When your newly potty trained child tells you that they need to go to the bathroom it is really smart to listen and find a bathroom right away. Bad things will happen if he tries to hold it enough said.

Cali is getting some new teeth!

Can you see those little whites popping up? and we are waiting for her hair to get longer and get out of her eyes.

She also had a fit yesterday morning while getting dressed until I realized that she needed to wear her Green Bay shirt like her brother. And  the girl doesn’t talk much or have a big vocabulary but she managed to tell me plain as day when she wanted a cookie.

Kindergarten Update: He loves it! We were not surprised when Benji brought home the ‘sound bag’ from school yesterday. He said that his teacher picked him because he was quiet with arms folded and looking at her first. He is the king of little rules like that Other high lights are Recess, Magic 1, 2, 3, and M&Ms for learning the letter ‘m’…

I have had an extremely lazy week, recovering from a busy weekend and gearing up for another BUSY weekend and this body is getting harder and harder to make it do what I want. Glad it is Friday and excited to see friends and family this Labor Day weekend!

WOW, what a quiet and relaxing morning!! I think I am going to like these 2 mornings a week when the boys have Kindergarten and Joy School. I got some chores done and Cali and I read books, played on the swing, had some computer time, read more books, played Mr Potato Heads… I haven’t raised my voice or had to deal with Computer or TV – -awe …. so nice. Hopefully the Kindergartener is having just as good of a day as I am.

I'm only a little bit excited!

Packer was ready for his 2nd day and Benji REALLY wanted to wear his Transformer shirt so that made it a good day

and Cali couldn't be left out again

He's a big kid now!

The whole family walked him to school this morning for his first day. He was skipping the whole way there and talking to dad. Once we got there we said goodbye at the door and all of the parents watched through the window. He could barely reach his backpack hook but he did and then he made his way over to his seat. He knew exactly where it was but was being very cautious in going over and sitting between the two girls. No tears were shed by him or us, Ben and I are just excited for him and we “think” that he will really enjoy school. Cali and I will go pick him up in a few minutes and see how it went! (fingers crossed)

Kelsey (18) is going to BYU – she started school and work today!
Shannon (20) his headed to BYUI for her 3rd year!! Whoa – time flies.
Joel (27) entertained us all with a scooter purchase. (I did get stopped by the police cause I was giving Benji a ride with no helmet!)
Jana (30) I just wanted to add my name here cause this is where I fit in the Robertson line.
Ryan (34) and Tara had us all over for Kylee’s baptism and then came down the next day for Mike’s birthday.
Michael (36) is here for another BYU football season opener.
Mom made us all the best Sunday Dinner ever!
Dad fixed my hot tub (again).
Grandma and Grandpa J invited us all out for the Golden Corral.

4 Generations - at the baptism.

We played games but I didn’t win any so we won’t go there. We got to see Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Benji had his primary program on Sunday so that was fun and I have to mention that Packer has been reciting Benji’s part for the program ever since. Ben and Benji had their first soccer game for the ‘Red Dragons’. I’m still craving the Hoel’s Famous that was never made.

did I mention that the kids LOVED all of the attention from Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents!

today:
the parents left
Packer started Joy School
I had a Dr Apt – have to go weekly now…
Benji and I beet Plants vs. Zombies Adventure mode
Mike took Shan up to Eden
and by 5pm the whole family was exhausted from a busy 4 days.
GOOD NIGHT.

The Pillow Pet Chart!!!

Benji helping him color the last box!

I DID IT!

'it's a pillow...'

Packer officially completed his “Potty Chart” and is now the proud owner of a PILLOW PET ! He is so happy. They have done a great marketing job on PBS and all of my kids want one SOOO BAD. Packer told me today that he should be on the TV now, and Benji told me that “it’s only a 20$ gift when I told him they cost way to much to just go buy him one. Anyway, It was a glorious day for Packer and a hard day for Benji but such is life. I AM JUST GLAD TO HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD THAT DOES NOT NEED DIAPER CHANGING – woot woot!

hmmm she wants to be big. It didn't work though - I am still changing her diapers.

The HAPPIEST boy on earth

and the SADDEST kids ever! - life is not fair

Cali and Markers

look like trouble?? SHE IS!

She loves MARKERS, Every cute little girl needs marker on her face!!

Demolition Derby

the handlebars

@ the Demolition Derby! 8th year in a row!!

The Trophy - that we did NOT win sorry Benji

Pickle Eaters

more pickles please

What kids actually like pickles?? these two do! Packer begged to bring them to the dinner table and Cali screamed when they were all gone so we had to go get the other jar.      yuck

Loves his goggles and loves the freedom of the tube

you never know what a day at the pool will be like with these two

My only complaint… Why can’t any of the pools  have open swim in the morning hours before my children are exhausted and need naps? The pool from 11am to 1pm would be so nice… In the meantime we go a few times a year and stay as long as the youngest child will let us.

Cali in her goggles, ready to jump... she'll wear and do whatever the bros. are doing. AND she and Packer have successfully bitten little holes in all of the other swimmies throughout the summer.

Packer wants to jump in without any floaties - he's learning!

The best part was that LaNell came with us! That’s why we actually have pictures at the pool. Everyone needs a LaNell in their lives!! … she held one or two of the kids, taught swimming lessons and then took each of the kids on the BIG slide 5-7 times!! The kids had a blast.

Benji and Packer learning the 'Superman'

3 months ago Packer wouldn't put his face in - NOW he won't keep it out!

Underwater Shot - Benj really wants to learn to swim like his big cousins

LaNell mentioned going on the big slide and they all wanted to try it. We have never gone because this one mom can’t take 3 of them down at a time and can’t trust them to sit and wait… anyway, Packer went first and loved it. Benji went and then Cali had to have a turn She spent a good hour taking each of the kids on the slide!!

Cali at the top of the slide! She went at least 3 times.

I need someone to take me on the slide... thanks LaNell!! I owe you.

Chillin at the beach front while Lan and Benji were on the slide.

Packer got cold and was ready to be done. Benji was the Flyer for a little 3 flies up with his cousin PJ and Cali just stayed in the water with LaNell, she did not want to be done.

Daring little swimmer!

Look at her pushing her limits!!

Thanks again LaNell. Probably our last pool day for this year but it was a fun one.

http://searchponderpray.com/Jana/?p=387

“I love the last 2 months of pregnancy… not because my back aches and I don’t sleep well and maternity clothes start to not fit and I’m really tired and…. I love it because something kicks in that makes me think how much I love my other children and I need to cherish this time with them before we add another little one to the mix….”

I am feeling that same way. Wanting more time to just play with the kids and soak it all in – enjoying them in the stages that they are in and having everything ‘pretty much’ under control. I love taking Cali on our nightly walks because I know she loves it, books and puzzles with Packer and Bubble Bobble with Benji… life will change shortly and sleepless nights will try my patience and it will be harder to be the mom I want to be, but for now – All is well and we are enjoying this phase of life.

Our 3 Little Munchkins!

5 years old already!

ha ha!

He told me today that his favorite thing to do is play with cousins BUT when he can’t do that then he just likes computer games and shows. What about running around outside, playing in the dirt, riding scooters or bikes, exploring, fixing, playing cars or legos, and what about SPORTS?!?  o’well.

big but little - I love it

Benjamin Robertson Nettesheim

I just remembered that he has found a love for wrestling. He really enjoys it. He begs Ben or I to wrestle him daily and Ben has been teaching him some moves! Not my sport of choice, there’s no ball involved, BUT it might be his dads choice and it’s way better than sitting in front of a TV screen.

We went to the movie today!
We took the whole Family.
We ate Popcorn and drank sodas.
And it was only 15$!!

Our local theater is awesome – they just reduced their prices to 3$ per person, 1$ and 2$ concessions, 3 and under are free, no ‘R’ rated movies, and they are closed on Sunday!  I’m loving it. You locals should check it out:

ps – Cali was the popcorn boss, Packer made it until the last 15 minutes then he started seat hopping, and Benji did great just like he always does.

pss – Packer went on the toilet ALMOST  all day today! around 7 or 8 he peed in his pull up BUT he went up and did some pooping all on his own this afternoon!! We are on our way to one child in diapers!! and I discovered his motivation…. are you ready for this, Our Happiness! All he wants is for me and Dad and everyone to be happy that he peed or pooped and that makes him so happy and seems to be a huge motivator! Who knew.

pps – Ben is home from a successful scout camp out. Brewer got to go and loved it. Cousins night last night went as smoothly as possible, My lesson for tomorrow is prepared, LaNell kept me company while Ben was gone, I finally did my Glucose test at the dr., and oh yeah… we had to get new tires on the car. Ben took the van and left me his car on Friday and as I was putting car seats in I noticed A LOT of balding and wear and tear on 3 of the 4 tires! I did not feel safe and went right to the tire store: