I love that Joseph pretty much tries anything, food-wise. (I have to add food-wise since there are so many other things he's unwilling to try...but that's another story!)

Here's how I get Joseph to eat eggs and toast. If I give him scrambled eggs and a slice of toast separately on a plate, he usually won't eat them. Instead I do this:

That's a piece of toast covered in applesauce and then topped with eggs. (Some may say yuck when reading this but I also enjoy something sweet with my eggs. My favorite is jam, which I spread onto the toast and then top with eggs...I know, sounds kooky!)

Here's the aftermath:


Almost done...

What zany things do you put together hoping your child will eat them? Is it something you would try yourself? Or do you just end up pawning off random foods to your child hoping to hit upon something that they'll love?

How often do you get mad at your kids for something when you are yourself ultimately responsible?

It seems to be happening to me more and more lately. As I consider the situation, though, I realize that I need to discipline him anyway. How else will he understand that he did something wrong...even if I helped cause the entire incident. There's immense guilt, I've discovered, but what else am I supposed to do?

Maybe you don't feel the same way...but I did leave the butter within easy reach even after finding him poking at it the first time. Fool me once, Joseph, shame on you...Fool me twice, doubly shame on me!

What ARE you eating?!
How can he look so smug? Maybe I better use my mommy voice?
Finally, some remorse...or is he just realizing this will be on my blog within a few days?

The Golden Arches

What to do when you are watching over your sister's three kids plus your own? Take them to McDonald's, of course! We got there a little after 11:00 a.m. and left at 1:15! Talk about a great way to get in some fun play time for the kids and great reading time for me.
Caprice, Karina, and Joseph were very willing to pose for the pictures...all we needed was Brayden. Don't worry, they convinced him to come up eventually.
Joseph kept saying "cheese" and "mama" while hanging up in the play place. Can I just say one more time how much I love that little guy?
Brayden is such a cutie! A great helper/older brother, too!

Freezing in Texas

Ahh, Texas...don't most poeple think of sunshine and humidity when they think about the weather here? I did until I came and it was 34 degrees and raining a little. I walked out of the airport and simply froze...I guess all of my Utah blood has become Arizonized. (I cover up with a blanket when it gets down to 73 at my AZ house.)

My older and most definitely wiser sister

Theresa's neighborhood is beautiful. I love it! She lives on a nice street with lots of trees (what are trees? some of you Arizonans may ask...they are large and leafy and gorgeous!) She's a few blocks from her school and today Caprice (2 1/2 yrs) and I walked down to meet Brayden (6 yrs) and his mom while Joseph stayed home with Karina (9 yrs) who wasn't feeling well.

Great tree, huh? Makes a nice picture spot!

Joseph, Brayden, and Cinderella



Theresa's house is treasure trove of toys...Joseph's little slice of heaven :) She has so many different toys, I feel like I'm in a really high end Toys R' Us. Joseph is loving life right now. Today, Theresa set up this amazing train set in Brayden's room. He is having a great time playing with everyone...especially Caprice, the closest to him in age.

The best room ever!

Mark's work had a grand opening for his branch. We went up and had tons of fun! The kids ate so much junk! Jumping in the bounce house worked all the sugar out of their system, though.
Popcorn...that's healthy, right?

Snow Cones...it was chilly outside, but Joseph still chowed down on it!

Joseph

Cash

Ashlyn

Need a clean house?...host a brunch!

I invited Marci and Molly over the other day for brunch. It was perfect because my house was getting messy! I always love a committment to motivate me. All I need to do is host a brunch once a week for the rest of my life and my house should stay clean :)


Snacking on peppers, carrots, and celery...yum!

Cash loved the ranch dressing...can't you tell?

Thought this was a picture, but took a great video instead!

Picture Tag

Nothing too exciting with my tag from Marci...I think I've blogged this picture before. Should've made something up and picked a crazy one anyway.

4th file, 4th picture
This is William and Joseph in Marci and Sam's backyard. It's his first time on a bike, afterwhich he became addicted! He loves bikes (and trains, cars, buses, diggers, garbage trucks...I really could go on and add more.) I am so excited that he's getting a bike for Christmas ($10 on Craigslist...not too bad, if I don't say so myself.) I plan on putting it under the tree with a big bow...how classic is that!? :)

I reserve the right to not tag anyone else...I admit that I'm a bit of a tag humbug.

Christmas Lights

Sunday night we went to the Mesa Temple and saw the lights. It was so much fun and Joseph loved it!

Camel Train Across the Deseret of Arizona

Palm Trees
Joseph loved it, as I mentioned. He was all over the place! William and I had to keep running after him...I'm amazed I was able to even catch a few shots of him :)
see that speck in the distance...yeah, that's him
redefinition of the quickstep
and he's off!
I was able to get him to sit still for a few pictures, though...
Four of the cousins
Say Cheese!
The kindness of strangers (she played peek-a-boo with him which is the only way he'd smile)