We took a few pictures before the Ward Soup-Tacular, a fun church event where you bring your muffin tins and a crock pot of your favorite soup, and taste a little bit of lots of peoples! It was so much fun!
TRUMAN (Hercules):
Tucker (Sock Monkey):
Truman’s Preschool Program and carnival
Took this before we left, Love these Hercules Muscles:
Truman was glad Grams was able to come(and so was I, it is always nice to be with my momma):
They always have so many fun games:
The classic Cake Walk:
Blow up toys
Cotton Candy
And of course, buckets and buckets of CANDY!
And honestly, I love the program they put on.
They do the cutest things, you can watch a few clips below!
Tuckers school party and parade
This is how he went to school, with his banana butt hanging out of his bag:
And wanted to take a picture like this, because this is how sock monkeys sit:
I was able to go the class party, what a good teacher Tucker has, and how fun to be in the classroom, we played Bingo, did an art project, Halloween Freeze, and ghost bowling.
Class Photshoot (can you see the girl in the top left corner? Yeah, she’s Rainbow Bright. Wicked Awesome!)
And the classroom parade:
and a great song tucker started singing in the garage, adn I couldn’t get him to sing again later, sorry about the bad quality! 🙂
Visiting the Great Grandparents, Greenes, and Ikey, Belle, and Eleanor
Great Grandpa Greene, look at how handsome he is, and that big smile. I love this man.
And the Great Hunsakers, who we are happy they are almost moved into the Condo, so we’ll get to see them more! While we were there, I noticed Grandma had a plaque, that said, “There’s no place like home, unless it’s Grandma’s.” So True, So True.
On the way home, we picked up Toph, and he took this picture of Tucker, while I was driving. He was trying to scare people. I don’t think sock monkeys are scary, do you?
Trick or treating
More pictures coming later
And yes, the shirt Truman LOVES (and wears practically year round), has been worn now on Halloween, and can finally be put up in the box for when baby brother gets to be a bit bigger.
I say it daily. Slow down time! This time, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY mean it!!
Today hits the beginning of my third trimester. By this point with my two previous children I was far more prepared: Crib put up, clothes out, etc. etc. etc. None of which has been done yet! 🙂
But on that same note, I can believe in 3 months, are sweet little boy will be here. I can’t wait to see his handsome little face, count his finger and toes, hold him, cuddle him, introduce him to adoring big brothers and welcome him into the world.
But then reality sets in, I’ve got so much to do to prepare for his arrival!
It’s amazing. For me, I have changed my view of myself, my boys and my husband IMMENSELY all in less than 24 hours. No huge experiences have occurred, but it is in the little moments that life occurs, we realize things, and come to know ourselves and those around us truly for who they are, and during 24 hours last week, my eyes were opened immensely to the true reality that is around me.
—It’s October, right? Will someone tell that to my kids and the weather? Because it was warm enough, the boys changed into their swimsuits during/after quiet time (before I knew it or was aware of it), and then BEGGED to pull out the swimming pool. In my mind I’m thinking it’s fall, it’s October, no way are we going out to the pool in our suits! As soon as those thoughts crossed my mind, I began to doubt my logic. And as you can see from the below pictures, apparently October is a good time to go swimming.
And make mud pies.
So here’s what I learned, THE LESSONS: The boys are aware and in touch with the world around them. They’re happiest when they in nature. Tucker cares about his brother, they are good at working together even though they don’t always (or often) choose to work together. Playing in mud is therapeutic, messy, and perfect for little boys souls. Being a mother my first instincts are not always right, and crazyness is okay in mediocrity!
—Following your dreams always makes your mother happy, right? For the past 2 years Tucker has talked about joining a wrestling team, and I honestly couldn’t wait to cheer my little boy on in his dreams and ambitions. Recently Those ambitions became reality as Tucker had his first practice for youth wrestling. I don’t know what I envisioned wrestling to be, but didn’t fully realized my little one would be one on one wrestling and then possibly on the bottom of that match up. At the first wrestling practice all of this became a reality. My little boy is entering the world of competitive sports. This isn’t the same as the T-Ball we’d been involved in earlier. This was real life wrestling.
More, THE LESSONS: I am so proud of Tucker following his dreams, I being the mother of 3 boys, must learn how to cheer on my boys in their indiviudal sports, and group sports they choose to participate in. Watching my son roll all over that dirty, germ infested wrestling mat is not going to kill me. I don’t like seeing my kids in a position where they can be hurt. I feel anxious. I wanted to run far, far away from that wrestling room, with both boys tucked underneath my arms, and never, ever come back. And I just might’ve if there father hadn’t have been there. Other things I learned it’s okay to be afraid, it’s what I do with it that matters. And I am going to be the best wrestling cheering mama there is. As for papa? Christopher is a natural teacher, and is good at stepping back and not being the overly involved intense parent. He is amazing at finding that perfect balance of supporting Tucker and helping him without enabling him. As for Tucker? Following your dreams fills good. Really good. And makes you happy, you just beamed while you were practicing. So my sweet Tucker, if this is your dream, I will follow you and cheer for you, and even help you practice your moves if that’s what it takes.
–Do you remember the feeling of knowing you were going on a fieldtrip? Well I do after watching my little Truman get ready for a trip to the pumpkin patch with his preschool.
what LESSONS did I learn (or re-learn): Preschoolers are so intense and wonderful as they discover new things!
I LOVE pumpkins.
I was hoping to have a Gigantic one this year from our own garden, but no such luck. I have to make myself walk past the pumpkins when I go to the grocery store, and pumpkin patches are no exception! Having one on one time with your child is priceless, and to be remembered. I also learned, Truman’s allergies act up when around farm animals,
corn mazes and hay.
While in the corn maze I was completely lost, but Truman’s instincts were right on.
He lead us right through the maze to the way out. I thought we’d be lost in there for a long time…nope! Truman loves people. He is often shy, but watching him when he does interact with them is sweet and heart warming. He is also very brave–this slide is literally as tall as our house.
You had to climb up 15 huge hay bales to go down it. He loved it, and kept telling me, mom I want to do it by myself. slidetru
So I’m sorry for the novel, but I did learn a lot, and was amazed at how much can be learned in less than 24 hours. I am sure sometimes our Heavenly Father views our lives this way–watching us grow and change, cheering us on, proud of us for following our dreams, and remembering the things he loves. Wow. 24 hours.
It’s happening again, they’re still growing and learning, and it happened over night! Yesterday something clicked in Tucker’s brain.
The sight words he’s been working on for over a year now, are really starting to fall into place, and he is beginning those baby steps in reading! I don’t know what happened between yesterday morning, last night and today, but this morning, I could hear the boys downstairs, and couldn’t figure why they weren’t coming out for breakfast. Thinking they were getting in trouble, I decided to investigate… I found Tucker ‘reading’ to Truman down in there room. This has never happened, in fact Tucker really shys away from reading to Truman, when sugguested he try it, he acts like it’s something overly painful, and can’t believe I would even think of asking him to do it.
So it is a big deal that they spent 20 minutes ‘reading’ together. During Breakfast Tucker told me “I wasn’t really reading, we were just talking about the books and the pictures”.
I’m not sure if it’s because we rearranged the boys room yesterday putting the bookshelf in their room that encouraged this, (we starting to get ready for baby, and finally they are past the phase of pulling ALL the books off the shelf), or just the fact Tucker is realizing he can read by himself (which he can, especially the words I, a, the and you) but whatever it is.. I JUST LOVE THESE MOMENTS~
My children are growing older, and the last few weeks it seems like I can visually see them getting bigger on a DAILY basis.
This week is safety week at Tuck’s school. Which he is still loving (if he can just get used to the going every day thing 🙂 )
They have had so many great activities to promote safety: walk to school day (using the cross-walks, etc.), ride your bike to school day (wearing the proper gear)–seeing him riding there especially made him seem so grown up, even with the training wheels,
Bike Obstacle Course, get/decorate a bicycle helmet day (which he wore for a few days, including at breakfast),
track your steps with a pedometer for a day, Stranger Danger Day, Celebrity (local College Mascots) Crossing Guards, water bottles and tomorrow they are giving away two free bicycles per classroom. Tucker has LOVED this week. And watching him participate, and talk about this stuff, makes me realize how BIG he is, not just how big he seems.
Truman too has grown into being a preschooler. Complete with the dress up/superhero/rollerskating antics..
Not one ounce of baby left in him. NONE. He has always been pretty independent, but recently, he just looks older, acts older, and of course actually is older.
But I don’t like watching it happen. it makes me want to freeze time.:) But it is inevitable, and I do love watching them learn. Here are some pics from our field trip to the firestation today, where yet again, I kept looking at Truman and wondering where this grown up boy came from…
And a big deal to Truman, being able to take his own lunch to school, in his own spiderman lunch box…
For now, I am going to treasure the fact that my boys are still small enough to get excited about bike days and lunch boxes. I hope that as they grow up, they’ll still share the things that make them happy with me. Because these boys make me happy.
Nothing sweeter than seeing a new baby fresh from heaven. So beautiful so innocent, and so wonderful…
(Above picture taken by Tuck)
Our family is so excited about the safe arrival of my niece Baby Eleanor. (Daughter of Ry and Tiff)
She is truly a beautiful little princess, and we can’t wait to get to know her better. Isn’t she a beautiful little baby? Congrats again Ry and Tiff!
My brother-in-law Brian is older and wiser now that he is one year older!
If you have never met Brian, he’s the type of person you just love to be around. Which makes having him and his family so far away such a hard thing. I am grateful for the bond he has with his family, including his brother (and my hubba), Christopher. I can’t even begin to tell you how many stories have started with something like this: “There was this one time when Brian…. (Insert Crazy/Awesome Story here)…” I know Brian is an adventurous fellow, and hope his adventures in Michigan were especially great for his birthday. Happy Birthday Brian!!
Everything looked healthy and well, which is the best and most wonderful thing any mother wants to hear. We are so excited to welcome another boy into our family!
Because I love lists, and I love him, I thought making a list of things I love about him, might be an appropriate thing to do…
1. I love how you come home from work, empty your pockets, and you have post it notes with random notes on them, and later when I ask you them, you can’t for the life of you figure out why they are important.
2.I love that you bought this song from Itunes, and that you like it too:
3.I love that during the delivery of our children, you were so nervous, and sweet, and excited. And right by my side the whole time.
4. I love how when you’re hungry, you totally cook or make food for yourself, even if it is only a bowl of cereal.
6. I love that you don’t care about the sprinkling system, but knew I cared. So you did it. And it wasn’t easy. And it wasn’t cheap. But you did it anyways.
7. I love that you love to find toys from your childhood, Construx, GI Joes, and play them with the boys.
8. I love that you never complain about being the Children’s Favorite Parent. Even thought I know it’s not always the easiest thing! ( I want daddy to read to me tonight, no I want daddy to read to me! No me! No me!) Not even when they’re both constantly hanging on you…
9. I love that you no longer have an appendix, and that you had to have it out 2 weeks before Truman was born, making me feel like I was going into Labor.
10. I love that you likes Licorice, but not just any licorice, it’s a certain kind, and one of these days, I am going to remember which kind it is. I think red Twizzlers. But I get it wrong everytime. So don’t quote me on that one, but just know, I know that you love some kind of red licorice….. and once I figure it out, I am going to write it down.
11. I love that you are currently reading 7 books. Similtaniously. And that you enjoy a good read, when you can find time for it.
12. I love how every once in awhile you talk in your sleep, and sometimes it’s in Albanian.
13. I love that you love breakfast, but not just any breakfast, a good breakfast.
14. The sound of water. You love it, and find it therapeutic, and want to live someplace close to water for the rest of our lives.
15. You are my Tech support, and a majority of our families too. I love that you are so willing to share this talent with so many people.
16. I love how wild and crazy you are… like when your out late playing strategy board games, like Settlers of Catan. Out of Control I know, but honestly, what’s not to love about that?
17. I love that even though I can’t match your socks (And sometimes I accidentally match the navy ones to the black ones), you don’t ever complain, and just fix it, matching them up right, with out saying a word.
18. Growing up in Idaho Rural Community has done wonders for your love for the state, and how you can belt out the Idaho State song like no ones business.
19. I love that I am married to the real Napolean Dynamite. As you were the original, signing the rose song, and all.
20. I love the fact that you heart Drupal, and that you are a Photoshop wiz. If you don’t know how to do it, you find a free tutorial, and teach yourself how. Amazing, I always just get flustered by those Tutorials. Not you.
21. I love the way you happily walk in the door every day from work. Greet all of us with a smile, and tell us all that you missed us. Everyday.
22. I love that you can flip channels like no one’s business. And when we’re anywhere where there is more than 10 channels, you don’t stop to watch a show, but just flip, flip, flip.
23. I love that you are the best father any kid could want. You even built them a rad treehouse for heaven sakes!
24. I love how you’re always willing to go get food for me when I am pregnant, anything that will sound good, even if it’s a pain!
25. I love that you love Mac Computers. And have converted me, completely. (And that you like the commercials too–)
26. I love that you go by Toph and not Chris. You are Toph or Topher. I love that.
27. I love that one of your goals in life, is knowing where the Lord wants you to be. With work, with family, with church. Everything. I really love that.
28. I love that in your closet, you have all neutral earth colors.
29. I love that you have such kissable lips.
30. I love that sometimes you get up with the kids in the middle of the night, but have forgotten about it by the morning.
31. I love that you could careless about the acolades of the world. You do things because they are goals, or because they need to be done. not for any recognition.
32. I love that everytime you see this video, you fall over laughing. ‘Cause you think it’s so funny.
Happy Birthday Toph, I love you,
Even if you just keep getting older and older 🙂
What is not to love. Have a wonderful day sweetheart, I LOVE YOU!
