and tone of voice and the occasional "DUH!" but we're working on this. My best guess is that she doesn't know it is rude, it's just habit because she hears it constantly when she's playing with her friends. But all in all, the girl has been a wonderful friend to me lately and is really enjoyable to be around and really patient with me, which I always appreciate. 

Brady is still the most ticklish kid on the planet with an insane sweet tooth. He loves to eat anything and everything all day long and then refuses dinner. He still pushes chairs over and climbs on our countertops but it's slightly less frequent than it was. He still doesn't enjoy kids his age or people he doesn't know but is extremely loyal to those he actually loves. At the missionary farewell open house, Chris's brother, John, was there and Brady ran right to him. Everyone was shocked because they know how anti social Brady is... And then they put it together that he was Brady's uncle. Brady does not go to strangers. Or acquaintances. 

Brady talks so much now and it is awesome and hilarious... Every time. It hasn't gotten old for me yet and actually just keep setting exponentially better. Even when he's shouting at another baby in church to "GO WAY!"  He says a lot of two word things like "daddy's shoes" but if you count his grunts that mean words, he also says stuff like "it's a show!" and "I want daddy home!" He learns so quickly repeating things he hears so he says a lot of numbers and letters. If you ask him how old he is, he'll tell you he's five. It drives Abigail crazy. ; ) maybe because he's already one upping her. 

Brady is the mist ticklish kid I've ever experienced and laughs so easily if I just make a funny face or a joke (I'm still trying to figure out how he knows to laugh at my sarcastic jokes because Abigail doesn't get them and honey frequently won't give a noticeable reaction... But Brady is right there laughing like crazy). 

Brady is my piano practicing buddy. He frequently grunts at me when I sing to him (but only if we're alone... If I'm singing to him and Abigail then he's totally okay with it) but loves to hang out with me while I play piano. I'm a little bit dependent on it now and miss him when he choses to play somewhere else while I practice instead of hanging out in the office with me. 

Brady freaks out if I don't let him buckle the top buckle on his car seat. It's been going on for like two months and the novelty still hasn't worn off. 

Also, he's really good about letting Abigail help him with things. I can tell him to climb in his high chair and then ask Abigail to snap his tray, push him to the table, and put his bib on and get him a fork, and he's 100% okay with it and doesn't fight it. 

And I guess that actually applies to most everything. They are such good friends and love helping each other out. Abigail is afraid of flushing the toilet, but together, they can go upstairs and Abigail can watch while Brady flushes the toilet for her. Or they can go to the other room together to clean up toys. I hope they stay good friends because it is heaven how well they get along. Abigail used to occasionally just take things from him, but now that Brady is older, she knows that they can have a conversation about a toy that she'll give it to him when she's done or that they can make a trade or take turns doing something. The hardest part is that Abigail will get worked up when brady is being disobedient or breaking a rule and I have to tell her that he makes his own choices and we just have to do our best to encourage him. But she's getting better at working through Brady's disobedience... as am I. ; )

So really, life with these two is wonderful. Two weeks ago and three weeks ago was insanely rough, but I think they realized I was reaching my breaking point and are going a little easier on me for the time being. 

Thankgoodnessforthat!

Our weekend

Let's just catch up for a minute, okay?  We'll just hit a few highlights. 

Thursday, I used my chick fil a calendar card and enjoyed an amazing chicken biscuit for breakfast after I dropped Abigail off at preschool. The card also included a large coke, but I managed a milkshake instead. At the drivethru, I told them I don't drink soda and asked if I could have a milkshake instead. And the lady got it approved and then asked which size I wanted. Well, a large of course! I would have been happy to pay the difference (probably $1.50 or something) and even told that to the guy at the window, but said he'd do it for me this time. Sweet. I love chick fil a.  

Friday night we went to shrek with the Hilliers. We left Brady with a babysitter and then met up with everyone at August moon for dinner. So delicious. I crave that walnut shrimp like crazy. And then I went home to get Brady (because after an hour and a half, he was still crying... That needs a post of its own though) and he came with us to watch the show. It was lots of fun. The hardest part was that I've gotten really used to the cd from the broadway musical so I hated when it wasn't exactly like the cd (like a live concert vs the radio version)... Ad the fact that these people weren't broadway quality. ; )  The best part was that Abigail and Brady were singing along. And I liked seeing scenes that didn't have songs with them because it was new to me. Brady didn't nap that day but was wide awake on the way home. Abigail passed out immediately but was awake enough at home for us to still do our nightly routine. Be some wasn't until close to 11. 

Saturday was day out with Thomas!  I surprised Abigail like I did last year and only told her after she woke up. She's not as into Thomas as she was when she was two or three but still likes it. On the way I was asking her questions and she was all "I'm not very excited... Only a little excited."  It tugged at my heart. I thought, ehhh, it's still fun, even if we only stay for a few hours. But we stayed as long as we possibly could and we were both so sad to leave. As we got back to the car Abigail kept saying that it was so so fun and was taking back her statements about thinking it would only be a little bit fun. Last year, I thought parts of it were a little lame. I thought, since it wasn't new to either of us and Abigail was older that it would be even less fun (I swear I'm not normally such a downer... I was just thinking logically) but it was the opposite.  Abiagail had different interests than last year so she was less into the music and magic shoes but more into the train table tent and model train town in the basement. An we were both into the food. ; ) Last year we packed a lunch but this year, I didn't feel like it and we had a brat for lunch and funnel cake for dessert and then dole whip later just because we could. It's fun to eat like that... Like how my dad and I like to try new foods (especially sweets) when we travel. It's the experience. Maybe this needs a post of it's own too. We got there at 10 and left at 4:30. Abigail fell asleep within 30 seconds of leaving the parking lot and slept the whole way home... Which was almost an hour since it was in golden and we hit traffic on the way home. I changed clothes and went straight to the RS broadcast (just like I did last year) and it was great. It was a long but wonderful day. Brady greeting me when I got home from Thomas was AMAZING though. I'm glad he gives Christopher that royal treatment every day after work. 

Sunday was good. We were only two minutes late for church. I set my alarm for 7:05 or something but then didn't get myself into the shower til 8:10. Why do I procrastinate so bad?! My bed is so appealing to me. I brought Brady to RS with me (because I've been doing that lately and I love hearing the lessons) and our teaching rough chocolate. I have Brady some but then stopped unwrapping them for him. Sadly, he realized that he could just bite straight through the paper wrapper to get to the chocolate. That kid's sweet tooth! And his temper! His temper is most fierce when it comes to food. And I really do mean fierce. Also, another little girl his age... I mean size... was hanging around him the whole time and I kept thinking to malefactors how amazing it was that he wasn't crying when she touched him or made eye contact with him. It was even looking for a minute like they were friends. And then, he took a step away from her and yelled, "GO WAY!" ... And wouldn't stop. On repeat for who knows how long. I was hoping no one would be able to understand him but the mom asked me about it afterwards. Whoops. Sorry, my kid just hates kids. Doing sooo much better lately, but still not a fan of his peers. 

After church we all ate cereal and hung out. Honey took Brady home teaching and I took Abigail with me to choir practice. Then the kids played really loudly while honey attempted to nap and we all went to Andrew's mission farewell. He's going to be the most amazing missionary. 

Monday... Today I've just been a bum. The cloudy, overcast weather just makes me want to put on comfy clothes and cozy up on my sofa. So that's basically all I did today. Well, first thing this morning, I had another VT meeting (that's my third since I got called a few weeks ago) that was really productive. But aside from that, I ignored my kids and let them make a mess. When I give them attention during playtime, things go south. I can ask if they want to play a game and then Abigail will end up crying because actually she wants to watch a show and eats treats an play with Lucy and go to the pool and why won't I let her do any of those things?!?!  But when I ignore them, they find toys and use their imagination and play soooo well together and never ask me for snacks or treats. So while I typically feel guilty doing it, I have to remind myself that they do benefit from me trying to micromanage and helicopter parent the crap out of their childhood. 

Tonight, we went to the library and then out the kids to bed. It's just been a rainy fall day today. Does that make anyone else feel lazy and dreamy? Or is that just me? Just let me cozy up and keep listening to the rain, okay? 

Life is just perfect. 

My amazing Abigail

Abigail had another awesome day today. We had zero power struggles. She also picked out my clothes and bracelet this morning. She told me all about what she learned at preschool. She was cute and funny and sweet. She was articulate instead of over dramatic. It was like a flashback to our easier days. Let's all just keep praying that she keeps this up. I loooooove having my buddy back. Instead of the obstinate, defiant, headstrong bully that's been abusing me as of late. Today we were only bff's. 

So let's just keep it that way. 

Ps- while I was putting Brady down for nap, she accidentally broke a little case that was in the powder room. Not sure exactly what happened but I heard a big crash without ever hearing anything from Abigail. Well, there were trails of blood everywhere and Abigail had attempted to clean it up and had even gotten herself some band aids. All without disturbing me while I was getting Brady to sleep. 

I FaceTimed!

This deserves it's own terrible, long, sad, saga blog post... which I've already semi started... but I don't have time for that at the moment. The story story is that sometime in march or April of this year, my phone's iOS was too dated to FaceTime. But I couldn't get the new iOS because I didn't have enough space on my phone. No big deal, right?!  I mean, I barely even FaceTime. Expect that it's been hard for me to lot FaceTime my grandmother on her iPad. Phone calls are nice, but I know she likes to actually SEE my kids since she can't really talk to them on a phone call. And it makes us feel like we're actually hanging out. 

Well, a few days ago, I just reached that point. Where I was so insanely fed up with my phone. Too full to take pictures or install apps/updates or FaceTime, or anything else. It's like the iPhone I fell in love with almost two years ago turned into a glorified flip phone and it was the bane of my existence. Last night, I spent probably at least six hours working on my phone. 

And today I FaceTimed my precious grandmother!!!!!

It was amazing. I won't lie, I even played the piano for her a bit... Because I've been practicing lately and Brady is the only one that's ever around to hear my progress. Also, I looked like such a bum today and felt so gross and ugly.  But when our screens connected, one of the first things grandmother said to me was that I looked so beautiful. Didn't even care that I had no makeup and my hair was in a ponytail and I was sweaty from sitting in the sun while watching the kids play outside.  

So, she's right... It was a glorious, beautiful thing. Staying up til 3:30 last night and getting less than four hours of sleep was soooo worth it. Now I'm just kicking myself for not figuring this out months ago! 

My grandmother... She's the best. 

a different sort of wednesday

there were several things that made this wednesday different from most others.

1. we spent the morning with honey... shopping... downtown.  he doesn't even work downtown.

2. brady refused to nap when i tried to put him down for nap.  even though he'd been up since before 9:30.  i think he must have gotten a one or two minute nap in the car.

3. abigail didn't play with lucy.  at all.  she tried to play with lucy, but for whatever reason, lucy kept ignoring her and pretending like she couldn't see or hear abigail.  i have no idea why.  and yes, it made abigail cry.  but then we all got over it and went to the library.

4. honey made dinner for us when he came home.  it was taco soup and only involved dumping some cans into a big pot and heating it up and i was going to do it anyway, but was just busy doing other things... but it was pretty awesome.  just having that other set of hands for ten minutes to stir the soup and whatever.

5. we had an fhe lesson.  ideally, this would happen on monday.  but we ran out of time.  and again on tuesday.  third time's the charm!

6. beginning to end... no power struggles with abigail!

Without the power struggles!

Yesterday was so amazing. Abigail was so sweet and such a happy girl. She was such a good listener about going potty in the morning, and when we were downtown shopping, and after we got home, and later in the evening before bed. Every time I asked her to go potty, she was such a big kid about it. It's amazing how awesome it is not to have those power struggles five times a day! Thankfully, today is starting out to be just as amazing! Hopefully this is the start of the new chapter for us! This little girl is so smart, I just need to get her on board with my ideas.

So she earned some Thomas time. Or as Brady says... "It's a S H O W !!!!!!!"

As I said, wonderful! 

An easy day

My kids have been challenging for me lately. My patience has been wearing very thin and I haven't been able to tolerate much crap from those two, which is unfortunate because they're not aware of the need to be on their best behavior for me. 

But today? Hallelujah I got dealt an easy day. So let's take a moment and review the wonderful things I am so grateful for about my day today. 

I slept in til 8:15. I read scriptures and filed my nails and browsed my phone and basked in my aloneness until 10:45 when Abigail came downstairs. We spent some time just chatting until finally heading to the kitchen to make breakfast (I let Abigail choose but, bless her little heart, she suggested "let's make eggs because it's your favorite!" ... so we did) and eat together. Brady woke up somewhere around 12:30 I think as we were cleaning up and he was on his best behavior since it was basically his lucky day that his eggs were all ready and the perfect temperature and his milk all poured and ready for him at the table. He are that all and some plums. I started some laundry, the kids played, Brady snacked on plums again later, and I even practiced the piano a bit. From 3:30 - 4:30, I went over to my neighbors' house to babysit for a bit until the husband got home from work (sorry I couldn't pick up your call, Emmy!) and then left Abigail there to keep playing with Lucy, while Brady kept himself busy while I worked on laundry. Honey texted about Texas Roadhouse and I actually said yes. 

He gave me his 20 minute warning and said he'd be home by 5. I got dressed, retrieved Abigail, and got Brady in the car. We had a $50 gift card that we had to use in one transaction and a card for a free appetizer. We ate until we were double our initial size (honey asked me if I felt fat or if I was actually fat... What???) and took F O U R to go boxes home with steak, shrimp, baked potato, French fries, rolls and honey butter, and two full loaded sweet potatoes and two partial loaded sweet potatoes. For the record... Our fried pickles didn't make it because we ate the entire basket of them while we were there. And as we were paying, our waitress informed us that it was kids night and our kids each got a free little bowl of ice cream and access to the toppings bar. I ate most of Brady's ice cream because he pretty much only wanted gummy bears. His sweet tooth is so intense. We got home by 6:45 and took a quick walk around the block. When we got inside, Abigail spontaneously pulled out our scripture pictures and asked honey to share a scripture story with us. Then I sent the kids upstairs with honey and went outside to mow the lawn in the dark. I cut it diagonally for the first time ever which probably looks horrible because I have no experience and it was pitch black. And I also attempted to edge it too... Just for good measure. Then I calmed a crying Brady and held his hand while he fell asleep and enjoyed some quiet time on his floor. And then was amazed that it was only 8:15. So I took a leisurely shower and wasted time on my phone and wrote a long schedule/to do list for tomorrow. 

I am sooooo very grateful for my freebie day today. Just when I thought I would hit my breaking point...

As a side note, my neighbor's daughter woke up at 5:30 this morning. 

As another random side note, I think Abigail falls out of bed nightly but has no clue because she sleeps through it. 

And another birthday shout out to my dearest fwend sawah...

And another random... Since we parked next to this car tonight and papa will be 94 next month!

What a great day! Crossing my fingers I can be a decent mother tomorrow! 

One of Brady

Did I ever post this? I think he's adorable. 

Still climbing

Friday

Primary program

Parker Oktoberfest

We're tennis fans

But only when it comes to watching Nate.