The Big Talk

We had the "Big Talk" with Max before starting Third grade. We used this wonderful book by Linda and Richard Eyre...

Which says EIGHT years old is the time. Get the book! We also used the picture book that they recommend which is cartoonish, but Danny felt it would be easier to just go through the picture book, but we did not read the picture book it's a little too much info. sometimes. We sat across from a small table and Danny paraphrased, while we ate take out. When Danny first pulled out the book Max covered his eyes and was like oh no and giggling. This made me get the giggles and Danny was giving me the look to behave! At the end of the talk Max only had questions about divorce and Danny said to Max, "If your mom were to die then most likely I would get married again and then it would be alright to have sex with my wife." (Of course we talked about waiting to have sex with the person you love and after marriage). Max was worried that Danny would now have new children and what would happen to him? Danny said, "Max you will always be my son and I love you so much, I would even run through a burning building to save you." Max said, "I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry." It went really well, Max felt our love for him and understood the message. I was very grateful for the Eyre's book!

It's a BOY!

We are having a baby boy! We plan on naming him Clark Milton. I found out so early (I 'm only 14 weeks), because they were doing an ultrasound to check on my cyst.


I found out the cyst was not actually the concern it is the Subchorionic Hematoma I have. It appears it has grown some, since my last appointment. From what I've read there is a 1-3% chance of miscarriage because of it. That is very low, but after reading comments I got nervous. Girls lost babies because of it up to 20 weeks. I believe mine is small, but the doctor has already asked me to start taking it easy. Taking it easy is almost impossible between running/teaching preschool, coaching soccer twice a week, scouts (I'm a Webelos leader) and taking care of 5 children. It actually overwhelms me to think about "taking it easy". The risk of the hematoma are miscarriage and placenta eruption. Praying that all will be alright.

Happy 3rd Birthday Daisy and Walt!

I know, I can't believe it either, my "babies" are THREE years old today! I can't believe how fast they continue to grow, they will even be starting school in my preschool next week!

They are happy to be THREE! Daisy's been screaming "happy" screams today!

Money from Grandma & Grandpa Gravell. A bathing suit for Walt and cute jammies for Daisy from Grandma Susan.

At the last minute I decided to do a very simple Popsicles and water play party and they had a great time! (I was very happy with it too, since it was so simple).

"Happy Birthday Daisy and Walt, Happy Birthday to you!"

Thanks to the friends that were able to come and celebrate their birthday with us!

Jensen Baby #6

It's been over 8 years since we've had no babies in diapers at our house...which can only mean that we are all very excited to meet Jensen Baby #6 due March 2, 2012.

Alright, they all don't look all that excited (namely, Hanna) it's just that they didn't want to take this way over due picture (I'm already 12 weeks) and secretly, sometimes my sweet children can actually be big stinkers!
Truthfully, Hanna was by far the most excited when they found out about 7 or 8 weeks ago. She was a little nervous as well because of the miscarriage I had last year and so she had a few questions about that possibly happening again and she said she was going to pray every day that the baby would live. Hanna also can't make up her mind if she wants a baby brother (because she loves kissing on chunky Walt) or a baby sister (because a girl baby would be able to share a room with Hanna when she gets a little bigger).
My kids love having a baby in the house, they love kissing on those soft, chunky baby cheeks which makes me so happy that they adore the babies almost as much as Danny and I. We are all very excited to meet our newest little baby Jensen!


This makes me think of the cruel April Fool's joke I said to the kids this last April. I told them I was pregnant, but of course very quickly I said, "April Fools!" None of the kids, especially Hanna, thought that was very funny. Oops

I'm Already Beat!

On Friday my mom brought the kids to the hotel and I took them bowling (Danny had to go do an event), swimming and then we came home (my mom, the kids and I). After getting home I did 4 or 5 loads of laundry, got the house back to my standards, brought the kids to Burger King for dinner and I was already feeling beat!
I thought after having 3 nights and 2 full days away would have given me enough energy for a few more days at least. My mom was so wonderful to take on the task or challenge of watching all 5 kids, while continuing potty training Walt at the same time. That was pretty amazing of her! I guess it made me realize how nice the break was, but how thankful I am to be a mom to these wonderful children of mine as well!
It had been over 4 years since we've been bowling.
After bowling we did some pretend play at the arcades.

Celebrated our 10 Year Anniversary

Danny and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this week (a month early, our official date is Sept. 22). The rates were just cheaper this month and we wanted to celebrate this year with 2 full nights and use my mom to babysit so it just worked out better this week. Anyway, we got a really good deal at a 4 star hotel (South Point,it was great for the price at only $42 a night with a free breakfast buffet included). We were going to go to our hotel that we stayed at on the 1st 2 nights of our honeymoon, which was J.W. Marriott in Summerlin (which is way nice, but we decided to stay at a cheaper hotel so we could eat better and do some shopping too). We ate really well... we ate at India Palace, Cheesecake Factory, the free buffet and Macaroni Grill. We shopped, relaxed by the pool, took naps both days, read and watched T.V. We truly enjoyed ourselves! It's been a wonderful 10 years! I love Danny so much and I feel so blessed for the friendship we have and I'm excited and grateful to share many more years with him.

Daisy Eats Spaghetti Again!

My very thoughtful friend Autumn got Daisy some spaghetti that is the closest thing to the "real" stuff and she liked it! We had tried Asian rice noodles, but she wouldn't eat them, so thank you Autumn that was sooo sweet!



Daisy gained 3 and a half lbs., grew 1/2 an inch and moved from the 3 percentile to the 25 percentile in just one month! What a blessing! She has gained her feisty personality back as well!

Camping

I went to a week of girl's camp with our church Young Women's. It was a lot of fun, but by the end of the week I just wanted to be home with my crazy family!
As soon as I returned home and got caught up on the laundry and cleaning it was time to pack again for beach camping. Me and 4 of the kids left for the beach with my family and Danny and Max came 3 days later (Max had scout day camp and Danny doesn't like to miss church). We had a great time, it was a lot easier after Danny came.
Uncle Kurt was a big help!

Van couldn't stay buried too long.

Kristine took the kids out "far."

Making seaweed soup with Walt, yum!

Sneaking in a much needed nap.

Smile Hanna!

Van and Cooper playing in the sand.

Daisy and Walt taking a nap on the beach.

Hanna getting a break from the sun.

The kids having breakfast with their cousin's.

Walt loved playing on the beach and in the water.

Mermaid Daisy, liked being "warm on the sand."

Cute Walt!

Uncle Kurt with Cooper and Walt.

Daisy loved being "mommied" by Baylee and Natalie.

Allison and Skye being buried.

Sandcastle Time.

Adult Time.

Powder

I woke up one morning this month smelling baby POWDER...

Busy Summer

I went to CA for 4th of July weekend with Hanna, Van, Daisy and Walt and I forgot my camera! We had a lot of fun playing on the beach and swimming the whole time. We left a little early and made it back home just in time to see the fireworks with Danny and Max!


Most of the kids really enjoyed the show...Not Hanna! I guess last year a piece of the firework landed on her foot and so apparently she was traumatized (we are parked far away from the show)! She stayed inside the truck the whole time and cried (personally, I think she was tired and wanted some attention from daddy). This picture makes me laugh, is that bad?

There was free swimming lessons in Pahrump for children 4 and under so Van, Daisy and Walt enjoyed there swimming lessons!

Van is already swimming, but hey it's FREE!

Another story about Walt...While in the library, he pulled the fire alarm! Of course, I tried to hurry and get out of there, but the librarian came outside to inform me that the fire dept. was on their way and wanted to speak to my child. My response to her was, "To my 2 year old?" So the fire dept. comes and needed to see my licence and do a background check on me. He gives me back my licence and says, "You never know what you'll find on that." Then he asks, "Why did your son do it?" I said, "He's 2 and he's curious." He says, "Can you control that?" My response...no comment and with a fake cheesy smile. REALLY! The fire alarm was in the children's section, right at his reach.

I know Walt is always into something, but honestly he is curious! I know the difference from when he is being naughty and when he's just figuring out his world. Yes, he does keep me on my toes and he's lucky he's sooo dang cute!