Jansen Joins the Workforce

Nate and I decided it was time for Jansen to get a job. Learn some responsibility, gain a concept of money, and basically start pulling his own weight around here. There happened to be another 3 year old in the area looking for work so they teamed up and carpooled to their construction job.
Here they are surveying the scene of their first assignment:

They didn't waste any time getting started:

The morning dragged and after putting in some long hours, it was time for lunch.

Then back to work! There's no rest for the weary toddler. Jansen learned the ins and outs of some new machinery:

It didn't take long for Jansen to realize that this might possibly be his calling in life.

Our hard working boys returned home pooped...just the way we like 'em. But we've decided not to send him back out again just yet...maybe in a few years...Natalie missed him too much while he was gone.

***the pictures were taken at the Big Machines exhibit at COSI...I made a great trade with a friend and she kept Natalie while I took her son to the exhibit***

Is There Anything Cuter?

Than these in the summertime...

I think not. :)

Our Story Ends

And so today our story ends. I took Natalie in at 6:30 this morning and we had the bean removed. Everything went smoothly and quickly...she was BEYOND ornery after the anesthesia started wearing off but she is back to her normal self now. I am so glad that is over with!

A Picture

This is a super random picture, but I wanted to post it because I think Jansen looks so much like my dad when he was little, me when I was little, and Nate now. It's probably something only I can see. And also, I love Jansen so much. He is such a wonderful boy and he makes me so happy.

The Bean Lives On

Well the pediatrician sure as heck couldn't get it out. Which I knew would be the case and I wish we could have bypassed that step but I guess you gotta follow the rules. We were sent over to an ENT who took his glimpse of "the bean" and told us we're going to need to sedate her and the earliest we can do that is on Thursday. Something seems a little off about letting a bean sit in her nose for 4 more days, but he's the doctor!

Missed nap + being poked and prodded all day + seemingly insignificant things happening (like her new bar of soap falling in the tub) = THE WORST TANTRUM I HAVE EVER SEEN this evening. I was home alone and I was so close to calling Nate and telling him to come home no matter where he was at in his meeting and I thought something was seriously wrong with her. It was INSANE. She better not ever do that again.

Bean

What you can't tell from this picture is that the child has a bean up her nose. It's been there since Saturday. We have an appointment at 11:45 to get it out...this could be interesting.

Jansen's Picture

This is the first picture I have seen Jansen draw that included a person with a face. There is just something so priceless about that...it's a conductor on a train! Can you see the smoke coming out the top?

Date Night

It sure does my soul good to go on date nights. Nate and I went out last weekend...we finally hit the famous Sugardaddy's which is a nationally known brownie shop. They ship their sweets all over the country and we are lucky enough to have the retail store about 25 minutes away. Apparently these brownies are Ellen's gift choice for her celebrity guests. They were delicious.

We wandered our way over to Inniswood Metro Gardens and enjoyed a short walk together.

We were on our way out when Nate stopped in his tracks after hearing something. He of course ended up finding the source of the strange noise: two Barred Owls. Can you see them?

I think those eyes are kinda spooky.

Until next time, my beloved date night.

Passing on the Trickery

The other day Natalie told me that this frog wanted some milk:

It made me laugh because she LOVES milk SO much and we definitely can't give it to her as often as she requests it. I couldn't help but wonder if her conniving mind was trying to trick me into getting the frog some milk....so that SHE could drink it...since her allotment had run out. And the reason that it makes me laugh even more is because that is something I totally would have done as a child. I specifically remember telling my Aunt Linda that my cousin Dusty wanted another popsicle. He had never actually SAID that, but I knew he did. And oh, yeah, I guess if he's having another one I'll have one too. ***sheepish smile***

I think Nate took this picture of Natalie after she had massacred a peanut butter sandwich. She is an EXTREMELY messy eater.

Because He Asked Me To

Jansen really wanted me to take some pictures of him swinging...he LOVES our swingset and could play out there forever. He has said a couple funny things in the past couple days:

-He was in his room drawing on a chalkboard/mat thing and as I was leaving his room after checking on him he said, "Mom? Do you want to see me draw a generator?"

What 3 year old wants to draw a generator??? And what exactly would it look like?

-He finished off his yogurt and wanted some more...I acted surprised and he said, "Becaaaaauuuuse I'm in a MOOOOOOOD."

And some pictures of the cute little sister. I can't tell you how many times I hear this from her: "Mom! Help!....No I do it."

Sleepers

Look at those lips! I love it.

He may look a little perturbed and that would be because he was...I was taking a picture of him (flash and all) whilst he was trying to sleep. He never woke up, but he got that furrowed brow.

Sometimes Jansen wants me to rock him for a minute before bed and I love it. It's such a sweet time to just sit and hold him.

A Dramatic Tomboy

After I put Natalie in her dress for church on Sunday morning she went downstairs to play. I came down a few minutes later and found her with Jansen's ball cap on and all the race cars. A tomboy in the making? I had my fair share of tomboy years so we'll have to see. And don't even say it Annie, I know I need to get her some ponies and princesses.

Heavy Sigh and Inward Scream

Sometimes I feel like he is so mature and I can trust him with just about anything...

...but then something like this happens:

I guess he is only 3. Definitely not immune to that little devil on his shoulder that gives him these ideas. The red is actually from Natalie who, like always, wanted to do what her brother was doing.

WWF after FHE

If anyone is confused, that stands for World Wrestling Federation after Family Home Evening. But I'll get to that in a minute. First picture...the kiddos snatched a bag of tampons from the bathroom while I was showering and were opening them like it was Christmas morning. Ahhhhhh. It does make me laugh though.

After Family Home Evening tonight I got a bunch of pillows and blankets out and created the ring for our family wrestling activity. I think this is what the First Presidency is referring to in the Proclamation on the Family when they say "wholesome recreational activities."

In the first corner, weighing in at 35 lbs and standing a staggering 39 inches tall...Jans "the Hitman" Nye.

His opponent, Natalie "the Tantrum" Nye. I think she just got hit with "the piledriver."