2 funny things and 1 scary thing that happened this week and Thanksgiving

Samuel was eating spaghetti sauce  and was about to wipe his hands on his pajamas, when I told him "Sam, don't wipe your hands on your clothes", so he says "okay" and before I can stop him, he wipes his hands in his hair.  I say "Sam, you don't wipe your hands in your hair either", he says "what, it matches"...silly boy

Saturday night we took all the kids to the dollar store, and gave them each some money to buy one thing for each other person in the family, and then without their knowing put it on their bed.  (we wanted them to do something nice for each other).l  So we made it home, and after everyone had distributed their "goods" everyone could go look at their own bed.  Well it turns out that Betsy got Travis some dog treats, it was pretty funny.  She didn't realize they were for dogs, but thought they were heart shaped treats. 

Travis took Samuel and Joseph over to the elementary school for the ward turkey bowl (football) on Thanksgiving.  After they had been gone a while, there was a knock at the door.  I open it to find Samuel, just Samuel, no Travis or Joseph.  I let Samuel in, and ask where Daddy is, he tells me Daddy is still playing football.  I ask him if Daddy knows where he is, and Sam said "yes".  I know Travis would not let Samuel walk home from the school all by himself (it is about a 10-15 minute walk, crossing two main streets), so I call Travis' cell phone, which I discovered was in our upstairs bedroom.  I was about ready to walk back over to the school to let Travis know Samuel was safe, when a member of our ward called, from the football field asking if Samuel was home.  I let him know he was, and to tell Travis (they had paused their game and had been looking for him for the past 15 minutes).  Travis came home and talked to Samuel and then went back to the football game.  I'm very grateful that Samuel made it safely all the way home, and I'm sure he had angels watching over him. 

Here are some pictures I had in my phone camera:

Austin made this turkey for a class assignment out of an orange, grapes, and other food items.

I put Caleb in the back of the car, while I was loading up the groceries from Costco, he had fun, playing with the groceries, that I was stacking all around him.

My cute little boy

Joseph (star wars), Austin (snow white), Betsy (princess), Their friend Jessie(vampire), and Samuel (Soccer Ball again after leaving his gorilla costume at school) for Halloween

Betsy made a picture of me out of play-dough

Joseph riding the bull at Cornbellys.  He had a blast (thanks Grandma and Grandpa)

Travis having fun with Caleb (I think he was a little nervous)

Betsy and Samuel going down the big slide at the BYU Halloween Party

Austin and Betsy spent hours stacking all of these bricks for our neighbor, Joseph and Sam helped a little too

The girls made a little hideout for Caleb in between the couch and the wall, and put stuff in the way so he couldn't get out, this is Caleb fighting his way out!

This is Samuel at his first Austic therapy session, wearing a body bag (Grandma made him his own for his birthday), it helps him receive sensory input that he needs

Happy Samuel

Joseph loves his baby brother

We had a great Thanksgiving this year.  Joseph was so relieved to not have to do any schoolwork, and he actually got to play video games, watch T.V., and play with friends for the first time in months.  He is no longer doing eschool at home, and going full-time at a new school that hasn't given him any homework.  He was quite the happy boy, and I was happy not to try and make him do any school work.  I think we were all happy not doing any homework for a few days, although Travis and I should probably have still done some studying we were all ready for a little break from it.  We spent Wednesday cleaning and cooking for Thanksgiving, and Wednesday evening Travis' Mom and sister Karina arrived.  We had a full Thanksgiving day filled with more cooking, and cleaning, but also fun seeing family.  Travis' other sister Maia and her 5 of her kids came, and his aunt and uncle and two of their kids.  We had 20 people for our feast, 6 of whom couldn't have gluten, so it took a lot of work making things everyone could eat.  It was delicious.  Unfortunately has been cutting his first tooth and fighting a cold so he was not a very happy baby. 
This year Travis skipped going out black Friday shopping, a combination of lack of funds and not wanting to stay out all night.  We did manage to get a few things online, with money Travis' mom gave us.  We did go to Costco (I love getting the free cookbook they give out every year on black Friday) and ended up getting the kids these Sherpa pet pillow and blanket sets.  They were really excited, but told that's all they're getting for Christmas, they were fine with it, but we'll see when Christmas actually arrives.

Samuel's B-day and Joseph's Trauma

So November 17th, Samuel turned 5 years old!  My little boy is getting so big.  Unfortunately he was sick, so he didn't really do too much.  Although he did get to open his presents, and I made him a chocolate beet cake, that was wheat, dairy, and sugar free (it did have sucanat in it for a sweetener).  Everyone loved it, it tasted really good, I was greatly relieved since it took a lot of work.  His Grandma Hardy made him a "body bag" for his birthday, and he loves it, he looks like a green little alien (will post pictures when I get a new camera).  On Friday Samuel was feeling better, so we went to Chuck-e-cheese and he had a good time playing and getting prizes.  Every since Samuel has been sick, he has been really sweet, and telling me thank you for taking care of him.  I just hope that when he feels better he would still behave so sweetly.  Saturday the baby started getting sick too, we pretty much spent the whole day cleaning.  Although I did get to take Austin and Betsy out (they were the only ones who got there chores done).  We went to the mall for pretzels, and then did a little shopping.  We got Samuel a punching bag with his birthday money from his Grandmas.  He is so excited, he loves it. 
Joseph started a new school this past week to help him with his behavior challenges, so has been going full day at school again, and is no longer doing eschool.  Whew!! (I'm so relieved)  I really hope this will help him a lot.   On Sunday I stayed home from church,  because the baby and Samuel were both sick, and the baby was cutting his first tooth. Then Joseph was riding his scooter home from church, and hit a crack in the sidewalk and split his chin open, bruised his jaw bone, cracked a couple teeth, and bit the inside of his cheek. Seven stitches later and some ibuprofen he is doing much better.  Then today at his dentist appointment, the dentist discovered he had actually fractured 3 permanent molars, and chipped 2, and broke one baby tooth molar, that had to be partially extracted. The dentist said it takes quite a trauma for that to happen, and said he was extremely lucky to not break his jaw bone.  At first the dentist had only caught one broken tooth and one chipped tooth, but then took some more x-rays and discovered the rest.  Joseph was very brave throughout the whole process, and will hopefully feel better soon. 

A frustrating Day with Samuel

I had a really hard time with Samuel today, I started out the morning cleaning out the baby's room, because Samuel has been sneaking food in there and watching T.V., then throwing the food in various places around the room.  I discovered it when, I noticed lots of flies in the room, and was trying to figure out why there were so many.  I found no less then 10 different pieces of fruit, in various stages of rottenness,and bread crusts, and other pieces of discarded food.  I told Samuel he was grounded from T.V. since he had been breaking the rules while watching T.V.  I have been letting him watch too much T.V. anyway lately, becuase it has been really difficult to have Caleb and Samuel in the same room, since Caleb has gotten no mobile.  I had to study for a test that I needed to take, but still had to watch Caleb and Sam, and clean up the baby's room, so I had Samuel helping me clean the room, only to find that he was throwing things down the hall, or in other areas of the house instead of putting things in the garbage or where they were supposed to go.  So, I didn't get much studying done, and only managed a 88% on my physics test.  Oh well, I'll just have to do really well on the final.  Anyway so I got home about 1pm, and fed the baby and read to Samuel, then we decided to go grab some lunch from Cafe Rio and some pretzels for Travis from the mall.  So Samuel, the baby, and I got in the car and started driving away.  Samuel proceeded to unbuckle his seat belt and tried to bug the baby and mess the buttons on the car, while singing and screeching at the top of his lungs.  I managed to get him to put his seat belt back on, and finally quiet down, just before we arrived.  We went into Cafe Rio and Samuel started running around, and pulling on the cords showing where to stand in line, and singing as loud as he can "you are a stupid butthead".  I got him over to me and told him maybe he should just wait in the car (I could see the car from where I was at), but immediatly realized that probably wasn't the best idea, but he ran off before I could stop him, and climbed into the car.  I had just about reached the front of the line, when Samuel started honking the horn over and over again, so I waved at him to come back inside and he did, just as I was ordering, well he wanted to see over the counter, and kept pulling on the baby's car seat and making it really difficult, so I put the baby down, and picked Sam up, who pulled on the glass between us and the food, and the guy said he couldn't do that, so I put Sam back down, and he immediatly jumped on the baby, so I quickly pulled him off, and told him he couldn't do that, and tried to comfort the crying baby.  Sam was running around singing loudly again, so I went to quiet him down, and he ran back and jumped on the baby again.  I pulled him off again, and while trying to comfort the baby, quickly paid for our meal, then filled up my drink, and then Samuel threw a fit, because he wanted one too, so I let him go ask for a cup, and then we made our way back to the car.  Just before arriving at the car, Samuel dropped his water, and it all spilled, so he ran back and got another water.  We got in the car and I gave Samuel his food (a corn torilla), he said it was icky and proceeded to tear it up in pieces and throw it all over the car.  I told him that his behavior was not okay, and we were going right home.  Samuel started crying saying he was sorry, and said he would be good, and that Daddy really wanted his pretzels, so I agreed, and we drove over to the mall to get pretzels.  Samuel was still really loud in the car, I could occasionaly get him to be quieter.  We get to the mall, and samuel jumps out of the car quickly and runs off.  I jump out, and try to catch him, but he laughs and zigzags through cars.  I tell him I'm getting the baby and to come back.  He does come back, but only to laugh some more and run off to the mall.  I finally catch him waiting for me at the pretzel counter, singing and yelling as loud as he can, and running around in circles.  I try in vain to get him to be quiet, but nothing works, so I quickly order the pretzels bites, and when the guy set them on the counter, Samuel jumped up and grabbed a handful of the pretzels(he's not allowed to have any) and started running off, I managed to grab one of the pretzels bites he taken, but he ate the rest, and tried to catch up to him.  He decided he needed to stop in every store and mess with stuff and touch it, otherwise I never would have caught him.  I grabbed his hand, and told him I couldn't let him go since he wasn't listening, but he yells as loud as he can "your hurting me" and starts punching me.  I told him if he would stay right with me and be quiet I would let go, so he said he would and I let go of his hand.  We took two steps and he ran into another store and stared messing up the display.  So I grabbed his hand again, and started walking.  He started hitting me again, and then grabbed a bunch of stuff from my purse and threw it all over.  Thankfully some sympathetic people helped me gather it up, but I lost my grip on samuel and he took off running again.  He hid behind a big boulder just before the parking lot.  As I walked past him, I told him we were going home, and he better come with me.  So he followed me to the car, and we drove home, while samuel kept trying to feed the baby his pieces of tortilla from the ground and water, and taking off his seat belt and being loud.  I tried explaining to him in a calm voice what behaviors were wrong, and how he should have acted while we were out.  I also told him, he was going to spend some time in his room, thinking about how he is supposed to act.  I barely survived the trip, but only through several prayers sent heavenward to stay in control and not get angry, but I was still plenty upset.  I discovered later today, that Samuel had eated about half his bucket of Halloween candy and had been hiding it around the house, so we quickly went to a dentist office and sold the rest of the candy in the house for $1 a pound .  I love that little boy, but he sure can make things difficult sometimes.  Also my camera broke, so no pictures for a while, until we can get a new camera.

Hee Haw Farm

Travis, Joseph, and Samuel going down the giant slide at Hee Haw Farms

Joseph jumping off of hay bales

Joseph hiding in the hale bales

Betsy jumping in the hay bales

Samuel loved this little tractor

Joseph jumping

Austin Jumping

the kids having fun in the little hay bale maze

Austin, Samuel, Betsy and I on the Tractor!

Austin, Betsy and I going down the giant slide

Sam in the piggy train

Betsy, Joseph, Austin, and Samuel in the animal train

Dad and Caleb feeding a goat

Betsy, Caleb, Joseph, Austin, and Samuel being animals at the farm

Betsy in a corn stalk teepee

We had a great time on Saturday at Hee Haw Farms.  We were there for almost 6 hours!!  They had all sorts of fun playing on the slide, maze, seeing the animals, riding ponies, trains, corn pits, hay rides, picking out pumpkins, and all sorts of fun.  Betsy even won the pig chase, and was the first to catch a pig in her age group.  She won a free popcorn and cotton candy.  We got lost in the corn maze for over an hour, and had a lot of fun, except we really were wishing we had brought water, it ended up being over 80 degrees outside.  We went on a trick or treat hay ride, and got some candy.  Joseph and Samuel gave Travis their candy in return for money (they are on a no wheat, dairy, and sugar diet for ADHD and Austim(more about this later))  We took another hay ride over to the pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins.  Samuel decided that we didn't need a lot of time to pick out pumpkins and as soon as we got off the hay ride he grabbed the first pumpkin he saw and ran back on the hay ride, and wouldn't get off, (I guess he didn't want to wait for the next hay ride) so the rest of us quickly grabbed a pumpkin and got on the hay ride before it left again.  Samuel loved going on the slide over and over again, he had a little trouble waiting his turn, but overall did pretty good.  They also had a big corn pit to play in, and an inflatable haunted forest for the kids. Samuel had a little trouble in the corn pit, he was throwing a lot of corn, and ending up fighting with another little boy, and throwing him in the corn, and I had to jump in and pull him off the other kid.  So Samuel didn't get to play in the corn pit anymore, but he had fun with the other stuff.  Joseph discovered that if you buried yourself in the corn, you could still breath, so he loved doing that, and pretending he was an ostrich.  Austin loved the free donut samples that they had.  We stayed until the kids were finally hungry enough to leave.  It was sure a fun day.  Also this morning we went to an Opera at BYU called "help the globolinks."  It was pretty fun to watch, and now the kids all want to be globolinks for halloween.  They are basically covered in black with streamers coming out of the sides, they are aliens!!  We'll see if it happens...

Silly Betsy

Joseph's friend Josh Dutton was over, and Betsy and Josh said something at the same time and Betsy said to Josh "jinx, you're going to have my baby" (or something like that)  so Travis said "Betsy, your going to have to marry Josh, to have a baby with him" and Betsy looked very distressed and said "I can't marry Josh, then my initials would spell BAD"  and sure enough Betsy Anne Dutton would indeed spell BAD...Silly girl...I laughed like crazy

Caleb Scooting/Crawling

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