Tea Party Fun!

Last Easter I made the girl's Easter Dresses. I love to sew - just don't have a lot of spare time, you know? Well, I had great intentions of taking their photos in their dresses. Even scheduled it twice, but had to cancel do to other conflicts. I finally thought, "I'll try it myself" and if it didn't work, I'd just hire it. Well - there is a reason you HIRE this stuff done! I took over 200 photos. And about three worked! Thanks to my trusty companion and generous Aunt Carole who gave the girls chocolate to bribe a few smiles (we did them in her yard), we managed not to kill each other in the "photo shoot." But I was happy enough with the outcomes to not pay the $150 - I'll save that for when the new baby comes.

Enjoy photos of my darling girls!

Funny Sayings I want to Remember

Addy and Ya Ya were sharing their favorite Jesus stories while they were supposed to go to bed. Ya Ya was telling how a woman touched the hem of Jesus's shirt and she was all "heeled up."

Addy asked what that meant, but before waiting for an answer got on her tippy toes and said, "Oh hey! I'm all HEELED UP too!"


Ya Ya: (In a totally agigated voice) "MOM! Jake called me stupid AND I saw a humming bird!"
(That would be TWO seperate points, my daughter!)

Ya Ya has a problem with moisture. She hates, hates, hates to be wet. Anywhere. Including "down there." We towel off for about 6-7 minutes after baths and showers, which doesn't go so well when I am trying to get her to hurry for school (which, causes more anxiety because she hates to be late.) One morning, I was rushing her too fast, I guess, because we didn't get all the moisture off her privates. After she was dressed and I was doing hair, she started digging and whining. Then she started sobbing, "WHY?! WHY!? WHY?!!! WHY DO I HAVE THIS PROBLEM!!!???" Slightly dramatic. I can think of worse problems!

Finally, I was at a wedding and my brothers were tending. Jake was heading to bed but stopped to pour a rather large glass of milk. Both of my brothers said, "Jake, do you think your mom wants to drink that much milk before bedtime?"

Patting his "goodnight" night time pants (yep, still have a problem) he said, "Oh don't worry guys, this thing holds A LOT of water!" (Kinda questioning the "need" now!)

I love being a mom! I couldn't ask for a greater blessing!

Back to School

We moved in with my parents starting the end of August. I had one very agitated eight year old, a nervous 5 year old and happy three year old (un-phased by the whole transition!) So I was MORE THAN READY for school to start and develop a routine for my oldest. He certainly needed it! (And so did I!) For the first time in my entire adult life, I felt absolutely NO sadness when school starts. (Which is very abnormal for me!)

But with the move, we were now going to attend a brand new school. When you have attended one school for more than half your life, you can expect to be nervous! We went over the "what if's" several times. Finally the big day arrived!

My heart filled with joy as I watched my sweet baby boy walk SO bravely up the sidewalk into a new school where he knew no one. Oh, I was proud. I knew how hard it was for him.

When I went to pick him up, traffic was a mess. I didn't know the rules or systems either! I arrived about 8 minutes before the bell. I quickly parked and tried to find him - but I was too late. By the time I finally found him, he was in tears. I felt terrible. We quickly went over the pick-up routine and settled all fears. School became easier as the days went on and now he already has friends and knows the "ins and outs" of the school.

Ya Ya didn't start until the next week. She's my normal worrywart, but for some reason, she wasn't even scared. She was more scared she would forget the class room routine (as explained later) that she went over the steps daily with me. Both so she wouldn't forget and I wouldn't forget to remind her!

The day finally came! My little scheduler changed her hairstyle at the last minute (which I thought was so spontaneous of her!) And she looked beautiful.

We made it school WELL before we needed to (she worried the entire ride over that we would be late!) But we had plenty of time to take photos. She was so excited that I couldn't even cry. I sure wanted to - I HATE dropping off my babies the first day. Whether they are in Kindergarten or Third Grade!
We followed the routine precicely. Step 1: Hang up the backpack.
Step 2: wash our hands
Step 3: Sit on the carpet.
I loved the idea a fellow cousin gave me, so we hurried to the florist to purchase a flower to celebrate Ya Ya's first day. Plan didn't quite go over as well as I thought! I really thought she would be so exicted, but instead she was ultra-embarrassed that she was the only one getting flowers. Fine with Addy - she loves pink and got to keep the flower she picked out!
Successful first day, I'd say!

I'm back! AGAIN!

I have to admit, I don't place this as a priority (yeah, obviously.) If I have a spare minute, then I want to head to the sewing room to finish the twirl skirts I started a week ago, or finish my book club book or do a page or two of digital scrapbooking.

But then I read my sister-in-law's blog, my cousin's etc, etc and I think of what a great job they are doing to preserve these precious memories. I get motivated once again and start writing. My eldest loves to read my blog - he laughs and calls me in to remind of a funny instance. Or he'll come and ask me why I wrote something I did. I realized this isn't really for me. It isn't for my "audience", it's for me, my children and my ever-failing memory.

So, while I can't go back and fill in, I'll recap:

Summer 2010:
Probably the worst summer of my life. And that is being honest. It wasn't relaxing, I didn't do anything on my bucket list and I stressed from the moment it started until it ended. That would mostly have to do with three life-altering experiences: Girls Camp Leader (under an incredibly stressed, micromanaging leader), being pregnant and selling a house in a failing economy. Any one of those experiences would be enough to cause stress. Add all three and I was a basket case. So much, in fact, that my hair started falling out and my right eye started twitching. Both case, as confirmed by my doctor, were stress related. Eye is normal now and hair has stopped falling out like a cancer patient. I feel good. I feel relaxed and I feel normal. Again.

So that explains a lot, right? I'm gonna just start from the now and hope for the best!

The Glow Play

Let me start at the very beginning (a VERY good place to start!)

It was fall; the start of another school year. Mrs. L had a list of positions within the classroom that needed filled with happy volunteers. The only option open was "Music Leader." This particular position was, for the previous year, a simple, half-hour-a-week commitment. Basically, I thought, I would go in, bang a few sticks together, call it rhythm and go about my day.

HA! Not. Quite. So. Apparently (and it would have been wonderful to have known this before the school year) the BEEP grade puts on a class play. A musical, to be exact. Pair that with a high strung teacher and it spelled STRESS. We started learning all the songs in January and started rehearsing in March. Mrs. L thinks Jake is the smartest in the class (well, she might not have said that exactly :)..) and appointed him as Flier, the lead role. Normally, I would have bragged all about that, except, that meant more effort from me- the producer!


The play is about a little firefly that was blown away by the wind when he was hatched. He didn't know what his job in the world was. He met a ladybug that shows him that everyone has a special job. He finally finds out what his special job is at the very end. It's a cute play with a cute message.
It was HOURS, and HOURS and HOURS of work. I ended up taking Addy to most of the practices. By the time we performed, she knew every single song! It is so cute to watch her coloring while singing, "Everybody's Got a Place!" Jake did absolutely amazing. I am so impressed that he memorized that entire play. Maybe he IS the smartest in the class! :)

I have tried to post the video. It must be too long. I'll try breaking it up just in case you want to see it! ;)

Easter Dresses

I am so far behind, it isn't even funny. I don't know where to start with the excuses, or where to start with the photos!! (I will post Cozumel, that's coming up.)

I decided I wanted to make the girls Easter dresses this year. I LOVE sewing - I just have too many hobbies I want to do and not enough time to do them. But the dresses - SO FUN! I just loved making them. I tried really hard to get a photo with the two girls, but Adalyn decided photos are overrated. So you get only one of my gorgeous daughters!

The Royal Ball

Once Upon a Time in a far away land, lived two very beautiful princesses that shared a very special birthday together.

Princess Adalyn, 3

Princess Juliana, 5

The time came for them to celebrate their birthday. It was a glorious spring day! (HA! If you call 40 degrees, glorious!)

The baker spent all week choosing the cake and decorating it into a beautiful castle. (Only to discover that the cake needs more than four anchors if we wish to keep it standing longer than one hour.)

The beautiful princesses were whisked away to an enchanted beauty college to prepare their hair and nails for the Royal Ball. The Royal assistant (Mimi) escorted the lovely princesses in her beautiful white chariot. Upon arrival, the princesses were pampered to their hearts content. The Royal Assistant was told to tip the Royal hairdressers, but misunderstood the Queens instructions. What should have been an inexpensive, enchanted "updo" and "manicure" (normally $6 per princess) cost a grand total of $30 royal dollars!!!

The Royal Assistant is in the dungeon now, awaiting execution.... Back to the story:




At last, the Royal Ball was beginning! Each Royal quest was greeted by a Charming Joker and Prince Charming.



Not to mention, the wonderful King himself! (I love my parents, they totally rented this costume on their own when I mentioned that I would like Dad to read the princesses names at the Royal Ball! How sweet!)

Upon arrival, the princes and princesses decorated their own crowns, played pass the glass slipper and rescue the princess. Then they entered the dining room for the Grand Feast of cake, raspberry soda and fruit kabobs before the royal ball.


After eating (and spilling several glasses of soda), the Royal Ball Began!!!

Each princess was introduced by the King himself and escorted down the stairs and into the dancing hall by a charming prince.

Prince Charming took the lovely princesses into his arms and danced the first dance to Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman (a real tear jerker, if you have girls!)
Then we cut the sentimental stuff and "jam, pumped it up" to Miley Cyrus, Hananna Montana and Disney Mania. Those kids can dance! The ball lasted longer than anticipated and hit a climax when prince charming released a net full of balloons to the ground!

But, Oh NO! A Dragon! (No princess story is complete without one!) The prince and princesses all had their hand at slaying the dragon!
Princess Juliana even acted the part and showed her amazement when cousin Mosiah (dressed in his finest dancing attire) attacked the dragon with pure courage!

Finally, the beast surrendered, lost a wing and distributed candy to the cold Royal Party.
The two beautiful princesses sat on their Royal thrones and opened many generous gifts bestowed to their royalty.
But alas! That is not all! For a final surprise, a beautiful princess from a far off land (Draper) came to visit the party and tell the children of her enchanting tales! She read a book about three daring knights seeking the hand of a princess. Each princess was enthralled as they asked questions. And yes, Princess Ashli does know all the princesses. In fact, Ariel is her cousin! Imagine that!
All the princesses were jealous that Princess Ashli knew Adalyn and Juliana. They wish she could come to all their parties. But she's a busy princess and may not have time for all of them. Just the special ones... ;)

It was time for the Royal Ball to end.

Each prince left with a shiny foam sword and a goodie bag. The princesses left with a beautiful tiara, a princess pencil and candy. And the princesses lived happily ever after. The queen did too, but went to bed exhausted...

Stylish Jake

When I heard I was having a boy, I basically envisioned a well kept, stylish boy; a Gap commercial. Instead, I got the DI version of bad fashion. We pretty much argue daily about what to wear.

I've gotten lots of advice:

"Just pick the outfit and don't take no for an answer." (Ahem, they have never dealt with this child.)

"Only buy clothes that you both agree on and he'll wear those." (Even if he DOES agree, he can, and always does, go back on his word. Something that was cool, suddenly becomes hideous.)

"Only buy things that you want him to wear." (These people don't have a mother that purchases horrid cartoon shirts, then grins at me while giving them to my child.)

You get my point. The boy can't dress nice. I understand that it is a direct reflection on his mother, but just note that his mother tries. Very, very hard.

So that's why it was so very, very hysterical when he opened his fortune cookie a couple of weeks ago:

"You will make a name for yourself in the fashion industry."

I really hope I'm not around to find out what name that's going to be!

Halloween Recap

Yeah, I know. We are almost to Thanksgiving - but you've come to expect that in me, right?

Halloween was a blast this year! It came and went and we didn't have time to carve pumpkins, go to a pumpkin patch or eat any fun halloween treats. I usually host a Halloween party, but once again, I didn't this year. Jeff's MBA takes up a lot of our time (yes, mine too...someone has to be home while he is at school!). Luckily, our friends invited us to a Halloween party. It was a blast!

I was a flower, if you can't tell. I put glitter on my eyes. A

dalyn told me I was beautiful. I didn't know that was all it took! ;)

Here's the guy that won the costume contest. Ol' Abe himself!

We went to the Halloween parade at Jake's school. This photo (above) is proof that I actually dress my children up for holidays. But usually, by the time we leave the house, someone's hairbow is missing, socks dirty and clothes have been changed. For some miraculous reason, none of those things happened this day!

He couldn't wear his mask to school, so I guess a lot of people asked what he was. Duh! Hasn't anyone seen Transformers??

Saturday finally came and we started our evening festivities. We headed to the Wright's to say hi, then we booked it down to Mimi's to trick or treat.

Juliana was a cute princess. She was all ready with her trick or treat bag!
For some reason, this little girl knew what she wanted to be months before Halloween. I really, really, really wanted to make her a costume this year (I've had my eye on a witch dress for years) but she would not deviate! I found this cute costume at Disney store for 1/2 off. Once she saw it in the window, she booked it out of her stroller and into the store. By the time I found her, she was in the dressing room frantically tearing off her shirt to try this dress on! I've already gotten my moneys worth! It has been worn to the store, the library, the mall, and yes, even church (for primary practice rehearsal.)

And we had to get the matching shoes, of course!!

Now can you tell? He's Optimus Prime! This was the first year that Jake went trick or treating with his friends. His best friends' cousins live right across the street from my parents. As luck would have it, we tend to meet up there every Halloween! This year, his friends asked if Jake could go trick or treating with them around the neighborhood. The girls were done, so I let him go with the boys (don't worry, it was around the neighborhood, and a dad went with them). It was a "he's all grown up" moment for me. I kept sticking my head out the window to watch for him. I hate how fast they grow up!

We were orignally going to come back to our house to finish our trick or treating, but, like always, there was something exciting to do there. Daren started a tradition before he left on his mission. He brewed homemade rootbeer, placed it in a metal box and buried it in the garden. We opened it up when he returned from his mission. Ryan also did the same thing before his mission. Halloween seemed the perfect night to dig it up, seeing as how it's called "Operation Blackbeard."

Everyone (but me) took turns digging. It took a very, very long time. Things sped up when we realized that we (ok, they) were digging in the wrong spot! Ryan finally went inside, found Dad's photos of him placing it in the ground and announced we were digging about 2 feet to the east of the actual location. We finally hit the jackpot! (And this was only the beginning on the gleaming booty!

Then we popped the tops, took a shot glass and drank it up! Was it any good you ask? Depends on who you ask. I thought it tasted like bed dough mixed with cough medicine. Strangely, my girls couldn't get enough. (And before all you uptight people start commenting, it isn't possible for it to become alcoholic. You have to add more ingredients. So calm down!)

But that didn't stop everyone from pretending it was spiked! The "drinking games" began! ;)

It was a fun, fun night!