FHE: Importance of Prayer

We started Family Home Evening by singing, "A Child's Prayer".

We asked the kids what is prayer? How do we pray? What is the order of saying prayers? It was good to be able to go over each step with the kids. We then watched a little video that we have watched many times since, the kids love it!

We were in a bit of a hurry so we didn't get an activity in but we did have mini cupcakes for the treat!

We ended by singing, "Open, Shut Them".

Jake 2 Years 6 Months

Jake is already two and a half years old, half way to three, WHAT? Jake you are growing far to quickly for my liking how can it be that you have already grown six months since your birthday. Jake at two and a half years old...

1. Jake loves to clean up, I would call it actually a love hate relationship. Jake loves to use lysol wipes to wipe down anything and everything when it comes to wiping down the house. To bad Jake doesn't thing the same thing about a clean house when it comes to his pile of toys.

2. Jake loves chocolate sandwiches, nutella. Jake has had the same obsession as his big sister probably because they were both just introduced to the yummy goodness and it is such an easy lunch.

3. Jake is having a hard time with Andie gone. Since Andie started school this past month and gets to be out of the house for a couple of hours a couple days a week, Jake isn't a fan that he can't come along. We might have to start Jake up for 3 year old preschool next year. Jake had such a hard time the first week and would cry after leaving Andie both out of jealousness and out of fright that we had left his sister. Sibling love!

4. Jake knows movie characters more then any little boy I have ever known. Jake will recognize voices, songs, quotes and know what movie or character that it is in. I don't know if this is a bad thing but hey when you come from a movie loving family I think this is a pretty amazing skill.

5. Jake isn't a fan of nursery. Jake has been having such a hard time with nursery and we aren't even sure why, maybe if they had a TV haha (this is a joke). Jake has asked more then once to stay in the van while we go to church or to even take his iPad in with him, should I be worried? Jake is such a funny little boy and I love him so much.

6. Jake gets so frustrated when Brooklyn doesn't understand him. Jake loves playing with his baby sister now that she is crawling and moving around more, the only sad part is that Jake gets so frustrated when Brooklyn won't follow such simple directions like come here. Poor guy is having such a hard time but just wait a few more months Jake and you will wish that she wasn't able to listen to you.

7. Jake has the cutest run EVER! When Jake runs he has this running hop thing going on and I can't help but smile as he quickly run hops all around. I love my baby boy so much!

8. Jake knows his body names. I get surprised when my kids know all these things and I don't teach them it. Jake was telling us one day about his ear, eyes, hair, stomach, etc and I was shocked that he knew all these body parts. Jake is such a smart guy and everyday he surprises me with all that he knows.

9. Jake chose his own Halloween costume. I am so excited for Jake to experience Halloween and other holidays this year as he is getting older. I showed Jake a few different options for costumes and of course he had to pick "Me" (Jake from the Neverland Pirates). I am so excited to see Jake dressed up as Jake, not Jake from state farm (haha).

Jake Oliver you are such an amazing little boy and I can't get enough of your energy but sweet personality always caring for all of those around you. You have a heart of gold but also mixed with some evil which makes you a perfect boy. I love all of you so much and I love watching you grow! Love you my Jakey boy!

FHE: Taking Care of our Body

We have been slowly trying to focus on our bodies more and more and making them as healthy as possible. We started by singing, "The Lord gave me a Temple".

We showed a picture of a temple and explained that our bodies are like temples. We talked about the WOW and how exercise, sleep and eating healthy all take part in treating our bodies correctly. We plan to start taking family walks each Sunday, when we start we don't know for sure but hopefully sooner then later.

We then got some of our play kitchen food and picked them out of the bin one by one asking the kids if this was a healthy choice to place in our bodies or unhealthy. It was almost humorous how our kids think that healthy means just that it tastes good, have I failed them (haha). We will slowly teach them that cookies and cakes might taste good but that they aren't healthy for us.

Of course we needed to have an activity so we colored some pictures and we couldn't leave without a treat either even if we had nothing lined up. We found some animal crackers and a tub of icing (healthy right?), so we made our own dunkaroos.

We ended by singing, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". I love teaching my kids the little things that mean so much in life.

Dentist Date

One of the bonuses of having insurance now with working full time is that we can finally make it to the doctor. Zachary hasn't been to the dentist or doctor since his pre-mission exam so this was much needed.

We decided to make a date out of the dentist by having the kids be watched and we went over to our dentist for our cleaning. Yeah for X-rays of the mouth! Zach got perfect exam and cleaning with zero troubles.

I on the other hand got my cleaning and they found two small cavities right beside each other. I got one bonus that my wisdom teeth are still nowhere to be seen. I had to make an extra appointment to come back in and get my cavities fixed.

Andie came with me to give some moral support when I got my cavities filled. That procedure went a bit rougher then expected since they weren't able numb me easily and the cavities were a lot deeper then expected. Oh joys! I had to skip a day of work due to the mouth pain but at least I got it fixed now right?

We also made doctors appointments and unfortunately (wink wink) Zachary and I are two healthy adults for the most part (we are still trying to figure out my headaches with of course more meds). 2016 has been such a health roller coaster and I am sure with my luck it will continue on till the very end of the year but here goes nothing.

Brooklyn 10 Months

Brooklyn, baby girl, you are ten months old already. Where is my baby going? Brooklyn at 10 months old...

1. Brooklyn has two teeth coming in. Yes Brooklyn is a bit of a late teether like her brother and I couldn't be more excited to see two little pearly whites growing in. I love when babies have those front tooth smiles, so cute!

2. Brooklyn taught herself a few new tricks such as clicking her tongue. Brooklyn clicks her tongue constantly and will do so if she hears or sees anyone doing it too. It's adorable. Brooklyn also has taught herself how to suck out of a straw, this is a real great thing to learn because it means you can now officially steal your siblings juice or even your parents pop at times.

3. Brooklyn says yeah and Dad. She might say a few other words but those are the main ones. How is my baby girl talking? One night Brooklyn was happy screaming just for fun because you know how babies are, well I told Brooklyn shhhhhh. Brooklyn then kept saying shhhhhh over and over again and it was the cutest thing, so I guess she knows that word.

4. Brooklyn is the worlds fastest army crawler. Brooklyn hasn't really mastered the full on crawling but boy does she get around. Brooklyn also has been able to pull to a stand on the couch and makes me so proud but also want to cry all at the same time that my baby girl is growing up.

5. Brooklyn gets mad when left out. Brooklyn is definitely growing up because she is starting to notice if she is being left out of something especially when it comes to us giving her siblings food or toys. Brooklyn is such a cute little jealous girl and of course we always must give in to her cute little smile.

6. Brooklyn loves when Mom comes home. One of the nice things about being a working mother is that when I come home that all the kids run to me in open arms excited to see me each day. Brooklyn gets so excited to see Mom and its the cutest thing. Brooklyn also waves constantly and its the cutes to have her wave goodbye to me as I leave to work. I love my Brooklyn girl!

7. Brooklyn has been a bit sick this month and seems to be sticking around. Poor baby girl I hate seeing you sick with your runny nose, slight cough. I hope you get feeling well soon my princess, I would take your pain away in a minute if I could.

8. Brooklyn is wearing size 12 month clothes. Brooklyn you are growing so quickly out of all your clothes, now officially in 12 month clothes and size 3 diapers. You still take about 6oz of formula every four hours or so but will take food. Brooklyn really enjoys yogurt bites and is okay with baby food but still would prefer people food.

Brooklyn Riley you are such an amazing baby girl and getting smarter and smarter each day. You are not going to be my little baby much longer and I don't know how I am going to be able to handle that. I love you my princess and you have changed my life for the better. You are such an amazing little girl and I can't imagine my life without you. I love you baby girl always and forever!

Andie 4 Years 3 Months

Andie Noelle you are a month older and growing far to quickly. This fifth year of life is rushing on by and it's already a fourth over, how? Andie at four years three months old...

1. Andie has a new movie obsession and it is one I wasn't expecting, Miracles from Heaven. Andie calls the movie the girl falling down the tree movie. We watched this movie one Sunday and have watched it many more times since then.

2. Andie LOVES Family Home Evening. We have been being horrible at doing Family Home Evenings and I decided to change that since teaching in the home is the best place for a child to learn. Andie never lets us forget a Monday night now. We only have 3 minutes to really try and teach the kids something each week and each week Andie can tell us something she learns, we are succeeding. I think Andie's favorite part of FHE is the activity and of course the treat though.

3. Andie started preschool and LOVES it! Preschool has become a favorite part of Andie's day and we colored our calendar so she knows that pink days are school and blue days are big girl class (church). Andie met her teachers Maxine and Angela, one of her favorite homework activities thus far was the homework craft making herself as a doll. My creative girl! Plus Andie looks adorable in her Elena backpack.

4. Andie has a witch obsession. Andie is loving the Wizard of Oz movie lately and wants to be a witch for Halloween. What a perfect time of year to be witch obsessed since the fall season is just about to start.

5. Andie had a doctors appointment. We have known about a wart on Andie's finger for awhile and it finally got to the point it was bugging Andie. We took her into the pediatrician and he placed some liquid on it to get treated and removed. It blistered up and Andie was such a champ about it but hey it's gone now so that is awesome.

6. Andie has a thing with Nutella lately. Chocolate sandwiches have become a hit in the Wadsworth home and Andie plus brother happen to eat them quite a bit. Yum chocolate sandwiches.

7. Andie has no more pull ups at night. Since I have potty trained Andie I just didn't want the added stress of trying to figure out the wetting the bed thing so I just always had her wear pull ups at night. Andie decided big girls don't wear pull ups when they go to school and refused to wear them anymore so Mom finally had to give in and Andie has been doing excellent, what was I afraid of this whole time?

8. Andie had a parent date of going to IHOP after we went to the preschool open house. It is so fun to be able to have these monthly dates with Andie no matter how small these may be.

Andie you are such an amazing young women and I am so excited that you are now in preschool and each day you come home you are more and more knowledgeable. Andie you surprise me daily with all you know and all that you teach your parents and younger siblings. You are a blessing to our home and I can never imagine life without you right by our side. I love you my princess!

Family Photos

Sometimes I get behind on the blog and have to play catch up. I really wanted to snap an updated family picture, I think my littlest brother did pretty good eh?