Blog slacker

I wish I was better at staying up on blog posts...I was really hoping to use it as a journal/scrapbook. We've had so much going on lately...blogging has fallen to the bottom of the to-do list. We just finished out yard (yay!)...now we'll plant tulip bulbs in the flower beds and wait for Spring :). We also redecorated our front room...new furniture...another yay! And...I moved my preschool downstairs. I knew it was inevitable...but I wasn't sure how to use the space without it being finished. I'm actually pretty pleased with it. And so far the kids like it as well. It saves me a ton of set-up and clean-up time and it's a lot more space than I'm used to working with. There are a few more things I want to get put in place and then I will officially file for my business license and start accepting more students.

Carter is getting more mischievous the older he gets. Anytime it's quiet and I'm working...I know he's up to something. I've been surprised lately at how he puts things together in his head. He talks all the time and is forming longer and longer sentences. Today I found him with the cookie bag...which he managed to get off the second from top shelf in the pantry. How? By stacking a box of pasta cans, a waffle iron, and his bathroom stool. Tonight about 30 minutes after Ty and I had put him to bed, he came out running-full speed-with a big grin on his face. We couldn't help but laugh. When we picked him up to put him back in bed, his jammies were all wet. The culprit was his humidifier which he somehow figured out how to empty water from. And, he had an ace bandage wrapped around his left leg which he would not let me take off. Where does he come up with this stuff? He definitely keeps me on my toes.

Taylee's little personality is coming out a lot more also. She has a....strong personality. When she wants to be picked up, she'll use her legs to arch her back up....all the way out of whatever she's sitting in. That's along with the squeals. She sure loves her brother. Whenever he walks anywhere near her, she'll start smiling and breathing fast. I show Carter how excited she is to talk to him and he says "no." He does love to sing to her though. Everytime Carter sings ABCs or I am a Child of God, Taylee will sing along. She makes any noise she can during the song. Maybe they'll be the next Donny and Marie Osmond :)

I sure feel blessed to be their Mommy. I've been reading a book about holding onto your kids...it's part of the attachment parenting movement, but not extremist. It mainly talks about how our society has turned into a peer orientation society and how to keep your family focused on family while still encouraging healthy relationships with peers....basically what the Proclamation to the World teaches. With Carter getting older and more independent, I'm realizing how I need to be really praying and thinking about the decisions I make with him. It's a big responsibility. And he's a great kid.

Here are some pics from the past few weeks...some things that have been keeping us busy.

Yes...she's our princess

And a genius...she taught herself to drink from a cup :)

Uncle Chris surprised me for my birthday...and showed up from Idaho for my surprise party. Carter looked quite small in his Uncle's shoes


New bedding for the Taylee




Daddy's new job...and his "I'm kind of a big deal around here" t-shirt he got from his work banquet


Carter and Daddy konking out together



Carter's new bike




Carter getting into the A&D ointment and smearing it all over himself.


PLaying during General Conference


Last car wash of the summer...and Carter's cute little footprints on our sun visors