We Got a Trailer

After that first night of setting up a tent, in the dark, in the rain, with a dog and three very tired kids on our last camping trip, we decided we were getting a trailer. Afterward we talked about it and decided it was something we would definitely use for many, many years. So we started looking and doing our research because, well, they're not exactly cheap so we wanted to make the best choice.
Today we brought home our new home away from home and I couldn't love it more.
My only requirement was that it have at least 3 bunks in it for the boys so I wouldn't have to put a table or couch down to a bed all the time and, more importantly, listen to the fights over who had to sleep on the couch or table bed. Also, after walking through some with the boys running around, I insisted on at least one slide.
We ended up getting a stellar deal on a new Jayco. It has my 3 bunks, plus what they call j cubes (think little kid couches that fold out into mats to lay on). Those are all in a huge bunkroom in the back with slides on both sides. It has one more slide where the couch and dinette are as well.
We are super excited about it, and hope to get to use it at least once this year, but we will see, time is running out fast.
If nothing else, I look forward to all the many years of amazing, fun memories I know will be made with it in tow!

Zoo Field Trip with Cooper

One of my favorite parts about the preschool we go to is the monthly field trips. It makes me make time to do things I might put off with my kiddos. Today that field trip was to the zoo. Jason had never been on a field trip with us so he decided to take a day off and go as well.
Fall is the perfect time to go to the zoo. It's not busy and the animals are more active since it's cooler outside.
Even Emmett, who wasn't feeling to great, had a great time. He especially loved the monkeys, getting right up to the glass and waving his arms excitedly.
Coop loved to see the giraffes and ride the zoo train. We were excited to see that one of the two new polar bears was out in the exhibit and couldn't wait to show Jake the pictures because they are his very favorite.

Mystery Solved

For a couple of weeks now, the toilets in our house have been getting clogged far more than they should.
Today, as I went to help Coop in the bathroom I figured out why. It had to be the football sized balls of toilet paper he was rolling up to wipe his little bum with. Oi!

Field Trip Back in Time

I was lucky to spend the day with Jacob on his field trip to the American West Heritage Center in Logan. It's a farm that is celebrating it's 100th birthday this year. The kids got to go around to different presenters and learn about how a farm was run 100 years ago.

We went inside a chicken coop with actual chickens living in it and the smell to prove it. Next we learned about and went inside a root cellar, and a smokehouse. Last we stopped by the woodshed. As we went to each stop, the kids thought it was pretty crazy that many of the jobs they saw would have been theirs if they lived on a farm back then.

Next we went to the barn where they got to milk a cow. Jake's reaction when he reached for the teat and the cow started to pee was priceless. I've never seen him move so fast. 

After that we got to shuck and grind corn, use an apple press to make cider, watch the blacksmith, go inside the old farmhouse kitchen, thresh wheat, and wash laundry with an old washboard.

Watching the kids disbelief as they learned about all the hard work it took to live day to day was entertaining. 

Before going home we went to the bowery to eat our lunch. I ended up giving mine to two kids to share since they somehow ended up without anything. Had to stop at Maddox after, darn!

Maccarthy Party!

Last night, for the first time ever, I had the entire Maccarthy family under my roof. Maccarthy is my maiden name for those that don't know. Also, for those that don't know, we are a fun bunch. I kid you not. This side of my family is so easy to be around and always fun.
This was also the first time in many years the Maccarthy's were in full force in one place. A lot of them live in California or Arizona, and up until recently we've had some out on missions. I really wish we could do this more, especially now that there's been many new spouses added to the family that I haven't had the chance to really get to know.

Of course, as in most cases, this didn't happen under the best circumstances. We had all gathered for a memorial service today for my aunt Carolen that recently passed after a long battle with cancer. Her passing was a surprise, not because we didn't know she was incredibly ill, but because she never ever complained, so we never knew she was so close to being done. Needless to say, she will be missed, but I am so happy to be a part of the family that I am that can take any circumstance and bring the happy. And of course we are so happy for her to be reunited with her son along with so many others we've lost.

Emmett the Monkey

This little monkey is always keeping me on my toes. I thought my other two were climbers, but he has put them to shame! It seems as though every time I turn around, he's climbed up something else, including all the way to the top of the ladder on his older brother's bunk bed. Heaven help me!

Buddy Birthdays

This morning we got a last minute text inviting Jake to join our neighbors, Ayden and Lilly, at Boondocks to celebrate their birthday. Jake was a bit nervous and asked me to go with him, and I am so glad I did. Not only do I just love the two birthday kiddos, but it was so fun to watch Jake trying some new things. We had a great time and I am very much looking forward to taking him again soon.

Can't believe he is big enough to drive his own go cart!

Cooper's First Day of Preschool

Yup, they're growing. This kiddo has been talking for weeks about how he's going to go to preschool, and Miss Celeste is his best friend and/or girlfriend, and he's going to playdoh, and so on. He started to get impatient for his turn when Jake started school a full two weeks before him and would get his backpack ready to go every morning, only to be let down.
Come this morning he was ready and waiting. He ate, brushed his teeth, put on his new shark shirt, grabbed his Ninja Turtle backpack and was ready. to. go.

I walked him in, kissed him, and sent him to find his chair. It was pretty easy considering that child only went to nursery at church maybe 3 times ever. And he only stays in Primary because I'm in the back on the room with Jake's class.

Emmett and I ran some errands until it was time to go back and get Coop. It was a bit lovely and strange all at once traveling around with just the one child. I could get used to it.
He was all smiles wearing a cute crown he had made when I picked him up.

He told me all about what he did, but I didn't understand much from his excited tone. Here's hoping it continues to go as smooth.

Stuck! Stuck! STUCK!

It's a double post day because, well, kids.
Somehow, by some miracle, my boys had yet to get their giant noggins stuck anywhere. Not for lack of trying, but they've been lucky. Until today.
Jake was laughing about sticking his head through the back of the chair while I was getting dinner plated. Then he wasn't laughing when he realized he couldn't pull it back through.
I tried pushing a couple different ways, but that melon was not moving.
Enter the SawsAll to save his dome but not my chair.

This is where the panic set it. Yes I took pictures before we freed him.

I'm really hoping neither he nor his brothers try this one again, especially on something that they won't be so easily freed from.

Hypoglycemia for the... win?

About a year or so ago we learned that Coop is hypoglycemic after a few mornings of him waking up pasty, shaky, and throwing up, I soon realized this was only happening when he hadn't eaten a good dinner. My suspicion was confirmed at his next Dr. appointment. Really it's no big, except I can't play the' eat your dinner or go to bed hungry' card for him like I do with his brother. Meh.
This morning Coop woke us up super early, and apparently was telling Jason he was hungry. Jason got him to crawl into our bed and go back to sleep. About an hour later he started to stir again, then BLAEH! bile barfed right on Jason's arm and pillow. He was quickly "rewarded" by mom with a big ol' spoonful of peanut butter with chocolate chips on it. (This has proven to be the only thing he'll eat when he wakes up sick, and it's a great way to get his sugar to go up and stay up, so lucky him.)
Jake gets jealous because he's stuck with real breakfast.