Happy Birthday to Calvin!!

My baby boy is now THREE! 

We celebrated in the morning with streamers, balloons, presents from Madi and Elle, and a big pancake breakfast.

After getting Madi off to school at 8am and Elle at 9am, we joined Elle's class at 9:15 to help with art. I love that I can take Cal when I work in the classroom. He's so easy going and just sat at his little table eating snacks and playing with blocks. 

After art we had an hour of down time before meeting up with some of Cal's little joy school buddies at the park. Leading up to Cal's birthday, I had asked him what he wanted to do on his birthday and he always said he wanted cupcakes, so I made sure that's what he got on his special day. 

I was glad he had some time to play with all his favorite friends!

Knox and Macee . . . 

Heidi - who's not in his joy school group but we see her at school drop off every morning and Cal just loves her! I love what good little friends they are!

Cal's buddy Drew - who broke his leg awhile back. Drew is one of my favorite friends for Cal because they get along so perfectly. I love Drew's chill, easy-going personality. 

After the park we came home, read stories, and took naps before the girls got home from school. Then at 3pm we loaded up and went swimming at the Nelson's neighborhood pool. Cal has such an aversion to pools so I was glad that he finally warmed up and let me put his swimming suit on and he actually put his feet in the water.

He wasn't too happy when Knox started splashing though. 

We went straight from swimming to dinner at Pizza Rev where Spencer met up with us. 

After dinner we went to the church to set up for our big Primary activity (post on that coming later).

We were home by 7:30 with just enough time for cupcakes and ice cream with the girls, and one more present - from Spencer and I.

Here's what Spencer and I got for him: 

Oh, we also got him a big boy bed which Spencer set up Saturday afternoon. We were all sad to say good-bye to the crib, but we knew it was time. My baby is growing up too fast!

On Sunday we got to celebrate Cal's birthday at Boppi and Grandpa Al's house with cousins. Spencer made a pretty amazing volcano birthday cake - complete with steam coming out!

Spencer tells Cal an "adventure story" every night before bed and there is usually a volcano at some point in each of their adventures, so Spence felt this would be a fitting cake to document Cal's third year of life!

Happy HAPPY Birthday to our handsome 3 year old who brings so much happiness and love into our lives and our home. We love you Calvin!

Solitude

Two weeks ago a little magical, wonderful thing happened! Spencer and the kids headed off on a weekend road trip to my parents - leaving me at home, all by myself!!! 

Now normally I'd totally be up for a weekend escape to my parents - especially since it meant being the first to camp-out in their new trailer! But when Spence first threw out the idea of going I realized it fell right on the weekend of our stake RS women's conference that I'd been looking forward to. Merrilee Boyack (author of one of my favorite parenting books - The Parenting Breakthrough) was the keynote speaker which I was not going to miss out on! There were also several mini classes being taught by some of my favorite friends who I couldn't wait to learn from!

When Spencer suggested that he just take the kids away for the weekend, I could hardly believe my ears and wasn't sure wether I should feel guilty or just really, really excited! I didn't want to get too excited in case his Friday deposition in Hayward ended up getting canceled and plans changing. As the date got closer, my list of "things to do" with this free time kept getting longer and longer.  

The day finally arrived! Thursday, February 26, I checked the girls out early from school and they were on their way! I almost cried as I watched them drive off, but then I walked inside and decided it be better if I got right to work! 

I spent the rest of Thursday afternoon (4 hours straight to be exact) cleaning! I cleaned as much and as fast as I had the energy for. Shutters, windows, sinks, toilets, counters, floors, beds, you name it! I got the majority of the deep cleaning done on Thursday. Once 5pm hit I started to loose steam though and went to smaller tasks, like sewing holes in pants and going through piles. I think it was 5:30 when I finally took a break, soaked my feet in the sink and did my nails before heading over to the church for the Blue and Gold Scout Dinner. I also wanted to be there for Rock and William crossing over into Boy Scouts. It was nice to get out, visit with friends, and support the boys, but by 8:45 (when I left) I was exhausted! I was in bed by 10pm. 

Friday morning I was up by 6:15am and headed out on a 6 mile run. I was determined to make the most of every single minute! Then I was showered, dressed, organized, and out the door by 9am. Friday was my shopping day. I hit up Target, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Max, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Ann Taylor. It was a very successful afternoon of shopping! I came away with a new skirt, 2 pairs of shorts, pair of jeans, 4 tops, a sports bra, 2 pairs of work-out pants, and new black shoes! 

I bought this entire outfit at Ann Taylor:

I was back home by 2:30pm. I immediately jumped into organizing closets. I went through my closet and all 3 kids closets, several bins in the garage, and ended up with 2 huge bags for Goodwill. Boy did it feel good to have some room in my closet for the new clothes I'd come home with. Once evening time hit, I settled in at my computer to work on some blogging while eating the treats (skittles and licorice) I'd picked up earlier in the day! 

Saturday morning I was up early and out the door at 8:15am. I was part of the choir singing at our RS Women's Conference, so I had to get to the Stake Center a bit early to warm up. Saturday ended up being everything I'd hoped it would be. It was definitely something I have desperately been in need of. The theme for our conference was "With God all things are possible". I really ought to do an entire post with my thoughts from the conference. I left feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to jump back into my motherly responsibilities. More coming on all the classes I attended (I've been loving going back over my notes and it will be nice to have them all typed up).
It was a morning well spent, ending with a pretty awesome lunch!

After the conference, I ran a few more errands (picked up dry cleaning, Michaels, and a drop off at Good Will) before heading home. It was a little lonely to come home from an activity like this to an empty house, but I didn't let it stop me from jumping right back into more projects. Blogging and pictures has been a top priority and it felt good to get my Hawaii post finished. I made sure the house was completely clean and organized before going to bed Saturday night.

Sunday morning I was hoping to get up and go for an early morning walk, but ended up spending more time on primary stuff and getting ready for my 10am presidency meeting. My meeting took me up to church and the end of my solitude time. Spence and the kids left Brentwood early enough that they arrived back in Camarillo a little before 2pm. Spencer swung by the church and dropped the girls off with me before heading back home with Calvin to unpack and lay Cal down for a nap.

It was so wonderful to sit on a back pew and snuggle with my girls for a few minutes. I could hardly wait to hear all about their adventures in Brentwood . . .

Loved reading Madi's journal entry from the weekend!

Sleeping outside in Gram and Papa's new trailer:

Lots of fun games . . .  

All of Gram's yummy meals - clam chowder . . .

lasagna . . .

and Ebelskivers!

Fun art projects - charm bracelets were a favorite:

Bike rides and swimming in the hot tub . . .

Earning $$ - Cal was the winner who found Gram's fit bit:

Monkey's in the tub:

A blow dry and comb out from Papa (who also gave Cal a bath, washed his hair, and got him all ready for bed (diaper and everything - way to go Papa!!):

And lots of stories and snuggle time before bed!

Everyone had such an amazing weekend! Well, everyone except for maybe Calvin who missed his mama a little too much. Pretty sure Cal thought we were leaving him again and making another trip to Hawaii. 

Friday morning after Spencer headed off to his deposition, Cal went in and told my mom: 

"Gram, daddy forgot his suitcase."

Mom says, "Oh he didn't forget his suitcase. Daddy's coming back."

Then Cal says, "No Gram, Daddy forgot his suitcase for Hawaii"

Poor guy! He thought we were leaving him all over again! Good thing Spencer made it back to Brentwood by the time Cal woke up from his afternoon nap. 

How grateful I am for my parents who are so involved in our kids lives. I love the close relationship they share and the joy that my kids experience when they get to hang with them. Spencer mentioned how impressed he was with how well behaved the girls were and how they never fought the entire trip. It definitely was a magical weekend for everyone (looks like we're gonna have to make it a yearly tradition :)!!

Wrapping up February!

How is it that I can hardly remember what happened just one month ago?! Thank goodness I took pictures! Feels like ages ago that some of this stuff happened!

Beginning of February meant out with our "Thankful tree" . . .

. . . and in with our Jenkins Family LOVE tree!!!

We held our ward "Eight is Great" program on the first Sunday of the month. It's fun to have Madi in the eight year old/baptism age class this year! The next morning Madi was up early studying her new baptism book!

Elle had a talk in primary this month. I happened to be conducting that Sunday and Spencer snuck in to take a picture! I sure love being in primary with my kids! 

Elle did a fabulous job and read her talk all by herself while holding up pictures at the same time.

We made sure not to miss out on National Yogurt Day on Feb. 2nd - free frozen yogurt all around!

Madi had her Grammarosaurus play on the 4th.

Darn microphones were messed up though and I was trying to signal for her to talk louder which totally distracted her, causing her to forget part of her lines! Arg! I gotta learn to just let things alone!

Madi and her favorite buddy Alexandra:

Cal and I got to stay for the "after show" cast party!

Madi got the Hawk Pride award at their school assembly the next day!

A couple of hot days (mid 80's) called for an afternoon of swimming:

Elle started tee-ball on the 9th. She loved soccer so much that we thought we'd give t-ball a try. I love what a good sport Elle is and how she just goes with the flow!

Spencer made homemade apple pies for our good friend's "coming to America" party! Since we each only got a sliver of a slice at the party we went ahead and used our extra apples to make a pie all for ourselves!!

We made a last minute Friday afternoon trip to the beach with cousins for sunset. I love that we can do that!

The 100th day of school is a fun day to help in the classroom!

Our Primary Chorister helped the kids make the cutest Valentine for our Bishop.
Junior Primary (missing a few kids):

Senior Primary:

We celebrated Valentine's Day by taking the kids to Golf-n-Stuff. Sadly, mini golf wasn't as fun as Spence and I had envisioned it being. After a few morning stops, we ended up not getting there until right at Cal's nap time and by hole 2 he was in full melt down mode. I was crushed and asked about getting a refund for his game. They gave me a bunch of arcade tokens which ended up not helping calm Cal down. So I took him to the car instead. Once Spence and the girls finished up golfing, Spencer came to the car to trade me places while I took the girls in to play some games. Long story short, we ended up driving the bumper cars and riding the carousel. The whole outing didn't turn out to be as much fun as I thought it would be - probably should have just gone to the beach instead, but it did make for some funny memories!

Thankfully the rest of our day was pretty much perfect! We came home to find a heart attack of Valentines on our front porch from all the Terry cousins! Made the kids day! They also left us a fun movie ("Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day") under our mat for us to watch! We popped it right in and enjoyed a movie in the middle of the afternoon!  

At 4:30 we loaded up to head out for dinner. Gram and Papa had included McDonald's gift cards in the kids valentines which was a fun treat for them. They all got nuggets and ice cream!

We dropped off a birthday valentine to our primary chorister, and then stopped by the Bell's house with a valentine before heading home to put kids to bed. After early bedtimes, Spence and I got to spend a romantic night in. It was perfect!

We went to church in Burbank on the 15th for Kayson Steven's mission welcome home. It's always fun to catch up with our Burbank friends, show the kids Jefferson Elementary (where I used to teach), and drive by Scott Road Terrace (where we lived when Madi was born).

President's Day hats - Elle and her BFF Lily:

Calvin's buddy Drew broke his leg at a Sky High while he was away in Utah. As soon as he got back Cal wanted to go over and drop off a present to "cheer Drew up".

 Pajama Day at school:

Elle got to take Q-bear home that weekend:

Cousin fun! Cracks me up how Cal and Ashley could pass as twins!

While we were visiting the cousins, Madi heard that Aunt Lindsay pays her kids a penny for every macadamia nut they find on the ground. Madi was on a mission and earned $2.47! Elle earned $1.47! They were thrilled (and it kept em busy for awhile)!

Madi got back into swim lessons this month. She's such a great swimmer - much better than I am, but she's been frustrated about not being able to move up to the next level. Currently working on building up her endurance. I sure love seeing Madi's passion and determination! I was quite impressed with how she pushed herself this session.

Calvin got a little jealous of his sister's going on "daddy/daughter" dates and started begging Spencer for a "date". Spence had to explain that daughters go on dates and sons go on "adventures"! So Cal and Spence went on an adventure!

I have to admit, Cal's pretty fun to go on adventures with. I LOVE hanging out with my little guy!

Picnics at the park are one of my favorite weekly adventures!

Cal and Elle also love their adventure time together. It's gonna be sad when Elle has to go to school at 8am next year. That hour after dropping Madi off, before Elle goes, is a magical time for these two!

Cal's gotten better this month and actually went to joy school withOUT crying! I had to document that big smile before he walked up and knocked on the door all by himself!!

He even let Spence Flowbee his hair without shedding a tear! This was HUGE!

The month ended with a getaway for Spencer and the kids - giving me an entire kid free weekend ALONE at home!!! It was amazing and really deserves a post of it's own. Stay tuned!