The Oldroyd Family

Nathan & Alexa had their little Joy School Christmas Party today.  They had so much fun!  We did a little Nativity where Nathan was a Wiseman (but tried to take over the Joseph roll) and Alexa was Mary.  We did a craft, ate snacks, & decorated sugar cookies.  We love out little Joy School group!

I wanted to share a couple of Christmas treats I made this year (thank you Pinterest!).  I'll start with the easy one...  The Christmas Tree Fruit Platter. I put this together for the kids' Joy School party today.  Fun & simple.  The only cutting you have to do is the apples & my friend Rachel cut the star out of cheese.   Next we have Rudolf Cake Pops.  WHEW were they a chore!  But they turned out SO well that I can't complain.  I typed up the instructions for a couple of people so I thought I'd post them here just in case anyone wanted to do them!  They really were a hit! Here's what you'll need: Red Velvet cake mix (or any other kind you want to use) 16 oz. can of cream cheese frosting  1 package of chocolate almond bark (or use chocolate candy melts, found at a craft store) wax paper lollipop sticks lollipop bags brown or tan pipe cleaners/fuzzy sticks red m&m's white confetti sprinkles or pearl s...

Last Friday we headed to Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa. Max was kind of indifferent, Nathan was SO EXCITED to tell Santa that he wanted a "cool red car" & Alexa was TERRIFIED. I finally convinced her that if she didn't talk to Santa, he wouldn't know that she wants an Ariel Barbie for Christmas. She did it but, as you can see, she wasn't too terribly thrilled!

Last week I was lucky enough to go on a last-minute girls cruise with my friend, Bridget.  Sam took a couple of days off work & his mom filled in the rest!  It was SUCH a great break & as much as I fretted about the lack of contact I'd be able to have with Sam & the kids while I was on the cruise, I didn't worry one bit once I was there. Galveston cruises were all booked up so we took a little road trip to New Orleans.  We went on the Carnival Elation.  I was pleasantly surprised with my first Carnival Cruise!  We had a great time, despite the "rough crowd" and some creepy guys.  After sitting by the creepy guys the first night at dinner, we asked for a table change.  We, ironically, got placed with 6 Air Force Cadets.  They ended up being super fun & nice.  We had a great time at our new table! Tuesday was formal night.  Always fun to get a little dressed up! Wednesday we ported in Progreso, Mexi...

We had such a fun zoo trip yesterday!  We had Savannah & Isaac with us!  You can imagine the looks I got with 5 little kids running around.  I was asked several times if they were all mine.  Haha! It was a little bit crazy... especially getting out the door.  I had to have 5 sippy cups, 5 snacks, 5 packed lunches, 5 pairs of socks & shoes on, 5 jackets on... plus my own.  I actually almost made if off our street before I realized I hadn't put my own socks & shoes on!  So glad I realized that close to home! The kids did great at the zoo though.  They loved seeing all of the animals & we even happened to be by the lions when they fed them!  That was a special treat! I hope we can do it again soon!

I went with some friends & took the kids too Zoo Boo today.  We had a lot of fun, as we always do at the zoo!  They had some fun activities & booths.  The kids got Zoo Boo "Tatzoos", they painted little pumpkins & got candy from a booth. Even though he's been to the zoo a ton, Max is having a whole new experience since he can walk! But a newly walking toddler makes getting pictures a little challenging!  Here are their costumes: they are Pacman ghosts! Now that Max is not a baby & the kids are older, I'm brave enough to take all 3 of them on the Merry-Go-Round by myself.  It was still a little challenging but they loved it!  It was Max's first ride ever & he grinned & said, "Wooooaaaahhhhhh!" the whole time as he went up & down! We always have the best time going to the zoo when we go with friends.  This time it was with Lyndsay M & some of her L&D Nurse friends.  One of them was actually one of my...

We pretty much left carving our pumpkin to the last minute.  We did it last night & we had to do it fast because the kids were without naps & they were CRANKY!  But we made the best of it!  They chose to have a "scary" jack-o-lantern this year!

Max is the apple of my eye.  This age is so fun!  He's talking so much & just a happy guy most of the time.  Here are some Max facts: Some words he's saying are: Sorry, Love you, please, bye bye, hiiii, alright, K (this one is so cute), Ellie (Marianne's dog), Pepper (our dog), Dayeee (Daddy), Baby, Go, Car, Choo choo, Ball, Nigh-night, Bebe (binky), Cheese, Vroom Vroom, Here go, Out, Thank you, Owwwwe!, Uh-oh, Mom (not Mama or mommy), Papa (Grandpa), Marianne, Jennie Jo, Diego, Backpack Animal sounds he likes to make: Monkey, dinosaur, duck, puppy, snake Max LOVES music.  His favorite song has always been Twinkle Twinkly Little Star.  He sings along with that as well as Old McDonald, Row Row Row Your Boat & the ABC's.  Its ADORABLE. Max definitely like to get his way & has been know to swat, scratch & pinch when he doesn't get it.   He got dismissed this week from Physical Therapy & has made some great improvemen...

What do you do when you have 6 kids under 5?  Sugar them up, of course! I tried my best to encourage the Halloween theme when choosing cookie cutters but I just couldn't convince a few of them that trucks, bunnies & dog bones weren't on the list.  Oh, and the cat is for Emme (the 5 month old)  but she was asleep... and she's a baby... so I ate it!  Thanks Emme!

Today in Joy School we learned about seasons, specifically autumn, since (everywhere but Texas) summer is over.  The crafts in the Joy School lesson were lame so I searched for my own.  I decided to focus on the leaves changing on the trees.  So we looked at pictures & then made hand print fall trees.  Here is the inspiration I found on the internet: Clearly we're working with me (a non-crafty mom) and 3-year-olds, its not going to turn out like this, but it was hilarious that most of the kids totally didn't "get it."  Especially the boys.  One boy said, "Wow, I'm making lots of polka dots on my picture." lol  But here are Nathan & Alexa's autumn trees to show you what I mean: Oh well, they had fun finger painting!

Max is definitely in the "testing my limits" stage.  His favorite naughty things to do are: play with the DVD player, get into the dog food & dump out the water, & dump out any bowl, plate or box that he can reach on the table or counter. Trouble never looked so cute! P.S. In the picture on the right, he's saying "CHEESE!"

1.  Wednesday was such a fun day!  I took the kids to story time at the library for the first time, which confirmed why I don't do that sort of thing.  Then I went to lunch in town with my friend, Amy, at Lupe Tortilla.  THEN the best part-- Alexa & I went on a a Mommy-Daughter Date!  A friend gave me a Groupon she couldn't use to Sweet & Sassy.  The package was for a party hair-do, make up, and nail polish.  It was SO fun & Alexa loved it!  Then we went to Maggie Moo's for some ice cream & then did a little shopping.  I  love my girly-girl!    2.  Sam finally got a new car.  After much debating, we went with a new civic again.  He found a really good deal on a new 2012 Civic.  Its nice to not have to worry about car repairs for a while! 3.  I love the stage Max is in.  He's talking & learning so much.  One of the cutest things is when he has to go to time out, he'll s...

Dear Max, Tonight I went in, got you out of your bed & sat in the rocking chair with you for a while.  You were sound asleep.  I kissed you.  I smelled your hair.  I rested my cheek on your head like I used to when you needed my help to get you to sleep.  You'll be 18 months old this month.  Please stay my baby for just a little while longer. Love, Mom

He's not walking yet but he's climbing on & in everything he can. Max can be a little stinker for sure & loves to pick on his brother & sister.  But I have never met a sweeter, happier boy that this kid.  He's easy to please.  I love the stage he's in.  His vocabulary is growing every day & he surprises me with what he understands.  Max LOVES music!  He loves to sing along to every song.  He recently starting singing "E-I-E-I-OOooooooo!" and tries to sing along with ABC's.  He gives hugs & lets me kiss all over him.  His new favorite place to play is Nathan's bed.  He loves to climb on, stand up, and jump or bounce onto his bum.  I wish I could freeze him at this stage... except maybe I'd rather he be walking... but everything else I just LOVE!

I saw this on Pinterest today & repinned it for myself.  I love everything about it.  And its all true about my house... that is until you get to the part where it says, "There is ALWAYS love & laughter here." My kids went over to Grandma's house today & threw a particularly large fit (all 3 of them) when I showed up to take them home.  No "Hi Mommy!" Just all out screaming, tears & temper tantrums.  After I wrestled each one into their car seat straps, I cried the whole way home. I'm not a very fun mom.  I feed my kids healthy food, make sure they have consistency & structure in their lives, teach them to pray, read the scriptures every night with them, bathe them daily, brush their teeth, dress them, do Alexa's hair every day, try to keep the house clean, try to limit their tv, try to teach them to be good people, I kiss them a lot, I hug them a lot, I tell them I love them many times every day.  But I'm not very fun most o...

BIG NEWS-- Max took his first independent steps while the Physical Therapist was here this morning!  He's been standing for a while but nervous to walk without help.  The key was getting him to walk just a couple of steps for something he wanted that was on the couch.  Good job Max! Joy School for Nathan & Alexa is going well.  They love going & look forward to seeing who's house they go to each week.  My first time teaching is next week.  I hope it goes well! My dad was just here for the weekend.  He had business here this week & it worked out for him to give the youth fireside in our ward for the month.  The topic was self mastery & he, of course, did a GREAT job!  All of the youth were on task & felt the spirit.  The stories he told I've heard many times but never get old. After my dad is done here in Houston, he's heading up to Dallas to drive my sister's UHall truck to Utah.  Now all of my...

As I was cleaning off my desk last night, I came across the papers from Nathan & Alexa's 3 year Well-Check with Dr. McDavitt. The appointment went really well.  Nathan was VERY concerned about getting shots & told everyone who would listen that he didn't want any.  Alexa walked in there like she owned the place & seriously was dancing with excitement as she waited for her turn to be examined.  They did have to have shots & Alexa looked at me like I had betrayed her.  They were so cute & told Dr. M about the fruits & vegetables they liked & when she pointed out the frog painting on the wall, Nathan corrected her & told her it was actually a red-eyed tree frog (Thank you very much Diego).  I really love our pediatrician.  She is thorough, dosen't stress, & the office is clean & has great nurses.  Dr. M is a mom herself to a 3 year old & an 18 month old so she really "gets it." Here are their stats: ...

1.  We had our first toddler bed "incident" early this morning about 5:45 a.m.  I heard Alexa crying/screaming & as I got closer to her room, heard her start to yell "Nafan! Nafan! Help me!"  She was somehow on the floor, between the foot of her bed & the dresser, with her head stuck under the bed.  All of her blankets were on the floor & I actually had to LIFT the bed to get her head out.  What I want to know is this: 1) How long did she sleep on the floor for & 2) HOW did she get her head under there??? 2.  A friend & I loaded all our kids up in my van today & headed to Costco & Ikea.  All of the 3 years olds (she has 1 too) were CRANKY, WHINY & AWFUL.  We got to Ikea & they only had 1 person working in the play place & only 2 more spots available (for a total of 6 kids - ridiculous).  So the boys went in & poor Alexa had to come shopping with us.  We mosied around & as we wer...

Its a big day at our house-- we've reduced our number of cribs from 3 to 1.  Three is, by average standards, very old to still be in cribs (although its quite normal for multiples, I've found), they weren't climbing out so I hung on as long as I could.  Well that all changed when Alexa figured it all out last week.  We made it a long time but is time to move on! They're SO excited to be in "big boy" and "big girl" beds.  I know this has opened a whole part of parenthood... roaming children in the night showing up at your bedside & scaring the bejebies out of you.  Oh, fun times ahead!

After many months of negotiations with Sam, 3 deadline extensions & lots of tears (mine, not Max's), it is done.  Max is officially a big boy.  I hung on to the curls as long as I could, but with my final deadline (tonight) approaching & the reality of the fact that I had to do this or Sam would buzz him, I bit the bullet.  I headed to Pecan Grove Barber, put my sweet curly haired baby boy up on the seat & watched them snip away at my heart. (Ok, just a tad bit dramatic... but I seriously was choking back tears). Here is Max after his bath this morning... love those curls!! And here he is at the barber: start to finish... Max, of course, was a champ.  He sat in the little chair & didn't even move, flinch or whine.  All 3 barbers there said he was the best little boy they'd ever seen.  The barber did a great job & even taped some hair to a special certificate for his baby book.  And then he gave Max a sucker for being such a good b...

I got together with some other moms from our church & we put together a little joy school group!  Nathan & Alexa go to "school" from 9 am - 11:30 every Tuesday & Thursday. They were a little confused when we pulled up to their friend, Kaylee's house... They wanted to go to a SCHOOL! (Nathan even kept talking about riding the bus!)  But when I picked them up, they had had a GREAT time & were so happy!  I look forward to seeing how they learn & grow in Joy School!  I also REALLY look forward to F-I-V-E hours a week with just Max!  Oh the errands I'll be able to run... Special Moment I want to remember:   Last night for Family Home Evening  we talked about Priesthood blessings .   We started by talking about their blessing days & showing them pictures ( here & here ) & then talked about Father's Blessings.   To close the lesson, Sam gave each child & me a blessing.  Its a tradition in my fami...

1.  My birthday was a week ago today.  I turned the big 2-9.  Last year in my twenties... I feel good about it.  I am the age every woman wishes to be.  Its awesome. 2.  Sam left for Alaska last Friday morning to go fishing with my dad & Uncle Rex.  He's been looking forward to this trip for 4 years!  They've had a bit of bad luck-- this tour they had planned for the first day got canceled due to rain, the fishing hasn't been great & my dad put a fish hook through his finger on the first day... but he's enjoying the scenery & wildlife for sure.  He's seen tons of whales, sea otters & bald eagles.  We miss him here at home though!  He gets back Sunday night. 3.  My mom came to visit on Saturday & while in traffic on the way to the airport I was rear ended.  Luckily the other driver was insured but I strained my back a little bit.  It's healing well & the kids are fine so that's the...

1.  I have a new calling at church-- Young Women 's Secretary!  I never wanted to be in YW when I was teaching high school but I am SO excited about it at this point in my life!  The girls in our ward are sweet & the other leaders I'll be working with are such wonderful women.  I know I will learn so much & have a great time!  I'm in charge of the Personal Progress activity this Wednesday & am doing a babysitting workshop!  So excited! 2.  As I was typing #1, I was pushing Max's hands away from the keys.  Why is that great?  Because it means that he pulled up to standing on the couch to get to the computer & to me.  He's getting so much stronger & his motor skills are improving!  That is only the 2nd time he's pulled up to standing by himself.  Go Max! 3.  Yesterday I was at Kroger with the kids & ran into a nurse from Texas Women's that looked familiar.  I talked to her & it ende...

Nathan & Alexa turned THREE on Thursday!  I was definitely the best birthday yet-- they were so excited!  We started out the morning with present from Max, Mommy & Daddy & then a French Toast breakfast-- Yum!  They LOVE their gardening tools & watering cans that Max gave them & can't wait to help Daddy in the garden!  We got them the MUCH anticipated Princess/Mater backpacks full of fun things.  They've been wanting backpacks for a while & love to fill them up & carry them around! Later than day we had some friends to our neighborhood pool for a pool party!  Aunt Marianne took some pictures a couple of weeks ago at the beach & Aunt Amanda designed some invitations for the party.  They turned out so cute! The party was laid back & fun.  Nathan & Alexa got some cool new toys & had a lot of fun celebrating with their friends!   We had a little family dinner to celebrate their birthday ...

Back in May, my whole family met & Schlitterbaun Water Park in New Braunfels, TX, for our 2011 Family Vaykay.  It was awesome but the weather on the 1st day was less than ideal.  Because of this, the park gave us each a "bounce back" pass.  So on Tuesday, night, we packed up our little family & headed back to New Braunfels. We stayed in the same hotel so Nathan & Alexa were a little confused as to why Grandpa, Grandma & their aunts, uncle & cousins weren't there!  We spent all day Wednesday & Thursday at the park having a great time!  The kids did really well & it was a total blast to just relax & have fun together as a family. There are a couple of experiences I want to record for journaling sake: 1.  The downside of going with just our family is there was no way for Sam & I to ride the big rides.  We were ok with that but decided on the first day to take a tube ride as a family.  ...

Height : 33.25 in (94th %) Weight : 22 lbs. 1 oz (15th %) Head : 19.5 in (95th %) A Little About our Maxwell: His gross motor skills are improving slowly but surely.  He gets around just fine scooting so I don't think he'll ever crawl but hopefully walking will come sometime soon! He jabbers a lot & makes a lot of sounds.  He definitely says mama & dada.  Occasionally he'll say ball, binky, or baba.  He also learned to say Ellie (Aunt Marianne's dog) and calls all puppies "Ellielliellie" by rolling his tongue around. He loves to push cars & trucks around & say "Vroom Vroom" Just like his brother, he has a wicked arm & has been known to throw cars at point blank range. (Ouch!) Gets really ornery when teething but otherwise is the happiest kid around. Takes really long afternoon naps (sometimes 4 hours) Often says, "YAY!" and laughs when I'm taking him into his bed for a nap or bed time. Is now comp...

And I love this cute face! Max keeps himself occupied lately by scooting from room to room.  He's usually playing with one of three things: Books, cars or balls.  This kid loves the simple life.  He really is the best.  How did I get so lucky? P.S.  I know his hair is too long.  And I simply refuse to cut it.

1.  Sam is ALL DONE with his CPA tests!!!  We found out a week ago & since then, I've been planning on doing a big blog post all devoted to his wonderful accomplishment... but I keep forgetting to get a picture & whatnot.  But I definitely want to record this wonderful news.  Sam works hard & studied for a lot of hours to pass these tests.  Good job babe! 2.  To celebrate this good news, we had Sam's entire family over for dinner on Sunday.  We had ribs & a lot of other food.  It was delicious.  The ice cream cake posted about below was the desert! 3.  Nathan is doing pretty well since I potty trained but still really struggles with #2.  I tried buying him something he really wanted but 3 times now, he's gone in the potty so he could get the object & then that was it-- more accidents.  Ugh.  Alexa was 1,000 times easier. 4.  Last night, we left Max with Grandma Joan & headed to ...

We like ice cream cake around here.  Not the kind with actual cake in it... but the kind with mostly ice cream & a couple of cookie layers.  Yum.  I made this recipe back at Christmastime & realized how easy (& CHEAP) it is to make your own!  There was just one problem... it didn't have that gooey, fudgey layer like in the DQ Ice Cream cakes.  So I did some brainstorming & came up with a way to do it.  It may not look pretty & I am definitely one of the worst photographers in the world.  But it sure tasted GOOOOD. Homemade Ice Cream Cake  1 1/2 boxes of chocolate Teddy Grahams 5 Tbsp. melted butter 1 Jar of Hersey's hot fudge 1/2 of a pint of each chocolate & vanilla ice cream* Magic Shell toping** * Any flavor(s) can be used.  I recommend using high quality ice cream.  We (of course) used Blue Bell Milk Chocolate & Homemade Vanilla flavors **You can top it with anything you'd like.   Dir...

We had a fun pool/BBQ farewell party for two families that are moving away this month!  Steve & Carol Beck hosted & provided Doziers BBQ (Yum!).  They have a beautiful backyard & pool.  There were a LOT of kids (16!) and everyone had a good time! The Cobias moved to our ward about 4 years ago.  They are a great family with SIX kids!  I will really miss Jen.  She is a wonderful mother, friend & example.  They fly out to North Carolina this morning!  Good luck Cobias! Kaitlin & Ryan Fehlberg have just lived here a year but are like family to us.  Ryan was born here & his mom is Joan's best friend.  They're such a great couple & we've enjoyed getting to know them.  They are great with all of the kids & have been such helps!  They're just another Aunt & Uncle to love for all of the Oldroyd Cousins!  Ryan & Kaitlin are moving to St. George so Ryan can go to Dixie.  We wish them t...