October 4 - Conferece, Decorations, & InstaCare

Cute Andlie sure loves the new jewelry making kit that she got yesterday.  She made some pretty sweet pieces this morning during Conference.

In between Conference sessions, we had our traditional turkey dinner.  My Mom used to do this when we were little and I loved it.  It's fun to carry on traditions in my own family.

Then we headed downstairs for the last session of Conference.  Andlie wasn't humored by the selfie that I took and the bunny ears that Daddy made.  She better get used to it.  We're full of hilarious parent tricks.

After it was over, me, Andlie & Hazey went on a bike ride.  Haze refused to go unless he could bring his transformers that he got yesterday.  So, we zipped Bumblebee and Salvage up in a Ziplock, tape it to his bike, and we were off!

Andlie is also LOVING her new jacket from yesterday.  She thinks she looks so stylish in it and has been wearing it pretty much all day.  I'll have to say - she does look pretty darn cute.  It's very "Andlie."

After our bike ride, we got the Halloween box out!  Haze saw the picture props come out and immediately went to work.

So did I.

Now for the sad part of the day.  After getting a lot of shampoo (or "shampoop" as Nora calls it) in her eyes and doing a lot of eye rubbing, Andlie's poor eyes started swelling up.  We gave her some Benadryl and some Motrin and some eye drops, but nothing was helping.  Then we noticed that it wasn't just her eyelids that were swelling - the actual whites of her eyes started swelling and turning yellow.  It looked like blisters on her eyeball.    I finally took her to InstaCare around 8:30 after a quick family prayer.  While we were waiting to be called back, her eyes just kept getting more & more swollen & watery.  It was freaking me out.

The doctor asked if they hurt or if they were itchy.  No.  Could she still see just fine?  Yes.  (I had already tested her vision in the waiting room by making her read things or covering her eye & asking how many fingers I was holding up.)  He checked her eyes with a light and then had her follow his moving finger with just her eyes.  Both eyes responded well.  He diagnosed her with Allergic Conjuctivitis or Allergic Pink Eye.  He prescribed some drops that he called "liquid Motrin for the eyeball."  I asked if it was common to see so much yellowing and swelling with Pink Eye and he said yes.  I asked if I should be looking for anything & he said, "Vision changes, fever, discharge, or if she gets any cuter.  Because I don't think she could.  So definitely see a doctor if she gets any cuter."  I agree with him.

We left & went to the 24 hour Walgreen's in Provo and got her eye drops and then headed home.  Daddy said that Haze had been pretty anxious and was wondering when Andlie would be back and how her eye was doing.  (Before we left, he patted her on the knee & said, "I'm so sorry, Andlie.")  I'm so thankful for siblings who love & care about each other so much.

After putting the drops in her eyes & visiting for a minute, we put Andlie to bed.  By this time, the swelling had already started to go down.  So thankful for medicine & good doctors & prayer. 

October 3 - Conference Saturday

We watched General Conference this morning.  All of us (except Mindy) stayed in our jammies until after the session.  I was snuggled up in the blankie that Grama made for me.  Nora found my lap and backed in to it and then asked for the "fiya-wok" blankie that Grama made to go on top of her.  So we sat snuggled in the blankies that Grama made and watched Conference together.  I feel so lucky to be part of such a wonderful family and to have such a special little family of my own.

Mindy was here today!  We spent the afternoon getting SPOILED by her.  Spoiled.  We had so much fun with her and were sad to see her leave!

Tonight before bed, Nora threw all the toys out of our ottoman.  Literally threw them out.  Over her shoulder.  One by one.  And then she climbed in to it.  And then she smiled & said, "Geet ee-un."  And then stuck her tongue out at me for a picture.  About sums up her personality.

October 2 - Nerds, Cards, and a Giant Spider

High piggie tails, extra clips, taped glasses, tucked shirt, tucked pants, and mismatched shoes.  Must be nerd day!  She makes a pretty darling nerd if I do say so myself.

Me & the little kids went to Andlie's school to do Take Home Readers.  We finished right at Andlie's class was headed to lunch.  Andlie excitedly asked, "Are you guys gonna stay for lunch?!"  So, of course, we did.  Plus we were able to catch a picture of Andlie & her teacher (Miss Carter) with their matching hair & glasses.

Tricky Hazey asked me if I would take his picture on our way to run errands.  He always says he'll smile and then he tricks me!!  It's always worth it because next comes the Hazey giggles and I love the Hazey giggles.

This afternoon, Haze lined up his cars (only about 1/2 of them).  He was so proud so obviously, I took a picture to show him.  He looked at it & said, "Oops, Mom.  You didn't get the last row of cars in."

So I took another picture and made sure to get the last row.

After we came inside, we set up our Spidey!  The one that we've had since 2006 is a little bit tattered so we bought a new one this year!  I love having Spidey in our home for the month of October.  And so do our kids.  Which makes me love it more.

We ended our Friday night by playing downstairs.  (And watching SUU football beat Weber State online!)  Haze is really getting good at writing and drawing.  I said, "Haze, who is this?"  And he said, "It's me and my bed!"

October 1 - First Field Trip

Haze got kind of sad while we were playing at the park this morning with friends.  He said that his poor little finger got stomped on.  While I was trying to help him cheer up, I told him he lots of cute freckles on his nose.  He immediately wanted to see.  So I took a picture & showed him.  And then he giggled.

After the park, it was time for preschool!  And today was Haze's very first school field trip!  And I got to go with him!  We went to Pumpkinland!  We petted animals, played on a playground, went through a spook alley, and picked a pumpkin!  It was such a fun day.  I'm so thankful to be able to go on field trips with my kids.  What a wonderful blessing!

Back Row L to R: Haze, Carson, Janie, McKay, Logan, Sprout, Wesley, Tessa, Mya, Lauren - - Front Row L to R: Devan, Trey, Taj, Carly

Nora joined us and LOVED it.  She was running around squealing with delight the entire time.  (Except when she fell in to the dirt and got a mouth full of dirt.  Not happy about that.)

Haze & Wesley kept saying to each other, "You are my preschool friend, right?"

 Nora especially loved the chickens and really, really loved when they would cock-a-doodle-do!  She could barely contain herself!  The other Moms there said, "Wow.  Is that a happy noise?"

Everyone got to choose a pumpkin to take home!  Haze chose his and then asked if we could get a "tiny one for Nora" and a "medium one for Andlie."  Cute little thoughtful boy wanted to make sure his sisters got a pumpkin too.

L to R: Sprout, Logan, Janie, Tessa, Lauren, Mya, Carson, Wesley, Trey, Taj, Haze, Devan, McKay, Carly

 

After school is homework time.  While Andlie was busy reading & writing, Haze practiced writing his ABCs and his name!  He did it all on his own.  I just told him to practice ABCDE.  I didn't tell him what order and I didn't show him an examples.  He did it all on his own!  He's getting so big and smart!

Nora just loved her pumpkin.  She carried it all the way home on her lap and then wouldn't let it out of her sight.  It was the first thing she mentioned after her nap.  And when Daddy asked about it, she said, "Pun-kun.  Show."  So they went outside so she could show Daddy.

And finally, I ended the night at a soda lounge on BYU's campus during karaoke night with some friends.  We were BY FAR the oldest ones there, but we sure had a great time!  I wanted to stay home & go to bed early, but they made me come and I'm so glad.  Jenna said it best: "I bet everyone in here wants to be us because we're having much more fun than anyone here."  I'm so thankful for such wonderful friends.

L to R: Jenna, Celeste, Chandi, Katie, Kourtney

September 30 - Pottying

Cute Nora who thinks she's four (at least) spent the majority of an hour sitting on the potty with her pants pulled down.

The other part of the hour was spent wandering around the house with her pants pulled down to her calves.  And scolding/screaming at Haze for trying to tell her to get off the potty because she "doesn't need to sit there for 15 hours."

Then tonight, she turned in to Chandler Bing.  "Could I beeee wearing any more clothes?"  She had on her shirt, a "dess," a "gack-et," and some "sark pants" on.  And she was rocking it.  This girl is so full of personality.  I'm thankful to be her Mommy.

September 29 - School Pictures

Haze was looking like a studly football player in his new SUU shirt during school pick up today.  He even had a football stare on his cute little face.  Picture time.  Obviously.

Andlie brought her school  pics home today!  I think they turned out pretty darn cute.  Yesterday she told me, "Mom, I get my school pictures tomorrow and I saw them and they are SO CUTE!  Like you can see my eyes and my glasses and I'm smiling and they are SO CUTE!"  I agree!

Today when Andlie was visiting me, she was wearing our new kitty headband and then she was crouched on the floor with her legs bent under her.  I told her she looked just like a cat and then she put her "paw" up by her face.

Andlie drew a picture of the new neighborhood game.  She told me it's called "Tag & Chase."  Here's the instructions: The boys are in the middle and then the girls chase them.  From the looks on her drawn out instructions, it seems like that's the watered down version of the instructions.

Tonight during our bedtime routine (brush teeth, go pee, get a drink), Nora decided she wanted in.  She said, "Pa-tee."  And then when I opened it and sat her down on it, she stood up & said, "Pants off."  So I pulled them down.  Then, "Da-per.  Off."  So I took her diaper off and let her sit for a while.  She LOVED it and thought she instantly became an adult.  I said, "K, are you ready for bed?"  She responded, "No!!  Pa-tee!!"  I finally had to drag her off.  Who knows?  Maybe she'll just potty train herself.  Here's to hoping!

September 28 - Home Again

Andlie & Hazey sure have fun playing together.  Especially when they're both in sharing moods.  This morning they sat in the sandbox eating popsicles together and visiting.  I just sat & watched & listened.  I'm sure with a big grin on my Mom face.

Nora kept putting her face in between the bars & saying, "Ohhhhh," in her most pathetic voice.  I'd ask if she was stuck & she'd say, "Ohhhhh.  Ya."  And then she'd pull her head out & giggle.

During our Target run this afternoon, Haze asked for a picture with the "Inja Turtle."  You don't have to ask me for a picture twice.

I'm sure glad that our kids love their beds.  Tonight the girls seemed particularly comfy.  There really is nothing like your own bed.