7th Anniversary

Even though our anniversary (7 years!) isn't until this coming Sunday, we went away last weekend to celebrate. It was my year to plan, and I was trying to pull off a surprise. Rich did think we were going away on our actual anniversary weekend, but when all my plans weren't working out and I realized the BYU game was on the weekend before, I decided that would be our plan. So, Rich had no idea that we were going out and I pulled off a first for me--surprising Rich! 

I was nervous he wouldn't come home in time to make our dinner reservations down at Thanksgiving Point's Harvest Restaurant, so I had to lie a little and say that I really wanted him to come home early because I wasn't feeling good. He made an effort to be earlier and rushed in the door expecting to find me sick on the couch, but instead he got a warm welcome and instructions to go change! He was shocked and didn't suspect the game was the final plan for Saturday. In fact, he was mostly wondering if we'd be home in time to watch the game, not that we would actually go! At dinner I gave him his present, which was our white game day shirts for the white out game versus Virginia, and he was super excited to know that he would not miss the game. And when I say "super excited," I mean as excited as Rich gets while still using his monotone voice :)

After dinner we went to a movie then headed to our hotel in Provo. We were SO happy to sleep in and relax on Saturday morning. No children! We love them, but we also love having time away from them. And sleep. We miss sleep. 

Anyway, after lounging around we headed to some pregame stuff at the stadium and enjoyed a great game. I planned everything so well, but forgot about sunscreen, so while we did get really burned, we still had lots of fun. We were so happy that BYU won and that it was a pretty good game.

Love this man of mine and am so glad my parents were willing to watch the boys overnight so we could have some time away. Happy Anniversary to us!

The Boys

We've been having a great summer and have had lots of fun times together. I feel like both boys have grown up so much the past few months and they make me laugh and smile every day. They also frustrate me and amaze me with their stubbornness! Landon has certainly taken on a new personality, and I really cannot finish a meal without turning my head to laugh at him. He's a ridiculous child. Some things about Landon right now: He loves playing with Playdough, carrying around and losing his Froggy (named Mr. Potato Head Froggy) on a daily basis so I must find it, pouting when he doesn't get his way, demanding that we say "goodnight" to his "doggy" Woofy Dog (which is really just his blankie all balled up), drinking smoothies and getting completely filthy, and saying things like "Mmmm, kind of yes. Kind of no," "Probably. Maybe," "I am Superman. To the rescue!" "Can I pet the baby? Can my froggy pet the baby? Where's the baby's 'pinkie'?"

Devin continues to amaze me with his wit and his intelligence. He remembers everything and always has some question or some explanation for me. He's started an online preschool in addition to his in person preschool, and it kind of weirds me out to see him sitting there looking all grown up. Some things about Devin right now: He loves his belt. The hat love continues, and the belt has been added. This is his solution when there are no clean shorts with belt loops.

He continues to carry around books and has a love for coloring and making notes to take to various people in our neighborhood and ward. He's depleted Grandma and Grandpa's stash of envelopes. He loves to be outside and is always trying to catch bugs and constantly tells me that he's a Ororaptor. He takes great pride in shucking the corn and thinks it tastes better if he does the work.
 
He's been working on his bike skills and loves to ride around and ask me if I like his stunts and if I think he's a good "stunter." He can now get up and going on his own, which is super exciting for me. His bike riding outfit usually includes his goggles, motorcycle gloves, and his mouth guard. Super fashionable.

 

They've been playing together a lot better, which I love, and it's fun to see both of their imaginations continue to develop and emerge. Favorite things to do together include watching the guys "mowding" the lawn (I'm sure the lawn guys love an audience, especially one that tries to show them their toys through the screen), watching the garbage trucks, running around in their Superman capes (towels), exploring Thanksgiving Point, swimming, and going to the library. I was so happy to see them playing so nice in the sand at the gardens at Thanksgiving Point last week.

 

No Training Wheels!

This has been quite the week for Devin. First preschool, then taking off the training wheels!


Guess he thought that since he was such big time going to school that he no longer needed his safety net on his bike. He has been working up to the big moment by having us move up his training wheels incrementally so he could practice balancing, and last night he was doing so well and not using the training wheels at all, so he informed Daddy he just wanted them off.

He was so proud of himself and so happy about being able to balance. Until he'd fall. Then he would scream so loud I'm sure the neighbors thought we were killing him! He was never actually hurt, I think he just demands perfection from himself and gets frustrated easily. He really did do very well and never had a huge crash, just times when he lost balance and jumped off but then couldn't get back on. His biggest frustration is that his bike is still pretty tall for him, so getting on by himself while keeping balanced is still a work in progress, but he can turn by himself and stops great.

 

I am so impressed with how far he's come in just the past 6 months! When we got the bike out in the Spring I had to follow him around and allay his fears constantly that cars weren't going to hit him. He eventually moved up to riding while I wasn't even outside, and now this. No training wheels! What a big boy!!

All the neighbors going by were impressed as well. They've seen him out riding his bike and were amazed to see no training wheels. His cute Primary teachers, who live right next door, were even there to cheer him on, making him feel like a million bucks.

Landon amused himself on this historic night by alternately cheering on Devin, chasing after the neighborhood cat, and climbing all over the utility boxes.

His excitement this morning about Devin's new-found skill resulted in him running right into Devin's way and there was a crash of epic proportions. Testament to his toughness that he could take a direct hit from a bike (tire marks up and down his front) with minimal crying!

First Day of Preschool

The first day of preschool finally came! He asked for a picture of his backpack when I was making him take pictures before we set off; he also insists on tying his backpack straps together. I don't know. Love this superstar preschooler!

 

Devin got to meet his teacher last week, and ever since then he's been asking every day when he started preschool. Coupled with our fun back-to-school traditions, he was beyond ready by Tuesday afternoon. On the way he told me he was nervous, but excited too. He walked right in and let me take pictures of him and found his carpet just like he was supposed to. What a big boy! Landon was trying to jump out of my arms so he could stay too. He insisted that he was going to school too. He has a pretty cool big brother to emulate.

When I picked him up he was smiling from ear to ear. I tried to ask him questions to make him tell me more about his day than just "good," and he complied by filling me in on all the goings on. He loves Miss Amy and is so excited for his preschool days.

Back-to-School Fashion Show and Dinner

I wanted to do some things to make Devin feel super special about getting to go to preschool, and though preschool may not rank as "real school" to some, it's real to Devin. And me! I just cannot get over how grown up this kid is. Anyway, Sunday night Devin put on a school-clothes fashion show for Daddy, Landon, and Grandma and Grandpa. 

The fashion show was mostly for showing Daddy all the clothes I'd bought, and for us to all vote on our favorites because I went kind of crazy at the sale prices and bought way too many clothes for a preschooler!! However, after seeing how handsome he looked in everything I wanted to keep it all. But I can't. Gosh this kid is so grown up.

 

 

Landon was mostly interested in asserting his ownership over Devin's "packpack." He told Devin, "You can probably buy another one." His show of the night was a tumbling exercise put on during Devin's wardrobe change.

Devin was shy at first about showing off his new clothes, but by the end he got really into it and wouldn't stand still because he was too busy dancing to the music and showing off his moves. I thought he looked adorable, and he loved being in the limelight.

Monday night we had a back-to-school dinner--blueberry pancakes per Devin's request--where he got to use the You Are Special plate and wear a crown announcing his year in school. He was very happy about getting to be celebrated for another night. 

Later on we had a special moment with our grown-up boy when Rich used his priesthood to give Devin a Father's Blessing. It was fun starting some new school traditions and seeing how happy and special Devin felt about it all.