Friday, October 28, 2011

When you had your yearly check up a few weeks ago, (yes, it was really late), the doctor gave us a referral for you to see a speech therapist. I really was not worried about your speech. You pronounce a few things incorrectly, like your l's sound like w and your r's sound like w. You pronounce Connor's name in a really different way, it sounds like "Conger" and Mackayla's name sounds like "Kaywa". But, I knew these were common errors for children your age. The doctor listened to a few of your words and said it wouldn't hurt to get you evaluated. We went to Madison Hospital and met a really nice speech therapist. She listened to you say some words and said that you were right on target for your age. She then tested your perception and listening skills and as I watched you do this test, I was amazed at how much you knew! You could put things in order from smallest to biggest and you could find rhyming words and opposites. The therapist said you were the smarted kid she had ever tested and you tested up to a 6 1/2 year old level! I am so proud of you! So, we have no worried in the speech and learning department! Yay Triston!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Krupp Scout Hollow was haunted for Halloween! We went through the spooky forest and it was a lot of fun. Well, you didn't quite think it as that much fun. You were pretty scared, but what I think scared you the most was the way that Mackayla turned and ran after the first 10 feet of the pathway! She was petrified! I carried you a lot of the way, and when I did put you down, you wanted to run away! You were a little scared, but it was probably the most tame spook alley I have ever seen, so it was a good one for you to start with! You didn't go through the whole thing, but it was pretty fun!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Today, I heard you in the back yard yelling up to the sky, "Heavenly Father, I love you!" I was completely touched!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tonight was our Ward Halloween party. Ever since last year, you have been trying to decide what to be for this year. For a while, it was a super hero and then it changed to a dog and a few other things, but for the last few months, you have stuck with wanting to be a policeman. And somehow you convinced Connor to be a bad guy. We looked for a prison outfit for him, but he ended up choosing to be a police dog and you two make a very cute partners! The party was fun with games, trick or treating and a very friendly spook alley! You and Connor got a lot of candy, and I am not sure what to do with all of it!

Monday, October 24, 2011

I love picking you up from pre-school at the college, because I have just picked up Connor from Heather Tanner's house, which he thinks is his pre-school. As soon as you get in the car, Connor asks you, "What did you do today?" And then you and Connor share what you both did for those 2 long hours you were apart!

We went to the library today. You LOVE going to the library and always get one movie, a themed box and 3 books. Today your box was "Frogs" and you were thrilled when there was 3 puppets inside!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Today, you are 4 years and 7 months old!

Last night you started telling me that your tummy hurt and this morning it hurt also. That made me very nervous because today was the Primary program and you have been so excited to say your part. Actually, last Sunday you cried and cried when you realized it wasn't the day of the program. You also said you were cold, so I was pretty sure you were sick. We went to church and you cuddled next to me for most of the time. When it was time for you to go up on the stand, you really didn't want to and kept clinging to me. After 5 minutes of trying to talk you into it, we finally went out for a drink and then you said you were ready. You sat right the piano, so you were really hard to see, but after I scooted clear over to the end of the bench, I could see you. You said your part so well! You didn't need any help at all! Your part was, "We can read the read the scriptures, go to church and pray." I was so proud of you and my eyes filled with tears of love and pride for you! But, I felt really bad for you, because you obviously were not feeling good. You only stood for a couple of the songs and the rest of the time, you were cuddled up in a ball on your chair. Your teacher, kept leaning over to you to make you stand up and you just kept in your little ball. After sacrament meeting, you didn't want to go to class, so you stayed with Jeni while I made sure Nursery was OK, and then I took you and Connor home. After some medicine and a nap, you felt much better and we had a good afternoon with a picnic lunch on the carpet with corn dogs!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Every once in a while, I think about not making you take naps anymore, but then we have a day like today! You had practice for the Primary program from 12 to 2 today, so no nap, and you really can't handle life without a nap. You had one giant temper tantrum and by 7:00 you were telling me you wanted to go to bed! Poor guy!

A couple of months go, you started giving me "surprises"! They are great surprises, like lining a bunch of cars in a row, or stacking cars, or lining up the stuffed animals. You tell me you have a surprise for me and tell me to close my eyes and then lead me to the surprise. It's a lot of fun!

Friday, October 21, 2011

There are some days that you are very inquisitive! You ask question after question, and they are usually questions that I do not have any answers for. You will ask questions about why something happens in a movie and that will lead down a long line of questions. And when are driving in the car, there will be questions about the sun or other cars and sometimes I really can't understand what you are asking and that frustrates me and you. So, I am sorry that at this point of your life I was not able to understand you way of questioning! But, I still love you!

Connor and you have really been enjoying playing Frisbee outside in the yard. The three of us stand in a triangle and throw it back and forth to each other. Today, you started making up a game and you said if the Frisbee went that into the trees you lost and if the Frisbee went over the other way, you won. It cracked me up, because I could not understand your rules, but you sure were proving you were a good thinker!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

You think you are a magician. On many days, you will show me something and then say "I can make it appear". (You don't quite say disappear right.) And then you will wave your hands around a little bit and then put it behind your back and I am always amazed at your trick!

Tuesday, October 19, 2011

You have been saving your money in a crayon bank. Every time I ask you to do something at home, you want to know if you can get a quarter for it. The rule is I won't pay for any cleaning that needs to be done in your room, but I will pay you for any work you do outside of your room. You had $3.51 and what you really wanted was a car at Broulims. But, when we went there today, you found a helicopter that takes off into the sky, so you were so proud to buy it and take it home!

Tuesday, October 19, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Connor looks up to you and admires you so much that at he will copy things you say word for word! A few weeks ago, you started telling jokes. They are very simple and I am sad to say do not make much sense, but you think they are funny! And so does Connor and you two like to entertain me with your jokes. They often go like this, "Why did the fly go to the grocery store" "Why" "To get groceries on his wings". You two can keep me entertained for hours. Also, several times through out the day if you ask me a question and I answer it, Connor, two seconds later, will ask the same exact question. I know he wants to be just like you!

We have been looking at Halloween costumes and if there is a one that is scary, you and Connor both dramatically tell me that we CAN NOT get that one!

In talking about our costumes, you have decided to be a policeman, so we are trying to get a theme. So, we might have Connor be a police dog. You told Connor that he can be your dog because he is your best friend!

Monday, October 17, 2011

You are a busy, little boy this Fall! You go to pre-school at BYU-I on Mon, Wed & Fri from 8:20 - 10:40. On Tuesdays at 9:00 you go to Tumbling at "AirBound Tumbling and Cheer" and on Thursdays from 9:00 - 11:00 you go to a joint pre-school with a lot of friends in our ward. Each week you go to a different house and I even get a turn in the rotation. But, even with all of that, you still ask me every day, "what are we doing today?" And today, after pre-school, lunch, naps, a WIC appt, K-Mart, the library, dinner at Jack-in-the-Box and Albertsons, you said, "That was a good day!" You want to be busy all the time!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

We have been working on your speaking part for the primary program which is next week and when we got to Sacrament meeting today, you started crying and saying something about wanting scriptures. You even told Jeni why you were so sad and it took me forever to understand that you wanted to say your part today. After Jeni and I explained that you were going to practice today and then have the program next week, you finally calmed down. Your part is "We can go to church, read the scriptures and pray". I am so proud that you already have it memorized!

Your pre-school teachers came for a home visit last Friday and one teacher read a book to you and one teacher talked to me. She told me how smart you are, which I already knew, and she told me how you get along with all the kids in the class. There is even boy in your class that has special needs and she told me that you are so nice to him and always play with him. I am so proud of you. You are so friendly and you like every child you meet! When we go to the park, you think every child there is your friend and you are not afraid to play with anyone. I really am so proud of you!!!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

After a pretty restless night, Heather let you be the one to wake up Quinton and you two were inseparable! We spent the morning going to garage sales and a farmer's market. After lunch and naps, we played outside in the sprinkler and you and Connor sat in your new camp chairs, looking all too grown up!

You played really well with Quinton, which kind of amazes me. When you two were younger, every time you got together, it was World War III. Ok, maybe not that bad, but there was a lot of screaming, wailing and gnashing of teeth! :) It is Connor that does the screaming now. He sure tries to keep up with and Quinton and he doesn't like being left out. I get the feeling that will happen a lot in the future!

Friday, July 8, 2011

We went on a last-minute trip to Mountain Home this weekend to visit Quinton and his family! You were so excited and couldn't wait to get there. We drove with Grandma Packer in her car and we left really late and got there really late. But, you were too excited to sleep! We stopped in Pocatello, because Connor was having a really hard time with the sun in his face and found "Cars" camp chairs. You and Connor love them and you had to hold it in the car and use it Quinton's and now you want to use it and Grandma's and all the time!

Connor, you and I slept in Clara and Connor's room and all night I had to switch between beds because you and Connor would both wake up and call out for me.

It was a long drive, but it was worth it to see Quinton!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

John and Mackayla are doing a school with you each day. It is called the Jr. Elementary Turtles and you have a cheer and a song, and they teach you numbers and letters and you do crafts and play games. They even give you homework each day. Today was the 3rd day of it and I guess you didn't behave very well, because I was called in for a parent-teacher conference. Mr. Bybee said you were just a little whiny and you don't take him serious! It's all so cute and fun and I'm proud of all of you for doing it!

Tonight while you and Connor were taking a bath, I cleaned the bathroom and started singing. I tried to sing "Firework", because that is a song you both know. I don't know all the words and I'm a terrible singer, but you joined in singing and started making up your own song mixed in with 'Firework". Some of the words were "We love Mommy in the sky"! I love you, too!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Grandma got you a picture of Jesus with children at a garage sale and you wanted me to hang it up today. As we were getting ready for bed, you came to me with tears in your eyes and said, "I just am sad because I want to see Jesus." I tried to explain that Jesus lives in Heaven and we can't see Him, but He is always in your heart. You said you wanted to die right now so you could go to Heaven and see Jesus. I then tried to explain why Jesus didn't want you to die right now. You were so sweet and so sincere about it all. Then for your night prayer, you prayed that Jesus would be in your heart and that you wouldn't die. And then as I was tucking you in, you said that you love Jesus, but you still love me too!

Yesterday, on our walk to the park, you caught a little tiny butterfly! I didn't think you would be able to do it and I think you were even shocked when you caught it! Unfortunately, it did not live very long, but I'm sure there are more butterflies in your future!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

You went swimming with Grandma Packer at the Apple tonight while I went to my support group meeting and you of course loved it! Grandma got you a squirt gun to play with and she said that you played with it the whole time!

John and Mackayla have started a school for you and Connor to go to each day. You are going to be so smart before you even start pre-school!

Monday, July 4, 2011!

Happy Independence Day!!! What a great day to be an American! We had so much fun going to the parade in Rexburg. You were able to catch a lot of candy and you were so fun to watch! You always turned the wrong way or ran to the furthest pieces away! But, you waved to almost every sinle float, so you deserved all that candy! We had a BBQ at Jeni's and Grandma and Grandpa were there, and John lit smoke bombs and snakes! You were really intrigued by all of them! We also went and played at Grandma Packer's house and you and Connor played in the water, chased kittens and rode bikes.

I love that when I ask you what the flag means, you say "I love America!" I helped you fix your scooter and you told me that I was the "Best momma ever!" That is really wonderful to hear! You are the BEST Triston EVER!!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

On the way home from church, you sang "The wise man built his house upon a rock". I love that you love to sing the primary songs!

Today, we were discussing if you or Connor was silly or goofy and Connor told us that you were his Triston. He really loves you and you are a good big brother to him!

Saturday, July 3, 2011

We had a busy and fun day today! We went to garage sales with Grandma and Jeni. When I told you that you could only pick one toy all day long, you took that very seriously and you did not want to choose just any toy. You thought about your decision very carefully. At the first garage sale we went to, there was a really cool race car track and you didn't even want that, but I did, so I got it! You ended up getting a checker board with tires as the checkers. You got a checker board at a garage sale over a month ago, but it was cheap and this one is way cooler!

We then had a picnic by the falls in Idaho Falls and played at Grandma's house until 6:00 and then went to Rigby Lake for fireworks! We got there very early, so you got to play in the water and look for shells and throw rocks. You had a lot of fun! You really enjoyed the fireworks and it was a lot of fun!

Friday, July 1, 2011

You are generally a very well behaved little boy and I am always so proud of you! But, when you do not get enough sleep, you start to get a little whiny and disobedient. So, because we got home late last night from swimming, you were a little whiny and disobedient today. But, I still love you!!!

We were cleaning up your room this evening and you wanted to make your bed. You worked very diligently to get the blankets on straight and it took a long time, but you wanted to do it all by yourself!

You also like to earn money and when you help me clean up the rest of the house, I will give you a couple of coins and you think it is really great! You really a great helper!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

I am starting to introduce Connor to potty training and so far Connor hates it. He hates sitting on the toilet, but this morning, I got him to sit on the "little potty" and you are really interested in helping him potty train. You started chanting "Go, pee, go!" Connor was was yelling, "Come on pee, come out"! It was all very hilarious!

We went swimming tonight at the Apple Club with Grandma, and John and Mackayla. You are actually a really good swimmer. You have a swimming suit with a built-in life jacket, but you can move all around the small pool where it is over your head and you love jumping in and you are one brave little boy!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

When I get mad at you, like when start throwing a temper tantrum, or you won't pick up your toys and if you think I am being unfair, you do a little huffing sound, put an angry face on, try not to cry and tell me, "Mommy, I am mad at you", or "Mommy, I thought we were friends" or "Mommy, I thought you were happy", or "Mommy, you are making me mad"! It's actually very cute and sweet to watch. You have such a sensitive heart and your feelings can hurt very easy. But, you are such a good boy and I love you so much!

We went to "Despicable Me" at the theater today and you really enjoyed watching it.

June 28, 2011

You weren't feeling very good today, and so you kept asking me to hold you. You kept saying "I want you to hold me everyday." And you were so sad when you kept saying it!

You also told me today that we had to go to Grandma's to play with Quinton because he is your cousin! We did go and play with Quinton most of the day, but he left to go back to Mountain Home today! :( You were both very sad. Quinton really wanted to stay!

Monday, June 27, 2011

We rented a "turtle box" from the library and you really loved the stuffed turtle that was inside of it.

About a month ago, Grandma Packer gave you a "Dick and Jane" book. You learned the first 4 chapters very quickly. It is so much fun to see you read. You are excited about reading and want to learn and learn. You love the letters and numbers and you can write your name and spell your name. I just think you are so amazing to learn all this before you are 4 1/2!

4th Birthday!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

We had dinner tonight at Grandma Packer's with the Jenks and Bybee Families. You and Quinton are such great buddies! It's just so sad that Quinton lives so far away!

You are so fun to sing primary songs with. You are really learning a lot of them and it is so wonderful to hear you sing them!

The only problem with singing is that when Connor, you and I try to sing, we do not sound too great together! It's pretty funny!