Sunday Naps

It's Getting HOT

Which at our house mean shirts and shoes are optional.

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Today Ethan lost a front tooth!

I think he looks pretty awesome!

SWAGGER WAGON

I am pretty sure the children's favorite part of the New York trip was the rental car. I am just glad to know that we had major street cred driving through NYC!

New York City

This past weekend we packed up the kids and headed for The Big Apple. The main reason for the trip was to get our family pictures taken. During the whole process I questioned myself many time wondering if this was just a HUGE mistake, but on Saturday night when I was getting my last minute singing time preparations together I was so glad we did it. For singing time I needed a picture of my family for one small part of the activity. After looking for nearly an hour the only picture I could find didn't have Luke. I used it, but the whole time really felt solidified in my decision to torture everyone for a picture.

The original plan was to leave for NYC bright and early Friday morning, arrive around noon, do some sight seeing, head to the hotel to get ready, get to Central Park for our session, a little more sight seeing, bed time. Then wake up the next morning, go the zoo, more sight seeing, then head home. 

The first kink in the plan was the Sunday before I got a new calling as the Primary Chorister in our ward. I was to start the next Sunday and not being home at all on Saturday made me nervous I wouldn't be prepared the way I would like to be. I guess I could have prepared during the week, but I was extremely busy getting outfits together, trying to leave the house clean, and also getting through that weeks lessons so we wouldn't get behind. 

The second kink, this on a major one, was that we couldn't get plates for the Expedition. Last summer while we were out on the lake someone stole them. Long story short, we have been trying for four weeks to get the plates and it looks like we are just going to have Washington send us new ones. However we came to that conclusion on Thursday night.

At this point we had two choices:

a) Cancel the whole trip

b) Cancel the hotel, get a rental car, and come home Friday Night after the pictures.

I convinced Brian we should go with plan b and we did.

Most of our time was spend in the car so that is all the pictures I have.

The only sights we saw were Central Park and Time Square, but as an extra bonus we weren't planning on we got to spend some time with Brian's cousin Radiah. 

Well, it was a memory if nothing else and I am currently planning a four day trip to New York with out any appointments.

A Little Morning Exercise

This morning Olive decided she needed to get a little exercise and got out all the equipment in my room. After she dusted it all off she got to work. 

A few minutes later Kai came in and was up to the challenge. After a few reps with the green ball he declared,

"This ball is for Men!"

How lucky am I to be surrounded by such strong studly men!

Can't Party with the 1 Years Olds Like I Used To!

As of late Luke has decided that 1am is a time I should see on the clock. He has been taking a nap at noon but only sleeping and hour or two at the most. Then by 6 or 7 he is exhausted and most of the time falls asleep, and then wakes up when the older children are going to sleep! After that I can't get him back to bed before midnight!!! 

I can't stay up that late on a regular basis! I am EXHAUSTED!

Happy Mother's Day

It was another wonderful Mother's Day here at my house. Brian had brought home gifts all week long, a new couch, a basketball hoop, clothes, and jewelry. Well, he doesn't know about the jewelry yet but when it arrives this week he will be VERY pleased with himself. The children have been hard at work on Mother's Day Projects for the past two weeks. I was showered by cards, letters, and decorated boxes. I honestly thought since they weren't in school they would just make a little last minute card but with sweet Ethan that would never due. 

We don't have any pictures of the day. One of my biggest regrets is that I don't have a picture of me and the children on any Mother's Day's. I think I might make everyone get back in their church clothes for a quick picture, we will see. 

During dinner Ethan thought we should go around the table and everyone say something nice about me. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget! Here is what they said:

Kai-Your a good mom and I love you.

Ethan-You teach us what is right we  can do the right thing.

Brian-I love how hard you work at making us all happy.

Olivia-What I like about mom is when she does school with us.

Kai-I love you and I like the school stuff you do for us.

Ethan-I am grateful for the things you do for us like taking us to the zoo and movies. 

Brian-I enjoy spending time with you, you make everything fun.

Olivia-You have pretty eyes and lipstick.

Happy Mother's Day! 

Revenge of the NERDS OR Risky Business

During a trip to Target, that was primarily for getting Olivia Poison Ivy cream, Brian decided he needed some new sunglasses. Luke and I were were off getting the cream, diet coke, and hair spray, this was clearly a life essentials trip to Target for me, when Brian picked two pairs of glasses. I tried to tell him how much I didn't like them, I tried to suggest other pairs and he would hear nothing of it. He thought they were very Tom Cruise in Risky Business. I thought they were more Revenge of the Nerds.

He ended up with this pair.

Here is how we look together with the Revenge of the Nerds glasses.

Honestly, the funniest thing about the glasses is that after we got home Brian was wearing them and Olivia ran up to the car to say hello to us. She took one look at Brian and snatched the glasses of his face and said,

"Where did you get my 3D glasses?" 

Now onto an even cuter boy. Brian took these pictures of me and Luke today. I am head over heals in love with this baby. 

It's Always an Accident

Yesterday this happened to my phone. 

I won't mention any names but SHE felt really bad, and so did I. Brian of course gave me the this-is-why-they-shouldn't-be-allowed-to-play-with-the-phones lecture. I agree they shouldn't, but I love looking back at all the pictures the children take.

On a better, happier note we had such a great day. It was filled with tons of fun and we got a ton done. I think those are my favorite days because most of the time it seems like it has to be one or the other. 

We had a left over pizza picnic out back

Races down the driveway, which I won exactly ZERO of. I blame the extra weight Luke added to my scooter!

Here is a picture of the boys and my mom

Then after Brian got home from work he took me on a little date to Anthropology and then surprised me with Dinner too! It was a blast!

The truth is I know why today was so awesome. I know why we got so much done and still were able to have so much fun. I know why the kids got a long and my phone braking seemed like nothing. I know it is because I started my day with personal prayer and scripture study. I know I get easily distracted by just about anything, but I want my children to know when they look back and read this that there is not doubt in my mind they only way to happiness is through the Savior Jesus Christ.

Day 1 O' Fun

We spent most the day outside because it was so beautiful, and because we got a new basketball hoop and I am working tirelessly on my shot. I got some school done with the kids and almost ALL the laundry done! Someone who goes by the name of Kai still has a pile or two to put away. 

Kai found a new pet today. He was a caterpillar. Kai kissed this caterpillar at least 100 times. 

Kai even put the caterpillar on his head!

I told Kai he couldn't keep the caterpillar, not to name him, and to find him a safe home. He didn't object, I guess the death of Billy Cooper is still fresh in his mind.

Kai was a great ball getter (not really sure if that is a word or not) for me today as well.

He was a great shooter

and a great dribbler.

I think he was showing off a little for my mom!!

Olivia was just being Olivia and maybe being a show off as well.

 After this picture was taken she said,

"Mom, take some pictures of me as I slowly walk away."

I of course did.

Then we ate pizza, which wasn't originally on the "list of things to do while my mom is here" but in true Danae fashion I wrote it down and then crossed it off!

Last but not least some painting got done in the living room. As it turns out Brian is a much better painter and I a much better Luke-putter-to-sleeper. We are quite the team!

My Mom is here!

YIPEEE!!!!!!!

My mom got here last night and we couldn't be happier to have her here.

(This is the only pictures she would allow, but I plan to get a ton of her this week)

This weeks game plan:

*Get a TON of school done

*Catch up on laundry (which should be easy without Luke unfolding EVERYTHING!)

*Finish painting the Living Room

*Go to the Zoo

*Play at the park

*Enjoy this beautiful weather

P.S. Everyone who said Pennsylvania is wonderful and beautiful was TOTALLY right!