Sibling Rivalry

This afternoon I decided to ignore the sibling rivalry and solicit some advice. Moments ago while I was making dinner, Brayden was finishing homework and Lane and Amelia were finishing an episode of Jungle Junction. Immediately Lane got ornery and starting making Amelia mad. He said, "Mom, I'm trying to walk and Amelia won't move." This is taking place in the middle of our great room with lots of open space. I can see most of what's going on over the bar in the kitchen. I decided to just stay out of it and not say anything. Within seconds Amelia is in hysterics because Lane is laying on top of her. A few more seconds go by and Lane is now the one in hysterics...Amelia had bit him pretty good (she doesn't normally do that). I decided to stay out of it and still bite my tongue. I figured if someone was laying on me, I'd probably bite them too. However, I was proud of Lane for not retaliating. After Lane calms down, he is in a bad mood but decides to set up a picnic with his toys on a blanket. Brayden copies the idea and then ofcourse Amelia. Amelia asks both boys to help her spread out her blanket, without success, so she comes to me. I say, "Hmmm, why won't Lane help you?" She says, "I don't know." I said, maybe it's because you bit him and he is upset with you. Maybe if you say sorry and you won't do it again he will help you. So she did, and surprisingly Lane helped her spread out her blanket. Blah blah blah...for the next twenty minutes all the boys and amelia did was fight over toys and mess up each others blankets and get a little physical with each other. Brayden hogs the hotwheels and when he leaves to get more toys from the toy room he says, "Don't mess up my toys Lane." So funny, because as soon as he turned the corner, Lane plowed through his stuff and messed it all up. Brayden gets back and in disgust grunts and goes after Lane's blanket. Only once did they come crying to me for relief. I was still determined to stay out of it so I just smiled and carried on with dinner until I was done and have a few minutes to kill before Trent gets home. So, I am blogging about it and now, 15 min later and they are playing happily together. Is this the right approach or should I intervene and not let them beat each other up. I love parenting...it's great.

On a happier note, here is the rest of Halloween!!! We had a good time.

I am either the worst mom in the whole world or the coolest one. I decided to get rid of the candy all at once....I didn't want to drag it out. So after church on Sunday, I gave them each their bucket and said do whatever you want. I can tell when Lane gets sugar, it has awful affects. Not just that he is hyper, but irritable and can't control his emotions or actions, so I decided only to deal with it for one day. Granted, the Saturday night we got home from it, the boys were in great moods and said I could have whatever I wanted. So I picked out all the candy with food coloring in it (excpet for a special lollipop) and left them with all the candy bars and chocolate. They ate all of it except Brayden left a few pieces, and then we brushed and flossed and now it's done!!!

Our first snow fall. They couldn't wait to get outside. It's all melted now...yeah.

Everyone OK?

I can laugh now, but this afternoon I was torn between shock and embarrassment. I was checking out at the grocery store. I had one of those big honkin' carts with the two seats on top and double decker baskets. I had Amelia buckled in the cart and Savanna was in her carseat in the top basket (not buckled in). As I am getting ready to slide my card, out of the corner of I see the entire cart tipping over. I lunge to get it but Lane is between me and the cart (a few feet away). The cart ends up on top of Brayden, who had pulled it over while playing peek-a-boo with Amelia. Amelia is dangling half in and half out and Savanna's carseat has flipped over and Savanna is buried underneath. Both girls are wailing and Brayden is dumb-founded. Everyone was ok but a little shaken up. Great lesson for Brayden about standing on the side of the cart...I didn't have to say a word. Well, here's some pics of what we've been up to and short story to sum it up later.

The Races

Sleepy baby

My Monkeys

Hardly a witch...nice try though Amelia!

My Future Michelangelo s

(I'm holding Savanna if you didn't notice)

THE PUMPKIN PATCH...KIDS!??

Lane's in Tennis...He loves it.

A Goofy Family

Painting our pumkins from the pumkin patch
(Carving big ones for next weeks FHE)

Savanna is 7 Months

Brayden's Last Soccer Game...phew! Finally remembered the camera.

So, What are we doing with our lives? I bet some of you are wondering. Well, Trent has received three interviews for residency thus far and we are hoping for a few more offers in November. Right now it looks like we will be heading East. Interviews at Dartmouth (New Hampshire), Penn State, and Univ of N Carolina. Fun!! Only time will tell. I actually think New Hampshire would be awesome and a fun new adventure.

Kids are doing great. Brayden is the apple of his teachers eye. After a rocky start in Kindergarten, I wasn't sure how this year would go. Turns out he IS a perfect angel...for his teacher anyway. I think it is just a personality thing because last year's teacher was a control freak (like me) and Type A. This year, he has a teacher that just praises and loves her kids...and that is all Brayden needs is a little praise and he will do anything for you.

Lane is doing better than expected in Preschool. He goes two afternoons a week to a Montessori School and loves it. He makes up all kinds of stories about what he does there but I don't care because I don't have to fight him to go. He is becoming more of a joy in my life lately. I am a better parent because of him. He has forced me to read all sorts of parenting books and listen to cds (thanks Tracie!!) that have helped a ton. If you need some help, check into Celebrate Calm parenting. It's great. We are having a lot more fun together.

Amelia...holy cow. Check out the attitude. Still a cutie pie who has Trent wrapped around her finger, but she always has those hands on her hips and her eyebrows furrowed in disgust for something or someone. She actually causes the majority of my "not-so-calm" moments because she thinks she can do whatever she wants because she is just so cute.

Savanna...Her well check had her in 80th percentiles....she's a monster compared to my other babies...but super fun. She is cutting her bottom two teeth and finally starting to eat foods from a spoon. Trent and I volunteered to be ushers at an orchestra concert so we could get in free and so I tried to get Savanna to take a bottle for a month....no way, no how....I have another stubborn one on my hands.

That about does it. We have enjoyed the fabulous fall weather. It was 69 today but now the cold is supposed to move in. Bring it on!

Lots of Firsts

Lane's first Day of Preschool

Lane's first haircut he gave himself...luckily I caught him before he made it too far.

Brayden's first soccer practice...way excited

Brayden's first day of school

Savanna is 6 Months!!

Amelia's first song caught on camera

Tomorrow will be my first day of being 30 years old. Sorry...trying to follow the pattern but yes, my 30th birthday. I am actually kind of excited because I hope it will kind of be a new beginning. After gaining some experience over the past decade at mothering and just life in general, I feel like I get a fresh start. I don't have to be that young mother trying to impress everyone anymore. I am more comfortable doing things the way I want and to heck with what anyone else thinks. I know what works for me and my family, to some degree, and don't have to cater to what I think everyone else thinks I should do. Anyway, that probably doesn't make any sense to anyone else, but I think I understand it in my own mind. Granted, I know I still have a lot to learn, but at least I am comfortable in my own skin.

As for the family, we are applying to residencies at the moment and will hopefully know by the end of the year what our next step/adventure will be. Right now we are enjoying/enduring our last year in the air force. Trent and I recently celebrated our 9th anniversary. Couldn't be happier and all that mushy stuff. We have had a blast visiting and spending time with all the family. Brittany...I will await some pics of this past weekend to post.

71 people, 3287 miles, 6 states, 10 houses, and lifelong memories

Let the Good Times Begin!!! Let me just say thanks to everyone for providing shelter and wonderful meals to keep us going on our long vacation. We had a great time visiting all of you .

FYI...Trent's not in many pics because he only made it to Salt Lake for the weekend of the family reunion. But atleast he shared a few good times with us.

Yellowstone

Waiting in Construction

Stinky Mud Volcanos

Getting a little close

Arrived at Uncle Skinny and Aunt Brittany's House

Grandma and the babies

Breakfast with Great-Grandparents, Uncle Wayne and Aunt Kathy...where's grandpa?

Park City Shelton Family Reunion

Alpine Slides

Notice how Trent is always with the kids

Visiting Auntee Janelle and Uncle Ben

Hot Springs Pool with Ben, Janelle, and Mom

Brayden's First Jump...chickened out earlier.

show me those muscles...webb cousins came to get in on the action

my turn

spectator gallery

Bully Creek Campout with Grandma and Grandpa Shelton

Grandpa and grandma have the coolest toys

Fun with old friends

Crazy cousin Aydrie

Uncle Nick and his sweet ride

Amelia and cousin Taylor

Fun at Aunt Britt and Uncle Skinny's (Ryan) House...again

Poor Lane...sad cause we wouldn't let him light the field on fire.

Savanna and cousin Tyler...6 days apart...Hope she isn't always this much bigger.

Amelia and Uncle Dallin--She wouldn't let him put her down.

Probably the highlight of the trip...Phelps Lake (Felps Lake??). Chris took us on a great hike to this lake and it was absolutely amazing. We all loved it!!!

Savanna and Great Grandma Nielson

WE MADE IT HOME!!!

We missed Trent's birthday...so we celebrated a little late.
Savanna is 5 moths old!!!