G is seven!

I can't believe I have a seven year-old. She is so big and so grown up. She really is such a good girl - she's polite, obedient, and really tries hard to always do her best. She's reading way above her grade level, and is great at math too. She shows a strong interest in geography, and loves to learn about different people and places. She's also athletic - right now she is in precompetition level gymnastics, dance, and soccer. And in her "spare" time she loves to ride her bike. She's a great sister, and loves Bryn soo much. Of course, we love her soo much too. She's a great girl, and I'm lucky to be her mommy.
For her birthday, she asked for an iPod touch, a cell phone, and a skate board. She got the skate board, and spent several hours on it learning to ride.

I also made her a rag quilt for her bed:
And my very first fondant cake. It looks like my first.

Easter weekend

Just photos:

Jack-o-lantern

The cutest 6 year old, with her randomly missing teeth. I don't think she'll be eating any apples for awhile.

Sew what?

After my success last week, I decided to give sewing another try (in fact, I've been working on a couple of projects . . . more to follow) But for today, another finished skirt and headband. I can't take credit. The skirt came from: this tutorial and the headband from here. And if I hadn't accidentally sewn the skirt together wrong TWICE (that is what I get for trying to sew at midnight), it would have only taken a couple of hours total for the entire project. Pictures aren't the best (my yard is dead and the sun is so bright), but I think she's adorable.

Gracelin's birthday (2 months belated)

This lucky girl got to turn six in the "Happiest Place on Earth". And it was a surprise. She had no idea that was where we were headed.

I just can't believe I have a six year old. She is so smart, and so grown up. She recently finished kindergarten, and in every category she was above grade level. She's kind, obedient, and so much fun to be around. I couldn't ask for a better daughter.
We actually spent several days at Disneyland, but on the day of her "real" birthday, she got to choose any ride she wanted. Her choice: California Screamin' seven times in a row (I think. I kind of lost track) She's a daredevil! And yes, she really does keep her hands up the entire time.
Brynlee had fun at the park too. She was finally tall enough to ride the majority of the rides. Her favorite was Tower of Terror.
We also spent 2 days at the beach, soaking up the sun. Those were mommy's favorite days. We even saw a dolphin swimming laps across the beach.
And two nights were spent (one each way, as we drove) in the Excalibur at Las Vegas, because where else does a princess sleep if not in a castle.

Happy birthday Gracelin!

Happy birthday Sweetie. In honor of her, here are some of my favorite Gracie moments:
Summer 2008 at the rodeo - she did the "mutton bustin'" where she rode a sheep - and was the only girl in the competition.
Spring 2007 at Zion National Park. G established herself as a world-class hiker chick and lover of red rock.
Fall of 2006 - she fully embraced her role as a big sister extraordinaire.
Summer of 2005 in Eden, Utah. I just like this picture.
Autumn 2005 - again, loving being outside.
Easter 2009 - at Wheeler Farm for an Easter Egg festival.
Spring 2006 - with Grandpa at Antelope Island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake.
April 30, 2006 - her second birthday
I don't remember when this picture was. I just like it.
Summer 2005 - she's such a tree hugger.

Karma sucks

I remember one day in 5th grade sitting in class and minding my own business, when I heard knocking on the window. I looked over to my left, and there was my MOM! She was shouting and waving hysterically, as she desperately tried to get my attention. Our class room was in a ½ basement, so there she was for my whole class to see. I was mortified, and I turned my head, pretending not to notice.

The kid sitting next to me leaned over and said “Christie, there’s a lady in the window trying to get your attention. She looks like you. Is that your sister?” (my mom always has looked younger than her age)

I was totally and completely mortified, and ignored her long enough that she finally went away. Although people thought she was my sister, I still didn’t want to claim that crazy lady as one of my own.

That was the first time I remember being embarrassed of my mom. I was 10 years old.

I guess karma has come back to bite me, because G is already embarrassed of me! She is 4.

The other day, I took the afternoon off of work to help my sister and brother-in-law install wood flooring into their new house. I was dressed in a tee-shirt, old jeans, and a ball cap. I was dirty, sweaty, and not very attractive. On my way home, I stopped at the daycare to pick up the girls.

G took one look at me, put her hands on her hips, and exclaimed “Mom! You didn’t going outside looking like that did you?”

She wouldn’t even hug me! And when we walked outside to the car, she had to check first to make sure no one else was there who would see us together.

The many colors of G

I know . . . first post in over a week, and again I have over 100 unread posts taunting me on reader. And somehow I still can't get into the blogging "groove" (not sure what that even means). Life has to slow down soon, right? My sister and brother-in-law who have been living in my basement since April are moving out this weekend, so that will definitely make life more simple. And the marathon I've been training for is next weekend (YIKES!!) and I'm still not sure if I'm even going to run it. I've got something wrong with my foot, and I've not run much in the past month. I worry I'm injured and under trained, and don't know if running a race is the wisest thing. But of course I'm a chronic overachiever, and hate the thought of quitting anything. So, I'm still undecided.

I thought though, that maybe I should do a post dedicated to my sweet Gracelin. I haven't talked much about my kids lately. But they're growing and changing quickly, and I need to document things before I forget.

If there was one word to describe G, it would be DIVA.

She is so grown up, and already into fashion and boys - its difficult to believe she's only 4 years old. The other day I took her clothes shopping, and she told me that she wanted to buy something that made her look like a teenager. She loves make-up, cute hair, and her clothes have to always be (in her words) fashionable. And the girl knows how to accessorize. Some people (like me for example) are always the fashion victim - but she can dress well and pull it off. Yes - she is a diva extraordinaire.

She's also a Daddy's girl - especially lately. She just loves Daddy the best. The other night, I was trying to explain to her that Mommy loves her too, no matter what. Her response to me was "I don't know why Heavenly Father made me this way, but I just love Daddy more." Its all good though - I know she loves me too, and I'm glad she has a good relationship with her Dad.

While she's definitely a "girly" girl, she is also very sweet and kind. She's such a well-behaved child. Rarely do I even have to get after her - she knows what is right and she does it.

She is an excellent sister, and loves Bryn so much. They play so well together, and G is so very patient with her strong-willed little sissy.

She's also my friend. I can talk with her about things, and she really understands and cares. I also have a life-long shopping buddy, and for that I'm very happy :)
G is also very smart. She loves to add and subtract, and will sit in her car seat doing her own math problems. I love it when she'll proudly exclaim that "5 plus 2 is 7." She can write her name, and actually can write all her letters now - most are actually legible too! She also draws and colors exceptionally well, and is so proud of herself for being able to stay inside the lines.

Somehow, she's also very athletic and coordinated (this did NOT come from her mommy).

I love her so much, and I'm lucky to be her mom.

Rite of passage

There are certain days in her life that a girl will always remember - her first date, her first kiss, and the day she got her ears pierced - at least I hope she'll always remember, because G got her ears pierced the other day, and I didn't have my camera.

She had been wanting to get her ears pierced for a long time. She's bring it up, and then I'd talk her out of it because I thought she was just too young. But then the other day, we were birthday shopping for her cousin. She wanted to get him a watch - and wouldn't you know it - right next to the display of little boy's watches were little girl's earrings. She immediately picked up a box that held several pairs of dangly, sparkly earrings, and she wanted them. Badly. Again I tried to talk her out of getting them pierced. I even tried to explain that it would hurt, and then be a long time before she could wear the danglies. But she wasn't to be deterred. She's very persistent.

So, we went over to the jewelry counter to see if they even pierced ears. There by the counter was a large sign that read:

Free ear piercing with the purchase of piercing studs

It was meant to be that day. So, on impulse (which is something the planner in me rarely acts on), we did it. She picked out some cute CZ studs. (They sparkle, and she can't stop looking at herself in the mirror) She was so very brave, and only cried a little bit. After she got them pierced, she had to go visit everyone she knew to show them her earrings. And she didn't want to tell them what she did - she had to wait until they noticed - which wasn't very long, because she made it very obvious.

Here she is hamming it up for the camera





My little diva

From the mouths of babes

This is another post about G- that's why I’m posting another baby picture of her. I just love this picture. Sometimes I miss my baby girl. But I do love my big girl.

Anyway . . .

The other night, she and I were reading a Cinderella book (not the Disney version). The story said something about how Cinderella was treated like a slave by her step mother and sisters. Being the curious little girl that she is, G wanted to know what a slave is. Here’s how the conversation went.

G: Mommy, what does slave mean?

Me: Well, a slave is a person who does all your work for you. A slave does the cooking, cleaning and other chores around the house.

G: Oh, then are you our slave?

Me: No, I’m the mommy.

G: (looking very confused) But, you do all the work around here and no one ever helps you. Not even Daddy.

Flashback . . . tuesday?

Check out these cute vintage-style pics of my girls.

Imaginary husbands

For the life of me, I cannot figure out how my 3 year old got to be so precocious. G and I had the following converstaion on the way home from daycare yesterday:

G: When we get home, I'm going to have a party in my room

me: Who's coming to your party

G: Just me and my pretend husband

me: You have a husband?

G: Yes, but he's just pretend

me: Oh, what is his name?

G: Its a really handsome name - see if you can guess. His name starts with an "S"

(she'd told me earlier that she thought Steve was a handsome name)

me: Is it Steve?

G: Yes! How did you guess?

me: I'm just smart like that. I have a cousin named Steve, and he has a mullet.

G: You're so funny mommy!

12 hours in photos

This post is inspired by Jill in Alaska and my new camera. Here's 12 hours of my day yesterday.7am - The day started with my weigh-in for the biggest loser contest. I was down 3 pounds this week - yay me. I moved up to 10th place in the contest. Hot, skinny mama here I come.
The girls and I had breakfast, and then made our beds.
Bryn spent lots of time on her potty seat. She's doing pretty well for an almost 2-year-old - she peed twice last week. And she asks to go (although usually she asks as she's going in her diaper - but she's learning).
At 8am it was time for our weekly trip to the grocery store.
Who said grocery shopping isn't fun?

9 am - Gracelin went to play at a friend's house for the rest of the morning, so Bryn resorted to playing like a dog. For some reason she LOVES playing in the dog kennel - can't figure out why though. ITs so gross in there.
Then, she played with Burton the snow dog (appropriately named)
She helped me do the laundry, laundry, and more laundry.
Then Bryn helped me to make some chipotle-style salsa . . .
. . . and helped me eat it. Yummy.

12 pm - G's back home now and has a few mintues to play "Bella" with her sissy before lunch.
1 pm - Another tantrum for "angel" Bryn. Must be nap time.
Both girls took 3+ hour naps. I actually woke them up so they'd be tired at bedtime.
Nap time = treadmill time. Then shower time. Then dinner for the kiddoes ( was running late so I neglected my picture taking)
7 pm - The day ended with a girls' night out - dinner with some of my good friends while daddy stayed home with the kids. What a nice way to end the day.