Baptism

8 years have flown by!
My sister and I were talking and we had the idea about the girls (her daughter, Samantha and our daugther, Constance) getting baptized the same day. Of course we talked to the girls about it to see if they wanted to. It meant Constance would have to wait a few months, but she didn't mind. They were both so excited to share the day.

So we made plans. My sister and her family were coming in town July 3rd. With my parents schedule, Malia's in-laws schedule and people coming in town, we scheduled the baptisms for Wednesday, July 7th. All my family came in town for the baptism and I even had a cousin and his wife here. We really missed the family and friends who weren't able to come.

Jordan thought it was pretty cool to watch his sister in the water ... He didn't quite understand. To him she was either taking a bath or swimming in a little pool.
It was a wonderful day!

Discoveries

I gave Jordan some fruit punch ... he loved it. The next thing I know he comes running in to the kitchen to show me his tongue. He happened to look in the mirror and saw his RED tongue. After he showed me ... he ran back to the mirror to look at it some more.
It happened again when we got they boys Blue Raspberry slushes. Jordan just laughed every time he stuck his tongue out.

We were driving around town. I heard Dominic say "ball". I had no idea what he was talking about. He kept pointing out the window saying "ball". I finally noticed the moon in the sky ...

We went out to my brother's farm. Mike was helping with the roof on the dock. I was watching the kids play with the hose. We put the sprayer on to make it a little easier. They watered the fruit trees, they watered each other ... Jordan decided to get a drink from the end of the hose all by himself. He quickly learned that getting a drink at full pressure is not so much fun.

Dominic has discovered mud! He has played in it a little at home when we have had the sprinkler on. (There is a little area with no grass by one of my flower beds.) The small amount of mud at home was nothing compared to the mud we were able to find at the farm. Dominic was sat in it ... and ended up being covered from head to toe.



The kids have discovered the fun you can have on a big blanket. This summer they have gotten creative. Constance has entertained her little brothers by giving them rides on her blanket. What is really fun is when she tries to have them pull her around the house, or when the boys try to pull each other.

Dominic loves fruit. He really loves grapes and blueberries. He just doesn't call them by their name. To him they are "balls". He get really excited when he sees them and asks for "ball" to eat.

Jordan has discovered Dominic is too big to ride on his back. I have tried to tell him he shouldn't get on Dominic's back ... I have told him (not that he understood) one day Dominic would be as big or bigger than him and he better watch what he teaches him. Looks like that day is here.


Dominic has discovered "Navels" or "Bellybuttons". It has made things very interesting, especially when he tries to lift other people's shirts to find their navels. He walks around the house with his little shirt up pointing out his navel to anyone who wants to see it.

Jordan seems to find the holes in his nose fascinating ... We find his little fingers there a lot. Of course, no one is safe. He seems to think he can put his little fingers in other people's nose as well. His daddy hasn't liked that too much.

Dominic is learning life can be very frustrating. From toys not working the way you think they should ... to your brother not doing what you want him to do.

Dominic has watched his brother close ... he has learned a new game "nana-na-boo-boo". He has seen the results ... Jordan getting chased, and has decided he likes it too. It is the funniest thing to watch.

Bumper cars to Bumblebees

There are some lessons you would really like tell your children and they learn them without going through the pain. Of course, I am not sure that will happen with my curious little ones.

The kids have loved spending afternoons outside ... whether it is running through the sprinkler, playing in the little pool or just playing with their toys. Being outside is something they love and look forward to.
When I mention we are going outside to play there is a run for the toys they want to play with. Jordan and Dominic grab their bike and firetruck as well as the dump truck and tractor. With all the rocks in the driveway that "need" to be relocated to the sidewalk as well as all the sticks and mulch that just need to be moved ... What else would you do with a dump truck and tractor?
I have watched as the boys follow each other down the sidewalk as they are both riding the Bike or Firetruck. Lately they have decided to try bumper cars ... instead of following each other they have decided to run into each other ... head on ... rear-ending ... they aren't too picky. The fun is when one decides they are playing "bumper cars" and the other one isn't in agreement ... or when they decide to do it in the house.

I have watched as my boys have become more aware of nature ...
One of the days when we were outside I was sitting in the shade watching the kids play when I noticed Jordan leaning over and watching something intently. Next thing I see is his little hand reaching out trying to grab something ... Dominic is watching his big brother and decides he wants to go over with him too. That is when I notice the bumblebees ... and Jordan's little fingers reaching out to grab it. The song "I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee comes" to mind

That's my boys!

We have had thunderstorms in the afternoon for the past 3 days. Today when the thunder and lightening started ... Jordan asked me if we could turn the thunder off. I told him I was so sorry but I couldn't.

Dominic has been watching his big brother a little TOO close ... He has discovered he can take his diaper off and has. I have found him in his crib during nap time with a nice poopy diaper off and a big mess for me to clean up. He has also discovered he can reach new heights ... He has learned to climb on the couch all by himself. He can climb into his chair all by himself (it is a bar stool chair). He can climb onto Jordan's bed. He as attempted to climb onto sissy's bed (still a little too big) and tonight he attempted to climb into his crib (unsuccessfully).

The other day I heard laughter and went to see what my boys were up to ... I discovered Jordan and Dominic on Jordan's bed playing and obviously having a great time. Dominic got off the bed and then climbed right back on and then looked at me with the biggest smile on his face. He was so proud.

Another testament of the love my boys have for each other ... besides the fact if one of them is up the other has to be too ... and if they don't wake up on their own ... not to worry, brother will take care of that problem. It was bedtime. I had tucked my little stinks in and was taking care of other things when I hear laughter coming from the room. I go in to find Jordan and Dominic playing in Dominic's bed. I go to get Jordan out ... Dominic grabs his brother around the waist and holds on (laughing the entire time). When it gets to the point he can't hold on the Jordan's waist he grabs hold of Jordan's feet trying to keep him in bed with him.

A couple of days ago I had Jordan come to me and tell me Nicnic was stuck. I heard crying and went to find out what was wrong. I discovered my little guy sitting down and "stuck" by the water heater. I don't really know why he was stuck ... He had plenty of room. I reached over and helped him out.

Jordan has learned to throw fits ... and he can throw some good ones. The other day I didn't even want to hear it so I told him he could go and throw his fit in his room or he could stop and stay where he was. Next thing I know, he walks off and I hear him in his room crying. I was shocked.

Never A Dull Moment!

BORING? What's that? I don't think there is such a thing in this life, and I really believe my boys are on a mission to prove that theory right!

Today started out like any other day, ... early.
It is Mike's day to work at the Fire Department so he had to get up around 6 am to get ready. We had Stake Conference today and it started at 8 am, which meant I had to get up at 6 as well. Mike assured me he would help and we would be ready in time to head to get mom. I had already arranged with my parents so I could have help at church. I got up and got dressed. Mike got dressed and then went and got the boys up and got them dressed. I helped Constance get dressed. The kids had cereal minus the milk for breakfast and yes, they even ate it in the car on the way to Franklin.
So far ... no problems.
We got mom and headed to Franklin. We got to the Franklin Stake Center early and were able to get a nice padded seat. Everything was fine. Dominic was getting tired and he didn't want to sit still. During one of the times I was trying to entertain him I noticed one of his fingernails ... it was really short ... I mean REALLY short. I looked at a couple others as well ... Didn't take me too long to figure out Jordan had helped himself to his brother's nails. I guess he figured both his toenails and fingernails were as short as he could get them, so why not help himself to his brother's. NICE.
I ended up spending the entire meeting out in the hall with Dominic. Bless his little heart. He wouldn't let me snuggle him for anything. Yet as soon as we put him in the van he crashed. I think he was asleep before we even pulled out of the parking lot. By the time we got to Mom's house ... both boys were out. I put them to bed at mom and dad's and headed home. I had visiting teachers coming over around noon.
I got home and decided to do a quick clean up with Jordan's and Dominic's toys. I went to put some cars away in their room and noticed a dark area on the floor. I opened the blinds and saw a "BEAUTIFUL" area of reddish-pink at the foot of Jordan's bed. I felt so bad. Here my son had thrown up and I didn't even know it. I went to get the carpet cleaner (can I just tell you how much I really dislike red popsicles) and a washcloth ... when I started cleaning I notice a screw in the middle of the mess. When I picked it up I notice it too had puke on it ... this is not good. Where did Jordan get a hold of a screw? He put it in his mouth? Awwwww ... that's why he threw-up. While I am down on the floor cleaning ... I noticed some marks on the footboard of his bed. The paint has been bitten off in several places. SERIOUSLY!?! I just refinished the bed and he is already destroying it ... I did want it to look distressed ... just not THAT distressed.
All you can do sometimes is shake your head and go on.
The visit with my Visiting Teachers was nice. I enjoyed dinner at my parents house. The kids had fun playing with Grandpa for a little bit and they enjoyed the visit with Daddy at the Firehall too.
When we got home I talked to Jordan about his bed and the "chew" marks on it. I told him that was a "no-no" and we are debating about taking the bed down and just having him sleep on the mattress. I am going back and forth ... I don't want the bed ruined but where am I going to put it and he could stop, right?! ... Of course, I don't know when that will happen or how long it will take, but it is possible ...
I showed the screw to Jordan and asked him if he put it in his mouth. He told me "yes" and added "it made Dordan sick." I told him he shouldn't put stuff like that in his mouth it could really hurt him and asked him to show me where he got it from. He told me "Nicnic's bed". I don't know how ... but there was a screw missing. I had Jordan open his mouth and tried to get a good look at his throat. I could see a bit of a scratch on this right side in the back. I really don't think it went down ... I think it got caught in the back of his throat and made him gag and yack. I will call the Pediatrician tomorrow and see what they want us to do.
Bedtime has been an issue ... Jordan seems to think it means playtime and that means for him as well as Dominic. I have tried just leaving them alone and eventually they will go to sleep ... the results of that ... last night Jordan decided he was hungry. I have tried putting Jordan in bed every time he gets out of bed ... unsuccessfully. Actually, I successfully get frustrated. Tonight I tried sitting on the floor in front of their closet until they both just finally give up ... mainly due to the fact I didn't want to run the risk of Jordan getting hungry again and finding something else to put in his mouth and the possible outcome there. Nothing quite like finding out your son tried to swallow a 3/4" screw.
Tonight I can claim success to my boys in proving my life is anything but BORING.
I am just thankful the screw made Jordan throw up and that we have multi-colored Berber carpet.
I am VERY thankful for the watchful eye of a loving Father in Heaven as well.

Springtime in Tennessee

You just gotta luv 'em!

We had friends over the other night. The kids were so excited! They ran and played and didn't stop. Jordan was in his true form ... going 90 miles an hour of course. He barely stopped long enough to eat. I found him going from chair to chair and helping himself to the drinks that were left unattended. I don't know how many CapriSun pouches he finished off for others. I also found him with the bag of chips (thankfully they were almost gone) ... walking around and finishing off the crumbs. Only my boy. Dominic was content all evening walking around and dragging his blanket behind him. I aired it out in the dryer before bed and then I washed it the next day.
The kids didn't get to bed until late ... they all needed to take baths ... especially Jordan ... between the sodas, juices, and chips and then the dirt on top of that. I wasn't about to put him bed without a bath. It was a great evening.

The other day I found Jordan in the bathroom. He had Constance's Waterpik and decided to use it ... pretty soon the mirror was covered with water as well as the walls. I was grateful he didn't think to turn it on me. I would have been soaked ... he would have thought it was funny too.

Yesterday we were playing outside ... enjoying the beautiful spring day ... when a white limo drove by. Jordan got very excited and pointed to the limo and told me it was "Hannah Montana's car". I just laughed and tried to tell him it wasn't. He would not even listen ... he was sure that was her car. Do you think his sister has watched the movie once or twice and he has too.

This morning Mike gave Dominic a hard cooked egg ... just to see what he would do. At first he just looked at it. Then he walked over and threw it down on the ground. He thought it was a ball. I was just thankful it was hard cooked. When Mike took the egg back ... Dominic was so mad. He wanted his ball back.