SPT

This week's challenge:

I resolve to take more self-portraits while trying new things.

I try to never, and I repeat never go to any type of park, amusement or otherwise, on a holiday. I suppose I enjoy a more relaxing experience, and with so many people I tend to get a little cranky. However yesterday we ventured out and took the kids to probably the most popular park in Las Vegas. I knew it would be busy, but I admit that when we pulled up and cars were lined up and down the street I did ask them if they wouldn't rather go to a different park. Of course the answer was no, so we went in. I also admit that going to the park was not my idea. Luckily I am married to a man that doesn't mind crowds and is always willing to go through a little inconvenience so the kids can have fun. And I admit that once we are there I also have fun.

Here are a number of pictures from our day.


One of Megan's best qualities is that she makes friends wherever she goes. Within minutes of arriving at a park she is in the middle of whatever game is being played.

However, Jackson is a bit more timid and sticks close to his Mama. Which I admit I do not mind a bit.

Sadie just tried to stay upright walking in her new shoes.

We also saw such a beautiful sunset that we definitely would not have seen if we had stayed home.

Family Ketchup

I have been away from blogging once again, so here is a quick Ketchup post. We will start with me because I have something to say about Ketchup.


I am not a fan of Ketchup, or is it spelled catsup? I don't particularly mind eating it, but nothing grosses me out more than to see it piled on a plate. For example, seeing a big mound of it waiting for someone to dip a french fry in, or even worse seeing it smeared over a plate makes me sick. In fact I need to stop talking about it right now or I may throw-up.
In other news I have been completely engrossed in the books I have been reading lately. It is unusual that I would enjoy so many in a row, but I am not complaining. In fact I have neglected all household and motherly duties all day today just to read.
I am also in a looks rut. In other words, I feel completely and totally out of sorts with the way I have been looking lately. You will notice I have turned this picture of me black and white, because my skin has seen better days. I could also go on and on about my hair, and other parts, but I won't. Whoa is me.

Now I will move onto Eric.


He is doing much of the same. Being a great husband and father and working a lot. However I did mention to him the other day that I was going to put on my Facebook account, "Sarah is wondering why her husband has so many female friends." If anyone is reading this that doesn't know me well, I was just teasing him. I would also like to note that Eric went to bed last night at 10 o'clock. This never happens, so I have to document it.

Now for Megan,


She has finally lost another tooth. It is her first one in over a year. The tooth fairy did come, but I am curious to how much she leaves your children. If you could let me know, that would be great. I will also say that Megan confounds me, and will leave it at that.

Now for my Sadie,

She is continuing to toddle around the house, which almost can bring me to tears from cuteness. Lately she has been shut out of many rooms by Megan and Jackson, which makes her very sad. She also stopped breastfeeding this past week. This part should really be in the section about me, because I think it was harder on me than on her. She just may be my very last baby and here she is growing up.

And lastly, little Jackson.

He finally told me why he does not want to go to pre-school anymore. Apparently there is a little boy there that has been mean to him. He hits, says mean things, and takes things away from Jackson and the other kids. It was so hard for Jackson to tell me this. I have to pry things out of him. Those of you with boys, is it the same with them?

Lastly, as Jackson said this morning:

Happy Martin loses his King day!

SPT

This weeks challenge:

I resolve to take more self-portraits with people I love.

What do you do when it is over 60 degrees in the middle of January? You spend as much time outside as you can. This past weekend we went and played and tennis.

My littlest one missed the first self-portrait, so here is her and I.

On the way home my husband mentioned that we didn't get any pictures of me playing. I said, "No kidding, that's what always happens to us moms." Thank goodness I have SPT's, or I might never be in a picture again.

Pre-School Dropout

I am actively soliciting advice. My little Jackson who is 4 will not go to pre-school. He went all last year with no problem, and has been mostly fine all this year, but now he just cries and cries and says he doesn't want to go. He is fine until we get there and then he breaks down. Today I told him that if he came home with me he would not get any candy during the day (a really big deal to him) and he would have to play in his room during the time he was supposed to be at pre-school. He still chose to come home. So I am asking you, what do you think I should do. Next year he starts kindergarten and obviously he has to go to that, but do you think it will be an easier or harder transition for him if I let him drop-out of pre-school? I don't think he is having a bad experience at pre-school, he just seems worried about me leaving him. I should mention that some days he goes just fine, but on others he freaks out. Do you think it is just a phase? What would you do?

A Funeral

Last Friday my Grandma died. It is the first time someone I was really close to has died. She was 96 years old and was truly one of my very favorite people. She was mostly healthy for her first 95 years, but this last year she struggled a bit. Fortunately, she was able to remain in her home until she died, which is really what she had always hoped for. I was a speaker at the funeral and would like to share a small portion of my talk that sums up who she was to me:

She was always quick to laugh, especially at herself. She called me honey when we talked on the phone. Putting up her Christmas decorations brought her enormous joy. She made everyone that came to her home feel welcome. She exuded love and pride towards her family. She always had a story to tell. She loved to hear people say how young she looked. She felt incredibly fortunate to be in such good health for so long. I am close to very few people, but I was close to her. I will miss her. I loved her.

Unfortunately we had to make our trip up to Utah really quick. Eric's really busy with work, so we literally went up and back. 8 1/2 hours each way is very tiresome, especially when you 3 kids with you. Our trip consisted mostly of eating:

And bathroom breaks:


Check out this speed limit sign. I have never seen one over 75 mph before.

Sadie did not do well in the car. She is happy in this picture because she is out of her carseat sitting in the front with me during one of our many bathroom breaks. But when she was in her carseat it was almost non-stop crying.

Jackson and Megan both do really well in the car. As long as they have their movies we don't hear much from them. Well, I should say we don't hear much from Megan. From Jackson we hear the words, "I'm hungry" every 5 miles. I am quite sure he said it at least 90 times. He is a perpetual snacker who seems to have no limit. Notice his red lips and mouth in this picture. It is from the approx. 100 hot tamales he ate.


There sure was a lot of snow. It snowed our whole way up, but was clear the entire way home. Our trip was so quick the kids didn't even have a chance to play in any of it.

Sadie, Sadie Birthday Baby

My little Sade turned 1 today. 1!!!


At 1:

-She is still quite serious minded, but has become more carefree these past few months.


-She says Mama, Dada, and up.


-She also signs up a storm.
-She eats anything.


-She will not wear socks. She rips them off as soon as we put them on her.


-When she wants something she has started to shriek/scream until she gets our attention.


-She loves to hold the phone up to her ear and talk.


-She shakes her head yes and no and loves to clap (especially at herself).


-She thinks Jackson is hilarious, but when he gets too close to her, she becomes violent and hits him. He is the only person she hits.


-She squints when she smiles.
-She has 6 teeth. 2 on the bottom and 4 just starting to come in on the top.


-She loves to take a bath or shower. She stands at the edge of the shower and begs (by continually saying "uh, uh,uh") until we let her in.


-She adapts well to change.


-She is a walker, and an incredibly cute one at that.


-Nothing keeps her attention for more than one minute.


-She seems unaffected by temperature changes.

Happy Birthday Sadie. We love you!!