the library

...is one of our favorite places.

We frequent it often, browsing the shelves for new and exciting adventures that are only found in books.

This is our current stash of library treasures.


It includes books on photography, nature and animal field guides, parenting and activity books, novels, gardening books and beautiful pictures books.

A few of Jace's favorites right now are...





And just a thought about reading to your littles:
"Researchers say that the number of different words a baby hears each day is the single most important predictor of later intelligence, school success, and social competence, if those words come from one of baby's special people - mother, daddy, grandma, nanny - rather than from a box on the wall. Reading counts!" (from Reading with Babies, Toddles and Twos by Susan Straub and KJ Dell'Antonia. p.3)


What are some of your favorite children's books?

for today...

outside my window...a reflection of the mountains on the lake

i am thinking...about going running for the first time since it got cold last fall

i am thankful for...libraries, storytime and my 40 book check-out limit

i am celebrating...potty training success

from the learning rooms...abc's

from the kitchen...a massive amount of pork that needs to be cooked for a scout banquet

i am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt

i am creating...a 3-month food storage plan

i am going...to the post office (been putting it off for a week)

i am reading...a long way gone and the life of pi

i am hoping...that the weather forecast for the week is accurate

i am hearing...jace's wee pretend cd (one of our most favorites)

i need to remember...the funny things that jace says to me

around the house...loads of laundry wanting my attention

one of my favorite things...quiet sunday evenings

a few plans for the rest of the week...a blue and gold banquet, spending quality time with mr. sun, my niece's baptism and a much anticipated visit from family

here is a picture I am sharing...



Journal prompts from The Simple Woman's Day Book.

lovin' the sunshine

The past few days have been full of beautiful sunshine and clean air. Something that Jace and I have been longing for. We went on walks and to the park and had a great time.



A couple of funny things that he said while we were out and about:
(crossing the road) Mommy watch out! You're gonna get smashed like a pancake!

(walking down the hill) Just remember to be careful with me, okay, mommy. Just be careful with me.

more potty talk

Day 2 on the potty started out not so hot. We heard Jace around 5:00 in the morning in his room. When Jared went to check on him he was completely naked and cleaning up his accident on the floor. It was actually kind of cute. After that we had about three more accidents throughout the day which we noticed all happened while he was eating. They weren't big because he would stop and run to the bathroom as soon as he noticed so no major messes.

By day 3 he was telling me when he needed to go potty and going about 2 hours between each time. We did venture out to the park and he didn't have a problem. He has stayed dry through all of his naps and at night. Only problem was that he wasn't pooping.

Day 4 we went to church and he did great. He even told his nursery leaders that he needed to go potty. After church he has a poop accident (he shut himself in his room to do it). Sunday evening he tells me he needs to go but nothing happens when I put him on the toilet. He assures me that he really needs to go so I leave the bathroom for a minute. When I come back he exclaims, "Mommy! I dropped the poop in the toilet!"

So I am feeling successful and would recommend 3 Day Potty Training to anyone that is ready to do it. So sorry if you really didn't want to hear about Jace's potty days but I know that some (grandma's) wanted to hear. It really was a lot easier than I had imagined it being.

on the potty

Day one has been a success. Only one accident all day!

He seems excited about it and hasn't shown irritation at the fact that I have said about 100 times today, "remember to tell mommy when you need to go potty."

He hasn't actually told me verbally he needed to go to the bathroom but he did start doing a little dance with his legs crossed when he needed to go. Progess? I think so. At least he is aware of when he needs to go.

And, he looks so stinkin' cute in his little undies. I think I will have to take a picture of him tomorrow.

We will see what tomorrow brings. He has a habit of pushing the limits after I get comfortable thinking everything is great.

I am always looking online for new ideas to do with Jace. There is an amazing amount of information and ideas out there. Sometimes it can be quite overwhelming.

The other day I found this site that lets you download free ringtones of endangered animals along with a picture of the animal. How cool is that? Perfect for when we are waiting somewhere and need a little distraction. Play an animal sound, show him the picture. He'll love it!

What cool things have you found out there in the big world wide web?

potty time!

Today we are embarking on the grand adventure of potty training! We are using this recommended method. My goal is to be patient and stay consistent. Wish us luck!

for today...

outside my window...another snowstorm

i am thinking...that i need a nap after too many late nights this past weekend

i am thankful for...holidays and family to celebrate them with

i am celebrating...the great time we had in malad with family

from the learning rooms...a new space for jace to read and color and do whatever he wants

from the kitchen...breakfast dishes that still aren't done

i am wearing...comfy jeans and a byu hoodie

i am going...to drop off cheek swabs of dna samples in a fed-ex box

i am reading...a long way gone and a child's journey out of autism

i am hoping...to take jace ice skating

i am hearing...the polar express on cd that jace falls asleep to

i need to remember...to be patient with my two year old

around the house...a couple of mice that i think moved in over the weekend. gotta find my traps.

one of my favorite things...watching jared play basketball

a few plans for the rest of the week...take it easy, watch american idol and lost, read my books and enjoy my family

here is a picture thought I am sharing...



Journal prompts from The Simple Woman's Day Book.

valentines

If you are interested in how we celebrated Valentines you can read this. It was great!

for today...

outside my window...freshly fallen snow and cleaner air

i am thinking...that i need to come up with a valentine for jared

i am thankful for...the joy that the gospel brings into my life

from the learning rooms...books, books and more books

from the kitchen...a refrigerator that needs to be restocked and cookie dough that needs to be baked

i am wearing...my new shade sweater that is keeping my cozy and warm

i am creating...valentines with jace

i am going...to storytime, playgroup and jared's basketball game

i am reading...love and logic and 3 day potty training

i am hoping...for spring

i am hearing...the sweet sound of silence while my baby naps

around the house...a closet in desperate need of organizing

one of my favorite things...cuddling with jace under a warm blanket and reading books together

a few plans for the rest of the week...valentine cookies with friends, book group and a trip home to see my family

here is picture thought I am sharing...


Journal prompts from The Simple Woman's Day Book.

Wishing it would warm up a little so we can spend our days outside.

I'm off to this sale today hoping to find some killer deals. Maybe I'll see you there!

The sale was a success (at least I thought so, Jared may or may not agree). I scored some way cute sweaters for $7 and some camis for a mere $3. IMO you can never have too many white camis. By the way, it took me awhile to jump on the Shade bandwagon but I'm definitely on and it doesn't look like I'm getting off anytime soon. Seriously, cute, comfy and modest. Hard to beat that. I don't even care anymore if every other person is wearing it too!

love for nie nie

Last night Jared and I went to this. It was absolutely amazing. I laughed and then cried and then laughed and then cried some more. Not only was the entertainment (Mindy Gledhill, the Thrillionares, Ryan Shupe and David Osmond) a-mazing, there was such a spirit of hope and love.

I don't know how many of you know or read the nie nie dialogues. I check it out every so often and am totally inspired by the amount of love and charity that has been shown by so many people. And totally inspired by Stephanie herself. What a nightmarish experience to have to go through but what a blessing that she and Christian can still be together with their family. Makes me extra grateful for all that I have.

It really was a beautiful night and one that I won't soon forget. Both Jared and I were really grateful that we could be a part of it.

oh and p.s. - stephanie's beautiful girls claire and jane sang a song with mindy gledhill and now i want to name my girls claire and jane even more...

pure awesomenss

Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung fu skills were the stuff of legend. It is said that his enemies would go blind from over-exposure to pure awesomeness!