Approaching The End An Update of Sorts

I have tried to write on my blog, but just could get what was really happening or what I was really feeling out on here the way I wanted to. Since our birthday celebrations it has been a lot of the same as we always do which is school and work mixed with a hearty amount of play. I really like this schedule and this life, but it doesn't leave a whole lot to talk about. However, Mother's Day we went caroling to a couple people in our ward. We sang 6 verses of Book Of Mormon Stories for them. I got the idea from The Friend and have been wanting to do it for a little while, so I pulled it out for Mother's Day. As an add bonus, the last house we went to which was the Richard's said, "We are okay with it if you guys are okay with it. Do you want to come in?" Well, we did. It was fun to be in someone else's house and visit with them. I really love visiting with my family via phone, but I miss visiting with other people in real life. Just chatting about nothing particular, just chatting and being together. They brought up a Hotwheels track for the kids to play with while we were talking and the kids loved that. The girls had even brought little cars in their purses. Bro. Richards is a pretty big car guy and this just made him so happy that girls would have cars in their purse. We stayed for about and hour and then came home. However, they told the girls they wanted them to come back and visit, so right after the lunch the girls asked if we could go back. We said no, but Kylee and Tia are super persistent, and asked at least once a day until Thursday when I finally let them go back. This time the kids got to play in the basement, and they had a total blast and I enjoyed visiting. It was fun. It makes me so sad my kids aren't suppose to have friends over. I mean I love that there is no pressure about it, but I miss that we can't do it even when they want to. It is such a bummer. However, these kids are a pretty fun bunch and have a good time together. Kylee and Tia play together a lot and for the most part are willing to let Abby and Kade be part of the game too. They are very fun and resourceful kids.

Also for Mother's day we dipped our own strawberries.

Most recently the two big kids finished up school this week. Both had their teachers drop-off their stuff and a little gift by the house. They loved that. Kylee got a flower pot and seeds and Tia got a sign for the front yard that says I rocked Kindergarten. This whole last week they maybe had an hour each of homework at the most. Then I still had them do their reading to me in the afternoon. They were great about it and have been enjoying our little break from school since Thursday. We will be back at doing some school work here come Tuesday, but we need a little vacation from it. These two kiddo's worked really hard finishing up school and doing what was required of them. School is not Kylee or Tia's favorite thing, but both did it and did what they needed to do. Nothing extra, but all that they were asked to and considering we were doing school at home for 2 months they did it with very little complaining. We had a few days of tears, frustration, bad parenting, and bad kid moments, but you know it could have been so much worse. I really feel like these two girls made progress in the last two months and that really encourages me for this summer, as we try to get ready for 1st and 3rd grade.

Me and Kylee working on school work.

Kylee and Tia jumping.

Tia with her sign.

Kylee and Tia prepping for the penguin walk. This was for virtual field day. This picture makes the day look awesome, but in actuality it was a very hard day.

Kylee reading

To that end, we have gotten a private tutor for Kylee for literacy. She will do math facts and maybe some other basic math things with me here at home. She is so excited to have a tutor and I really hope it gives her the leap she needs to be successful in school. I think its possible, so we will see what happens. Tia is doing reading and math with me this summer. Our focus will be CVC words, her current sight words, some fun Reading Journey books we got from Oma, along with numbers from 1-20 and some basic adding subtracting principles if we can. Its kind of a lot to do, and I am super good at following plans, but have a hard time making them up, so we are going to do our best and see what happens. Also, I am hoping to make Fridays more fun by playing more games with them, so we work on our strategy, number skills, possibly reading, but through learning to play games. We will see how it goes.

Kylee and Tia do work hard, but they also play hard. Lately they have used the food storage boxes, and extra moving boxes to make a house in the storage area. They are currently down in the basement playing something. They also play in the sprinklers, ride bikes, scooter, jump, play family, and all sorts of other things. They have loved having school at home because it means they have also gotten some 'video' game time. They get about 15 min to share of PBS Kids games. My kids will probably be forever backwards when it comes to 'video' games unless there Dad takes over. I much rather spend time outside, learning, something or using their imagination, so when mom's in charge gaming doesn't happen too often.

These two were having a jumping contest with their cousin Betty via video chat.

In other news, Tia lost her first tooth.

And wrote this note to the toothfairy. It says "I want a car please."

The twins may not be going to school, but they are growing and changing. During the day I have what I call the magic hour and it is after everyone is fed and the big girls can usually do some homework or play and the twins play everyone does their own thing and doesn't need me unless I don't look busy. If I were to try and sit and read or something that wouldn't work, but I can usually get breakfast cleaned up, and do a couple other quick things all by myself. The time is brief, but I'll take it. The twins will sometimes play together and sometimes not. Generally speaking, they play in the same room as each other, but often do their own thing. They can both 'build' with Duplos. We have a little slide inside that they like. They also play with everything else especially real books, which is good and bad. I am glad they like to look at books, but they aren't the softest with them, and I don't keep the best eye on them, so between these two babies they have wrecked twice the amount of books as the first two kids combine. Kade and Abby typically love the stroller and bike trailer. Abby super independent. She does not want to hold your hand while walking, she prefers to feed herself until she gets frustrated with it, she would love to know how to ride a bike, she tries to get everything herself, and loves to get her own clothes for the day. Kade is independent too, but differently. He will hold your hand while walking because he can take you were he is going and he can walk faster. He will feed himself, but it fine if you want to feed him to although, if he doesn't want to eat that food anymore he will refuse to open his mouth, or he will accept the bite and then spit it out. He also loves to carry his clothes to go get dressed. He does not like having to stop what he is doing to get his diaper changed. If he doesn't like something you know.

It never ceases to amaze me how different these babies are. They are really their own little person. Abby like girl things dolls, purple, pink, and shiny stuff. Kade loves his blues and greens, trucks, cars, lawnmower, and slide. Kade also loves to watch you cook, get his hair done, ride in the wagon, bike trailer, or stroller. Abby loves to play in the dirt, water, draw with chalk and do whatever she thinks is fun. These two are so silly. Kade has started to say Mama, and Abby will sometimes say Uh-oh, but I think she also say DA. They have both learned to give fives and knuckles.

Abby and Kade playing on their slide.

Abby after self-feeding pasta.

Kade on the same day.

Abby outside in the rain playing on her slide.

Kade and his lawn mower.

Abby and a doll, and Kade with his truck

Gaupo continues to go to work and provide for our family. He recently has gotten the yard in order by having the lawn mowed and trimmed, the sprinkler system now works, and we have weeded the rocks so that's looking good to. He has enjoyed the extra time at home that Covid-19 has given him. We sure have enjoyed it too.

We have had a chance to do lots of family walks during this Covid time.

As for me, I am still the mom. I make sure all the stuff mentioned above can happen in a home that isn't completely filthy. I try to fill those active bellies with good tasting and mostly good for you food. I love the beautiful weather that has allowed me to spend so much time outside with my family. I enjoy my morning runs with the kiddos in tow. I went once by myself this last week and it was fine, but I do not like passing people in masks alone, its just kind of creepy. I talk on the phone plenty still and even though I make plenty of mistakes in raising these kids I love that I get the chance. These sweet spirits that fill my home fill my heart and I am so glad I can find such joy and satisfaction in this great work.

This cutie and some long blonde hair.

The four kiddos that fill our home. Kylee, Tia, Kade, and Abby.

Yep, kind of what its like here.

Me in some new shorts I bought.

Me because every once in awhile Mom's should have their picture taken.

Officially One Year Older

Gaupo and I have our birthday's just four day apart, so we love to celebrate for the whole week. Our extend celebration really revolves around having our favorite meals and extra treats. This year was probably a little more crazy just because for us at least its really hard to say no to some things during quarantine. For us, that is good food. We can get pretty much everything we want and, so we did. Last Sunday we started it off with making 7 Layer Pie. Gaupo has been wanting it for probably about a month now, but really wanted ice cream on his birthday, so we did the pie before hand. It was really good. We think we might try cheesecake next time instead of banana pudding for the middle layer. We had to try something else because we can't find butterscotch pudding, so we had banana, chocolate, and the cream cheese layers in a graham cracker crust.

Monday was a great day because the kids had no school! I know it sounds crazy to love a day with no school, but I loved it. I loved that we didn't have to do anything we could play, play, play. So, to do that we had a picnic outside, played outside, did a craft, and the big girls waited impatiently for the their new sandals--Chacos. I know its kind of crazy, but we wear our sandals all the time and everywhere, so I wanted my kids to have a good solid sandal. So, I hope I am not creating little shoe snobs, but they love them, they are good sandals, we can bike, play in the water, and all sorts of other fun all in the same shoe. Anyway, they didn't arrive till about 3:30 on Monday and boy the girls were getting impatient but luckily they came and everyone loves their sandals. Monday's celebration food was one of Gaupo favorite meals and a family favorite of Navjo Tacos. It was so good.

Our outside picnic. We have done one on the grass, but this time they wanted a table.

The girls new chacos.

Tuesday was Gaupo's big day. We played too much the day before and didn't get his sign or his presents wrapped so before work he had to settle for making a birthday breakfast for all of us. I usually take all the kids on my morning run while he gets ready and starts breakfast. Such was the case on this day. Anyway, he made a delicious pancake breakfast with hashbrowns and sausage. It was really good. We also sang him happy birthday during scriptures. That afternoon the girls and I got up his sign and wrapped his presents, so when he got back from work it was all ready. The girls were so excited for him to open his presents, but he made them wait until the twins woke up. During that waiting period he also got a brief nap. Which was a good thing because when the twins woke up he opened his presents and one of them was a bike helmet that the girls insisted he needed to use right away on a bike ride. So, Gaupo was nice enough to go with all us on a bike ride. He usually really like riding bikes but right now he has a cyst on his shoulder that has started ozzing out all its stuff (this is a good thing) and it causes him quite the pain sometimes. So, he humored us and went for a ride. Then we came back and reheated the Chinese takeout he picked up on his way home from work and we had a great meal. Or Gaupo and I thought it was great the kids not so much although Kylee really like the sweet-n-sour chicken without sauce. After dinner, it was time for cake. Gaupo wanted crock-pot cake so that is what we had. I kind of felt like we didn't do the best job of celebrating him, but he swears it was just fine, so we will go with that because it really was a good.

Tia, Kade, Gaupo, Abby, and Kylee

A happier one.

The Birthday Boy!

Gaupo opening his present. The girls wanted all the gifts in one box, so thats what he got.

Abby rocking Gaupo's new helmet.

Kade in it.

Family and cake time.

We were pretty proud of our birthday sign, so they had to take a picture with it.

Wednesday and Thrusday were pretty normal days filled with school, work and play. We had pretzel dogs for dinner on Wednesday and Burritos with Pico De Gillo (no idea how to spell that) on Thursday. Although, Thursday night we had a meeting with the missionaries via Zoom. It was fun to visit with them and meet them. We really miss being able to have them in our home for dinner and lessons. It was also really fun to have them teach our kids for us. Right now we have a pretty sweet gig being the only source of information for our kids. All questions they have about school, the gospel, snakes, whatever come to us. They aren't really old enough to use the internet, so we have the responsibility to provide or help them find. Sometimes its a lot of pressure, but I also love it. I love that they will ask me. Its quite a time to teach them what I want them to know without tons of other conflicting influences. Anyway, we had a great lesson with the missionaries. Thursday was very normal nothing special except extra burritos toppings.

Friday was a really good day. The kids got all their homework done in the morning except reading, so that left the afternoon open for fun. I went to Walmart (by myself this time) and got some more stuff we needed like more gauze pads and a few things we didn't need, like sandals, and plastic plates and silverware for the babies. When I got home the girls were in the sprinkler, and  by the time they finished the twins were up, so everyone got to enjoy a Popsicle. As the kids were eating those, Guapo and I prepped the potatoes for dinner. We had Gaupo's favorite meal and good one for me too. It was steak, dutch oven potatoes, coleslaw, and baked beans. It was so good.  Its always kind of a lot of work especially when your dutch oven doesn't start out super clean, but it was super good and very tasty. That night was my virtual birthday party. I invited my family to play games via google hangouts. We played Wits and Wagers, Imagine IF, and a fun prompts game Kitt and Matthew organized for me. It was really fun and I went to bed around midnight. Sadly Gaupo's shoulder was killing him, so he went to bed early. However, it was a fun night and I am glad I got to celebrate with my family. I really miss my family around holidays and birthdays, so it was fun to join together to just play.

Continued Writing: 5/12/20

Saturday was birthday day. I had made overnight french toast bake and I thought it was good, but no one else liked it and so then I had to deal with complaining about food. However, they didn't starve and were able to find other options that filled their bellies while I filled mine on super sugary breakfast bake. Then we opened presents. I got some petunia seeds that I had been wanting. I also got a Roku which is just a TV device, but it allows us to watch Disney+ on our TV screen, and the kids love that it also puts PBS kids on the big screen. We don't have any tv so this is a big deal for us. I also got a water bottle holder for my bike. It is a flex size so it can hold my bigger water bottles. After opening presents and trying to setup the Roku we decided to grab a bike ride while the weather was holding. It was cloudy and overcast so we didn't know when or if it was going to rain. We went on a short but good bike ride and then we came home and let the kids watch show. For lunch we had delicious leftovers from Friday. That afternoon we watched on of my favorite Disney Channel movie "Double Teamed." It was a little advanced for the girls, but they always enjoy watching tv and ever since Kylee has been practicing dribbling her basketball, so I call it a win. Gaupo ordered us Domino's pizza for dinner. We had all the kids bathed and everything right before it arrived. It arrived at 5:00 which was the perfect time and it was good. Gaupo got two pizzas and a cheese bread and it was so good and so nice not to cook and everyone ate without complaint. I had skor bar cake for my cake. Although instead of score bars I topped it with butterfingers. Then we had our traditional Saturday night video game night. We were ahead of schedule so the twins played with Gaupo and I until they got cranky and we took them too bed. Really they loved it for quite awhile and it was fun to all play together. After we got the big kids down to bed, Gaupo and I played a game called the Labyrinth then watched a show or two and headed to bed. It was a good birthday. Filled with motherhood, but lots of fun thought and family. It is also sometimes nice to have a day where we don't really do anything, but whatever it is we decide to do.

Me with the kiddos at breakfast.

Me with my presents.

Birthday Dinner.

I really enjoyed turning 31. I had a birthday party, a fun family, we went for a bike ride, gifts to open, and good food. Year 30 was a good year and so far year 31 isn't bad. The Covid-19 virus is wrinkling a few things, but like I have mentioned before it has given us way more family time, play time, and time. So, hopefully it gets controlled and we can keep moving with year 31 and it will be the best year yet!