Odd to Ellers

Spoken with a great deal of passion and enthusiasm...

"Are you ready America? We're going to celebrate your birthday!"

She then busted out with a heart felt round of the Star Spangled Banner.

On the B Side: Oh how I LOVE THAT GIRL! ♥ ♥ ♥

Flesh for LuLu Sang It Best...

"I Go Crazy When I'm Without You". This is not any kind of wonderful! On the B Side: Luckily they are far more resilient than myself. 4 more days after today. Hurry home soon my Moonie B's. XXOXO

She's Got A Way About Her

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY

BETTY BEANS! AHHH! I can't believe my little girl is five today and I definitely can't imagine my life without her! Last night I got all choked up. We talked about how this was the last night she would ever be four and as we prepared for bed this song came on and it pretty much sums it all up! We laid together on the floor in the dark as I marveled at my precious little girl! She is an amazing little girl and darling as all get out! She is so full of fun and is way too grown up for her age! She has a personality the size of Texas and isn't afraid to tell people what she thinks! She is a girly girl to the core and loves to make people laugh. She is very selective about who she spends her time with and is way too smart for her own good! I love this little girl with all of my heart and can't wait for her to wake up this morning!!

On the B Side: Ellianne is an amazing blessing in my life! She is an original for sure and has a spark that just keeps on going. I LOVE HER SO MUCH! xxox

Did You Just Say That? Really? Out Loud? Really Loud?

I had to pick up Adi's prescription at Target this weekend. Ellie came with me and I set the expectation that we were ONLY getting the medication. Ellie strategically proceeded to vie for cute clothes. Keep in mind that SHE'S FOUR! She had an entire argument (that is not new) about how she needed them to be cute to which I explained (again) that things do not make us cute; that we do not need clothes or jewelry in order to be cute. Very loudly in a serious tone of agitation she says;

"YOU MEAN YOU THINK I'M CUTE WHEN I'M NAKED?"

That goes over real big in public. Ugh.

On the B Side: I love the cute naked guts out of that girl!!

Mama I'm Coming Home

My Puumpkin heads are coming home today! YAY! This is DD working on his homework! He's so good about doing it and makes me proud!
Here is Boo Boo cuddling up with Lee Lee!
Deedleton is so good about helping out with our little Adi Cakes!

Betty Beans dressed herself and then parked herself next to Adi and in front of the tv!

On the B Side: I am so excited to have them home again!

Our Bean Cake

Ellie is a funny little girl! Here are some things she has spouted off lately!

To Dayton when he was misbehaving she said, "That's not acceptable!"

After Micci and Jazz dropped off a lasagna dinner she later proclaimed, "Wow, I really love Aunt Micci's Basagna"

At the hospital today in reference to the cafeteria she stated "Remember we went to the bacteria and you burped really loud Dayton?"

After dripping an orange push pop on her white shirt she removed it and asked me to accompany her down stairs to find a clean white one with a "pretty bow" on the front for her to wear on her dinner date with Batman she (who was shirtless) said, "My nickels are cold. Now they're crying" I have no idea what that means but I laughed my ars off!) Note in the pic that she had to wear her fancy "black tap shoes"!

Today after laughing at Sponge Bob she said "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

To the phlebotomist at the hospital she said, "This is my sister Adi. She has beauuuutiful blue eyes." and then when she was later holding her at home when Adi opened her eyes I heard Elles exclaim, "There's those beauties again".

Earlier I was changing Adi's little poopy diaper and she leans in and says, "That really stinks. You should go into the bathroom and turn the fan on to do that."

Before she held Adi this morning she looked at me and said, "Mom, I need some samimitizer" It took me a moment to understand and assist but we got her hands clean ;)

At bed tome tonight she was framing an arguement to get something else to eat which was really just a stall tactic. Through her tears she cried, "but Mom I'm hungry so bad. I pooped out all of the food in my tummy and now it hurts."

On the B Side: I love our little Ellianne so much! She is so creative and quite original. She picks up on the littlest things and whether we like it or not she is able to use them on her own!

Manic Monday: Bug

"Mom, I'm not going to step on any more bugs because they are alive." says my mostly sweet Dayton on the way into Primary Children's to have his blood drawn a few months back.

Then there's my precious little fire cracker Ellie and one of her infamous and often heard phrases, "Mom, Dayton is bugging me!"

On the B Side: I'm grateful for these little people in my life!

Graduation x2

Both children graduated from La Petite Academy in their respective classes. Ellie successfully completed her Pre-K class and Dayton successfully completed Kindergarten. Both of them have gone full time and spend the entire day having fun and learning! Here's our little Beanie girl with Grandma and Grandpa Mikey and here she is with her favorite friend Hannah

Her class sang the song about the baby bumble bee with a cute little prop that they had made and Miss Rose also had them sing a South African song about two little birds. It was a super cute presentation and Ellie was beaming! Here she is getting her diploma from Miss RoseLater that day we attended Dayton's graduation. They sang a slew of songs including the Star Spangled Banner and did sign language to "What A Wonderful World" (which was super darling!) He wasn't interested in wearing his hat but loved the formal ceremony with his friends!
Here is a picture of him with his teacher Miss Kari and his friend Logan
and here he is with Logan and Ariana
They both have really enjoyed and done well at La Petite. Their teachers have been great and they have each learned a great deal. They remain at La Petite now as Dayton prepares for 1st grade at HP and as Ellie prepares for Kindergarten at LP.

On the B Side: I am so proud of them both! While it hasn't been easy for me to be away from them nor has it always been easy for them to adjust to their lives at school it has brought many blessings. They are both well adjusted and developing socially, emotionally and intellectually. It feels good as a parent to see them do so well. There is never a shortage of love or support in their lives and I think that makes all of the difference! A huge thank you to the many who make up the wonderful support system that is theirs!

PS -I suck at taking pics but I'm working on it ;)

Out of the Mouths of My Babes

I was explaining to the kids that tomorrow we are going to see Christian. Up until now we have really focused on Dayton and helping him work through some things. Ellie has been a little out of sorts lately so I told her that Christian was also going to be her friend and asked if that was okay. She didn't respond so I asked again and here's how it went down.

Ellie: Mom, I can handle myself.
Me: Ellie, What does that mean?
Ellie: Mom, I can handle myself to make good choices so back off.

I wasn't sure I heard her correctly and didn't know if I should laugh or cry. She wasn't mad but merely defiant and apparently understands way too much for her own good! She often reminds me that she is 4 AND A HALF.

Then while we were coming home from a doctor's appointment Dayton informed me that he really had to go to the bathroom. I was trying to change the subject to preoccupy him. We were stuck in traffic and were only a few minutes away. Here's what the exchange sounded like:

Me: Well Dayton, the good news is that you don't have chicken pox so you can still go to Ben's bowling party this weekend and skiing with Grandma Mikey.
Dayton: And the bad news is Mom that I gotta poop real bad!

Needless to say I burst into laughter and we made it home just in time!

Dayton also has made a habit of weighing himself daily and some times several times throughout the day. He's been at 44.5 lbs and has been anxious to hit 45 lbs. Today before his bath he weighed in at 46.5 lbs and commented the following;

Dayton: Mom, look I'm 46 point 5!
Me: Wow, that's awesome D! You must be doing a great job eating healthy.
Dayton: Nah, it's just my clothes and my shoes. I don't really weigh that much, Mom!

How foolish am I? Later after his bath he put his jammies on and hopped back on the scale and came in at 45 lbs even! You've never seen a 5 year old so excited! Now our little Beansie is another story. She hopped on the scale after tubby time and she came in at a whopping 35 lbs!

Bedtime for her has been a struggle and she has pulled some pretty funny one liners out of her sleeve. This was tonight's conversation.

Ellie: Mom, I just want to come snuggle with you for 5 minutes.
Me: No Ellie. It's time to go to bed.
Ellie: But Mom, if you let me come out there with you I will get you a nice chair.

Yeah, I have no idea what prompted her to think that I need or want a nice chair but I know her well enough to know that there was some serious logic in there somewhere!

On the B Side: I am grateful to be a parent, to be a Mother. I must admit that it is an extremely humbling experience at every moment and I wonder how on earth I am going to manage/parent tomorrow. Parenting is a responsibility that you grow into. You don't go into it knowing how to do it well regardless of what you think you know. When they are infants their needs are basic and fairly easy to attend to. As toddlers their needs become more apparent and beyond that I am still trying to figure it all out! If you didn't know what your weaknesses were before you sure do after you have kids. Bless their little hearts, I love them so much and that is the piece of this confounding equation that I never have to ponder because I just feel it so strongly and naturally deep inside.

Tag, We're It!

Angela tagged Dayton and Ellie with 10 Things You May or May Not Know About Me.

Here's Dayton's List;
1. I am a sensitive and affectionate kind of guy. If I was a Care Bear I would be Tender Heart. I love to hug people and I'm big time into snuggling!
2. I was a miracle baby! Everyone said I wasn't possible and unexpectedly I arrived on Canada Day in 2002 against all odds. I knew it all along!
3. I love my Dad. Even in the delivery room I was searching for his voice and have always been his little buddy. Maybe some day I'll be as big as he is.
4. I love to ski! I have strong legs, can cut turns, ski off trail and hit the moguls. I enjoy my lessons cause I GOT SKILLZ!
5. One of my favorite things to eat is caramel rice cakes with peanut butter (Shellbait rocks!) but if I had my way I'd live on raspberries, strawberries or an unlimited amount of butter (not on the berries!)
6. I go to all day Kindergarten at La Petite Academy. I really like my teacher Miss Kari and have 11 friends in my class but only 3 of them are girls. Arianna and I hug but only on Mondays.
7. I like to play the computer and I really love to play Star Wars Legos on my Dad's game system. When I'm at Mom's I mostly play UNO and I'm the King, baby!
8. I like to dance in the shower!
9. I sleep with my "Grandma Packer" blanket every night! It was my Dad's when he was little and even though I've out grown it I just like to have it on me at night (even under my Spiderman blanket!)
10. I lost my first tooth and was so excited to find out yesterday that my first grown up tooth is coming in! I'm running with the big dogs now!

and one more thing...GO UTES! That's all.

Here's Ellie's list;
1. I am a girly girl through and through. I insist upon wearing skirts everyday and love to have my nails painted with Mommy Amy.
2. I have a personality the size of Texas but I am discriminate as to who I share it with. You must earn my trust!
3. I have my ears pierced but I REFUSE to change out my earrings because I am certain it will hurt! We tried once and it was just bad news. Way to go Mom.
4. I have a freckle on my left hand that I call an "Angel Kiss". It's simply beautiful, Mom's favorite and always tells me which hand is my left! ;)
5. I love sparkly shoes and mostly I don't care if they match or not! I'm my own person, you know?
6. I am a smart little girl with a mind of my own. At 8 months I was doing sign language and am already ahead a year in school! That's Ms. Smarty Pants to you!
7. I pray for all of he people, puppies, kittens and babies in the whole world each night. I'm a doll, I know.
8. I like to read and be read to.
9. I love to color and draw! You have no idea how many wonderful things I create each day. Just call me an ARTISTE!
10. I love to help! I will help with just about anything...even cleaning the toilets! Mom says this makes me a hot commodity ;)

and one more thing...I talk AND giggle in my sleep! I know, cute, huh?!

There you have it folks! I had a lot of fun with this one and hope Clancy's Mac/Ella/Ro RO and Shellie's Dalley Boy/Kate do too! TAG, YOU'RE IT KIDDOS!

On the B Side: I love the little people in my life!

Funny Girl

Since Dayton got his own little post I want to make sure Beans gets some recognition of her own! This picture is one of her many self portraits!

Here are some funny things that our little funny girl has said over the past few days;

While at the bakery for Shellbait's birthday Shell was pointing everything out in the window that she wanted. When she asked Ellie what she wanted the response was this;

"I guess noffin' since you're going to eat it all!"

While still at the bakery Ellie borrowed a SLC magazine from my Mom and was paging through it. She pointed to one picture and said with a smile on her face;

"That is so tacky!"

We all had to ask her to repeat herself to be sure we heard her correctly before roaring with laughter!!!

She had a few other zingers that escape me now but I think it's clear that she's also her own little person!

This is a picture that she staged and perfected of one of her favorite toys. It took her three different shots and each time she kept getting closer. This is the final product that she seems rather pleased with;

On the B Side: I love the innocent commentary that pops out of their precious mouths! Children each have such a unique perception of this crazy world around us!

Wholesome Entertainment...ROCK ON!

This weekend while at the lodge I had brought all kinds of stuff for Ellie to enjoy. I did my Motherly due diligence by bringing books, coloring books, and a few of her favorite little toys to play with to keep her occupied while Dayton was skiing.

Turns out she has a 'rock family' living in her coat pocket and that was entertainment enough! She was careful to keep count of all of them and carefully displayed them and introduced them to Grandma Mikey and myself!

On the B Side: I am grateful for the simplicity of children! I love their ability to appreciate small things and not get caught up in everything.

Betty Davis Eyes

Ellie had her first eye exam with an Optometrist this week (thanks for the referral ShayE!). She was so big and brave and so excited about her new pink glasses that she picked out all by herself! Unfortunately she has hyperopia because her eyes are small and compact. Doc suspects she will grow out of it but the glasses she will sport now will help her eyes to relax and minimize the risk for a lazy eye (or two!) later.

Of course the Doc commented on how tiny she is (yes we know) and also how very smart she is (and thank you!). She knew all of her letters and smiled through wearing the 'pirate eye patch' and the crazy 'glasses' that he looked through to see in her eyes. She folded her hands with her fingers laced and sat so quietly. We fit her little face for two pairs of glasses (we needed something for when she isn't wearing pink!).

I got busted out by Dayton when I picked her up from school. Before I even knew that I had been spotted he was behind me with his coat on and his backpack in tow. They were both tired and hungry so we packed up and made a small family trip out of it!

On the B Side: I am grateful for people who dedicate themselves to learning and training to care for others. The doctor today was so nice and super knowledgeable.

It's My Party and I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO!!!

In the car the other day Ellie was crying. When it isn't dire I *try* to let her cry it out as heart breaking as that is for both of us.

Kayla chimed in and told her, 'If you cry too much you'll frow up. My mom her toad me dat.'

Ellie doesn't tolerate being told anything particularly during times of distress and blurted loudly back, 'No. You're eyes will crack and fall out' and that was the end of that!

On the B Side: I love their little conversations and always enjoy listening! They make me giggle and are so easy to love! xxox

SMARTIE PANTS!

When I was a little girl we lived next to my Grandparents. Poppop was a Dentist so they didn't keep a ton of candy with sugar at their house; however, Mommom always kept a Weis bag hanging from the back door in the kitchen by the steps leading to the basement containing much coveted Smarties! Today the Smarties in my life are even more delightful!

During a quiet car ride home from Grandma Mikey's Ellie innocently asked, "Mom, Why are you disappointed in me?" and I responded that she had not been listening. Her response was "Can we please not talk about this anymore?"

Last night Dayton lit up like a light bulb and exclaimed, "I know. Let's name our baby Jesus!". He had all the pride that a little five year old could manage. He was so proud of himself and thought it a splendid idea!

On the way to school this morning Ellie explained to me that "Sharks eat humans and well that they swim around them and then flip over and bite people in the bottom." She also insists that sharks eat human legs regularly.

Today when Jazzy came home from work Dayton hopped up and emphatically proclaimed, "Whoa, you crapped me out". I think he was going more for "You scared the crap out of me" and it made me re-think some of the things that may slip out of my mouth!

On the B Side: I am grateful for their inquisitive nature and their ability to think about things on their own. I am thankful for their bright little minds and their desire to learn. They make their Momma giggle...I mean proud!

Video Blogs from the Kids

Again, I swiped these their Dad's blog but I couldn't possibly resist my little moonbeams! They made their own little autobiographies tonight and they couldn't be anymore precious. The silly glasses are the icing on the cake!

On the B Side: I am grateful for moments like these that we can capture and keep forever. It is a wonderful time in which we live! I love listening to their little voices and watching their priceless expressions at such tender little ages. They are growing and changing so quickly! I love that they are both so full of their own little personalities! xoxo

In Ellie's Own Words

"Mom, I'm going to pinch the Holy Ghost!"

She's a funny little girl and is full of personality! She knew she was being silly and was rather pleased with her own wit! She proceeded to pretend to pinch randomly in the air and giggle to herself! Dayton assured her that this was not a good thing!! He's a by the book kind of guy.

On the B Side: I am grateful that she is an independent thinker with her own little thoughts and humor even at the tender age of 4! I am also grateful that she has a big brother to help keep her in line!!! xoxo

Did Heavenly Father Make His Own Self?

This was the question Ellie asked me on the way home from school today!

On the B Side: I love their little inquisitive minds! And so enquiring minds want to know rings true!

The Craziest Thing I Have Ever Seen

G.I. Jane. We'll call her G.I. Jane.

There are several reasons that I could not bring myself to document last night with a photograph.

1. I could not risk humiliating my child who knew she chose poorly.
2. I did not want to risk entertaining or encouraging her behavior.
3. This only happens to other people! Certainly I am not a negligent parent!

The kids had been tucked in their beds for over an hour. I tired of reprimanding them so Mark came upstairs. All I heard was, 'Are you kidding me?'. Images of clothes pulled from the dresser and strewn throughout the room danced thru my head and mostly I was just hoping he would quietly handle whatever the dilema was. I was not so lucky and certainly glad I did not miss out on the situation!

Green. Our youngest daughter had colored her body green. Every inch of exposed skin that she could manae was carefully camoflauged. She must have worked hard being the perfectionist that she is and given the quality of her work.

She hiked her jammie pants and sleeves up as high as they would go. She got her face and her neck the best she could without being able to see them herself. She had her sister complete her back and from the soles of her feet to her knees were red smiley faces completely engorged in a solid blanket of green. From her elbows to her finger tips and from the top of her rib cage to the top of her pull up. Green.

She spared no parts and managed to meticulously color in between all of her fingers and toes. The belly button was not forgotten and she seemd most proud of that. Her face and neck displayed the least amount of damage but given some additional time I'm sure she would have found a way to complete and perfect the task. Green.

Mark drew the bath and as she stepped in the water instantly hued a brilliant shade of jeweled green! It was hard not to laugh and easy not to raise our voices. I'm sure the sting of disappointment made a powerful impact. We scrubbed and scrubbed and then drained the tub and filled it back up for a clean rinse.

She was a strange cross bewteen an obsessive/excessive tattoo junkee straight out of the city and an amazon woman raised deep within the jungle not displying any signs of civilty! It was startling to see her which again begs the photo image as I'm certain my words do the scene no justice.

She is a funny one who still bears the marks of last night's deeds the next day!

On the B Side: I am grateful that Ellie is her own little person! It's not easy being green! xoxo

~Aye Carumba!

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!I made this a few weeks ago and the kids and I are still giggling about it!

On the B Side: I am grateful for giggles!