First Love

Grace came over to eat last night with her boyfriend and two of her roommates.
Darek was "taken" with Grace's roommate Megan from the moment she walked in.
He asked me her name at least 20 times, trying to make sure he had it right.
After we finished eating and everyone was sitting around chatting, Darek, unannounced and with complete boldness, climbed up on Megan's lap, wrapped his arms around her neck and whispered "I love you Megan" in her ear. He kept his arms around her neck for at least a minute, then he climbed down and went about his business.
I have NEVER seen him do anything like that EVER in his life. It was absolutely adorable. When I told him I wanted to take a picture of him with Grace's friends, he went straight to Megan.
 
 
 

Halloween

I had forgotten that celebrating Halloween can span much more than just a day - not that I would change it. Darek had a Halloween party at school, we went to the Halloween carnival at the local elementary school, the next day was some kind of vendor sponsored city-wide trick or treat event downtown (with a shout out to Kluane for saving us almost an hour of waiting-in-line time), and Saturday was trick or treating. Both Darek and Mia are fascinated by the "scary" parts of Halloween. They loved the automated ghost and witches that would make noises when you walk by, they were into the monsters and scary costumes - kinda weird because I've never liked that stuff.

Playing musical chairs at the school carnival
 

A fairy of sorts :)
 

Getting ready to go downtown
 

This Week

I couldn't get the kids to go home after they saw this puppy at the park. Darek held it forever (until it would wiggle away and then he'd chase it and hold it again). He's always asked for a dog but now it's gotten crazy.


Darek has started karate class - my new favorite thing. The truth is, I needed something to get us out of the house, so I decided to find him some kind of class. Punching and kicking and yelling for 30 minutes, along with the discipline thrown in could not be more perfect. And it is possibly the cutest thing ever. Darek behaves SO well and is awed by his teacher.


This October may be the very best weather I've experienced in my entire life. It's been in the low 70s for most of the month with constant sunshine. We've spent a ton of time at the park.


We went to a friend's birthday party. Let me add that Latin Americans throw the very BEST parties. Incredible food, music, pinatas, a fun jump - amazing.


Blayne plays football with the old men on Saturday mornings.

Big week

Darek finally pooped in the toilet and he started pre-school: Best Week Ever.
After his first poop in the toilet, we gave high fives and hugs, etc., then I told him it was time to flush it. He got upset and said, "No don't flush it, I love my poop. He's my friend, he's like a fish." The poop was a "he"? So I asked him if he wanted me to take a picture of it before we flushed it and he said yes. We took about 6 pictures, some of the poop by itself and then Darek wanted to get in some of the pictures with "him". Darek asked to look at the pictures several more times that night. It was a very proud day for all of us.

And then Darek started pre-school. I didn't take any pictures of his first day because he was nervous and I didn't want to make it seem like a bigger deal than it already was by pulling out the camera. School is just two hours a day/3 days a week. It's just a few houses down the road and his teacher is wonderful. He's still getting used to it. On the second day of school he told me he wasn't going - that he would go when he was "taller". But we talked him into it. I'm sure he'll absolutely love it in a few days.

Mia got SillyBandz in the mail from cousin Alex and Aunt Katy. No instructions needed on this one.
 

We're still spending all of our time outside. Please let it last!
 

Oldest Child

Darek monitors what Mia does. He mostly calls her "Baby" and lets me know if she's too close to the street, if she's climbed up on the table, if she's made a mess, etc.

There are three nurseries in our ward. Mia was supposed to come to the one that I teach while Darek was assigned to a different one. When he realized that she was going to a different nursery, he cried and said, "I want my Baby..." so now they go together.

At Family Night this week Blayne was helping Darek pray - Darek repeated exactly what Blayne said until Blayne said, "Bless Mia that she'll be a good girl." Darek repeated, "Bless Baby that she'll be the Best girl."

Don't get me wrong, Darek knocks her down and takes toys and jostles her for attention, but he is ultimately her protector.

Giving Baby a ride on his scooter.
 



Mutual adoration
 

 

Mia

4 necklaces, 2 bracelets, 2 babies, 1 pacifier, Darek's shoes. A day in the life of Miss Mia.

Marbles and boxes

Darek got his first pets last week. It was his reward after getting his jar full of marbles (he earned the marbles through being obedient, helping around the house, etc.). He wanted to name both fish Nemo, but Blayne convinced him to name one Boo Boo (what?). Darek's working on filling his jar again and the next thing he wants is a robot - I'm thinking that could cost more than a $.25 fish.
 
 

Painting yet another box made into a robot. He spends hours on painting projects and there's something so precious about watching a three year old being so thorough and absorbed in something like this. I absolutely love it.
 

On Sundays we feed the ducks at the river. Sometimes Idaho Falls looks mighty fine.
 

Her Loves Us

 

After living with us for 5 weeks, my sister Grace went back up to school at BYU-I last week. The kids LOVE Aunt Grace. One night I was putting Darek to bed and he asked where Grace was. I told him she was with her friends and he said, "Her loves us. Her really, really loves us." And she does.

Remember When...

Remember when we laughed until we cried (and cried until we laughed), and stayed up all night, had crazy drama, and ate cake and ice cream for three meals a day, held hands, shared secrets, and figured out who we were? Some things never change. To the next ten years

Then (Liberty Square, Provo, UT. October 2000)



Now (Together in San Clemente, CA. Husbands and kids at home)

Mia puts on jewelry EVERYDAY. She usually wears multiple necklaces and puts all my hairbands on her arm (plus a few silly bandz that Grace gave her). She puts on her own socks and Darek's shoes - she can get his on easier. I absolutely love watching her be a girl.
 
 

Darek was playing "cowboy" and tied up his 4 wheeler with a rope. Then he beat it with a foam bat - I'm pretty sure that's not an accurate game of "cowboy".
 

Recently

About every other Saturday Blayne takes Darek to Lowes for their free project. They both LOVE it and Darek gets to paint his project later (I have to attribute all of this info to Ashley, she knows everything). If you want to check it out, go to http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com
 

Mia hanging out at Darek's swim lessons
 

Darek at swim lessons.
 

Blayne's friend Scott, who is a pilot in our ward, pulled up to our house last Monday night and before I knew it Blayne was yelling, "Scott's taking Darek and I up on a plane, see ya later!" Luckily they left fast - before I had a chance to say no. And thank you Scott for the adventure!