Updates

It is still cold but a lot of the snow has melted!  I think we might be on our way to spring.

 

Ty is starting to put two words together.  It surprises me when he does but I loved it when I heard "more ham."  He is a screamer lately.  Especially when he wakes up or during meal time.  He refuses whatever I offer him at first, and then quickly changes his mind as he asks for a "fork."

He loves books and puzzles.  When friends come over to play he doesn't follow them or go in the basement to play.  He stay right around his mom.

He is learning his colors.  He knows "owie" (orange), blue, yellow, green, and purple.

I have a vision of Eric and I taking turns every month and taking the kids out on a one-on-one date.  I took Blake out last Friday night.  He wanted to get a donut at Martin's and then attend his schools variety show. 

 

He picked out a big cinnamon roll looking donut and we went to the top story and sat at a table.  He ate his donut fast--like he was eating a corn on the cob.  While earting he talking fast about his day.  He was talking for a little while and then paused and said "What about you mom?"  So I told him all about my day. 

 

When he was done he started walking down the stairs in front of me.  On his own he stopped, turned, and held out his hand for me.  I know that there won't be much longer for him to want to hold my hand.  (Or run up and hug me when I volunteer in his class).  But I'm writing it down to remember!  It was so sweet. 

 

We parked across the street from the high school because the parking lot was so crowded.  We ran over and were lucky enough to have someone give us their seat.  Blake sat on my lap and we watched the first half of the talent show.  It was fun to hear him talking about all the kids he knew.  We had a great time together.

 

Last week I had Blake's parent teacher conference at school.  His teacher said that he is a gem and a pleasure to have in her class.  She said that he is a good example to his friends and is very obedient.  He participates in class, is a leader, and is kind to others.  I was so proud of Blake to hear that.

 

Yesterday at church Blake had a lesson on being a missionary.  He came home with a tag that said Elder Jensen.  I asked him if he wanted to serve a mission and he said he wanted to go to Michigan.  He said he would go to peoples houses and teach during the day and at night he would come home (here) to sleep.

 

I took Janie out the next night.  She also wanted a donut from Martin's--and chose the same one as Blake.  I didn't get a donut but as we sat down and after she took one bite, she held it out for me to take a bite. 

 

We brought Princess Candyland and Spot It and played on a table upstairs.  She was thrilled.  That night in her prayers she said something to the effect of "Thanks for letting me have a fun night with mom."  Cute.

 

These Two

 

Just playing together all by themselves!  Blake and Janie never did this.  I love it so much.

Lately

Too cool.

 

Every day Janie and I spend a couple of hours together while Blake is at school and Ty naps.  We like to bake, play games, paint nails, read books, and color.  She is a delight.  Janie got a hair cut last week.  It is still long but most of her curly curls are gone. 

 

 

Janie is such a sweet sister.  Usually right after lunch Janie and Ty play really well together for about a half hour while I clean up the kitchen.  I love how he calls her "Nanie."  She is so helpful when I need something for Ty and often thinks of what I need before I ask.  She will run and grab a bag for me to put a poopy diaper in.

 

 

I introduced Mario Kart Wii to Blake last week.  I'm so glad I did.  He is me when I was little--competitive and obsessed.  His arms are flailing around while he plays.  Janie and Ty love to watch.  Blake has been constantly clearing his throat for the past month.  To be honest--it is driving me crazy.  I talked with the doctor, nurse, and pharmacist.  Have tried some allergy medicine which hasn't helped.  I don't know if it has become a nervous habit.  Sometimes it is so bad that it is every three seconds that he clears his throat.  He also started constantly sniffing his nose this week.  Not sure what is going on but I'm not sure I can take it anymore!

Valentine's Weekend

Valentine's day was fun!  Lots of treats and love going around.  I made heart sugar cookies for Blake's class to decorate.  He had so much fun at school and came home wired.  He admitted to Eric that there were two cute girls in his class and then got embarrassed and started laughing/yelling at us because we were smiling.  We periodically ask him about girls and this was the first time he said they were cute.

 

Eric brought home some roses and chocolate for all of us.  I've never been given a box of chocolates before and I kind of liked it.  We went out to dinner at Qdobas.  They had a deal buy one entree get one free if you gave someone a kiss.  The day ended with some good wrestling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last time we were at Keri's we cut and sewed these hearts together.  Blake made the bottom one for his room.  Need to print more pictures to fill the frames!

 

 

Janie is 4!

Janie has been talking about her birthday all year.  She was so excited when she could say she was three and a half.  As February 5th came closer, she started praying to have a good birthday.   I think she had a pretty great day if I do say so myself. 

 

I wrote down things she said throughout the day:

 

When she woke up:  "I want to see how tall I can stand."

 

While getting dressed:  "And I still get to fit into my clothes!"

 

"This is my bester birthday because I'm four and I like four!"

 

"I wish I was a mom so I could blow balloons up."

 

During night family prayer: "Please help my next birthday to be fun. And help Blake's birthday to be fun."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I smile every time the kids play Just Dance on the Wii.  She gets into it.

 

 

 

 Janie chose Chili's for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Janie is sweet and easy going.  She is very obedient and quick to listen--especially when getting ready to take Blake to school.  She hops right in the freezing car and waits for me to get everyone else in. 

 

We have some one-on-one time together while Ty naps every day.  We usually bake something or play a game like memory together.  If she finds too many matches in a row, she will purposefully miss and tell me that she is so that I can get that match.  (But then she pouts when I get too many in a row).  She is very kind and sharing.  Whenever she has a treat, she saves some for Blake, Ty, and Eric and willingly offers me some--even if she doesn't have much for herself.  She offers for me to lick her suckers.  She wants us to try something that tastes so delicious. 

 

The boys do bug her--especially Blake.  She is often screaming because of him.  But we are trying to teach her to come talk to us and we will help her instead of screaming her head off.  I say more than once every day to just ignore Blake (He really knows what to do and say to push her buttons).  Often in her prayers she prayers for Ty to stop screaming.  We are expecting a baby in July and I am hoping she gets a sister!  If not we will love another boy and then stick together.

Sunbeam

Janie has been dying to get into Primary.  With her birthday being in early February, she has been in nursery for awhile.  The second half of last year she did not like going to church.  She would whine in the morning asking not to go.  Last October she started asking how many more Sundays were left until she would be in primary.  Each Sunday on the way to church she would ask what her count down was.  One of her nursery leaders told me that she would excitedly announce how many more Sundays she had left until she was out of there.  And now that she is in primary she loves going to church each Sunday.

More Snow Days

Church was cancelled two weeks ago so I tried a new recipe of Baked Donuts.  They tasted like cinnamon rolls without the frosting but were good nonetheless. 

 

The next two days were also snow days.  My friend Lindsey invited us over and the kids had a picnic for lunch to help us remember warmer times.  There was even sun shining in through the windows.  The Parkers are our best friends here and we just found out they are moving in June.  We will miss them so much.