Love In My Heart

We have church now at 1pm so we are still getting used to the change in routine. Lately we found it works best to just put Haydn down for and early nap and let Connor do some quiet activities until it's time for church. This Sunday I had Connor read some children's church books while Scott and I had talks to finish preparing/review. Connor came out of the room with two Christmas story books and said,
"Mommy, I feel so much love in my heart."
"Why Connor?" I asked.
"Because when I read these stories and see the picture of baby Jesus I just feel so much love in my heart."
Too PRECIOUS! I'm glad he can feel the spirit and recognize it at such a young age. It always touches me and strengthens my testimony to watch his grow.

Can I keep him?

Connor decided today he needed money, who knows why. He randomly said to me, "Ok Mom, what chores can I do?" Dumbfounded I respond, "Let me think...I know one!" And then the bomb hits..."Mom, if I do a chore for you can I have a penny for my piggy bank?" How can I refuse! He asks to help me and asks for pittance in return. I'll take it while I can get it! So, his chore was setting up dinner. He arranged tacitos on a tray, mashed some avacado, mixed some crystal light and set the table. He was so happy to get his penny reward that I'm sure this is not the end of his helpfulness. The question will be how long it will take him to figure out what a penny is worth and ask for more of a salary. I'll hold off on that lesson for a while and maybe I'll get good cheap help through kindergarten.

Connor Says...

Connor has a few jobs at our house. He really is turning into a big helper for me. He can help with windows and mirrors, wipe down a sink, help with dishes, fetch me various things, and take things to the recycling bin. His biggest job everyday is to get out our vitamins at breakfast time. Usually, I must admit, he forgets so we casually remind him that he forgot to do something...his reply, "Oh man, I just dropped it out of my head. I'm such a drop-smoothie." Drop-smoothie? Yes, that is his made up word for one who forgets things. Connor I love you even though you are a "drop-smoothie" sometimes!

Out of no where...

Kids are hilarious! I love listening to Connor's explanations of things. On the way to church yesterday he exclaims, practically jumping out of his seat, "Dad, Mom, I KNOW why Heavenly Father made monkeys!" We of course, curious, asked why. "Because if we are ever in a tree and we start to fall a monkey could run and catch you!" What nice monkeys!

Primary Program

Today was the primary program in my Mom's ward and since Connor has been a visitor for a while he was invited to join them. Let's just say he did wonderfully and horribly. He was brave and had to qualms about getting in front of the microphone. He said his part clearly and loudly and held up a picture. He sang with gusto, although sometimes a little too much. However today he was the biggest wiggle worm I have ever seen. It was nice that he chose today, in front of the whole congregation to be so irreverant. He couldn't sit still and when he did he chose to chew on his tie, something he's never done before at least in front of me. The worst moment was right after the sunbeams said their parts and were going to their seats he found a toy truck, whoever allowed that on stage with four year olds is crazy. He got this contemplative look on his face that said, "Should I play with it or be good." He started to make the right choice and tried to hand it to the teacher but then got pushed down the line by the teacher as the other kids sat down and then he decided to just go with it. He then showed the toy to one of his friends and together they started driving the truck up the side of the wall. I about died! He redeemed himself somewhat when they sang the song, "Called to Serve." Connor loudly sang/shouted the words and became the voice that everyone could pick out of the group. He ended with a bang when he sand the last word, "King" half a second after everyone else and loudest and longest of all. We couldn't stop laughing! This boy is so adorable! I love him sooo much. I am so proud of him, even though his is sentenced to practicing his reverence this week so we can do better at that part. The best news is he gets to do it all over again in our primary program back home as soon as we get home. Hopefully we can be just as brave and happy but a little less wiggly for that one.

His part was, "I am Connor. I am a soccer player." This is the picture he held up. The sunbeams were trying to prove we are all different but all children of God. Then the sunbeams and nursery children sang "I am a Child of God" by themselves.

PCC

We spent the week at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). We got to tour and learn about traditions in Samoa, Aoteoroa (New Zealand), Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Tahiti, and Tonga. Connor's favorite part was riding the canoe through the middle of the villages. He tried to touch all the bridges that we would go under by jumping and trying his hardest to scare his Mom. But I didn't need to worry because the guide was nice enough to tell us the water wasn't deep, "like he said mom, I can just stand up if I fall in!" He DID NOT like the Samoan fire dancing. He was afraid they were going to throw the sticks to him or hurt themselves. He kept saying, "I'm done, I don't like this!" It was a fun few days and we learned a lot.

Oh NO...

Connor is getting just a little too crafty. Here's some funny things he said today...

I asked Connor where Haydn's sippy cup was and he answered, "In the play room." I asked him to go get it and he sighed and replies, "I wish I said I don't know!!" I hold my laugh in and tell him to please go get it. He then walks into the playroom, picks up the sippy and hides it, then turns to me and says, "I can't find it Mom." Yeah right Connor! It's a good thing that you grow eyes in the back of your head when you become a Mom.

On the way home from church today, Scott and Connor were being silly and Scott was copying everything Connor said. Finally in frustration Connor looks up and says, "Help me Heavenly Father! Daddy is copying me!" At least he's got the right idea about who to turn to for help with a problem.

So I can teach my kids.....

We constantly tell our kids they need to stop growing but they keep doing it! Connor is especially insistent that he needs to grow up to be a Daddy. Here is our conversation at lunch...
Connor: Mom I don't want to eat my crust today.
Me: Why, it's yummy and healthy.
Connor: But Anika and Keslie don't...(thinking) hey, does it make me grow!?
Me: Yup!
Connor: (very enthusiastically) Good, I need to grow up to be a Daddy so I can teach my kids.
Me: What would you teach your kids?
Connor: Umm...to work and how long to microwave things, and how long to cook things, and how to sleep and take pictures, what to eat at lunch time and how not to cry
Me: You have to work on learning all those things so you can teach them really well huh!
Connor: Yup, I am! Oh ya and I would teach them not to touch hot things. Do you remember the mark on my hand...it's still not gone, I don't think it is going to get gone Mom.

Oh how their little minds work! I love teaching my boys and can't wait for him to get his dreams too.

New trick

So, when Haydn climbed out of his crib and nearly broke his neck in the process I turned the crib around because the back is higher than the front. So far it's worked! This morning Connor comes into my room and this is the conversation...
Connor: "Mommy, I'm so proud of myself!"
Mommy: "Why Connor?"
Connor: "Because I got Haydn out of his bed all by myself! I watched you do it and I did it just like you!"
Mommy: "Oh really!"
In comes Haydn with the HUGEST smile and climbs right up onto our bed to tackle Scott and I with hugs!

Oh how I love having kids!

Growing...

Connor woke up yesterday and said..."Mom, I'm awake, it's 7 o'clock on my clock (it wasn't 7 on mine!) and I grew last night!" Then today at lunch we were eating and he mentioned that he hadn't grown that much today. I don't know what this fascination all the sudden is with growing and feeling like he's grown but it's really cute!

I LOVE Having Boys!

Today I was gardening out in the backyard. I LOVE HAVING A YARD! Anyways, I was weeding and the ground was really wet because of some recent rain. I found tons of worms every time I pulled up anything from the ground. My normal, albeit very girly, instinct would be to shriek and quit but instead since my boys were near I thought, "I've gotta show this to Connor!" So Connor got an awesome nature lesson today while we talked about and held (I had gloves on) worms and rolly pollies (potato bugs). Connor loved it. Now if I had girls would I have done this? I can't say I would or wouldn't but it could be as fun as watching a little boy enjoy leaning about and holding bugs. Connor really wanted the worms to crawl on his shoulders and have a ride. I think he was a little nervous about them being in his hands but he held it with no squealing at all. When I introduced him to the rolly polly I had prefaced it with, "Oh, these are my favorite bugs!" when I found it. From then on he was searching the grass and every time he saw a bug he'd say, "Oh, these are my favorite!" What a cutie!

A Helping Hand

Helping hands are usually appreciated. Today Connor thought he'd be helpful and try to clean out his shoes. We had been at the park and boys will be boys. He had gotten quite filthy to say the least. His shoes were full of sand and he wanted to get them clean. We had walked to the park so while I took Haydn upstairs to bed (he'd conked out on the way home) and put the stroller away, Connor proceeded to take care of cleaning his shoes. I walked in the door and stepped in some sand. I noticed a nice trail following the path he took to the bathroom shaking his shoes out. I call, "Connor!" Then I see the bathroom sink is covered in dirt and his shoes are on the edges, both of them wet. "I cleaned my shoes Mommy" says the sweetest toddler in the world. I was a upset at the big mess he'd made and the fact that his shoes were soaking wet and unwearable for the rest of the day so I asked, "What were you thinking!" His reply, "My shoes were sandy and I couldn't get all the sand out so I had to wash them." Now that the mess is clean and Connor now knows not to put water in his shoes, I can't help but laugh. I love how much he wanted to help and solve his own problem. It's so sweet! Kids are such an adventure!

Connor Caught Me

The other day I was having a bad day. There was too much to do, too little time, and an unhappy Haydn through most of it. Connor wasn't listening as fast as I wanted him to so I snapped at him a couple times throughout the morning. As I was making lunch, I was trying to get him to do something and for everything I would ask him to do he would ask "Why?" Haydn was screaming in the background because he was hungry and I was getting no cooperation so I yelled again. Connor looks up at me and disgusted says "Mommy, you need a nap! You are being grumpy!" Thanks a lot Connor. I tell him that when he acts like I was so I guess I deserved it. It was a wake up call even though he got sent to a corner for talking to me like that. The rest of the day was better. I hate it when my 3 year old has to call me out on my moodiness.

Something Right...

So, I was reading Connor and Haydn the story of Peter Pan before bed last night and it got to the part about finding a "happy thought" and sprinkling pixie dust so they could fly. I turned and asked Connor, "What's your happy thought Connor?" and he said, "Ummm...just when we (our family) are all together." It made my heart melt. We must be doing something right if he loves being with us. We then decided Haydn's happy thought was his milk in his sippy cup.

Starting Christmas!

First let me say sorry! It's been so long since I've blogged. It's been a little crazy! We found out we were going to be able to move as we were headed out of town for Thanksgiving. Then we actually moved the next weekend after that. We are now in a really cute little house of our own. Well, not our own, we are renting but isn't an apt. it's a house. We love having our own space and a lot more of it! It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a yard. We are in heaven. Anyways, so that's been keeping us busy. We were packing, moving, unpacking and now we are finally setting up for Christmas!

We really wanted to start by cutting down our own tree this year. This is a first for us as a married couple and we have missed it from our childhoods. Anyway, here are some pics of our adventure (warning, there are a lot!)...

First we took a hayride to the trees. We were a little silly on the way. What funny faces!

Once there we had fun choosing the perfect one. Connor insisted that we follow him and he would lead us to our tree.Here's Scott thinking he's being funny!Now my big, strong man cuts down the real tree and hauls it away!

We had fun letting Connor help us decorate! He did a great job putting everything in one concentrated spot. That spot looked GREAT! We helped him reach a little higher. Haydn just stood by enjoying the seen.
Whaalllaaaa! I love my little family! Here's a really cute side story. Connor is really understanding Christmas this year and is becoming a little materialistic for the first time in his life. He keeps making a list of all the things he's going to ask Santa for...
1. New sunglasses (he lost his)
2. A new squirt gun (he broke it)
3. A sister (He was looking at this book where the story is about a brother and sister, he turns to me and says, "Mommy, we are missing a sister in our family. I want one. I'm going to ask Santa for a sister!")

Another story...so Scott served his mission in Holland. There they have a day on Dec. 5th where Santa (different name though) comes and leaves presents in the children's shoes. We decided to add this to our traditions. Santa brought Connor sunglasses already by the way (He was thrilled!). Later that day Connor found a Santa hat laying on the floor and asked what's this. I seized the moment and very worriedly said,"Oh no, Santa must have forgotten it here!" Connor picked up on it wonderfully and got just as concerned. It was SO funny! I calmed him down and said we could leave it for him with the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve. This will now be another tradition!

Now I know my A B C's.....

Since I opted not to put Connor into preschool at the age of 3 (like most parents around here do nowadays) we decided to do a little "school time" together. We started in September and we've been doing preschool workbooks as well as learning the letters and their sounds. We made a book of letters together where for each letter I wrote it out in bubble letters, tried to draw pictures that started with that letter and then wrote the words that corresponded with the pictures. We learned all their sounds one by one and Connor is proud to report that he finished today. We only had X..Y..and Z left and he wanted to do them all because he wants to "know how to read!" When we closed the book he said, "Mommy, I can read now!" He actually can read small, easy words too! We are so proud of this BIG boy! Better yet, he is SOOO proud of himself. Great job Connor!

Imagination...

Connor and I were reading a book and all the sudden he looks at my wedding ring and says, "I like your choo choo train ring Mommy!" I questioned him about what he meant and he says to me, as he turns the ring round and round my finger, "See, choo choo." What a great imagination. Now my wedding ring not only is a symbol of love but it doubles as a "choo choo train" for my toddler to play with.

Halloween Adventures!

I know I haven't posted any Halloween pics even though we have done tons of Halloween activities. Here they are all in one place. Included are pics of our Ward Halloween party, Playgroups Halloween Party, Trick-or-Treating, Carving Pumpkins and a few other related outings. It's so fun to have a toddler and be able to really get into these holidays. Connor didn't really get into the trick-or-treating as much as I wanted him to. We took the boys trick-or-treating down main street to all the stores and Connor went to the first few and then announced, "I'm done, I have enough candy." I was like, " WHAT!!??" No way buddy! I made him keep going. He hasn't really been asking for his candy either! He must not be related to me! Haydn, on the other hand, wants everything to do with the candy and he shouldn't even have it yet! I was holding a bowl of candy at the trunk-or-treat and Haydn, sneaky little guy, got a hold of a York Peppermint Patty and had it in his mouth wrapper and all! We actually got Connor to help us clean out the pumpkins this year. He didn't really want to but liked it afterwards! It was a fun Halloween!

A little bragging...

I have awesome kids! I just wanted to take a moment to brag about their accomplishments. Connor and I have been doing "school time" together since I opted not to send him to preschool. He's been learning letters and their sounds, and numbers too. He knows all the letters by sight and we are halfway through the alphabet with sounds now. He can also read a digital clock pretty good. He especially knows when 7am is because that's when I've been letting him get up(we are preparing for the time change). So, we were in the store the other day and I wanted to have Connor show off his letter skills to his Daddy. I found the word CAT in a preschool book and said, "Connor sound out the word and see if you can tell me what it is" (we had never done this before, it was only a test!). Connor sounded out each letter correctly one after the other and then said CAT! He was so proud that he read his first word with no help and we were so thrilled! I can't believe my baby is starting to read! We've been practicing reading simple words now and he's just doing great!

Haydn my little climber is such a joy! He hasn't been sleeping well lately, I still haven't figured out why. He is babbling more and more but no real consistent words yet. The other day I had the boys at the park and Haydn was crawling through tunnels and climbing up stairs. He was all over the equipment with me right there making sure he didn't tackle anything he's too little to do himself. He has no fear.

We've been having tons of fun with Halloween prep this year. More pics will follow soon of their cute costumes.

Connor's Great Ride

Connor is such a firecracker! He talked with Grandma the other day and she asked him if he had ridden his bike to the park. I told her that it was a little far and up hill the whole way there and I didn't have the courage to try it yet. Well, the power of suggestion is real! The next day Connor decided he wanted to ride his bike to the park. When asked what would happen if he got tired he said he'd just keep riding! So, we gave it a try! Off we went. By the way, he's on this really BIG Lightning McQueen kick because of his new Lightning McQueen shoes that, of course, make him super fast everywhere he goes. So on that ride not only was he as fast as Lightning McQueen...he WAS Lightning McQueen AND I was Sally. If I referred to him as Connor he would correct me every time. Every time we stopped and started again he would start up his engine and ask me if I started mine. Then he would speed ahead til I told him to wait up. While going super fast he would randomly, but frequently, shout out "KeerChow!"(a Lightning Mcqueen phrase if you haven't seen it). It was so cute. Boys are too fun! Anyways, we made it all the way to the park and back with no problem (almost 2 miles). It was awesome! I'm so proud of him and he was awfully proud of himself too!

Also, his newest word is "Fusterated"(frustrated). If he gets upset he'll say, "I'm fusterated with you Mommy!" and give me a great frustrated look! He's very expressive in his facial expressions! Don't know where he gets that one!