Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Brian made this cute hat at school today so we had to use in our St. Patrick's Day pictures.

Brian:

Andrew:

Timothy:

The boys:

Jodi:

We aren't Irish and we aren't drinkers so St. Patrick's Day really isn't a big deal to us. Its pretty much just a day to wear green. But for me it's also a day that I always take a moment to remember how grateful I am to be alive. On this day 21 years ago (WOW-- has it been that long!!) I was hit by a car. It is only by a miracle that I am still alive and well today. I love my life and am happy to have the opportunity to live it!

Easter Eggs

We always color our Easter eggs for Family Home Evening the Monday night before Easter-- I guess its tradition. With Andrew's allergies I debate every year whether we are really going to do it or not and then I usually give in and we do it anyway. The kids love doing it and I hate to deny them the fun. So we take lots of precautions-- including washing the boiled eggs with soap so that Andrew can even touch them. And then all the dishes that they are eaten on are washed immediatly. I am always glad when they are gone and I don't have to worry about them anymore. Anyways, here are some pictures of the boys coloring their eggs. They had lots of fun. Good thing the dye is non-toxic, Timothy had to taste it. He pulled a yucky face and his brothers thought it was funny so they both had to taste it too. They all agreed that it didn't taste very good. We had one dipper and several spoons but the boys decided that their hands worked just as good. So they all got colored fingers too.

Timothy's New Trick

Watch Timothy's new trick:

Wow he makes that look easy!! And that was only like the fourth time he had done it.

Yesterday I laid him down for his afternoon nap. A few minutes later he was standing next to me. Surprise! I recently gave him a pillow and was hoping that maybe he had used that to get out. Thus I could remove it and he would stay put. So I took him back and put him in bed and then stood around the corner to watch what would happen. Footage much like in the posted video is what I saw. Too bad he didn't use the pillow. Now I'm not sure if I will ever get him to take a nap again. He won't stay in bed. He is such a climber that I knew this would happen someday and was somewhat surprised that he hadn't figured it out already. But I was glad that he hadn't yet. None of the other boys learned to climb out of their cribs before they were ever moved out of them. But then again none of the other boys ever did a lot of the things that Timothy does. He sure keeps me busy! On Monday he got Andrew's bottle of Singulair (asthma medication). He opened the child proof lid and ate one. He also ate the silicon gel thing inside that says "DO NOT EAT!" Luckily he was okay and there were no problems. Crazy kid!!

Chopsticks

We went to the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. The theme was Chinese New Year. So we had chopsticks to eat with if we wanted. There was Chinese food but I brought soy butter sandwiches for my kids to eat instead. Well that didn't stop them from using their chopstickes or "chompsticks" as Andrew calls them. Who knew you could eat a sandwich with them? The boys used them for more than eating as they found they could "chomp" onto anything. Can you color with chopsticks? Andrew can. Before the night was over they also discovered that they made great swords. Boys will be boys! Good thing we were sitting in the back corner. Timothy slept through most of it. Even when Andrew decided to poke the chopsticks in his ear. Ahh brotherly love!

A "retching" Sunday!

Church on Sunday was quite the experience and not one that I really ever want to have again. We were in middle of the passing of the Sacrament quietly waiting at our bench. Brian, who was actually standing next to me rather than sitting, looked up at me with a distressed look on his face and then proceeded to throw up all over the bench. Yea!! I clasped my hand over his mouth and was going to run down to the bathroom when the second wave came. It was more than I could hold in my hand and I didn't want to track it down the hall so at the bench we stayed. Luckily my good friends were sitting in from of us. They turned around to see what was going on. She quickly handed me her jacket to catch the rest and then both she and her husband jumped up to go grab something to clean it up with (they ended up cleaning up the whole mess for me). As soon as I thought we could make it I once again clasped my hand over his mouth and we ran to the bathroom. On the way out I passed my other very good friend and had her grab the other kids for me.

On that day more than any other I was so grateful for good friends. I don't know what I would have done without them. As I think about it I am reminded of a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants. In Section 84 verse 88 it says, ". . . I will be on your right hand and on your left. . . and my angels round about you to bear you up." On that day those angels were all around me and they came in the form of my dear friends. Thanks!!

There were things I had to take care of in primary (the children's organization that I am in charge of) so we weren't able to go home. Luckily although Brian didn't feel good he didn't throw up anymore (until we got home anyway) and he hadn't gotten any throw up on his or my clothes. So we were able to stay and I was able to take care of my responsibilites.

As I mentioned he did throw up several more times before the day was over but it was at home so it wasn't as bad. At least he is young enough that although he feels bad for throwing up at church its not demoralizing to him. He was able to make it back to school by Tuesday and all seems to be well now. Luckily no one else has gotten it!

The Fridge Raider

I cannot keep Timothy out of my fridge! He is constantly getting in there and getting into all the food. I have had multiple jugs of milk and juice poured on the floor and all over in the bottom of the fridge. What a mess! Thank goodness the chocolate milk came out of the cream colored carpet. Wouldn't want to have to buy new carpet when I move out. Not only is this a mess but it is a huge health hazard for Andrew when it's real cow's milk that he has spilled all over. Thank goodness we haven't had any problems.

I have also lost lots of food. He and the dog-- he loves to share with her too, polished off a whole pizza. The really bad thing is it was my special Andrew safe pizza with no cheese. So in order to eat pizza the next day I had to make Andrew a whole new pizza. The recipe makes two pizzas and we only needed one. So once again there was a pizza in the fridge. This time Timothy very carefully removed all the pepperoni and ate those. Silly kid!

I have tried all sorts of things to keep him out. I bought a special child lock. It only lasted one day and he figured it out. Now it only slows him down by about 10 seconds, if that. I even removed the handle. He didn't even notice it was missing, nor did Andrew. But when Brian saw the fridge he freaked out and wanted to know where the handle was. Guess I missed the target on that one! I'm about ready to get a chain and a padlock. The problem is then the rest of us wouldn't be able to get in very easy either. If anyone has any better ideas please let me know!
Here's some photos of the little fridge raider in action. How do they learn to drink out of the carton anyway?

Drive-in Movie

Our ward party at church was a Drive-in movie with a twist-- it was inside so our cars were made out of card board boxes. It was actually lots of fun. The boys had lots of fun with their cars. In fact they still play with them at home.