So Helpful

The twins are such helpful little girls.
Rearranging the fridge for us.... Taking out the dirty dishes.........

And making sure we get clean in the shower....

Bella's First Day Of Kindergarten

Today was Bella's first "real" day of school. Last week she met the teacher and stayed for an hour and the rest of the week was for testing.

I wanted to write down exactly how she was when she came home in case I some day forget.

I picked her up at school and when we got back in the car she said she didn't want to talk about school.

I asked her if she had fun at recess and she said "recess was only this much(showing her hands very close together) we hardly got to play. All we did was work and work. I don't want to go back!!

When we got home she went straight to her room and cried.

Finally I was able to give her hugs and she agreed to watch a movie. I offered her an ice cream cone and she said "do we have sprinkles?". Of course we do!! Anything to make her happy after such a hard day!

45 minutes later she's now downstairs with Claire watching a movie and cuddled up with a blanket.

I wish I could hold her forever!

Oh man how I love that little girl!!

Pretty Funny

I've said it before but I love a good comedian! I've never been a huge Jimmy Fallon fan but after seeing this I totally am. It's best to listen and not watch. His impressions are dead on! You;ll think it's the real person.
Jimmy

The Magic School Bus

After picking out her 1st day of school outfit, down to the days of the week under ware (Monday of course), and a Fathers blessing, I reminded Bella about the magic school bus.
We had heard stories (thanks Jami) and I wanted to prepare her just in case it made a stop at our house.
And sure enough this morning we heard a loud knock at the door. When Bella opened it she found a delivery from the magic school bus!!! And man was she excited!!! (good thing we we got it on video).
There was a nice note on top of the bag and inside the bag there was lots of fun stuff.
A pack of lip smackers chap stick "for when you meet a new chap". A bag of Hershey's hugs and kisses "in case you need some hugs and kisses". Some smarties and nerds because "being smart doesn't mean you're a nerd". And my personal favorite tissue with a note that said "in case you miss your mom". Although she has afternoon kindergarten she was still dressed and ready by 7:30am and had her backpack ready by 8:30am. When I said I wanted to get a picture she struck this pose.

Watching her be so excited is making this day a little easier for me. But the true test will be after I drop her off.

Cry Baby

I'm so emotional today. I feel like I might start to cry at any given moment.
I just can't believe that my little girl is starting Kindergarten!!
I feel like time is just going by way to fast. I mean wasn't I just rocking her to sleep in my arms yesterday?
I can't explain what I'm feeling and I guess all the parents out there know exactly what I'm trying to say.
On one hand I am so excited that my little girl is growing up and learning new things. But on the other hand I want to keep her young and safe with me forever.
I imagine this is how my parents felt. And even more how my Father in Heaven feels.
Going to school is BiG.

It means she's going to meet new people. Some who may not like her.

She'll make mistakes.

Her testimony will be tested.

And scariest of all, I won't be there to make everything better.

I guess all I can do is send her off with a big hug every day and be waiting with open arms when she comes home.

Again how my Father in Heaven must feel.

Oh Bella,

One day if you read this I hope you know how much I LOVE YOU!! And that you mean the world to me!!

Love,

Mom

Summer 2010

I feel like this summer has gone by way too fast!
We've basically spent our days in the back yard playing on the slip n slide with friends and going to the children's museum. (buying that pass was the best idea).
When we weren't doing those 2 things we managed to have a little fun at the zoo, the rec center, boating, gymnastics, watching parades and fireworks, dance class, visiting with friends from out of town, and just hanging out!
What a great summer!
Now to get ready for school.


probably not the cleanest water, but they had fun At the rec center

All of us at the Zoo
Bella at Flips

watching the parade

twins with Sissy

slip n slide

probably one of my favorite pictures. Bella walking Claire to dance class

Tea Party

I took my girls to a fairy tea party at Gardener Village last weekend. They loved it! They came dressed up and were given fairies. There was also a place for their dolls to eat. Although my kids aren't really into dolls so they brought other stuffed animals. Claire brought mama and papa bear. She loved tryong on the hats they had for dress up.

Bella brought her dog. It was lots of fun watching her because she really got into it.

I think my favorite part of the whole thing was watching the girls pour tea and help their stuffed animals eat. So cute!!!

Happy Babies!

This is basically how these two look all the time.

hApPy!!

Realtiy TV Rant

A few weeks ago Seth and I started watching "Last Comic Standing". We both love a good comedian and this show seemed to be great. But, as the weeks went on it became so obvious that this "reality" show was totally fixed.

I was so bugged!

Maybe I was naive to think it wasn't fake.

I really don't watch a lot of "reality shows", so I don't know much about them. Are they all fake? What makes a show a reality show?
Seth loves American Pickers and Pawn Stars on the History Channel. I've watched them and I've actually learned a lot. But, it seems unfair to call those shows "reality shows" and put them in the same bracket as "The real housewives of wherever".
I don't get it.
I know so many people love Jersey Shore. It's like a guilty pleasure or something, I guess. Since I've never seen it, I shouldn't judge, but I have seen interviews with the people on it and all I can say is, Are you kidding me? They're making more money in one year than we do and all they is "GTL". Did I say that right?

I've also never watched an episode of The Bachelor or the Bachelorette.

I hear they're addicting. Someone described it to me like watching a car crash. You want to turn away but you can't.

Believe me, I'm all for a guilty pleasure. (I can't get enough of Chelsea Lately).

But I don't get what's so great about watching people yell and fight. And hearing that bleep sound every time someone swears gets a little annoying.

It seems to take no talent or skill to be on some of these reality shows.

Am I missing something? Will someone please tell me what the deal is with all these reality shows and which ones are worth watching. I'm so confused.

The Dinner Table

This is how my kids eat......
Claire with no pants and Bella with a leotard. Claire was so wiped out after church that she slept under the table

Happy Anniversary

Here we are 4 years later. I can't believe it's only been 4 years. Seth and I are both guilty of saying "it feels like a lot longer". I guess when you have 4 kids, one who's almost 6 and twins, it does feel like longer.

And I wouldn't change a thing. I consider myself very lucky. I was able to see firsthand what kind of a dad Seth was when we were dating. Of course I don't recommend this for everyone. But in our case it worked out great. I was able to see Seth play, take care of, and love my little 7 month old (yes, that's how old she was when we first started dating). And that was hands down the biggest reason I fell in love with him.

I'm feeling a little emotional today. Because not only is it our anniversary but the class lists were posted at the elementary. I now know that Bella has Mrs Savage in the afternoon. Not that I know anything about this teacher. But it does make it very real.

My little girl is going to kindergarten!!

Didn't we just get married with a 20 month old?

Man, time flies.

Love you Sethy!!!

Blogging loser

The other night Seth said said to me "why haven't you updated your blog lately".
What? Did my husband really say that?
This is huge since he usually only takes time to mock my blog. If you don't believe me check any comments made by "chuck".
Well turns out he was right. It's now the middle of July and I've only made one post! I try not to be one to make excuses for things. But that said it has just been one crazy busy summer and I haven't had much time. Lame I know. Actually the truth is I have blogged a lot for my journal but I haven't posted anything. Even more lame, I know.
But just know I've still been reading everyone else's and I will be better I promise.

I Have A Problem

My treat of choice is always hands down without a question a chocolate chip cookie. I'm so obbessed that I can name off the top of my head about 5 people who make the best ones and I've been known to drive more than 20 minutes just to get one.

The second treat I love is a cupcake. Especially the ones from So Cupcake!!

And last but not least I love a good

What a 4th!

The weekend came and went so fast. I guess that's what happens when you do a lot.
I was being lame and wanted to stay home and be low key, but Seth talked me into seeing fireworks at Eaglewood with my family and some friends. Turned out to be lots of fun. (Of course we payed the price the next day with grumpy kids. But it was worth it).
Then on the 4th we went across the street and watched our favorite neighbor put on an amazing fireworks show. He does this every year and it never disappoints. His wife buys lots and I mean LOTS of glow sticks for all the kids. This year she added star wands, rings and ear rings to the mix of glow stuff. At one point all the kids were more interested in the glow sticks than watching the awesome fireworks. I wish I'd taken a picture of that.
Then after the fireworks Seth and Bella slept in the tent in the backyard. This has become a tradition and Bella really looks forward to it. Claire kept calling the tent the "castle". Maybe next year she'll get to sleep out there with them.
Seth said right after this picture Bella put her head down and was out.

Claire & grandpa

Claire with the teenagers (she thinks Desi is her friend not Emmie's).

Bella & Darci

Happy Late Birthday

This is a little late. About a month to be exact.
We had just gotten back from Disneland when it was Seth's birthday and the weather was bad so we postponed his party until now.
It was lots of fun to have our families over for dinner and cake and ice cream.
I took sooo many pictures and I couldn't post them all (they'll be in the scrapbook) but here's a few from our fun day. The Birthday Boy

Football cake that Kim made

Kelli & Beth

Grandma Jan and Breanna

Happy Late Father's Day

I always get emotional when Fathers Day rolls around.
I have been blessed with, what I think is the best dad. If I could be even half as giving and selfless as he is I would be a better person. He is always serving my family and anyone he comes in contact with. I had a great childhood and I owe it to him. I can't count the number of times Seth or I have said "we would never make it without him". I am so thankful for you dad!! Love you!
My kids might argue with me and say that they have the best dad. I have to agree that he is wonderful to them. He does all the things that a great dad should do. Teaching Bella how to ride a bike in the church parking lot, tickling Claire until she can't talk, and taking the twins on nightly walks.
He is also the one who gets up with the kids at night. I'm a heavy sleeper, but he has very rarely woken me up. in fact there have been several times I didn't know until morning that he got up with sick kids. Even cleaning up throw up and not telling me until morning.
And of course he has taught the older girls the Utah man song. They can both sing it without any help. Poor guy is totally outnumber around here and the girls have him wrapped around their finger. He would do anything for them.
I love you, Seth!! Thanks for everything you do!

Project Bug

I feel like I've been bitten by the project bug lately.I have 3 projects that I've been working on.
The first was a bunk bed.

About a week ago I got a call from someone in my ward asking if we wanted a bunk bed or if we knew someone who would. All I could think was, how fast can I say yes without looking too desperate? I hadn't even seen it, but I knew better than to be picky if it was free.

Luckily for me it was perfect! I knew my girls would love it. Each bunk has it's own shelf.

I was excited and worried to try and re-paint it.
I called one of the best (my cousin Christy) for advice and was ready to go.

I spent 1 day sanding it and 3 days painting.
I realized something about myself while I was painting.

I lOvE tO pAiNt!!!

I guess that explains why every room in my house has been painted some more than once.
Bella was super excited about the whole thing. She couldn't wait to put all her stuff on the shelf. She also was excited that I finally let her use the new bedding. I bought it on eBay when I was pregnant with the twins. But I said we would have to wait to use it until we had a bunk bed.

Before the paint job.

The second project I've been working on were these adorable aprons.
Bella has been asking for an apron like mine every time we cook. (She has one but has out grown it).
I looked on line but all the ones I liked were between $20-$30. That seemed like a lot to me. Especially since I would need 4.
So long story short, I bought some fabric (only paid $5) and a sweet older lady from my ward helped me sew them (by help, I mean she basically did everything. I brought all 4 kids, her idea not mine. She had toys out for them to play with, but in the short time we were there I spilled baby food on her rug and Claire had a blow out diaper that left her naked). We were able to make 3 aprons from the stuff I bought (I did sew one of the aprons by myself before we had to leave).
I'm so happy with how they turned out!

I realized I haven't put any new pictures up of the twins. Here they are watching the girls play in their new beds. (Sydney is on the left and Breanna is on the right).The 3rd project is kind of Seth's not mine. We're putting sprinklers in the back yard. So more weed pulling, tilling and finally adding sod. Didn't we do this last year?
Pictures to come..

So Sweet

The other night we were having movie night and watching Toy Story.
I leaned over to Bella and said "do you think the toys really talk and play when we leave or go to bed?".
She looked at me and in all seriousness said "I don't know".
Then I watched as she really thought about it. It was like I could see the wheels turning in her head.
Some might laugh, but it truly made me want to just hold her and keep her little forever.
It was so sweet.
I love the way kids think.

2nd times a charm.....well maybe not

Today while Bella was at her swimming lesson I decided to take Claire to get a slurpee. I realized that she's never had one and I didn't want a repeat of my horrible mothering skills. (Click on the link if you need a reminder).
As we pulled into the parking lot Claire says "what's this place mom?". Have I really never taken her here, I thought?
Anyway she was in heaven! She drank almost the entire thing and never complained of a head freeze.
When we picked up Bella I asked her if she wanted some of Claire's slurpee to which she says "what's a slurpee?".
Are you kidding me? What is wrong with my children? Or better yet, what is wrong with their mother?

Only A Matter Of Time

This morning while Claire was trying to put something together she got a little frustrated and the next thing I know I hear "Oh Damnit."

I guess I knew this would happen sooner or later.

After all she is my kid.

Good thing she's cute and can get away with it.