Allison is the best, Here's why...... posted by Aaron

So as many of you know I decided to take the kids on a little adventure for the weekend to see Grammy and Papa-Steve in St. George. I thought this would be a fun weekend to get away and we could spend some time with the grandparents, swim, go the football game, participate in the Dixie run etc. Let me tell you what I learned while on my "vacation."

Top 5 reasons why Allison is the Mom and "in charge" of the kids.

1. I knew full well I was going to have to buy some diapers upon arrival in St. George, but of course I tried to do everything possible to make the small supply in the diaper bag last all weekend. It was a huge success until I made it home Monday afternoon when Allison asked why Noah's bum was red. I of course had no response.

2. I had a very hard time figuring out what to feed the kids. It seems like they were always needing something to eat. All I could find was some bread. I wasn't about to make something and actually breaking out the baby food and finding a baby spoon was just too much work. I am amazed at how Allison keeps us all fed and happy.

3. I am not sure how to get ready when the kids cry when you leave the room. In order to take a shower we had the whole family in the bathroom. I would peek from behind the shower curtain to see Mary flushing one of Noah's toys down the toilet or to see Noah trying to dive into the bathtub. Allison seems to get ready everyday no problem, I need to get some advice for my next adventure.

4. Swimming with two kids that don't know how to swim was a challenge. Mary wanted to constantly jump to daddy and Noah wanted to crawl into the hot tub which felt like a few hundred yards away. When I would run to save Noah from diving to his death Mary would be getting into her diving position with her little arms over her head. As soon as I would save Noah I was back to the pool to save the next drowning child. I guess that is why they invented floatation devices, but only Allison would be smart enough and prepared enough to use a floatie.

5. Candy!!! Need I say more. when I came home both Allison and I agreed that Mary really needed to brush her teeth. I used candy a lot last weekend to bribe Mary into sleeping, sitting still, putting on her seat belt on the plane, being quiet in church etc. Brushing her teeth was too much of a chore and I figured I would be home in a few days anyway.

As you can tell this was an eye opening experience. I feel like I am a hands on father, but I think I might be kidding myself. I admire how Allison is able to get it all done in a day. At the end of the day I couldn't even get out of my clothes to go to bed, I would just lay down fully dressed and before I knew it Noah was crying to get out of bed at 7:00 AM.

Allison, thanks for being such a great mommy. We love you!!!

The Name Game?

I still love the name Noah. It's just that when he does something he shouldn't, like rip the plug-in out of the electrical outlet and insert his finger in it's place while you scream "No!" and make a mad dash for him, you're not sure that he gets it. "No!" and "NO---AH!"...so close...he either likes the attention from doing something naughty or he thinks you're playing with him. He just laughs hysterically and shakes all over (not from the electricity but from excitement...I hope!).

Missing My Family

So, it's a little after 1:30 AM and I can't sleep. It's so quiet, not because everyone's asleep, but because I'm the only one here! Aaron has single handedly taken the kids to visit his parents for the entire weekend. I had been planning to spend Friday night and Saturday morning at a Relief Society retreat, when Aaron announced that he was taking the kids to St. George. What an amazing husband!

He boarded the plane alone, walked three miles from the terminal with Noah in the stroller, Mary walking behind, one car seat awkwardly positioned on his back, and another dangling off the stroller, suitcase and diaper bag in hand, and then boarded bus to shuttle to car rental. Wow! I don't think I could have done it. Even though it's tough doing it all alone, I know he's loving the time with the kids and his family...and I'm sure they are too! I wish I could just watch them from a bird's eye and see how darling they are together.

Now, it's very unusual for me to be experiencing insomnia. Typically, I can knock off in seconds. Perhaps it's because I got nine hours of heavenly sleep last night. Today (technically yesterday now) was very productive. It was filled with errands all over town (you know the kind you dread to do with children, like returning stuff), perfectly balanced meals for one, a great uninterrupted work out, and housecleaning galore. Now all I'm missing to enjoy it is my family.

I just keep thinking about this funny face Noah makes. Isn't it cute? He reminds me of a little leprechaun.


HURRY HOME!