Thank you Dorothy for snapping a pic! I do love them all!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Father's Day via Pinterest
I saw this month's ago on Pinterest. It was in the back of my mind and thankfully it surfaced as I thought about Father's Day gifts!
Joe is still in shock over how I found something so awesome that he had never seen. (thank you Pinterest)
Ella was upset after dinner when she realized she didn't get to play "golf" with Daddy and after questioning and some frustration for both of us I figured out she meant playing with his gift!
When in doubt, bring food!
I have a co-worker who is struggling. He has a beautiful family including 2 kids aged 7 and 10. His wife is dying of cancer. I've asked a lot of hard questions, but never the question of how much longer? I've often said, "let me know if you need anything" and I truly mean it, but after he missed work a few days last weekend I knew I HAD to do something! I told him this week, "I'm doing SOMETHING for your family this weekend!". I offered to take his kids to do something fun, run errands for them, or bring them dinner.
We delivered dinner Friday night. I offered to make anything that sounded good to them. His wife said, "Tell Laurie to do whatever she does best!". CRAP! I knew to ask what they had had recently and of course lasagna was on that list. I went with taco salads. My mom's taco salads! Doritos, taco meat, lettuce, all the taco-fixins and of course FRENCH dressing! I know she's currently craving salty food so I added a bag of tortilla chips and salsa.
It's a small thing to do and I'm sure I'll be bringing more meals. Ella helped me bring in the food and jumped around their house with all of her happy energy and played with their dog. It was a somber environment and I could see fear and sadness in the kids eyes. His wife was not feeling up to even leaving her bed that day.
Ella left and said, "When can we bring your friend dinner again? That dog was so cute!". I hope to teach my kids to always think of others and do the little things.
It brings me to tears and it breaks my heart. It's just not fair! Hug your family and friends a little tighter and tell them you love them because you just never know....
We delivered dinner Friday night. I offered to make anything that sounded good to them. His wife said, "Tell Laurie to do whatever she does best!". CRAP! I knew to ask what they had had recently and of course lasagna was on that list. I went with taco salads. My mom's taco salads! Doritos, taco meat, lettuce, all the taco-fixins and of course FRENCH dressing! I know she's currently craving salty food so I added a bag of tortilla chips and salsa.
It's a small thing to do and I'm sure I'll be bringing more meals. Ella helped me bring in the food and jumped around their house with all of her happy energy and played with their dog. It was a somber environment and I could see fear and sadness in the kids eyes. His wife was not feeling up to even leaving her bed that day.
Ella left and said, "When can we bring your friend dinner again? That dog was so cute!". I hope to teach my kids to always think of others and do the little things.
It brings me to tears and it breaks my heart. It's just not fair! Hug your family and friends a little tighter and tell them you love them because you just never know....
Happy Father's Day!
Normally I would have pictures to post....but not today! Not a single picture taken by me today!
Joe is sick. We skipped church and he went to urgent care for a shot of rocephin. Zoey was sent home from daycare on Thursday with a fever and has been grumpy and off all weekend! Joe and I took turns taking naps and holding Zoey most of Saturday!
A family in Zoey's daycare class held a Ladybug room BBQ Saturday night. Joe and Zoey were miserable, but we RSVP'd and the pasta salad was made, so we showed up. There were 3 other families and 3 families of teachers. The other Ladybugs are all first borns. Ella ran around and played on the playground and Joe and I took turns playing with her. I had hoped there would be other siblings, but not-so-much. The other parents stared at the kids and compared milestones. The teachers were full of love and stories about all the kids. Wow, I'm not a first-timer anymore. I had to think very hard about Zoey's birthday. I didn't know the other kids names. I don't have any Zoey videos on my phone. All the parents know Zoey. There are only 3 girls of the 16 in the class (but only 8 kids ever there at a time) and she's the only girl with dark hair. Ezra's mom kept telling me about how cute Ezra and Zoey are together and how his Dad had a picture to show me. TEN pictures of Zoey with an enormous smile and both kids in a bumbo chairs holding hands. ADORABLE! Poor Zoey, you're in a room with first borns and you are a very loved, but not very photographed or milestones-tracked 2nd born and both of your parents work full-time and you share us with your very busy sister! As I heard the typical first-time parent stories, I didn't know how to add to the conversation, "yeah, Zoey has to go with the flow and naps in the stroller and carseat because of my crazy work schedule and Ella's activities!". What would they think if I told them Zoey has no schedule and is woken up regularly from naps to take Ella to scheduled activities AND I often ask Ella to feed Zoey in her carseat while we're driving! No mother-of-the-year here!
For Father's Day Dorothy treated us to lunch and Ella, Dorothy and I swam at Dorothy's pool all afternoon. Ella SWAM (physically moving in the water) NON STOP for over 2 hours!!!! Poor Joe and Zoey chilled in the shade. We had the pool to ourselves and it was a perfect afternoon for Ella.
Thank you Papa Murphy's for making our dinner followed by random frozen treats from the freezer!
The list of projects planned for this weekend didn't happen. Snuggles, naps, and Redbox movies did!
Joe, you are the most amazing Dad to our girls. You never imagined life with so many girls, but I love to watch you with them. I know you LOVE them more than anything and it's obvious to others as well. I did the early morning school drop-off you usually do and one of the teachers said, "Your husband REALLY loves your girls. They are very lucky!". They see many dads and you obviously stand out above the rest! We love you!
Joe is sick. We skipped church and he went to urgent care for a shot of rocephin. Zoey was sent home from daycare on Thursday with a fever and has been grumpy and off all weekend! Joe and I took turns taking naps and holding Zoey most of Saturday!
A family in Zoey's daycare class held a Ladybug room BBQ Saturday night. Joe and Zoey were miserable, but we RSVP'd and the pasta salad was made, so we showed up. There were 3 other families and 3 families of teachers. The other Ladybugs are all first borns. Ella ran around and played on the playground and Joe and I took turns playing with her. I had hoped there would be other siblings, but not-so-much. The other parents stared at the kids and compared milestones. The teachers were full of love and stories about all the kids. Wow, I'm not a first-timer anymore. I had to think very hard about Zoey's birthday. I didn't know the other kids names. I don't have any Zoey videos on my phone. All the parents know Zoey. There are only 3 girls of the 16 in the class (but only 8 kids ever there at a time) and she's the only girl with dark hair. Ezra's mom kept telling me about how cute Ezra and Zoey are together and how his Dad had a picture to show me. TEN pictures of Zoey with an enormous smile and both kids in a bumbo chairs holding hands. ADORABLE! Poor Zoey, you're in a room with first borns and you are a very loved, but not very photographed or milestones-tracked 2nd born and both of your parents work full-time and you share us with your very busy sister! As I heard the typical first-time parent stories, I didn't know how to add to the conversation, "yeah, Zoey has to go with the flow and naps in the stroller and carseat because of my crazy work schedule and Ella's activities!". What would they think if I told them Zoey has no schedule and is woken up regularly from naps to take Ella to scheduled activities AND I often ask Ella to feed Zoey in her carseat while we're driving! No mother-of-the-year here!
For Father's Day Dorothy treated us to lunch and Ella, Dorothy and I swam at Dorothy's pool all afternoon. Ella SWAM (physically moving in the water) NON STOP for over 2 hours!!!! Poor Joe and Zoey chilled in the shade. We had the pool to ourselves and it was a perfect afternoon for Ella.
Thank you Papa Murphy's for making our dinner followed by random frozen treats from the freezer!
The list of projects planned for this weekend didn't happen. Snuggles, naps, and Redbox movies did!
Joe, you are the most amazing Dad to our girls. You never imagined life with so many girls, but I love to watch you with them. I know you LOVE them more than anything and it's obvious to others as well. I did the early morning school drop-off you usually do and one of the teachers said, "Your husband REALLY loves your girls. They are very lucky!". They see many dads and you obviously stand out above the rest! We love you!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Ella's First Ballet Recital - I love the circus
I had to learn and do a ballet bun! I'm not a hair person. I was never a dancer. Thank you You Tube and the random mom's out there who desire to help people like me! I bought a bun foundation at Sally's and it was success. Last minute I realized I needed a net to hold in place and Joe ran out to save the bun!
We dropped Ella off with her necklace on (identified her and her part). She was checked in with a "big kid". The older girls help out and dress the kids. I don't know how they entertained so many girls for almost an hour back stage, but props to them! The performance was AMAZING. I debated about buying the video for $27 and I had to commit weeks ago, but will be worth every penny! Ella was a tight rope walker. She had a pink leotard with a pink and yellow tutu and a pink something in her hair. She carried a parasol and was on stage 3 times. The first time she was a little nervous. They walk through first as a parade and get familiar with the stage, lights and audience. The 2nd time was her performance and she shined! She smiled, danced and rocked it! The 3rd time was the finale and they did free style dance with a ribbon. I am so proud and I would like to have both of the girls go through this dance studio. They are professional and they know what they are doing! I'm excited to see and buy some professional photos which should be online in a few days!
 |
| It's hard to sit still.... |
 |
| Light Make up - I didn't venture to mascara, and oh she looks so grown up! |
 |
| Posing! |
 |
| I'm proud of that hair! |
 |
| Love this shot! |
 |
| It was the dance theatre on the Utah campus. Very professional and very well done! |
 |
| The proud audience! |
 |
| So proud! |
 |
| Flowers for me??? |
 |
| A present for me? |
 |
| We waited in line FOREVER for a balloon animal! Joe and Dorothy went to the car. I noticed Ella didn't have her shoes. We found her shoes and then attempted to leave and she said, "I really want one of those shape balloons!" |
 |
| Daycare did their first ever "date night". We dropped off both girls and Ella got her face painted, played in the bounce house, made a visor, ate popcorn and watched a movie! |
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Swimming Lessons
I brought the camera along today since I knew Zoey would sleep and it's the last day for me (last day for Ella tomorrow IF Joe can leave work early and take her). I put Ella in a 2 week swimming lesson class at the closest pool to our house. She's also in Swimkids private lessons once a week which costs a fortune and I thought a group class would be fun for her. It's a struggle to take Zoey everyday too, but worth it! I pushed her limits and put her in a class that challenged her, but should would have been bored in the class below (and they didn't move her down). She was with MUCH older kids and did well!
Today they had to arrived clothed and practice swimming in clothes.
Today they had to arrived clothed and practice swimming in clothes.
 |
| Getting ready |
 |
| One more hug for Mommy |
 |
| She's so LITTLE! |
 |
| Watching her friend and getting nervous |
 | ||
| It took her FOREVER to jump in and the teacher had to come closer! She had done fine in a swimsuit previously! |
 |
| Action shot |
 |
| But I lost my shoe!!!! |
 |
| Float....love the happy family cheering her on! |
 |
| But my shoe.... |
 |
| Float |
 |
| Happy swimmer |
 |
| Ella's favorite -- under water! |
 |
| Swimming! |
 |
| "please smile" |
 |
| In the locker room, it was finally HER idea for a nice picture! |
The Fish Face
Zoey is hilarious! She is becoming more and more interactive and she's sure a lot of fun! The other day in the car I clearing heard a kissing noise and I can see Ella and knew it wasn't her. Zoey has mastered the fish face! Ella and I look like fools trying to get her to do it! We all end up giggling like mad and it's fun!
This was all before 7AM! But who wouldn't want to get up and hang with these girls? Don't tell them, but ME and their Dad was still in bed!
**disclaimer, pictures are a work in progress, Zoey can't handle the flash and our lights are energy efficient and my pictures are YELLOW Tips? I've learned about white balance, but I have to find my notes and PRACTICE and there aren't enough hours in the day....
 | |
| Fishy (wish you could hear the sound) |
 |
| She's a cutie! |
 |
| Ella needs a turn too! |
 |
| Look at that dimple! |
 |
| Yep, still cute! |
 |
| And full of spit....always! |
 |
| There's another FISHY! |
 |
| Ella begs for a turn |
 |
| After I say, "I can't take your picture, your hair is a mess!" |
This was all before 7AM! But who wouldn't want to get up and hang with these girls? Don't tell them, but ME and their Dad was still in bed!
**disclaimer, pictures are a work in progress, Zoey can't handle the flash and our lights are energy efficient and my pictures are YELLOW Tips? I've learned about white balance, but I have to find my notes and PRACTICE and there aren't enough hours in the day....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)