Weekend in Idyllwild

This is the cabin we stayed in this past weekend with my parents. It was a great get away and it only took us an hour to get there. It was especially good for Brennen to have a change of scenery and something new and exciting to think about. (Please read the previous post if you aren't following me). We enjoyed the time together playing games, running around the property, eating yummy food and just taking in the quietness of the small mountain town. Here is a small glimpse of what we were up to.

Saturday mornings are the greatest for the boys. It's the day that daddy doesn't have to go to work! They usually rush to our room to make sure he hasn't gone anywhere, but on this morning we all woke up together and they couldn't wait for dad to get out and start exploring. After all, it was Bryce's birthday and he had big plans of being a secret agent that day (which pretty much consisted of running off where I couldn't find him, and not coming when I called for him. I would ask him, "did you hear me calling you?" he would say, "yah but I'm a secret agent...I was busy". Totally understandable don't you think?

Remember Pop Rocks? We were in this old fashioned candy store and.... Wow, what does it mean when you go into an old fashion candy store and they are selling candy that they sold when you were a kid? Anyhow, had to get them for the boys. And the whole rumor about them exploding in your belly is and urban myth. That's what we kept telling ourselves anyway, as we watched our kids faces and distinctly heard it popping in their mouths! Fun times!!

Can you guess how many bites Bryce took of his Birthday cake? The Darth Vader cake that he had been wanting for months? The one that I had to order a 1/4 sheet for to feed just 4 adults and 2 small children? Yep...about half a bite and the kid got up, grabbed the Darth Vader cake toppper and said, "done!" Gotta love it!

Oh...to hear their little voices way up there. They were having the time of their lives on this tire swing. Of course mommy got fired from pushing them earlier, as they felt like they were on a "baby " tire swing. Dad saved the day, and almost sent them to "space". While this made me a little nervous...their laughter was contagious. I could have listened to it all day!

We had a very patient photographer taking this shot...thanks dad! This was not and easy one to get, but you know you have a potential Christmas picture when the whole family is smiling, oh and...in it!!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful weekend. We truly enjoyed our time with you and can't wait to do it again! We are especially hoping for all the boys (my brothers) and their families to join us next time...they were missed!

I fixed it?

So as I have stated...I am new at this. You may NOW comment without having a "google account". Thanks Annie...after her email I realized that I needed to change a few things around for you to be able to comment without signing in.

Happy 4th Birthday Brycee Boy!!

Oh our little Brycee is getting so big! He had fun celebrating with his friends at school on Friday. His teacher Mrs. Phillips is big on giving the kids "cooking experiences", so after he poured in several ingredients and stirred up the batter...he and some pals rushed to the oven to watch Bryce's cupcakes take shape. I love the pride he has taken in helping create things in the kitchen lately...and was surprised at how much more he will eat when he thinks he has made it himself! I have to say, it has made me a little less confident in my own cooking efforts as "yuck" or "what's that smell?" seem to be commen phrases Bryce uses at meal times! Needless to say, he'll be helping with dinner more often.

So... the cupcakes were fabulous and enjoyed by all!

Zyertec (allergy medication)

Brennen and I want our friends and family to know that he has had some side effects from taking Zyrtec (a prescription allergy medication). He was only on it for about two weeks, but was exhibiting the effects after only one. We were becoming increasingly concerned about his emotional state when I found a website containing countless situations with kids and the issues they have had while on this. I will list a few: Depression, extreme emotional sensitivity, sleeplessness, nightmares, anxiety, irritable, sadness, crying spells, obsessed over irrational worries...these are symptoms we have dealt with, but they are just some of the many that others have. I realize that not everyone will have side effects, so if any of you are taking it and it's working just fine, then we are thrilled for you. I know Brennen is pretty tired of blowing his nose, but the distress we have dealt with this last week has not been worth the little relief he's gotten with his allergies. He will visit the Dr. on the 26th to discuss other options, but please pray for us...as putting him on anything else makes me pretty nervous. If anyone has any suggestions or input they would like to share...we would love to hear from you. Contrast to popular belief...you do not have to have a Google account to comment on this blog. You can sign in as other or anonymous and just sign your name so we know you were here.

I'm outta here!!

So this is how I left the boys on Thursday evening. I was on my way to the Women of Faith Conference for the weekend. I left a list of instructions for medications, getting them dressed and fed with lunches made for school the next morning. Oh and hair was to be combed too. The list was for Rich if you hadn't guessed...although Brennen had the "master list" in his little head. I spoke with Rich Friday morning shortly after he got the kids to school. Sounded a little frazzled I must say (loved it :)! He said that Brennen told him "mommy does all this stuff really perfect daddy, but I like helping you." Everything went pretty good. They just forgot Brennen's backpack...but Rich said the teacher would probably understand because he put a note in Brennen's lunch box letting her know that his mommy was out of town! Come to think of it...I wonder what was packed for lunch?!

Whew...they are okay!

....And here they are feeding bugs to a Black Widow....just after daddy taught them how to ride bikes into the pool!! You could tell Brennen was afraid to tell me that part. He loves getting Bryce in trouble...but he wasn't sure he should bust his dad. What I can say is...we definitely balance each other out. They have a blast with daddy, but I could tell I was missed by all of them. I love that feeling!!

Wake up girls!!!

I don't know about you, but I am definitely adjusting to my new schedule. Gone are the mornings of sleepy eyed cartoons. I had big plans yesterday while the kids were at school and woke up pretty excited to start our day. When I came back home from dropping both of them off...I was actually depressed at the silence! I almost turned Sponge Bob on. Okay, so I wouldn't actually do that...but this morning was a new day and I was much more motivated to get home and get things done! Speaking of.....have a blessed day!

What do you think about posting recipes?

The famous duo

What's a post without Bryce Phillips? Well...if your asking Brennen, not a whole lot. Many of you know Brennens best friend from several years of pictures. They have shared the same class since preschool and have moved to Jordan Christian Academy this year. They are inseparable!

"Friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them"

-Michael W. Smith

Can what you wear affect your mood? uh...yah!!

So...remember how I said Bryce was not pleased with his outfit yesterday? Well it was because he didn't have a "school shirt" on. We fixed that this morning by giving him Brennens shirts from his old school last year. (thanks for the tip mom). He was much happier this morning, but requested a new picture of him tobe taken at breakfast. He had a great day yesterday!!

First Day of school

Today was Brennen and Bryce's first day of school. Bryce was not please with his outfit, but he eventually got over it. Brennen was pretty excited to start 1st grade. I think he was a bit nervous...but he said it was only because he thought I would be worried about him.

There he goes...such a "big" boy today. All he was worried about was me worrying about him.