Noah Kaboa

My sweet little Noah turned FOUR!!!  Since Wednesday (the big birthday) whenever someone asks him how old he is his response is, "I'm four, and I can wipe my own bum now."  We've been telling him for several weeks now that when he turned four he needed to be a big boy which included wiping himself and no more whining.  He's very proud to tell everyone. :)  

Noah is a big part of our laughter every day.  He not only says things that are just hilarious but his actions and reactions are just one of a kind.  Lately he's been really obsessed with his dance moves.  He says he likes to 'shake his booty'.  Frequently when he introduces himself he says his name is Noah Kaboa.  If I introduce him as Noah he corrects me and tells me I forgot Kaboa.  

Noah not only is funny, but he's also a cuddly sweetheart.  He really loves cuddling.  When I sit down he will frequently say something like, "Mom did you forget something?  You need your snuggle buggle!"  or he'll snuggle into me and say, "Don't you love your snuggle buggle?" Everyone loves Noah, no really.  I worry that when he gets into school he may get away with anything because he has a way of winding everyone around his finger.  When someone watches him they rave about how funny, polite, and great he is.  His Primary teachers love him.  His nursery leaders still ask about him and tell us how much they miss him.   He's just that good. 

We really love having him as a part of our family!  

 On Noah's birthday we let him choose what kind of party he wanted (friend or family) and the activity. We ended up having a great family party.  One of Noah's favorite parts was being able to spend lots of time with Dad.  Brett took the day off and they had one on one time all morning while Hyrum was at school.  After lunch we opened presents.  Brett and I struggled thinking of something he would like, but I think the birthday gifting was a success.  We discovered he has a serious love for RescueBots (they're Transformers).  We got him one and took him to the store to buy two more with his money after his birthday.  Since then he sleeps with them at night, carries them around the house, talks to them, and will play with them for hours.  Originally he wanted to go to Chucke Cheese, but he changed his mind and wanted to go swimming instead.  We had a nice swim and got back home just as it was starting to snow.  It was a great day!

Celebrating!

We had a little boy party to celebrate the baby with balloons.  The boys have been having so much fun playing with them this week.

Just before Valentines Day I had the boys decorate the front yard.  One plus side to having snow on the ground is that it is easily decorated with water and food coloring in a spray bottle.  Yay for hearts!

 I was teaching Joyschool on Valentines Day, so we had fun decorating sugar cookies.

 Valentines Day was very special this year.  I have been blessed with three wonderful boys and one on the way.  Brett surprised me with a delicious Edible Arrangement. I received another valentine from Hyrum.  He told me to not bother him while he made something.  When he was finished he gave me this blue paper with a balloon taped to it and hearts drawn on it.  He said, "All the love in my heart I put into these hearts, because I love you SOOO much.  The bigger hearts have more love then the little hearts."  He was so happy to give it to me, and it really made my day.  I love my Hyrum man.  I was also happy to see that he made one very similar to it for Noah and he told him the same thing.  Noah kept telling me that he was so happy, because Hyrum loved him so much.  I feel very blessed and loved.

Owen

 Owen is getting so big!  I know I've said this before, but he LOVES books!  Hyrum is enjoying being a big brother.  He's so good to Owen and sometimes reads to him.

 Owen is a very sneaky boy and if anything is left near reaching distance it will be devoured, broken, or his nose will be blown on it.  He's a handful and he really makes us smile.

He's learned some new scary tricks too.  He scares me because he climbs on everything! (Oh, don't worry I found him playing with this cold pot on a cold stove. . .I have to watch very carefully if anything is hot)

It's official!

We will have a complete set of awesome BOYS!

#4 coming 4 July 2013

Chevron Stripes

Chevron stripes are such a fun trend right now.  I've been wanting to put some on the wall for a while, but finally took the plunge while Brett was gone this last week.  After a few requests I decided to post a little tutorial on how I did it.  I'm not great at explaining myself, or taking pictures with one hand, so hopefully you can read between the stripes on this one. . .hehe.  

Time spent: approximately 4-5 hours 

Here were my tools (plus a small ladder):

The first stripe was the hardest.  After measuring, taping, re-measuring, re-taping, and almost two hours later I think I figured out how to do it.  It's all about trial and error, right?  My level/ruler was essential to the job!  If you don't have one I would highly recommend the investment.  

Here's what I learned from the first stripe:

1. Don't stress about the lines as much as the points, when measuring.

2. Don't tape until you've marked everything with chalk on the wall and rechecked it. . twice.

3. Ceilings are not always perfectly even, so if you start your first stripe measuring from the ground up, it might look uneven compared to the ceiling.  So, make the first stripe up by ceiling and then work your way down.  

I started my first 'up-point' 4 3/4 inches from the ceiling. I marked the exact spot with a piece of white chalk.  Then I measured 12 inches over and 11 3/4 inches down and marked another spot.  Then just continue the pattern.  12 inches over, make a mark 4 3/4 inches down, 12 inches over, make a mark 11 3/4 inches down, etc. Once I had a bunch of white chalk x's I used them to put on the Frogtape from point A to point B.  I did not chalk mark the line.  It was a lot easier to just go from x to x with the tape.

Note:  The distance from my ceiling to the first stripe are kind of weird, but that's just where I wanted it to land.  When you're doing it you could pick easier measurement numbers to work with:) 

 Once the top zig-zag line was taped I went to each point and placed the ruler/lever going 12 inches down from the point and x marked a spot.  Wow, that sounded really confusing.  I'm really hoping the pictures clarify what I'm trying to say. I just marked x's 12 inches below each of the up and down points from the first zig-zag.  Then I taped that line the same as I did with the previous (Tape from point A to point B).  

Note: When taping I would push really hard with my thumb along the tape on the side that would be painted to make sure there would be no air pockets. 

Once you finish taping the two parallel chevron stripes, tape the walls to the side off as well.  Then do the same technique for your next stripe.  I used my handy-dandy ruler/level to measure 12 inches below each point, marked the spot, and followed the same pattern as above.  

I left the tape on the wall for the bottom stripe so you can see what it looked like.  When the tape was removed there were no paint smudges, or leaking anywhere.  The lines are crisp and clean (Thanks again Frogtape!) 

Summary:
1. Mark the points with chalk, then tape from x to x.
2. Push the tape really hard against the wall on the side that will be painted.
3. Use a level to make sure your top and bottom points are even with each other.
4. The first line is the hardest and takes the longest, but after that it's really not bad.
5. addition: I used three coats of paint just slightly lighter than the color that was already on my wall.
6. addition:  I bought a gallon of paint, because I didn't know what to expect.  I could have easily gotten away with a quart.
7. addition:  I removed the tape just a few hours after I painted it. Be sure to pull the tape off carefully.
8.  addition:  I had fun doing this.  I think I'll do it again someday to an unsuspecting wall.

Happy Times

I don't know why kids are just so cute in the bath!  I couldn't help taking pictures.  I love how much fun they have together.  

This little man has the longest hair.  I usually keep my boys' hair short, but Owen's my first one without crazy cowlicks so I'm hanging on to his cute baby hair.  I think we may say goodbye to it soon, but it sure makes a wicked awesome mohawk. :)

After weeks of anticipation Hyrum's kindergarten class celebrated the 100th day of school!  He's been talking about it every day and counting down.  The day was full of '100' things: treats, letters, activities, balloons, and BIG money.  Thank you SO much for the letters that were sent to him for his big day.  He was really excited about each one and he proudly showed us where he hung them on the wall in the school hallway. 

Candyland and Headwraps

It's been a rough week, but on the plus side I took pictures!  Brett was gone, and that means I held down the fort.  I'm so glad to have such great boys who love each other.  Hyrum and Noah played a lot of Candyland.  Candyland for them is serious business    

Noah had a cold and became very emotional about everything.  He 'needed' this wrap because he lightly bonked his head.  He also insisted that hot chocolate was the only thing that would make him feel better for a number of issues.  

Luckily getting his swim clothes for summer in the mail cheered him up for a little while. :) Don't you love this boys style?  I think the WAY to small snow pants over the swim clothes were the best.

 I felt bad about getting so frustrated with Noah's mood swings when we found out he had an ear infection. :(  He was in so much pain.  He spent a few nights up moaning and crying about his ear.  It made me so sad to see him in so much pain and not be able to do anything else about it.  Noah wasn't the only nocturnal one in the house.  Owen decided to have FOUR teeth all want to come in at once.  With all the bruising and swelling all over his mouth he only had one molar make it all the way through, so we're still dealing with a cranky pants.    We were so happy when Dad came home.  Owen mostly wanted to lay on him and kept insisting (in his own way) to watch Baby Mozart on his phone.  

We're glad the week is over.