Just some journaling . . .

This may be a little long - so feel free to skip on over it! Not gonna hurt my feelings! :)

Kaden has started Kindergarten and already seems older. On about the 3rd day of school, Kaden comes in and whispers "Mom, I have a secret to tell you. But you can't tell any other girls! Cause that would be embarrasing!" After I promise not to tell he says, "I have a girlfriend!" and he hides his face acting all embarrased. Really? Who is it, I ask. "Weeeeelllllll" long pause. . . "I don't actually know her name. . . . but she sits at my table in school!" Ok, you don't know your girlfriends name? He tells me, "Not yet, but we're gonna be friends!" I am dying by this point and trying so hard not to laugh because he is so serious! He has since told me that her name is Chloe and she is, in fact, NOT his girlfriend. Because him and his friends have to run away from the girls on the playground!

Another funny one was early one morning he came out and said "Mom, I have something to say that you are NOT going to want to hear!" I'm a little worried at this point. "Justin, in my class, HAS 10 GIRLFRIENDS!!!" Really. He has 10 girlfriends? Kaden says "YEah! He told me!" It's funny how fast they pick this stuff up at school - makes me feel really old! Isn't Kindergarten a little young for all this girlfriend/boyfriend crap?

Kaden is also playing football for the first time and he LOVES it! He is one of the oldest in his age bracket of flag football and he is doing really well. He is so proud of scoring a touchdown at both of his games so far! I debated if he was a little young to start football, but I'm glad he's doing it because he feels so successful at it. It's good for him to have a boost of confidence - since he is such a perfectionist and so hard on himself! Without going into too much detail - I'll just say that Kaden can be a tough kid and has been especially challenging lately as we have been dealing with certain issues. But the good thing is I feel like I understand him better than I have before, and am workin hard to help him the best I can! I have always said, Kaden is so extreme and driven and intense - I feel like if I can channel that in the right direction there will be no stopping him! He is a good, good kid and is a great big brother!

Bailey:

This picture of Bailey is SO typical. She loves auntie Monique's pointy black shoes! Bailey is so observant and is very opinionated about what is fashionable. This past sunday she told me "I liked Jen's brown shoes and her hair today. It was curly!" And this is a friend we saw for 10 seconds! Bailey is always the first to notice when I wear a new shirt or have a new haircut. The other day I got ready and walked out of my room, Bailey looked at me and said, "I like your makeup today. But you need lipstick!" Seriously - where did I get this girl? But honestly I love it - at least I know someone will notice new hair, makeup, or clothes. When other certain un-named male persons are oblivious. ;)

A couple weeks ago we were at target and were looking at all the clearance shoes - Bailey disappeared and came back wearing adult size big huge wedges. "These are the shoes I want, mom!" When I told her no, try on these little girl's pink shoes - she came back with 4-inch leopard print heels! And was running in them! She really couldn't understand why I wouldn't buy them. Next we were onto the socks/underwear department. We walked down an aisle and Bailey started screaming "Mom! Boobies! Look mom! Little girl boobies! Can I have them?! Can I?!" Apparently they make padded push-up bras for little girls. And that's what Bailey wanted. No barbie or candy - a pushup bra. And she's 3. Fabulous.

Bailey seems to be enjoying the new school year as much as I am. She steps into the oldest kids role while Kaden is at school. She LOVES helping with laundry. I know - she's insane. I'm counting the days til she can do all of it! She really is so helpful with most of the chores around the house. She loves her dance classes - ballet and jazz. She is so proud to tell everyone she is a dancer. She spends most of the day coloring and playing "mom and dad and kids and baby". Bailey has always come up with the funniest names for her babies. I wish I could remember all the funny names - the two she has stuck with are "Encie and Anka" She carries around her baby, purse, keys, and phone and is happy for hours on end. Well, at least til she wants another snack. This girl is the snack queen and never wants to eat any meals! We're workin on that one! We are doing preschool at home this year and I LOVE it! She loves sitting down with me and doing her workbook pages. She is the personality that this works perfect for her - and it means less running around for me! She knows a lot and has 2 more years til kindergarten - so I'm not too worried.

Bailey is a pretty easy kid - but, boy is she sneaky! She is always getting into things and is smart enough to do it when I'm on the phone, in the shower or asleep. A few weeks ago I wake up at 2am to the sound of my bedroom door closing. I come out to find Bailey sitting at the kitchen table coloring and eating oreos! And she closed the door so I wouldn't hear her! Honestly! I can't even list all the things she gets into - it would take up the whole page! A couple weeks ago my friends Jen was at the house and we were visiting. I sent Bailey in to wash her hands. All the sudden I realize I haven't seen her for a few minutes. We find her in the bathtub, standing up, fully clothed, the water about to overflow, and bubbles EVERYWHERE! She had emptied an entire bottle of shampoo in the toilet. And, I guess decided that was so fun, she ran the bath and emptied more shampoo, the body wash, and conditioner into the water! Oh, that girl! And this is not a rare occurance!

Well, there's an update on Bailey's latest. We sure love her - sneakiness and all!

Oh, our little Lex! She is almost 18 months old and is at such a fun age (if you dont count the whole emptying all the cupboards phase - I need to do a whole post on that, because boy, do I have pictures)! Lex is such a sweet little girl and is so fun. She still has her red hair - which I love, love, LOVE! And is startin to get a little spunk to go with it! That girl has some attitude on her and loves to strut around the house with a purse on one shoulder and a baby in the other arm. She is Bailey's shadow - so its no wonder that she loves shoes, purses, phones, babies, etc etc. Lex is always worried about other peoples feelings - she gets really upset when she sees someone crying - she'll go lay be them, rub their back, it's pretty cute! I am typically not a cryer - but last time I was upset about something, she wanted me to hold her constantly. She would grab my chin and turn it toward her and then just stare at me with a worried look and put her chubby little hand on my cheek! Poor little thing was so worried. Speaking of chubby - she still have her delicious chubby legs! Even though she is getting taller and thinning out - she still have her perma-rolls on her thighs! I love it! She is talking a little bit - mainly just mommy, dada, bubba (which she uses for bailey and kaden), DON'T! is quite a favorite, uh-oh, bye. Overall, she is just a good natured baby! (and yes I call her baby, because I don't want her to grow up!) We just love Lex and really can't imagine our family without her.

Day of Firsts

My first day of having a kid in school ALL DAY!
Although Kaden went to school last year, it was Early-K so it was only half day. Today was my first time having a kid in school all day! I'm sure most moms can relate - I definitely had mixed emotions. I was sad last night - my baby is too little to be in school all day :(! But I was also excited for him and all the things he will get to experience. I was worried because there's so much more I wanted to teach him first - and now I have no control over what he is exposed to all day. I have to admit, I was also happy to only have my 2 girls at home all day. But ready or not, the first day came. . . and he did great!

Kaden's first day of Kindergarten:

Kaden's choice for breakfast - pancakes with whipped cream and berries!

He was SOOO nervous - I love that he was trying to smile

We saw those smiles a little! Lex could tell he was stressed - she kept giving him hugs

Apparently not happy to be standing in line

I think his nervousness somehow seemed to translate to him being very moody!

Poor little things was so nervous and stressed. He was fine until we got to the school - he said "I'm not sure about this! That playground looks too crazy to me. I think we should cancel school and go home." Sorry, not gonna happen. So after we stand out on the playground for awhile, he teacher tells them to line up. All the kids lined up against the wall and all the parents just kinda stood there looking at them - I would be nervous too with 50 people staring at me! As the teacher walked them inside, Kaden walked by and said "Am I even in the right line? I don't know where I'm supposed to go!" He was so worried. Inside, we found his seat, put his backpack away, hugs and kisses and I left. I was relieved that he seems to calm down after I left - yes, I was standing outside peeking thru the window for quite awhile :)! I'm glad the first day is over - my little Kaden doesn't not handle change so well. Once he is used to it, I know he will love it!

A friend of ours made Kaden a little book and it is SO DANG CUTE - I had to share. It's called "Super K":

There was once a boy named Kaden. Super Kaden that is!!! Super Kaden was getting ready for his first day of Kindergarten. He ate his super breakfast. He said his super prayers. He brushed his super teeth and combed his super hair. Starting school is even a little scary for Super Heroes... (and that is super, duper OKAY!) So put on your Super imaginary cape, give your super mom a hug and enjoy your first day of school!

You really have to see it to see how dang cute it is - with pictures in place of some of the words. Thanks, Jen - you are the best! So creative! And perfect for a 5year old boy!

Bailey's First Day of Dance Class

Practicing her twirls!

Bailey's anticipation for dance class has varied - one minute she says she is excited and the next minute she says she's too scared to go! She had a great time and I think will really enjoy dance classes - she is taking ballet and jazz. I asked her awhile ago if she wanted to play soccer like bubba (he started right when he turned 4) or if she wanted to do dance. We can see what she chose - she has no interest in soccer at all! Since we are doing preschool at home this year (which I LOVE!) I wanted to get her doing something to have a bit of social interaction. Being dressed up in a pink leotard and twirling around is definitely Bailey!

It was a fun and exciting day. I'm excited for my kiddos and all the new things they are learning!

Monique's Farewell

I'm finally getting around to posting pics from Monique's farewell. It was a great weekend - and we are grateful we live close enough to go home for the weekend.

I think Logan was lifting Kaden onto the roof to get the frisbee. We spent most of the day after church outside. My mom hosted a great dinner for a TON of people - so we were glad the weather was beautiful so we could eat outside!

Auntie MoMo with the neices and nephews - Kaden, Neva, Lexie, and Bailey

The stake president came over and was able to do the setting apart at the house - which was so nice! And made it so much easier with little kids!

Then we ended the day with game night and homeade ice cream! Doesn't get much better than that!

I'm proud of Monique for going on a mission. She really had a hard time deciding and I admire her for trusting the spirit and listening to the answers she was given - even when she was a little disappointed with her call (she got over it). She is getting ready to leave the MTC this week and sounds very excited and anxious to teach! She will be an excellent missionary!

Love this video

Saw this video on a friend's blog and loved it! Thanks Luc - or Jordon, I guess :)

4th of July in Thatcher

I went to pick up the older kids from my parents house and was able to be there for 4th of July. Matt had to work - so he couldn't come. The day started bright and early when the firetrucks drive around the town with their sirens on at 5:30 in the freakin AM! Then we hopped in the back of papa's truck and went over to the parade that starts at 6.

I love this picture. The kids were totally enthralled with the parade! (Poor lex is still in her jammas!)

The pics are out of order - but we went back to Nana's house and had a big yummy breakfast. Nana - you tried to get out of the picture, but it didn't work!!! :)

Waiting for the parade to start. The two crazy red heads - Lex and aunt Timilie.

Not lookin so good at 6 am! Especially since I stayed up til 2:30 the night before!

After breakfast, we put the babies back to sleep. Shayla and I had a great time makin a bunch of bows for Bai, Lex, and Neva!

Lexie and Neva

Logan with Neva and Lex

The rest of the day we went swimming, had a bbq, went a cousin's birthday party, and watched fireworks. We had a great 4th of July! Thanks Nana and Papa!

Last Week

Last week my parents took Kaden and Bailey home with them for a little visit at Nana and Papa's house! So I had a few days at home with only one kid! I missed my kids, but was very excited to get lots done. Somehow, lexie missed the memo on that one and definitely did NOT cooperate! I think it was because she is so used to having two older siblings to follow around and play with. But, DANG, that girl was high maintenance! Despite her - I was able to get a few things done:

Looks can be deceiving! She was not this cute and happy all week!
I guess leaning to the side is her new pose!

Sewed some dresses for the girls...

Made a bunch of bows (I found the directions here) and some headbands for a good friend who just had her first girl!

Picked a bunch of tomatoes from our garden and turned this. . . .

....into this!

Steam cleaned all my carpets and furniture!

Baked alot!

My mom taught me how to make jewlry and I am officially obsessed with making bracelets for my girls!

Made this car seat cover for one of my best friends. Hope you like it Jennie - you know I wouldn't do this for just anyone, cause they are a huge pain in the butt! :)

All in all it was a great week - but it's good to have the kids back home!

Helicopter Ride

Matt got "volun-told" to be part of a join anti-terrorism and narcotics task force. He got to go up in a helicopter to help determine the drug traffic patterns in our region of the county. The only bad thing is - now he wants to learn to fly helicopters!

Summertime!!!

So summer is officially here and I am trying to prevent boredom - which always leads to whining and fighting. My kids know better than to tell me they are bored, cause then they get a spray bottle and a rag and get to clean baseboards. Don't remember who gave me this idea, but I LOVE it! Anyway, I'm trying to plan and think of fun activities and I found this book my mom gave me:

I'm sure there's a million books that are similar. But I was just looking thru it and it has so many great, simple ideas. Here's some of my favorites and some ideas of my own:

Indoor Treasure Hunt (this was in the rainy day section. but summer in arizona is pretty much the same thing - your stuck inside!)

Animal Charades - fill a bag of stuffed animals. Someone picks one and acts it out.

Tell Me a Story - fill a bag with random items and have your kids tell/write a story including all the items.

Indoor Camping

Night at the Movies

Hotter/Colder - you know, the old game of hiding something. One person looks and you tell them hotter or colder. Another version I did as primary chorister - sing louder as they get closer and quieter as they are further.

Brown paper bag puppets

Weight - use a bathroom scale and let kids weigh different objects and write down how much they weigh.

Lacing Cards - or make your own with cardboard - make holes and let them lace with yarn.

Memory - make your own, can match uppercase to lower case letters or a numeral with how many dots, etc

Who loves you? - make a list /draw a pic of everyone who loves your child

Paperclip Jewelry

Indoor tent - make a fort

I Spy

Food Count - write #'s 1 -12 on the sections of an old egg carton. Have child put correct number in each using raisins, cheerios, choc chips, etc

Cut out pics from old magazine and make a collage

Water Painting - give children a bucket of water and a paintbrush and let them "paint" the sidewalk

Hopscotch

Paper Doll Chain

Bird Feeder

Musical Instruments - use stuff around the house to see what instruments you can come up with.

Necklace - noodles, cheerios, etc.

Pasta picture

Pinwheels - make your own pinwheels

Toothpick snack - cut foods into small pieces and eat with toothpicks.

Make an obstacle course

Taste Testing - blindfold and various foods

Cooking - make popcorn balls, jello, rice krispie pops, etc

Apple Shapes - peel apple and cut into thin slices. let kids use small cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

And finally - something I haven't made since I was a kid:

Peanut Butter Playdough

18 oz. peanut butter, 6 Tbsp honey, dry milk or milk plus flour

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix, adding enough dry milk or milk plus flour to reach the consistency of bread dough. Add cocoa, if desired. Shape, decorate with edible treats, and eat!

Thanks mom, for the book! Lots of great ideas. Here's hoping we can keep our kiddos busy this summer!!!

Another recipe

(Another granola recipe - thanks for sharing April)
Peanut Butter Granola

Mix &; heat in 4-cup glass jug for 4 minutes on HIGH:
1-1/2 c white sugar
1-1/3 c margarine
1/2 t vanilla extract
2/3 c peanut butter
1/2 t salt
1 c water

Mix in large bowl:
12 c rolled oats
1 t cinnamon

Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix quickly and well.Put onto two small greased cookie sheets.Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.Exchange cookie sheets in oven, cook 10 minutes.Turn oven off and let granola dry for several hours.Store in closed jar on kitchen counter and watch it disappear.

Recipes

I have told a couple people I would share these recipes - so just thought I would post on here and share with all! (and only type them once!)

Zucchini Oat Bread
(from BH&G)

1 1/2 C. Sugar
2 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
2 1/2 C. Flour
1 C. Rolled Oats
1 tsp Baking Powder
3/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
3 Eggs
1 C. Applesauce
1/4 C. Butter, melted
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 C. shredded, unpeeled, Zucchini
1 C. Nuts, chopped
3/4 C. Raisins

Combine 1Tbsp sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon - set aside

Mix dry ingredients - set aside.

Beat eggs 2 min until foamy. Add sugar applesauce, butter, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients just until combined.

Stir in zucchini, nuts, and raisins. Pour into greased 9x5x3 loaf pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake 1 hour 20 min. Cool in pan 10 min. Cool completely on rack. Wrap and store several hours before slicing.
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Tortellini Soup
(from Jennie)

1 lb. mild Italian sausage
1 onion - chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C. water
2 cans Beef broth (28 oz total)
1/2 C. Apple juice
4 Carrots, sliced
1 can Crushed tomatoes (I use diced)
1 tsp Basil
1 tsp Oregano
1 Zucchini - sliced (I use two - this is my fav part!)
1 yellow squash, sliced
1/2 green onion, chopped
8 oz. cheese tortellini - frozen or fresh

Large pot - brown sausage, drain. Add onion and garlic til tender. Add everything but tortellini. Simmer about 20 min. Add tortellini and simmer 10 more min. Garnish with parmesan.
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Wheat Pancake Mix
(Virden Cook Book)

12 C. wheat flour
4 C. white flour (I usually do closer to half and half)
3/4 C. Baking Powder
3 Tbsp. Salt
1 1/2 C. Sugar
2 C. Dry Milk

Combine and freeze (I don't ever freeze mine?)

To prepare mix: 1 C. Mix, 1 Egg, 3 Tbsp. Oil, and enough water to right consistency (bout 3/4 C I think)
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Crunchy Granola
(from Mandy's family cookbook)

10 C. rolled oats
1 C. shredded coconut
1 C. raw sunflower seeds
1/2 C. sesame seeds
1/4 C. wheat germ
1 T. cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 C. oil (I only use bout half this much)
1 1/3 C. honey
1 T. vanilla
2 C. raisins
2 C. chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, or a combo)

In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, seeds, germ, cinnamon, and salt and mix well. In a medium saucepan, heat oil, honey, and vanilla til warm (I do mine in the micro). Pour over dry ingredients and stir well. Spread onto 2-3 cookie sheets. Bake at 300 for 45-50 min, stirring every 15 min. Remove from oven and stir in raisins and nuts. Cool well and store in airtight container. Makes apprx 20 cups. *(I add nuts before cooking, because I like mine toasted).

Hurray for us out here in the Copa!

I just found this flyer on the developers website. Yeah! We are going to have a movie theater, real restaurants, a play center, a real gym and looks like a lot more! Can't wait! This pic is one someone posted - but the one on their website is a little different, and probably more updated but I can't seem to get it to work. But either way - YEAH!!!!! For those of us who plan to be here awhile - this is exciting.

Our little soccer player!

Kaden's soccer season is over and he is so sad (even though the season didn't end so well . . . long story). Anyway, he loved being on the Rattlers with some of his buddies. This is his third season and he continues to love soccer - although he is already too hard on himself. He is such a perfectionist and gets mad when he kicks it out of bounds, misses a goal, etc. It was a fun season - but I'm glad it's over . . . it's too freakin hot to be sitting outside anymore! So Kaden is impatiently waiting for fall and another season of soccer!

Little Stinker!

Lexie is at a really fun age and her little personality is coming out more and more. Along with that comes her curiousity of EVERYTHING! Sometimes cute, most of the time - just pretty annoying! This girl is into everything and can be such a little stinker! And she's always so proud of herself and looks so cute - I usually can't even be mad at her!

I should have taken pictures of all the places she smeared the mud!

Stealing Kaden's sunglasses and Bailey's purse! They were thrilled.

We have to watch close, because the second she is done - she throws the rest of the food as far as she can!

Pandora

I just heard about this website and apparently am the last person alive to hear about it - but just in case I'm not, I wanted to share. It's awesome! You just type in the song or artist you are in the mood for and it creates a station of similar music. You can save your stations and come back to them later. Seriously - this is genius! Love it!

Sisters

Kinda random - but was looking through pictures and realizing how much I love putting my girls in matching outfits. I better enjoy it while it lasts - right?

I'm so grateful to have my girls close in age - and to be good friends. They are excited to see each other every single morning! Although some days it lasts 5 minutes before they are fighting over toys, pulling hair, or hitting each other (yes, my 1 year old pulls hair, hits, and bites - yikes! Just don't take away her toys!) But overall they really do enjoy each other.

(Lex was not feeling very cooperative!)

(I'll post this one even though I look like I'm halfway asleep!)

My sister, Monique, and I are 8 years apart - so I wouldn't say we were close or good friends growing up. In fact I remember being in middle school and trying so hard to be cool. And my incredibly girly, strong-willed, and really annoying little sister kept hanging a giant Beauty and the Beast poster in our bedroom! Oh - I was so embarrassed! :) But the older we get, the less the age gap seems. I am so proud of her - she is getting ready to leave on a mission. I think she is strong and courageous for going - especially when there are other options available that would be easier! I will miss her a lot, we have so much fun together - she's one of my best friends! Love ya MoMo!