Can I Have S'more?

On Sunday we decided to ring in the fall weather by making s'mores. It was a beautiful night. Miriam and Simon were not quite sure what was going on at first. Michael had shown Miriam pictures of s'mores earlier in the day to try to explain what we were going to be making. Once they figured it out they were in heaven, as many marshmallows and chocolate bars as they could eat. Again I didn't have my camera so Grandma came to the rescue with her fancy phone. I really should get one of those iPhone things :) The s'mores were delicious, tasty, and super messy. What more could you ask for on a wonderful fall evening?

 

Miriam Golfs

This past Saturday, while Simon was napping, Miriam got to go on a special "date" with Grandma and Grandpa Bishop. They took her miniature golfing and to Pinkberry for frozen yogurt. She had so much fun having special time with Grandma and Grandpa. When they asked her if Simon should come next time she said, "No, just me". Grandma took some pictures on her phone for us. Miriam is one special, lucky girl.

Walk for the Homeless

For our ward service project this year we participated in the Good Shepherd Alliance's walkathon. Our ward was encouraged to participate and show support for another charity this year (as opposed to being in charge). Fall weather arrived just in time for our walk. It was a beautiful day and even a little chilly in the morning. When we got there we registered and then had some extra time. Luckily there was a playground the kids could play on. Miriam and Simon were very patient waiting for the walk to start.

(if you ask Simon if it is bright he closes his eyes tightly)

Members of the three wards participating were asked to wear yellow shirts. They had a few Mormon Helping Hands shirts to give out. I can imagine the scene onlookers witnessed. A bunch of people in bright yellow shirts pushing strollers through downtown. With all the people and strollers the walk turned into more of a leisurely stroll... about 40 minutes to go 1.2 miles. Miriam and Simon were pretty good through the whole thing. They were just getting hungry by the time we were at the end.

One we finished they had face painting and a moon bounce for the kids. They also had a lunch, but we opted to go home and eat. Getting Simon down for a nap was important after such a full morning.

We had a great time serving our community. It is important to be great examples to others through service. We know that as we give others will be blessed. We tried to explain to Miriam that we were helping raise money and awareness for people that don't have a house. It is a hard concept for a three year old to grasp, but I am glad we can do service with our kids that will hopefully leave a lasting impression.

What started as a normal day

Friday was as typical as a Friday can get. Michael was off to work around 6:15 am. The kids got me out of bed around 7:00 am. We got ready for the day and went out on our weekly grocery shopping trip. We came home and had lunch. Simon napped while Miriam and I played. After nap-time I decided I better figure out what to do about dinner. The kids were playing so well together (those happy noises can't be beat). I was thinking, "I don't care what kind of mess is made when Miriam and Simon are playing so nicely together". After making my dinner plan I went to check on the kiddos. Their room was a mess and the living room was a mess. Oh well, I have to start dinner. Miriam wanted me to put on a movie from the library while I was making dinner. More distractions, great!

Then I noticed that Simon was limping. He wouldn't put his left heel down. He wanted me to hold him. I felt his leg and foot, but didn't see or feel anything different. I put him on the couch to rest so I could start dinner. I was chopping potatoes when Miriam said Simon needed me. I came around the corner and saw him trying to walk again. He was definitely hurt. I called Michael and told him to hurry home because we might be making a trip to urgent care. Simon would not let me put him down, so I made dinner one handed. After dinner was in the oven I went to sit on the couch with the kids. We were reading books when all of a sudden Simon threw up. Great, I had to put him in the bath and figure out how to clean the carpet. I can't leave Simon alone in the bath so the carpet will have to wait. I tell Miriam to come sit by me in the bathroom so she won't step in it. Simon is clean. On to the carpet, wait a minute weren't Michael and I just talking about how we needed to buy some carpet cleaner... just in case? I call Michael again and tell him to stop and get carpet cleaner on his way home.

I put Simon in his booster chair because I knew he couldn't move if he was buckled in. Somewhere in between all of this I managed to turn off the oven so dinner wouldn't burn. I decide to get Miriam started on dinner (she is a slow eater and I knew she needed a head start tonight). I burn my hand getting the pork tenderloin out, but I don't have time to cry. I decided we are going to take Simon to urgent care. Then, Simon throws up again. Luckily I didn't push him up to the table. Simon needs another bath. Miriam is being an angel eating dinner alone. She is asking me for more broccoli. I can't believe how patient she is being through all of this. Simon is clean, again.

Michael comes home and I ask him if he wants to hold Simon or clean up. Amazingly, he chooses throw up. I try to grab some food one handed while Michael cleans. We talk about urgent care. I want to take him in (after what happened to Miriam I don't like taking chances). Michael feels like we should wait it out. Motherly instincts win, we are headed to urgent care.

Can I just brag more about my kids and husband? Miriam was so amazing through this whole process. Michael just stepped right in when he got home. Simon was the best patient. As we figured, after seeing Simon try to walk the doctor order x-rays. Simon did amazing. What other 17 month old (yes, seventeen months old today) would hold so still for x-rays? The doctor did not see a break on the x-rays (RELIEF! All of the worse case scenarios had already run through my head.) and said she felt like something was wrong with his ankle. She recommended him to wear an ace bandage through Sunday. If he still isn't putting pressure on it by Monday we should see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. No urgent care regrets for me. I am glad to have the peace of mind that he is going to be okay.

As you can tell from all of the pictures, a good night's sleep did wonders. With the bandage on, he is starting to put pressure on his heel again. It is still bothering him some, but he was able to walk around for most of the day. It is so hard for this little boy to sit still. My poor little Simon.

Zinga!

As I mentioned on my last post we went out for ice cream (actually frozen yogurt) on Labor Day. We went to the newest thing in froyo... Zinga! (It is like Yogurtland.) It is a self-serve frozen yogurt place with a ton of different toppings. Miriam knew exactly what she wanted. She didn't want me to tell her all about the options. She was set on white ice cream with marshmallows.

Sometime I feel so boring at places like this. The options are endless and I always end up getting the plain tangy frozen yogurt. However, this time I did branch out a little bit with a drizzle of caramel on top.

 

Thanks Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa for the delicious treat. The smiles say it all.

Life with a little boy

Last night while I was making dinner I kept hearing this thump. I would come around the corner to see if Miriam and Simon were okay. They were just laying on the floor, happy as can be. I figured they were kicking the floor. Then I happen to catch this on video:

Luckily he did it a couple more times so I could catch it on video. I have no idea why he decided to do this. Simon is such a boy. It is amazing how different he and Miriam are... yet they are the best of friends. Sometimes I am a little nervous to find out what he is doing when I turn the corner. He has turned into a climber, I didn't even know he could get up on the couch all by himself.

Celebrating the Laborers

Unlike most holidays, on Labor day I felt like I took plenty of pictures to capture the day (over 200). We spent the day with Michael's parents (who are now officially empty-nesters). While the food was being prepared the kids found the Fourth of July pinwheels and took advantage of the windy day.

 

  

Then they found some balls and shot hoops. Check out Simon's form! 

They also thought it was pretty funny to put the pinwheels through the hoop.

I couldn't help taking pictures of the delicious food being grilled. 

Ribs, grilled corn, and chicken for the kids. Yum.

Miriam was inside helping Grandma make dressing for the pasta salad.

Simon was helping me take pictures of the action... on a chair for better viewing.

After dinner Miriam took the dog for a walk with Grandma.

While they were gone Simon and Michael played a little golf.

Boy does Simon loves any kind of ball.

and here is a video of Simon golfing with Michael...

After Miriam got back from walking Gus, Grandpa and Michael set up bowling for the kids. It was pretty entertaining to watch them get so excited about knocking the pins down.

 

Miriam decided to tackle Michael which turned into a big wrestling match on the front lawn.

I even set the self timer to get a picture of me, proof I existed.

After all the excitement we went to get ice cream... because Miriam gave Grandpa the "I am too cute to say no to" look.