February happenings

So grateful for my iphone which provided some great documentation for our month of February . . .

(This one came from Grandpa Al's phone!)

I can't count how many heart shaped sandwiches I made this month.

Also can't count how many of these cookies I made:

I made these football shaped ones for a Superbowl dinner we went to. Everyone loved them so much I decided to make them again. This time I made them with a pink filling and gave them as a Valentines treat to our visiting and home teaching families as well as to all of Madi and Elle's teachers. They were a hit! I made one last batch two weekends ago for a family dinner with Aunt Lindsay in town (too bad she's on a no sugar kick and only got to enjoy one - I was glad to hear Dad enjoyed the leftovers in his lunch during the week! :)

 

And what's "love month" without flowers from Spencer!

Our new primary chorister is absolutely amazing! We'll talk about something we want to implement into primary and she totally runs with it - going above and beyond any of my expectations! Primary chorister was always one of my favorite callings, and I was secretly hoping to get called to it after being released as President, but not anymore! Sister Hansen has taken her calling to a whole new level. Whoever replaces her has some BIG shoes to fill! This month she came up with the the clever idea of "bug inspectors"! She gave my secretary and I this whole ensemble to wear during singing time to help get the "bugs" out of the songs!

We fasted and prayed for rain- and it rained!! On fast Sunday it rained for a couple hours, then the following Thursday it poured!! I loved hearing Elle tell people, "I prayed for rain, and it rained!" I've loved seeing the girls testimonies of prayer and fasting grow.

We've actually had a bunch of rain the past two days and it's supposed to rain all weekend! I've got so many pictures from playing in the rain today that it'll have to be it's own post though (coming soon)!

Aside from Sundays, and our rainy day today, I'm pretty sure we've been to the park every single day this month!  Just one of the perks of living where we do is being able to be outside year round! Early morning after dropping Madi off at school is one of my favorites (we love having the whole park to ourselves)! But then it's also fun when someone sends out a text and we get a bunch of other moms and all their kids there too! 

Madi started piano lessons at the beginning of the month. We lucked out with one of the best teachers around - who comes to our house, and for only $15 a lesson! I just didn't realize how much work it is to get her to remember to practice everyday! 

Madi started tennis this month too! Her lessons are Monday afternoons from 4-4:45. She loves it (which is huge) so we're gonna stick with it. Getting over to the tennis courts to practice with her during the week has been harder than I was hoping. The first week she started, Spencer was home more and made time to work with her every night, but the rest of the month she's only been able to practice on Saturday.

(That's Madi at the front of the line.)

We had a Chick-Fil-A night out on Gram and Papa! Thanks for the fun valentine mom and dad! After diner we went home and made ice cream Sundaes which we ate while finishing the end of "The Lorax". I love our family movie nights!

Madi celebrated her 100th day of school on the 11th! While most of her class dressed like they were 100 years old, Madi chose to be unique and dress as if she lived 100 years ago (braids, apron, "bloomers" under her brown dress). She looked pretty darn adorable if you ask me!

Madi and Cal make all sorts of other fun at home!

Elle loves playing with my phone and I love all the silly pictures I find on there when I get it back!

Elle got started on Bob books at the beginning of the month and has been flying through them!

The girls love being twins! One of their favorite things to do is dress alike, and then ride their scooters together to school.

Then walk together to line up (each holding a strap of Madi's backpack):

It was cute to read about it later too:

Taken the very next morning - another matching outfit!

In order to walk/run/scoot/or bike to school, we have to leave by 7:50. Some mornings we're pushing it on time and I end up having all the kids jump into the stroller (so Madi's isn't late). It's always such a load - thank goodness for my Bob!

The girls scooting together is a new thing that just started this month (probably because Spencer's been gone and I always have to take all the kids with me). This particular day Madi sang, "Let it Go" from "Frozen" all the way to school. 

She sang her heart out all the way there, only stopping when I asked to take her picture.

Yes, we have some serious "Frozen" obsession going on at our house. Even Calvin will walk into the room and sing, "Let it goooo!" 

Madi's pretty sure she's an Elsa look alike. She and her friends like to act out parts of the movie at recess.

And she insists that she wants to go to the snow! I about died laughing when I found this in her homework folder:

Cal's still obsessed with helmets . . .

. . . and so desperately wants to be able to ride a bike!

 I think I've finally got the kids interested in basketball. Cal got his hoop for Christmas and much to my disappointment it's just sat there. We've been working on our shots, and this month I taught them the game "Pig", except that they get a letter when they make a basket. I really just want them to go out and play on their own though. Right now, nobody will play unless I'm out there to get it going.

A milestone this month was Calvin giving up the highchair (he's growing up way to fast). This picture was taken on February 5th which I believe was the last time he sat in it. Not that long ago, but I can hardly remember him sitting in it now. And he's drinking Emergen-C which tells me that he's had his cold for a really long time! We're still battling the miserable cough over here. 

Since we only had 2 bar stools, I had to go out and buy another one so that the 3 kids could all sit together at the bar! I love how good these girls are to their brother. Cal gets royal treatment over here being the only boy!

One of my favorite things is when the kids all become engrossed in their books at the same time - allowing me time to clean up from dinner.

Aunt Lindsay came to town on the 15th!! Cal took right to her and gave Linds lots of snuggles!

We got to enjoy Sunday dinner together. Then since Monday the 17th was a holiday, we met at the sandhill in the morning for a climb. It was fun to soak up the warm morning sun with Aunt Lindsay who lives in Minnesota and has to take vitamin D pills since its too cold to be outside! On Tuesday, Elle, Cal, and I went over to grind wheat and make Aunt Lindsay's homemade bread (which my kids all fell in love with). Then Wednesday morning we had to say good-bye. While we wished the cousins would have come too, it was SO great to see Aunt Lindsay and spend some time with her. 

Another highlight was making it to the temple twice this month (this is huge for me since a temple trip takes at least 5 hours when you factor in drive time)! Spencer and I went together with our ward on the first Saturday of the month. Then this past Saturday I went with a van of friends from church as part of a Stake RS temple trip. Never in my life have I ever seen more people at the temple. Every single seat was filled! It made for an extra long session, but was pretty incredible to see!

The BEST news of the month came at the very end! Spencer's been busy with a big trial all month (one he's been litigating for the past 2 plus years) and was pretty much non-existent. He'd check into his hotel Sunday night, then check out Friday night only to come home and work til 1am.  This past Tuesday the jury returned a defense verdict in favor of the hospital Spencer represents! A BIG win for Spence! When he got home Tuesday night, we loaded up the kids and went out to celebrate - at El Tecolote! Then it was onto another case and more traveling the next day. No rest for Spencer!

What a month - and all in just 28 short days!

23 months

My handsome man is 23 months old today, and still as sweet as ever (I feel like I always say that - but it's true)! Well... aside from the screaming episode he had a Costco today (couldn't figure that one out- he wanted fruit snacks and my phone and didn't want Elle touching any of it - I was so annoyed)! 

He's just at that stage where he says the cutest things in his little munchkin voice. He gets really excited about everything, gives lots of hugs and kisses, and loves copying his sisters. 

I know I'll do an update at two, but I had a few pictures to post, so I figured I should include some things he started this month- like:

* Saying "I love you" (started at the beginning of the month). 

* Moving up to size 5 diaper - which neither of the girls ever got to.

* Counting (can go up to 20 while leaving out a number here and there)

* Recognizing numbers - one morning we were looking at the weather on my phone (it was 50 degrees), Cal looks at the number and says, "It's a 5!"

* Singing! He'll sing the ABC's (quasi correctly) as well as "I am a Child of God" (but only when Spencer sings along with him), and just started belting out, "Let it gooo!" 

Such fun stuff! I also love how he adds "please" and "thank you" to everything. When he's done with a snack and wanting me to take it from him he says, "Mommy, here please" and will just keep saying "here please" until I take it from him.

Calvin's such an obedient little boy. He'll do most everything I ask him except when it comes to brushing his teeth. I have to hold him down every night while he screams bloody murder! A ten second quality brush is considered a success!

I love watching him fall asleep in his car seat on the way home from dropping Elle off at school. This particular day he was actually putting banana into his mouth and chewing while half asleep. I was cracking up watching him and held my phone back to get a picture. Thankfully he moves to his bed easily and always sleeps 2 1/2 hours.

One not so great thing this month has been Cal's eating habits. He hates to be forced to sit down and eat (totally refuses the highchair now). He'll usually take a couple bites and then be on the run again. I'm constantly having to pack snacks. I find it easier to let him eat breakfast in the stroller as we run Madi to school in the morning, lunch at the park and/or while we're out running errands before Elle gets dropped off at school (picnics are also a hit), and an afternoon snack on the way to pick Elle up from school at 3pm. Dinner time I force him to sit, or at least try to make sure he's really hungry so he will sit and eat with us. It gets pretty exhausting! Oh, and bibs are now out of the question! At least he's pretty good about leaning over his dish.

Sometimes I just want to freeze time. It's all flying by so quickly. I forever what to remember this stage of life. Sure love our Cal man!

Valentines Day

With all the valentine making, card mailing, and school party prep the first 2 weeks of the month, by the time Valentine's Day rolled around I was all Valentined out! Elle had her school party on Wednesday the 12th (cause her teacher was going to be out the 13th and didn't want to miss the party). It was a good one! I loved that Madi, Cal, and I got to be there for it!

Madi had her class party at the end of the day on Thursday the 13th because there wasn't school on Friday (bummed I never got a picture of her with her treat box after school).

It was nice to have the actual Valentine's Day off of school and get to stay home and relax. I let the kids open valentine cards after breakfast (mail had come from the Rudd cousins and Gram Rox that I'd saved) which they absolutely loved. 

Then we took off at 11am to spend the afternoon at the beach with friends!

Madi found a heart shaped rock that she thought was pretty cool with it being Valentines Day and all. Then I put the rock in a "safe place" but forgot all about it once it was time to head home - so glad we got the picture for documentation.

 So happy for my iphone to help document all the sweet memories I never want to forget!

 Little better of a picture when I let someone else take it, instead of trying to do it myself! :)

 Why Madi wasn't in the picture with us - she was too busy making herself into a mermaid!

Calvin was one happy little boy all afternoon (amazing for only getting a 20 minute nap on the drive over). He's finally grown to love the beach!

Such a fun afternoon!!

After picking up a pizza and dropping off Cassidy (who we'd brought along with us), it was 5pm by the time we got home. The kids all got into the tub to rinse off while I got dinner ready. I kinda felt like a lame mom for not doing something cute and clever for Valentine's Day dinner, but I was seriously exhausted (from a week of being a single mom, Valentines stuff everyday, and then a full afternoon of sun) and not in the mood to create more work for myself.  Spencer got home at 6pm, was able to eat, talk to us for a few minutes, and then had to get right back to work documenting the witness's testimonies from that day in court (Spencer's in the middle of a big trial right now and we haven't seen much of him).

Kids were in bed by 7pm and I was in bed by 8:30. Luckily Spencer was able to take a little break and join me before I fell asleep. Laying in bed at the end of the day and just talking about everything is my favorite. It was a great end to our 'not really celebrated' Valentines' Day! 

Jenkins Family Love Tree

The girls and I whipped out this beauty Saturday afternoon while Cal napped. I just couldn't stand looking at the bare wall where our Thankful Tree once hung. 

It sure was fun listening to the girls tell me things they love about me (most of which haven't gone up on hearts yet, but I had to write down the ones I really liked). . . .

Madi:
-"I love when you hug me and protect me when I get a shot." (Not sure where that was coming from since they haven't gotten shots since Sept).
-"I love when you dress pretty." (Another one I wasn't away of.)
- "I love when you pick me up from school and ask me my 'high' and 'low' of the day"
- "I love when you take us to the church with you to set up for Primary" (they love playing in the nursery)

Elle:
-"I love when you give me hugs and kisses"
-"I love when you say a prayer so I won't have bad dreams" (I've been having to run into her room in the middle of the night - after a bad dream- to say a prayer with her, even when we always say at least one before she goes to bed).
- "I love when you say a prayer before school so that I won't miss you." (Elle's so sweet and always has to say a prayer before I drop her off at school).

I'm obviously crazy in love with these beautiful kids and awesome husband of mine, but there's a few certain things they do that just make me fall in love all over again, like:
 - Calvin telling all of us, one by one, that he loves us. His cute little voice saying, "I love you mommy" "I love you Elle" "I love you Madi" "I love you daddy" is the sweetest thing ever.
- Elle's hugs at night before going to sleep are the best. She pulls me in tight, squeezes my neck, gives me a big kiss and tells me she loves me. I love it!
- Madi's creative mind blows me away. I love watching her in her element, totally focused, creating the most amazing projects.
- I've always loved Spencer's talent with surprises, but it only seems to get better and better the longer we're married. When we were dating he'd make me lunch in the morning (and not just a weak sauce PB&J like I make him everyday, but the real deal sandwiches- with all the fixings, along with a favorite fruit and a little treat), drive to my house, and leave it on my front porch - all by 6:45am when I would leave for work. I love that these surprises didn't end at the dating stage. Spencer is one to put a lot of time, thought, and research into the gifts he gives me. He loves shopping for me and wants what he gets to be perfect. I love that he loves spoiling me!

- He also writes the best love letters! They're never the sappy, cheesy, embarrassed to read aloud love notes, but rather the honest, straight from the heart, eloquently written, genuine reasons of why he loves me. It's nice to be reminded of my strengths, talents, abilities, and how much I'm loved.

- Calvin's obedient nature is so refreshing. I love how he'll pretty much do whatever you ask him to do (aside from when he'd tired, hungry, or throwing a massive tantrum :)! The other night he'd pulled himself up onto a kitchen chair, gotten all situated with his blanket and monkey, when Spencer asks him to bring him the twistable crayon he's holding. Totally didn't think Calvin would do it, but the next thing I know, Cal's pushing himself off the chair, arms totally weighed down with everything he's holding, walks over to Spencer and hands him the crayon! Awesome!
-Watching my kids play together happily is definitely up there at the top of my "things I love" list! I constantly have to remind the kids of how important this is to me, becasue when it happens, everything just seems to be right in the world!

I could go on and on, but it's late and I'm totally falling asleep as I sit here typing (didn't get my 10 minute "power nap" today - another "thing I love"). I'll have to include more from our "love tree" later on in the month.

Just a couple more pics from our week of Valentine's Day prep . . .

We've been doing some serious Valentine making over here - between Valentines for school, teachers, grandparents, cousins, friends, and family - it's been a busy few days! It sure was fun crafting with the kids (even Cal made a couple). I love seeing what they come up with all on their own. 

Our table looked a lot like this most of the week:

It's good to have it finally feeling like February!

Happy month of LOVE!!

Decorations

Today is February 5th, a week or so away from Valentines Day, and I finally forced myself to take down our beloved thankful tree. I was so sad to do it. I honestly thought about leaving it up all year. Those leaves sure took a lot of time to cut out and I've just loved looking at it everyday - a constant reminder of all that we should be grateful for. But I guess I'll just be that much more excited about making another one come fall!

Some of the things we were thankful for in 2013 . . .  

Spencer: For Elle who always takes such good care of her little brother Calvin. My beautiful wife (and a bunch of other sappy stuff I'm sure he wouldn't want published on here). "Talking pillow" with Elle (something they do at night). For a "beach family"! Listening to Madi sing. Watching train movies with Calvin in the morning. Summer trips to Huntsville. Pancakes hot off the griddle. Morning snuggles from my kids. Picking pole beans in the summertime. BYU cougars! Huge red strawberries. Giant hugs from the kids when I come home from work!

Anie: Great teachers, productive Saturdays, a working car, internet, technology, my phone, 3 kids who love to read, a clean house, showers, good friends who keep me sane when Spencer's away, prayer, the scriptures, church magazines (we love "The Friend")! The temple and being able to go with my husband! A husband who works hard so I can stay home with the kids. For music, paper, an oven, toilet paper, cleaning wipes, windex, and my vacumn (got a new one back in the fall)! For 3 beautiful, healthy kids! Family Home Evening! For electricity (power outage on 11/14 wasn't fun), running water, warm sunshine, Spencer's good job, a strong, healthy body (getting sick on 11/14 made me extra thankful), sisters, and amazing friends who motivate me to be a better mom!

Madi: Boppi and Grandpa Al, my Primary teacher, the gospel, Heavenly Father, Elle, Calvin, and my family. I love Jesus. I love me. 

Elle: Jesus, our family, Gram & Papa, Madi, Calvin (wrote this one a couple times), mom and dad, our house, a high chair for Calvin, the park, and beautiful beaches close by. I am thankful for me!

Cal: I'm thankful for my family. For choo choo trains! I love me (girls wrote that one). 

Last picture with our thankful tree- taken this morning when Cal walks in and says, "Look Mom! I a King!"

Thinking of filling that now empty spot with a "love tree" of some sort - maybe lots of hearts with things we love about each other. 

Not only did I still have our thankful tree up until now, but I still have 3 pumpkins out on the front porch (we didn't carve them this year - the kids painted with friends instead, so there didn't seem a need to throw them out:)!

Oh, and can't forget Madi's "Leaf man" that's been hanging since October! 

And the beautiful holly she made in December to help adorn our front door!

(If you look closely, you can see one of our pumpkins on the porch.)

Then there's the lovely snow globe , snow flake, snow man, and Flip & Flop to try in the winter months (recycled the snow globe this afternoon and replaced it with a beautiful flowers and vase that Elle made at joy school this morning)! 

Oh, and can't forget our Christmas cards - which I'll probably leave up for another month. It's just too hard to part with all these beautiful people that we love and care for. 

So basically, I've got decorations from October through February displayed in my house at the current moment! Awesome! 

Sure love all these decorations! No need to invest lots of money into decorations for our house, when the kids can make stuff I like even better! But I probably ought to update things a bit!

I'll have to post a pic of the gorgeous flowers Spencer surprised me with on Monday! It made for a perfect decoration for February! What a sweet, thoughtful husband I have!