Sunday, May 19, 2013

3 Years and 9 Months

We've been falling deeper in love with these boys lately. When no one is teething, throwing tantrums, or potty training, I find myself feeling we've won the kid jackpot. Then Asher exposes himself on the playground to the bishop's wife, and those thoughts vanish. But then return when he says "Guess what, mom? I love you. You're the best friend I ever had."

Aw. I love you too, son. And you'd probably make better friends if you kept your pants on in public.

Anyway, this post isn't about Asher's indiscretions. Just thought it was time for an update on the ole' offspring, seeing as they insist on changing so rapidly. We'll splice in random pictures to keep it fun.
 

First, our Asher. He turned three in January, but he communicates at a sometimes shockingly adult level.
 Here's an example:
Asher: "First Mickey, then nap."
Me: "No, first nap, then Mickey." 
Asher: "That's not accurate."
Me: "What did you say?"
Asher: "That's not accurate."

 

I am going to have to devote an entire post to recent Asher quotes, because he has been saying the funniest things! He loves his t-ball set, and wants to play outside all day. He enjoys his cozy coupe too, but mainly uses it to travel to and from "work" now, so it's more for business than pleasure these days.

We planted a little garden together, and he's loved watering the plants and watching them grow. His favorite foods right now are grapefruit, wheat thins, turkey pepperoni, red pepper "treats", and peas.

Our friends let us borrow their ultra-deluxe double stroller that allows Asher to face me, and since the weather's been warm, we've made the sweetest memories just taking walks together and talking. Preston enjoys looking around or sleeping in the front, and I usually let Asher have a popsickle while we chat. I just adore that sweet, smart, hilarious, affectionate and playful boy.

Asher with his main ladies, Shailey and Azelynn. I'm fairly certain he has real feelings for both.

Having a great time with Gramps at the ball game

 And now young Preston. Let me tell you something - I have never met a child so full of sweetness and love. Never. This boy is so cuddly, so adorable, so mild-mannered and relaxed, we have to stop ourselves from kissing his face off. When he's not saying "mama" or "dada", he's flashing huge smiles with his four new, gappy teeth. He clings to my side like a baby primate, and at the end of the day, my left shoulder is usually covered with his slobber, mucus and old food. I know how to work it.

Preston's still in that magical stage where he'll stay in one spot and play with toys, but if he is put on his belly, manages to scoot around. He is a really good eater, and is showing a preference for table food. If I'm holding him and eating something that looks good, he opens his mouth, raises his eyebrows and pants until he gets a bite. Or if I'm not paying attention, he'll grab things from my hand and have them in his mouth before I know what happened. I've lost a lot of good graham crackers that way.

 
He is just edible.
So very grateful for such easy-to-love little boys.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Maple Leaf Drag

A few weeks ago, my sister Hannah had a break from school, so we made a quick jaunt down to Louisville for the weekend. Hannah attends BYU Idaho, and is getting married in August to a really nice guy named Spencer. I like him a lot! ...except for the fact he's Canadian and will be taking my 19-year-old sister 2,000 miles away to Edmonton - a frozen wasteland full of murderers.
I love a good fairy tale.



We all think Spencer's a catch, but I think the whole foreign country thing might be an even bigger one.....Eh? I've asked him nicely several times to renounce Canadianism and return stateside, but he just kind of chuckles like it's a joke. It's not.
 
 And maybe the whole "murderer" bit is a touch sensationalized, but Edmonton's homicide rates are unusually high. Maybe never seeing the sun makes you want to kill people. Maybe we should save a few lives and move the whole settlement further south. Maybe this blog is putting me on Canada's watch list.
 
I'll just miss that girl, ya know?  I have this sick little fantasy about living in the same neighborhood as my sisters some day (the 6 of us live in 5 different states now), and this wedding is making my daydreams a little more strained. But these are selfish thoughts. Finding a good, worthy man to spend forever with is the best thing that can happen to a girl! I am really tickedled about it all.
 
Anyway, Alberta does a great job keeping itself off the radar, so seeing it for ourselves will be fun. And there's always Skype! All bitterness stemming from love aside, our weekend visit with family was really nice. Here are a few pics: 

Picking Hannah girl up from the airport

 Preston was in pajamas, but whatev

UofL baseball game with Gramps



The essential Sunday nap.


Our little studs. Canadian temptresses need not apply.