Monday, June 10, 2013

BOYS!!

I want to share one of those awkward moments you have as a parent with your 6 year old...

I was giving the kids a bath tonight and as I was getting ready to wash Sebastien this conversation happened:

S: "Mom do you see this?  It is a little "ball", what is it for?"
Me: "It is just part of your private parts, all boys have them."
S: "So Daddy's have them too?" Continuing to squeeze them.
Me: "Sebastien stop squeezing, you are going to hurt yourself."
Manti: Looking down "I have them too!! I squeezed them as hard as I can and it didn't even hurt!"

It reminded me of an embarrassing moment when Sebastien was potty training. We had the Pratt's over one night and Kristine and I were sitting on the couch chatting.  Sebastien came running up and said, "Mommy my pee pee is bigger!" 

There is never a dull moment around here with my two boys! Someday these are going to be great stories to tell future girlfriends/wives. :) 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Absent

We have been absent from the blogging world for a while. Hopefully I can get caught up soon when school gets out and I don't have to walk down there three times a day.

 I did want to share a little secret....I am pregnant!!! JUST KIDDING!!! Probably made a few of you gasp though. ;)

The real secret is...I am surprising Troy with some pictures of the kids for Father's Day.  Check out some of them here: sincerelylexphotography.blogspot.com

I hope he loves them as much as I do...(the pictures of course)!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Halloween 2012

Halloween 2012 was so much fun.  All of the kids are finally at ages where trick or treating is enjoyable.  Due to Sebastien falling on my foot and breaking my pinkie toe, I did not go out and about with the family.  Troy met up with people from work and their kids while I stayed home and passed out candy.  In the years past, the kids have only lasted about 45 minutes trick or treating. After an hour and a half of them being gone, I got a little nervous. When they finally got home they unloaded the wagon FULL of candy and began picking out what they thought was the best. Between the church trunk or treat, a work party and Halloween day, we had enough candy to open our own candy store.

This was probably one of the best ward trunk or treats we have been to.  The kids loved all of the activities they had and the decor! We had a blast decorating the car and passing out candy....although I did get annoyed with the rudeness of the older kids.
Sebastien loves any game involving throwing something. 

Sorry about the shadow...I just loved the decorations though the kids were unsure about them. 

Caught them at a perfect moment. 

Musical chairs is fun when everyone wins. ;) 

Sissy bug even loved throwing bean bags. 

Goin' Fishin'. 

Getting ready to get some candy! 

My little watermelon. 

And they are off....

This would have been a good picture if Sebasiten would LOOK AT ME! 

Add caption


These three make me happy! 

Family picture at a work party. 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Taking a Break

In the midst of Troy working, trying to pack and make plans for moving we all needed a break.  This was one of our last fun summer days in Cheyenne before the move...




"Watch this Mom!"


Come on dad, that's as fast as you can push me? 

Not too sure if he is really having fun... 

Still thinking about it....

Yep, it's fun! Let's do it again. 

I am a sucker for sunsets and could not pass this one up! Beautiful. 

School Parties and Awards

Sebastien and Manti are both loving school.  They get sad when they have a day off school because they are going to miss their teacher's and friend's. I will not lie, sometimes it makes me sad that they would rather be at school than at home with me but then they fight and well, you parents know how that goes. (wink,wink) I want to document all of the fun things they have done that I have been able to attend.  First, I have to say, when I go to the school (for whatever reason) I feel VERY blessed to have such wonderful children.  Yes, they have their moments of misbehaving however, they are REALLY good kids.  I have been able to volunteer in both classes and help out with class parties. My favorite was Sebastien's Halloween party.  Seeing the kids in their costumes and decorating cookies with them was rewarding.  I don't always love helping at preschool but I did enjoy going to Avila Barn with Manti (and Emree) for their fall field trip.  They got to feed animals, go on a hayride and pick out a pumpkin.  Manti is the popular one in his class and I couldn't help but laugh watching all of the little girls' begging to have a picture taken with him. Too funny!

The first batch of pictures are from Sebastien's Thanksgiving feast.  They had all of the kinder classes in the cafeteria together, dressed in their cute vests and hats they made in class.  They got to sing a couple songs, have a class picture taken on the stage and have a Thanksgiving meal.  For a bunch of 5-6 year old kids they had a TON of food. Sebastien has a true love and talent of learning songs.  He was so cute singing and following his teacher with the actions. 



The R1 Kinder class. 

Emree loved being able to sit at Sebastien's lunch table and eat with him. 
 The second group of pictures are from Manti's field trip to Avila Barn, about 45 minutes north of where we live.  Because his preschool is run by the state, they have a very small budget.  They require that parents drive their child to each field trip as they have no funds for buses.  At first I didn't want to bother going because at the time gas was over $4.00 a gallon and we were spending so much money with other things going on at the schools.  I had a cheap moment and am glad we ended up participating.  Manti and Emree both had such a good time.  However, next year I think this is something we will do as a family.


He loved petting and feeding the animals. 
Gearing up for the hayride.  They were all given a freshly picked apple from the farm to snack on while on the hayride. HE LOVES APPLES! 

Emree is always so patient sitting in her stroller.  
It was so hard for him to decide which pumpkin was the best.  This was the winner. 
Snack time, Manti's favorite time at preschool.                                       
Class picture! That is Manti waving...he does this ANYTIME he is involved in a group activity. 





I love my little pumpkins! 
These two are either best friends or else they terrorize each other.  Luckily I caught them when they were having one of their happy moments.

My little minions loved telling people what they were dressed up as.  For my Cheyenne friends, YES, these are the same costumes as last year.  This momma was NOT feeling creative this year! 
Too adorable! 
 As were we standing in line to wait for preschool the kindergarten class began a costume parade around the school.  This was one of the moments I was glad we have to wait 20 minutes before Manti's class begins.  I had no idea they were doing this but it was so fun to watch all the kids parade around with huge smiles on their faces.
This costume was awesome! One of the teacher's dressed as a chicken! 

There's my boy...all smiles. 

Sebastien's teacher dressed as Thing 2 and Sebastien...scratching his bum?

The R1 Halloween party.  I love how my little minion stands out. 
Sebastien got to frost a cookie at one of the centers for
his class party. This was a big hit for all the kids. 

Manti was ecstatic to show me his stuff from his party. 




 On December 12th Sebastien's school had an award assembly.  I had received an email a week prior from his teacher:


Hello,

I just wanted to let you know Sebastien will be getting 3 awards at the up coming awards assembly, December 12 for becoming a Cosmic Reader, Astro Reader, and a Self-Manager. Go Sebastien! The assembly is at 8:45 in the MPR.

Miss Vordale


The Cosmic Reader award is for being able to read his 25 sight words to us, his teacher and principal.
The Astro Reader awards is for reading his 100 sight words to us, his teacher and the principal.
The Self-Manager award is only given out twice in the whole school year.  It is given to kids who are well behaved, take care of themselves and others and well a self-manager.  The benefits...he gets to walk to lunch by himself 5 minutes before his class, line up first and I honestly don't even know what else.  I just know it is a big deal for the school and kids.  AND I AM ONE PROUD MOMMA!!



High five to paws, the school mascot! 

That's my boy....great job buddy. 


He really loves reading and has done so well so far. 

250 word list here we come....
 Between the two boys school activities and Emree's doctor appointments they have kept me pretty busy.  As crazy as life gets, I wouldn't change a second of it.  Thank you to my kids for being so great!

Family Visits

Since moving to California we (well I guess mainly me) have really been missing family.  It is always hard for me to adjust to a new home, ward and not knowing anyone.  Thankfully we have had several visits from family and have adored every second with them.  Our first visit was from Grandpa Rob, then Aunt Mary Ann and the kids, Grandma Eileen and then Grandpa & Grandma Egnew and Jadyn.  After Christmas we even drove to Palm Springs to see Grandma Eileen, Aunt Crystal and the girls.  It has been so nice being closer to home and being able to see family more often.  I do however still miss my friends in Cheyenne, you will ALL hold a special place in my heart, always! 

Our visit from the Castanon's was such a blast.  The boys were in school and Troy worked during the day but Mary Ann and the kids entertained me.  It was a weird schedule because Sebastien had half days the whole week due to parent teacher conferences.  Mary Ann's kids were so good about getting up early to walk the boys to school even though it was their week off of school.  The kids loved playing together at home, the parks, the beach and even at Target. :) Mary Ann and I got to have some sister time. We did crafts and had many long talks about life.  It was a great week! 
Cousin Madness. 
The kids all watching a movie.  Check out Manti, under the blue pillow, YES he is sleeping! 

Grandpa Rob's visit was quick, nonetheless it was GREAT seeing him.  The kids always cherish their time spent with him and Manti always talks about it for days/weeks after.  

Emree and Grandpa Rob having fun on the slide. 
 Grandpa & Grandma Egnew and Jadyn came up to visit after they helped Mary Ann and her family move to San Diego.  We didn't do much but we sure enjoyed having company in the house.  I always love having time with my parents and it was an added bonus that Jadyn was able to come too.  The day they left Emree and I took them to the beach to look for shells.  I didn't plan it very well and we ended up there at high tide so the shell hunt was not very successful. Jadyn "accidentally" got wet by a wave and had fun doing it.  I don't think Mom and Dad loved the hike back to the car so next time I will have to take them to a different beach.  

I love this picture.  It was a beautiful morning and Emree enjoyed the alone time with  our guests. 

 This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  In fact I have no idea why it even downloaded to the page, but it's one of my favorites so I will just go with it.  
November 2011