Swim For Your Life!!

Super fun week this week getting back into the groove of things after last weekend's trip.  Monday we started off with a bang by painting!  I used to paint all the time with Kylie when she was little, and I have hardly done it with Hayden.  So Hayden was SUPER excited to paint, even though it only lasted 5 minutes before we had to rush him to the bath.

Besides getting our craft on this week, we did a lot of swimming.  A LOT of swimming.   It was pretty hot all week!  But that didn't stop Hayden, who had just recently found the snow things, going swimming in his snow boots and snow hat.

On Friday we even invited our friends over to go swimming with us and we all had a blast!  Swimming is seriously the best entertainment!

Kylie is getting really good at swimming and can nearly swim the whole length of the pool without touching the wall!  Little fish!  Hayden still loves the hot tub, but he also is good at kicking himself around.

On Saturday we decided to get out as a family and went to the Kite Festival.  There were so many kites and the weather was perfect for it!  So windy and warm!  Kylie loved flying her butterfly and Hayden liked trying toss his in the sky after it had fallen.

Also, this week, Kylie discovered how well she balances things on her nose.

The Start of Swimming!

The week started off beautiful with lots of time spent outside on walks, bike riding, and playing with our toys.  On Tuesday, when we were playing in and out of the garage, a stray cat just came up to me, meowed, and bolted into the garage!  Well, that was a surprise!  The kids were completely interested in it (of course), and kept trying to drag it out of our cat house tower where it had decided to curl up in.  It was a friendly cat, thank goodness, so Kylie kept trying to bring our cat out to "make friends".  Uhh... no.  Our cat was already growling at the garage door and while he was bigger than the stray cat, I didn't really want them getting into a fight.

Eventually I lured the stray cat out and gave it a handful of food and a little water.  It gobbled it up like it hadn't eaten in days, poor thing!  Afterwards we went inside and the cat went away and we haven't seen it since!

Well, it was getting so warm outside in the afternoons, that I was getting the itch to go swimming!  And Kylie had been doing so well at school, that on Tuesday when I dropped her off I just said in passing while she was getting out of the car "If you get a happy face today we can go swimming!"  Of course she was excited, but I didn't mention it again.  Turns out she only got an OK face today (she bugged her neighbors a lot that day), and I didn't even say anything after school, just showed her the paper from her teacher with an OK face, and, man!, did she just die.  Full on tantrum in less than a second!  She really wanted to go swimming!!  Well, her bad attitude persisted the rest of the day, so we tried again on Wednesday.  That day she only got an OK face again, but she took it in stride and when we were home she earned going swimming by helping me clean up and being happy.  Both kids were super excited and had so much fun!

On Thursday Kylie managed to get a happy face, so she immediately thought we were going swimming!  Uh oh...  is this turning into an everyday thing?!?  We did end up going swimming because it was super hot anyway!

Our weekend was fairly quiet.  It rained all weekend, plus Brandon had to work, so on Saturday we went to visit him and have Italian Ice together.  On our way out the door we ran into Grandpa Pete!!  What a surprise!  He was down here for work again this weekend and had quickly dropped by to say hi before heading back home.  We loved seeing him (and the kids loved playing in the puddles while I talked to him).

In other news, Hayden can say 'Yeah' now, instead of just grunting his yeses!  His vocabulary is really widening.  The other day while I was cooking he came up to me and asked "Mom, what doing?"  It was really surprising and super cute.  He is really good at holding conversations now and loves trying to say new phrases.

It's Already Been A Week?

This seemed like the quickest week ever!  It was mostly cold all week, so we didn't go out much except to run errands.  On Monday we went to the doctor's to get Kylie's physical for Kindergarten.  She brought her doctor set that she got for Easter and was very interested in how everything works, but not how everything works oh her.  She threw the biggest fit when the doctor wanted to look in her ear.  Glad we don't have to visit the doctor very often!

By Friday the days had finally warmed up enough that we went to the park. Apparently it was super warm because the kids just wanted to play in the water.  In fact, Hayden stripped off all his clothes to play in the water, and it took much convincing on my part so that Kylie wouldn't take off all her clothes too.

Aaaannnndddd... that was about our week.  Super exciting, I know.

Easter!

We had fun celebrating Easter this weekend!  We started off on Friday by making and decorating sugar cookies!  Yum!  Actually, when the kids eat their cookies they get a spoon and scrape off the frosting and throw away the cookie.  But they sure had fun decorating them!

On Saturday we went to the Hurricane Easter Egg Hunt.  It started at 9 in the morning and it was super cold!!  We had crazy wind, so we sat in the car until the very last minute and then did the hunt.  They had it sectioned off with ages, so Hayden and Kylie were split in separate groups.  Hayden was uncertain at first, but soon got the hang of it.  Kylie just went after all the eggs.  It was so cold that after five minutes both kids were done even though there was still TONS of candy strewn everywhere.

Later that day we dyed our eggs.  I didn't take any pictures because monitoring two kids and dye was a constant battle.  At the very beginning Hayden put a color dye pill in his mouth (yuck), and then he preferred to use his hand to scoop the eggs out, so one of his hands ended up looking like a green monster for the rest of the day! 

The Easter Bunny didn't arrive at our house until after church (because candy for breakfast two days in a row isn't cool).  The kids each got a toy, movie and a little egg hunt.  Kylie loves her doctor kit and brought down all her stuffed animals to get a check-up.  Hayden loves his huge T-Rex and thinks he can attack the cat with it.  

*Well, I had some videos to upload but Blogger isn't cooperating with me :(

St. Patty's and Another Visit From Grandma Tess!

Kylie had a much better week at school this time around!!  Yay!!  Monday was rough, but the next several days she did awesome.  So glad!!  Because of her good work we were able to go to the park and play in the water.

We also made several trips to Brandon's work this week.  He was getting ready for his grand opening on Thursday (also St. Patrick's Day!) and I got to paint the logo on his conference room wall!  Kylie and Hayden loved writing on his white board walls.  On Thursday morning we went to Desert Hills Gardens to kill some time before going to Brandon's grand opening.  I was hoping that would wear them out so they would behave while we were there, but in Hayden's case it didn't work.  So we had to leave before the ribbon cutting ceremony, but before that we had lots of fun.

On Saturday we got another visit from Grandma Tess!  She and Grandpa Pete were in town again for the day.  Grandpa Pete had to work the whole time, but we got to have lots of fun with Grandma Tess!  First we got out and about and went on a hike!  We went on our favorite hike up in Leeds and the kids playing in the water.  Well, they dipped their feet in.  The water was freezing!

After our hike we had a little down time in the hope Hayden would take a nap.  He didn't.  So we went swimming!  By the time we went swimming the day had cooled down so I really didn't want to get in the pool, but Kylie and Hayden had a blast!!  They sure can't wait for those summer days where all we do is go swimming!

We had a fun weekend with Grandma Tess and we are so happy she was able to come spend these two weekends with us!

Spring Break

This week presented a much needed break from school.  I tried a little 'behavior chart' with Kylie where she can physically see if she has been good or bad today and how close she is to a time out or a treat.  I think it has worked a little, especially if I can get her to sit next to me and talk to her about why she is where she in on the chart.  But she still has a LONG way to go behavior-wise.  I am still at a loss about school, though.  She seems to do fine when at home, but put her in a structured class (like today at Primary), and she goes wild.  I would volunteer in her class, but with Hayden I can't really do that, so I am not sure what to do.

Despite all these social hurdles, we still had lots of fun this week.

Monday I had the kids count out $1.25 from their piggy bank and we went to the store and they each bought their very own jump rope!  Kylie loved buying hers by herself.  Next step: figuring out how a jump rope works.

On Tuesday we went to feed the ducks and play at a park.  Kylie watched these girls fishing, and when one girl put her fishing rod down, Kylie swooped in and picked it up.  Luckily the girl was ok with Kylie trying it out.  (Cue me telling Kylie about asking before taking.  Cue Kylie not listening to a word I say.)  She had fun winding the fishing line in, and after that I had her give the pole back.

Tuesday Kylie also loved wearing her purple shiny dress.  She especially loved it when I showed her how it reflected the light and sparkled all over the walls.  Thus a dance party ensued.

Wednesday we went over to Hurricane to play with Sophia.  The kids always love playing with friends, even if everyone has difficulties sharing.

Thursday we did our normal Story time in the morning and then hit up a park in the afternoon.

Friday was a day much anticipated:  Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete were coming to visit!  Well, mostly Grandma Tess because Grandpa Pete had to do some work.  It was hilarious because as soon and Grandma Tess was in the door, Kylie went and got several of her stuffed animals that had tears and before Grandma Tess could even sit down Kylie was asking her to fix them.  I had no idea she was going to do that, and we found it super funny that she remembered how Grandma Tess had fixed her little lamb several months ago, and figured that she would get her to fix all her other animals now!

After a bit Uncle James dropped by for a few hours on his way back to California.  Kylie and Hayden would not leave him alone!  They were so excited to see him.  In fact, for about 30 minutes they just sat and fed him various snacks.  Like Fruit Loops and lettuce.

Then, while Hayden took a nap, Grandma Tess started a sewing project (new dresses for Kylie!  Yay!), and Uncle James made a mistake and started the best game ever.

You know once you start tossing Kylie onto the lovesac that she will never let you stop.  Well, I knew that.  Uncle James learned the hard way!

Kylie loved playing with Uncle James so much that when it was time for him to leave, Kylie insisted that she was going with him.  In fact, she followed him out the door, and by the time we came out she had taken her car seat out of my car and was marching it over to Uncle James' car!  Silly girl!  But, man! did she have a major breakdown when he drove off without her!!

Luckily Kylie had all the super cute dresses that Grandma Tess made her to distract her.  Every time a new one was ready she would change into it!

Saturday was another fun Grandparents day.  It started with breakfast at Denny's with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete.  Afterwards Grandpa Pete had to go back to work, and the rest of us went over to the Children's museum.  It has been a long time since we last came, so both kids had so much fun!

The afternoon was spent relaxing and finishing up the last few dresses.  We loved having Grandma Tess for the weekend, and I think the best part was that Hayden learned a new word: "Peepaw!"  Which means both Grandma and Grandpa, haha!

Little Miss Defiant

Such a tough week for everyone.

Hayden is still getting used to his new bed.  He likes going to sleep with his light on now, for some reason.  And now the kids have been getting up at 5.45 AM again... why!?!  Kylie usually wakes up first and then goes into Hayden's room, wakes him up and they start playing.  Apparently they are super prepared for the time change in a few weeks.

Everyday we have to get outside and play, otherwise we drive each other bonkers in our house.  These kids need a backyard SO BAD.  Hopefully sometime this year we will be able to get them one!

Kylie is having a really tough time lately.  She says 'NO' to *everything* and is absolutely not listening to a thing anybody says.  She is also having a rough time at school, and doesn't enjoy going there as much, which makes me sad.  Thursday she got sent to the principals office (what happens when the preschool is attached to the elementary school...) and they called me and she missed out on play time with the class.  Apparently she was angry at another student and choked him with his lanyard.  Lovely.  Her teacher and I are at our wits end trying to make her behave!  Especially lately -she is so stubborn and defiant that you can't even talk to her.  It is so frustrating to see her in this stage, but I have an idea for this next week that will hopefully make her realize what is going on around her.  Luckily it is Spring Break so we won't have to deal with school for a bit.

Hayden also has had his rough moments (still wanting to sit on the cat...), but mostly he is just a busy body and it is hard to keep up with him.   Take for instance this snippet of five minutes on a Friday night.  Kids are having some ice cream because they finished their dinner (yay!), and I turn around and find him using a sand shovel as a spoon.

So I take the shovel away and get him situated at the table again, and while I am cleaning the shovel, he is busy mixing his ice cream and fry sauce together and eating it.  Yuck.  So I take the fry sauce container to throw away and in the two seconds it takes to do that he is spooning his ice cream into the play tea cups.  Sigh.  So this time I take the tea cups AND ice cream away (about time, right?), but that still doesn't stop him.  After cleaning up the tea cups I turn to find him vastly spreading whatever ice cream had dripped on the table all over everywhere.  It seriously never ends!!

But through all this stormy attitude weather we still have our fun moments (mostly when they are outside playing) and I still love my kids oodles.  Even though they turn my brain to noodles.