We have had some fun times lately. Bailey turned 7 and grew up all of a sudden. All she wanted to do for her birthday was do lunch and shopping with Grandma Peggy. She had a great day and said, "Grandma spoils me." Bailey also wanted to get her nails done so she used her birthday money to get acrylic nails. When she realized she couldn't suck her thumb, she immediately wanted to take them off. I was hoping this would be a good incentive to break her habit, but she chewed her thumb nail off instead. The rest of the nails were off within a week. She was quite the diva while they lasted. Bailey is so creative and fun.
This past weekend we had my friend's two kids while she and her husband went to San Francisco. Her kids are 9 and 12; I got a little taste of what it is like having 5 kids. We were definitely busy, but I enjoyed having older kids to help and something was always going on. Our house feels a bit empty now that they are gone. When I wean Landon in a few months they'll take our kids for a few days. We definitely got the better end of this deal!
I am really excited for the 4th of July, especially as I see how crazy our country is becoming. For now, we are the most blessed of all the nations on the earth. I have lived in Venezuela and have seen true poverty. I listen to the news of people being killed because they want their vote to be counted. We have true freedom here and I am grateful for that. I celebrate the United States as it once was and the potential that we still have to be a great nation.

Barber Birthday Bash

We had a great time at the birthday party for Bailey and Myles on Saturday. We had it at one of the public pools and were able to have so many of our friends and family there; we had delicious Costco cake and froze in the pool. (It was only 95 that day. Ha!)
Last Sunday Scott and I spoke in church. Usually, we are really good at getting to church 10 minutes early, but the day that it mattered most, the day I needed to be sitting on the stand bright and early, Landon puked carrot puree all over my white shirt as I was walking out the door. Our talks went well. I really enjoyed the preparation and once I got started, didn't mind the actual delivery. Scott and I also enjoyed the serenity of being up on the stand together without the kids.
Bailey had her first swim meet last Thursday night. She did so well. I am so impressed by her natural talent in the water. She has the speed and the endurance to do well, if only she could decide if she wanted it badly enough or not. Tonight was the second swim meet and she didn't want to go, but ended up enjoying it by the end. She is taking a free synchronized swimming class on Saturday. This could be a good fit since she is a dancer at heart, but is also very much a fish. She is so wonderful and a great help with the boys.
Myles started potty-training last week. He did really well as long as he was home, hanging out near the little potty and he didn't have anything on. He isn't so great with the underwear, confusing it with a diaper. I don't have the patience to continue with it right now. It's obvious that he isn't ready yet and with our busy summer schedule, I am unwilling to dedicate a full week to being homebound. I think I'll start up again when Bailey goes to school. For now, Myles is loving preschool and I am loving the break on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
For all intents and purposes, Landon is sleeping through the night. He still wakes up about 4 and moans for an hour, but we turn on a loud fan and tune him out. I am so ready to sleep through the night without interruptions. He is adamant about not cooperating with the physical therapy and stresses me out. I think he is improving, but minutely.
Scott and I are hoping to get away for a night or two soon. We haven't been away from our kids since B was 2; it's not that we haven't wanted to, we just haven't had people willing to take them off our hands. Now we have some dear friends who have offered and we are taking them up on it. The only hangup is that Landon won't take a bottle. Once we get that conquered, we're outta here!

Just loving my family today. Life is so good!

Yesterday we had a family swim day. Landon took a much-needed nap while we played with Bailey and Myles. Scott and I took turns sitting in the sun by our sleeping baby while the other froze in the water. I never thought I would be excited for temps above 105, but bring on the heat! We also had a papa john's pizza for $1.08, thanks to a fun promotion for Az residents.
Bailey decided she wanted to swim some laps to prepare for swim team, which starts on Monday. She kept going and going, swimming 16 laps before it was time to go. She and I are both so excited for her to do swim team. She has always loved swimming and it comes naturally to her. Fortunately this is a great climate for swimming!
Myles has been fearful of the water this year. Yesterday he got brave and actually put his face in the water, but mostly he sticks to the shallow end. The pool we go to most has beach entry which is perfect for him. He is a smarty-pants; Myles finds shapes and letters in anything and can spell his name. He starts a summer preschool program on Tuesdays and Thursdays during June and July. He is quite social and I'm hoping being around older kids will help him take a little more interest in the potty.
Landon has not improved much in the sleeping arena, nor has he warmed up to his physical therapy requirements. He is incredibly strong and I can no longer keep him in the right position to stretch his neck unless I am carrying him and have gravity on my side. Last night I was out late with friends and decided to preemptively feed him so that I could get a longer stretch. He generally will sleep 7-8 hours and then eat every two hours the rest of the night/day. I woke him up at 11, fed him and slept until 4; after giving him the pacifier, he went back to sleep until 6. I haven't had more than 4 hours sleep (uninterrupted) in a long time. I am going to try this new approach for awhile because, as we all know, I need my sleep!

Bailey and I went on a mother/daughter date yesterday. It was so much fun to spend time with just her. We don't get to do that very often. I am grateful that Scott took the boys. Very rarely do I get to relax with Bailey and I regret that. Between Landon's total newborn dependence and Myles' recent inclination toward melt-downs, Bailey sees a stressed-out mom a lot of the time. She is such a fun girl. We went to a nearby water park and had a blast. I let her lead me. We went in the lazy river, down the waterslides and over to the lap pool. Then I watched her on the diving board, we got snacks and did it all over again. I have acclimmated to Mesa because it was 90 degrees and I was freezing. The water was so cold. I was a good sport for about an hour and a half, but after that I was more of a spectator than a participant. I commiserated with the other cold moms. People really don't swim if the weather is less than 100 degrees here and now I know why!
I love my Bailey and am so glad I could spend that time with her. I was able to enjoy her and give her the endless attention she craves. She is a happy girl with a lot of energy. I was really proud of her for trying the red slide. She has been afraid of it because it was dark inside, but after seeing me go down a few times, she tried it and loved it. I am so glad she was willing to try something new. I have noticed she sometimes holds herself back because of fear. I hope to be able to build her confidence up so she will be more comfortable trying new things. When I see my bad traits in her I want to jump in and spare her those lessons. I want her to be better than I am but need to step back and let her be her. That is hard for me to do but I am working on it. She is worth all my efforts to be a better mom and I am thankful that the Lord sent her to me.

I have to talk about my day on Tuesday because it was frustrating and wonderful all at once. I took Landon to physical therapy; this is about 25 minutes from our house and close to the Mesa temple. Afterward I had to exchange some garments at the distribution center and Myles wanted to see the temple. Unfortunately, I locked my keys in the car at the distribution center and had carried Landon in so I didn't have a car seat for him. I have great friends who rallied together to come get me after we sought out another infant seat to bring for Landon. Myles and Landon and I walked over to the temple while we were waiting for our rescue team. It was a hot day to be walking (it's been hovering around 100 for two weeks), but as we got to the temple I felt a light breeze and knew it was a sweet reminder from Heavenly Father that even in rough moments life is good. I also had a thought that when things are going really badly, get to the temple and it will be okay. I just love the temple and miss being able to go as often as before my little people came into my life. It is even more of a sanctuary for me now!
Next Thursday is Bailey's last day of school. I am so ready for summer and am excited to swim and play with my kids. I can hardly believe that June is almost here and that she will be a 2nd grader. We have been swimming a few times with friends. Bailey has always been a strong swimmer and I am looking forward to her being on a swim team. That will wear her out big time! Myles has decided that he is afraid of the water this year and I don't mind it because he sits on the steps and plays about waist-deep. That makes it easier to watch him while I am holding Landon. My little guy loves the water so much. The second his feet touch water he's kicking and wiggling around. I was worried about him fitting into our summer agenda of swimming and napping, but it looks like he is falling in line quite nicely. I look forward to fun times this summer with my kids and friends.

Scott and I have been attending the "Strengthening Family" course that the church offers. I love it and am learning so much. Who knew that remaining calm when my kids beat each other (and other kids) up would work so well? Actually, I have changed some bad habits (like my SARCASTIC remarks) and my kids are responding well. I am so excited to be a better parent. When Scott and I took the marriage course last year it was just nice to have a set date night that was cheap. We learned a lot, but I also tried to apply the communication and anger management part to my relationship with Bailey. I am grateful for this class because I need to manage my three kids better. I love learning new and improved ways of doing things. I can't wait to be better and am already enjoying my kids so much more and it's only been two classes. The possibilities are endless. ;)