A Trip to the Dentist and a Nigerian Birthday Party

Ryan had his first dentist appointment this week; it was Lily's third. They both did a great job and when Lily went to go get X-rays, she just waved to me and said, 'bye, mom" without a care in the world. The movie "The Incredibles" was on and that did frighten Ryan a lot, so he stayed close to me and enjoyed looking at the fish instead. The only thing that made Lily really sad was when the dentist told us I had to brush after her until she is in first grade. She sobbed as she told Jeff this news because she wants to brush all by herself.

After that we went to Chik-Fil-A with some of Lily's preschool friends. The kids had a great time and loved the play place. When it was time to leave Ryan did not want to budge. I really didn't know what to do because nothing I said could convince him to leave, even when I said I was going to leave without him. There was one boy, however, that was very concerned with my threats. He came in the play room sobbing, absolutely sobbing, saying, "NO! You can't leave him! Please don't leave him!" I went out and talked to his mom and she said she had been trying to console him since he said "that boy's mother said she'd leave without him." I wished Ryan had cared half as much as that boy.

Lily loves reading in the New Testament picture book. She knows so many stories, I'm truly impressed. She also told me about how Joseph Smith saw a light, how Satan tried to stop him and how the light was above him then he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I just love that at four years old, she knows and believes in these stories and that it's so wonderful to be able to teach these to our children and have that foundation of Christ's teachings in our home. I'm so grateful for the gospel and how our children will get to have it as a strength to them at such an early age.

While Lily was reading in the New Testament book, Ryan was looking at the Jerusalem book Jeff made from our trip there. He loved when I told him about the empty tomb and just looked at that page a long time. The kids are so interested in Jesus and his crucifixion and resurrection.

The other day when Ryan was sad I asked if we should pray for him to be happy. Right after our prayer he said, 'I think I'm happy now!" What a fast answer! Speaking of prayers being answered, I have looked for so many things lately and prayer has been the only way I have been able to find them. Social Security cards, jury summons, and other notes and things. I love how you can look for something somewhere for 15 minutes and not find it anywhere, then pray and find it in 1 minute. It's so cool!

The other day during nap time Lily came into my room (where I was trying to sleep). I named several things she could do and she finally said, "no, I want to do something with a grown up." Well, since I was the only grown up in the house, I guess that meant me. So I figured my nap time was over too.

Lily loves drawing pictures for Ryan, but he often doesn't like them. Typically it's because it's a picture of Lily and me or some other person, but not Ryan. She finally drew a picture of batman and superman and a bat cave....and Ryan liked it! He put it on the fridge even. Lily is learning that you have to know your audience when you do commissioned art.

On my way to mutual last week I drove by and saw a man in a wheel chair bending over. He looked like he needed help, but I just went past. After 30 seconds I decided to turn around. I have often seen people I thought might need help and whenever I don't help them I spend my time feeling guilty and like I was not being an instrument for the Lord. And I didn't want to feel that way when I could be an answer to prayer so I stopped. I met Tony, who is disabled and had been shopping at Walgreen's for his daughter's birthday. He was carrying too much stuff and got stuck and it was so cold out. I offered to take the things to his apartment and he hesitantly agreed. I met him there, put the things in his house, and gave him a pass along card. He loves Easter so I want to bring him a video soon. He said he has met with missionaries before, but loves the church he goes to. I felt so nice doing a good deed and not ignoring what looked like a sign of someone needing help. I hope if anything Tony felt the love of God for him that someone noticed him, which meant that God notices him and loves him.

Here's some pictures from the week:

Lily's driving the cart and Ryan's enjoying his cookie

Do you see Ryan? 

We went to a reception at the church and Lily took my phone and took pictures everywhere. I like how she captured the basketball, she knows from her daddy that this is very important. 

Lily's friend from school, Amari, and her sister. Her sister turned 1. I brought home a lot of leftovers, native Nigerian food, and Jeff was very happy with all the delicious food. 

Just Dance. Lily loved dancing to the song, "Happy." 

The mother of my friend Kemi (Kemi is Amari's mom). She's so sweet, I love her!

Bowling! Lily got a few strikes!

One of the many towers we often find in our house. This was decorated with a mixing bowl and a skirt, I thought it was nice. 

Max is crawling and all over the place. 

Ryan is holding up his boot to make sure Max doesn't get it. Ryan spends a lot of time and energy hiding or holding items so Max doesn't eat them. 

Cute photos of Max captured by Lily. She's a great photographer! 

Lily and Jeff's work of art.  

Ryan threw a toy down the stairs, right at Max's eye. But he's still smiling. 

I love this boy so much, he is the sweetest thing. 

Lily and Ryan love looking through books, "reading." 

Ryan is doing Pilates with me and was really into the pilates breathing: "hee, hee, hee."

Max has fallen asleep like this a few times, it must be more comfortable than it looks. 

Lily asked to curl her hair this day and with the crown, skirt, and silk scarf around her neck, several people asked if this was normal attire for her. I said it often is. She looked very cute and was being very protective of her baby brother, she wanted to sit by him. You'll notice Ryan crawling out of the car in the backdground. This trip solidified me having a ban on ever getting a cart with a car again. 

The kids were busy

A favorite spot for Lily and Ryan....until Ryan gets hurt. 

Favorite pasttime: making messes and building structures out of anything available. 

Cute Ryan. 

I turned my back for a couple minutes and Max had a great time with the tissues. 

Family Home Evening involved food coloring, vinegar, and baking soda. We needed an activty  so Jeff put those ingredients together and eventually there was a chemical reaction. Needless to say the kids enjoyed it.