the end of April in highlights {and very few pictures}.

Monday the 25th was a work day.  Taylor kept the boys and Z and I worked like crazy.  I feel like I get a lot accomplished on these days and even got a workout in right before I picked the boys up.  Nothing too eventful the rest of the day.  We had a short FHE that night & went to bed relatively early.

Tuesday the 26th was a busy day for us.  I went visiting teaching in the morning with my sweet partner, Elva.  She is almost 83 and seriously has more energy than me!  I hope I'm even half the woman she is when I'm that age.  The boys chilled with Grami & loved that, of course.  I ran on mom's treadmill when I got back & then took the boys home for naptime.

Around five, we left & dropped the boys at Uncle Layne & Aunt Em's house.  Grayson was absolutely giddy that he was going to play with his "friends" and kept reassuring himself that he was going there by himself and that Zac and I were going to be gone-at the temple.  Haha, he totally wanted the Cook family all to himself!  We were running late-of course-so we did a quick drop & run.  Beckham looked a little panicked at first when I set him down because there were people leaving their house and it was a bit chaotic, but I knew he'd be fine.  That was the first time ever he's been remotely aware or even cared at all whether or not I was around, so it pulled at my heart a little bit.  I knew they'd have a great time and be well taken care of though.

We rushed-as quickly as we could without breaking the law-to the temple.  We were doing sealings which is a favorite of mine.  It was stake temple night and there were TONS of people we knew there which is always good to see.  We loved doing sealings and remembering the covenants we made when we got married.  Along with us were: Lance & Kelsey, Gwen and Jeremy, Penny & Jake, and Joe and Darlis.  It was a good session.  When we were done we went to dinner with the first three couples mentioned above.  We ate at Tucano's and it was delicious!  That was my first time eating there and I wasn't disappointed.  Great salad, yummy meat, and delicious soda.  We laughed...a LOT, and enjoyed ourselves immensely with the group. 

We picked up the boys around 10:15 and Em's kids were already in bed {except Jeffrey} and Grayson told me he had tucked Madelyn in.  So sweet.  After Zac got him in the car Em told me she, Layne and Jeffrey had been sitting downstairs after the kids were in bed.  Jeffrey got Beckham to sleep and Em was holding him.  Gray was just kneeling on the floor by them and said {in a completely monotone voice the entire time}, "I've been waiting all day to come here...and hooray, I'm here now."  Haha!  He cracks us up every day.  Bex slept the whole ride home & went straight to bed and Grayson fell asleep about halfway home and went right to bed.  A good day for everyone.

On Wednesday the 27th, we got to have Treyce over all day.  I picked him up around 9:30 and he was here till 7:00.  They did relatively well together, but Grayson was mean several times and got soap in his mouth at least three times.  I was frustrated a lot and didn't handle situations as well as I could have.  I love having extras & friends for Grayson to play with but it's so hard at the same time with just the two bedrooms.  For obvious reasons we don't let the kids play in our bedroom/office, so it's their bedroom or the living room.  When Beckham goes down for a nap, their bedroom is off limits, so they are forced to be in the living room or outside.  It was too cold for much outside time, so they were all over the place & just having a hard time staying motivated to play instead of whine or snack all the time.  Love that Treyce though-he is a sweetie and incredibly easy to have.  He even got so tired he fell asleep for a while and Grayson and I colored and organized the pantry while he was napping.

Grayson definitely does better at other people's homes and when I am not around, but I still love him.  (:  One thing that was a big hit was when I pulled out the Halloween costumes & just let them dress up and play.  Grayson now has a newfound love for "Army guys" and wants to be a fireman/policeman/army guy/car driver/missionary when he grows up.  Wow!  Anyway, I am for sure hitting Walmart after Halloween this year again to build up a stash of dress up clothes. 

Thursday the 28th was a workday for me and Zac and the boys played at Aunt Taylor's.  Before they left though, they were both in their undies for breakfast & I just realized that even on crazy hard mommy weeks-where I pull the camera out only once or twice because I feel too mean & crazy, these boys are the cause of so much of my joy.
After the boys got home, Grayson asked for some chips as a snack.  He insisted on sharing with his animals.  His elephant that he's really loving lately-named baby Coco-was lovingly placed in the highchair.  Gotta love his imagination.  Also on this day, Zac started feeling sick.  He finally got what we all fought so many times the past few months.  He had escaped it till now.  He was up in the night & just sounded awful.  Poor guy!

Friday the 29th, the boys and I had a much needed playdate with Amber and her girls.  It was for my benefit as much as the kids, I swear.  I had just been in a serious parenting/wife funk all week and incredibly negative and prone to feeling sorry for myself, which is not my usual nature.  A good Amber fix was just what I needed at that time.  Don't get me wrong.  The kids were crazier than usual, it seemed.  Both our oldest children are incredibly big chickens when it comes to playing outside by themselves, are terrified of the wind, and just get scared easily which makes us laugh.  We kind of hope the cautious-ness sticks because they can keep each other & their younger siblings in line as they grow up! (:  Anyway, it wasn't like we had hours of uninterrupted talking, deep & inspired conversation, a delicious gourmet meal, or anything of the sort.  But experiencing the craziness of parenting with a friend who loves me in spite of my faults is a welcome sort of bliss in the midst of pure chaos!  About twenty minutes before we left it was as if a transformation occurred and all the kids were just happy, playing, peaceful, and keeping themselves safely entertained...what?!  (:  Oh well, it was a great break-up to our day & I'm glad we are making it a priority to get together when it's sometimes easier to just stay home & be hermits!

Saturday the 30th the boys played at Grami's while Zac worked on the farm and I went to a TSFL training.  Picked the boys up afterward and got lots done at home.  That evening we were invited to a UFC party, but decided to stay home since we didn't have a sitter & Zac still wasn't feeling great.  We bought the fight online and watched on the computer.  Got the boys in bed and enjoyed watching all the fights, but especially Aldo vs. Hominick.  Wow, that was an intense one & I'm glad Zac thought to see if we could get them online because it was worth it, for sure.

Week Three Potty Summary:  Grayson woke up dry every morning this week so I'm thinking we need to do away with the night time pull up routine, but haven't gotten brave enough yet.  He had one small wet accident when he was too busy playing, but realized after a drop or two and ran for the bathroom.  Started an interesting habit of holding it while at other's houses.  He went five hours at Taylor's without going and that long at my mom's.  He'd go when I got there to pick him up and help him.  Hmm...hopefully this doesn't keep up.  At least he doesn't go in his undies, I guess.  He still strips from the waist down every time and I'm not sure when I'll start addressing this-I know we'll have to soon.  All in all, another great week and I am SUPER proud of this kid.