One Fine Day

Our days often consist of cleaning up messes, making messes, and cleaning up messes. This fun-filled day occurred back at the end of March. Early one morning while I was feeding Claire, Joshua and Caleb found something really exciting to play with:

FLOUR!!!!

I'm pretty sure the boys had a blast.




I was so tired of Travis not understanding the extent of the damage the boys do to the house on a daily basis, and wondering how the vacuum could get so clogged, so I finally documented the situation. This is a picture of our bightly colored area rug. Now that's a lot of flour (and spaghetti?)


Caleb often gets the worst end of the messiness because Joshua likes to pour things on his head. Here he is, asking for a drink of water.


This is what Baby Claire was up to while we were cleaning up.


The boys are getting better at staying out of trouble, and I've learned to lock up the baking supplies.

Special Pictures

Who would have thought that my very own brother, Elder Daniel Jackson, would be serving right here in Minnesota. It has been so great to see him at General Conference and Stake Conference, and have him participate in Claire's Baby Blessing. Here are some pictures taken with his camera:


Daniel and Travis after the General Priesthood Meeting (April 5th)


Claire on her blessing day (April 13th)


I love the way Claire's dress looks in these pictures. And she looks so peaceful, like an angel.

Say Cheese

So, the main reason we started this blog was to show everyone how much our kids have grow. Here are some recent photos:







Joshua took the next three pictures of himself, Claire, and Me:

The Best Books Ever

Have you ever heard of a story about a Siamese Cat that thinks he's a Chihuahua and goes on crazy adventures in his closet? Some might say that's Loco. I say it's the Best Book Ever!


The series also includes:
Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble
Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones
Skippyjon Jones in the Dog-House
Skippyjon Jones: Color Crazy

These books are Hilarious!
"Your ears are too big for your head.
Your head is too big for your body.
You are not a Siamese cat!" . . .
"You are steel the beeg Chihuahua, dude, the whole enchilada!"

Read them, love them, share them with a friend.

The Songs We Sing

My sisters have been asking for the words to some songs we like to sing, so I thought I'd write them here. Most of them we learned in our ECFE "Mom and Me" classes.


Airplanes
Airplanes fly in the sky, Zoom, Zoom
Airplanes fly in the sky, Zoom, Zoom
Round and round the airplanes go,
Flying high, Flying low
Shhhhhh..........I think I hear one
ZOOM!


Cheer
Joshua's* here today, (pat legs)
Joshua's here today,
Joshua's here today,
Yeah, Joshua. (roll hands, raise above head for name)
(*insert any name)


Pop-up
If your name is Joshua, pop right up.
If your name is Caleb, pop right up.
If your name is Claire, pop right up.
Now let's all pop-up. Whee!

(I use this song to get the boys excited about anythings we need to do.
Examples: If your name is Joshua, hop out of the tub.
If your name is Caleb, come put on your pants.
If your name is Joshua, come clean up.
Now let's all clean up.
Really, anything goes!)


Hello
Hello, Hello, Hello and how are you?
I'm fine, I'm fine, I hope that you are, too.
(Sing twice)

We've changed the words to this song to use at bedtime.
Good night, Good night, Good night and I love you.
Good night, Good night, I know you love me, too.


Choo-Choo
Choo-Choo-Choo-Choo
Choo-Choo- Choo-Choo
Up the railroad tracks, Toot, Toot
Choo-Choo-Choo-Choo
Choo-Choo-Choo-Choo
Then we'll come right back.

First we'll go to Caleb's house,
And then we'll go to Mommy's house,
Next we'll go to Joshua's house,
And then we'll go to Claire's house.

Repeat the Choo-Choo's


Good-bye
Good-bye everybody, yes indeed,
Yes indeed, Yes indeed.
Good-bye everybody, yes indeed,
Let's all wave good-bye.


Come Together
Come, Come, Come Together
Come, Come, Come Together
Come, Come, Come Together
Come Together Now.

Clap your hands together,
Clap your hands together,
Clap your hands together,
Clap together now.

Pat your head together,
Pat your head together,
Pat your head together,
Pat together now.

Give your Mommy a great big hug,
Give your Daddy a great big hug,
Give your Mommy a great big hug,
Hug together now.


Jelly in a bowl
Jelly in a bowl,
Jelly in a bowl,
Wibble, Wobble, Wibble, Wobble,
Jelly in a bowl.

Jelly on my head......
Jelly in my belly......
Jelly on my feet.....
Jelly in a bowl......
(This is a good one for rubbing the soap on in the bath tub.)


We also sing the regular nursery rhymes and primary songs:
The Wheels on the Bus
Old McDonald had a Farm
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Ring Around the Rosies
Second verse:
The cows are in the meadow eating butter cups.
Ashes, Ashes, we all stand up.
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
I am a Child of God
Barney's Clean-up Song

"Popcorn Popping!"

Pretty much I can put anything to song. We make up silly songs, songs about what we're doing, and sing to the radio or TV all the time. When we're bored, or sad, or getting to the end of our patience we make up a song to make the day go more smoothly.

Here's one I really like:
I'm picking up the toys,
I'm picking up the toys,
Now the toys belong to me,
I'm picking up the toys.

Anything to get the boys up and moving. (We've got to get those wiggles out somehow!)

This is what the boys do when we say, "Say Cheese."
Or maybe it's their interpretation of See no evil.

We hope you have a wonderful day and keep on singing!!