Sammie's Scrapbook

When we were buying school supplies just before the start of school, we picked up a spiral notebook for each of the girls. Sammie has turned hers into her "scrapbook." In it she carefully places her treasures: photos of her family, stickers that she earns at school, pictures she colors, drawings, things that she finds. Whenever she colors something now, it goes into her scrapbook. She is very proud of this book. "I'm going to keep this forever," she says.
Sammie is so sentimental. She cherishes little things that she finds. It makes me smile each time she is working on her scrapbook. Even Abby one day said to me, "Mawm? Can yoo buy me a scap-ook?" Her little collection is quite impressive.

Grandparents Day

I love my girls' school. Every year they celebrate Grandparents Day and invite all of the grandparents to come and spend the morning at the school. It happened to fall on the same day as Olivia's birthday so my parents were here for both events. It was great to see them even if it was only for day. The girls were so happy to have Grandma and Grandpa tag along.

Happy Birthday Olivia!

I must say that it is definitely great to be 8. I can't believe how fast time goes by. We had a great party yesterday for Olivia. Colorful, artsy, and creative--just like Olivia. As she was waiting for the party to start she was just like this all afternoon-absorbed in her book. Things start to change when you turn 8. You still like toys, but you're just getting a little older. You like crafts and clothes and books.
The party was a blast and very messy. The girls started off painting and then it turned into hand painting and then a little paint throwing. (Good thing I told everyone to wear clothes they could paint in) Probably the best party activity ever. My friend helped me out with the cake. It turned out so awesome. I loved the colorful surprise inside. It's crazy that Olivia will be baptized in a few weeks. It seems so weird that just a few years ago she was my only little one. Life moves so fast. My little baby is growing up!

"A Swinket"

I tell Abby that I'm going to tell her a secret. Then I lean into her little ear and whisper "I love you." Her big blue eyes light up and her mouth opens then she scrunches her face all up like she heard something really special. Then she says, "I'm gunna tell you a swinket."

She leans in to my ear, starts breathing and then says in a whisper, "A swinket." Then she pulls away and scrunches her face and shoulders like she told me the best thing in the world.

She's a little more literal, but I think she means "I love you."

We Finished!

We started at the end of December 2009 and have been reading as a family nearly every night. It took us 20 months, but we did it! We finished the Book of Mormon. We ate lots of treats to sit still. Sometimes kids were laughing and goofing off. Sometimes a baby was squirming or climbing on the table. Sometimes Mom or Dad got frustrated because no one seemed to be listening. Sometimes we read only a little. But most of the time we were learning and we were together. I am amazed actually at the things the girls have learned and the confidence they have gained in the scriptures. We have had so many wonderful (short) discussions. A few months ago we asked the girls what they wanted to do to celebrate when we finished and they wanted to go out to icecream.

We are excited to begin again!

First Day of School

The girls were ready for school to start. They picked their outfits out the night before and carefully laid them out. Their backpacks were packed and ready to go. Sammie is so ready for kindergarten. When she got home I asked her how it was. She replied, "I loved all of it!" There are 5 kindergartens at her school! I can't imagine all of those little kids all over the playground. Her friends from preschool go to her school and also a few kids from church. She told me all the kids she found on the playground yesterday. She was hyper and excited when she got home from the bus. Today she rode the bus to school with Olivia. I can't believe she's old enough to be in school.Olivia was so ready. She was mostly excited about her outfit. She knows a couple of kids in her class, but not many from the previous year. The school is huge. As she and I were talking the other day I found myself looking at her and just realizing how big and grown up she is getting. She's such a beautiful girl. Life happens so fast.

A Mess

Sometimes you just have to let it happen. We haven't gotten the play-doh out in a while. It's messy. It gets everywhere from the floor, to mashed on the bottom of socks, to stuck to your shorts. But sometimes the fun and the hours spent making the mess are worth it. They were doing this for about 4 hours the other day. I'd say it was well worth it.

This is what happens...

when my mom and her 3 sisters get into party planning mode and want to throw their dad an 80th birthday party and invite the posterity. It was beautiful from the little pictures of Grandma and Grandpa scattered about to the pulled pork in a cute yellow pot. It was amazing. Just wanted to share.