An Exciting Week!

For having SO MUCH go on this week, I somehow got zero pictures of it all. To start, our weight loss update: Craig- 16lbs. Me- 10lbs! (Woot woot, New's years resolutions!) Vash erased my calendar this evening so I'm a bit blurry on what we did on which days but I know we were at the mall one day.  My parents came along so the kids could play while I used a gift card to go shopping. (The kids also ate muffins I couldn't have but weight loss is worth it!) I took my first quiz on Wednesday and now I know why Craig stresses out so much.We had play date with Kelly on Thursday so we went to the park. Rhyla and Vash ate their first , but what I fear wont be their last, handfuls of sand, then Thursday night we went to Uncle Jim and Aunt Andie's for someone's birthday party (Not anyone I know.). Vash ate all his food but refused cake, while Rhyla wouldn't eat anything but cake! It was made of ice cream and her teeth are still bothering her, so don't judge me! She sat happily on Papa's lap and he fed her while I watched Vash play outside with the other kids. I'm wary of that back yard because they have a pool. Craig couldn't be there because he was at an info session for Delloitte. Friday our cousin Jamie got married! We were actually invited to the sealing too so it was a great day for us. It's nice to attend live sealings and remember our own wedding day.  (I'm just glad no ones phone went off during OUR ceremony though. LOL... Lorraine.) Then we had a great time at the reception. We visited with Aunt Peg who was down from Utah.  Rhyla danced with Craig and got carried around and told how pretty she was. Vash followed all the pretty little girls around and tried to talk to them. Surprisingly, he's got some swag...Leaning on their shoulders, asking if they're ok, making them look into his chocolate brown eyes. We might have to lock him away until he's sixteen! Then yesterday we went to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner and played till we puked. No, really. Vash came down with something today, we're pretty sure he caught it at the Chuck, and threw up today! He puked so much that we had to leave Aunt Jen's birthday bash before we even got to see her. Then he puked more at home. But he seemed to feel better after a shower and some sprite. Plus he's sleeping well now, so hopefully the worst is past. He even felt well enough to try and steal the dice while we were playing Settlers with the Amundsons. (They came over for dinner and games. We almost canceled when Vash got sick but we've had to cancel four times in the last four months and I didn't want them to think we were avoiding them on purpose!) Rhyla just circled the table and laughed when we laughed. Then Chrystal (Mrs. Amundson) would play with Rhyla's hair and she would almost fall asleep standing there. P.S. Rhyla's kryptonite is having her hair played with. 

Eating some veggie straws. Why do I see this face ten years in the future making this same expression at an English teacher?

Such a cute baby. Loves reading and jabbering. Walks by throwing her legs out in front of her and staring at her tummy. Shakes her head around so she can feel her hair tossing from side to side. 

Birthday time is here!

Every year, since I've married Craig anyway, my birthday had gotten longer and longer. This year, it's been going on for over a week! It started last week when I received gifts from my parents and grandparents. Then continued on this week with dinners at Trash can lid place (courtesy of Nana and Papa), and Texas Roadhouse (Thanks Jen!). I got a great array of gifts, my favorite being from Craig, who turned all the blogs from last year into a book. He did an amazing job and it looks so cute. 

Other than our ordinary/usual things we do every week (I.E. swim lessons, Craig going to school, Church, etc.), we did something extraordinary! I signed up for and took my very first class in about 3 1/2 years! Yes friends and family, I am back in college and taking an evening math class. It's hard to leave the kids but they go to bed about a 1/2 hour after my class starts, so I wont actually  be missing much activity. I already told Nana and Papa about this but as I sat in class I could feel my brain doing the ticking thing. You know, the "Hey, I remember this!" thing and I could just see the little gnomes in my head, running around, searching frantically through all my mental filing cabinets, trying to find all the information I once retained on the subjects at hand. 

Another big change we made this week was moving Rhyla into Vash's room. They sleep so much better... well, they sleep better after they've played and laughed for hours...  and now Craig and I can actually brush our teeth without waking up Rhyla anymore. (Her crib was just outside the bathroom in our room.) I think Vash likes not being alone in his room and I think Rhyla likes knowing she's not the only one sleeping in her own bed, as opposed to sleeping in ours. 

This is one of Vash's art pieces. It's a smiley face inside a heart. I took the picture then proceeded to destroy his lovely work with a mop. He's good though, isn't he?

Rhyla's stuff in her new room.

In order to make everything fit, we had to disassemble Vash's bigger bed and move him into a toddler bed. The room is cozier now and I think he actually doesn't mind the downgrade in size. We had to put a rail up though, because he fell out of bed during a nap and got scared. 

Rhyla is getting about 5 teeth in at the same time and has not been feeling well because of it.

Vash has become the king of organization. All cars must be in a neat and orderly line.

Rhyla's favorite things to do right now are cuddle, have her hair played with, and read. She'll read to herself all night if we let her. That's not an exaggeration. She actually read till midnight, last night. Poor thing was so tired today.

Vash also loves reading, but he reads to us and not the other way around. He's also started singing songs to himself and does not want help with the words! 'Winnie, Pooh! Winnie, Pooh! Stuff... na na na, fuff, Pooh!" So adorable. 

While we were at the Texas Roadhouse, a balloonist (???) made the kids each a balloon animal. Rhyla got a bear holding a heart.

This is Vash's T-Rex. He tried to unwind him and well....

RIP Mr. Dino. You're life was short lived, but much enjoyed. 

Improvements

This week has been one of improvements for our family. Craig, to date, has lost 13 lbs. I have lost 6lbs. (I don't know why women lose weight more slowly but as long as it's coming off I don't care.) Rhyla got her very first haircut, which is a huge improvement over her not being able to see with all her hair in her face. (Pictures in a min.) Craig had an appointment with a woman who writes professional resumes, which will hopefully lead to more job interviews/offers. I finally got new contacts, which is definitely better than not being able to see well. Craig's cousin Jamie had her bridal shower this weekend, and though I couldn't be there in person, we improved her future married life with  a gift that Shawneen took to her for me. ( It was a toothbrush holder, soap dish, lotion dispenser, and tumble set.) And Vash moved up a level in swim classes! He's now a level 3 which means he goes into the water with out a parent. Of course he had an instructor and there are other children, but it's a big step. He did fantastically! We were very impressed. Also impressive? Vash's drawing skills. He draws little faces! They're not perfect but super good for a 2 1/2 year old. Rhyla has improved her sleeping habits immensely! Now that her teeth aren't bothering her, she goes to bed easily and sleeps through the night.  Although, she's still our snuggle bug and likes a cuddle in the morning before breakfast. 

As for our non improvement things, I made lemon curd for the first time today. I took a few jars to the women I visit teach, so they were pretty excited. See, we have tons of oranges and lemon because Papa's trees overproduced this year. (My next endeavor will be orange marmalade, but without the proper canning tools I'm not sure how it will go. ) Rhyla, who loves to read, accidentally destroyed several of her books. I plan on using the ultimate, lifesaving, tool: duct tape. We took a family walk today and ran into the Jensons who "glommed" onto us and said we couldn't get away if we tried. We like them so it was just funny and not creepy. LOL.  Then tonight we headed over to Nana and Papa's to teach them Mexican Train. Since Kyle has been living there to do his student teaching, we thought it might be fun to have a big group game night. Even Jen joined in!

Vash looking too cool for a picture. He's calls those PJs "Deh-Be". It's his word for monsters.

 Rhyla's pretty new haircut. Bangs and all. She didn't cry a bit! (Well, just a little at the end.) Only seemed interest in what was happening. Still growls like a bear and gets into everything though.

Fun Shot: Buzz and Woody riding toy trackers. Think they're wrangling sheep or aliens?

Our First week of 2012

With the New Year already a week under way, we've actually gotten a lot done. I took all the Christmas decorations down on the 3rd and Vash keeps telling me that Santa is coming because I think he wants all the stuff back up. ("A Chrissum tree! Santa's coming!" He hollers and points to where the tree sat. Rhyla even seems sad that the lights outside are down. She looks up at where they were and you can tell she knows something is different. ) Rhyla advanced to a forward facing car seat and Vash is now riding in a booster seat! They both seem to really like those changes. Craig and I made a New Year's resolution to lose weight and so we are! Craig is down 8 lbs, and I've lost 3lbs. Atkins is AMAZING. Difficult at times, but AMAZING. Craig and I also went on our first date of the new year. Mini Golfing. So fun. I was doing the shuffle in heels and some guy and his date were cracking up so we quickly made friends. They then proceeded to laugh at how terribly bad I am at mini golf. (No joke. It's an art form to be as bad as I am. ) I think the best news of the week though is that Vash said his first prayer! With Daddy's help he blessed dinner the other night. You can't imagine how sweet a prayer can sound until it's uttered by a child.  Rhyla has finally started waving Bye Bye which is cute but a little delayed. I think she's just a little shy and prefers reading books to interacting with people sometimes.  We also had a quick run to the hospital on Monday morning because Vash was acting like he had appendicitis. He's ok but we have to keep an eye on some things. To finish, Craig is back in school but working in painting on the side so he's a little more happy with having to take these last couple of classes.

New Year's Resolutions:

Craig: to lose weight, graduate, and get an amazing job somewhere.

Jymie: to also lose weight, go back to school, and take a trip to Disneyland.

Vash: to have everyone understand what he's saying, quit the binky for good, and get potty trained!

Rhyla's: to start sharing a room with her brother, also quit the binky, get all her teeth in so she can eat grown up food, and start Nursery. 

Loving some milk. About the only thing she'll eat because her gums are sore from teething. Good thing she's chunky anyway.

Watching Toy Story because he woke up too early. Playing with his cars that Santa brought.

Looking so cute for Church.

Vash giving Rhyla some big brother sugar.