Experiment

Title: Is This Boy Ready to Exclusively Pee on the Potty?
Hypothesis: He will have a few accidents until he figures out what it feels like to "need to go." Then he will make it to the potty a few times. Mom might give up after a few hours.

Procedure:
1. Put the kid in undies. Let him have a few accidents.
2. Remind him that if he needs to go pee, he needs to hurry and go on the potty.
3. Put him in front of the TV on the potty all day.
4. Try to ignore the stench in the house.
5. Do lots of laundry.

Results/Conclusion: To be posted later!

I Took a Sick Week...

and this was the result.
I know it doesn't look that bad, but it was. And it was like this for a full week. Oh, well. I cleaned all day on Friday. I do not like cleaning all day. It's so much better when you can do one or two things a day and be done with it. But this week, I just couldn't get myself to do it!

Eden is getting to be a vain little stinker; every time I pull out the camera for something, she wants me to take a picture of her! As a result, I've captured some cute shots of her.
Levi has taken his shoe obsession to a new level and is now developing a talent for walking in 3.5-inch+ heels. I must say, he's pretty good, even if he doesn't really have the legs for it.

And Levi has also been dressing himself. Oh, joy!

Looking forward to a sick-free week!

Little Update

This last week has been busy, and this week is going to be no different! Last week we got dumped on with rain, which we probably needed and some people were happy about, but I'm not a fan of too much rain. I like one good thunder storm every once in a while (provided that I'm safe inside and not driving). I got a stinkin' sinus cold this last week with the turn of the weather and have been feeling pretty crappy. I tried to rest up, but so much has been going on, I've just had to suck it up and push through it. I think I'm finally getting to the tail end of it. I really hate being sick.

So yeah, I've been busy. Let's take today for instance. I had a semi-normal morning, although it took me a little longer to get going due to the overnight meds wearing off, but I got the kids off to school alright. Then I had to run something over to our new camp director, then drive over to Jonah's new school with Levi to get Jonah registered for school. I filled out all of the paper work and got a CD-Rom and a little packet with educational games in it to go over with Jonah later. As I was leaving the school, I got a little teary-eyed. I just expect to cry at anything these days, so I wasn't surprised that it hit me hard that I had a Kindergartner. It's really strange seeing your kids grow up.

After that, I got a call from Jonah's school psychologist, with whom I had an appointment at 12:35 to re-evaluate Jonah for Kindergarten and had totally spaced. I don't usually do that and I know this guy is busy, so I was really embarrassed. But he seemed cool and just rescheduled.

After that, I had to rush home and feed Levi before the kids got home from school. I had a doctor appointment to get to and the bus was a little later than usual. So the kids finally got home, and we zoomed over to Lexie's house so she could watch the kids for me. I was a little late for my appointment, but it was okay, and I found out that everything was fine and got out of there quick.

Then I went back and hung out at Lexie's until Peter got off work and we grabbed some food on the way home, because my fridge is basically bare right now. Being sick over the weekend didn't get the shopping done.

So now I am home and I'm blogging, but then I'm going to watch Biggest Loser because I need to wind down! I know it doesn't sound like that busy of a day, and sometimes I like being busy, but I think that it was hard because I'm still not 100% over the dumb sinus thingy. I'm hoping that the next few days will be the last of it, because the running to and fro never ends!

Signing off to watch Biggest Loser!

Time for a Post

Well, I don't have much to say, but I feel like it's been forever since I've blogged, so maybe I can come up with some things.

The kids have been happy to be back at school, and I have to admit, it has been nice to get back to our routine.

I have been looking into schools for Jonah, the big Kindergartner next year. I am so excited for him to be in Kindergarten, and also a little sad, of course, but really what I am feeling is a little stress and a little relief. Contradictory, no? But I have talked with friends who have given me some helpful opinions and information, and I am considering two schools, and I also have a third as a back-up plan. So even though I am stressed about this, I feel as on top of it as I can be. I have been praying for guidance, and I think that is helping. I have a real testimony that Heavenly Father doesn't mind being bothered by "little questions" and that He'll answer any prayer we offer.

Our ward split. Did I not post about this? Yep, our 800+ ward split a few weeks ago. I think it has been really good; we aren't breaking any fire codes now, and I think people in general are just a lot more comfortable with the size. However, we are all trying to get the hang of a new ward and our new callings. I think it won't be long before we all settle into a groove and things roll (mostly) seamlessly.

That being said, I got a new calling as Young Women Secretary. I am really excited to be working in YW; I have always wanted to. I am still trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do, but it has been fun so far.

Levi is getting so big! Tonight he ate 3/4th of a pizza! It was a freezer pizza, but STILL!

I've been sewing again! I have finally found a little time now that the holidays are over, and I have already busted out a skirt, my first ABC I-spy book, and pillowcases for my nephews and another one for Eden. (I made one for each of my kids for Christmas.) I will post a tutorial on my other blog soon, I hope! I am in the process of making another twirly skirt for Eden and it is going to be so cute- I love the fabric- blacks, whites, pinks, greens and reds!

I've also been reading! Wow, I just realized that the holidays sure wipe me out. I probably haven't read a book since October. I recently read The Lovely Bones, which was good, but left something to be desired... maybe it was a little anticlimactic for me, but it was a good read, and really creepy!

I also read Al Capone Does My Shirts, which is a Newberry book, and I totally recommend it! Having lived in the Bay Area and visited Alcatraz, it was really interesting. Check it out! There is also a sequel, but I haven't read it yet. Next on the list are Olive Kitteridge and The Shadow of the Wind.

Hope January's been treating you right!

Jonah's T-ball Pictures

We got Jonah's T-ball pictures a while back, and I thought I would post some. I think they turned out really cute! The skin under his lip was chapped, but other than that, I think they are perfect.

Christmas Decorations

I wanted to post some of my favorite ornaments from our tree. This one was Peter's as a boy.
Eden made this in preschool this year.
A lady I used to visit teach made this for me. It is a hand-painted gourd.
A family that used to home teach us made two of these ornaments, which I adore! They made our Christmas very special that year.
I got this doll in Russia.
My sister, Kira, made the kids ornaments last year. They are so pretty.
Our old bishop gave this to us. It is from Israel and made with real olive wood.
This is a White House Ornament, which reminds me of my childhood. Our tree at home was covered in beautiful White House ornaments, given to us by our Grandpa Packard.
And here is our tree. This picture does not do it justice. I absolutely love our tree and the ornaments on it. I will have a hard time taking it down and putting it away this year!