Three Day Weekend !!

I am so happy to have a three day weekend. It is even better since Lane is actually home for it. Saturday we spent the day "Spring Cleaning." I admit, I have a 2 cupboards that accumulate junk. Papers and stuff get put in them and then forgotten. I am happy to say, they are now cleaned out and one has turned into a craft cupboard and the other one is still the "I don't know where to put it, but I think I need it" place. Maybe since it is clean and organized, Lane will put his things there instead of on top of the refrigerator. (big pet peeve) The boys cleaned there room and I was able to get rid of quite a few toys. We do still have a ton of action figures and cars. But they are organized not and the boys can play away with them.
After our cleaning session, we went to see Night at the Museum 2. Still can't decide if I liked it. Loved the cupids...If you know who they are you will totally know why. I have to laugh, Camden was so excited to go but as soon as the theater went dark he was ready to go home. He did settle in and watch the whole thing and laugh. So many movies I want to see this summer. I can't wait.
When I got home from the movie, I had a message from Owen's Primary teacher, my good friend, who had a couple things come up and wasn't going to make it to Church today and asked if Lane and I could take her class. No big we do it with no problems. Not to mention, three day weekend, not many families will be there. Well then, at 10:30, my other good friend texted me and her sub backed out last minute, she was camping. So we were taking their class too. Which I totally would do, I love Annilee and Cole so Lane and I would do anything to help them. I was totally nervous though. We normally have about 10 active members of our class, Annilee has about that if not more, and poor Kristen has 4 total... I bearly slept last night going over how we were going to entertain that many kids. Well, we got into Primary today and there was a total of SEVEN kids in Jr Primary. That's right, SEVEN. Needless to say we had an amazing class. As the kids colored their handouts, they were humming Primary songs. How cute is that?
And tonight, Lane's best friend from Arizona had to come to town. I haven't seen him in forever. I was so happy he came for dinner. He has turned into such a great guy. It was great to see him and listen to he and Lane talk and watch him with the kids. And just after I got my pj's on, Lane's phone rang again and one of his old mission compainions is on Holiday from England and came to visit. I love to listen to the British speak, it is so beautiful. They use such great adjectives. I should say it is lovely to speak to them.
Tomorrow we have another great day planned, a morning bike ride, more cleaning and an afternoon BBQ with the Barlow's. I hope you all had a great weekend too.

Mother's Day Projects

This year I was creative with my Mother's Day Gifts. I have learned through life if I am thoughtful in giving a gift, I am usually happy with the result. I found a cute little flower made out of a childs hand on an apron. It was darling. I am still not the sewing novice I would like to be so I thought I would just paint the kids hands on canvas. It turned out so well. I thought it was great. I will have to make one for myself too.
On a side note. Without speaking to one another, Owen's class aide, Mrs. Donya did the same thing for Mother's Day for with the students in his class. She is one amazing woman and mom.

Cam does R Patz

When I took Camden shopping for his friends birthday gift, he decided to go incognito. He found a stocking cap in the bottom of the bat bag and put it on. It was priceless Cam.

Camden's First Birthday Party

Last week, I went to the mailbox and Camden had an invitation to his first "REAL" birthday party. I showed him the cute little Minnie Mouse card and told him it was for his friend Taylor from Nursery at Church. With his little crooked smile he said, "I wanna go mom. Can I go? He was so genuinely excited...He loves his friends from Nursery.

After baseball practice I took just Cam to pick out Taylor's present. I asked him before what he wanted to get her and he told me a "boy toy." But when we got to Target he changed his mind. We walked in and I asked again and ever so sweetly he said, "a dress I want to get her a dress." I tried to persuade him to the toys but he was set on a dress. We walked through the little girls clothing and he found the cutest little white top. It looked kinda boho, but he loved it. That was what he wanted to get her. He even found the size he thought would fit...He knows what size he wears so he assumes everyone his age should wear it too. Amazingly, he found a darling pink scooter skirt to go with it. I must admit, he did a great job, it was very impressive.


So today was the big day. After his baseball game he took a bath and got all ready for his party. It was just up the hill so we walked to the party. Just he and I. I was a little nervous, it is not exactly an easy walk out of our neighborhood. It is a pretty steep hill. He didn't even miss a step. He looked at the flowers and the rocks and asked tons of questions as we walked hand and hand to the park. You could not have asked for a more beautiful day. It is an experience I will cherish, and he will not even think twice about.


The party was so much fun. Taylor's family is so great. And all of the 3 year olds from nursery were there. Since we moved into the ward, Cam has talked about Ben. It was so much fun watching the two of them play. They totally carried on conversations as they played. They all played so cute together and had so much fun. As did I. What an experience. Great friends, great food (really good cake) and tons of fun. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday?

Field Trip to the Casino

About a month ago, I got a note from the school saying the First grade would be going on a field trip to the Rain Forest Cafe. I couldn't help to question how this could be educational. Yesterday I found out why. I was amazed at how wonderfully educational and entertaining this field trip was. Wednesday night it did hit me that Hayden had never been into a casino before, but to my shock, he still has never really been in one. We entered from a side entrance right by the restaurant and exited the same way. There were no slot machines or any other signs of a casino near. The kids had a blast. Our tour guide was awesome. He answered any and all questions the kids had...and the adult questions too. After about a 45 minute lecture/lesson on the rain forest we were treated to an unbelievable lunch. So much fun.

Everything is better in a Fort

Monday Camden, Owen and I made a huge fort in the living room. We had such a great time playing in it. Even better, we had a special surprise when a friend dropped by Great Harvest bread and jam. (Thanks Kristen) It was still warm and so yummy. So we got to have a wonderful snack in our fort. I have so much fun playing with the boys. I have made the decision that I am going to enjoy my children more and play...not just run around cleaning up after them. The house looks the same at the end of the day anyways...

Super Star Mystery Bash

As I was told by one attendee... "Lizzie's party last year was so awesome. So what are we doing this year, how are you going to top last year? How?" Thank you for the pressure Miss Messina. I think I topped it. I honestly think the girls had a wonderful time. I sure did.
This year for Lizzie's party, we opted for a Mystery Party. I have always wanted to host one of these and since I do feel the pressure of needing to one up last year, I decided this might be the way. We had so much fun. I made sure that all of the characters matched the personalities or likes of the girls. And each girl optimized their character. As did I Host/Detective Sun Dried Tomato. I said last year the Lizzie's friends are just amazing and again they were this year. The all seem to have so much fun together, and are so sweet to one another. She is one very lucky little lady.
I am sorry for the no picture thing, I lost my camera Saturday night, just to find it on Sunday morning when I wasn't looking.