Happy Birthday, Dallin!

We Made It! Dallin is 3!!

We celebrated Dallin's 3rd birthday on October 1 at the park near my parents' home. You have never seen a little boy so excited. It was pure magic for him. He had his party at the park with a Mickey Mouse cake (just like has been telling me for the past 6 months). We didn't know how many kids to expect so we made a bunch of cupcakes as well. I even tried to be creative and arrange the cupcakes so they looked like Mickey (kind of...use your imagination). Having a social outlet has really become important. I was so happy that Dallin had so many friends come. It was his first birthday party inviting kids outside of family and we are new in the area so I was really excited when about 15 kiddos showed up.
The playgroup kids, many of the kids from nursery, and Phillip (of course) were able to come. Every time someone came up the sidewalk, Dallin would yell "There are my friends!" and run towards them "Hi friends! Hi friends!" My entire family was also able to attend. This is the first birthday of Dallin's that they have all been able to be there. Nana, Papa (who postponed a business trip to be there), Uncle Willie (who scheduled his interviews around it), Aunt Tammy, Maddie, and Uncle Michael (who left school early to be there on time). Dallin was thrilled! He adores his extended family. He always asks if each person is going to be there. Is Papa coming? Is Uncle coming? Is Maddie coming?" and so on and so on. It was really sweet watching the cousins play together on the teeter totter.
The kids all played hard on the playground. Then they ate pizza and it was time for cake. Dallin was very excited. It was all we could do to keep the wind from blowing out the candles before they made it to Dallin. Christopher held the cake, Uncle Willie shielded the candles, and finally they had to call Dallin over to blow them out. Dallin then plucked the candles out of the cake, licked them, and carefully placed them in his cupcake. During this whole process, he kept singing "happy birthday to me. happy birthday to me." It was just precious. Kate enjoyed the cupcakes too....or the cupcake enjoyed Kate (we're not sure which).
Finally, it was time for presents. Dallin had so many wonderful gifts this year from family and friends. It was really fun to see his face light up and hear his little gasp after each gift. He got trucks, a garage with cars, a superhero cape, a helicopter, finger paints, playdoh, hungry hungry hippos, sesame street books, mickey mouse shirt, car race track, mickey cd, dinosaur head/feet that make sound, geotraks, geotrax train, my first leappad and books, crayolas, coloring book, and so much more!!! He was WAY spoledAfter a few gifts, Dallin wanted to quit and play and it got a bit long so in the future, I think that I will only have him open friend gifts at the party. I am learning about kid parties as I go so by the time my kids are grown, I will be a pro. It was funny because as he opened gifts, all the boys took off to go and play on the playground and all the little girls gathered around to see what he got. They gasped, they "oohed" and "aahed", they giggled, and jumped up and down as he opened presents. They even picked up the trash. LOL They were his little groupies. At one point, he he opened some Mickey mouse underwear and I remember thinking that he will be so embarrassed someday soon to get underwear for his bday, but ESPECIALLY in front of girls (who will probably have cooties and not be invited anyways) but this year....it was a WAY COOL gift and the girls were adorable. The kids played some more till they were exhausted.

We gave out goody bags and balloons at the end, (yes, Kate lost her balloon at the park....at the next one at the house...Dallin cried and cried because Kate lost her balloon...he still had his and she was fine..he was pretty broken up about it though)
Dallin was WAY excited to take everything home and tear into it after bathtime. At one point, he was a guitar playing super hero dinosaur.

It was really magical for him this year and he still talks about it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLIN! We LOVE You!

Making Memories...........and cupcakes

Before I post Dallin's birthday pictures, I wanted to post these. The day before Dallin's party, I baked 40 cupcakes. My mom, Will, Tammy, and Maddie came over during nap time to help get ready for the party. Kate woke up early/never actually went to sleep and came down in time to "help" out. Nana immediately invited her up to help ice cupcakes. Kate was thrilled! It was really adorable to watch the two of them decorate cupcakes.


Nana would have Kate put out one finger and squirt a dob of frosting on it. Kate's eyes twinkled and she kept smiling and squealing with delight.









Kate kept leaning so far over the table that she was actually balancing on her belly with her little feet in the air. Nana would laugh and give her some more.


After all of the cupcakes were done, Nana let her have the spoon (more giggles erupted) and even put some sprinkles out for her to have.

While I was watching, I wanted to just freeze this moment forever. The way they were looking at each other, eyes sparkling, smiles on their face, and laughing together....it was a moment that you could see the bonding happening.




For me, it was like a dream come true. I always wanted that for my kids and it is happening right before my eyes. It was so beautiful. We ended the day with 40 iced and decorated cupcakes (which I am sure will be forgotten) and a beautiful memory for mother, daughter, and granddaughter.......which we will hold forever.

Sex Education - Preschool Style

(Both kids are in the bath tub)
Dallin - (looks concerned at Kate) Kate, no have a penis.
Mom - That's right, Dallin. It's ok. She is not supposed to have a penis. She is a girl. Girls do not have a penis.
Dallin - Mom no have a penis? Mom a girl.
Mom - That is right, Dallin. Mom and Kate do not have a penis because we are girls.
Dallin - Dad have a penis? Dad a boy.
Mom - Yes, Dallin. Dad is a boy so he has a penis. You and dad are both boys. You both have a penis.
Dallin - Mom and Kate no have a penis?
Mom - Yes Dallin. That is right. We are girls.
Dallin - Oh. I have penis! I a boy!
Mom - Yes, Dallin that is right.

Various versions of this continued sporadically through bath time. We also had this discussion about a week ago when Dallin saw his dad get out of the shower and wanted to know what "that" was (he pointed...I'll leave it to the imagination) I am trying to take it seriously and answer his questions without making a big deal out of it (he is just barely 3 after all), but I know that someday very soon he will enlighten a crowd on his findings.
I am preparing myself to withstand the embarrassment.

Sprinkler Park-the best of BOTH worlds

I have recently discovered the sprinkler park (thanks to our ward playgroup) and I think it is definitely in the top 10 list of most inspired ideas of all time. They combined all the fun of running through the sprinklers and all the freedom of the park! This is awesome. There were all kinds of sprinklers that shot sideways and up and down - out of the ground and out of a pipe - from above and below- 20 ft high and 12 in. Not much standing water so it would be difficult to have any drowning scares. It was super fun. Plus it was fenced in and had little picnic tables so the kids could run around all crazy and be safe and in sight. Oh...and it is FREE! Hooray!

Dallin loved sticking his head in the water sprays, running with his friends, and dumping buckets of water on willing (and a couple of times not-so-willing) participants. At one point, he took Kate by the hand and stuck her right under a water spray coming out of a pipe. Then we she started to cry and walk off, he dumped a bucket of water over her head. Poor Kate. Yes, Dallin did get in trouble and did not do it again. No, Kate is not usually completely innocent (although it seemed so this time)

Kate enjoyed playing in the shorter sprays, running through the park, and putting the beach ball in the spray of water to see if it would take off (some of the kids got the water to take balls/buckets about 20 ft in the air!) I don't think Kate would have been willing to actually LET GO of the ball though.

Dallin was ecstatic that his friend, Phillip, came to playgroup. These boys get on like a house on fire. They are so cute together. Both very active, adventuresome, rough and tumble boys. Plus...do you see the resemblance? So did they, it was buds at first sight. Both boys were stunned that they had so much fun with the "boy that looks like me" Cute. They had a great time, and Dallin cried when Phillip left. I'm glad he has a good friend.

Shining Moments

Dallin
*Dallin keeps growing and growing! He is a big kid. We are starting to wonder if he is going to reach his full stature by the end of grammar school. He is bigger than most 4/5 year olds. People are constantly amazed that he is only 3. They often ask if he is in school yet or act like he is slow until they find out his age...then it is pure shock. It seems like I am always explaining. "I know he is ginormous, but he is only barely 3....he is going to act like he is 3."
*Dallin said that he wants to fix airplanes when he grows up just like his Grandpa. (He also wants to play the bass guitar in a band like Grandpa)
*It is no longer enough just to name his poops. He now empathizes with them and has full conversations with them about why they have to be flushed. "I'm sorry poop, but I have to go to nursery. I have to flush you now. Go with your family poop!" He wanted to give it a hug and a kiss, but I had to draw the line. It is kind of sweet, but sometimes I am jealous and wish that I was treated with as much respect and empathy as poop. :)
*Dallin found a cricket in the house and ushered it out to the porch. When he got it outside he explained to it "I'm sorry cricket, but you have to go back to your own time to be with your family." If you have seen "Meet the Robinsons" this is pretty funny.
*Dallin has discovered that we have NAMES! We have really been working hard to establish that he has to call us Mommy or Daddy and NOT by our first names. "Let's go check Christopher!" "Val! Val! Val-come over here!" It is funny though when he yells for Kate and uses her FULL name. LOL "Kate! Kate! Kate Wivia...come here!"
*We are REALLY working on manners and being respectful at our house (though my children act like this is not the case) so Dallin is repeating all of the phrases we use so often. He is like the respect police for everyone but himself....sigh...maybe it will sink in. "That is wude (rude) and spectful (disrespectful) No say that!" "That not a toy, mom, don't play with it" (This was when I poked his belly button LOL)
*"Are you proud of me? Is Dad proud of me? Is Kate proud of me?" Dallin is really into having his family be proud of him for his accomplishments. He will ask everyone if they are proud of him, and he just beams when they say yes. Dallin, my sweetie pie, I am very very proud of you!
*"I am so angry that I fall off my bike and got bleed!" Dallin rides his bike now. He pedals and everything. He really looks grown up! Today, Dallin lost control of his bike on a downhill corner and ended up driving off the edge of the sidewalk, toppling over his bike, and landing on his face....TWICE. The first time, he had a mouthful of blood and I was certain we would have to go to the ER or to the dentist, but it was just his lip. After the second time, he got up and balled up his little fists and gave the above statement. It broke my heart. Poor little man. He is a little more wary of bike riding, but I am trying to keep him doing it so he doesn't quit. He will ride if I am right beside him.
*Dallin "sings" to make people happy or to make Kate or Madison stop crying. He thinks it is magic because it was on SuperWhy. Maybe he is right. Every time I am mad at him and he starts squatting/bouncing along and "singing" (I use the term loosely since there are no words and he is a little tone deaf) I can't help myself and I end up smiling. See! Magic!
*"I use the potty all the time just like Elmo" Elmo is the standard by which we live. Dallin wears underwear during the day and STAYS DRY! Yippee! He even stays dry during naps. He still wears a pullup at night and when we go to church or nana's house. I hesitate to fully put him in underwear since just when I think it is a non issue, he pees on the floor at Wal-Mart or on nana's carpet. Sigh....well, 3 times out of 4 ain't bad!
*Dallin can recognize 2 of something. I know this may not seem like a big deal, but he is not quite 3 and I am impressed. He can count into the teens, but I have never really thought he grasped numbers as an amount of THINGS. The past couple of days, he will point and say "Look mommy, there are two ____" and he is right! What a smartie!
*Dallin is getting really good at playing soccer. He will kick the ball, and he has even gotten in a few good steals from me. He will also tell you "No touch the ball with your hands. Papa said." LOL
*Dallin got stuck IN the rocking chair! How might this happen? He wouldn't sit down on the chair and ended up tipping the whole thing over. I had just barely called my mom to ask a question. He landed with his knees in the slats on the back of the chair and started complaining that his legs hurt. I gruffly told him to get up and he said he couldn't. I thought he was kidding and tried to pull him up...he was good and STUCK. At first it was kind of funny because where his knees landed, he was suspended in mid-air by his knees on the back of the rocker. (This was when I took the pic) but I quickly began to freak out when I couldn't get his out and his legs turned reddish purple. I grabbed up my phone and told my mom I needed another adult, I couldn't get him out. By the time she got here, he was out (He told me to put him back though so nana could help him) but those legs were pretty red for the rest of the day.
Kate
*Kate is not quite as verbal so there are as many Kateisms. She can say "thank you" and loves to watch anything Elmo. She will also play with her Tickle Me Elmo all the time. It is really funny to watch her "tickle" him.
*Kate is becoming fiercely opinionated. She wants to do things her way when she wants. This has led to temper tantrums and timeouts.
*Kate LOVES Dallin and they play together quite a bit (mostly nicely). She can hold her own.
*Kate loves to play soccer in the backyard.
*Kate no longer looks like a baby. She has come into her own and has fully entered toddlerhood. She is getting taller and has more and more hair that I love to style.
Here are some pictures of some of the great dos we have tried.
Kate with bobbed piggy braids

Kate with criss cross hair

Dancin Queen

Our little darling LOVES to dance. Almost since she could walk, she would dance. Almost nothing makes her happier than when she is dancing with someone or on her own. When she dances it always brings smile to my face. She is so precious.
When she started dancing on her own, it was just high steps/stomps to the beat. Then it evolved into one arm up in the air while she stepped up and down on one foot. Now she does this...but in a circle. She has even done a little shoulder shimmy once or twice to Elmo. She usually laughs so hard she can barely stay upright. She will dance to ANYTHING, but especially loves the credits on the PBS show SuperWhy and gets downright upset if she missed her opportunity to dance to them. We were lucky enough for Tammy to catch Kate gettin down with her funky fresh self on a video snip. LOL What a sweet pea. I know I am biased, but look at the technique...that kid has talent :) LOL Enjoy!

Emergency Preparedness

As I'm sure you may have guessed, Austin area (which was originally scheduled to be hit) was completely missed by Hurricane Ike. We feel VERY grateful and VERY blessed. I was so nervous, but in the end we didn't even get a drop of rain (and I felt pretty dumb). We did get some pretty gusty winds though. The kids actually went out the morning the Hurricane hit the coast and played in the wind. Dallin kept running around screaming "It's blowing me away!" and Kate just tried to stay upright. Their hair was just blowing all over and they were all giggles. It was amazing to me that just 3 hours away, our neighbors on the coast were being decimated. Some of them are still without power, homes, clothing, etc. We still have refugees here and when you go to the grocery store, it always looks sold out because they are just trying to keep up with demand of the basic items. Last weekend 400 men in our church went down and helped with cleanup efforts. They came back reporting that there was still so much to do. Our prayers are with those affected by this disaster.
Even though I felt silly being so worried and so nervous about nothing (for us anyway) I was grateful for the opportunity to become more prepared and really think about emergency preparedness and how important it is. If we had been hit, I was relatively well prepared. We would have been fine. However, it also brought home things I can do to be even more prepared in case of emergency such as making sure I have our vital documents together in something fireproof and waterproof, building up adequate food AND water storage, and preparing my children so they know what to expect in case of emergency(of different kinds) so they are not afraid. In this case, Dallin was WAY disappointed that we didn't get to stay in our bathroom/emergency bunker for the big storm. After all, I had packed food, clothes, books, flashlights, blankets, pillows, and a 2 lb bag of peanut butter M&Ms (we had to have our basis covered LOL...who knows how long we may have been in there :)
He was so into getting ready for the storm and watching me get the bathroom ready, that he made his own emergency preparations. LOL I had to take a picture of this. He put everything he considered really needed/important in case of emergencies in his closet. You can't see it all in the picture, but he has all his toys, his stuffed animal basket, clothing he pulled out of the dresser, all of his books, his blankets, his pillow, a 6 pack of Charmin toilet paper(behind him on the wall), and a package of pullups(on the left behind the wall). LOL He was set. At one point, he even took Kate by the hand and led her in there. They sat in there and played for almost an hour. After a while, I realized Dallin had left but had Kate locked in the closet with the rest of the emergency supplies. LOL It is kind of sweet if you think about it. She didn't seem too upset...after all she had all the essentials.