School's out!!

We are so very glad that school is out for the summer!! Yea!!! I think I am even more excited than the kids. I always have these "plans" of what we will do, and we will see if anything gets done. But most importantly I just want to have fun with the kids this summer. We are counting down, 2 months till the baby comes and it will go by fast while playing with the kids. Yesterday was a warm, almost hot day. We were so happy and spent some time at Cherry Hill for a carnival thing they were doing. Didn't really cost much, but was kind of lame, yet still fun to just be outside in the warmth enjoying each other's company. We have been so busy with so many things lately, no wonder I think I need a vacation. So it was good to just relax.
The boys went on a scout camp, (Zach's first overnighter) on Friday. They had a GREAT time and Dallin was happy he got to go with them. That left me and the girls home for a girl party. Edyn was so funny and very excited about it, in her usual loud voice telling everyone that we were going to eat ice cream, have a foot bath, paint our nails, and put on lipstick. We stayed up late watching movies, then slept in Saturday morning, and I read a book. It was great not to have to be anywhere Saturday morning. Friday we had another Dr. appt, and all looks good. I had to do the Glucose screening and get my RhoGam shot, but the baby is doing fine and getting BIG. We also got to play with our friends the Bain's on Friday, who are visiting for a mission Farewell and Lauren's Baptism. We had a great time visiting with them, and the kids of course didn't want to quit playing. We really miss them in our neighborhood. We were also able to see Lauren get Baptized. That was fun! It was a beautiful service. I love to watch these young kids get Baptized (we also had stake Baptism on Saturday). The looks on their faces is always so priceless and angelic, such a great spirit and wonderful thing to witness.
The kids (and mom) have enjoyed field day, and field trips, water parties, and rendevoux's these last few days at school.
Ali's rendevoux was really fun! They did lots of stuff in the morning with games and crafts. I helped with the fish painting. Painting rubber fish and stamping them on a piece of fabric. Edyn and I went in our Rendevoux gear as well. I was afraid the dress wouldn't fit but learned that the pioneers didn't need maternity clothes, you just wear the waist a little higher and it still works. Edyn was so good the whole time we were there, and at one point she was sitting at Ali's desk reading "The very Hungry Caterpillar" (a book that she has memorized every word to) to about 6 4th grade girls and boys. It was very cute. In the afternoon we went over to help Ali with her "business". We made homemade treats, dipped pretzels, rice crispies, scotcheroos, and cold cereal treat to sell, and she made a lot of money. They only let you bring homemade goodies if you have a food permit, so the food permit I had to obtain to teach Zach's chocolate class at least came in handy one more time. Edyn had a great time buying stuff too. Ali gave her some of her beaver pelts, but the 4th graders were so cute and loved her. They would say, "That is Ali's cute little sister just give her whatever she wants". Funny! I think she came home with as much "stuff" as Ali did.
We celebrated Bob's Birthday last weekend on Memorial day. Zach played in the Wasatch Cup soccer tournament and had his final game that morning. They took 2nd in their division. Then we went the the Huggin's (a really nice couple in our ward) for a big breakfast that they invited the whole ward to. It was awesome! Then we went and saw "Prince of Persia" a pretty good movie, actually if you like sword fighting and lots of flying through the air action it was the best movie I have ever seen, almost the whole movie consisted of this. And had dinner at Cafe Rio, then cake (bob's prefered birthday cake is Coffee Cake), ice cream and presents. I think he had a fun day.
We set up / arranged the play room into a nursury for the baby. I found cute crib bedding pieces that look good in that room at Target and Ali and I cleaned the room up and set up the crib. It makes us even more excited for the little man to get here and take ownership of his domain. If only we could set the perfect name for him. This may be the first one we are deciding in the hospital.
Update on the parakeet. Yes, we have another one. The 2nd bird perished as well. Unbelievable! Thank goodness Petco is so good at trading for new ones. This time he picked a female bird and named her Lizzy. She is blue and cute and so far (we have passed the dreaded one week mark) is still alive. Now Dallin is trying to work with her and make that Bond.
Edyn also had her preschool program. It was so cute and all the kids were dressed as nursery rhyme characters. Edyn and Eli were Jack and Jill. They looked so cute. They new all the mursery rhymes and we had a great time watching them. Friday, Edyn decided she wants to be a Dr. when she grows up and tells everyone about it. We spent the long moments in the Dr. office playing Dr. while she bandaged all my wounds. She still pretends everyday, all day long and lives in her own world that I am fortunate enough to sometimes be included in. Though I have to be careful when she say's "Mom" because she is not always refering to me, and will say to me "not you mom!" She frequently wants to go outside and "enjoin" (enjoy) the sun with me, and rarely leaves my side. I love it, and these days my best friend is 4 years old. We are excited to have no school, and lots of fun this summer!!

Parakeet's

Only a day before we had the bird for a week, I witnessed the most sickening thing. The poor little thing died. I walked by the cage and he was standing in the corner with his head down like he was in time out or something. I thought it was weird but kept going, then I heard him flapping like crazy and looked at him, and thought "He is having a seizure". My heart dropped. Then the poor little thing flipped over, and literally kicked the bucket. I was sick!!!! I won't ever forget that. Now I have to let Dallin know. I called Bob and he took care of it. Not that I would have touched the dead bird anyway, but technically speaking you shouldn't get a new pet bird when your pregnant anyway, so I don't ever touch them dead or alive. Bob picked Dallin up from school and gave him the bad news and they went to exchange him for a new one, also named Mike. Dallin did pretty good, but later said, "I cried three times today". Of course that broke my heart and I cried too. Then he wanted to paint a sign for him, and wrote "Our friend Mikey". If this one dies he says he doesn't want another one. Everything says that you have to play with the bird all the time to form a bond, and that they will die if they get lonely. But apparently they may also die if you over stimulate them before they have had a chance to adjust to their new surroundings. I guess they aren't much different than humans. We all need to "adjust" to new situations and need the companionship of each other. Finding that perfect balance is hard to do. So we have been talking to the new bird but leaving him in his cage, and hopefully all will go well this time. I swear the thing didn't last as long as a goldfish.
Our baby is getting bigger and bigger. And so is the mother. Wow, what a chub! (the mom, not the baby) He moves around ALL the time and I love it, except when he pushes on my bladder or my cervix. That kills. The kids are having fun watching him move around in there as well, and they think my poke out belly button is hilarious. I think he must weigh 10 pounds already and we have a little over 2 months to go. I try so hard not to waddle, but seriously it is hard when your sciatic nerve kills and you are so off balance. We are still thinking of names and have narrowed it down to Wyatt, Kamden, Steele, or Griffen. Who knows?
We are all very anxious for school to get out and very busy with all the "May" stuff, my "favorite" time of year! :)
A couple of Saturday's ago, my feeling were hurt so severely by my Zach. He thought he was just playing around, but me and my BIG emotions these days, a joke felt more like knives stabbing my heart out. So after several hours of uncontrollable sobs and two weeks to reflect. I've decided that though it hurt maybe it was something I needed to hear. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with just getting by, that we forget to laugh at how silly life really is. Life shouldn't be so serious, and I think I have been doing the best I can lately, only to find out that indeed I haven't been. So here is to my transformation, to be happy regardless of how I feel. I try to get my kids to understand all the time that it is their attitude that makes all the difference and will ultimately become their character, and without trying Zach then showed me that I needed to listen to my own council. So here is what happened. We were having a conversation about chores and things, and I was telling them how lucky they were to have me to make them work and what not, and Zach hold his thumbs up and says, that he would be fine with just Dad. Ugh, but now also kinda funny. Little twirp! My friend let me borrow a book that also helped me Cheer up a little just because it was so funny, and lighthearted about raising a family. We all need to laugh not just a little more, but a whole lot more. She says, "Laughter is as important to our mental health as exercise is to our physical health. People should literally plan to be mirthful. . .at least five days a week for a minimum of twenty minutes a workout." "These days when I go to church with my own frazzled family. . . several of my children look like someone tossed them in the dryer without a static control sheet, and the baby is drooling copiously on his father's shoulder. I sigh and take it all in stride because I understand that if you keep both feet on the ground, you can't get your pants on . . . and it's even harder to dance." The book was by Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard, called "Grin and Share It". It's worth reading for a good laugh and a few tears. I had to read it out loud to Bob and we both enjoyed it. So, here's to all of us (especially me in the woes of pregnancy) laughing a whole lot more.

Birthday's

It has been a busy couple of weeks with a Funeral, Mothers Day, and 2 kids birthdays.
We went to Sigurd for the Funeral which was as nice a a funeral can be. The kids gave wonderful tributes to their mom, and it was fun remembering Aunt Darlene and all the fun we had growing up with cousins on the farm. We always loved to visit there and never wanted to leave. It is sad that she is no longer with us and makes me think of how truly short life is and that we do not spend enough time with each other.
Mother's day was a great day. The kids and Bob gave me breakfast in bed, and we all slept in really late (which was wonderful). Bob gave me a CTR ring that I have been wanting, and we decided a while ago to purchase a digital video camera to give each other for Mother's day and Father's day. I figured we needed it. We never pull out the old VHS anymore. Weird how electronics get dated in a second. We had church and the kids did a their mothers day songs in Sacrament mtg. It was very cute. The chorister had all the kids holding blue flowers that they gave to their mom's. They were so cute sitting up their twisting and swinging their flowers all over the place. In Primary they wrote coupons and a little ditty about what their mom's are. Zach, my now 11 year old who has turned into a teenager (aka weird boy, and I mean that in the best possible terms) This is what he wrote, thinking he was being SO funny. . . "my mom is 7 feet tall, and 100 years old. She can yell like a Yettie, and her favorite food is a grasshopper. Her favorite thing to do is scare me. She is the best at piano and my mom loves me because she cleans my bathroom. Then instead of writing his own name on the coupons he signed his dad's name. So I guess Bob owes me a household chore without complaint, a room, cleaning, and a great big hug. Edyn thinks my favorite place to go is the hotel, I am "that tall", and "she's not old". She says I can "do my sisters job". My favorite food is "chicken and carrots". My favorite thing to do is have a Happy Mothers day, I am the best at buying her a treat and I love her because "she makes my bed for me." Ali says I like to go to the movies, cook, eat salad, go to the beach, best at sewing and she loves me because I am her mom. Dallin thinks my favorite place to go is Missouri :), I can help, love salad, my favorite thing to do is be helpful, I am the best at driving, and he loves me because I am very nice. Anyway fun day. Bob made cinnamon rolls (he is the best) and we went to Kristies to see my mom for Mother's day.
Ali's birthday was on Wednesday. We celebrated by going to surf and swim. My kids really love to go swimming. (Edyn says that is what she wants to do for her birthday too now.) We got pizza (they always get to pick what to have for dinner on their Birthday) She also had decided she doesn't like cake (I am sure no influence from her mother), so we had Strawberry pie / tart lets. It was fun because the Pearce's joined us and it was a great night. Dad took her to lunch and we gave her a "fancy" watch like mom's, a camping chair, and my old I-pod. All the stuff she really wanted, plus money from Grandparents, clothes, and shoes, a kite,and an apron from grandparents and relatives.
For Dallin's birthday we had an Egyptian Party. We had some struggles with when to have it, when his little friend brought over and invitation for the same day. Dallin insisted that his party be on his Birthday though and so eventually we rearranges times, and both birthday's were on Friday. I must be doing something wrong though, because we set the party all up outside, about 1pm the clouds rolled in ad poured until 3:30, by 4pm the sun was shining again. The party was from 1:30-3:30. Uggh. But we brought what we could in, and waited until the rain stopped for a minute to have our "Egyptian hunt / archaeological dig" which was all set up outside. I have had a bit of a bad attitude, being May and pregnant and all and felt bad that I hadn't put as much effort into the party as I usually do, but in the end it was just as great. The kids were awesome! 7 year olds are so much fun to do a party for. They want to do everything, and you don't have to babysit them. We colored Egyptian headbands, played wrap the mummy, played hot scarab, had an Egyptian hunt complete with Egyptian clues that they had to decipher to find the next clue. They went to four different sites. The sandbox, where they had to uncover coins, jewels, ring pops and the clue. A crocodile nest with eggs and snakes and a clue that they had to cross the Nile to get to (a blue tarp, and a log). Canopic jars which were yucky and the clue was inside, and the great pyramid that king tut and the loot bags were buried in the sarcophagus. Then we created an Egyptian scene with stickers, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream. The cake was a pyramid complete with the nile, palm trees, and a mummy. The kids all thought it was super cool. Then after Dallin got home from the other party, we had his favorite dinner Navajo Tacos, we sang to him again, and opened presents. We gave him a camping chair and a parakeet. Yes, the non-pet mom is now a pet of mom of not only a stupid cat but also a parakeet. Though to be honest, I like the parakeet much better. He is really cute and fun to watch. Dallin was so excited. He has been waiting patiently since Christmas to get one, when he suddenly decided he wanted a parrot and we said "No, you have to learn about taking care of one, and then maybe for your birthday." So we went to the pet store, and he picked one out. He is yellow and greenish and his name is Mike. We have all been worried about him adjusting to his new home and Dallin plays with him everyday. It has been fun, "so far".
Zach finished up his club soccer. They did awesome and ended up undefeated and #1 in their division. He will be playing again next year. He plays goalie and does a really great job, and has played some forward as well, since he usually keeps for only half the game. We are glad though to have a break from all the running. After Saturday Soccer will be over for a spell, and we will only have baseball left.

Typical last week of the month -April-

Happy Birthday Everyone!

David and Goliath. I wanted you to see how big Goliath was but he is way off the top of the pic.

Bob as Daniel in the Lion's Den. (The outfit is Joseph from our Christmas play costumes, as you can see it barely fits on Bob and he couldn't sit down or anything just stand real still). He did a really great job. Doesn't he look so cute like this?

My Teacher appreciation bulletin board.

This week was a very busy week, true to the last week of the month. We had group lessons this week, 2 make up soccer games + the 3 already scheduled and baseball practice. I did the teacher appreciation bulletin board for Mrs. Lechman's class, we had our primary activity, and a Big family Birthday party.

Our primary activity turned out really great. Bob came as Daniel in the Lions Den, we also had David and Goliath, Noah and the ark, and Joseph and the coat of many colors. We went through a time machine and the kids visited all the prophets of old and got their "passport" stamped at each station where they heard a first account of the prophet's story, and either did a craft or game activity. They did prayer rocks, and coats of many colors and wrote their weaknesses on paper crumpled them into rocks and through them at the to life size drawing of Goliath. He is really huge, then they time morphed to the present and listened to president Monson, then having a picnic lunch on blankets in the gym. It was a lot of work but really fun.

Sunday we had a dinner to celebrate all the May Birthdays. There are a lot of them. It was fun to get together with all the family and celebrate each other. Aunt Darlene passed away Sunday morning and we are all saddened by this news, and send all our love and prayers to their family.

In the funny papers. . .

Dallin is opening a present from Debbie (so cute, said We are Soda lighted you are another year older and "flew" in for your birthday and she gave them soda pop and a kite). He sees the string on the kite at the top of the present and says, "She gave me thread and I don't even sew!". Grandma gave him a very cute bracelet that has charm links and says, "I am a child of god". So he has it on and says to Bob, "My bracelet is already giving me upgrades. See how far I can hit that balloon."
Edyn calls her daddy "my best daddy". So I was talking to Bob on the phone the other day and she says, "Who was that? Was that my best Daddy?" She says it all the time. It is very funny. Friday I french braided Edyn's hair. Saturday morning she takes the braids out. (I never got around to re-doing it) So all day long she is brushing her hair. About 5pm she goes to the bathroom and is standing in front of the mirror to wash her hands. I am in the family room and hear this little scream. I was thinking what is the matter. Edyn comes out and says, "Oh, I SO hate my hair like this." "My hair is SO ugly, I need to brush it" It was so funny. She also refers to herself as your little midget, because Bob always calls her his little midget.
Ali needed something to do at Grandma's yesterday (the boys were all on the computer) so she was sucking the helium out of the balloon and talking funny. It reminded me of being a kid and thinking that was so cool. Probably not the best thing to do but we all survived it right?

Zach was excited to be MVP for soccer this week at Saturday's game (mostly because he got a giant symphony bar and a powerade bottle, but whatever motivates them to do their best right?) . So far they are doing great and are the #1 team.

Baby is getting big, and I am finding it difficult to sleep and breathe already. We only have 3 months to go. On one hand I am ready for it to be over, but since this is the last baby we will be having I also never want it to end. I am ready for him to be the last but will always love babies. We are so excited for him to get here so we can hold him and love him. He moves SO much, I wonder if maybe he is an octopus. I have a constantly rolling belly. I love to feel him so active in there. I told Bob that he gets to be mine. I want a little mama's boy. All the other kids I think are "Daddy's". Which is great because they love him so much. We are still at odds at what to name him, and are taking any ideas, if you have some. Currently top of the list are Max, Bridger, Xander, Sawyer, Andrew.

Saturday night we enjoyed a DATE with Kris and Grin. It was very fun. Debbie and Mark bought us tickets to the Desert Star Playhouse to see the Pirates of the Caribbean. It was very funny and we enjoyed drinks, ice cream, and nachos on them as well. I really don't know why they did this but it was very appreciated. We had fun just adults and the kids had fun playing with Debbie and Mark and Paislee.

It has been a very cold and wet week this week but I did manage to get the flower seeds planted and the peas. Although as I look out at the garden I can see some of the peas have washed up from all the rain. I'll have to replant them. And the cat (retarded animal) keeps digging where I planted the flowers. So I really hope any of them grow, and if you are looking for a pet cat, I know where you can get one. Everything is starting to bloom now though and the yard looks so pretty. I LOVE spring flowers, and green grass.

Field Trips

Edyn did not want her picture taken, she wanted to be the photographer! Ali at the bird refuge, and Edyn and Ella making themselves "oh so pretty" with sidewalk chalk!

This last week we had two field trips. Ali went to the Farmington Bay Bird Refuge. Thanks to Kristie for watching Edyn so I could go. It was a little rainy, but worked out fine for us, even sunshine at the park for lunch, then rained the rest of the afternoon after we got back to school. It was fun. They talked about lots of interesting things and there are SO many bird there. The kids were so funny. I've never seen kids so excited to see birds before, especially the Blue Heron. They went crazy every time we saw one. I have to admit it was pretty neat though. Edyn went on a field trip on Friday to J&J Nursery. It was fun, and I wanted to buy all the plants there. I get so excited about plants. Crazy I know, but they make me happy!

Edyn's funny: Whenever she says the prayer she says, "thanks we can be saved". I think she really means, "bless us to be safe". But I really like the way she says it because it means so much more if you think about the atonement and the Savior. What a great thing to be thankful for. On Tuesday playing with her cousin Ella, they both decided to "chalk" themselves. HeHe!! They thought they could paint their toenails and fingernails with sidewalk chalk, and if that worked good (which surprisingly worked quite well) then surely you could "paint" the rest of your body as well. They were covered in chalk, dirty little things, but they sure were funny to watch doing it. At Edyn's field trip she wanted to take pictures. She took about 160 pictures and it clearly shows how the world looks from a 4ft. point of view!!

We got a little yard work done this week, and even had a couple of warmish days, which I am really grateful for. Please no more snow!! We had some of that this week too. My magnolia tree is in full bloom and I love IT!! There is something so cool about a tree that puts up blooms on its sticks, with no leaves like it is just too excited to show you all it has!! I also had fun on Saturday going to Mt. View Wyoming with Kristie for Michelle Tim's bridal shower. It was really fun. We haven't gotten away together for a really long time. It makes me realize even more how shut up and yucky I have felt all winter. We love the Tim's and have such a great time with them. They are Debbie's in-laws but we sort of claim them as our own. Here is a sickening thought. Michelle was so cute and I thought, "how darling to be so young and in love". UGH!! Cause then I thought "how old am I anyway??" Well, old enough to have a kid doing the "maturation program" at school. Can you believe it?? Crazy! It was good though. Bob and I talked to him first and it was actually really great. I thought that having "the talk" with your kids would be absolutely mortifying but it actually ended up being sort of a spiritual thing and a great bonding moment. I sure love that Zach, he is such a GOOD kid.

Piano Recital and Anything for a Friend

This last week we had our Piano Recital. The kids all did a really great job though Ali and Zach both had to practice just their recital pieces all week to prepare. Seriously if they just did what I ask them to it wouldn't be so stressful but when do we learn that lesson? I don't know. I also announced that I would be quitting teaching piano. This has been a very hard decision for me. I really love teaching but I am also very excited to have my first baby without a "job". I hope to spend enormous amounts of time just holding him. Saturday was also the event for my friend Becky Anderson. It was amazing. So many people donated so much stuff and SO many people were there. She is wonderful person and you could tell that so many people love her and want her to get better and want to help her out. I felt very blessed to be apart of something so wonderful.

This week Edyn decided to start signing "I love you". We have done this with the kids for years. But for some reason she thinks it means "peace". It is so funny when she signs "I love you" and says, "Peace". Lately she also refused to go to bed until you "make her laugh" aka tickle her. I love that girl, she is so funny. She has also had a lot of fun this week changing her clothes a million times. My friend Rena gave us a TON of clothes for her and we have had so much fun trying them all on. Ali taught her how to fold her laundry. She does an amazing job at it. I mentioned that she was better than the boys and then she kept giving this little attitude to them telling them how good she was. It was so funny and kind of got under the boys skin. They told her to quit bragging. HAHA

Zach has started baseball EVERYDAY. Wow. At first I was a little concerned but he can just rum over behind the school so it has worked out great, maybe this year they will learn to play. Yeah. His coach is really into it and is actually the grandpa of one of the boys on his team. Soccer is also back in full swing so the kid is getting a lot of "Outdoor time". He went on a field trip to the capital bldg. yesterday and really enjoyed it, maybe wants to be Governor.

Dallin is back playing soccer as well, and his latest life ambitions is to either be president (like of the United States), a glass maker, or a plastic maker. I love to hear what comes out of that kids mouth, it is great. He also told his Grandma Astle the other day that what he has been up to lately is "thinking". When she asked him what he told her about the baby.

Ali is having fun preparing for her Ballet recital, and playing with her friends. She is doing really well in school and has a field trip tomorrow.

April has turned out to be very busy, maybe May will be less so this year. One can hope.

Easter and Simon

Finding and decorating eggs!

Zach, Chandler, Mitch and Ash after lypsinc to the Alvin and the Chipmunks for the 5th grade lypsinc.