Valentine's mailboxes

I wish I had more time to make crafts. I love to sew, crochet, make cards and create fun home decor items. But with two boys, a baby on the way, and two part-time jobs, I often just can't seem find the time.

So recently I have been trying to make crafts that do not take a lot of time. One thing that I have been doing a lot lately is crocheting. I discovered that very few people know how to crochet, so I decided that crocheted baby hats would make the perfect gift. I have also made some really cute crocheted hats and diaper covers for the new baby. I can't wait to post pictures of her in them.

Luckily for me I also have a crafty sister who comes up with great ideas and allows me to copy them. While she was visiting for my baby sprinkle, my sister found these cute mailboxes for a dollar at Target. What could be more perfect for Valentine's Day?

So I picked up enough for my family (including the baby) and Jeanette was kind enough to cut vinyl hearts and names so I could embellish the mailboxes. Aren't they cute?

For the past week my boys have been busy creating cards to fill everyone's mailboxes. Then they put up the flag and anxiously wait for the recipient to get the mail in their box. They have made cards for Mommy, Daddy, each other and  even for their new baby sister, which is so cute that my heart just melts.

Each day after his nap and first thing in the morning Ephraim checks his mailbox and comes to tell me of his disappointment if there is not a note or piece of candy in there. It makes me laugh.

I love this new Valentine's Day tradition! It is a great way for us to express our love for each other the entire month. What could be better than that?

Sleeping Beeper

Today I was having a challenging morning. There were some things I wanted to go do (like fabric and craft store shopping), but I knew having the boys with me would make it hard (and not so fun). For little boys there is nothing worse than being made to go to a store that they think is SO boring.

In the end I decided to skip fabric shopping and just go get some yarn for some cute hat patterns I bought online. Just going to Roberts with them was challenging enough for me at this point in my pregnancy. (Especially when I discovered the big mess they made downstairs that we got to clean up just before we left). When we got home I let the boys have a picnic downstairs while watching PBS. I ate upstairs by myself, enjoying a little peace and quiet.

My afternoon turned out a bit better than the morning. Ephraim didn't want to take a nap and got upset about it, but I know he still needs one. Sure enough, he fell asleep pretty quickly. When I looked in on him this afternoon I couldn't help but remember that my boys are one of the best parts of my life. They may be challenging sometimes, but I love them to the moon and back (as Jacob would say).

Don't you just love the way Ephraim sleeps with his hands behind his head? He is so stinking cute that you can't help but love him and want to cuddle with him. He really is a sweet boy.

Bubble Bath Boys

My boys have turned into little bubble bathers. It happened while Daddy was gone and the boys were a little stir crazy. I said to Jacob and Ephraim, "I know, let's do something fun! How would you guys like a bubble bath?"

To which Jacob replied, "What's a bubble bath?"

Oh my goodness! I realized that I have never given the boys a bubble bath. I didn't even have a bottle of bubble bath in the house! Since our tub is not really big enough for ME to enjoy a bubble bath, it hasn't ever occurred to me to buy bubble bath for the boys!

So the very next day we went to the dollar store and got some bubble bath. Ever since then the boys have been in heaven! They love to play in the tub with the bubbles. Now they stay in the tub until they are all wrinkly and pruny, and the bubbles have started to dissipate.

I finally remembered to take a picture of Jacob in the bubbles as his bath was ending the other day.

So now bubble baths are a regular occurrence at the Devereaux Household and I don't mind at all (o.k., maybe I am a little jealous). The boys don't complain about getting in the tub; actually sometimes they complain about getting out! Plus when they get out they are clean and smell like apples. Everybody wins!

Now I just need to remember to take some pictures while they are playing with the bubbles when they are all foamy and fun instead of just before I am about to take them out of the tub!

How to Be a Chill Mom

Thank goodness January is almost over!

January is always the hardest month for me. It is miserably cold outside and it seems if I am going to be sick, it will be in January. This year I caught a cold and got a stomach bug in the past month.  So much fun when you are pregnant, right?

Not only is it cold outside, January is the darkest month of the year and the kids are just tired of being inside. When you add to that the fact that I am very pregnant and thus cranky and tired, that is when things get a bit miserable at times.

So today I decided that Jacob and Ephraim NEEDED to go play outside. Regardless of the weather. So we decided to go to the park. Daddy got home at dinner time last night and was working on edging in the baby's room, so I thought the boys could use something else to do besides bugging daddy all morning.

Yep. I took my boys to play outside when it was not quite 40 degrees outside.  Am I crazy, or what?

We would have gone to a fast food restaurant with a playplace, but we actually already did that once this week and I didn't want to go there and not buy anything... so it was the park or nothing.

Crazy or not, Jacob and Ephraim think I am awesome because they had a fantastic time!  When we got to the park I thought we might have to go home because some of the slides were wet and there was a bit of frost on the shady parts. But I was determined to make this work. So I got the shop towels out of the van and wiped the slides as best I could.

Then I gave each of the boys a couple of shop towels to put under their bums as they went down the twirly slide ('cause there was no way I was going to wipe down that whole slide 7 1/2 months pregnant!)

The boys thought that was the best idea ever! They didn't want to go home and they loved feeling like they were "sledding" down the slide on their towels. They went down over and over and were so cute that I had to take some pics with my camera phone.

We stayed at the park for over an hour and I think the only one that was cold at all was me! Ephraim even came to me and said he was hot and wanted to take his hat off, to which I said "No Way!".

I may have been freezing sitting out there on a bench, but the boys were on top of the world!

My boys ran around, climbed the slides, went down the slide together, giggled and had a blast. So I guess my crazy idea wasn't so crazy after all. I may have been a bit cold, but my boys sure think I am a cool mom!

Lego Wasteland

Today was a fun day for the boys. In the morning Jacob had preschool down the street at the Miller's house. I was planning on taking Ephraim to playgroup, but it was cancelled for the second week in a row. I knew that Ephraim would be heartbroken, so I invited Karyn and Brenda to bring their kids over to play at our house if they wanted to.

So this morning Ephraim got to play with Clara and Ty at our house, which was fun for him. Ephraim loves playing with his friends and is always sad on Mondays when Jacob gets to go to preschool and he has to stay home with mommy. Today for some reason Ephraim was a little grouchy, but I think it was just because he woke up at 6:50 a.m. He played pretty well though and I had a nice time chatting with Karyn and Brenda. It was also fun to see Brenda's new baby, Jacob.

Later this evening when the boys went to bed I had to laugh at the scene of destruction that awaited me in the craft/toy room downstairs.

Jacob and Ephraim have been having a great time playing together lately. They make up stories and take turns playing with different toys. I apparently did not check the state of the craft/toy room before putting the boys to bed. It looked as if the Lego Tupperware had exploded all over the room!

I guess it was a good thing I didn't plan on using the craft room. I decided that since Joe was in Saint George, I would just let the Legos wait until tomorrow.

Snow Today, Smush Tomorrow

What a busy Tuesday! This morning I had my 32 week OB appointment. Joe stayed home to watch the boys and paint the white walls of the baby's room while I ran to the doctor. Usually by this point (32 weeks) my blood pressure has started to creep up and I get sent to the hospital to do non-stress tests and a 24-hour urine test. Then typically I have to go to the doctor every week instead of every two weeks. All of the testing and appointments only made my blood pressure increase to the point that I was induced early with both my boys. So I was a little nervous for my appointment this morning. I was thrilled when my blood pressure remained low enough and everything looks great!

Today my doctor actually asked me if I intended to let the baby come when she wanted to or if I wanted to be induced. I told him that I would have to think about it because I have never had that choice before! Wahoo!

So my appointment was shorter than I expected and I went home and sent Joe to work. Then around lunchtime I met up with Melinda and Karyn at Article Circle. We ate lunch together and let the kids play on the play equipment, since the weather was cold and nasty today. Then the boys and I went to UVU for a short visit to see Daddy's new office. Since Joe is leaving for a conference in St. George tomorrow, we decided to run in and take a quick peak at his new space. Joe just moved in to his own office and he has a HUGE wood desk with cabinets and THREE computer monitors all lined up. The boys and I thought it was pretty cool and plan to go visit Daddy another day when he is less busy to go do lunch.
 
When we got home there was some snow in the driveway. Since everything was o.k. at the OB, I decided it wouldn't be a big deal to shovel off the driveway so Joe could put the second coat of white on the baby's room tonight.

So boys and I went out and shoveled the driveway. While we were shoveling Ephraim decided he was tired and done helping out, so I took him inside for his nap. Then I went back out to help Jacob shovel. When we were finished Jacob asked me if he could stay outside and play for a bit. I told him that would be fine.

Jacob had a great time in the back yard. I got out some of the sandbox toys and he went to town with them.

He was so cute I had to go get my camera. He was shoveling a path to the sandbox and digging around in the snow. Jacob played outside for a little while before we both went inside for quiet time.

When Ephraim woke up from his nap he wanted to go play in the snow too. I told him that we would have to wait and see since it was dinner time. After dinner Joe and I discussed it and decided that even though it was getting dark the boys could play in the snow in the back yard for a little while.

So we bundled them up, turned on the back porch light, and let them at it. Would you believe that the boys played outside for an hour before we finally made them come back inside?! I was sure they would come in sooner because it was cold, but when they came in their faces were red because they were warm, not because they were cold!

Jacob and Ephraim had a great time playing in the snow, and I don't think there is a square foot of snow in the back yard that does not have a little boy footprint in it! I guess it's a good thing because it looks like most of the snow will melt tomorrow!

The Sprinkle that Became a Downpour

My dear friend Melinda was kind enough to throw me a "Baby Sprinkle" over the weekend. Since I already have two boys I don't need ALL the baby supplies, but I definitely don't have anything girly for a baby! So we had a sprinkle instead of a shower.

Friday afternoon Grandma and Grandpa Heiner arrived at our house along with Aunt Deanna and her kids. The boys were excited to see Grandpa and they loved having their cousin Braydon to play with.

Saturday morning was the day of the party. I had been looking forward to it all month! It was fun to get together with my closest friends and have a party-- a pink and girly party! First we had brunch with yummy breakfast breads and juice. Just check out this spread! Yum-o!

Then I got to open all the wonderful presents my friends brought. I have to say that despite it being a sprinkle, I definitely got showered with gifts! I got the cutest clothes, blankets and accessories- oh the accessories! Hair bows, hats, headbands, socks, tutus, you name it! Having a girl is going to be so much fun!

 I even got presents from some of the people that I invited who couldn't come to the party. My cute Aunt Nancy sent some very nice gifts, as did my mother- and sister-in-law. It was so much fun to open everything. Girl clothes really are more fun than boy clothes if you ask me (but then again, I am a girl!).

Since I am not a big fan of silly shower games, Melinda organized a craft. We used cute fabric and templates to applique a whole bunch of onesies. They turned out absolutely adorable and I can't wait to put them on my little girl.

I even got a picture of each guest with her onesie so I know who made which one! Here are the guests and their onesies.

Melinda, Andrea, Michelle and Karyn

Michelle, Deborah, Jilynne and Brenda (not pictured)

Jeanette, Me, Deanna and Marisa, and Marilyn (mom)

It was such a wonderful party and I feel so blessed to have so many fabulous friends and family. I truly felt loved. Thanks so much for the sprinkle Melinda!

Daddy's Computer Boys

This morning I was getting the kitchen cleaned up and working on getting myself ready to go to Music Makers with the boys. As I walked into my bedroom,  I couldn't help but laugh at the sight that greeted me.

There were Jacob and Ephraim hanging out on my bed, playing with the laptop computers they got for Christmas.

I am amazed at how quickly they have figured out how to play on their computers and find the games they want to play. I guess they must be computer geniuses just like Daddy!

I is for Igloo

This week it was our turn to have Jacob's preschool at our house. Since Monday was Civil Rights Day or Martin Luther King Day or whatever you want to call it, we did not have preschool on Monday. Instead we did it on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday's letter was I. Since it is January, I figured that igloos would be the perfect theme to go along with the letter. So after circle time where we discussed the weather, day of the week, etc., I read some stories about winter and igloos. Surprisingly there are not a lot of books about igloos, so I actually borrowed some from Grandma Heiner's library.

Then we got to the craft, which was making igloos.

I decided the easiest way to accomplish this was with marshmallows, frosting, and paper bowls.

To make the craft easier for me, I frosted the bowls for the kids and then let them place the marshmallows on them however they wanted.

Of course Jacob lined his up in neat little rows, which I thought was pretty cute. I also made the kids graham cracker cookies as a snack so we would have enough marshmallows for the igloos.

Melinda was kind enough to let Ephraim come and play at her house while I did preschool. It is a bit challenging at times to try to do a craft with five 4 year-olds and help Ephraim at the same time. He wants to participate, but sometimes he is just far enough behind the older kids that it is hard for him.

Of course when he got home Ephraim wanted to make an igloo too. So that evening I got out the marshmallows and frosting and let him go at it.

Then I told the boys that they were welcome to eat the marshmallows from their igloos. They thought this was a great idea!

Of course Ephraim had to copy the way Jacob was trying to eat his, and the sight of them trying to lick the marshmallows and frosting off just made me laugh!

As I said earlier, we have been working on getting the baby's room all painted and ready, now that Jacob and Ephraim are in the same room. We got the green wall all painted, so tonight Joe was working on getting the ceiling painted. Joe worked hard on the baby's room all weekend (plus Monday). It is going to look great!

It is hard to tell from these pictures the actual color of the wall because it was night time, so I will have to take another picture when we are done. The room is going to be SO cute, especially since the bedding matches the green wall so nicely.

Thanks for all the hard work Honey! It looks amazing.

Wall of Books

What a weekend! Joe was busy most of the weekend working the baby's room, which means I was busy keeping the boys busy. Friday night while I was at a dinner with a bunch of girl friends, Joe worked on getting Ephraim's new dresser put together. Then on Saturday morning I worked on getting all Ephraim's clothes into his new dresser and then we moved the baby's dresser into the boy's room. That way the baby's room was empty and Joe could start painting the green wall- hooray!

I am excited to see how the baby's room is going to turn out. I like the boys' room with it's blue wall, and so I am sure it will be just as nice to have the baby's room all freshly painted.

The boys did pretty good at keeping themselves occupied while Mommy and Daddy were busy. At one point I was in my room and noticed that the boys kept getting books from the small bookshelf with the board books. It is temporarily located at the end of the hallway. When I asked Jacob what was going on, he informed me that they were making a wall of books. So I had to go see what they were doing.

Sure enough! They made a "wall of books". I just had to go get my camera and take a picture of the boys quietly reading with their wall of books on the table. What a pair of cuties!

After our busy Saturday, I ended up spending most of Sunday in bed. I woke up Sunday morning and did not feel good at all. I tried to throw up when I woke up, but there was nothing in my stomach. I felt a bit better later and ate a piece of toast, which I lost after about an hour. I felt better after that, but was tired. I was also tired of being sick. After having a cold for a week and just starting to get over it, I was not to happy to get a stomach bug!

So Joe took the boys to church without me and I stayed home and took a nap. By the end of the day I felt much better. I was also happy that I did not have to teach preschool Monday so I could have another day to recuperate!