Callie is going on the Potty!

We started potty training last week. I did my usual pre-potty training steps of checking children's books and potty movies out at the library. One of our favorites is "Go Potty Go!" It's a cute movie filled with fun songs about going on the potty. Although, the songs get stuck in my head all day!!!

I'm slowly learning the more children you have the more complicated potty training becomes. But I am also figuring out to use older siblings to my advantage! When Callie goes on the potty EVERYONE gets a treat if they acknowledge and encourage her. It's a win win! Mason and Noah are very motivated to help Callie remember to use the potty. We are taking a more relaxed approach (which is so not like me! I'm all about hard core just do it, learn it, and get it over with!) Because my life is so on the go we have no choice but to do "training" in sessions. I'm shocked at how well, she has been switching back and forth from underwear to diapers so far. Initially it was difficult because she wouldn't sit on the potty chair for very long periods of time. In fact, I'm ashamed to admit I gave her sucker after sucker, juice box after juice box continuously the first day to get her to stay put! But she seems very enthusiastic about it and is excited when she actually goes. I think this will only take a couple weeks. It's hard for me to not plan much and just hang out at home but I just have to remind myself it will be worth it!

She calls her panties "Undee-wear" too cute!
Callie LOVES washing her hands, she often tells me to go out mommy so she can take her time washing her hands.
This is one of her favorite spots in the bathroom (up on the counter). She loves to look in the mirror and point out all the "Callies".

Depending on the day she will sometimes fight me about putting the underwear back on. One morning she even hid from me to avoid getting dressed.

Where's Callie?

"I'm going on a picnic mommy!"

Typical Family meal

Dinner in our home: Usually Ron doesn't get home until around 6 or 6:30. The kids are starving by then so I hold them off as long as possible and feed them usually around 5:30. Well tonight Ron got home just as the kids were finishing off their plates. He helped them clear their plates and they rushed out the back door to play outside while Ron and I sat down to eat. We hadn't even taken 2 bites when we heard CRASH! I stayed at the table and chuckled a little knowing that some glass had broken and guessing it was a bedroom window. We found this:

About a week prior to this incident our vines fell down on the back side of the house. I'm guessing this isn't the first time Mason has kicked the ball at the house. He just miscalculated the protection the vines provide to his bedroom window. Haha Oh well at least I'm married to a handy man that fixed the window himself and saved us a few dollars.

The guilty soccer ball: 

(besides Mason of course)

How can I be mad at these adorable monsters?

Mason in Primary

I got an email with this attached picture of Mason from his AMAZING primary teacher today.
Mason's teacher: "I'm pretty sure I am going to be fired from Primary anyway so I let Mason play with my Ipad today. I thought this picture was HILARIOUS."

I got to help in Mason's primary class today, which was a lot of fun! I love that he is still at a point in his life where it's cool for mom to come to his class. He was really excited for me to join them.

When I walked in the classroom I noticed he was barefoot and barely sitting in his chair. hmmmm... I have received many texts from Masons teacher Amy Boeru since January. I wish I had a picture of this adorable woman with Mason. At the beginning of the year she teased me "I'll be your new BFF- meaning, I will be in touch constantly!" and she said she had my phone number on speed dial. Haha! She occasionally sends me text messages about Mason: "Mason is SOOOOOO CUTE!" He is going to keep me on my toes this year."

"Shelly, REALLY I find Mason to be TOTALLY adorable. Yes, he is restless but, no worse than me in sharing time!"

After a few weeks of new primary classes I texted Amy, asking her "How was Mason today? Be honest."

She replied "Well. Since you asked me to be honest. Hmmmmm. I was touched by how hard he tried to be good. I LOVE 6 YEAR OLDS!!!" 

I'm just so happy that Mason has such a fabulous and amazing teacher to help him learn more about Christ and gospel principles!

"Lehi's Exodus as interpreted by Mason Kenneth Huber"

One of Mason's drawings from Primary class.

Wind Caves Hiking!

The Miller's are in town again and wanted to hike the Wind Caves trail this week. I have heard a lot about the Wind Caves up at Usery Moutain and have wanted to hike it for a while now. So, when the Huber's planned this hike I jumped at the opportunity and invited myself along! I was a little anxious to hike it with out Ron's help but I thought if Matt and Leslie can do it with their 6 kids I think I can too! Joyce and I were discussing the hike as we drove to Usery Pass and I disclosed that I had NEVER hiked with Callie in a backpack before. Oh boy! What were we all in for? As we started on the trail I remember feeling excited and thinking this is the kind of mom I want to be. Get out, exercise and have fun! The 3.2 mile hike wasn't too bad, pretty scenery and not too strenuous. My kiddos did great! Mason especially, he was a rock star. I really didn't see him very much on the hike, he stayed up with the older kids (he made sure he kept up with his crush Harley). The hike back down Noah was a little tired and wanted to be carried, so I obliged and carried him part of the way down. (Others offered to help but I am stubborn and felt like I was getting a good workout in anyways!) My only disappointment is Callie looks miserable in ALL the pictures. She really had a lot of fun and was very good in the pack, even kicking and squealing for joy all morning. She only asked a few times to get out and walk, and thanks to her adorable cousins, she was easily distracted! 

 Poor sleepy Callie! She passed out on the way down.

Next on my list of purchases is one of these amazing back packs (I borrowed this one)! I want to do more hikes like this. It really was fun to get out and be active with my kids.

Happy Easter!

We had an amazing Easter weekend. Started Saturday off with a yummy breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt at my moms. The breakfast was so yummy I felt like I needed to tip my mom or at least leave a check. It was complete with coffee cake, waffles, eggs, sausage ... etc. Mmmmm My mouth is watering now as I type.

  

The Egg hunt: All the kids went inside while the adults hid the eggs, (we had to get creative because my mom doesn't have very much in her back yard). We let the kids out in sequential order, the youngest age group got to browse for eggs first.Callie really got it this year and only had to be reminded a few times to continuing getting eggs (occasionally she would stop and start eating the candy from one of the eggs.)

We left the egg hunt in a hurry and rushed to Mason's football game. I love watching him play. His team is full of inexperienced boys so it's sad to watch them lose 3 games in a row but it is very fun to watch their eyes light up when they get the ball and run or hike it. Mason even got his first touch down this last game! I was so excited and proud of him I think I ran more than he did! I probably embarrassed everyone around me with my jumping yelling and screaming but I don't care! In all the excitement I forgot to take pictures, I did manage to get one picture of his actual touch down. He was so proud of himself and rightly so.

 Mason's Touch down!!!!

Easter Sunday was such a wonderful day. Ron didn't have meetings so he got to hang out with us all morning, and after church we even attempted a quick Family Easter photo-shoot. Both boys were not very cooperative and REALLY didn't want their pictures taken. Callie surprisingly ate it up! She was adorable!

 

Callie's latest surprised face: I LOVE it!

Callie is 2!

I can't believe my baby is 2 years OLD! Crazy how time flies. She has a very stong personality, is very independent and stubborn. It's perfect for having 2 older brothers, she definitely holds her own! While she is very tough she also is VERY sweet. If either of the boys are upset or sad she picks up on that immediately and tries to comfort them. She is quick with the consoling phrases like "Oh. Sorry Mason." or "You ok mom?" I think it's adorable.

Her favorite songs are:
I am a Child of God
Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam
The past few months "Happy Birthday" has been one of her top requests.

She still loves to dance to music, I can't wait to put her in dance or gymnastics.

One of my favorite "Callie phrases" is when she wants to be held she will say, "Hold you mommy."

We decided last minute to throw a little party for her. Nothing big, just invited a few friends, and had cake and ice cream. She was on cloud nine with all the "princess gifts" she received.

 

The original plan was to watch a princess movie to keep in line with the whole princess theme. But Mason and Noah vetoed that and started the movie Wreck it Ralph. Noah snuggled up on the couch between his two girls! Too cute! Uh-oh!

 Sydney and Callie playing peek-a-boo!

At the end of the evening Callie insisted on saying our evening family prayers. We have a little routine of books and then prayers, before the last book is read she is on her knees yelling "Me do it!" because she wants to say the prayer first.

This girl has Daddy wrapped around her little finger and she knows it too!

 

On Monday, my family held a party at the park to celebrate all the March Birthdays. I made a Princess cake for the all the Birthday girls. Callie loved it and kept calling it her Princess cake.