No More Diapers! Hoo-Ray!!!

Tui is finally potty trained. I gave up about 6 months ago and figured he would go when he wanted to. I was right. I decided one day to just stay at home the whole day...no running errands...just hang out at home with Tui and his Thomas underwear. He didn't like the idea of it at first...but as soon as he went pee-pee that morning, he was hooked. All it took was one time. I told him he was the " Potty King" and we called daddy at work to tell him. Tui was so excited to be so cool!

Now he fights me at night because he doesn't want to wear a diaper to bed.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Animal Rescuers

I have been taking Tui and Addy, the little girl I babysit, with me for walks in a local park. There are lots of lakes and it is a large wooded area. We see a lot of wild life there. we usually see squirrels and birds.Sometimes we see deer, but our most favorite animal to see are turtles. We have come across a couple of different kinds. most of them are pretty big....like it takes both my hands to lift them up. On day we even found a huge soft shell turtle that made funny sounds when we touched his feet.

Today while we were driving to the spot we start our walk at, I noticed something in the road. It was small, and at first it looked like a leaf. I stopped and got out to look. It was a baby snapping turtle that had been run over. It had a big crack in it's shell and there was blood coming from it's mouth. I quickly got in the van. put the turtle in my lap and turned around to go to the forest rangers station to see if they could help it. They were pretty surprised it hadn't tried to bite me. Poor little thing was pretty hurt! They said it might not live. How sad!

So back down the road for our walk again. This time in the road there was another creature. The largest black fuzzy Caterpillar I have ever seen...and then minutes later another one with a red stripe. We moved them off the road so they wouldn't get squashed.
We love our walks in George Wyth Park!

Cuddle Bug
We have all had a virus for the past 2 weeks....nothing major, but enough to make everyone feel grumpy and yucky.
Tui is such a snuggler anyhow, but tonight he just wanted to be held. He came out of bed and climbed up on my lap...pulled my arm around him and fell back asleep. Isn't he the cutest!

One Smart Cookie!
Beginning in 3rd grade, ITBS tests are given to all the students in our school district. These tests determine the amount of retained knowledge and skill from throughout the year in math, reading/writing and science. In order achieve an award, you need to pass with a 90% or above. Sydney got 92%.
We received an invitation in the mail for a dinner and award ceremony for Sydney. One of the retirement communities in our city is a partner in education and so they hosted the dinner. It was such a lovely night. We are so proud of our smart cookie! We have been a bit spoiled! She has never really needed much help with homework or understanding any material. I just hope the next 2 kids are the same way!

Tui's Mind in action

Tonight we had to make a quick run to go get milk. As many of you might know, I treat my van like a race car sometimes. I admit...I like speed. However, when my kids are in the van, I am much more careful. Tonight was rainy and wet and I was in a bit of a rush, and I took a corner a bit too fast.

Mom---" Hold on to your potatoes"

I am always saying stuff like that....hold onto your potatoes...horses...spaghetti...hats...whatever.

Tui---" I can't hold my potatoes....I don't have any in my hands!"

Well, That's a 3 year old for ya.

Happy birthday Haylie! 6 years old, it hardly seems possible. Haylie has gone through so much in the past 6 years, but now she is healthy and happy. Haylie wanted to do a salon party this year. We had the front porch set up for Sydney to do pedicures and I curled hair and glittering hair in the living room. All the girls had so much fun getting beautified. It was a fun party.

Things I love about Haylie

Her laugh..it is so contagious

the way her nose crinkles

Her enthusiasm for learning

her imagination

I love to hear her sing

She can be so loving ( when she wants to ;)

Her determination

Her curly hair

I love that she is my daughter

Her love for the Savior

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

It has been 4 years since we have been to a real Zoo. Living in Iowa, we have to travel 4 hours in any direction to get to a really big zoo. Our favorite so far is the Omaha zoo. This was Tui's first time going to the zoo...he loved it. His favorite was the aquarium with it's underwater tunnel. He was fascinated by the sharks and sea turtles. The girls had fun with the Gorillas. all the animals were very interactive that day, letting us get close up and personal. I had fun using different settings on my camera. Here are some more pictures.

Mom's School

Tui was so sad when the girls started school and he couldn't go with them. But then I told him he gets to go to his own schools where the mommies are the teachers. He was so excited to go. Us mom's all take turns teaching a new letter once a week. Tui Has been learning so much! He even got a Lightning McQueen backpack that he didn't take off for the whole day. I hope his enthusiasm continues through out his school years!

Out of the Ordinary

We have some strong bonds in our family. Sydney was instantly best friends with Haylie the minute Haylie was born. And again when Tui was born, Sydney was immediately his favorite person. Haylie on the other hand was a bit....rough with Tui when he was a baby. She would pinch him or sit on him just to hear him cry. Why she felt she needed this extra noise ( and ultimately the added negative attention from me), I will never understand! Well, I feel it has permanently scared Tui. He and Haylie continue to butt heads and he always runst to Sydney when he needs a friend.

Well since school started, Tui has been home alone without his sisters. He waits by the door for them to come home and as soon as he sees them cross the street he is out the door running. He always...always runs to Sydney saying " Sydney...your home. I missed you so much!!!!!"

This past Sunday at church Sydney got Tui out of nursery. She got a hug from him, but all of a sudden started running down the hall toward Haylie. He threw his arms around her waist and gave her a huge hug and said " Haylie, I missed you so much. I love you!!!!"

I couldn't help the little tear in my eye! Sydney was a bit perturbed at the change in his behavior. I think he spoiled her.