Cavities- Take 1

The boys had dentist appointments a few weeks ago and we got some less than stellar news for Paxton. He has 4-5 cavities! FOUR to FIVE!!!! We've been told since his first visit that his teeth are super close together, perfect for food to get stuck and live in between. At this visit, I was also told that his enamel didn't develop properly, therefore, there isn't much there to protect them either. The dentist informed us that we're kind of up against a losing battle with his mouthful of pearly "not-so whites". (P.S. It should be noted that at the same appointment, Hudson came away with an A+ and ZERO cavities!). We scheduled not one, but two future appointments to have the cavities filled. Since there are so many, and some on each side, top and bottom, the dentist doesn't want to make him sit for that length of time. Plus, one cavity is so bad that he has to have a full cap over the tooth. So, our first appointment was this week at 9:00am. Since I took Hudson to school at 8:00am, we had an hour to kill and he's been talking about going on another "just Mommy and Paxton" date for awhile so I thought this would be the perfect time. You know, reward the kid who has 5 cavities! And I have to tell you about a quick story he told me that morning. And if you know my Paxton, you will know that this is a typical story from him and the way his mind works. It started out like this, "Mommy, one time when I was with just Dad because you were in heaven because they hadn't made you yet....." Excuse me, what? Where was I? I tried explaining to him that I didn't come from heaven, in fact no one does, and that heaven is only where you go when you die. He followed up with a bunch of questions which assured me that he still had no comprehension of what I was trying to tell him and it was time I just let it go and allow him to go on believing whatever it is that goes on in that la-la land mind of his. Man I love this kid!

He was super brave for the dentist. Before walking in, he asked me if it was going to hurt. I told him it might a little bit and explained that afterwards his cheek/tongue/lip will feel funny for awhile (numb) but that its just medicine and will soon go back to feeling normal. He told me that he didn't care and he'd let the dentist do whatever he needed to.

Paxton laid there for 40 minutes with his hands in his pockets and feet crossed. He never complained, and always shook his head "yes" when the dentist asked if he was okay. At one point, the dentist even stopped and said, "Look at him, he's amazing." I know! I got those proud, embarrassing mommy tears at that point. That's also when I remembered that I got the same tears when Hudson had his cavities filled over a year ago and that I brought him to Target afterwards with free reign of anything in the store. You know, again rewarding the cavities! Ha, not so much the cavities, but the bravery and cooperation!

And there's his silver tooth, which he thinks is pretty cool and might even have super powers. When we left that day he told me that he thought it was really fun getting a cavity filled and he's excited he gets to go back again. Oh boy...

TMNT Party

Paxton's dreams came true with his very own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle birthday party over the weekend. He loves the turtles and I'm pretty sure he owns every single TMNT toy ever made now. And I've been told that he said this was his best birthday ever! 

Imagine running into these two guys in a dark alley!?!? I'd run....ha!!

We hung the pinata in the storage/laundry room in the basement so please look away from the mess and gun cabinet! Instead, check out that determined, powerful swing! 

Each kid got to hit the turtle twice before it busted open, spilling candy all over the place.

Some kids even got knocked out back a little bit. Perfectly caught on camera.

L to R: Lincoln, Sidney, Regan, Paxton, Harlow, Carson, and Hudson

Thanks for coming everyone! For the great gifts and fun night! Our kids live for these parties! 

Harlow rocks!

SHE IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!! Great words to say! But even better than that is the fact that she did it herself! I have been asking her almost daily for months now if she wanted to wear undies or go potty on the toilet, and every time her answer would be a simple, "No!" So on Sunday, January 3rd when I asked again, I expected the same answer, but this time she said, "Ummmmm, yea!" Well okay! And seriously, she put undies on and has not regressed once. No accidents, nothing! She doesn't even need to be reminded to go, she tells us or just goes on her own, and she's dry through naps and nights. This girl is rocking it and I could not be more proud! It's a weird feeling, being brought to proud tears watching your daughter pee/poop in the toilet. I've been telling her she's awesome since the day she was born, and once again, she has proven me right! So now when you ask her, "What does mommy say you are?" She says with enthusiam, "I'm beautiful and AWESOME!"

After a few days of her awesomeness, I took her to Target and let her pick out anything she wanted. She walked the aisles, looking over many toys, listened to some suggestions from her big brother Paxton (which were usually Nerf guns or Transformers), and finally settled on these teeny babies with bunk beds. Side note: We barely got in the house and those poor teeny babies were stripped naked of their clothes. What is it with kids and wanting naked dolls? There is not a single doll or Barbie in our house that has clothes on!

And I'm sure none of you were questioning but.......I LOVE HER!

sledding video

Quick video of Hudsy going down the hill on the snowmobile sled.

sledding

We went sledding a couple weeks ago on our favorite sledding hill in town. Thankfully, with the construction of the new chancery building, we still have enough hill to sled down. We had been worried all summer that we'd have to find a new spot.

Harlow and I are kind of one in the same when it comes to the cold and sledding. We went along with because the boys wanted us to, we stuck it out for awhile, even went down the hill a few times, but we got cold and sledding is still a little scary to both of us (Harlow went down covering her face with her hands and I nearly pee my pants every time!), so after awhile we decided to plant ourselves at the bottom of the hill and watch the boys fly down.

Harlow had just thrown a snowball at Hudson's fave and she thought it was pretty hilarious.

By far Hudson's favorite sled is the "snowmobile sled" Jamie brought home this winter. I was a little concerned about it, so I decided I needed to try it out first to make sure it was safe. That was "almost peed in my pants" take one! It flies, even comes with brakes! But admittedly, it was fun.

So I can say I went sledding this year, check it off my list for the season, and next time they head out, I think Harlow and I will do something a little more girly, and warm!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Before Christmas, we went to see  A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Old Log Theater. It was a cute little show, only an hour long which was perfect for these three adorable kids.....

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve...in pictures and few words, because I'm behind! 

Paxton's favorite gifts were by far his ninja costumes and ninja weapons. In fact, he opened the swords and yell, "Yes!!! Weapons!" Ha, lovely holiday sentiment. 

And on the top of Hudson's favorites- his Santa costume. This picture, I die!

Throwing out reindeer food, on the sidewalk and brown grass instead of sparkling snow. 

Paxton is 5!

We took the decorations down and wrapped up Christmas to ring in our middle child's FIFTH birthday on the 28th! With his birthday so close to Christmas, I make it a point to have the holiday all wrapped up so we can put all well-deserved focus on the birthday boy. And his day started out with donuts for breakfast. And in this family, you get a candles to blow out at every meal! The boys were being silly, so Harlow took advantage and blew out the candle. That girl loves birthdays, so much so that we had to sing just to her once too, as though it was her special day. Paxton didn't mind sharing. 

He even let her open two of his presents, since she bawled the whole way through. She doesn't even care what she's opening as long as she's the one ripping the paper. Paxton was more than happy with his gifts, all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers stuff, he loves both! 

He got his pick for lunch and of course it was none other than Happy Joe's. A favorite of all the kids, just for the games. He's always been a little shy and skeptical of the singing, sirens, and horns, but he'll suffer through anything to get to that sundae. 

His second pick of the day was swimming. I snuck out with the boys while Harlow was napping, and she still doesn't know we left, so shhh!! This was a relaxing trip for me since the boys can swim on their own in shallow or deep. I spent most of the time in the hot tub watching from afar. Scoring their jumps into the deep. On the way home from swimming, Paxton said to me, "Mom, you make birthdays really fun!" Heart melted, day made! 

For supper, the whole family got together and went to Applebee's, then back to our place for cake, ice cream, and a few more presents. 

This boy has gone through many phases, and is currently the sweetest and the meanest of the bunch, depending on the day. He stays up the latest and wakes up the happiest. From the hours of 5pm-8pm every night he is wild, rambunctious and loud and it about drives us crazy. He does anything Hudson tells him to, and is always willing to include Harlow or play with her in her room (which is her favorite). He could drink a gallon of milk a day. He has the sweetest shy smile. He has some great ninja moves that he's awfully proud of. He could play the iPad or Kindle for hours on end. And he gives the best full-puckered lip kisses. He is the perfect middle child, happy to be included but content being on his own. We love him a whole lot (and maybe just a little less during that 5pm-8pm period). Happy 5th Birthday Packy!

elf on the shelf

One night I found Paxton sitting on the dining room table, just like this.......

I asked him what he was doing, and he didn't say a word. I asked again, "Paxton, why are you sitting on the table?" No response. Not even a blink, he kept smiling and didn't move a muscle. I gave up and asked Hudson if he knew why his brother was sitting on the table. He sure did! They were playing "Christmas". Hudson was "Santa", Harlow was "a little girl" and Paxton was "the elf on the shelf". His job was to sit there and watch over Harlow and see if she's being good or not so he could report back to Santa. Doesn't he make THE CUTEST elf on the shelf!?!! 

busy weekends

With all three kids in sports now, our weekends have already turned into running from place to place. Saturdays start with Hudson in basketball and then we head to Harlow's gymnastics (With 40 minutes in between. What do you do with 3 kids in the middle of winter, at 10 o'clock in the morning for 40 minutes??) We always pack the iPads, and Harlow usually has a doll and bag with her. Sunday is usually hockey for both boys. It's hit or miss if they want to go or not. Some days they're both into it, and other days we have to drag them there. And they feed off each other, so if one hates it, so does the other one. But if one loves it, then hockey is awesome!

Harlow still LOVES gymnastics! And I can see a complete difference in her from last season. She listens to the instructor, does exactly as she's asked, and waits her turn in line patiently. She doesn't run to the trampoline or ask to jump in the pit, she stays on task and generally loves to climb, swing, jump, and roll.

And "Ta-da!!!" is her favorite part!

Hudson isn't quite as enthusiastic about basketball but he's a trooper. And I have a slight suspicion that he likes it a little more than he lets on. He has lots of friends in it with him, including our cousin Alec. 

A couple weeks ago, we ran into the Snowman and Reindeer after hockey practice. Harlow fell in love with them immediately. Giving many hugs and kisses and happily posed for a picture. She was near tears when we had to leave because she wasn't sure if she kissed them good bye enough times. 

St. Nicks Day

This was the beautiful picture take on St. Nicks Day.....it may look like a choke hold by Paxton on poor Hudson, but it was all out of pure love, I'm sure of it! 

kids at work

After a late night of work, I got home and realized I had forgotten some important stuff in my office that I needed over the weekend, so I packed up the three  kids in their jammies (no coats, and Harlow without shoes!) and we drove the 60 miles round trip back to my office. The kids thought it was great! Hudson loved using my key card to get into the locked doors. He thought it was like a hotel. They've already been asking when they can go back to work with me.

They look much cuter at my desk!

I've been busy at work and haven't had time to decorate my office. Hudson found my bag of Christmas decorations and was appalled that I hadn't put them up yet, as decorating is a priority in his book. He took it upon himself to get my little tree up and any other decoration he could find. Harlow watched and Paxton drew me pictures to hang up.