Miss Cheri

Since Paul turned 3 he is no longer eligible for Early Intervention (speech) though the state. He has been passed off to the school district. That meant we had to lose our WONDERFUL SLP, Cheri. She has been such a blessing in our lives and truly and answer to prayers. When she started working with Paul he had no words and only a few vowel sounds that he could make. He is now talking up a storm and I know it's because of her help. She told us in the last session that he has progressed beyond any other 3 year old that she's seen with Apraxia.  Paul truly loved her and we will miss her as we move on to a new speech pathologist.

Caught

My kids have decided that it's okay to sneak snacks/candy/etc as long as they are hiding behind the couch. Paul was mad the night of Mother's Day because he didn't like what we were having for dinner. He ran off crying and it was awhile before we noticed that it had gotten quiet. Adam went looking for him and Paul ran out from behind the couch and tells Adam, "go in kitchen." Adam thought Paul was right behind him and started heading back. By the time he got there he realized Paul wasn't coming. He went back into the living room and found that Paul had managed to find and unwrap the candy bar I had gotten at church. He was about to start enjoying the treat when Adam came back in. Paul immediately started yelling "STOP, stop looking, STOP!!!!"  The only reason Adam got a picture is because he told him he could have one bite. Ever since then I am constantly finding crumbs/wrappers back there....I guess we need to have a little talk about sneaking candy.

Mother's Day

This was the first year Samantha understood the idea of Mother's Day. We had a mother's day "brunch" at her preschool where she and I got to sit down and have some yogurt together. She also painted a canvas bag and gave me a plant. She was SO excited to give them to me and kept telling me, "Mom, I just love you so much. You are the best mom." It was sweet and made me so happy to have her.  Then in primary she drew on a canvas poster that I can hang on my wall. It was so sweet because I could tell how much time and effort she put into both presents. She also wrote me numerous cards and kept telling me that I was the best mom in the UNIVERSE. How could it get any better than that?

My sweet Paul didn't get it at all...However, I knew I was loved because he cried every time he had to leave my side. Oh how I love those two little people!

Samantha and I before our brunch. She REALLY wanted to wear her very, most nicest dress, and wanted me to dress up as well.

Easter

Easter was different this year than we've done in the past. I have always wanted to do Easter baskets, egg hunts, etc. on Saturday and then have Sunday focus on the Savior. Not only does it help us focus on why we actually have the holiday without taking away some of the fun traditions, but it allows for things to be a little more relaxed. This year that didn't work out. It was still pretty low key and we didn't do a lot but we did fit it all in on Sunday. Hopefully next year we won't have such a busy weekend and we can do it the way I planned.

I was pretty proud of my Easter baskets. I have just started couponing and so I was able to do their entire basket for $4 each.  That included bags of M&M's and a stuffed rabbit for Samantha (extra chocolate for Paul). It was a really nice day, although we all commented that it wasn't the same without Mom and Dad around.

Samantha in her new Easter dress (thanks Stacy!)

Paul with his new tie

The best picture I have of them together, you can actually see both of their faces...that is about all it has going for it though.

What the rest of the pictures look like...

Fairy Wings

Paul fell asleep with Samantha's fairy wings on awhile back. He had been wearing them all day and we made him take them off before bed. When we went in to check on him, this is what we found...

Adam figures this will be great bribery in a few years.

Just Because

I thought I'd post a couple cute pictures of the kids. Samantha LOVES wearing skirts or dresses. Every day. It doesn't matter what we're doing or what the weather is like, she wants to be in a skirt. It usually doesn't matter, but if it's freezing or we're going to play somewhere where she'll be climbing and jumping I try to talk her into pants. Usually the only way I'm successful is if I make some type of deal. This is just one day where she was wearing a skirt and wanted me to take her picture. What a cute girl!

Paul is my "tough guy" and likes to show me his muscles. For awhile almost every picture I took had him making these faces. If you look close, you can tell he is trying not to smile. Despite being a boy, he wants to do everything Samantha is doing, but in his own way. If she is playing kitty, he plays too. The only difference is that he'll be tackling you while he is meowing. He doesn't seem to appreciate it going the other way. If you tackle or hit him, he is the first try cry. Adam's trying to teach him to "play with your muscles and not with your feelings."

Baby Girl

I am so late in posting this that I am sure everyone knows that in August a little girl will be joining our family. Samantha is SO excited to have a little sister and even Paul will kiss me and say "love you baby." They have had fun looking through the clothes and Samantha loves it that a lot of the clothes used to be hers. Paul has tried to donate some of his outfits as well, but that won't work quite as well, especially since they are size 3T. When we were looking at the clothes Paul would hold up different dresses and say "Oh, cute baby." We can't wait!