Dinosaurs and Volcanoes

It was a dino day around here.

We ate them ("healthy" chocolate peanut butter dinosaurs... yum yum)

Then we melted crayons into the shape of dinosaurs.

Then, because Melanie firmly believes that the dinosaurs are no longer on the earth due to volcanoes... we decided to do a little volcano experiment. (Just when the girls thought there is no way we could do the volcano experiment a different way, I go and do this).

First, the regular way to remind them what happens when you put the baking soda and vinegar together.

Then with a balloon on the top to see what happens.

Wow! That volcano blew up the balloon...

Holy Moly!

Then, for fun, we decorated our balloons!

And, when the crayons were cooled... the girls "colored" (which looked more like playing, but hey! they were having fun!)

Some Things I've Missed.

I was browsing my photos and realized that I had missed a few things...

For example: a day outing with dad! A few Saturday's ago, we decided to go a little hiking as a family in the arboretum. It was a little hot that day, but the flowers were beautiful.

Oliver really enjoyed riding on daddy's back!

This picture must have been one of the few times I wasn't carrying a child *and* a backpack during the hike. These girls were silly and kept "needing" to be held. I spent most of the hike holding Noelle but ended up carrying Melanie at the end as well.

Melanie's new favorite movie is the "Wizard of Oz", so when we found this rainbow, it was time for a little song and dance.
Time for a break!

Hello guys!

It was a really fun hiking trip! It's amazing how beautiful the desert can be.

Every year I buy the girls a photo book with the pictures from the previous year in it. It's like a year book, especially for them. Last year ended a little crazy, so I was behind on ordering them... but I finally caught up, and they got their books in the mail last week. Boy howdy did they enjoy their new books!

One game we like to play in our house is "The Big Bag Wolf". We build towers, and then the "big bad wolf" sneaks over and says "Little Pig, Little Pig, let me in!". Of course, the person that built the tower says "not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!". Then the "big bad wolf" "huffs and puffs and blows it down". Last week we were playing this game, and Melanie got the camera out. So here you go... a little piggy and wolf action.

Typically I'm the wolf, but that day, Oliver joined in and knocked the towers down (with his hands instead of his lungs!)

The girls are excited about their summer plans to go to Hawaii for Grandma Traci and Papa Terry's wedding. So much so that they decided to drive to Hawaii. I overheard this conversation:

Noelle: "We're there!"

Melanie: "Oh NO! We're not there, we are in Africa!".

about 30 seconds later, Noelle says "now we are there".

To which, Melanie says "no! We are not there, we are in Wyoming".

Didn't you know, that's how you get to Hawaii???

The next day they decided to take a "boat". I think that may get them there a little better...

I'd still prefer the plane.

There you go, some random happenings in the Smithson house.

In the Middle (6 Months)

Oliver is 6 months old, and today was his appointment. Last night I was talking with Brandon and asked if he thought Oliver was going to be below the chart (he was just barely on it at his 4 months appointment). We both agreed that we thought he would be. I suppose that conversation is what caused the crazy dream I had last night. I dreamt that I fed Oliver in the middle of the night, and when I woke up the next morning, he was no longer my skinny little dude, but huge! Instead of being below the chart, he was above it. It was weird.

But, the sun came up, and when I saw my little man smiling up at me this morning, he was the small self I love so dearly. It was a crazy dream.

I took him to the doctor this morning, and sure enough, he was below the chart. Like I had said, we were expecting that. It appears to be a family tradition.

Today, Oliver weighs 14lbs, 1 oz, is 26" tall, and a hat size of 17-1/4".

Though you shouldn't compare your children (says someone unknown), being the curious mom that I am, I had too.

Melanie (who fell off the chart at 9 months) weighed 16 lbs, 4 oz and was 26.5" tall. Noelle (who fell off the chart at 4 months) weighed 12 lbs, 10 oz and was 26.25" tall.

It just proves that he is what I thought he was... a perfect mix of his sisters. He is "in the middle". Oliver balances them out perfectly. He looks like Noelle, with Melanie's coloring. He is small like Noelle was, but not too small. He is loud like Noelle, but laughs a ton, like Melanie. At 6 months, Noelle had perfected crawling, and didn't really ever roll, but Melanie rolled to get everywhere, and didn't really crawl. Oliver does both, and is everywhere he wants to be. He is like the glue that really connects all my girls' differences. It's funny and interesting at the same time.

Oh boy, do I love this little guy!
Oliver has started eating rice cereal a few days ago and will be venturing off into the fascinating world of food and flavors soon. He is pretty happy about eating at the table with the rest of the family.

Oliver loves everyone, but prefers mom to everyone else. If he hears me or sees me, she will let whoever is holding him know he is ready to go back to his mom.

More about Oliver:

1. He is allergic to dairy.

2. He LOVES music. He is always easily calmed by singing and actually falls asleep faster is there is music playing.

3. He has a great smile and is a flirt with older women.

4. He is a thumb sucker.

5. He loves playing with his sisters, especially his own version of "peek-a-boo".

6. He is an adrenaline junky and loves to be swung "Superman" style or "tossed" into the air (little tosses because mom is too afraid of dropping him).
7. He loves playing with his feet and sucking on his toes. I think it's cute!

Oliver,

Thank you so much for joining our family. I love your smile and your cute giggles. I love the way you light up with you see your sisters, and how they love to take care of you. Know that you are an important part of our family. We love you, and your Heavenly Father loves you.

Love,

Mom and Dad

The Graduate

"The time has come, the time is now..." (Dr Seuss).

The time *has* come. Melanie graduated from Lovin' Learning Preschool Saturday! They had a very nice ceremony on Saturday for the kids, family, and friends.

Melanie was so sweet walking to the stage. She was having trouble with her hat, but LOVED wearing the gown.

The program was full of songs, and everyone had a part. They also demonstrated things they learned over the year (including counting by ten's, the alphabet sounds, days of the week, and more).Melanie's part was "Sometimes we really had to "dig" in to learn about things like butterflies and frogs". She did it so well.

Then the kids got their certificates. This is our friend, Josh, graduating.

Here is another friend, Alissa, graduating.

Finally it was Melanie's turn.

Noelle was worn out by all the excitement.

Oliver really enjoyed the whole thing.

Melanie said congrats to her friends and then got some refreshments!

Oh, and we can't forget the flowers Grandma and Grandpa Smithson got her!

Thank you to all the grandparents that were able to come.

Congratulations, Melanie, on one very amazing year of school. You have grown and learned so much. Mom and Dad are both so proud of you! We Love You!

Last day of School Swim Party

Friday was Melanie's last day of school, so a good friend, Amy, and I arranged a little last day fun for our kids. (Her son, Josh, and Melanie attended the same preschool). Originally we were going to play with the "kid wash" at my house, but alas, I never got my act together and raked the back yard. Instead, Amy let us came over to her house for a little kid pool and slip-n-slide action.

So, while Oliver and I "chilled" under the covered patio...

The girls played to their heart's content.

Amy is super cool... she made it a whole party, inviting over some other kids from the preschool, her sister and kids, and a friend from the ward. The kids really enjoyed themselves.

There was even a baby pool for those one and under. (Of course, the big kids had to try it out to, so they were allowed a minute of baby pool fun). Oliver is not a fan of pools, so I didn't try. Perhaps when he can sit better on his own I'll give it a go.

After all the swimming was done, the girls got bundled up, and we went home for some lunch and naps! It was a great day!

Thank you, Amy, for a wonderful swim party!

Last Day

Last August, I sent Melanie to Mrs. Burrell's Lovin' Learning Preschool looking like this:

And here we are, 9 months. Melanie has learned a lot and grown so much over the last 9 months. It is amazing to see the difference.
Happy Last Day of School, Melanie! Now let the summer activities begin (we have a pretty long bucket list to get through).