Color Me Rad

On Saturday Jessica, some friends, and I ran the Color Me Rad 5k on the UVU campus.  I have to say that as of yesterday, this 5k has been by far the most fun.  It is not a timed race due to the way it's set up, but it was a lot of fun.  This picture below is of me and Jessi at the beginning of the race (center back- I'm the one pointing or something)  We are nice and clean and on our way.

Little Miss Addi had a nice and relaxing time watching the runners go by.  Isn't she beautiful?

Here we are after the race.  We ran as team "Get Out" and we had our names on the back of our shirts, but by the end you couldn't even see them.  You see- every kilometer there is a color station and you get pelted with colored corn starch- some powder and some mixed with water which was more potent- as you run through.  It actually smelled really good and didn't taste too terrible- it was impossible to keep it out of your mouth....and nose and ears,etc.  Luckily they did give every one sun glasses, although by the end I couldn't even see out of those.  Good Times.  We were all filthy.  They also gave each runner a color packet and at the end of the race there was a color war where everyone just let loose with their packets.  It was so funny.  I couldn't see for a good minute or so because of all the powder in the air.

More posing.

Here are me and Stinky.  She had so much green in her hair that it looked like she was molding.

Color Me Rad... Look up the web site and see if there is a race near you!

Jefferson saw me and said, "Mama, you got dirty with colors.  You need to take a shower."  I took a while, but after a few washes my skin was clean.  The blue was the hardest to get off.  Especially in the ears.

After the race we went to Aunt Jessi's house for a bit and Jefferson found a new love:)

I am seeing drum lessons in our future.  During sacrament today he leaned over and said, "We need to go back to Jessi's house and dance."  What can I say- That's my boy!

Doctors Appointments

So, this past week we had Jefferson's 4 year check up and Addison's 9 month check up.  The bonus side of this--- neither of them had to get shots this time around.  Jefferson loves the pediatrician so that makes visits a lot less dreadful.  First up was Miss Addison.  She is almost 28 inches tall and 16.5 pounds.  She is a light weight.  I wasn't all that surprised considering she has been crawling for over a month, has been pulling up to standing for nearly the same amount of time, and walking along furniture for about three weeks.  She has to keep up with Jefferson.  Nonetheless, the doctor wants her to beef up some so I have to take her back in for a weight check in 6 weeks. In other news, Addison loves to feed herself.  We have to put food that she can feed herself with on her tray while we feed her her solids.  We trade off bites and that keeps her happy.  Last night she ate nearly a whole slice of apple and had no problem with it.  She doesn't like things too sweet- she prefers apples and carrots and pears and butternut squash.  We are still working of the whole sippy thing.  We have gotten her to take a bottle so we'll probably have to transition from that.  Jefferson went straight from breast to sippy.  She jabbers and blabbers all day long.  In fact, I woke up at 6:20 this morning to lots of giggles and jabbering.  Jason went in to investigate and found Jefferson in the crib with Addison having a grand old time tickling and playing.  She is fascinated with toilet paper, loves to play with Jefferson's cars, is really good at naps and sleeping through the night, and snuggling.  We love her so much.

Jefferson was second and loved the attention.  He got to be a pirate and get his eyes checked.  He did wonderfully and got every single question right.  He is 41 inches tall and weighs in at 37 pounds.  He is average in both areas.  He loves to be outside all the time, playing cars and trains, watching Animal Atlas, putting on his shoes by himself, tricking Addison into doing things that she shouldn't do and then telling on her (what are big brothers for), making his bed, riding his tricycle, and helping with the dishes (he has his very own brush).  He is growing up so fast and it is great fun watching him come alive.  He loves to make up stories and games, dance and work his body (he always has a turn on the treadmill after I finish).  He is such a great little guy.  He is good with Addison, except when he is calling her STINKER.  He is completely healthy and bright.

LOVE THESE LITTLE SCOUNDRELS!!

Yo Ho Ho...

... A Pirate's Life For Me

We had Jefferson's very first friend birthday party the week after Easter. He was beyond excited and talked about it every day. We decided on a Pirate Party and it was a hit. We played "X Marks the Spot" (modeled after Pin the Tail on the Donkey) and we had a Treasure Hunt. We had snacks and cake and goodie bags and they ran around outside playing with the toys that they had gotten for Jefferson. Good times were had by all.

This is the treasure map that I drew. It is still up because Jefferson will not let me take it down.

We got all the boys pirate hats and eye patches. They were completely adorable and had so much fun running around and talking like a pirate. They mostly kept singing, " Yo Ho Mateys Away". It took some work, but I finally convinced Jefferson that just because you have a patch over one eye does not mean that you cannot open your other eye. Here he is with his treasure map.

We got a sign for the door and Jefferson wanted to leave that up as well, but we only kept it up for the day. Here he is with his friend Gunner in their Pirate getup. Jefferson insisted on wearing his Halloween shirt due to that fact that it has pirate bones on it.

Here we are playing around while we wait on the rest of the boys. Addison was so good the whole time. I think she was in a kind of daze. She just kept looking around and checking things out.

We took a break after the treasure hunt to have some snacks.

We had Pirate Treasure Trail Mix, Pirate Ship Snackers, and Swords and Cannon Balls. The kids were so cute, they kept telling me that I had things wrong. I was telling them what we were eating and they were correcting me, like: Those are fish nets, they're pretzels or those aren't cannon balls, they're olives. It was cute and a lot of fun.

I also made these chocolate suckers from molds for the kids to take home with their treasure after the party.

For as long as this cake took me to cut and decorate, it sure doesn't look it. It looks pretty sad if you ask me, but the kids sure liked it and it did taste good.

Jefferson loved all his presents and had such a good time. It was so fun to have all those boys over, but man, by the time they left I was exhausted. We'll have to see what next year holds.

Easter

HAPPY EASTER!!

Man, we are one good looking family :) Easter was a fabulous day. I had prepared a breakfast pie the night before so I just had to pop it in the oven while we were getting ready for church. Jefferson was so excited to match his Daddy. They are two good looking boys. Jason and I both had to teach so we were a little more focused on Easter this year, so that was nice. Once home the kiddies got to enjoy their Easter goodies. Jefferson was very emphatic about having his picture taken with "Horton Hears a Who". Silly!

Me and Little Miss Addison.

After naps we colored some Easter eggs. So much fun since Jefferson is getting older and can participate more. Here he is with Jason putting the vinegar onto the color tablets.

And...dying the first egg. Jefferson did not like mixing colors. at. all. So we had some nice solid plain colors, but they made him happy.

We had a great time!

We played games, read Easter stories and relaxed. Dinner was delicious. We had fabulous Chicken Cordon Bleu (which I painstakingly made from scratch and I wasn't sure how it would taste-it was great!!), cheddar mashed potatoes, french bread, and my mom's famous cranberry jello salad (by the way mom- you do need two boxes or it is a little soupy).
We talked to family and just had an all around completely nice day.
How was your Easter?

All's Well That Ends Well

So, the day started out great, but went down hill from then on until night time when it got better and did end well. Let me explain. After playing through out the morning we got ready to go to play group at the local gym that has trampolines, foam pits, rings, slides, etc. only to find out that due to spring break they had canceled it. Massive, loud tears were involved. This was followed by more crying because it was too cold and windy to go to the park to eat lunch. Quiet time was heaven sent that day. Once Jason got home we headed to IHOP for dinner (Jefferson LOVES pancakes and bacon) only to have Jefferson choke on a piece of bacon, freak out, try to remove it and gag himself, followed by throwing up. Yep, that was great!! Luckily after he calmed down and got cleaned up he was his joyous self again and finished his french toast and bacon and juice. We got home and opened presents...Hooray!!

This is the shirt he got from Gramma and Papa

We got him some more Dr. Seuss. He loves him. I highly recommend "Happy Birthday to You". It is great fun for them on their birthdays and a nice self affirming book over all.

Jefferson loves to paint and color, but I don't love the mess. Enter, Color Wonder. He got a set of paints and markers with pictures to use them on. He loves cars so this was very well received.

The happy boy, mama, and Addison.

We ended the night will popsicles (his choice), baths, and snuggle time with books. The next day we got a package from Grandma and Grandpa in Texas with a super hero cape and mask. He loves it, although when he put it on and jumped off the couch he was honestly baffled and quite angry that he didn't actually fly. I had to tell him that he could wear it to the next play group and fly on the trampolines. He cracks me up!!

You've Had A Birthday Shout Hoo-Ray!!

Look who turned 4 today!!!!

This is what Jefferson woke up to!! I think he liked it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUGAR!!!!!

Just Something I Need to Say

Dear Jefferson,

Over the weekend you were doing something you shouldn't be doing and I was trying to discipline you. It is not fun in a normal situation, but with a house full of people it stinks. Especially when you feel like everyone is watching you to see how you do it and if it works. Now, I may be being over sensitive, but when some one commented that you only listen about the fifth time I had to try really hard not to cry and be defensive.
You are a fabulous child. You turn four tomorrow and I don't know where the time has gone. You are so full of excitement, imagination, super human energy, curiosity, compassion, and love. I often say that you have two speeds: fast and sleeping. You are also learning how to push your boundaries and see what you can get away with. I love all of you and that makes it hard, but worth it, when I am trying to teach you to stay in your seat until you finish eating or to not hit your sister with your drum sticks or to please not say the words that you learned somewhere that I don't know.
I feel terribly inadequate to be a mom. I am no where near perfect, not even great. I know this, so when someone says something about your behavior I feel like I have failed. I know that I have a lot to work on. I go to bed apologizing for my failings and pray that I can be better the next day. Today is one of those days, when at 9 a.m. I am already praying for patience and greater love. I am tired, oh so tired, from getting up with you and Addison while you cough and cry during the night. I am grumpy and short tempered and I know that it makes things worse. So I ask you for your forgiveness and love. I know I will get it. You are so quick to say I'm sorry, give kisses and hugs, and return to playing whatever fun game you have invented.
I may not be a great mom, but I am trying and I will try harder to be the mom that you need so someday, maybe, I will feel that you got the mom you deserve. You show me the wonders of the world everyday and remind me to find joy and happiness in the simple things, like to butterfly we saw on our walk yesterday or the fabulousness of bubbles. I am lucky to have such a great little boy.

I love you,
Mom

Mini Birthday Celebration

While down at my parents house we had a little mini birthday celebration for Jefferson's 4th birthday. He was so excited to get presents- it's funny because he thought that Santa would be bringing them. Guess we have to work on the whole holiday thing again.

He is quite obsessed with fire men and fire trucks right now so Aunt Jessie got just the right toy. He loves it. Grandma and Papa got him a Thomas shirt, which he was thrilled about, and the game Candy Land (we have already played it a half dozen times). Thanks a bunch guys!!

From us he got a Transformers watch. He loves to play with Daddy's watch and push all the buttons, so now he has one of his own.

Blowing out the candles!!

We are having a pirate themed party this year so for the family party we had Pirate Ship Brownies. Jefferson thought these were so great. I am always happy when he thinks my ideas are great.

Now we just have to make it through his actual birthday (Thursday) and his very first friend party and that will be that until next year!!

Riverton 4life 5k

About two weeks ago my little sister Jessica called me up and asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with her on the Saturday morning of conference. We'd be down there any way so it wasn't a big deal and I thought it would be fun to get back into racing.

Here we are Saturday morning getting ready to leave for the race. It was a little chilly and A LOT windy.

Luckily, after the race started the sun was high in the sky, so even though we ran against the wind for the first 1.5 miles it wasn't too terrible. Here I am after crossing the finish line and receiving my preliminary result times.

Here we are. Yeah!! we finished the race!!

And as a bonus, both of us finished 3rd in our age groups so we got medals (19-24 for her, 25-29 for me). Jessie beat me by three-tenths of a second, but we came in around 27:20. Not too shabby. We also came in 17th and 18th out of 129 women.

Jefferson had a blast because after the race he got to meet the firemen and get a sticker and climb into their truck.

He loved it!!!

More races to come!!