9/14/12

I came downstairs to find Gordon starting on his homework at the front room table and taking a little break to use his pencil as his drum stick on the little glass pumpkins I have out on the table for fall decorations. Brought a smile to my face.

We were listening to a CD in the car today and a song about sisters came on. Ella asked to listen to it over and over again. I could see her in the back seat trying to memorize the words. All about playing with and loving your sister. They are great sisters and it is going to be hard for them next year when Ella goes to school. At least the first year is only a half day :)

Russell is working on getting is first tooth...it is taking awhile but he is a little trooper. And speaking of trooper Grandma Nielsen was a trooper taking care of Russell this past weekend while Taylor and I did our triathlon. Russell wouldn't take a bottle as we had planned. Thanks Mom for holding him and loving him all morning.

And a BIG shout out to all the Grandparents for coming and supporting us and helping out! We sure love you all!!!

Gordon was just recounting one of his dreams for me, he said:
"In my dream I was at Stephen's house and Dad was there and he said, 'Bud can you do me a huge favor and get me a glass of water?' So then I did...I went and got him water and came back to give it to him. And then in real life I stuck out my hands. And in my dream I was thinking why are you not taking this water that I am holding out for you? And then I realized...oh it is just a dream."
Then he and I were laughing. What a cute kid!

Taylor is so sweet! He has been working really hard lately and even in the middle of it all he sent an email to Gordon which read: Hey Gordon, thank you for the picture of us in the ocean. It's awesome. I have it next to my computer so I can see it all day at work. I am so glad that we're friends. I love you buddy. Dad.
Then Gordon wrote back: Thanks for writing that note. I will miss you while you are at work everyday. I hope you enjoy my picture.  Love Gordon  (I have attached the picture too)

We love you all!! Hope your week was as fabulous as ours ;)

9/03/12

We have a jar of Starburts that they can get one when they get caught choosing the right... Well Eden was trying to talk me into letting her have two 'choose the right candies'. I told her she could have one. She responded with, "Mom you are so silly...and adorable!" Obviously she had moved into the flattering to see if that would work ;)

The girls have started to play a new game that they call 'Fashion'. They go get dress up clothes on and say 'fashion, fashion, fashion' while they walk around the house. Then I heard Ella say, "Eden on the count of three you say 'pretty' and I will say 'fashion'...ready...one, two, three..." So cute!!

Gordon lost another tooth. One of his top front ones this time. As Taylor put it..he instantly looks older now.

I found a note that Gordon had written for Ella. This is what it said...' you hatoo sae it kindlee" Made me smile ;)

Russell loves to grab for things...especially his sisters hair. A built in way to make sure they don't smother him too much with kisses.

Eden had a wonderful birthday party. She felt loved for sure! Pctures to come on the blog.

8/23/12

Did I ever send this one??If I did sorry for the repeat :)

I am still adjusting to the school schedule and from staying up late two weeks in a row watching the Olympics. Hopefully I get back on schedule. And sad to say that the grandparents journal has suffered because of it. And I am having a hard time remembering what I have written down and not already. So if there are doubles, sorry! :)

I gave Eden a lemon-head candy this morning and she said with a giant grin, "Mom, thanks for the potato-head!"

Russell rolled over the other day. I did not see it. I put him down on his back and I looked back a few moments later and he was on his belly. He did that twice and both times I missed it! Hopefully I will catch him while he is doing it soon. :) He is growing up so quickly. I did have a friend ask me just last night how it is with four and how can you divide your time. And it was good to reflect on. But I do really feel that I get that much needed time with each of my children. I have tried to be more aware of it lately and I have been loving my one on one time with each of them. (i do wish there were more moments in the day...but I feel like I am striving for that balance...and I love those precious moments!)

Gordon has started school again! The summer went way too quickly! He is loving his new school and I am loving that the drive has been reduced by more than half. I pick up a friends kids too and we have started a tradition to say what your 'favorite thing of the day' was. It is so fun to hear what they say and how it starts the conversation going. Gordon is really enjoying the extra classes right now (ie P.E. and Music).

Taylor again came up with a wonderful idea. Gordon is to be practicing 10 particular math problems this week. And since Gordon loves to do obstacle courses we put the problems on cards and taped them around the house. Then we yell out the different locations and he runs there says the math problem and then solves it (he can check the answer on the back). We have done that system for just one day so far and he has them down pat.

Ella stared ballet again, and she adores it. Yesterday was her first day back and all day today she was changing into all her different ballet outfits and prancing around the house. (And yes, Eden was following her every move) They are playing so well together lately it warms my heart!

8/06/12

We were watching the Olympics the other day and Eden came up to Taylor and said "Is this only girls playing?" (It was a womens sand volleyball game) He responded, "Yes". She then said "Then Dad you can't look you are a boy" --since the girls are wearing bikinis.

Gordon has been getting very into the Olympics. At times it seems to be almost painful for him to watch if it is close. He seems to have the Grandpa Gordon Hansen gene. He love to watch, but gets very concerned too :)

We were sitting at the movie theater (every Wednesday morning during the summer we were able to go see a kids movie at the theater). Eden leaned in and grabbed my head to whisper something in my ear, which she does often. This time she whispered "I love you Mom". Totally caught me by surprise and totally melted my heart!

This week Ella has been such a sweet girl! She is a helper...like a little Mama. I love her so much!