Dear Oprah

Dear Oprah,
Today's a big day for you. I know because it's been all over the news.
The first show starting your last season.
I'm feeling torn.
You're the person I love to hate. (can't believe I'm admitting it but I've dedicated 10 posts to you over the years)
What will I do when you're off the air? Who will I complain about yet continue to watch?
So, here's to you on your 25th season.
Love Amy
PS (to be read sarcastically)
You picked John Travolta as your first guest back? Really? I'm sure you could have found someone better.

Claire's 1st Dance Recital

Claire had her first dance recital this past weekend.

During the summer a cute girl in our ward, Desi, started dance classes. For $10 a month the kids got a lesson and a the most darling costume. Claire had so much fun!

I have video and might end up posting it because Claire was huge hit. Most of the girls her age were just standing there. But not Claire. She was shaking her little bum and dancing her heart out.

This recital was so cute. All three age groups preformed and did such a great job. Desi also made a video. I was very impressed. Well not really. I already knew this girl could do amazing things! That's why we love her. The one picture we got with she and Claire didn't turn out.

Dancing with her cousin Elysia

A Few Do's & Don't's

Now that I've been a mom of twins for a year here is a list of things I've been thinking about over the last year.

A few things you should never ever say to someone who is pregnant with multiples:

• Good Luck (in a sarcastic tone)


• So Glad It's You and Not Me


• That Would Suck


• That's going to be so hard


• Telling stories about someone you know who has multiples and all the horrible things that have gone wrong


• If the person looks like they haven't gained much weight and saying, are you sure you're still pregnant? maybe one didn't make it.

I heard all of these things when I was pregnant and let me tell you it did not help. I was about to jump off a cliff as it was and hearing those things didn't help. So my advice is, even if you're thinking you would never want twins don't tell the person who's having them. It only scares them more.

Not to be too negative here are some reasons why having twins is the absolute BEST thing in the world:

• Best Friends. I love watching them play!!! The bond they have is amazing!


• Only pregnant once, but you get 2 babies. That said it still sucks to carry more than one person around inside you.


• Gain strong muscles. I really didn't need to do weights when I was carrying a carrier with a baby in each hand.


• Work is Fun. People ask all the time "Is having twins so hard?". I tell them it's work. And it depends how you look at work. Having a baby takes work, so having more than one is even more so, but I try and see it as fun.


• Dressing them alike. Probably the biggest regret I have is saying I would never dress them alike. What was I thinking? It's way too much fun!


• Going to church. People look at us strange when we say we love church!! But it's true. It's a great 3 hour break for us. If you're in our ward then you know I'm telling the truth. I am almost never holding a baby. There are always people wanting to hold them.


• Twins plus older kids is the best way to go. It sounds crazy but serioulsy I wouldn't have it any other way. There are many days that I find myself just reading or hanging out while the rest of my kids are all awake playing.

So there it is. What I've learned (not that much) in one year from being a mom of twins.

Birthday Party For The Twins

The girls woke up just like any other morning, having no idea that it was their special day!! They were grated by the rest of the family to presents and breakfast in bed. (well, sort of). They had their bottle but not just a regular bottle......whole milk!! What a treat! They drank that down pretty fast and were ready to open presents.
Big sisters were more than happy to help. playing with some new toys

Later that night we had the grandparents over for cake and ice cream.

Sydney all clean

Sydney enjyoing her cake

Bre all clean

Bre enjoying her cake

Bre enjoying her cake

I didn't get the best pictures but that's because so much was happening so fast.

Love you girls!!!

Happy Birthday Sydney

Dear Syd,
Happy 1st Birthday!! My goal when you and your sister were born was to get to know you as individuals.
I've loved watching you grow and getting to know you this past year.
You are so mellow and low key. You always have a smile on your face. You may be starving or need your diaper changed or even having your big sister Claire all over you, but I'd never know because you keep on smiling. Rarely crying.
You were born 2 minutes earlier than Bre making you the oldest. You seem to be content in any situation. Never needing to be in the spotlight.
You were the first to wave and say bye bye. You were also the first to stand.
I feel so blessed to be your mom. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.
Love,

Mom

Happy Birthday Breanna

Dear Bre,

Happy 1st birthday! I can't believe you're already 1!!!
I've loved getting to know you.
My goal when you and Syd were born was to get to know each of you as individuals.
I'm happy to say I know your little personality so well.
You love to giggle and play with all your sisters. You were the first to master sitting up, crawling and trying to walk. You know what you want when you want it. You love to tease and love being center of attention.
I'm so thankful I get to be your mommy!
Love,
Mom

The Other Woman

Meet my husbands mistress......................
She rolls into town today at 6:00pm. Good thing I'm not threatened.

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