Happy happy day!!

Well, we finally found out that Paul passed his test! WOOHOO!! There are not even words to describe how nervous I was the day they released the results. I found his passing number on the page and just began crying and crying. It is such a relief to only have one more test to go through and then we are done!!! (At least until he gets an idea of something else he wants to learn and study for.)

I am also happy because it seems like we have finally conquered sickness in our house (knock on wood). It has been a never ending cycle since at least the beginning of December. We were finally able to go to Discovery Gateway yesterday without the fear of getting hundreds of little kids sick - who knows what germs we picked up from the other kids. Peyton LOVES that place! I think he would be happy going there all day everyday.

I was feeding Ellie the other day and Peyton came up and asked me if he could have some noodles because he was "so hungry." Not thinking, I said he could and a few minutes later came down to this sight. Not only had he gotten the noodles out of the fridge, but he'd gotten some rolls out of the pantry, some brownies off the counter and a knife. SCARY, but funny.

Ellie is trying with all her might to crawl. She loves toys now and gets up on her hands and tippy toes and lunges forward (or at least tries to), more often than not, she ends up going backwards. It breaks my heart that she is growing up so fast. --by the way, that has become one of Peyton's favorite things to say..."ooooh mom, that breaks my heart." I'm learning you really have to be careful what you say around him.

It's all about the kids!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Wow, time is flying by way too fast! We had a wonderful holiday season. Paul was able to take a lot of time off work and we all got used to having him around. I am still trying to decide whether that is a good thing or bad thing (it's been hard having him go back to work).
Items of note - We went to Paul's work party and were privileged to have many of the General Authorities there. Paul was standing by the doorway with Ellie when President Hinckley left. The prophet stopped, pointed his cane at Ellie and said, "Now that is what Christmas is all about." Needless to say, it was a special experience for a mom.
Peyton was a blast this Christmas, constantly talking about Santa Claus and how Santa was going to bring him a "boomer." (hammer) On Christmas Eve, we told him he needed to hurry and go to sleep so Santa could come and ever since then, I've been trying to convince him that I do not need to hurry to sleep because Santa is not coming again for quite a while.

And lastly, I am going crazy...two hour long breakfasts followed by two hour long lunches are killing me. I am at a total loss of what to do, so if anyone has ANY suggestions, please let me know. I have tried just leaving him at the table to eat (came down to a little boy and a table and my floor covered in oatmeal), setting a timer (cried for toooo long about how hungry he was making me feel like the worst mother in the world), and feeding him myself (he keeps the food in his mouth without chewing and will not take another bite until his mouth is not "full"). Anyway, I'm sure it is just a phase - or at least I hope- but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.