Snow!

Growing up in AZ, we would go to the snow in the mountains about once a year. We would make snowmen and go inner tubing down the hills. I remember it being fun, but mostly just being cold. Of course I never had real snow clothes. My jeans and tennis shoes would be soaked. Needless to say, I've never been a big fan of the snow.

Saturday was a perfect day. It wasn't snowing, but we had plenty of snow left from the last few days. We went and bought snow boots for me and Kacin. We dressed in all of our snow gear. I was much more willing to play in the snow when I knew I would be warm. On the other hand, Kyler claims he loves the cold and, even on the way to school, will purposefully walk through the deepest snow piles. He didn't care, he just wanted to get out in the snow.

We surprised the boys by bringing out the sled we had gotten from the adoption shower. When I set it outside Kyler shouted "sleigh!" and ran as fast as he could to it. They were excited! After pulling each other around our yard a few times we went down to the park (fondly known as "the fishy park"). It has perfect hills for sledding and it is so close to our house! So I went on my first sled ride with Kyler. And then he so lovingly turned the sled so we would topple out. What a sweet boy. Kacin crashed a few times and wasn't so happy after that. He watched Kyler go down by himself, so he decided he wanted to try that. So we sent him down the hill and he ended up at the bottom in the snow on his back. That is when the real tears started. Kyler definitely had a blast. He had no fear. It was hard to pull him away. My conclusion: If you are dressed right, snow isn't so bad after all. . .

When we got home, Kacin took a hot bath to get warm. Kyler was in the bathroom waiting for his turn. He put his hands under the water in the sink to warm them up. I left the bathroom for a minute. When I came back, this is exactly what I saw . . .

What can I say? Our son's a problem solver. He was cold. The bathtub was being used. Wouldn't you do the same?

Tucanos

Happy early birthday, Eric! We used Eric's free meal for his birthday and all enjoyed a Brazilian meal. It was great, especially since all kids 6 and under eat free, too. Yes, I'm a little cheap.

Highlights from dinner:

*The boys insisted on wearing their cowboy clothes. Actually, I asked if they wanted to dress up "fancy" for dinner (thinking church clothes). Kacin got all excited and told me he would go put on his pirate clothes (not exactly what I was thinking . . .). I compromised with cowboys.

*Eric ate a lot.

*Half way through dinner, Kyler couldn't find his napkin. We looked everywhere, thinking it just fell or something. We found it at the end of dinner when Eric looked down and realized he had two.

*The boys ate with the meat serving tongs.

*Kacin tried a chicken heart and spit it right out.

*It was very cold outside.

*Kacin asked for dessert. Kyler asked to go to sleep.

??? Questions ???

The following are questions that I have been asked over the last few days . . .

Kyler: "Who is more important--Santa or Heavenly Father?
Kacin: "Can you get me dressed? I'm still 3 years old."
Kyler: "What's your favorite song? Mine is 'I want a love like Johnny and June'. "
Kacin: "Can I put the lotion on? I won't eat it."
My Mom: "What does Eric want for his birthday?"
Eric: "Can you get me some Dr. Pepper?" (does that answer your question, Mom?)

My personal favorite . . .
Kyler: "Mommy, when you die, can I have the car?"

Puke Up

Don't worry--no pictures of this one . . . A few weeks ago, I was so proud of myself--I had survived my first experience with throw up and being a parent! I even called my mom to tell her about how amazing I was. When Kacin crawled into our bed and announced "Mommy, I'm going to puke up" I stayed calm and grabbed a bowl. When it happened, I was ready (and relieved that it didn't go all over my bed and only happened once). No problem.

Last night wasn't quite as smooth. I now feel for my own sweet mom. Kyler got really sick last night--all over the bathroom floor. I will spare you all of the details, but between Kyler and Eric's snoring (sorry Eric) I got no more than 3 hours of sleep. I also learned that Kyler is a bit more dramatic than Kacin.

So I guess that I am compelled to blog about my children's puke because I see it as a momentous occasion for Eric and I as parents. A first time is always worth noting . . .

Santa

This week we went to a Christmas party at the boys preschool. Guess who was there?! Santa! We were all so excited to finally see him. But then Kyler quickly informed us that this guy was NOT the real Santa! Kyler explained he was probably an elf--just one of Santa's helpers. He said his face wasn't old enough to be the real one. We were in shock at first, but then we realized Santa can't possibly be at EVERY Christmas party so he must have lots of helpers. So we told him what we wanted anyways . . .

Our Christmas Wishes:

Kacin: A moterbike, a car

Kyler: Spider-man ("a play one"), a skateboard, a trampoline

Laura: A trampoline! And our adoption to be FINAL

Eric: Dr. Pepper

A night with Emily

Emily FINALLY invited us over to her new house in Spanish Fork. We were so excited to see it--it is very cute! They did an awesome job fixing it up. Plus, Emily made some of Grandma Mary's famous enchiladas (which means layered el pato, cheese, tortillas--not rolled, but flat). Eric, especially, loves them! Yum!

Then we look down at Kacin. Being almost 4 years old, he is really good at dressing himself now. Wait a second . . . something's not right . . . oh, his pants are on backwards! He had been to preschool and out running errands with me. Who knows how long?

The Adoption Song

Just a sweet moment that makes all of the tantrums and whining, hours of various appointments, pee in the garbage can, sweeping the floor 3 times a day instead of once a week, cars and legos under my feet, and the unknown-ness of what will happen all worth it . . .

Kyler and Kacin were outside in the backyard riding their scooters with pretend "i-pods" on. They didn't know I was there, but I just came out to take the garbage out. I heard Kyler singing, so I stopped and listened for a moment (eavesdropping--terrible!). He went on singing (tune unknown)"My mommy loves me . . . My mommy loves me . . .(something that I couldn't hear)". He stopped, smiled, and announced "This is my adoption song!".

We Don't Shop at Wal-mart

I would say it's been about 3 years since Eric or I had even been in a Walmart--Let alone shop around for anything. While the "evils of Wal-mart" must be saved for another conversation another day, let's just say that the boys have quickly picked up this very important lesson: We do not shop at Wal-mart.



One day, while I was working, the boys were staying with a neighbor. She told them that she needed to run an errand to a store and asked them to get ready to go. They stopped and asked "We're not going to Wal-mart, are we? We don't go to Wal-mart."



We drive by Wal-mart or see an ad and the boys quickly say "Wal-mart is bad."



Then we got a gift card to Wal-mart from the adoption shower. . . We were most appreciative! A gift card was a fabulous gift! But then we had to explain it to the boys . . . We pull up at Wal-mart. They ask "Why are we at Wal-mart? Wal-mart is bad." They have shocked faces as we explain that we are going in. How could we be such hypocrites?!

We used our wonderful gift to get a Christmas tree! Eric kept the empty gift card until we got home and then offered it to Kyler (the boy who is obsessed with receipts, cards, paper . . . trash). He was most excited to get a "credit card". And then he realized . . .it was from Wal-mart! So later he sneaked into Kacin's room and put the card under Kacin's pillow. He found Kacin and kept hinting to him to go look under his pillow. Finally, Kacin lifted up his pillow and saw the card. His face fell. He started whining and throwing a fit "Not Wal-mart!".


Look what we've done to our children! Should I be proud or embarrassed??

Hide and Seek

One of my favorite family memories of growing up is playing Hide and Seek in the dark! I loved sneaking around and then getting scared because you never knew which corner you would reach into and all of the sudden feel a head or have a hand grab you instead. This was one game that we all loved.

We had tried to play Hide and Seek with the boys when they first came to stay with us, but the game always went something like this: I cover my eyes and count . . . the boys run screaming and laughing to some inconspicuous place like the bathroom and slam the door shut . . . I shout "Ready or not here I come!" . . . laughing from the boys . . . I say "Where are you?" . . . Kacin yells back "In the bathroom!".

I am now proud to say that we all understand the game of Hide and Seek. Tonight we had a successful game--in the dark!

Zoo Lights

A couple nights ago we took the boys to the Hogle Zoo to see the zoo lights! It was beautiful! And really cold. We did get some hot chocolate to keep us warm though. The boys had fun. All of the lights must have had a soothing effect though because Kacin kept telling us he was ready for a nap!

The way cool glasses that turned all the lights into snowmen! We even looked at the moon through them and it looked like a snowman. We were all impressed. :) Doesn't Ky look good here? We were on our way home and he was pretty wiped out (hence, the face he is making).

Kacin finally got his nap on an elephant statue's trunk!