Cute things and not so cute things

I've wanted to post for awhile now and just can't ever find the two minutes it takes to post.  So frustrating.  We are battling sickness around these parts.  Brandt started us out and Brandt is one that when he get sick he still goes to work.  He was home two days this week if that tells you how he felt.  He got the cold/sore throat/puking thing.  He wasn't feeling too hot after work on Saturday and by the time Sunday was here he was fevered and not well at all.  Missed church, missed family party, missed work, etc.

I picked up Oliver from school Monday and he slowly walked out and I knew something was up.  "Mom, I  can't wear my reindeer hat cause my head hurts."  Oh no.  That is the start of it.  He came home, went downstairs, went to his bed and put himself down for a nap.  That folks is sick.  So sad.  He's evolved into fever, cold thing and currently is that way.  Mostly just a cold now.  Tuesday Charlie came home and has a headache, too, and a bit of a runny nose, but he still feels well enough to go to school.  And then last night it hit me and Porter.  Oh dear.  So sad when you are so small you can't blow your nose, not sure how to suck when your nose is all clogged, and we HATE the nose sucky thing.  HATE it.  I was worried that he was going to be up all night as the afternoon/evening were horrendous, but my blessed child slept until 7:45am.  Thank you thank you.  Currently enjoying nap #2 today so I think he's embracing some rest while he feels so crummy.

But the cutest thing.  When I grabbed O on Monday, he said to me, "Mom, Porter can't sleep in my room today.  My bref is going to come out of my mouth and go into his mouth and he will get sick."  Wise words, my boy.  I didn't listen and kept Porter in his crib and apparently O's "bref" made its way to Porters mouth and now I have more sickies.  Oh Sad.

Ramblings

Two things I want to go over today.  First, Oliver.  I took Oliver to preschool today.  I dropped him off the same time a few other kids were being dropped off.  Oliver was taking an especially long time getting out of the car (was in the far back, had to get his bag, needed to kiss and say goodbye to Porter, etc) so when he finally got out we went around the corner of the car and there was a mom and her son there.  She said to me that her son, Luke, was wanting to walk into preschool for the first time without her but he wanted to wait and walk with Oliver.  So Oliver went right over to him and stuck out his hand and held Luke's hand while they walked away.  So sweet.  A few weeks back I was picking up O and most the other kids were already picked up.  O saw me and was running to get in the car and a mom passed me and said to me, "So-and-so (couldn't hear the name) LOVES Oliver."  I love that O is making friends and having an effect on the other kids in his class.  I told Brandt this and said that Oliver is like me where it takes him awhile to warm up to a situation but then he turns into Brandt.  Outgoing, and sometimes outspoken.  He foresees him being a bit of a class clown.  Wouldn't really surprise me.

Other thing.  So the twins walk home with my friend's two kids every day from school.  She told me earlier this week that they wouldn't be there Friday to walk home with Charlie and Dylan.  I planned on just walking up to the elementary school and walking home with them.  Today happened and I forgot.  It was 1:30 and I was about to put Porter down for a nap when it hit me.  Oh crap!  They are out of school!!  So, I put Porter on the ground and told Oliver to stay with him and I'd be right back.  I ran outta the house and up the street.  I was nearing the school and passed a group of 3 boys from our neighborhood and Charlie and Dylan were walking a little bit behind them.  I apologized and said I forgot to get up here sooner.  They told me that they asked the 3 boys if they could walk home with them and the boys responded with, "No, you're not our responsibility."  Excuse me?  You are all walking the same direction.  They told Charlie and Dylan to call their mom and Charlie told them that they don't have phones.  But don't let them borrow yours, just leave them.  That's how we treat our neighbors around here apparently.  I am pretty mad about it.  If I ever hear of my kids not helping a younger kid in the neighborhood I will flip out.  It takes a village and I can't believe that those mom's wouldn't tell their kids to be nice to everyone and to help everyone.  Oh well, enough of my rant.  The boys were good and walked the way they were supposed to.  It's tough letting them grow up and be responsible on their own.  Do I want them going by themselves everyday?  No.  But I'm grateful that they know how to get home in case of an emergency.

Reminders

Nothing like receiving a disc in the mail of your recent family pictures to remind you how lucky you are.  Man, oh man...I sometimes struggle with being pulled in all directions and being the one responsible to keep everything in check and accounted for, but then I look at my beautiful family and remember what it is all for.  I have FOUR healthy, handsome, smart, GOOD boys.  I ran into Costco today.

(side story: woke up this morning to freezing temperatures.  Told the boys they had to wear winter coats today.  Went to pull said winter coats from closet only to find that Dylan's is missing.  Looked everywhere in the house and it is not here.  I assume he wore it to school last spring on a cold morning then left it at school cause it was warm in the afternoon.  Anywho - no coat.  30 degrees outside.  Had to go to Costco to check out their coats.)

When Porter and I were leaving Costco, I loaded our new coat into the 4Runner and put Porter in the backseat.  I noticed across the way there was a mom loading up her minivan and she had a boy maybe 3 years old with her.  She was taking awhile to get everything in (and I only noticed this cause there was a car waiting to take her spot).  As I was returning the cart she was wrangling the flailing boy into the backseat, yelling at him that keep it up and she'll spank him again.  So, obviously, she spanked the boy, then was throwing him in the car.  Couple things.  I have swatted my kids bums before.  Not enough to hurt them and just my light swat was enough to get them to know I am serious and they never repeated the behavior again.  This is like when they were two.  Am I a fan of that discipline?  No.  I don't feel it is very effective nor does it make me feel good to hit my child that I love so much.  So when this woman is doing that in a busy parking lot, it made me cringe a bit.  And then it made me think of my 3 older boys.  I have NEVER had to deal with them flipping out like that.  We've never had big tantrums at stores.  They are relatively well behaved.  I can go to the store, to a restaurant, and not worry that they'll flip out.  It isn't tolerated by us and they know it is not OK to behave that way.  I am lucky.

That little occurrence today reminded me that I have it pretty good.  I was able to go get a coat for my son so that he isn't cold at recess because I have a husband who works so hard everyday to provide money for me to do that.  Our needs are met.  A lot of our wants are met.  We have children.  That in itself is a blessing held very dear to my heart.  And to boot, they're children that are amazing.  Is there anything else that I need?  No.  I have so, so much.

Update

In addition to Oliver's "traditional" preschool that he goes to 3 days per week, I have him signed up with the State of Utah's online preschool program as well.  That entails that he is on the computer at least 20 minutes 5 days a week, no exceptions.  I was thinking the other day, he is required to do his "homework" (that's what we call it) and we find the time.  I need to find the time to sit and write a little ditty 5 days a week.  Shouldn't be too hard, right?  I'm always thinking of things that I should record but I never sit down to the computer to do it.  So lame that we can always come up with an excuse.  ALWAYS something to clean up or do so this is just 17th on the list.  That being said, here's a brief update on the Jensen clan.

We had Halloween.  Charlie was Darth Vader.  Dylan was a Storm Trooper.  Oliver was Venom (the black/bad spiderman apparently).  And what was I???  SICK!  I missed Oliver's preschool program.  I missed the Halloween parade.  I did go over to a friends on Halloween night to share our pumpkin stew for a little party before trick or treating, but that's as far as it went.  I wasn't going to go and last minute B convinced me to go so off I went with no make-up, no cute-ish clothes, no shower.  Oi, what was I thinking???  Oh well.  I guess you gotta love me how you get me.

Dylan started the sickness.  He was sick the week before me, missed 3 days of school.  Had a headache, fever, sorethroat, no voice.  Next week, BAM, I got it.  This week Brandt has had the pleasure minus the fever.  Oliver has also been a little snotty but no sore throat or fever or anything, thank goodness.

Daylight Savings has just about killed me.  I have VERY emotional boys this week and I assume it is because they are up at the crack of dawn.  The other day I woke up to hearing a party going on in Porter and Oliver's room.  Before 7.  I have a strict, stay in your room until 8 rule.  Yeah, I was not amused to say the least.  I'm hoping we're nearing the end of the out of control time switcheroo.  In fact, it's 3pm on Saturday and I have the boys (minus P) in their rooms hopefully taking a little snooze.

We finished up Brandt's side job.  It turned out beautiful.  I was so done with it.  It dragged on all summer so we were in upheaval mode for months.  I finally get to park in my garage again and it is glorious.  It has been so fun to have Brandt come home from work and either go to swimming lessons with me and the boys or just sit and watch a show.  Wow, to have a daddy that isn't rushing out to work on something.  What a change!

Soccer season has ended, hallelujah!  It was fun but it is nice not having 2 nights of practice and games all day.  It wasn't near as bad when Charlie and Dylan both played cause they played on the same team.  Oliver joined the mix this year so everything was opposite.  Two practices and the game were rarely at the same time or back-to-back.  I'd have a game at 10 and a game at 1 or something like that.  And they're on Saturday mornings so it was just me runnin the herd.  Exhausting.

But, alas, we don't know how to survive unless we're C.R.A.Z.Y. so I signed the kiddos up for swimming lessons.  I try and cram as much in during the winter months cause i don't like to have them do lessons in the summer (too busy).  So we're in our first session of that, and I'll probably sign them up again before Christmas.  I gotta get the boys swimming well before summer as their little floaties are a little too snug for my growing boys.

I guess that's about it.  I have to (I mean get to) go to the Utah game tonight.  Playing Oregon.  Gonna get killed I think.  Kickoff isn't until 8pm.  Whhhaaaaa??  Yuck.  My couch seems lovely at that time of night when it is like 40 degrees outside.  Oh well.  Date night I suppose.  Gotta take what you can get.  Until next time.....

Porter baby

Just wanted to record that I love my Porter kid. He s getting so so big. He's starting to coo and laugh and smile at me and anyone else that takes a minute to tell him how cute he is. He'll almost roll over. Can't quite make it over but he tries.  If I put him down more he'd probably get it but let's face it, he's spoiled. He sleeps most nights from about 7 or 8 and wakes up about 5 or 6. What a super baby. And he's adorable to boot. Couple days ago I noticed he has rubbed a bald spot on the back of his head. The hair on the top is pretty long. Longer than any of my other kids hair was. Anyway, there's a little Porter rant and update.

The Preschool Nightmare

Oliver started Preschool this year with Mrs. Melanie.  We've been talking about it and trying to prep him for it.  We've explained that it is where Charlie & Dylan went to preschool and loved it and Mrs. Melanie.  We happened to run into Mrs. Melanie right before Porter was born so he got to see her then.  We took the twins to their school and Oliver was sad that he didn't get to go to school yet.  So then Wednesday, August 27th came and it was Oliver's turn.  He was all excitement and smiles.  Then disaster struck.  We went in to the school and he wouldn't sit with the kids to play with the playdoh.  He wouldn't let go of me.  Everyone else had angel children that came in and were excited to be there.  We were the only freak out.  It was terrible.  Mrs. Melanie said she'd help once everyone came and was welcomed.  So after everyone else left it was my turn.  I pried him off of me and left and as I'm leaving she is holding him back and I hear her say, "we don't hit."  He was flailing and crying/screaming.  I got in my car, took a deep breath, and left.  I figured, she has my number, she'll call if there's a problem.  When I came to pick him up he was all smiles and happy and had a great time.  Mrs. Melanie said that he stood by the door and she showed him how to open it so he didn't feel trapped and after awhile, he came over and joined in on the singing and playing.


That Friday, same procedure.  Me leaving as he is freaking out.  I lost it.  I have not cried taking twins to preschool, kindergarten, or 1st grade.  I got Oliver to preschool with no tears.  But that was the last straw.  It was so heartbreaking to leave with him out of control.  As he was flipping out and I was going out the door (don't mind all the other children sitting on the ground like good boys and girls wondering what the crap is that other kid's problem) and I said, "Oliver, calm down."  It was awful.  I just cried.  But then I picked him up to smiles.  He met a boy that day (unfortunately he is only in the Friday class) and Oliver calls him "black boy."  How do you tell a 4 year old that's inappropriate?!?


No school Monday for Labor Day.


Wednesday we went and I asked him if he could walk back on his own or if I needed to walk him.  He said he could do it but he kept coming back to me with, "Um, Mom...." questions trying to postpone going.  So then I took his hand and walked back and when we got to the door he let go of my hand and in he went.  It was seriously an answer to prayers.


Here we are again on Friday.  And here we are again with him throwing a fit.  I just don't know what to do.  It is so hard.  But I am so grateful that Mrs. Melanie is supportive and willing to handle my fit-throwing-child.  I'm hoping it gets easier and I'm hoping he will learn to love it.  In the meantime, I am a nervous wreck, a bit embarrassed by his behavior, and enjoying it when it's just me and the baby at home for a few hours.  Mixed emotions.


Oliver is such a stubborn boy.  He does not like to do anything unless it is his idea or his brothers are with him.  When I told Papa about this he said he is suffering from twin separation anxiety.  That is exactly what it is!  I've always said he is like a triplet to my twins.  Sheesh....being a momma is tough.

Yearly check ups

Today my triplets, I mean twins and Oliver, had their yearly check ups with Dr. Kathy.

Oliver is 4. He's 39lbs, 41 inches, 100/63 blood pressure, 90 pulse, and has 20/30 eye sight. He got the rest of his shots so he's ready to go to kindergarten next year. He also had to pee in a cup. Didn't want to but we made a game of it and got him to do it (and he won).

Charlie is 6 next Tuesday. He weighs 51.6lbs, 46.5 inches, 95/58 blood pressure, 91 pulse, and has 20/20 vision. No shots or peeing in a cup!

Dylan is 6 years old next Tuesday. He weighs 42.2lbs, 45.5 inches tall, 88/57 blood pressure, 93 pulse, and 20/30 vision. No shots or peeing for D either.

All went we'll except the end where O screamed bloody murder for his 2nd shot. Otherwise all good. Porter just hung out like an angel. Healthy boys. We're so lucky.

The favorite

So when we had our twins people would joke and ask which one was our favorite. Our standard response was,"whichever child isn't crying."  Today my favorite is Oliver. I was making lunch and he said, "mom, look at your tummy! It's getting flat like ours!"  Haha. Nice to hear when I've felt especially bloated. My dear niece asked me maybe 3 weeks ago if there was another baby in my tummy. Gotta love kids.

My sad, sad, neglected blog. IT'S AN UPDATE!

So it has been months and months.  My life is busy and crazy and unfortunately, if I don't start updating, forgotten.  I know we have way too much going on and if I don't put our comings and going on here I will NOT remember my children's childhood.  At least a good portion anyway.  Things happen and I think, "Oh, I'll remember this, it's funny," and then the next day I can't remember it.  So sad.  So here's a brief update with pictures.

End of February the boys playing with their daddy.  They look forward to him getting home from work everyday and hope that dad has a "surprise" lined up.  They adore him.

First part of March Brandt had a day off and we went to the zoo with Grandma and Uncle Rob.  Love being able to play with daddy.  Did I say that already?

End of March the hair finally was taken off.  Brandt donated his luscious locks to Hawks Locks.  All donations used for children with cancer or any disease that takes their hair.  The boys got fo-hawks.  They were pretty stoked.  Thank you Aunt Heidi!

Beginning of April Charlie FINALLY rode a 2-wheeler.  WooHoo!  I kinda thought he never would do it.  He'd be the only 15 year old out there with training wheels.  Cautious Charlie.

 We are a Utah family.  Brandt and I have season tix to the football games and look forward to it all year.  The boys always want to go but we only have two tickets.  So I've sorta made it a tradition to go to the red & white game in the spring. This year it was super hot so we didn't last too long. But we made it and I think the boys had fun.

End of April was Easter.  We had a plethora of Easter parties.  I think the boys enjoyed 3 hunts.  A little excessive if you ask me but they loved it.  We had jelly beans for months after.

Beginning of May was Mother's Day.  Each year I am reminded how very lucky I am to be a mom.  Something we so desired and had to pray so hard for.  And this year with our special baby on the way at the time was quite special.  It's a wonderful feeling to be doing the will of the Lord.  I know I am to be a mommy and raise these boys to be righteous.  Love my boys.  Lots.

End of May - SCHOOL ENDED!!!  Holy smokes my twins graduated from Kindergarten and will be 1st graders!  We loved, loved, loved Mrs. Lemmon. She was such a great teacher and the boys grew so much in her class.

With it being summer I signed the kids up for the bowl free program at our bowling alley.  I think the boys are really enjoying bowling.  They do pretty well and it is a nice change of pace from the norm around here.

I refuse to do swim lessons in the summer since it is such a zoo at the rec center with sooo many lessons going on at the same time.  Because of this, and knowing that I'd be a little more stuck at home thru the summer, I signed the kiddies up for 2 sessions of swim lessons.  O is still just getting going but the twins are making great progress and are turning into little swimmers.

Spring Baseball!  The twins LOVED baseball.  They were awesome at it!  Dylan was busy making double plays and Charlie improved on his running and actually liked playing.  They had a great coach and we look forward to playing machine pitch next year.

Next up....WE HAD ANOTHER BABY BOY!!!

Dylan...

So the boys were outside playing with sidewalk chalk. We had a new package of 'sidewalk tattoos' so I helped them rub on their designs. When Charlie was working on coloring his he smeared some of it. So I tried to redraw it but we didn't have the exact shade of hot green. Apparently the right response would be to cry and hit. So made it easy to declare naptime. They got ready for naps and as Charlie was climbing up the bunk I told him that was enough crying and he needed to stop. He responded with, 'but mom I can't help it!'

Then from the bottom bunk I hear, 'hey, that's my line.'  You're right D. That is something you'd say. I got a good laugh.

Dylan

Brandt has on a Spider-Man mask playing with the boys. Dylan asked for the mask.
Dad: "I don't get to have any fun."
Dylan: "That's cause you have to work."

Oliver

Me: "Oliver, why are you so cute?"
Oliver: "I'm not cute. I'm just a boy."

I'm writing it down...

So many times my kids say the most hilarious things.  I will tell Brandt or my mom and we'll all get a good chuckle.  And Brandt will say, you need to record this or write it down.  And I say, I know.  And then I don't do it.  And now I'm sitting here trying to remember what Dylan said to me last night that was so funny and I can't.  So I'm going to be better.  I FINALLY have a smartphone...aren't I smart?...and there will be no excuse to hurry and write down a sentence of what those funny funny boys said.  There ya go.  Expect more posts from yours truly because enough is enough.  I need to remember this stuff because I have these 3 awesome boys that are growing like weeds and soon will not be so funny, just grown up.


But here's a couple:


We were in St. George a few weeks ago.  Our gracious hosts have a daughter that was asking the boys if she could sleep in their room.  Dylan said, "Yeah, but sometimes I fart."  Classic.  Something this momma can be proud of.


Last week we went to the phone store to get me a new phone.  There was a guy in front of us and was asking the clerk all these questions about all the phones and his contract wasn't up until May so he was just early shopping??  While we were anxiously waiting our turn being that our 3 boys were running amuck in the store.  We did our thing and as we were driving home Brandt was making up stories about the guy and was saying that his name was Rick.  So Rick this, Rick that.  Then out of the very back row of our car Dylan pipes up, "Suck brick, kid."  Quote from Home Alone 2.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  Pristine timing my boy.