Kid Updates...

Jackson:  This kid has a "talent". He can fall down flat on the ground anywhere, anytime. It happens several time a day. It's not his fault though, the fault lies with his socks, even when he's wearing shoes (his excuse). Also, he has figured out the Easter Bunny isn't real because we save the same plastic eggs to use every year - so they can't be from the Easter Bunny. Santa Claus isn't real because he didn't bring him the exact electronic device he asked for. The Tooth Fairy...still don't know about her. He's had his doubts, but she has come through for him lately and even left him a note. So, he is still believing in her and leprechauns. We've told him that if he doesn't believe, The Bunny and Santa will not leave him anything.

Paul:  Sometimes Paul is our peacemaker. The other day he tried to intervene between Alanna and Jackson, and he came and told me that Jackson was "exclaimating" the situation (escalating!).

He is our regular prankster. He earned some money while at his grandparent's house a few weeks ago. I took him to the Dollar Store to pick out a toy, and all he wanted was Silly String so he could "get James" with it!

April Fool's Day sounds like it's going to be pretty fun around here. Paul has all kinds of ideas - all geared towards fooling James. He is always hearing about how James was fed really "gross" food when he was growing up like hot dogs in Lentil Stew, and pink Chicken and Rice - to name a couple. Today, he called up his grandma to ask her if she would come to our house (from Colorado), to cook James some April Fool's Day food!

Alanna:  Her vocabulary is really growing and she surprises me everyday with how she explains things. She talks more like a 6 year old rather than a 3 year old! That is except for her mispronunciations - she won't make a "K" sound, it comes out as a "T" sound. She also slurs over her "R"s and it's really cute for now.

Blaze:  Blaze has loved being in his Pack-n-Play in Alanna's room. They keep each other from being "scared". It's fun to hear them laughing and goofing around together. This morning I asked him to come with me to wake Alanna up for school, and he walked over and gave her a fat kiss on her cheek. When she first opened her eyes she looked ready to punch someone, but when she realized it was Blaze, she got a huge smile on her face and gave him a hug. These two have a special bond, and we just love to watch them together!

Soccer Games...

                                               It's all about the treats for Alanna and Blaze!

                   Paul just completed his indoor soccer season and was so excited to get another trophy! Paul had a hard time focusing during the first couple of games, but he got better as the season went on and even scored a few goals. He's lucky enough to have a couple friends from his Kindergarten class on his team.

                                                                 Love my Lanna girl!

                                 Alanna wanted to take pictures. This one is soooo cute of Paul!

                                                                         Alanna again...

Jackson also completed his indoor soccer season. He scored a few goals, and enjoyed playing goalie for a while during a couple of games. He's a good runner!

A Week of Spoilage...

 Uncle Caleb brought the kids ring pops (just about their favorite candy ever) to kick off the "week of spoilage".  He came and picked up Jackson and Paul to take them to our parent's house. My brothers all had Spring Break, and they all were great Uncles to take part in entertaining the boys. There were hikes, trips to McDonald's and Little Cesar's, art lessons, and of course, all the video games and unlimited use of their tablets the boys could handle! They were in HEAVEN!

 Alanna was very upset that she didn't get to go too, but I explained that she would miss James and I. She agreed, and I told her we would take her on a special outing. She chose to eat at McDonald's, and being the awesome mother I am, I took a deep breath and resisted the urge gag. She requested water, fries, ketchup, and a hamburger (in that order). I could barely watch Blaze and Alanna eat. James and I got something else to eat in the play place. But, it made them very happy - I guess it can't hurt too much once in a while.

 The McDonald's play places have definitely upgraded since I was a kid. This one is musical and makes all kinds of sounds when you jump or sit on the bubbles.

 Blaze didn't know what to do with his ice cream cone at first. I guess he hadn't ever had one, but he was quick to pick up on the ice cream goodness. He wasn't into letting James "clean up" the edges for him.

 Caleb and the boys made some Banana Split Cupcakes, and Blaze decided to eat his like a dog. I hadn't ever seen him do this before, but he just did a face plant into the cupcake and continued to eat it that way. The other kids laughed which encouraged him, so I have a feeling that won't be the last time he displays disgusting table manners!

 Caleb and I took the kids to a really cool trampoline sports complex. The kids could run and jump off of trampolines into a foam pit, run up the 1/2 pikes and slide down, and play dodge ball. James and I will have to go back sometime without kids!

Caleb really should get an award for Best Uncle Ever! He was complaining that other little kids at this trampoline place kept following him around, and that they were getting in my kid's way. I have seen this whenever we go to play with the kids, and I think it's because all kids everywhere want to play with him because he is so much fun!

Payback...

I was sick on Sunday, and the kids were being so cute together, so I asked James to get out the camera to (try to) capture their fun. I was very entertained throughout his "photo shoot". James is always so hard to photograph, and I feel bad for our photographer knowing she will have to edit so many pictures of him. He will chew gum, make wierd faces, fake smiles, - anything to be uncooperative. So, the kids were trying to follow his directions, but they are kids. And, Blaze wasn't so into holding still for James's creatinve poses. Though not perfect, I think they still are adorable because it captures their silliness :)