Getting Ready for Vacation!

The days leading up to vacation are always hectic, but this time it felt even more crazy than normal. It's beautiful weather in California and the kids have outgrown their summer clothes, so we have spent days shopping and running other errands, returning things, and buying more things. The last two days we spent 3 hours each. Max was a champ, Lily and Ryan have taken to playing hide and seek in the clothing and there were times I truly had no idea where they were in the store. Sometimes it was fun and they did great, and sometimes I was just so tired of shopping and when they ran away I felt like I couldn't handle it any more. So, needless to say, I'm going to take a break for a little while form going to Kohl's, Wal Mart, Costco, and Target...or anywhere else that involves clothes and running away.

Ryan trying on his new clothes and telling us which ones he doesn't really like.

Lily had fun (as always) taking pictures. 

They played in these for awhile pretending they were driving to California. 

I have also discovered that there's a few things I need to do to start my day out right and it makes all the difference. Exercising is huge for me and just something simple as emptying the dishwasher. When I can have a good prayer and get my scripture study in after showering it makes the day perfect. I had a couple days without doing those things and let me just say those were some of the hardest days as a mother I have had. But I made it through and learned that habits can make or break your day.

Lily didn't want to go to ballet so she came to Ryan's last music class with him. She was very cute with him and really helped him out (especially because it was hard for me to sit down since Max crawls everywhere and is a bit wild now), so it was sweet. We then went to the library for a veterinary  stuffed animal day. They had fun and I was impressed with all the library did to put this on. It's such a blessing to be able to go to fun events and not pay a thing! Though it was kind of funny when the vet seemed so surprised that the kids (aged 2-5) weren't better listeners.

Ryan has been hitting somewhat frequently lately. I know it's because he needs more one on one time and especially with all the errands and my bad mood lately it hasn't helped. So I know there are things I need to do to help him, but there are still consequences for hitting so I took his froggy away. He found something downstairs that also had a froggy on it (a neck pillow), so he held it up to me and told me he would pretend this was his froggy since I took his away. I thought that was pretty resourceful.

Last week we had the missionaries over for dinner and I had to leave early to get to Young Women's. As soon as I start to go to the car Lily says, "okay Dad, now you're in charge." We all cracked up and the missionaries about died.

Max likes moving his hands a lot so he often he just grabs whatever is in his reach. This time it was the rocking chair. 

I thought I should take pictures of what the house looks like before Jeff comes home from work so he can fully appreciate when he comes home and it's all nice and clean.