Babysitting

I babysat a couple of kids tonight.

It was hilarious.

Natalie, 6, was Maycee's personal hairdresser and favorite person of the night.  She totally went to Natalie over her dad.  Stephen was a little bothered by this.

Troy, 4, was a total boy.  He found two of Maycee's stuffed bears that were her size and they were "wrestling".  That's what boys do.  Wrestle.

As the evening wore on, I continuously wrote things down that I wanted to remember.

Possibly because when my kids are saying these things I can remember that I once laughed at it.

Natalie really wanted to help me make dinner.  We were making bread sticks, so I asked her to stir my dry ingredients.  After she went at it for a minute or so there was a ton of the mixture on the counter top.  When I asked Natalie what had happened, this was her response, "It just jumped out!"

When Troy saw that Natalie was helping with dinner he also wanted to help.  He came over to "read" the directions to me.  "We need 8 cups of salt," he said.

After the bread sticks were rising, Troy went outside to play in the dirt for the fifth time.  To my dismay he came back in with a handful of yummy.  "There are worms in the dirt!" he exclaimed.  After my refusal to have them on my table he laid them carefully on the patio.

Later that night Troy went outside again and when I asked him what he was doing he said, "I had to go feed the worms."  I looked out the window and saw little piles of dirt in the place of the worms.  On top of one pile was a cherry tomato.  Apparently one worm was more special than the others.

That night we had spaghetti, green beans, and bread sticks.  This was the first meal that Maycee ate on her own.  We dumped it on her tray and she went to town.

Yeah for having other children to entertain Maycee!

Stephen, the Romancer

Stephen will probably be the first one to admit that he does not have a romantic bone in his body.
 

I would agree.
 

However, because Stephen loves me, he tries really hard to be romantic.
 

Yesterday was exceptionally stressful.

I happen to be the Relief Society Counselor over the additional Relief Society meetings and yesterday was Super Saturday. Everything actually went off without a hitch, but we went through A LOT of headaches and legwork to get there.

When I came home for the fourth time yesterday to get something that I forgot, Stephen covered my eyes and led me to a few surprises that he had been working on that day. FIRST: When I was finally completed with this chaotic day we were going on a stroll downtown. SECOND: When Maycee was asleep he had checked out two chick flicks that I could choose from to watch. THIRD: He made my absolute favoritest dessert in the world to eat while watching the chick flick.
 

I love my hubby.

I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Documenting Proof

Today Maycee threw her first legitimate arm wrenching, legs flailing, ear piercing screams of a diabolical demon, tantrum.

Seriously.  I was laughing the entire time because I have seen it happen to so many different mom's, but have never had the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful moment.

Well don't you worry, I have now been down that road.

This morning Maycee and I went for a walk and stopped at the park.  We go on a walk almost every morning, but it has probably been at least a month since we have been to the park.  Today was the first day that she has had complete independence at that place.

First, Maycee was enjoying the wood chips.  She would pick them up and carry them around and then randomly throw them.  She was having a blast.

Second, she found the stairs that lead up to the two different slides.  She would crawl up the stairs and then once she was at the top of a slide she would barrel down, head first.  This threw me off the first time she did it and as she went down I quickly grabbed her ankle and went sliding down with her, face first.  It's a good thing I was wearing jeans or else I think we would have crashed.  She did this four of five times.

Finally, Maycee found the swings.  She walked over to them and reached her arms as if to get on.  They were big kid swings, so I put her on the swing and held her as I let her "swing".

After about fifteen or twenty minutes I told Maycee it was time to go and walked her over to the wagon.

As soon as I lifted her up to put her in the wagon she let out a blood curdling scream and started throwing her body around.  I COULD NOT get her in that wagon.  I finally put her back down on the ground and she "ran" back to the stairs that led to the slide.

I followed her up the stairs and let her go down the slide one more time.  As soon as we got on the ground I made her look at me.

I said, "Maycee, we have to go home because Mommy has things she needs to do.  I let you go down the slide one more time, but now we have to go."

Again, we walked calmly to the wagon, but as soon as I lifted her the fireworks again began.  I started to carry her as I pulled the wagon out of the park.  I thought Maycee was going to have a hernia.

As I was carrying/dragging Maycee home one of my neighbors, Jamie, had just pulled into her driveway.  She got out of her van and asked if Maycee was okay.

I replied, "She did not want to leave the park."

Jamie, "...Wow.  You're going to have issues with that one."

Yep.  I know.  She is my daughter.

Kick

At 6am Stephen and I were laying in bed just before he had to got to work.

I have been feeling the baby move for the last couple of weeks, but they have been very gentle and almost indecipherable. Early this morning was the most consistent I have ever felt it, but still very gentle.

I reached over and grabbed Stephen's hand and put it on my belly.

I asked if he could feel the baby or not.  It is even more difficult to feel it on the outside.

We lay their for a few moments and then Stephen said, "There!  I felt it!...and there."

At that moment it felt like our pregnancy had really begun.

There really is a baby in there!

Eighteen weeks baby.  Almost half way.

Scared Stiff...

Well, not really.  It was only slightly scary.  The Haunted Corn Maze, that is.

Last night we went to a Haunted Corn Maze with some friends of ours, the Wilkins.  My favorite part was the hour and a half wait that we had leading up to the actual haunting.  I learned so much about my friend, Kelli, that it just made me like her that much more.

I'll let you in on the secret.

But don't tell her I told you.

She totally dated a cage wrestler in college that called himself "The Doctor".

I think she is my new BFF.

Before we went to the Corn Maze we watched the Boise State football game with Dan and Kelli and their two little girls.  Stephen and I were very jealous of their getup.  Every single member of their family was wearing Boise State apparel.  Both girls were also sporting blue and orange pom poms.

Now I know what we are doing for stocking stuffers this year.  I'm seeing blue and orange.

Future Lawn Mower

Maycee loves to be outside.  If she is cranky and there is no nap time in sight we go outside and she is cured of her rage.  I don't know what I'm going to do this winter...

On Tuesday night Stephen was mowing the lawn and Maycee was watching him out of the window.

Back and forth.

I put her jacket and shoes on and sent her outside.  This is where she ended up.

Stephen had to put Maycee down while he dumped the grass, but as soon as he went back to the mower without Maycee she chased him down.

Parade of Homes

There are many reasons that I love Boise.  One of those reasons is that they have a Parade of Homes twice a year.  I love looking a houses.

This afternoon we went to look at a house with Krystal and Shane that was just around the corner from where we live.  As we walked into the house and started to look around we were meet by the greeter.  After making a few comments about the house, the greeter asked Krystal and I if we were sisters...that never happens.  Seriously.  The only thing that makes us look alike is the fact that we both have dark brown hair.

We answered the greeter in the affirmative and she said, "I remember you two from the spring parade of homes."

I didn't expect that one.  Apparently Krystal and I are memorable people.

As we left the house, the greeter said, "We'll see you in the spring!"

I love the Parade of Homes!

Challenge!

Two days ago I received an e-mail from my sister, Krystal.  This is what it said:

"So sisters and mother...I would like to extend a challenge. I have been trying really REALLY REALLY hard lately to get on an exercise plan. I am currently involved in no sports (I know I know you're surprised...) But I am trying to still stay fit. I have found the best workout video. I love it!! But I need someone to hold me accountable for doing it at least 2 or 3 times a week. The one I like is the 10 minute solution kickboxing boot camp! Fabulous. It's 50 minutes of cardio (so I don't have to run) and full body workouts. I started out doing 10 minutes 3 days a week. Went to 20 minutes 3 days a week and for the last couple weeks I have done 50 minutes 2 days a week (should be 3) But life happens.

"So for my challenge. I want you guys to find yourself a workout video. The library has great ones! Charisse there are some on netflixs. You guys can choose anything from pilates, yoga, kickboxing, boot camps, mom I'm sure we could find one for old ladies (bahaha love you mom) and Kami I've seen some for people who are pregnant! Next I think we should do it at least 30 minutes 3x a week?? Agreed? Would anyone like to make any changes??

"Lastly we need an incentive. But I think I've found the best one...Dad is going to take the winner on a $100 shopping spree. :-). So break out your calendar and schedule in your exercise!! :-) Let me know what you guys think.

"Krystal"

The funny part of this e-mail is not the challenge that she gave us, but the incentive that she dangled in front of our faces.

After I read the e-mail and got super excited about the reward, I texted Krystal to ask how she got Dad to offer his $100. These were her exact words, "Well he didn't.  I offered it for him."

Today I called Dad to ask him about it.  Krystal still hadn't called him.  Dad was as excited for the prize as everyone else.  I think that he is just excited to go shopping with the girls.  Woot, woot!

Now for the hard part.

Exercising.

So...here is to all of our participants: Mom, Charisse, Kelsey, Karli, and me...and Krystal. (Sorry!)

Go get 'em girls!

Comment

This morning Grandma called me while I was at a baby shower to comment on my last post.

It took me a while to understand the message that she left me.

Here you go:

"Hey Kami D, there should be a little thing on your wall, somewhere, that if you move it up, you will get warmer.  Love ya honey!  Bye now!"

...

Grandma, here is my comment to you:

I am cheap.

VERY cheap.

AND it is against my religion to use my heater only two days after I have used my air conditioner.

Thank you.

I'm freezing.

I am currently sitting on my couch with three layers of clothes on, cuddling in my blanket waiting for the buzzer to go off on the microwave telling me my hot chocolate is done.

I am NOT kidding you...two days ago the temperature was in the 80's.  I just typed in our location at accuweather.com and it says that currently we are at 45 degrees.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Where the heck was the transition from summer to fall?

I am not going to be able to handle this.

I think I am going to die of freezing this winter.

Dexter

Krystal has a little Yorkie named Dexter.

Maycee sees him A LOT.

Personally, Dexter drives me bonkers.

That is probably why Maycee has now learned to say his name.

Krystal is slightly offended that Maycee has learned to say her dog's name before learning to say "Aunt Krystal".

If you are that worried about it Krys, I could start yelling about you like I yell about Dexter!?

...Just a thought.

Pulled over...kind of.

On our way home from the farm on Saturday, Krystal and Shane were driving in front of us and informed us that our passenger side headlight was very dim.

Driving into our subdivision we passed a police officer about a hundred yards from our house.

As soon as we drove into our garage we noticed that the police officer was behind us with his lights on.

Apparently he noticed our light problem too.

Except now that problem was completely burned out.

...No we didn't get a ticket, but now we can say we were pulled over in our garage.

What we do in our pajamas.

Have fun.

Happy Harvest

We try to go to the farm every year for potato harvest...this year we made it.  Maycee was in hog heaven the whole time.  She got to play in the trucks, in the potatoes, in the dirt, with the rocks, and have numerous foreign objects shoved into her mouth by her fist.  It is so fun to watch her little personality start to jump out.

Here is Maycee on top of Grandma's truck.  She is "helping" her to load.

...And me.

We tried to get a family picture.

It was very difficult.

We only have three people in our family!!

We are going to have issues with adding more...

Here is Maycee blinking.

  

This is Stephen cutting off Maycee and me.

Here is our final product...it's blurry.

Whatever.

Maycee and Daddy in front of Grandma's truck.

Maycee loves stairs.

Maycee also loves dirt.

This was her little piece of heaven...stairs in the dirt.

She was so dirty.

We finally got our potatoes!!

A few weeks ago I broke down and bought some potatoes.  It was the first time I had ever purchased potatoes and I felt completely jipped.  THOSE POTATOES WERE THREE MAYBE FOUR INCHES LONG!!  Those were not potatoes.

Our pantry is now full of real Idaho potatoes.

Funny story...

Just for future reference this kind of thing always happens just before the guys are supposed to get off early to go to the Priesthood Session of General Conference.

While on our way home on our last load of the day, we stopped by our local truck fixer place to pick up a truck.

Krystal drove the truck five miles and it "unfixed".  The gear shifter wouldn't go into any other gear but 1st and Reverse.

It took 40 minutes to take that truck back.

Five miles.

We made Stephen late to the Priesthood Session.