Girl Time

The same day the boys and I went to pumpkin land, I decided to take Amelia on a little girls-only outing. We ran an errand and ended our outing with a special treat. We went to a local bakery to try some desserts. Of course of all the delicious selections available, Amelia chose the caramel apple, because she, "loves apples!" Smart girl. It WAS delicious. One of the best caramel apples I've ever had...

Its always so good to get to spend some alone time with each child. Since Amelia has been in school, we have both missed the spending time together like we used to. We are adjusting, but getting out together once and awhile definitely helps!

Pumpkin Land

A week and a half ago, the boys and I went to a pumpkin patch with Miles small preschool co-op group and the play group from one of our old wards. We had a lovely time, and it was before the weather really turned nasty cold, which was an added plus.  It was so fun to get to spend time with old friends, and let the kids frolic about, expending their boy energy. On our way out each boy chose a pumpkin to take home.

The color of the day was orange, so I dressed both boys accordingly.

Brodrick, Miles, and their cousin Miley

Check out the tall sunflowers.

Could these two be any cuter?!?

Smiling for pictures. Brodrick is in the - don't-look-at-the-camera phase. Also, note the baby. That sweet little one is the two month old of an old friend who brought her three girls with the groups. I carried that baby the whole time I was there. It helped curb my baby hunger- she was the best baby ever! so it also aggravated it a little. ;)

Brodrick loved climbing and dancing all over this little play fort.

I was loving the blue sky in the background...

With the chosen pumpkins.

We had a great time! A huge thank you to my dear friend Debbie who organized the fun for all.

Sibbling Sleepover

Because of some abuse that I experienced while staying the night at a friend house when I was young, we have a family rule that we do not have sleep overs (without either Tim or I being there). There has been one exception, when Amelia stayed the night at my sister's house where there were only girls. (And I'm not saying that females cannot be perpetrators, but it is more uncommon.)

Last Friday night (Oct 5), Amelia wanted to have a "sleep over" in her room with her brothers. We had never done it before, and so I was willing to give it a try.

Three happy children, having story time with Amelia before bed.

They had so much fun snuggling together, reading books. I was a little unsure about how long it would take them to fall asleep and how the dynamic of them all being so close in proximity would pan out. Brodrick and Amelia are VERY active sleepers, and Brodrick woke up crying at least once a night for the 4 nights previous.

Passed out.

I didn't need to worry about the falling asleep part. It seemed that as soon as I turned off the light they were quiet and after a few minutes I sneaked in to find them all sound asleep. About an hour afterward, I heard Amelia crying in her sleep. She was bumping into her brothers, and being side swiped by Brodrick's arm/leg. So, I put her back on her bed. The other two boys slept really well being next to each other. It went over so well, that we may let it happen more often. It was a fun little change up for a weekend.

Its amazing to me the love I feel well up within me looking at my sleeping children. Its very nostalgic having watched them so much as infants while they were sleeping. And of course I love them each during the day, but to see them quiet, content, and stationary is a wonderful thing. :)

Visit from Tim's Grandparents

The last weekend in September, Tim's Grandparents came down for the baptism of Amanda, a close family friend. (She is more like a granddaughter for them, and a niece to me and Tim.) Amanda's dad is a convert who was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when we were up visiting Tim's home town this summer. Amanda is studying at a LDS affiliated university near where we live, and so they made the trip for the momentous occasion and we were able to spend a few hours with them and go out to lunch.

We ate at Texas Road House (delicious!!). Upon hearing others order a salad, Brodrick requested a salad to eat as well.  Grandma and Grandpa were surprised to see that little guy excitedly devoured his salad and was rather uninterested in any other food we offered him.

Tim, Amelia, and Grandma Kieko

Miles, Grandpa Glenn, and Melanie

Eating at a restaurant is an exciting adventure with our three busy young children. We had a lovely visit before, and after our visit to the restaurant, but during was a little more stressful. It is always so wonderful to see family that live far away. Their trip was a quick one, and we were blessed to be able to have spent some time with them!

Zumba Certification

I've mentioned it before. The rekindling of my inner-childhood flame that came from finding Zumba. The ability to let go and shake it like a Polaroid picture drop it like its hot enthusiastically dance like I did on every possible occasion during my single days, all while spending time with wonderful ladies, relieving built up stress, and getting a killer workout. (After all, Zumba is known as exercise in disguise cause its so fun and you definitely do not feel like you are working out. That is, until you feel the sweat dripping down your face/back/chest.)

Last year, I was going consistently 4-5 times a week for months. Then sadly I got out of the routine when my fellow carpoolers had to stop making the trip to the dance studio several miles away.

Then a few months ago I found a free Zumba class once a week in a church building in the neighborhood where we bought our first house (not super close- but closer than the the dance studio I had gone to last year.) 

Like a fish back in water @ the free Zumba class with fellow dancers 9/12/2012.

After wanting to get certified to teach for more than a year, I decided I to buckle up and register for  Zumba certification. Tim was very supportive of the idea and so I register for Zumba's Basic Steps 1. And on that fateful Friday, September 28th, after hours of dancing and a whole lot of sweat, I completed the certification!

Hooray for Zumba!!

This week I will help team teach my first class! I'm so excited!! If you have not tried Zumba yet, you are sorely missing out. I know that for most, the first few classes you may still feel like a little awkward, but rest assured, no one will be critical of you in a Zumba class. There, you will find acceptance among friends. If you are local to me and want to participate in the free class this Thursday at 8pm, let me know and I'll give you the details!

The Muddy Angels

Not so long ago, my dear friend Lauren had this great idea of doing the Dirty Dash 2012 together with my niece Stephanie (also a friend of Lauren). She knowing I am not a runner, purposely failed to mention (you know its true Lauren) just how many K's were in a "couple of K's" race. The answer was 10k's. 10. Lets move on. So upon realizing that this race was not a 3k, or even a 5k, but double what I had anticipated, I decided to go running a few times before the race in prep. Our team was affectionately titled The Muddy Angels.

Race day (Sept 22) came  and was lovely. Who wouldn't want to go wallow through large mud pits while covering 6 miles of uneven terrain?! We psyched.

There were different heat times and ours was at 10:20. Even with the break up of heats there were quite a few people and it got very crowded at times, especially around the different obstacles. I did end up with a huge bruise on the pack of my right thigh from two of the obstetrical. All in a year's mud run.

We helped each other complete the intimidating obstacles, such as climbing cargo nets that were very high up (I am usually deathly afraid of heights, but apparently had no time to focus on that or look down) lifting our booties over high wooden walls, etc, and of course, walking through mud pits. (Just FYI- they totally dug random, dips/holes before filling said pits with water-turned-to-mud.)  Thankfully we each had goggles to wear. Toward the end Lauren and Steph stopped using theirs, but I wasn't about to loose a contact or get dirt/mud in my eye. I can handle mud all over, but when it comes to my eyes, I draw the line.

Almost done! Waiting in line to go down the huge slip n' slide.

The Muddy Angels, complete with wings.

We don't mess 'round! Or, uh, we play dirty. Take your pick.

Eating post race peaches. No we did not wash our hands. No we didn't care.

 My only complaint was that my shoes were so heavy and the extra weight torqued on my weak ankle. The course was great- the obstacles felt well spaced. The muddy water was freezing. The company couldn't have been better. It was a blast!! I totally want to do it again next year.

We Choose Our Battles

Amelia is a night owl, and LOVES to sleep in. However, with the bus coming around 8am I have had to go in and wake her most  mornings to get ready for school. Bed time can sometimes be a struggle with my sweet girl, as she loves one on one time with mom. Last night, after tucking Amelia into bed, (which involved talking, snuggling, and saying prayers) she came into my room. Normally I would have been stern and made her get back in bed, but I decided to let her climb into bed with me to talk/snuggle/be silly/take pictures.

So happy together

Silly Faces

I feel I can be too serious as a parent. Lately I have really tried to lighten up and take time to be silly and laugh with my kids. It has been making a great difference in our relationships, and has helped them to better understand the important of things when I get serious.

After about 15 minutes of quality one on one time, Amelia willingly climbed back into her bed and fell right to sleep.