Logan's 1st Pinewood Derby

Last week Logan had his first Pinewood Derby.  The day he received his car (well boat) he immediately wanted to start working on it.  He was really excited about doing this and loves to do things and be with his dad so this was perfect.  They finally finished up the boat the night before and Logan was pretty excited of how it turned out.  I am happy to say that Aaron let Logan do as much of it as possible and didn't do all the work for him.  It was a good experience for Logan and I'm glad Aaron gave him the opportunity.  I was a little sad that I was not able to be there that night.  I had to do a presentation at my mom's ward on how to prepare and plan freezer meals...it went okay.  So thanks to my good friend Laura she was able to get some pictures of Logan that night.  According to his dad, Logan loved every minute of it. 

His boat ended up weighing 4.6 oz. and it did very well.  It was really fast out of the hole but slowed down pretty good towards the finish and the other cars would pass his.  He took 7th out of 23 and he was really happy about it.  Way to go Logan!

        Logan's friends that were there:  Kohl, Carston, Max, Cooper, and Seth.

                       Logan received an award for "most likely to set sail." 
                         PINEWOOD DERBY-NOVEMBER 18, 2010

Other "joys" of motherhood

Do you ever have those days that motherhood has taken it’s tulle on you and you realize that you are grumpy more than you are happy?  That’s me!

Today I started thinking about what joys motherhood brings.  There are many great things that popped into my head but then I decided to reflect more on the things that makes motherhood chaotic and how I can fix it, or can I?  (This is the start of me fixing my bad attitudeJ)  I racked my brain and came up with some “other joys” of motherhood.  Or at least the joys that us mothers “get” to experience.

What are your joys of being a mother?  Here are a few “other joys” I have found of being a mother.

·         The kid’s finger prints on walls, doors, mirrors, house windows, car windows, and the stainless steel fridge.  You wipe them off and 2 minutes later they are back.

·         The kids could be totally focused on a cartoon, book, or just playing with toys when the next thing you know as soon as you sit down to go potty they walk in on you.  It happens all the freaking time and the question is “what are you doing”?

·         You know you can’t take a shower without being interrupted

·         The constant word MOM ringing in my ears all day

·         The kids have to tell you every time they have to go to the bathroom.

·         When I clean the kid’s bathroom and once again I turn around and somehow Wyatt still has not found the inside of the toilet.

·         Endless laundry, dishes, cooking, and the cleaning that never seems to stay clean for more than a half an hour.

·         The fighting, teasing, and yelling (the yelling is more on my part but I am trying to fix itJ)

·         The dings and holes in the walls, a new found stain on the carpet which makes it more than you can count on your fingers now

·         The many, many, many, candy wrappers, cut up paper, goldfish crackers, pretzels and whatever else the kids feel like leaving on the floor or under, behind and in the cushions of the couch.

·         Don’t get me started on where they leave gum.  What gum? I didn’t buy or say they could have gum.  Oh the gum they happened to rummage through my purse for and now I have none.  Maybe that’s why all my lip glosses end up missing too- Kennady!!!!

·         Why is the kitchen floor all sticky?  We usually have some sort of new spill

·         The minute I say it’s time to do your homework we have a melt down and the word “but” along with the reason why we shouldn’t do homework follows it.

·         You tell them to clean their rooms as part of their chores and well- at least they tried.  Cleaning to them is taking everything off the floor and putting it either on the dresser or bed.

·         You tell them no and they keep doing it

·         Then nothing is worse when I realize my kids have learned a few of my bad habits.  I will only mention a few because I am not perfect.  First:  they have picked up a 4 letter “H” or “S” word that occasionally slips out when I am beyond my limit.  Second: they seem to yell too.    I am not proud admitting these!

These are some of the things that make it one of those days where I would like a little less chaos and just a few minutes of peace and quiet.  How great will that day be when you sit down and have a quiet home all to yourself….will it be great?  I am pretty sure when that day comes that these “other joys” are going to be what I will be missing the most.  Today I feel as if I should have some gratitude in my heart that I get to experience motherhood.  Whether it’s the good joys or the “other joys”, I need to sit back and be grateful for my 3 little kiddos who bring out my grumpiness. :)  I love them dearly!!! 

AYSO-FALL 2010

LOGAN:  This year we weren't sure if we were going to have Logan play ayso.  He has been playing on a comp soccer team for the past year and has really enjoyed it.  I took the safe route and signed him up for ayso just in case he didn't make the comp team again.   He has really become a good little player this past year and has started to be more aggressive.  He prefers his comp team more and says that the ayso team doesn't know what their doing.  This tells me he is done with ayso and needs that fast pace and more structured games.  I just tell him it's good practice and it's only going to make him better. 
  

 Logan loves to be a defender.  If the coach puts him up at forward he is still running back to defend.

This year their age group bumped up to the big field.  I think it is still to big of a field for them....why?  This is only half time and Logan is pooped.  By the end of the game everyone is yelling at their kids to go to the ball but they are to tired to care.  (Age 8)

WYATT:  So this was Wyatt's first year playing soccer.  He was so excited for his first game and loved his yellow uniform he got.  I love watching this age group just run around in a little pack fighting for the ball.  As soon as Wyatt got bumped by a kid he gave him a scowl and tried telling him not to push him.  Most of the games he could care less about the ball and was more interested in talking to all the players as well as doing his transformer saying "transformers be meet be eye".  The picture below is his little stance he does when he says the saying.  He is so funny and I loved watching him just having fun out there on the field.  His team name was the bumble bees from transformers.  

                                              Don't let this picture fool ya!

He is so funny!  He acts all tough but then dances around the field. LOL!  He was able to make 1 goal this season and he was estactic about it.  (Age 5)

KENNADY:  This was Kennady's first year also playing soccer.  She was just as happy as Wyatt when she saw that she got her own purple uniform.  She is usually really shy when there are alot of people around or the attention goes to her and I wan't sure how she would do. There were a few times she was a little timid but she got out there and gave it her all.  She caught on really quick and became a good little player.  Most of the games she was able to score atleast 1 goal and sometimes up to 3 goals.  I hope this is the start of me and her going to lots of soccer tournaments when she's older.  I have alot of great memories going on tons of soccer tournaments with my mom and hope that I can make those fun memories with Kennady also. Their team name was the purple flowers. (Age 5)
 

I really enjoy going to all the kids game and watching them.  I'm glad however to have our saturdays back.    

Wyatt's Tonsil surgery

About 2 months ago Wyatt ended up getting tonsilitis.  He was put on an antibiotic and went back 4 weeks later for his check up.  The Dr. said that his tonsils were still big but that we could just keep an eye on him for a while.  Well about a week ago he became a snoring fool.  He was snoring so loud we could hear him across the hallway in our room.  He had a hard time breathing.  Come to find out Logan said he has always snored, but not that loud.  Poor Logan probably hasn't been getting much sleep himself.  After calling and talking to the Dr. we decided it was probably best to have the tonsils taken out.  We pushed to get them done as soon as possible and lucky for us they set it up for the following week.  We pushed to have it done soon because we are taking the kids to Disneyland in 3 weeks (they don't know yet) and mostly so he can breath again and we can all get our sleep. Plus it's all done before the holidays.

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SURGERY:  Wyatt knew what was going to happen the following morning and wasn't to worried about it yet.  We explained what Dr. Barlow was going to do and that he would feel alot better having them taken out.  As parents there is always that worry and concern with any surgery and we felt like we needed to give him a blessing to bring a little comfort to all of us.  Aaron ended up giving him a father's blessing and did an amazing job.  I won't write the whole prayer but these are just a couple important things that he had expressed.  He blessed him that he would have the strength during the surgery and be able to recover well.  That the Doctors would be fully focused knowing his needs and have steady hands.  I am so thankful to have the priesthood in the home.  It is such a strength and comfort to me.

THE DAY OF THE SURGERY:  As I woke up that morning I had some ease and just knew that we were doing the right thing and that everything was going to be okay.  As we were getting ready Wyatt started getting worried, and maybe he was nervous and a little scared too.  As I was putting his shoes on he started crying and telling me he didn't want the doctor to cut his throat.  I told him how he would be asleep and that the doctor just uses a "tool" to get those big bumps out of his throat.  He kept crying and so I asked him if we should say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help him.  His response as he is still crying was:  "but Heavenly Father is dead".  I had some explaining to do.  It was so cute though!  Here are the pics of that day.

The nurse took us back to the room to get him ready for the surgery.  They took his weight, blood pressure, temperature, etc.  He was liking the arm contraption.

 He thought it was pretty neat that he got to strip down to his undies to wear a tiger gown.

Then comes those great hospital socks.  He LOVED them!  I told him he could just wear his regular socks but heck no...he was diggin those red socks.

The day just kept on getting better and better as he kept on getting all these great things.  He was happy to get this teddy bear.  He has a spider man build a bear that used to be Logan's that he has taken over.  I told him he could bring 1 thing to the hospital with him and he wanted to bring that.  Unfortunately we were searching franticly for the spider man clothes to put on it and couldn't find it.  He ended up bringing a zuzu pet instead but that was set aside when the nurse gave him the bear.

The nurse showed Wyatt the cool mask that he gets to breath into and she even let him pick out some batman stickers to put on it.  He was finally ready to go back to surgery.  We gave him some hugs & kisses and it was off to the waiting room for us.  The waiting is the worst part.  That's when I start worrying but I brought my great book (catching fire) and the next thing I knew Dr. Barlow was done with the surgery.  He said it was a really good thing we took them out.  He had a little infection again and said that his tonsils were really big.  It was good to hear and comforting to know we made the right decision.
 

 This is right after the surgery when they bring ya to the recovery room.  He wasn't a happy boy!

All he wanted was his daddy.  The nurses said he just kept wanting his daddy as they were wheeling him to the room.  Such a good moment for Aaron.  When Kennady had her tonsils out all she wanted was me so I wasn't the least bit sad and let Aaron enjoy the moment.

So after Aaron and Wyatt had their moment the nurses had to make sure the I.V. was working and strap a cuff to his leg.  Everytime the nurses looked at Wyatt or vise versa he would pout his lips and start crying.  It was really cute and the nurses fell in love with him.  Who wouldn't right?  He kept on asking us to wipe his endless tears and boogies.  If we didn't do it right he would grab the tissue himself and wipe away the tears and say all better.  He is such a lovable kid.  He finally was able to catch some sleep.

He slept for about an hour and a half which was good.  He was able to keep his liquids down and recover a bit.  I did alot of reading and waiting.  We finally woke him up so the nurse could give him some pain meds and make sure he kept everything down for another 30 minutes.

The pain meds kicked in and he was back to the same old Wyatt I love.  He enjoyed his popcycle but really wanted a green one.  He'll have to enjoy the green jello I have waiting for him at home.  It's his favorite color.  He watched some cartoons and when the nurse went over the instructions and said we could go home Wyatt said he would just stay there and keep watching cartoons.  You know he is feeling pretty good when he wants to stay at the hospital.

Yay we finally get to go home.  We arrived at the hospital at 10am and it was 3:30pm when we were finally released.  It was a long day of just waiting but I am just grateful that we had no complications and everything went well.  The nurse had to walk us out so Wyatt got to enjoy the ride in a wagon.

LATER THAT NIGHT:  For the most part Wyatt was doing pretty good.  As long as we kept the pain meds in him he was wanting to play with friends and eat bread.  We were getting ready to take Wyatt up to bed when Aaron asked him if he was okay.  He said yes and went on to tell us a few things about the surgery.  How he liked the socks, how he woke up in a different room, etc.  This however took both Aaron & I back when he said that Jesus Christ held his hand.  Aaron and I looked at each other and both couldn't seem to say anything and our eyes filled up with tears.  Needless to say it will be something I will never forget.  I am thankful for the blessings the gospel brings and being able to rely and trust the spirit. 

Kennady's preschool fieldtrip to Harmons

Earlier in the week the kids were asked to bring in empty food boxes, milk cartons, anything they could to have at their preschool "store".  They learned about all the different kinds of foods and were able to go food shopping.  Kennady had a lot of fun with it and was excited when the day came to go to Harmons. They all gathered around as Judith (the cute old lady) started her little tour of the grocery store.
 

Here she explained about the weekly ads and how if you look over them you can save money.

Judith then took them to the produce section and explained how important it is to eat your fruits and vegetables.  She let them count how many different types of apples there were and showed them that cauliflower comes in purple and orange also.  I actually didn't know that  probably because I don't like cauliflower and never buy it.  The kids thought it was pretty neat though. 

This part I'm not sure what she was telling the kids since I was jabbering away with another mother.  I stopped talking long enough just to get the picture:)

This was Kennady's favorite part of the store...the bakery.  Every time we go shopping at Harmons she always wants either a donut or one of the free cookies that they always give out.  Judith talked about the different kinds of breads they bake there, they got to watch one of the ladies finish frosting a cake, and then of course Judith whipped out the free cookies.

She was so funny when I tried to take her picture with her cookie.  Every time I would go to take a picture she would hurry and put the cookie in front of her face.  So that's the picture we ended up with.

We finished up at the deli section and once again I am a horrible mother and wasn't listening to what Judith was telling them.  It looks like Kennady was interested though.  Maybe that was the part that her teacher said they were done with the tour and that they get to sit down and have a piece of cake...the one that they watched the lady finish frosting.  

So all the kids were to sit down at the tables to wait for their piece of cake.  Four kids fit at a table but Kennady decided she wanted to sit at a table with just me.  Oh how I love my little girl and the fact that she loves her mommy:)  I still tried talking her into sitting with her friends Sophie and Landry but she just wanted to sit with me.  It was an awe moment for me....I love you Kennady! 
One more thing- we had issues with her vest she was wearing.  One minute she would want it on and the next she had to have it off.  Most of the time it was off and that's why she is in a plain white shirt.  Oh well!

Primary Program

The kids primary program was this past sunday (halloween).  I teach the CTR 4 class which is Wyatt's & Kennady's age.  You would think on sunday I would be able to have 3 hrs without my children...not the case.  This year in the primary program each class had to memorize a prophet part to the song Follow the Prophet.  Logan's class sang about Samuel and they did pretty good but they all didn't want to sing very loud.  Wyatt & Kennady's class sang about Enoch.  I had practiced with them alot so both of them knew the words to the whole part.  Kennady sang it all but didn't sing very loud with her being shy and Wyatt....well everyone said he stole the show.  He knew the whole part about Enoch and sang it as loud as he could.  It was so funny the whole congregation was laughing and turning back staring at Aaron.  Aaron was laughing so hard he was crying partly because it was so funny & the fact that he was so proud he said.  I was trying to keep it together and I was laughing so hard I was crying too.  They all did a fantastic job at memorizing their parts and none of them needed help.  Way to go kiddos! This was their other parts beside the prophet song that they learned.

Logan: The Holy Ghost testifies of the truth of all things.  In Moroni 10:5 we read:  By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Wyatt:  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me

Kennady:  I know my Heavenly Father loves me because he sent me to a loving family

I am glad I am back in the primary.  There is just something about all the kids singing the primary songs that always makes ya feel the spirit. 
Here are a few other things about that day:
*I asked one of my kids in my class what he dressed up as for halloween- his response was a flippin idiot.  :) gotta love what kids say. 
*I was saving a seat for my mom & dad who NEVER miss anything and when the sacrament was being passed and they weren't there I knew they weren't coming.  I called my mom later on & asked if she had missed something- the tears came out:) Of course us Herricks are emotional messes anyway but I knew that she had felt really bad that she forgot.  I didn't care that they had missed it-there will be plenty more of them but I had to write about this for memory sake and the fact that my mom actually forgot. LOL! we still love her.
*Grandpa Stewart came and was very proud of the kids of how well of a job they did memorizing their parts.

Happy Halloween

SAT:  This year halloween is on a sunday but everyone is trick or treating on saturday.  Here is what we did that day.
To start off our halloween we got up and fixed ourselves some pumpkin pancakes....so yummy!  It will be a tradition every year-the kids just eat em right up.  I then had to break the news to them that we had to go to their primary program practice-really? on halloween.  Let's just say we survived it!  Finally it was time to get our costumes on and head to Salt Lake City this year.  Aaron's oldest brother Casey & his family moved here a few years ago and we have never spent a Halloween with them so Aunt Krisa had a great idea to invite us down for some good food, games, and trick or treating.  I'm glad that we were able to go spend the time with them and let the kids hang out with their cousins that they don't see to often.  After dinner the kids enjoyed a few games that their older cousin Caden put together for them.  They started off with a treasure hunt, they did a game like pin the tail on the donkey but instead it was a spider on a cob web.  It was really cute!  They then finished with a game of bingo using count dracula cereal to mark off their spaces.   Then it was time for some trick or treating:)   

 For dinner we had "hallowieners" (tradition) Rhodes rolls wrapped around hot dogs that look like snakes.  We had homemade root beer, finger foods, and some yummy soups and breadsticks.

                Casey, Krisa, Eliza, Kennady & Grandma Stewart (aka Grandma Ed)

                      Grandpa Stewart (aka airplane grandpa) Reed and Logan

Trick or Treat! This is right before we headed out to get lots & lots of candy.  Logan's costume was supposed to be a master chief (halo guy) but he decided to borrow one of Reed's swords and be a ninja with him.  They had a great time with one another.  Kennady finally wore her doggie costume which we had to tuck the tail in because she was embarrased.  I on the other hand look huge and will need to find a new witches costume.  The kids had so much fun running door to door seeing how much candy they could get.  There were quite a few houses that gave out big candy bars which the kids LOVED!  We might have to go to slc every halloween:)  Uncle Casey sat in his car in the driveway with Logan's Halo mask on and honked the horn to scare all the trick or treaters that came and Logan & Reed hid in the bushes as well.  It was a memorable Halloween for our kids.

SUNDAY:  Yay we get to celebrate again!  After church we came home and had the usual...nacho's!  The kids then grabbed their halloween sacks to divide up their candy. 
                  

One of the best things I remember at halloween when I was a kid was putting all my candy into a big pile and seperating them into smaller ones.  Putting m&ms together, candy bars together, skittles together and etc.  That way you got to see everything you got.  With the kids we combined all their candy together & seperated them.  We let them each take 3 pieces from each pile for their own stash and the rest went into a bowl that they will have to earn it by doing chores, etc.  Some of it may end up going to Aaron's work there was so much of it.  Maybe we are a little mean but now that I am a mom I can't stand seeing all that candy and wondering how fast they are going to eat it, & how jacked up their teeth with be:)  I do remember though that I would fill half a pillowcase full of candy and that still wasn't enough.  I'm surprised my teeth are as good as they are.  The kids were fine with it though and still have plenty with their own little stash.

  

One of the main stops we do on Halloween is going to great grandpa Herrick's.  The kids always love it because they know they always get to pick 2 pieces of candy from his pumpkin bowl, or however many they want. They then are usually doing cart wheels in the front room or doing something else that I'm sure drives him crazy but he just smiles and enjoys the time with them.   
 Later on we went to grandpa & grandma Herrick's for soup, bone chilin breadsticks, and Aunt Jenna made root beer cupcakes.  They were like eating a root beer float-they were good.  And of course we had to take all the cousins picture in their costumes.

Every year my mom does sacks instead of just picking a treat out of a bowl.  My grandma Herrick started this when I was young and thankfully my mom has kept up the tradition.  The kids each have a sack with their own name on it and they have to go around the house and find them.  This is them after finding their sacks.

In the sacks are usually a capri sun, gold fish, applesauce, and a few other treats. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!