What a BEAUTIFUL day...

I hope you don't mind... but I think this post goes well with the song I have playing at the moment...so, I'm not going to change my music just yet.

Today truly was a Lazy Amazing Day.

We got in the car, with no particular place to go. We had swim suits, Costco coupons, change of clothes, snacks...but no plan.

First stop was a garage sale. I'm so lucky that Jonathon allows me to indulge (very often) and follow random Garage Sale signs.

1st sale Eden and I walked away with a copy of 1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and a new Peter Cotton Tail crib sheet

a few blocks further down the road was a HUGE rummage sale at a local church. About 90 minutes later we were loading the car up with $14 worth of our new loot...which included

A new toddler car seat for Tex

A lot of outfits for both kids (25 cents a piece)

a new shirt for me (mustard color)

some curling ribbon for all the b-day parties we have coming up

A high chair/booster

A blender for $1

A paint set for Eden complete with paint roller, paint brushes, paint, and finger brushes...I am sure you will soon be seeing a post solely devoted to this new paint set.

After that? A stop at Down to Earth (Natural foods store)

I've been wanting to start sprouting (ie: alfalfa sprouts, sprouted wheat, sunflowers, etc) and grow some wheat grass. We got a few treats for the kids and 2 sprouting jars...I can't wait to get started!!

When we were loading up the car we noticed some pigeons in the parking lot and went over with the kids to feed them.

Eventually the birds became a little aggressive and started pecking at our ankles...so we headed to the next stop.

Lanikai Juice for a smoothie bowl, and Taco Bell for a few Cheese Roll Ups for Eden.

On our way out of Kailua, I spotted an Open House sign and we decided to swing by. Jonathon stayed in the car with a sleeping Tex, while Eden and I went in and explored a 1300 sq feet 3 bed 2 bath with a rooftop balcony, condo...that we would never be able to afford. But, it was fun to dream for a moment. Eden loved the Koi at the entry of the complex.

And after that...onto the Makapuu lighthouse trail to watch a good 10 or more whales breaching, and slapping their fins and tails at the water waving at us.
see??


Well, thanks for reading my lengthy post to this point. From here on out, I'll let my photos do the rest to explain this Lazy Amazing Day on Valentine weekend. BTW...thanks sweety, for choosing me to be your eternal Valentine and for showing me each day how much you love me and our family. Today was no exception.

(photos taken in succession -Jumpin off dad's shoulders)

(Another succession- Swinging down backwards behind Dadda)


And for her final trick...where did Dadda go?

From the mouth of Eden...

I love the stage that Eden is in right now. She often says the funniest things. She uses the funniest faces and different voices when she is talking. I love it when she calls me or Tex "honey". Or says, "Sounds like a good idea" or "it's a deal". I always think I"ll remember some of the most funny ones. But sadly enough... I just don't. So I wanted to post a few of my recent favorites before they slip my aging mind. ;-)

A little pep talk on the potty:

A few weeks ago (sorry if you find this gross)

She was sitting on the potty and said, "Come on out poopoos! Don't be scared. It's not scary."

Not so profound...

So, tonight I was reading my Relief Society lesson manual out loud, while Eden sat by me eating olives from her fingertips. I read the first line. "Why did we need to leave Heavenly Father's presence? Why do we need a Savior?"

Honestly, I was just reading out loud. I wasn't looking for a response. But she quickly said, "Why do I need Jesus to save me?" as she placed her hand on her chest. "Why does Eden need to be saved?" And as she is saying this, the look on her face is so serious. And the fact that she was using hand gestures had me completely drawn in. I couldn't believe she seemed to actually really understand what the question was asking. I was waiting to hear what might possibly be the most profound thing I had ever heard...and it was about to come from the mouth of my own 2 year old!! "Yes Eden, why do you need a Savior?"

To which she replied,

"Because Jesus is going to put candy canes in my bucket! He is going to give me lots of candy canes. And I am going to eat them!"

Which I guess she is probably right if I think about it. On the Eden scale of awesomeness, a bucket full of candy canes is just about as awesome as eternal life.

Tonight while praying...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Mommy. And thank you for Daddy. Thank you for brother, and for Mommy and Daddy. Thank you for my toys, and for my olives. Thank you for doggies and they begin with b. And for my ball and it begins with be. And my big ball and it begins with b. And my little ball and it begins with b. And for bubble gum, and it begins with b.

And for most of the day lately, she walks around saying..."_________that begins with a" or b or c, etc.....too fun!

Aaaah...the Dentist

It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Eden will be 3 in April. Technically I think you are supposed to take your child to the dentist a little after they turn 1. I have been a little apprehensive, so I have been putting it off...and just hoping for the best.

But, a friend of mine suggested her dentist and said she was great with kids sooo... We gave it a go!

I called yesterday thinking that I would have to schedule about 2 or so weeks in advance. The lady said, "How about tomorrow at 11:30?"

"Wow! Tomorrow? Um, okay...sounds great! See you then."

I was a little worried wondering how I would handle 2 kids at the dentist. I imagined one kid screaming on my hip with the other screaming in the dentist chair crying, "I wanna go home! I wanna go home! I don't wanna open my mouth!!!"

Instead it went a little more like this.

Drive 55 minutes to Kailua

Park at McDonalds

Let Eden play on playplace for 5 minutes

Order a Cheeseburger...no ketchup or onions

Walk across street to Dentist

She looked so grown up walking down the street holding her sparkly purse in one hand cheese burger in the other. She looked ready to take on the town...very Mary Tyler Moore.

So, we went into the Dentist office. Eden was pretty excited about the whole dentist idea. We talked about it the night before: special toothbrush, bubble gum toothpaste, sucky thing so your don't have to spit. She had it all down.

We walked into the waiting room to find a million toys just waiting to be played with. The kids entertained themselves pretty good. Tex dumped out the bucket of McDonald type playballs a good 3 times.

anyway, it was finally Eden's turn. The hygienist had Eden sit on her lap facing her, then lay her head down on the dentist lap. Eden cried...she was pretty worried. But she held herself together pretty well. I was proud of her. The dentist said, "Open and say aah". And through Eden's tears she'd still open and say "aaah". It was pretty cute and sad at the same time.

But, it was over in 5 minutes! It went by pretty quick. And the official report: NO CAVITIES!!! So, all those nights of brushing her teeth paid off.

6 months from now...it'll be Eden's turn again. But this time, she'll be mentoring little brother Tex. And I think she'll do great!

I didn't get any fun photos of the waiting room. But here she is after, sporting her Hannah Montana sticker. I couldn't get her to take her eyes off the T.V.

After, we headed to Ross to pick out a special surprise. Eden picked her favorite kitchen set out of the 6 there were to choose from. And she played with it ALL afternoon. Making everyone hamburgers, french fry sandwiches, and hot dogs, with celery juice, a little sugar, some ketchup and cookies....you know, the good stuff! And here is the whole experience in Eden's own words...

My favorite part is when she talks about the toys at the office. "There was only Sully. Sorry, there wasn't the green one" (She was talking about Monsters Inc.) A big blue stuffed animal of Sully was there...and Eden just so happens to love this movie.

There is no stopping it...he's growing up

Well,

I have started weaning Tex. It came about pretty quick, and I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. It mostly just makes me sad that I have to accept that he isn't my teeny tiny baby anymore. Actually, he never was a teeny tiny baby. But you know what I mean. But, he was relying too much on nursing and wouldn't eat many solids. Which meant he was still waking up 3 times a night. And I just couldn't handle it anymore. He is finally sleeping through the night.

But...He has grown and changed so much in the past 4 days!
It started with me switching him over to formula.

Then, the next morning as Jonathon was leaving for work Tex waved as he walked out the door and said, "Dy dy dy dy"....which I am assuming is his way of saying by by. ;-)

Over the past few days he has tried taking a few steps here and there. I better hurry and catch it on "film" before he's walking like a pro. It's so cute to see him stumble out 2 or 3 steps....but watching it sometimes breaks my heart.

And tonight at dinner he started saying, "Ma ma ma"!!! I was soooo delighted and clapped for him! And I'd say "Ma ma" to try and get him to say it again...and he'd clap for me! ;-) OOooooohhh...he is such a sweet heart. I just love him.

And just in time for Valentine's Day, tonight while i was washing him and getting him ready for bed I gave him a big ol' kiss. And he came towards my face and gave me a big kiss too!!! I kissed him, he kissed me back. Kisses and giggles back and forth....oh what a fun night. I called in Jonathon (who was helping Eden finish her dinner) so he wouldn't miss out on all the kissy fun. Daddy gave him a kiss, and Tex planted a good open mouth baby wet kiss licking Daddy's bottom lip. Over and over again. It was too cute! Then he gave Daddy a kiss on his scruffy cheek. He wasn't too excited about that and decided he'd given enough kisses for one night.

And that is it....can you believe it??? He is really growing up. And I wish I could just pause him for just a moment. But I can't. And I truely thank my Heavenly Father every night as I tuck each child in bed. No matter how exhausted I may be...I thank him for each and every day I have to spend here on this earth with my 2 little angels...make that 3

Life wouldn't be nearly as sweet without them.

please...please...pretty please ;-)

Hey everyone. So, I finally got a new phone!! (Thank you Stephanie (h)!)

But, I have NO ONES phone numbers. Even the people who texted me the other day (melissa,steph r, etc.)...I don't have yours because it has taken me DAYS to figure out this new phone. And I am so so sorry if anyone feels like I have ignored you. I really didn't mean to. I just am a little ...no VERY Blackberry illiterate.

So, I think I am finally getting the hang of it.

So please please please text me your phone numbers. OR better yet, give me a call!!! Let's play!
We miss you all....

Love,
Matti, Eden, and Tex

Lots and Lots and Lots of Dots!!!

Yesterday we saw lots and lots and lots of dots!!!
And boy was it fun!
Happy Birthday Adelaide...Thanks for having us at your most fantastically cute and fun Birthday Party. You're family sure knows how to throw a great one!
Story time....
Pin the dot on the animal guy ;-)

Candy dots...Friends in dots

Cupcake dots...

Polka dotted attire...

We even ate dots hanging from the tree!!!

I mean lots and lots and lots of DOTS!!!

Don't even know where to begin... Let's start with Happy!

I guess I have been neglecting my blog for a few days/weeks because I have probably 2000 or more photos from out mainland trip...plus everything that has been going since we returned back to our little rock under the sun. And I just don't know where to begin???

Too bad the real sun seems to be hiding today.

Today, I am sitting in a quiet house at 10:13 AM. Tex is napping, while Eden is at Happy School. My friend elloquently described in on her blog here. She's an English teacher...so it's hard for her not to make great blog posts.

Well, the hours of Happy School just so happen to be during the time of Tex's morning nap. Which means an hour and a half of whatever I want to get done time. Today, it's catching up on a few chores, a few blog posts...and we'll see what else. Tuesday it happened to be my workout time. ;-)


So, does Eden like her new Happy School? Well, I will tell you this. Tuesday, we were driving to school. Eden was in the back singing songs and talking about going to see all her friends there. But just before we arrived she said, "Mommy! I don't wanna go to school. My tummy hurts. I wanna go home. I don't wanna go. I feel sick." Poor thing. I didn't want to force her into something she didn't want to do. I am no big advocate for pre-schooling kids. If they want to be home with their mom's then so be-it. But, I had a feeling she would really enjoy her new little school and being with all her friends what are pretty much her exact same age.


So, I talked her into trying it just 1 time, and if she didn't like it she didn't have to go back. And I'd wait in the car incase she wanted to leave. She decided that deal sounded a-ok. So, she wandered into Happy School with a smile on her face. (30 minutes late might I add? Our van's battery was dead, and I didn't know where school was being held since my friend had moved. I showed up at her old house where she used to live and the poor guy standing there in his jammies at 9 in the morning, didn't look too pleased with me.)
Anyway, so I dropped Eden off. She walked in and sat down with everyone no problem.

When I went to pick her up a while later...she was sooooooo well, Happy! ;-)
We got into the car, and as I drove away Eden said this.


E: Thank you very much mommy!

M: You are welcome Eden. What are you thanking me for?

E: For taking me to school. It was fun! I love school!!

M: You loved school? I knew you would have fun with your friends. See? I'm so glad!

E: I know mommy. I was like wha whaaa whaa. I don't wanna go to school. And I was so sad. And now I Happy!!!


Thank you Happy School. And thank you Aunt Ashley for making it such a fun first day!!! Thanks for all the time and love you gave to my kiddo. And you know what? She thanked me again today too. ;-)