Sneaking Out!

With the big girls in Elementary School and Molly in Preschool, I thought it would be an opportunity to sneak out and spend some one-on-one time with Braden.  We especially love to go out for ice cream. 

I try to make these events great bonding moments, but it is hard because his vocabulary is rather limited. 

"How's your ice cream?"

"Good."

"Do you want to share?  Is it my turn?"

"No."

He is all about sharing these days, especially if it is something I am expected to share.  He'll walk up to me, treat in hand, and demand "You gotta share!"

Playdates!

Even though Molly and Braden are 2 1/2 years apart, I still get asked if they are twins!  They are the same size and the same weight.  Some days they fight -- a lot! -- and some days they are the best of friends.  I really love my days with these little two!  When it is warm they play on the deck, going round and round in circles, trying to catch up with one another.  I love the sound of their laughter!

St. Patrick Day Success

This year for Saint Patrick's Day, we went downtown to the Gateway Mall for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade!  We also had the opportunity to watch my niece dance.

Following the dancers, they opened up a cake walk for little ones.  Even though Braden was still technically 2, he still jumped on stage, watched others, and did well!  He stomped on his clovers and made sure he landed on one when the music was turned off. 

Success!  Since he was one of the last on stage, he was able to pick out a delicious cupcake.  Such a successful morning!

All About Me!

In the second grade all of the students have an opportunity to fill out an "All About Me" poster.  They are able to go into their class, talk about their favorite things, and then a few students are able to pay them compliments -- the kids provide examples of why they are good friends and good leaders in the classroom.

Macey shared her love of Macaroni & Cheese, favorite pizza topping (cheese), favorite color (hot pink and black) favorite tv show (Sophia the First).  It's a great time for the students!

Oh, The Sweet Torment

Our little Max gets car sick in the van.  By the time we reach our destination, even if it is just a mile away, he is a slobbery, pukey mess.  But sometimes we make him make the journey anyway because I hope that he will learn that great things can come from taking a fun ride in the car!

A little ways from the house, up behind the temple, is Daybreak Lake.  There are bike paths, playgrounds, and, oh yes, ducks.  The kids love to feed the ducks bread and Max likes to watch them. . .and dream of being off leash.  I am not sure what he would do if I allowed him to catch one, but methinks he might have an idea or two!

Macey's Big Day!

Macey was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 1, 2014.  It was a wonderful day for her!  She was blessed to have many grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins see her on her big day.  She smiled all day long and loved the attention and the pictures.  After she got her picture taken with the Bishop, she told me that she was "famous."

We love you, Macey, and we are proud of the beautiful lady you are and are becoming.  We know that the Holy Ghost will be an invaluable guide in your life, and we are grateful for this wonderful gift in your life.

 

 

 

What Happens When The Zoo Is Free?

My friends in Washington, D.C. will not understand the mass of people that hit the Hogle Zoo today for "Wild Wednesday" because the zoo in Washington, D.C. is always free.  But around here, it's a novelty and the masses swarmed to East Salt Lake.

My kids are off track right now, and so I decided to try it.  But I know how crazy Utahns get when something is free and so I got my kids out the door and to the zoo by 9:15, quite an accomplishment considering that they wanted to lounge around this morning and watch Sophia The First.

The weather was wonderful!  Walking the Hogle Zoo in February without a coat!  Woohoo!  And the crowds were manageable until around 11:00 when we were heading out.  Around that point it was impossible to move the stroller around.

Braden loved seeing the animals.  He wanted to see the elephants and the giraffes.  And he saw some monkeys at breakfast time and talked all day about their food: apples, cheese and broccoli -- some of his favorites as well! 

Miss Molly was all attitude, of course.  If I told her that the animal was a leopard, she informed me that it was a cheetah.  And so it went. . .

Emma loves, loves the Polar Bear and Macey loves the Grizzly Bears.  It was great to be back at the zoo!

Let's Talk About Schedules

My kids are off-track.  The days are full of play-dates, video games, trips to the gym and pool, library visits, etc., etc.

It can get a little busy but mostly we are just trying to have fun and not yell at one another too much.  It's hard for the girls because they are spending a lot of time together.

On Thursday we set out the schedule for the day.  Maybe a trip to the store?  The gym? McDonalds? Play dates?  Cupcakes?  We planned out our day. 

But then Braden put in his request.

"I need a nap," he said, considering the list.

Yes, a nap was definitely placed on this list for my little boy.  I love him.

 

Good Things Utah

On Tuesday, January 28th, I had the opportunity to go on Good Things Utah.  Preparing for the show was a lot of fun.  I was able to go to the store and pick out a shirt (okay, three shirts, none of which I ended up wearing), and I bought the books that I wanted to talk about on the show.

I woke up really early in the morning because I had to be at the studio by 8:30, and you just cannot be late for Live TV.  I was not the first one there.  The chef for the cooking segment beat me to the green room, which, by the way, is yellow.

The process was a little overwhelming.  I repeated myself a lot, spoke with my hands too many times, and I do not think that my hair was fabulous.

But, they asked me to come back, so maybe it is something that will go better with time and experience??

Here is a picture of the prop I took in.  I called it Happiness In A Basket because it truly is that.