Lock Down

I thought I'd better blog about this before I forget the details. We're trying to figure out what we'd like to do with the yard. I called a couple companies to come and give some quotes on a few of the big jobs. I had a guy scheduled to come at noon on Thursday. It was Thursday morning and I had my day all figured out on how I was going to have kids all fed and down for naps before the guy came. The twins have been waking up kind of early lately, so an 11:30 nap time works well. Elin was fed and asleep. The twins had just gone potty before naps. I'm heading Ewan's room to lay home down when the doorbell rang. The guy is at the door a half an hour early! So, I blame this chaotic episode completely on him! In that half an hour, I would have had all four of them asleep and we could have discussed landscape options without little ones.Here goes it. I send the kids into the playroom so we can talk for a few minutes. It wasn't supposed to take very long. I show him the picture of what we want to do and explain in what sequence we're needing things. We then walk outside to look at the grandeur that is our backyard. The little ones follow. It's over 100 degrees already and it's not even noon! Ewan tries to walk out to the backyard, but soon realizes that it's way too hot for his little feet. The guy goes to measure some things, and I put the kids in the nice cool house. I put a Dora on so we wouldn't be distracted. I shut the back door to keep the cold air in and keep the little ones in. I'm standing at the shut door talking to Paul on the phone to get specifics while the guy measures some more. We have a window the length of the door, so I'm looking in at Ewan. He reaches upto the knob and locks the door. He's been doing this a lot lately. Aislee comes over and I try to explain to her how to unlock the door so I can get in. She reaches up and deadbolts the door. Yes, that's right. She deadbolts the door. I tell the guy that we're locked out of the house. He laughs and says, "Seriously?" We walk to the front of the house and find out that I locked the front door behind him as he came in, and the 3rd garage door is also locked. Yes, indeed. We are locked out of the house. We walk back around to the back of the house. He sits in one of our nice lawn chairs while I call Paul and tell him that he needs to come home and let me into the house. He's on his way. I continue in my attempts to explain to two and a half year olds how to unlock the deadbolt and doorknob. The doorknob is unlocked. Ewan is crying because Aislee took the grass samples from him. Olivia is crying because someone pulled her hair and "Mommy needs to come in and talk to them". I can hear all this, but can't do anything about it. I tried to calm the crying children down, and convince the other to reach up like she does every day, and unlock the deadbolt. I'm doing this while trying to convince the nice landscape guy that my life isn't always this chaotic. We were out there for about 40 minutes talking, trying to get them to unlock the door, and then I hear Elin wake up. She has been woken up by the crying of the other two. I'm praying that Paul gets home soon, and feeling extremely helpless with this very nice man who's asking me if we plan on having more kids "'cause you sure make cute ones". I was seriously waiting for Danny Tanner or the Olsen Twins to come around the corner! This doesn't happen to normal people! Paul arrives. My hero! He goes to talk to the guy while I soothe three crying children, and try to convince them that Mommy did not mean to leave and not help them. Lesson that I have learned, carry my keys at all times, you never know when the landscape guy is gonna come over early and you're not gonna be able to get everyone to sleep and a toddler will accidentally lock you and the landscape guy out of the house. We're safe, unscathed, and probably not gonna go with the quote this guy gave us, as nice as he was.

Survival of the Burkinshaws

Well, it's been a while since I posted last. It's not because we're busy, more because I don't really know what to post about. Life with four kids isn't as exciting as it sounds. It's a little busier, and there's always someone who needs something, but as far as excitement...that only comes when the "potty-trained" kids come into the living room when I've just sat down to nurse a baby and say, "Mommy, I need to go potty." That can get kind of exciting. Other than those moments, life is pretty uneventful. We've been a family of six for six weeks, and we're hoping we've gotten into the groove of things. Elin hasn't quite slept through the night consistently, but she only wakes up once. There is light at the end of the tunnel. She likes to be held, but what baby doesn't like to be held? Elin also enjoys tummy time and attention from the others, as long as Ewan isn't laying on her. We had her one week check and she was back upto her birth weight. We won't be going in again until her two month mark. She's a good eater, doesn't spit-up much, and sleeps as long as someone's not bugging her. Ewan pays attention to Elin every once-in-a-while,  but doesn't seem to be jealous or anything. He likes to hold her until she starts to get fussy, and then he'd rather not. Ewan is still our good sleep, eater, and player. He's getting big enough to really hold his own if he wants something from a sister. He went to nursery for the first time a few weeks ago, and seems to do well. We may need to have a few more talks on biting! (sorry nursery leaders!) Ewan loves the trampoline and being outside. He doesn't like being bounced too high, but he'll get there. Aislee is the little mother. She's always wanting to hold Elin, feed Elin, burp Elin, and sit by Elin. It's helpful some of the time. She also loves the trampoline and would probably spend all day on it if Paul would stop telling her that buggies are going to eat her toes. Aislee is doing very well with potty-training, and wakes up dry most of the time. She's showing a little more of her personality. She has to be entertained and doing new things constantly! Most days, I wish I could clone myself just to keep up with her energy! Olivia is our little "Crazy-Horse". Every morning I'm something new, "Mommy Monkey", "Mommy Noodle", "Mommy Doggy". She insists on being "Baby Monkey", "Baby Noodle" or "Baby Doggy" all day. If we tell her she's pretty, she says "NO! I'm Crazy Horse." She holds Elin until she cries, and then tells me to hold her and make her stop. She's doing very well with potty-training. Her personality is also starting to come out more. She'll color, build blocks, make Potato Heads or "read" for hours without moving. She needs me to have her take "potty-breaks" or she just wouldn't go. Paul finished the trampoline! He's going to be doing more backyard projects this summer because I told him if the backyard wasn't functional by the time he started his master's in January, then I'm hiring someone to come and do it. We've ordered or swingset and we've purchased several things to  get the pavers done. Hopefully we'll get it finished long before he starts so that he can enjoy it for a little while. Paul passed his Functional Engineering exam, and will be studying for his Professional Engineering exam in the Fall. He recently got called into the Elders Quorum Presidency which keeps him busy with weeknight visits and meetings. I'm looking forward to the backyard being done, and having a place to send kids! I recently took up sewing and did some much needed hemming of jeans, made a new nursing bib and carseat cover. I'd like to make some pillows for the living room to add some colors to the room. I've learned that sewing is 90-95% preparation and 5-10% actually doing something. I'm looking forward to getting back into running shape and training for some sort of race to keep me motivated. Well, enough of a long-winded update! Onto the pictures!

Elin just hanging out

Ewan just hanging out

Making cookies with Grandma Stacey

Just getting back from the pool (the water hasn't warmed up much yet)

Paul and Elin before bed

The kids with Grandma Stacey when she came out to visit a few weeks ago. Elin wasn't very happy to be in that position.

Anytime the swing is on the floor, Ewan likes to get in it.

Aislee and "her" baby

The trampoline hole completed

Fun! I probably shouldn't have been on it since it was just a few days after baby.

Hours of fun!

The playroom mess. We know the "clean-up" song very well!

There he is again!

Olivia joins in sometimes too....stinkers!

Elin

A smile...oh the smile!

He's so big!

Paul and P. O. P. POP!

Now we need grass!

Ewan on his Hippo

Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Stacey came out for Elin's blessing.

Uncle Coy, Grandma Maureen, Grandpa Tim and Uncle Kett came down for the blessing also.

The men

Grandpa Tim, Paul, Elin, and Grandpa Jeff

Our little family. Aislee, Paul, Ewan, Molly, Elin, and Olivia

Grandpa Jeff and Elin. This happened with both Grandpas a few times over the weekend. I didn't take very many pictures, but we had a lot of fun going to the pool, the park, and just spending time together. Thanks for coming!