A Wonderful Birthday

As a stay-at-home mom of young children, I've learned not to expect much on my birthday. It's just another day! But this year turned out to be such a wonderful day! We were lucky to get Kira at our house most of the day. When she is around, everything is more exciting and fun. She got busy right away planning a birthday surprise for mommy with the girls. They decorated and made cards while I showered. All day long, we did the fun things you do at birthday parties. Then Kira's mom, Chrysstal surprised me with a perfect-sized cake. How did she know it was the one thing we were missing!

To top it off, Camalee and Lacy babysat while we went to dinner and a play at Hale Center Theatre (complimentary tickets from Brother Fox).

It was one of those days that I just felt so blessed for all the wonderful people in my life who love and serve me more than I deserve.

Beginner Ballerinas

The girls dance around in the living room almost everyday. They consider themselves ballerinas and princesses, who have to dress "normal" to go out of the house. But up to this point, they haven't had any lessons. So when I told them that they had a chance to go to ballet class one day with Lucy (a neighbor friend), they were thrilled!

I expected them to be shy, like they are when we go to library story time, or even at preschool. But they seemed so natural out there on the dance floor! They were in their element, and they had a sense of confidence that I marveled at. They got right in and did everything the teacher told them to, and seemed so pleased with themselves. I loved watching Millie and Grace stick together, go across the floor together, dancing the best they could. They were in heaven! And I admit, it was just fun for us parents to watch them. It made us want to get them in to dance class!

A Catchy Tune To Help With Dishes

It dawned on us about a month ago, that we have totally failed in teaching our girls to take their dishes to the sink after they eat. We've seen other children do it without even being told to, and so we realized we need to work on that! After a couple weeks of nagging them, with still bad results, I followed "Miss Kristi's" example, and came up with a little tune to just sing the reminder for them. Now, whenever they forget to take their dishes (which is still most of the time) I start singing, and then they start singing along, as they take their dishes. Somehow, this song has done wonders for us! So, here it is, (no copyright attached):

(sung to the tune of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah")

"Please take your dishes to the sink.
When we're finished that's just what we do.
If we don't clean up, we'll have a big mess!
Please take your dishes to the sink."

Halloween 2010

We sure had a fun Halloween! The girls got to carve pumpkins for the first time ever, thanks to Grandma for doing the "dirty work." The girls showed mommy how to cut it, and then Millie carefully supervised as I cut. Next they used a pen to poke a lot of little dots in the jack-o-lantern's face to make it REALLY scary! I failed to get pictures when they were fresh and cute, and now they are sitting on our front porch decaying, waiting for the garbage man to take them away Friday morning. I don't think I want to remember them in this state, so no pictures!

Grace got to dress up as "Lady and the Tramp" at all the parties, but on Halloween night, she turned into a skunk (last year's costume), and was perfectly happy.



Millie was a princess, who wore a different outfit each time she needed to dress up. Luckily, her closet is full of princess clothes, so there was plenty to choose from, and she didn't seem to mind that her costume wasn't new. She especially liked that she got to wear mommy's make-up on her eyes and lips. She wonders when she will be old enough to wear that all the time.


Claire dressed up as a bear for our ward party, but I'm ashamed to say that on Halloween, she didn't even make it in to the suit. And no pictures! I guess that's what happens to the third child!
So sorry, Claire! Who needs a costume when you are as cute as this all the time?