Playing in the Leaves

Ever since the leaves started changing and falling off the trees the kids have been asking me about playing in the leaves. We don't have any mature trees around us so we headed to Grandma's house to "help" her rake leaves. Miriam actually really enjoyed raking the leaves. Simon really enjoyed throwing the leaves. It was a pretty cold day so I only bundled up Levi for a couple of pictures. After I took a few pictures I brought Levi inside to warm up. I guess that is when the real fun happened because we were finding leaves in the kids clothes the rest of the day. This was also the first day the kids saw Rebecca after she got home from her 18 month mission in the Philippines. They had a lot of fun playing in the leaves.

Miriam Lately

Miriam is almost six years old. Here are some things that she has been up to lately. Miriam loves cooking shows. She loves to learn about preparing food and plays in her kitchen making what she saw on TV. Miriam learned to ride her bike without training wheels in the past couple of weeks.

Miriam is really enjoying school. She loves that she is learning to read. She loves to write and draw. She comes home from school and wants to be the teacher and play school with Simon. Miriam loves going to Primary at church. It makes me so happy that I hear such great things from her teachers at school and church. I am so glad she enjoys learning.

Miriam is a little fashionista. She likes to pick out her clothes and accessorize. I try to let her freely chose what to wear. Sometimes I do have to guide her toward appropriate choices, but for the most part she does a good job putting together outfits.

Miriam is taking a ballet and tap class this year. It is fun to see how much she has improved in a couple of short months.

Here are some of the funny things Miriam has said lately:

"Mom, what does callouses mean?"

"I am mad at Simon. I am not in this family anymore"

There is a song on the kids CD that says "good night" at the end of a song. Miriam responded with "good night to you too lady". 

"We are having a picnic with Nutella on a baguette."

"In primary we learn to say hello in different Englishes"

In her prayer "please bless that our savior won't die again. Bless that the bad people won't kill Jesus again because he already died"

Simon asked Miriam where skunks live. Miriam explained that they live in the forest but we can't see them because they are camouflaged.

Simon at 3 1/2 years old

It is hard to believe that Simon is three and a half years old. He is growing into such a fun little boy. Simon is so very stubborn. He knows what he wants. At the same time, Simon is so cuddly and sweet. He gives hugs and kisses and tells you that "you are the best". Simon is a smart boy. He really loves numbers and counting. His favorite number is a three and a two (32). He only wants to read the verses in the Book of Mormon that have a three and a two (mostly 32, but sometimes we can talk him into 23). Simon loves to read. He will sit and look at books by himself. He loves to go the library and pick out books. Simon wants chocolate milk for breakfast every morning. He loves chocolate anything, but he also loves fruit.

Simon's imagination can be quite hilarious at times. He loves to reenact things he watched on TV. His favorite shows are Team Umizoomi and Blue's Clues. However, being the active little boy that he is, he can never sit still while watching a show. He is always jumping off the couch and running around the room. Everything he touches is a "shooter" (he watched the older boys play with Nerf guns this summer and now he really wants a "shooter"). Simon's two favorite toys right now are an umbrella and his golf clubs that he uses to do everything.

Simon had a lot of fun on vacation this summer. He still talks about all the things we did in California and New York. The Statue of Liberty was definitely most memorable for him. Simon talks about it all the time. The time of Simon's naps is slowly slipping away. He is at the point that he still needs naps, but then it affects how late he stays up. If he goes without a nap he is fine and falls right to sleep at night... However, if we have to go somewhere that goes right out the window because he always falls asleep in the car. Then he stays up late because he can't fall asleep. Sometimes being three is super rough.

^^He is asleep^^

I have been trying to write down funny things that Simon has said. All of these things are from March to November:

Simon: That's not fair

S: I want some black coffee on it (he was referring to the gravy)

S: What a beautiful blue day. Look at the beautiful blue sky.

When Levi was newborn Simon would go up to him every 5 minutes and say "good boy"

S: Wow, that looks mighty tasty. 

S: I'm a puma

Simon calls Levi "babes"

After a commercial S: Mom did you hear that? Those were chewy caramels.

S: When are we going to put this boy baby back and get a girl baby?

S: 1, 2, 3... 11, 12. Mom our clock doesn't have a 13. We need a new clock.

Simon: lions live in dens

Miriam: wow, Simon you are smart

Simon: yes, I am smart

Vanessa: where did you learn about lions?

Simon: on Blues Clues

S: Mom take my picture, but I will close my eyes because that light is too bright.

Seven Months

Levi is a joyful baby boy. We all just adore him around these parts. This past month Levi learned to sit up. He is enjoying his new ability to sit and play with all his toys. He doesn't really roll around much. He can roll from his back to his belly, but once he gets there he gets frustrated because he hates being on his belly. He still enjoys laying on his back and playing (mostly with his feet). Levi adores Miriam and Simon. They are always a big help when he needs something to make him happy. Levi is a snuggle boy. He gives great hugs and kisses. He is becoming a big mamma's boy, especially in the evenings when he is getting tired.

I have taken a step back from feeding solid food to Levi. He seems interested when he sees us eating, but the actual eating part he doesn't really enjoy. He either spits out the food or gags on it. Although he never turns down a taste of ice cream... hmmm... what have we done? Anyway, we will try again in a couple of weeks. When we are home Levi will take two pretty good naps during the day. At night he is sleeping from about 8:00 to 6:30-7:00. I can't complain!

We love our little man.

Instagram Photos {October}

a day spent in the carrier//first veggie

making Simon laugh//remembering our NYC trip 

six months old//chubby babies at six months old 

painting the kid's bathroom//banana pudding from NYC - thanks Michael 

hanging out with Miriam on her day off from school//multi-tasking 

Trunk-or-Treat 

Miriam's picture day at school//Levi's first time in the swing 

kissable, sleeping babe//first time riding shotgun 

Simon loves the trains at the library//Miriam on Halloween circa 2010 

ready to trick-or-treat//Levi made a cute little puppy

Miriam learning to ride a bike without training wheels

October Videos

another morning at the farm

Today we went to the farm with some friends. Miriam and Simon are always excited to see Kylie, Emmy, and Preston. They kids all loved running around together looking at the animals. We even attempted to get a picture of all six kids. After the farm we went to lunch at Chick-fil-A. It was a fun way to spend a day off from school.

Halloween Costumes

Miriam as Anna:

Simon as Jake

Levi as a puppy