Day 59

Today is the last day of our month-long read-a-thon at school. This year, I was NOT in charge!! I haven't missed it a bit. I have actually been able to enjoy the events with my kids instead of being in charge of them. This weekend one of the moms in our neighborhood hosted a "mini read-a-thon" to help the kids get some extra minutes. From what I heard, they were really good and read two solid hours! We decided to do it again today and I hosted. We spent two hours with books in hand but didn't get quite the same quality reading experience. Between the giggling, catching popcorn, giggling at missing the popcorn, throwing popcorn, giggling at throwing popcorn, three spilled drinks, giggling, burping, giggling at said burps, musical chairs, shushing one another, more giggling and then some more giggling, it took us a while to find our groove. But they eventually read for a respectable hour and ten minutes. I love this little group of kids, they are seriously so much fun! Incidentally, the lone little man above...Max, he rocks! And, he thinks I'm pretty smart. Just in case you didn't know. :0)

Day 58

Today was our Baptism Preview for the children in Primary who will be getting baptized this year. I can't believe that my little McKenna will be 8 in about 3 months! She is super excited to be baptized and has asked her Grandpa Gleed to baptize her. We are proud of her for wanting to be baptized.

Day 57

I don't know why I walk into the room and look at this and see "MESS". Something else she won't clean up. After the talk in church last week that I mentioned HERE, and another good one this week, I have to change my perspective and see "FUN". So, I looked past the mess and enjoyed a nice tea party with Brooklynn today.

Day 56

I got to go to the temple again today. It was a beautiful snowy morning. It seems like no matter what the weather is though, it is always beautiful there. It was nice to go again.

Day 55

I am really silly about where I'll pinch pennies and where I won't. Chris is too. Toilet paper is one of those areas we don't agree on. I don't care what brand it is for the most part and the kids don't care either. They end up using half a roll every time anyway and I'd rather it not cost a fortune. Chris told me today though that since we got our tax refund back that we can afford to "splurge" on TP, so he got his giant Costco sized package!

Day 54

Today was not such a good day. We had our furnace cleaned, serviced and some other work done it and it was a LOOOONG day. We had a babysitting disaster which I'm sure involved scaring our tenants from ever wanting children. So with people running in and out all day and trying to keep 4 kids and a dog out of their way, I was stressed by the end of the day. However, in the end, I was grateful for a new thermostat which is SOOO much easier to regulate than the old fashioned one we had and they fixed the furnace so it doesn't sound like a tornado whipping through the house every time it turns on. I was also really appreciative that the technician put this little plastic plate on the back so I don't have to paint that area, since our old one was vertical and there were white stripes on the top and bottom where the old one used to be. One less thing to do!

Day 53

I don't know if I have mentioned it before or not,wink wink, but we gave up TV in January. As a result, the kids have become more creative in how they entertain themselves. Lauren decided to make a little puppet stage and put on a puppet show for us, "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". McKenna also put one together, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears". They worked all afternoon coloring scenery and puppets and gluing them onto popsicle sticks. They did a great job and it makes me happy to see that they actually CAN survive without TV.

Day 52

WE DID IT!! I can't even remember how many years ago we started as a family but today we finished!!! We haven't been very consistent over the years so in January, we re-committed ourselves to read nightly as a family. Yay for us!

Day 51

Today, this little guy came to visit us and to see our new chickens. We haven't see him in a while because we've all been sick for so long. What a blessing it is for him to be here with us today. He's had a rough few months and through it all he has remained the same sweet little boy with good manners and a bright personality. He is constantly amazing the doctors and continually overcomes every obstacle put in his way. We love you Mason! (You can check his progress HERE)

Day 50

Easter is on the horizon. Mmmmm. Although, I am convinced they are getting smaller each year.

Day 49

This little piggy, I mean puppy, stayed home...and played in the mud all day. Our backyard is a wreck and she isn't helping any, but I still think she's pretty cute.

Day 48

Today was the 5th Grade "State Fair". Each student chooses a state to do a report on. Lauren got Oregon which was an easy one for us. She worked very hard on her poster and did the entire report, poster, sign and display by herself. The only thing I helped her with was the letters for "Oregon" but she had the idea.

Day 47

Today was Dads & Donuts at school. I am really grateful that Chris is able to get the time off and spend the morning with the kids. Not every dad can. The kids really enjoy it when he can come to school with them.

Day 46

In Lauren's class, the students accumulate play money and then every couple of months they have a class auction to buy fun stuff like toys, candy, school supplies, etc. When she came home, she told me how she spent her money. She spent about 3/4 of her money on a football for her brother Tyler, gave one of the kids in her class who didn't have very much money some so that he could buy something he really wanted, and then bought something for each of her sisters. She really felt good about what she had done and I was so proud of her for being so generous. One of those moments that remind you of the innate goodness children have.

Day 45

Today was Valetines Day. I was under the impression we weren't really giving gifts. We went out to lunch (Pizzeria 712) and I thought that we'd call it good. Apparently, I was wrong. I'm not complaining mind you...my butt, belly & thighs are. Thanks honey, I love you!! Oh, and one must have fallen out along the way, hmm, that's weird.

Day 44

Today I made Chris some cinnamon rolls. He's been hinting about wanting some for a while now. I used to work at Cinnabon all through high school and college. Just so you know, I still got it goin' on! They were D-Lish!

Day 43

Today I cleaned my car! Brooklynn told me when I was finished that "Wow Mom, you haven't cleaned your car in a really long time!" Thanks for the reminder! It WAS horrible though It feels so good to get into a clean car now. I spent probably 2 hours or more cleaning it inside and out! I'm sure it won't last long, but for now it makes me really happy.

Day 42

Valentines is in the air! The kids spent all evening working on their Valentines for their classmates. It was so sweet the way they put so much thought and effort into each one, thinking about which friend would like which card. It was fun to hear things like, "Abby really loves Tinkerbell, so I know she will LOVE this one!" or "Kylee's favorite flavor is the "Mystery" pop, I'm saving one of those for her." Even Lauren, who thought more about which card "NOT" to give certain boys for fear it would send the wrong message!

Just a side thought: My earliest memory of Valentines Day must have been from about first grade. My mom was the room mother and she made these cute cupcakes with bees on them. I think they said something like "Bee Mine". We made big paper heart envelopes and stuck them to our desks and put our desks in a big circle. Back in those days though, you didn't have to give every kid a Valentine so you definitely knew where you fell in the popularity line-up. I'm glad things have changed in that respect for this Holiday.

Day 41

Today, McKenna had to give her report on a famous American. She chose Betsy Ross. She was very excited to do the research and worked on it right away. Lauren helped her put together a power point presentation after McKenna read some biographies. The kids are required to make some kind of visual for the report, they are encouraged to dress up and then give an oral report to the class. When she gave her oral report today, she did FANTASTIC!

Day 40

Today, I worked on Primary stuff ALL.MORNING.LONG! I had so many loose ends to tie up, things that needed to be planned, callings to fill, phone calls to be made, updates, etc. It felt really good to get it all done.

Day 39

Today was the "Grand Lunch" at school, meaning, bring your Grandparents to lunch day or someone "Grand" in your life. For the past several "Grand" lunches, Chris and I have been "Grand". Lauren called Grandpa yesterday to see if he would come down and he said yes! The kids were so excited! We decided to bring our own lunch in (Subway) and then the kids had fun showing Grandpa around the school, their classrooms, artwork and then a quick stop at the Book Fair where of course, Grandpa had to buy some books. We are so appreciative that he took the time to drive 2 1/2 hours down to eat lunch with the kids. I know they really enjoyed it. It takes a pretty awesome Grandpa to spend 5 hours in the car for a 20 minute lunch. Thank you, we sure do love you!!

Day 38

Today for FHE we went to the BYU Museum of Art. It was Chris' turn to plan and he wanted to something fun and Tyler needed to go for school anyway. Call me an uncultured swine if you will, but I do NOT love going to the art museum. It's just not my thing. To me, Math and Science are beautiful...numbers that add up and make sense. Anyway, combine that with the fact that we don't function well all together in public places and I could see a recipe for disaster! And, he wanted the kids to take sketch books and draw pictures of their favorite pieces of art! I thought he was nuts but I am always the downer on these sorts of things so I went along. To my utter amazement the kids actually did really well, had a great time and drew tons of pictures. No big meltdowns or unnecessary drama. I was surprised how much they really enjoyed it. We even got to see the new Carl Bloch exhibit which was really nice. I did ok too, just in case you are wondering. Oink Oink.

Day 37

Before:

After:

Brooklynn wore her birthday dress for the first time to church today. It is really pretty and has lots of lace, tulle and satin. After church while waiting in the car, McKenna was flinging her arms around and accidentally smacked Brooklynn in the nose. I was in a meeting at the time so Chris took care of it. I soaked it in cold water overnight and there were only two tiny little spots which I then hit with hydrogen peroxide and some spray and wash, then washed it. I am so relieved that it all came out. Must be because it happened while we were at church! :0)

Day 36

Today was a "teaser" day. The weather warmed up and the kids headed outside to play. I am really starting to get excited for Spring!

Day 35

I don't know what it is, but no matter how rotten the day has been, there is something so sweet and precious about a sleeping child. After they are all asleep at night and I make my rounds to see that they are all snug and warm, it always makes me a little weepy with how much I love these guys. I feel very blessed that they are all mine.

Day 34

Today McKenna got to read her book from Traveling Tales to the class. This little project involves a backpack full of art supplies and everything you need to write your own book. After you are finished you bring it back and invite your parents to come listen as you read it to the class. McKenna was very excited to read her story about going to Seven Peaks this past summer. She can't hardly wait for summer to get her so she can go again. She LOVES swimming. She comes home every day and changes into her swimming suit.

Day 33

I really find kid logic quite entertaining. Brooklynn had her 5-yr well visit appointment today. She had to get her finger pricked for a iron test and then got 4 shots! She was so brave and didn't even cry even though she said it hurt. She got some silver sparkly band-aids that apparently added just the right touch to the mirror on her vanity set. Luckily, the shots didn't bleed much so the band-aids were pretty much like new.

Day 32

Today and yesterday I spent the whole day cleaning and fixing up our apartment for the new tenants. There was so much work to be done. But, the girls were anxious to help out which was really nice. I was very grateful for their help.

Day 31

Finally joining the 20th century...yes, I said 20th. I still don't have a smart phone...that would be the 21st century. Trying to use the calendar function so I can actually make appointments when I'm out and about. I really can't believe it's February already. Where exactly did January go?

Day 30

Today after church we put together a puzzle. We got this for Christmas and the kids have been begging to put it together. It took us a few hours and it was extra special, it had 501 pieces. We had two identical pieces.