That was fun mom, oh and thanks for the candy

I have so much catching up to do, I'll get to it, but here is a story till then. Let me set the stage. Chad and I are at home with the kids, except Tyler is at his after school reading program. Casey's friend Joey is over because his mom is at an appointment and will pick him in about an hour. I need something at the store so I decide to go when I pick up Tyler from school since I will be out anyway. I pick up T and we turn in the direction of the store instead of home.
T - Where are we going
Me - to the store, I need some stuff so you get to go with me. :)
T - Is Joey at our house?
Me - Yes
T - I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE STORE...NOOO.... CAN'T YOU JUST DROP ME OFF ?!?!?!
Me - (a little shocked) No we are just going to go really fast and now we are half way there anyway.
T - I HATE the store, it's boring, I'm not going to get to play with Joey, why do you have to take me to the store, I'm missing all the fun, I hate this, you are so mean.
Me - :(
So we arrive at the store and I put on a happy face. We hold hands and walk into the store. We get a cart and we go down the required isles, we joke and laugh and tease each other back and forth. We collect the items need and we are being a little silly and playful. We are having a very pleasant and happy time together. As we are going through the check out T asks if he can get a candy from the .25 machine at the exit. I almost never let them get anything from those machines, but after the bag boy comments that that is like a special treat for coming the store I happily hand him a quarter and allow him to get the candy. We make our way to the car still talking to each other and joking around. As I pull away from the parking spot I say
Me - Now wasn't that fun? I bet that wasn't as bad as you thought it would be.
T - What?
Me - didn't you have fun? It wasn't the horrible experience you thought it would be was it.
As he munches his candy he replies. Yes it was I told you I hate the store it's boring.

Our new Daredevil

Aiden has taken to jumping off the couch. He thinks it is so FUN! He climbs up and then jumps right off. Right on to the floor, landing on his bum. Not on a pillow or anything to break the fall, just his bum. You think..that probably hurt, but no he gets right back up and does it again.

Valentines day

For Valentines day Chad was at work when the rest of us got up. The kids each got a book and some candy. Chad got some of his favorite candies and when I went down to my computer I got an envelope that inside had a letter letting me know that I had an appointment for 1 hour massage at 3:00 that day! My husband is GREAT! I told him not to get me anything, but he never listens. I made cookies with the kids M&Ms. Our tradition is to have waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. Since Chad was not there for b-fast, we had it for dinner. The kids got to help make it.
Court helping to cut the strawberries. There was a lot of arguing over who's turn it was.

All the kids helping.

Aiden helped out by eating.

YUMMY!!!!

We got Madagascar 2 from red box and had a movie night. Happy Valentines Day!

Marshmallows

Last weekend we told the kids we would roast marshmallows. At the last minute we decided to invite a couple of families from our ward. Thanks to them for coming over last minute.
I grabbed the camera when Aiden insisted on roasting his own marshmallow. I tried to help, but it resulted in him swinging his roaster wildly out the way of my grabbing hand, so I ran for the camera instead.

Casey of course not to be out done by his brother had to show off his skills at marshmallow roasting by foot. "look mom no hands".

Working Mom

Last week I started working. Yes that is right after almost ten years I have returned to the working world. I got a job at Mountainside Fitness working in the child care center. 16 to 20 hours a week. I work one evening so Chad is home with the kids and then the other days I work during the day while the boys are in school. Aiden and Court get to come to work with me and after a month I get a free membership to the gym. I don't make a lot, but it will help out a bit. Aiden and Court have fun playing with all the toys, games and kids. Tyler and Casey are anxiously waiting for the day they get to come to work with me. I'm not sure if they are more excited for the rock wall, the video games or the basketball.

Dressing up

Here is my little "Rock 'n roll princess"

A lttle decorating

A couple of Saturdays ago Chad had the day off so we got lots done around the house. It was wonderful! While cleaning out the garage we came across my bed from when I was a kid. Since court's bed was getting kind of rickety I said we should put this bed up for her so that we didn't have to store it anymore and even better... it is a loft bed so we could arrange her room a little better and it wouldn't be so crowded.

Here is her new bed with her "club house" underneath. I love it and so does she. It took a few days to convince her to sleep in it, but she does now. Not two seconds after the suggestion left my mouth did the the boys start complaining about how court gets everything and when was going to ever paint their room. So...after 4 1/2 years in our house I decided it was finally time to paint their room.

With some help from some very dear friends it is finally done. The boys were so excited to come home and see what we had done. They love it and are proud to show it to anyone who is willing to look. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to my friends. The rest of the decorating will come in steps, but at least it has begun!