Chats with Children 3

BEN

Ben has been looking to exert dominance lately. The problem is finding something to be dominant over when you're only a kid. He seems to be striking out quite a bit. He just can't seem to figure out that SAYING something does not make it what he wants it to be whether it's reversing a punishment or granting himself a privilege. I'll spare you the oft repeated dialogue we endured this week, but I'll share that the week culminated in him getting kicked out of Sunday School today. According to him, he got kicked out because he was "talking like a parrot"... buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut that's not exactly the whole story. He thought his punishment was going to be missing Grandma's house for dinner today, but nobody went up to Grandma's tonight so he thought he was off the hook. Instead we went for a family walk which turned out to be a much worse punishment. Ben didn't listen to us about bundling up, so for about 45 minutes of our "pleasant, Sunday, family outing" Ben was wailing down the streets of our neighborhood like a funeral dirge. That'll teach him. He now gets 5 minutes of "family time" when he acts out.

KALLIE

Kallie gave her first talk in Primary today. This basically consisted of Mom helping her put together some visuals before church and me making up her talk as I "helped" her give it. She did a great job except for the part were she attempted to repeat what I was whispering while she picked her nose. Yeah, we're still working on some of those practices that aren't considered exactly socially acceptable. Anyways, she's been an ANGEL this week with Ben getting is so much trouble. I can't wait until they're teenagers and the roles reverse. She was EXTREMELY upset about not going to Grandma's today. So I took her in my arms and I said "Kallie, should we make chocolate chip brownies in little iron skillets for dessert tonight?" "Can, we make them with little powdered sugar hearts on top?" she asked. "Yes." "Can we make them right now?" "Sure". Problem solved.

ANDREW

Andrew started exhibiting a slight cold medication dependency this week when his fever finally came down and he realized we weren't going to give him any more Tylenol. It was pretty funny. I said, "But Andrew, you don't have a fever anymore." So he started coughing. We pointed out that a cough is not a fever. That's when he got a really consternating look on his face as he tried to figure out how to fake a fever. He gave up and simply tried to demand the medicine. "But you don't have a fever," I reminded him. He tried the coughing thing again, and got really frustrated as he tried to produce a fever for the second time. This morning Katie was really not feeling good and slept in a little. I spent the morning with Andrew who was having a hard time. When I asked him why he was so upset he said, "MOM'S DEAD!" I tried to tell him we could go prove she was alive but he wouldn't hear of it. He just kept repeating "mom's dead" and he didn't want to go up to our room. Kallie slept in to about noon, and it didn't take long before he was saying the same thing about Kallie. I'm not sure what got this kid so worked up about mortality all of sudden, but he sure was happy when they both woke up.

KATIE

Yeah, I know I'm more of a kid than Katie, but we have some pretty funny conversations sometimes. I don't have enough time or space to detail all of the funny things she's said this week so I'll share a bit of tonight that won't embarrass her. Kallie has been coughing hard enough at night that she's thrown up a couple of times by gagging herself. She did it again tonight. We heard it from downstairs followed by a "Moooooooommmmmmmm..... I threw up!" Katie goes, "It's your turn." So I said, "But she threw up." Apparently, that wasn't a valid argument.

Spelling

This afternoon we were watching SDSU get "Jimmered" when Kallie came up with this little gem that left Chris and I laughing so hard.



Kallie: Mom, I know how to spell BYU!

Me: Really? How?

Kallie: B - Y - U!!!! (so incredibly proud of herself!)

Chris and I trying so hard not to laugh: That's right! How did you figure that out?

Kallie: Well, (with a roll of her eyes) it's all over the shirts!

A few “Andrew-isms”

I’m working on my family memory book from 2009 and I am realizing how much I forget as time goes on!  So, for the sake of my 2011 family book I need to write these down!  A little journal entry if you will (that I won’t lose)

*Andrew loves to drive his truck.  It is a battery operated truck that he can get in and drive.  Ben got it for Christmas a few years ago from Grandma and Papa and Andrew has completely taken it over.  Many times Andrew will come up to me with his snow boots on the wrong feet, Kallie’s hot pink sweater, Chris’s hat, and Ben’s gloves (he is an equal opportunity taker) and give me a kiss goodbye telling me he is going to “work”.  He will grab his keys (real ones that he has commandeered) and go in the back yard and drive his truck around.  If it is a really cold day he will come home from “work” early…if it is a little warmer he will stay out there longer…maybe coming in and getting a snack to drive around with, or taking a toy outside to put in the back of his truck.  He loves to drive others around, but hates to have anyone else drive HIS truck…including Ben.

*He never wants Chris to go to work.  He has hidden his “work keys’ so he can’t leave many times.  We now have to hide the keys from Andrew!  When Chris goes to leave Andrew will always tell him to “wait!  you forgot your____” keys, laser pen, wallet, phone, gloves, hat, computer, money, food, really any word he can come up with.  Once Chris confirms he does in fact have what ever item Andrew is reminding him to get, Andrew will move on to the next thing on the list until he goes through all of them.  He finally ends with, “you forgot my kiss!”…Then “you forgot my hug!”  It is adorable and I know Chris loves this!  Andrew will then walk him to the door, close it, then run to the front windows and watch him drive away.  He is then ready to play or watch Mickey Mouse.

*Andrew feels no need to ask me to go outside in the front yard.  We have a top lock on our door to keep him in.  Thankfully, even with the help of his trusty stool, he can’t reach it yet.  If I forget to lock it we are in trouble.  He has no qualms about heading over to his friends houses without asking.  Many times he has made it all the way to Julie’s house and knocked on her door asking Jessie to play.  If he is headed to Everett’s house he will take his truck.  Heaven forbid he have to walk that far! (it is just around the corner).  He is one independent little soul.

*Andrew loves to take bathes and “swim like a fishy”.  He can spend hours in a bath sliding back and forth like a fishy.  His favorite thing to do is take a bath, but turn on the shower too.  He will just sit in the tub right under the shower head and let the water hit him.  Once the tub gets to the point where we turn it off he gets so upset until we remind him he can now swim like a fishy.  Then he flips onto his belly and swims!

*Andrew loves to wear his “boots”.  Pretty much any two shoes that he can put on himself.  It doesn’t matter if they are his or not.

*Andrew loves keys and know what car, lock, door, anything that it goes to.  His favorite thing is to sit at his window with my car keys and open the sliding doors on my van.  He has already broken one door.  Another reason we have to put our keys up!

This is it for now.  If any of you have cute little stories of my kids will you let me know?  Either leave a comment or send me an email.  It would be fun to put in our 2011 book :)

She’s HOME!!!!

*Warning – Picture overload…but not really considering I took over 200. I’m only posting 30…you’re welcome :)*

The day we’ve been waiting 18 months for finally arrived! Sister Erickson was finally coming home from Brazil! I have to admit, I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to have Ana back home…and stop feeling so guilty for not writing her every week like I had planned. But more than that I just really missed having Ana around and seeing her smiling face and always open arms to all the cute little babies in the family! Not only we were getting Ana home, but Grandma, Papa, and Uncle Nate were coming home from their 2 week stay in Brazil! I couldn’t contain the kids excitement. Ben must have asked me 100 times before going to school yesterday what time I would pull him out so we could get to the airport! There was so much excitement going on at our house!

We made posters, a banner, and Amy had these cute shirts made. They have a picture of Ana on them with “So hot right now” written on the top. Adorable! Here are two cute little models, Miss. Aubrey and Miss. Sierra, modeling them…

This is one of my favorites…Ava with her orange poster she painted holding her orange balloon waiting so patiently

Caden looking for treasure…more on that one later…

Two of the most handsome boys…

And again…

I just really couldn’t stop taking pictures of these cute boys that I love! (no, it had nothing to do with trying to kill time at the airport :))

All the kids patiently waiting…of course the flight got in late and we were finding creative ways of keeping 6 little kids busy in an airport…for 45 minutes!

We finally see her!!!

She got rushed by all the kids wanting hugs, kisses, to show off their poster, their sweatshirts, their balloons, their shoes, their hair-do’s, etc. Ana handled it like a pro and made each one feel very special. We were right in the middle of the walking path of all the other travelers…but they didn’t seem to mind…or we didn’t seem to notice it they did :)

The girls…Megan we missed you!!!! We need to photo shop you in :)

The Welcome Home Banner!!! ( I loved this thing!)

Ana seeing the Welcome Home Banner!!!!

Since Ana missed Christmas and her birthday she had it waiting for her at home! Hailey was itching to open those suckers!

The proud parents :)

These boys missed their Papa!

Ana had lots of little helpers to help open her presents. I think it was a bit overwhelming with all of them trying to open one of her presents and yelling, “Auntie Ana, this one next!” She was a good sport though. Andrew kept trying to make off with the big present. He got caught…and started to cry. Hard. The thinker that I am got an empty box and told Andrew if he closed his eyes I would put a special present in it. I wish I would have gotten a picture of him trying so hard to close his eyes, but being so excited he couldn’t keep them shut! He opened his “gift” and was so excited to see a pixie stick. That stopped the crying and the stealing of presents. Love 2 year olds!

Again, Caden looking for treasure! He had his hands down the back of his pants and we couldn’t stop laughing at him! It was so funny! This kid is a crack up! he he he

You could tell it was starting to get late…and people were starting to get tired. Things started to get a little silly….of course I had to grab my camera and take a few pictures….

Ana, we are so happy you are home! Welcome back! We love you!

Valentine’s Day!!!

I love Valentine’s Day.  I love a day where you focus on telling the people you love that you love them.  I have to admit I always thought it was just a “hallmark holiday” and flat out refused to buy Valentine cards.  I have been reformed by a husband who absolutely loves Valentine’s Day and tries to top himself every year.  I love it even more now that my kids are older and can get excited about it too.  They worked so hard on making sure all their valentines for their friends were perfect and couldn’t wait to give them out.

The kids both had parties at school today so I tried to hit both of them.  Kallie was so excited to wear the Valentine outfit from Nini.  How adorable is she?!?!? 

Since I was the mom helper in Kal’s class today I got to help all the kids frost and decorate these cute sugar cookies.  They had so much fun…but most were covered in pink frosting by the end. 

All the girls in Kallie’s class.  I did take a boy picture too, but Kallie isn’t in it so why post it?!

Can you find Kallie?  For their Valentine’s Day treat Mrs.. Parker let them make up their own centers today which all the kids were so excited about.  They then got to look through all their valentines from each other, decorate cookies, and play valentine’s day games.

Then off to Ben’s class.  Ben with his best buddy from birth, T—.  These two are trouble.  Can you tell? 

He is such a handsome kid!  He was so excited to go to school today and give out his Valentines.  He was going to give 2 to the boys and only 1 to the girls.  It took a lot of convincing to change his mind…and the fact that he was running late for school today :)

Aren’t these pictures AH-maz-ing!  Yes, the kids in the pictures are always cute..that’s a given…but haven’t you noticed how crisp and clean the pictures are now?!?!?  Next blog post will explain why!!!!

The newest member of our family….Jazzabell.  Yes, Jazz (like dance class Kallie says) A – Bell.  Not Jezebel.  Kallie and Jazzabell have matching outfits and matching jammies.  They are the best of friends!

Valentine’s day dinner.  For special occasions I let the kids drink out of our “special glass cups” as they call them.  They look like wine glasses and the kids feel so grown up to use such nice glassware (everything in our house is plastic…out of necessity…we do have 3 kids…well and Andrew…’nuff said!)  So I put up balloons, a table cloth, confetti with hearts and things and the kids are in heaven.  They love these special dinners!  We also put special notes and treats in their valentine mailboxes that we have had out all month.  For FHE one night we had them decorate these cute heart boxes and they would find little notes or treats from us or each other in them.  I loved this!

 

My cute kids.  Aren’t they adorable!?!? 

For dinner they had Jell-O with whipped topping and sprinkles in a glass cup and Andrew found them a little early.  He transferred all his Jell-O into his drinking glass cup and tried to drink it up.  Good thing everything around him was red (the tablecloth, his shirt) because he was covered in Jell-O!

My handsome husband who  is so adorable.

We even got a family shot!  I love camera timers!!!

I made dinner and Chris did dessert.  He bought them their favorite Macey’s chocolate cake donuts.  They were in heaven! 

We hope you all had an amazing Valentine’s day! 

A weekend full of Blessings!

Here are some pictures from Lily and Zenith’s blessings.  Lily was blessed on Saturday and Zenith (Brittany’s sister’s baby) was blessed on Sunday.  It was really fun to have these two cute babies blessed the same weekend! 

Since everyone at my house had been sick in the last 2 weeks we decided it was safer for Lily if we held her blessing at our ward building instead of our house.  My mom put it very kindly…my house was contaminated.  So we had the blessing at the church and it was amazing.  Mike did a marvelous job on the blessing and it was fun to have both sides get together!

After Mike gave Lily a name and a blessing Ella wanted to sing a song for all of us…and we all joined in.  We sang I am a Child of God.  It was so cute to see her up there leading the way.

 

Lily with Koko (Brittany’s mom Kathy).  Isn’t her dress stunning!  I couldn’t get enough of it!  As Kathy said, I need another baby girl!

Lily can give kisses!  Mike asked for a kiss and she planted a big one on his cheek!  It was so adorable to see her give kisses.  I think I have 10 pictures or so of this!

The guys who helped bless her

The proud Grandpas!  Bebe and Tatu

Lily with her grandparents

Cute little family!

The proud parents

 

The Ericksen side

Lily with Ahma (Lily’s Great Grandmother) and Auntie Joy

Lily and Joy

Lily was fascinated by Joy!  Joy had her smiling and cooing and laughing!  Lily would stick out her tongue and toss back her head to laugh.  It was adorable!

Lily sticking her tongue out!  Isn’t she the cutest little baby!

The next day we headed over to McKinley and Gian’s ward to be there for when they blessed little Zen.  I’m sure Gian gave him an amazing blessing, but since the microphone wasn’t working I couldn’t hear it :(  I was so sad!  After the blessing the kids had a great time playing on the swing set in their backyard!

Sadly this is the only picture I got of baby Zen!  Go to their blog for super cute pictures! 

Isn’t she the cutest little girl ever!?!?!

Thank you Brittany and McKinley for bringing these cute babies into the world!  Mike and Gian you guys are amazing dads to these adorable babies!