Monday was a school holiday, so we spent it a the Zoo. I figured we should take advantage of the lovely weather. (Apparently, Drake is no longer participating in pictures.)

It was a crazy day, as it always is with my boys. However, I think they had forgotten how much they enjoy the Zoo. Dylan was royaly bummed that we didn’t see any comodo dragons. Thomas was bummed he didn’t get to see the sharks. Seriously Zoo?

All the animals were so active this trip. We got to see some really fun behaviors from them. (Drake’s still not participating in pictures.)

The kids automatically lined up here to get their photo op. Well trained. (Not Drake, he was there under protest.)

My favorite exhibit is feeding the birds! Drake was really worried at first, but he took to it quickly. Pointing sticks at flying creatures; what isn’t there to like?

I got this shot by accident. Can you believe how excited this bird is to be fed? It freaked Davis out and we had a good laugh that it was caught on film.

The boys had a good time and it was a change of pace around here. Usually, they’d spend the entire day on the computer. {{Sneeky Mom}}

While I was getting out all the Halloween decorations out of the attic, I found some toys for the boys that we haven’t played with in years. I just love finding lost treasures. Anyway, Drake has been having fun all week playing and discovering new {{to him}} toys.

We’ve been building {{and destroying}} foam forts all week.

The boys dressed up in their old Halloween costumed over the weekend. Of course, Drake had to participate too but was seriously bummed that everything was too big. {{reality check}}

Guns, guns, and more guns. Geeze. It was so cute to see how much they’ve grown as they tried to squeeze into their old costumes. I made the police vest Davis’ is wearing for Christmas when he was 5. Needless to say, they’ve gotten a ton of use out of it. 😉

Drake had us in stitches when he put on Davis’ skeleton mask! At one point he was crawling around on the floor and it was so freaky looking and unnatural! We were rolling in laughter.

These boys crack me up! There’s always something crazy happening at the Turk home. A mini skeleton batman should not surprise me these days. {{giggle}}

The mice will play! Jason was out of town last week and so we met up with Davis’ teacher from last year at Mickey D’s for some play time. Drake loved it!

Why is the play ground empty, you ask?

Because they have a computer game! All 3 of the boys squished in there to get at turn. Well, at least we’re consistent! {{giggle}}

Near the end of our visit they did play a little in playground and each made a friend. Top off the evening with a walk and it was a nice evening with friends. Thanks Christina!

Saturday felt more like a Sunday as we were all challenged to serve others. Our primary (church) organized an activity where all the children were called to serve a mission for our church. Davis was called to Japan and Dylan was called to Fresno, California (where Jason served). The boys were very confused when they got their letter and had a little panic in their eyes as they asked if it was “for real” and if they had to leave home. I told them it was just an activity day where they would learn about missionary work.

They had so much fun and are even more excited to be missionaries when they’re 19. I was asked to help out with the bike relay.

Davis now hopes he doesn’t get called to Japan because he didn’t like the food we was asked to eat. Although, he is still singing “I am a Child of God” in Japanese days later.

Afterwards, we met up with Wendy and her family at McDonald’s since Jason was still at school.

All the boys were in heaven as we haven’t been inside a McDonald’s for quite a while.

Our kids play together really well and I adore being with Wendy’s girls.

The kids got quite inventive with their activities while we were there.

That evening I met up with some friends to watch a broadcast specifically for the women of our church. I was touched the most with President Uchtdorf”s talk. Here are a couple paraphrased statements he made.

“Our Heavenly Father is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are 2 objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Fathers’ perfect happiness. These activities we can and should emulate.

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul no matter what our talents and abilities. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t let fear of failure discourage you or voice of critiques paralyze you.

Trust and rely on the spirit as you take the normal activities in your daily life to create something of beauty and helpfulness. You improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.”

Next he spoke about compassion, “In the end the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness but the number of prayers we answer may be of greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts.”

It was so nice to hear that our creative drives are normal and a gift from God because {{obviously}} he is a creative being. I also really needed the encouragement on service. My family life has been so overwhelming to me for some time that I’ve used that as an excuse. I serve in some ways but it’s something that I feel the need to improve on and get out of my comfort zone.

There are several women around me that embody what President Uchtdorf was describing. I’m so grateful for their example and their kindness towards my family. This is a character trait that I really admire in others and hope to one day achieve.

The day ended with some entertaining conversation at Chili’s. I seem to always learn something new when I hang out with other women. In the end, it was a day of spiritual uplift and has helped me redirect my energies this week.

Every weekday I’m up at 5:00am to give the older 2 boys their medication so by the time school starts it’s in their system and working effectively. It’s with a heavy heart that I put a patch on Dylan and give Davis his pill. I know they need this medication to help them concentrate, learn, and thrive in school but it doesn’t make it any easier. To me, there’s something very unnatural about pumping my precious boys with chemicals daily and it an emotional experience for me each morning.

Most mornings go well, but sometimes Davis just can’t swallow the pill and drama ensues.

This week,we transitioned Dylan from his ADHD patch to swallowing a pill. Needless to say, I have not been looking forward to this necessary transition. However, he has once again surprised me and has swallowed the pill without any problems. {{relief}}

Dylan has received 3 notes from different people in his life telling him how wonderful he is and what a wonderful example he has been for the other children. They have meant the world to both of us as we start a challenging new chapter in our lives. It has also reinforced the necessity for the medication and that we ultimately made the right decision in increasing his dosage.

Reading has been a constant struggle for Dylan but this week he read an entire Magic Tree House book in 2 days. This is a remarkable accomplishment for my little guy and he couldn’t be prouder of himself.

I’m so grateful for the positive outlook and happy nature of my little boys. They have had to endure tough struggles at such early ages. Sometimes the journey is too difficult for me to watch and I have to turn to our Savior for guidance and comfort. I feel His immense love for me and my children. I am once again reminded of the atonement and the blessings we receive daily because of His sacrifice. I know that there wasn’t anything our Heavenly Father and Lord and Savior wouldn’t do for us, because I feel the same way about my family.

I’ve mentioned a couple times that Drake is a lot like Davis was as a toddler. Not quite as destructive, but definitely as impetuous. Right now, Drake is addicted to these pancake & sausages on a stick. He’ll eat 4 a day.

There’s nothing like breakfast on a stick to bring out the W.T. in a family. {{giggle}}

In other Drake news. He stood on my stairway on the 2nd floor and peed down onto my chair. I didn’t actually see it. He was so excited about his accomplishment he came and got me, to show off his new skill. He was so happy, I almost hesitated spanking him. But, “A Mom’s gotta do what a Mom’s gotta do!”

It’s bad enough that he’s potty training without my consent. Does he also have to be naked all the time urinating all over my house. {{sigh}}

Dylan had his official 8th birthday on Tuesday. Dylan is such a sweetie. In years past, he hasn’t asked for anything. It’s so nice that he doesn’t want to be demanding. However, as a result I usually have no idea what to get him!

He’s completely the opposite of Davis who knows exactly what he wants, how much it is, and what special event he can negotiate it for.

This year Dylan had paused the commercials so he could delicately write down a couple items he wanted for this special birthday. I was so proud of him and did my best to accommodate. Dylan was so excited and happy with his new loot!

However, Drake was not. He wanted it!

The helicopter Air Hogs were a huge hit and they’ve been buzzing all over my house ever since. I’ll have to write a thank you note to the engineer who only gave the helicopters only 10 minutes of battery time before needing to re-charge. It’s been my saving grace. {{giggle}}

Of course I forgot the candles, but the evening was wonderful and it was so nice to see Dylan shine with excitement in celebration of his big day.

In the past, he’s been a little bummed because he didn’t get what he wanted. I have to constantly tell him that, “If you don’t ask then you won’t receive. Mommy has many powers but mind-reading isn’t one of them.” {{unfortunately}}

“Happy Birthday Dillie. You bring so much love and peace into our home. You are such a smart boy and a wonderful big & little brother. I feel so blessed to be your Mom. Love you more than the universe!”

For Talk To Me Tuesday this week. Tip Junkie wants to know what my favorite post was in 2008. Well I would absolutely have to say it was this one! I had so much fun planning this party and the kids had a blast!

We celebrated Dylan’s 8th birthday Indiana Jones style! He picked such a fun theme and I was so glad that I found so many great ideas on the Internet.

As I mentioned earlier, I couldn’t find cheap Indy hats. So I spray painted these gangster hats brown. They turned out great! Dylan approved.

My mom used the Diego pan and made him into Indiana Jones. She covered a paper plate in icing for the brim of his hat. Brilliant.

She also made this skull cake and used edible glitter. Even the teeth are icing. They were both so yummy!

I made everyone little satchels so they would have something handy to fill with their treasure and other goodies found along the way. It doubled as their party bag. I basically used the Placemat Purse instructions in brown felt with minor changes.

With Halloween so close, it made the decor really easy. Skulls, snakes, spiders, and creepy things.

Dylan read different clues for our game which instructed the kiddos to go to different stations and find the idols in the end. The Doctor’s Wife did such an amazing job with the clues – I just used those. Thanks!!

Mummy Race – Self explanatory.

Archaeological Dig – I just put lots of fun things like candy necklaces, ring pops, gold coins, and several bags of rice for them to dig into.

Our airport hangar was outside where we did a Holy Grail Relay. I spray painted some cups and the boys filled them up from a cooler and then dumped it out and handed it to their team mate.

We skipped the 4th clue because the water grenades all popped from the sun. Drat! Next time I’ll hide them inside.

The lake was a blue plastic table cloth with a 2×4 board along the middle with water grenades all around it.

Here the kids had to reach into each bowl and find the idols. Which were spray painted army men. The snake guts was jell-o, the eyeball soup was grapes in water, and the monkey brains was spaghetti noodles.

Dylan loved all the presents he received. Thanks guys!

It was such a fun party and all the boys had a blast!

I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out this year for the boys. Davis & Dylan got great teachers and all their close friends are in their class.

I even lucked out and Laurie M. & Wendy’s kids are in each of my boys classes. Whoohoo! Now I’ll be able to call them to get updates on activities, homework, projects, and friendship updates. My boys don’t tell me a thing, so it’s nice to have an extra pear of ears in the room. {{evil laugh}}

Davis’ Teacher

Dylan’s Teacher

Davis is going into the 4th grade.

Dylan’s going into 2nd grade.

Drake is really upset about it.

Me? Not so much.