All with a little help!

Oh the possibilities! It's amazing what I can get done with a little help and cooperation. After Sunday dinner, A1 was more than willing to do the dishes, with little supervision from Papa. She really is a great helper. I'm thrilled that she loves to do the dirty work as well as the fun stuff.
Monday we woke up and got to the strawberry patch early. She helped me pick 2 big baskets of berries. We got home, showered and started jam and daddy's favorite, Strawberry Brownie Torte. I didn't have the brownie mix the recipe asked for so I used another brand. It didn't work out as well so I couldn't stack them.
We had to just make the topping and do each one separate. It tastes the same just a different presentation. Ah well, Cheeto still got his treat, and bonus: 2 kids got to decorate their own brownie with strawberries.
One little girl wasn't on board for the day of strawberries. She was entertained for a moment sitting with me.
Then I tried putting her in the carrier. She was a little TOO much help. She kept grabbing everything within hands reach (ie the mixer) So......
As soon as big brother was available, he took her. She was much happier chillen with him. After about 5 minutes he had her asleep. I love having one old enough to help with babysitting.

Eden Drive In

We were only home long enough to put away camping gear and shower before heading to Eden. Lettie and Kris didn't go camping with us but wanted to do something together this weekend. The drive in was showing Night at the Museum 2 so we headed north. I was exhausted but couldn't pass up an evening of fun like that. We invited the Johnson's to go with us. They are lots of fun to have around. They gel pretty well with all of us Arellano people, that's not always an easy thing to do. We got up there more than an hour before it started and still had to wait in line to get in. Craziness! We got there just about the right time though. There were only a few good parking places left. The Johnson's had to move the chairs around a bit to see well, but other than that we still could see just fine. We ate too much, of course, but had some great laughs and enjoyed the movie. A2 tried desperately to get her hands on some pizza (see slideshow). Dad was having a hard time saying NO!

"AH.. Nature it's all over me!"

Last fall we took a day trip to Hanging Rock. We liked it so much we promised the kids we would take them back to camp. I was 35 weeks pregnant then and didn't want to take them then. We found a 8-man tent at Christmas time for only $48. The kids have been waiting patiently for a nice weekend to break it out. Last weekend was when we planned our trip. Poor dad has been on the go since March 25. Mexico, Utah and now camping. Mom and Dad got home from Utah Tuesday evening and turned around to pack for camping Thursday. It's always more fun to take more family!
We had plenty of time to prepare so I'm not sure why it turned out so unorganized!!! I had a gut feeling to go up Thursday night but really wanted to go to an enrichment class I had signed up for. We got up early Friday, packed and was on the road by 10am. When we got to Hanging Rock, they were packed. Not one camping site! Next time... I'll follow my gut! The ranger called Pilot Mountain and said they had 30 sites left but to hurry because Hanging Rock and Stone Mountain were both full and were sending all their guests that way. We made the 30 minute trip as fast and as safe as we could. Thankfully, we got there and found us a site. It was after 1pm before we got things set up enough to eat some lunch. Mom then found out that we forgot to pack cooking utensils and another dutch oven or pan to cook dinner/breakfast. Cheeto and I headed into Mount Airy to find a Walmart.
Cheeto and Dad took the kids and went adventuring.I hurt my knee a couple of weeks ago and it's still bothering me so I opted not to hike this trip. Mom and I stayed with A2 and started the dutch oven chicken. We got it all out and realized we forgot cooking spray or butter- just something to coat the pans. I had to go to the site next to us scrounging for some butter. I took A2 with me for some extra cuteness. We had it going just fine until Dad got back and placed it right in the fire. Thankfully he smelled it burning and took it off. It wasn't bad but not great either. Oh well, it's camp food! After dinner, Mom realized they forgot their clothing bag with toothbrushes and everything in it. :( that's the fourth thing we forgot but still not the last. The next morning we had everything ready to cook and found, rather didn't find, any eggs. Yep- we forgot those too! (SIGH... )It still makes me frustrated that we sucked so bad at packing this time! I hauled Cheeto out of bed and went to Mount Pilot to get some eggs. RIDICULOUS!
We got some of our sites packed up then drove up to the summit to look around. The boys ended up walking back but the girls drove. :) We cooked some hot dogs (amazing that we had all the ingredients for that meal!) finished packing then headed home. The kids were so exhausted. A1 was asleep before we hit the highway. It took K a few more minutes. I turned back to take a picture of all of them when too my surprise C was still awake. He had been so quiet, he was reading. When I went to take his picture, he flipped his book up and posed for me. Funny boy!
We had a great time! Cheeto and I would rather take a vacation with better accommidations but the kids enjoy it so we do it. Perhaps its because I don't mind as much when they are rolling in the dirt. I do give them a "bit" more freedom while camping. :) K and C chased bugs and even lizards! Lots of nature out there in those woods! "AH.. Nature it's all over me!"

A is for ADORABLE

And of course our little girls! I know there are a few here but they have just been so happy and cute the past few days. I had to post them! They were sitting on the couch playing, 5 minutes later they were both knocked out!

A2 has my mother's tongue. One of my mom's funny habits is when she concentrates she sticks out her tongue just a bit. A2 has inherited this trait, except that she just does it ALL of the time. Cheeto says that she may have it dry out one of these days because it's sticking out all of the time. The kids have given the super hero name of "Lengua Lady." A1 is "Watermelon Woman" because she used to spit raspberries constantly and the boys would say this was her spitting "seeds" on them. Funny that the boys have not given themselves superhero names but made sure both of their sisters have one. BOYS! Gotta love em!

She has to be one of the happiest babies ever! We may have to nickname her "Happy." She is such a blessing in our family. Heavenly Father knew I needed her last! She has truly made our family complete in more ways than one! I am blessed!

A1 got to go to a princess birthday party this week. She was so excited to get all dressed up. The best I had was a tu-tu I had made her for Christmas. My sister-in-law gave A2 a tu-tu onsie as well. So both girls go to be dressed up. A1 made she I did her hair like a princess. So thankful she has great long hair to do such fun things to! Girls are just too much fun!

The girls were playing tug-a-war. A2 was actually holding onto it pretty well until I get the camera out of course. It's a bit long, but the end is quite funny!

Funny Kid Quote of the Day

I have a bouncer seat that sits in our bathroom. I put A2 in it while I'm showering and getting ready- mostly for protection from her older siblings. :) This is how I found her when I got out of the shower a few days ago. I knew that A1 was playing with her but had no idea she was decorating her. a I also found a sticker on the toilet that said, "Nice shot!" They were some golf stickers I had from Cade's birthday party a few years ago.

K looses his first tooth!

Well, he lost his first tooth the traditional way most 6 year olds lose their teeth. When K was at the dentist about a month ago, they told us that his front two bottom teeth were getting pretty loose.
Attempt #1. Cheeto and I don't do well at pulling teeth. I suppose if I HAD to, I would get use to it. Cheeto hates to inflict pain upon someone and I can't stand that crunch sound when the tooth breaks from the root. UGH! This friends use to work for a dentist office and thought she could get it out. It seemed pretty loose but wasn't quite ready yet. Kelson cried a bit but was a good sport to let her try. Our kids have such little mouths and teeth that it's hard enough trying to get a good hold on the tooth to get it out. Attempt failed. We told him to keep wiggling and maybe tomorrow we would get it out. It was really bothering him.
Attempt #2 - My dear friend that LOVES to pull teeth was successful. She gave Kelson a rag to bite down on afterwards and told him she would pull on 3. She said one, two- and pulled it out. It pretty much fell out after another day of wiggling. Kelson didn't even realize she had done it! Thank you, Thank you for friends that will do our dirty work!
Kelson is down 3 front teeth now. One more and the poor kid will have to bite and chew with his back teeth. What a little trooper he is! He has an adorable now. I will have to get a good picture to post of him.

C is still working hard

C is working his little heart out trying to complete his Wolf. We have been alternating Fridays with a friend of ours that also has a boy C's age. This works out nicely! The boys get to work and learn together and the mom's don't end up having to do it all. This particular friday they were working on learning the different types of tools and their uses. The W family also has a boy K's age. So the younger boys get to give it a try when the big boys are done. K came running through the garage yelling, "I want to practice screwing too!" It sounded awful, however, the adults just couldn't hold it together. We BUSTED out laughing. Thankfully all the kids were clueless!

Tribute to "The Pink" capris

Have you ever had a pair of pants that just always make you feel cute? No matter if it's one of the "I feel fat" days? Well these were mine! "The Pink" capris have served me well. It is time to say good bye. :( So sad, I am! I found these fabulous pink pants when I about 5 months pregnant with Sassy. I bought them a little snug so they would for sure fit after. They were perfect for all occassions and they make your bum look quite nice, if I do say so myself. I wore them the entire summer of 2006. Well, I had gallbladder surgery and lost about 15 lbs so you can imagine how they fit after that. THEY DIDN'T- they fell off completely. I needed more than a belt to make them fit. I was pleased to wear them again last summer while I pregnant with A2. I was excited to wear them again this summer. Nope! I am grateful I have lost 'most' of A2's pregnancy pounds but so sad that these fabulous pants don't fit. They are off to another home that will love them just as much as I did. Good bye my favoritest pants ever!

Mother's Day weekend

Is this just not the best picture ever?
Cheeto managed to get all four kids to smile their best smiles all at the same time!
I love it!

It was a great relaxing weekend. Thanks honey for giving me the best kids ever! Without you I couldn't be the Mother I am. I thank you everyday for supporting me with the kids and my business. Of course, it has it's challenges but I wouldn't trade these moments for anything! I love being a mother and your wife! Te amo siempre!

A1 and her new little 'hand holding' friend!

Even A2 had a great time picking strawberries!

I love Mother's Day weekend. Cheeto spoils me. Saturday he let me set the schedule. We went strawberry picking first thing before it got crowded and too hot. It was in the 90's on Saturday- UGH!!! We went with some friends that just moved here- I grew up with her older brother and have become instant friends. A1 and her little boy have so much fun together. He insists on holding her hand whenever they are together. I must say it's pretty adorable. We got home from and Cheeto and the boys started cleaning the house. 2-3 of years ago, I asked that they not spend money on me and do my cleaning for me. The gift stuck and has become my yearly gift. I must say it's heaven not having to do any of it for the entire weekend. Cheeto even does all the Sunday cleaning up. I tell him that I'll do the same for Father's day- but then it's like Father's Day everyday. Ha Ha!!! While Cheeto and the boys were cleaning, Sassy and I were outside washing our pollen covered cars. I love washing cars! (My dad really misses me living at home because of that one. I used to enjoy washing his farm dirty pickup truck! I'm a weirdo- I know!) We ate lunch and Cheeto left to run all the Saturday errands alone. I stayed home with the kids and had quiet time. Naps are heaven when everyone cooperates! We had a ward picnic to get to. We got rained on but still had lots of fun. We came home early and played the wii instead. Sunday was good. Cheeto woke up with some virdigo. He tried going to church but he was getting worse so I brought him home and then went back for the kids. They wanted to stay because it was mothers day and they always do some kind of gift for mom. We came home and Cheeto had pretty much finished dinner. I usually sit on the couch completely. However, because he wasn't feeling well I did pitch in some but he refused to allow me to clean up. What a good man I have! Kris came over to eat with us. Lettie is in Utah with mom and dad. Lyndzi and Jeff also came to eat with us. They stayed until about 8pm. We had lots of fun chit chatting about home and growing up. It's so fun having someone from home so close.

Why I have been MIA...

Last night we fed L & K. I was late with their birthdays so I was trying to redeem myself. L informed that I was way behind on our blog. I suppose I have to say why. I started reading the Twilight series, AGAIN! I figured I wouldn't be so addicted this time around, ya know... read them leisurely. NOPE- I started the first one around K's birthday and only have 100 pages left to the last one. I get so caught up in them. I'm so grateful my husband understands my infatuation with Edward. He even apologizes when he has to interrupt my reading to fulfil some of wifely duties. Quite the man I have! I wish the A1 and A2 could be so understanding. LOL!

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

I always do something for my kids teachers at the end of the year. Of course they are almost always homemade gifts. This year I had the idea of using vinyl lettering somehow. After talking and Creating with Signs by Jodi2, this is what we came up with. I LOVE how they turned out! I got the vases at the dollar store and the lettering was less the $5. SWEET!!!! Please visit her blog for more fabulous ideas! I had the boys pick the colors. C of course had to go with Panthers colors, since his teacher is also a huge Panthers fan. K, on the other hand, really thought about what colors they wear and like. That is SO Kelson!

A2 and Apples

I was eating apple slices the other day and A2 grabbed one. She started sucking on it like it was her binky. She would scream when I took it away from her. She was so excited to have something different. I love to watch kids discover new things. FYI-She just barely blew out her diaper so that is why she doesn't have a shirt on. She blows out diapers at least 3-5 times a day. I'm constantly washing out nasty clothes. UGH!

Saturday with the family

Saturday was one of those fun by crazy days. I had stake enrichment all morning. Love those uplifting activities. As soon as I walked in the door, Cheeto said, "Dad is doing some event downtown and wants to go. Hurry and change and we'll eat lunch down there." OK! I don't even remember what it really was other than a Spanish cultural thing. The kids had fun though. Greensboro has these water fountains down there that kids have been asking forever to see. We were going to visit more Parade of Home later so I didn't want them soaking wet- but a little wet didn't hurt anyone. We later when through the homes and then finished up the day with eating dinner at L and J's house. Fun- Fun!

Dampa loved his painting! The kids were so excited to give it to him.
I just may have to get them to do one for me now. :)

C's Greensboro Historical Museum Field Trip

I'm so blessed to have the ability to go on my kids field trips. Dad just got home from Mexico and was more than willing to watch the girls for the morning. This trip was to the Greensboro Historical Museum. I admit I didn't think it would be all the exciting. I was wrong. They have a very neat, kid friendly set up there. I would suggest it to anyone. They had 6 groups. Each group would visit parts of the "town." They had actual rooms set up to look the school house, the courthouse, drug store, theatre, hotel lobby and call room, and the fire house. Each place had a hands on activity. Like I said, very cool! Cade mentioned he really wants to take his Grandma C there when she comes again. My mom loves history- as does Cheetos, but she can go whenever she wants to. :) In the school house, they had the desks like in Little House on the Prairie. You all remember that show right? - or was I the only one that watched old re-runs? C's teacher was too tall to fit comfortably in the desks but of course, i had no problem. There are a couple in C's class that are almost as tall as I am- which is not much. :) The "teacher" asked us to write 2+3=? on the slate. We all did so, but C's teacher wrote 2+3=17. This had them all laughing. I leaned over and jokingly said, "Oh, I understand now why my son is having problems with math!" She laughed, but when I told Cheeto he kind of repremended me. I'm pretty sure she knew I was joking. At the drug store I learned something very cool. Heres the interesting, yet cool piece of history about the 'boro.
There was a man named William Porter than worked for his uncle, Mr. Richardson (can't remember his first name)in his drug store. William Porter was later known as O'Henry. (You see business's today named O'Henry. ie The fancy O'Henry hotel for instance.) His uncle was a pharmacist. His wife didn't like the over the counter medicines so she asked her husband to mix something more specific for her kids colds. He mixed a salve that she really liked. She told her friends and they told their friends and so on. He started a mini factory in a garage to make more of it. Soon it retailed it. He thought Richardson was too long to have printed on the tiny jars so he used his brother-in-laws name, Vick. Later it sold to Proctor and Gamble. Today it's known as VICKS Vapor Rub.
Yep- Vicks was invented here! Never would have thunk it! Anywho... at the drug store they had the kids use a pestal and mortor and grind down sugar cubes. After their work, she gave them plastic nickels as a payment so they could go to the movie next door. C didn't want to give up his money. He wanted to save it. He wanted me to spend my nickel to get him into the movie. Isn't that just how it is in real like? :) We had a great morning! Lots of fun! Thanks mom and dad for watching the girls so I could go!