To remember!

As mentioned in the previous post, Collin is my shadow! He literally does not leave my side. If I want him to change rooms, I don't ask him to go (that never works!), I simply go to that room myself and he will be there in 15 seconds. It's a little maddening when trying to clean or get anything done! (OK, it's crazy annoying, but moving on.)


Well, true to form, last night I walked downstairs to change the laundry and before I could turn around, BOTH boys were down there with me... Collin running circles and bumping into me while yelling nonsense, and Weston, crawling over to the sump pump and touching the dirty, spare battery. Mind you, Travis was home!! But for some reason, there is no magnetic pull there. Why?! Heavens knows!! I wish they would trail him as closely as they do me. In exasperation, I said, "Why do you follow me wherever I go?!?!" And without missing a beat (still running in circles), he sweetly and simply replied, "Because.... I just LOVE YOU! And... I just want to be with you!" *heart melting* I couldn't even reply. I was loved into silence.


It reminded me of when I was growing up and we would fight with our siblings and whenever one of us would complain to my mom that so and so was hitting us or bugging us, she would say, "He just loves you", with a smile on her face. Then she would remind us that we chose to be siblings in heaven, so now we got to deal with it. :) I have no idea if that's doctrine, but it did make sense to me back then and seemed to help. Now, I still don't know how families were formed in the premortal life, but I do know that my kids were meant to be with me. And in all my lack of patience and frustration, my crazy child was able to remind me why he can't leave me alone. It was a tender moment.


I need to remember to be more grateful that he wants to be my constant buddy. I know that won't last. Someday, he will probably be super embarrassed of me and only want to hang out with his friends. And I'll probably wish for the day that he wanted to be my best friend. The times when he overlooked all my shortcomings and forgave me the moment after yelling at him or losing my temper. I'll remember how unconditional his love was when I didn't feel like I deserved it. Mother's get some pretty awesome "free passes" in that regard.


That is what I need to remember when I am wishing he would {love me} just a little less. (You know, just when the floor needs to be mopped or a phone call made :)

Collin's 3rd Birthday!

 A couple of weeks ago, my Friday the 13th baby turned 3! 

(But if you ask Wegman's, his birthday was March 2. Shhhh! We just couldn't wait any longer to get him in that kid's club! :) 

He has been fairly obsessed with firemen for some time now, so we decided a {Fireman} themed birthday party was in order. Even more appropriate given that he has been my little firecracker since he was born!!

(My first Photoshop creation! Thanks to Rach for teaching me! I feel like I just joined the 21st century.)

It all began with a little fire in the bbq... :)

 And turned into this.... 

It was fun to make everything cute, but in hindsight I think this is the last time I'll do something so elaborate. I kind of wish I had just made the WHOLE day about him, instead of putting him off most of the day to make the 2 hour party come together. I wish I had given him my attention for his whole, special day. Oh well, lesson learned. ... hopefully. I may need to reread this post come next year! 

He was pretty darn excited about the party though. 

 I had originally wanted a "Pin the badge on the fireman" sort of game, but couldn't find one, so then I decided on a "pop the balloon to get the candy" game. But the plastic darts were a flop. They eventually took to just stabbing the balloons with the dart. It all felt a little violent, but there was adult supervision so we're good, right?!

 Then we played "Hot Potato" to the tune of the fireman song from the Kidsong's DVD, "When I grow up.." Once, again, maybe not the best idea to throw a solid potato to a 3 year old who can't catch. Thus, we rolled the starch along, albeit with misgivings, as each child seemed to want to hold it lovingly forever.

 The final activity involved becoming a {real} fireman. 

I set up an obstacle course in the backyard where they were supposed to run and put on their fireman hat, go down the slide, crawl through the tube, climb over the "mountain", aka table, jump down, pick up the "hose", aka squirt bottle, and put out the "fire", aka strips of crepe paper hanging from the windows of a Build a Bear house. 

 I also put in a toy frog in one of the houses that they were supposed to "rescue"! You can see it in Collin's hand. 

It was a bit chaotic but the kids ate it up! Especially Collin. He was in HEAVEN. His dreams were literally coming true. If only he could have done it all afternoon he would have been a happy boy indeed. 

 Finally, it was time for cake and ice cream! Didn't my cake turn out fab?! I really worked hard on it. :) Well, it was kind of hard handing over $27 to Wegmans, but in the end, I'm so glad I did. It was divine (their new buttercream frosting is actually worth cottage cheese thighs) and elaborate, AND there was an actual toy firetruck that he was tickled to have.

 Just look at that face!!

It only soured momentarily when, after the singing, Gavin dove in and promptly wiped out all his candles! What are friends for?!

 A quick relight, and he was back in business.

 I think my biggest regret is that I didn't get a group shot!! Argh! What was I thinking?

So here is his best bud, Gavin.

 And his favorite girl, Kadence.

Can't forget his girlfriend, Rachel, and little brother. :)

 You can see the back of Ryden and part of Crew down below. Ragen and Kennedy also came! It was a good group of kids. 

 Time to open presents! Gavin got him a pretty cool firetruck that he was stoked about. He also loved Crew's gift... a super hero cape and mask! Apparently he loves to make capes out of towels in nursery, so Kate knew he'd love it! (Kate and Doug Messick are his nursery leaders... lucky ducks! :)
A couple of days later Trav and I realized we never gave him OUR presents. Not that they were anything special. Oops. I don't think he noticed. He was WAY more excited to go to the $1 store on his birthday, when I had to grab a couple things, and I let him pick out 5 toys. Seriously, I will be sad when he thinks $1 store toys aren't cool anymore.

 The next day, Grandma Evans's package came... a remote control firetruck. I don't think he's stopped playing with it since it came. Later, when he was playing with it, Travis asked him, "Who gave you that toy?" and without hesitating he enthusiastically replied, "My friend, Grandma!" 

She also sewed him some {Cars} pajama bottoms and a pillow case that he sleeps with every night now!

 And Lori (Paula's friend that is now part family) sent a belated gift for Weston. How'd she know? He seriously loves that bunny. His face immediately lit up and he had to nuzzle it. Thanks, Lori!

This kid is something else! I think this picture pretty much sums up his personality!! He is CrAzY! And fun and has tons of energy and loves life! 

He is my shadow and my helper. Whatever I'm doing, he wants to be right in the middle of it. If I'm on the phone or talking to someone else, or just not giving him enough attention, he fixes that real quick by hurling himself horizontally into my lap, then promptly spinning circles while flailing his arms. He is rarely still!

 He loves to play school and constantly asks me if he can "learn his letters" and is also subsequently finding letters everywhere and pointing them out to me. Whether he gets the letter right or not, is a different story! :) 

He loves to play with/ torment his little brother. He may take his toys away constantly, but watch out if someone else tries! Gavin took a toy from Weston last Friday and Collin flew over to grab it back, while vehemently scolding Gavin, "Don't you take toys away from MY BROTHER!!". But of course, Weston loves Collin no matter what he does!

He is not into praying (how do I fix this?!), but does love nursery. 

If he sees an ant or bug, that ant or bug just took it's last breath. What could be more fun than stomping on an ant or stabbing a worm with a stick?! Believe it or not, I didn't teach him that! I'm actually usually trying to tell him that that poor mommy worm would just like to go back to her kid worms. 

He spends "time out" on the top step of the basement stairs, with the door closed. 

He is the PICKEST eater. However, he's also been know to lovingly tell me, "That was a 'licious dinner mommy! Thank you!" as he hops down from the table, after half an hour of begging/threatening/forcing him to eat even the smallest bite!

He loves to play dress up and it doesn't matter if it's a tiara and heels or a fireman hat and boots. We get lots of pic messages from friends when they're watching him, with him in a dress with a wand or something, just to torment Trav! I think it's pretty funny.

 He wants a band aid for every bump or possible hang nail. I don't know how many times I've said, "Band aids are for blood. You are not bleeding." This week after legitimately scraping his knees and actually needing a band aid, his voice quivered as he acknowledged, "I'm bleeding! My body is... leaking!" 

I'm still trying to figure out how I can transfer all his energy, but life sure isn't boring when he's around!

And boy do I love him! Happy 3rd Birthday, Collin!

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Sold

Last weekend we sold our house. It was an exciting, happy moment, filled with relief. We got a little under what we were asking for it, but also a little more than we originally paid, so we are happy. Who am I kidding, we are ECSTATIC. However, I haven't allowed myself to feel completely at ease. I mean, until the closing date, it's not a done deal. The inspection went well, but I can't help but fear something else will come up to ruin things. Knock on wood!

I also {Facebooked} the buyer. I had pictured a cute couple. Wondered if they had kids or not. I was not expecting the slightly hardened looking individual glaring back at me in a tank top, arms crossed. He's from New York, but currently lives in Rochester. Appears to be single, no kids. Given the interests he had listed on his info page, I wouldn't guess we'd become fast friends. More like, if I saw him on a dark street, I turn and hustle the other way. I don't know why it kind of bothers me. It shouldn't matter who buys our house. I know houses don't have feelings, but to me they kind of do! And I LOVE our house! I want a cute little family to move in and plant tomatoes in our garden that we failed at. I would love for another baby to come right in and and sleep under the "Twinkle, twinkle little star" vinyl lettering. I highly doubt Tough Guy will hang Easter eggs from the front tree or have Family Home Evening in the living room. And such is life, I suppose. But it feels a lot like leaving your loved one to a stranger with bad intentions. 

Our closing date is May 15. Trav graduates on May 12. If all his New Mexico licensing paperwork goes through fine, he should be working by June 1. Lots of changes coming up!

Side Note: I have spent WEEKS trying to find a wreath for the front door. (I read something in the real estate pamphlets about having a nice wreath on the front door for showings.) I tried every store I could think of and couldn't find anything that wasn't either hideous or ridiculously expensive. Trav thought it was a little silly to be persuing something that didn't really matter... and I understood where he was coming from, but I kept looking and finally found this last week! I teasingly told him to just watch... we would sell the house to the people who came on our next showing once the wreath was hung up. And guess what? We did. :)

(Because, of course, Mr. New York was a smitten kitten when he saw it.)

Cleanse

Last week Trav and I did a {cleanse}. Rachel and Doug did it the week before and were successful with it so we were inspired! (OK, maybe not "we", but "I". Trav was not so enthusiastic. He now tells me, "SEE! I love you so much I gave up food for a WEEK for you!!:) It is known as the GM diet where the first day all you eat is fruit, the second day vegetables, and so on. It was hard. No, it was torture. And Trav reminded me on a daily basis how food just makes him happy.... and he was the furthest thing from happy that week. 

Untilllll, Friday. For some reason, I can't quite figure out, Friday was meat day. Meat and tomatoes. So steak was on the menu for breakfast. How is this considered a cleanse?! For those of you that know nothing about me, I hate steak. Never eaten one in my life. I've tried it, sure. But I can never swallow. I will subject myself to a bite... chew, then spit. It's a texture thing. Well, as you can imagine, starving will do things to a girl. 

Like, make her eat steak. 

This time, I SWALLOWED! I nearly put it in the fridge at that point, but pushed onward. After three bites, I was starting to get the hang of it. And by the end (yes, I got to the end) I was even persuaded to text Trav, "That was good". Now, let's not get crazy... this will probably never happen again. But it was fun joining the rest of humanity in their love of toxic, dead animal flesh, if only for a brief 15 min.

As it was, the day of meat did me in. The next day was supposed to be meat and vegetables and that just wasn't happening. So we quit the cleanse on the night of the 6th day. Trav lost around 8lbs and I guess I lost about 5. Problem was, shocking my system with carbs and food was not such a good idea, given my already fragile digestive system. By Monday morning, I had lost an additional 3lbs. 

But I'm happy to report I'm back on the bandwagon and binging like a good girl. So much for the Evans Biggest Loser competition that was supposed to be ending in a couple weeks. Now that we aren't coming to Arizona anymore, looks like we won't be able to do the official weigh in. Bummmmmer. :)

Our Weekend

Last week I had been having some major cravings (no, I am not pregnant. PROMISE.) Five Guys satiated me during the week, but I was still needing major food on Saturday. So that night found us at good old Red Robin. Once we were seated I had a weird realization... this was our first time EVER out to dinner as a whole family by ourselves. Trav and I go on date nights without the kids, and we had been out with extended families with the kids, but never just the four of us. I don't know how to describe it, but it was kind of a fun feeling. Like we were a real family, out to eat. I know that sounds weird, but it's just how it felt. So of course, I needed a picture. ..

..and proof that I was there. :) Collin was MORE than happy to take a picture with me.

 On Sunday morning, we were waiting for Trav to come pick us up and I had another urge to document. For the past almost two years, Trav has had to go to early morning meetings at the church for his calling, so then he has to book it back home to pick us up before sacrament meeting. Since our building isn't close, this hasn't been the most enjoyable task for him.... or me. Having one car has major downsides. At least we don't have 8am church. Anyway, Collin was looking so handsome so I pulled out the camera... and got this scowl...

 ... and then this smile! As long as we're documenting here, Collin has a favorite person in our ward. His name is {the Candy Man}. Aka. Arnie. He is this nice, old man that brings loads of candy to church every Sunday for the kids. It is Collin's only concern to find the Candy Man the instant nursery is over. It is certainly not my favorite thing to try and talk down a frenzied two year old every week, the minute church is over, but boy it makes him happy. I'm afraid our new ward will have a major strike against it in the near future when Collin is faced with the fact that the Candy Man is not a standard fixture in every LDS building.

Hey, who's that hot man in my living room with the glasses?! :) 

After years of begging, Trav finally saw the eye doctor. And much to his consternation, he prescribed glasses. Trav will argue that they are not really needed... it's just an astigmastism, but I sure like them. I am, after all, the normally very honest child, who lied on her eye exam to get glasses. I'm a fan.

Later that day I was cooking in the kitchen when I heard several loud thumps on the basement stairs and then screaming. I instantly knew Weston had fallen and flew to the basement with Trav right behind me. I have no idea how high up he was when he tumbled, but he had fallen off the edge where there's no wall or railing and landed on his side near the base. His whole body was shaking as he sobbed and I noticed his cheek had a rug burn with some blood splotches, but thankfully no broken bones sticking out anywhere. I've wanted to put boards on the sides of those stairs forever, and almost made it 4 years with no children falling off the sides, but the record couldn't hold. Poor Weston. A fudgesicle made the world right again. And he ate every ounce.

 Sadly, that wasn't the end of his woes. Collin started throwing up at 5pm and the next morning there was throw up in Weston's crib. Both boys caught the darn stomach bug that has been going around our ward! Thankfully, it seemed to be a 24hr. one. No throw up since Monday. But it was pretty nasty there for a while. Trav stayed up on the couch with Collin all Sunday night while he constantly cried and puked. What a husband! I don't think I've ever received a nicer gift. :)

Harry the Snowman

Saddest thing ever to realize that the end of February was the first time I REALLY played in the snow with my kids. Collin of course had "played" in it before, but usually when Dad was shoveling and not doing anything more than touching it and kicking it. Yes, kicking snow is the best. 

In my defense, most snowy days are frigid and windy and Collin is crying from the cold within minutes. I also despise being cold and have generally very hostile feelings toward what I think is the devil's precipitation. 

Alas, last week we had a WARM day with a nice, medium layer of snow on the ground to frolic in. It took no less than 30 minutes to adequately dress us all (most likely Weston's very first time wearing shoes) before we were out on our backyard adventure!

I got a workout (and the realization that my snow pants are NOT waterproof... seriously?!) by pushing the kiddos around the backyard on the sled. When we first brought it out, Collin was so excited to be doing what he's watched Caillou do dozens of times in his Winter Wonderland DVD. He was also alarmed that ours did not have a rope like Caillou's. After pushing on my knees for .2 seconds, I joined his dismay.

 Snow angels..

 Must have a taste.

After diving out of the sled, soaking his mittens and losing his shoes, this one was reassigned to the kitchen to watch.

 It always takes many shots to get something that is not this...

 Ahhh, a normal looking child....

 I will miss this cheeser smile someday when he realizes it is not "cool" to squish your face up and beam your finest grin. :) 

A pretty successful afternoon! Now I'm hoping to try out real sledding sometime before winter is over. Buuuut, I won't be heartbroken if it never snows enough to warrant it. It IS almost March after all. Our last winter is nearly behind us!!!

Rainbow Rink

For playgroup last week we met at a rollerskating rink in North Tonawanda. It sets aside two hours every Wednesday morning for kids to come and bring anything on wheels to play with on the rink. We were literally the first people to enter the building and had it all to ourselves for about 10 min. I thought it would get really crowded since it was winter break for schools, but there were only 3 or 4 other women there with their kids, besides our group. I had a BLAST. I think the kids might of too. :) Weston was a champ and happy as could be for almost the entire 2 hours just sitting in this car. They had upbeat Disney classics blasting over the loudspeakers and Collin and I ran helter- skelter all over the place, pausing only to bust out {Elaine-esk} dance moves. It felt so good just to run! Can't remember the last time I did that. Sad, I know.

 Collin got to try roller skating for the very first time! He kept flailing his legs back and forth just like on TV. Then after 5 min. he had had enough of that nonsense.

 Gavin had his hopes set on the zoo that day, but we're so glad he joined us instead!

Millie enjoyed giving Weston a spin.

Me and my Buffalo twin. :) Love that our boys are similar ages. If only we got to continue having them grow up together! :(

Oh St. Valentine!

We were able to go to a Valentine's playgroup at the church last week. Collin had fun making his fireman box. When we were at Target picking out his Valentines, he insisted on Phineas and Ferb. Really? I was hoping for some with envelopes, thinking that's how he could help me... by stuffing them in the envelopes. Or at least putting a piece of candy in them or something. No go. They just don't sell Valentines with envelopes anymore! What gives? Instead I spent a good hour, ripping apart 37 Valentines and tattoos, delicately placing said tattoos in the minuscule slits cut into the Valentines, then folding them and sealing with a heart sticker. I felt like a factory worker. It will be nice when he's old enough to do all that by himself... talk about a busy work project, but for now, I was cursing Disney and all affiliated slave drivers.

Last Saturday our ward had a Valentine's party that turned out pretty fun. They had childcare, so Collin was occupied, and we just put Weston to sleep in a room. I even brought his sound machine. It was fantastic.

We ate, then played a trivia game. I brought my Ipod and speakers and led everyone in a couple of line dances.... the Cupid Shuffle and Cotton Eyed Joe. I was impressed with how many were willing to dance!

The "photographer" didn't show up, so it was my crummy camera to the rescue! Whitney had made such an adorable photo background, we couldn't let it go to waste. 

 I wasn't around when Trav snapped this picture, but I wanted to include it because it has Deborah in it! I visit teach Deb and she is a gem. I was a little nervous when I started going to her neighborhood (it's in one of the scarier parts of town), but I've since relaxed and am able to enjoy the experience.... bumpin' music, {hoodlum} men, dilapidated houses, accompanying smells, and all. I need to video tape her because her voice is one I'll never forget. One time when I dropped by to visit her, she called from the inside, "Who is it?!!". "It's Steph!" I replied. The door swung open to bare legged Deb, with the happiest look on her face. "Stephanie!" she exclaimed. "I MISSED your BUTT!"  Seriously, I love Deborah.

After the dancing, a few couples played the Newlywed game for us all to watch and then we let the kids break free and join the party for some dancing. They were rocking out. It was a fun night. Laney knows how to plan a party!

On actual Valentine's day, I picked up Chiptole and took the kids to the dental school to eat lunch with Trav. He knew we were coming, but he didn't know I had brought along some inflated friends. The surprise was a little ruined when he saw us coming, but I still made him go out in the hall while I did my dirty work. There were 5 balloons for 5 years married, each with a note attached of a memory from that year.

I had fun with some crepe paper and put a box of Dove chocolates under his computer (which I'm pretty sure I ended up eating 85% of). Too bad he was on rotation for the afternoon so none of his patients got to see! 

 Our din din. Pink mashed potatoes. So original!

The real treat were these sugar cookies. I hit the jackpot with the cookie recipe, then I used the Sprinkles cupcakes frosting recipe. It's a good thing we gave away so many plates, otherwise I would have eaten them ALL! Now our official Valentine's "date" night is tonight. Hmmmm, where could we be going.... um of course Cheesecake Factory!! I have a date with Caramel Chicken tonight and it's going to be amazing. :)

And a belated Happy 100th Birthday to Arizona!!! I had no idea... thank you Facebook. I should have done something Arizona themed. It is the best state in the country after all. :)