Parkinson Family: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Happy Birthday Heidi!

We celebrated Heidi's fourth birthday on May 25th. I made her a butterfly cake because she loves butterflies. Heidi is my "cuddlebug". She loves to cuddle with me at bedtime and to have me give her "butterfly kisses". She also really likes the song "Butterfly Fly Away" by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus. She will sing along to it. Aaron says that is the perfect song for her because it is so quiet and gentle, like her personality. We love our little Heidi!! I can't believe she is four years old already. It has gone by fast. She has progressed so much in the last year, which has been a relief for us. Like a little butterfly, she is progressing at her own rate until someday she will spread her wings and fly just like a beautiful butterfly.

One of the gifts Heidi got was a bubble maker. After we had cake, we went out in the backyard and turned it on. The kids had so much fun running around on the grass, catching and popping bubbles. I think this was the highlight of Heidi's birthday. She was so excited! Ah, the simple joys of childhood!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Jared's birthday

On May 19th, we celebrated Jared's first birthday. That night was the "jog-a-thon" at Erika's school to raise money for the new playground so that took up most of our evening. When we came home, we had cupcakes and sang to Jared. He was really tired and worn out and didn't quite know what to think about the cupcake in front of him. (He hasn't had much sugar so far). He only took a few bites, but the next day when he was feeling a little better we tried it again and he went crazy!

finger-lickin' good!

For Jared's birthday present this year, since he has inherited many of his older siblings' toys, we got him a bucket swing for our swingset. He has really liked them at the park, so we thought it would be nice to have one here, too. So, after cupcakes we went out back and played for a little while. Jared loved his new swing!!

I can't believe our little Jared is already a year old!! This past year has gone by fast, as I know all the others will, too. He is such a sweet, fun little boy. We are so glad that he has come to our family. He is such a joy to us!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Spring has sprung!

The kids showing off their Easter baskets. They were hidden outside but it was so exciting,

we forgot to get pictures. We got a really cute video, though.

We had a great Easter this year- at home. The day before (Saturday) we spent down in Salt Lake visiting family. We went to my grandma Schulz's easter egg hunt and dinner. It was nice to see all of my mom's family there as it has been awhile for us. We also stopped in and visited with Oma and Opa Michel and had a nice visit with them. We did a little shopping while in Salt Lake, too (which is what you have to do when you live in a small town). Easter Sunday was a nice day spent with our family. We watched a nice Easter movie after church and just spent time together.

Jared got a swimming floatie from the Easter Bunny!

On Monday, May 2nd Erika had reached the last chapter of the Book of Mormon. She has read most of it on her own and then we talk about it with her after. We had a special family home evening where we read the last chapter with her and she finished- yeah!!! Then we celebrated with a dessert and shared our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. It is definitely a life-changing book! We are proud of Erika for accomplishing this goal and hope she will continue in her love for it.

One Sunday a few weeks ago we came down to Erika's room to find she had made her own "temple wall" with several temples on it. This was just after General Conference when she had heard Pres. Monson say each child should have a picture of the temple in their room. I guess she took this pretty literally.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Baby Contest Results

I just want to thank everyone who put their votes in for the baby contest. (See the April 1st post). Did you think it was fun? I had a lot of fun putting it together and also seeing what you thought. I was really impressed with how well you all did!! I thought I would stump you for sure because of how alike all our kids looked as babies. As they have grown, they have each changed a lot. But, I also realized how different they have been, even as infants. I, of course, can recognize them each immediately and I also took most of the pictures myself. Doing this post was also fun for me because it brought me back a little, to the sweet but challenging times with each new little one. They are only babies for a short time and it passes so quickly! We love them all.

Anyway, you guys did awesome on your guesses.

Here are the top 3: 1st Place: Candice Dennis (she got them ALL RIGHT!) I don't know how she did it! (she will receive a gift card in the mail for her prize).
2nd place: Vicki Parkinson- (only missed one)
3rd Place: Ollie and Carola Michel in Vietnam. (missed two)

Good job- you are so great! We love you so much!

If anyone wants to know, here are the correct answers:
1. Kyle
2. Erika
3. Erika
4. Amber
5. Jared
6. Erika
7. Jared
8. Heidi
9. Kyle
10. Jared
11. Aaron
12. Kyle
13. Heidi
14. Heidi

Parkinson funnies

Nov 2012- Aaron was watching football on TV and Jared came out saying, "I want to go watch grass!"

Dec 2011- Heidi said one morning, "Mom, there's frosting on the house!" (on a cold day when frost was on the house).

June 2, 2011- Driving in the car Kyle said to his sister, "If you don't learn to talk, Jesus will make you talk Spanish." (He explained later that he actually meant sign language. That's how he thought it worked.)

Feb 28, 2011- Kyle said, "I don't like to have babysitters because they are only supposed to take care of babies!" Then we explained that they can take care of bigger kids too.

Dec 15, 2010- Kyle said, "I know how they make egg nog. First they dump in the eggs and mix them around. Then they put in the nog..."

Oct 20, 2010- Kyle said, "Mom, is some cheese blue?" I said it is called blue cheese but isn't really that blue. He said, "Well, then does it taste like blueberries?" I love all the questions he asks about how the world works- He's really trying to figure things out.

Oct 7, 2010- We were driving by Arctic Circle and Kyle said, "Is that the hamburger hut? I like that hut." I am wondering if he was remembering a time when we went to "Pizza Hut".

Aug 12, 2010- We were driving by a farm where there was a big fire burning up the field and Kyle said, "Dad, is that where the indians live?"

Aug 8, 2010- We were driving in the car and Kyle said, "Dad, I think I 'm truck-sick." "You mean car sick?" "No, truck sick- when you're sick in the truck."

Aug 2, 2010- We were headed off to a doctor's appointment for the baby and he was crying. Kyle said, "Mom, I think he's crying because you said he is going to get a shot."

June 28, 2010- The other day at dinner it was Heidi's turn to pray and daddy was helping her. She was just repeating everything word for word when he got to "Please bless it.." and said it 3 times. Finally I had to open my eyes to see what the hold up was. Well, little Heidi was just stuffing spaghetti in her mouth as fast as she could and it was hanging out all over. We all just bust up laughing. I guess she just couldn't wait any longer!

May 19, 2010- On the way home from the hospital after seeing their new baby brother, Erika said, "When I was born mom and dad said that I looked blue." Kyle said, "And when I was born I was pink and red. "

Dec 9,2009- The other day we were eating dinner and Kyle didn't want to eat. He said, "I don't like to eat aliens!" We told him there were no aliens in his dinner. Then, realizing what he was talking about, I said, "You mean onions?" He kept calling onions "aliens" and we got a kick out of it.

Nov 20, 2009- Erika lost another tooth at school today. Kyle said to her, "Erika, when my tooth gets loose and comes out, I'll give mine to you."

Oct 10, 2009- Today Erika said, "Mom, someday when I'm older, I want to get that recipe from you!"

Sept 9, 2009- We couldn't find our puppy anywhere and had driven all over the neighborhood to find him. Finally about 2 hours later Kyle showed up holding him and I said, "Where did you find him?" He said, "In the killer-box". "The what?" "The cooler-box". He had stuck him in a cooler in our backyard and forgotten about it. We were glad he was okay!! I felt terrible and gave him some extra TLC for a little while.

Sept 4, 2009- Erika said tonight, "You know what my favorite thing is about school? It's lunch... and learning... and break!" We said, "Isn't that the whole thing?"

Aug 17,2009- We were camping and had brought all our bikes. As we were leaving camp for a little while, Aaron commented that it might have been wise to bring a chain to lock up our bikes so they wouldn't get stolen. Erika said, "Or, we could have just brought a sign that said, 'DON'T STEAL!'".

July 12, 2009- Today at church Kyle looked at my Young Women's Medallion and said, "Mom, is that you on the necklace?"

July 3, 2009- Kyle had been sleeping down in Erika's room with some friends and came upstairs before we went to bed. He said, "Mom, there was some noise down there. I think it was the tooth fairy, coming to get the loose tooth."