9/28/12

Today we went to the Dollar Tree and on the big letter sign on the front of the building Ella noticed something in one of the letter. She said, "Mom look there is a Scorpion living in the 'E' on the sign." I said, "How do you know it is a scorpion?" She replied, "I can see it's tail hanging down." I tried to explain that it probably wasn't a scorpion because they would be too small to see from where we were out in the parking lot. She looked up at me and said, "Mom, I can see it because I eat my carrots!" (we tell our kids that eating carrots will help their eye site ;) ) made me giggle. And just so you don't think there is a giant scorpion living near our house...we got closer and she looked up and said, "oh it is a branch hanging down for a birds nest probably." :)

Russell's first tooth broke through today. Hurray! Hopefully the poor little guy will be able to get some good naps in now. When it comes in more we will take a picture of him with his pearly white and send it off ;)

Ella is taking ballet. And her teacher has told me before about her wonderful ability to point her toes. She told me that again today and went on to say that Ella is a wonderful dancer. She said she has a gift, a natural born talent. She was impressed with how aware she is of how her body moves. She thinks if she sticks with it she will be a wonderful dancer! Made her Mama proud! :)

Gordon got a book from the library yesterday, an early reader chapter book. He finished it before bed. Then tonight I let him read in bed before bed and he finished another early reader chapter book! Make me so happy that he is loving reading. He is growing up so fast!

Today at lunch Ella was telling me how she wants her next birthday party to be a 'wedding party'. And then Eden quickly said, "I want my next party to be a CHEEEEESSSE party". That girls would eat cheese all day long if I let her! And she asks to do so pretty much all day. She makes me laugh :)

Eden put on her footy pajamas on inside out tonight. I told her what she had done. (I was concerned that she would not be able to get them off quickly if she needed to go to the bathroom)...she said, "I know Mom...I did it like this on purpose. I can get out lickity split!"

Updated the blog again...if you need an invite let me know ;) www.earlfamilyblog.blogspot.com

Love you all!!

9/21/12

The other night Ella said the bedtime prayers and in part of her prayer she said, "bless Dad to be safe...and Russell to be able to sleep so that Mom can get her rest". After the prayer was done she had a big smile on her face and said, "Did you like that Mom?" I replied, "That was a great prayer, I loved how you prayed for others it shows them you love them." She said, "...but what was your favorite part?? was it when I said so you can rest?" yes it was!! And the best thing about it is her prayer was answered quickly. Russell has not been sleeping well for the last two weeks and that night he slept from 7:30 until 5:30. Love it!!..Is it wrong to ask her to prayer for that every time it is her turn? :)

We were in the car getting the kids from school today and I hear Ella ask from the back seat..."Mom, how many skins do we have?" I wasn't sure what she meant. She asked again. I replied, "Well we have layers of skin, is that what you mean?" Then she looked out the window and said, "I knew it...layers. I think we have 3..yes 3 layers of skin!" She is always thinking.

I had Gordon's first parent/teacher conference yesterday. And his teacher Ms. Wendt thinks Gordon is great. She said that they even play basketball together during recess. He is doing well in school and she said, "he is such a joy to have in class."

9/21/12

The other night Ella said the bedtime prayers and in part of her prayer she said, "bless Dad to be safe...and Russell to be able to sleep so that Mom can get her rest". After the prayer was done she had a big smile on her face and said, "Did you like that Mom?" I replied, "That was a great prayer, I loved how you prayed for others it shows them you love them." She said, "...but what was your favorite part?? was it when I said so you can rest?" yes it was!! And the best thing about it is her prayer was answered quickly. Russell has not been sleeping well for the last two weeks and that night he slept from 7:30 until 5:30. Love it!!..Is it wrong to ask her to prayer for that every time it is her turn? :)

We were in the car getting the kids from school today and I hear Ella ask from the back seat..."Mom, how many skins do we have?" I wasn't sure what she meant. She asked again. I replied, "Well we have layers of skin, is that what you mean?" Then she looked out the window and said, "I knew it...layers. I think we have 3..yes 3 layers of skin!" She is always thinking.

I had Gordon's first parent/teacher conference yesterday. And his teacher Ms. Wendt thinks Gordon is great. She said that they even play basketball together during recess. He is doing well in school and she said, "he is such a joy to have in class."

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!