Fancy & Four

Ashlyn was so ecstatic (fancy word for happy) for her Fancy Nancy party on Tuesday...

Everyone came in the posh (fancy word for fancy) attire and dressed up even more with complimentary hats and gloves at the "posh boutique"...

After our "red carpet" walk/ fashion show, we couldn't resist a dance party...

We made spectacular (fancy word for great) flowers...

Of course we ate a delectable (fancy word for yummy) purse cake and parfaits...

And ate them all at our elegant (fancy word for pretty) table ...

with personalized table settings for every guest...

and French note cards (because everything in French sounds fancy)...

Merci (that's French for Thank You) to all of those who could attend!!!

We had our own family party the night before and Ashlyn is now in love with her new ballet slippers and fancy dress (just in time) that Tutu and Papa Steve got her. She also got some Disney characters, 2 new games, an "A" necklace that I made, and a reversible cat girl/super woman cape that I finally got around to finishing after a year!

We all had fun celebrating such a special day!

Ashlyn is 4

Today my little sweet girl turns 4. I can't believe it! Everyone is so surprised to know that she is turning 4 because she is super petite. But her personality is far from petite!!!!

4 Things that I love about this little Gem...

1. She can be so kind, gentle and sweet when she wants to be. I hear so many people comment on how amazingly she takes care of Corbin (when they are being watched by someone or last year in nursery.) And I can tell how much he loves her because of it. He is constantly asking where his "La La" is. And she will often take good care of me when I need it. She gives amazing hugs and can time them when they are needed most.

2. She is enthusiastic about life, whatever she does she does it with so much energy and passion. When she loves something, she lives it and breaths it. She LOVES horses, and she LOVES to write her name (and she is really good at it too!) This passion is also evident when she is angry. I am just praying this will some day benefit her instead of hinder her.

3. I love her giggle, it is surprisingly contagious and when she starts she can't stop. When she laughs at the park I see all the mothers start laughing too. She can just light up any environment.

4. She loves to read. When I can't find her, she will often be sitting with a stack a mile high of books. She never seems to get tired of them. Even at night, she pleads for me to leave the light on a just a little longer. Dylan never loved books the way she does and so I treasure every moment.

Happy Birthday Ashlyn

What Kind of Canvas Does An Artist Need?

I guess it would be logical to do this...
When you find a pen. Especially if your big sister writes all over hands and legs. She does this all because she sees her mommy writing grocery lists on her hand (bad habit, but it is a sure way to not lose my list!)

Cradle

The clock is ticking, I only have so much time left to finish all my projects. I decided to recover some pads for the cradle... By the way, I love this cradle. It is by far my favorite piece of baby furniture. It was made by my grandfather when my oldest brother was born out of furniture he had around his house. It has been slept in by all my siblings and now by all the grandchildren! Thanks to all those who worked hard to get this all the way out to me!

Spring Singing Time

On Sunday I chose a very springy wiggle song (I am the primary chorister in my ward). I bet you can guess... Yep, "Popcorn Popping On The Apricot Tree." However, I did not make the ironic connection between the way I look and the song- but my Bishop did! Now we can all laugh at the bulging lady leading the song!

And if you don't have this CD, you better get it!

It's Sprung!

These two handsome men are suffering From runny noses and itchy eyes!

Which means....

Spring is OFFICIAL

So happy, yet I am sad for their suffering.

Birthday Cards Are the Best

This one is for Michele...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And it still creates the same reaction even today!

Night at the Circus

Thursday night we went to...

I think it was a first for ALL of us! Here we are before the show (I squished Dylan (not a hard thing to do at this point), luckily he got over it pretty fast.

By far the kids thought the animals were the most entertaining. I doubt the law of Physics has much impact on the way they think as of yet, so the magic tricks were not as eye catching. Overall, we had a blast. However, because of the late night we did have three cranky little people. The crankiness however has not completely subsided. I can't tell if is just life or still impacted from all the fun?

Top 10 Skills

You know you have mastered motherhood when you have attained these talents...

1. Can put on /change a diaper while child is still in motion

2. Can interpret any scream/grunt by a toddler- one that has a possibility of 1,000 meanings

3. With a plethora of sleepless nights and trips to the doctor you probably could have a MD in pediatric medicine!

4. Cry when they go to their 1st day of school (or any first for that matter)

5. You feel like you could literally sleep for a week

6. You can get out the door in 5 min or less with all persons clothed and shoed (notice I did not add anything else)

7. You return home with all items on your grocery list (Again, I did not mention that you are necessarily sane)

8. You showered!!!!

9. You found time to read your scriptures before 9pm

10. Your kids have good manners

I never said I am successful at any of these! Now, let's add to that list, What else did I miss- what makes you feel like a successful mother???

Here is also a list of roles a mother takes on, what we really are...

party planner, chauffeur, chef, baker, singer, story teller, maid, laundry mat, creative artist, historian, stylist, Tailor, money manager, psychologist, lifeguard, decorator...

again, what did I miss- what else do you do?

My Valentine

I will spare you with all the mushinesss...

But this is MY man and I am so sorry to all those who lost out on having him...

He makes my life WONDERFUL! I couldn't be happier!

Lego Party

Now I can't take all the credit for this one. Again, my creative friend Rochelle did this over the summer and it seemed doable. But I guess I can take credit for the work I did do.

First we did the Lego drop...

Standing on a chair and seeing how many Legos we could get into a jar in one minute. Chauncey won with a whopping 14! As you can see Corbin had to do it to0. He got more joy out of throwing the Lego's and watching all the boys scrounge to pick them up.

We did a Lego scavenger hunt. They had to find all the pieces of Legos and put them together right to read the next clue. Which lead them to...
Edible Legos!!!

We did a musical Legos game. Whoever ended up with the Lego piece got to choose one of each of these... (don't worry, I hit an awesome sale at the Lego store!)

(luckily they didn't figure out that they should really try to keep the Lego instead of get rid of it!)

Then Lego cake and ice cream...

Lastly, "human Legos"...

which ended up like this...

Thank you to all who could come!! We had a blast.

Friday night we had a family birthday bash. The boys had fun opening their presents from us. Sadly, Ashlyn was feeling quite left out. Hopefully when this little girl comes it will help her feel more included when they have birthdays close.

Dylan's favorite gift...

Corbin's favorites...
And a plush Lightening McQueen, (which sadly mom, I don't have a picture of.) But he won't sleep without it. It almost had to come to church today!

We had so much fun!

Corbin is 2

And another Birthday Boy... Corbin who turned 2 today. Let's not forget to say happy Birthday to his Aunt Cami and Grandma Nini too!!! What a fun day- just wish we were all together.

My 2 favorite things about Corbin:

1. He is my cuddle bug, he kisses me, hugs me (well squeezes), and plays with my hair! Oh, how I love it! I can never seem to get enough of him.

2. He is so kind and loving, I have barely had to teach him to share and he just loves any attention any other kid will give him.

There are obviously more than just 2 things that I love about my little Corbin, like the way he runs, and the way his hair refuses to lay flat and the way he tries to be funny. But this could go on forever!

Happy Birthday my little dude!

Dylan is 6!

Today was Dylan's 6th Birthday. I am so proud and amazed at the kid he has become. Hard to believe he is already 6. Looking back at these 6 years, we have done a lot, come a long way!

But these are 6 things I love most about my Dylan:

1. His energy- it keeps me going, even though I often complain about it

2. The way the excitement and joy radiates in every part of his face- it is like it literally lights up

3. His determination- it is as strong as mine- and so he succeeds at so many things that he does

4. He loves his family and he is often showing it

5. He loves to learn, he keeps wanting more.

6. Yet he is not to big to still give kisses his mom in front of all his friends

MORE Snow Days

If your yard and street looked like this....

Do you think they would cancel school for the third day in a row, while it is 55 degrees outside, have delayed start tomorrow, and then schedule a makeup day THIS Saturday???

And...

Would you send your son to school when his own birthday party is scheduled?

P.S. It is "supposed" to snow again this weekend!!!! What will we do????????

Red Wreath

So I made this way cute wreath...

I got the idea from my friend Rochelle. I just get ticklish all over when I look at it. However, I want to know how she got her kids to help? Mine weren't nearly as helpful. And this is the first time I have wished I did not have a red door, to show it off a little more!