Abree Turns 6!

I can't believe it... Abree turned 6 years old on Tuesday!

If your baby is 6, then what does that say about the mother?

When I asked her what she wanted her cake to be like, she had discussed it with Treyson and they had come up with... a round cake with a CROWN.

My version is quite simple, but she was happy.

In the morning, I had my "Positive Parenting" class. Abree usually comes with me and is watched in the gym of the institute building, along with tons of other kids and lots of crying babies. She is compliant, but doesn't love it.

For her birthday, I wanted to make the day special. I called up Marianne and asked if she could have a play-date with Emylie. Marianne being so sweet of course said YES and offered to take the girls to McDonalds and even gave her a cute ballerina doll as a present.

Emylie and Abree are taking dance together.

After class, I picked Abree up from Marianne's and she was all sorts of excited. She had to tell me about the NEW McDonalds, what she ate, what they played with and showed me the cute ballerina doll.

Next, I took her to school. She got to bring a snack to share in class. I put 22 Capri Suns and 22 packages of crackers in her backpack. It was so heavy, I wondered if she would tip over before reaching her classroom. Later she reported she had made it. Whew. :)

For dinner, Abree had requested BEEF hotdogs and chips.

Go figure.
After dinner, we opened presents.

She LOVED her new PINK Zhu Zhu Pet named Sweetie.

Gifts- Hooked on Phonics reading games/activities, Silly Bandz, VSmile Lion King game, Zhu Zhu Pet purple bed/blanket and pink carrier/blanket, and her ballerina doll from Emylie.

Make a wish.

Her kindergarten class sang to her and she got this crown and a pencil from her teacher.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Abree Autumn!

I love you!!!

New Birthday Tradition

Just over a week ago, Jason approached me with an idea. He wanted to start a new family birthday tradition. ---The week before your birthday, would be an appreciation week. During that week, our family would write notes, make little gifts, be extra nice to the birthday person (including not fighting with them), do their chores, etc. --Abree overheard Jason and got really excited. She thought it was a grand idea, with her birthday coming up next. I too, thought it was a great idea..... and not just because, my birthday is right around the corner. :)

The next day, at my "Positive Parenting" class (taught by Carleen Tanner), we talked about TRADITIONS. Jason's new idea fit right in with what we learned that day.

Sister Tanner feels that celebrating birthdays, should only be second to, celebrating Christmas. Celebrating birthdays gives us an opportunity to focus on the individual, who is an important part of the family group. I totally agree. I LOVE birthdays! Some of the things she's used over the years are; birthday balloon wreath, quilted birthday banners, birthday pillowcases, special dinner plate, birthday survey and a birthday chair cover.

I liked the idea of making a birthday chair cover.... doable and simple. It would also serve as a visual reminder to appreciate the birthday person, during their week. With Abree's birthday fast approaching, I got to work on it right away.

I printed out letters and a cupcake, traced them to Wonder Under, ironed them to fabric, and then cut them out.
Next, I made a slip cover out of pillowcase we had and ironed the letters and cupcake to it.
Then I sewed around everything, with these results.
I'm very new at applique. My stitching around the letters has room for improvement...although it's hard to see in the photo, it is quite uneven and funny looking in places.

I'm happy to report, I finished it before Abree's birthday and it works quite nicely.

Happy BIRTHday to our new Birthday chair cover and new tradition!

Gang Bangin'

Maybe "gang bangin'" isn't quite what I mean, more like Taylee is now a part of the gang WITH bangs.

First Rylee, then Abree, now Taylee.

BEFORE

AFTER

Taylee doesn't usually have an audible opinion when it comes to her hair, but just recently she decided that having bangs would be cute. She gently nudged (strategically begged)me into finally cutting them for her.

She loves them, but says one drawback is when she gets sweaty in PE, her hair looks dirty. Nothing a shower can't cure Taylee. :) Funny.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Matthews!

Yesterday, was my first day to volunteer in Abree's kindergarten class. I helped kids with an alphabet exercise, played color/shape BINGO, traced and cut shapes for homework and helped them to finish up their "I Am Special" book.

While I was there, I found out that Mrs. Matthew's birthday was on Saturday. She said she planned on spending the WHOLE day, at Boise State (ESPN Game Day, tailgating and game).

Inspired by the kid's, Abree and I made Mrs. Matthews a BSU rock and card.

"Dear Mrs. Matthews,

You are a great teacher. You have fun activities. Hope you have a great birthday.

Love, Abree

PS-Have fun at the BSU game."

Kid's Weekend

Before leaving for Utah, I was feeling a little worried about the long hours the kids would be together, without adult supervision. (Jason was in town, but working, and they would be home all day Saturday by themselves.) I knew they would be ok, but wanted them to have a fun too. So I came up with something for them to DO (hopefully to distract from excessive fighting or boredom). I wrapped up little surprises for them to open throughout the days I was gone. I armed them with clues and a camera to document.

Open #1 when EVERYONE is home from school and backpacks are put away. Hint: Look in the refrigerator (yogurt cups).

Open #2 on Friday, when it's dinner time. Hint: Look in the freezer (frozen pizza).

Open #3 on Saturday morning, when EVERYONE is dressed and ready for the day. Hint: Look in the food pantry (Pop-tarts).

I'm noticing in the picture, that everyone still has their jammies on. Oh well. :)

Open #4 when EVERYONE's Saturday chores are finished. Hint: Look in the food storage closet in the laundry room (brownie/cookie mix to make for a treat).

Rylee did a good job documenting. Here are her BEFORE and AFTER shots of Saturday chores.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I also left 2 crafty projects for them to do, when Saturday chores were complete.

The first project; FRIEND mini albums. They were made from name badge holders and can be used to put friend or family photos in. I thought the kids would love to have their own little album, when they swap pictures with school buddies.

Pretty cute, don't cha think?

Next project; rock painting.

With the BSU game that night, I had them paint BRONCO rocks.

Go BRONCOS!

Taylee came up with the Boise State Bronco silhouette.

Pretty clever, eh?

Open #5 after EVERYONE has taken a bath/shower and has laid out their Sunday clothes. Hint: Look in the master bedroom closet (fruit snacks).

Open #6 before the BSU football game starts. Hint: Look in the movie closet (candy for the game).

Looks like they are ready to party.
Open #7 on Sunday, when EVERYONE is dressed and ready for church. Hint: Look where you turn on music, before church (gum to be shared AFTER sacrament).

I think the kids had fun. Treyson said after I returned home, "Mom, you left us lots of presents! Why couldn't you stay LONGER?!"

What was I worried about? They did WAY fine without me. :)

Utah Weekend

Tawnya called me up one day and told me she and her family would be driving up from Arizona to Utah, for a friend's wedding in September. She asked if I thought it would be a good idea to gather mom, sisters, cousins and aunts to have a GIRL'S WEEKEND. I thought it was an AWESOME idea!

She made arrangements for us to stay at her in-laws and worked out the details for lunch and dinner.

Mom, Amber, Daisylyn and I, drove down to Orem, Friday before school got out. We got in late and spent the night at Josh's parent's house.

The next morning, Josh and Tawnya got up early to run a 6K race, while the rest of us got ready for the day and played with the kids.

I hadn't seen Maliah, since they moved in January. She had grown up so much. She now RUNS and is starting to talk up a storm. She will repeat almost anything you say. Be careful. :)
She is also very friendly and happy. She gave me a BIG hug and kisses, as we arrived the evening before.
Daisylyn and Maliah liked sitting on the fireplace together.

At one point, Maliah patted a spot next to her and yelled, "Ky! Ky! &%#@*". Interpreted, I think that meant, "Kyrick, come sit by me, RIGHT HERE!" He did just as he was instructed.

Cute.

As I was trying to take pictures of Maliah and Daisylyn, Kyrick kept jumping in front of me and saying, "Take a picture of me doing ____. Take a picture of me and ____." He couldn't get enough of the camera.

Here he is with his Grandma and Grandpa Clawson's dog, Cloe.

Next up, IKEA.

I was an IKEA virgin, never having been before. Too bad I didn't have money to spend.... lots of fun stuff in there. I think the kid's section was my favorite, but maybe I need to go back, just to make sure.

We met cousins; Emma, Rachel and Megan there.

Cute ice cube trays.... had to take a photo with Brinton in mind.

Of course my Mom found some puppets that HAD TO be adopted and come home with her.

Mom, Daisylyn, Amber & cousins; Emma, Rachel & Megan.

For lunch, we met at Mimi's Restaurant.

Aunt Angela and her friend Brenda (from England) came to have lunch with us too.

My grilled cheese sandwich & fries were ok, but if I ever go back I'll be having the Quiche Lorraine, with fresh fruit and bran muffin. It looked SO good.

Daisylyn enjoyed her Cheerios, Saltines and Goldfish crackers, along with some of her mom's fruit and bran muffin.

The remainder of our visit, we spent at Rachel's house.

We had fun talking and hanging out, but also wrote Grandma Memories for Grandma Ison to have and read..... over and over.

Rachel made 2 types of soup for dinner; a salmon chowder and an Italian pasta soup (can't remember the name). I had the salmon chowder. It was soooo yummy!

Aunt Jana, Uncle Kevin, Chanel and Arielle joined us for talk and dinner.

After dinner, we broke out the snacks.... and most importantly CHOCOLATE! We toasted our chocolate to Martha, because she couldn't be there with us. :)

"To Martha!"

I had brought down some "conversation starter" questions. After dinner, we started the questions around the table and had lots of fun answering getting to know one another better.

We wrapped up in blankets and headed out to Rachel's back patio, as questions and chatting continued late into the night. :)

Around midnight, the party broke up and people headed home. Mom, Amber, Daisylyn & I stayed at Rachel's for the night.

Thanks for letting us sleep in your cozy beds Bryton, Nathon and Katie! And thanks to Rachel and Todd for being such gracious hosts.

It was a relaxing, satisfying, wonderful weekend.

I LOVE my family!