Sleeping Beauty

I've been trying not to give Ashlyn naps if I can help it. Ever since she kept me up until 1 am a few weeks ago, naps have been short and sparse. Usually in the car during the afternoon run around. Sometimes she still sneaks one in at home though. 

I found her on the floor like this. I have fought this girl over sleep more than any of my boys. Apparernly, it just has to be on her own terms. 

Best Valentine's Day Cards Ever!

Jacob picked out these valentines to give to his class. They were a big hit at home as well as in the classroom!

Bucket of Blankets

While we were reading scriptures, Adam woke up and went into the bathroom. When he was finished, we expected him to join us like he always does, but he disappeared back into his room. After we were done, Trevor went to check on him and called me to his room to see what he was doing. I thought he had gone back to sleep. But instead, we found him like this:

He has been playing with an old toy bucket. He piled blankets, stuffed animals and light sabers inside, then put himself in and we found him just sitting. He said he was cold.  

Sympathy

Ashlyn is a really sympathetic sister when she sees her brothers in time out. She puts herself there with them to show her support. 

Kids

When you ask your 4 year old to put away your bag & shoes and he has to wear them to your closet as well as take several detours around the house in costume before he actually gets them put away. 

11 Year Old in the House

My Guinea pig has turned 11. He will now teach me what to do with an 11 year old so I can know how to do it right for the other kids. 

We celebrated his Sunday no-funday birthday by going out to eat on Saturday night at Red Robin. 

Big holidays are one of the rare moments that Jacob lets me take pictures of him. Otherwise he will cover his face or turn and run away. 

Jacob picked out the mile high ice cream cake for dessert. They devoured it like wild animals who had been scavenging for food for days. I was afraid to get my spoon in there for fear that I would get nipped at. 

On Sunday we had presents and church in the morning. Jacob was happy with his loot despite the absence of his most wanted present..a mini iPad. We had some visits from grandparents and the primary president. And we ended the day with the best thing possible. Cake & ice cream. Some of us paid the price the next morning with a stomach ache from eating too much cake. 

School Carnival

We went to the annual school carnival and all Ashlyn wanted to do was stare at the animals in the petting zoo. She didn't want to go inside and let any of them. She just wanted to watch them. All night.

Every time this lhama got too close she would panick. 

Trevor was gone on a business trip, Jacob was off with his friends most of the night and Hunter & Adam went with their aunt to another school carnival so it was just me & this little lady. And the lhama.