Cha-Cha-Cha

 Man I have been a blog slacker! In my defense, I haven't been feeling well at all. I guess someone is trying to make sure I know that this is our last kid, because I don't ever want to do this again! Amari is so sweet and checks on me throughout the day "So mom, how you beelin'?" To which I usually lie and say "I'm feeling ok, how are you feeling Amari." Her response, "I don't have anything in MY belly, I'm fine."

Zeke LOVES his preschool these days. Last week he was feeling a little crabby and told me he was going back to bed about an hour before preschool started. I didn't argue. He came out about 15 minutes before we were supposed to leave with his shirt on backwards and inside out and said "I'm sorry mom, I do want to go to preschool." He comes home each day so jazzed up about all of his "activities" (crafts and paperwork) and loves to show them off.  When I picked him up yesterday he saw a sign by his school and "read" it to me "It says 'welcome to preschool!' that is so nice of them!" It actually said "no parking fire lane" same difference.

 I'm not sure what this face is but it made me giggle a little.

I realized today that I usually take Katurahs pictures when she is in her highchair. She makes super hilarious faces when she is in it and she can't run away from the camera, so you will probably see alot more of them.

 She has discovered a new talent, climbing on the table...ugh. I really don't love the injuries that come along with this stage of development, but it sure is a cute one.

 She loves to dump things out and riverdance in them, she doesn't care what it is goldfish crackers, chocolate milk, old cereal, she's not picky but she does have some awesome moves.

I got to go to Pantera's Valentines day party at school. Pantera sure does love her class and they love her. Some of them a little to much. There is a little boy who told her and everyone else that he is working on becoming really rich and buying a mansion so Pantera will marry him. Pantera thinks it's creepy, I think it's super cute.

 Second grade is full of this kind of drama, it's all about "crushes" who has one on who and what not. It seems like these change on a daily basis and not only that but they all have lists, but pretty much every boy or girl is on the list. So if there was the opportunity for an entire class to get married, I'm pretty sure they would be all over it...for about an hour anyway.

I turned older on Saturday, 28 yikes! Jess and I got to go out last Thursday without the kids for a hot date. I got him a handsome new shirt and hat for the occasion, then on the day of realized I had almost nothing that fit me anymore, already. I found enough of an outfit not to have a meltdown and lock myself in the bedroom, but I think I might need to go shopping. Anywho, we had a great time, I just love hanging out with that guy, I'm such a lucky gal.

10 weeks pic last week rockin' a bump already...

 The kids were so sweet to me and Pantera created several crafty projects to express her love for me. Best part of my day was when they sang me Happy Birthday. The older kids add the Cha-Cha-Chas because, well it's cool. Amari tried to get in on the action this time, but just couldn't sync up with everyone else...it was hilarious. Thanks guys, I sure do love you all!

Chiwala

It's absolutely amazing to hear all of these ideas from a little girl who I swear just learned to walk yesterday! Maybe yesterday is exaggerating a little bit, but she wont be 3 until April and she has this HUGE personality and a HUGE vocabulary to go with it...kind of a dangerous combo. She is so very smart, but I must admit I love it the best when she gets the words wrong. For example, I may be a horrible parent who buys and feeds her children cocoa puffs, Amari calls them meatballs. What do you want for breakfast Amari? "Meatballs and milk!" She also gets chihuahuas and koalas confused, I actually think she thinks they are the same animals and has coined the term "Chiwala" and keeps those stuffed animals together.

 She and Pantera love to play together, I love that they love to play together! The other day she is following Pantera down the stairs and Pantera said "Let's roll!" Amari quickly said "Yeah, I'm gonna roll!"

 Here is Amari looking "bwusterwated" poor thing can never catch a break!

 Here is Zeke thinking he is making me mad by taking my lens cap...little did he know I was pretending so he would smile...joke's on you Zeke!!!

 He is doing really well potty training...we are so close!!! We still have incidents like yesterday when he informed me "My sock smells like toilet." What?!?

As I mentioned before Zeke is terrified of animals. He does love to look at Cleo from afar though. He always says "Cleo is so cute with her cute eye!" I guess only one is cute. Or "Cleo is so lucky, she is so cute!" But if she tries to come near him he yells "Mom! She's being cute by me!!!" I hate it when things are cute by me, so I quickly whisk her away.

 Pantera has jump rope for heart tomorrow and she is "way nervous." She has been practicing like crazy and is pretty darn good at it. I didn't get to go last year and she informed me "You were the only parent who didn't come." (Insert sad Charlie Brown music here please). So this year I am going to pack up all 3 kids, brave the snow and morning sickness during naptime, and wait for 1/2 hour while they securely check us into her school so I can watch her 5 minute jump rope routine, behind a crowd of people who will likely be so rude that I wont get to see. Wait that doesn't actually sound like a good plan...I might have to rethink this.

We bought 1/4 of a cow from a friend. Pantera is so funny whenever we eat any of the meat, last night she said "MMMMM, he musta won like 5 awards for this cow!"

 Love this pic, but so sad I cut off her toes. I was backed against the wall and using a prime lens (one that doesn't zoom).  She does look darling though...

 I seriously couldn't have posed her cuter myself, she is a natural I tell you! She is also becoming quite the natural trouble maker. She has discovered timeout, and she LOVES IT!!! Yesterday Zeke and Amari got into an argument and Amari yelled, then she hit me. So I sent her to the stairs which is our timeout. While Amari is howling in her misery, Katurah walks up to her, looks at me, smiles, then hits Amari! I told her we do not hit. So again she looks back at me and grins, hits Amari again, then looks at me like "Bring it!" So I put her in timeout next to Amari. I have never seen a kid look so proud in my life! She was grinning from ear to ear, I might need to think of a different punishment for her.

Number 5 is ALIVE!!!

Due September 19th...5 kids,  holy cow!!!

General Mills

I bought this amazing lady in the tramp costume 5 years ago when we lived in Colorado. Pantera spent much of her childhood wearing this. When we went to Disneyworld and saw all the other little girls dressed up like princesses she said all disappointed like "Ah man! I shoulda brought my Lady costume!" Anywho, I accidentally put it in storage a couple of years back. Imagine my happy surprise to find this awesome dog costume again for my other girls to enjoy!!! And enjoy it they have!

I can never figure out why Katurah's hair is so sticky after breakfast, not I know. Pantera called her "the general of breakfast" I said we can call her "General Mills" she didn't get it.

 Katurah constantly brings us things and says "I wan dah" which is Katurah for "I want that" and when I repeat what she wants she always says "Um-hmmm!" so sing songy and cute.

Amari is nearly potty trained, no diapers for over a week now and not to many accidents. I love her face when she shows me that she has gone potty "Are you so proud?!?" She is terrified of falling in the toilet "I will fall in and then (pause for dramatic effect) no more Amari!" I told her I would jump in and pull her out, she was very surprised and replied "You will?!? Oh thank you mom!"  She also loves to say "Why yes, yes I will." She is just a doll!

 Pantera asked to see the pictures after I took them yesterday. As she was looking at my camera she was really disappointed and said "I look weird!" Really Pantera? Did you think you were going to look awesomely cool pretending to be a warrior cat in attack mode? She is still obsessed and has even taken her books to school to start a book club with her friends.

 Speaking of school, she brought home another great report card today, way to go Pantera!

 Zeke is currently crazy about the leappad, I have to hide them during the day so he will do other things. He asked if he could stay home from preschool so he could play on the leappad today, the answer was no, but nice try.

 When he was mad at me yesterday (for making him take a nap) he cried, "You called me a loser!" What?!? Where did you even hear that word child? The guilt trip might work if it wasn't so far fetched, he will learn. He is terrified of animals, especially our cat. Our cat lives outside and is harmless, lets the kids do whatever they want to him. I was explaining to Zeke that the cat wont hurt him, unless he does something to hurt the cat like pulling his tail. The next time we are outside, Zeke saw the cat and ran away yelling "I will not pull your tail! I will not pull your tail! Don't hurt me!" Poor guy!

the big 3-0

Jess turned 30 on Saturday! We had a great weekend trying to spoil him as much as possible. He was nice enough to share his special day with me, I got to sneak away to the dentist at 8am to start my fillings...oh so fun! Aside from that it really was a great weekend, we bought a 1/4 of a cow and had some amazing meals with it...roast and chimis. Then we had friends over to watch some football and celebrate Jess' oldness last night. I am a very lucky girl to have such a wonderful husband, he is such a fun person to be around and he really is my best friend in the whole world. I love you Jessiboy!

 Amari using my slave flash as a microphone and looking rather terrified in the process...

Singing to her biggest fan...She knows how to put on a show! She was such a pill in nursery yesterday. When I asked her why she was not good for Sister Lang she said "But I wanted to frustrate her." At least she was successful.

Zeke and Amari had their friend Audrey over to play on Friday. The girls were so cute together, chasing Zeke around the house and he loved it. Audrey and Zeke are 10 days apart, but she is one of those 4 going on 24 little girls, such a crack up. When I dropped her off at her house I noticed a bunch of chickens near there house. I asked her if those were hers and she excitedly said "Yes! And I'm a really good chicken catcher!" Then she bolts over to a HUGE rooster and yells "Black Jack! Come here!" as she is attempting to tackle this creature who is nearly as big as her. I asked her "Is he going to be nice to you when you do catch him?" She replies "No, he always scratches me!" I love kids.

 

The other night, the kids had been in bed for over an hour and Zeke came downstairs. He lays on my lap and says "All this talking is making me tired." Ok, captain random.

 They had dress like your future career day at Pantera's school. After about a million different ideas and shooting down a million of my ideas, Pantera finally came up with being a bird trainer, they are in high demand you know. So I made her a name tag that read "Certified Avian Specialist  Pittsburgh Zoo" just to confuse all the kids. She felt pretty awesome. She was telling me all about a boy in her class who is the quarterback of his little football team. She went on and on about all of his responsibilities and ended with "it must be tough to be Q.B., that means quarterback mom." Thank you for clarifying.

I'm still a little hazy on the child labor laws in our area...If you finish sweeping I will let you wear pants. If only my kids liked to wear clothes. Katurah loves to bring us things and say "I wah da!" Or Katurah for I want that. She also loves to pretend to be a puppy dog these days and barks and pants, so very cute.

 

 

Cleo bathes in the sink every day. Pantera call her the Allosaurus when she gets out, she does look ridiculous.

Painting, blocks, and pretzels

 Paint time! The girls painted while Zeke decided stickers were more up his alley.

 Pantera and Cleo sharing some ice cream, Cleo is a little piggy!

 Pantera has been reading the Warrior series and is completely obsessed. She is constantly running around the house acting like a wild cat. My favorite is when she asks if we are having mouse meat for dinner...probably not. In her classroom they have a king or a queen for each week, picked at random. I guess you get to be line leader and help the teacher etc. She has waited all year for her chance and this week it finally came! She was so excited when she got home and told me on Monday. By Tuesday she said "I can't wait until this queenship is over, I want a normal life already!" Apparently the pressures of second grade class queen are quite intense.

 Speaking of intense, this week definately was. Finally we are on the right track to fully potty trained!!!! Out of nowhere Zeke figured out how to go and has been pretty consistent as long as he is reminded. Considering last week he refused to even try, this is HUGE!!! And Amari is doing just as great. I am so sick of being on potty patrol but I am super excited to have two less kids in diapers...it's about stinkin' time!!!!! 

It's hard to get Zeke to open up about what happens at preschool. When I was prying the other day he told me very sadly at first "Roundy wasn't at preschool today" then much happier "and we had pretzels!" That's all I get, love him. 

The other day I was talking to Amari about babies. I asked her if she remembered when Katurah was in my belly, to which she replied "yes." Then I asked her how I got Katurah out and she said "You just SQUEEEEZED her out!" True. Then I asked, do you remember when you were in my belly? She said "Yes, then you squeezed me out." Insert pathetic sad pouty face here "You really hurt me." Oh Amari, I'm sorry birth wasn't as pleasant for you as it was for me! I did apologize to her and she said "It's ok, you didn't hurt me again." Just that once.

She was claiming to be scared of the bathroom the other day and I told her there is nothing to be afraid of so to be sure she asked "No robots? No pumpkins? No spooky bears?" A little bit later that day she was mad at me and said "Mom, I'm brusterwated at you!" 

 Miss Katurah is all over the place, up and down the stairs on and off the beds, she never is still. She loves stacking blocks and knocking them over right now. She is trying to stay in nursery without me, it's been a little rough going. She LOVES it when Daddy gets home from work and gives him the best reactions ever, hands high in the air yelling "DADADADA!!!" She is going to make a great big sister.

Headless Snowman

Just when I thought this little girl couldn't possibly get any cuter, her front teeth pop through!!! They are so gappy and darling. She is at such a fun age, so happy and fun to be around. She loves microphones right now and is quite the rockstar with her singing and dancing. She is related to Pantera, I expect nothing less. 

 

Speaking of Pantera, I am very proud of that little girl for a couple of reasons. First of all, she has become quite brave with the bird, and although she gets nipped, she has continued to work with her so they are becoming good friends. She is still amazed that the bird doesn't ever bite me, but she is learning the more confident you are with birds the better behaved they will be. The next reason and a much bigger reason is what she told me when she came home from school yesterday. She said "There is a boy in Mrs. Mascara's class who has special needs. We are best friends and he calls me Shane, I don't know why. Today I taught him how to play checkers. It was really fun." I can't even tell you how happy that makes me.

 

My little sister Samarah was kind enough to watch the kids so Jess and I could go see the hobbit last week. I made it about 10 minutes before I snuck out and hit up the mall. I got Amari this sweet crown from claire's so she can be a "wincess." I am being moved from Nursery with Amari to the Sunbeam class with Zeke. As I was explaining and preparing them both for this change this morning, Amari was clearly unhappy and asked "WHY?!?" Which just happens to be her favorite question right now. I explained that Heavenly Father asked me to teach Zeke's class, so I need to listen. She walked over to the picture of the Savior on the wall and says "What you say Jesus?" Then pauses with her hand over her ear as though she is listening, then continues "Mama will stay in Nursery with me, YAY!" She then turns to me and said "Jesus wants you to go to Nursery." Now I don't know who to listen to. Oh man.

Zeke hasn't gone back to preschool yet and I think he is missing it a little. Being cooped up is especially hard on him as he loves to run, all the time. So he is extra wild and has accidentally hurt people over and over and over again the past couple of days. He is lucky he is so darn cute and has me completely wrapped around his finger.

 I loved on his last day of school he looked so forlorn and said "Roundy is gonna miss me."  Last night he folded his arms during the entire prayer, when I pointed it out to him he said "Yeah, I am so proud of you." I was a little confused, but it was cute.  Notice our headless snowman? I worked so hard and Zeke was so excited, then Amari pushed his head off, oh well.