Leave them alone for just 2 minutes...

and this is what you get.

Fiesta a la Marchant

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I can hardly believe that our Fiesta is over.  The Fiesta a la Marchant is from March 10th to March 20th.  We thought it would be fun to add potty-training into our fiesta...we were wrong.  Not fun.  

Ethan woke up with a very red bum Sunday and has been asking to go to the potty all the time, so I thought it was a good day to start.  We left them without a diaper or underwear on and brought out the potty chairs.  Ethan did really well with only 2 accidents while Sydney was 0 for 6 or something.  I threw up the white flag when Sydney peed on my leg (I showered and changed clothes), then almost immediately Ethan peed on the floor and got the bottom of my pant leg (cleaned up and changed clothes, again), and within a few minutes, we were reading books and I had put a diaper and Sydney and given up when Ethan peed on my leg, again.  That was all in about 20 minutes or something and I waved the white flag and surrendered.  They both had diapers on by 4 pm.  Ugh!

*If anyone can guess what movie they are watching, I'll think of a prize for you.

Tuesday was Doug's birthday.  It proved be a little lame as he had work in the morning and had some deadlines to meet for his dissertation.  We celebrated by going out for pizza and opening a few gifts.

Doug got a remote-controlled helicopter that I knew the kids would like just as much as he did.  They squealed with excitement.  I'll take a shorter video than the one I took already and post it later.

Ethan LOVED pizza.  It was his first time really having it before and we think he ate 2 full pieces not to mention some of my whole wheat pasta and marinara sauce.  They were in heaven.  Ethan wanted to hold it all by himself.  Love the independence lately...

He even took a few turns feeding his sister.  She would take a bite and they would both laugh (while everyone around us was entertained).

Happy big 3-0 to my best friend and love of my life!  We have so much fun together, even in chaos!  Ethan and Sydney have brought a whole new dynamic to our fun adventures.

You can find us

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I wish the weather was more consistent.  We have been hibernating for days and then it will warm up and we'll enjoy some sunshine.

You can find us at the park!

But for the most part, you can find us playing inside.  Sydney's hair is getting so long (I keep trying to trim her bangs myself--man it's tough!

You can find Ethan and Sydney getting into anything to play with.  Wednesday it was the winter gloves collection.  This entertained them for nearly 1 hour!

By and large, you can find us behind a book.  We are big readers around here.  Thanks to my sister, Katie, we inherited a few dozen NEW books to read.  We are in love with them!

Laid back birthday

After a whirlwind two-week adventure with sick kids, sick husband, and Doug traveling, I was ready for a relaxed Saturday together to celebrate my birthday.  I got to workout, shower and do my hair (in solitude!) and get my car washed (for free) all before lunch time!  It was excellent.  

We went to Gingers in Springville for dinner.  It is my MOST favorite restaurant because I can eat anything on the menu and it is delicious.  Doug took me to the mall to get  few things I needed, but I walked out empty-handed.  I have to LOVE something in order to buy it.  It was a good effort though.  :-)  Doug is the best.  Thanks Aunt Michelle for watching Ethan and Sydney.  They had a great time at the park.

We went home and celebrated with my favorite pie Doug had made that day.  It is a chocolate truffle pie that is so rich, a sliver is enough.  There is 2 1/2 cups of cocoa in one pie!

We put the kids to bed when we walked in the door, but Ethan and Sydney enjoyed the pie the next evening.  They loved it, especially Ethan.  He loves sweets where Sydney would probably prefer a tortilla chip or two...or twelve.

Life is a dance party

I think we dance our days away around this house.  We are constantly singing and E&S now know some songs.  I will lay in bed trying to motivate myself to get up and get them out of their beds and spontaneously they will start singing.  They sing "I am like a star", "Edelweiss", "Baa baa black sheep", and "Hush little baby don't say a word" (which they call "horsie").  I am going to need to get some on video--it's too cute.

We do throw some nice dance parties around here too. Their cousin, Carter, gave them a mat that we put together and amped up our dancing with a mini dance floor.  Thanks Carter!

To get them into the car, I have to make the excursion sound like a party sometimes.  This was one of those times.  They loved it and so I did I...enough that I had to grab my camera.

I also make taking medicine very exciting.  For some reason, both E&S don't mind taking medicine one bit, and in fact, enjoy it.  Ethan is being evaluated for viral-induced asthma and has an inhaler to help him for the time being.  He will hold it himself and breathe in.  I caught a photo of him just as it pulled it away.

They discovered my makeup bag this week.  It's a good thing I only wear coverup (under my tired eyes  since becoming a mom), blush, and eyeliner.

Doug taught them to "do dishes" with him.  Not my favorite skill he has taught them.  They grab spoons, get some water, and drink it.  That's dishes, right?  They wear bibs and even still are SOAKED after "helping".

Caped Crusaders

These kids never stop moving and their zest for life is contagious.  I made some makeshift capes out of their blankets and they ran around so excited.  Life's little joys.

I want to remember moments like this forever--the ones where I just watch them and smile.  If I could remember these, maybe I would be more patient when they throw their food or scream at me for my attention...hmm.  :-)

When dad's away, we will play

...at least that's what we set out to do.  We held several "dance parties".

We made mom's favorite Super Charge Me cookies.

We saw our first big snow fall of the season.

Of course, we had our fair share of 'time outs'.

We got potty-training-excited by buying some new underwear.  I didn't feel ready to take on that 'party', so we just ended up putting a pair over Ethan's diaper when he was begging to wear them.

The week ended with a bang as Ethan came down with a high fever and a nasty cough.  I decided to give in, go to the doctor, and fill the outstanding prescription for an inhaler.  Two doctors that have looked at Ethan think he has asthma.  After his first 3 doses, I had a scary Friday night.  Doug was due home the next day, so I called him in the middle of the night when Ethan woke up with a racing heart beat.  The doctor said this was a side effect of the inhaler, but I had given it to him 6 hours before.  After a few stressful phone calls, a pharmacist said that this is normal--especially if he'd been given too much.  He said he would be fine and I broke into tears.

Doug's sister, Tonya, and her husband, Eric, came over and Eric administered to Ethan and gave him a Priesthood blessing.  Ethan's heart seemed to calm a little but he was WIDE awake (also a side effect of the rapid heart beat).  After a little partying until 3:30 am, Ethan fell asleep in his OWN bed.

Doug called Saturday morning to let me know his flight was delayed and he would miss his connection in Atlanta and wouldn't make it home until Sunday afternoon.  I was bummed, to say the least.  Doug took a screen shot of the weather warning online when he typed in his location:

We got out of the house and picked up our Chariot stroller which had been at the repair shop for nearly 1 month.  Ethan and Sydney loved looking at all the bikes in the shop.

Doug's mom called and offered to come sleep over and help me with two sick kids.  Sydney now had a fever and cough.  We were ALL happy to see her and glad she could party with us for our last night without dad.

As I pulled up to the airport today, I felt a few butterflies in my stomach.  I was so excited to see Doug.  We missed him a lot and want to have all future 'parties' with him around.  Ethan woke up from his nap still groggy and Doug got to cuddle him for a short nap on our bed.  Ethan looked so happy to see him through his tired eyes.