Day out with John

Today it was John's turn to go on a date with me. It just happened that he also had a doctor's appointment today so after that we went to Burger King and got a chocolate shake. After he was done eating he played in the playground they have there. Then we went to Bicentennial Park in East Brunswick where we read some books, had a sucker and played in the playgound. It was perfect because nobody was there and we had the playground all to ourselves. After that we went home. We really enjoyed our time together. John was loving it and he didn't want to go home.

Of course we had to read a Thomas the train book.

.

A month ago we bought our first digital camera. We used to have one that we borrowed from Mac's dad but it died on us last last year. We bought a SAMSUNG TL205 Dual View so John could see himself when we were taking the pictures and he loved looking at himself and making funny faces.

There is always room for a sucker.

John loves to swing and he likes to pretend he is a goose flying. Every time he gets on a swing he says faster, faster, faster.....

Weeeeeeeeeeee

This is how our date ended.

Saturday in Central Park

Today after almost 2 years of living so close to New York City, we finally made it to Central Park with the kids. That is what happens when you live on a student budget. It was really fun. The kids played at the water playground and Lili especially was loving it. We had a ride in the carousel. And then Mac and I spent the next 4 hours walking around the park pushing the kids in the strollers. It was really nice and I really liked it. I especially loved to watch the people. We heard people talking in so many different languages but the ones we heard the most was Spanish from Spain. I really felt like I was in a movie while I was there.

Mac: Don't forget that we got ripped off by some hotdog vendor guy. He overcharged us on every item: [us: "The price says $2 per pretzel" him: "No, that is 'Jumbo' pretzel" (not on price chart) us: "And the hot dog? Isn't this the jumbo dog?" him: "No, that is 'Spicy' dog" (also, not on the menu) me: "So what does the 'jumbo' dog look like?" him: "like this" (he quickly takes out a hot dog that is the same size as the small one that we bought for Lili and then quickly puts it away and pretends to be annoyed at us because there are other customers waiting) me: "Que manera de estafar!" (rough translation: "What a rip-off!") and then we just keep walking until we find some shade to eat our expensive hot dogs and to feed our expensive pretzels to the pigeons.]

Lili playing with water. Have I ever mention how much Lili likes to play with water?

Sam giving it a try.

Lili and John coming up from their hiding place

I love this picture. After the carousel Lili was complaining because she wanted to do it again. I love how John and Sam are looking at Lili. She might have been pretty loud because even the guy at the ticket booth is looking at her.

View of NY City from the park

Bethesda Fountain

Say cheeeeeeeeeesse..... or not.

Always so curious

Acting like a true princess at the Belvedere Castle.

View of the Turtle Pond from the Belvedere Castle

Nap time 1

Nap time 2

Nap time 3. Forget it. Lili enjoying a popsicle while her brothers are asleep.

Taking a break after walking for 3 hours

Our wonderful friends Emily and James. They rode with us in the car and attended the Manhattan Temple while we went to the park (a block from the Temple) and then we all met up again at the park when we were ready to go home.

Manhattan Temple. I love how this picture makes it look like there is nothing around it.

THE END

What a sweet little girl...

Lili that is. Today Lili gets an A++++++++ for being so caring and so loving and such a little mommy. Let me tell you what happened. I had a meeting this morning and my friend Emily was watching my kids. When I got back, Emily and the kids were outside at the playground so I went to get them because it was lunch time. John was on the top of the slide and he threw a truck down the slide and it landed right on my left foot on my tendons. It hurt really bad. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. I couldn't put my foot down because of the pain. I waited for a little bit and then we walked home slowly.

When I got home my foot started to hurt even more. I gave the kids some grapes and I couldn't stay standing up so I sat down. I couldn't make lunch. I called Mac and told him what happened and he asked to speak with Lili. After we hung up the phone, Lili told me that it was better if I lay down on the couch and put my foot up. I was surprised. So she helped me get to the couch. Then she went to get me a blanket and covered me up. Then she went and grabbed a ziploc bag and I asked her what it was for and she said to put ice in to put on my foot. She got on a chair and opened the frezeer and got the ice tray, with my help we put the ice cubes in the bag and then she put them on my foot. She then brought me one of her stuffed animals to make me feel better, put my cell phone next to me and gave me a big hug. I was really touched by her service at such a young age (or at any age really).

Of course the kids still needed to eat so she went an gave John and Sam some crackers, a yogurt and an apple and some water. That was their lunch today and she was doing it all without me saying a word. I just laid down and watched. I told John and Sam that they needed to be good to Lili because mommy couldn't walk. Sam even spilled all of his water and she just went, got some paper towels and cleaned it all up. Then she pulled a chair next to the sink to do the dishes but I told her that I would do them later when I felt better. After Lunch time, it was their nap time so Lili took John and Sam to the room gave them some books set the timer on the microwave and went in the room with them. I could hear the rocking chair and her singing. Then she came out and said that she was trying to put Sam to sleep in her bed now because in the rocking chair it was hurting her. I can't believe she was trying to hold him in the rocking chair. What a sweet little girl. The kids actually didn't sleep but at least they were in their room playing and I could have some rest. I will never forget this and if I do this is the reason I'm writing it.

I'm feeling much better now and I can actually walk. I walk a little bit funny because still hurts but I can do things now. I LOVE you Lili! and THANK YOU for your loving service to me and your brothers today. I asked Mac later what he told Lili over the phone and he said he told her:-"Mommy's foot hurts, she can't walk very well. She needs some help so please be good and help John and Sam be good too and be extra nice to her". And that she was indeed.

Since this post is about Lili, I'll share some pictures my wonderful sister-in-law Carly took of Lili when we visited Utah this last May. Thanks Carly for the Beautiful pictures. you are so talented.

Lili you are beautiful and I love your smile and your sense of humor!

Sam's got talent

Who can eat and sleep at the same time? Yeah! I know that's talent!.

This is what happens when Sam doesn't take a nap. He falls asleep during dinner. Enjoy!

Mommy-Daughter Date

A while ago Mac and I had been talking about spending some time with each of the kids and doing something together to build a good relationship and build memories for the kids and we thought that we needed to have some one-on-one time with the kids. Time went by and it was hard to figure out the time to do it. A couple of months ago we attended a church meeting where Elder Jay Jensen from the Quorum of the seventy spoke. Somebody asked him how he made time for his family and one of the things he shared was that he always went on dates with his kids every week. I thought that was great and that it is what I wanted to do if I want to build a close relationship with my kids. So Mac and I decided that each week one of us would take a child on a date. So last month was Mac's turn an this month is my turn. Today was my time with Lili. Of course we can't afford to spend money every time so we try to do things that won't cost a lot of money or nothing at all. Today we went to pick up some vegetables at the Student Sustainable farm at Rutgers thanks to a friend from church who is a member of the farm's community group and who was on vacation and she asked me if I wanted her vegetables for this week since she couldn't pick them so I had a fun time with Lili and it was for free and I got free veggies. After that Lili really wanted to go to a toy store so we went to Toys R Us and told her that we were not going to buy anything but that she could look around to get an idea of what she wants for Christmas. Of course she wanted everything she saw but I told her that Santa Claus has to buy toys for all the kids so she can't ask for too many toys. After Toys R Us we went to get some ice cream at Magnificos. On our way home we had to stop at the grocery store for a few items because we had our friends Emily and James coming over for dinner and then we came home. I asked Lili what was her favorite part of our date and she said having ice cream. I agreed.

Lili amazed with the Lego star wars

Lili was realy enjoying the section were they have all the instruments.

Lili enjoying MY ice cream. She liked mine better than hers so I had to eat her Neon Italian Ice which turned my lips blue.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I just watched this video from the church website and it filled my spirit with hope and strength. I just wanted to share it with all those mothers out there. I know that motherhood is hard. Sometimes exhausting, tiring and patience-trying. But on the other hand I feel that I have become a better person since I became a mother because having to raise my kids helps me improve myself because I strongly believe that the best way to teach our kids is by example. That doesn't mean I'm perfect because I'm not even close to being perfect but my kids help me become the person I want to be. I have been reading and studying a talk from Sister Beck that she gave in April 2010 at the women's conference and I encourage all of you to read it. It has been a great help in my daily planning and has helped me understand the importance of being a good mother. I know that we are daughters of a Heavenly Father and that He loves us as mothers and if we put Him first in our lives He will guide us and help us with our kids and everything else in our lives. Enjoy the clip.