March and April

March and April are always hard months because you're so ready for the cold weather to be done, but it seems to never end. I'm also always ready for a vacation at this point! We filled up our March with swimming lessons, though, and then kept really busy with birthday parties and Easter in April.

We've been trying to do a date with our kids once a month and this was one I had with Bentley where we splurged quite a bit! We went to A&W, got pedicures together, and then hit the mall for a few things we needed. It sure is fun spending quality time with our kids separately, and also pretty amazing how much they need it and love it too.

St. Patrick's Day came and we found the kids some green to wear! Bentley also wore green to dance. I made the kids a green lunch that included green muffins, guacamole, kiwis and grapes. 

 On a random Saturday we decided to check out this little black and white cafe I'd seen pictures of. Jeff was sick so I took the kids. It's actually called 94 Take the Cake Bakery, and it sells the cutest cupcakes and treats. We loaded up on the sugar and had a lot of fun there. I didn't tell the kids what it looked like beforehand so they were surprised with how cool it was! We also checked out a new park. 

One night I went out with some ladies from our ward to Earls and it was a lot of fun! Whitney Zemp moved into our ward and wanted to get to know people, so she put it together. I found out that we used to be in the same EFY group!

The weather was so crazy, as it usually is of course! It would get really warm and all the snow would melt, and then we'd get another dump. The snow lasted a long time this year, but we'd have breaks where we could go to the park. Leo got a new bike and is really good at riding with training wheels. He was never a fan of the strider so it might be harder to teach him with no training wheels, but we'll see. Boston's gotten pretty good at falling asleep in the stroller. Deacon was so hot one day when we got home from the park, he took out an ice pack and lied on the floor with it on him! Love that goof. 

The kids are so funny with how and where they fall asleep. The best is when Bentley and Deacon end up cuddled together. It happens pretty often and always melts my heart!

The kids always love going to birthday parties, and here's a couple that Deacon went to. Briggs' superhero party and Kaila and Ava's swimming party (they are twins in his class).

On April. 9 we went to Jurassic Quest. We had been once before a few years back and I remembered it being really fun. The kids did have a lot of fun with it all, as they're really good at that, but I'd say the rides were pretty weak for how expensive it was and how long the lines were! Leo was a great age for it though so I'm glad we took him and they all loved digging for fossils, going on the bouncy castles, doing crafts, riding the dinos, and seeing everything there. 

Bentley's started Activity Days this year and is absolutely loving it. One of the activities was to present about your heritage. Each of the girls took a turn over 3 weeks. Bentley presented about her English heritage, so we gathered a bunch of information from Grandma Nielson and made trifle to hand out to everyone. I came to help, but mostly just watched Bentley present, and couldn't believe how confident she was! We had practiced together and had her read things, and then show objects and posters in between. I was very impressed! 

We also had a ward activity games and treat night one Saturday. The kids had fun with minute to win it and all the other games!

The kids had a week off in April for Spring Break, but we just stuck around Calgary. So for one of the days I took them to the Science Centre. I forgot how much there is to do there! The kids had a blast, and it was hard to get them to leave when it was time to go. The Quantum Sandbox was really neat and we also loved the planet themed ice cream cones!

Boston is getting quite the personality these days. One time he found a chocolate egg and was pretty proud of himself. 

Leo continues to be my constant companion whenever I'm in the kitchen. We found a pretty funny looking carrot!

Jeff and I went to a Flames game with Angie and Ryan and it was super fun! They won and then went into playoffs pretty soon after (but didn't win the cup). I just loved the date night and food!

I have to just add some realness to these posts. It's been a year of a lot of sicknesses! With 4 kids, there is almost always somebody sick. It's taken a toll on my having to cancel a lot of things in my schedule and feeling a little stuck, especially when the weather is bad. I've held up pretty well for the most part, but some days I've struggled. It's a hard time of life for me with little kids (Boston in particular), but I know it only lasts so long. Hopefully next year will be full of less sickness!!

 

Leo's 4th Birthday Party

 Leo turned 4 and had a Paw Patrol birthday party!! I don't think there's anything Leo loves more than parties, especially if they're for him, so he was in heaven! I started making the cake with him before he went to school, and then while he was at school I finished it and decorated the wall in the living room. I wish I had a video of his excitement when he got home from school to find the cake and balloon wall and how he kept saying, "you made this for ME?!!" It was priceless. He's been waiting for something to be about him after being at Bentley and Deacon's parties and finally it was! 

We had both grandparents over, Scott and Kellie, Brent and Bailey, and Hailey and Brett Layton (since they live so close and have a little boy Leo's age). We ate burgers along with lots of delicious sides (thanks to everyone who contributed), and then of course the cake. Leo opened his presents and ran around in paw patrol costumes I had got for the party with his cousins and friends. I had ordered a big ball pit and play equipment to be set up in our basement, but it fell through. I think Leo was still able to have a great time anyways though and luckily I hadn't told him about it so he wasn't disappointed. We all had a blast and it was SO fun to spoil our Leo!!

Leo lives and breathes everything paw patrol and he had the best time at his party. He got lots of paw patrol presents as well as this mess free painting. We kept the balloons for a little while and played with them on the trampoline in the basement...

4 years old! Probably my favorite age. Most people would think he's been 4 for a while now because he's so big and very advanced physically in what he can do. Leo's always been my most independent kid...never asking for help, just watching me closely and then doing those things by himself later! It can be scary sometimes, but most of the time I'm just super impressed. I mean, he won't let me wipe his bum and does a pretty great job himself so...who wouldn't love that?

This year Leo started preschool and I'm already noticing how much better he is at communicating. It's been a struggle, but now that I can usually understand what he needs, things are getting easier! A few less tantrums, and a little more reasoning going on. He still loves to parrot us though and we always get a chuckle when he says things like, "are you kidding me?!" after hearing us say it. 

Leo has very strong emotions and a very loud voice. He gets the most excited about things and is always up to do something! Whether it's going to the store, unloading groceries, or getting in the hot tub his answer will always be YES! He loves to see what food I get at the store and unpacking groceries is always filled with squeals of excitement. He's a great helper too. 

Leo loves paw patrol, baby shark, and bubble guppies. He loves swimming, climbing, play doh, sand, bubbles, and cooking in the kitchen. He gives the best hugs and kisses, and falls asleep in the most random places (like in his closet when I couldn't find him one night). 

This kids keeps me on my toes, but is also such a blast! I often find myself staring at him because he's just so handsome and so entertaining to watch. We love our Leo!!