Date with Mom: Ruby Edition

Ruby finished out the first round of mommy dates last week. Hers fell on a particularly trying day for the two of us (and I’m sure the other two weren’t being angels either). Sometimes that girl likes to push my buttons all the live long day! So I was hoping a little bonding time would put us both in a better mood.

This girl was talking non-stop from the the moment we left the house. I took her out the back as usual, but she didn’t hesitate to let the boys know that we were leaving by saying, “Bye guys! We’re gonna go play!” It was so cute when we were on our way, and she said something like, “Alex and Bennett, not in the carseats?” It’s good to know they miss each other sometimes. Here she is ready to hit the park.

Since we had a bit of a late start, we only had about 30 minutes to play in the water. We were planning on staying and going on some rides after anyway(usually we just play at the waterpark on date nights), because we were giving our friend a ride home from work, and she didn’t get off for about an hour after the water park closed. So it was alright that we didn’t have as much time to splash around.

We made the most of our time there. she hopped right in, and loved having all the attention. She wanted me to spin her around, and swing her through the fountains. She knows how to wear her mom out! But her laughter was worth it, and there was no fighting over whose turn it was next! She loves the water, and strutted around in her shades like she owned the place. I love that she knows how to rest them on her head when they get in the way of her fun.

Her bossy side definitely came out as she ordered me around the pool, but the great thing about date night is that I was all hers and I could go wherever she wanted me to. I loved having girl time with my sweetie.

When they blew the whistles, we got out and made our way to the rides. Luckily this was our plan, because she was begging to go on the carousel, among other things. We stopped where our friend was working (at a Ben and Jerry’s kiosk), and she was kind enough to take a picture of us. That LAST picture before the camera died. Phew! Glad the date was documented before that happened!

We actually had to stand in some lines for a few minutes. Something we aren’t used to doing when we go in the morning. But Ruby kept me entertained as she swung on the bars, and kept yelling things like  “This is gonna be so FUUUUN!” We’d get off one, and she dart to the next. I actually got her to get on the little roller coaster with me. She was very excited, until it started, then through the whole ride she was saying, “ThisisreallyscaryIwanttoseeTweetyBird!” Of course the minute it was over, she exclaimed, “That was SO SO FUN!” That girl had one volume that night. She also HAD to push the stroller everywhere. I let her, because it was date night. With all three, I don’t give in so easily.

Pretty soon, it was time to go. The only way to get her out without ruing the date with a tantrum and an upset mom, was to let her keep pushing the stroller. All the way to the parking lot. Yes it took more time, but I do think it preserved the good time we were having together. I finally forced her in so we could walk to the car safely, and then we picked up our friend and headed home. On the drive, she requested that we listen to “I am a Child of God” which she sings like an angel, perfectly on key, sometimes even harmonizing when she can’t reach certain notes (seriously, she just finds the next note in the chord and just figures it out. She also loves singing the descant when it starts in the 3rd verse. Love her sweet voice). She also said in a quiet voice, “That was fun” as we were driving home. What a perfect way to end my time with my girl.

Ruby seems to be rapidly changing these days. Each time I look at her, I notice how much more mature and beautiful she has become. He little face is so perfect to me. I loved letting her free-spirited self free to play as her heart desired. The wheels are constantly turning in that little brain, and I’m sure she is so much more creative than she shows me in our every day life. Which is saying a lot, with how creative I already think she is. Although we have many difficult moments together, I have a feeling we will always be best friends. We are sure to have many more date nights to build our special relationship further. I love my baby girl. 

Date with Mom: Bennett Edition

Last week, it was Mr. Bennett’s turn with Mommy at Six Flags. I was so looking forward to this time with my little man, and he fulfilled all my expectations. We had a funny little predicament though. When we got to the park, I realized we never put the umbrella stroller back in after removing it last week. So our only choice was to unload the mega-stroller, and chuckle to ourselves as people gave us weird looks (though, not as weird as when the stroller is full…)  as we passed them. It was a bit of a bummer for me, since not having to haul that thing in and out of the car and is a huge benefit of taking out one at a time, but we didn’t let it bother us. Bennett must have felt like a king riding in that big old thing all by himself. This is definitely not a situation a singleton child would find himself in, eh?  And I thought I might as well get a little pre-park interview with him as well, to record his reaction as  he realized we were going to the park together.

We made it to the water park with plenty of time to play. It was a HOT week, so the crowds were a little thicker, but not as bad as I had expected. B wasted no time jumping right in. He kept saying he wanted to go “Dat way!” and take my hand leading me to and fro. There was much splashing, and a lot of laughter. It was a wonderful sight for a mommy to see.

Bennett has always had a little face that can just melt a person. His darling sing-songy voice doesn’t hurt the adorable factor either. He has kept his baby features longer than the others, and I am so grateful to him for that. I loved holding his tiny hand, and was so proud to be the one walking beside him.

He was disappointed when we were told it was time to get out, but did as he obeyed. After drying off a bit, he and I made our way to the benches for snacks. He loved his cheese and crackers, etc., and it was still fun to sit and listen to what he had to say. A nice girl with a cute baby strapped to her saw me trying to take a mug shot of the two of us, and kindly offered to take one of us together. I definitely have to plan another date with my Bennett. One evening wasn’t enough to enjoy all his cuteness uninterrupted. I can’t wait.

Date with Mom: Alex Edition

Sorry about that last post. I was having a moment of weakness, but all seems to be on the up and up now, thank goodness. Let’s dwell on more fun things.

We have loved having Six Flags season passes. Elise and I take the kids about once a week to enjoy the rides (more pictures, etc. on that later), but we knew as soon as the insane east coast summer heat was here, we’d be very grateful to have access to the water park as well (pool passes are very expensive and hard to obtain around here. Six Flags is actually the best deal around for water fun, especially if all your kids are under three and are free).  These kids haven’t really been free to wander through open water yet, so I was nervous to have to keep track of all of them on my own. So, the week that it opened, KC took the day off work to give it a try. It was a blast (more on that too), but, just like with most adventurous things we do with these kids, I wasn’t able to ever relax enjoy our time there while I was looking two or three ways the entire time. (KC and I have, without discussion, come up with a finger signal system when we’re in a crowded place, letting each other know from a distance whether we are in eye shot of one, two or three, so we know how many we are in charge of. There was a lot of that going on as they’d wander about.) It was a pretty fun first water park venture, and it was so nice to have KC’s help. Since it’s ridiculously crowded on the weekends, we’d have to figure out some way to enjoy the park without KC taking off work. I did work out a deal with a girl in my ward to help me with the kids at the water park when I need it (she works there, so she gets in free!), which will be nice if the opportunity arises.  But I had an even better idea. I decided that once a week during the summer, I would take each of them on a little evening Six Flags date with just me. So, with Alex being the oldest, I took him last week to start off this fun summer event. As soon as KC got home from work, Alex and I snuck out the back door to avoid too many jealous people, and set out on our date.

It wasn’t too crowded or too hot. I only had to unbuckle one car seat (that didn’t even require climbing in the van!), and unfold one tiny umbrella stroller. And it took no time to get him out and all set to play. Usually this is all quite an ordeal. I really was giddy about it. And then he and I just wandered about doing whatever he wanted to do. The other times we’ve been near open water, Alex has been my cautious one, content to mostly just walk the perimeter of the pool, only venturing in to step on and count the little fountains shooting out of the ground. But with this undivided attention, I was able to show him the fun he could have splashing around in the deeper parts without other things on my mind. And once he got in, he didn’t want to get out! I was so proud of him, not sure how long his little deep water phobia would last. I guess all he needed was to know that I had all eyes on him. I never had a reason to scold, or get flustered, or say “no”. It was pure bliss for both of us, and I remember having a moment looking at my boy, and realizing again that I’m so so so glad that he’s mine. I don’t have a chance to stare at them individually very often. Such a darling, happy, smart boy.

The water park closed around 7, and he went to have our little dinner together on a main street bench. He even likes his chips crushed in his sandwich like his mom. It was so fun having little uninterrupted conversations with him. I could just see the difference in his face, knowing he was getting all the attention, and I loved it. I can’t wait to spend that time with him again.

If I Could Fast Forward

You know how there are points in our life where you feel like you are barely hanging on, and you feel like if one more thing comes along, you might explode? Well, I feel like we have like 10 of those things thrown at us lately, and let’s just say it hasn’t been fun. Power outages, heat waves, surgeries, bad reactions to medications, toddlers coughing ALL NIGHT LONG, nebulizing, constant pain, worrisome fires back home, threats of more storms here,  fun plans going down the tubes…I’m just about to the point of saying that I’m done. We’ve watched more tv, and eaten more fruit loops lately than I’d like to admit, but a human such as myself can only do so much. KC has been one amazing guy through all of this, keeping is spirits up, and taking on all the kid duties. I’ve spent a lot of time on my knees in the bathroom (please remind me to never take Vicodin again, no matter how much throbbing pain I have in my bottom left jaw bone for days at a time. Oh, and Zofran doesn’t help.), or lying in bed trying to rest. I’m lucky to have him. I felt like we were really starting to get back to normal a little earlier this week after our crazy weekend, and then everything started up again.  Please let things start to get better. Please.

I was so much looking forward to a fun gathering with friends today to celebrate this wonderful day to remember our freedom, for which I made a key lime pie. The babies and I weren’t feeling well enough to attend, so now what do I do with that delicious item? (My stomach isn’t up to eating it at the moment.) Here is the one picture I got today.

And now that I’m looking through our pictures from this week, it’s looks like we’ve all been doing a lot of lounging.

I think we’re all ready for a fresh start.

I know things could be worse, so I’m trying to be grateful for what is good in my life. It will just be easier to do that when I’m getting sleep, not in pain, the kids are happy, and can eat normal, solid foods again.

Utah in a Nutshell

I went to Utah for five days. By myself. It was wonderful, and I left wanting to move closer to home all over again. I was a little sick (it’s mandatory to get some kind of illness on my trips to Utah), but still managed to have a blast hanging out with my family, complete a mini triathlon mom and dad organized for Father’s Day, buy some cute clothes, meet new, adorable, nieces, eat good food (when I actually had an appetite), get a haircut (love the Utah prices), catch up with friends, and enjoy the beauty that Utah has to offer. I stayed in Melody’s beautiful home, and miss being there with her cute family.  The kids had the time of their lives with KC’s parents, and I was able to relax knowing they were in such good hands. I couldn’t wait to see those babies the morning after I got home. They were older, funnier, smarter, and more darling than I remembered, and that is saying something, considering I thought they couldn’t get any cuter than when I left. I’m glad to be home, but I miss my carefree vacation. Until next time!

Baby Evelyn!

I organized a Father’s Day Dessert Buffet, and told all the girls to make their husband’s favorite dessert. KC wasn’t there, but I thought he’d approve of this (a little rushed and sloppy) Snickers Cake (I made a little something just for him the following weekend). Everything was awesome. It was dessert heaven.

Baby Stella!

Oh, I miss all those people. Fun Times. More pictures here for anyone interested.