April Showering of Happenings

As much as I vowed to never let it happen, having three kids has put me far behind in my blogging habits.  I'm trying to get caught up though!

SO - here is a smattering of things we've been up in to April:

After my workout one morning, Ross handed me this play money and said I did a good job. :)  It's nice to get paid for working out!

Rowly and his smiles melt me all the time, and he smiles ALL the time now!  We're pretty convinced he's going to have dark eyes. ;)

A heavenly moment - nothing like sleeping babies. :)

I love holding him cheek to cheek - he's so squishy and snuggable!

This little gorgeous gal welcomed me into her room after her nap by removing the smelly contents of her diaper and plopping it on the floor, as well as removing all articles of clothing and said  diaper.  With a huge grin on her face standing in her birthday suit she said, "Hi mommy!  You're awake!"  I think I need to stop avoiding potty training.

We've really enjoyed doing Romp Around at the gym.  Ruby LOVES getting stamps on her hands and feet at the end.  We love running around and playing on the trampolines, mats, and jumping in to the big foam pit.  Ross had started out quite hesitant in the beginning, but by the end of the program, he was throwing himself in the pit like crazy!

We started getting ready to head to Utah for Rowland's baby blessing.  Ross wanted to drive...

Ross is a stellar older brother.  He LOVES holding Rowland and being around him.  Rowland adores Ross as well, and particularly gets a kick out of the raspberries he blows in his tummy. :) 

A craft I did one afternoon when the stars aligned and all three children were sleeping. :)

This is Rowland's usual expression.  Always trying to figure out what's going on. :)

Ruby's hair usually lasts in it's finished state for about and hour of every day - if that - and sometimes I mess with it later on for fun....I call this the whale spout. :)

Hand eating has begun.  These guys are ALWAYS in Rowland's mouth.  I just love the phase of babies discovering their hands - staring them down and trying to lure them into their mouths.  SO funny. :)

After a soccer game, when it was sunny but a little chilly.  Ross rockin' my sunglasses. :) LOVE his cute little hands.

Finally updated the wall, just in time for it to need to be updated again!

We started a "Saving Up" chart for Ross to earn some toys he's really been wanting.  He's almost earned his Fred toy from Big Hero 6.  Just two more stickers to go!  He really loves the chart. :)

Ruby loves dressing up - and our neighbors gave this Tinkerbelle costume to her - that just about doesn't fit anymore.  She loved it anyway!

Rowland rockin' tummy time these days.  He's still not a complete professional roller, but still does it occasionally.

Stephen calls Rowls a sphinx with how he holds his hands in and bends his knees. :)

Rowland is trying to figure out how Ross is so good at sitting up...AND eating by himself. 

This little cutie :)  Who wore it best?? Here's Rowland

Ruby

Ross

 Rowland rolling!

Some laughs :)

Ross's Soccer Beginnings

We found out about the soccer programs here in Lamar, and it being Stephen's dream for his kids to play and him to coach, we of course jumped on board.  The age requirement was 4 years old.  Ross has just BARELY turned 4, but in our eagerness to fulfill dreams, we hurried and signed him up. :)  

Our sweet Ross isn't a really aggressive kid.  He holds true to following the rules, doing what he's asked, taking turns, and being a fabulous, obedient kid.  When it comes to playing soccer, you do need some aggression.  I think soccer is a great place for him to learn some.  

His first practice, he held on to his daddy's hand for a lot of it, and came to mom for about 10 drinks, but he did give the ball some great kicks, and wasn't completely discouraged when everyone was trying to get the ball at the same time.  

Cutest kid ready for practice! (New "soccer" shoes and all)

The huddle

Ruby REALLY wanted to go out and play too...

She's not too thrilled about having to sit with mommy.

I just love Ross's cute little hands behind his back here. :)

Mom gave in, in the end, to keep Ruby from bolting onto the field every 30 seconds...

   
The actual game on Saturday was great!  Ross only came for about 5 drinks with mom instead of 10, and even got in there a few times to give the ball a good kick!  We practiced at home too.  

We've had  a lot of fun getting Ross excited about playing soccer this season - even though we were gone for two games.  He, like every other kid, is most excited about the snack at the end of each game. :)

But it's been great, he's learned some more about soccer and will be even better this fall!  Hooray for Ross!

He got his shin guards for the game this time!

Getting organized for the play. :)

Daddy and Ross lovin' the game!

I didn't get a whole lot of pictures or footage, because SOME little girl wanted to make her mom chase after her the whole game.  She can't wait to be old enough to play! :)

Happy General Conference and Easter!

Well, we've just been having fun with our little band of three musketeers.  We thoroughly enjoyed having a nice weekend of our church's General Conference, listening to our Prophet and leaders speak.  It was wonderful being reminded how important it is to protect the family, to help lift others' burdens, and remember that Christ is the center of our lives.  

It was the usual juggle of keeping kids happy and trying to catch all the wonderful speakers' talks they gave.  I made a "Conference Wall" with all of the Apostles and our Prophet's pictures.  Ross and Ruby would run and point to the right picture for who was speaking.  We also tried to play Conference Bingo listening for certain topics and getting to put an M&M on the square...but little hands and hungry mouths have little patience when trying to wait for a Bingo. :)  

Our Conference Wall!

Pointer sticks make finding and pointing so much more fun!

Conference Bingo - M&M's don't last long...it's too tempting - so Bingo got promoted to getting one square and then eating the M&M. ;)

I was so grateful for President Monson, our Prophet's, talk on the importance of the Temple and feeling so close to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ there.  I love the temple.

We also had a nice time celebrating Easter, remembering our Savior's resurrection.  It was perfect having General Conference on the same day as Easter. 

Coloring eggs was a must as well as hunting for Easter baskets and the eggs the Easter Bunny hid in our backyard.  We all had a sugar hangover afterwards, but it was quite enjoyable. :)

Easter Egg dying - mom tried not to be OCD when eggs got cracked. :)

Ruby just wanted to color, color, color!

Daddy and Rubes dying a Ruby Red Egg

Cheese face!  Ross especially loved dying eggs this year.  We only had 8 and he decided he wanted some more and trekked to the store with Daddy to get some!

Got me a "sweet smile" face. :)  Yes, I know he's the most adorable 4 year old in the world, thank-you. :)

Best Buds!

Ruby is going to be an artist - she is ALWAYS obsessed with coloring - all the time.  Also, we're noticing she is starting to favor the left hand a bit more...

Someone fun "Egged" our yard.  Ross and Ruby had fun finding the eggs they hid!  Very sweet too, because one didn't have anything in it - which reminded us of the empty tomb when the Savior was resurrected. :)

And here is a chubby bunny for your enjoyment. ;) Yes, I do eat those cheeks all the time!

Easter Egging!  Apparently in 4th of July wear...didn't realize that until just now.  We're very patriotic in every holiday! ;)

Ross was ecstatic to get Bulldog from the movie Planes. :)

Ruby got a Cinderella doll which she loved, and also jelly beans - she LOVES jelly beans. ;)  This girl is WAY too cute - yes - those are her "pretty shoes" STILL glued to her feet. :)