Social Week

Eleanor's favorite place to hide these days is the cabinets under the bathroom sink. She fits perfectly inside and knocks on the door from the inside. Yesterday when I gave her breakfast, she said, "Thanks so much, Mom!" It made me smile so big.

Since I didn't have a lot of pictures last week, I was determined to take more this week. The warm weather called for tree climbing, if I can call it that since I lifted the boys into the tree for a picture haha.

Tuesday before gymnastics we went to the library. I laughed out loud when I looked over and discovered Eleanor with the headphones on at the computer desk.

Austy loves gymnastics and I sure love watching him improve each class! It's a great sport for him. I'm impressed with Austin's ability to stay focused even when other kids in the class are struggling to listen. He's determined to do his best and tries again when he fails. He'll be successful in life as he continues to portray these characteristics! 

We stopped by the park and these two stuck out their hands in the crawl tunnel. They're the cutest playmates. Eleanor sure will be lost without him next year.

Wednesday was Zoo day for playgroup. The weather was lovely and we all enjoyed exploring new parts of the zoo we didn't get to see the last time we went. Eleanor was so excited to see all the animals. I realized she hasn't been to the zoo as much as the boys were when they were her age. I had a pass in Colorado so we went often. It was fun to see her wave to all the animals! 

Cute church friends.

I took a zoo survey and got $5 zoo bucks so we used it ride the carousel. We were all happy!

Walmart stop. This happened to be in the isle and Austin was couldn't resist hoping on. I couldn't resist taking a picture and dreaming about how fun this would be for them to get for Christmas and to ride it out on Duane and LeeAnn's property in the country. Not this year but maybe someday! 

Thursday was Thanksgiving lunch so we joined Eli for lunch!! Austin loved carrying the tray and I told him he looks so ready for school. Eleanor was excited to see Eli and we all gave him big hugs. 

Friday at the bus stop, a friend brought her puppy over to meet all the kids. Eleanor couldn't stop giggling. This cute puppy brightened all of our day!

Friday was more time spent with friends as we went to Science City at Union Station. We have a pass and have enjoyed visiting often.

And our Saturday was spent cleaning every second of the whole day. I haven't cleaned my kitchen floor for weeks and it was beyond disgusting. I enjoy cleaning anyway, but it's always more fun to work hard knowing we have family that will be arriving soon. I also made several trips to Wal-mart and Target to get food and lightbulbs in preparation for the weekend. 

Everyone jumped for joy when Grandma and Grandpa Volk arrived!! 

Sunday morning the kids helped me get everything ready for Aaron's Birthday!! He turned 32 and we loved celebrating him with Cream Soda, Nachos, balloons, and a bon-fire with hotdogs and s'mores.

We love Aaron because he makes it a priority to love each of us with our individual love language. He is calm and quick to teach the children how to be responsible and contribute to the overall wellbeing of our home. You'll often hear him say "In our family we..." and the kids react so well to that. 

He loves his job and is happy at work, which has definitely improved the happiness in our home life. He is efficient and determined to do his best work in whatever he does (which I really do love about him, even though it drives me crazy when it comes to household projects. I just want him to get it done quickly, and his style is to take a longer time and do his best the first time.) It was fun to have his parents here to celebrate Aaron all day. Happy Birthday, babe!

And now we're preparing for Thanksgiving 2019!

Not a lot of pictures

I guess less pictures to post means I was using my phone a lot less during the week. I wrote addresses on 100 Thanksgiving/Christmas cards to our family and friends so that's where I spent a lot of my time during the week. 

There were several warm days so we racked the leaves in our front yard. The kids had a blast jumping into our piles.

Saturday afternoon Eli was invited to a birthday party. Since this party was on a SATURDAY, we made it a priority to go. I took Austin along too and he had a blast!! The party was at Fun Run, a place we haven't been to before and it was great. We'll definitely be going back during the cold winter days. Aaron and Eleanor enjoyed some quiet time at home and it was a lovely arrangement for all of us.

Aaron's home!

Monday: The kids and I went to Wal-mart to check out their Halloween clearance. For a few dollars each, the kids got some new dress-ups to add to their adventuring. 

I also found a few books for Austin to work on for preschool. I splurge way to much on "preschool" supplies, but I love watching Austin get excited about having new activities to do. And these books cost a few dollars each.

I forgot to snap a picture of an art project I did for the kids' bathroom. 

"You are so loved." 

I'm not super creative, but I love simple art projects that I can do and feel creative. :)

Tuesday: Eleanor and Austin love gymnastics time. This week we went to the library before class and got some new books. Then after gymnastics, the weather was sooo great that we decided to grab lunch at Sonic and then play at the park and hike around a bit.

This week was rough at times. Sometimes I feel like I'm struggling so much as a mother. The Book of Mormon reminded me to be patient and diligent in teaching my kids. I had a few hard days while Aaron was gone and cried and cried because I felt guilty for yelling so much at the kids. I actually read my journal from when Eli was several months old and so many people were telling me to enjoy my babies because they would soon grow up. And the years are flying by!! 

On Wednesday we went to the park with friends from church for play group. We have a great play group organized in the ward and I look forward to Wednesdays as much as the kids do! 

On Thursday we had the temple babysitting swap. I was able to attend the temple while Eleanor and Austin played in the nursery. I love attending the temple during the day. It really has changed my temple worship experience. 

Aaron returned home Thursday evening. The kids were already in bed and they left him sweet notes tapped to the front door. I'm so happy when Aaron is home. We all are! He helps calm me down and because he's so helpful and involved with the kids, I feel like I can handle motherhood. I'm lost without him! 

Aaron and I have started listening to KLove Radio station - it's Christian Rock. We love the clean musics that's played and even the commercials when the DJ shares a scripture verse or uplifting story are inspiring. I think because now we have little ears in the car with us all the time, we're extra cautious about what is playing on the radio. This week I heard a song "Live Like You're Loved" and it brought tears to my eyes as the singer reminded us all to smile and be happy and live like we're loved because Heavenly Father does love us!

Aaron has the day off tomorrow for Veteran's Day and we're looking forward to spending the day together! 

Halloween Week

Aaron was gone all week and we miss him terribly. How did we ever survive with him being gone for 6 months?? Thursday can't come soon enough. That's when he flies home!

Eli wasn't feeling well last Sunday evening, but he felt better by Monday. Monday afternoon I got a call from the school nurse saying Eli had a fever and he needed to be fever free for 24 hours so he was also home on Tuesday. He was feeling a lot better on Tuesday and I loved watching him do some school work Mrs. Arens sent home.

On Wednesday we hosted playgroup and Austin was excited to put together this craft for his friends. 

Thursday morning we woke up to SNOW!! These Colorado kids were wondering why there wasn't more snow. Eleanor doesn't remember the snow from last year so she was excited!

We brought some snow inside for the kids to play with and they loved it.

On Thursday afternoon I desperately needed Eleanor to sleep so we could go to Eli's class party at 2:05. I rocked Eleanor and told her to close her eyes. She soon drifted off to sleep in no time. I LOVED rocking her. She hasn't fallen asleep on me for a while so I soaked it all in.

I organized the class party and it was simple and a success! Parents signed up to run a station for the game and craft. We had snacks and story time and the kids loved it.

These two loved the donuts and story time.

A cute friend from the ward brought over these festive cookies and gifts for the kids. Eleanor's glasses were cracking me up. 

We had mummy dogs and olives for dinner before hitting the neighborhood for candy. 

We LOVED our neighbor's ballon arch. I took a picture because I think this would be so fun to do next year. And the kids got tons of candy. 

On Friday, Austin and I painted together while eating peanut m&ms. I love spending one on one time with him.

Eli came home on Friday and was excited to show me his school picture!

On Saturday morning after chores, we went to story time at Barnes and Noble. These little book worms begged me for books, but I reminded them that Christmas is around the corner.

And here are the boys folding their own laundry. I'm trying to be more organized with chores and responsibilities around our house and the boys actually loved folding their laundry. Hopefully the excitement doesn't wear off too soon. 

Saturday night included a birthday party for our friend Ben!

Eleanor looked adorable in black tights today. I got to help out in nursery and we loved our time together.

I've been reading the Book of Mormon on my phone (this is the first time I've read it electronically) and I loved how the Anti-Nephi-Lehies rejoice about God in Alma 24. With Thanksgiving this month, I'm trying to focus each day on the blessings I'm so thankful for. I wouldn't be where I am right now without the restored Gospel in my life.