Wishing it were Spring

We were so happy to get out and enjoy some spring like weather the other day I had to take some pics of the kids enjoying themselves.

A Birthday party

On February 13 we had a Birthday party for Kaily. She invited 17 kids and 13 came. We had Pizza, cup cakes, pink lemonade, fruit and veggies to eat. Clint drew a great Rainbow Dash and they played pin the tail on the pony. They each got hats to decorate with foam stickers, they played in Kaily's room and over all I think everyone had a great time. I am so grateful for parents who stayed to help with my sanity. I don't think I could have pulled it off without every one's help. We will not be doing a party that big again for a very long time. =) I made chicken salad sandwiches for the adults so they could have something besides frozen pizza. I think those went well too. Kaily was nice and decided on her own that cupcakes would be better than cake. I'm so glad she did b/c it made my job a whole lot easier.

Celebrating Kaily's Birthday and Parent Day at Preschool

On Feb 10 we celebrated Kaily's birthday at her preschool. I took her first year scrapbook to show the kids and Kaily requested that I bring her favorite book, "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake", to read to the kids in her class. I stayed the whole day with her and it was fun to watch her interact with her friends.

On the same day they had their Parent Day. On parent day the parents come in and help the kids to make a craft to take home. They have a presentation they do to show off what they have learned so far. The one in February always has Valentine songs in the program. Kaily did a great job and I am so proud of the accomplishments she has made this year. After the program they passed out Valentines to each class member. It was fun to spend the day with her.

Baking

Conner LOVES waffles. He asks for them just about every morning. One day after making breakfast for him and Kaily I unplugged the waffle iron and let them sit out to cool. A little while later I smelled something. I went into the kitchen just in time to see Conner putting on my oven mitts and opening the waffle iron he had plugged back in. When I helped him open it I saw a beautiful purple waffle. It was Kaily's old Tinker Bell Frisbee. He looked up at me with such delight and said, "Cooking mama, make it." It's true that I would have gotten mad over such a thing in the past, but I am happy to say that I have evolved enough to laugh at the situation and take some pics. He was just too cute to get mad at. Don't worry, I did explain the dangers of plugs and that we don't cook toys in the waffle iron or anywhere else.

Later he put it onto a plate for me to "eat". =)

Kaily is 5

Today my baby girl is 5 yrs old. I have looked over her pictures over the last 5 years wondering how they could go so quickly. She is so much more than I ever thought she would be at this age. I honestly don't know how I lived before I had her in my life.

Here are some of her favorite things:

1. Pizza
2. Sleepovers with cousins
3. Playing pretend
4. Going to school
5. Learning new things
6. Impressing her family with her new knowledge
7. Church

Here are some things she doesn't like:

1. Cleaning her room
2. Brushing her hair
3. Being told what to do

I know there are more things, I just can't think of them. She is a delight to have around, most of the time. She helps me with so much. I am so proud of all she has done and all that she is. Happy Birthday my sweet Valentine!

Kaily at 5

* I love to play pretend with ANYONE




* I love to swing



* I hate cleaning



* I love to dance, any style



* I love to sing



* I love to be outside



* I like to help my parents cook



* I make my bed



* I enjoy telling others what to do



* I am know how to write my letters and how to read



* I love swimming



* I can make up great stories, and re-tell the ones I've heard



* I have a great imagination



* I am a princess



* I love my cousins



* I love going to church



* I love to run with my mom



* I can color in the lines, but choose not to



* I can count to 100



* I love to tease



* I hate to try new things



* I love fruit and would eat it all day if Mom let me



* I love pizza



* I love to go out to eat



* I hate it when mom brushes my hair, but I don't want to cut it



* I love to get dressed-up



* I like to brush my teeth



* I love my family



* I don't like ice cream



* I'm excited to go to Kindergarten this year



* I like to play games

The rest of Christmas

I'm going to finish our Christmas update now, I know it's been two months.

After Christmas we stayed a few more days at G & G's house, played with more cousins and went to church. Clint got roped into speaking, it happens every time we go down. On the following Monday we headed to the other side of AZ, Safford, to visit Amanda and see Daniel and A's new house. We had lots of fun playing outside, riding the ATV, watching movies, visiting with loved ones and mostly just hanging out.

On our way home we stopped by Beau and Eban's house and saw her before she had the baby, but just barely. We were so happy for the food they offered us and the great company they are. We sure have missed seeing them.

Then, December ended with no special event from us. We, except for Clint, were asleep in the car when the New Year came. We were so happy to be home and to sleep in our own beds. Jan 1 is when we opened presents from Santa and all the others under the tree. Both kids were so excited to see that Santa brought them bikes and movies.

We had a great time in AZ and a great Christmas both in AZ and at home.

Really?

While eating dinner last night Kaily and I had this conversation...

"Mom, you know, when I'm in Kindergarten I can't call you mommy anymore. Maybe I'll call you Karen or just Mom."

"Why can't you call me Mommy?"

"UGH! MOM! That would be SO embarrassing! All my friends will think I'm a baby if I do."

"So, can you call Dad "Daddy" after you're in Kindergarten?"

"NO! I'll just call him Dad. Mommy and Daddy are baby names. Are you a baby? No, I didn't think so. See, so I'll just have to call you mom and Dad, I DON'T want to be embarrassed. Do you want me to be embarrassed?"

Glad she warned me of this potentially embarrassing moment. (=

Prayer

I try, but some how it just happens. It's like a teapot sitting on the stove. Simmering at first, and then before you know it it's screaming at you to turn it down. If you haven't guessed yet, I have a temper. I try to keep in check, try to keep clam, but I have those moments. I'm not happy to admit it. In fact I'm embarrassed that I'm like that at all. I'm sad that I can get like that.

The solution, PRAYER!

I hear that calming voice in my head that reminds me to pray and then I have guilt and I feel bad. Prayer is real and it works! Honestly, it'll wk every time.

For this I am THANKFUL

for this I am HUMBLED.

Conner is TWO!

2 years ago this little bundle of energy came to us. He has been my little piece of heaven ever since. He LOVES to cuddle with me, he loves to help me cook and he loves to try to make me laugh. I can't believe that today he is TWO. Today he is running 95% of the time, getting into everything he can and is generally curious about life. He is stubborn and independent almost to a fault. He hates not getting his way, but then most of us do. He LOVES to be outside and is learning how to go potty on the big potty as well as learning to ride a bike. ( the bike is little)

There are simply not words enough to tell you how much I adore this little boy.

Happy Birthday

Conner!

Conner @ 2

* my favorite toys are cars and balls

* I like to think I can drive the car
* I have LOTS of attitude
* I want to have my own way ALL THE TIME
* I like to color, but only when Kaily is
* I run and dance as fast as I can
* I like to be in the water
* I don't like people to help me do things
* I love chocolate
* I love to go for walks
* I love to be outside
* I love to be read to
* I LOVE to cook
* I love to tease Kaily
* My favorite color is Blue
* I'm starting to say my prayers
* I like to play on any computer
* I love to laugh
* I love to cuddle
* I love to be tickeled by my family
* I love to smile
* I love to play with my sister
* I love playing
* I LOVE music
* I wear size 5 diapers
* I wear 24 month clothes