Nightly Routine

Pj's on

Bedtime Snack (Usually Graham Crackers and milk) 

Brush Teeth

Pick one book each (or one chapter)

Meet on couch in mom's room

Read books

Scripture

Family Prayer

Dad heats up hot pads

Tuck Elli in (silently reads in her bed)

Snuggle Carter

Sing Songs while I scratch his back and he rubs my eyebrows

Say good night

Snuggle Elli

Sing Songs, only back scratch, no eyebrows

Say good night

Check on every both every 10 min until asleep

awh...

Except recent Carter has decided to add an additional little step to our routine.

2 A.M. Play Time.

for 3 hours!

ugh...

One crazy kid!

I believe the pictures and video say it all. This kid is one of a kind! He loves making people laugh, and does a pretty darn good job at it! Love this little guy!

Children's Museum

So I bought some discounted tickets to the Children's Museum at the Gateway a few months ago. Kids needed to get out of the house on Saturday so we took an afternoon and let the kids enjoy.

The girls spent most of their time in the pretend grocery store. They still love pretend play which I am happy about. Learning about the value of pretend play at school, I was happy to witness their creativity.
I love having family time!

Scriptures for Kids

So we have been trying a new way of family scripture study since we finished all our kids versions of the standard works.  We choose one scripture, generally a scripture mastery, and read it, then the rest of us repeat it back and then talk about what it means. It has actually been really nice and I feel that the kids are getting much more out of it. 
This was the scripture Steve "read" yesterday. 
"Do not back talk your mom's or dad's".
I expected a "thats not a scripture dad", but nothing. The kids said it back and we learned what it meant just like normal.  Elli even "reminded" Carter of it already when he was backtalking. 
Gotta love it!

Soccer and Sweat

Carter found his old soccer shirt in his drawer today and was ecstatic.  He insisted on wearing it.  Now let me remind you that he cried on the side lines nearly every game.  The games he did play he slowly walked the field holding his friend Ruby's hand.  I do not think he ever touched the ball. 
This was the conversation we had.
Carter: "Mom, can you sign me up for soccer again I REALLY want to play and win!"
Me: "Last time I signed you up you hated it. Tee ball too.  We aren't signing up for anything else until I know that you will really play."
Carter: "But Mom, that was before I new about sweat bands!" 

New Additions

Meet Lilly, Lulu, and Anakin.  Perfect replicas of their proud new owners personalities.
The kids got Build-a-Bear gift certificates for christmas and had a great time making them this weekend.  Tough decisions for the girls, but not Carter, he knew exactly what he wanted.  This boy is a Star Wars fanatic!

2011

We kicked off 2011 with Christmas #2 at home with all our kids together.

 Then on New Year's Eve our bubbly, party hats, and poppers.  This year I couldn't get away with setting the clocks back.  I think it was more fun when we could, everyone was way too tired by midnight and it was pretty anti-climatic.  Put even though the fun was short lived, we managed a few little pictures and some smiles before the meltdowns started about 12:15a.m.  Next year I think I will find a different way...

Always fun to start the fresh new year with the best kids!