I didn't realize how full and fun April was until looking through all these pictures! My kids are so lucky to have me for a mom! haha
Honestly, I feel like we tried to keep really busy so I didn't lose my mind. (When my kids are home too much they just beg to watch more TV and drink hot chocolate and climb all over me.)
Most days we went to the gym for part of the day, then filled in around that. I was glad to finally capture this 4-person chain we form almost every time we walk somewhere. I feel bad for people trying to get around us, but that's life. (Our church has one really narrow hallway. With a girl on each hand we slow down the flow quite a bit.)
We had mostly warm weather, with a few cold days and some snow. :( Some kids (Tiago) enjoyed it more than others (Siena.)
I didn't take any pictures, but at the beginning of the month I organized a girls night for our Relief Society at a local restaurant... we had way more people come than I anticipated. (I think there were about 12 people total.) Really unique and delicious food, and an overall fun evening.
Another day, my kids wanted to make cookies (we were probably stuck inside due to weather, and getting stir crazy) so I tried this recipe that only made 8 because I didn't want to eat a million. (I was doing Nutrisystem for most of the month, albeit with little self-control.) The butter was off, and the cookies were totally flat. But still delicious. I laughed when my Nutrisystem shipment showed up and it was mostly ice cream sandwiches. (They are SO good.)
These pictures are taken on different days, and are fuzzy, but I want to remember how funny the kids were doing soccer! I signed up all 3 kids without realizing the class requires parent participation. That was tricky with three kids, so most of the time the girls just ran around. It was only 4 classes, and I won't be signing the up again, but it was hilarious to watch the warm up every week. The coach told them to touch their toes, and they just sat down, except Tiago who just stood there giving everyone weird looks. He was into the running (the girls, not so much) and did a good job dribbling the ball. The kids jumping jacks push ups were also hilarious.
By the end of the practice, Siena was missing some clothes.
Simultaneously, I had the kids in a gymnastics class that went much better. The three went to class by themselves and I had a 30 minute break. It took Tiago 2 classes before he actually went in on his own (he struggled!) but after going once he loved it! The girls liked to 'hang like a monkey' on the bar and make monkey noises. Parents got to attend the last class to watch their skills. I was simultaneously trying to video chat with Hyrum so he could watch, and cheer on the kids, and take a few pictures.
I've made the goal of washing/brushing the girls' hair once a week. It gets so tangled and unmanageable, and ponytails go a long way in hiding it all. Every time I try to brush it they scream. This is what Siena's hair looks like after a week-- completely standing up on its own!!
I went all out for General Conference weekend. (ha) I kind of regretted that I didn't order a cinnamon roll from Nutrisystem to at least follow with tradition, but right before the morning session started I threw random food into a tray to try to entertain my kids for longer than 10 seconds. It was mildly successful. (No one touched the carrots.)
One Friday we headed to the park near our house to kill some time before bedtime. The parking lot, which usually has 2-5 cars, was completely packed. We got closer and saw a bounce house, tables full of pizza, and cotton candy. I quickly gathered that some Army unit was holding a family event and there were probably 200 people there. I figured no one knew if I was or wasn't part of the unit, so my kids enjoyed pizza and cotton candy! Then I struggled more than usual to keep track of my 3 kids on the playground. (They're all finally at the age I can mostly just let them play. hallelujah!)
Sunday before church. Poor Siena. And Tiago's choice of shoes/socks made me laugh. He was so proud of this outfit.
Meanwhile, I looked pretty good myself. I bought some new shirts recently and actually curled my hair.
Child care on post this month was a bit sporadic (I rarely had all 3 kids at day care simultaneously) so Tiago and I ended up going on two 'dates' together. Sure, they might have included the grocery store, but he picked out popcicles to buy with his money then we walked around the field that has tanks and helicoptors on display. I also took him to try out a restaurant. I'd heard good reviews of their brunch and my mouth was watering to check it out. Waffles + nutella + strawberries + caramel = winner (Tiago told me he wanted scrambled eggs, then when the came he didn't touch them and thought it was so funny he asked for eggs. That kid!)
Here is is at day care. I also had solo outings with each girl, but those were less successful. I took Siena on errands to Target and she spotted every single Minnie Mouse and Elsa/Olaf in the entire store (there's a lot) and screamed to buy stuff.
I love watching Tiago at the playground. Despite his shy side, he loves making friends at the park. His favorite thing to do is push people on the merry-go-round. Last week I saw him go push some 11 or 12 year old girls, and after a few minutes he said, "Sorry, I think I'm too little for this. It's heavy." Then he ran as fast as he could toward the younger kids on the playground while yelling, "Guys! Wait for me! I'm coming!" I hope he always stays so carefree while playing.
Before Easter the on-post housing community held an Easter Egg hunt. The highlight was the fire truck the kids could climb in. Unfortunately, after waiting in a huge line for 30 minutes to collect eggs, the kids got only a few each. (Our chain of 3 toddlers is just too slow to compete...) A few days later Hyrum's squadron held a family gathering with an Easter Egg hunt where the kids had a bit more fun. (Although, the girls reached their first eggs and were so distracted by what was inside they couldn't be bothered to look for more.)
On Easter the kids came down stairs surprised to find Easter baskets. They each got a DVD that they'll be watching in the car next time we drive to Utah. (So basically, it was a gift for me!)
I could say so much about this picture... the hair, the bunny ears, the huge chocolate bunny in Siena's mouth.
We still had so much time to kill before 1 pm church so I told the kids we'd go for a drive. We went up a nearby canyon to Helen Hunt Falls, and as soon as Tiago saw the waterfall he wanted to get out and climb up there. It wasn't the original plan, but we had time, so the four of us climbed out (amidst actual hikers) and walked about 5 minutes up to the falls. I'm sure people thought we looked ridiculous (adorable, but ridiculous.)
Easter dinner was something. I saw a 10 lb ham at the grocery store so cheap it would have been a crime to not buy it. My kids didn't touch any of the meal except the rolls, so I now have a freezer full of ham (and Nutrisystem ice cream sandwiches.)
I found this idea online and was able to download everything I needed really easily. For the week leading up to Easter we talked about what Christ did that day. Tiago took to it really well, and in the days after Easter I saw him looking at it so much that I still haven't taken it down.
We finally checked out the USO on post. The senior missionary couple in our branch volunteers there a few days a week so we went one day for lunch. My kids only ate chips, but then played forever in this little toy room. I ran into a few friends from church and had a good time chatting.
My girls are teething, and it's miserable. It's been 2 weeks and they haven't broken through yet but Mila constantly grabs at her mouth and screams. Unfortunately, they each have about 9 teeth that need to come in.
Hyrum's squadron is getting a new commander, so before he headed to Germany he held a get-together to meet the families. It was nice to see a face before he's just a name I hear about from Hyrum. The kids had fun visiting where "Papa used to work."
Fun mom alert. On a Saturday night I let the kids watch Frozen in my bed with popcorn. It was rowdy and we only made it part way through, but it was somewhat entertaining for us all. (I've listened to the movie a thousand times in the car and wanted to finally watch the screen!)
Tiago seems so big lately! He got this little bike that he's learning to ride around, and he likes to goof around by falling off very dramatically.
He got a spinning tooth brush and loves to brush his teeth. (Definitely Hyrum's child.) When he finishes he comes with a big smile and tells me, "Look at my teeth Mom!" (I set the goal of brushing the girls' teeth every day in April and succeeded. I'm so proud of myself. I hate brushing kids teeth.)
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The girls saw our back door open and started entertaining themselves. They thought they were hilarious.
Along with chocolate, Hyrum sent me this huge musical birthday card in the mail. The kids loved it and played it to death. (Its a roller coaster.) The kids also enjoyed the gummy bears he included for them.
Rough housing at our house. The kids are playing together more and more. We turned the guest bedroom into a toy room for them, which has cleared up some space downstairs and given them a good area to play. Some times they play together and all have fun. Other times, they all end up crying. Mila left this particular match victorious.
I dreaded Stake Conference, which was the last Sunday of April. I was so pleased at how it went, though! I sat next to a lady in the stake that I know, and she helped entertain my kids. We made it 1 hour and 45 minutes before we had to leave! But with 15 minutes left all three kids started screaming and trying to climb on me, while I hurried to gather our things and escape to the hallway. It wasn't pretty, but I remember Stake Conference a year ago and Hyrum spent most of the meeting in the hallway with at least 2 of the kids. I look forward to some day when I can go to church without really considering how my kids will behave.
