Winter Recital!

I have been teaching a little dance and singing class out of my home for the last three months. It has been a lot of fun and a lot of work, but the girls are all Emree's friends and she has loved having them come "play" with her. They had a little recital today to show their parents all that they have learned. Of course my child was the one who wouldn't dance... you win some you lose some. Maybe next time.

Thanksgiving a Little Late...

Life is SO busy. There is always SO many things to do it could drive you insane. Not saying my sanity is completely intact anyways, but anyways... I always feel like I could be so much better and do so much better. Is it just me? Do you find your self running around with your head cut off and dangling. I use to make these huge lists and try to conquer the entire thing. Then I would be so sad if I didn't. My friend once told me she did the same thing, but when she started to lose her mind her husband would grab her list and remove items, saying things like, "this one is stupid" or "definitely not important". That is around the time I stopped my list making and now my mental list drives me crazy. I wish my house was cleaner, my stuff was organized, my things were cleaned out, my laundry was done, my shower was clean, my summer stuff was put away, my lawn was mowed, my car was clean, my paperwork was organized, my car title was in my possession, and everything else I should do. 

BUT then you have days like I had today. The kind where you are still crazy, but you realize how much you have. I love what I got and I wouldn't change it for the world. I have the best little family and I love each of them to pieces. WE ARE NOT PERFECT, but that is alright with me.

Terrible Tuesdays: Getting Dressed SUCKS

I have a DRAMA QUEEN! Emree really has a hard time being okay with her clothes. I know everyone has all these solutions about getting over the fit of getting dressed, but almost all of them end with the kids winning. I have heard suggestion after suggestion. 

- As long as they are modest...

-Dress ups are the only things I don't let them wear outside the house...

- I put only 5 outfits in their drawer and they can pick out of those...

Well, what is the solution if you want a well dressed, well groomed 3 year old. What if you want her to match, rotate through her clothing, and sit down and get her hair done. Their has to be an answer. One that doesn't end in tears every single morning. Right now I bribe. I lay two adorable outfits in front of her and I say, "Pick one of these and then you can have a treat when you get dressed." There is usually still crying and a fit, but she ends up in the outfit and happy with a treat. I am not sure I am winning her. In fact, I think I am losing by a long shot. 

Any answer my friends? 

I have to be able to win this small battle or else I may lose the war ... haha trust me!

Thursday Therapy: Sippin'

My kids watch me like a hawk. Yes, like a bird watches it's prey. Waiting... waiting for the moment I will look away. The moment of complete opportunity. You know, those opportunities that come once in a life time. The kind of moments that allow you to hide in the dollar store, or steal a piece of candy... the kind of moments where you can sip somebody's beer.

BEER? 

Yep. That is what Jesse did today. Some lovely person left their can of something or other that contained alcohol open outside the zoo. My lovely little Messy Jesse found it and had himself a little sip before I could get over there and take it away.

The best part was that he spilt it on himself and so he smells of a late night party. Well, now I can officially say that my one year old has had more to drink then I have had my whole life :).

What a moment.

Terrible Tuesdays: Literally Losing A Child

I went to the dollar store. That was my first mistake. I hate our dollar store because they don't let you take the carts out of the store and the crowd is kind of sketchy... okay I am being nice... sketchy.

I went to the dollar store to see if they had any storage things and got caught up in spending money and went up and down the aisles and had to go through everything to make sure I didn't miss something I might want. I found 25 things I wanted. How... I don't know, but that is another story.

I went to the dollar store and as I was checking out my kids started playing with a candy vending machine, which was the best thing they had choose to play with the in the store. It beat the giant fly swatters, the Halloween masks, the glass jars and the make-up hands down.

I went to the dollar store and Emree went missing.

I walked up and down the aisles yelling her name. I enlisted an employee to help me and after we had checked the store. I ran out into the street. I started to tear up and question why I had even choose to come to the dollar store in the first place. I started to wonder what in the world I should do next. Should I scream her name in the parking lot and start looking in the cars. I headed back into the dollar store and out of the corner of my  I saw her little feet and then her body squished into a ball. I ran to her to ask her if she was okay. She looked up with the biggest smile..."Hide and Seek," she squealed.

I went to the dollar store. It will be a long while before I go again.

Monday Memories: Going Fishing!

Tyler loves fishing! I had been once in my life before we got married and if my memory is correct, I think I was under 12.  I remember thinking it was fun, but I am sure I complained and thought it was gross at the time. I was kind of a whiner (correction: I am kind of a whiner). I bet that is why my Dad never took me again. Plus, we are the type of family where the boys and girls usually split. Or we use to be. I think we are turning into the family that does things together now that everyone (BUT Easton) is married.


ANYWAYS, Ty had a big test on Friday and has been studying and busy busy.... We were more than excited when our friends, The Dents, invited us to go to a Cabin and to spend the weekend trying to catch some fish. Lots of Kids, Lots of Dirt and NO fish later. The weekend was a huge success and fun was had by all or at least by us.

Monday Memories: Bye Bye Bob Bah!

You rescued me whenever I had a screaming child, which was a lot. You became his only comfort beside me. You put him to sleep every night and woke up with him every morning. You made us both happy. You will be missed more than you know Baby Bottle.

Last week Jesse and I decided it was time for him to be a big boy and so he threw it in the trash. Sippy cups from now on. The transition was so smooth and he has done so unbelievably great. He is becoming such a big kid. 

In fact, I think Emree cared more when hers was gone, but what about your kids? How did you transition out of the bottle?

Friday Fun: Silliness

Messiest Face!

 We went camping last weekend with our friends the Dents, but it was definitely a pretend camping trip. I brought rotisserie chicken for dinner. We went to McDonalds for breakfast and it was only one night of filthiness 20 minutes from our house. But in our defense we had 5 children three and under. Regardless, it was a BLAST! Lots of smiles and giggles and plenty of Marshmallows and DIRT!


Now, for the messiest face contest.... I wonder who the winner will be...
 Contestant #1: Celeste

 Contestant #2 : Olivia

 Contestant #3 : Conner

Contestant #4 : Jesse

 Contestant #5: Emree

 Okay! This may not really say that my kids were the messiest, but that as a mother I failed at wiping off their faces. Come on... we are camping! So, Emree and I win... VICTORY PICTURES!!

  Victory Mallow!

What's Up?!

Vacation Top Ten

1. Jordan and Allison couldn't be a better couple. I love how they compliment each other and all of the things they have in common. They are both amazing, kind, athletic, daring, and fun. 

2. I love being in the Temple all together. We just have one more 17 year old sibling to join us (1 1/2 years). It makes my heart happy to look around and see the smiling faces of each one of my siblings.

3. Park City with Ty's Family was really fun. Lots of talking and just hanging out. Sometimes we get so worried with what we are going to do we don't just sit around and enjoy each other. Ty and I are blessed to come from pretty awesome families.

4. Bowling- Jesse was SO sad he couldn't bowl with the rest of us. He even picked up a 12 pound bowling ball and trying to walk it to me. He is a pretty stubborn kid when he doesn't get what he wants.

5. Jess about bit his tongue off. SERIOUSLY. It is always hanging out of his mouth... so I always knew it would happen. He just hit his chin on the arm of a chair and here you go.... Sad day.

6. Horses with Grandpa and Daddy... my kids are so scared to go on, but LOVE it once they do.

7. Boating at the Sand Dunes. It was fun to share something I loved doing as a kid with my kids and Tyler. 

8. Receptions can be so stressful, but is so amazing to see the people that come and support you. Jordan and Allison have lots of people that love them and we are included.

9. Fourth of July! I put Jesse to sleep (thanks Grandma and Grandpa), but Em sort of liked it :). 

10. Em stuck a nerd candy up her nose on the plane ride home. I thought she had already learned this lesson with the popcorn kernel last year, but I was wrong. Good news though. It only took about 5 minutes to come out. Disaster averted. 

So much more to share, but what a fun two weeks!