Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Visit With The VanHoutens
We had a great surprise this week when we found out that our great friends, Taylor and Katie VanHouten, were going to be in Seattle and wanted to come by for a visit. We haven't seen them in years, and it was so fun to catch up. You know that friends are great ones when you can go years without talking and then pick up just as if no time has passed. Todd grew up with Taylor, and Katie and I got to be one of my closest friends while we were at BYU in Provo. Every time I see Taylor, I think about one of the first times I met him. I was in Spokane visiting Todd during our engagement, and I was just heading out the door to drive back to Seattle. Just as I was leaving, Taylor came barging in, announcing, "Hey, Todd, I got some dynamite...want to go set it off with me up on the mountain?" I remember being appalled that I wasn't even sealed to Todd yet, and that he was going to die! At any rate, it was wonderful to see Taylor and Katie again!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Warm Hands and a Treasure Chest
Last night, we were reading family scriptures, and Tori snuggled up next to me on the couch. She went to hold my hand, but just grabbed my pointer finger with her hand. A second later, she whispered to me, "Mom, your finger's cold." "I know," I told her. "My whole hand's cold." She grabbed my hand in hers and told me I was right, my hand was cold. For the rest of the time Todd was reading, she rubbed my cold hand between her two little warm ones and even tried to breathe on them to warm them up. I know this is just something little, but it was so sweet, and just so ...Tori!
Tonight at dinner, Aaron started something new. "Aarrgghh!" he shouted, closing one eye and reaching one arm in front of him like a hook. "Are you a pirate?" I asked him. "No, I'm a treasure chest!" he corrected me! He continued to be a treasure chest for the rest of the night! :)
My "Treasure Chest"
Tonight at dinner, Aaron started something new. "Aarrgghh!" he shouted, closing one eye and reaching one arm in front of him like a hook. "Are you a pirate?" I asked him. "No, I'm a treasure chest!" he corrected me! He continued to be a treasure chest for the rest of the night! :)
My "Treasure Chest"
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tori's Drawings
Just thought I'd share some of Tori's drawings. She is constantly drawing. Sometimes, I just find little scraps of paper or post-it notes lying around with doodles on them, and other times they are full-sized masterpieces.
The first of these is a product of too much Tom
and Jerry. I'm not sure where the killer shark
and beaver (or whatever that thing is...just look
at the light glinting off those teeth!) come from,
though!
Ahhh, my Tori. Definitely not a Princess gene in her!
The word bubble coming from the dinosaur simply
says "YUM". You have to love the human dangling
from the dinosaur's mouth. And just look at how
absolutely content that dinosaur is!
Just when I'm beginning to think she needs counseling,
she does some cute ones like these.
And then there are these ones that just melt my
heart and assure me that no counseling is necessary!
The first of these is a product of too much Tom
and Jerry. I'm not sure where the killer shark
and beaver (or whatever that thing is...just look
at the light glinting off those teeth!) come from,
though!
Ahhh, my Tori. Definitely not a Princess gene in her!
The word bubble coming from the dinosaur simply
says "YUM". You have to love the human dangling
from the dinosaur's mouth. And just look at how
absolutely content that dinosaur is!
Just when I'm beginning to think she needs counseling,
she does some cute ones like these.
And then there are these ones that just melt my
heart and assure me that no counseling is necessary!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My Sweet Kids
So I'm really bad at updating the blog, and days go by filled with cute things that I never remember to write down, and I know that some day I am going to be sad that I didn't record more of their childhood. So here's a brief update on each of the kids and a few things I want to remember.
Let's start with my Beastie, I mean, Aaron. My sweet boy has officially entered the terrible twos! I remember people asking me about this stage with Tori, and I would tell them that she reminded me of the nursery rhyme about the little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead, and when she was good, she was really, really, good, but when she was bad she was horrid. Well, the same could be said for Aaron right now, so it seems to be universal for 2-4 year-olds, at least in our home! I'll start with the good. When Aaron is sweet, he is so adorable that I find myself picking him up and squeezing him tight to me in an effort to just absorb him somehow. He still sucks his left thumb, and will nuzzle into my chest while sucking his thumb. He also gives great hugs and very sweet kisses. I think he is also about the most handsome little boy in the world, and he's going to break many hearts with his eyes someday! One really cute thing he did about a month ago: I hurt myself somehow and said "Ow!" and he looked at me with genuine concern and asked, "Owie?" "Yes, mommy has an owie," I answered. He climbed into my lap and motioned for me to come into his arms by reaching one of his arms around my neck and pulling my face down to him while saying "Tummere" (Aaron-speak for "come here"). Then he rubbed and patted my back soothingly while saying, "I know, I know," and "shhh," and "It's okay." So incredibly cute! The other night, he was up sick with a bad cough and I went in to comfort him. I was cradling him in my lap and asked him if he wanted a drink of water. He shook his head no, and I said, "No?" In his little, sleepy voice he answered, "No thanks." For some reason it was really touching to me that he would be so sweet even though he didn't feel good.
On the flip side, he can be rather troublesome most days, and there are times I seriously want to strangle the child! I've taken to calling him "Monster," and everytime I do, he roars at me and scowls and says, "I'm a monster!" I'm also pretty sure my hearing will never be the same after this child. I really need to find out if there is some sort of Guiness World Record for loudest child, because I'm fairly certain he would be a top contender for the honor! He loves to bang his water bottle or sippy cup of milk against the table and spray it everywhere, he throws plates and food to signal he has finished a meal, and generally just keeps me very busy cleaning up messes most of my day. Last night he wanted to try the potty out for the first time, so I put him on the toilet and asked him, "Where's the pee-pee?" (parenting has drastically dumbed down my vocabulary!), to which he pointed at his privates and proudly stated, "Right there!" Tori of course had to be a part of these festivities and started chiming in about how cute his "little penis" is, so then I was alternating between explaining to her why that is not really appropriate and trying to get Aaron to pee. Tori then decided she needed to go to the bathroom at that very moment, so I took Aaron off the toilet to let her have a turn, and of course, he immediately peed all over my bathroom floor. I motioned frantically for him to stop and for Tori to get off the toilet so I could put him back on the toilet, but of course, he was done by this point and just thought the whole thing was funny. So, I guess we're not potty training any time soon! Even with all of the screaming, defiance, messes, and pee, I cannot even begin to express how much I love the monster!
Now for my little girl. I am constantly amazed at what an incredible person Tori is. It gives me hope for Aaron, because I remember her at his age, and I never would have guessed that she would be the sweetheart she has become. I also don't know how I would get through most days without Tori. She is a huge helper with Aaron and with chores. She unloads the dishwasher, cleans her room, and helps with about anything else I ask her to do with a surprising lack of grumbling most of the time, though she is still a girl, so whining and pouting cannot be completely avoided. She still draws on any piece of paper she can get her hands on and loves learning about animals. This year in our homeschool co-op she has had the chance to dissect a flatworm and an owl pellet (she actually found a small bird skull in it!) as well as handle a real sheep's heart and brain. Most little girls want to play dress-up and princess, but my little girl wants to dissect owl pellets and be a paleontologist when she grows up ("only if I don't have kids" she adds on). I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love how curious she is and that she would rather read a non-fiction science reader about animals than a book about fairies. She is also very loving and cuddly. The other night I was up late, laying on my back on the couch, reading a book. She woke up and came out to get a drink, and Todd and Aaron were asleep. She got her drink and came over and stretched out on top of me, cuddled up, and fell asleep. I just wanted to stay there forever because I kept thinking about how big she's getting and that she won't be able to do that much longer. I almost cried when I finally had to wake her up to get her in bed. She is also very quick to express her love and always surprises me with things she says. The other day we were driving home from the store and we had been talking about Christmas earlier in the day. Out of the blue she asked me, "Mom, do you know what my favorite gift is?" I made a few guesses, animals, books, toys, etc, but she just kept saying no, so I finally told her that I gave up and asked what her favorite gift was. "My family and that we can be together forever," she answered. Love that! I told her last night at dinner that she was beautiful, and she said, "No, I'm cute!" I said she was both, and she laughed and said, "I'm cute-aful!" She makes me smile.
Other than being the sweetest little girl on the face of the planet, helping me, reading about animals and drawing, Tori has lately been spending a lot of time building blanket forts all over our house, playing farmville with me, and calling people. Yes, calling people. She asks me on a regular basis if she can call Daddy at work, Gavin, Aunt Melenie, or one of her Grandparents. I'm sure our teenage years are going to be fun! Hopefully cell phone plans will get cheaper in the next ten years! :) I love my Tori-girl and wish I could just keep her this age forever and ever.
I am one lucky woman to be blessed with such beautiful, loving, wonderful children!
Let's start with my Beastie, I mean, Aaron. My sweet boy has officially entered the terrible twos! I remember people asking me about this stage with Tori, and I would tell them that she reminded me of the nursery rhyme about the little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead, and when she was good, she was really, really, good, but when she was bad she was horrid. Well, the same could be said for Aaron right now, so it seems to be universal for 2-4 year-olds, at least in our home! I'll start with the good. When Aaron is sweet, he is so adorable that I find myself picking him up and squeezing him tight to me in an effort to just absorb him somehow. He still sucks his left thumb, and will nuzzle into my chest while sucking his thumb. He also gives great hugs and very sweet kisses. I think he is also about the most handsome little boy in the world, and he's going to break many hearts with his eyes someday! One really cute thing he did about a month ago: I hurt myself somehow and said "Ow!" and he looked at me with genuine concern and asked, "Owie?" "Yes, mommy has an owie," I answered. He climbed into my lap and motioned for me to come into his arms by reaching one of his arms around my neck and pulling my face down to him while saying "Tummere" (Aaron-speak for "come here"). Then he rubbed and patted my back soothingly while saying, "I know, I know," and "shhh," and "It's okay." So incredibly cute! The other night, he was up sick with a bad cough and I went in to comfort him. I was cradling him in my lap and asked him if he wanted a drink of water. He shook his head no, and I said, "No?" In his little, sleepy voice he answered, "No thanks." For some reason it was really touching to me that he would be so sweet even though he didn't feel good.
On the flip side, he can be rather troublesome most days, and there are times I seriously want to strangle the child! I've taken to calling him "Monster," and everytime I do, he roars at me and scowls and says, "I'm a monster!" I'm also pretty sure my hearing will never be the same after this child. I really need to find out if there is some sort of Guiness World Record for loudest child, because I'm fairly certain he would be a top contender for the honor! He loves to bang his water bottle or sippy cup of milk against the table and spray it everywhere, he throws plates and food to signal he has finished a meal, and generally just keeps me very busy cleaning up messes most of my day. Last night he wanted to try the potty out for the first time, so I put him on the toilet and asked him, "Where's the pee-pee?" (parenting has drastically dumbed down my vocabulary!), to which he pointed at his privates and proudly stated, "Right there!" Tori of course had to be a part of these festivities and started chiming in about how cute his "little penis" is, so then I was alternating between explaining to her why that is not really appropriate and trying to get Aaron to pee. Tori then decided she needed to go to the bathroom at that very moment, so I took Aaron off the toilet to let her have a turn, and of course, he immediately peed all over my bathroom floor. I motioned frantically for him to stop and for Tori to get off the toilet so I could put him back on the toilet, but of course, he was done by this point and just thought the whole thing was funny. So, I guess we're not potty training any time soon! Even with all of the screaming, defiance, messes, and pee, I cannot even begin to express how much I love the monster!
Now for my little girl. I am constantly amazed at what an incredible person Tori is. It gives me hope for Aaron, because I remember her at his age, and I never would have guessed that she would be the sweetheart she has become. I also don't know how I would get through most days without Tori. She is a huge helper with Aaron and with chores. She unloads the dishwasher, cleans her room, and helps with about anything else I ask her to do with a surprising lack of grumbling most of the time, though she is still a girl, so whining and pouting cannot be completely avoided. She still draws on any piece of paper she can get her hands on and loves learning about animals. This year in our homeschool co-op she has had the chance to dissect a flatworm and an owl pellet (she actually found a small bird skull in it!) as well as handle a real sheep's heart and brain. Most little girls want to play dress-up and princess, but my little girl wants to dissect owl pellets and be a paleontologist when she grows up ("only if I don't have kids" she adds on). I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love how curious she is and that she would rather read a non-fiction science reader about animals than a book about fairies. She is also very loving and cuddly. The other night I was up late, laying on my back on the couch, reading a book. She woke up and came out to get a drink, and Todd and Aaron were asleep. She got her drink and came over and stretched out on top of me, cuddled up, and fell asleep. I just wanted to stay there forever because I kept thinking about how big she's getting and that she won't be able to do that much longer. I almost cried when I finally had to wake her up to get her in bed. She is also very quick to express her love and always surprises me with things she says. The other day we were driving home from the store and we had been talking about Christmas earlier in the day. Out of the blue she asked me, "Mom, do you know what my favorite gift is?" I made a few guesses, animals, books, toys, etc, but she just kept saying no, so I finally told her that I gave up and asked what her favorite gift was. "My family and that we can be together forever," she answered. Love that! I told her last night at dinner that she was beautiful, and she said, "No, I'm cute!" I said she was both, and she laughed and said, "I'm cute-aful!" She makes me smile.
Other than being the sweetest little girl on the face of the planet, helping me, reading about animals and drawing, Tori has lately been spending a lot of time building blanket forts all over our house, playing farmville with me, and calling people. Yes, calling people. She asks me on a regular basis if she can call Daddy at work, Gavin, Aunt Melenie, or one of her Grandparents. I'm sure our teenage years are going to be fun! Hopefully cell phone plans will get cheaper in the next ten years! :) I love my Tori-girl and wish I could just keep her this age forever and ever.
I am one lucky woman to be blessed with such beautiful, loving, wonderful children!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Cards For Mommy and Daddy
Just another post to illustrate the fact that I have the most wonderful, loving daughter that was ever born on this earth. Today, Todd and I found these in our bedroom:
Front Cover (yes, that is a sequin glued to the card
in the middle)
Inside
Front Cover of Todd's Card
Inside
Needless to say, Tori definitely got lots of hugs today. She also may have been a little damp from Mommy's tears! I really don't want this little girl to grow up!
Front Cover (yes, that is a sequin glued to the card
in the middle)
Inside
Front Cover of Todd's Card
Inside
Needless to say, Tori definitely got lots of hugs today. She also may have been a little damp from Mommy's tears! I really don't want this little girl to grow up!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Cry Baby
Last week on American Idol, one of the contestants sang "Cry Baby" by Janis Joplin. It's been stuck in my head ever since, and I've caught myself singing it lately when Aaron starts throwing one of his fits. This morning I was changing his diaper and I started singing it, and he sang it back to me! SO STINKING CUTE! I recently bought a tape player/recorder for the kids to listen to books on tape from the library, and it came with a little microphone. Aaron keeps carrying the microphone around the house and singing into it. So after his performance during the diaper change, Tori decided he needed a filmed performance. She wet his hair and attempted to spike it so he'd look "like Kris Allen" (another American Idol contestant...and our favorite! :) ). I pointed the camera at him and he promptly picked up the microphone and gave us this performance. The Demars musical/performing gene runs deep and manifests itself early! :) His enunciation needs a little work, but he's got the microphone grip and the face down! :)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
A Gamer in the Making
Todd finally convinced me to let him buy an X-Box 360 since he's wanted one forever. Apparently Aaron thought he needed to get in on the action!
Just look at that concentration!
A break from the game to smile for Mommy!
Tired of playing...nap time!
Just look at that concentration!
A break from the game to smile for Mommy!
Tired of playing...nap time!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Story Time
Aaron has recently really started to like books. Still nowhere near as much as he likes balls and cars, and just wreaking general havoc, but still, an interest is beginning! Got some cute pictures of him reading a board book.
Got the book...
Got the chair...
Checking it out...
Really into it now!
Got the book...
Got the chair...
Checking it out...
Really into it now!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tori's Journal
Just some sample pages from Tori's journal. Instead of writing about things that have happened, she chooses to just draw pictures and make up little stories to go with them (even the one about the Space Needle is somewhat fictitious since we've never actually taken her to the Space Needle!). She's a little author in the making! :)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Oh, boy!
So the other night I was watching the American Idol auditions, and Tori was watching with me for a minute while she was getting into her pajamas. As she was watching, this guy came on:
What you can't see from this picture (and I couldn't find one online that showed it completely) is that his hair is in some sort of asymmetrical mow hawk. Tori saw him and asked, "Mom, why does he have pink hair?" I told her that some people like to have different colored hair, and that he wanted his to be pink. "Crazy, huh?" I asked her. "Yeah, that's crazy," she agreed...then a couple of seconds later she added, "I would marry him." I just about died! I asked her why she would want to marry him, and she easily answered, "because he looks cool!" I laughed and promptly told Todd that we might be in for some fun experiences when she starts dating!
To add to her fascination with Mr. Mow Hawk, we were driving in the car a few days later, and an alternative rock/punk song came on. She promptly said, "I love this song!" and proceeded to bang her hands like she was holding drumsticks and playing the drums, and alternating that with strumming frantically on an air guitar. She proudly announced, "Look Mom, I'm rocking out!" Wow. That's all I have to say about that!
What you can't see from this picture (and I couldn't find one online that showed it completely) is that his hair is in some sort of asymmetrical mow hawk. Tori saw him and asked, "Mom, why does he have pink hair?" I told her that some people like to have different colored hair, and that he wanted his to be pink. "Crazy, huh?" I asked her. "Yeah, that's crazy," she agreed...then a couple of seconds later she added, "I would marry him." I just about died! I asked her why she would want to marry him, and she easily answered, "because he looks cool!" I laughed and promptly told Todd that we might be in for some fun experiences when she starts dating!
To add to her fascination with Mr. Mow Hawk, we were driving in the car a few days later, and an alternative rock/punk song came on. She promptly said, "I love this song!" and proceeded to bang her hands like she was holding drumsticks and playing the drums, and alternating that with strumming frantically on an air guitar. She proudly announced, "Look Mom, I'm rocking out!" Wow. That's all I have to say about that!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy Baby
Just some cute video footage of Aaron giggling for no good reason. Instead of dispensing anti-depressants to patients, I think doctors should just recommend watching a baby giggle! You can't help but giggle yourself!
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