Johnny turns FIVE!

Five. Johnny-five as he is often called, is actually five years old. I can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday, he was a two week old kickin' it with me in at five in the morning while I studied. Even as a baby he had that eager twinkle in his eye and his personality has been a delight to watch as it has blossomed into this sweet, fun, energetic, imaginative young boy! 

Oh, am I glad I get to be in his life! We had a great time celebrating that boy. He decided to celebrate his birthday the day after so that I could be home all day (on his birthday I had school), I must admit- I was flattered, haha. Johnny is such a mama's boy and I really do love it. 

Well, as you are well aware: this little boy of mine is obsessed with bats, soooo what other theme could possibly be suitable?? 

Here is my attempt at trying to be creative with his cake...those pretzels and oreos are supposed to be bats, and you can't tell but the sprinkles are also bats!

This one is less blurry...

I had fun decorating his table!

I also loved how these bat balloons turned out!

The day before I went to the dye-cutter on campus and cut out 130 bats. Johnny woke up on his big day and was so freaked out by all of them he would just close his eyes every time he went into the kitchen, haha.

For breakfast we had waffles AND pancakes, per Johnny's request, I had the pancake be the body adn the waffles be the wings, it turned out cute.

For snacks, I made bat pudding cups and cut out bat shapes from chocolate poptarts, then I through some veggies on there so I wouldn't feel so guilty. (The veggies ended up on the floor) (We need a dog or something.)

For games, we played pin the fangs on the bat and "Don't Eat Pete!" (a bat version I tried to make look all cute, but really just didn't look cute at all, haha)

More pictures of the kitchen...

He was SO excited for his transformer!

So was William...

This is probably a good place to mention that for Johnny's birthdays, we are required to wear our pajamas for the party. Ever since his third birthday. Like literally- as soon as Dad walked through the door, "Dad! Go get your pajamas on! It's my birthday!" Knowing this was a rule, I got Johnny Batman footie pajamas, he loves them....as does William...

I should also mention John got his first paycheck this day! Yay! 

Matthew enjoyed the excitement of everything

I think John likes Johnny birthdays the most because the toys are so much fun.

Rebecca adn Tyler came over for the party!

They get married in April...don't they look good with kids? (#morecousinsplease)

They (and Melissa) got him nerf guns, Johnny and Melissa played non-stop through out the night, he loved them!

Singing "Happy Birthday."

The next day, Johnny had a good time introducing his new toys to his old ones. 

Well, that is basically it.

Birthdays are an awesome tradition, it is so nice to pause and focus in that one important person for a day, and Johnny is such a special person in my life. 

He's my jokester, my cuddler, my rockstar big brother, my good-morning-hug giver, my daring adventurer, my eager learner, my puzzle boy, my clean-under-the-bed boy and just my all around I'm lucky to have him boy....Happy Birthday Johnny-Five!

Getting Baby to Laugh

William has transitioned quite well into big brotherhood. I think one of my favorite things is when I catch each of my kids looking adoringly at "our" Matthew. It is just so sweet. I also love watching William try to entertain his baby brother.

Just little stuff

Things on my mind today:

• Snow. Gosh it's pretty. I have always had hard feelings towards January. Those have especially peaked upon moving back to Rexburg- there have been a few days where the high was three degrees people! Man, it's cold. Not to mention, there aren't any festive holidays in the month of January and that is just a terribly sad thing in my book. That said: I am trying! So, every day I look out my window and think, "Goodness look how pretty the snow is. I'm going to miss this view this summer. No I won't. Stop contradicting yourself and pretend so you appreciate it more now." Then I start listing all the great things about the middle of winter: "Hot cocoa...cuddling...socks...boots...hot cocoa...soups...hot cocoa..." Sometimes I will walk through the park so I can feel the quietness of the snow, it is so peaceful. But then my toes freeze, and the moment is over. BUT, Today we had the really pretty big flakes that have intricate designs when they land on you kind of snow. It was magical. Still iffy about the month of January, still have a bit of the winter blues, but goodness- that was pretty snow today.
• I washed my car. It is looks brand new! Not really, it really just looks white now instead of brown. I am sure it will last for at least a day with the slushie roads.  We have the coolest car wash with the weirdest sponges and brushes that come at you like they are going to gobble the car up. Johnny and I had a lot of fun with that. William:not so much.
• When I was pregnant with William I got my first gray hairs and I swear I get new one every morning that boy wakes up. He keeps me on my toes!  Today he was pretty sweet. As I was doing homework, he sat on my lap and said, "No, day wit mamo." (No, stay with mommy.) He melts my heart. Especially when his face is clean. And his arm stays in his shirt.
• Caity didn't go to her after school program today and it was so nice! I was on the giddy side around 1:30pm knowing I would see her in an hour and it really was the highlight of my day knowing she would have the entire afternoon with us. I just love that girl. I also love that she wanted to be home because she missed us, we missed her too!  Her and Johnny walked the long way through the field in front of her school so they could walk in the snow, and I met them on the other side. Oh to be a kid again. The were so cute stumbling through the snow drifts. 
• I burned the roast in the crockpot- is that even possible? Apparently so.
• I don't know that I can last to the BAR exam this February. I miss John. The days are long, but really not until five o clock. After five, I guess I feel entitled to his time, and feel like he should be home and I just miss him even more. Do I sound selfish or what? Not to mention I have no idea what happens to my children after five- but they transform into something a leeettle scary. I don't know how he does it, but I am so impressed with how hard he is working.
• You guys. I graduate in THREE MONTHS. Oh, goodness. I hope I can make it!

In other news, the kids' toys united in a battle against William's Elmo.

Elmo won.

Things Johnny Says

Johnny-isms from this week that made me smile:
Me: Johnny, you're cool.
Johnny: Thanks, but not as cool as a ninja.

Johnny: When I'm a dad, I'm going to say yes to everything- that's gonna make me the best dad ever, right? Except no running away. That's my only rule.
Me: What if your kids get sick from too much candy?
Johnny: hmmm, so yeah- I'll say yes to one piece of candy a day and if they ask again, I'll just walk away so I won't say no. Yeah so no running away, and no candy all day......oh! and no biting! But they come jump on my bed all they want and watch shows all day. I'm going to be the best dad.

The other night I was up doing homework and he came in around 10:30 pm with blood shot eyes and sat staring at me.
Me: Johnny, it's still night time, you need to go back to bed, buddy.
Johnny: Then when am I supposed to find bugs to eat? Bats hunt at night.
Then he fell asleep on the couch.

An Interview:

What is your name?

Johnny. Calhoun. FIVE. Not three or four, that's dad and grandpa.  And two is GREAT grandpa in Dember (Denver) and one is dead. But I meant him when I was a cute little baby.

How old are you?

Four. (Holds out four fingers.) and a half, but I don't have a finger for that.

What color is your hair?

Brownish/Yellowish.

What color are your eyes?

Blue.

What is your favorite food?

ice-cream. HAHAHAHA.

Like, Popcorn with peanut butter, and hmmmm, no nothing. 
(sometimes I drizzle melted butter over popcorn, maybe this was what he was talking about?)

What is your favorite song?

Glory to the Newborn King

What is your favorite treat?

So mom, those snowflake things? Oh yeah, rice crispy treats.

What is your favorite color?

blue

What is your favorite animal?

police dog

What is your favorite book?

hhhmmm, I'm trying to think, cause I like every book. Are you going to ask my favorite movie? OK...hmmmm, I already told you, ummm...every book...but the one I'm going to say is the Jesus book, um, I'll show you. (runs to room) I can't find it. OK, forget the Jesus, Spiderman. And the one I got from Grandpa Brassell with lots of super heroes? And Caity's chapter books like Inside Out.

What is your favorite store?

Toys R Us. WalMart, cause it gots toys and its fun. The other one is Old McDonalds.

What do you like to do with Daddy?

Play with him. So like, in the morning when he's like throwing us on the bed? That's my favorite thing to do with him.

What do you like to do with Mommy?

Cuddle with her. 

What is your favorite movie?

The Cat in the Hat. Inisde Out. Scooby Dooby Doo and that will be all.

What is your favorite TV show?

Watching police dogs on youtube with my Dad.

Who are your friends?

All of the kids at church, and like, there was a kid at the park that we are friends too. And the other one he's like four and he's really fun. And we're friends.

What is your favorite thing to do outside?

Play. Play football. So like, that game where you kick with your feet. Yeah, soccer- like at Boise, when we were playing soccer, Caity and me?

What is your favorite thing to play inside?

Dinosaurs, cars and superheroes.

Matt-Man

I can't believe Matthew is one week short of 6 months. SIX MONTHS OLD? Where did the time go? I realized this morning I don't take as much time as I would like to focus solely on that baby of mine so here are some little things about Matthew:

• He is starting to sit up
• He loses his mind every time we are eating dinner. As soon as a bit gets in is proximity he is like the whomping willow from Harry Potter trying to grab that food and put it in his mouth.
• He clings to every toy that is in range, he gets all excited and jerky when he sees you bring one to him.  I feel like he likes rattles more than any of my other kids. His motor skills seems to be developing better. (Maybe because Caity works with him?)
• He still loves his swing, especially when Caity is home. He will just swing back and forth watching her flit around her room. 
• Whenever anyone enters the room he gets so excited. He recognizes voices and when he hears one of us after not hearing us for a while he gets the cutest smile and just stares. Yesterday it was at William and it was so cute. I told William to say "Hi baby!" and when he did, Matthew started kicking his legs and laughing.
• He loves squash, but not carrots so far.
• His clothing size ranges from 6 month to 18 months. I trust 9 month and 12 month sizes the most though.
• He still cuddles sometimes, but the mood has to be right.
• He is exteremely ticklish and is the easiest baby to get laughing.
• Caity swears he says "dada" but I'm just assuming he is mis pronouncing "Mama is awesome."
• He does not like being alone. He will sit content so long as he is in the same room as everyone and part of the action. The moment you are out of eye sight he will wimper, but light up as soon as he sees you again.
• He likes the cold and if he is in distress, he will calm immediately upon entering our negative degree temperature outside.
• He loves baths, particularly kicking in the bath. As soon as I start undressing him, he will get so excited, grab his toes and laugh with a crazy excited look in his eyes.

I love that Mattie-boy

Three Boys and a Mom

With John starting work on Monday and Caity starting back at school, I am the mom exclusively of three boys for seven hours a day. It is strange how much it affects the dynamics of my daily life. Yesterday it was punching and transformers, today it was throwing snowballs and jumping head first into the snowbanks on campus while I was running errands. While I was trying to find books for class, William and Johnny found a Superman comic book that they read on their bellies with thier snow boots in the air saying "Oh cool, look William!" or "O coo! Wook Nonny!" (William kind of reminds me of the little brother off of Sandlot that copies everything his brother says.)  I feel like as I walk with them, they just ricochet off me in every direction, they come back and bounce off me again. Johnny always holds the door open for everyone and William always insists on opening the door himself, and Matthew who seriously weighs a ton these days- is lugged around by me. The favorite show is Ninja Turtles and the favorite book is Spiderman Adventures. Opposed to Caity, the boys don't get in baths so they can get clean and cuddly after. They get in baths so they splash and dunk and soak my bath rug in addition to three towels. I love watching Johnny run down the hall, and Will toddle/run right after him mimicking his big brother in every action.  I also am so impressed at how good those older boys are with their little brother. Being a mom to three boys for a few hours a day has been a blast.

ipunchoo

Today Johnny and William would take turns grabbing Matthew's fist and saying "You gonna hit me!?" of "Ooo gon it meh?" They would make his fist hit them and they would say: "Punch! Owwww!" and fall to the ground.

They would fall in the weirdest formations and laugh like it was the funniest joke.

The pictures are ultra blurry, but you get the idea- haha.

It was great fun until William decided to punch back! 

Baby wasn't having so much fun then.

Then Johnny and William had punching battles they do this all the time and they punch like they are jousting and someone always ends up in tears.

I love the way William talks when he is in a punching mood,

 "I punch choo!" "I punch baaaguy!" (bad guy, obvs)

Boys are too much fun.