Three.Six Years

3.6 Years

•  This month has been filled with lots of trips to Lewiston for soccer games. You haven't minded too much, especially when we get pizza from Costco and there are other girls there to play with. 
• The big kids have been home for Spring break and you have loved having playmates every day. While Sam and Maggie were at soccer practice, we practiced riding bikes at the school. You kids put on a big dance production and we had lots of days with friends. 
• I have been trying to do more preschool type activities with you. You liked it when I put a white sheet of paper in plastic and had you practice writing you name but also decorate a person with the dry erase markers. 
• Easter came this month. You enjoyed coloring and dying the eggs as a family. Easter Sunday was a warmer day, so we were able to do our egg hunt outside. Even though we set them out in plain sight,  it still was a struggle for you to found them all. After finding your basket behind the chair, you were happy to get a new Pinkilicous book, and I am excited to read a new one, since we keep rereading them all from the library. Your candy did not last long. You inhaled that chocolate. 
• I left twice this month to go to my grandma's funeral and for my Florida's trip. We had you go to Nora's house for those days. It was a lot for you, but Dad was so good about handling it all. When I did get home, you cleaved to me for a long time. However, you ask for dad to tuck you in each night now. 
• You have loved getting ready with me in the mornings. It is so cute to see you line up my make up on top of the toilet, kneeling on the floor like it is your vanity, and pretend to put it on. 

Three.Five Years

 3.5 Years

• Funny note: when you take a nap, you can only fall asleep with the blanket over your head. 
• There was a cute Mother/Daughter Tea Party hosted by the rodeo royalty that we attended. We all dressed up in pink flower dress, put on gloves and pearls. The place was decorated cute. They had lace fans, tiaras, and little tea party toys for each of you girls. The food was cute tea sandwiches and fruit kabobs. You girls loved the music and dancing with balloons.
• The big highlight for this month was DISNEYLAND!!!! We have been talking about this trip for so long. We left early Thursday morning. The drive and flight went smooth. We had the tablets and the Switch for you kids to pass around. You loved getting spicy juice. We picked up the rental car and hit rush hour to get down to the Newport Temple for Dad to go do a quick session. We ate In and Out for dinner and went right to bed that night. All of you kids woke up early because you were so excited to go to Disneyland. The hotel had a fun breakfast and we were able to walk down the street to get there. The first day was Disneyland. We rope dropped to Rise of the Resistances. We should had stayed with Dad, but someone told us it was going to take hours. So I took all you kids to do Pirates while the line was short. That was a big mistake because they once they opened the ride, it went fast and Dad had to let all these people through. When we finally got back, he was at the front of the line with the three big kids when the ride shut down. It was so frustrating. Then Millie had to go to the bathroom. I talked to the worker. He let them out of line. By the time the bathroom break was finished, they let you on the lightening lane and got on the ride right away. You and me were doing all the little rides like the train and Pooh Bear ride during all of this. But this was the only hiccup we had the whole time and actually was able to do all the lines pretty quickly after that. When we were on Smuggler run, you really thought we were in space and was whining to go back to Disneyland the whole ride. You loved the Astro Orbiter and Dumbo ride a lot. We were scared of Pirates because of the drops. We bought Mickey raspberry macaroons and ate dinner at the Red Rose Tavern. The second day was spent in California Adventure. We rushed over to Cars Land. You LOVED the Mater ride. It was so fun hearing you laugh with all the whipping around. We even got to meet Lightning McQueen. A favorite of your was the Disney Junior Dance party (got to do that twice) and meeting Anna and Elsa. We got to do more shows, the the Crush show (who picked Maggie for a question) and the Donald Duck 3D show. We were able to go a bit slower in CA and stop to dance at a concert. There was this one moment where Maggie didn't want to go on Guardians of the Galaxy again, so she offered to sit with you girls near the ride, eat lunch and go inside and watch the crush show. We gave her a phone and everything was fine until she tried to take you into the building. There was a cast member who stopped you girls and told Maggie that she had to be 14 to watch the younger girls. You guys just went back tot he bench when two security guard showed up. They were really nice, but it freaked Maggie out. We weren't gone for long, but the security guards kindly informed up to not do that again. We felt bad for Maggie. The last day was Disneyland again. We wanted to rope drop to Mickey's Runaway Railroad, but it was closed in the morning. We ended up doing the Nemo ride instead. It all worked out because we were right by Mickey's when they did open up and we were able to walk right on. We were able to do all our favorite rides again, do the ones we missed and try the ones we have never done before like the railroad and the Tikki room. We had lunch at the New Orleans Cafe and ended the night with the parade and fire works. It was a great time. Our final day in California was Millie's birthday. We opened up presents in the hotel, chilled out and watched TV, and had lunch at Goofy's Kitchen. Our flight got delayed so we found a park to play at for a bit and made it home safely. It was a fun and tiring trip. So glad we took you guys. 
• We came back to full swing birthday season with a party for Millie, Sam and Maggie. A lot of treats, a lot of wrapping paper. You feel a bit left out and keep asking when it is going to be your birthday. 
• Crazy moment: used conditioner on you for the first time and you broke out in hives all over.
• You were asked to give your first primary talk. You colored a picture of Jesus, we practiced saying two sentences, and when we got up to the pulpit, you cried. You didn't;t even want to hold your picture. Oh well. 

Three.Four Years

 3.4 Years

• Grandma and Papa Price came and stayed with you kiddos for 9 days while Dad and I were on a trip. You guys had a blast without us. For Christmas, you each made a coupon of a date that you wanted to do with them. You got to take Papa out for Mac-n-cheese and chocolate milk at Seasons. At night, instead of reading books, Grandma would share stories of her life. There was hot tubbing, movie watching, dollar store craft buying, thrift store shopping, board gaming, and partying. You guys were so good to them and I know they really enjoyed their time here. Grandma brought with her a box of Book of Mormon band aides that she shared with you for every scratch that you got. Well, at the end, she left you the rest of the box. You used everyone of those band aides like a sticker and decorated a picture with them. 
• Two amazing things have happened since Grandma has watched you. Grandma forgot a couple of times to put a diaper on you at night and you stayed dried. so we tried not using a diaper and just like that, you are fully night trained. You gave all your diapers away. It was awesome. Also, grandma had you lay down with her a few times, and she got you to nap. Whenever I tried laying down with you, you would just play on the bed. Well, Now I can get you to nap about twice a week. I love napping with you. 
• One of my favorite things we started this month is Mommy and Me Yoga class. You have a few friends go, like Nora and Trinly. I love how it is a good time to connect with each other. Your favorite pose is called lizard on the rock, where I curl up like a rock and then you lay with your back across mine, like a lizard basking in the sun. Another fun pose is where the parents do downward dog and you kids pretend you are doggies and your crawl around in circles underneath each of us. 
• We made a quick trip to Oregon. We told you kids the trip was for us to go to the temple. Actually Dad went to interview for a job there. I am typing this up, even though you still don't know. We took this interview mostly to see what is out there because Dad is feeling over worked and we have had this big pull to move back to family. The job ended up being really good. We haven't decided whether we are going to take it or not. I just thought that you should know, even though you won't read this until you are 18. We had fun while we were there. We helped Grandpa in the yard. We raked up the sticks leftover from trimming the grapes. You loved that you got to ride the four wheeler down each time with grandpa to take the sticks to the burn pile. That night, you guys got a sleepover at Dusty's. I am pretty sure you and Jessie pulled out every dress up dress and changed at least 10 times in that first hour. The next day, we went to a chicken and waffles lunch at their church and then headed over to Gervias to play Ga Ga Ball. We had a lot of fun with it. We ended the night at Grandpas with pizza and a movie. We got to hear Grandpa speak in church and then buzzed quickly back home so we could be back for Valentine's Day.
• Valentine's Day was a hit with you. First, we helped make Sam his box. This year, he thought it would be funny to be a toilet. Well, you were convinced that it was a really toilet and wanted to pee it in. Last minute, we invited some of your friends over for a party and lunch. It was a big hit. we had each of you decorate a brown paper bag and then pass you cards and candy to each other. It was so cute. The whole time, you kept telling me it was your birthday party.  I tried to set the table fancy and had hearts taped over the room. For dinner, we had heart shape pizzas with chocolate covered strawberries. We ended the night with you kiddos doing a crunch lab box with dad.

Three.Three Years

 3.3 Years

• For Christmas Eve, Dad was able to make it back for dinner. We had shrimp, homemade bread, grapes, dates, olives, cheese, and grape juice. We set up the candles again and made it all fancy.You kiddos loved putting on the Nativity play. This year, your role was the angel. We did our We Three Kings song which ended with matching Mickey Mouse pj bottoms (to get us excited for our Disneyland trip). We ended the night with all four of you kids sleeping in your room. We dragged the kid tree into the room so you could sleep with the light on. 
• Christmas morning was magical. You were so excited to pull out all the different things from your stocking, especially the candy and lip gloss. Santa brought you an Elsa and Olaf barbie. Elsa can make Olaf move by raising her hand. In your stocking, you got a necklace kit, a frozen book, bath paint, a coloring book, and candy (which did not last very long). Maggie gave you an Elsa lego set, Sam gave you pink kinetic sand, and Millie gave you Rapunzel shoes. You gave Maggie this fuzzy white blanket that you picked out at Larsen's, a snowball maker for Sam, and an American doll backpack for Millie. Dad and I gave you some unicorn outfits that you love, a fairy book, and a big polly pocket set. 
• Two days after Christmas, we packed up to go to Utah. It was fun to be with Grandma and Papa. We went bowling with them,  pulled out all the fisher price toys repeatedly from the hall closet, and ate way too much candy. We met up with cousins to play at McDonalds and played at Calvin's house. We did have our big family party. We brought the dodgeballs out with us and introduced the Matthews to a bit of a Price family tradition. I was not going to hold you again, so this time you sat with one of your aunties on the side. Grandma had to unwrap game and then we all ate a big lunch and opened up presents. Grandma gave you a puppy dog that can walk. Sarah gave you some new water wow books. You had Will and gave him beanie with a light in it. Dad and I left for a New Years Paper, so you got to party it up with Grandma and the cousins. 
• With the new year, brought Sunbeams!! You have been so excited about going to the big kid primary class, especially with all your friends. You were jumping up and down on the pew all sacrament long to go. Well, the excitement didn't last long. The next week, you were already complaining about missing the toys at nursery. I guess when Grandma was with you at church, you stayed with her for the second hour and just cuddled the whole time. 
• There was a colder day and I thought it would be fun to treat you to a date at Creme Cafe. You love getting the steamers with me and sharing a muffin. I love all this one-on-one time with you. I feel like we will have this special bond forever because of it. 
• Millie has rubbed off on you and now you love dressing up in "hip hop" clothes and dance for me. Some of your favorite songs to dance to are Katy Perry's Fireworks song.
• Grandma and Papa are coming to watch you kids and we have been counting down the days for them to get here. You get so excited as the number gets smaller. 
• With your Christmas money, you were able to buy a pink princess bike with a seat for your dolls. It has streamers and training wheels. You have been so excited to learn how to pedal it.

Three.Two Years

 3.2 Years

• We were able to spend Thanksgiving in Oregon with all the Price family. We left Friday morning. Dad drove separately since he has to leave early. There was no waiting for cousin, Lainey was there, ready to play. On Saturday, Grandma watched you guys in the morning while Dad and I went to the temple with Dusty and Janecce. That night we drove out to Hood River to go on the Polar Express. It was the first time for us. We got to sit with Grandma and Papa and it was so fun to see you believe in all the magic. Sunday, we went to church and had family photos taken in the cold. We had our first Thanksgiving dinner at Annie's house. Uncle Josh joked that he was going to make sushi. Well, he did and it was a huge hit. It was decided that is needs to be a yearly thing. Monday, Dad left to go home. Us girls all went to Woodburn mall in hopes of getting Millie's ears pierce. Sadly, the employee was certified to do it. Instead, you girls raided the clearance section and we ended with sushi for lunch (second time and you still don't love it, but the rice was a hit). I was able to take you girls to Target to buy Christmas gifts. On Tuesday, we moved our stuff over to Dusty's house and got to do a sleepover with the younger cousins while the older ones went to the temple. On Wednesday, we went up to Portland and did a hike to the Witch's house. You were not feeling good. It was hard to hike with you because everyone was going to fast for you to walk, but I was getting tired of holding you. Uncle Josh came to the rescue and carried yo on his shoulders, though you cried the whole time. You woke up sick on Thursday, bur I didn't realize it at first. Dodgeball was hard because you wanted me to hold you the whole time (not so fun fact, I tore my rotator cuff doing that). You ended up resting on Grandma's couch watching Elsa on my phone for most of the day. On Friday, we were able to attend Karl's Court of Honor for his Eagle and then head out to the tree farm to cut down a Christmas tree. We walked all over to find the perfect one. We tagged it with our ribbon and then walked all the way back to find grandpa with the saw. He asked us why did we pick one so far away, we are going to have to drag it all the way back to the truck. You kids did not want to do all that work, looked around for a half second and pointed to the tree next to the truck and said it looked great. we wrapped it up in plastic, threw it on top of the roof of the van, and headed home the next day. Crazy story about Mowgli. The last night, all the cousins were watching a movie at Annie's. I think Mowgli got overwhelmed and hid. We thought he ran away when everyone was loading up. We looked all through the house and all through the neighborhood. Annie even texted the neighbors, but no one had seen him. You kids said a prayer. I figured if we can't find him by morning, and he showed up later, Grandma could watch him until she came out in January. The next morning, I can hear Annie get so excited because guess who was sleeping on the couch, Mowgli. We think he was under Lainey's bed in the far corner and we just couldn't see him. 
• Sad note, Uncle Josh went home and came down sick with the flu. It was you thank you gift to him for helping you out. 
• Pre Christmas Fun: Us girls snuck off to Lewiston when the boys were gone to get Millie's ears pierced. We made the whole day fun by playing at gymnastic 360, eating dinner at Panda Express, and going to the Train Park to see all the cool lights. We celebrated Happy Birthday Jesus with The Stanzak family this year. We were able to go to the big kids music concert. Once school got out, we delivered flowers to some grandmas in the nursing home. We were able to have different families over for sledding parties. On Christmas Eve, we had Nora's family over. You girls made it a few times down the hill, but it does wipe you out walking up. It was nice to end each sledding session with the hot tub, hot cocoa, and cookies that people brought over. Also, we spent one evening decorating mini gingerbread houses. We have made an effort to try to watch new Christmas movies. The kids introduced you to Home Alone, and you would request it on nights that Maggie would babysit you.

Three.One Years

 3.1 Years

• Halloween is in full force. We started by going to the Ward Trunk-o-Treat. You dressed up as Red Riding Hood for that activity. You got to go around with the Maggie and your friend Trinley and her big sister Brindy since I needed to stay back at the van. The youth put on carnival games to play afterwards like fishing, musical chairs, and bean bag toss. Ivan invited you over to his house to decorate halloween sugar cookies and then play at the park afterwards. The night before halloween, we carved pumpkins. You were so disgusted by the whole thing and cried when you had you reach your hands inside to pull the guts out. On Halloween, you wore the ghost costume (Millie snagged the Red Riding Hood which after she left, you changed your mind and wanted that costume back). We spent the afternoon at the school doing Maggie's and Sam's party. We caught up with Dad and went through the haunted house for the first time. Dad held you the whole time so you are able to hold on tight to him. It was fun to end the night trick-o-treating through our friend's neighborhood. 
• Wrestling is in full force here. Maggie was bee great about watching you girls during the morning of the ones that are in town. In between the matches, I would sneak you girls off to visit the library or thrift store. You were a good cheerleader for Sam and loved it when you had friends to play with.
• And just like that, fall is over and the snow is here. Millie woke up with a tummy ache that lasted all of five minutes so she stayed home form school. You loved having her home to play with. After lunch, we geared all up and went sledding down the big hill. You are starting to love winter more, now that you can walk around the snow a bit better. After sledding, we headed over to the playground, where we piled all the snow onto the slide and then have you and Millie take turns crashing into it. We finished our day out there by making snow woman. You kept licking the face of your snow girl so much that the head fell off. It was a great day for all of us. 
• Dad and I took the big kids to Boise to watch BYU play so you got to have a sleep over at Annie's house. You were so excited. I would get text throughout the time about how cuddling you were with the parents. You did not want to come home when I came to pick you girls up.

Three Years Old

 3 Years Old

Dear JoJo,

I can't believe that you are three. You have been waiting patiently for your birthday all month long. I made the mistake and bought a few things for you party at the end of September so every day you have asked me how many more days. With one day to go for your party, you were dancing all day, telling everyone that it is only one more day. I woke up early the day of to try to get things finished before all the kid woke up. Well at 6:30 you walked into my room all dressed, shouting "Today's my birthday party!' Since we are having your party two days before your birthday, I am excited to do this all again with the family. For your birthday, we invited your friends over to paint unicorn wooden lights, eat lunch, and end with the hot tub. 

You are such a delight to be with JoJo. This year, is my special year with you. I get to be with all from 8am-4pm Monday-Thursday. You are my little shadow, helping me with all my task. Some of your favorite things to do during the day are playing with friends, swimming in the hot tub, playing the Noah's ark Animal Rescue game, reading funny books (you like Piggie and Elephant books), coloring with markers, playing play dough, and having me push you on the swing. 

On my birthday, me and you went on a birthday day date together. We started by going for a walk with my friend, coming home to go hot tubing, getting pedicures at the salon, eating lunch out at Seasons, playing with friends outside, and ending the night celebrating another friend's birthday at Jungle Gym. It was a great day. I loved talking with you and having you as "my buddy". 

JoJo, I love how you funny you are. You love to tease your siblings, make the funny farting noises in the car to make everyone laugh, and make funny comment like "Do houses bite? Does snow bite?" You also will make all these food creations out of play dough and offer them for me to "eat" them. Every time I take a pretend bite, you tell me it was spicy so then I have to pretend that I have a hot mouth. You laugh and laugh from that. 

JoJo, I love how cuddling you are. You are finally liking reading books with me in the morning. We cuddle on the couch together after getting back from dropping the big kids off and read 3-4 books together. When watching a movie as a family, most of the time, you will sneak into my room, grab a blanket, and cuddle on the small couch with me. You will squeeze my neck so hard after buckling you into yourself, telling me you will never let me go. I love all of it.  

This year is going to bring so much growth and new experiences. I feel honor that I get to be your mother and share it with you.

Love, 

Mom