1. 2. 3.

One week ago, I turned 3.

YEAH!!

I waited and waited… and then it was my turn to have:

When I got up out of bed, I saw this:

I said, “WOW!”

Then I helped my mom frost some Cupcakes to share with my friends.

I invited them to play with me at Rock Creek.  My mom brought along cupcakes.

She also took some “SWEET”  pictures of me.

Do you remember how much I love balloons?

I have been waiting a long time for this day.

I got Mac for my birthday.  He is my buddy.  He is my friend.

My mom says that she doesn’t want me to be three.  I told her, “I am older now.”

I did something that was very fitting for a 3 year old today.  I threw a tantrum.

I decided that I didn’t want the birthday cookie that I had picked out months earlier.  One hour before my big dinner I decided to switch things up for my mom.  I think it is a good idea to keep her on  her toes.

I cried and cried until she agreed to make me a Mac cake.

She must really love me, because she did just that.

She even had to go to the store for eggs.

I was so happy when I saw it.

What do you think?

I was thought it was so special.  She said, “Isaac, I like to freeze my cakes before I frost them.”  Whatever that means.

My mom was grateful that I was happy.  She said, “You can have whatever you want, it is your birthday.  Tomorrow will be a different story.”

I picked Chicken Nuggets, french fries and ketchup for my special dinner.

Then I opened the one and only gift that had not be opened already.

I was more impressed with the Pez dispenser that my mom put on the top of the present.    

I ended the night by making a wish and…

waking up the next morning asking if I could do it all again.    

 

When I need a change.

Change –verb  1. to transform or convert

When I need a pick me up or a change I usually transform something in my house.

My mom recently told me that every time she comes she has to take a tour because I have changed something.  I guess I like change.

This change came as a result of being so sick of my kids toys everywhere.

I did a swap.

Old Breakfast nook

Sorry my most recent picture is during the holidays.

New Office/Playroom

 

Old Office/Playroom

New Dining room

…and because one change always effects another; new mantle and furniture placement.

Old Mantel

New Mantel

I am still adding and changing a little in the dining room, but I must say this is one of the best changes I have ever made.

P.S.  Don’t forget to check out 365.

What I have learned Thursday…{and a little more}

“Beans on Toast”

This little installment of “what I have learned” is really more about what we(Jonathan and I) are teaching our children.  I have laughed and laughed about this for days, and thought you might laugh also.  You also might find this enlightening as you try to teach your kids.

My husband is wonderful at teaching our children true and correct principles.  He always finds interesting ways to get his point across.  Case in point:

We have really been working on teaching our kids the correct way to pray.

Isaac prays but repeats the same prayer every time.

The other two say what most children say; something repetitive such as: Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day.

Jonathan is so cute and loving.  He meekly shares the correct way to pray on their level.  He outlines a prayer; how we begin, to share what we are thankful for, ask for blessings, and then close correctly.   He reminds them often.  One particular night, he decided to address being repetitive.

He says, “Stella, how would we feel if I walked through the door from work each day and said; Hi Stella, Beans on toast.  Then the next day, I walked through the door and said; Hi Stella, beans on toast.  Then the next day; Hi Stella, beans on toast.

…and the laughter started.

I don’t know why he picked the phrase “beans on toast”, but I think they got his point.  …they are still talking about it, and reminding each other not to be like “beans on toast.”

I love this man.  He is wonderful teacher and father.  He teaches with love and laughter.

What and how are you teaching your children?

Speaking of teaching your children…

These little munchies started school.

Stella started the big K.

 

She looked at me and told me to “STOP! taking pictures.”

When I said my goodbyes, I hugged her and told her she could leave with me at any point.  She didn’t take me up on it.

I asked her today if she ever misses me.  She said, “Not really.  Well, maybe one time.”

She is doing great.  I am proud of her for being so independent.

Jex loves the second grade, and was excited that his two best friends are in his class again this year.

I sneaked a peak after he got a little settled on the first day.  What a cute 2nd grader.  WOW!! did I really just say write second?

They both have great teachers.  They even made a little visit to our house.

The night before school, the kids got a special father’s blessing.

It is an important part of our back to school traditions.

As parents we spend so much time preparing them physically: backpacks, school supplies, and new clothes.

How often do we prepare them spiritually?  I believe that blessings are the last little piece of the armor that we provide our kids with. Armor to make correct choices while they are away from home for

8 hours a day.  A Father’s blessing gives thekids a little road map to pattern their year after.

Our family has set a new motto for the year, “Our choices determine our future.”

We have asked the kids to think about the choices that they make.  We are encouraging good choices; like most parents.  Well I think there are a few out there who hope there kids make bad choices, but I can only think of a handful.  he he.

I hope to prepare a “choices” dinner sometime in September to kick off our family motto. 

Have a great Thursday.

Enjoy your new back to school routines.

…and I dare you to try a little beans on toast.

My Birthday…

I already shared with you a little glimpse of my special baptism, and now I want to share a little about my birthday.

My mom made sure the house was all decorated.

What do you think?

See the banner in the window.  It says CTR, or Choose the Right.

That is my eight year old motto.

I started the morning off with breakfast in bed; yes! skinny pancakes.

My biggest birthday surprise came on an airplane a few days earlier;  my favorite cousin Devin came to be here for my baptism.

I had no idea he was coming.

He is 5 years older then me, I look up to him so much.

He even taught me how to style my hair like his.

I cried when he had to leave.

We made a quick trip to cold stone for lunch.  It is tradition.

It was fun to share this tradition with my Grandma & Grandpa Swenson, and Devin.  I think Grandpa thought it was pretty cool that we got to have ice cream for lunch.

We had to hurry along because my mom had to pick up my other set of grandparents from the airport.

It was neat to have them come on my birthday.

Instead of having a special dinner at home, we went to Larry’s pizza for dinner.

It is a favorite for everyone, and we just had to make sure everyone got to go while they were here.

Once we came back home, it was time for gifts.  I was lucky and got to open some birthday presents, and a few baptism gifts.

I got my first set of scriptures.  I am so excited and happy to be able to use them.

They even have my name on them.

I also got my own hymn book, and a case to put it all in.

My dad surprised me with my own pocket knife…. much to my mother’s dismay. (I think she’ll come around)

After all the paper was unwrapped, and every gift inspected by my two little hands, it was time for cake.

I wanted a pirate ship.  My mom made a fun little ship complete with Rolo gold, fruit roll-up flags, and whopper cannon balls.  The candles were coming out of the cannons on the side.  Just before we lit the candles, Isaac helped it sink a little.

It still tasted delicious; chocolate my favorite.

I had a great birthday.  It was really neat to have my family here, and to receive such special gifts.

It really is great to be eight.

Eight is Great!!

I turned eight on the 13th of August.

In my family we have lots of Birthday traditions.  This birthday was a little different.

Eight is a special birthday.

My family belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are taught that the age of eight is the age of accountability.  That means you are old enough to know right from wrong.  This is the age of baptism.

I was baptized on August 14, 2010.

My father baptized me.

I was baptized by immersion which means I was fully submersed in water.  I went down and come right back up.  It represents our sins being washed away.

I was baptized just like Jesus.  He was baptized in the Jordan River,  I was baptized in a baptismal font.

Both sets of  my Grandparents got to come to my baptism.

My Grandpa Mark spoke at my baptism.  He talked to me about baptism, and how special it was.  He told me that is was not the water that was making me clean.  It was the actual ordinance.  (that means the water represents that act of Heavenly Father taking care of my sins)  It felt good to be clean.

After I was baptized, my Grandpa Jerald spoke to me about The Holy Ghost.  This is a special gift that we receive after baptism.  It is a gift from our Heavenly Father.  He told me that The Holy Ghost  is like a friend.  He helps keep us safe.  He can warn us in times of trouble, and comfort us in times of need. 

Being Baptized was totally awesome.  I felt so good after, and felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost all day.  I knew it was him because I felt happy and at peace.

Now that I am baptized I am officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

My mom says that I am setting such a good example for my younger brother and sisters.

After my baptism we had these great big cookie cakes to share with my friends from church.  My mom decorated them special just for me.  I am grateful for friends and family.

CTR means: Choose the Right.

Our family had a nice dinner after to celebrate and honor my choice.

My parents told me that they are very proud of me.  I am proud to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

My baptism was a big part of my birthday this year; but we still celebrated my birthday with all the wonderful traditions.  Stay tuned to hear more about my birthday.

P.S.  My mom made this movie to share at my Baptism.  I thought some of my family who couldn’t come might enjoy watching it.