Visit With Friends and New Year's Eve

This week Jeff wasn't able to come home until Thursday night, but I did really well the whole week and felt proud of myself. I brought dinner to a friend on Monday, on Tuesday I met Sarah, Michael, and Diana at the Children's Museum. They had so much fun even though it was super crowded. And then we went to Janna's house to see Ben and Lora Cook. We ended up being there for 4 hours and the kids did SO WELL! Janna had just bought a bounce house for Christmas and Lily and Ryan loved it so much. I hardly saw them between that and playing with Jack and Anessa. She is 11 and was such a good little babysitter and had them camping out and reading stories. The kids were sad to leave and Janna's kids were sad to see them go. Right after Ben and Lora's family got there Jeff was able to miraculously come. He had to visit a hospital in that area (which he has never had to visit before) so he stopped by to chat. It was so much fun having him there and it was great to catch up with everyone. The drive back the boys fell asleep and when we finally got home Ryan just laid on the couch under his blanket. He was so tired, but it was a really fun day.

Michael helped set up some ball tracks.  

The kids could have stayed in this ball pit all day.  

Having a campout.  

Me, Janna, Lora, and Ben. A very fun reunion!

On Wednesday we took Christy (a Young Woman) out to donuts and had a nice visit. Then we had Leah and Taryn over for a bit. Ryan hasn't been napping, but his eyes are red so I told him it's his body's way of telling him he needs more sleep. 

Thursday we watched Cara's kids for a couple hours (Emily, 3 and Alex, 5) and the kids played so well together. It was an easy play date and Cara said she was able to get a lot done so I was happy to help out. I have been doing reading practice with Lily and she was proud to be able to sound out nine words. She is doing a great job and we have made that part of our routine, like scriptures and mind, body, soul time. I have also been impressed with the kids for learning scriptures. They have memorized: "Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand." Jacob 4:10 and "Thy faith hath made thee whole." Enos 1:8. The Enos one is really hard for them because of all the "th's" but they are understanding the meaning and remembering. I just love the feeling of teaching kids good things and seeing how even at a young age they are able to learn and absorb and understand gospel principles. 

After naps we took Taryn with us to Costco. It was a little wild, but they did great overall. We have been waiting and waiting for Jeff to come home so when he finally pulled up the kids were ecstatic. Last night when Lily heard Jeff couldn't come home she broke down sobbing. "Did he even want to come home?" It was heartbreaking for Jeff and me, and yet so sweet to see how much she loves him.

Jeff wasn't sure which house he came home to because the kids were so polite. When I asked Jeff to pray Ryan said, "no, I want to," which he never does. Then he closed his eyes really tight and gave a short, heartfelt prayer. After dinner he said, "mommy, thank you so much for dinner" and Lily said the same thing. Then when I was singing, "What are you doing New Year's Eve" they both told me they liked that song a lot and it was beautiful. I told them thank you and how much that meant to me. I told Ryan it filled up my love bucket and he said it filled up his love bucket too because it was beautiful. And then he was really nice to Max and sharing things and just being very kind. He was being pretty sweet. 

We played games and Lily and Ryan get pretty sad if they don't get the Star Wars characters they like for memory. It's funny how most of the time games end in tears. We then played Guess Who and Ryan doesn't quite get the concept yet, but it was still fun. He likes anything that has to do with the number 3, so it's pretty easy to guess what he chose. 

Ryan's portrait of Jeff. 

This is what I found in Max's crib. Luckily he didn't swallow it, the mess was all over the floor. 

Lily and Ryan passed out after church one day. 

Some Star Wars mode of transportation. Max was very upset they were using the rocking chair and his high chair. 

Just hanging out in their spaceship or airplanes or whatever they are.  

Max's way of saying he's ready for a nap. 

To bring in the New Year we watched some Netflix short videos for kids that have a countdown. We watched about 4 and we had fun dancing, counting down, and yelling "Happy New Year!"

The kids carefully put away all of their ornaments by wrapping each one up. 

This kept them busy for awhile, putting all the lights in the holes. 

Max loves his cereal, multiple times a day. He's definitely my child. 

Ryan reading to Max.

Lily reading Thomas' Stuck in the Mud to Max. It's so fun having some other people read Max's favorite story to him.

Max loves this sweater vest. If he sees it in his closet at all he has to wear it. So I have to hide it or he'll just cry until he can put it on.