More Celebrations

Aubree had her birthday celebration at school today. She came home with a pink sparkly crown and a fresh box of crayons tied to a balloon from her teacher. She was allowed to bring a treat to share with her classmates, and she chose gummy worms.


I knew I would have to put them into small ziplock bags and that wouldn't be very cute. So Karen and I made these cute toppers to staple over the baggies.
They turned out SO cute. Karen did all the design work on her computer (in about 20 minuets, with all three kids awake and running around!) and I did the assembling. Aubs was so excited when she saw them, and she couldn't wait for school today! Day three of celebrating, done. One more to go!

May 8th, part 2 (Mother's Day)

My Mom is Beautiful, seriously, just look for yourselves...
Beautiful inside and out. She is probably the most fun person I know.
I look at her, and hope to be that beautiful one day.

And hope to have just as much fun with my own kids (like mother, like daughter)
It's sad to be away from my Mom on Mother's Day, and sadder still when she doesn't answer my call :) I never thought too much about the day that I wouldn't have my Mom close. I never knew it was a possibility. I remember different intervalls of having a deeper appreciation for my Mom. The first time I moved out and understood just how much she did for me. When I got married and realized the sacrifice of having kids right away. The first, and second time I had kids...understanding the love a mother has for her daughter, and just what the role of a mother means from this side. As the years go by I feel a deeper sense of being forever indebted to my Mom. And to not have her here is sometimes crushing. Most of the time it's fine. I'm used to it, but every now and then it weighs on me, and I can truly feel of my love for her. This is one of those days, luckily I'm distracted by Aubree's birthday, but even still I would love to be with my Mom, more than anything today. Listening to Peter Brienholt, eating black licorice, and snuggling on the couch. Staying up late, watching girl movies and being slap happy. My Mom is absolutely the BEST at being slap happy. But for now I'll just be grateful that I have her :) LOVE YOU MOM.

I couldn't let the day pass without a shout out to my MIL. She is the best MIL a girl could hope for. She is the most selfless person I know, and being part of her family has truly been a blessing. I love you Michelle. Thanks for e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

May 8th, part 1 (Aubree's Birthday)

I wanted to make Aubree's day special, even though it was a Sunday, AND Mother's Day. So Saturday night I set up her counter for her to come down to in the morning.
I put up her banner that I made for her party in two weeks, and blew up some ballons. She got our presents and some from Grammi and Grumps. At first I wanted to give her, her presents throughout the day, because she usually can't handle the excitement of it all at once. But I thought (and hoped) this would feel more special than a gradual flow of gifts...
I placed 4 balloons on her door...and we waited until morning.


I'm glad I changed my mind, because she LOVED it and did really well with all the emotion.
She was one happy camper.

She wasn't too excited to go to church after all the gifts, but we assured her she could bring them, and she was just fine.
Her reaction of coming down the stairs and finding her presents.

After church (and nap) we went up to grandma's for Mothers Day (and more celebrations of course.) She got more presents,
And LOVED the cake I made her. **side note....don't try a new recipe for the first time on a Sunday when you can't go to the store if something goes wrong** This cake finally came together at the last minute..and I was happy. Happy Birthday Aubs! Day 2 of celebrations...done.

How to celebrate?

Since Aubree's birthday falls on a Sunday this year, we had to decide how to celebrate. She told me she wanted a birthday just like Sophie's. Including Kangaroo Zoo. So we broke her celebrations into 4 days! Today, to Kangaroo Zoo, tomorrow (obviously) presents, grandma's and dessert...Monday is her school day celebration, and the 21st for her friend party. So Kangaroo Zoo it is. They of course loved it.

When Aubree saw this she said "That kangaroo is silly Mom. It kinda look like Grammi" (who is my Mom.) And I pretty much agree with her. I sent it to my Mom, and she agrees too :)
About an 1 1/2 hours into playing, Aubree fell to the floor and said she was dead.
She sure was wiggly for a dead girl. But she tried real hard to keep a straight face.



Happy Birthday part 1 Aubs!

May 6th, part 2

May 6th is an important day in my life. First (coincidentally) it is the day Dave was baptized. Second it was the day we went on our first official date, to Prom, and so by default the night of our first kiss. Fastforward three years and thirdly, it became the day we were sealed for time and all eternity. It is our celebration today of 8 years! Two kids, college graduate, career, house.... we have been busy and it has been a very eventful 8 years. Dave asked me if they were the best 8 years of my life. I hesitated, he got scared, and I said no. I can't discount our courtship. Those years rank right up there with the best of the best. So the best 11 years, YES.

It was kind of a crazy day involving a program at Aubree's school, watching Brielle, and then my other friends' two kids in addition, trying to get a sitter until Kels could come out so I could ditch out earlier....but when we finally met up and headed out that all melted away.

First we went to Memory Grove in Salt Lake city. It is a BEAUTIFUL park, that we have fun history with. We went there on our first date (Prom) for part of our day activity (and the zoo :) And soon it became our place to go. We even have a place there that we call "our spot". "Our spot" became the place of our engagement, and it is dear to both of us. It is also the setting of all our engagement photos. Dave had also brought me up there to take pictures of me for his photography class. So today he requested to take pictures of me. I usually would say no, but I knew what he wanted to recreate, and I obliged.


This is the entrance to "Our spot". You go down that little path to find a stone bench looking out to a little stream with falls. BEAUTIFUL.
Me on the bench, where I was sitting 8.25 years ago when Dave proposed.
uncomfortable looking at the camera....





I'm really glad we had time to go there. It was a beautiful day, we even saw a bride and a couple getting there engagements. Next up...California Pizza Kitchen.

Mmmmm..I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. We shared an incredible asparagus/almond salad for an appetizer. Tostada pizza with a half Cobb salad for dinner, and strawberry short cake for dessert. I would get that exact meal every time. It was AMAZING.
Then we went to "Something Borrowed". Sadly it was not my favorite. I am glad we went 'cause I really wanted to see it. But it just wasn't what I expected. It was a great night and I have the best sister who watched my kids for 6 hours!!!! so we could really have fun.

May 6th, part 1

I wanted to break this day down since two note worthy things happened. First it was Aubree's Mother's Day celebration at school. Dave stayed home with Soph so I could go. I had Brielle with me. (A little girl I watch) and she is an angel, so I got to enjoy the show. Three classes were gathered to give us Mom's a show. Aubree reminds me so much of me. She didn't sing, do actions, etc...just kinda sat there shyly. She was looking around happily, smiling, and when she spotted me (about three songs into the program) she got really shy, started to cry and came to me for comfort. Luckily she went back and did a good job sitting :)

Then the other two classes left and we were each presented a gift, one by one, from our child.

A cute cup of sprouts they had planted, a little poem with handprints. And a questioner.

The questioner was really cute so I wanted to share.

(Answers are all Aubree :)

1. My Mom looks prettiest when....she goes to church.

2. My Mom's favorite food is....noodles

3. My Mom's eyes are....brown

4. My Mom likes to....go swimming

5. She is happy when....I listen to Mrs. Burnett

6. My Mom is ___ years old. (No response)

7. If my Mom could go anywhere she would go....to Disnayland

8. Her best friend is....Kelsey

9. Her job is....to take care of me, clean and cook.

10. I love my Mom because....she loves me.

A fun little clip.

Teacher Appreciation

Teacher appreciation starts today. It's a whole week of showing love to those who raise are children while we are not! And I am SO thankful for them. My kids are very much like me, and respond better to outside sources for learning. My Dad attempted to teach us piano when we were little....FAIL. My Mom attempted home school with me in the fifth grade....FAIL. (which btw, if you're reading, I'm sure you did an excellent job...it was me...) So again I am VERY thankful to those who teach, inspire, and help my kids grow. I knew when I saw this idea on another blog I follow, that this was the gift I wanted to give Aubree's Pre-school teacher.
I took Aubree to Wal-Mart and had her pick out some flowers. We came home and found this cute pitcher in my "I'm-not-sure-why-I-have-you-but-I-know-I'll-use-you" pile, and viola....a beautiful gift.
I printed out the cute cute tag, from said blog...and used a scallop punch I have to make it extra cute. Hope she likes it.