SEE KIDS...

I really DID play!

I turned my phone on and Shawn had surprised me with this wallpaper.
Its still on there.
Its hilarious too...because anybody that sees it doesn't believe that is ME.
I look at it too and don't really recognize myself.

Im pretty sure I still have it on my phone because I like to look at it:)
A place I will never be again...
but sure was nice while it lasted.

When I look at it, some of the best years of my life flood my mind and its fun to remember.
I made my best friends...and met my ultimate BFF.
And I won't deny that I will FOREVER long for those legs I used to have...that I will never have again.

The end.

So big...but still so little.

Wow.
Huh.
There are those moments or pictures or memories that make your stomach literally flutter.
This...is one .
Daddy Daughter Date.
The Activity Days 'committee' did an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G job in making these girls feel beautiful
and important.
They had an etiquette activity the week before this night and learned all about how to be a proper lady.
*Rae came home from it and told me that basically I violate all the laws of being proper*
And before they left that activity they gave the girls instructions on how to come dressed for this special night.
They said to wear something that makes them feel special.
It meant so much to me when she said she wanted to wear her baptism dress...for a number of reasons.
Grandma Trudy made this dress straight from her angelic heart and every time she wears it I feel a closeness to Trudy when I look at it, knowing that the amount of time and energy she put into making that was truly out of pure and solid love for MY daughter.
I know she thinks of her grandma every time she wears it and can always use that dress as a symbol of her baptism, but also a symbol of her grandmas love.
To know that getting baptized was such a special day for her, it makes my heart so proud.  So happy.
When my neighbor text me this picture and I opened it up not knowing what it was...
I almost gasped.
I couldn't believe how old she looked...and is!
My mind raced to her wedding day and I immediately got emotional.
I just can't believe how fast time flies and it made me want to cherish every nano second I have with her and all my little ones because I KNOW time will keep flying.

 

Later in the week Raegan came out of her bed complaining that she couldn't sleep.
I told her to hop into my bed and get to sleep.
She did after insisting that when we move her back into her bed that we not mess up her bears.
That it took her FOREVER to get them just right.

When I went to bed and moved her into hers, I had forgotten about her request.
After I tucked her in, I saw this at the foot of her bed.
It was a good reminder that even though she wants to be so grown up,
and when I expect her to act so grown up,
and give her responsibilities of a grown up every now and then...

she is still little.

Her heart and her head...still innocent.
Simple.
Precious.
And pure.

So much so that she still carefully tucks her bears into bed with her.

Oh my heart....

His choice.

Called Shawn and told him I arranged a sitter for Tuesday night since he will be out of town over his birthday.  He kept asking "Whats the plan?"  I finally told him this was last minute and I aint got no PLAN!!  Got a sitter from 5-8pm...and let him do what his little heart desired.
 

On our way to dinner he said..."Lets go get a pedicure?!"
I actually knew he was serious...the guy asks for a foot massage everyday and pays the kids $1 per foot sometimes to do it.

So...
Thats precisely what we did.

And we lucked out with the spa that was available last minute for two 7 o' clock appointments.

This won't be the last pedicure we enjoy together...I have a feeling.

Chores. Rewards. And Catastrophe.

Because there was no school Monday...and we had SO much fun enjoying the sun Saturday...
We all played a little clean-up catch-up around the house.
If the spray bottle is included...the kids seem to be more than happy to participate.
They all had their very own.
And may have wasted half of each can.
But its worth it when there is a smile mixed with the word chore!  

Evan.
In focused mode. 

This was a big job...and deserved half a can to clean.
She did a great job! 

I promised them a hair cut at the SALON if they finished their chores happily :)
**I love rewarding them with something that needs to happen anyway**
Great Clips was offering a great deal.
We had no other plans.
And it made the kids happy.
SO...
We put our names down and headed to Roxberry for yet another little treat. 

I sent this picture to Shawn...looking happy and satisfied.
Life is good.
Its grand.
Smoothies in hand.  Haircuts coming.
Oh but how quickly this picture changed!!
Literally seconds after I took this:
Raegan offered some of hers to Wesly which of course Wesly was happy with.  Rae ended up handing the whole cup to her.  Immediately Wes pulled out the straw.  Smoothie all over her and the floor.
No biggie right?!
I grabbed the cup from her.
Now its a biggie.
Fit.  Majorly.  On a cement floor.
As Im helping Wesly and preventing her from knocking herself out on the concrete...
Evans cup goes down.
Smashes and splashes all over the floor.
OF COURSE his does.
There isn't a meal with this kid that doesn't involve a spill or a massacre of food in his surroundings or on his face.  You ALWAYS know where Evan ate and WHAT Evan ate.  Its incredible actually.
Holding Wes on my hip...I put her down to tend to Evan.  In walks a customer and out goes Wes.
Rae ran after her.
As Im picking up Evans cup...the bottom of it breaks as I put it on the table.  Now its all over the table.
Rae can't open the door to get back in with Wesly because it was so windy out.  So I let her in...
I went up the the cashier finally and let the workers know there has been a spill.
Evan at this point is whining that he doesn't like his and wants a new one and all I really want to do is smack him cause he sounds like a spoiled brat...rather than helping with this lovely scene :)
I refrain from smacking him...but as I turn to go have a chat with him after telling the workers about the spill...
Mayci, of course decides she wants in the this drama, and tries to get off her stool which happens to be twice the height of her...and of course she is trying to get down one handed because she has her beloved smoothie occupying her other hand....
And the chair is going down with her.
I spinted toward her.
Grabbed her...and punched a hole in her smoothie with my finger.
True story.
For real.
And of course there is a young cute little couple sitting right next to the table the kids chose to sit at...
staring in awe and wondering what the crap this crazy lady is thinking trying to take her kids to get a smoothie!
Theres a drive thru for that!
SO...After I grabbed Mayci,
I grabbed Evan in the MOM HOLD by his upper arm and drug him out.
Had Rae grab Wes.
Held Maycis hand and told the employee Im out before Roxberry gets struck by lightning.

Its always amazing how a simple trip to the smoothie shop can turn out so catastrophic.

I always say...

You win some...you lose some.

I lost this time.

Happy Im posting about it...because as I was later telling Shawn what had happened ...I laughed.
And I laugh now : ) 

Appointments ~ Lunch ~ Ponytail ~ ParkCity

I feel like this last month has been full of 'appointments'!
And not fun ones.
In and out of the doctors offices...doctors of all colors too.
This is Welsy after she got her tubes...she was a mess.
Still is:/
In fact, I just went in this morning to get her bloody oozy gooey ear checked.
Back to the ENT tomorrow morning to get sucked out.
This poor girl can't catch a break. 

She was so out of it when we got home.  Not until the afternoon did she start acting normal.
Breaks my heart but oh so sweet when she is actually still for 5 seconds.
In fact, right when we got home she let me rock her to sleep...
and she stayed asleep for a good hour on me.
I was in my happy place.

This donut had Evan begging for a doctor.
We let him go for it.
He paid for it later.
Lesson learned...and he keeps saying he never wants a 'Texas donut' again.
HA! 

Sorry Shawn...I had to: )
This here is the aftermath of Shaws Doctors appointment.
Poor guy had to get surgery on the root of his tooth.

I surprised the kids and met them for lunch.
Rae ate with me and by the time she left to recess with her friends...in came Evan.
We ate and as he was nearing his last bites all his little buddies were running out the door telling him to meet up with them by the classroom door.  He jammed all his apples in his mouth and booked it.
Left me in the dust...smiling.
Wesly and I packed up and headed out to the back of the school...
tracked Evan down...
and found him lined up against this wall with all his buddies.
It made me heart so happy.
 

Finally!
A ponytail!!

Cutest little ponytail...
Saddest little sick face : ( 

I was excited about that ponytail :)
Its been 14 months of raggedy scraggly hair.
Its about time!

Yes this happened almost a year ago...
but I never posted and it was one of the best trips ever.
The four of us had an overnighter in Park City.
No cooking.
No cleaning.
A lot of laughing.
Some crying.
A hotel room.
And BIKING!

While we biked this little lady hung out...
just . like . this!
And happy to do it!

Biking or not...
so glad she joined.

Im lucky to be friends with family.
Best of both worlds.

Cant wait for another sleepover!