• I just sharpened 30 pencils.  It seems like whenever the boys, or Annabelle I guess, sit down to do homework all they can find is unsharpened pencils.  Or pencils with no erasers.  I went through all the pencils tonight and threw out a bunch that were too short and had no erasers.  Now they are all sharpened and organized into the two places we keep pencils.  I hope that it can stay this way until Monday afternoon when they start looking for pencils again.

• Doesn't Annabelle look gorgeous?!  Can you even begin to imagine the pain of getting her to look like this?  And this was just for pictures.  I put Callie to bed around 3:30 and told Annabelle she could play for awhile before we started her hair.  At 4 I had her come in and we got started.  I tried a new technique where you curl and then booby pin the hair and let it sit for a while.  Yeah, that did NOT work.  Before I figured that out we put on the costume, which we had never tried on.  Annabelle has super sensitive skin and everything itched--the tights, the leotard, the shoulder straps.  She was crying and not wanting to go.  She questioned why she didn't have sleeves (That complaint I didn't mind. I just promised her it was OK since it was for ballet, even though I didn't really want to tell her that.)  When we had 30 minutes until the pictures, I took out the pins and her hair was practically flat.  And of course Callie had woken up and so now I had to do some fast curling to get her hair acceptable.  We made it to the pictures, only to see all the other little girls wearing full make-up.  If that was ever mentioned, I did not hear it.  I borrowed some lipstick and called it good.  Seriously, little four year olds do NOT need make-up.  After lots of waiting and one Ring Around the Rosies game which landed Annie against the wall and in tears (good thing she wasn't wearing mascara), we got our pictures and made it home.

• All the kids were at school and just Callie and my nephew, Jacob, were in the family room playing.  I bent down to pick up a piece of brown fuzz and kind of pinched it as I picked it up, only to realize that it was a spider, an alive one.  UGH!  I threw it down and did a little freak out dance--very thankful that the older kids weren't home to see it.  When Nathan was little and we lived in an old apartment we had spiders more often than not.  I remember once really freaking out and it scared Nathan and made him scared of bugs when we went outside.  I promised myself then and there that I would be better and more brave for my kids.  I think I have done really well.  Having the house sprayed inside and out twice a year helps.  We hardly EVER get spiders in the house, so after seeing one today my skin has been itchy ever since.  Even as I write this I can feel tingles.  Hopefully he didn't have any friends.

• Last night I finally booked the cruise that Greg and I have been talking about going on for years.  We always said that for our ten year anniversary we would go.  The time has ticked away and now in less than one week we will celebrate being married for ten glorious years.  We will do something fun next week, but the cruise is planned for the Fall.  We decided that my parents could handle the kids better if Callie was a bit older (she will be 18 months).  Having finally made the purchase I am now more excited than ever...is it November yet?  We have never been on a cruise or to Mexico.  I can't wait!

 

•  I love the silliness of kids.  I love that they do and say funny things all day, every day.  Today Annabelle had a lunch date with a new friend.  She wanted to do it Fancy Nancy style, with toothpicks.  The girls had a blast and I loved the little giggles and silly things they would say to each other.  Here they are with their cucumber and broccoli "weights".  

• This afternoon the kids and I watched, "Pollyanna."  I love that movie.  It reminds me of being a kid.  However, today at the end, when she falls from the tree, I cried.  I know I have never cried at that part before.  I think it is just the fact that I am a mom now and to even think that one of my kids could fall and hurt themselves so badly just breaks my heart.  Greg got home from work in time to watch the last 20 or so minutes.  During that time he said he has never seen the movie!!  What a deprived child.:)  Part of me wants to make him watch it all when he gets home from volleyball tonight.  I won't, but at least my kids won't be able to say they have never seen it.  It is a classic, one I may even have to buy for my home.

•  After spending hours cleaning and making shelves in the garage, Greg felt the little table could come back in the house.  Within minutes of Callie seeing the table, she was on top of it.  She has gotten up there every time we turn our back on her.  She has learned that she shouldn't climb up it because if we are looking at her when she is starting her ascent then she will stop and smile.  She has also learned that we eat snacks at the table when the boys get home from school.  Today, as it was getting closer for the boys to get home I said to Callie, "Let's go look out the window, Nathan and Ryan are almost home."  Instead of going to the window, she went to the little table, anxious for her snack--which is always goldfish and she LOVES them.

Easter

All week at the cabin for scripture time we talked about Jesus Christ's Passover week.  On Thursday we had a passover meal complete with Lamb (YUM!!), flat bread, and even goat cheese.  The kids did great at trying new things and most of them liked what they tried.

Back at home it all started with the dying of the eggs.  After a long day of recuperating from our trip this was a nice little break from all of the laundry I was doing.  We didn't do too many eggs just because it was close to bed time and the less you make, the less I have to hide. (Yeah, we don't do the Easter Bunny at our house).

Sunday morning before we went searching for baskets and eggs, we read in the Bible about Jesus Christ's Atonement and Resurrection.  We figured it was better to do it before the kids had their baskets and all they could think about was candy.  We filled all of Callie's eggs with baby treats, but we did let her try a couple jelly beans and chocolates (she LOVED them). 

I simplified my life this year and vetoed the idea of Easter clothes.  We just wore church clothes to church and I didn't even pose my kids all together for a Easter shot.  Sometimes, I just need to let things slide.

The kids were happy enough with the candy and while most of it is all gone, I think that Easter this year was a success.

 

 

 

Big Bear Lake

This year my family planned a big family reunion.  It was to be the week that my mom had off for Spring Break, which worked out to be a 2nd Spring Break for my kids.  Everyone was going to be able to come.  Then at the last minute my big brother wasn't able to make it.  We hope he knows how much he was missed.  On Sunday morning we were getting everything loaded when Nathan came downstairs saying his back was itchy.  Upon looking we found a HUGE rash.  Luckily we knew of a doctor open and were able to get him seen and some medications all before 10.  And after a couple hours the rash was gone.  He said it was something that Nathan ate or maybe just stress.  We have no idea.  

Then we were on the road.  We stopped for lunch in Fillmore, barely making it in time to fill up our gas tank.  We pulled into Henderson, Nevada around 4pm.  We checked into our hotel and enjoyed the veiws from our17th floor room before heading to the pool.  It was a little windy so we only lasted about 45 minutes.  After dinner and some TV we headed to bed.  IN the morning Greg wasn't feeling the best so we skipped the bowling alley and ate breakfast and checked out.  We had about 4 or so more hours before Big Bear.  There were some pretty windy roads up there and I was glad Greg felt well enough to drive that part--I don't like driving by cliffs.

The week was GREAT!  The cousins just jumped in a played great together all week.  We had 12 cousins plus two on the way ranging in age from 9 to 9 months.  My boys are the oldest by at least a year, but everyone seemed to get along and if Nate wasn't playing with the younger kids he was curled up somewhere reading Harry Potter 6.

The house was so much fun.  As Ryan wrote in his story for his class, "I was never bored."  We had fun in the spa, playing Foosball, the pool table, exploring outdoors, watching movies, eating delicious meals and treats, or just running around crazy.  Normally when any of us get together the dads are always working and don't get to spend time with everyone.  This way was great because we all got to chat and play together.  And since we were in one big house, when the kids went to bed we were all still at the same place and could stay up late chatting or sitting in the spa.  One night we even postponed our dinner until after they were in bed.  We say around the table and just enjoyed our meal and chatting.  Unfortunately some of my family caught the little bug Greg had, but after some blessings and lots or rest people felt a bit better. 

We really had a fabulous time and can't wait to do this again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power of Moms

What a great weekend!  Well, it was great despite the stomach bug that hit right after my pedicure and delicious dinner from Loco Lizard.  Tomie and I set off for Salt Lake around 3.  We made it to a nice little salon where I got a pedicure and she got a massage--we had both got the other one in the last couple weeks so we had to find a place where they did both.  It was the best pedi ever (out of the three I have ever gotten) with a mask and a paraffin peel and even a bit of massage.  It was very relaxing.  Next we headed to Park City, checked into our hotel and then headed to dinner.  I had a super yummy enchilada Bahia but as I was nearing the end of my dish I just didn't feel that great.  I spent the rest of the evening back and forth to the bathroom (if that is too much info than don't read my blog, I am pretty open).  We got some ice cream, which I sadly couldn't eat and then watched a movie.  Despite my stomach issues it was fun to chat and be without little bodies climbing all over and always asking for things.  At one point on the drive we both were quiet and then both realized just how quiet it was.  It was nice, but at the same time, I missed the sounds of my kids. 
Saturday we got ready and headed to the retreat.  I can't begin to say how fabulous it was.  I was buoyed up, inspired and given more enlightenment than my mind could possibly hold.  We were there from 9-5 and at the end my head hurt with all of the wonderful information it was filled with.  The retreat was at the home of Richard and Linda Eyre.  They are an amazing couple who raised 9 children and write books and speak all over the world.  Four of their daughters and other women spoke.  The topics ranged from setting up family laws to dealing with the loss of a child to giving yourself a nap or quiet time every day.  I took pages of notes and look forward to the drive tomorrow where I can read through my notes and with Greg talk and decide how and what we will try to implement first in our family.  In the middle of the day during lunch we went to two different small groups where we discussed different topics.  It was so wonderful to talk to and hear from other moms in the same boat as me.  That is what I love about the Power of Moms website.  They are real moms, dealing with real issues, in a real way.  It isn't just fluff and it isn't sugar-coated. 
It was a great little get-away for me and it made me all the more happier when I got home.  The love I felt for my Gregory and my kids was so strong.  I knew that I was where I wanted to be and where I should be.  I love being a mom and I love each of my four wonderful children.  They each bring a different facet to my life and it just wouldn't be the same without them.  We spent the rest of the evening dancing, playing UNO and unfortunately cleaning and packing for tomorrow's adventure.  They were so excited to tell me how they had lunch for breakfast, dinner for lunch and breakfast for dinner.  My Greg was such a trooper.  He wasn't feeling the best either, but he pushed through and everyone seemed happy and healthy when I got home.  He actually just said, "Life is so much harder without you."  That made me feel validated.  I know ho much I do, but now so does he.  I love his attitude.  When I first told him about this retreat he didn't even hesitate and was totally supportive I go.  He knows that I need a lift sometimes, because he knows and loves me better than anyone.  I really just love that man!  Just because I love being a mother doesn't make it any easier.  But now I have some tools right at my finger tips and I really can't wait to get going on them together as a family. 

Spring Break--Week 1

Yes, that is right.  This year we get two weeks of Spring break.  My family is doing a family reunion next week so we are pulling the kids out of school and heading down South.  This week we have done lots of crafts, played as much outside as the weather would allow, played lots of video games and watched movies and just had fun together.  It hasn't been as crazy as I imagined.  Tonight and tomorrow I get to go away with one of my gal pals for a women's retreat.  I have never done something like this, but I look forward to relaxing and getting a good nights sleep, and then learning about how to be a better wife, mother and woman.  Here are some highlights from this week:

 Have I ever mentioned how much Callie loves babies?  She LOVES them and it is so cute to see her tote them around since they are half her size.

 I watched some extra kids one day and we made pasta pictures.  The kids all seemed to enjoy it. 

 We also did sand layering in cool bottles.  Annabelle had a butterfly, Ryan a Triceratops and Nathan a potion bottle.  Next up was the stained glass/plastic craft.  I kept telling the kids to put more paint on (something I never say) and now after they are dry they understand that they could have even put more paint on.

 

 We headed to the dinosaur museum with some cousins. Even Callie had fun in the sand, until she ate it.  You can see a couple of pictures where Nathan and Josh are together.  They were "too cool" to play in the sand.  Not sure what that was about, but they did look cute being cool together.  Afterwards we went and got ice creams at JCWs and the kids were all covered in it when we went to the grocery store afterwards.  Somethings I have let go--it is totally okay that my kids were messy and sticky, it just meant that we were having fun and eating something yummy.

 

 

 

 

 

 For the reunion next week my brother-in-law kindly asked if I would pick up some Brick Oven root beer for him.  Being the fabulous sister-in-law that I am, I hauled 4 children down to BYU for a little quick trip.  I figured we should see the ducks since we were there.  We had to park in an "A lot" and when Nathan understood that it was against the rules he didn't want to get out of the car.  Luckily it was cold and so we didn't last long with the ducks anyway.  Callie would have jumped in the water if I had let go of her.  She LOVES animals and since it has gotten warmer she has seen more of them (cats and the chickens behind our house) and she is even more in love with them.  That scrunchy face isn't an angry face, just a thinking face.  She does it all the time and we love it around here.

 

All those pictures make me realize just how much I do for my kids.  I hope that someday they really appreciate it all and remember all of the good times we have had.  It WAS a fun week.  I am looking forward to next week's big adventure.  But right now, I am counting down the hours until Greg gets home and I get to head out to Park City for some much deserved and much earned me time.  I have the best husband in the world who was more than willing to hang with the kids for a day or so without me.  I love knowing that they will have a blast together and no matter what the state of my house is when I get home, I know that the kids will have had fun with their Dad. Three and a half hours to go...