A Happy Home is Filled with Love and Laughter

Connor Swimming Lessons

Beej & Chris

Since Kaylee is in Dance and Preschool, we wanted to find something fun for Connor. So, we signed him up for swimming lessons at the Bountiful Rec Center. Since he is so young, it was a mommy and me swimming class. We scheduled it to be at the same time as Kaylee's preschool, and it worked out really good.

The first class was horrible! Connor didn't like being told what to do and when to do it. He wanted to play on the slide, and would cry and cry those first two classes.

I then talked to him a lot beforehand and told him that if he would listen to his teacher, then we would stay after class for a little bit to let him play and swim wherever he wanted.

After our talk, the third class was soo much better! I didn't push him to do things, but he couldn't play on the slide- so he eventually chose to do what everyone in the class were doing.

By the end he was laying on his tummy and back, jumping in the pool (though he was doing that before the class), leaning down putting his ear into the pool to grab things in the shallow end, and just in general being more comfortable in the water.

I need to sign him up for another class. He still asks to go swimming whenever we pass the Rec Center.

By the end of the classes, we bought him a 'puddlejumper' to use while swimming in the deep end. I loved how well he did with it, it made me so excited for summer and our Cherry Hill passes!

Here is a picture of his 'puddle jumper'

I had just recently gone through our second miscarriage and wasn't able to get in the water yet, so daddy so willingly jumped in and took Connor for his last swimming lesson!

I was a little late getting over to see the swimming lesson, but I was so glad I went over there. It was so cute seeing these two boys play in the water. BJ is such a great dad. We sure got blessed to have him in our family.

I didn't take a picture, but Connor got an official certificate awarding him to the next swimming lesson level (as well as a treat). We are so proud of you Connor boy

Cousins, Family fun, and Best friends

Beej & Chris

Desiree, Camden, and Alexa came to play one afternoon. They sure had a lot of fun. I wish it wasn't so difficult for my sister to bring them to our house, because they sure have a good time when they are here.

I got the baby items out to babysit my good friend Rachel's two kids. Kaylee and Connor couldn't help themselves. They just HAD to try all of the baby toys out.

Kaylee, Connor, and Gavin played so well together. Baby Grace stayed downstairs with me while the other kids went and played, and sweet Connor kept coming to check on us and make sure everything was okay. Baby Grace was really colicky and struggling to take the bottle and was crying a lot. Connor was so concerned- it was really sweet. I really hope we can have another baby, because I know both Kaylee and Connor would be great older siblings and such great helpers.

How sweet is this?! So cute!

I had made a goal to have a craft day every Wednesday...it only lasted a few weeks. Now that I think about it, I really should start that up again. The kids are always more happy when they are busy and either playing outside or doing crafts = Happy Mom.

Mr. Potato head paper activity

After a long day, Daddy came home and swept us all off our feet and took us to dinner!

We always have so much fun as a family. I wish we had all the money in the world to just take vacations and keep daddy home from work 3/4s of the year!

This was the second Wednesday craft activity ;) We painted a little with these water color pads, but they didn't work very well- so we pulled out markers and colored on Paper Towels. Kaylee thought it was cool how the ink would sink right into the paper towel. I would doodle and Kaylee would do her best to copy whatever I drew. I am always impressed with her drawing skills.

Look at all these cousins so close in age! This is why it is always crazy at Grandma Scott's house (hence we don't go there very often). Even though it is crazy, I am so grateful our kids have so many cousins their age. They will always cherish this as they grow up.

Kaylee and Connor playing in the bath. Lately Kaylee prefers taking a shower over a bath, but if I convince her she will hop in the bath (and ALWAYS has fun with Connor when she does).

They just get so creative when they are in the bath. They will take these bath paints Grandma Tenney gave them and put tiny bits of it in a cup to make a secret potion that turns Connor into a Cat- lol

Kaylee is still enjoying dance and has a recital coming up! Daddy is convinced she is going to start Soccer in the Fall.....we shall see ;)

We sure have hard days with fighting and sassy Kaylee attitutes, but we also have great days where they just love each other. The other day Kaylee kept "accidentally" falling off the couch, and Connor in a concerned voice- would put his foot out and say "I gottch you, I gottch you" every single time she did it. Connor is always concerned when someone is sad. I got hurt the other day and he kept rubbing my arm saying "its going to be okay mommy".
Kaylee is ALWAYS concerned with Connor. Whenever we are in a rush and I will start gathering things in the car and helping Kaylee get into the car while Connor is getting his shoes on, she will start crying "We can't leave Connor!!!" Or if he goes to timeout, she will go and sit by him and make sure he is okay.

I have to write these things down so in those hard days when I am losing my patience, I can remember how amazing these two cute kids really are. I have to remind myself many times that they are only 2 and 3 years old, and are going to make messes and fight. This is the age that they are learning what is right and wrong...but it is sometimes easier to think about after it happens and it is something I definitely need to work on. But I am so blessed to have them and all they teach me each and everyday.

Sad Costco Trip

Beej & Chris

This little man can sure give you the cutest saddest face ever.

I can't remember why he was sad while we were shopping at Costco, but his sad lips were too cute not to take a picture.

Free Day at the Zoo

Beej & Chris

We had heard it was FREE day at the Zoo and decided to go check it out. Worst. Mistake. Ever! Okay, okay- the kids did enjoy themselves and really liked seeing all the animals, but it was INSANE there. The weather was amazing, so everyone and everyone's friends came. We invited Aunt Angela and she brought a friend to come as well. After leaving to see the monkeys and trying to get out of the room with mass amounts of people, Connor dumped the huge Costco bag of goldfish on the ground. There was no room for people to go around us, so they all waited till I cleaned it up. One lady tried to make a joke, as she was passing the goldfish she pointed and said "Kids, now we are passing the fish. Look at the fish". Ha ha- not. Okay, it is a little funny now. But it wasn't at that moment.

After seeing the elephants we went to a playground. I didn't get any pictures because we lost Connor at this point. There were sooo many kids trying to go down this slide, and Connor was squeezed in the mass of people...and with Angela's help we found him. Camden then ran off, but luckily I saw him run the opposite direction of Angela and found him. At this point I told the kids we could see one more animal and then we were leaving, and Angela and her friend left. Connor and Kaylee sat looking at the sea lions for 20 minutes or so. Ahh, it was so nice and relaxing. Too bad it wasn't like that the whole time lol