3

My little Charlie turned 3 today.  He wanted to go bowling and have a football party so that's what we did.

Some things about Charlie:

• Favorite foods are hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and go-gurts.
• Loves to play basketball, soccer, bowling, and play games on the computer.
• Can be overly dramatic/emotional at times.  For example, he cried for 15 minutes the other day when Mark parked the wrong direction at the store.
• Has the cutest buck-tooth smile.
• Is most complimented on his eyes.  They really are amazing.
• Loves to sing primary songs before bed.
• Nicknames are Char, Char Char, and Chuckles.
• Thinks he is pretty cool and puffs up his cheeks when he talks like he is really important.
• Loves to play with Jackson and still idealizes his big brother.
• Also, knows how to pester Jackson like only a little brother can.
• Is shy around groups and new people. 
• Loves his dad and always chooses him to help him.
• Wants to do everything for himself, and if fiercely independent.
• Is never in a hurry and is often in his own world especially when I am trying to get him out the door.

Love this little boy and can't believe how grown up he is getting.  Happy Birthday Charlie.

Us

Once in a great while the planets seems to align, your chi is in perfect harmony, lady luck is smiling down on you.  Luckily for us this happened on picture day.  AMAZING! After 4 years of painful, tear filled, photo sessions we had a good one.  The boys posed, smiled, and were perfectly cooperative.  I am not planning on this ever happening again but it sure was nice.  Thanks Heidi for the great pictures. 

No, this not supposed to be serious BUT I am considering pursuing an acting career after this performance.

The Alarm

                       goes off at 4:50 in the AM!

Kids are up by 6.

The kitchen needs cleaning, laundry has piled up, breakfast needs to be made, toys need to be put away. 

I swear I did all that yesterday.

Break up a fight while trying to find Jackson's other shoe.

Bribe with chocolate to get shopping done.
Running late to meet the bus.
The kitchen needs cleaning, laundry has piled up, lunch needs to be made, toys need to be put away.
Savor the all too short nap time.
Run more errands
Bribe with ice cream.
The kitchen needs cleaning, laundry has piled up, dinner needs to be made, toys need to be put away.
Hunt down snow boots.
Bath time.
Bed time.
The kitchen needs cleaning, laundry has piled up, toys need to be put away.

The days run together and admittedly a lot of them are the same.  I am guilty of complaining about the monotony. Yet, at the end of the day, as I say my prayers, I couldn't be more grateful for what I have, for where I am in life.

So would I change things?  Nope.  Good and bad.  And it is mostly good. Especially with his help.

...the alarm goes off at 4:50 in the am...

Fish Sticks Before Bed

Tonight we went to the library and Jackson came home with a stack of Charlie and Lola books, his favorite.  When I told him it was time for bed he said I need to read my book first, I am too excited.

I love a good bedtime story, especially if it involves fish sticks.

7 months ago

Whilst in St George in MARCH we had family pictures done and they were our Halloween present.

 I love this picture.  My dad has it framed in his house.  Just keeping it real.

Can you find Charlie? Hint: he is the one who looks bored out of his mind.

Halloween

If it were a requirement to dress as your hero on Halloween my boys would have nailed it. Mario isn't usually sporting a goatee but I think he pulled it off.

The Trick-or-Treat mobile. 

 Wouldn't want to burn too many calories while collecting candy.

 Jackson transformed from Mario to Picasso mid evening.

 Another fun Halloween and Birthday in the books.

Who to Choose

Often times Jackson will give me two options and demand that I pick one.  Well, the one the other day left me in quite a quandary.

"Mom, do you like Princess Peach or Chuck Norris?  Pick one."

 VS

That is a tough one.  On the one hand, Peach has been my go-to gal in Mario Kart but I don't know if it is wise to bet against someone who can round house kick Mario Kart into next week.

At least he gave me a decision on this one.  Yesterday when he came home from school he said,
"I am thirsty."
Mom you say, "Oh, Jackson do you need a Capri Sun."
Me, "Jackson do you need a Capri Sun?"
"Oh yes, thank you mom."

I think his quirkiness is one his most enduring qualities.

Just because

he is so stinking cute.
I can't believe how big he is all of a sudden.  So just for memories sake, and for your enjoyment, here is a bit about Charlie.
He is tech savvy and can maneuver his way around the cyber world and the Wii.

Newly potty trained and loves his underroos.

 Loves his brother and misses him when he is at school.

Loves basketball and isn't half bad at it.
Sings his questions and answers.  Makes it more dramatic.
Has a perpetually dirty face despite my best efforts.
Has the cutest little buck toothed smile.
Goes to bed really well but then lays in there and talks to himself and sings into the wee hours.
Heard from the hall the other night:
"It's not nice to poop in your underwear.  That makes mom sad."
"Alright." said with exasperation.
"We only poop in the toilet"
"I know! I will."
"Be good and we can go to Kangaroo Zoo."
"How many minutes?"
"23."
"Okay."
"I love the see the temple..."  followed by a booming rendition of Book of Mormon Stories.

5

 My sis-in-law Heidi's works of art for dessert. 

 Even though Jackson has major anxiety over all things birthday, not just his own, we managed a fun weekend.  No singing, no hoopla, not overly decorated, just his some of his favorite things: Family, slides, trains, and of course Mario.

I can't believe he is 5. He has had his share of ups and downs but now we are in such a good place.

His language has made giant strides, his anxiety has equally decresed, he loves school and learning, and he has friends. 

In the words of Signing time, "So,maybe we won't find easy, but baby we've found the good."

Happy birthday sweet boy.