thoughts on a sunday

Layla:  I want a chicken nugget.

Ellery:  You are a chicken nugget.

Layla: No I'm not.

Ellery:  Yes you are.  Your muscles are made of meat.  

It's inside your muscles- you're meat.

• We took Gemma and Carson to see Kevin while they were over to play.  Layla and I walk by Kevin sometimes on our morning walks.  I think I've talked about Kevin already- oh well.  The kids love Kevin.  Brian even got introduced this week also.  You can't appreciate him until you see and hear him up close.

• Kevin is gross.

• Layla upon seeing the pencil sharpener, "It's a sharper pencil doer."

• We got out our Halloween decorations just to see what we had.  I got an entry way table and one of the biggest reasons I wanted and entry way table was to decorate it for each holiday.  I have such fond memories of my mom decorating for each holiday and being able to help her place them around the house and play with them.  There were wooden eggs with our names on them for Easter, a homemade ghost holding a bucket to fill with treats, a skeleton with gangly bones that hung on the wall, three caroling mice piggy banks and a wooden Christmas tree that held suckers for ornaments.  These are just some of the memorable decorations of my childhood.  Anyway, I have always wanted to be like my mom in this way and go all out for holidays, and although I do pretty good for Christmas, the others haven't gone as well.  Mostly because we didn't have a lot of money, and so we didn't have really any money for such a thing as decorations.  I pulled out my Halloween stuff to see what I had and realized that most of it is either hand-me-downs from my mom, homemade (which is great) or stuff from the dollar store.  I am on the lookout for new decorations this Halloween that will be memories for my own children.  I have already seen that twinkle in their eye just getting out the few things we do have.  I am excited to now be able to add some more to our home and add more memories.

• Oh, I started this whole thing about Halloween because when we got out the box (and yes I realized that it's still September- I was doing inventory :) Layla was quite fascinated with some of the Halloween costumes we had in the big, black box.  When I pulled out the 0-3 month pink kitty costume she wore when she was just two months old, she insisted on putting it on.  After several attempts of trying to explain to her that it was way too small, I decided to help her squeeze her little body into and even littler pink kitty costume.  It was quite a sight.  Later she decided her last year's Minnie Mouse costume would probably be a better outfit for the day.

• My sweet daughters- these beautiful sisters- went on a walk with some very important passengers.  (by the way, we are extremely into stuffed animals lately)  The weather was cozy- a cool wind, cloudy skies and the smell of Fall in the air- and we walked around the block.  I wanted to remember that walk- when my two girls were pushing strollers of stuffed animals around our neighborhood without a care in the world and as happy as can be.  I love that they have each other.  I love that they are friends.  I love that they pushed pink strollers around the neighborhood together.

• Ellery has found her passion for drawing again.  She took a break for a couple months, but now it's back in full swing.  She does it ALL the time.  Probably the cutest thing of all is that she whistles while she draws.  Absentmindedly and adorably she whistles.  I can always tell when she's coloring when I hear that cute little sound.  Today she drew a fox at church and I was blown away by the little guy.  I've said this before, but I will never tire of how children draw with no thought of how they've never drawn this before or don't know how to draw that.  They just do it with confidence and security in their abilities.  I just love that about kids.

• Okay, so speaking of foxes, my kids, McKay especially, is OBSESSED with the music video "The Fox".  I must admit, it's kinda catchy and I love hearing them try to imitate the sounds.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, McKay would love to show you.

• We picked apples at Grandma and Grandad's house this week and Layla came home with her very own precious apple.  So precious, in fact, that she requested to sleep with it.  

• This morning Brian got released from his taxing calling as 2nd counselor in the Sunday School Presidency, to Cub Committee Chair.  One exhausting calling to the next, I guess.  Haha.  I guess it's a good change...

• I went to the Relief Society Broadcast with my mom and sisters last night.  It was a great meeting.  One of the speakers (can't remember who) talked about the Provo tabernacle burning down and how many people asked how the Lord could allow such a tragic, horrible thing to happen to one of his beautiful buildings.  She spoke of how He knew that there was more in store for that building, a temple, and how Heavenly Father could see that from the beginning, when we couldn't understand.  She related this to doing through trials and how sometimes we wonder why we have to go through terrible, difficult things in this life, but that He knows the ways in which we will learn, grow and come out better for them.  I liked that analogy a lot.

• Lately it seems that many people I know and love are going through really hard trials.  It breaks my heart, and sometimes I wonder why, but now I can think of that and find comfort.  I  know that trials are for our benefit.  I know my trials have made me who I am and I can see how I am better now that I'm on the other side of some of them.  It's so difficult to go through hard things, but I hope that I can always keep this perspective and know the purpose of trials and the blessings they can bring.  

• McKay lost a tooth last week during primary.  He was so excited to surprise me when we got home.  I was happy because that little baby tooth look way too tiny next to those mature chompers up front.  Anyway, during the hustle and bustle that comes after church, his tooth was lost- somewhere in the kitchen- and he couldn't find it anywhere.  Brian sat with him while he wrote this note to the tooth fairy and the word practically was really important to include.  The tooth fairy was understanding and left him a paper airplane dollar and some tic tacs.

• I'm not really sure why our tooth fairy got into the habit of bringing tic tacs.  

• This week McKay had a little white list of spelling words stapled to his regular list.  They were longer, harder words and he told us that he had to do these harder words instead.  We practiced all week and when he came home on Friday after taking the test, he informed us that he was the only one in the class that had moved on to harder words.  He had a private spelling test with his teacher.  Made us proud of our little second grader.  He's such a good kid.

• We went to the school carnival on Friday night.  It was indoors this year due to the cold weather.  It was crowded, really, really crowded.  They had all sorts of carnival games with long lines for each one, but the hottest destination for my kids was the hair painting booth.  It was our first and  most important stop, followed by face painting.  Ellery got a rainbow, Layla chose all pink and Mack got some awesome blue Y's to represent!  By the end of the night Brian and I were dying and trying hard to spend the excess of tickets we had purchased and the various booths.  The kids loved it and had fun.  I know lots of moms who refuse to go to the carnival, because honestly for a parent it is kind of a nightmare.  But my kids love it so much- they don't even mind the crowds- and so we will go.  Fighting crowds and eating junk, we will go.

• McKay has suddenly become really into football at recess.  I see a new grass stain almost every day.  Brian and I sometimes wonder about the rules and ways of this "school football", but he loves it.  Every day I pretty much get a play by play of how the day's game went down.  It's hard for me to follow sometimes, but with the enthusiasm in which it's delivered to me, it's hard not to listen.  

• Both my girls had play dates scheduled this week and both my girls, separately,  backed out of said play dates this week.  That's not such a surprise with Ellery, she tends to like to stay close to home, but I was really not expecting Layla's reaction.  

• Layla.  My baby.  I am just drinking up her three year old-ness right now.  I am cherishing each day that she is three.  Honestly, I have cherished her pretty much every day since I got her.  Not to say that I didn't with my others....but I did so in a different way.  I consider this to be a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father.  I didn't know that she would be my last baby, but I have no regrets in regards to enjoying her every phase and stage of life, especially as a baby.  She was my little buddy when Brian was away so much.  We needed each other then and our bond was very significant and important in my life.  This doesn't mean that she is my favorite or that I enjoyed her more than the others...it just means that Heavenly Father blessed me with that bond and those feelings because He knew I would need them.  For that I am thankful.  And tearful.

thoughts on a sunday

• McKay is really into jump rope.  It all started at recess in second grade.  It's just the thing he does now.  I will never forget him showing off his skills on the driveway one afternoon and with the look on his face just daring any of the neighbor kids to take a look at him.  This is precious to me because I always want him to be proud of his jumping rope abilities and think it's cool.  I have to say he has improved quite a bit since the start of school.

• He says a lot of boys play soccer at recess, but he does NOT want to because of the "school rules".  School rules = cheating in normal soccer terms.  But not at school, so that's why he can't stand to play.  I have driven by many days and spotted him on the  playground.  He is running or swinging or chasing or jumping or pretending.  I love that.  He's always got some buddies around him doing the same things and I hear about elaborate games and scenarios they find themselves in at recess.  He's a second grader and I am so happy he is still care-free and running around that playground.

• We have had such an issue with spiders lately, mostly on our front porch.  This was a new one though- it was orange, huge and had an abdomen like a crab shell.  It was crazy.  I let it live there  on the side of the house for a day or two and then I just felt she overstayed her welcome and she had to go.  So we transported her across the street (into the neighbors backyard, hehe) and onto a utility box.  Did I mention how gigantic it was?

• Laysie Lou got some squinkies from Grammy for her birthday.  Oh my goodness, she has been busy.

• Walking Ellery's to a friend's house with Layla and baby in tow.  It was slow-going, but so worth it to have this view in front of me as I walked home.

• Watching the BYU game at Grammy and Poppy's.  I showed up with three pretty excited fans.  I especially love the tie.

• Layla and I have been walking the kids to school three days a week.  Two of those days we walk a little extra with our friends, which means we walk by Kevin.  Kevin is a huge pig.  Like if you think of a dirty, snorty, giant pig, Kevin is pretty much who you're thinking of.  He eats any snack you bring him and is filthy from rolling in the mud.  And he makes the perfect pig noises.  

• Also important to note, it is not even 9:00 a.m. and this is what we're wearing.  At least it's something...the baby is naked.  I don't know what that girl is going to do when it turns cold and swimsuits are not an option.  A depression is sure to ensue.  

• Ellery started gymnastics.  She is taking it with all her friends and so far loves it.  She is so excited to perfect her cartwheels and get better at head stands.  Look how beautiful my girl is.  I sure love her.

• Brian ran a 17 mile race last week.  He actually ran 20 miles, but only 17 was part of the race.  We got to pick him up and be there at the finish line.  I sometimes forget how far he can run, like it's no big deal.  And then I think TWENTY MILES and I'm extremely impressed with my husband.  And then I kind of understand why he falls asleep at odd times and positions later that day. 

• It's hard to believe that the same sunny day Brian ran that race, we had an extreme rain storm that  cause all sorts of havoc in Utah county.  The girls and I were having a girls night and made a stop at the Outlets.  It wasn't raining when we arrived, but that didn't last too long.  It was POURING.  We stayed put in the lobby for awhile, because we had heard driving conditions were scary and dangerous.  We got snacks out of the vending machine and the girls loved that.

• McKay and Brian were lucky enough to get tickets to the BYU game from Lisa and Trevor.  They had quite a unique game experience with all that rain and wind.  I think it ended up being a nice night for them after the storm passed.  I was glad I wasn't there, and so happy that they were.  Those boys kind of really love BYU football.

• Layla and I were twins last Sunday.  I didn't plan it ahead of time, but then when I noticed that my skirt was similar to hers, I decided to just go for it.  Me and my little doll.  I love her sweet little belly.

• McKay meditating.  That's really all.

• Layla:  "But mo-om.  You did my hair last week!"  Always a battle with my girls.  Honestly, Layla probably gets her hair done every other day.  That's just how it is.

thoughts on a sunday (a few sundays ago)

• Lisa calls it the "back-to-school phenomenon".  All summer her kids hardly play with friends.  They lay around the house bored and suffering through summer.  About a week before school starts there's a little buzz in the air.  Kids start coming over more.  Playing with friends they haven't seen all summer begins to happen everyday.  Night games they haven't once played start occurring nightly.  Pretty soon school starts and the friends and games get even more concentrated.  That's the back-to-school phenomenon.  This year I am totally relating to this.  Last week my girls began to play with each other ALL day.  Last week my girls started playing with toys!  They never play with toys!  Well, Ellery doesn't anyway.  And here they are being best friends playing all day every day with toys. . .right before Ellery starts kindergarten.  Phenomenon.

• Ellery met her teacher this week.  She was so excited.  One thing I've noticed about Elle is that she is quite quiet at school.  McKay is Mr. friendly with adults and will talk their ears off, but if someone isn't in Elle's family, she's not going to do a ton of talking.  She was this way with her sweet teacher.  She loved meeting her though and listened to every word and direction she said.  Ellery told me after that she loved her sweet, high voice and that it just made her feel good to hear it.  That's good because she'll be hearing a lot of it.  

• I am really starting to get sad about Elle going to kindergarten.  I am going to miss her.  Layla is going to miss her.  But she is so excited to go- I can't be too sad.  

• Blurry pic that almost hurts my eyes, but the tooth fairy visited McKay and he thought this dollar airplane was pretty cool.  That tooth fairy- she is somethin' else!

• We did some back-to-school shoe shopping the week before McKay started.  It took quite a long time mostly because Layla had to stop and smell every. single. flower she came across.  "Oh!  There's a flower!" 

• I took McKay and Ellery to a local production of Aida.  We listen to the music and they love to hear me tell what the songs are about and the story of it all.  It is quite a complicated thing to explain to children with absolutely no reference to the play, so I was really excited to take them.  They were really good and loved it.  I love doing things like this with my little buddies.  Brian was completely happy to stay home with Layla.

• We visited my parents one Saturday afternoon when Brian was working.  My kids love seeing the dogs, and I love sitting on the deck, especially when there is a summer thunderstorm.  We also enjoyed looking at the hummingbirds who were flying around.

• It seems like we have had a lot more rain than normal this summer, with a lot of thunder and lightening to accompany that rain.  It's been really fun and cozy and refreshing.  

• Mack had his first pack meeting for Cub Scouts on Wednesday.  He was excited about it and a little nervous because he didn't totally know what to expect and what he would have to do.  He earned his Bobcat- we had been working on it all week- but they didn't have the award there which was kind of a bummer.  Another boy got his Arrow of Light and this impressed McKay so much that on the way home he was planning on how he could get it by next pack meeting.  I told him the disappointing news that it would take him nearly four years.  Sad.

• The kids needed haircuts so we got them this week.  Rylee did the girls, and I did McKay's.  All summer Ellery has been talking about cutting her hair short.  One day I held her hair up and showed her how it would look if it were in a shorter bob.  She loved it and really wanted to do it.  Brian is a man who loves long hair.  He was struggling with this.  But I ultimately left it up to her and she decided to do a shoulder length cut.  It looks darling, but I must admit I miss her hair.  It was so easy to just pull it up to a high bun and be done.  I didn't even have to brush it that way.  Now it's either down or in a pony.  We could do a bun but would have to pin a lot of it.  I know it will grow thought and I am happy that she was able to make a big decision like that.  I think it was good for her.

• Caramel the guinea pig is a huge pig.  He is messy and spazzy and always wants to eat.  That's all I have to say about that.

• On our last day of summer we hiked to Battle Creek Falls.  It was hot, but the kids loved cooling off in the water.  McKay even dared to stand under the falls for ten seconds.  That boy and natural water sources- he's got guts.  It was pretty cold water.  We realized that Layla is getting quite big for the backpack carrier...which is a problem because she is not yet able to walk the long distances that the other kids can.  I bet we can stuff her in there a little longer...

• I can't believe summer is over.  I have had such a weird feeling about it.  I felt like we were SO busy all summer, which we totally were not, but I felt like it.  And then all the sudden it's over and I keep thinking, "Did we do enough?  Did we swim enough?  Did my kids have a fun enough summer that I feel good about moving into Fall?"  Like I have been obsessing over these things.  And it's not like I wasn't ready for school to start- I was.  But then you realize that with school starting the freedom of summer is gone and that's sad to say goodbye to.  

• I always stress at the beginning of school about volunteering.  I want to volunteer because it's so great to see them in the classroom environment and step into their world a little bit, but it's stressful with little ones at home.  This year I only have Layes at home, so maybe it will be a little easier, but I also now have two in school, so that means more volunteering to go around.  I hope to help with some parties and field trips at least.  

• The leaves are already starting to change on our mountain and that is just crazy.

end of july in pictures

On a summer afternoon it did not alarm me to find McKay dressed like a newsie/NBA gangsta, Layla in a red velvet Christmas dress (her go-to), and Ellery going for an all purple ensemble.  Just another summer day...

In March I starting making a new green smoothie- with protein powder.  I have had it almost daily since then and am still loving it.  I wonder if I will ever get sick of it.  There is another girl in the family who loves it just as much.  If ever Layla sees a green drink she is immediately there with her own straw.  I can't count the number of mornings that Layla and I have been nose to nose drinking our breakfast...and I love it!

Layla on the phone with "Judas".

I got a follow up MRI since it had been a couple years.  I went to a MRI clinic on 8th North and I loved my experience there...well, loved it as much as one loves getting an MRI.  They have what is called an open MRI, so although there was still stuff above me, I was not put in a little capsule like the other ones I've had.  It was a lot more pleasant, and with the help of a little valium I was able to keep still the whole hour and a half.  No changes were found in my MRI which is great news. 

This may be out of order because since I am writing this way after, I can't remember when it actually was.  But we enjoyed spending time with the Alaskan girls while they were here during the summer.  They love each other and we wish they lived here all the time.

The kids had a gymnastics class all at the same time at the rec center, and here are a few pictures of them doing their thing:

McKay in a "bar battle".

Layla's little body was too little to do most of the stretches, but she managed to do this one.  She is with our very favorite teacher, London, who took quite an interest in my kids, especially Layla.  She was really sweet.  

Ellery hanging on the bars.  

when the thompsons come to visit

We were lucky enough to have the Thompson's visit us again this summer.  It's so great how fast the kids pick up where they left off.  I would even say they got along even better than before!  My kids had so much fun with their visitors and it was fun to see Sage and Layla together this time.  I think now they finally get the idea of friends, and they were happy to be friends together.  

I love my friendship with Starr.  She is a friend where we can always pick up where we left off too.  That is a valuable friendship to me.  She is so laid back and sweet and I just love her.

We had fun swimming at the PG pool, going out for pizza, going to the splash pad and getting treats, watching movies, eating more treats, going to Bridal Veil Falls, and having sleepovers.  It was a fun couple days and we look forward to seeing them again...maybe next year?

And now the photos of it all:

We love the Thompsons!