Brooklyn and the peach...

So last night Justin was gone at the D backs game and I decided to order in pizza for the kids. I got the kids all set up at the table with what they wanted to eat and then...out of mommy guilt cut up a peach and gave each of them a slice to feel like I was at least giving them SOMETHING healthy with dinner. Brooklyn was resistant to eating the peach. I kept asking her to eat it anyway and she was not interested. I said "Brooklyn, do I need to show you pictures of the starving children in Ethiopia again?" (which I have done once when they were about 4 years old). She said "Yes!" with a smirk, thinking that would give her an out of being at the table and having to eat her food. I pulled up some pictures on the computer and then put on a slide show I found. About 2 pictures went by before she said "I'll eat the peach mom", in a humble tone. I said "Wait, I want you to see a few more. These children don't have any food to eat and would LOVE to eat a peach." A few more pics went by and she said emphatically "I'll eat the peach mom! I'll eat the peach! Just turn it off!"
Point made! ummm except by the time I noticed after dinner...her peach was on the table...NOT eaten.

The Arrington's

Lincoln Logs

Lincoln is 2 years old now! He is so smart for his age. The pediatrician said he is functioning much at a 3 year old level. He speaks in complete sentences. He can ride a 2 wheel razor scooter as well as Tyson. He can grasp his crayon or pencil like a 1st grader and has a focused attention span. He is so funny. He refers to himself as "lincoln logs". He refers to his cousin Shelby as "Shell-bones". Tyson is "Ty Guy". He was eating am muffin for breakfast and said "Mom, all done my muffin man" (do you know the muffin man, the muffin man...". He got a pirate eye patch at Makutus Island and wanted me to help him put it on "Mom, want wear my ARRRGH." HIs light saber is called his "hi-ya". I am completely head over heels for this naughty but brilliant 2 year old!

Brooklyn the CHEF

Justin gave Brooklyn the go ahead to make him some lunch and bring it to him in bed...this is what she did...

More...Halloween

The Arrington's

Halloween

The Arrington's

I have pretty kids! And a gorgeous hubby!

Beautiful Family

Family Dance Break

Brooklyn and Tyson are 5.5 Naya is 2.5 and Link 18 mo

Viva Las Vegas

For my 29th birthday, Justin completly suprised me and sent me on a plane to meet him in Vegas. He drove and met me at the airport. We stayed 2 nights at the MGM Signature. We saw "O". It was such a nice suprise. Justin..you rock!

Camping Trip

We went up to scout out this spot for upcoming Arrington family reunion with Papa, Grandma Pam and Christian. Adam and Patti and crew came up the next day.

End of Summer 2009

1st D-Backs Game

Justin took Brook and Ty to their first Diamondbacks game. They had a blast!

Tooth Fairy

Brooklyn and Tyson lost their 1st tooth on the SAME DAY! It was a bottom tooth for both of them. I think Justin's magic fingers helped the situation along so that they both came out on the same day.

1st Day of Kindergarten

Brooklyn and Tyson were so excited for this day! They weren't scared at all and LOVE school.

Boys Trip to Utah

Over the 4th of July, Justin took Tyson to Utah for a visit. It was mostly for cousin Jacob's baptism.

How Beautiful My Boys!?

I am so grateful to be mother to these boys! I'll admitt I wasn't always so sure I would know what to do with a "boy". I helped raise my little sisters and was very comfortable with the idea of girls. Now that I have my boys, I am so happy for that special connection that we share. They are both "mama's boys" and they have changed me.

Insight from a 5 year old

Asked my kindergarteners if they heard President Obama speak yesterday (as he did a controversial broadcast into the schools). They said yes! I asked if they remembered what he said. Tyson (5 years old mind you) said "UMM...HE SAID HE WOULD SAVE THE EARF (earth)." Guess 5 year olds understand motives better than I thought!

London + Brooklyn

Brooklyn's friend named London had a runway fashion birthday party. Elena (London's mom) went ALL out. There was make up, hair, peds, dress ups and a REAL Runway...that she built. I love what an ecclectic dresser Brooklyn is.

The Testaments

For a couple weeks we have been wanting to watch that movie with the kids. Its the one that used to be at the Joseph Smith center in Salt Lake. It tells the story of Christ's life here in earth on Jeruselum and of the people in America that were watching for the signs and waiting for him to come to visit them. I LOVE that movie. I'll admitt it was a little frustrating trying to enjoy it with Lincoln climbing on every piece of furniture and Tyson getting bored and needing a drink and "seat hopping". I started to feel like it was a bad idea to watch it with the kids.

Funny though...Justin kept trying to explain things to Brooklyn who was sitting on his lap and she kept "shush"-ing him because she was really into it and trying to watch. At one point in the movie, a girl has been converted to believing in the Savior and His coming and she says"Have you never felt the stirring within your heart of these truths?" At which point Brooklyn whispered "that is the Holy Ghost. "At the end, the Savior does come to visit the people in the Americas and the central character who had been waiting his whole life to see Christ and was one of the few who still believed...had been made blind when his city was destroyed upon Christ's death on the cross. His son ran to get him and say that Christ had come. Ultimatley, The Savior stood in front of the now blind believer and heals him allowing him to finally see Jesus's face whom he had waited all his life to gaze upon. The spirit was so incredibly strong.

When the movie was over, we talked briefly about what had happened and how we all felt. Justin asked Tyson what he thought about the end of the movie and Tyson said touching his heart "I felt warm in my heart and my eyes kinda got watery." This came from my sweet little 5 year old boy who I would never have guessed could take the time to understand, feel or describe the feeling of the Holy Ghost. I was so grateful to realize how important it is to have the spirit in our homes and the impact that can have on even our small children. Hopefully, those are moments that add to a lifetime of faith.

LPM Recital

Brooklyn's 1st Let's Play Music Recital