Real Woman Statis

Are there some things that just make you feel "big?" My childhood best friend, Jessica, has written about her journey to reach "real woman statis." I love her description of how a "real woman" doesn't wear open-toed shoes to a wedding in December, "real women" are not perpetually late, and they take a stance on important issues. Well, I felt like a "real woman" this week. Not at all in the worldly sense. (By this, do not assume that Jess' pursuit to all worldly. She is the type of woman who is involved in programs like running with the homeless.) I felt like a real woman because I did something (and by myself, I might add) that I saw my mother, grandmother, mature women in the ward doing... canning!My canning adventure went quite well and it made me feel "big." I love being able to look at my accomplishment at the end of the day and know that it will last a little while... it will benefit my family for a year or so! (Unlike cleaning laundry, doing dishes, and cleaning the toilet... which seems to be undone the moment you finish.)

It was also something that helped me learn. Like a comment I received from my friend Rachael, "Best way to learn is to do it!" I loved this hands on learning experience, and like I said, I have canned peaches before, but never by myself. Doing it on my own made me really learn, helped me build confidence in my own ability, and I also received a greater sense of accomplishment.

And you know what else I love? Free! And cheap! We received peaches from one of Nic's clients. They were so ripe, that although I wasn't planning on canning the next day... it had to be done. Nic was going to be seeing this client again so I told him to please convey my gratitude. Nic told him I was at home canning right then... so this client sent home more peaches! So I just kept on canning! (Some need to ripen a bit more.) And did a few tomatoes while I was at it!I bottles 22 quarts of peaches and also did 5 pints of garden tomatoes. The kids did great but were ready for some more attention. And I was sure exhausted by the close of the day. But oh, how I loved seeing those 27 bottles of fruit sitting on my counter. I'm still in pursuit of my own "real woman statis" but that day I sure felt like a real woman.What things have made you stop and say or just think, "Wow, I really am an adult now!" or "I feel big." or even "I'm a real woman now!"

Here goes...

I'm canning peaches today!
Although I have done it before, I've never done it by myself...
so I'm a bit nervous... but excited.

Royal Duties

Making the bed in the mornings for Hannah sometimes takes all day! I had given Hannah some "responsibilities" for her to do each day. I know she is only 4 (3 then), but I want her to learn that she is part of this family and household and she needs to contribute. I also want her to learn to be responsible for her own things/room. But boy is it a chore... for me! I was looking for ideas of how to instill a chore chart/system with Hannah and came across this wonderful idea from Prepared Not Scared. (One of a gazillion ideas I love from that blog!) There's nothing like princesses to help things get done!Hannah responsibilities are to get dressed and put her pajamas away, make her bed, brush teeth, clean her room, check her bunnies (get them food and water), and a daily chore. The daily chore is something that I help her with each day. I use it as a way for her to help me get things done I need to do and also teach her how to do them. For example, every Monday we take out the garbage. Hannah also helps fold laundry, weed, do dishes, wash windows and mirrors, etc. I really like the hands on approach of this chore "chart." Each chore is written on a princess that starts in the "to do" container. When the chore is done, the princess gets to move over to the castle for the princess party... the "done" container. After all the princesses are in the castle, Hannah can put a star on her chart. And if she has stars for the entire week she gets to pick a prize. We went to the dollar store and bought some prizes like a coloring book, stickers, a little doll, a calculator (yes, Hannah picked them), and a game.

"To Do" container:"Done" container front side:"Done" container back side:Hannah's star chart:It doesn't run smoothly everyday... but we are getting there. Hannah's bed is usually crazy even after its made, with many wrinkles and the sheet hanging out the bottom. But I'm grateful that she is learning and she is getting better and better at her royal duties!

Anniversary Camping and the First Dutch Oven Attempt

For our anniversary Nic wanted to go on a "two day date." We thought it would be fun to get a hotel and have our own little get away... But there were other things we wanted to do financially, so Nic suggested camping... well, if we are going camping I figured we ought to take the kiddos... So our anniversary get away turned into camping with the family.

My sweet mother did call on the day of our anniversary and said, "When am I watching your kids?!" Isn't she great! We headed out for dinner, adult conversation, swinging at a park (not so adult like), and a little walk holding hands... ahhh. So thanks to my mom we did get a little romance in there!

Our camping trip turned out very fun! Once as we headed back from the good ol' toilets, Hannah said, "Mom this is such a fun adventure!" And it was! The kids loved playing in the dirt and water and would have spent hours playing in the tent too if we would have let them. Bry had the time of his life getting dirty from head to toe. Hannah made me a pretend garden box on a rock with water, sticks, and pebbles. The kids ran and giggles lots.We went on a stroll up around a lake (nice for a stroll but not to get in). Nic and I got some relaxed reading in while the kids played. And I got to use my dutch ovens! Since we were only cooking for 4, I tried to think of something we could do in just one dutch oven for dinner. So we made pizza. I cooked it a little too long so the bottom was a bit burnt, but all in all I thought it turned out really well for my first attempt. We also made a dutch oven chocolate cobbler/cake with raspberries for dessert.Surprisingly the kids went to bed REALLY well. (We brought the pack'n play for Bryson.) However, Hannah did wake up unable to find her blanket and it took a while to go back to sleep. We would think she needed something, her whispering our name and then it would be some really random comment or question. One of her comments went something like, "Daddy.... Daddy?... Daddy... I'm so glad you are with us today. I'm so glad we could go camping and pretend the tent is our house."There was no sleeping in, of course. Nic made us a scrumptious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Then after loading up we went on a fun, little hike called The Grotto.I really enjoyed the adventure! We really need to do things like this more often. I'm ready to go again! Anyone in?!

Family Happenings

There are always so many family happenings with mine or Nic's families. I could never post about all of them but wanted to make mention of three very important ones.

My niece Afton was baptized on July 31st.Hannah had loads of questions about what was going to happen. She was very excited about the baptism and was even counting down to when it would happen. "Afton is going to be baptized in 5 days.... Afton is going to be baptized in 2 days, Mom!" It was wonderful to be at the baptism and take advantage of such a great learning opportunity. Way to go Afton. We love you!

Nic's niece Addyson was baptized on August 7th.Addyson lives in another state and we were sad that we weren't able to make it. Addy is a wonderful example and such a fun cousin. We are proud of you Addy!

My niece Esther was born on August 6th.

My kiddos had runny noses so we didn't go to the hospital to meet our new little friend. It seemed to be hard to find a time when the kids weren't with me or when I could leave the kids with Nic. I was finally able to make it to her home a couple days later on Sunday (without the rest of my family). Hannah and Bryson finally got to meet her this last Monday. Hannah had asked when she'd be able to meet Esther and was especially excited.But I was surprised at how intrigued Bryson was! He was all smiles and wanted to be right there. There were several of us huddled around her on the couch and Bry got loose from Grandma walked all the way around everyone, climbed up on the far side of the couch and then over the backs of people so he could get to Esther. Then he got a turn to hold her. He hasn't sat that still for so long... ever! We love you little Esther! You are sure adorable!

Aliens!

I have all sorts of crazy things going through my head! Nic and I got Avatar last night from Redbox... and I just finished reading The Host by Stephanie Myer.

Humans being Avatars.... Souls being humans... all craziness!

Yay!

This was sitting on the table when I came out of my room this morning! Yay! I was so excited. I've been wanting dutch ovens! Thanks so much honey! Happy Anniversary! Thanks for all the adventures and for the adventures yet to be... I'm sure it will be an adventure the first few times I try to use these!

Hannah said, "Maybe we should get Daddy a gift... at the dollar store?!"
What do you think Nic?! Love you!

I'm gonna miss you

Hannah: Mom?
me: Yea?
Hannah: I'm gonna miss you when I'm a mom.
me: You are?
Hannah: Yea, 'cause when I'm a mom I'm going to live in a different house. And my husband won't know your number.

Oh, Hannah I'm going to miss you too!

Questions for Bean

Yes, Hannah is still "Bean." She likes being called Bean and Hannah Bean... but does not like being called Hannah Banana. "I don't want anyone to ever call me Hannah Banana!" she says.We went to Hannah's 4 year well-child doctor visit on Monday. She was so brave and social.

Height: 41 1/4" (about 75th percentile)
Weight: 31.0 lbs (about 20th percentile)

She got 4 shots. She didn't cry or whimper at all. Hannah was so proud of herself and was excited to tell dad how brave she was. (However, the shots ended up being really painful after the fact... and proved to produce a few tears in the days that followed.)I asked Hannah some questions and what some of her favorite things are. Her are her responses:

Color: pink & purple
Movie: Tinkerbell
TV show: Handy Manny
Food: pizza, watermelon, & spaghetti
Dessert: cake
Candy: suckers
Toy: my babies
Thing to play: with my dolls & princess
Thing to play outside: with my balls
Playmates/Friends: Eva, Carson, Hannah, Cami, baby Carter "Who else is my friends?! I have lots of friends!"
Who do you love? Mommy, Daddy, Eva, & Bryson
Favorite part about church: Going to primary
What do you like about primary? Coloring in my little class
Favorite thing about family: Playing with you with my polly pockets & I love saying family prayers with you guys
Game: Chutes & Ladders
Outfit: My Dorothy outfit
What is something you are excited about? preschool

I am sure many of her answers would change if I were to ask her these same questions again. It was fun to hear her responses. I sure love this girl!

Twirling:

July 4th and 5th

It was a very busy weekend, with one party after another! On Sunday we gathered with Nic's family for dinner and FHE (with a patriotic lesson, festive sugar cookies and homemade icecream!) On Monday we gathered with the Bairds for our annual 4th celebration. (Always fun with yummy food, cousins, visiting, ice blocking, and a water slide for the kiddos.)Then on Monday evening we gathered at our home for a little birthday party for Nic's mom, who has passed. Alecia, Nic's sister, brought pictures, letters, old report cards, and a journal of her mom's. It was a priceless evening... and I hope there will be many more like that to come! We also had a rock'n firework show!

Hannah's Birthday Part 3: The Party

I was trying to avoid a party this year for Hannah but when we asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday her only (and persistent) request was to have her cousins, aunts, and uncles over! So we invited them to join us at Canyon View Park... hoping no one would feel pressured on this busy weekend.We enjoyed Hannah's train cake and chocolate ice cream, visiting, playing on the play ground and some fun scooter and bike races (or just riding around!)... as well as some present opening. Hannah was truly delighted! Happy Birthday to our big, big 4 year old!

Hannah's Birthday Part 2

On her birthday morning, Hannah comes into our bedroom with a big grin and holding her "big, big ball." She was so excited! However, earlier in the night she had come out bawling because there were scary things hanging from her door (streamers... a bit of a startle when it is dark and you need to go potty!).

The main thing she wanted was a "big, big ball!" (I like requests like that.... however, I had already shot down the requests for "lots of barbies" several times.) She was excited to open up a couple other gifts...... then her request for breakfast (purchased special for the occasion), "Lucky Charm-ies!"Later in the afternoon we headed to Provo for the Freedom Festival festivities (people are always celebrating for Hannah's birthday!) Hannah saw kids jumping on the big trampolines and was super nervous. She did not want to do that... We walked past the carnival rides and asked her if she'd do those, and surprisingly she did. So we bought a pass with a few punches. Hannah and I got on the "whale ride" (they let me get on for free). I asked the attendant if Bry would be too little too and he said no, so Nic and Bryson hoped on too (they let them come on for free too!) Hannah thought it was wonderful and after that she wanted to ride everything! She rode another ride with Nic and wanted to go again so I went. Then the kids went in those blow up toys. (A nice couple gave us their card with leftover punches!) Hannah then wanted to ride the whale ride ALL by herself... because she was 4 now! She thought that was super cool! She loved being big! She was smiling and waving... then holding on tight! Her explanation of the ride is this: "I went on the whale ride by myself! I was like 'whoa!' on the whale ride!" A month later, she is still taking about how she went on the whale ride by herself!

We bought one lunch from a vendor and shared it while listening to some singing groups. Then one the way out Hannah was able to say hi to Belle and Snow White! Wow what a fun outing for a birthday!