Childhood conversations...

The other day Kellie was getting ready for school. She is very particular about her outfits, her hair and the overall look for the day. It is not uncommon at all for her to go through 4 or 5 outfits before deciding on the perfect one for that day. Well, the other day she had done just that and had picked the perfect outfit, it was perfect hair day and she found the perfect earrings to go with the package. She was telling me how great it all was before she left for school and I just smiled. Later in the evening, she came into the living room where I was reading and was telling me how at school she kept feeling like somebody was looking at her and when she would look up, Matthew, a boy in her class was always looking at her and would smile and then look away. She said "it was kinda weird". I said "well, maybe it is because you were looking so hot in the outfit you wore today, with your hair perfect and the earrings." She smiled and said "that is exactly what I was thinking!" Ah! to have the confidence of an 8 year old.

Gardening Gurus

The past couple of days I have been able to get out in the yard and do some much needed spring yardwork. As you can see, I had some fabulous helpers who ate popcicles and popcorn and told me where they last saw a weed. What is it about working in the yard that I just love? No, it's not pulling the weeds...I think there is something about cultivating and nurturing and seeing something blossom into maturity that speaks to my mothering side. I also love digging and pruning and the way the flowers and plants work together to create something so beautiful. When we first put our yard in, I believe we were the only ones in our neighborhood who did it on our own, without the help of a landscape crew and company. At the time, I was envious of my neighbors who, in one day practically had a yard. Ours certainly didn't come together in a day, in fact three years later it is still a work in progress. But I have to admit there is some great satisfaction when it starts to come together and you can look at it and know that you helped to create this beautiful landscape.

Great Mother's Day gift idea

For those of you who might want to get a jump on your Mother's Day shopping, here are some functional ideas...

True Confessions!

So I have to confess...I am a girl who needs my down time! Last week was crazy with getting the girls everywhere they needed to be and activities that were happening. Also...as you might have realized we have 3 of our 4 kids birthdays in the month of April. Crazy!! This week hasn't been any slower. I confess...I am not Mrs. Incredible and right now I am simply trying to get everything done without turning into Mrs. Grouchy!! Especially since today is the last of the 3 birthdays. Happy Birthday Alex!! Love ya!

Drug Free is the way to be!

We were driving to Kellie's soccer game and we passed by a local high school. There was a group of boys standing in the parking lot and Kellie asked..."are those kids being drug free?" I told her that it looked to me like they were. She responded "well, that's good because that sign says this is a drug free zone!" Now the joke between Jeff and I as we pass groups of teens is to say "do you think those kids are being drug free?"

Shout-out to Sidney!

This past Monday, April 14th, Sidney celebrated her 10th birthday! Double digits...big step. It was a perfect day for a birthday. The weather was a beautiful 80 degrees, which here in Utah we haven't had any of those days so far this year. I started a new tradition of checking them out of school during lunch so that we can go out and spend some one-on-one, mother-daughter time. I am truly amazed and proud of the beautiful, young woman Sidney is becoming. She has so many amazing talents and gifts. I have always known she is sensitive to others, but recently I am realizing how much a part of her that is and what a great gift she has that will serve her well all of her life. Love ya Sid!!

Cousin Fest

This past year my brother and sister-in-law and their kids moved back from NYC and my sister and her family moved back from Arizona after living there for 15 years. It has been so much fun to have them back and to get to spend time with their families on a more regular basis. My girls are loving having their cousins around. Whether it is playing with Parker, or lovin' on James and Kate or running around with Taylor and Jordan. They love every minute of it. We are just missing Jane and Andy and their cutie Emmie who still live in Arizona.

Gracie celebrated her 5th birthday yesterday. She is our little April Fool! Her main wish list items were a pair of Heely's (check), an American Girl doll (check) and a new swimming suit (check). I am amazed at how fast time flies. As I pass different milestones in life, I don't feel any older on this side of the milestone than I did on the other. I am looking back at my last child to wean from the bottle and binkie, the last one to potty-train, the last one to graduate from nursery to sunbeams, and in a few short months I will pass the first one to junior high and the last one to begin Kindergarten. Wow! What a lot of great memories we have accumulated over those years. All I can say is seize the moments!!!

Easter Pics

Remember how fun coloring Easter eggs was as a kid! The artistic ability really comes out when the canvas is a white, cold, three-dimensional egg! Family fun for everyone and all for under ten bucks! Can't beat it!