A little of this and a little of that...

Two weeks ago I ran the Dirty Dash.  It is a 10k mud run up at Solider's Hollow and I have to say that is the most fun I've had in a long time.  You get filthy dirty running through mud pits and clearing obstacles, and it is soooo much fun.  I hope that I can do it every year from now on.  It would be especially fun to get some friends and family involved.  Ruby is already onboard for the piglet plunge (a 1 mi course for the kiddos) in the spring.  As long as Brandon doesn't have school he'll be there, too.  Anybody else want to join us?

After growing my hair out for the past 3+ years I decided to chop it off-- like 12 inches off.  I was tired of it and ready for something new.  I knew that I liked it really short, so I showed Marci (my stylist) some pictures, closed my eyes, and let her do her magic.  I'm loving it.  I feel so sassy and stylish.  Brandon thinks it fits my personality better.  I'm not sure that Wyatt even noticed a change.  Ruby, however, has told me multiple times that she likes my old hair better.  Kids...

On a whim I decided to try potty training Wyatt this week.  We'd been talking about it for awhile now, but I wasn't convinced that he was ready.  He didn't really show any interest in the process, but he did seem excited about big boy underwear and candy.  So, when I was at Target buying a box of diapers I also picked up some M&Ms, and let him pick out a pack of big boy underwear.  He still wears diapers at nap/bed time, but other than that he wears his big boy undies.  We have about 2 accidents a day (usually one in public), but I've been pleasantly surprised about how well he has done.  I keep a potty in the back of the Subaru and before we run an errand I ask him if he needs to use it-- and we shamelessly use it wherever we are. I also carry around a potty backpack (inside it has wipes, an extra pair of underwear, pants, and a plastic bag)-- just in case.  Whenever he does his business he gets an M&M (and Ruby gets a celebration M&M)-- 1 for #1, 2 for #2.  It's a simple formula, but Wyatt will always try and sneak 2.  Little stinker...

This afternoon we had a milestone--he made an unsolicited poop in his potty (tmi?).  We were all so excited that we did a big potty dance and gave lots of high fives.  For some reason, both of my kids were afraid to poop in the potty in the beginning.  Ruby would wait until we put a diaper on her at nap time.  Wyatt also did that-- after he held it in for two days.  lol  Anyway, we're making progress and I couldn't be more pleased to almost be done with diapers.

 Now that Brandon is knee deep in homework and business trips again I decided that it was time to repaint my family room/kitchen.  There is something wrong with me, right?  (This will be the 4th color since we moved in 2.5 years ago)  Anyway, I painted a few samples on the wall and lived with them for a few weeks.  I think I have a winner.  Right now I have a gallon of the paint sitting in my garage and my furniture is in the middle of the room.  Later today I need to take the curtains down, patch up the nail holes, remove the switch plate covers, and tape off the baseboards.  Then, hopefully, tomorrow I can bust out the paint and let the fun begin.  There is something wrong with me, isn't there?  Pictures to come...

Antelope Island

Even though we've lived in Utah for years now, we haven't visited Antelope Island.  Well, technically, I went when I was younger-- 8ish?; but, clearly that was forever ago and I don't remember much.  So, last Friday Brandon took the day off work and we took the kids.

 The weather was perfect and we had a great time just hanging out together.  At the visitor's center we bought the kids binoculars (best decision of the day).  They loved spending the afternoon looking through their binoculars at animals.  We saw bison, horses, goats, and even a coyote.

Their favorite part of our excursion was probably playing around at Garr Ranch.  Ruby especially loved the old trailer since it was just her size.

We also made the LONG (really long) walk out to the shore of the Great Salt Lake.  We all got our toes wet and splashed around in the water for awhile.  The water was amazingly clear and beautiful.  Apparently, at certain times of the year it is over-run with gnats and stinks to high heaven, but not when we went.  Lucky us!  Brandon and I even floated around for a bit.
After we got our fill we hiked back to the car-- each carrying a 30 lb child (good thing we work out).

We finished off the afternoon with a rootbeer float and french fries and some well deserved naps on the drive home.  It was a fun little adventure.  I hope our little baby nuggets remember it fondly for a long time.

Disney Jr Live

Last Saturday while BYU was getting ready to slaughter Texas Grandma Mimi and I took the kiddos to see Disney Jr. Live.  The show featured Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sophia the First, and Doc McStuffins-- my kids were beyond excited.  Ruby dressed up as Sophia and we bought Wyatt a Jake shirt.  Grandma got us great seats in the 11th row-- so we were close to the action.

My favorite part was watching how enthralled they were.  Wyatt is still at that stage where he loudly repeats everything he is excited about seeing, "Mick- Mouse!  Mick- Mouse! Mick- Mouse!  Jake, Mom! Jake, Mom!"  and it was adorable to watch them dance and sing along.

Later, when we were home Ruby told me that she really liked when the volcano exploded treasure (it was really confetti) because it was so magical.  And a few days after the show Wyatt was still retelling me his favorite parts-- "Ship, Tick- Tock, Peter..."

I'm glad we have these fun special adventures together, because it won't be long before these things aren't very exciting and magical for them anymore.

Ruby's First Haircut

Ruby is a little over 4.5 years old and she just got her hair cut for the first time this week.  Since it's curly I've been hesitant to cut it-- the wrong cut could be disastrous (as I discovered when I took her to Cookie Cutters to get her bangs trimmed a few years ago) and besides, it doesn't grow very quickly anyway.  Lately it was looking pretty shapeless and the ends were splitting, so I got her an appointment with my amazing stylist (who has taken special classes on cutting curly hair).

Before

after

 Ruby had lots of fun sitting in Marci's big chair and wearing her penguin smock.  Of course, sipping on Sprite while she got pampered was also a bonus.  She was a real trooper.  Marci cut it dry in the bend of the curl and it turned out great.  With the right product it curls up even better than before.  Of course, I have to put some effort into it (which is tricky with a munchkin that has no intention of sitting still for longer than 2 seconds), but as she gets older hopefully she'll become more involved in the process.  Hopefully...

Toddler Talk

It's been awhile, so here's a little sample of what our kids are saying these days...

Me- "Wyatt, you'r such a good boy.  So, sweet."
Wyatt- "Who?"
M- "You!"
W- "No!" blows a raspberry and laughs

Anything more than one is 2 to Wyatt.

Ruby- "Hey, you skally wag!"

W- "treas!" (treasure)
R- "It's not just any treasure.  It's monies you can put in your piggy bank."

Sometimes when we're driving Ruby tells me all about the things she sees out her window (like unicorns playing in the fields.)

R- "Blasted buckle!" (When having a little bit of trouble fastening her seatbelt.)

R- "Marraca Green" (aquamarine)

R- "When I grow up I want to be a doctor mom, just like Doc McStuffins' mom." (Sounds like a good plan to us.)

 Everything ends in a y sound for Wyatt.  "Milky, beddy, blankie, sharky"

A few months ago Wyatt officially entered the "why" stage.

M- "Are you the little prince?"
W- "No, King!"

R- "Pet my bum (while getting into the tub one night).  Isn't it soft?"

One day Wyatt chased Ruby around the basement with his pretend drill and Ruby started shouting, "Mommy, Wyatt is trying to screw me!"  BTW, my girlfriend was over and happened to witness the whole situation.  Wonderful...

Wyatt's response to most things is, "Okay, Mom."  (Love that phrase!  Hope he doesn't stop using it as a teenager.)

W- "1, 2, heeeee!" (in place of 3)

At bedtime Wyatt wants us to lay down next to him and sing songs.  He usually requests, "SunBEAM, popcorn, and yo-ho-ho." (Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam, Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree, and the theme song from the Pirates of the Caribbean."

Both of them are clearly at a fun age-- the world is so magical.  They love playing together and, in general, are very kind to one another.  Everyday my house is occupied by a princess and prince, pirates, fairies, teachers, students, and little animals.

One of their favorite things is for me to tell them stories-- especially stories about a dog named Wyatt and kitty named Ruby.  These stories always start out the same, "Once upon a time in a magical kindgom far, far away there lived a puppy named Wyatt and a kitty named Ruby and they were the best of friends."  Then I quickly make up some adventurous story about them befriending a dragon, or learning to ride a skateboard, or discovering buried treasure.  To say that the kids love these silly little stories is an understatement.

They are silly little baby nuggets and we love them soooooooo much.  Now if I can just remember to take more videos... time passes all too quickly.