Landon is 4!!

Today's Landon's big day. When I told him it was his birthday today he asked me to repeat what I had said...twice. Then he told me that I was "making it up". LOL. Nope buddy, it really is your birthday! We started out the day with a special breakfast of toast w/honey. This is a big treat for a household that eats oatmeal every.single.day. You should have seen his face and the big "thank you" I got from him. Then we went to swimming lessons. Yesterday was the first day and Ashton did great. Landon cried and got out and wouldn't go back in. So today we tried again and although he got scared when they "made rain" during the if you're happy and you know it song, he stayed in the water and did fine. He really enjoyed it by the end and I know he is very excited to go back tomorrow. Ashton held his hand when they got in the pool today and when the moved to a different section in the pool. Landon had told me he was afraid of falling down under the water :(. So with his big brother helping out he didn't have to be so afraid and we also talked about how God tells us not to be afraid for he is with us.

We have plans to go to a Chinese buffet for dinner (landon's choice) and then have cake. I should really get to making said cake! I also need to wrap his presents. We don't do too much for birthdays. We spent less than $20 on each child this year. It's hard though...I would love to go all out and buy tons of new toys, but they get super excited about what they get and are very thankful. I don't need to buy their happiness. This year we have play doh and a wack-a-mole board game I found at Marshalls. Daddy is going to hit walmart on his way home to get something, too.
Will post pics soon!

Mareea rolled over and my date

Tonight I had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner with Ashton. It was so much fun to chat with him uninterrupted and have a nice little conversation. My mom watched Thea and Landon while Ashton, Mareea and I went to church and then out to dinner. I really think that having special "dates" with the kids one on one is very important for our relationships with them. It is so much easier to really enjoy a child one on one instead of in the midst of everyone. One idea Dan and I had was that each child would get a date night on the day of his/her birthday each month. So on the 4th of every month either Dan or I would take Ashton out, on the 30th of each month Landon, the 27th of each month Thea and so on. I learn so much about my children and how they think and feel when they're alone with me. I consider these very special times. This job of parenting is sure difficult, but I'm enjoying these little people so much...it really is worth it. God has truely blessed me with these happy, healthy children.

I got to watch Ashton go up and order his own fries by himself and feel like such a big boy :) The lady must of thought he was pretty polite and cute because she gave him the fries for free.

Mareea rolled over from her back to front today! Early this week she started rolling over from her tummy to back. Yesterday she was pushing herself up by her arms and today she was using one toe to try and scoot herself forward. I am amazed how strong she is! Crawling time must be just around the corner...yikes!

I wish I had a picture for this post...i missed a wonderful photo op. Mareea fell asleep on her Uncle Ben tonight after church and it was adorable. Can't believe I forgot to take a picture!

Big Day!

Today we had a wonderful day. Ashton went with Grandpa to the Lake and we (Grandma, T, L and M) went shopping, to the park for a picnic and playtime and on a long walk. I am exhausted, but somehow can't get myself to go get ready for bed!
Ashton had a great time. He got to go visit the animal shelter and see dogs and cats and then go to the lake and steer the boat while they sailed. We had a great time at Khols. Mom got me some things for my birthday and I was actually able to look! I thought Landon would be very upset about not getting to go to the Lake, but he was thrilled with the extra attention and was so good. He was kissing me on the cheek and picking things out for me to try on. He even wanted me to hold him! It's so interesting the way the dynamic changes when one child is gone.

Landon said the cutest thing....
"Guess who helped Daddy give me a haircut? God! That's who!" and "everybody believes in God...I know that!" Which unfortunately isn't true :(