Reagan

I told the kids that we couldn't think about getting a dog of our own (maybe. possibly. no promises) until all of the kids in our family were potty-trained, which was an awesome excuse until all of the kids in our family WERE potty-trained and then they started asking incessantly if it was time yet! We decided to give puppy-sitting a try so that they could understand the huge responsibility it is to have a dog (feeding, walking, pooper scoopering) and honestly, they rocked it. We all loved having Reagan around and it just felt like the biggest treat to come home to him each day. Granted, he is already trained and just the very easiest dog there is but the kids are still convinced that there should be a dog of our very own in our future. We'll see!

He wouldn't sleep anywhere but on our bed in between me and James. We don't even allow kids in our bed but this dog, why not?!

Every night found me and Reagan cuddled up on the couch vegging after a long day entertaining children!

Tug-of-war with Quinn got the craziest of any of our kids because that girl has no fear and Reagan loved her energy and spunk. It was hilarious watching them go at it!

Reagan looooooved playing Abraham Lincoln, can't you tell?!

 Another night spent reading and cuddling on the couch.

I'll admit, I cried when he left. Such a fun week playing mom to this good boy!

Life. Lately.

I fell off my scooter yesterday. One minute I was gracefully, albeit speedily, riding along and the next minute my six-foot-self was flying through the air, wildly waving my long helicopter arms in hopes that I'd catch my balance before the pavement caught me. Welp, I didn't. That the fall felt massive for me was no surprise--falling as an adult is such a crazy phenomenon--but I was shocked and humbled at the people who stopped their cars and came to check on me, wondering if they needed to call an ambulance or at the very least a friend. Luckily I was OK. I am OK. Definitely sore today with bruises and bumps and road rash covering so much of my body, but I can't help but think of how much worse it could have been, and that helps me be grateful for what did happen. Anyway, what a way to start a new week.

Other things, other things...

Oh, I finished reading Harry Potter today. Harry Potter, book 7, check! I only set like two, maybe three, New Years resolutions this year and one of them was to read the whole Harry Potter series. Talmage has read them a couple of times and even though I've always resisted reading them because I'm not really a fantasy fan I decided to trust his recommendation and read them. Oh. My. Gosh. Is it dramatic to say that my life has been changed for the better, because I definitely think that it has? I read all seven books in the last two months which is a feat in and of itself considering I'm a busy mom and those things are like 5,000 pages each but today found me curled up on the couch in order to rest my aching body and also to finish this last amazing adventure. I can't stop thinking about all of them and the lessons I have learned. And Dumbledore, oh he is just the embodiment of so much wisdom and goodness. I think I'll probably be mourning the fact that I'm done for a good, long while. 

(Also, Everett read all seven of them since Christmas as well, even faster than I did. This kid loves reading and I almost can't believe he's reading real books now after sticking to silly comics for so long. I am so proud of him.)

Quinn said a prayer yesterday and thanked Heavenly Father for "true love, Jesus and food" and I could say a rousing "Amen!" because, yes, those are things to be thankful for if there ever were any! Also, I told her she was my golden child a few days ago because she really is such a phenomenal 4-year-old and now she asks me all the time, "Am I still your golden kid?" Yes. You. Are.

I guess I should also mention that this last week found us dog-sitting a 4-year-old golden retriever pup named Reagan who we instantly fell in love with and spoiled rotten during his stay. I'll post pictures in another post but needless to say he completely won us over and we are all feeling a little empty in our home without him here. Will there be a dog in our future? I hope so. But maybe can he come to us as trained as Reagan?!

And you know what's fun to throw into the mix while dog-sitting? A wicked sickness for your older two that keeps everyone home from school and stuck inside. Cough. And if you can sense the sarcasm than good on you! I still don't know what the random bug was, probably a light version of the flu since we did get the shot, but Talmage and Everett both suffered from severe exhaustion, high fevers and achiness. And a little dose of cabin fever. 

Turns out this life update post is kind of boring, but what did you expect from a lady who is so cool she can't even keep her kick scooter in line?!

I don't know what it is about this picture I love so much but looking down on her I just couldn't get over how teeny and perfect she is. I love that baby, even when she throws raging fits for the better part of her day.

 My baby scout and his Blue and Gold themed cake.

T was the first sicky but he is always the best sicky. He never wants anyone to worry about him so he really just takes care of himself, rarely complains, rarely grumps, just reads or watches a movie or rests. Poor kid had it bad though and it was so sad for him to miss a couple parties he has been really looking forward to attending.

I have no idea who is under that mask (at least that's what she told me I had to say!)

Evie was our second sicky and not surprisingly there was a lot more emotion surrounding his turn with the ailment. There were constant moans and cries from the couch and he needed me to rub his back or take his temperature or bring him something to eat (but not that thing, it hurts my throat, I need another thing!) It was real over here. 

T's dreams came true in the Best Buy parking lot. He's so disgusted when I say our Honda Odyssey really is my dream car, because this Lamborghini Venono is his (or is this a Huracan?!)

What? You think this 2 1/2 year old is spoiled? What would give you that idea?!

Cora's first dentist appointment was a success, despite her telling me she was not going to open her "mouf for Miss Wucy." It's amazing what a little bribery can do and she opened her mouth and had those teeth counted like a champ. 

Quinny Cat has gotten really into magnatiles again and I love to see all the amazing buildings she creates. She still says she wants to be a construction worker and with products like this I have no doubt she will be the best of the best!

T&E

Seems like just yesterday these two were running around New York with diapered bottoms and binkied mouths and now look at them, almost ten and ridiculously tall and just like mini adults staring up at me! Eisley and her family were in town hitting up all of the SoCal theme parks and they graciously stopped by our place for a wild night of tacos and lazer tag and Harry Pottering. Honestly, it was like they had never left each other's side their reunion was so seamless and it was so fun to see them together again.

And of course I enjoyed catching up for a few hours with Melissa. We were young mothers together with just one baby each and now we have a houseful of children screaming and running around and loving each other and it was awesome. I wish we lived closer and could still mother together, but it was so great to see their family and I hope we don't go as long before the next visit!

Our Valentines

The highlight of our Valentines Day was making and delivering cards and treats to a handful of older friends in our ward. The kids were totally behind deciding who needed some extra Wiggy love and decorating the bags with stickers and writing thoughtful notes on their homemade cards; if they could've bought their own See's and driven around town I would have been completely useless! It brought the warmest loving feeling into our cold February family and I hope it's a tradition that we happily continue.

Other than that, business as usual around here. James took care of the pink heart pancakes and I made the tomato soup and crusty bread for dinner with a few heart cookies packed away in their lunch boxes for good measure. There were school parties and so much candy and overall it was just a good solid day, although I have no clue how it's already nearing the end of February?!

 We kept it simple this year, but the kids thought getting their own box of tic-tacs was the coolest thing ever!

 My morning lovies. 

When in doubt and there is no time or energy to make a Valentine's Day treat for a school party, swing by Krispy Kreme and grab a few dozen cute Valentine donuts! Honestly, the kids were beyond thrilled!

                            Cutie-pie Coco with the bags she was so proud to have decorated!

These cards make me so happy!

Where my girls at?

The most probable answer to this question is on top of me, holding on to my leg, or screaming and crying at my feet. Mostly from the two-year-old, let's be honest, but preschool has brought on the lovey-dovey side of my Quinny Cat so she, too, often wants to be in my arms when she is home. I'm not complaining, at least about the Quinn side of things. 

But that two-year-old, SHE IS BEING SUCH A TWO YEAR OLD! She's been such a good baby and really an easy toddler so far but man alive she decided about a month ago to make up for lost time and is being the whiniest, cry-iest, neediest and temper tantrumest thing you ever did meet. Oh, and she bites. And throws things. Including the most epic fits that make me want to lock myself in the bathroom (ha, as if she'd leave me alone in there!) It's just a phase, I know, I've done this before. But just in case you were wondering? It doesn't actually make it much easier or enjoyable or less tiring. Plus, it's sadder somehow when the grumpy toddler was just the most angelic baby. I look at her when she's raging and think, who the heck are you girlfriend and what did you do with my Coco-bird?!

Anyway, if you need me, I'll just be over here crossing my fingers that this phase is short-lived...and probably holding a little girl while I'm at it.  

They both wanted buns to match their Mama--although Quinny called it a messy bun and Cora called it a princess bun. Haha!

She took off her shoes and socks and nearly threw them out the window before falling asleep seconds before we arrived at T's orthodontist. Well played, little girl. 

She was painting in the other room before showing up at my side and saying, "We work together!"

Rage hard, nap hard. 

My lap almost every night at dinner, until one of them touches the other in the wrong way (or at all) and all heck brakes lose. Then it's off to bed, haha!

Twelve Years of Valentines (A Song)

On our first Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

A picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our second Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our third Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our fourth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our fifth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our sixth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our seventh Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Seven Belgian waffles, six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our eighth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Eight Quinny smiles, seven Belgian waffles, six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our ninth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Nine sunny beaches, eight Quinny smiles, seven Belgian waffles, six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our tenth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Ten toddler parties, nine sunny beaches, eight Quinny smiles, seven Belgian waffles, six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our eleventh Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Eleven Chinese dishes, ten toddler parties, nine sunny beaches, eight Quinny smiles, seven Belgian waffles, six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

On our twelfth Valentine’s Day my true love gave to me:

Twelve years of AWESOME!  Eleven Chinese dishes, ten toddler parties, nine sunny beaches, eight Quinny smiles, seven Belgian waffles, six heart mom socials, five Stanford trees!  Four freezing months, three Tesco crumpets, two future parents, and a picnic with Martinelli’s!

With all my love to Heather Quinn,

James

Galentine's with my little ladies

2019 marks the first of what I hope will be many annual trips for a Galentine mani/pedi with my little loves. This was Cora's first time at the nail salon and for a pretty, pretty princess like her this was equivalent to walking straight into heaven. Quinn has been my date a few times now and she was so cute showing Coco the ropes. They picked essentially the same colors but Quinny wanted purple fingers and pink toes while Cora wanted pink fingers and purple toes. I'm absolutely the luckiest mom to get to experience life with these girls, and this day was a good reminder.
 

 I mean, can you even with this little lady?!

Quinny took sitting still very seriously. Cora had to have her nails touched up like three times, haha!

 

Love you, Mamas!