Fall cleanup

Our Fall has been beautiful. Although I am wearing sweaters my kids go without. Little Camden could care less about shoes and socks. Last week we started cleaning out the garden for FHE. I love it when we all pitch in. 

This young man is growing up too fast. Kaden thinks being serious in photos is the cool thing right now.

Camden had to be working too. He was leveling the dirt. You were in trouble if you got in his way.

Elsie was in charge of cutting all the strings off the wires. 

So after the ground was tilled guess what came next?

 Playtime in the dirt! The boys love Fall because it means they can play all they want in the garden.

Camden and potty training!

A week in a half ago Camden tried on his new underwear to make sure it fit. I have not had a desire to potty train but he has. I thought we would ease into things. Well, when I let him try his undies on he thought it was the real deal. He didn't want to take them off. I let him keep them on for an hour and sure enough he had an accident. I tried turning that into a learning experience. We cleaned up and sat down with his potty book. It was great. After that we practiced running to the potty. I have never seen such a happier boy. The next day was Sunday, Camden woke up and put his underwear on. I had to literally take those things off him while he was crying. He was not a happy boy. So I decided this week would be the one Camden would start going on the potty. I reread info about potty training to see what new things there were. I read somewhere that you should send everyone away so you could have total concentration on the child.That wasn't going to work so I prepped the kids. I told them I needed to spend a lot of time with Camden and they would have to play outside a lot and get along. After telling Camden he had to wait to wear underwear he was very excited when he could put them on again.

Day 1

The day started off with Camden in underwear. We had pretzels to snack on, all kinds of juice, m&m's for rewards, and stickers for every time he went. If you have every potty trained a boy it takes a little practice aiming. I have trained all my boys sitting down, but that still is not spill proof. Camden had a hard time keeping the pee in the toilet. He didn't want to do it and wanted help. After one time I told him he had to do it. The floor and the toilet were a mess, but he was trying. He had to have a bath once because he peed on his face. We had a timer set and every 15-20 minutes we headed the the potty.  Elsie was a great help to me. She washed the clothes that were soiled, did my dishes, and made meals for me. She even took the boys outside a few times. I am very blessed to have such great kids. At the end of the day I'd say we were successful half the time. Camden had yet to poop.

**As a side note while I was assisting Camden in the bathroom there was a knock at the door. I was not going to answer it because I would get distracted. Only when my son came to tell me it was the police did I open it. They had seen the boys peek out and tried opening the door as I went to unlock it. The police asked me if everything was okay and I said "yes, I am potty training" as Camden came out naked. They continued to tell me that they received a call from this house. In all that was going on that morning it never dawned on me that my 7 year old would call the police. He had asked to call a friend just to talk and denies calling 911. I called Kaden to the door to talk to the police. They were quite serious about telling him when to call them. I apologized and sent Kaden to his room while I thought of a proper consequence. When Mike came home he asked to see the phone number Kaden called. Rylan told him that he ate the paper with the phone numbers so he wouldn't call 911 again.

Day 2

Camden still had some accidents but started mastering his pointing skills. He is still afraid of closing the toilet lid which is a must in our house. We did it together and is not scared anymore. I knew he had to poop so I kept a visual on him constantly. When he hesitated at all I tried shooing him to the toilet. His argument was "it's toots mom". So when I let my guard down he did his stuff and I caught him just after he did it. He got a shower and I showed him the gory stuff. He was grossed out. I braved going out in public that afternoon because he had a Halloween party to go to. We went to the bathroom but he still had an accident. So I said we were done at the party. He did last an hour so I wasn't too worried about him not having enough fun. That evening Camden did great. He pooped on the potty and all the kids jumped for joy. I think I was jumping the most. He again did his stuff later that night and wouldn't get off until he was done. I was the happiest mom ever. I told him that morning if he pooped in the potty he could stay up late, he was a very happy boy.

 This is Camden's sad face he was making with his mouth red from juice.

Day 3

Camden was doing great with the timer so I decided to let him go outside to play. I was going to get him when the timer went off but he came in minutes before telling me he had an accident. He stayed inside after that and started going potty on his own. I clapped for joy. After lunch Camden was allowed outside but on strict orders. This time the little guy did great. One time he decided he wanted to be like the big kids and close the door. Well, he ended up locking himself in the bathroom. We tried to explain what to do but he was stuck for over 5 minutes. All the kids kept trying to explain things but he was still stuck. I finally got him to do what I asked and came out. We have had quite an exciting few days. Camden is so excited to be going potty.

Day 4
I'd say this day was a big success. Camden had no accidents and told me when he had to go. We went outside, and even to the park. The only trouble was he started peeing on his hand. That will hopefully be fixed by big brothers that can show him the tricks. Camden is on his way to big boyhood.

My haircut

I am not use to such long hair,so I decided  to get it trimmed.

I had a shower before we went.We had to wait about 10 minutes.

We decided to go to great clips.Hair was coming down fast. 

I had my hair cut to my shoulders. We had a few inches cut off.

My mom said she was surprised at how much I had cut of.

By:

Elsie Wilcox

Pumpkin Picking

We have had beautiful fall weather here. It was so nice we had to take off our sweaters but the downside to that is all the pumpkins are rotting from the inside out. We went to our favorite pumpkin patch and we had to hunt for the ones that looked good. I don't know, maybe it was just the pumpkins at this certain location but we have never encountered this over the years. Besides that, the kids were loving everything. There were two corn mazes. One of which, Elliot almost got lost and started crying. They had some awesome tractors and Camden loved driving them. Every time we drive by the pumpkin patch it is full. Mike even saw cars parked down the road one day. So in order to have dad along we go in the afternoon. We have free roam and don't lose any children.

I have to say Rylan is the most photogenic out of all the kids. I couldn't get them to be still enough to get what I wanted.

Getting the pumpkins home. Now for the carving...soon.

It was a great outing, and one that didn't take long because it was in the neighborhood. 

Camden's finger update

Last Sunday Camden's fingernail fell off. He was very worried about it. We tried not to say how gross it looked and constantly reminded him how it was getting better. When his finger got infected it also got a blister that has been peeling off. He has been a very brave boy.

The yellow spot on his nail is where they poked the hole.

One morning Camden went outside to play without any shoes or jacket. I asked Rylan to help him get dressed and this is how Camden looked. He had Elliot's shorts on, a coat too small for him and a pair of my gloves.

Today Camden went to the dentist for the first time. He was excited last night but when the time came he was scared a little. He chose to watch Elliot get his teeth cleaned. After two minutes he was done watching. When it was Camden's turn he was still scared but very brave. He insisted on holding my hand the whole time and did a great job. He left with happy healthy teeth.

As a side note all the kids made it through their appointments without any cavities. A happy day for all!

What beauty there is!

Last week we took a drive up Millcreek canyon and roasted hot dogs. Mike was a good sport, he came home from work and put everything we needed together.  It was a long day for him. We were able to leave right after the big kids got home from school. It was a nice day but overcast. The kids did their homework in the truck on the drive.

We found a quiet spot where no one else was. The kids loved climbing up the side of the mountain. Even Camden was one  the big kids too. I was in love with nature. I could not get enough of all the pretty colors the Lord has blessed us with. It was so beautiful I didn't want to leave.

Can you believe this young man will be eight years old soon! He is an amazing boy. Part of me doesn't want him to grow up but then I would be denying him all our Heavenly Father has in store for him. I am trying to enjoy these moments with my children because the years are flying by. (FYI we are planning on having Kaden's baptism Nov 30 @ 12:30 for anyone that wants to plan for and come.  We would love to celebrate this special day with you.)

Here are the boys stopping to let me take a picture.  I was very camera happy that afternoon taking in all the beauty.

We went on a little walk to see where a path led to. It came to a dead end at the creek. Elliot found a snake stick to carry around. I took a picture because I told him we weren't taking it home.

This is our picnic spot. Mike had a hard time keeping the fire lit at first. It was a good thing we had enough matches.  We were able to roast hot dogs, pizza pockets, banana boats, and marshmallow's.

Having a great time!

We have never made banana boats before and they were a hit with some of the kids. 

This is what Rylan was collecting. He collected a cupful of leaves to take to school for show and tell. He ended up giving them to a friend.

We left the mountains dirty, cold, and very happy.  It was a great FHE activity that I hope we can do again soon before the snow comes.  I am so thankful for what the Lord has created for us.  We are so very blessed.  And to think this beauty is nothing compared to beauty of the human body.  

Happy Autumn everyone!