Over The Weekend...

After a long week of rainy, and dreary weather (it totally felt as if I was living in Seattle) we finally got a bit of sunshine over the weekend, and I have to say that it was so nice to be able to get out of the house because this kind of weather cn really make one lack motivation to do anything. I'm not one to just sit around and mope around the house, but I felt a sickness coming on, and luckily it passed, but unfortuanely both Noah and Chelsea became infested with allergies and even though they both felt better after dosing with allergy medicine on saturday we came home from the adult session of stake conference (which was excellent by the way) to a very sick Chelsea. Her allergies turned into a cough, and was burning up a bit. We gave her some more medicine to alleviate the slight fever she developed, and she conked right out. We woke up the next morning, and got ready for church. I went upstairs to see how she was feeling, and could tell that she needed to rest some more so she went back to sleep. I could tell that she wanted to go to church, but explained to her how she really needs to rest. She can be stubborn at times, and sometimes it's a good thing especially when it comes to her not wanting to miss church or school, but what's important is that she rests that way her sickness doesn't get worse so that she doesn't miss church or school.

But that didn't last. 

30 minutes past after everyone left, and she came down to let me know she was hungry. Even though she looked a bit groggy she seemed a bit better. She was hungry, and so I made her some breakfast, and after we ate she asked if she could watch a dvd. But instead of clicking on to that remote, I asked if she was up for a walk on the bike trail. On Sundays I really try to refrain from any technology in the house, but almost gave in since she was sick. Had it been raining of course that would have been a thing to do, but because it was such a pretty day outside I couldn't let it go to waste by staying indoors. She obliged, and because it was windy she bundled up with a hoodie. We had such a nice morning together as walked, and talked. We saw a few flowers along the trail and asked if she could pick a few. I didn't see any harm in that, and so as she pickin' I decided to capture a few photos because...

FLOWERS! 

I captured a few shots of her pickin' some. She absolutely loves spring, and on this day we were really feeling it! She saw some pretty colored flowers from a distance, and as she picked them ran up to me and said, "look mom they're bachelor buttons." I'm like, "how the heck do you know this? Bachelor buttons?? What a cute name for a flower!" Not even I know the names of certain plants, and flowers, but I guess she's learning a lot in school on certain topics, and then again she's been reading more and more lately (which makes me super happy), and that can help too. 

Here are a few moments from our Sunday walk...

After the rest of my crew came home we all decided to go the park to play bocce. Like I said, it was such a pretty day that I couldn't let it go to waste. We all gathered our picnic blanket, and bocce set, and while Jon was out visiting people from church we all went without him, and ventured out to the park for some family fun. He truly was missed, but nonetheless the kids had a great time. 

Can I also tell you that this was my first time playing bocce! So fun, and I think we need to buy a bigger set. I bought a small set only because the balls are easier for Noah to hold. He sure does love this game especially that little jack ball! 

It was a glorious day filled with lots of wind, and sunshine, and I am so blessed to have these kids by my side, and to see them getting along, and laughing have a good time brings a huge smile to this momma's face! 

And kudos to Noah for capturing such a nice pic of me, and his cute sisters! 

Happy Monday folks, and hope you're weekend was just as fun as ours! 

Noah & technology on Sundays.

Remember the time when Noah had a hard time going to class? Well, after weeks of constantly telling him "you're going to class next week because when you don't go Jesus is sad, and you need to learn." I also bribed him that if he went to class he can play with my phone afterwards. I know...bad mom. Having him playing minions after church isn't the best way to keep the spirit, but c'mon...he's only four years old. But wait...statitiscs show that between the ages of three and five are the most crucial ages in which a child begins to truly understand what's right and wrong. It can be an intense stage of development in growing and learning. 

And I need to be mindful of that.

There are still times (like last Sunday) where I'll tell him that if he goes to class he can play games on my phone on the way home. I figured that it would be safe to tell him that because you know for three hours he's busy singing, and learning about Jesus that he won't remember what I said after sacrament meeting. 

Not! 

Oh no...as soon as we get in the car, and with a huge grin on his face he asked, "Can i play with your phone for just a little bit?" With that gorgeous face of his I can't resist. But...sometimes I say no, and when I do I'm so relieved that he doesn't throw a tantrum...he'll just pout. 

And then I give in anyway. Dang that technology! 

I really don't want him getting in the habit of playing games though...especially on Sundays. As a family we try to stay focused on having the spirit lingering all day long. It's not that easy though. Sometimes I even have to do laundry because I spent my Saturday hanging out with my teenage daughter who brings her laundry home which doubles it...and we have to wash on Sunday! 

But when it comes to technology the spirit is totally different. I do see a difference when we watch tv on Sunday as opposed to keeping it tech-free. There are some Sundays where we'll watch TV, but it's a church documentary, or a movie directed by a mormon.

But let me rewind a bit. 

I have gotten better at telling Noah that he can no longer play games after church, and it seems as if he's been coming around lately with wanting to go to class on his own (okay...I give him some fruit snacks in the end.) I'm not sure exactly what the problem was, but he seems to get along with his teacher, and the other kids. So hopefully he'll get over this technology bug as soon as learns to read a book, play a sport, and get him into piano lessons. 

This past Sunday he actually fell asleep right before his class started, and one of the sisters brought him to my class. Sierra, and I took turns holding him, and he slept the entire hour! I was so happy that he did! I have never had to hold any of my children during Relief Society, and I was okay with that. 

There's a first time for everything. 

On the way home he didn't ask for my phone, and I was in shock! I think he was so tired from attending a sweet sixteen party the night before. He was such in a daze staring into space the whole way home. He was probably coming down on all that sugar he inhaled, and was in need of some more. Apparently all he drank that night was orange crush, and ate a ton of chocolate (that's what happens when you stay home sick, and let your hubby take the kids to the party. Can we say spoiled!) 

I guess this is what i get for having a technology generation baby. I have to go with the flow, learn as he grows, and with a little bit of sternness...cut him some slack too. 

Let's just hope he'll continue to attend his little class so that he can be prepared to start a whole new class in the new year!  

Without any bribing or technology!