Sun Shine in Tacoma

Today was the perfect day.  Sunshine, preschool, park, picnic in the front yard.  who could ask for anything more.  It made me happy and since i'm in a happy mood I felt like blogging.  So here are some pictures of some happy times.

Gwenevere took my camera and had a photo shoot with Kiki

the below picture was the winner for the photo contest she had

Grace has been in a Princes, Ballerina, Tutu stage. Yes she even sleeps in her Tutu

notice the white curtains I finally installed.  

Okay so adjusting to three kids is a lot harder than I'd hoped.  But we've finally started cutting back on the amount of TV (screen) time the girls get.  (like only 1-2 hours a day,  lol) we still have some work to do but already their playtime has been more productive.  And super fun to watch.

Here they are doing a puppet show for me while I nursed Everett

We invited the missionaries over for dinner.  I was a bit nervous but with Gwenevere's help entertaining them it was a big success.   Before the missionaries left Gwenevere drew a picture of them.  Name tags and bow ties (she didn't want to draw a tie) included.  

This pictures is a bit blurry but Gwenevere took it and I just love Everett's look on his face.

It is sooooo nice to have sunny warm weather again.  We played in the front yard for ever an hour today. Everett mostly just chewed on his shirt sleeve and swung in his swing.  Grace was a bit jealous of Everett getting first dibs on the baby swing but she handled it well.  I'm hoping to find a glider swing for her and Gwenevere to use.  Grace would just LOVE that.

Half way through outside play time Grace decided she needed a wardrobe change.  She's been doing that A LOT lately.  

there is nothing better than a tutu and Hot boots to make you feel free

Best Everett face.  I think he's got a humorous personality bubbling inside.

 Please forgive the frumpy mama in the back ground.  Not matter what I try and do these days, it doesn't get any better.  I'm blaming it on the last 5 lbs I still need to lose and probably won't be able to lose until I'm done nursing, that or the chocolate I eat almost ever day.  I know I need to be better but seriously who can nurse and NOT have a sweet tooth.  I'm the worst when I'm nursing.

Moving on

an expression of Freedom for a 2 year old

Love these two playing together.

a favorite

Gwenevere wanted to take Everett down the slide: I'm either a crazy parent and an awesome one, but I went ahead and let her.   I was there at the bottom to catch Everett since the girls have a tendency of flying off the end.

The Princess climbing up to her tower

I love my life

After a long day of outside play we made our way into the bathtub for a science experiment.

dissolving capsule of foam animals.  Gwenevere's been wanting to do this for ages. 

The experiment was a success

Oh happy Day.

Our family blog: made inperfectly

For the longest time (like back in 2008, not long after I started my blog),  I came to realize just how horrible of a speller and grammer person I was.

Okay not true.

I've known this fact since my first grade teacher pointed it out to me and made me feel like a terrible 1st grader for not spelling correctly.

But for the first little bit of my blogging life I was very cautious about what I wrote on my blog.  I would make James edit every blog, helping me correct all my mistakes.  It was tedious and not enjoyable.  Then one day, shortly after starting my blog, I said to myself. "why am I stressing over this, this is who I am, embrace it and move on.  I blog because I want to keep a family journal, I'm not trying to impress anyone.  And anyone else who cares to read my blog will just have to get use to the fact that I never really learned how to spell properly".

This has been my attitude ever since.

Then this week as I've been thinking back on my own schooling experience, I had the thought that I should write down my educational experience.  That way my children will know the reason behind the idiot (for the lack of a better word).

and so here it goes

Why I can't read good and other things your Mama does bad

When I was is first grade my teacher was mad at my Dad (your Grandpa Thomas, who happened to be the Principal,) because my dad had told her she needed to change the way she teaches.  He had noticed that she was hurting several students and he wanted her to change.  This made her mad.  So when I got to first grade and was in her class, (there was only one class because it was a very small town,) she thought she would show my dad who was boss.

I don't actually remember learning anything in her class.  She taught both 1st and 2nd grade because their just wasn't that many kids attending school.  She had a very cool reading corner in the class room with a big bunk bed and lots of stuffed animals.  I remember her telling me to go look at books while she taught the class.  I was uninvited to learn.  I remember being upset but also feeling kinda cool since I was the only one who was allowed to play.  I remember sitting in the reading corner looking at books wishing I could read them.  I didn't know then that I was actually being left out.

When i finally graduated from 2nd grade. I may or may not have been reading by than, I don't remember the details, but I know I was behind.

My 3rd grade teacher noticed immediately and soon I was tested into special ed.  It was there that I was told that I had dyslexia.  I had a great Special Ed teacher who helped me learn basic reading skills. You know, Cat Sat on a Hat, kind of reading skills.  But while I was re-learning how to read I was also missing out on what the other kids where learning:  grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and so on.

I continued to go to special ed classes until I was in 8th grade.  At first the special ed classes where helpful, but after a while I noticed that the time away from class was hurting me more than helping me.  No offense to the other kids in special ed, but I was with a group of kids that had a lot of behavioral struggles as well, and so my special ed time was often disrupted by tantrums from the other students and from about 5th grade til 8th grade my special ed experiences where not so pleasant.    

Finally in 8th grade my IEP team decided that I should be allowed to stay in the normal classroom but be given special accommodations like a spell checker and extra time to complete assignments. The handy dandy little note I gave to all my teachers was my punch card to pass all my classes.

I can honestly say that I don't know difference between (:) and (;) except that their is a difference and when you are making a list you use (:)

the whole their, there and they're get me confussed as well as where and were.  but we can't forget the then and than(s).

Yep I graduated from college with a bachelor degree and yet I don't know a lot of things.

So those of you are sickened my my grammar and blog posts.  I apologize.

It makes me sick too.

This is why I have been heavily weighing the idea of homeschooling my kids.

WHAT!

I know, the lady, that can't spell wants to teach her own kids to read and write.  that's messed up.

I've been learning a lot lately as I've been helping Gwenevere learn the sounds the letter makes and I'm realizing how cool it will be for me to learn with her the proper way to read and write.

figuratively speaking; I love being able to take off my Mommy apron and put on my teaching hat.  It has actually made my mothering experience much more fulfilling.  And I've enjoyed the growth it has given me.

Now I'm not saying we are going to home school our girls.  That is a decision that both James and I need to feel is right, but for right now we are in the process of praying and pondering the idea.

And that, my children, is why my blogs are the way they are.

I want you to know that I love all of you very much.  And that I believe I can improve.  And though you might not see an improvement in my blogs for a very long time.  I do hope that someday you will be able to say, "Wow, mom, your writing has improved."  Until then or maybe it's than.  I'll keep trying.

*side note:  This is a very rough version of the story.  I do not blame my parents or teachers for the outcome of my education.  For it my education and I am the only one who can claim it.  Who is to say I wouldn't have struggled just as much under better circumstances.

Everett Eats: I'm trying something new

The nice part about having three kids is you can try different parenting theories. hehehehe 

While I was pregnant with Everett I started listening to a natural parenting pod cast.  One of the talks was about how to start feeding your baby solid foods.  the talk explained that rice cereal and the other recommended first foods for babies are actually NOT very nutritious and can actually increase the chances of diabetes later on in life.  This made since to me.  the pod cast did recommend several naturally nutritious  (not fortified) food to start with including avocados, bananas and sweet potatoes.
  

 Since Everett has been so sensitive to different kinds of foods.  I decided to start him off with Sweet Peas.  And like most parents, I'm hoping to actually stick to the recommendation of only giving him one type of food (or only introduce one new type of food) per week.  This was my intentions with the previous babies but never stuck to it.  But because I'm starting Everett with solid foods so early I think I'll be more cautious.

Okay I'll get off my soap box now.  hehehehe

The real reason for this post:

After dinner one night last week. I decided to feed Everett some solid food.  He had been whinny all day sucking me dry and I figured he might still be hungry.  I've notice he's been having a growth spurt lately.
So I pulled out the bib and baby spoon and the girls got very excited and asked to help.  I was lucky enough to give Everett his very first bit of baby food.  He gave me the  "mom, that is gross" look and then asked for more.  (side note:  Everett has actually tasted other foods, like pretzels, oranges, and anything else We happen to think would be interesting for him to try.)

Gwenevere and Grace where not about to let me have all the fun.  The quickly requested for their turns to feed Everett.  

The face of baby brother after Grace is done feeding him

Gwenevere and Grace learn to sew

I've had the opportunity to do a little bit of sewing lately.  Since then Gwenevere has been asking me to teach to her to sew.  I told her I would but kept putting it off.  then the other day we were walking around Jo-Anns and Gwenevere told another shopper that I was going to teach her how to sew.  She has been so  excited and patiently waiting.  That's when I told myself today is the day.  We got out the sewing machine and Gwenevere made a little bean bag.  She was so proud of her sewing.  I want to find some simple sewing crafts she can do in the hopes that her interest will continue. Ideas are welcomed

We had to use a step stool so she could reach the peddle

Notice the little blue bean bag she is holding. 

Since we've been on a crafting kick we made threaded hearts for Valentines day.  The girls loved learning to sew.  I didn't have enough stamps on Valentines day but we have a lot of hearts that need a home.  Let me know if you want a one of a kind, hand crafted cardboard heart made with love from two very cute girls.  We can get them in the mail soon.  Next week's preschool lesson:  A visit to the Post office.  hehehehehhe  isn't preschool fun?!

Grandma Sharolee comes to visit

We had the privilege of Grandma Sharolee and Uncle Daniel coming to visit this weekend.
Friday night Grandma went to a Valentines Dance, which I'm partially jealous of.  hehehehehe

Saturday James had to work but Grandma made brownies and we went swimming while he was away.
It was Everett's first time in the pool and he loved it.

 
Then when James came home Grandma watched the kids so we could have a Valentines Date.

Sunday we went to church Gwenevere gave her talk and the primary sang a welcomes song to Grandma.

Daniel helped me fix a sewing project and we all relaxed before Grandma left.  Thanks for the fun weekend.

Loving me some memories

February updates and pictures

I don't think I've mentioned this before but I'm now working out 2 times a week with a whole bunch of old ladies; and I'm loving it.  for the last several months I've notice in the church bulletin an aerobics group that meets three times a week at the stake center.  I didn't know anyone who went but finally I got up the nerve to go: three kids in tote.  I was mostly worried they would have a heyday that I was bringing my kids but I figured since it was a church activity they couldn't get too mad.  Turns out that these old ladies are AWESOME.  They have more spunk and life in them then I do.  hahahhaha 

They drool over the cuteness of Grace and they love how Gwenevere is such a big helper.  It's amazing how much easy it is to workout with the kids at the church instead of working out at home.   I feel good after working out and I have a good time.  It's a win win.  Couldn't ask for a better workout group, and the best part, I'm not paying a gym fee.

Okay so now to the real exciting news.  Pictures of cute kids.

the other day is was raining and cold so after working I took the kids to McDonald's and we had a blast.  we played for about 2 hours and we had the place to ourselves.  

I decided to do monthly goals this year.  So each month I think of one or two things I want to accomplish.  And I strive to do it for the entire month.  This months goals.  Play the piano everyday and read with Gwenevere.  I'm about 5 out of 7 days a week piano player and it seems to be rubbing off on this sweet thing.  I find Grace playing on the piano more and more.

I find it funny that Everett's saucer is a favorite toy for all the kids.

For the last couple of weeks I've been watching the Box boys twice a week.  It's been fun having friends come to play.  we miss are University Place friends and are glad we still see them every once in a while. 

Grace wasn't feeling well, so this is how we made it till Papa came home.

And this is Moments after Papa came home.

Gwenevere working on her First Primary talk.
Back story:  After Gwenevere's first day in Primary, Gwenevere came home from church and asked me if she could give the talk next week.  She was so excited to be in primary. Unfortunately she never had the chance to give a talk in  Primary....until  last Sunday.  But writing her talk was a great experience for her.  She had fun picking out pictures for her talk and taping the words of her talk onto the pictures.

 Actually Gwenevere was suppose to give the talk last Sunday but instead we got 6 inches of snow and church was canceled.  So we ended up playing in the snow instead.

Everett has grown out of his snow suit so we put him in a Halloween costume instead.

I love our little home

my little bear fast asleep

Favorite

the awesome snowman Papa and the girls made

My favorite part about play time lately is been the dancing.  We've done a lot of ballerina dancing lately. 

All because of this little ballerina. 

last Thursday was Gwenevere last day of Gymnastics so they brought out a huge swing to let the kids play with.  Gwenevere enjoyed gym so much that we've signed up for it again.  this time on Mondays so Papa can come too.  Pretty exciting stuff

Everett doing his stretches at gym time, too