Messy Day

A typical day in the Backus household has its share of messes.
If you lived here, this is how you might find a your children after you brushed you teeth and got dressed.
Thank goodness they were washable markers.  

And after you gave your children the cookie dough beaters, they may look like this when they are through.

While nap time may seem like a time of peace, quiet, and cleanliness, that is not always the case here. You may find that your child has thrown pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, pants, and diapers out of their bed. Chances are pretty good that they left a wet (or worse) surprise in the crib too.

Also, do not be surprised if you child looks like this after eating one small, tiny piece of chocolate Easter candy.

Yup, just a typical day at the Backus home.

Cousin Time

Spring Break was a great time to visit family. We enjoyed Bradley's and Jessi's wedding and festivities, eating and walking in down town Mesa, going to parks, children's museums, story time, treasure hunts, and just hanging out with family. I just wish I was better at taking pictures! Here are some of the few pictures I took.

Down Town Mesa with the Backus Cousins.

Carrying his loot from the Leprechaun treasure hunt.


Eating Rainbow cupcakes

Dance Party with Aunt Nellie


Blake and Hannah were great friends during the trip.

Thanks family for a great time!

Why did you say that?

This past month I have had some interesting things said to me.

1. Lady "Ummm....I don't want to be rude, but are you having another baby?"
So what your saying is I don't want to be rude, but I am going to be rude anyways.
Me: "yes"
Lady: "I thought you had a belly" She then proceeded to tell me how I was having a boy and then tells a Lady near by that I am expecting my third boy (I already know I am having a girl, but whatever).
me: "Yep" Smile and put Blake, Tyler, my belly, and myself in the car.
I wonder what she would have said if I told her I wasn't going to have another baby.

2. This one needs a little background info. I am taking classes online, therefore all communication with the class is done online. For one of the classes we were talking about technology and how it changes society. I had made a comment about "texting" and how I was surprised sometimes about when and where I see people texting. I had also mentioned that I didn't have a cell phone and maybe I was out of the loop on the importance of texting.

The comment I got back went like this: Natalie, people in my generation find it much more convenient to text eachother...blah...blah...blah.

I know that 25 years old is a little older than most people getting their bachelors, however just because I don't have a cell phone does not mean that I am not part of YOUR generation.
I thought this was pretty funny. I guess it was unthinkable that someone under 60 might not have a cell phone.

3. My doctor (who I love) found out that Matt is going to Law School. She gave me a very serious look and said "Honey, you need to make sure you attend every law social event there is. Even if he goes somewhere for lunch, you be there. There are gold diggers who won't care if your husband is married. You show them that he has a wife who knows what's going on."
I could tell she was very concerned for me so I assured her that I would. However, I couldn't help but smile if she only knew Matt she would know that there is no cause for worry. I am sure that there may be gold diggers after Matt, but he is such a good, loyal man that those gold diggers won't have a chance.

Colorado

Matt has been accepted to the University of Denver. He will be getting his masters in law that specializes in tax. Congratulations Matt! We are so proud of you. The program is a year long and then we will (hopefully) be DONE with school!! Matt works so hard in school, in his church callings, and as a husband and father. Thanks Matt for all that you do!

Unfortunately, school starts June 7th, which is one day after my due date. You may be thinking this sounds familiar. That is because the same thing happened when I was pregnant with Blake (due 8-22) and Matt had to be in Arkansas for law school (8-23). I guess we really like to make things exciting when we have a baby!

I just talked to my doctor today and she is going to induce me (probably a week early) before we make the move to CO. Life is going to get real exciting soon.

A little of this and a little of that.

I was going through some pictures and thought I would post some things we (Blake and Tyler mostly) have been up to.

Making Puppets.

Meet Tyler's nameless puppet.

Meet Blake's puppet "Corbus" (he named it himself)

Finger Painting with pudding...

which lead to face painting.

Playing in Granddad's fire pit

Blake came running into the house and very proudly said "Mom, I have stamps on my face!"

Playing at the park

Playing with mommy's markers.

Going to the temple grounds

and playing in the mountains.

I'm seeing...

PINK! I'm having a girl.

WARNING:

These boys may appear to be more innocent than they actually are. Please watch closely or catastrophes are likely to occur.

So here is the story I was at my parents house just visiting for the day, so I could get to know my future sister-in-law a little better. Blake & Tyler were in the back yard playing. Usually, I can check on them every ten minutes and there will never be a problem. Not the case this time.

I went out there to check on them 10min. later from the last time. I couldn't see them so I called out their names. Just then I see Tyler run out from the south side of the house toward the shed in the back. I figured Blake must be over on the south side as well, so I started walking over there. "Blake, are you okay? What are you doing?" I said still walking towards him not yet able to see him. "I am pwaying wiff fings over here."

Just then I see him dragging a large gas can down the walk. At first I was alarmed, but saw that the gas cap was still screwed on. Trying to be a good mom I took the gas can away and put it out of reach, while explained how we shouldn't play with gas, it can be dangerous, etc. The whole time I think Blake is following me.

I turn around to find him standing in my Grandma's beloved rose bushes holding two more smaller gas cans. "Look, mommy water!" From the height he was holding them they looked pretty empty. I also noticed that the caps were NOT on these cans. As I ran over there I got a strong whiff of gasoline. After further investigation I knew they had not only watered the rose bushes, but got a lot on themselves, especially Tyler (I wondered if Blake had anything to do with that).

I was so grateful that they hadn't tried to drink it or got any in their eyes or something like that. I took them inside gave them baths and threw their clothes in the washer. Since we were only there for the day, they only had the pair of clothes they were wearing. So I just let them run around the house in their diaper and underwear, until their clothes finished drying.

I went over to my Grandma's (she has a little apartment built off of my parents house) and explained that my boys managed to ruin her rose bushes. She was so sweet and told me not to worry. I still did. By that time Matt had come home from the store and I told him the distressing story. When I finished he said, "Well, where are they now?" I looked in the family room where they had been playing cars, only to see cars and no little boys. "They probably went down stairs to play." I said. Matt went down there only to find an empty basement. I knew they hadn't gone out back because I had been standing by the back door. I was hoping they were in the Living room, but fearing they had escaped out the front door. I walked into the living room only to find it empty. I was completely stressing about where they could be. Just then the doorbell rang.

It turns out that the boys had escaped out the front door and had run across the street half naked. Yep, a two year old and a one year old are walking down the street unattended! My parent's neighbor, a retired fireman, saw them and asked where they were going. Blake then replied that they were going for a walk. At this point he picked them up and brought them back to my parents.

Once again I was so grateful that they hadn't been hit by a car or that some strange person didn't try and kidnap them! I was on the edge of being a mess. I wanted to hug them and scream at them at the same time! Plus I was beating my self up for being a horrible mom and not watching them more closely TWICE. I'm hoping this will be the worst mischief they ever get in to, but I'm not holding my breath.