Easton's Modeling Session

Easton's nursery teacher wanted an updated picture of Easton for their name tags. I couldn't find one that was #1 updated and #2 where Easton was by himself, looking at the camera, and/or didn't have something in front of his face. I decided I would take on the challenge and try to get a semi decent picture that fulfilled all the above requirements. I must say it was a hard challenge especially since my model was being extremely difficult. But I think I got at least one that will work. Here is what I had to deal with:

Not sitting down.

Not looking at the camera.

Hiding his face.

Silly faces.

Another silly one.

This reminds me of the "I Want You!" poster.

His "I thinking" pose.

and lastly his monster pose.



I did manage to get a few good ones...



...but I ended up going with this one.

I was telling Nathan all about this and we both agree that it is a good thing that we live in a time where we have digital cameras. No wonder the few baby pictures I have I look really ugly. You couldn't take a million pictures way back when and sort through them until you found one you liked. I'm definitely grateful for digital cameras.

Mr. Potato Head

I finally finished Mr. Potato head for Easton to play with during church. I got the idea from the blog make it and love it. It took me a couple of weeks to finish it because I had to make sure Easton was asleep to work on it (he was too helpful). I will probably add some more pieces here and there (probably more girl stuff for when Blair gets older and can play with it too). Hopefully this will keep him entertained and quiet during sacrament meeting.

Easton's newest sayings

Easton has been saying some funny things recently. It is kind of interesting to see/hear what kinds of things kids pick up on. We are assuming that he picked them up from us but we aren't entirely sure which one of us he got it from (probably both). I prompted him to say them for the camera so it's not as good/funny as when he randomly says it himself.

Video: Oh my gosh!

I know it doesn't sound all that great. We might have to change it to oh my goodness (that sounds a little girly to me though) or oh man (that sounds better and cuter to me).

Video: dang it!

Again it doesn't sound all that great. At least you can for sure tell what he is saying unlike the word fort. His fort definitely sounds more like a different f word. Trust me we don't use that word in our home.

Video: I thinking...I know!

This is by far my favorite when he just randomly comes up to me saying, "I been thinking" with his pointer finger taping his bottom lip. And then to see his face light up a few seconds later because an idea popped into his head is classic.

Video of Easton dancing with his bear to a song he made up. It's called "little bear" in case you couldn't hear him.

Easton and church

Easton decided he was going to pick out his church outfit yesterday. This is what he came up with. Did he wear that outfit to church yesterday you ask. No, sadly I admit I'm too prideful to let my child out of the house looking that way (especially at church). It was pretty cute though watching him parade around the house showing off his cute little outfit that he was so proud of. He even came up with his own cute little dance moves which unfortunately I wasn't able to get on camera.

Although this little boy is pretty cute and funny he is breaking my heart when it comes to his behavior in nursery. I knew his behavior wasn't the best but I guess I didn't realize how bad it was. From what Nathan tells me (told to him from one of Easton's nursery leaders) it sounds as though Easton is the bully of his class. I could make a bunch of excuses as to why I think he is acting the way he is but when it comes right down to it he knows what is and isn't acceptable. We have taught him right and wrong and he knows (at least at home with his parents) there are consequences for his actions. I know kids will be kids and that problems will arise but I believe kids should be held accountable for things they know are not right. How do they learn otherwise? We were told that Easton apologizes after he hits (which is definitely a plus) but I wish that he wouldn't have to say sorry because he wouldn't be hitting in the first place. Is that wishful thinking? The main concern I have is it seems as though in Easton's mind he can hit as much as he likes as long as he says sorry. There are no consequences for his actions. He is definitely not remorseful. I'm not saying the nursery leaders should put Easton in time out (unless they want to) because they shouldn't have to. It isn't their job. So in order for Easton to get the consequences he apparently needs Nathan or myself will be spending the next couple of Sundays in nursery teaching Easton that the same rules at home apply to church as well. And if this doesn't seem to work then I guess we might have to take drastic measures and "ground" Easton from nursery until he decides to behave appropriately. He loves nursery so this might be the best type of consequence for him.

As a side note: I would like to apologize and say sorry to all those parents out there that had "naughty" kids in nursery because yes I judged you. I guess what goes around comes around. I know now that despite what you teach your kids they have their own free agency and they will act however they choose to.

Hopefully with our little intervention our child will no longer be labeled the "naughty" kid. We will keep you posted. If anyone has any ideas we are definitely open to suggestions.

valentines party

Because of all the crazy snow we have been getting our ward playgroup valentines party was rescheduled for the 19th instead of the 12th. I signed up to bring cupcakes since I got a bunch of fun cupcake stuff for Christmas (Thanks Sue!) and have been anxious to try them out. I made a box of chocolates. I managed to take pictures of the cupcakes the night before and quickly put the camera in the diaper bag so that I wouldn't forget to bring it and take pictures. Well, I had the camera the whole time but somehow forgot to take any pictures. Lame. I really can't believe I did that. Oh well we still had fun. Easton even started to have a melt down when we were leaving because he wanted to stay and play with his friends. Hopefully all this cold winter snow will finally come to an end because we are definitely ready to get out of this house and have some fun.

Bath time and peek a boo

Cute pic of Blair during bath time.

Video of the kids during bath time:

I just love the way that Easton can get Blair to laugh. She sure loves him.

Video of Blair playing peek a boo:

Some other stuff that I forgot to add last time I updated the kids:

Blair has officially started to growl. I can't say that I'm surprised especially since Easton is her older brother.

Video of Blair growling:
It is kind of hard to hear her and she only does it until Easton comes and distracts her.

Easton sure can be sweet with his little sister.

Easton can now snap his fingers. He is really proud of this and gets really excited to show you.

The other day I was playing animals with Easton.
Easton: "What are you?"
Me: "A dinosaur." I couldn't remember the name of the dinosaur.
Easton: "No, what are you?"
Me: "A dinosaur."
Easton: "No, you a brontosaur."
Nathan had told Easton the name of the dinosaur before but how did he remember that?

Valentines Day

Valentines Day was celebrated early this year for a couple of different reasons. First and most obvious was that V-day fell on Sunday but we also celebrated early because of Nathan's crazy work schedule. Nathan came home Tuesday after work and surprised me with flowers and lots of chocolate (3 different kinds to be exact from Trader Joes. They have good chocolate there.) Thursday Nathan took all of us out to Cheesecake Factory (my favorite). It was wonderful. Good food (especially dessert), well behaved kids (thank goodness) and best of all I got to spend it with my three favorite people. I love them all so much!