He He

So mom you are pretty darn awesome and so i thought i would hack into your blog and do a post about how awesome you are. (I got the idea from 'The power of kids') So my mom here is awesome. love you mommy!

Penny for your....stuff?

About a month ago Madison held a yard sale out front. She is always wanting to buy things and forever being told, "well earn some money!" so she decided to do just that! She went through her own stuff and then asked Grandma (my mom) if she had anything she might want to contribute. Of course Grandma came through for her (she always does!) and Madison sorted and priced things in preparation of the big sale.

Pardon the graininess of these first two pics-I forgot to check my camera settings...again!

The poor girl had things all ready to go for about a month and a half before the actual sale. Matt and I just couldn't seem to find a weekend that was free of other events so that she could do it. Finally, the day before we actually held it, Matt said, "Let's just do it tomorrow. Just get it over and stop postponing it." So we did. Bless her little entrepreneurial heart! We found a few things in the basement to add to the stash and set it out on tables and told her that it was her idea and she would be in charge of taking money from people and negotiating with them.

She was awesome! She is so shy sometimes but she stepped up to the plate and did what she had to do! At the last minute Thomas decided that he wanted to join in and she was kind enough to let him. They were so cute out there waiting for customers. Every time someone would drive by Thomas would stand up, a bear in each hand, and start yelling, "Bears for sale! Come buy a bear!" and our little neighbor girls would start jumping up and down and waving their arms.

The kids' friends all had to come check out the loot and even Em decided to "shop", bringing her prized findings up to the porch for Matt and I to "ooh and ahh" over.

She spent most of the sale's business hours in the bike trailer and when that sold she moved onto the bench. She single handedly took on the official role of "greeter" by yelling and waving "Hello" and "Good-Bye" from her perch with a hearty "Thanks for comin'!" as people would drive away...so cute!

In the end the kids made a pretty good amount, T about $30 and M about $55 (Bonus! Matt and I made a little too!), and more than that the kids were so proud to have really earned that money on their own! I have to say Matt and I aren't usually ones to hold yard sales. Since we are blessed to be able to afford to shop at other places we usually we try to donate our really nice but unused items to the DI so that people who really have to shop there have nice things to choose from. But this once we decided to let a yard sale take place in our yard and I am so glad we did. It was a fun memory for us as parents and a great learning experience for our kids!

Reunited and It Feels So Good...

Well, I'm back. After coming here each day to click on links to my blogs that I read, and seeing your encouraging comments while here, I have decided that I shall keep blogging and stop worrying about the fact that I am not exactly changing the world while doing it. I see those bloggers out there who have like a thousand readers and I think about my lil'ole blog and it's 5 or 6 readers and I think  what's the use? But the "use" is that I enjoy writing, I enjoy taking pictures, I am a terrible journal keeper and I like that my kids will have this to look back on as a journal of our family and my thoughts, so blog I shall! Anywoo, on to bigger and better things...

A couple of weeks ago we had a very special visitor here. Last year Madison's very bestest friend in the whole wide world moved to Texas. It was heartbreaking to watch and although they did see each other around the holidays last winter, they had not seen each other since. They talk on the phone a lot and chat on Gmail but it's just not the same! So when we found out that Alyssa's family was going to be here for a few weeks this summer we reserved a couple of days with her and Madison chose not to have a birthday party back in April so that she could go to Lagoon with Alyssa. When the big day finally came Madison was counting down hours and minutes until her "soul sister" would arrive. When they got here she was SO excited! Heck, so was I! It has been SO hard to watch her be without a true best friend while they have been apart and even though I knew it would only be for a few days it was so wonderful to have them back together.

Alyssa was so sweet and brought Madison a birthday gift since this was technically her "birthday party" for the year and it turned out to be the Mystery Date Game and the cutest pajamas plus a shirt for Lagoon. The best part was that the PJ's and shirt matched Alyssa's! I remember wearing matching clothes with my friends when I was young and it was so fun that Alyssa's mom had put so much thought into that gift...especially seeing as Madison is a head taller than Alyssa!

Like I mentioned, the girls had been planning for months what they wanted to do once they were together again and one of those things was going to the Ice Berg for dinner for burgers and shakes. The shakes there are so yummy and HUGE! Of course I brought my camera along and thoroughly embarrassed them by documenting the entire excursion!

After dinner the kids all wanted to try out a new car wash that had opened near us (I know....right?!) so we took a trip through and it was fun to see their enthusiasm as the brushes scrubbed over us.

Emilia wasn't as amused by the whole thing and looked quite terrified but made it through without any major dramatics. After that we headed home to play outside for a while and then get a good night's sleep (the girls in matching jammies!) before a full day of roller coasters and junk food (and wouldn't you know it I actually forgot to get a picture of the girls in there beds)!


To Be Continued...

American Girl Store....

So I know our CA vacation has long since passed but I did promise I would show pics of our trip to the American Girl Doll Store. I just finished the scrapbook pages yesterday so I thought I would post them for those who have little girls who might want to see pics of the store.It was so much fun to see Madison get to go somewhere that she had dreamed of for a while!

         Have a Happy Day!
                          

Stitches...**Warning:Contains kinda graphic wound pics**

       So we had a little drama around here the other night. I had this brilliant idea that Madison could take the dog in the shower with her so that they could both get clean together. While in there The Princess was kneeling down, rinsing the soap off the dog and she slipped and fell backwards. Her elbow came crashing down onto the drain. We laughed about it at first (her and I) not knowing there were any injuries sustained...then the pain (and blood and tears) hit. I took a look and my first thought was stitches. It wasn't very big, but it was kinda deep and wide open. I helped her get out and dry off then settled her on the bed and called The Hubster who was on his way home. He was close so I decided to wait. He took a look and we both hoped that some butterfly bandages might remedy the situation. He ran to the store, I dished out sympathy and an ice pack. Upon his return we set up shop in the kitchen and then took another look. Conclusion: The cut looked worse than at first and was right on the elbow. Yep. Right where it would stretch and twist every time Miss Madison so much as bent her arm. I looked at Matt, he looked at me and I broke the news to The Princess who promptly dissolved into a puddle of tears. You see, her last experience with stitches was not pleasant, albeit 6 yrs. ago, and the memories were coming back with a vengeance! That time she got 16 stitches inside and 12 outside and had to be put under conscious sedation up at Primary Children's. It was horrible!

Luckily this time the cut was much smaller....Anyway, by this time it was about 9:45pm and the InstaCare closes at 10:00 so I loaded my sobbing princess into the car and we made the trip in record time. When we got there they put some gel on the wound that was supposed to numb it while we waited (didn't work) and she worried herself almost to hyperventilation. I tried everything to calm her down, including downloading new games on my fancy new iPhone (more about that later), but she was so anxious there was no reasoning with her. By the time they called us back she was complaining that her stomach hurt and she felt light headed. The nurse that came in to see if she was numb was a bit strict with her trying to get her to calm down, which she didn't like, but it worked....for a minute. Upon realizing she was not numb, Nurse Grouchy left to get the Doc. (Dr. Valentine) who we've seen before and really liked. She came in and broke the news to The Princess that they would have to numb her with a few injections to the wound itself (OUCH!). Drama, drama, drama. However, after some sudden loud cries the injection was done and it was smooth sailing from there! The stitches themselves were a piece of cake! While the Dr. stitched we all tried to make up dramatic stories that Madison could tell her school friends about what happened. After her elbow was sufficiently sewn (four stitches in all) we thanked the good doctor and walked out into the night, with The Princess in a much more chipper mood. We breezed through the McDonald's drive-thru, having earned a couple of hot fudge sundaes with nuts (me for sanity maintained, her for no fainting spells and bravery in the end) then headed home to bed, both completely exhausted!
                                                      

Honestly, I just have to say that though I did maintain calm through the whole "ordeal" it really was hard to watch my poor girl go through all of that! I can't imagine how much those injections must have hurt and I am so proud of her for bouncing back so fast once the numbness descended. What a trooper!

For your viewing pleasure...

Madison and Thomas made
a little video to make you smile today!

(It's a little dark...sorry! Don't forget to pause the music on the left before clicking play on the video.)

P.S. Mason got his new heart!!!! In Sept. his family was told there was no hope, that a transplant would not be an option, and they would have a few months left with him. Go read about the miraculous journey that took him from that day....to Stanford....to a heart transplant on Easter. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

My first born turns 10 today. Where has the time gone? Since the sunny spring day she entered this world she has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. 

She has always been beautiful but more importantly she has taught me to be kinder, to be more patient, to love more, to see the world with more enthusiasm and more wonder. She is the kindest person I know. She is a sensitive sweetheart who always considers others' feelings. 

She is so much fun to be with and she is funny too! Her teachers tell me how much they love it when they are sarcastic or make a joke and none of the other kids in the class laugh, but Madison gets it. 

I have to admit, The Hubster and I have fairly sarcastic senses of humor and I love knowing that The Princess hasn't fallen far from the tree. 

I love you sweet girl. I hope you have a fabulous birthday today. You are so smart and funny and beautiful and talented and I couldn't be more proud of you! You are a wonderful sister and daughter. Thank you for being such a good girl, for always trying to do what's right and thank you for being one of my best friends. Happy Birthday!    


Love, Mom

No pillows yet but....

No, my pillows are not done but I was really excited about how some scrapbook pages turned out and I just had to show you all! 

Cute right? That's all...

The Princess conquers a fear!

I know I already posted today but I also wanted to tell The Princess how proud I am of her! A couple of weeks ago we had our annual Activity Days Recognition Night. Each of the girls were supposed to come up with a short paragraph about their favorite thing about Activity Days or a favorite activity they had done. At first The Princess flat out refused. She hates public speaking as much as I do (and that's A LOT!). Finally, the day of the Recognition Night she decided she would talk about the time they went to her favorite leader's house and made lasagnas for the women in the ward who had just had babies or were otherwise in need of a meal. I remember that day. She did have a lot of fun! She loves to cook and she adores Ashlee (her favorite leader) so it was a really great day for her. Anyway, she wrote about how much she loved that activity then and how it meant something extra special to her at the time because I was pregnant and on bed rest and would soon deliver The Pea. She also threw in a joke about how now she thinks they should have made casserole or something because when we received dinners from ward members during that time we ended up getting lasagna 5 nights in a row (true story...) and none of them were even any of the ones she had made!

Well that night we got all dressed up (she looked SO cute and I forgot to take a picture-Darnit!) and went to the church. We helped set up(I'm a leader now), and she stewed and stewed. She was SO nervous. When the program started she excused herself to go to the bathroom and I honestly thought she might not come back! But she did and when she looked at me her eyes were all bloodshot, either from trying not to cry or from an upset nervous stomach. I told her she would do great and to say a little prayer. Before she knew it it was her turn. She went up there and dazzled em'! She was sweet, funny and actually looked quite confident! I was SO proud! I of all people knew what that fear was like. I knew how hard that was for her and although she was only up there for like 30 seconds I could not have been more proud. Over the last four years we have watched her battle MAJOR anxiety in different situations. She has seen a therapist for it and we thought at one point we might have to look into some medication for her (which I DID NOT want to do at such a young age) which thankfully we didn't have to do. This year though she has done so much better! That night, for her (and us), was such a  big moment!

 
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Peach, I just want you to know how proud of you I really am. I know that took so much courage and I admire you so much! Your sappy old mom is actually crying as she writes this because when I think of how much I love you and how proud I am of you it all overflows out through my eyes :). You are so beautiful and smart and you are one of my best friends (and that's not just cause you like to shop with me and put up with my wacky sense of humor!). You are one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know and I am so blessed to have you as my daughter! I love you! 

Love, Mom

The Princess...

I thought I would take the next few posts to introduce my family.... 

The Princess  

Random facts about The Princess:

      

She is my oldest child-9yrs.old

She weighed 9lbs. 7oz. at birth (3 weeks early!)

She had HORRIBLE colic as a baby but has grown up to be a very calm, sweet girl

When she was 1yr. old she pulled a hot curling iron down into the crook of her arm and still has a scar from it ( it kinda scarred me too...)

When she was 4yrs. old she fell while rough housing with her grandpa and slammed her cheek into an end table (which resulted in her one dimple) and put her hand through a glass candle holder (which resulted in 16 stitches and a really cool scar) 

She had her tonsils out when she was 5

She LOVES animals as much as I do (which is ALOT!)

She loves Jamba Juice

She is awesome at art and playing the piano

She has a HUGE heart and is always worrying about how others feel (even strangers who look lonely or sad)

She has a really funny sarcastic sense of humor

She loves to camp, hike and fish

She loves dirt and bugs just as much as she loves getting all dressed up and her hair done fancy

People love to be around her because she is so sweet and funny

She is an amazing big sister (especially when it comes to her baby sister)

She tends to be shy and HATES performing in front of any kind of audience (gets that from me)


She wears the same size shoe as me (Women's 9)

She is one of my best friends! 






P.S. Piper is doing so much better! Yippee!!!!