This morning for breakfast John rubbed his oatmeal covered hands in his hair. So I pulled them out because I couldn't take it anymore. Instinct kicked in. The problem is that as soon as you stop John from doing something or tell him "no," his eye light up and you can just read the expression on his face. It is something to the effect of, "Oh, you don't like this do you? Hahaha, watch this!" He then proceeds to repeatedly do exactly what you told him not to do. I know this and yet I couldn't resist pulling his hand out of his hair. It just made the problem worse....
So Emma noticed that he had food in his hair and asked, "What are we going to do?" Then she surprised me and said, "should we snuggle?" To which I responded, "Yes!" So we snuggled. Then she asked, "Should we kiss?" To which I responded, "Yes!" So she gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then she asked, "Should we squish?" To which I responded, "Yes!" not knowing exactly what she was going to do. Then she gave me a hug. So John can put food in his hair if I am going to get some snuggles out of Emma.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Haigler Creek
We drove to Arizona for a family reunion on the Russell side. We rented a minivan and drove out there starting at 3:40am. We drove for 16 hours on the first day. We weren't planning on doing that but the kids were happy and so we decided to keep going. The kids read books, played with trucks, stickers, animals, sang songs and all sorts of things for 14 hours. When we stopped at gas stations, Emma begrudgingly went to the bathroom and hopped back in the car. We walked John around the parking lot to stretch his legs but he just wanted to play in the minivan driver seat. After 14 hours, John lost it, understandably so. And just as a note of "we aren't crazy", we weren't planning on driving 16 hours. We got to Los Cruces, NM where we were planing on staying the night and the kids were totally happy. We got there earlier than planned so we decided to keep on driving. The next place that we could stop was Tucson so we kept going. So John slept for 1 hour of his melt down and then cried for an hour. We got to the hotel and took the kids swimming.
The next day we drove to Mesa where we visited Dave and Judy, Grandma Lofgreen, Grandma Russell, Rory, and Darrin. We had a great time visiting family. The next day we drove up to Haigler Creek with Marsha and throughout the day most of the family arrived.
The kids had a great time. Haigler Creek is a magical place where kids can just go and play. It reminds me of my Mom's childhood in Monticello, UT where she played and was free to roam about. I say that and Emma and John didn't roam with wild abandonment but they sure did have fun. The kids played on the fire truck. At one point Dale drove the fire truck around with the siren on and the kids on the back. Elation! John wouldn't get off of the back of that thing for quite a while.
We took the kids down the zip line. Emma loved it. John not so much. I think the sound scared him. He was too little to take down the full thing so I just sat with him on it and had someone pull us up a little and let go. That was too much to take.
Emma and I caught crawfish in the creek. They are an invasive species. The locals want to crawfish gone. We tied bacon and a rock to a string and dangled it from a stick and a finshin' we went. They would pinch the bacon and we would pull them out of the creek. Emma caught about 3 of them. I think the older boys got more of a thrill out of it than Emma. In a few years, John will probably love it.
Kerrie and Todd brought up Dray's go cart and Dray took the kids around for a ride. Emma loved it. John loved sitting in the driver seat.
We also rented quads and rangers. Everyone loved them. Aaron and I took a quad out so I could drive one. During the day I would have to pry it out of a kid's hand and that didn't seem right so we went out at night. We drove up to a hill and watched the stars. The sky was so dark up there. It seemed like it had been forever since I had seen such a beautiful night sky. Driving a quad has been a dream of mine for a long time. As a kid we would go to Monticello and Papa (my grandpa) had quads. He took us all around the area. I was too little to drive one then but always wanted to. So 25 years later I got to do it.
We took the kids to a place called Pine Creek. There are these huge boulders to climb on and explore. When we got there we found a baby snake. There was some debate about what kind of snake it was. So naturally everyone got close to check it out. Sure it looked like it had a rattle on the end of its tail but that was inconclusive until Regan took a close look. Sure enough it was a baby rattle snake. I don't ever need to get that close to a rattle snake ever again. After that we were a little freaked out that mama snake would be close by but we never saw anything. The kids rode around on the quads and we had a great time.
A bunch of people also went to Spring Creek. Last time we went there was a deep watering hole and we were able to do cliff jumping and diving into the water. I didn't go this year, but apparently the water was too shallow to do diving. And the water was cold. So Emma has my blood when it comes to cold water. She scrambled up Aaron's back to get out of the water. However, even on his back that left her still in the water, so naturally the only logical choice was to sit on his head to get totally out of the water. The problem was Aaron was carrying the camera and trying to keep it out of the water in one hand and swim, and have Emma on his climb on his head all at once. Apparently it came a little close to sinking them all.
At night the kids played and the adults played games or visited. I don't think I have laughed so hard for so long in a while.
Regan and Michelle brought their blood hound Sadie. Emma and John LOVED this dog. And Sofie was kind and let them love on her. Emma spent a lot of time outside rolling a ball to Sofie and sometimes chastising Sadie when Sofie hadn't done anything. John would just squeal with delight and chase Sofie and run away out of fear all at the same time.
We also did a family kickball game. I played chase with John to keep him off the field but as near as I can tell it was a fun time for all.
The kids also played on the tire swing down by the creek. The Lofgreen family has put a lot of work into making the cabin a fun place.
Aaron helped the kids with a bug collection. Marsha even caught a tarantula to add to the collection. The kids caught grasshoppers in the field to feed to the spider.
We had a birthday party for those that had birthdays in July and August. Emma was introduced to lolly pops. She fell in love. She would sneak into my suit case and get a lolly pop. It is one of the only times I have ever seen her sneak and get anything.
As part of the birthday party, we did a pinata. When it was Emma's turn to hit it, she wouldn't do it. I don't know if she thought she would get in trouble for hitting something or if it was too much for her non confrontational spirit to hit something with a bat. I had to hold the bat with her and hit it and even then, it was me, and only me that really hit the pinata.
On the trip home, we decided to drive through the night. This was not one of our wiser decisions. We left about 6pm and Emma was so tired from the week that she fell asleep about 7pm and was out for the night until about 10am the next morning with a few moments of being awake. John on the other hand slept for 6 hours and cried for what felt like 13. It turns out that John isn't great at sleeping in his car seat. So that meant that whoever was supposed to be sleeping was trying to pacify John. So we were pretty tired by the time we got home. Fortunately we only had to last a couple of hours before putting the kids to bed and then we went to bed as well.
The next day we drove to Mesa where we visited Dave and Judy, Grandma Lofgreen, Grandma Russell, Rory, and Darrin. We had a great time visiting family. The next day we drove up to Haigler Creek with Marsha and throughout the day most of the family arrived.
The kids had a great time. Haigler Creek is a magical place where kids can just go and play. It reminds me of my Mom's childhood in Monticello, UT where she played and was free to roam about. I say that and Emma and John didn't roam with wild abandonment but they sure did have fun. The kids played on the fire truck. At one point Dale drove the fire truck around with the siren on and the kids on the back. Elation! John wouldn't get off of the back of that thing for quite a while.
Emma and I caught crawfish in the creek. They are an invasive species. The locals want to crawfish gone. We tied bacon and a rock to a string and dangled it from a stick and a finshin' we went. They would pinch the bacon and we would pull them out of the creek. Emma caught about 3 of them. I think the older boys got more of a thrill out of it than Emma. In a few years, John will probably love it.
Kerrie and Todd brought up Dray's go cart and Dray took the kids around for a ride. Emma loved it. John loved sitting in the driver seat.
We took the kids to a place called Pine Creek. There are these huge boulders to climb on and explore. When we got there we found a baby snake. There was some debate about what kind of snake it was. So naturally everyone got close to check it out. Sure it looked like it had a rattle on the end of its tail but that was inconclusive until Regan took a close look. Sure enough it was a baby rattle snake. I don't ever need to get that close to a rattle snake ever again. After that we were a little freaked out that mama snake would be close by but we never saw anything. The kids rode around on the quads and we had a great time.
A bunch of people also went to Spring Creek. Last time we went there was a deep watering hole and we were able to do cliff jumping and diving into the water. I didn't go this year, but apparently the water was too shallow to do diving. And the water was cold. So Emma has my blood when it comes to cold water. She scrambled up Aaron's back to get out of the water. However, even on his back that left her still in the water, so naturally the only logical choice was to sit on his head to get totally out of the water. The problem was Aaron was carrying the camera and trying to keep it out of the water in one hand and swim, and have Emma on his climb on his head all at once. Apparently it came a little close to sinking them all.
At night the kids played and the adults played games or visited. I don't think I have laughed so hard for so long in a while.
Regan and Michelle brought their blood hound Sadie. Emma and John LOVED this dog. And Sofie was kind and let them love on her. Emma spent a lot of time outside rolling a ball to Sofie and sometimes chastising Sadie when Sofie hadn't done anything. John would just squeal with delight and chase Sofie and run away out of fear all at the same time.
We also did a family kickball game. I played chase with John to keep him off the field but as near as I can tell it was a fun time for all.
Aaron helped the kids with a bug collection. Marsha even caught a tarantula to add to the collection. The kids caught grasshoppers in the field to feed to the spider.
We had a birthday party for those that had birthdays in July and August. Emma was introduced to lolly pops. She fell in love. She would sneak into my suit case and get a lolly pop. It is one of the only times I have ever seen her sneak and get anything.
As part of the birthday party, we did a pinata. When it was Emma's turn to hit it, she wouldn't do it. I don't know if she thought she would get in trouble for hitting something or if it was too much for her non confrontational spirit to hit something with a bat. I had to hold the bat with her and hit it and even then, it was me, and only me that really hit the pinata.
On the trip home, we decided to drive through the night. This was not one of our wiser decisions. We left about 6pm and Emma was so tired from the week that she fell asleep about 7pm and was out for the night until about 10am the next morning with a few moments of being awake. John on the other hand slept for 6 hours and cried for what felt like 13. It turns out that John isn't great at sleeping in his car seat. So that meant that whoever was supposed to be sleeping was trying to pacify John. So we were pretty tired by the time we got home. Fortunately we only had to last a couple of hours before putting the kids to bed and then we went to bed as well.
Independence
Emma wanted to play a game where she would go in a room and I would knock on a door and she would answer the door. We would have a conversation and do this over and over. Then she wanted to switch. I answered the door when she knocked. The first time she knocked, I answered the door and said,"Hi there! What can I do for you?" Emma responded, "I can do it all by myself!" And that is Emma all summed up!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Food
Emma and John are very different in what they eat now and even more so at 19 months. Emma loved gumbo, spicy stuff, you name, she would eat it... if she were eating, that is.... John is always wanting to eat but not always food.
I was playing with him by a window and he sees a dead bug. He was curious by it and looked at it. Then he picks it up really fast and jams it in his mouth. The bug was tiny and there was no way of retrieving it so I let it go. Another time he saw a love bug and stuffed it in his mouth... almost - I am getting quicker on the draw with this one. Another time we were washing hand and he was content to be washing hands and then suddenly he stuffs his hand in his mouth to eat the bubbles. This wasn't the first time either. He has eaten play-doh, probably wood chips, and other things.
However, a piece of potato, chicken, most anything that is actually food.... no way. He will eat peas, edamame, bread, apple, and banana. There are a few other things, but really this kid does not have a huge caloric intake. Hopefully there are a lot of calories in bugs.
I was playing with him by a window and he sees a dead bug. He was curious by it and looked at it. Then he picks it up really fast and jams it in his mouth. The bug was tiny and there was no way of retrieving it so I let it go. Another time he saw a love bug and stuffed it in his mouth... almost - I am getting quicker on the draw with this one. Another time we were washing hand and he was content to be washing hands and then suddenly he stuffs his hand in his mouth to eat the bubbles. This wasn't the first time either. He has eaten play-doh, probably wood chips, and other things.
However, a piece of potato, chicken, most anything that is actually food.... no way. He will eat peas, edamame, bread, apple, and banana. There are a few other things, but really this kid does not have a huge caloric intake. Hopefully there are a lot of calories in bugs.
Emma-isms
We were playing play-doh together.
Emma: How about you be the Mom and I will be the Sweetie.
Me: Ok.
Emma: (After she realized there wasn't much change there.) Ok, How about I be the Mom and you be the Sweetie.
Aaron and Emma have been playing a lot of games together. The Russell genes have truly kicked in to full gear. They even played Monopoly. The day after teaching her Uno Aaron asked her if she wanted to play Uno again. She asked if they could play "Dos" together.
We went to the pool yesterday and I took some video of Emma doing a somersault off the diving board. When I was done I told Emma to stay out of the pool so I could put my phone back. I was in a hurry just in case her impulse control was lacking and she would try to get back into the pool. So I walked fast. Across the pool Emma yells, "Mom! Walk! Mom you need to Walk!" So I called scolded out loud in public by a 4 year old. I walked. I kept getting scolded out loud by a 4 year old.
Emma: How about you be the Mom and I will be the Sweetie.
Me: Ok.
Emma: (After she realized there wasn't much change there.) Ok, How about I be the Mom and you be the Sweetie.
Aaron and Emma have been playing a lot of games together. The Russell genes have truly kicked in to full gear. They even played Monopoly. The day after teaching her Uno Aaron asked her if she wanted to play Uno again. She asked if they could play "Dos" together.
We went to the pool yesterday and I took some video of Emma doing a somersault off the diving board. When I was done I told Emma to stay out of the pool so I could put my phone back. I was in a hurry just in case her impulse control was lacking and she would try to get back into the pool. So I walked fast. Across the pool Emma yells, "Mom! Walk! Mom you need to Walk!" So I called scolded out loud in public by a 4 year old. I walked. I kept getting scolded out loud by a 4 year old.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Marriage
Aaron was explaining to Emma how she was going to get married to a boy some day.
Emma: What is his name going to be?
Aaron: We don't know yet.
Emma: I am going to name him Chip because I like Chip.
She went on to say that she loves Chip and how that how we have 3 boys and 3 girls in our family: Aaron, John, Chip, Me, Emma, and Avrin.
I should add a side note that Chip is Emma's imaginary blue monster who does everything exactly that Aaron does. Avrin is a girl who sometimes is Emma's age and sometimes is a baby. Lately Avrin has been more like John's age and is very naughty and exasperates Emma when Emma has to discipline her.
One time we were pulling out of the parking lot at the pool and it was flaming hot outside. Emma tells me that I left Avrin in the trunk of the car and I needed to stop the car, get her out of the trunk and buckle her into the front seat so she could be safe. The nice thing about imaginary friends is that the are imaginary so I can just say that I already got Avrin out of the trunk and that she is in fact sitting in the front seat. Emma just missed it when I got her out of the trunk. There isn't anyone to contradict me... except Emma of course.
Today when we were getting in the car, Emma told me that I shut Avrin's had in the car door and she was crying.
Emma: What is his name going to be?
Aaron: We don't know yet.
Emma: I am going to name him Chip because I like Chip.
She went on to say that she loves Chip and how that how we have 3 boys and 3 girls in our family: Aaron, John, Chip, Me, Emma, and Avrin.
I should add a side note that Chip is Emma's imaginary blue monster who does everything exactly that Aaron does. Avrin is a girl who sometimes is Emma's age and sometimes is a baby. Lately Avrin has been more like John's age and is very naughty and exasperates Emma when Emma has to discipline her.
One time we were pulling out of the parking lot at the pool and it was flaming hot outside. Emma tells me that I left Avrin in the trunk of the car and I needed to stop the car, get her out of the trunk and buckle her into the front seat so she could be safe. The nice thing about imaginary friends is that the are imaginary so I can just say that I already got Avrin out of the trunk and that she is in fact sitting in the front seat. Emma just missed it when I got her out of the trunk. There isn't anyone to contradict me... except Emma of course.
Today when we were getting in the car, Emma told me that I shut Avrin's had in the car door and she was crying.
Friday, August 23, 2013
18 Months
John turned 18 months.... a month ago. I am a little behind. He has developed a deep love of trucks. We were reading a book and it had pictures of trucks in the book and he just cried when we turned the page away from the trucks. He lives for trucks. He even makes the engine noises when he plays with the trucks. I recently bought him a small digger (I actually don't know if that is the right name - they all look alike to me). He cuddled it for days and would not let go of it. Personally, I don't consider trucks as cuddle worthy. I guess you have to be a little boy to understand.
He started talking at around 17 months. Right now he can say the following words:
Mommy
Daddy
Emma
doggy
cat
truck
bye
hi
more
milk
thank you
here you go
baby
no
mine
stuck
duck
please
bonk
beep
moo
oh man
I took him to nursery and he saw toys and didn't even turn back to see if I was behind him... and I walked out with a smile on my face. I happily enjoyed Sunday school and Relief Society. When I picked him up he seemed happy and apparently he only pinched one kid. So at least he didn't bite any one??
John sometimes cleans up his toys all by himself. He loves to be outside and dig in the dirt. He loves swimming and will jump in the deep end if he has watched Emma do it for a little bit. He attempts whatever he sees her do. He loves to go down the slide at the pool. John loves to sit on Emma's lap and have her or anyone read him a story. He can't resist someone reading him a story even if it means he will ultimately get a diaper change or have to go to bed. He loves Aaron and asks several times a day where daddy is. John isn't good about sitting in a shopping cart. I can turn my back for a second and he is out of the seat belt and standing up. He and Emma laugh the loudest and hardest when they are destroying things.
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