Jaxons Preschool Grad

Last week we had a big day in our house. Jaxon had his last day of three year old preschool. I am super excited for summer... but Jaxon is already asking when he gets to go back to school. It may be a long summer... or I will be exhausted from planning Tons to keep him Busy. Jaxon loved Leap n Learn so much. We are excited to start with them again next year.

Playing cars on the circle mat

Music Time

He just got his certificate and is about to Jump!

jaxon and the lovely Miss Sara. Jaxon adores her and will miss her very much. he tells me every day how much he loves miss sara!

Welcome Summer

I live for Summer. Yes I know I live in Calgary and I know that I will only get summer weather like 3 weeks of the whole year... ok thats an exageration but its close. but i live for the sun and warmth. All my friends know... Amanda HATES winter and cold and rain and wind... I like to lay in the sun and burn and sweat and yeah.... SUMMER.
   Today it was summer! After days and days of rain the sun came out and spread some love! YAY! To celebrate we had an awesome friend get us into Lake Chaparral. Its a glorious thing! but the down side is it makes me miss all my chaparral friends like mad... how I wish I lived in chaparral! Anyways... Thanks Brooke for the super fun morning! My kids and I both had a blast! I wish every day was and beautiful as today. It just makes me happy!
  Another fun warm weather activity that my boys love is water guns. these Pics were taken a few weeks ago... but hey... why not share them right..

owen shoots all gangsta style with his gun all tilted to the side... cracks me up!

Jaxon likes squirting me... I try to convince him that getting the grass, or car, or fence is way more fun the getting mommy... but so far he doesnt believe me

Owen loves his slide.

Oh and an added treat! I have an ice cream maker... LOVE IT! I was lacking the ingredients to make ice cream... but I was craving some soooooo bad... so I looked around and I thought... sorbet would work and I have everything I need for that!

 So I made Peach Starberry Sorbet... yep it is even better then it sounds... and its crazy simple

here is the recipe

Peach Strawberry Sorbet

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups peaches

2 cups strawberries

make a simple syrup by heating the water and sugar in a pot until the sugar is completely dissovled. then add the cut up fruit. (I used frozen... fresh would be fine too) Allow the fruit to simmer in the syrup for a fwe minutes until the are really realy soft and mushy. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Blend mixture until smooth... I used my blender... but an immersion blender would work too. Then refridgerate for 3 hours... or over night. then just pour into the ice cream maker and press start... Mine took only 10 minutes! YUMMY!!!!!

  

Tub Fun

I have decided to be crafty this weekend. I have far too many projects on my to do list. So I am determined to get some of them done this weekend. In order to motivate myself I have decided to post one of the last crafty things I did.... yes I made them a while ago... thats why Im so ready to do some more crafting...
Felt Food! I love felt Food! Here are some green apple slices I whipped up one day for Jaxon and Owen. They love felt food. It doesnt always get played with how it was meant to be but they do love it none the less!

Now that Owen has stopped peeing in the tub... or rather now that Jaxon has stopped noticing Owen peeing in tub... we can convince the boys to have bathes together. Its awesome! Cuts Tub time down by alot! YAY! They have so much fun!. They splash and dump water on each other. And the scream and scream and scream!

owen loves the tub... well all water actually and always cries when its time to get out!

Day Out with Thomas

Ok So I know it was over a month ago that we went to Day out with Thomas. But I finally have gotten around to blogging about. It was such a fun day! Both the boys love Thomas the Tank Engine. Owen is the biggest fan Ive ever seen. He LOVES Thomas. He cries when we turn it off and he knows all the engines... yep my 18 month old knows the Engines by name. Its super awesome. This year for Owens birthday I am planning a Thomas the Train party. Its going to be great.
  Jaxon always has a blast when we go to Day out with Thomas. Owen had fun too... but I think there was a bit too much noise and people for him. He stuck pretty close and snuggly with Tim and I. But he was still smiling most of the time.
  I cant wait to go again next year. Its a great family tradition!

Playing trains!

Owen Loves playing trains!

Owen got a James Tattoo

Jaxon got a Thomas Tattoo. Both boys were so sad when they washed off!

On the train!

THOMAS

Off to have fun

Owen figuring out the little Maze

Jaxon did the maze like 10 times in a row... as fast as he could!

Jaxon even got to drive a model train!

Wicked

I am so thrilled! I am going to see Wicked the Musical in July! YAY! So to prep for it I read the book Wicked. It was awesome! I love books that give you another point of view. As I read this book I found myself totally feeling for The Wicked Wtich of the West. I was almost completely on her side. I felt bad for her. her life SUCKED. but then Id have to shake my head and say she is the WICKED Witch of the West!  WICKED! but I still would get super annoyed with Glinda and thought she was an obnoxious twit. Weird. But reading the book has made me even more excited for July to go and see the musical and I am also going to read the second book in the trilogy... Son of a Witch... about Liir the Wicked Witch's son.  Cant wait!

  Speaking of things that are Wicked... my boys are going to either kill me or kill each other. Owen is now just over 21 months... and his brother has given him his first nose bleed. Nice. I totally watched it all happen from the kitchen window.... I had left them in the care of their daddy... was that my first mistake??? But as I glanced out the window I see owen sitting on the edge of the monkey bars... and Jaxon grabbing his legs and pulling him off.... awesome... at least it was just a nose bleed... I guess it could have been a lot worse!

BACK

Wow It has been way too long since I updated this blog. I dont know where the time went... but it did. I have decided to consolidate my two blogs into one... because I dont have time to run too! So if you are looking for updates on the family... here they are... if you are looking for my latest craft projects and recipes... here they are. Simple right! Lets hope it helps me stay on top of keeping things up to date! I should have known Id have a rough time... I never was very good at journal keeping!
Tonight we had a happy dinner time! FINALLY!!! Don't get me wrong. I have taught my boys right and they love to eat. But they are grazers. Meaning they would rather eat 10 snacks through out the day then sit down for a meal. Dinnertime is normally filled with whines and tears and screaming and TIME OUTS. But tonight it was peaceful. I thank Spaghetti and Meatballs! Jaxon Loved slurping the long noodles and ate way more then I thought his little tummy could hold. Owen loved the meatballs and the Cheese Bread. It was heavenly! Here's hoping the peace lasts. Any tips on how you get your kids to eat???
So I had to share this little tidbit with you. As many of you know, I have been on the hunt for barstools since we moved in 2 years ago. While we finally had success there too. We finally found ones that 1) I love and 2) were in our budget! YAY! So Tim being the sweet husband he is stayed up one night and put them together. They Look fantastic. I am thrilled with them. The boys love them too. Jaxon and Owen and I often have out lunch 'sitting at the counter' Owen loves that he can climb up and sneak his soother (which we normally hid on the island) But as you all know. My boys are all boy... they climb, they jump and they cause trouble. One morning I was brave and decided to leave them downstairs while I went up and had a bath. I left the door open so I could listen for sounds of trouble. It all sounded nice and quiet. So I took my time and really enjoyed the nice quiet bubble bath. After 20 minutes I come downstairs and find this....

Yep... Owen hanging from the island with out a barstool in reach... how he managed that and how long he was hanging there is a mystery... he wasnt crying or yelling or anything... just snuggling with daddy's paper... Could thing my little monster has some serious upper body strength, that would have been a long drop!
I'm thinking I may have to build an ark. It has been raining all week. It Sucks! The worst part is its not even warm rain... its cold. If it was warm we could at least go puddle jumping... but we are inside way too much these days. Ive been looking for things to do around the house... Fun things... not cleaning things. obviously I turn to my craft room. Yesterday I scrapbooked and today I returned to Felt Food. For those of you who dont know I went on a massive felt food making spree right before christmas. Now I figured the boys needed more food. Well ok... I wanted to be crafty but my craft budget was all spent for this month so I had to use what I had... and I found felt!

Kiwis... what do you think?
Jaxon tells me they look pretty good... But he also has to live with me so I think he knows how to flatter me!
Suggestions on what to do tomorrow in the rain?

My Little Monster

   Owen Keeps my on my toes. I am constantly shocked and amazed at how is little mind works. I love him and Im sure Ill laugh at this one day... but for now its a trial!
  Here is todays story; Normally I have the kids watch TV while I make dinner. That way they stay out of trouble and I can just focus on cooking. But this afternoon Jaxon watched way more TV then I liked so all things with screens were on break until after a good dinner was eaten. So of course I am being hounded by the little guys while I am cooking. I suggest they color a picture. Jaxon has now out grown crayons and insists on using markers ALL THE TIME. which is fine for him, but owen now refuses to use crayons too. He has to be just like Jaxon. So I get them both coloring and all is well... then the door bell rings... I leave Owen at the table (jaxon is now off playing cars) and I think to myself... "The markers are washable what can go wrong in the 10 seconds it will take me to get the door" yeah I know... BIG MISTAKE. At the door is two guys from Elections Canada wanting to make sure we are registered to vote. They have a few questions for me and for some reason I know Owen is coloring but I am thinking its with crayons so all is well... After about 2 minutes they leave and I return to check on Owen....

Yep... he filled up his paper and moved onto the table... and to top it off..WASHABLE MARKERS ARENT REALLY WASHABLE

Owen now loves sitting at the table because he has his own artwork to look at... I have scrubbed and scrubbed... its a little more faded but still very much so there! ARGH

Jaxon Turns 4

Ok ok Ok... these are a little delayed... but here are a couple pictures from Jaxons Party. We didnt get many pictures because most of the party was at the pool and well, water and cameras dont mix. But he had so much fun and is so excited to be 4! Thanks to all the great friends who came to the party! Jaxon loved being at the pool and especially going down the slide all by himself.

Checking out the presents (yes that is a doughnut on his thumb!)

The "inner tube" Doughnuts instead of cake and the Party favors

Parties are hard work. Jaxon just crashed on the way home from his party... but I know he had fun because he still talks about it!

Owen Update

Owen is growing up so fast. He is no longer a little baby, but a super cute, crazy little boy. He cracks me up! he is such a stinker and loves doing anything that causes trouble or makes me laugh. He is still refusing to talk... although I know he knows how to because he will call me when Im not around... "Mom mom mom" but if Im in the room he will only say Dad. turkey!
  He is trying really hard to eliminate his one remaining nap. Im trying really hard to keep napping a regular part of my after noon... which means I see alot of this...

Owen also has this weird love of shoes. he wants to wear his boots 24/7! and when I wont put on his boot he will find other shoes to wear.

Follow the Prophet

Today I am thankful for SINGING
  I am guessing that they are teaching the kids Follow the Prophet in Primary. Jaxon loves it and has spent the evening singing it. He has the tune down pat. But the words are another story. So he makes stuff up... mostly about his friends. Like "Andrew was a prophet. he listened to his mom. Every morning he woke up and did what he was told"  (yeah I didnt know he knew an Andrew... )
  Anyways, it cracks me up! We are now working on getting the right prophets for Jaxon!

Love Him

Today I am thankful for TEACHING MY CHILDREN
  Jaxon is about to turn 4. He has gotten so big! Where has the time gone! I had made it my rule that once he was in Primary we would start getting him to pay tithing. He is now a sunbeam and he has now received money for his birthday in the mail from family! (thank you bytheway) so we helped him figure out the tithing and fill in the slip today and he was beyond excited to take it up to the Bishop all by himself. (Tim followed close behind him because we are in a new ward and Im not sure Jaxon knows who the bishop is yet!) I love that he was so excited to pay tithing! Im sure he doesnt fully get it yet but it will warms my heart that he wants to do what is right. Maybe my teaching is getting through after all!

Times they are a changing

Today I am Thankful for SLEEP
I miss sleep. Jaxon is almost 4 and FINALLY is sleeping through the night. YAY! Owen who used to be an awesome sleeper has stopped sleeping... I have a 1 hour (2 if Im really lucky) nap from him during the day and then he is up about 3 times a night (at least 2 times) I have taken to sleeping on the couch with him on his little couch beside me because that way all I have to do is roll over and pat his back or give him is soother instead of walking down the hall to his room. Last night was a brutal night... I went to bed at 9 because I had a killer miagrain and I got my day started at 730 so that should be 10.5 hours sleep... but I was up 9 times last night.... He just doesnt like to sleep! BLARGH (one or two times last night I was woken up by are totally awesome partyer neighbours but the other 7 were owen) here's hoping for a better night tonight!
We finally had a nice day today too. It has be bitterly cold this week so me and the boys have stayed indoors. Which means CABIN FEVER. Tim took the boys out this afternoon and they played for at least an hour in the snow. What a good daddy they have!
Tomorrow is the big day. They announced last sunday that we had to go to this 'special' meeting this sunday at 2pm. Sounds like they are changing the ward boundaries. Which is bitter sweet. I love my ward and want it to stay the same no matter how unrealistic that is. So part or me is hoping that I stay with the majority of Chaparral ward... but since we are in Walden and not chaparral that seems unlikely... which sorta excites me too because its always an adventure when I new ward starts and you get to be a part of it from day one. So after a week of wondering we are approaching the end and will find out tomorrow!
here a some pics of my awesome boys

im sure Ive mentioned it before but Owen lives in his boots. he loves them. We only take them off when its bed time. But he sleeps in them at nap time

he tried so hard to keep up with Jaxon!

King Jaxon!
Jaxon is growing up so fast. he will be 4 in less then a month! I know! He is getting so smart and such a helper. He cracks me up all the time. he is super funny! He is really into building things lately. We make towers and castles alot. He also has loved puzzles this week! he is super good at them too!

Music

Today I am Thankful for MUSIC
  On thursdays Owen and Jaxon have music class. I love watching them dance and sing and play the instruments. I was really surprised that Jaxon loves it as much as he does. At home he normally could care less about music. owen is my dancer! But Jaxon just goes to town when he is there. Its super cute.
  This afternoon Jaxon asked me to turn on Hairspray and we had a dance party. He is hilarious! He also has taken to saying "you cant stop me! Im all powerful!" Not sure where he got that but I about peed my pants I was laughing so hard!

Buns

Today I am thankful for BUNS
  I finally made the family tradition of buns... YUMMY Im still pretty thrilled that I did it. check them out http://www.thatkindamom.blogspot.com/

Repeats?

Today I am Thankful for HELPER BOYS
Today was a pretty normal day. All I did was clean and go to safeway, but the boys were so happy and willing to help. It was a pretty good day. Plus Jaxon has taken to calling me 'Master' so I cant complain. I ask him to do something and he says "Yes Master" LOVE IT
I dont know if I posted these pictures yet so if I did they are worth a second look

Owen loves shows and is always putting some ones on his feet. Yes Jaxon has no pants on.... if we are at home and no one is coming over he takes them off... I cant stop it...

Owen loves trains! LOVES THEM. Thomas is is favorite of course and he plays with him all the time. These are all the Take n Play Thomas train sets we have. I set them all up in the living room one day and he was thrilled!

My handsome boy! I cant believe he is going to be 4 next month!

LOVE

Today I am Thankful for LOVE
Of cource on Valentines day I have to say love! It was a super fun day. I got to go to preschool with Jaxon and have fun giving out valentines and decorating cookies. The kids are always so much fun! Thanks go to my friend Linda who was so willing to take owen for me on like 10 minutes notice! YOU ROCK LINDA!
  Owen is finally better... I think. Although his teeth are still not in! ARGH... Im so sick of sleeping on the couch next to him... I miss my bed.
  Tonight we are taking the boys swimming... and I promise this week I make sure the suits on in the bag!!! BAHAHAH... Jaxon is so excited. He woke up yesterday and when I told him it was a church day he said "YES! That means tomorrow is monday and that means just one more sleep until we go swimming!"
  Well I figured there is no better way to celebrate the day then by sharing my valentines with you!

Yes its sideways.. i dont know how to fix that!

family

Today I am thankful for FAMILY
  We did nothing today. And I loved it. Owen has been a real pill lately. He is working on some teeth and has had a fever for the last 2 days. Miserable doesnt even begin to describe it. if he was awake he was crying and he wasnt sleeping at night... AWFUL.
  So today we just hung out. We played. We walked to the park. We dug in the snow. It was great! Plus I made Gumbo... you will have to go to to http://www.thatkindamom.blogspot.com/ to read about that!
  Now Im putting off going to bed... Its CRAZY windy and I hate the wind. Makes it impossible for me to sleep and it wakes up my kids... looks like Im in for a rough night. So yeah I know I should go to bed and sleep while I can... but since I know its going to be a crappy night I try to pretend its not night time...

Fun Day

Today I am Thankful for MUSIC
  I think I may have mentioned it before but I am lucky to be in a ward of super incredibly talented ladies. I am constantly in awe of all the do. I am constantly inspired. One of the ladies, Miss Pam, has started doing a music class for toddlers in her house. She does it outside her house as well, but its up north so she has started one in her house. I am lucky enough to have her allow me to bring both my boys. Jaxon loves it. they sing and dance and wiggle and he is wild the entire time and laughing! Owen adores music and he loves it too. he was more reserved then I thought he would be but he was giggling the entire time too! he would sit with Miss Pam and when we went to leave Jaxon looks at me and says... but I dont want to go! I think it will be become the highlight of our week!
  Funny story for you about Jaxon... Yesterday he asked me where our rocket was. I told him we dont have a rocket... we have a car. he looked shocked "how are we supposed to get to the moon?? We cant drive out car to the moon!" Awesome... looks like we have some explaining as to what an astronaut is to do!

Been a while

Its been awhile since I wrote anything... life has been insane. Thursday morning at 2am  Owen threw up... he was better by morning-ish but that night was a write off... then thursday night I had the RS service auction. It was a lot of work but alot of fun. We have a super group of sisters in this ward. they are all so supportive and amazingly talented! I feel lucky to associate with them! Then friday was a friday... Jaxon when to school, and we left the boys with Stef and Jarett so Tim adn I coudl go to a speech workshop for Jaxon... then at midnight Jaxon threw up... so that nght was a write off... he was better by saturday afternoon. But tim was sick too and then it hit me sunday morning. So that should explain the absense.
  So today I am thankful for HEALTH! lets hope it sticks around this time!
  Now I have some funny Jaxon stories to share. First the other night I am putting him to bed and he tells me he hates dots (his quilt has dots on it) he likes stripes, they are his favorite.. so he says. I tell him that he only has s dot blanket and he seems to get over it. Well that night at 1am he wonders into my room and I tell him to go back to bed... which he does. Then I hear him muttering in his room "i dont like dots... i want a stripe blanket" sure enough 10 minutes later he is back in my room complaining about the dots! I could not beleive it! I was not going to fight in the middle of the night! luckily for me he was easily swayed! Lets hope he learns to like dots!
  We tried to go swimming yesterday for FHE.. key word... tried... Its totally my fault... I was rushing to get everything ready and I told jaxon to grab his swim shorts and Owens swim shorts... which he did.. I saw that he had them and I told him to put them in our bag... which I didnt make sure he did... so there we are standing in the change room... and no swim trunks for the boys! Jaxon was not impressed! But he has been pretty easy going lately so like a big boy he shed a few tears but agreed it would be nasty to go swimming naked and that we should go home and try again next week.
  Oh yeah... thats his new word NASTY.. everything is nasty. I love it!
  Owen... is owen... bipolar owen. one moment he is happy the next he is screaming. I am constantly having to remind myself that I am a joyful mother of children. I can not wait for his teeth to come him..

Snow Fun

Today I am thankful for SNOWMEN
Yes I still hate winter. But today we had a sorta break from it. yes there was still snow but at least it was warm out. Jaxon played in the snow for an hour. I spent about 30 minutes out there. We built this awesome snowman. We even had a snow ball fight. jaxon thought that was a blast. he didnt even cry when I being the awesome mom that I am nailed him in the face with one. I didnt make him wear his snowpants because it was so warm. We were both drench. Even owen joined us for a bit once he woke up from nap.