checking in

just a quick pop in, since i can't quite wrap my brain around catching up on blogging. life just keeps moving whether i blog or not, so there's lots to catch up on. refreshingly, we haven't been all that busy lately, which begs the question why i haven't blogged in for-ev-ah. i do better when i'm busy, i've got that 'get 'er done' kinda attitude and i do usually get 'er done. anywho, quick update.

these three have been busy busy trip planning (granpda ray came to town!). they've got some fun things coming up soon! matt has been home a lot more since finishing school and it.is.wonderful. words can't describe how wonderful. he's a good guy. he puts up with all (at least most) of my weird ideas and spur of the moment decisions to go to the movies. he rarely questions me and supports all of my ideas. (i'll open a preschool! i'll start an afterschool program at the girls school! i'll be a doula!) he likes to stay active and for a 45 year old, he's looking pretty good!

for fhe granpda set up a bingo game complete with prizes - always a favorite. lexi picked a set of bandanas, she's a blood, not a crip. ;) little miss is busy finding her way on the cusp of legal adulthood. she got in to the winter/spring session of byu-i, so we won't be rexburg bound till january. what oh what will we do to keep her occupied till then? no seriously, what? she's doing well in school, loves her little yo kool job, and spends all together too much time with her friends. i wanted my kids to enjoy high school and i can say that in that particular endeavor, i have been successful with this one.

the boy is doing well too. we had a disappointing setback when he didn't make the school baseball team. i must say that i don't understand it and that our childrens disappointments hurt way worse than our own. thankfully our next door neighbor is big in little league and he knows what a good player chris is. he is very encouraging, always willing to help, and gives rides to and from practice, what more could we ask, right? we are waiting to hear back if he got into the dental or carpentering programs at school. he is working (sort of) on an eagle project, and finishing up yearbook and assorted school stuff. on friday night he went to see see divergent with me and i thought how very cool it was that my 16-year-old son came to a movie with me on a friday night. i love this only son of mine.

ps - his bingo prize was a luxurious bottle of strawberry bubble bath. ooh la la!

addiekins. 

5 is a rowdy, boundary pushing, loud, obnoxious, potty talking kind of age over here. fun and sweet too though. she was really pushing to "flip" school on frankie's birthday, and i resisted, but the next day, after we'd had a late night of bingo playing and cake eating, i let her stay home. she's a handful! she always wants to be busy - doing art, playdough, watching tv, playing, she likes to stay busy and her busy means making messes. oh, i do try to not let that dissuade me from allowing her to do things, and i am also trying to teach them that what they get out, they pick up. she's cute and inquisitive and also really fun.

frankie frog just had a birthday, shout hooray! she is getting more mature and so smart! she's a rough and tumble big sister, often trapping little laney to administer her sisterly brand of justice. she loves preschool (most days), likes ballet (most days), and is gaga for daddy (all days). we went to the lego dance at les and she wouldn't even dance with me. she chose to just stand there and cry while daddy danced with addie. super fun for mom! she (and addie) have been having lots of 'nightmares' lately and needing to sleep in mom and dad's room. she's also a super light sleeper. i try to be so quiet in the morning, but without fail, she wakes up.

and the caboose.
this is what our drives home from church look like. sleeeeepy girl! she's doing naps and bed pretty easily, although we picked up the bad habit from cousin quinn of requesting a bottle of milk every time. we don't actually have any bottles, but i have been giving her milk in a sippy cup. not the best, but also not the worst right? this chic sure is two! she throws lots of fits, full on head thrown back, body on the floor, screaming fits. thankfully a time out usually resets her course and we're good to go. for a little while at least. she almost never comes when first called and almost always waits until the count of 3 or later to obey. she's super sweet when she's sweet, but when she's not, she's really not!

i am swimming, swimming. trying to stay optimistic through some difficult mom times. 

lifey life.