Crazy Catch-up

So it's been ages since I've blogged and we've been so busy that there's no way I'll get everything put down. So we'll just stick with the things I have pictures for. There aren't many because I never seem to have the camera ready and battery charged when I need it!

To start off, here's the baby around which all our lives revolve. She's been walking for over a month now. By walking, I mean just 5 or 6 steps at a time. However, last week when I got home from Utah (more on that later) I was met with the sight of her getting up on her feet without pulling herself up with anything and walking clear through the entire house! She's so funny and cute to watch because she's still pretty unsteady, though she rarely falls. The only down side is that she thinks she can walk down the stairs so we have to keep a very close eye on her. I've been trying to get a video of her walking, but whenever she sees the camera she plops down and crawls to me as fast as she can. One of these days.

These next pictures are from the scout family camp out that Sam's troop held a few weekends ago. Eva and I didn't go because they were camping inside the lodge. You can see from the pictures all the tents were set up in the big main room. Rob said that the noise of crazy, sugar-high boy scouts didn't end till 2 in the morning! I can't imagine what their parents were thinking to let their boys play flashlight tag between tents so late at night. It's a good thing I wasn't there because they would have been given a piece of my mind at around 11! And while all the adults would probably secretly be pleased, I would then have been known as the camp grinch.

This first picture shows you what winter has been like for us here in Spokane. I don't think I've lived through such a snow-less winter since I left Arizona.

Grace loved the painting station. Rob said she was here for hours.
Sam with all his scouting buddies.
A shot of the whole room. Can you imagine sleeping in the same room with a hundred other people, a good number of them boy scouts?!?

A few weeks ago Sam's school had their annual science fair. Participation was voluntary but I didn't tell Sam that. He was the only 1st grader that did a science project which he thought was cool. He's experiment was about meteors and craters. He dropped different sized 'meteors' into a box full of flour and then measured the impact craters. Pretty basic, but he had a good time doing it. He got a nice ribbon and the judges critique was very positive and encouraging. All in all, a really good experience.

So President's Day weekend, otherwise known as Valentine's weekend, otherwise known as Hansen sister's weekend. Though really it should be called Budge (my mom's family) women weekend because we had a good proportion of the Budge women involved. An old college roommate of mine has a sister's weekend every year with her sisters and I thought it was such a great idea that we started one up for us. My mom rented us a sweet condo in Midway, UT and my grandma, mom, two of my sisters (we missed you so Erin!), one of my mom's sisters and I met up for a weekend full of good food, good movies, good shopping, and so much talking and laughing that my belly still aches. I have no pictures of this experience (please remedy this Mom and Kathy) to post. If I did, however, I would post the picture of the 16 boxes of boots that the 6 of us managed to buy at the outlet stores outside Park City! We had to leave the condo Sunday morning so we all minus an aunt crashed at Grandma's house for a few hours and then went over to my mom's other sister's house for dinner with even more Budge women. Fantastic food and even more good laughs.

So I had a great time, even though I ditched my man and left him with the kids on Valentine's Day. He didn't have it too bad because his mom drove over from the west side to help him tend. She bought Sam and Grace new scooters so they barely even missed me!

I am not so overprotective of my children as to make them wear elbow and knee pads while riding scooters in the driveway. The pads came with the helmets and they insist on wearing them. I don't think they're necessary, but I wont be talking them out of it.

Meet Wobbles

Sam's birthday is tomorrow. He's asked for many, many things. Most of which he wont get. One thing he asked for is a stuffed penguin. I don't know why he wants one, but I figured I could comply with this request. I found the pattern online here. It actually was quite easy to make, though this little guy has quite a few mistakes in him which I'm sure Sam will never notice but I will every time I look at him. I've named him Wobbles cause he's a little unsteady on his feet but for all that I think he's pretty cute.

Dear Eva follow-up

Apparently writing a letter on one's blog to one's illiterate child who can't even speak is the way to get things done. The very day after I wrote this entry, Eva embarked on a veritable sleeping frenzy. Since that day, she has slept for 13 hours every night, with 2 one to two hour naps during the day. I defy anyone to find me a mother of an almost 10 month old who is so well rested as I am!

Want to know my secret? Well, there really isn't one. But I've always been a firm believer in routine so Eva's nap/bed times are sacred. Nothing interferes. Also, I believe that the better rested a baby is, the more they will sleep. Eva goes to bed at 6, even if this means that she doesn't get to see Daddy if he's late coming home. If your baby isn't sleeping well or long at night, I'd suggest putting them down earlier. They're bound to cry, probably really hard for awhile. But if you're strong, they'll give in. And a baby who is well rested has a much easier time falling asleep then one who isn't. Good luck!

Eva likes iphones

the lighting on this video is pretty grim... but I figured it's good enough for Grandma's who want to see a bit of their baby.

Dear Eva,

My darling girl. I realize that I have never explicitly told you this so you can be forgiven for not knowing. And this will in no way belittle your already substantial and fantastic achievement of regularly sleeping through the night. But you must understand that in this house, naps are NOT optional. You will take the naps you need, whether you think you need them or not. Do not test me on this, my sweet. I have nerves of steel and plenty of earplugs.