A Whole Hand!

We are recovering from a fun weekend of celebrating The Lime's birthday. When LaVor asked him what his favorite part was, he answered with, "my cake." Bless his heart! But there was much more to his birthday than that.

LaVor's parents and grandparents came over on Saturday and we headed straight to Chuck E Cheese. The Lime has been talking about going there for his birthday for the last year, I kid you not. He was in hog heaven with all the games and had a wonderful 2 hours of playing his heart out.

While everyone played, I sat with a napping Doodlebug and remembered why I hadn't been to Chuck E Cheese in over twenty years. Holy loud! It was nuts. And all the germs. I think that's why Doodlebug has a runny nose this morning. But The Lime could have cared less about those things. He had a blast!

On our way home, we stopped by the park and played several rounds of tag. We all got some great exercise and burned some calories before we went back home for pizza.

It was no surprise The Lime wanted pizza and soda for dinner. We ate nearly two larges between everyone and The Lime opened his awesome presents (bike helmet, game, hot wheels cars & track).

Before we knew it, it was time for everyone to head home. The Lime had a wonderful first day to his two-day celebration!

The Lime woke up yesterday and it was the big day! He started it off eating doughnuts and then dove in to the present opening.

He got a nerf crossbow so he and LaVor spent the morning shooting each other.

We went to church where my sister and her family were waiting for us. My parents joined in on the fun during Sacrament meeting. The Lime got to give the opening prayer in Primary, where we also sang to him and he got to be a helper during singing time. He definitely felt special!

After the block, we headed straight home. I finished up The Lime's very specific cake (green filling, aquamarine on top, orange on the sides, a yellow football, and sprinkles) while LaVor made dinner (tamale casserole, beans, rice, chips, salsa, and guacamole). The kids (and LaVor) ran wild, shooting nerf guns and having oodles of fun.

They took a brief break for The Lime to open his gifts (Power Ranger mask, huge pillow that he's been snuggling with ever since, and lots of fireman goodies) and to enjoy cake.

Once again, before we knew it, it was time for everyone to head home.

We all had such a great time spending our weekend with family and celebrating five excellent years with The Lime!

The Lime - Tally Mark 60 - Part 1

Dear Freddy,

As I tucked you into bed tonight, you asked me to lay with you for a little bit.  As we snuggled, I thought back to us doing the exact same thing five years ago.  You're much bigger now, and I have a bunch more gray hairs, but it was just as special.

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that you're FIVE!  This year has gone by so fast, as have the last five, and it just amazes me that we're already to this point in your life.

This next year is going to be such a fun, new, and exciting one for you!  You'll start playing baseball, you'll go to school, you'll meet so many new friends, and learn SO much!

But you've had a great year this year, too.  You became a big brother, and what a fantastic big brother you are.  Doodlebug loves you to pieces, as you do him.  You make him laugh and love playing with him, especially your guys' version of hide & seek.  You're a great helper with him but I'm still waiting for you to learn how to change diapers (not sure that'll ever happen).

Not only are you fun, kind, and helpful, but you're brave, smart, imaginative, funny, silly, tender hearted, athletic, friendly, and inquisitive.

We have a great time together and I have treasured having you by my side these five years.  I'm not quite sure I'm ready to let you go out into the big, bad world.  I know you'll do great but I'm a little selfish and want you all to myself.  You're just that fantastic!

You are going to do great things this year and I can't wait to see you learn and grow along the way.

When Daddy and I call you our baby, you ask us not to say that.  But it's true, you were our first baby and no matter how much bigger or stronger you are than me(because we all know that's going to happen), you will always be my sweet baby that made me a mom.  Thank you!  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect little boy to give me that title.

You're my best little friend and I love you so very much! Happy birthday!

Love,

Mommy

The Lime - Tally Mark 60 - Part 2

-Pretends that he has to go to work all over the country and world. LaVor begs him to enjoy being a kid and not to worry about working so soon.
-Has a "friend" named JJ, who has quite the adventurous life (she's not real but he talks about her all the time).
-Bursts out singing "Baby you're a song, you make me wanna roll my window down and cruise!" throughout the day.
-As long as it's not raining, he has to ride his bike every day.
-Is a good eater, although still slow. But he's willing to eat most everything we do.
-Finally knows all his letters and can spell his name. He's never been interested in learning his letters, and I haven't pushed it, but things finally clicked.
-Has to read every phone number he sees in commercials.
-Is convinced he's not cutting his hair until Halloween (over my dead body).
-Wants to be a Power Ranger.
-Likes to flirt with girls whereve we go. Sometimes it can get a little creepy.
-Asks to snuggle with LaVor and me every night.
-Loves pizza more than anyone else I know.
-Likes to pretend his bike has 4WD when he rides on anything remotely bumpy.
-Still takes naps.
-Thinks the lyrics are "Sweet heart Alabama" and I refuse to correct him.
-Prefers LaVor's scrambled eggs over mine.
-Is the best 5 year old we know!

Doodlebug - Tally Mark 8

-Still hasn't slept through the night.
-Still wants nothing to do with solids, although he smacks his lips when he sees us eating.
-Still a great screamer.
-Always happy if he's close to Mama (specifically in my arms).
-Has discovered there's more to our house than just the family room/kitchen. We have to keep all the doors closed.
-Thinks Daddy is always the other person on the other end of the phone call.
-Can be found sucking on the cold metal underneath our table. It must feel good on his gums.
-Still no teeth.
-Thinks it's hilarious when he pretends to ninja kick The Lime.
-Chews on his tongue.
-Jibber jabbers.
-Likes chewing on the rug in our entryway.
-Likes to give kisses.
-Likes playing peek-a-boo.
-Isn't easy but he's worth it.

Dates are Great!

I took a California History class in college and only remember a handful of things from it.  There was a paramedic that sat behind me, we took tons of notes and always got to use them on exams, a girl named Tanya that always wanted to study with me (looking back, I think she might have been a lesbian and the puzzle pieces are starting to come together), and my elderly teacher that asked us to take care of her lovely state since we'd be around longer than her.  During one of her lessons, she raved about all of the produce California had to offer, including dates (or as she called them "nature's candy").

I think that was my first exposure to dates.

Then LaVor went to Saudi Arabia and came home with my macarons (after a quick stop in Switzerland) and dates.  He told me I had to try the dates, even though I was a little hesitant.  Apparently, dates are THE THING in Saudi Arabia.  There are date stores that he compared to a jewelry store in America.  After one bite, I was hooked.  I think I ate the whole (huge) box by myself and I haven't regretted it since.

The little boys and I made a Costco run on Saturday and I grabbed a box of dates.  After I eat my lunch, I crave something sweet.  So rather then opening up the box of mint Oreos, I go to my dates and eat more than I should.  But I can't help it!  They're delicious!

And apparently quite healthy (so I really don't feel too guilty).  They're full of fiber, iron, potassium, and calcium.  They're made up of anti-oxidants that can help prevent certain cancers.  And they offer a number of vitamins that help your body metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Even though I know he's curious as to what this sweet treat Mom eats all the time is, I haven't been able to convince The Lime how amazing they are.  But one day, one day, he'll decide to take a bite and will never look back.

Boycotting

I'm officially boycotting January 4 and egg salad.  Both of which have caused nothing but problems this year (and it's only the seventh day of the year!) and years past.

Do I dare say I'd rather go through childbirth again rather than reliving the last three days, especially Sunday night?  Taking care of a baby and four year old post food poisoning is awful.  Especially the nursing part.  I prayed and prayed and prayed that I'd be able to still nurse Doodlebug even though I felt like death, but I think that's what's delaying me from feeling better.  Any nourishment I take in is going straight to producing milk, which I'm thankful for since the little stinker won't eat anything else, but I'm down 9 pounds in three days.  Great if you're trying to lose weight (any weight loss resolutions out there?), awful if you're already underweight.

Not to mention, I'm HUNGRY.  I really want mozzarella sticks and a milkshake but I think my digestive system might boycott me if I did that to it.

I'm hoping this isn't a sign of things to come for us in 2015.  Been there, done that, let's move on to bigger and better things!

Christmas: Before, During, & After

LaVor was able to get the day before, and after, Christmas off and since we were with his parents this year (and had a missionary farewell in Livermore on the 28th), we drove down to the Bay Area for the festivities.

After helping my sister out on Wednesday morning (poor thing threw her back out), and loading up the car with presents, we braved the hour and a half drive, which included Doodlebug screaming 3/4 of the way and random torrential downpours.

Not long after we arrived, we called The Lime's favorite pizza spot to find out if they were open. "'Til 6:00," they said. An early dinner was fine by us, especially since they also had spaghetti and that's a Christmas Eve tradition in my family. We gobbled up our dinner and set out to look at Christmas lights. (Forgot my camera for this part of the trip...shoot!)

After we got back to LaVor's parents', his dad read the Christmas story from the scriptures (a tradition in LaVor's family).

The Lime gets distracted easily so we had to reel him back in by sitting next to Papa, having him act out the nativity with Little People, and finally whipping out a book that had pictures.

Doodlebug just ate all the animals while the story was read.

Next, LaVor's mom read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The Lime started off wrestling with LaVor, while Doodlebug paid attention, but soon became intrigued and wanted to find out what happened next with the story.

Next, we opened up pajamas, built a miniature fort, put out some cookies for Santa, and got ready for his arrival!

To our surprise, The Lime went right to bed and didn't get up once during the night. Definitely didn't inherit that from me. And I wish I could say the same for Doodlebug.

Around 7:00 Christmas morning, The Lime woke up and was ready to start the festivities. I quickly snapped some photos before he had a chance to see what Santa brought him.

LaVor and I had to check if Santa came and sure enough, he did!

The Lime got his wooden balance bike three years ago for Christmas and has TOTALLY outgrown and mastered it. He was content riding it but we knew all year that Santa was going to bring him a bike. He couldn't wait to take his new bike for a ride and he was a pro! The balance bike did its job.

We switched off from opening presents to LaVor's parents Skyping with his siblings to eating to The Lime riding his bike and then back to opening presents.

We spent the rest of the day at the park, where The Lime rode his bike some more and then we enjoyed a yummy prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, and rolls and a homemade banana cream pie for dessert.

The next day, we were on the hunt for a Christmas tree (ours is shedding its fake needles) but didn't find one in the price range I had set. Naturally, we went to lunch at La Piñata, and then spent a couple hours with my sister and nieces and nephew. The Lime and I got to test out their new karaoke machine and it was F.U.N!

That night, we drove to LaVor's grandparents' where we ate dinner and exchanged gifts. Something in the Chinese food didn't agree with The Lime and instantly caused his throat to get itchy and bumps to form around his mouth. Have I mentioned how much I hate food allergies? A teaspoon of Benadryl and we were as good as new (it has a permanent spot in my backpack, next to his EpiPen).

There was a whole heck of a lot of celebrating and it's hard to believe it was already a week ago. Only 51 weeks to prepare for next year.