Enjoying Spring

KYLIE

Lost ANOTHER tooth.  (Does she have any left?)

Enjoying soccer - though she seems to favor the sidelines more.

LOVES going to the Daycare at the rec center while I go to exercise class.  She calls it 'goodcare'.

Likes to read me bedtime stories.

Loved seeing all the baby chicks and ducks at Cal Ranch.

Requested 'triangle hair' and this is what she got:

HAYDEN

Is ROCKING it on the potty training front.

Insists on dressing himself now.

Prefers the Aerosmith version of the Spiderman Theme Song vs. the old school one.  Thus has learned to head-bang.

Made a very convincing argument that if we got a baby chick, it could stay in his room.

Finally starting to enjoy coloring.  Also likes Playdoh.

Since potty training, everything has to end with a fart noise.  So lovely.

Spring Break

We kept pretty busy this past week and got outside as much as we could to enjoy the hot sunshine.  Monday we went to the Dinosaur park with our friends Kennedy and Acadia.  The girls loved riding the train together in the back seat.

Tuesday we played with Sophia and Riley all day at our house, and did some walking around the neighborhood.

Wednesday we went swimming with Aunt Chantel and Uncle McKay at the rec center.  Kylie found a friend there from school to play with, and both of the kids loved going down the huge waterslide.

Thursday we went to the Dinosaur park again, this time with Sophia and Riley.  By now I was worn out from being in the heat, but Kylie and Hayden just kept going! We rode the train again, went down all the slides a million times and played in the splash pad.  We spent the entire afternoon there, and then I got them some dinner and dropped them off with their dad, who took them hiking around Pioneer Park.

Friday we spent the day with Sophia and Riley again, this time at their house, where we walked to the park.  There were also some neighborhood kids there to play with - so lots of friends to be made!

Saturday Kylie and Hayden spent the day with their dad.  They went to the Animal Museum and a park.

Sunday we went to church.  Every five minutes Hayden would ask "When can we go home?"  Haha a whole week running around really wore that kid out!

Every time we are home, though, Hayden has been potty training and doing excellently at it.  We have had no accidents, and by the end of the week Hayden was wearing his undies with no problem!  There was one incident where he purposefully put a toy in his potty to pee on it ("it was thirsty"), and I am still terrified to take him outside of the house without a diaper since he goes every 10-15 minutes, but we are getting there!  He also likes to dress himself now, as well as do his hair.  Sunday night he was busy brushing his hair and I come and find him covered in Kylie's hair barrettes, and then he insisted that we wear them to bed.  He was so proud of  himself and thought he was the cutest thing!

Kylie's stutter has gotten really bad this week.  Like, practically every word she is trying to say, bad.  Stuttering is hard because there really isn't a known cause for it, or a treatment for it.  She has had a stutter for the past few months, but it was usually only at the beginning of a sentence and when she was excited or rushed to say something.  Now.... I think it is much more than excitement or nervousness or feeling rushed or even being anxious.  I feel bad, but everything I read says there is no way to tell if it will stay or go.  The only thing I can really do is be patient, give her attention when she is talking, don't interrupt her, and speak slower to her (so she knows she can slow down too.)  Hopefully with time this will go away and that she is just figuring out how to get what is in her brain out her mouth!

Starting Soccer

March has come in beautifully, and we have even broken out the shorts and seriously considered swimming.

Kylie has officially started soccer!  She has been so excited to start and we have been practicing kicking.  We had her first practice March first, and while Kylie was timid with the ball she was not timid about making friends with all the other girls.  Hayden also jumped right in and wanted to practice with them, and since he wasn't really in the way I let him stay.

Kylie's first game was the 4th, and since their team (called the Raven's) had really only practiced kicking, they had no idea about positions, their goal vs their opponents goal and rules.  It was quite amusing to watch.  They managed to stay tied, and only lost at the end with a kick-off between the teams.  Kylie says she really loved it!

Afterwards Brandon took them for the day and they went to go get ice cream and play at the park.

This past week I have been kinda pushing for potty training with Hayden.  He has been very good!  He just goes frequently (like every 15 min) because he still guzzles water like it is air.  It makes me really nervous to  take him anywhere outside of the house with undies on instead of a diaper...  There have been a few instances where he will put his own diaper on (usually backwards) and be utterly defiant, but since we had so few diapers, he really had no choice.

Kylie's second soccer game last Saturday was as entertaining as the first.  There was a point where Kylie literally lay on the grass and said "I'm tired of running" so she got to go for a break.  It was hilarious.  They lost, but really they have no concept of winning at the game - just kicking the ball - so it's all good!  Afterwards Brandon took them again (since Saturday is his day) and they went to the park, arcade, and Snow Canyon to play in the sand.  Wear them out in that sun!

Disneyland!! Day Two

Friday the kids were up at 6.30 - despite the late night and tiring day before.  But, according to the time change, they did sleep in by 30 minutes so I guess that is something!

Friday was another beautiful day at Disneyland!  This time Uncle Dallan and soon-to-be-Aunt Jessica joined us!

We split up for most of the day with the older kids doing their own thing and me and Grandma Shari going around with Kylie and Hayden.  First we went to Ariel's ride in California Adventure, where the wait was non-existent, and then off to Tomorrowland where we saw some Storm Troopers and rode the rocket ships.

Then we went to Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blast and shot a bunch of Emperor Zurg's minions.

Then we decided to head over to Adventureland where we ran into everyone else.  So we joined them for some Dole Whip and the Tiki Room.  Kylie really got into the Tiki Room and by the end was dancing and clapping along!

Yesterday I had promised the kids a balloon, but upon finding out they were $15 a piece I had them choose something else.  So first thing this morning we bought them what they wanted:  a bubble machine.  The kids loved them and always had them going while in the strollers.  Kylie's ran out of bubbles that morning because she kept it on almost constantly, but that didn't stop her from playing with it!  The rest of the day it was her microphone and she sang her little heart out.  That is what she did when I went on Thunder Mountain with the older people and she and Hayden waited.

Before lunch we decided to fit in one more ride.  Grandma and I took Kylie on Splash Mountain while Grandpa Gary and Aunt Kelsey took Hayden on Winnie the Pooh.

After lunch we went on Kylie's favorite ride: Cars Racetrack!

Then Grandma Shari and I took the kids back over to Disneyland. By now they were feeling pretty tired, and Kylie wasn't feeling too well, so she took a little nap.  While she was sleeping Hayden got to meet Cinderella, who was so sweet with him!  

Then we got to meet Pluto who was so silly that Hayden didn't know what to do.

By now the park was super crowded and any ride we chose would have an hour wait.  We decided to do King Arthur's Merry-Go-Round, and after that Grandma Shari took them to an open area where Kylie could get some more rest and they could both play around.  I decided to browse the shops for a bit and found some awesome glitter bouncy-balls for the kids that had their favorite characters inside: Rapunzel and Buzz Lightyear.  After receiving these the kids immediately started bouncing them everywhere and got all kinds of people playing a game of catch with them.  

After some dinner we went to ride Autotopia, and Grandpa Gary joined us.  Grandma Shari let Hayden drive and she said they were hitting everything almost constantly so she had to take over halfway through! Now we know why 3-year-olds are not allowed to drive!

Then we bounced over to the Jungle Cruise, which was pretty intimidating in the nighttime!  Then another long walk over to Luigi's ride in Cars Land, because Grandma and Grandpa hadn't tried it yet, and it was one of Hayden's favorites.  By then me and the kids were tuckered out, and so we went home to bed and Grandpa Gary had to go back and get the others because the park was opened until midnight that day and they all wanted to stay.

Saturday the kids were up early (they never sleep in!) and we all clambered into the car to go pick up Aunt Kendra and Uncle Jake from their cruise.  While we waited for them to get off the ship we got to wander around the seaside and see how huge the Queen Mary was, as well as seeing the Russian Submarine- The Scorpion.  

Once we got Aunt Kendra and Uncle Jake we decided to hit up Newport Beach.  Although I was freezing, the kids had a super time playing in the sand and waves as well as seashell hunting.  Hayden managed to fall down in the water, so he was running around in just his diaper from the waist down.  He was also shoveling more sand than shells into his jacket pocket.  That was fun to clean!

After the beach was lots of driving to drop off Aunt Kendra and Uncle Jake, and then back to our rental.  Aunt Kendra and Uncle Jake's California reception was that night, but we decided to have me and the kids stay behind at the house because they were really worn out from the past few days and Kylie was developing a cough.  So we had a little pajama party and watched Disney Jr to our hearts content and were all asleep by the time everyone else got home!

Sunday morning was early and busy. We had to pack up everything and head back home!  It was a long drive, but the kids did fairly well.  There were plenty of people packed into the van to keep them company.  Now we are home and I am glad to get the kids to bed on time!  And also have my own bed, haha.  (I shared with Kylie and she is too much of a cuddle bug for me...)

I want to thank the Knudsen's for inviting us along and for an awesome time at Disneyland!  It was the best!

Disneyland!! Day One

Wednesday morning we left bright and early with Grandma Shari, Grandpa Gary and Aunt Kelsey to California!  We had several breaks along the way, but overall the kids were very good travelers and loved being entertained by everyone.

We arrived at our rental house with plenty of time to spare in the day, so after settling in we all went exploring!  We went to the Orange County Outlet Mall and walked a lot, then after some dinner we went to Downtown Disney.  Everything was so cool to look at, but the best store had to be the Lego Store.  They had so many awesome figures built from Legos!

Thursday was our first day at Disneyland!!  We started off by going to California Adventure and riding 'Soarin' Around the World'.  Both Kylie and Hayden really enjoyed it - though Hayden jumped at every transition.

We spent the morning doing a few things in California Adventure.  We ran into our first character- Nick Wilde from Zootopia - and Kylie waited in line to meet him with me.  But when it was closer to our turn she ended up freaking out because 'his head is too big!' So I ended up giving him a hug while she cried into Grandma Shari's arms.  Then we tried A Bug's Life.  From the get-go the kids were not interested because we walked down into an 'anthill' and were underground with lots of bug noises.  We lasted about 3 minutes into the show before both Kylie and Hayden were in hysterics from being frightened to death from these huge bugs and Grandma Shari and I had to take them out to calm them down!  When Grandpa Gary and Aunt Kelsey came out we went on the caterpillar ride that both the kids liked.

Then we made our way to Disneyland!  There were so many people everywhere we went - I am so glad we had two strollers for both Hayden and Kylie.  It was far easier to keep them from running off.

Kylie wanted to meet Rapunzel, so we waited in a long line first to see Aladdin, who then switched out with Rapunzel.  Kylie and Hayden loved it!

Then we went to 'It's a Small World', and while we were in line we got to see several marching bands go by.  Hayden even took a picture of me and Grandma Shari while we waited. (He kinda missed our heads...)

Kylie loved the ride and was singing along by the end, but Hayden kept this face the ENTIRE time.  Part horror, part fascination.

Then we visited Toon Town and played at Goofy's house and explored Donald's house.  Then we waited in line for Roger Rabbit, and while it said a 40 min wait we ended up in line for over and hour and a half.  And the kids didn't even care for the ride.  That was probably our worst experience of the whole trip!  Afterwards we made our way back to California Adventure  - but not before running into Snow White!  Hayden was asleep, so Kylie got to meet her by herself.

When we arrived at Soarin' again for our Fast Passes, we discovered that Hayden was too small for the ride, and although he had already been on it earlier, they would not let him on again.  So Grandma Shari sat back with him while the rest of us went, and then while Grandpa Gary went on it again with Grandma Shari, Aunt Kelsey and I took the kids to Cars Land.  We decided to go on Luigi's ride, which was a really cool cars dance.  Everyone loved it.

Then we got to see the Firetruck come down the street!

Then it was time for the best ride of all time: the Cars race track!  Hayden was also too small for this one, and thanks to the Child Swap feature, Kylie and I got to go on it twice!  This was by far Kylie's favorite ride.

Then, back over to Disneyland for Indiana Jones.  Kylie was told at the beginning of the line that she was tall enough to go on it, but after waiting 20 minutes she was told as we were getting into the ride that she was too small.  Just one inch!  So I waited outside with her, and then went on it afterwards with Aunt Kelsey.  It's probably a good thing that Kylie didn't go on that ride because it was very jerky and scary and dark.  While we were on the ride, Grandpa Gary took her on Tarzan's Treehouse, while Grandma Shari and Hayden watched the Electrical Parade.  She told me he loved everything about it except for Pete's Dragon, who was scary and blew smoke.  After some dinner we went to Nemo's Submarine and then headed home.  Both kids fell asleep in the car and went straight to bed - me included!

Aunt Kendra and Uncle (!) Jake's Wedding

On Thursday after school we packed up our car and headed up north!  We barely beat all the looming rainclouds in the west and made it in time for the big meet 'n' greet family dinner with Kendra's and Jake's families.  Kylie and Hayden were in their zone running around and making friends with everyone!  It was hard to get them to settle down when it came to bedtime, and they didn't go down until after 11.

Friday was the big day and everyone was running around getting everything ready.  My job was to keep the kids under control (a big job in itself haha).  Around noon I dropped the kids off with Grandma Tess, who watched them while I went to the Payson Temple for the wedding.  They all had fun while I was gone, playing Lego's, building things, eating popcorn, cookies and strawberries!

That evening was the reception in Pleasant Grove.  Kylie and Hayden were so cute all dressed up for the reception - I tried to get a picture but Hayden was being a cheeser.  Lately he has a hard time smiling nicely for the camera!

At the reception Kylie was in her zone again.  She ran around eating pizza and gelato to her hearts content, while greeting people by smacking their bums and photobombing all of Aunt Kendra's pictures.  Hayden was more reserved, and just wanted to eat gelato, and be held by either me, Aunt Chantel or Grandma Shari.  Thankfully I whisked them away right at the end of the reception and had them in bed by the time everyone else got home.

Saturday morning I took the kids to the Puppy Barn in American Fork.  I had been meaning to take them there for a while, but just never had the time.  Kylie and Hayden loved it!  As a rule, kids had to be within 3 feet of me at all time, and that was just impossible with Kylie.  She was just running all over the place seeing all the cute puppies - but she always ended up at the teacup chihuahua's.  Hayden loved the fluffy huskies the best!

We spent the rest of the morning with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete.  Grandpa Pete had brought us some fun presents from Guatemala which we just loved!  We also went to a trampoline place with slides, a jungle gym, and a little trapeze pit.  We all had a blast!

Saturday evening we went to see Lego Batman with Grandma Shari, Grandpa Gary, Aunt Chantel, Uncle McKay and Great Aunt Connie.  It was hilarious and they had redone the theater with huge Laz-E-Boys for every seat, so the kids had plenty of room for squirming around.

Sunday we went to church and then said our goodbyes.  We drove home in near constant rain.  It kept me on my toes and helped the kids to sleep nearly the whole way home!  Now we just have a few days until we leave for California!