New Record

Today is a very important day. I have broken a record. It has been 5 days since I have been to Super Target. (applaud here).

Lost Brownie Points

Yesterday I left Jeff in the car with the girls while I ran into Goodwill, and when I came back he said, "Did you know we have beautiful girls." The rest of the conversation is as follows.

Stephanie - "I know, sometimes I look at them and think 'gosh they are so pretty'. I don't know where the get it from."

Jeff- "Yeah, I don't know either."

I just kind of looked at him and he totally realized that he should have said that they got their looks from me, and we both just started laughing.

Maybe you had to be there.

Bikes and Ballet

Bike safety is always important. Even in the house right?

I know everybody has been anxiously awaiting the pictures of my latest cake that I made for my brother and sister's-in-law baby open house. (ha ha) So here it is.

What a Steal

So I got sucked into a neighborhood garage sale last week and have now consequently been cut off for the rest of the month. Hopefully the high of my purchases will hold me over. However as a back up plan I have a couple of books to read from the library. The only problem is that I am such a bad mom when I get into a book. Whats a girl to do?

So this toy box and little wood princess vanity were such a steal. I got them both for 20 bucks. And the toy box is the one that you have to push the lid down so no little fingers get caught in them.

And this headboard was 15 dollars. The lady told me it was a full. But when we got next to the bed we realized that it was a queen. It did have the holes for a full so I guess we are keeping it but I was a little annoyed.

And here are some pictures of my deals in use.

Lauren is four

Dear Lauren,

I can't believe that you are a four year old now. Suddenly you seem so much older and more capable of doing things for yourself (which I always wanted but now feel a little sad about). And I have seen your determination to do things by yourself because you are a four year old now, and I have to remind you that even four year olds need help with some things.

I think that you and me are a lot alike. We are both afraid to be wrong. At your four year check-up they did an eye exam. You got the first ones right and then as they moved down the chart and had you cover you other eye with your hand you melted onto the floor because you couldn't see it and had tears in your eyes. The nurse was waiting for you to tell her what the shape was and you very slightly would move your hand so that you could use both eyes. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen, to see you crumble because you were embarrassed. (I cheat a eye exams too. They make you wait for so long I memorize the chart. Eye exams are so humiliating. I think they should be done away with). So we left the office with the name of an ophthalmologist.

You are a little unstable when you meet new people and are at new places. (Also a lot like me). I remember being a kid and not being able to eat a restaurants. I would just get so nervous and my stomach would just be in knots. You are scared of public bathrooms. Maybe because they are all different and there is no consistency. And I agree, some of those toilets are really loud.

Like your dad you are a loyal friend. You ask about your friends and think about them and always want them to come over a play. You have so much love to give people. You loving being with your family too. You ask when we can go on family vacations. Stating that your favorite places to go together are Kansas City, North Platte and the big house we went last summer. Also like your dad you have an amazing memory. Most especially things that have happened. Like going to the lake last summer and remembering that we brought our slide, and throwing up at the zoo in our double stroller and when you went to the park with your cousin Maddie that daddy carried both of you. Silly things like that. Or the time you were supposed to give the opening prayer in primary and you were excited about it all week and then they forgot to have the opening prayer and you didn't remember until the closing prayer and I could hear you crying in the primary room while I was playing the organ. You are so easily heartbroken when things don't go as planned. (A little like me).

You love summer. And you do not get that from me. We check the pool at our apartment everyday to see if it has water in it yet so you can go swimming. You love the park and most especially when our friends are there too. You could be outside playing, chalking, laying all day long. You always seem a little happier in the summer.

Such a sweet girl. I hope the upcoming birthdays never change that about you.

Happy Fourth Birthday
Love Mom

(Here are my favorite pictures of your birthday)

Recent Cake Adventures

I had two cakes to do in a week. Ahhh. I like to keep at least two months in between cakes so I can forget how much work and time it actually takes to make a cake. Luckily these both went smoothly and Jeff as always was very supportive of my endeavours.

This cake was for a friend's baby shower. I was afraid the color wouldn't match very well, but it ended up being almost perfect. (Oh and the paper towels were just there till the bow dried.

This one was for a stake achievement day activity that my sister asked me to make. I didn't really love this cake. I was going for boutique looking and it just didn't end up looking like that. And I didn't love the purple and pink combo. (It looks blue in the picture but it was purple). And I was so excited to do a purple cake. Oh well.

Does It Even Make A DIFFERENCE?????

The other night I went to Target to buy some groceries. For those of you who know me, this is a daily occurrence. And when I got done I only had four bags. FOUR BAGS. Now here is the dilemma. The young man (hmmppph) who bagged them put way too many groceries in each bag. I grumbled all the way up to our THIRD floor apartment (40 stairs, in case you were curious) about how the bags were heavier and awkward because they were too full. Then I thought "HMMM. They weigh the same amount whether they are in four bags or ten." So my question to all you shopping connoisseurs is this: "DOES IT EVEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE????" (If not, then I have some repenting to do).

Perhaps I'm Irrational

I am a little spontaneous. But there is a reasoning behind my madness (or my maddening behavior to my mother). And here it is: It feels that whenever I plan anything it ends up getting cancelled. For various reasons such as the kids are sick or other people's kids get, or weather issues. So I have just decided to wait until I know everyone is healthy the morning of and make plans accordingly. Jeff says this is irrational behavior because things go as planned more than they are cancelled. Am I alone in this spontaneous way of living?

Naming Game

One of the things that scares me during pregnancy is the looming idea of picking out a name. Some people can pick out a name on day one and stick with the whole pregnancy. Why would they make a pregnant woman who is emotional and short of brain power pick out a name that their child will be called for the rest of their life. Sometimes people hear a name and think "WHAT WERE THEIR PARENTS THINKING." I'm telling you it is not a good combination.


For example #1: The other night I was trying to think of an N name. (Because we have an L, M and I thought it would be cute to have an N next. The problem was I couldn't think of any. Low Brain power.

Example #2: On Friday I heard the name Kent. I thought that it would be a cute name. (Yes, I realize that it is not an N name, but then it could go J, K, L, M. Get it)? Anyway I was trying to think of a middle name. Clarke is a family name and I really want to use it so I was saying in my head "Kent Clarke" hmmm..."Clarke Kent" that sounds familiar for some reason....Oh yeah. SUPERMAN. I guess that name is out.

AHHHHH.....So much responsibility.

As Bad As Sid the Science Kid

A couple of weeks ago I bought some birdhouses for the girls to paint and put on our deck. Last week they got painted, today they got a little mod podge (because let's be honest, everything looks better with mod podge), and tonight we got birdseed in them and got them on the deck.

Here are the girls putting the birdseed into the houses. The holes are very little and it was very messy. That's what vacuums are for. Right?

The finished product. I thought they turned out very well. The girls did so good painting and mod podging the paper on. I was totally impressed.

We nailed them onto the railing so those birds won't knock them off.

And this is my brag picture. I got this table and chair set at GoodWill for $30. It was their half off furniture day and I only hesitated a minute before buying it. I am so glad I did.

Oh, I guess I should explain the title of this post. The reason we put birdhouses up was because we saw it on Sid the Science Kid. Anyway the day they put the birdhouse up Sid wondered where all the birds were and was anxious about it. We put the birdhouses up two hours ago and I keep looking out the window to see if we have any bird snacking birdseed. What am I, five? So those birds better come or I will be mighty disappointed.

When we went to Wal-Mart to buy the birdseed we went outside to the Lawn and Garden area, and there were tons of birds flying around and chirping. Lauren said to me, "They are on their way to our house to eat our birdseed, because we have it now." I told her that maybe she should tell them that we have birdhouses at our house but she said, "No. They already know."

Things I'll NEVER Understand

1. I'll never get Z scores. I get the basic idea, but not really how they get it.

2. I'll never get why men act like a cold is the worst illness ever.

3. I'll never get why all parts of your body get bigger with pregnancy instead of just your tummy. (thighs, ribs, feet, buns). (And I'm pretty sure that my organs aren't getting moved to any of those places, if you used that as an answer).

4. I will NEVER NEVER get how the internet works, digital cameras or T.V. It does in fact kind of freak me out so I prefer not to think about it.

5. Geometrical proofs. I understand calculus proofs but geometrical proofs are like a foreign language to me.

6. I will never get how to wear red lipstick. Celebrities that are pale do it, but I can't get it to look right.

7. I will never get how tennis is scored. People have explained it to me, but it has been "a lesson in futility" (that's for you mom)

8. I will never get the sizing on baby clothes. If it says three months that should be when they start wearing it right? Apparently not.

9. I will never get what the big deal is with Kate and Prince William's wedding. (are those even the right names)? People are crazy about it.

Jeff is telling me that it is time to go to bed, so I guess my list will have to be prematurely ended, as I am sure there are many more things that I will NEVER get.

CAKE CUTTING REVEAL

HERE IS TEAM PINK

HERE IS TEAM BLUE

(THE WINNERS GOT THEIR CAKE AND ICE CREAM FIRST)

THE CUTTING

TEAM BOY WINS!!!!!!!

KENNA'S RESPONSE

LAUREN'S RESPONSE

OUR RESPONSE: WE'RE HAPPY TO BE HAVING A BOY!!!!!

Spring Break

Two weeks ago was Jeff's spring break so we headed south to somewhere warm. That's what you do for spring break right? We went to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. The water park is 85 degrees. I personally thought the water and air was too cold, but I am kind of a wimp when it comes to cold.

We headed out Wednesday after preschool and drove 30 minutes before Lauren said she had to go to the bathroom. So a quick detour to a rest area, a few moments of apprehension because of the strange toilets and we were on our way. The girls watched Sid the Science Kid and did really well.

We got to the hotel and while Jeff checked in, us girls waited in the car. When he returned the car wouldn't start so we could park. Luckily there was a nice man who came over and gave us a jump. We drove around for awhile scouting out places to have dinner.

The girls were so scared of going into the water park because it was so loud, but they relaxed and I think over the course of the two times at the water park they went down the kids slides 300 times.

The girls were sooooo good. They loved it. For the course of our trip there were no tantrums, no fighting, just happiness.

A couple funny side stories. We made a quick stop at Russell Stovers for some ice cream cones. It turns out that Russell Stovers is like the old people hang out place. Anyway I was eating my ice cream cone and a Katy Perry song came on and I kind of started dancing. Lauren looked at me and said, "Mommy do you need to go potty?" I said "No, I was just dancing." and she said "Oh, it just looked like you were wiggling." So apparently I'm a pretty lousy dancer.

Just one other really cute thing Lauren did as we were leaving Kansas City: She was so sad that we were leaving and asked why we couldn't stay in Kansas City forever. I told her that we didn't have enough money to stay any longer. And she said "OOOHHHH, I have money in my cup holder, you can use that." It amounted to all of 70 cents. Her enthusiasm is so affecting and so adorable.

She still talks about Kansas City and is saving coins to go. I didn't get very many pictures before our camera died, but here they are:

I think this picture is great. So this 1,000 gallon bucket dumps every five minutes and it isn't the heated water. It is freezing. I could stand in the kiddie pool and feel the cold mist come over. We all watched Jeff do this on a dare and then Lauren wanted to try it, and she did. She didn't like it and was a bit startled but was brave about it. She was also brave about the crazy water slide Jeff went on with her. She said she had fun, but it was a little scary too.

QUESTION

Dear Problem Solvers - I have a question that maybe you can answer. Why doesn't toothpaste foam. It drives me crazy when it doesn't. I feel like my teeth don't get clean. Is it the toothpaste that isn't foaming OR is it the toothbrush that isn't letting the toothpaste foam. If you have any wisdom on this oral care question please enlighten me. -Foamless in Nebraska

Perhaps I'm egotistical

Perhaps I am egotistical. Frequently in the last few months I have seen some sort of advertising or billboard or logo that I have, frankly, found hideous or lame. Who passed off these decisions. I certainly wouldn't have. I feel like I need to have a desk where I'll put seal of approval on all major redesign and advertising ideas. It reminds me of a quote from You've Got Mail where Joe Fox's girlfriend Patricia is talking about Kathleen Kelly "Her taste is flawless, if she likes it sells. PERIOD." Of course she was referencing books, but I like to think the same applies to me. (Hence the egotistical heading). Here are just a few examples. 1. Village Inn's new colors and signs. UGLY 2. A kitty litter ad where a cat looks like it needs to go to the bathroom and can't find the litter box. When I see that ad I think "so the if I buy this kitty litter, than my cat is going to pee on my carpet because it can't smell the litter box?????" 3. I sometimes go as far as criticizing roads and city planning. Like "why didn't they put an entrance here, that would make much more sense?" And of course the decision of speed limits. 4. The layout of some grocery stores. Bakers for instance 5. The pictures in cookbooks. The recipes sound good until I see the picture. These are just some examples that I can think of right off the top of my head. And every time I see something like this I think "YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED ME? DON'T YOU KNOW THAT MY OPINIONS ARE THE BEST." This post comes as no surprise to the people who know me. But for those of you who don't know me as well; don't be scared of me. I'm not as critical as I seem. I'll only tell you the truth if you want it.

A Birthday Message to McKenna

This free scrapbook generated with Smilebox

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

Today is my favorite day ever. There is no other holiday that makes me want to buy presents and decorations like Valentine's Day. Here are a couple pictures of our morning. The girls woke up to a heart attack in their room and then followed the trail of candy hearts to their Valentine Love Baskets. (Complete with a mailbox).

Wearing their cool new shades

HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY FULL OF LOVE.

Pedicures Anyone?

Last week Lauren wanted her toes painted. And who did she want to paint them? Jeff. So he happily (maybe that's not the right word) obliged.

Lauren patiently awaiting her nails to dry

Kenna also got a much needed pedicure from Jeff. Doesn't she look like she loved it?

Hmmmm.

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have blogged. So tonight while Jeff is studying I will buckle down and update. Here are some of the things that have happened since I have last blogged.

1. Thanksgiving. Ha ha ha

2. Christmas. Ha ha ha

3. New Years Eve. Ha ha ha

Okay seriously here are some things that have happened.

1. I had my first cake job. I charged about as much as the cake cost to make. Not mentioning the probably eight hours I spent making it. I made it for a baby shower that a nurse Jeff met while on his psych rotation was throwing.

2. Lauren got her first haircut. She did really great and when I told the lady who was cutting it that it was her first haircut she said, "her first, first?" Yes I know that my child is four and still has short hair.

3. Lauren is potty trained at night. I had been putting off letting her wear underwear to bed, but she hasn't had an accident. Knock on wood. She just gets up and goes on the little potty in her room.

4. I Celebrated my 25th birthday. Jeff was really sweet. I said here are a list of my wants, and if they don't happen I will feel sad on my birthday. Crete Paper and balloons, (decorated before I wake up) a store bought cake, and scrambled eggs for breakfast. We were at Jeff's parents house and they didn't have crete paper and balloons, so he so sweetly got up super early to make a Wal-Mart run.

5. McKenna stubbed her toe on Christmas morning. Jeff's parents have these neat swinging doors in their living room so their dog doesn't go in there, but Kenna got her toe under one of them and cut it. That healed up pretty well, but then the nail bed got really red and infected. When we got back to Omaha I took her to the doctor and she was on two different antibiotics. Then all the skin peeled. Anyway a month later and it just about looks all the way back to normal.

6. Lauren had her preschool Christmas program. She was so cute and got so excited when people started clapping.

7. I got addicted to Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Jeff and I missed midnight on New Years Eve because we were so absorbed. I think we stayed up till 1:30am. When we found out that we missed it we leaned over gave each other a kiss said "Happy New Year" and kept on playing.

8. I have decided that Jeff is doing residency somewhere warm. I hate snow. I hate cold. I hate winter.

9. I ate a whole package of E.L. Fudge in three days. I guess that's not exactly true. Jeff ate two and the girls each had one.

10. I have felt really stressed out. My girls have been sick off and on for the last month and they are totally unstable, and melt down over the littlest things. I feel like I am just trying to survive. I think I need a vacation.

11. We got our family pictures taken by a friend in our ward. Here are a couple of my favorites.

12. I'm now a red head.

13. I bought a brand new pair of Merrell shoes from Goodwill today for $9.99. Sweet. I'm wearing them right now.

14. While waiting for Jeff to get the camera out of the van for me I decided to clean out our email inbox. I just erased 1028 messages. There were some from March 2008. So if there was something important that you have sent me and I haven't responded you should probably call me because I didn't look at them. I actually never look at my email, hence the 1028 messages.

15. Jeff and I went ice skating for one of our dates. It was really fun, especially when I backed into a wall while skating backwards only to find that it was an open door and I totally fell back and bruised my arm and had a couple a 7th graders laugh at me. Super embarrassing.

16. The Christmas Story. Lauren was Joseph and McKenna was Mary. Are you loving the costumes?? If you can get past the scary eyes. This was before the performance. McKenna was terrified to ride on the donkey (Jeff). So Lauren rode on the donkey (by this point McKenna was out of her costume and just in a diaper. Lauren was afraid to knock on the inn door, so the donkey did and when my brother "the innkeeper" opened the fabric door he was mean and scared both of the girls and neither of them wanted to finish, so nobody actually got in the stable during the production. All that hard work for nothing.

It was actually still very good. We sang songs in appropriate spots and my niece played her violin. And my little niece was the angel and she left her costume on. We had dinner in the "inn." Which included flat breads, cheese, figs, fruits, grape juice and was surprisingly good and filling.

Hopefully I won't be such a stranger to my blog. I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy.