Halloween Happiness= Priceless

We sort of had a theme going. Emma's Tinkerbell, Weston's suppose to be Peter Pan, I'm a pirate (Ms. Smee), and Andrew's...a lost boy. I had too much fun with costumes this year! To outfit all four of us (plus Jamie's nerd costume for work)-$4.00! Sweet! My costume was just stuff I had in the house (except the jar lid earrings from the Barkers).

Andrew's cute pumpkin costume was one my mother-in-law gave Emma when she was this age, so everyone's had a turn in it.

I found an oversized turtleneck for $2 I used to make Weston's shirt, hat, and shoes. He wore the pjs Grandma gave him underneath and I had the string and leaves in the house and acorns from the backyard. I was going for Peter Pan but some thought he was Robin Hood or even Link from Zelda.

This is the dress Nana gave Emma, I just added to it and made some wings and hair clips.

I was pretty dang proud of these wings!

We met up with the neighbor girls for trick-or-treating! My kids love these girls and they're so good to my kids!

This was definitely the coolest house on our round. The kids are gawking at the drooling skeleton.

Happy Halloween From Our Neighborhood!

I love it that I have neighbors that get into the holidays so my kids can enjoy the sights on our walks! Thanks ya'll for showing some holiday spirit!

All right that's about all the holiday spirit I can handle...

Our Third Child

A long time ago my sister-in-law tagged me to do a post on Andrew. Like I don't put up enough pics and gush enough over this baby, but I guess he's the baby that hasn't grown up around the family. I decided since Shayla delivered a new cousin for Andrew, lil' Seth ought to get to know his soon to be best friend. So, here's getting to know that Georgia baby!

Name and meaning: Andrew Knight Steed- I had a boy in my first grade class (as the teacher) named Andrew. He was a cute kid and I guess it stuck with me. It was on my list with Weston but Jamie just never gave in, then he reread "Ender's Game" (Orson Scott Card) and suddenly it was in our top three for boy #2. Knight is a family name (through my mom's line) and church history name and we thought it would be cool with Steed. Weston was originally going to be Weston Knight Steed but at the hospital we changed our minds so it was fun to have another boy to use the name.
Age: Andrew is 13 months and nine days old. I'm still getting used to the idea that he's one now.
Nicknames: When I was pregnant I did not want him to be called Andy and thought I would just call him Drew but that really hasn't happened, maybe when he gets older. Emma sometimes thinks it's cool to call him Drew. I often call him "Baby." Jamie and the grandpas call him "Ender" because that's cool and manly-like. Others that come up are: "baby love," "sweet pea," "lil guy," "sweetie pie," "lambkins," "stinky pants," "monkeyboy," "wigglypants," and so on. We like to mix it up. We're like Raymond that way.
Favorite Activity: Playing silly games. He loves peek-a-boo type games. If I'm holding him but busy doing something else he leans in front of my face with a big grin to get a reaction or will turn my face towards him and back again to initiate a game. He loves running around with the kids giggling and squealing. He's a people person and loves to feel involved!
Favorite Food: This is a sensitive subject right now. He's too big to accept me spoon feeding him but too little and too picky to handle many finger foods. He does love oatmeal, cheese, and any handheld wheat product (crackers, waffle, toast)
Least Favorite Food: meat (texture issues)

Favorite Music: Anything with a beat he can bounce to. He loves dancing and shakes and bounces around, sometimes he uses this motion to ask for music.

Favorite Toys: Cars! He's been really into cars and will focus intensely as he drives a car around making the sound effects. He also has a thing for stuffed animals and will snuggle right into a bear or Emma's big Elmo, which is so cute!

Favorite Book: He likes to look at and turn pages on books (and rip) but he doesn't seem to have a preference yet in titles or types even.

Favorite Item of Clothing: Andrew hates getting dressed so maybe pajamas with zippers because it speeds up the process (I know mom loves them). Although, today he tried on Weston's reindeer slippers that we pulled out and was amused by the fluffy reindeer.

What Makes Him Happy: People! He loves people smiling at him and playing with him. He likes playing with the kids. He likes going to story time when even the adults sit on the floor and he can go around and meet people. He'll just go up and chat with some dad or lean on some lady sitting on the floor.

What Makes Him Sad: The kids picking on him or closing the door so he can't play with them (he hates being left out of potty time), Mommy cooking dinner instead of holding and playing with him, and ouchy bottoms.

"I don't give a hoot about what you think"

My kids like to dance to Jamie's Weezer music. It's pretty cute and sometimes Andrew gets into the action but of course not this time. It's funny that I taped them dancing to this song because as I listened to the words and watched them I decided it was their theme song. It's kind of long so you don't have to watch it all but about halfway through you get to see where they got their dancing skills. Enjoy all the Steed craziness

What is Wrong with People?!

Okay, I try not to use my blog as a place to rant but I just need to get this one off my chest. I'm working on my kids Halloween costumes so I've been looking at different ads and such to get ideas. Its been bad enough looking at all the little flouncy women's costumes but I've been seeing way too many skimpy teenager costumes!!! All these low cut, short skirting, completely inappropriately dressed girls hanging out all over the place. Like this one I've posted, it's supposed to be Wendy from Peter Pan. Yeah, you know, the cartoon character with the long blue nightgown in the Disney movie. What kind of parent would allow their daughter to go out like this?! Apparently a lot, because most the girl costumes have adopted the "sexy look." What is wrong with people!? I would just like to apologize to all the nice young men out their who have to hum hymns as they walk down the halls at school to keep their thoughts in the right place. I think after Halloween I need people to send me pics. of girls in modest costumes I can post with a copy of the For the Strength of the Youth. Good heavens! Alright, I feel better, thanks!

Dr. Emma on Lookin Like Mommy

Last night was the adult session for stake conference so for the first time in our 7 years of marriage we paid a babysitter (for some reason we couldn't convince any family to babysit that evening). It was worth it though, because it was an awesome conference! Anyway, as I'm getting ready I was explaining to Emma what a babysitter is and seeing if she could remember the girl from church. I was describing what she looks like and who she's related to. Emma ponders then says, "But I don't think she looks like you Mom. I only like girls who look like you."

Aww, thanks Em. I like girls who talk like you!

Dr. Emma on Aging

Yesterday Jamie was telling Emma how old something was (kumquat remember what) and jokingly told Emma it was old like Nana. Emma shot back, "Nana's not old!" and giggled at the absurdity. Then cautiously Jamie asked if Grandma was old. "No, Grandma's not old eiver!" (Interesting trivia: Emma's grandmas are the same age, so good answer Em).
Today I was very forgetful and told Emma I was getting old.
"You're not old," Emma tells me, "Nana is."
"Wait, yesterday you said Nana's not old."
"She wasn't old yesterday but she is today."
"So is Grandma old too now?"
"Not today but she will be tomorrow."

hmm, I didn't ask when I would get old. Probably next week.

Dr. Emma on Sister Monson

We were watching a little show about President Monson after conference. Emma pointed at a picture of President and Sister Monson , "Look, it's President Monson and his grandma."

Hey Uncle Jeff!

Can't you just feel the excitement ? He's about as enthusiastic as Corey watching a Dodger game :-) (thanks for pitying my husband Corey)

The Boys are Back in Town

Okay, after my sob story a couple posts ago about losing my camera, I figured I better do an update. Our camera's back in business! Jamie fiddled with some settings and threw it and suddenly it started working again. Go figure! I admit, I was secretly a little excited at the excuse to consider splurging on a better camera (Christmas and anniversary are coming-I was justifying treating ourselves) but I'm glad to see we can continue in our frugal ways and can hold out on that camera! So, pay your tithing right?! Well, the next day Andrew threw our phone in the toilet and neither cordless is working well anymore. hmmm. He's getting in that fun exploration stage. We find toys in the toilet, bottles in the trash can and he eats trash from the garbage and acorns in the yard. When it's not the phone it is actually pretty cute to watch his curiousity. Anyway, to celebrate the revival of our camera I thought I'd post some random cuteness of my boys from the last week! Sorry nothing good from Em this week. Now, you can see why our camera's having issues. Filling our 1GB card with pics and videos in a regular week, our poor camera just can't keep up with me :-)

Silly naked boy with cute hair

(prior to his first real hair slaughtering..er..."haircut")

Awww, okay cutie you go ahead and throw your toy in the toilet.

Weston sometimes sleeps with his eyes open. Freaky huh?! It was weird when he was a baby and I wasn't sure if he was really asleep or not. My brother does this too.

Perfect weather here right now and we're loving our backyard! Andrew's enjoying all the goodies that fall from the trees.

Andrew's trying to get used to wearing shoes and walking on the uneven ground outside. Emma's setting up the tee for teeball in the back, the kids love that thing!

"OOOO", Weston does this weird wide-eyed face a lot that's hard to read the meaning of but I think it basically means he's about to do something psycho that usually ends up in a head injury!

Andrew's big boy hair and shirt. I think this face basically says, "oh no, Weston has that look again." :)

Andrew discovered this little fort during Conference today and was so delighted with himself! He sat in the corner of the box looking pleased with his find and then got up to squeal out his pleasure! he gets so happy and excited when he has the family audience. Such a cute thing! Did I mention I find him adoreable!?

Birthdays!

Today is my little sister's birthday! Brooke is 17 today, so Jamie and I called her cell phone to sing her happy birthday (the kids had already gone to bed). It's a family tradition to call and sing over the phone. After the song finished, we heard Weston crying under his door, "Mommy, open the door I want cake!" After a couple minutes of his desperate pleas I heard him sing "Happy Birthday to Mommy" in hopes that his cute flattery would win him a piece of cake. Sorry buddy, the cake's in Vegas. I think my kids are the only ones who are more excited about cake on their birthday than presents. Weston especially loves to scarf down cake in record time so this has been a good month for him.

Tribute to Andrew

Today's Andrew's first birthday, so here's a picture tribute to a sweet baby's first year! I'm so glad Andrew got to go to Las Vegas so our family could get to know our happy little boy! He's a wonderful baby and an absolute joy to have in our home! Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

A Sad Day at the Steed House

Yes, I'm feeling very somber today. We've suffered a loss, one that will have a large impact on our family. Our digital camera has died. We're hoping for a miraculous revival, but we're afraid we may have to pull the battery and say our goodbyes. It's not a very old camera, but Jamie reminds me that I've put more "miles" on the poor thing than the average person. My kids are cute, what can I say, there are lots of pics to take and moments to capture. Speaking of which, this untimely death has come at an inopportune time. Andrew's birthday is Friday! His first birthday and I don't even have a camera to capture the day :(. hmm, do you think my baby would like a camera for his birthday? Oh camera, why did you leave me?!

The Princess and the Party

Jamie and Andrew were out of town for his grandma's funeral last week and got back on Emma's birthday. Best present she got, only it was 10pm and she was crashed. So, we celebrated her (family) birthday party Saturday. She requested a pink princess cake and balloons. This is the best I could do on the cake but she recognized what it was and loved it!

I told her to wear one of her princess dresses and she came up wearing Tinkerbell. Whatever, she still got the tiara.

The boys wore Burger King crowns (Emma's birthday lunchstop) and Weston loved the pizza dinner.

One thing I love about my little kids is that the little things are exciting! For Emma's (real) birthday I took Emma and Weston to Burger King. They got happy meals, crowns and played in the playplace. They thought that was just the coolest thing (we don't get out much :) ). That night I pulled out the hide-a-bed (which they never knew we had), threw some pillows and blankets on, popped some popcorn and made smoothies (Emma's favorite) and we watched a movie. She didn't even get presents that day but she felt like a princess and thought it was the best birthday ever! They don't really care about things and money. Oh, can't they just stay young and ignorant forever!

Happy Birthday Princess Em!

Yesterday was Emma's birthday. She is 5 now! She has been very excited for this one. So she asks me yesterday, "Am I going to school tomorrow?" because she's heard that you go to school when you turn five. Well, she's not going to school but she still feels like a big girl. And I am amazed at how grown up she's become. Then there are moments when I remember how small and fragile she still is. Like the other night when she asked me to stay in her bed while she cried in my arms how much she misses having Andrew in her room (he was gone for a week with Daddy). So different from Weston who tells me to get off his bed so he can go to sleep. Girls have so many layers to them and I try to remember to be sensitive and gentle with her (I'm just not very girly like that, so I forget). Emma is so funny and insightful though. I'm just in awe at her memory and the way she thinks! I love just watching and listening to her. She loves Primary, the scriptures, books, and playing make believe. She's a great helper around the house and very firm on enforcing what is right. I adore this little girl! Happy (late) Birthday sweetheart!

It's Always Fun When Dad is Home

One of my very favorite things to watch is my husband playing outside with the kids! They love playing with Daddy (Mom is not that coordinated or strong)! I brought to Jamie's attention that our daughter is lacking in the coordination department and told him it was his fatherly duty to remedy the situation. So they've been practicing but mostly they just have fun. We have a lot of grass so Daddy will throw a football way up high across the yard while the kids squeal with delight and anticipation at the other end watching to see where it falls then run it back to Daddy. It's good exercise for them and they love it. They also love to pull out the tee ball set and try hitting some balls. Weston, however, insists on holding the bat on the wrong end and doing it by himself so he has yet to hit a homer. They're so fun to watch and I'm glad they have a great Dad!

Of course Weston has to play with the largest and hardest ball he could find. No wimpy nerf balls for this kid. He wants to be prepared if sister messes with him.

Daddy shows Emma how to wear a glove. She kept trying to get her finger to stick out the hole like Dad but her little hands were just too small.

Almost. Yes, that's the ball next to the glove not about to go in.

This is the face Weston always makes when he's throwing a ball. His eyes get wide and he gets this crazy look, it's a little unsettling.

Whee!

Who's Barney Ard

Weston Tells It Like It Is

(while poking me with a stick) "It doesn't hurt Mom, I'm just killing you."

I was showing the kids a couple barns we passed on our way home and Weston tells me"I want to go to the Barney-Ard."

Seeing God

Jamie and Andrew are out of town this week, so Emma lost her bedroom companion. She hates sleeping alone. She'd rather share a room with a crying baby than be by herself so when I tried to put the kids to bed the other night she begged me to let her sleep in Weston's room with him. I told her it wasn't a good idea because she gets out of bed and plays with him so neither of them sleep. Emma promised she would be good but I was resistant. Finally Emma tells me, "Mom, I know God watches over us, but I can't see Him so I get scared." I was stunned at this comment and how she had brought up the topic entirely on her own. I've pondered this statement and what wise parental thing I should have said at such a great teaching opportunity. Something about how we don't have to see God to know that He's there and how we can feel His love. There would have been some discussion about faith and prayer had I been thinking. I probably should have reminded her about the Holy Ghost lessons I'd been teaching in sharing time.

Then I thought of ways that I "see God" every day. I see Him every time I look at my kids. I see Him when I look at the new baby robins on our porch. I see Him every time I'm doing service or receiving service. I see him every time I see a new flower blooming. I see Him every time I see the fireflies light up the night. I see Him every time I watch my husband playing with my children. In these moments and so many others I "see God" and feel of his love. I hope that I can share that with my children and that all of us will look for Him.

Andrew's Trick

He's been practicing this for a few weeks now but this is the first video I could catch and was able to post. He enjoys it and is very brave! Way to go bud!

Mom's part of the family too

It's bothered me lately that we have only a couple of pictures of me since our wedding (nearly seven years ago). I take lots of pictures of the kids but there is little photographic evidence that they have a mother in their life. Not that I'm good in front of a camera but I still want to have my kids look back and see what I looked like and know I was involved. Anyway, with this thought I pulled out the camera and attempted to take a pic of me with my boys (Emma was at a friend's). I first tried a pic with Andrew but got smacked in the eye just as the flash went off. Not very flattering.

Weston climbed up on the rocking chair with us so I got the three of us. The boys aren't looking perky, but at least they will know now that mom was around and smiled sometimes :)

Then Weston wanted to rock and feed the baby. He can be so sweet and gentle! What a good brother (when he's not pushing or bossing baby)!

Weston's Wiggle Dance

I was trying to post an Andrew video, but it wouldn't work, so you can enjoy this little thing Weston made up instead.