Finished!

I actually finished a few days ago, but for some reason my blog isn't updating my chart as it's supposed to be doing. (May have something to do with our dial-up Internet.) Today is the "finish day" so I decided to post about it. Anyways, I am so thankful to have done this, as reading my scriptures is a bit of a challenge for me. I have to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed it! I especially love it when Dallin comes in and reads with me during quiet time. Maybe I'll treat myself to some ice cream or something. Anyone want to join me?

Better late than never!

I totally forgot to update everyone on Tyli and her "spoiled-so-not-walking" situation. Well, last Wednesday, I was in the middle of teaching preschool when she stood up right in front of me and took off walking into the kitchen. It took us all by surprise so we all stopped and just watched as she tottled back into the living room. I must have looked completely shocked, because she started laughing at me as she continued to walk around the living room and back into the kitchen. The little stinker could do it all along- she was just too stubborn to show us! She still prefers to crawl, but when I catch her doing so, I just say "Stand up and walk, Tyli!" to which she does. She's still a little wobbly, but she fared pretty well at the park yesterday, and is even trying to run to keep up with her brothers. Yay! I think Cauley was right when he said that she's not spoiled- just stubborn! Now if only I could somehow keep her out of everything.... maybe I'll just buy a whole bunch of padlocks to put on everything so NONE of my kids can get into my stuff...

I scream, you scream, we all scream for.....

We made this ice cream today for our last day of preschool. The kids had a great time making it, and it was pretty yummy for the simpleness of it all. Just be sure they have some "winter gloves" on because it will make their hands VERY cold. You may want them to make this outside as it tends to be a little messy.

You will need:
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Cup milk (or cream) *I use 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream and it works well!
1/2 tsp vanilla
6 Tbsp rock salt
Ice (about 3 cups, but may need more)
Pint size zip lock bag
Gallon size zip lock bag

Optional: jam (any flavor), chocolate syrup

Instructions:
Place first 3 ingredients ( and jam or chocolate syrup) into pint size zip lock bag and seal (really well!). Then place rock salt and ice and the sealed pint size bag into the gallon size bag and seal that one really well. Play, squish, throw bag around until the ice cream thickens. Enjoy!
The thickening usually takes about 10-15 minutes, but may take longer.

I just couldn't miss this oportunity to post

We have really been trying, as a family, to make our Sabbath days more "holy." Kinda hard with 3 little ones, let me tell you! Our first goal is to try and turn off the TV, meaning no movies for the kids or anything, except they can watch whatever until 9:00 a.m. because we aren't going to deal with them from 6:00 a.m. until church time which is 2:00p.m. So, yesterday, after agreeing earlier in the week as a family, off went the TV at 9:00! Everything was fine as McKade asked why we had to turn it off. I explained we were turning off the TV and turning on some nice church music so the Holy Ghost would want to come into our home and be with our family. (How else do you explain it to a 2 yer old?) He accepted it, and went over to play at the front window with his trucks. At about 11:00 there was a knock on the door from a young man in our ward named Ben who came to collect Fast Offerings. I opened the door to see McKade's face in awe! I quickly filled everything out and sent Ben on his way with our fast offerings, and as soon as the door was closed, McKade started jumping up and down saying, "He came! He came! The Holy Ghost came into our house!" I took the moment for what it was worth and used it as a "teaching moment", trying to explain about the Holy Ghost, but he didn't want an explanation, or to listen- he saw what he saw, and there was no changing his mind. It was funny, and we laughed about it for a while. then we went to church and McKade was wrestless until he looked up and saw the Priests setting up the Sacrament table. Ben was there preparing, and McKade yelled out, "Look, see? It's the Holy Ghost!" to which there were many giggles and smiles in our direction. I think Ben has a lot to live up to!

Thankful Thursday

What would we do without our kids, or nieces and nephews, or the beautiful children who are in our neighborhoods, wards, and communities? My kids make me laugh daily, something I am so grateful for. I love their little comments about EVERYTHING, and where they come up with the things they say, I have no idea! Here is a little glimpse into what I get to smile about each day:

Mom: (during FHE talking about our new prophet) "Who is our prophet today?" (asking McKade) "Thomas...."
McKade: "Thomas the Train!"

Dallin: "Geese, Mom, you need a break!" (I was sweating from mowing the lawn when it was 97 degrees outside.) "Why don't you go get yourself a cold one." (I think he meant a drink of water)

McKade: "Mom, my throat has a headache!"

Tyli: "Crackah!" (cracker) I also love how she calls all animals cows. Another thing I love about my just starting to tottle 16 month-old is that she always yells "Stop it!" to her brothers BEFORE they get near her.

Dallin: (while being caught getting into the pantry AGAIN) "Mom, just go away and pretend you never saw me!"

McKade: (While tasting some very delicious cherry streussel that my friend Esther made) I don't like it! I HATE it! (right to Esther, who, thankfully laughed at his frankness. Thanks for being a good sport, Esther- it was scrumptious!) What strong words coming from a 2 year old!

Tyli: likes to yell "cookie" while sitting in her high chair "helping me"make dinner. One night I was making pancakes and everytime I flipped or poured or whatever you do with pancakes, she would yell this and then giggle as I reminded her "it is NOT a COOKIE- it's a pancake!


Ok, so there is about an hours worth of my life for you to smile at. I certainly do, and am very thankful for them and the things they say. I should really start keeping a journal about all the things they say that really crack me up, like everytime Tyli is headed towards one of my boys who are playing nicely with cars, trucks, trains, or whatever, they automatically start yelling, "Mom, Tyli stinks!" just so I can grab her before she starts terrorizing them. (yah- caught on to that one pretty quickly- we'll see what they say tomorrow!)

I am (almost) the only one!

Have you ever wondered if you are an "original" name bearer or, more realistically, how many other people in the US share your name? I most certainly have- especially since I married into the "21st most popular last name in America." Thanks to Jane, I was able to search it out, and I found out that with my current name, I AM NOT ALONE!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 49 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

I don't share it with too many others as you can see, but then comes the interesting part. When I put in my maiden name, I AM ALONE!

HowManyOfMe.com

There is 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Kinda cool, huh? This website also tells you how your individual (first and last) names rank and other fun stuff. How about you?

My word! They start this young?

Not that I am the least bit happy about it, but my son, who is still only 4 years old, has aquired his first girlfriend. I think they "liked" each other before she joined our preschool class in January. Emily is in our ward, but they have never been in the same primary class as far as I am aware of. I think that's where they met, because the day she joined my class, Dallin started saving her a seat by him. We have noticed the past few weeks that they quickly find each other after Sacrament meeting and hold hands on their way to primary. (Her mom pointed out that this has been going on for a while now!) On Sunday, right after Stake Conference got over, she was suddenly right by us, holding Dallin's hand. We just laugh about it. Then, today during preschool I had to end up separating them because Dallin kept putting his arm around her and they couldn't do anything because they were too busy holding hands. He even told Hunter to "Get away from her, he had her first!" That's when I told them that they are a little too young for this. I didn't know what else to do, so McKade told me to take a picture, which I did. I am so glad Emily's mom finds this funny, because I may be having a little more difficult time with it. (Yes, I think it's pretty cute, but I have to still be the mother here!)

Some missing Preschool pictures

These pictures were taken during our safety unit when we talked about fire safety. Doesn't everyone look thrilled to be wearing the hats I spent hours making! Emily got left out of the picture and wanted me to add her, but Cauley's too busy to photoshop her in right now.

New Temple

Yay! I just found out there will be a new temple built here in Queen CreeK! I believe it will be on the SE corner of Pecos and Greenfield! I am so excited! This is awesome. It will be close enough that I don't have to get a babysitter for 3+ hours or more! For more information, click here.

Results from the EIP

So the Deveolpmental Specialist from Children and Family Services for the state came today. Talk about driving me crazy! She had me put out my preschool chairs all around my living room (WAYYYY NOT SAFE! They tip over when Tyli stands on them, resulting in bloody lips and bruised heads- the only way they can be is out against the wall or the couches like in preschool.)) and put a bunch of other toys out so she could see how Tyli "interacted and climbs" with things. Of course, if you know my daughter at all, you know she is too stubborn to do anything but sit on my lap when there is a "stranger" in the room, so what do you think she did- sat on my lap looking at this lady like she was crazy thinking Tyli would get down and go play. Apperantly I was being out of line by asking Tyli to go climb on the chairs like this lady wanted her to, because I was asked to stop. Tyli never did, but she did get down and play with some blocks for a little while. Then the nice lady made Tyli hold her hand and walk to her toy zebra so she could see how Ty did at riding it. Tyli wouldn't stop screaming. It wasn't a long visit, after that the nice lady just told me that nothing physically is wrong; The results were that I spoil my daughter too much and that she should start walking within a few months. Then she told me I need to start putting my preschool chairs around the house so she can practice climbing which was said as Tyli climbed onto the couch next to me. (Much higher than those chairs!) Tyli is actually begining to walk, taking between 3-7 steps here and there. She'll stand in the middle of the floor and do "Once there was a snowman" during preschool and even will just stand up to "shake he booty!" Needless to say, I didn't appriciate this visit at all and I most certainly won't be letting her free climb on the preschool chairs!

I just loved this!

My friend Jaclyn had this linked to her blog through others and once I clicked on and read it, I decided I too had to add the link to my blog. Enjoy!
The Truth about Mormons

Thankful Thursday

Even though I sound busy (yah, right!) I'm not! I am just exhausted, but hey- it's called being a mom of 3 with my oldest not yet being 5. I don't know how those of you with more little ones do it! Kudos! Anyways, survival is what I am thankful for today. I have a long list, so please bear with me.

First of all, I am thankful for the Dollar Store. How else could I afford toys for my kids every now and then? Especially when we have been out running errands for 4 1/2 hours straight and they have found something they "really need!" at every store- I get to bribe them with the knowledge that we'll be hitting your store last and you are bound to have something "totally awesome" that they will get to pick out. Oh ya, I forgot- your thank you is a double one. Thanks for making your toys so cheap so the really cheaply-made toys my kids end up choosing break and are usually in the garbage by the end of the week so I don't have to feel guilty that I only buy my kids toys from the $ store!

Next, I am thankful for Baby Einstein Videos. Yes, I am an awful mother who puts her kids in front of the TV for 1/2 hour every-other day with this video so I can run in and shower without my kids standing at the door banging while yelling "MOM!" or just crying until one of them is successful in getting the door open only to have three very cute peeping toms invade my shower. I had to invest money into this- I think I got it from Wal-mart for $14 or something, but that is 10 minutes of quiet that I get to enjoy- and that is $14 well spent!

On to the Costco baby wipes. I love them. No, they aren't as good as Pampers sensitive skin or whatever else you want to compare them to, but they have always gotten the job done for me. In fact, I keep one package on the changing table, one under the sink, one in the diaper bag, one in the car, and another in the kids bathroom and I must say I use them to clean up EVERYTHING unless it is germy enough that I need a Lysol wipe! They are very cost efficient too- I am too cheap to buy them otherwise. My mother-in-law thinks I should just use a wash cloth for most of my clean-up needs, but I don't like the smell (even if it's a new wash cloth) or the residue left behind. Plus, it just seems that my kids' faces shine so much more after using a wipee!

While I'm on a roll, I am VERY thankful for my bug guy, Kevin, that comes and sprays, and sprinkles, and gets rid of cobwebs, and anything else he does. I love how he tries to ignore my kiddos who are standing at the window with their noses pressed against it watching his every move! Plus, I hate bugs (shudder!) so I owe him a BIG thanks!

Ok, my kids are driving me nuts as I am trying to type, so I will finish up and get off the computer now. I do have one last thing before I go, and at risk of sounding corny, I am thankful for my kids routines throughout the day. Even though they get up way early (6:00 a.m.), they have a routine that we all follow and if we deviate at all, it's ok. I just love that they are always in bed by 8:00 p.m. without much struggle most nights (they aren't perfect!) except during football season and that we are following the word of wisdom with our "Early to bed, early to rise" routine. (yes, it's part of it!) Plus, with them in bed by 8:00, I get some much needed down time and when Cauley happens to be home, we get some much needed alone time!

That's how I think I survive in a nut shell- ok, so I didn't mention the chocolate and Caffeine-free Diet Coke, but those will have to be saved for another time- they deserve their own posts!

Anything new?

Ok, so I have been a total slacker blogger lately, but life gets busy sometimes. I have been reading all of your blogs thanks to google reader as I am preping for preschool (I CAN do 2 things at one time!) so I have kept up with all of your happenings, but sorry about the lack of comments- I haven't even posted anyhting new on mine!) I just finished one of my favorite topics in preschool today- "Super Safety!" It was almost too much that I crammed into the past two weeks, and after my first student left today, I realized I had forgotten to go over the stop, drop and roll in detail-oops! (today was all about fire safety and smarts.) Anyways, the kids had a great time and I am worn out, but next week is a new topic which is already to go so no more working on preschool this week- yay! Now I only need to get ready for the mini enrichment which I am in charge of tomorrow night, get caught up around the house, restock our bare pantry and frindge, throw a baby shower on Sat., have fun at Parker's b-day party, and attend Stk. Conference. Tyli is being evaluated on Friday for her lack of getting around upright, but that should only take a few hours in the morning. Maybe I'll have time to post something else this week! KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED- it just might happen!

I have come to my decision...(I think)

I believe I have come to my decision about whether or not I will teach preschool again next year. I decided I WILL be teaching beginning early August (same as Cauley's school schedule). I will be making lots of changes in areas that will absolutely bore you all to death, but some sort of contract needs to be made for next year, as apposed to this year. I also decided to change the days I teach from Mon. and Wed. to Tues. and Thurs. Anyways, I am only going to take 8 next year and have already got 3-maybe 4 signed up, so if anyone is interested, please feel free to email or give me a call.

jamirclark@gmail.com

First swim of the year

This week has really started out hot. I decided it was time to get into the water for our first swim of the year even though I have yet to turn on my AC. (I'm cheap, what can I say?) I mowed the lawn, blew up the pools, filled them, and then sun screened my kids, got them into their swim stuff, and we headed outside for what I thought was going to be about 10 minutes of fun. WRONG! After the first 20 minutes of laughing at and with my kids, being splashed and doing some splashing of my own, I couldn't coax anyone inside. Oh well. The boys had fun running and jumping into their pool, and didn't care that they were filling their pool up with the grass I had just mowed. Tyli liked crawling around and splashing, then got brave and started standing up and then jumping down. Then she really got brave and got out and crawled over to the boys' pool so they could splash her when they jumped in, which she found hilarious! They really had a great time in their new pools Grandma Kathy gave them for Easter! They lasted a little under an hour before the wind came up and McKade and Dallin got chilly. Tyli I had to literally take out of the pool kicking and screaming! It is supposed to get a little cooler the rest of the week, so we'll have to wait until it's warmer again before we swim again. I am just excited because Aunt Jeni starts her swim lessons the first part of May, and all of my kids are VERY excited!

You know you're really a mom when...

• You count the number of sprinkles on each kids cupcake to make sure they're equal
• You have time to shave only one leg at a time
• You hide in the bathroom to be alone
• Your child throws up and you catch it
• Someone else's kid throws up at a party and you keep eating
• You consider finger paint to be a controlled substance
• You mastered the art of placing food on a plate without anything touching
• Your child insists that you read "Once Upon A Potty" out loud in the lobby of a doctors office and you do it
• You hire a babysitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night talking about and checking in on the kids
• You hope ketchup is a vegetable because it's the only one your child eats
• You fast-forward through the scene when the hunter shoots Bambi's mother
• You obsess when your child clings to you upon parting during his first month at school, then you obsess when he skips in without looking back
• You can't bear to give away baby clothes--it's so final
• You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "Not in your good clothes."
• You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you
• You read that the average five-year old asks 437 questions a day and feel proud that your kid is "above average"
• You say at least once a day "I'm not cut out for this job," but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything!

Thankful Thursday

Yep, it's Thursday again. Today I am grateful for our beautiful spring weather. How thankful I am that it is warm enough, and not hot, so that my kids can go play outside. Is that bad? I love that I can send them out when they get too wound up or when I just need it quieter. No, really, this year we've been blessed with great weather! I love taking my kids to the park, going for bike rides, taking walks, playing in the dirt hills (Pecan Trees) by our house, and just being out in our backyard playing baseball, soccer, football, and light sabers. Dallin has discovered hopscotch and wants to play all the time, and the boys LOVE racing Daddy around the pecan trees. Tyli's favorite is the sandbox. We get diaper fulls of sand, leaving more sand on the changing table than in our sandbox! Bath time always makes me laugh as the water turns a dark brown color from my kids being so dirty. Hey, they're kids- they wash up well! The only downfall is that we all have seasonal allergies, leaving my kids with swollen red eyes and runny noses for the past 4 months now, but now we have Children's Zyrtec- and it's WONDERFUL! This weekend is supposed to get hot- lower 90's, but I'm sure we'll still play outside. Maybe we can get the new little swimming pools out and have our first "swim" of the season!

Tyli's 15 month check-up

I took Tyli to her most favorite place on earth today- the Doctors! (She actually started to cry as soon as I dropped off the boys at Grandma Kathy's house, and it just got louder and louder from there!) Everything went well, other than the screaming on Ty's part! She is still monsterously HUGE weighing in at 23 lb, 12 oz. (85th%) and measuring as tall as a tree at 32 1/2'' (still 99%). Her head matches the rest of her body, measuring at 19! (95%). The only concern is she still isn't walking (Dallin didn't walk until almost 16 months, so I'm not overly concerned) so we are being proactive and having a physical therapist from the state dept. come and evaluate her. Dr. Jones checked her hips, knees, ankles, feet, leg bones, and spine for anything unordinary, but he thinks she may just be too stubborn to want to walk. (She'll walk perfectly fine around the house holding onto just one of my fingers, but the second we let go, she heads to her knees! Talk about frustrating!) I agree, but have also agreed to be proactive. After the 3 shots we got to leave, but because Dr. Jones wasn't around, she didn't even really cry for the shots. He told me today that he is making it his personal goal to get her to smile at him sometime in the future- if even just once! Tyli got a care bear sticker when we left that she wouldn't let out of her site until bedtime tonight. It was so much fun!

Thankful Thursday

I can't believe it is Thursday again already! My how time flies! Today I am very thankful for my hearing. I am not blessed with the ability to hear everything as most of you are, but I can hear lots of things, and I delight in all the sounds of spring, as well as the everyday sounds. As a child, we discovered I wasn't hearing everything I was supposed to, and after extensive research found that I can hear only 80% in my right ear and 05% in my left. My family hated it because I was constantly saying "What?" (Cauley probably hates that too.) Anyhow, I can hear lots of things and as I sit here typing (which has been a while now because I never learned to type right) I can hear the birds singing outside, airplanes flying overhead, cars and trucks driving down the big road by our house, Dallin sneaking food out of the pantry (DALLIN!), dogs barking, and children playing outside. Most of these are pleasing, but what a blessing to be able to hear these wonderful sounds! In situations like mine, you learn to not take advantage of the small, everyday things. Let's "hear it" for our ears!;)

Happy Fools Day!

Dallin is hilarious! Yesterday, during preschool, we were calendaring and talking about it being the last day in March- today being the first of April. I told them about April Fool's Day and gave them a few examples of some tricks or jokes that they could do. Dallin kept smiling and I could see his little mind going a mile trying to find a way to trick me. All day long yesterday he kept saying "I am going to joke you so good, Mom!" Well, he went to bed and everyone woke up as usual at 6:30 except Dallin. I went about my morning as usual, and when walking into the kitchen around 7:30, I heard him yell "Come on, Mom! Wake me up!" I went into his room and could tell he was fake sleeping so I said "Wake up Dallin. You really slept in this morning. It's time to get up!" He started laughing, threw off the covers showing that he was already fully dressed, and yelled "Happy Fools Day, Mom!" It was so cute I started laughing. I told him to say April Fools next time, but that he got me good and he said he couldn't remember what he was supposed to say. It was really cool that my 4 year old came up with that by himself! Now he keeps hiding and jumping out and scaring eveyone with April Fools!