Super Server!

Ethan has been in a super serving mode these past couple of days. It started Tuesday morning, when Sophia spilled a bag of baking M&M's all over the kitchen floor. I got the broom to sweep up and when I turned around, Ethan was there sweeping my piles into a dust pan. I thanked him profusely, and then the next thing I know he is getting the lunch boxes out, putting the ice packs in them, and getting the Capri Suns. When he got home from school, I praised him again, and then I see he has his wallet in his hand. He said, "I want my 5 dollars for serving, Mom". I guess he was confused about what type of reward he would get from serving. I told him the reward was feeling good. Wednesday he was up and ready, with his bed made, before scripture study. Then, I'm upstairs getting ready, and Boston starts yelling up the stairs that Ethan was getting into the Peanut Butter and Jelly. I figured he was just making his own sandwich, but when I came down he had made Boston's lunch, too. (He couldn't find Aubrie's lunch box). When he got home yesterday, he told me I needed to give him 10 dollars. ( I don't know if he is trying to get money for a Halloween Costume or not). I told him, again, that the reward for serving was how good it made him feel. I asked him if he felt happy, and he said he did. I told them that's what you get when you serve; happiness. Today he was up and ready again, and made all the lunches. Wonder if he'll be asking me for 15 dollars today. I'm just loving his serving spirit, and hope it lasts a long time.
Speaking of a loving spirit, Aubrie did the sweetest thing the other night. Sometimes I wonder how much Aubrie and Boston care for each other, since they seem to be at each other's throat so much. What she did for him made me feel much better. Tuesday night, while I was at Young Women's, Ben said that Aubrie had a hard time going to bed. The next morning, Aubrie was excited to show me something in her room. This is what she showed me. She spent all night making Boston a Skeleton Costume.


So here is a little background to explain it. This year I told the kids it was time to get creative and use things they have to make their own costume, or use one of their many costumes we have purchased over the years. As much as I would LOVE to take them to get something really cute, I decided that it was time to stop giving them everything, and let them use their imaginations a little, like I had to do when I was a kid. It was hard, because I love dressing them up so cute. Anyway, Boston was disappointed with the news, because he wanted to be a Skeleton for Halloween. I told him he could cut out some bones out of paper, and put it on clothes. He wasn't happy with that, so he decided to use his reading money to get his own. Aubrie didn't know Boston was planning on doing that, so she decided to surprise him by making him this. She put it on his bed the next morning, to surprise him and all he said was, "Aubrie, I'm going to buy my own costume with my money." Aubrie was crushed, and told me, "Mom, I got in trouble last night for nothing, because he doesn't even want it." I told her whether he used it or not, she was blessed for the thought. I also told her that men are retarded at expressing their feelings, and that I'm sure Boston was grateful in his own guy way, but didn't know how to show it! That made her feel a little better. What a sweetie!
In other news.....Sophia had a fun play date with her friend from church. They are in the nursery together and Sophia always wants to sit with her in Sacrament meeting. They are a about a year apart, but it's perfect because Sophia will follow her lead and she loves it!

This week seems to never stop. I'm impressed I've made time to blog. I just know once the holidays get closer, there will be no catching up! Why does the middle of October through Christmas seem like one month? So, so busy! This week I was asked to teach a cake decorating class last minute. I was a little nervous since I haven't made cakes in like....FOREVER! I was also a little nervous that the girls were not going to like it or pay attention. They have been a little "uninvolved" (to put it nicely) these days. I LOVE, LOVE them, but I think we have been enabling them a bit. The activity went well. They had a fun time, and the girls were good listeners, after I finally got feisty and laid down the law. I hate being "that" leader, but it had to be done. They were surprised at first, but then very respectful. Good thing!:)

Ethan's First Field Trip

Ethan's first field trip was to a Farm. There he got to pick some veggies, and a pumpkin. I really wanted to go, but knew it would be to crazy coming off a vacation. Ethan said he had fun, but didn't give too many details. His teacher was kind enough to take and email these pictures from the farm!

I'm Grateful!

For Sunday Stations, a few weeks ago, I had them draw or write what they are thankful for. Of course, Boston was done in two minutes, and Ethan and Aubrie were all about the details. I'm not sure why he drew this with his extra 8 minutes of time at that station, but it says "Just Getting Married", at the bottom. Is that what he thinks about marriage??!!!

Boston's list is hard to read, so I didn't post it. But every thing has a quick picture by it and the last thing he put is the Universe! I guess he figured that would cover it all!

Aubrie's list! So girly!

Ethan's grateful for Golf apparently! (Actually, maybe this is Ben's picture!)

.......and the Temple!

Our last Disney Trip!

Ok...not really! But it is the last trip on these annual passes. We won't be re upping until next November. This trip was nice. Sophia behaved herself, and didn't try to escape from the lines. She just followed the older kids lead. In fact, I think the older kids were more of a problem than her. LOL We met up with the Hendrickson's for the first half of Thursday. The kids had fun with their kids, and it was great to see them again. We stayed at the park till closing on Thursday, to see the Halloween Firework show! Friday we stayed till about 5:00. It was getting a little busy toward the end of that day. They have all the cool Halloween stuff out, which draws a bigger crowd than normal. It was worth it, though. The weather was the biggest nuisance. It was in the mid 80's. I was hoping for cool 70's, but guess you can't have everything!

Aubrie was so EXCITED that she was finally tall enough to ride Maliboomer. I honestly didn't think she would be tall enough. I was so happy for her, since she wouldn't get to ride it for another year, if she didn't make the cut! Both Ben and I took turns riding it with her. Luckily there was NO line! BTW she loved it, but still likes California Screamin better!

Sophia's first time on the Matterhorn!!! She didn't cry and went on it more than once!

How we pass the time while we take turns on California Screamin.
Blurry shot of Aubrie getting picked for the High School Musical Show. Boston got picked AGAIN for the same part he got picked for last year. Guess he is a good candidate for a Top Hat (the costume they put on him both times!)

The "Castle" Shot!

Sophia not so sure about Snow White!

Can you tell which Pooh character Sophia was most fond of?

Sophia walked right past this guy. (The people in line got a laugh out of it!) I had coerce her to shake his hand!

Space Mountain (AKA Ghostly Galaxy during Halloween). Ghosts and Monsters projected on the walls, and monster hands trying to grab you! It's a lot of fun!

$150-Money spent on Disney Paraphernalia 2008-2009

$500 - money spent on Disney Food 2008-2009

$1200 Money Spent on Hotel for Disney 2008-2009

$1500 Price of 5 Annual Disney Passes

5 fun filled family trips to Disneyland in one year.....PRICELESS!!!

Here's to a great year of Disneyland!

Denny's before Disney

Gotta load up before a long day at the Park! Here are some pics from breakfast. What a change just getting something to eat has been these days. Sophia is making it so much easier to enjoy a meal these days! Ben and Boston watching a game (well Boston not so much in this picture). Ben is so happy that Boston actually likes watching a few minutes of sports!

Never a serious moment for this kid!

Karate Awards and Super Human Tricks!

Last Monday, at the end of Ethan's karate, I heard them calling out "Ethan's family". I finally realized he was having his first evaluation. He did really well, and earned his first star. He was so excited to finally have a star ironed on his belt. He is doing well, and is learning the Kata's very well!

On the way to Disneyland, I look back and find Sophia doing this! What a crazy girl! Here we come Leno! (or is it Letterman?)

Fashion Show

So lately, the kids have been very style conscious. That doesn't necessarily mean they follow the crowd in everything. Boston is always a sure bet for originality. Here is the new hat he picked out at Tilly's the other day. The hat he had "always been wanting"! He wears it to school all the time. It makes it easy to spot him on the playground! He reminds me of a cross between Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson! I love how they all have their own style. I'm mainly posting this so they can go back one day and see how they dressed in 2009!

After finally tracking down these Van's for Boston, at Tilly's, Aubrie found this outfit there!

After a shopping spree at Justice earlier in the week, Aubrie orchestrated a compromise in order to get it. She matched half! Aubrie was true to her debt, and had to practically force it on Ben, as he always wants to give them everything in the end! All I have to say is that Cindy Lauper better be LOVING this comeback, because it's the only one she'll have!

Ethan picked this DC hat out! The favorite clothing brand of the boys these days?

The whole look!

A Few Creative Minds

The kids always complain that I throw away their art. I keep explaining that I can't keep everything. I then promised I would take pictures before I threw them out. So here are few.

Aubrie's Diorama of Primary Sharing time

Kids Singing

Piano player and pulpit

Ethan's Scarecrow

(I love his water coloring!)

How could I?

Getting Ready for Church (She actually is excited! She LOVES church)

So I have only heard a few stories , but until this week I never fell into the following category. Let me start by saying that Thursday night is the busiest night for our family. The kids have activity after activity, that overlap each other. Also, Ethan's music class requires that a parent attends every other week. This Thursday was the "parent" week. So now that I have that set up, imagine Ben getting an emergency call for work, right before it all started. We thought it would be quick and he would be back in time to pick up the kids from piano. However, Boston was too sick for piano, still, and so I had to take Aubrie and wait for her lesson to be over, leaving me no time to come home and get dinner started. On my way home, I get a call from Ben telling me that the job is taking longer than he thought. So I had to find Aubrie a ride to dance while I took Ethan to music. Ben still wasn't done, after music, and so I swung by the house and grabbed Sophia, to give my Mom a break, and went to pick up Aubrie.

Aubrie still had about 15 minutes left, by the time I got there, so I went in and let Sophia play in the toy area, while I watched Aubrie dance. Sophia was playing so quietly, I hardly noticed she was there. While at the studio, Devney (the owner), needed me to help Aubrie try on some jumpsuits, for sizing. After we were done trying them on, Aubrie and I left, to go meet Ben at Subway. Noticing anything wrong yet? Subway is about 10 minutes away. As I was pulling in to the parking lot, I was thinking that I would let Aubrie stay in the car with SOPHIA....ahhhhh....Sophia wasn't in the car. I forgot her! I couldn't believe it. How could I? I was on the phone with Ben when I realized it, and I kept saying over and over, "I forgot Sophia, I forgot Sophia." I immediately turned around and headed back to the studio. Aubrie didn't believe me at first, because I have played that trick on the kids a lot, when my Mom has her at home, and they are wondering where she is. I was breaking all kinds of speed limits to get to her. I kept saying, "I can't believe I forgot her. I'm such a bad Mom". Aubrie was so cute, telling me to calm down, and that I was a good Mom. Somehow Ben beat me there (well he not only speed, but went over some medians.) Sophia was clueless that we were even gone. Luckily the people at the studio know who she is and who she belongs to. I was just afraid she could have gone out the front door without anyone noticing. And I couldn't get over that i had forgotten her. I put the experience on facebook the next day, and hearing everyone else's "forgetting the child" stories made me feel much better. This is a defintely a story Sophia will be telling, or using against me, when she gets older!

Result of Sophia getting into the pool closet!!