Jeromy told me yesterday that he wanted to go to the Priesthood Session at the Conference Center instead of the Stake Center. He thought he'd have a better chance at Standby of getting in because it was rainy. So I thought I'd take the kids to the Deseret Book next to Temple Square to take advantage of the Ladies' Night Out sales.
After an hour of trying to find parking, the kids had so much energy. So I bagged the shopping idea and we went exploring. We went to the Church History Museum, which has a fun children's area appropriately named "I Am a Child of God." (Audrey recognized a depiction of the First Vision and said excitedly, "Oh, Mommy! That's when Joseph Smith got his prayers answered!" It's nice to know some things are sinking in:) ) We went to the old pioneer cabin right next to the museum, and it had a cool vegetable garden that the girls enjoyed comparing to ours. We went through temple square, noting the Tabernacle, the Temple, Moroni, the Assembly Hall, a couple of water features, a few statues, and various "itty bitty baby flowers."
After all this, we still had some time to kill before Daddy was done, so we went into the big Conference Sale inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building only to get mauled by the crowds (I had a stroller, need I say more?). So we ate our free cookies while exploring the building via elevator. After 5 minutes of that, Mommy's head wasn't going to take anymore elevators, so we went over to the Deseret Book across the street. The store was only halfway full, not all of the way! I asked the girls to stay put in the children's book aisle, and they dutifully obeyed (wow) so I could shop. Through all this, Jacob was so good! Even though it was past his dinnertime and he only had a few crackers to eat and it was nearing his bedtime.
Mommy had a few minutes to look around and get a few great books before Daddy walked in and announced it was time to buy some tacos from the street vendors. Then to cool our tongues after all those spices, we went to Dee's to get some ice cream. By the time we got home and the kids in bed it was 10:30! 2 hours past the girls bedtime and 3 1/2 past Jacob's!
What was the miracle? Everyone had a fabulous time: the kid's got to go on an adventure, Mommy enjoyed looking at and buying books at an awesome sale, Daddy went to Priesthood session in the conference center, and everyone was so happy at the same time! Everyone was polite, non-whiny and non-cranky, and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. That, my friends, constitutes a miracle in my book. Hurray!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Audrey's First Day of Preschool
Friday was Audrey's first day of preschool. She's growing up so fast! We've been looking forward to her preschool starting for some time now. It wasn't till she actually went till she understood why we were so excited for her. She had a TON of fun. You can tell by all the loot she brought home: a headband she decorated, a tracing page of her name and an Expo pen to practice with, a file folder game (laminated and everything), a schoolhouse picture/calendar, and some Bio Dough (it's like Gak). Anyway, she can hardly wait to go back!!
I thought I'd mention how excited I am for preschool. Not only will I get a slight break twice a week, but Audrey will have a creative outlet for her energy that she can call her own. She has desperately needed this for some time now, so I'm thrilled. Also, they invited one parent to come on the first day to get a better idea of what they signed up for. It's at the high school, and it's part of their child development program. So that means that there's the 1 normal adult teacher, and then about 8 high school teachers/students (which means it's about a 2:1 ratio- yeah!). It also means that the district pays the main teacher, so most of the money we pay (which is the cheapest preschool I found too) goes to awesome supplies! I was very impressed when we went and am so glad that Audrey will be a part of this. Woohoo!
I thought I'd mention how excited I am for preschool. Not only will I get a slight break twice a week, but Audrey will have a creative outlet for her energy that she can call her own. She has desperately needed this for some time now, so I'm thrilled. Also, they invited one parent to come on the first day to get a better idea of what they signed up for. It's at the high school, and it's part of their child development program. So that means that there's the 1 normal adult teacher, and then about 8 high school teachers/students (which means it's about a 2:1 ratio- yeah!). It also means that the district pays the main teacher, so most of the money we pay (which is the cheapest preschool I found too) goes to awesome supplies! I was very impressed when we went and am so glad that Audrey will be a part of this. Woohoo!
Friday, October 3, 2008
First Haircut
A few days ago, Audrey got into the scissors. You know what that means, haircut time!! I've been trying to talk her into letting me cut it for awhile now, so I guess she just saw the scissors and wanted to do it by herself first (so Audrey). After she cut a little lock off the side (and not telling me, of course, until I found the hair on the ground in her room!) I tried to convince her again about the benefits of cutting her hair (making an even length now that she made it uneven, less tangly, grows faster and better...) but she wouldn't have it.
So last night after baths, I was combing her hair and she was getting upset about the tangles, so I tried again. I told her she wouldn't have that many tangles if she let me cut it. She said okay! Well I wasn't going to waste any time (even though I was in a hurry to get out the door to get some groceries) and grabbed the nearest scissors and started cutting. Jeromy barely had time to whip out his phone and take a pic. So there you have it, she finally got her first haircut! My mom will be so happy to hear that; she's been dying to cut Audrey's mullet off for ages!
Until yesterday, I had never cut any of my kids' hair! I don't know what it was, but it was really hard for me to let go of Audrey's hair. Probably because it took SUCH a long time to grow and partly because the ends are her baby hair:( You can't get rid of that! Plus, the girls in my family have cute little baby curls until their first haircut. So now I'm kind of in a predicament because she still has those baby soft curls on the sides because they weren't long enough to cut, but it's straight in the back. Plus she hardly has any hair in the front (anybody know what I can feed her to make her hair grow?) And don't even get me started on her many cowlicks!! Poor thing, I'm sorry I passed those on to you.
Here's Audrey showing off her new do. She is loving it!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Alone at the Temple
Jeromy and I have been trying to find ways to be more spiritual. So for the last month, Jeromy has been waking up at 4am every Tuesday to go to the early morning session at the temple. What an example he is to me! So I decided that maybe I should go alone too; after all, we don't have a babysitting co-op anymore and haven't been for awhile. Last night I went to the temple alone for the very first time. Let me remind you that I got married the day after going for my own endowment, and have gone with my sweet husband ever since (7.5 years). I don't know why I never did it alone, maybe a little bit of fear that it would be weird or lonesome or something. But let me tell you, it was very refreshing! I don't get a whole lot of chances to be alone these days, and to do something as spiritually rejuvenating as attending the temple and all by myself, it was just that: spiritually rejuvenating! I didn't have any distractions (except those people that apparently don't know how to whisper!) and so I could focus a lot better. I'm not saying that I'll never go with Jeromy again, just that it's great to go by myself every once in awhile. Anyway, I wholeheartedly recommend it! Now I've got plans to go there every other Wednesday (that's my self-appointed night off each week- love it!). It's times like these that remind us what days are to come and how we all could use all the help we can get to make it through these tough times, when the adversary is working overtime and getting more and more desperate. Anyways, I'm so happy I finally went by myself and so excited for next time!!
Audrey's Sign
Audrey drew this sign quite awhile ago, and I'm just now getting around to scanning it in. Oh well. It's still a funny story.
Jeromy and I were working on some household projects and the girls were coloring happily. Audrey came to show me her picture:
Yes, that is a yellow line coming down from her crotch with a yellow puddle underneath her feet (you might want to pull up the picture so you can see it better). Um, ya, shocking. She calmly explained her drawing as, "This is me peeing in the garden." So I tried to mask my shocked face and ask her if she drew that because she had done it before. All shifty eyed, "Um, no, Mommy." Whatever. I totally don't believe you. I didn't think this would happen with my daughter!!! I thought that was a boy thing to do! Gross. I gave up pressing her for more information, opting to just not think about it. Ew.
Well she was so proud of her drawing that she asked to make it a necklace and then she and Kierra pretended it was a gold medal and awarded it to each other.
Jeromy and I were working on some household projects and the girls were coloring happily. Audrey came to show me her picture:
Yes, that is a yellow line coming down from her crotch with a yellow puddle underneath her feet (you might want to pull up the picture so you can see it better). Um, ya, shocking. She calmly explained her drawing as, "This is me peeing in the garden." So I tried to mask my shocked face and ask her if she drew that because she had done it before. All shifty eyed, "Um, no, Mommy." Whatever. I totally don't believe you. I didn't think this would happen with my daughter!!! I thought that was a boy thing to do! Gross. I gave up pressing her for more information, opting to just not think about it. Ew.
Well she was so proud of her drawing that she asked to make it a necklace and then she and Kierra pretended it was a gold medal and awarded it to each other.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Deliveries
All right, I was feeling a little guilty for not checking on the kids while we were watching TV, so I went upstairs. I found the kids playing postman with my stash of envelopes.
As they were walking around handing out letters, I heard them say:
Kierra: "Happy Birthday to Hilary. I am so excited for the birthday." "Here's your delivery!"
Audrey: "I am so happy that you are turning 13!" "Aren't these wonderful?" "Oh, that was so nice of you. Thank you."
They were even nice enough to come downstairs and give Mommy and Daddy a delivery.
It's nice to think they got all of this from listening to me write letters, however I am the world's worst letter writer. Case in point: today is my little bro's birthday and I haven't sent him a card yet.
Well, way to use your imaginations, girls! I love it!!
As they were walking around handing out letters, I heard them say:
Kierra: "Happy Birthday to Hilary. I am so excited for the birthday." "Here's your delivery!"
Audrey: "I am so happy that you are turning 13!" "Aren't these wonderful?" "Oh, that was so nice of you. Thank you."
They were even nice enough to come downstairs and give Mommy and Daddy a delivery.
It's nice to think they got all of this from listening to me write letters, however I am the world's worst letter writer. Case in point: today is my little bro's birthday and I haven't sent him a card yet.
Well, way to use your imaginations, girls! I love it!!
We're Totally Lame
Okay, so, we're totally lame because right now all of our kids are upstairs playing and using their imaginations and stuff, and Jeromy and I are downstairs watching Phineas and Ferb on the Disney Channel and loving all of it. Have you seen it? So funny!!!
Ya, we're lame, I know.
Ya, we're lame, I know.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Music FHE
We learned about music appreciation tonight for FHE. I put some different classical songs on the CD player and asked them what it reminded them of or what it made them feel like. Kierra's standard answer was "it makes me feel like standing." Then on Vivaldi's Spring, when I asked Kierra what she thinks of when listening to it, she exclaimed, "The Little Einsteins!!!" To which Audrey corrected her that it was The Little Einsteins Halloween. Ya, we watch a lot of TV, can you tell?
So by the time we had closing prayer, Jeromy and I were already battling the giggles. Audrey started out by saying something that we thought was pretty funny (Jeromy and I were smirking at this point, but keeping the giggles back). Then she said, very seriously, "We're thankful we can be quiet during prayers." (Jeromy and I are REALLY battling giggles back now!) Further reprimanding her parents: "And we're thankful we can be reverent." We lost it. How in the world are we supposed to model reverence when they're so darn funny!
So by the time we had closing prayer, Jeromy and I were already battling the giggles. Audrey started out by saying something that we thought was pretty funny (Jeromy and I were smirking at this point, but keeping the giggles back). Then she said, very seriously, "We're thankful we can be quiet during prayers." (Jeromy and I are REALLY battling giggles back now!) Further reprimanding her parents: "And we're thankful we can be reverent." We lost it. How in the world are we supposed to model reverence when they're so darn funny!
Names
I saw this on a friend's blog and thought I should try.
Holy crow!! 72!?!?!?!?
My maiden name is MUCH more unusual. Maybe I should have kept it...Holy crow!! 72!?!?!?!?
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Sunday, September 21, 2008
Grandmother Piano
WE HAVE A PIANO!!!!
My grandmother has been giving all her grandchildren inheritance money for the last couple of years, and asked that we try to spend the money on something that would remind us of her. So we thought it was high time we got ourselves a piano!
It's not a regular one, but it is a very nice digital one (Yamaha Casanova) that sounds and feels just like a real piano. We love it! It even has some different "voices," programmed songs, weighted keys, and a record option.
I remember playing the piano with my Grandmother during one of her visits, and she taught us a usually-forgotten Primary song about plum trees (?) and birds. Anyway, it's a great memory, so I thought a piano would be very fitting, plus I've been itching to play again! Yeah!! Thank you so much Grandmother!!!
My grandmother has been giving all her grandchildren inheritance money for the last couple of years, and asked that we try to spend the money on something that would remind us of her. So we thought it was high time we got ourselves a piano!
It's not a regular one, but it is a very nice digital one (Yamaha Casanova) that sounds and feels just like a real piano. We love it! It even has some different "voices," programmed songs, weighted keys, and a record option.
I remember playing the piano with my Grandmother during one of her visits, and she taught us a usually-forgotten Primary song about plum trees (?) and birds. Anyway, it's a great memory, so I thought a piano would be very fitting, plus I've been itching to play again! Yeah!! Thank you so much Grandmother!!!
Shortage of Nice People
Really nice people are going the way of the dinosaurs, don't you think? You know, the type that'd go out of their way to do some small act of kindness for you.
I was at Ikea a couple of nights ago, and trying to figure out how to lift 2 boxes of bookcases onto my cart, when this VERY nice couple offered their help. The gentleman lifted them onto my cart, and then the woman kindly asked if I wanted them to follow me out to the parking lot so they could help me get it into my car! So, we went to the same checkout and then they helped load up my car. Can you believe it! They were just SOOO nice!
I was at Ikea a couple of nights ago, and trying to figure out how to lift 2 boxes of bookcases onto my cart, when this VERY nice couple offered their help. The gentleman lifted them onto my cart, and then the woman kindly asked if I wanted them to follow me out to the parking lot so they could help me get it into my car! So, we went to the same checkout and then they helped load up my car. Can you believe it! They were just SOOO nice!
Shawn Spencer Wannabe
Last weekend we went down to St. George and Cedar City to visit Jeromy's sister and brother and their families. We had lots of fun, guys, thanks!!
Jeromy's brother owns a scooter, and so he was very eager to try it out! Thanks for humoring him, Jay! Cuz he's not getting one!
Doesn't he look just like Shawn Spencer on Psych? He'd be thrilled if you agreed!
Jeromy's brother owns a scooter, and so he was very eager to try it out! Thanks for humoring him, Jay! Cuz he's not getting one!
Doesn't he look just like Shawn Spencer on Psych? He'd be thrilled if you agreed!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Halloween Books
I just got the latest Powell's Books e-newsletter for kids books, and there was a list of good books to read for Halloween (one of my favorite holidays). I've been looking for the last couple of years for some good Halloween books for kids, so I'm excited to see this.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Girls Night Out
Aren't friends wonderful? I just got back from a great dinner get-together with some old friends in Provo. They put together probably 8 small tables to accommodate us! It was so wonderful to sit with each other and chat and just have a wonderful time together. We need to do that more often!
I just wanted to say that I'm so grateful for all my friends out there. Especially on the days when I'm feeling sorry for myself because our new ward is crappy, I can know that I do have good friends out there, they're just not that close in proximity anymore. Thanks everyone! I'll see you on the blogs!!
I just wanted to say that I'm so grateful for all my friends out there. Especially on the days when I'm feeling sorry for myself because our new ward is crappy, I can know that I do have good friends out there, they're just not that close in proximity anymore. Thanks everyone! I'll see you on the blogs!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
"Working Together" Song
I've been trying to finally finish organizing the food storage in the basement, but what with the Box Tops Sale and Quaker Sale at Albies last week, I just added more to the mess. Among all the items I got from the sale, I brought home about 70 boxes of cereal (woohoo, a year's supply!). So today's task was to organize and rotate cereal boxes, and I got the girls to be my "big helpers" (I am SO grateful that their little ears still perk up when I say this and they're usually willing to do something for me if I keep it fun).
Anyway, I asked the girls to move all the boxes of cereal into one area by the shelves. They proceeded to do so, putting them in one long line on the concrete. I left for a minute to clean up a spill, and when I came back downstairs, I heard Audrey and Kierra singing a song they had just made, all while shuffling boxes around:
"Work to-geth-er, work to-geth-er, don't you cr-y. Work to-geth-er, work to-geth-er, don't get distracted. It's fun to work and help and sing...."
W-O-W. After feeling like a not-so-confident parent yesterday, to witnessing this today, it made me feel a lot better. Sometimes I just can't get over how blessed I am to have these sweet children in my life. I didn't say anything to them about working together, or not crying, or getting distracted, or anything! I only asked them to be my big helpers and move cereal! What's funny is that after a couple of minutes of singing, Audrey asked me what "distracted" means. Hmmm, now I've got to think of something else for them to help me with tomorrow....
Anyway, I asked the girls to move all the boxes of cereal into one area by the shelves. They proceeded to do so, putting them in one long line on the concrete. I left for a minute to clean up a spill, and when I came back downstairs, I heard Audrey and Kierra singing a song they had just made, all while shuffling boxes around:
"Work to-geth-er, work to-geth-er, don't you cr-y. Work to-geth-er, work to-geth-er, don't get distracted. It's fun to work and help and sing...."
W-O-W. After feeling like a not-so-confident parent yesterday, to witnessing this today, it made me feel a lot better. Sometimes I just can't get over how blessed I am to have these sweet children in my life. I didn't say anything to them about working together, or not crying, or getting distracted, or anything! I only asked them to be my big helpers and move cereal! What's funny is that after a couple of minutes of singing, Audrey asked me what "distracted" means. Hmmm, now I've got to think of something else for them to help me with tomorrow....
10 Lighter!!!
So, 6 weeks into Weight Watchers, and I've lost 10 pounds!! Whoohoo! Only 30 more to go! Well, okay 40, but my immediate goal is 30. Anyway, I'm kind of in an exercise video rut, getting a little bit sick of Slim in 6 (although I would highly recommend them, it's just that I've been doing them for months now and want something new). Anyway, does anybody have any good workout videos they'd recommend? Has anybody tried Power 90? I can't decide what to get next.
Friday, September 12, 2008
They're Back!
The girls got back on Wednesday night, and although our freedom is yet again gone, we are so glad to have them back. We missed them so much! Wow, those Grandmas really taught them well, because they have had the greatest manners since they got home! We hardly ever have to tell them to say please or to request something in their non-whiny voices. It's been very nice. Although, they do keep accidentally calling me Grandma, which is totally understandable. So thanks again, Grandma Corless and Grandma Wilson, for taking such good care of our precious girls so we could have a much needed break! Thank you!!
Now that they're home, I'm reminded of all the things that I've been thinking about lately about how to include the children in my daily life. They got a lot of one-on-one attention at their grandparents' homes, and I'd like to continue that as much as possible (and still have a little left over time for myself:). Anyway, we've been trying to figure out how to go about doing this. Yes, it would take half the time to NOT have them help me with the laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. but they need to learn sometime, right? Plus, they love to spend any amount of time with me, and they're still in the age of "loving to help." But it's so easy to just turn on a cartoon for them so they're out of the way as I scrub toilets or whatever. So, I'm just wondering if any of YOU have any ideas on how to include your kids in these kinds of activities and jobs. And what other kinds of one-on-one activities or fun adventures do you do with your kids??? I must know!!!
Now that they're home, I'm reminded of all the things that I've been thinking about lately about how to include the children in my daily life. They got a lot of one-on-one attention at their grandparents' homes, and I'd like to continue that as much as possible (and still have a little left over time for myself:). Anyway, we've been trying to figure out how to go about doing this. Yes, it would take half the time to NOT have them help me with the laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. but they need to learn sometime, right? Plus, they love to spend any amount of time with me, and they're still in the age of "loving to help." But it's so easy to just turn on a cartoon for them so they're out of the way as I scrub toilets or whatever. So, I'm just wondering if any of YOU have any ideas on how to include your kids in these kinds of activities and jobs. And what other kinds of one-on-one activities or fun adventures do you do with your kids??? I must know!!!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Missing My Girls
My girls have been gone for awhile and we miss them! They were at Grandma Corless's last week, and Grandma Wilson's this week. I have to admit it has been incredibly nice to have a break and for them to have some face time with their Grandma's, but we do miss them tons! So I thought I'd post some random pix and videos of them from the last couple months.
Awww, she loves me!
They got into our Rockband mike one day, and decided to make a stage and get dressed up. I walked into the room right when Kierra was singing her ABC's (notice her new letter "kay-ch"). Too cute!
In all fairness, Audrey wanted to have a turn too. So here's her new version of her ABC's.
We couldn't leave out our adorable, messy little boy!
Awww, she loves me!
They got into our Rockband mike one day, and decided to make a stage and get dressed up. I walked into the room right when Kierra was singing her ABC's (notice her new letter "kay-ch"). Too cute!
In all fairness, Audrey wanted to have a turn too. So here's her new version of her ABC's.
We couldn't leave out our adorable, messy little boy!
Yellowstone Trip
Okay, so this post is a week late, but better late than never, right? So for my birthday this year, Jeromy took me on a little trip up to Yellowstone for the weekend, just the two of us. It was wonderful, especially since we haven't had a trip like that since before we had kids. I think the best part was seeing Hello Dolly at the Playmill Theatre! So fun!
There was a group of female elk and their young right next to the road. Cool.
Okay, here's a test for you. There's a grizzly bear in this photo, can you find it?
We went on a hike up to see Mystic Falls. Awesome. Oh so are the falls. ;)
How can you go to Yellowstone without seeing Old Faithful?!?
There was a bison right next to the road, so we had to get a video of it. We were so close that we could hear it wrip the grass out of the ground!! All I can say is, boy am I sure glad that car could go 0-60 in 5.2 seconds!! jk :)
There was a group of female elk and their young right next to the road. Cool.
Okay, here's a test for you. There's a grizzly bear in this photo, can you find it?
We went on a hike up to see Mystic Falls. Awesome. Oh so are the falls. ;)
How can you go to Yellowstone without seeing Old Faithful?!?
There was a bison right next to the road, so we had to get a video of it. We were so close that we could hear it wrip the grass out of the ground!! All I can say is, boy am I sure glad that car could go 0-60 in 5.2 seconds!! jk :)
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