The last few weeks have been hard, I feel like I've been in survival mode. It's been hard having Dave gone, but I've also felt myself growing and stretching. I guess that's what challenges do, teach us things we wouldn't learn otherwise. And we're now on the downhill stretch. He's coming home next weekend for Lexi's baptism! I CAN'T WAIT! And I'm so thankful for help, for all those that have come and taken one or two or all of my kids for an afternoon or even overnight, or friends that have called and we've gone out for lunch or even just chatted on the phone. It all helps so much and I appreciate it so very much!
Here are a few goings on...
We made quilts at my mom's. I made a big "I Spy" quilt (thanks for the material Marne!) with all different squares of fabric. It was a fun project. I also made Malia a little yellow minky blanket that's so soft. Em made Lincoln a cute animal quilt, and my kids even did some sewing with some of the extra squares. Kyler and Porter each made a small quilt and Lexi sewed 21 bean bags to sell at her 2nd grade Mini-Mall last week. I was so proud of them! It was a fun couple days of sewing.
Brenner and Lincoln had so much fun while we were sewing, they played together so well. And were so loud! It made us laugh. They ran around squealing and pushing dolls in little strollers. So totally different from the way girls play with dolls, some times the dolls were dragging underneath the strollers caught in the wheels. It made us laugh. They played play-dough and ran from a pretend moose in the storage room. They were funny.
Lexi and I also made cupcakes for her mini-mall. It was on kind of a bummer day and when Dave called and asked how my day was I said it wasn't my favorite day ever, and Lexi said, "oh, it was my favorite day! I got to make cupcakes with mommy!" It made me change my attitude and realize I need to appreciate and focus on the good moments in each day!
We had a Girls Day a couple weekends ago at my Grandma's house. It was fun to see my grandparents and some aunts and cousins. There really is nothing better than family!
During spring break a few weeks ago it snowed. We are so wishing for warmer weather! Also during Spring Break Lexi and I had a girls shopping day, and one afternoon I took all 5 kids to lunch and the movie "Hop." Brenner did good until the end when he did a flip off one of the movie seats and landed on his head and started wailing. I was in the middle of changing Malia's diaper on my lap. Crazy moments! I also let my kids have a friend day last weekend and invite a friend over to play and have dinner with us, then we went to "Rio" and they played a few games at Fat Cats after. It was a fun little outing.
Last Friday night Kyler and Lexi had their piano recital. Kyler played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (a special version my Dad taught him), "When the Saints Go Marching In," and "Minuet & Trio." Lexi played "Snake Charmers" (her favorite, she also played it for her class talent show on Friday afternoon), "Play a Fourth," and "Robin Hood." Then I took the kids to their favorite place, Twizzleberry! It's been a fun year of piano, my kids have LOVED taking from my sister, Emily. Thanks, Em, for a great year! We wish you could move to New York with us!
Lexi had her end of the year dance recital in the afternoon on Saturday and did such a great job! It's always fun to go watch her perform. She really enjoyed this year! We went to eat at Applebee's after with Grandma and Grandpa T. Lexi wanted a one-on-one so then she and I went to Cold Stone's for ice cream.
Brenner got into my eye shadow one morning a few weeks ago. He said, "Isn't this awesome?" But then was embarrassed and washed it all off. He has a funny personality and is always making me laugh.
The boys playing super heroes. Kyler was funny kissing his muscle. And Porter put Brenner in Lexi's old Super girl costume. It was too funny!
Porter and Brenner were in the tub one night and as I was getting Malia ready for her bath they begged if she could join them, so I sat her in the tub with them for a minute. She wasn't so sure about it! But she loves her baths in her own little tub. The kids love her so much and everything she does!
My mom got this Cookie Monster shirt for Kyler to wear for a pajama shirt and I mention this because it's something I admire about Kyler. He laughed and said he was going to wear it to school. I didn't think he really would but he did and came home laughing saying all the kids called him "Cookie Monster." He is so jolly and has a great sense of humor. I love that about him.
Sweet little Mia is 5 months old. She is such a good little thing. She always has a smile and when we talk to her she just beams. She is our little sunshine! She reaches for our faces and pulls us to her mouth to give us kisses. It is the cutest thing ever! We all love her so much.
And April Fool's Day was awhile ago now but this is my kids favorite trick, when I mix up their lunches. It's so fun.
I sure love them and am so thankful to be their mom. I'm so thankful for our Savior and that because of the Atonement and Resurrection we can be an eternal family. I hope you all had a nice Easter weekend.
