Vick the "SLICK"!

PLEASE TELL MY WHY I EVEN OWN VASELINE?!!! I know better?! We hardly use it, and this has seriously happened with all three kids now!!!! Seth was taking an unusually long and quiet nap, but after listening at the door, I soon knew better. I walked in to find him completely plastered in Vaseline from head to tow. Somehow he managed to get some on 6 different blankets- even the ones that were on the floor and not in the crib. I think he ate half of it- he seemed like he had such an up-set tummy that night. I found it quite difficult not to say, "It serves you right!" But then, I suppose a portion of it is my fault for being foolish enough to leave it in the basket by his crib. I guess you just have to "live and learn".... three or more times! :) I have almost got it out of the blankets- three washes later! I think there will be a permanent greasy feel to his jeans and jacket- and hair! (These pictures don't even do this mess justice!) Notice how quickly this boy can switch his moods! :) He was just begging me to pick him up so he could plaster me too! I didn't even know what to do with him!

Trip to the Temple and Family Night....

Our stake had a temple day, and it was so nice to be able to swap with some couples in our stake and be able to attend. It was a really special experience! The girls had to "touch" the walls of the temple. I think they feel ripped off that they don't get to go in. :) Someday! :)

Grandma and Grandpa Stewarts sent us such a fun little "Sun Catcher" progect in their Valentines Package! We had so much fun painting butterflies and flowers for FHE. Doug was a good sport. :) He took it quite seriously and in the end, we voted his the "best". :) The girls had so much fun hanging them in their window! Thanks for the fun G&G Stewart!

HELLLLOOOO NURSE!!!

Can I just say, I love the internet! My friend Helaine was over and we were trying to figure out how to make a nurse hat, and I just Googled it and came up with a tutorial. We whipped one out in about 5 minutes, so now the awesome nurse costume is complete! :) Here is a link on how to make the nurse hat. The girls even helped! (Helaine is quite "dramatic"- Amberlee is checking her heart. :)

I just had to include this "happy Seth" video! I love my bright-eyed boy!

Father and Son for "LIFE"...

I caught Seth in the cereal cupboard, munching on some "LIFE" cereal, and I remembered seeing this picture in Doug's scrapbook. I thought it was just too perfect! Sometimes I think Seth doesn't look like Doug, and then I pull out his scrapbook pictures, and I am forced to "concur" that there is definitely a strong "Stewart" resemblance! They're even wearing the same expression! I thought this was a treasure though, because they are almost the exact same age! I'm so glad my mother-in-law took pictures and recorded things like this so that I could compare and picture what my cute husband must have been like! Thanks Momma Stew!

I love how his little hand is in there the whole time, just scooting them around, and then.... CRUNCH! :)

Ain't We Got Fun?!

I love Seth's face in this picture! It is like he already knows he is going to dive for the little paper puzzle the girls are cutting out- eating and slobbering all over the pieces, and the thought delights him in advance. The little monster!

This is one of the neighbor kids, Logan. He along with four other kids knock on our door everyday, each one individually, to ask the girls to play- they usually can't even remember their names to know who to ask for. (Kind of drives me crazy!) So Logan showed up yesterday with this incredible helmet (which I was sad not to have in the picture, he said it was "stupid" and hurting his head- it was pretty huge and looked like a power ranger helmet) and this electronic arm, both complete with several buttons and sound effects, flashing lights... the whole nine yards. Well, he happened to come while the girls were watching Sesame Street and they said they would come out when they were done with their show. He was quite put out and responded,

" You can't really watch TV because that's too electric for you!"

I don't know why his response just cracked me up- seeing him there with his big helmet and electronic toy gear. I laughed out loud, and kept laughing until he let me take his picture. He didn't think it was that funny. :)

The girls earned a "Pool Party" for getting all their chores done that day. It was simple for me and they were thrilled! What is it about being able to wear your suit in the tub that is so exciting! We need to take them swimming for real... then again maybe not, because I think this will seem quite anti-climatic after-wards! :)

Family Night Bowling

After this, I realized that we really need to take the kids bowling for real. I don't think they quite grasp the concept. :) But we still had fun!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Thanks G&G Romney- the Princesses have kept the girls busy for long hours! And Seth knew just what to do with the hammer! :) Seriously- boys must just come with that kind of information programmed in- BANG!

Isn't that a beauty!!! Do you have any idea how much I love getting fresh flowers!!! (It might have something to do with my Father being a professor of Floral Design. :) Sweet Doug found a bouquet in the cooler, pulled it out and said, "This is almost just right, but my wife needs more-- if you could throw in another sunflower, some alstromeria (sp) and some golden rod, it will be perfect. :) The florist was very impressed! :) Does he love me or what! He knows what I like! I was sure tickled- I've probably moved it around to different spots in the house at least four times just admiring the flowers. He is good to me! He also got me a web cam so now we can see grandma and grandma online! Yippy!

Now, let it be known that I love my man too! Doug's love language it totally Physical, and he is always complaining that I don't give him enough rubs, so this year for Valentines, I gave him a "Bucket of Love" fill to the brim with 320 rubs and kisses, one for each day of the rest of this year. :) I have committed to 10 minutes of every day- I'm setting the timer and I'm "filling his Love tank!" :) Can you see the army guys, symbolizing a "Love Attack!" :)

I know it doesn't look like much, but the girls help me cut these out and put on the foam stickers and it seriously kept them busy for 2 hours! (It was a great project for them!) I can't believe they stuck with it, but we had fun putting it together. They said they would give him rubs too- they were really excited to give it to him. :)

Time for a Trim...

My friend Melaine was so sweet to give all the kids hair cuts. (We had a service auction and I won the free hair cuts for the family- I think she got more then she bargained for. :) They had fun though- Autumn asked her to make her into "Snowhite." :) She did her best. Seth was a wiggler!

Oh, the drama....

We've had a lot of teething going on around here! The other night Amberlee mentioned that something was stuck in the back of her mouth and we found that her molars were coming in. I said, "Amberlee, you are teething, just like Seth!" She was quite tickled and asked for a "teething biscuit" and was delighted when I gave her one. Then she came in Sunday morning saying she had a loose tooth. I didn't think much of it until I took a look and sure enough... So "My Little Miss A" lost her first tooth!!! I FEEL OLD! My kids are loosing teeth already!?!! It was quite dramatic, as you can see. The typical coaxing from mom and dad.

But she was a good sport and it didn't take long. :) Did I mention I feel old? A little tug from dad and... it was out.

Meanwhile, Autumn....

(Why do I just love this picture of her- her funny hair, her posture. Mostly I think it's because she was getting a bit nervous about the whole "teeth" thing, so she started brushing. She came in the room to mom and dad hovering over Amberlee and her sobbing and she said, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY SISSY?!!!" It's going to be interesting when she is ready to loose a tooth. :)

That wasn't so bad now, was it?

All within the span of about 10 minutes the tooth was out. She was quite brave, despite a few tears, and she has since had a visit from the "tooth fairy." She is quite tickled to show it off. In her prayer tonight, she prayed that all her friends would knock on our door, so that she could show them her missing tooth. :) I think she is quite proud of making it to this "right of passage" in her life. She is quite excited to show grandparents her gap this summer (little does she know what is lurking just below the surface to spoil her plans very shortly. :)

A vicious (precious) cycle...

I remember mom putting sponge curlers in my hair every Saturday night, while I danced to "Lawrence Welk." I loved the dancing part, and I loved the way to curls looked the next day for church, but I hated that I never got any sleep that night because the bumpy curlers were so uncomfortable. I swore I would never do that to my kids, and yet....

But you have to admit they are pretty cute. They didn't seem to mind. They were quite tickled with the results and up-set the next day when part of "doing their hair" involved removing the curlers. I love my girls!

Good night, sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you
Here's a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true
And now 'til we meet again
Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen
Good Night!

So Many Emtions...

My little ones go through so many different emotions, and I thought it might help them articulate themselves (rather then the typical whine of "I wanna watch a movie...." or "I want something to eat....") if they could refer to this chart (on the fridge) so that we could talk about how they feel and what they would like to do about it. We had fun putting it together today and talking about feelings. We got the giggles a few times. They are precious, fun kids... even if they are somewhat "emotional". :) It kept making me think of the Brady Bunch. :)

Ice-Skating

Our stake had a fun ice-skating activity. The girls were in heaven- however, our poor backs were not. :) With three kids, it get's a little tricky, so we kind of had to take shifts. Doug was a good sport- he says he and ice don't get along, but he gave it a good shot. :) It just took me back to younger days and racing down the frozen canal. We had a good time though! I think the girls had fun!

Autumn got really good at mooching rides. Our good friend Steve was so nice to take her around several times. The whole time I was taking her around once, she kept telling me, "I really need Steve!" He's her new hero on ice, I think. She has since been naming all her toys "Steve". He sure won her over, whether he wanted to or not. :)