Two VERY Cute Parties

Simon turns 1

Cute Simon (my friend Fiona's little boy) turned one last Friday and had an Easter picnic to celebrate. The birthday boy napped while the rest of us ate lunch which included adult and kid food, and then the kids went on an Easter egg hunt. All the kids were allowed to find 10 eggs, and when everyone finished they were free to hunt down any lingering eggs. Miriam had a blast and there was not one tear shed by any of the 10 + children there. These eggs were filled with good stuff too...not jelly beans that taste like play dough, starburst, and Jelly Belly beans, M&M's and chocolate eggs. Yes that is a train cake made with the Williams Sonoma train mold. Fiona said it took forever just greasing the thing (with q-tips) but it was well worth the effort. The kids just stood around it drooling. Simon woke up from his nap just as the egg hunt was dying down to open his gifts and then the kids were free to pick a train car (there were also 2 dozen cupcakes all decorated cute and then ice cream). It was the closest I have come to a Willy Wonka experience. Great Job Fi (hope you got that nap in).

Ali turns 4

On Saturday Ali made Miriam's dream come true by having a tea party birthday. The little girls had Kool-Aid, heart shaped PB&J sandwiches, and the cutest cupcakes on a real glass tea set. Miriam LOVES tea parties. She made Sarah, Julia and I practice the night before with about 5 tea parties in a row, but still hadn't had her fill by the party.

The darling little girls.

The cute food table (really good chicken salad sandwiches for the adults).

There was also a big kids table, decorated just as cute, but no real tea set. Josh has a zillion girl cousins on Kelly's side of the family so he either participates or sits around with the adults. He is usually up for whatever.

Not only did Miriam get to have a tea party with little girls (rather than her mom), but we guessed how many jelly beans were in a jar and she won a Strawberry Shortcake tea set herself. Actually, I hear that Kelly's brother Joey guessed closer, I hope he isn't too upset. The set couldn't have gone to a more tea party adoring girl. I am TEA PARTIED OUT at this point. I am so tired of spilled water all over the place, but Miriam is still enjoying the set. Great party Kel!

My Big Brother

I missed posting on my brothers birthday, my only excuse is that I am 8 months pregnant. I think that should cover it...I am big and tired. Happy Late Birthday Big Brother! It's sad that this is the only picture I have of him, they have another little girl now and Josh & Ali (kiddos) are much much bigger.

Erik is one of a kind that is for sure.
He is HILARIOUS but he doesn't really like to socialize so only a blessed few get to experience his humor.

He is so smart...again since he doesn't socialize much you would only know this if #1 you saw all the books he has read and is currently reading or #2 you spent a great deal of time with him, which is unlikely because he spends all his free time playing and teaching his children.

Erik is a great writer, I have read some of his college stuff and it is really great.

Erik has these quirky OCD things that are so funny. For instance he can't stand to watch people bite into a banana, he shutters if he sees a banana touch someones lip. The only way for him to eat one is to break off a piece and toss it into his mouth. There are many other little things like that that crack me up!

He doesn't like crowds or being too close to people. Exception, his children who are constantly climbing all over him. I think at times people have thought him shy, but he really isn't. He just doesn't want people to invade his space. He can have all the friends he wants, but I think he is pretty happy with his family and doesn't need much more.

Speaking of children, he is great with them. All of them, and especially his own. He knows how to play.

He is good at his job. Being smart helps, and articulate, but he is REALLY good with people. I know that seems funny when he doesn't seem to really want people around. It's an anomaly.

He can get people to believe anything he says. He has told me a few whoppers that could have changed the course of my life had I not been clued in by others. I admit I can be gullible, but he has convinced more than just me of things.


This picture is in honor of my first memory of Erik. We are only 18 months apart so we played quite a bit as children. When I was about 3 and Erik 4 I distinctly remember having a fight over the record player. I wanted to listen to my book on record "The Rescuers" (remember those? before we could even rent Disney videos?) and Erik wanted to listen to Kenny Rogers "The Gambler"....at 4 YEARS OLD! For some reason I think that just fits him..

I love you big brother!

Our Weekend

This has been one of the best General Conferences I have had in a long long time. Mainly because I was able to listen to so much more of this Conference then any in the last 3 years. Miriam has been pretty needy during other Conferences and I have ended up entertaining her during the two days and really hearing about 3 talks. This time around, my plan was to be armed with tons of distractions for her, and to totally wear her out during the 2 hour intermission.

Saturday morning session

Paint, color, cut, glue..she made about 6 "art projects". Helped mom do the dishes (thats why she isn't wearing a shirt, it was wet).

Between Sessions:
We met my friend Erin, and her cute family at the zoo for her little girls 1st birthday party. Erin was one of my companions on my mission in Boston. I had amazing companions my whole mission (the odds of that are very slim), and this girl was one of the very best. So many laughs, Erin is just such an original. She loves pioneers, making pottery, vintage homes and decorations, men with red beards (she found one!), playing basketball, and has more friends than anyone else I know. Darin and Miriam at the zoo, it was so novel to have him with us we had to take a picture.

Second session: We listened to Conference during the 30 min drive home. Once home, I have to admit I napped, I have no idea what Miriam did.

Priesthood Session:

We went to McD's to get another Wiz o Oz doll, I called around and we have missed completely the Glenda Doll. I thought I just needed to go to McD's once a week, but each franchise just gives them out until they are gone and moves on to the next doll so you have to go EVERY DAY to find out what they are giving away. I really need to let this obsession go I can not compete with the world power that is McDonalds. I still want the tin man, scarecrow and lion, I can't help myself I have a problem. I know I could find them on ebay, but if they are more than $3 it really isn't worth it since Miriam plays with them all the time, she loves them (notice Dorothy's hair). I haven't kept them in the original packaging or anything. We stopped at the Red Box and rented Fairytopia for Miriam (I was shocked it was in) and The Holiday.

Sunday Morning Session: Miriam watched Fairytopia, and then we made oatmeal craisin cookies.

Between Sessions:
We started our Christ Centered Easter activities (thank you G'ma for the book) by going on a nature walk to collect things that remind us of the Easter story. The walk took us to the nearest elementary school where Miriam ran and played hard (which was the point).

Sunday Afternoon Session: Miriam watched Fairytopia AGAIN which we usually wouldn't let her do but it was so nice to have her occupied. I have to admit, again I did some napping (I am not sleeping well at night). Miriam came down and fell asleep herself while conference was finishing. It was a wonderful weekend for me. So many of the talks seemed to relate directly to things I have been thinking about, and working through the last little while.

I finished a new baby project that has been on my 'To Do' list for awhile. Shirts for Miriam and her friend whose little brother is due in two weeks (but could come at any moment). I originally wanted to have them embroidered, but thought the $10 each shirt was a bit much. I went to buy velvet iron on letters and could find them only at Hobby Lobby. After driving to the nearest HL store, they just happened to be restocking the entire iron on section and didn't know when the letters would be out so I settled on the bling bling. I think its cute, even though the rhine stones may fall off after the first wash. I am clueless is $10 a shirt a good price for embroidery?

Happy Conference Weekend from our Family to Yours!

We are just enjoying a lazy Saturday waiting for General Conference to begin. It's lovely weather here and I believe there will be a quick trip to the zoo between sessions. This will be the first time Darin has come with us since last summer. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Weekend Review

Miriam and I had a great time with my parents this weekend. We all threw away lots of junk (the purpose of my trip was to clean out a back room that held all our high school stuff), had some great sister/mother discussions, and enjoyed each others company. Grandma gave Miriam her very first ever hair cut. I didn't save any hair because she is three not 3 months, but I did take pictures of the occasion. We only took off like an inch and a half.

I finally got together with my best friend from High school this trip. As requested by a few other high school friends here are pictures of Mary, her sister Alison and their kiddos. Mary is as funny and cute as ever, her girls are darling...can you believe that curly hair?! We need to get together more often.

Curses to McDonalds!! Evil marketing geniuses. They are giving out Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz dolls in Happy Meals (Bevan....that email you sent was the death of me, I couldn't rest until Miriam had one). I, of course want them all for Miriam...I want 2 sets one she can play with and one to keep forever. I have been coveting the real Madame Alexander Wiz of O dolls ever since Miriam fell in love with Dorothy. Here is my theory on what happened. I think Happy Meal sales were slipping because mothers don't want their kids eating hormone infested, mass produced beef and chicken, trans fat laden artery destroying french fries, and type 2 diabetes creating pop so MD decided to target the mothers with a toy they can not resist. I know, I know, you can choose milk and apples with caramel sauce or like carrots. Miriam will take chocolate milk but there is no way she is going to eat apples when she is surrounded by people eating french fries. She knows the whole purpose of fast food is the french fry. I am trying to resist going to collect them all, but they really are just as cute as they look. If anyone just happens to love Happy Meals but not care for the toys feel free to send them my way.

Tagged

I was tagged my friend Andrea a while ago so I am finally gettin' to it. I am suppose to come up with 6 random things in my life and 6 things that I am happy about right now.

Andrea with her cutie kids

Random
1) Andrea and I went to high school together but we were not friends back then. She was Darin's first girlfriend in Price and we became friends.....hummm I don't know if I remember why we became friends but it wasn't until after both of us were married, and it was through email I believe.

2) I am friends, or at least friendly with all of the girlfriends Darin had in Price (even friends with the ones who weren't officially girlfriends but wanted to be) but he is not friends with any of my boyfriends. What does that say about me?

3) I wasn't a very good mother today. I have felt and been told that I am too lenient on Miriam, that I need to be more firm and strict. So today I was. There were 2 serious talks, 2 time outs, tears shed by both of us. I realized late in the day she has a bad urine infection and has been holding her pee all day (sometimes losing that control) to keep from feeling pain. I am crying about it all over again as I type...I would love a re-do.

4) I recently learned that a woman's upper lip gets noticeably "puffy" right before she goes into labor. There is also a theory among nurses that a quick change in barometric pressure causes water to break in pregnant women who are close to delivering.

5) Darin is working so hard right this moment on homework or work or something. There is a part of me that feels like I should clean something, or fix something but I am emotionally drained. All I want to do is eat, so I am blogging instead.

6) Is anyone else taking fish oil supplements? My OB put me on them with this pregnancy for the Omega 3's.



Happy Things

1) I went to Enrichment tonight where the theme was "Sharing the Journey". Darin came home early so I could go. It was wonderful, a few women openly shared trials they had been through (well, some were read anonymously). I feel spiritually fed and much closer to the women in my ward. This, added to my day with Miriam is why I am emotionally drained. I also had some good Clam Chowder.

2) My mom was up today and we went to a Nutrition store. I love hanging out with my mom and we both love nutrition stores. We could each spend a small fortune there.

3) I redeemed my gymbucks today and only went over $5 the allotted amount (you know, you have to spend $50 to get the $25 off...well I only spent $55, usually I end up going way over).

4) While at the mall I finally bought some good foundation. I feel much prettier even with the mask of pregnancy that I get (it doesn't go away completely even when I am not pregnant).

5) Miriam and I are going to stay with my parents for the weekend! Unfortunately Darin has lots of stuff to get done so he isn't coming. However, it's still very happy because Miriam will be entertained all weekend, and I fully intend on going to see a dear friend Mary while I am down.

Madison, Marcus, Josh and Ali - Miriam's entertainment for the weekend.

6) It's spring! I have been to the park almost everyday with Miriam. Today it rained but I love Spring rains too. Even though I have to wear SPF 50, a hat, and sunglasses ( the mask of pregnancy thing) I love the sunshine.

Okay, I want to tag my whole family but I will start with Sarah and Vanessa, and see where it goes from there.

A Charmed Life

In past posts I have mentioned my love of pearls and I have to say they are the closest thing I have to a personal lucky charm. Many of the major events in my life included me wearing pearls. I have received pearls as gifts from many people I love. It started with my baptism when parents gave me tiny white pearl earrings to wear and told me I could always be as pure and white as they are if I would use repentance in my life. I wore these earrings to the temple before my mission, and then again when I was married to Darin. Over my lifetime, I have been given a ring, three necklaces (all different) and have bought myself an everyday pair of earrings (not real). I wore pearls to all of my graduations, I wear them to most weddings I attend and almost every Sunday to Church. I like the way I look in pearls but I wonder if thats because I I feel loved when I wear them?

My everyday earrings, when I wear earrings at all I usually wear these.

The Joy of Rainbows

I made up my own Joy School lesson today rather than following the lesson plan (the original lesson was on Order, I just couldn't get into it...possibly because I am just not an organized person). We learned about RAINBOWS. We read a book about how rainbows are made, and how you can make your own rainbows (hose, crystal, bubbles) then I taught them some colors in sign language and tried to teach them the rainbow song from Signing Time. I don't think they will remember the song but they seemed to have fun. Here are the crafts for the day.

We melted broken crayons to make big heart crayons (family fun magazine).Miriam and I dyed egg shells earlier in the week so the kids could make shell mosaics also from Family Fun. We have some left over so I have plans to make mosaic eggs for Easter. I hope the shells are easy to peel even with all the glue, I don't want to waste the eggs, I am already starting to crave deviled eggs.

Next week we are going to have a lesson about new babies, specifically baby brothers because all three of the little girls are getting them in the next three months. Actually, one little brother was born this morning (one down, two to go). So far my plan is to; of course read a story or two about new babies, learn the song "We are a Happy Family" from the Primary Songbook, and have them decorate onsies with fabric paint. Any other ideas, games, snack ideas, or songs would be welcome.

It's about Bloomin' Time!

Anyone who has talked to me about Miriam's princess fixation knows my beef with Barbie and the Disney Princess movies - Where are the African American Princesses??? I love Mulan, and Pocahontas, Jasmin is great but the void has been obvious. Thank Heavens Disney is working on a new animated movie...HAND animated not computer which is even more exciting! You can read the article here, and New Orleans fans will be excited because it's set there. All little girls should be able to identify with a princess and since Disney and Barbie are saturating the media, I hold them responsible to provide those princesses. I guess Disney wins the race! I can't wait to take Miriam, this may be our first trip to the theater, and by theater I mean dollar movie so it will be awhile.

*Edited I just had a thought...perhaps this is old news and every news network has reported this a million times. I just read it in the paper last week, keep in mind that we don't have a tv!

Amusing Things

What a surprise. I haven't talked to my cousin Kristi in....years. I call her on the phone last Thursday, and the next day gifts from her show up in my mail! She sent the baby this super soft and cuddly blue blanket (it is a pretty blue, the picture is just crazy) with 'Miriam's Little Brother' embroidered on it. It was so thoughtful because Miriam was just as excited about it as she was for her own gifts. Kristi sent Miriam a cute Spring dress with her initials embroidered on it and a book about babies. I LOVE getting surprises in the mail, but more than that I LOVE when Miriam gets surprises in the mail. Thank You Kristi, it's fun to get something now, just as the excitement of the pregnancy is getting old (two months left). This bumps up the anticipation which makes me less annoyed when baby R does things like.... freestyle swim exercises at 4:00 am that won't quit until I get up and eat something. I love to eat, but eating at 4:00 am alone in a cold kitchen is not even fun, what a waste of calories.

The St. Patty's Day report

Miriam was kind of funny about the whole Leprechaun thing. She was excited to leave a box out for him to hide chocolate coins but she was adamant that he NOT enter her room, or even come upstairs. She placed the box outside the front door so he could walk in, hide it and leave.

The Leprechaun messed up the living room and kitchen, which Miriam found amusing, but she quickly flushed the green toilet water away. I am not sure if she was disgusted or what?? Funny side note: since I was awake that morning at 4:00 am, I used that bathroom, so I added the food coloring again, but in my sleepless haze I added blue. I had to hurry and fix it while she looked for her treasure.


Miriam sporting the St.Patty's day necklace my mom sent her last week, she wore it all day long. Also wearing a dress she had when she was 1 that she adores, but it is way too small so I only let her wear it to bed, and her snow white shoes (also a gift from my mom).

M, eating her green eggs. We didn't eat all green food all day, but I did make corned beef, potatoes and cabbage for dinner. I made it in the slow cooker (family fun recipe). For the first time, the corned beef turned out really well (I have always made it in the oven before), but we didn't like the cabbage as well as when I make it on the stove...too water logged, same goes for the potatoes. Next year it will be perfect, mark my words! While I am on the subject of recipes I tried Michelle's Pasta with Carrot/Shallot Sauce and it was SO GOOD. I am trying to make more vegetarian meals for our family (obviously, not today) and this one is a keeper, we all loved it. Michelle's recipes can be a bit difficult (she's got skills) but this one was easy, I didn't mess it up, and I usually mess up the first try.

Miriam and I went to the zoo while Darin worked on his thesis. We are having such beautiful weather the zoo was overcrowded. Miriam is use to the zoo being virtually empty from our trips this winter so she didn't have the best time. She is not a crowd/noise/hyperactivity lover. She also fell and scrapped up her knee, yes blood was involved and she didn't want to be brave. Luck was on our side however, when we returned home the neighbor girls were playing in the courtyard and Miriam had a blast. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Weekend Re-cap and the Week Thus Far

We were with family this weekend celebrating Darin's big brother's birthday. We had a great dinner and wonderful cake thanks to Mom and "Bad Byron" Dad. Vanessa needs to post about the quilt she made for Regan. It was a strip quilt out of plaid fabric with that really silky soft fur-like stuff they are making baby blankets out of these days, for the back. It was fun to be with family and especially fun to see Lisa and Alicia (since they live so far away). Alicia's eyes are freakishly sensitive to our camera so Darin took a million pictures of them to see if she could keep her eyes open. It was worth it because he got this darling picture of the two of them.

Good Times! I hope the summer reunion works out!


Miriam had a dentist appointment Monday, here she is showcasing her prizes, a Dora toothbrush, and Fariytopia stickers. WooHoo! she received a clean bill of health, not even any plaque or tartar. I hope she has the good teeth genes and not the bad...my family has both. I love Miriam's pediatric dentist. She wears grape flavored gloves, and tons of jewelry to mesmerize little kids. She also gives like 12 flavors of fluoride to choose from. Darin and I are in the process of breaking up with our current dentist to find a new one (hate those awkward break-ups but he is just not very good), I wish we could just go to Miriam's.

Today was our Joy School St. Patrick's Day party and just look at how much fun Miriam had! She actually did have fun, but she is difficult when I teach. I asked the other mom's and they reassured me that she is not at all bossy, and demanding when they teach...whew!


Our Shamrock men craft. The girls went a little crazy with the googely eyes so they look like mutant shamrock people.Our green feast. As expected the jello was a hit, while the peas were snubbed.
The clues to our scavenger hunt. Can you decipher from my artwork where the clues were hidden? The girls had no problem. They were also so cute while searching. They waited for everyone to get to where each clue was and then gave each other a turn picking up the clue. So cooperative, and not competitive.

The TREASURE!

A New Blogger in Town

One of the most laid back, refreshingly honest, intelligent, hilarious women I know started a blog! This is my hometown buddy Nanci. I was so lucky to have great friends through Jr. High and High school. People make fun of the small town we were raised in (and school we attended) but I wouldn't have it any other way. I realize looking back that my good experience is mostly due to the wonderful people I was surrounded by. You big city snobs out there (not that everyone from a big city is a snob, but I have heard "ewe how was it to grow up there?" said with distaste more than I would care to) will never know how great it is to be raised in a smallish town. Yes, it does take more creativity to have fun but when that creativity gets flowing, water soaked tampons fly, power is turned off at eating establishments just to hear the screams, and illegal fireworks are let off with gusto....and we were the "good LDS kids".
Nanci was a beautiful person back then, but she is one of those people who really blossomed after high school, and she just keeps getting better and better. With every pregnancy (3 kids) she gets more beautiful, more wise, more patient. In pure Nanci fashion she will say this isn't true but I call it how I see it. How inspirational is that? There is just something special about having people know you through those acutane, teen romance/drama years who remain your friends today.

Activity Days

We had a fun Activity Day activity last night I wanted to share since I am ALWAYS trying to come up with fun activities for our girls (I have ages 9 & 10). Our Primary president asked us to make puzzles for a little boy in the ward who has autism. Each girl picked out a picture that we mod podged to a piece of plywood. The Primary president's husband is going to cut it into puzzle pieces. I am not sure how, I guess he has some sort of saw and possibly an outline to follow. The little boy we made these for has such a high form of autism he has his own primary teachers who will use these to help with his lessons. If there wasn't a need like that in a ward I am sure the nursery would like them, or maybe the girls could make them for their own families.

We also handed out our very late valentines for the girls. I took Stacy's "You Rock" idea and put a low budget spin on it (we have a very small budget). Last month we passed off one of the requirements by reading a recent conference talk by President Hickley on being kind and accepting of others. We had a discussion on being kind and then had the girls secretly write one nice thing about all the other girls in the class. I then took the kind words, wrote them on the rocks, and bagged them just like Stacey did, only my bags were plastic and the tags not quite so cute. A little candy to make it extra sweet and the girls were thrilled.