A Dobbins' Day

Tonight I went to Aquaerobics and had so much fun that I stayed for the Aquasculpt class. I'm feeling the pounds just floating away...

On Tuesday night Hunter went poo poo in the potty! Yes you read that correctly. He did indeed do the deed in the toliet! HOORAY! For this accomplishment he recieved a gold dollar, which he was thrilled to put into his piggy bank. So not only did he keep his underwear clean, but he is also saving money. Aren't you impressed? (I'm not holding my breath that this will happen again. BUT... I might just have a little hope.) P.S. On Wednesday night Audrey sat on the little potty and tried to go. Do you think I should try potty training her? Even though I haven't been successful with Hunter?

Last week I had such a nice time away from the kids and they had such a fun time at Grandma's that my sister-in-law offered to let me do it again. I was of course thrilled, but I decided to do something a little different. I asked Hunter if he would like a special Mommy day with no other kids around. He asked what we would do. When I told him that we could do whatever he wanted he immediately said yes. So today we went to the new park on Flamingo/Buffalo that has water. We've driven by it a lot, and Hunter has been asking to go there. So we dropped off the other 3 kids to Aunt Cheryl, put on our swimsuits and headed to the park. I had a lot of fun playing with Hunter and not having to worry about the other kids. I could run and splash and give Hunter my complete attention. Did I mention that I was the only parent in the water? All the other adults sat under the shade on the benches and would come out and get their feet wet a little. I guess I looked a little strange running thr...

We think that Hunter has Lyme's Disease. He was bitten by a small tick while we were in MN. He had a fever for a couple of days in MN. Back home he had a headache for a couple of days and then on Thursday a red line showed up on his face. I thought he had slept on it during his nap. The line didn't go away. Althought now it looks splotchy and there is another spot on his other cheek. He's been tired and cranky lately. On Sunday we noticed some round, red rings on his back, chest and legs. I took him to the pediatrician on Monday and he had some blood drawn. We are now waiting for the blood work to come back. Then we will really know if he does indeed have lyme's and then he can get some anitbiotics. Cannon also had a small tick on him, but so far, no symptoms. Yesterday Audrey developed what we think is hives. We don't know how or why she has them. They seem to be a little itchy, but otherwise don't bother her. The Dr.'s office said to gi...

Well, I've joined the gym. My reasons for doing this are: 1. I need to get in shape and lose some weight. 2. It gives me something to do besides sit around the house. 3. The day care is great. I can get away from the kids for up to 2 hours a day! 4. We paid a lot of money, so I now am obligated to go. I've gone 4 days now and its been good. Some of the equipment is intimidating, but I'm not going to try out for muscle magazine, so I can just skip those ones. I also have a personal trainer. Today I had my first training (hence the title of this post). He has HUGE bulging muscles everywhere! I'm not sure why they signed me up with him. He's nice though and taught me how to use some of the weight machines and the elliptical thing (which he says we'll work up to in a few weeks). Then he took my Body Fat Index measurements. He nicely told me that I probably still had baby fat on from having Cannon (instead of just saying I'm fat). Anyway I have a lot to work on, ...

Our family loves brownies. So when Hunter asked if we could make some I of course said yes, (becauase why not heat the house with the oven on when its 100 degrees outside, right?). As you can see, he really "helped" me. Luckily there was enough batter to bake some.

Yesterday, while I was moping the floor I heard "MOM, I have to pee!". Knowing that they needed to stay off my clean wet floors I asked if he could hold it. Of course not. So this is what I heard coming from my mouth... "Go outside on the tree". What? Did I really just encourage public urination? Yup. Sure did.

I have a wonderful little digital camera that goes practically everywhere with me. It fits into my diaper bag or purse, takes great pictures and is easy to use. Last Sunday after we took pictures of Isaac I set my camera down. Audrey found it and then decided to test the laws of gravity. She threw it (probably not on purpose, but maybe) right at Hunter. It hit him hard on the head. He promptly started screaming/crying (remember we are at church?). I picked him up and carried him outside until he calmed down. When we went back in, Russell informed me that Audrey had indeed broken the camera when she threw it at her brother's hard head. So my perfect little camera isn't perfect anymore. And the saddest part was the we got an amazing deal (maybe $40). So sad.

Today I got an unexpected treat... Grandma offered to watch the kids so that I could do whatever! I was so excited I couldn't decided what to do. I finally thought that I should go see my friend that has a sick son in the hospital, with the added bonus that I could see my sister for a little bit too. So I stopped at Sonic and got some yummy slushes to share during my visit. It was good to see my friend and to see that her son is finally recovering. Hopefully I was able to brighten their day a little. Then on my way home I realized that I still had an hour until I needed to get the kids, so I got a pedicure! What a fun indulgence. I love how my feet look and feel after a pedicure. THANKS GRANDMA! (This is a picture of her that Hunter took!)

Part of turning 12 is getting the priesthood. Isaac is now 12 and has received the Aaronic Priesthood. What a blessing. We went to the church where he attends with his mother. We met with the Bishop and then Russell gave Isaac the priesthood blessing. Beckie had some family in town from Hawaii, so that is why the pictures of Isaac show him wearing a lei. It was a wonderful blessing and we feel privileged to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Make a Smilebox postcard

We went back to MO on the 14th and were able to celebrate Isaac's 12th birthday with him. He had a fun party, with a transformer theme and a great transformer pinata. Audrey and Megan played in the playhouse, while I watched Russell out in the field. Our last week of vacation we helped hay the field and get it into the barn. We went fishing in Grandpa's pond. Audrey saw Grandpa painting her cousin Megan's toe nails so of course she wanted hers done too. Thanks Aunt Cheryl! We got to see some farm animals on our friends the Grady's ranch. I went to the Amish town, Jamesport and got some yummy treats. We got caught in a thunderstorm and I got soaked! We played more BANG! and talked and laughed. Before we knew it, it was time to go. We had a wonderful vacation. We just love the Midwest. We love spending time with our family. We had a great time.

On to Minnesota! We drove from MO to MN via Iowa. Which was fun because that's where Russell served his mission. So he was able to tell interesting stories while we drove. We got to my parents house and immediately left for "the lake". Which is where my Grandpa lives in "up north". It's about the middle of the state. My parents are developing some of the land there and we (Russell) were enlisted to help build a shed. It wasn't all work. We had fun going to a kids fishing contest, a minnow race (which both Audrey and Hunter won), a turtle race (which Hunter won), a large flea market. We went fishing and enjoyed the views of the lake. We didn't go swimming, because it was too cold. It was good to see my Grandpa and introduce him to Cannon. Then on to International Falls which is on the border of Canada. We visited my Grandma and other relatives. Russell went fishing. It rained the whole time we were there and it was COLD. I kept having to remind...

Our vacation was broken up with a half week in Missouri, a week in Minnesota and a week back in Missouri so that's how I'm going to write about it. We had an easy time at the airport and a good flight which is always a concern when traveling with small ones. We met our family for lunch and then went right to a fireworks stand to get ready for the 4th. All of the big stuff had already been purchased, so we just got stuff for the kids. The 4th was a blast (literally). We had an amazing fireworks show and we even blasted the cannon a few times. Audrey had fun playing with the new kitens in the barn. Hunter got to drive his own four wheeler for the first time. Isaac got to drive the new moon buggy. We swam, talked, ate great food and played the game BANG! more times than I can count. It was great!

Hunter didn't go #2 in his pants!!! Instead he pulled his pants down and went outside in the backyard. :( He was so proud of himself that he didn't go in his underwear. I didn't know what to say. I was too shocked. Then I told him that I was very happy that he didn't go in his pants, but going in the yard wasn't a good idea. He said, "But Mom, I'm a doggy!" I guess that explains it.

We made it back home today! Hooray! Although the warm welcome we recieved was the weather (116 degrees)so I'm not so sure we want to be back. It is definately nice to be back home to our own things and I can't wait to be in my own bed. I'd go now if I could. It is also great coming home to a clean house. I think I cleaned it before I left, I know I tried to, but I think my friend Kelli came over and really spruced things up. It looked great when we walked in. Thank you Kelli! We had a GREAT vacation. I'll post more about it later, along with some pictures soon. Right now I just ordered a pizza, so I'm going to find my pj's, wait for it to come, then watch a movie and relax. It's good to be home. :)

Cannon slept for 8 hours last night. Hunter didn't sneak into our bed to sleep with us. Audrey didn't cry in the middle of the night. SO... that means that I got a full night of sleep!!!!! The first full 8 hours in a VERY long time. HOORAY!!!!!