Swinging through life

Like most kids, my boys love to be outside. We vowed when we moved from Utah we would buy a house with a yard already. No such luck. We fell in love with our house, a spec home at the time, and there was no yard. We live on a corner, so that meant view fencing, it meant only one neighbor to the north of us and it meant a basketball court and greenbelt behind us. We payed to have this premium lot...and it was worth every penny (even if it was thousands and thousands).

But, because of the equity we made on our house in Utah we were a lot quicker about getting our yard in. About 6 months after we moved in we had our backyard. Suddenly our house felt a gazillion times bigger! Tons of grass to race in, plenty of room to play baseball, lots of space to have "car" washes, picnics, camp outs, birthday parties, play dates, barbeque's, water games. It is honestly where we spend most of our time. I have my patio furniture and beautiful annuals surrounding the orange tree and Austin has his three gardens--yes three! (the man is Mr. McGregor). The boys are happy, I'm happy, and Austin is happy.

Christmas came along this year and we are all even happier. Santa brought the boys got a play set. It could not be more perfect. It has the best combo: swings, a glider, monkey bars, a slide, a picnic table, a clubhouse, and a look-out deck. To say the boys love it is an understatement. They play outside everyday for hours. Dax mastered the monkey bars within a few days, Wyatt claimed his captain's wheel and periscope the second he got them, and the have managed not to kill themselves when they ride that crazy glider together. It really was the best Christmas present ever...for all of us.

Today Dax finally figured out how to pump his legs and swing on his own. I was so proud. I love seeing him learn new things and grow.

And all of a sudden, in a blink of an eye, I was disappointed. Horrified actually. Because for all these months I was actually counting those 30 minutes of pushing him on the swing as my physical workout for the day. Some may say that would be a stretch, but in my little world, I also count vacuuming as part of my "workout" routine. I say it's legitimate, but whatever. All's I know is now I can't because he figure out how to swing on his own.

Rats. It's back to the gym for me.

Undies

"Yook at me. I go wee- wee on the potty." --Wyatt, age 2 and 1 month

And in case you were wondering we have an appointment with a booking agent tomorrow.

Yup, I'm pretty sure he's gonna be the next Calvin Klein model with this pose.

Where do kids come up with these things?! What a crack up!

Rainy Days

Rainy days in AZ are sparse. That's not much of a surprise, we do live in a desert! The most rain we've seen since we moved here three years ago have been during the summer monsoons when rain comes and goes in a matter of minutes. We typically wear short sleeves and sandals all year around. So you can imagine our surprise when this winter we've had more rainy days in history and tornado warnings. What?!

Growing up in California I remember the excitement I felt when rainy days came along. It meant lunch in the multi-purpose room, cancelled softball games, walking home from school with no umbrella, sopping wet, and finding popcorn and hot chocolate waiting without fail. My mom always had it ready for us and a movie of her choice...think Anne of Green Gables and Shirley Temple classics. I haven't had much of an opportunity to carry on with one of my favorite childhood memories living in this desert, but finally, this winter we have. The boys now know when it's raining, it's popcorn for snack and hot chocolate to wash it down. Dax trapes around in the rain walking in circles in the backyard just listening to the falling rain pitter patter on his umbrella. Wyatt actually gets to put his rain boots to use and splash in puddles rather than just wear them in 75 degree weather and shorts looking like a fool (a cute fool that is).

I love the dreary, dark days of Arizona showers. I know they are few and far between so I soak up every ounce of it that I can. That means no housework and no errands. It means puzzles pieces and board games all over the floor, piles of laundry to be folded and dishes in the sink. I happen to enjoy the feeling of being cooped up and nowhere to go on these days.

So, you're welcome to visit. We'll for sure be here and we love visitors. But just don't be surprised when you find the three of us under a blanket with buttery popcorn fingers watching Hotel for Dogs in our jammies. We're just enjoying eachother and these rare occasions with no sun.

Oh, and sorry babe, it's Ramen for dinner tonight.

Car Caddy

Before I blogged about how great these little inventions are, I wanted to make sure the boys actually liked what I made them for Valentine's Day. Well, they do, hooray for me! I can't ever seem to come up with things to make boys. I'm learning to love to sew, but seem to only find projects for them few and far between. If you have boys and have any suggestions let me know! And if you have boys and like to sew, these car caddy's are so much fun. They roll right up and fit in my purse. I actually intended for them to stay in my church bag, but they have fished them out every day. Oh well! I found the idea at homemadebyjill.blogspot and fell in love. I changed things up a bit from the tutorial she gave but they were still so simple. Just some fun (boy) fabric, duck cloth, a little batting, felt, rick rack and embroidery thread and off I went. I hand did the numbers on the pocket and the little dashes on the street but the rest just took a lot of pinning and a little bit of sewing.

Wyatt's is the pirate grey and yellow one and Dax's is the race car navy and brown one. I bought Wyatt the cutest little VW bug hot wheels and Dax some super cool Insectible race cars. I actually got it right this time for who's is who and they never fight over playing with the others! Oh happy day! They are fun, you should try them!

L.O.V.E

I never planned on falling off the face of the blogging Earth, but somehow for the past few months I've managed to only blog on major holidays and birthdays. I'm not sure why, probably an assortment of reasons, , but whatever it is, I'm promising here and now to be better...for posterity sake.

I love having this journal. I've gone back many times to old posts to read about experiences and feelings. It makes me frustrated when I know I haven't done as good as job as I can to record all the fun, crazy, growing moments we have had as a family and for me as a mother.

These boys make me hysterical, in mostly good (see pictures above), but sometimes in the bad hysterical kind of way (note- you do NOT want to see pictures of me in the bad hysterical kind of way). Either way, I love them. Unconditionally. Completely. Unwaveringly.

So please excuse me if you see posts dating back to December. Posts where we are stomping around in rain but the current temperatures are 75. Posts where the boys hair hasn't yet grown over their little ears. I want to record it. All of it.

So, I figured, what better day to kick start this blog again then on Valentine's Day. The day where if I truly believed in all this Valentine's Day shenanigans, then I am certain I have been shot by Cupid's invisible arrow. These little guys will always be my Valentine's.

Me at two...

* My name is Why-it. That is how I say Wyatt. When my mom or dad ask me what letter it starts with I say “ka, ka, ka, Beeeeee”. My family thinks it’s so funny.

* First thing in the morning I ask for Dax. He’s the first one I want to see. Then I usually pull his hair just ‘cause.

* I think I’m so funny. I like it when other people laugh at me being silly. I scrunch up my nose and tilt my head back like I am laughing real hard and do a fake laugh, but then everyone laughs at me. I love it

* I love juice. I don’t drink milk, I don’t drink water, just juice. When we are out of juice and my mom tries to give me water or milk, it doesn’t go over so well. I usually throw a little fit and throw my cup. My mom just walks away. I usually go back and get my drink anyway because I’m just too thirsty not too.

* I LOVE Bolt. I think it was one of the first words I ever said. For Christmas Santa brought me my very own Bolt stuffed dog and I sleep with it every night. I wish Disney would produce some more Bolt stuff.

*I ditched my booster seat at the dinner table months and months and months ago. I didn’t want to be strapped in and eat my dinner off a tray. I wanted a big seat, a real plate and a Diego placement. Now I’m a happy boy at the table with a towel under my bum.

* I’m a big snacker. I still eat my meals (most the time) but I love to snack in between. I like fishy’s, and cheeeeese and “treats”. That usually equals a granola bar even though I’d much rather have a cookie or piece of chocolate. Good thing my mom keeps the fact that I hate to brush my teeth in mind when she is serving me snacks.

* When I get my diaper changed I love to run to the potty and sit down. But guess what, I go a little every time! My mom and dad thought they should run with this and crossed their fingers that I would be potty trained by two. They bought me Toy Story underwear but I didn’t like them…too airy I guess. I think they’re planning on trying again soon. And everytime I run to the bathroom with no diaper on I ask to take my shirt off. And each time my mom says no but I still ask. Every. Time.
* I love my boots. I wear them everyday, even to church. I have brown cowboy ones and yellow plastic rain ones. I think I will be really sad when I outgrow them. I love my boots.
*I love to read. My favorite book is Richard Scary and I look for the “tu-ule” (turtle) on every page until I find it. I sit in my airplane rocking chair and read and read. Sometimes I let Dax read to me and my mom thinks it’s the cutest thing ever.
*I love my cars. I love to line them up and drive them along the couch. I love piling them into whatever other toy I am playing with. A boy can never have too many cars.
*I love to color and I love play-dough, but not at the same time.
*I’m a dipper. I love ketchup, syrup, ranch, salsa, and guacamole.
*I’m on the verge of being kicked out of nursery. It’s true. There is this one little girl. Yes, I pull her hair and push and kick, and I tell my mom about it afterward every time. But my nursery leaders have a handle on me and say that I don’t need dad to come in a supervise me…but he might anyway.
*I love dogs. We don’t have one but when my dad sees me playing with them he really thinks we should get one. I know mom though, she’ll never allow it.
*I understand everything. I may not always listen but I always understand because as soon as my mommy or daddy asks Dax to do something I love to try and beat him to it. I’m sneaky like that.
*I sleep in a big boy bed. When I started crawling out of my crib it was gone in a matter of days. But I had no problem staying in my big boy bed. I love all the room I have and that daddy can lay down next to me. Sometimes he falls asleep before me.

*I love balloons.
*I love calling out the spots on mommy’s face before I kiss it. “a check” kiss kiss, “a nose” kiss kiss, “a hair” kiss. My mom laughs so hard.

*I love to pull the pancake mix out of the pantry and drag it around the house. It’s my favorite thing to eat, no matter what time.

* I love the color red. I say that everything is red, even if it isn't.

* Whenever I wear a sweatshirt I wear my hood up over my head to cover my ears. Even if it isn't that cold outside, I still wear my hood on.

* I don't like to get my hair done. My mom knows this and only gets me to try and sit still on Sunday's, but I still usually win and don't get that sticky stuff put in. I think she knows that even without gel in my hair, I can still look cute with all that blonde hair.

*Everyday I ask to go to Grandpa's house. And everyday I pretend I am on the phone calling Grandpa. And every time I see Grandma, I ask where Grandpa is. I love my grandpa's.

* I don't like pictures. And I don't like to hold still for pictures. And my mom needs a faster shutter speed if she is going to keep up with me. And you probably won't see any pictures from my birthday party, because all my birthday pictures are blurry.

Happy Holidays

I’ve decided that things that I love, I love doubly when I enjoy it with my little family. For example, I LOVE Disneyland. I grew up 20 minutes away and had annual passes year after year. All my friends had them. We’d ditch school to go, or would swing by for a few hours on a Saturday and we’d always go when it was raining because most people would think it’d be raining at Disneyland, but I promise you, Disneyland is magical and no matter what, it was never raining at Disneyland. Those days we had the entire theme park to ourselves. I love it there. I didn’t think I could love it more. But the first time Austin and I took Dax, it was hands down the best Disneyland day ever.

Well, that is kinda how I’ve been feeling about this holiday season. Granted Dax is 4 and we’ve had a handful of Christmas’s with him, but this year, it’s been different. He’s understood a little more and I’ve seen the Christmas spirit shining through his little eyes. Thank goodness becuase I've needed it. Well, add Wyatt into the mix when last year he was barely walking, and it’s been quite a bit different in the best way possible.

Here are some highlights that I didn’t want to forget about why this Christmas has been so much fun!

Dax deciding that because we don’t have “one of those things on our roof” that Santa will be parking his sled and reindeer in the driveway and will come through the garage door. Works for me!

Setting up our two man tent last weekend, popping popcorn, watching the Grinch who Stole Christmas and having a campout underneath the Christmas tree. Never slept so good in my life.

Making not five, not 10, but 17 dozen (yes, you read that right) peanut butter balls with the boys. They are pros at tossing uncoated balls into the chocolate so I could cover them. Best assembly line ever.

Going to see Santa and deciding not to wait in the 2 hour line and appeasing the boys just as well with a ride on the two story carousal. Good thing we had Grandma to wave to!

Staying up until midnight labeling pieces of wood then staying up until 1:30 am organizing hardware a few nights later and then having to be out of the house for 10 hours last Saturday so Austin could put together a play set in the backyard. And now having to hide it from the boys for this whole week! We’ve rerouted the way we drive home and taped up the windows and I’ve told white lie after white lie. It’s been quite the sneaky chore but it’ll be so worth it come Christmas morning!

Listening to Dax tell Wyatt he needs to be nice or he is going to be on the naughty list. It’s true.

Introducing Egg Nog to the boys and having to run to the store multiple times since to stock the fridge. I don’t mind.

Having a pajama Christmas party with Austin’s family last weekend. Best idea ever!

Wrapping Christmas presents with the boys with the T.V turned to the “Sounds of the Season” station and praying we’ll hear Alvin and the Chipmunks. We’re never disappointed.

Watching Dax play a Wiseman in the nativity and then going to the temple lights and seeing his eyes light up when he saw the amazing life size nativity and baby Jesus. We stood in that spot for a long time remembering the birth of our Savior.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Bon Appetit

It's not brownie. It isn't Oreo cookies. It not chocolate pudding, chocolate cake, or chocolate Teddy Grahams. And it's definitely not peanut butter balls, fudge, or Hersey kisses. That's probably what you'd find all over my face but that's beside the topic.

It's dirt. And soil from the garden. Probably a little bit of mud. And a cheek full of rocks.

And these are pictures of his look on a good day.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone else find their son stuffing fist fulls of mother Earth into their mouth? Because I surely do not know where this is coming from or what the appeal is. At all.

The only thing I can determine is that it's genetic. You see, what I've decided is this is all my mom's fault. When she was a little girl she ate Rolly Polly's.

On second thought, I think I'm better off with a thick moustache of dirt limning his lips!

(But seriously, how do I make him stop? It's so unappetizing!)

Christmas Spirit

Where are you Christmas? That's what I have been saying for a few weeks. I know you are happening all around me, but why haven’t I felt that “Christmas spirit” yet? We have the lights on our house up, we have decorated the trees, and we’ve made gingerbread houses and lots of Christmas treats. We’re listened to endless Christmas music and watched a fair share of Christmas movies. We’ve read Christmas stories, drove up and down the streets marveling at Christmas lights. We’ve drunk eggnog and hot cocoa. We’ve been shopping, we’ve seen Santa, and we’ve played in pretend snow. And yet, still no Christmas spirit.

Of course there has been a thousand other things going on too the past few weeks. Austin’s little sister got married (congrats Misti and Boyd!), Austin and I celebrated out 8-year anniversary, and Thanksgiving came and went. Obviously Dax’s birthday consumed me. Austin had his interview for Occupational Therapy school earlier this month. That kinda puts your mind in a whirlwind…and no word yet. I was knocked out with bronchitis for a week. Austin had knee surgery last Friday. He’s doing awesome and is back on his feet and hard at work as always. Plus there’s 30 hours of work each week, being primary president, and chasing around my almost two year old is a full time job in and of itself. The boy is CRAZY!

But I love love love this time of year and I am so frustrated that I have been more Bah Hum Bug than Mrs. Claus. I want to feel the Christmas spirit, I want to be enjoying all that is going on. There just hasn’t seemed to been any time.

Thank goodness for traditions!

This past weekend we had out third annual Kreipl Family Progressive dinner. We started this a few years back when Jamie and Joe and their family were in town. Everyone prepares a course and we travel to each other’s houses. It is a wonderful way to get together with family and enjoy one another and this time of year. The food is always great, everyone’s homes always feel so nice and cozy decorated, the kids enjoy playing together and the adults love the good food and great company.

We seem to add a new element each year. Last year it was a kid’s gift exchange. This year, it was the nativity story. All the kids were given an assignment by my mom on who they would portray. With 10 grandchildren here, the numbers we perfect. We’d have a narrator, Mary and Joseph, two Sheppard’s, an angel, and Dax would be one of the three Wiseman. The only one left was Wyatt. What was his assignment? No, not baby Jesus (he’s a little too naughty these days). His big role….an animal. Yup, an animal with a question mark. My mom sends these great emails to all of us all the time and for this email each child had this wonderful part they would be next to their name and Wyatt gets an animal with a question mark. I couldn’t stop laughing. How was I going to do this?

The costumes weren’t supposed to be a big deal. With all that was going on I even told myself I couldn’t pull out the sewing machine or spend any money. This was going to be fast and easy and perfect. Well, at least Dax's was. A pillow case, a scarf, a vest/rode made from a pile of fabric I found hidden in my closet, and a headband from an Indian costume and whala! He looked adorable and was so excited. Wyatt on the other hand I couldn’t quite think what to do. Then I decided. He needed to be a sheep. Of course there are sheep when you have shepherds. I thought that would be the most appropriate animal for him. So, in keeping with my promise to spend no money and do no sewing, I set out with a white t-shirt, cotton balls and hot glue. Add a little head band and felt for some ears and we had ourselves a sheep in no time. Look at these two???
How can I not have the Christmas spirit after that??

Four

How can it be? Really, how do they really look older on their birthday? Do they really age like that over night? Yesterday, on Dax's official 4th birthday, he looked a little taller, a little bigger, a little more mature, more handsome (if that's even possible), funnier than usual, sweeter than usual, as fun as always. My baby is growing up. It's hard to believe. I can still remember that freezing Utah day he was born and all the white snow that covered the ground. I had the most beautiful view of Mt. Timp from my hospital window. I think I thought it was so white outside because Dax was born with such black hair. I can still see that squishy baby face in him. He has made our lives so complete in just four short years. Happy Birthday Dax! We love you!!

Okay, on to the party festivities from the weekend. We planned a little circus and tried to keep costs at a minimum. I've since learned that keeping costs down means more behind the scene work on my end. But, I think it turned out just as we had hoped. We transformed the backyard into a circus minus the clowns because halfway through planning I learned that Dax doesn't even like clowns. Good thing I know that now!! I ran across this adorable party online a few weeks back and basically got all my ideas from there. I don't know how to add links to my posts, but the site is called thoughtfullysimple.com. Super cute stuff. Here are pictures galore...and these are just a few!

The decorations and concession stand:

The concession stand was made with crates and vinyl table clothes. So easy!

On the menu: corn dogs, chips, lemon aide, candy, popcorn

When the children first arrived they got a bag filled with tickets. They loved counting them out for games and food.

I had been seeing banners like this all over the Internet and blogging world so I tried my hand at one. Austin didn't love hanging it onto the stucco but it sure looked cute! :)The photo booth:

My favorite part of the party! Nothing more than a refrigerator box with some fabric...oh and about 4 cans of red spray paint. I had a tub full of dress up whatever's and the kids (and some of us "big" kids) thought it was really fun! The games:

Gone Fishin', Duck Pond, Lollipop Tree, Tin Can "Shoot", Ball Toss and the bounce house

The birthday boy and the party bunch:
Phew, I had to contain myself with the amount of pictures. I think I need to start recycling Dax's birthday parties for Wyatt. Does that make me a bad mom?

Sneak Peek...

...of Dax's 4th birthday circus party complete with a photo booth, concession stand, circus games, and bounce house.

So much for my "simple" party planning.

More to come...I'm exhausted!

P.S Don't you love that you can't even see the boys' eyes. Yup, circus!