It's a good life!

Today's been a GREAT day, despite the things that could have made me mad, they just made me laugh. For example, I was talking to my mom on the phone while the kids ate their lunch, or so I thought, when I hung up and turned to the table, Emma was MIA. I looked in the living room for her and she had her diaper off and he wipes container open and was wiping her poopy bum! She hadn't left it all in the diaper, but had some smeared on her leg and some even got on my new carpet. Then she looks at me and smiles her sweet, innocent smile. Oh boy, was my reaction and oh Emma! Usually I would have yelled, but I didn't, go me!! I guess it's time to be REALLY serious about potty training now!

I've been feeling all kinds of gratful for things and people in my life, and I wanted to journal it. Here goes...

This guy has been moving a lot lately and I love it

I personally think it's the best part about being pregnant, feeling the baby move. I really like it when he kicks me back after I push on him!

Emma and Ethan love to build "ships" using couch cushions. They look like forts but they are ships that take them places.

The other day, Emma wanted to build a ship but Ethan didn't want to play in one. Instead of telling her no, he built her her very own ship!

What a nice brother.

Mike and Jake painted Emma's room Saturday and Emma wanted to help!
(luckily there was no paint out so there isn't any pain on that roller)
I love the room and can't wait to buy more girly things to put in there!
Thanks you two, and Dad, for all your hard work!
What can I say about this one?
WOW! He's just all kinds of funny and loving kindergarten.
He's been super helpful with Emma lately. When she wants something from him, he usually gives it to her with not much of a fight.
Then there's him...
I just gotta love him.
He really didn't want to paint Emma's room, but my doctor advised me that if there was someone else that could paint, to let them.
He got speakers for out TV and now we have surround sound and it's pretty cool. He had to order a different cable for the subwoofer but got that yesterday and hooked it up. Even the dumb shows I watch during the day sound better! Who knew?
More stuff-
*Emma's been reading to herself for a while now, not real words, but jabber and it's so funny to listen to her read. When I put her down for a nap, I can hear through the monitor her reading to herself, before and after her nap.
*It's fall which means that the air is cooler, I get to leave my windows open and make my power bill go down, the leaves are changing colors on the mountain and I can see that right out my front window, and I love all the smells that come with fall!
*Ethan LOVES kindergarten and as far as I know is doing well. He talks about his friends in his class and is learning a lot!
*For the last few months, on those nights that Mike is gone, Ethan and I have been playing a game or two after Emma goes to bed. It's been so much fun to have that one-on-one time with him again. The best was when he told me that he really likes playing games with me, just me and him.
*Emma isn't one to express affection to me all on her own, but the other day when I put her down for a nap, she looked at me and said, "I love you!" in her sweet little voice.
I have a lot to be grateful for and know that the Lord has blessed me with more than I deserve.

Birthday FUN!

We've been celebrating Ethan's birthday for a week. My brother told me about a tradition they have they got from a friend that during their kids' birthday week the birthday kid gets a special something every day for a week until their birthday. I go a little crazy...I used to get everything from the dollar spot at Target but since Ethan's not as into dinosaurs as he was when he was 3 and 4, I get small lego sets, pokemon cards, and stuff that 6 year olds like. I even had Mike get donuts one morning for breakfast.

Since Monday was Labor Day and Mike had the day off, he suggested we go to Jump on It! We picked up a few extra fun girls on the way.

Here's Ethan going down the slide with one of those fun girls I mentioned!

Mike and Emma were jumping together and I thought it was so fun and sweet that I tried to take a picture but this kid ran right in front of the camera as the picture was taken...dumb slow shutter!
(I guess he thought it was his birthday or something!)
After Jump on It! we had family come over for cake and ice cream.
I attemped a cake, again (I think I should just give up and get Cold Stone cakes)
The cake part was easy it was the decorating that got to me. I asked Mike to help me but he took over and did a much better job than I would have.
(no that's not black frosting, it's black licorish-thanks Mom for the suggestion! So much easier than frosting!)
I got relighting candles because I thought Ethan would think they were fun. He did!

Dad had to step in to help get them really out!

Ethan went to school on his birthday and LOVED it! I saw him coming down the street with a crown on and had to grab my camera to take a picutre

so cute!

Ethan chose to go to JCW's for dinner, mmmmmm!

Emma got "red juice" (aka fruit punch) and her tongue turned red

Ethan had sprite and his tongue was shiny

After dinner he opened presents from me and Mike.

Among lots of legos, he got this new blanket

I think he looks awesome!

When I asked him if he had a good birthday, I got this response...

(I think he did!)

6 years ago

Ethan looked like this...

Happy Birthday to my favorite boy in the whole wide world!