Valentine's Day! or Day of Sugar!

It's tradition. Before lunch the doorbell rings and to the kids surprise there are goodies waiting on the porch from grandma and grandpa. This year was no different even with several inches of fresh snow on the ground. I had some happy kids! Anja disappeared for a while and after some searching, we found her under the piano bench with all of the chocolates from her heart in her mouth and hands. Yum, chocolate!

Draper Temple

I have to admit, this was not something I really wanted to do. Standing in the cold, in a dress with my kids to see the inside of the temple was not high on my list of fun things to do this winter. But, being obedient, I did it because I was told to. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. It took under an hour to park, watch the movie, tour the temple and get back to our car. The mounds of treats/bribes I stashed in my purse for the kids remained untouched. The kids had a blast seeing the inside of the temple and were full of questions. Even Anja enjoyed the adventure. The walk to the temple doors was covered by a massive tent that kept much of the cold and snow out. That was nice. Then, true to Mormon culture, there were cookies at the end. Even the missionaries were well behaved (way to go Elder Coombs) not one asked for a referral! Because it was snowing and the tents were up, we could only get a picture of the family standing at the doors-- and my camera was cold and fogged up so none of the pictures turned out well.. Regardless, it is a beautiful building and was worth the trek to see my entire family in the Celestial Room together-- hopefully not for the last time.

I forgot my kid

Thursday was a crazy night. I had to time the pick up and drop offs to the minute to get us where we needed to be on time....

Cooked dinner at 4:30, Carter to scouts at 5 pm, Jensen and Anja eat at 5:10, pick Carter up at 5:55 for Inspirations Awards at school, arrive at school at 6:15, home by 7:30, homework done by 8 and in bed by 8:30 pm.

All was well until I pulled into the school parking lot at 6:15--on the dot!!--- only to realize I left Carter at scouts. I drove right by his leaders house and didn't stop! Call leader--so sorry!!!-- turn around, get Carter-- get back to school at 6:40 in time for group pictures.

Crazy day! Regardless, congrat's to both boys for doing well in the Inspirations contest. We can't wait to use our museum and planetarium tickets (kudos to Chantelle!) Maybe it is time to get Carter a cell phone..

Killer Shoes...

Prepare yourselves for this summers greatest shoe--for toddlers. They are called "poly-walks" and they are are Dillards. Not only do they look like bugs with 3-D faces and antenna, but the backs are pointed like a bumble bee stinger that lights up. We have spent this week dressing for the shoes. -Now that is high fashion!

It is empty...and I am free.

The cupboard is empty, there are no more,

no more bottles or nipples or formula containers galore..

I am free to put real dishes in now,

free from sippy cups that leak and smell, oh wow!

My children drink from cups and fountains

not from plastic bottles or my personal mountains (heehee).

So today is a new day, a new phase of my life

a phase I will not revisit until I have to, as an eternal wife.

What a day.... :)

(I did keep three sippy cups for visitors who may come, but Anja doesn't use them, she likes the cups with straws that we use for a while then toss. I'm telling you, this is a day to celebrate).

Part Two:

So to my sister who will enter back into this phase soon,

good luck to you as I smile and woo,

at your future baby who I don't have to feed,

from a bottle unless I feel a need.

And to my sister-in-law who is busy cooking number four,

the day will come for you I am sure--but for now, you're dealing with more.

love you both, Nix

Dancing Princesses

Anja and our friend Linzey from across the street decided they needed to add a little feminine touch to our house last week after two weeks of boys birthdays. They got all dressed up and danced around for most of the afternoon. We love girly-girl things!

Happy Birthday Jensen, twice!

Jensen wanted a dinosaur birthday so we reinvented a few favorites to go with the theme. This was the dinosaur balloon stomp..

Dinosaur crafts...

Forced picture with mom for posterity...

Dinner at Famous Dave's with the family (note: it is cool when the waitresses sing to you when you turn 6, not when you are 16).

Cake number two with the family...

finally, building one of the many lego's he got with dad...

Happy birthday dude! I can't believe you are six. Our family would not be the same without your kind and tender heart. Last night I turned off the Suzuki piano CD and offered up a CD of Kenny Loggins lullaby's that we used to play for Jensen every night. Twenty minutes later I went into his room to check on him and he was crying. When I asked what was wrong, this is what I got:

"Mom, these songs just remind me of being a baby and how much I loved it when we would lay together before I would fall asleep. I just miss being your baby it's not fair that I have to get big."

Talk about a heart melter! I did lay with him and I retold--for the one million time-- the story of the day he was born. I think he fell asleep about the time he was born..