Lagoon

My mom came up to Brigham today so Benji and I could go to Lagoon by ourselves! It was so nice to not have to take turns going on rides, or push a stroller, or worry about other people other than ourselves, which sounds awful, but seriously once in awhile it is niiiiice. We had so much fun, but Lagoon just isn't the same now that I'm older. First of all, I swear those roller coasters were a lot taller, and I swear they've never made me sick before today. After 8 hours at the park we were both worn out and feeling a little sick. Seriously, what happened to me!? I used to go on the same roller coaster over and over and over and never feel any side effects. I used to get to Lagoon right when it opened and stay until close. I don't know if I could ever do that now.

I'm about to smash the heck out his car (he just doesn't know it yet).

Okay, maybe he smashed the heck out of me...


I also know I'm older because I actually enjoyed the historic section of Lagoon. It was so fascinating to me. We spent a quite a bit of time there. I loved this old LDS chapel that was covered with old paintings, photographs, certificates, and other early church stuff (I want to say memorabilia, but that maybe isn't the right word...) So my hair looks way red in this next picture, we set up the self-timer for this shot, but the first time we did this our camera was set on video.

We were so confused! I love that Benji pulls me back because he thought it was about to take the picture.



Here's the dental office. We looked at this one for a long time.

On the log ride...

The roller coaster that says, "Hi"

I loved this old lady taking a nap in a stroller. Good idea.


Benji even won Jordan and Sam a toy.



We had to get some videos for Jordan so he wouldn't feel left out.

Speaking of old, I'm happy I finished this post before 10:30, so I can go to sleep. Goodnight.

Warranty

If you are ever in the market for a super expensive camera, don't forget to buy the warranty. I did, and I am SOOO happy we decided to get it. I took my camera to Best Buy yesterday and they looked up my information, happily took my broken camera, and I will get a new one in a few weeks. The lady at the customer service desk that was helping me told me she wished more people would buy the warranty because she rarely sees smiles like she did on my face, but rather she sees lots of tears all day.

Anyway...because I don't have a camera for a few weeks I won't have a lot to post. So be patient (I'm mostly talking to my sister.)

Hat

Since I broke our camera at the cabin, I don't have pictures to post yet. We did have our video camera and it has a still shot setting, so we did get a few pictures, I just have to figure everything out.

For now, here is a picture I took last week. I put a hat on Sam, got the camera ready and took a picture at his reaction when he first saw himself in the mirror. He was laughing so hard. I finally have convinced my boys to wear hats outside. They keep them on and don't complain about it! Finally!!

We went to our cabin this weekend and I

Broke this.....

and my heart.

Dewey

I've already typed this post...twice. For some reason blogger didn't save those drafts, so because of that I haven't really been in the mood to blog. It takes a lot out of me to blog some days, and when there isn't a post to show for it after all the work I kinda get mad. But because I'm persistent and want to be a good blogger and I won't let blogger win this one here I am again.

So on to Dewey. He's our new cat!! We got him last Monday and he is such a patient, cute kitten. That is coming from someone who doesn't really like cats. I do, but I don't. I'm more of a dog person. Anyway, we told Jordan awhile ago that we were going to get a dog soon and he said, "NO!" (he's scared of dogs). He then said, "how about we get a cat?" We thought that was a fair compromise and maybe it would help him get used to animals so he's not afraid of them anymore.

We brought Dewey home and I wish, I wish, oh how I wish I had a video of Jordan and Sam's reaction to that kitten. They were so excited, happy and loved him immediately. They poked him and pet him and held him and Dewey was so so good. He really is the perfect kitten for two toddlers, who, even though they try to be gentle, just aren't.

So we went outside to show Dewey his cute little house Benji made for him and we put him down, watched him go in his house and then he got spooked and ran! We didn't think he would be so dang fast and we didn't think he would fit under our fence, but he did. Benji chased after him into the front yard, but by the time he made it there, Dewey was no where to be found. We only had him for 15 minutes. Bad, bad pet owners. Bad. And sad. And kind of embarassed. It must have been a world record for losing a new pet.

Anyway, after searching the neighborhood for 2.5 hours we gave up. I knew it was pretty useless anyway because he was probably hiding where nobody could see him, but we looked anyway, and called his name (that he didn't know) loudly (with voices he didn't recognize).

Later that night, Benji and I were talking when we heard a loud sound from the garage. I think I even said, "that sounds like a kitten." Duh. So we went on a kitten hunt in our garage and found him. I was so happy! Really, lets be honest, I was really happy I didn't have to tell everyone I lost our kitty after 15 minutes, but I was happy we had him back.

(This is a lot longer than I planned, I sure am showing blogger, aren't I!?)

The boys love him and it's so cute to see Sam lean his body over so his face is inches from Dewey's and hear him yell, "Hi Deeewey!" I've already taken quite a few pictures of him, and Benji tells me I'm already turning into a crazy cat lady, but how can you not turn into a cat lady when you see this. Awwwwww.....

or this.

or find him about to fall off the couch like this.

Look at his face--poor kitten.

Asleep in his new house.

Yup. Crazy cat lady.

Tid-bits brought to you by Jordan

This morning I gave him some cheerios. He slid the bowl away and said, "I want real Froot Loops please."

Yesterday I was telling Benji that my new favorite word that Sam says is, 'bye.' Jordan looks up and says, "My favorite word is chocolate cake."

Jordan hit Sam in the face the other day. I asked him why he did it and he said, "Mom, I just pa-pa-pa-poker face, pa-pa-poker face!"

Jordan was about to eat a tootsie roll so I told him I thought he was a tootsie roll. He said, "I'm not a tootsie roll!" *then lowering his voice* "I'm a talking tootsie roll."

In nursery last week we were learning about baptism. Jordan saw the picture of a little boy getting baptized and said excitedly, "His dad is giving him a high five!"

Table dancer

When I'm in the kitchen doing dishes or fixing meals, if I turn around for a few minutes Sam will climb on the table. I think he likes to see if he can make it up there before I notice. Then once he's up there he doesn't know what to do, so he dances. It makes me laugh.

Oops! I just realized the words on this next picture are too small, I'm too tired to change it, so if you're interested, you have to click on the picture. But really, it's not that important anyway.

This is the look that is usually on Sam's face. He is always smiling, unless he's being mischievous, of course.

Having fun

I have a new goal to spend more time playing with the boys, but more especially Jordan. I feel like we play all day and then as soon as Sam goes down for a nap I do chores. So, chores will be done in the morning and evening and the rest of the day will be spent with my favorite people.

Since my other new goal is to take more pictures with me in them, here are some pictures of us playing one day.

Playing airplane..

Ring around the rosy... (yes, I'm wearing sweat pants...I've turned into a sweat pants mom)

Playing with Jordan in the pool. I got that water slide at a yard sale for $2. It was worth every penny, Jordan loves it.

Jordan played in the dirt, of course (I didn't play in the dirt with him, maybe another day)....

We even made play dough...
Jordan loved playing with cookie cutters

and Sam loved to smash his and poke it with a fork.


Here's the easy recipe to make homemade play dough if you want. It's a lot of fun and if stored correctly can last for months.

2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)
food coloring (liquid, powder, or unflavored drink mix)

Mix and heat
Mix all of the ingredients together, and stir over low heat. The dough will begin to thicken until it resembles mashed potatoes. When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle. IMPORTANT NOTE: if your playdough is still sticky, you simply need to cook it longer…

Knead & color
Turn the dough out onto a clean counter or silicone mat, and knead vigorously until it becomes silky-smooth. Divide the dough into balls for coloring. Make a divot in the center of the ball, and drop some food coloring1 in. Fold the dough over, working the food color through the body of the playdough, trying to keep the raw dye away from your hands and the counter.


Later that afternoon the boys relaxed on my bed underneath the ceiling fan. They were exhausted.

Can someone please tell me how this happened?

My climber

Jordan was never a "climber"
He never tried to get on the counters, table or other high places.
I don't know if it's because Sam has an older sibling to watch, but he is a climber.

If I turn my back for a few minutes
he will climb up the highest thing he can find.

I have found him on the very top of our couch.
On his dresser.
On the computer desk. (shaking the computer!)
Trying to climb in (or up) the dryer.
But these are all pretty normal.

The other day I was putting lunch dishes in the dishwasher when I heard a slightly distressed Sam call from the other room, "all done, all done!"

I went into the bathroom and found him

inside the potty.

P.S. I had just cleaned the floor in the bathroom that morning, but for some reason it looks disgusting in the picture! It maybe is from splashed toilet water on the floor mixed the toilet paper Sam ripped up, but either way don't judge me too harshly! :)

self-timer and monkey Sam

Oh man, I have a million things to do right now, but Sam is asleep and Jordan is busy playing basketball so I'm going to post some pictures while I have a chance.

First of all, I have a new goal of taking more pictures with me in them. I have so many pictures, but very few with me in them, so self-timer is going to be my new best friend.

I got some pictures of the boys climbing up to our deck last night and I think they are so funny. They were giving me some great facial expressions.

The worm cloud

This "worm cloud" was a hit at our house. Both boys were so excited--well, Jordan was excited and Sam just copied the excitement because he loves whatever his brother loves.