Building, Birthday Cakes and Bare Butts

What could a post with that kind of title possibly be about? A cabin trip! This past weekend we went up to my parents cabin so Ryan could help my Dad build his wood shed. Ryan had this great idea to build my Dad a wood shed this summer, and then made the mistake of telling my Dad! Ryan poured the concrete a few weeks ago and then this weekend did the wood framing and roofing. My Dad is an aerospace engineer, not a construction engineer, so Ryan had to bite his tongue a few times, and let my Dad "Roger" the project. Ryan is a perfectionist, especially when it comes to building, and my Dad is the fastest, cheapest way kind of guy. From my untrained eye- it looks just fine, but Ryan would tell you otherwise!

So they worked all day Saturday on that, while I played with the kids and worked in the kitchen. Bridgett and Rob came up that night and brought Kate and Clark a 'Fudgy the Whale' birthday cake. I had never seen one before, but apparently they are pretty popular. It's an ice cream cake, and very (as Kate would say) Delicious! Bridgett and Rob spoil my kids, but I'm definitely ok with that. Kate is finally warming up to Rob and even let him hold her on the swing.

Now's the part you've been waiting for- what's the story about the bare butt? Well Kate and Clark have been intrigued with the toilet and potty training. Kate is doing much better than Clark, but Clark wants to so badly! He now just wants to sit on the toilet after Kate does, even though he doesn't do anything. So we've had some problems with Clark taking his diaper off. He doesn't undo the velcro, he just shimmy's out of it. Well Sunday after church, we came home and put them to bed. While they were sleeping we got all packed up to go, and ended up having to wake them up to leave. So when Ryan went to get Clark, this is what he found.......

Happy Birthday

Today is Kate and Clarks 2nd Birthday! Man, time flies. Some days are hard, but I am so grateful for the changes that have come into my life because of my 2 kids. I just wanted to take a minute today to tell them how much I love them and give and update on everything they are doing in thier little lives.

Kate:

Kate is like her Mom in that she loves to get up early and get started on the day. As soon as I get her out of her crib, she wants her jammies off and her clothes for the day on. She usually wakes up a good 1/2 hour before Clark everyday and I love the time we get to spend together just the two of us. Not that we do anything special, and sometimes she'll sit at the table with me while I study my scriptures and get ready to teach Sunday School. She is very loving and always has a 'baby' of some sort in her hands. One of her first words in sign language was 'baby'. If Clark is crying or upset, she will go find his buddy (blanket) and give it to him. She loves to gives hugs and kisses to Mom, Dad and just about anyone who asks. (as long as you are a girl or a grandpa!) She loves to sing songs, especially "Wheels on the Bus" and "Old McDonald". She learned all the motions to songs very quickly, as well as sign language.

Kate has a love/hate relationship with animals, especially dogs. She is always talking about them, loves to look at them in books and movies, but when it comes to seeing a dog up close, she is very afraid! Even little puppies she cannot pet. She has become accustomed to Paco's cats, and will pet them sometimes too.

She is the follower in her relationship with Clark. Whatever he does, she does too. This includes whatever toy he has, she wants; whenever Clark cries, she cries; or if Clark gets hurt, she needs a kiss on whatever part he got hurt on too! She has also learned how to be disobedient from Clark, but is quicker to obey than Clark.

Her favorites are: Animal : Elephant

Color : Doesn't have one

Person: Nancy or Ellen

Song: Wheels on the Bus

Thing to do: Swing

New vocabulary: Delicious! (it sounds so cute!)
Ephant monie (Elephant Movie, ie Baby Noah)

Poopoo Toilet ( I have to go poop!)
I love you Kate! Thanks for bringing your light into our home. I know that you and I will always be great friends.

Clark:

Clark is just a BOY! He is like his dad in that he loves to stay up late and cannot stand it if he can hear commotion and he's not a part of it. However, he is like his mom in that he needs lots of sleep at night and loves long naps! Clark is very into 'fixing' things. He has a tool set, and frequently has some tool in his hand and is fixing just about everything. He loves the 'big tools' that do the road construction. He even knows the difference between a Track Hoe, Dozer, Loader and a Dump Truck. ( I had to ask Ryan before I could teach him! So now I know the difference too) He loves to play outside in the dirt, and has to take a 'shovel' (aka spoon) with him. Just this morning they got a play kitchen for their birthday, and within 30 seconds he had found a big spoon and was heading out the back door!

He is a worker bee and is my best helper. He rakes the leaves outside and will even take the shovel and shovel the rocks. He loves to help me in the garden and would stay outside all day if I'd let him. Hence, he LOVES my Dad. I think they are kindred spirits. He asks to go to Nana and Paco's everyday. On days that we do get to visit, he finds Paco right away and leads him outside.

Clark does have a soft side too. He loves for Mom to hold him. He can be very snuggly at times and loves back rubs. He will even lift his shirt up for you, as it feels better on his bare skin! Just yesterday he woke up before Kate after their nap and we just sat in the rocking chair and talked. He is pretty good for a 2 year old with his language skills. He loves to talk and learn new words- so be careful what you say- he will repeat it!

He shares Kates loves for animals and apprehension with dogs!

His favorites are: Animals: Horses

Color: Yellow

Person: Paco/ Grandpa

Song: Old McDonald

Thing to do: Paco Mobile ride

New Vocabulary: 'Go where' (what he says when he is trying to get you to go somewhere with him)

'panamonie' (Panda movie ie Baby Noah)

'play dirt'

'my do it'

I love you Clark. Thanks for being who you are. You test me everyday, but I know that you love me too. Thanks for always being so happy and always giving me something to laugh about!

Potty Training

Kate just went poop in the toilet! I can't believe it. I have not tried at all to potty train her. She has been telling me over the past few weeks when she has pooped in her diaper, and has recently started telling me when she is about to poop. So the other day at my moms, she said she had to poop and we put her on the toilet, and nothing. So then today she told me she had to poop, and then said,"toilet". So I sat her down and what do you know- she acutally pooped! I know I should be thrilled, but this just means potty training- which I know nothing about. Plus I have to buy a little potty chair and panites and all that. Not to mention all the accidents that are bound to happen, and having to carry an extra set of clothes everywhere.
So I am soliciting help. If you have any suggestions as to how I can do this - please share! If you have any good books, movies, websites or anything that can educate me as to how to do this- I'd apprecate it! Thanks!

Cabin Trip

We were supposed to go up to the cabin for Ryan's birthday way back in August, but we could never quite get all our ducks in a row to get up there. So we finally got up there last weekend. We drove up Thursday night and didn't come home until Sunday night. It makes such a difference when you have a few days to spend up there, instead of packing the whole house for overnight.

The kids had fun feeding the fish, watching the horses and playing on the tractor. They got lots of attention from "Bigee and Bob" (Bridgett and Rob) and their surrogate parents, Ellen and Josh. Friday afternoon we got hit by a big rain storm. The rain cooled it down to between 55 and 60 degrees, and it actually stayed cool for the rest of the day. It was nice change from our never-ending heat.

Friday Ryan worked all day fixing the bathtub fixtures in one of the bathrooms. It was quite the project- but we are all glad it's finally done. Thanks Honey!

Ryan and Josh spent most of Sunday playing Halo while Ellen and I jammed out to Guitar Hero. Believe it or not, we are rock stars, and our band, "The Brownies" beat the game. On easy. (Ellen did most of it)

Ellen was even nice enough to take some family pictures for us, and I'm excited to see how they turned out. Ryan wasn't especially happy that I decided to take pictures (as he HATES taking pictures) so we'll see if his smug grin is worthy of a Christmas card.

Kate playing with her 'purse'

Clark's first Oreo

Clark with his favorite pal, Josh

Kate with surrogate Mom, Ellen

My Garden

When I was growing up, my parents always had a garden and I, along with my brothers and sisters, were always volunteered to help take care of it. I remember having my Mom wake me up early on Saturday morning to go weed the garden and hating it! I just hated working in the garden. It wasn't until I went on my mission that I realized the value of a garden. I remember the first time I had to buy lettuce and thinking- shoot- I could get this for free at home!!! I learned alot about gardening on my mission, as everyone in Idaho has a garden, and some people make their living off the land. So since I've been married I've wanted to have a garden, and it wasn't until we moved into this house that I was able to do it.

Last winter is when I officially started gardening. I have to say- without my Dad, it would've never happened. My Dad is an amazing gardener and has an amazing garden. He has it down to an art-and can grow just about anything (that will grow in Arizona) and even has stuff coming up on it's own. So I was asking my Dad for tips on how to get started, and one Saturday (my Mom was out of town and I think he was bored) he called and asked if I wanted help getting my garden started. I excitedly agreed, and he brought over his rowdo-tiller and all the tools and even some seeds. Well I was busy doing something with the kids when he got there - and by the time I got outside to help, he had already used the rowdo-tiller, made rows and was planting the seeds! All I had to do was water and weed for the next few months, and ended up with a garden full of lettuce, broccoli and spinach.
So this spring I was on my own. I started my summer garden late, one because I procrastinated and two, my Dad's rowdo-tiller was broken. So I planted anyways the end of May- and am now enjoying my harvest!

I planted tomatoes, watermelon, squash, pumpkin, corn and cucumber. My tomatoes and corn didn't do very well this year- but the watermelon and cucumber have taken over! The squash and pumpkin have grown alot and have huge vines, but I haven't got much fruit off of them.

I have to say that I love to garden now. I enjoy going out and picking the weeds and just spending the time outside. It is the most rewarding feeling to pick and eat food from your own garden. And it really isn't that difficult. I spent the most time planting, and now just have to water everyday. I can't really pick weeds in my summer garden because the vines and plants cover the entire garden!

So I am taking this moment to share my success! If you want some cucumbers- I'd be happy to give you some!

This is in July- the squash are against the wall and the watermelon are the small plants on the bottom.

Corn in July

Tomatoes in the corner and cucumber on the ground

This was a few weeks ago- you cant even see the ground!

Heres one of the watermelons- we have about 12 more growing!

Here's the harvest! Cucumbers, butternut squash and watermelon

So this is the third time I have tried doing this post and if it doesn't work this time- I Quit! You may have noticed that its been a while since I have posted something on my blog, and I have triedm but after 2 failed attempts I just couldn't get myself to sit down and do it . And the longer you wait the easier it is to just avoid it all together. So I'm hoping this post will get me back in gear to post more regularly. Since it has been so long- this is going to be all my posts rolled into one.

So here it goes.

Shoes

Kate has developed quite the shoe feddish. She loves to put her own shoes on and does a dang good job of it too. She usually gets the shoes on the right feet too! Her latest is to come into my room, go in the closet and pick a pair of shoes for her and I. She doesn't like it very much if I don't wear the shoes she picked out. Clark also likes shoes, but only his Dad's. He loves to 'help' Ryan put on his shoes or wear them himself. He also just recently figured out how to put on his own shoes. However- he does NOT like to wear shoes at church. So sometimes we make it in the building, or maybe 10 minutes of Sacrament meeting before they come off. And he usually ditches the socks during nursery.

First Invitation To a Birthday Party

My friend Deanna has a little girl Madison who is just 2 months older than Kate and Clark, and since they are play date buddies, we got invited to Madision's 2nd Birthday Party. Kate was not very happy the day before when we picked out Madision's present and she wasn't able to keep it. But they did very well at the party, only we spent most of the time in the kitchen eating the snacks!



Kate giving Madison a hug

Kate opening Madision's presents

Clark enjoying someone else's toys

Clark and Paco

Clark just loves my Dad. A few weeks ago my Mom and Dad came over to get their hair done. They came over right after I had put the kids down for their nap, but I think Clark heard my Dad's voice and did not fall asleep. So after I cut my Dad's hair and started working on my Mom, Paco (my dad) got Clark out of his bed to play. Well they eventually ended up outside in the backyard. And if any of you know my Dad, he can't sit still for more than 3 minutes, so he started picking weeds. So my Mom and I went outside to check things out and this is what we found....

Wait... That's Kate!

The other day after dinner, I was doing the dishes and Ryan was playing with the kids. After a few minutes, Ryan said "Look Mommy", so I turned a looked, and saw what I thought was Clark walking towards me. Then I took a harder look and realized it was Kate in Clarks clothes!! Poor girl- she has no hair, so in boys clothes- she could pass as a little boy! It was just cute!

Kids for Sale

I love my kids, but I have thought- "you drive me crazy" at least a dozen times in the past few days. I guess you could say we have hit the terrible twos. Just to give you an example of what goes on in our house..... The other day Ryan was running late from work (seems to be the usual these days) and so I was feeding the kids dinner while I finished preparing dinner for Ryan and I. They both had some chicken nuggets with ranch(their favorite part), and I looked over to see them elbow deep in the ranch, flinging it every where. Now you might think- why did you give them so much ranch- I didn't! That was one spoonful each and they managed to get it all over the walls floor and themselves. So after cleaning them up, I put them out to play while I cleaned up the rest. Then Kate comes over to me saying "yucky" with her hands outstretched. What was on her hands? Poop. She dug her hands in to her diaper and got poop all over her hands only to wipe it all over her shirt. So after I clean her all up and change her clothes, I walk over to Clark only to find out she'd wiped it on him too!! So I just about lost it. I don't know what it is about that hour from 5:30pm to 6:30pm - but it is just hell. In the Johnson family, we call it the 'arsenic hour'. You either feel like giving it or taking it!
In addition to all that we've started the whinning for everything, fighting over everything and Clark has even started the going limp thing when I'm trying to get him to do something! So needless to say- they've had quite a bit of crib time the past few days.
I don't mean to use my blog as a vent- but I just had to let you all know that my kids are just as bad - if not worse than yours! We are not perfect by any means- so feel better about what you're doing, because being a Mom is hard. So give yourself a pat on the back- because you certainly won't get it from your kids!