Halloweenies

Up until about 3 weeks ago, the girls wanted to be Cinderella and Snow White for Halloween. Then all of the sudden, they had to be witches, with green faces like Elphaba. Yes, we listed to the Wicked soundtrack around here, and the girls pretend to be Elphaba, Glenda, and Nessa all the time. So here they are (at the ward trunk-or-treat party) in all their wicked glory, along with the little man:

And the classic handless-eating-of-a-doughnut-on-a-string game. Jell kept spinning in circles trying to get a bite, and was laughing her head off.

Meri was incredibly excited to get a turn next but when she couldn't get a satisfactory bite got more and more upset. They timed the game and when the time was up she instantly started to cry, "I didn't even get a bite!" Daddy quickly pulled it off the string and said "you get to eat the whole thing now," to which she continued crying, "but did I win a prize???" Laughing, daddy responded something along the lines of "your prize is the doughnut!" to which she stopped crying, and happily began to eat. Crisis averted.

These three girls are in Jell's kindergarten class at school AND her Primary class. I hear all about them ALL the time! So glad she makes friends so easily.

But before I end this already too-long post, here's the little man. Apparently Jell doesn't know who Superman is though because she kept saying, "he's A superhero" or "he's dressed as A super man." Don't look too closely though. I cut out the felt and my mother-in-law stitched it on in a total of about 15 minutes as we raced to get out the door between feedings and all. Regardless of the shoddy workmanship, he looks adorable!

And I just had to add these. Look at these legs! I love 'em! The poor little boy. I spend half the time smelling his head (which smells like heaven, by the way, when he's been bathed recently), and the other half pinching his delicious thigh rolls. And I love how he claps his feet!

And stretches!

Happy Halloween!

I need video surveillance for this kind of thing

We keep finding Meri inside Isaac's crib with him. I think what happens is that when he's taking a nap in his crib, she hears him crying, goes to investigate, climbs in to take matters into her own hands, strokes his head, gives him his binky and if that doesn't work, piles toys on him to make him happy (fortunately just soft toys so far). It is totally possible she's just trying to help. However it is perhaps equally possible that she gets bored/wonders where Isaac is, goes to find him, climbs in his crib, wakes him up, he starts crying, and she quickly tries to cover her tracks so she doesn't get busted. Hmmm. It's difficult to say. Jury's still out on this one. It's hard to find anyone who'll convict her with that sweet, angelic face.

Somebody LOVES riding the bus!

I hope she didn't wear the glasses at school, but she was so excited to wear them at the bus stop. I couldn't see a good reason to say no, and I've been trying to say no less often (like when there's not really a good reason for it) so okay then. Fortunately for us, they gave us our own bus stop right outside the apartment complex that takes us 10 seconds to walk to. Such a blessing! Before they added it to the route, we had to drive to the stop, and there was nowhere for me to park the car and wait. Might as well drive to the school in that case. Except for the fact that she thinks it's about the coolest thing in the world to ride the bus. Not how I remember it, but hey, things change. Then again, this is coming from the girl wearing those green glasses in public.

One of the rare occasions on which she actually remembered to turn and wave to her mom. Sniff sniff. They really grow up too fast.

A conversation for a different time ... and age

Daddy: Meri, finish eating.
Meri: You finish eating hehehehehe (not said in a snotty voice, but a silly one).
Daddy: I have finished. I've finished eating 2 plates full already.
Meri: Whoa! What if you finished eating 10 plates?
Daddy: Then I'd be as big as a balloon!
Meri: Wow!! (giggles) What if you finished 100 plates?
Daddy: Then I'd be as big as a blimp!
Jell: Daddy, what's a pimp?

Cutie-patootie

So I'm kinda a bit picture-happy lately, but he's just so cute. I can't get enough. And I know lots of family appreciates the pics because he's growing so fast! It's crazy. So here's a couple of pictures to get your Isaac fill of the day:

That first one looks like he's about to skip off to save the day or join in a musical dance. And the second, he's just trying to figure out what that flashy thing mom keeps putting in his face is.

Concerned face (noticed the finger much later):

Kissy kissy kissy! This sister in particular loves to kiss and hug and squeeze him until I have to peel her off. So far, she hasn't managed to actually "squeeze his guts out" and a little surprisingly he loves all the attention. He smiles so much at her when she comes into sight.

Since when did my little girlies get SO long! Nothing like having an infant around to make your other kids look like giantesses.

Milk does a body good

Skinny newborn no longer! At only one month old, he has become Triumphant bearer of round belly and leg rolls! And don't forget the double chin. Next on the docket: forearm rolls, wrist folds, and elbow dimples. Coming soon.

Tired old folks

Nothing like some serious lack of sleep to make you feel old ... and narcoleptic. Although I do have to admit that this (having a new baby asleep on your chest) is probably my favorite thing about having a new baby around:

He smiles and actually laughs out loud all the time in his sleep. What could he possibly be dreaming about???

I'm on a horse.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Smith!

We miss you!

That's Daddy's Girl

Jell came home from school the other day and said: "I was talking with Jack (he sits next to her) about sports and said, we always like the Ducks. Jack said, 'my family and I hate the Ducks.'" Coop and I laughed and he explained, "Well that's probably because his family roots for the Washington Huskies." Jell responded, "Well, we can cheer for Washington too, as long as the Ducks aren't playing ... or the Beavers ... or the BYU." Atta girl. Way to make daddy proud.

Meri insisted I post this

However, when she asked that I put it on baby Isaac's picture book, it took me a few minutes to figure out what she was talking about. It seems that since the blog has been predominantly about our little man, she now thinks it's his. So here's Meri's moment to shine:

She wanted everyone to see her pretty picture of a mommy (far left), a daddy (middle), and the girlie (right) out in the sun and blue sky. Be sure to note that the mommy and girlie are wearing high heels. I find this particularly funny because this mommy doesn't even own a pair. Regardless, I love those eyelashes!

Then, as soon as I'd posted this, she ran over, told me she was going to erase it all and do another beautiful drawing. Upon completion and after receiving my congratulations, she said rather demurely, "you can take another picture now and post it too." So here you go:

These are happy flowers singing Disney songs with the sun, but the sun isn't real (which she said because it's not yellow). I love Meri's art. She is really creative with colors and shapes and never worries about how things should look, but comes up with her own way of making them instead of asking me how to do it. Like the orange circle in the top left with a couple of lines in it - those are the Disney songs. When Jell tells her something isn't the right color or doesn't look like it's supposed to, she, in typical Meri fashion, always replies, "that's okay, it's how I want it" or "it is right to me." I love it!

I might be biased...

but I think these kids are so cute!

Isaac Update

For all of the family that is always wanting to see more pictures, here's a couple of cuties:This one was taken right after, amidst a bunch of things going on, I suddenly realized that Jenelle was saying again and again, "Look, I'm picking up baby without an adult!" I might have scared her when I realized what was going on. Oops. After explaining, we let her hold him with supervision.
Here's our lazy boy. I put him on his stomach for some tummy time exercises, and instead this is what he did:
And thank heavens for the swing!!! We've used it and loved it with all three of our kids, and our nephew. Although sometimes he's not as in love with it as we are:
but often, the rocking keeps him nicely asleep, even if he does scrunch up nearly sideways, and make funny faces:
We just are loving our little man and all the blues, greens, and browns that have suddenly entered our lives!

Kids websites?

Question to all of you fantastic moms out there. What are some good websites with fun and possibly even educational online activities or games for preschool/kindergarten age kids? The girls love www.friend.lds.org and we'll occasionally go to www.pbskids.com (in particular, the word world part), www.playhousedisney.com, or www.nickjr.com, and they just had some fun with http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-games.html yesterday. But the girls get bored with some of the less interesting games, and I really try to find ones that are worth something, you know, like might teach them something, or help them learn a bit. While I'm feeding Isaac, one of their favorite things to do is play on the computer, and since Isaac eats rather frequently, we're looking for some new places to go. Not that I let them play on the computer all day long ... I let them watch movies too. Ha, I'm a terrible mom. Anyway, any pointers while I get the hang of this three kid, missing-out-on-sleep, head cold, haven't-even-unpacked-my-apartment-yet thing? Thanks!

Oh, and by the way, earlier today the girls asked, "Daddy, can we have more cheetos?" He said yes, and as he brought them to the girls, Jell chirped, "thanks," and Meri, with a totally Meri mischievous grin drawled, "thanks ... old man." Then the both erupted in giggles. Oh boy.