Lots of chubby baby rolls

Addison is packing on the pounds, and has QUITE a few rolls.  Her arms, legs, neck - they all have creases and folds that need to be cleaned out!  Thankfully, I have lots of volunteers to hold her in the bathtub while I scrub her down.  She loves it, her brothers love it, and I don't have to clean out a bath seat all the time, so I love it too.  And for the record - I think one of these pictures will have to be in a video on her wedding day (when she's 30, of course.) 

Cramer's Pumpkin Patch - Weston's preschool

Weston's teacher is Teacher Michelle, and he is thriving in his class.  He has made lots of friends, like Brian, Ryker, and Kylie.  Poor Liamsey moved away, and Weston was able to tell us all about it.  There's the happy cow dance (apparently the cows dance when you drink all your milk because they are happy) and some song about falling the rules.  There's always a story about whoever the "Child of the Week" is, and what their favorite thing to eat is (overwhelmingly, MAC AND CHEESE is the favorite.)  Gone is the quiet, timid boy and now a much more vibrant, chatty, and creative Weston is coming forth! He is downright JOYFUL at times.  He is so kind, and considerate, and a pleaser for sure.  He often offers to do the dishes.  He knows that it's Wayne's chore, but he knows how happy I am when he does them.  Weston is a hard worker - if he sets his mind to something, he can do it.  I've seen his room looking like a hurricane passed through it, and I've seen him want to "surprise me" and spend hours cleaning it and then proudly showing it off.  I love his smile in this school picture...  it so captures him right now!

 Recess is Weston's favorite time at school - he is often seen on the scooters or trikes, and his favorite thing is to collect treasures.  Teacher Deniece brings out a tray for Weston to put all of his rocks and sticks on, and then they bring it in for science time.  He also likes to play "Buckets."  This involves a bucket, a shovel, and a lot of pea-gravel.

 Weston LOVES playing dress up, but is a little self-concious about it.  Apparently before this next picture was taken, he had about twice the amount of clothes on, but as soon as he saw his teacher sneaking away to get the camera, he started taking off some of the layers.  She finally convinced him to let her take this one though... so adorable!!!

After looking forward to the Pumpkin Patch field trip for a week - it finally came!   Tyler bundled up, and met Weston's class.  He was designated "help kids jump" parent, and of course Weston needed NONE of his help.  He jumped right into the hay!  It was cold and wet, so a short trip was needed, but it was lots of fun while they were there.  It's hard to believe that next year he'll be coming with his kindergarten class!!!

A day in the life

Someday when the kids have all gone to school, and it's 8:10 in the morning and I have nothing to do until 3:40 in the afternoon when they all 4 barrel off the bus, I am going to want to remember this:

on Wednesday, October 17, 2012...

5:20

• Wyatt's awake.  Try to get him to fall back to sleep by snuggling with him.  He doesn't fall asleep, but spends the next hour chatting away, "You a nice girl Mom.  I have preschool Mom?  Where Dad?
• Mom?  You sleeping?  Why?
• It's dark.  Mom, you think it's dark?

6:20

• Shower and get ready
• Feed Addison
• Keep Wayne and Wyatt upstairs so they don't wake up Weston
• Finish putting away laundry
• Get clothes together for the kids
• Make bed, pick up bedroom

7:00

• Head downstairs
• Get Weston
• Get Weston's clothes for school together
• Get boys dressed
• Finish packing lunches, fill water bottles, pack lunches in bags
• Feed boys breakfast
• Tell boys they need to hurry up and quit messing around
• Tuck Wyatt's barstool up to the counter
• Put shoes by the door
• Gather dirty laundry
• Start first load of laundry
• Gather Bible study books, iPad, and stock diaper bag for Bible Study
• Put shoes on Wayne and Weston
• Pray with Wayne and Weston
• Wait for 2 buses, get boys on the buses, wave to them while the bus pulls away
• Run upstairs and get Addison
• Feed her, change her
• Load Addison and Wyatt in their carseats, load the car and go
• Stop at Master's blend for a 16oz white mocha, with 1/3 the syrup as usual

8:45

• Meet with prayer partner in church library
• Go to Bible Study
• Change Addison's blow out diaper and outfit
• Pick up Wyatt and head for home
• Make lunch for Wyatt, feed Addison

12:00

• Put babes to bed
• Make and eat lunch myself
• Keep laundry moving... wash, dry, and in the basket for folding
• Clean the downstairs.  Sweep, mop, dust, scrub wash.  Repeat
• Clean the upstairs.  Vacuum, clean, scrub, open windows.  
• Fold 6 loads of laundry.
• Make after school snacks.
• Refold portion of laundry knocked over by 2 boys wrestling
• Put away laundry

5:15

• Make dinner
• Serve dinner
• Clean up dinner
• Get kids in jammies
• Work on Wayne's homework, reading, spelling and memory verse
• Do spinning with Weston
• Update basketball team sign ups
• Reply to emails

8:00

• Rock Addison
• Feed Addison. Wait, when did I last feed her?  
• Rock Addison
• Pick up toys, kitchen, turn off lights

9:15

• GOODNIGHT!

The weekend

I guess the best way to describe our weekend is that the trademark Silves "get up and go" just plain got up and went!  After the go-go-go pace of the last six weeks, we took it easy as much as we could.  That's not to say that we weren't busy or still had things to do - but we didn't do any extras.  No family fun outings, no winterizing, no mass cleaning bonanza's, and no, not even a 10 load of laundry marathon folding session.  Just keeping the house picked up, flag football, one special dinner, and some work on the computer, along with a lot of football, Bible Study, and reading/1:1 time with each of the kids.  With Addison sleeping through the night and a few lazier days, you'd think I'd feel rested - but I still don't!  As my mom says - "You won't ever feel rested again!"  :-)  She's a wise, wise woman.

I did manage a few pictures, since I know some of you only come here for the pictures and not the words!  Deep fried halibut and french fries - Amanda, don't judge!  :-)  Tyler has been waiting and waiting for me to pull out this bad boy, and I decided Saturday was time.  They were AWESOME fish and chips. 

And Wayne beat the computer on the iPad at checkers for the first time!!! Please note:  I have not yet done this. 

Addison has quite the pout.

And my new favorite picture was taken....  All four of my precious blessings!!!

Hmm.. What will this coming weekend bring?

I guess Facebook is good for something...

Because through Facebook, I got to see this picture!  It was taken around 1985 in Cultus Lake, BC.  It's Tyler and his Dad, with Tanya (his sister) walking in the background.  So cute!

Grandpa and Grandma's day out

 Last weekend was a busy one, and Tyler ended up working on Saturday.  Faced with the daunting task of taking four kids to a flag football game, I was THRILLED when my mom called...  I hoped she would take Addison for a few hours, but it turns out she wanted to take Weston and Wyatt to the train show!  Madelyn and Treven came along too, so it was quite the affair.  I wonder if my parents thought it was reminiscent of their younger days, with 4 of us kids?  :-)  The kids were excited to ride three across in the back seat of Grandma's car.  (Treven drove in with Tyson.)  They had NO IDEA how much fun was waiting for them!

 When I later asked Wyatt how the train show was, he told me, "No touching, just watching!"  Looks like he found one thing he could touch though- the train! 

 Weston was such a good boy the whole time.  He obeyed, and and had a ton of fun. 

 Can you believe she is a Grandma to these four?  And that she has EIGHT grandkids?  I bet no one here would have believed it!  I can only imagine how this all went down.  "Grandma I want to ride!"  "Grandma I need you with me."  And oh yes, my Dad pulling out his wallet to pay and holding her purse while she road.  Makes me smile just thinking about it.

 What?  Another train?  Before I even saw these pictures, Wyatt told me, "I ride TWO trains!"  Again - how did they ever rope Grandma into riding along with them?  That Treven could sell ice to Eskimos!

fter

After all the fun, it was time for FOOD.  Dad thought 40 chicken nuggets and two large fries should be enough to feed this herd.  I guess he got up to get more water, and Madelyn hollered across the play area, "Hey Billy Boy!  I think we're going to need some more nuggets!"  He came back with TWENTY more!  I wish I could have seen his face - must have been PRICELESS.   

Thanks Mom and Dad for taking the kids.  They talked about the train show all week - it made quite an impression on them.  I am so grateful for the memories that you are making with them - and the lessons that you are teaching them (well, minus the "chicken butt").  Each and every one of them adore you - and it's obvious when they attack you at the door when you walk in, or when they grab on to your leg so that you can't leave.  THANK YOU - you are a blessing to our family!!!

32 years old

I am a birthday loving kind of girl.  What can I say?  I've learned from the master!  :-)  And Tyler thoroughly spoils me every year.  I have had many, many birthday surprises, days of shopping and eating out.  This year was not one of them.  While Mom and I did go shopping last week, it was only for a half day, and with Addison (who at that point still wasn't fond of the bottle.  As of today though, she's a "switch" drinker!)  We went to lunch at my FAVORITE, La Patisserie, and shopping at TJ Maxx and...  the Franz outlet.  It was LOVELY but not quite the all day, lazy affair that I love.  Tyler had worked 7 out of the 8 days leading up to my birthday, so it was just a busier year.  I went to Bible Study, then come home and put the kids down for naps, while I folded laundry.  Mom came over and helped me finish folding, and then watched the kids DOWNSTAIRS while I put the laundry away UPSTAIRS by MYSELF!  Just might have been the highlight of the day!!!  We visited, and she helped with the kids.  When Tyler got home, we opened presents - a panini machine, a watch, and a card!  The night before they had all gone shopping together and left Addison and I at home, and they came back with flowers and blizzards.  I think the best present is from Tyler - he makes a major effort every year to teach the boys how important it is to show someone you love them by remembering them, and finding a gift they will love.  Even thought Tyler was at work, all day the boys did extra chores, and Wayne kept asking "What can I do for you mom?"  They made me feel special!  Later on after they were all in bed, we got Black Forest take-out.  Addison cried most of the time that we ate, but that's our life right now!  :-)  32 years young, and learning and growing every day.

I have been doing a Bible study called, "Creative Counterpart."  More than anything else, this study has reminded me of what it is that God calls me to be as a wife.  And that I can't do it on my own.  All that I do in a day brings God glory, when I do it with the right heart/attitude.  If I'm doing it expecting a "thank you" from someone - my heart is not right.  There is a song on the radio, and we've also been singing it in church lately, that I just love.  It calms my racing mind, and pushes aside my mental to do list, even if for only the 5 minutes of the song, and helps me to put my focus where it should be.  Ready the lyrics below, or listen to it on iTunes!  10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman.

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

The love of a brother

These two needed a bath baad....  so in they went!  It was Weston's first time getting to hold Addison in the tub.  She was a bit slippery, but he did a good job hanging on.  She loved it!

Home Days

 Weston and Wyatt are head over hills in love with their sister.  She loves them just as much, unless they startle her.  Then she cries, and they feel bad and "shshshsh" her, and then she settles down and keeps smiling.  Wyatt loves to say, "She s'iled at me!"

 One minute she was playing, and the next... she was out like a light!

 Look at all her peach fuzz filling in!  She's losing her "Friar Tuck" look!

From the boys:

Ready, set....







Hmm.. maybe they are going to be in band.