Hope of America - Waiting

Liz participated in a large program at that included half of the schools in our district.  She had been practicing the songs for months and was so excited to be part of the flag.  We had to be there quite early and here are the other kids patiently waiting. Yep, two iPods and an iPad made the waiting go a lot more quickly.

Another post about the actual program may be coming soon. We all really enjoyed the program, and thanks to Brian's prime parking spot we didn't have to deal with the big traffic jams.

Girls' birthday bash

The girls were also spoiled pretty rotten by our Chantry family. Grandma and Grandpa had a big bag of surprises for each girl. Megan loved the gummi bears and clothes for her Build-a-Bear

She loves that her bear's ears stick out of the purple hoodie. It is pretty cute.

And she loves this shiny blue dress.

Liz dove into her bag with great excitement 9do you see the tissue paper flying behind her?)

She also got Build-a-Bear clothes for her purple Kitty. And she liked when one of the outfits matched an outfit that Meg already had.

Here she is with her pretty purple kitty all dressed up in her two outfits.
Here are the animals in matching clothes sitting on the bean bag chairs that Grandma Chantry found for them.
Aunt Jenalee and Chloe picked out crafts for each of the girls. Liz loved decorating her trinket box, and Megan enjoyed painting her night light.
We are so grateful fr all of our Chantry family who took the time and made the effort to come celebrate with us. We love seeing the cousins and playing together. It was a treat to share all or our excitement with our family who lives in the state. Thank you all!

For other birthday fun go here:

http://eprocrastinator.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-madness-aka-birthday-party.html

A Mother's Musings

I consider myself very sentimental, and at this time of year it gets pretty extreme. My youngest child and oldest child (my two girls) having birthdays two days apart, I feel like I celebrate firsts and lasts all at once. My oldest is now 11 and my youngest is 6, and I can't help but wonder where the days and weeks and months and years have gone.

I watched my youngest on her birthday, bubbling over with the sheer excitement of the day, even though celebrations wouldn't happen until the day after her birthday. She couldn't walk without skipping and she couldn't talk without grinning wide. She is at the peak of young childhood. She finds the most excitement in things big and small. She is joy personified.

I watched my eldest today on her birthday. She is in such a wonderful stage right now. In so many ways she is still the innocent, sweet and wonderful little girl that I have loved since the instant I knew she was growing inside of me. And in so many other ways she is already becoming a sweet, amazing, talented, smart, beautiful, eye-shining young women. Sometimes when I look at her I see the child, and sometimes the young woman. Sometimes I am reminded of where she has been, and other times I see where she is going. It is really quite miraculous.

Sometimes I wonder how it is possible to have so much love for two little girls at the same time. I feel honored and blessed that I have been chosen to be their mother.

I am sure that similar sentimental moments will happen in the coming months as my two favorite not-so-little boys celebrate milestones of their own.

What a blessing it is to be a mom!

Spring is springing

I live in Utah, so I don't think it is quite safe to say that spring has sprung, but it is springing. I can just feel it coming. This last week has just been gorgeous! It is just so easy to have a good day when the sun is shining and the air is warmish. And over the last couple of weeks I have had so many good days. It has been one of those times that I feel so perfectly content with where I am at in life. I have had so many little things bring such joy and I just feel like all is right with my little world at this moment. Here are a few of the things that make life so good right now.

Liz and Nathan both did so well in their Piano Festival. They also did amazing on their report cards, but mostly I just love watching them grow up. They have such a desire to do what is right and are so kind to those around them and are just great kids! What would I do without them?

Michael has done over 100 EXTRA math sheets at school. Not only is he doing great in school but I just think he is an amazing kid. He has a lot going on in that head of his and I love it when he gives me a peek into all that he is thinking. His teacher wrote a note on his homework sheet, "Thanks for being a great teacher today." I love that he is so eager to help those around him. Oh, and yesterday when he was home sick from Primary he watched the Book of Mormon stories DVD and followed along in the reader with every story. I LOVE THIS KID! (Oh, and though slightly embarrassed to do so, he gives me a kiss on the cheek every night after scriptures. Somehow it means more knowing that he is really making an effort.)

Megan had a cute program at school called "Friends: the Musical". She learned her part really well and enjoyed singing with her class. She lost a front tooth and looks darling. She loves school and is so excited about every little thing going on in life. She is becoming a really good reader. She tries the hard words and seems to be learning at lightening speed. I am so proud of her. She is just so much fun to have in our house.

And here are my tulips! I love that they are coming up. It helps me know that spring really is coming and tulips just make me happy. Even just a few days ago I couldn't see this many coming up and they weren't this green. So excited to see them all bloom!

March is a big month at our house with lots of birthdays near the end, and I have been planning these fun birthdays for months. Usually January and February drag a little bit, but this year has been just perfect. I am glad March is here and I am looking forward to surprising three of my favorite people in just a couple of weeks.

UVU basketball game

January and February usually go by slow. I think ti is because nothing "BIG" is going on. This year they have seemed to fly by, and though nothing big has been going on, the little day -to-day things have kept us buxy. We have had some time for fun though.

The kids came home from school with enough free tickets to a UVU basketball game on Monday and we decided after Family Home Evening to go t the first half. We were all pretty excited to go. The boys were particularly thrilled by everything they saw. They couldn't believe when the first half ended so quickly.Liz and Megan were a little less thrilled by it all. They did think it was fun when a t-shirt shot from a cannon landed by Nathan and he picked it up.They also liked clapping to the music.
Liz enjoyed watching the cheerleaders and got a turn with the camera. Because of her we have this shot.

We had a fun time and it was great to go out as a family.

Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with the candlestick

So a big 'Thank you!" to my brother and his wife who sent this for Christmas.

It has become a family favorite in the short time it has been in our house! We have played lots and everyone really gets into it. There have been lots of discussions about strategy, lessons on logic and not giving away extra information with the things you say during a game, and lots of little silly moments too.

For example, the other night we were playing. Everyone was playing except Megan and by chance all six pieces for the game ended up in the ball room at the same time. Brian was arranging the pieces as someone made heir suggestion. All of the sudden he chants, "Peel the banana!" and starts moving the pieces around. what he had done was make the six pieces copy the Virginia Reel that Nathan and the fourth grade had performed. "Peel the Banana" is one of the square dance calls that made the kids laugh extra hard. The kids thought dad was so funny and helped him dance the other pieces around the ball room. Then we got back to the game.

A Visit with Santa Claus

On New Years' Eve day we had the annual Christmas party with our extended Chantry family. The best part for the kids was their visit with Santa Claus. They are old enough now to look forward to this every year. I love how they each climb right up on his lap with big smiles.

I also love to see the joy that Brian's Grandpa gets from dressing up for the kids. It must be hard to change in and out of that suit (and to do it for relatively little time), but he never complains or even grumbles. He is just so excited. And even when little babies aren't so thrilled to sit on his lap, he is OK with that. The parents usually hold their kids and sit next to him and he just talks to them and is so cute. I loved this year when he held out his hand to a nervous Russell, and Russell gave him five.

Thank you Grandpa! We lve you and your willingness to continue this special tradition.