Disney on Ice

This has been a rough year overcoming mental and physical trials from Tiny's birth and trauma.  I haven't left my house much and have really been nervous around big crowds.  But when I saw that Disney on Ice was coming to Salt Lake again, I knew I wanted to take the older three.  It was a daunting outing, there was some seat confusion which stressed me out a bit but thankfully we got better seats than we thought, and the weather was not great so driving made me nervous.  But despite all that, we had a BLAST!  The kids were beyond perfect, I overcame a lot of anxieties which made me proud and the memories will last forever.  And it helped that the couple behind me complimented my mothering and my children after the show was over.  I have awesome kids, that is for sure. But really, ACE's face alone when the princesses came out made it all worth it.  And on the way back to the car we found some cheap knock of light up toys which the kids LOVED and it saved me a ton that they didn't care about the expensive ones inside.  I can't wait to do this again with them.

Had to get her a new hair bow for just this occasion!

Summer

This was a different summer for our family for sure.  With Tiny Mike being on oxygen and me recovering emotionally and physically, I just didn't go very many places.  Fortunately Mark is the best dad and husband in the entire universe and would take the three older kids on outings or to the park a lot of days after work.  He was truly the only reason the kids had dun this summer.
The 4th of July was Tiny Mike's due date so I was struggling emotionally on that day a LOT.  Mark took the three older kids to my sister's house for a BBQ and some fun during the day then that evening we just lit off fireworks in our driveway.  The boys loved that since we have never really done it and thought dad was pretty impressive with his lighting and running skills.  ACE and Tiny were already in bed so I sat in the driveway with my two baby monitors and enjoyed the show.  Low key but I think it was enjoyable.
We filled out days with crafts and projects and water fun in the backyard.  I went on a couple of mom and me dates with each kids which was good for them and for me.
My mom stayed with use for three weeks right after Tiny was born so basically the whole time he was in the NICU.  What a tremendous blessing that was!  I didn't have to find people to watch the kids every day as I went back and forth from the hospital to home.  I can never repay her for the support and help she provided.  Once she left Mark's mom came and stayed for a week and the kids loved playing with Nana.  It was nice to have guests and it was nice to just be us again when the time came.
My brother and his family came from California for a few days.  It was so nice to hang out with them at a BBQ Melanie threw and to meet their cute twin girls who are 2 and I hadn't met yet.  ACE had a great time playing with them.
Mark's sister and her son came all the way from Germany to visit for a few days which was so fun.  We had all the Elkington grandkids together!
While my mom was staying with us, she and my dad got their mission call...to Tokyo Japan on a military relations assignment!!  What?!?  I was so happy for them and of course super emotional realizing how far and how long my mom would be gone.  But they go in to the MTC mid September and seem to be pretty stoked.
The best day was when Tiny got off his oxygen and they came and took the tanks away in the middle of August.  I cried tears of joy in the middle of the living room as the men closed the door behind them carrying all the wires and tubes and tanks and monitors.  If I never hear that beep again it will be too soon. What a great and freeing way to end a summer!

Picture purge!

 Grandma taught them how to sew!

She loved getting so much Lala time

Reading to Tiny

Blech...the tank

Changing time

So much baby worship

Summer hair cuts and summer dye

Doing yoga

She loved that we bathed Tiny in the sink

Doing Potions class

Looking at the brew

4th of July

Team fun heading out to the BBQ at Aunt Rachel's

We figured out a way for him to be on the main floor rather than cooped up in the room 

More baby worship

Me and Tiny

More yoga

What a cute little swimsuit model

Poor buddy and the oxygen tubes

Creative craft or evil plan?

Bathtub shaving cream painting

Cousins!

More cousins

These three little beauties are just 5 months apart

Mom and boys date

Checking himself out in the mirror

No idea what is happening here but it was too cute not to capture

"Hi mom!"

Elkington grandkids

These two are the best of friends

With the tank...

...WITHOUT

First pony ride

Having a nice conversation with a baby goat

Bowling with mom

Shooting with mom

Date nights

Mark and I have recently both felt strongly that our kids need more one on one time with each parent.  We do so much as a family and Mark is around more than most dads but as the kids grow and have more things going on in their lives, we don't want to neglect that desire and need for one on one parent interaction.  So many awesome conversations have happened when we have alone time with the boys and I never want to let that get lost in the busy nature of life and the shuffle of day to day.  So we set up a monthly system where each boy goes on a date with one parent per month.  So in April I took Shortstop on a date and then a week later took Fullback on a date.  May was Mark's turn and I am looking forward to June.
One thing I am trying to do is make sure to say Yes on these dates as much as possible.  I want them to decide what we are going to do and for how long we are out.  Shortstop wanted to go to the live action Beauty and the Beast and loved getting treats at the concession stand.  He wanted to cuddle and hold my hand for most of the time.  I am dreading the day he is embarrassed by this or doesn't want to do it anymore so I soak it up the best I can.

Fullback's date was centered around ice cream, going somewhere we could hold hands, and having fun...his words. So we went to Farm Country where he rode a pony and we visited animals as long as he wanted.  Then we went to the Thanksgiving point cafe and split a cheeseburger and a root beer float.  Mark prepared the boys ahead of time and told them to open my doors, have manners and compliment how I looked.  It was so adorable
For Mark's dates he took Fullback to see Boss Baby and then out for lunch.  Fullback wanted to go to Burger King to use a recent birthday gift card given to him and then they went to Thanksgiving point curiosity museum and took pictures together in the photo booth.
I love hoe much they love planning their dates, they circle the days on the calendar and count down to when we get to take them out.  And in a couple of years we get to add ACE to the mix which will be a blast!