The Golden Rattlesnakes-- Game 1

Kari is playing YMCA basketball, and they had their first game this afternoon. They've only had 2 practices, which made for some solid entertainment today. The coach is a friend from church, and a bunch of kids on the team go to our church, too. It's been a lot of fun so far. We have great confidence in Coach Pate's ability to turn our rag-tag crew of kids into basketball stars by the end of the season. :)

Greg helped out on the sidelines today because the assistant coach couldn't be there, but he isn't actually coaching--just enjoying helping out and being a regular team parent this time around.

My dad videoed, so you can take a look for yourself and see what kindergarten/1st grade basketball looks like in game 1.

(Better) Golden Rattlesnakes 1st game Jan 30 10 from Barry Arnold on Vimeo.

Thankfulness

I love my kids, and I love being their mom. I especially love it when they all get along.


Kari got Aubrey all dressed up and put the bow in her hair. She was feeling "motherly" today, and Aubrey went along with it.












Can you believe that earlier in the day these sweet children (the younger two) dumped out a large container of flat foam shapes--some of them very tiny--and a bucket of fun foam stickers, threw it all in the air, and had a "party" in the living room? It took 40 minutes to clean it all up.

Through it all--the mischief, the truly trying times, along with the joyful times--I'm grateful that God has given me the privilege and the responsibility of raising these children and that He's there to help me every step of the way, because this is a BIG job that I can't do alone.

He's home!

We are all very happy that Greg has returned safely from his business trip! We made it through the week, but it's better when he's home.
















When Aubrey woke up from her nap I carried her out to the living room, and she promptly jumped off my lap and said, "I snuggle wid Daddy." So sweet.

He's 4 today!

Four years ago today, Joel entered our family. He's becoming such a little man. He has a sensitive, caring heart and a sweet spirit. He has begun, in the last few months, however, to retaliate when aggravated (by big or little sister), and while we need to work on refining those conflict skills, we're glad to see him standing up for himself. He does love his sisters, though! He looks up to Kari and he adores Aubrey. He and Aubrey have become quite the little buddies.

Joel, your favorite colors are still green and orange. You decided all of a sudden one day in the last month or so that you didn't like milk anymore (you loved it until then) and haven't consumed any since. You don't like any vegetables (kind of like your mommy used to be--there's hope). You don't care for chocolate and prefer fruit to most desserts. You are very excited about Transformers right now and also enjoy dinosaurs, trains, and cars/trucks. You care about people who are sick or hurting, and your prayers for those in need are sweet and sincere. You are an early riser and were up and dressed at 5:45am this morning, ready in plenty of time for your 7:15am birthday breakfast with Grandpa. You are learning a lot these days, and your 4-year-old brain is always working. Last night when you talked with Daddy on the phone, he told you he ate blackened alligator (he's in Baton Rouge, Louisiana), and your response was, "Dead?"
You bring us so much joy, and you know how to melt our hearts. We love you, Joel-boy!

PT update and b-day video link

In case you're wondering, Aubrey is still doing GREAT with the potty-training. Yesterday she had another accident-free day (a nice gift to me as I am single-parenting this week with Greg out of town on a business trip). She did have an accident this morning, but it was partly my fault. We were playing hide and seek. :)

I forgot to post the link to Joel's birthday party video my dad put together. Here it is:
http://www.vimeo.com/8821867
Joel loves the music at the beginning and watched it over and over yesterday just so he could listen to it. You made his day, Dad!

The year of the Transformer

Joel turns four on the 20th, but we had his party this last Saturday, and it definitely lived up to all his high expectations of being all about Transformers. He's well supplied now in the transformer department, thanks to family. It became rather comical as Joel opened present after present of Transformers and Transformer paraphanalia (see Grandpa and my mom laughing?). Thankfully, some family members chose to deviate from the chosen theme, so he has a few things that are non-transformer if, by chance, this phase isn't long-lasting. He is one happy kid, though, and has been practically living in his Optimus Prime costume.
Joel's party meal request was cheeseburgers, so Greg barbecued in the January rain, but it was tasty!
Thanks to Michelle for taking all the photos.

Party Animal

This is the birthday boy (aka, Transformer Optimus Prime) after his party. He actually fell asleep with the mask on. More photos to come.

So far today she's 7 for 8

Last Friday, on a whim, I decided I'd try to start potty-training Aubrey, and so, since then, this is where we have spent a large portion of our time--in the bathroom. She's not quite two (birthday's Feb 25th), and she is doing amazingly well! She's been ready for a little now, but I just haven't felt ready. My personal rule is I have to stick with it for a week (because you know those first few days are terrible) and then I can decide whether or not to continue. We're six days into it, and I'm pretty sure we're going to stick with it. I keep stats on a post-it each day which helps me see progress and keeps me going. She's had way more successes than accidents and even had one accident-free day. While I do realize this is a process, and there may be set-backs and some regression, I am so excited about the prospect of being diaper-free in the near future! Yeah, Aubrey!

Time outside makes for happy kids

On one of the milder days we had in between the rain and the wind we took the kids over to the park to play. Aubrey was cracking us up with all her faces. It was obvious that she was thoroughly enjoying the play structure time.



















Joel and Kari got some practice with their new scooters, too. And, of course, Aubrey wanted to ride just like her siblings, so she held on while Greg pushed her--and absolutely loved it.

Moffat Christmas

Our Christmas celebration with the Moffat family didn't happen until Dec. 31st, so while I'm a little slow on the blog posting, I'm not that far off. The ears are from G&G's trip to Disneyland. We managed a cousin shot with Lorelai not in the mood for a photo and Miles sad from all the loud kid noise--only 2 sad out of 8 isn't bad (Aubrey looks like she's frowning, but I think she's saying "cheese."). Grandpa read the Christmas story and the kids each made a sticker manger scene while he read. We had a good time together and enjoyed catching up with everyone who had been out of town (which was everyone but us!). :)

It was still there

The only evidence of the "storm" from a few days ago is a still melting snowman in our backyard, but it stuck around long enough for the kids to go out and play in it that next morning.