Girls' Movie Night

The girls and I enjoyed watching "The Land Before Time" on VHS in our guest room Saturday night.  Jenna was up and down and in and out, but Sydney really liked the movie.  She even cried when Sarah and Little Foot were fighting--she was afraid Sarah was going to kill Little Foot.  I've noticed Sydney becoming more sensitive these days.  It was precious, though.

It's pretty humbling to put this picture up of myself, because it shows everyone just how chubby my arms are.  But the good news is that they aren't going to be chubby much longer.  I'm working them off and loving the progress I'm making.  :)

February Park Day

The girls and I headed to the park Friday with some friends.  It was a perfect 40-50 degree day for a long walk, or, in Sydney's case, a bike ride.  Despite the snow all around at the park, we had a lot of fun.

Kamrie

Carson, aka "Tarson" in Jenna-speak

Jenna pretty much wandered around.  She never went down a slide because I was busy chatting with Merri, but I did give her some pushes on the swing.  

Sydney had fun, too.  By the time we got home, she was entirely worn out.  I guess she's out of practice riding her bike 2 or so miles at a time.  I'll let her go on it this time.  :)

My Daily Entertainment

Jenna is such a crack-up!  This morning as I was working out in my room, she hung out with me and provided much entertainment.  First, she spilled her dry cereal all over my floor.  She then stepped on it with my slippers on her feet.  Off came the slippers, then she found a pair of clean socks that fit just right on her hands.  She then turned into a puppy, complete with eating the cereal off the floor.  Yum!  I was also graced with watching her dance to the music (spinning around and around), amongst other things.  She is too funny, and I am a way good mom, too!...Don't you let your kids eat off the floor?

Yesterday, she came to me all frustrated trying to put on pajama pants that belong to a stuffed animal.  Yeah...  As the accomodating mom that I am, I put them on, and they fit!  Okay, so they fit like spandex shorts, but she was happy.  The outfit wasn't complete, though.  She had to top it off with a pair of Sydney's (clean) panties.  She moves so much that this is the best shot I could get of her little outfit.  

And then this.  I came home from a meeting tonight.  Jenna was supposed to be asleep, but I needed to grab Sydney's pj's in their room.  I found Jenna in bed.   Awake & wearing these.  They complete the outfit, don't you think?

And then my sweet girl who provides so much entertainment in different ways, needed her picture taken, too.  At least she can hold still for me!  

If you live in Utah, I need your help.

For all of my fellow Utahns, there is currently a bill, known as Clay's Law, that is facing a Senate vote this week.  If you haven't heard of Clay's Law, it is a law that will require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism therapies.  We have several friends here in my neighborhood whose children could greatly benefit from the passage of this law.

I'm asking you to please contact your state senator and representative to ask them to support Clay's Law.

Here are several links that may give some background & also some information on who you need to contact.  Thanks a million!

McGhie's call for help

For the Love of Charlie --Steff's day at Capital Hill and background on one of these precious kids

Utah Autism Coalition (tons of good info & links to find your state sen. & rep.)

Clay's Law video  Amazing video!!  There is so much hope out there!

A day in the life...

I recently read a blog where the author followed one of their children around with a camera for the day & documented their life.  (I read so many blogs, and for the life of me, I can't remember who it was, so if you know, please remind me!)...okay, and I've been reminded that it was Lily's blog.  Check her post out here--so cute!

I also recently read Janae's post, which really touched me.  Click here to read it.  I saw myself in what she used to be, and I want to learn to really love motherhood, like she has.

So, today I followed my girls around.  This post will be long, but hopefully worth the read/look.

Up at 7:00, breakfast at 7:40.  Fruit & yogurt smoothies, turkey bacon & homemade pumpkin bran bread.  Jenna stole my turkey bacon while I grabbed the camera!

"Sally" and her "ballernina sister" took a nap in the entertainment center while we had breakfast.

Jenna strips #1

Jenna waits for mom to finish up breakfast dishes.

Girls hiding under their bed & behind the headboard.

Getting dressed.

Sydney makes the bed.

Getting hair done.  Not without a few tears from Sydney who had some tangled hair.

Chocolate milk & vitamins.  Fits were being thrown before & after the picture...and much of the day, in fact.

Chocolate milk and KBYU in HD while Mom read blogs & showered.

Friends came over to bring Valentines cards.  Wanted to stay, but then wanted to go home after 5 minutes.  Sydney went to play at their house--for over 4 hours!.  Jenna strips #2.

Eating beans while Mom makes a 5-bean salad for dinner.

Not healthy lunch of chicken nuggets & sugar cookies.  For Mom, too.

Naps for Mom & Jenna.  Mom woke up to Jenna calling Sydney's name.  This is what she was seeing out her bedroom window.

A walk the long way around the block to go get Sydney.

Waiting for dinner & reading her new book from cousin, Lander.

Popcorn & TV with Dad...must've been something good!

Putting on shoes.  There were 3 more pair just out of the picture.

Crabby Jenna's in bed at 7:30pm.  Surprisingly goes down without a fight.  Sydney plans a party, tells the story of Sleeping Beauty, and plays quietly.  8:25 now & just about time to put Sydney to bed.  

The newest peanut

Jenna, Sydney & Lander admire their newest cousin, Travis.

My girls and I just returned today from spending the week traveling to Idaho with my mom.  My brother, Alan, and his wife, Heather, welcomed their first baby into the world last week, so my mom went to help.  And we went to keep her company for the last leg of the 10 1/2 hour drive from NM to Rexburg.

We stayed with my sister, Dixie, and her family.  Unfortunately, my mom got sick with a stomach bug after the first day.  Her being sick allowed Dixie and I to pitch in and do what my mom was planning to do, such as preparing meals and cleaning for Heather.  Of course, the highlight for all of us was seeing, holding, and loving baby Travis.  He's so tiny and cute!  The girls had a grand time playing with their cousins.  

Congratulations, again, Alan & Heather.  Thanks for the hospitality, Dixie and Josh!  And thanks for the free trip, Mom!  And last, but definitely not least, we're glad to be home again with you, Randy!

My Angel Girl

Sydney first thing in the morning.  I just love when she comes to hug me as soon as she wakes up.

It doesn't seem like I blog about just Sydney very often anymore.  The thing is, she's at a much easier age than Jenna, and is less demanding of me, so I tend to forget her. 

~She has been sleeping in like crazy lately...10am several times this past week.

~She loves to color, draw, paint, cut out things, and make paper dolls (even though she doesn't know that's what she's doing).  She is a really talented artist!  She can draw way better than me!

~She also loves to put on plays and use her imagination.  This morning, she was humming as we ate breakfast.  She started clapping and prompted Jenna and I to do the same.  As soon as we did, she bowed her head over and over, saying "Dank you, dank you."  (Need to work on those t's with her, don't I!)

~She steam-rolls Jenna off of the bed most nights and never even knows it.  Jenna sure does.

~Her memory is amazing.  She has watched a little 20-minute cartoon quite a few times & after just a few times she was already quoting long bits of it.

~She has a hard time letting others have something she wants.  I think improvement will come with time.  Because she's always asking for the "pink" plate or bowl, Jenna always says, "Pink!" too.

~She loves to play games (Trouble & Memory), play on NickJr's website, and even prints stuff off--sometimes without asking.

~She is an excellent helper.  She clears the table, folds all the handtowels and dishclothes in the laundry, makes her bed, and does so many more things to help me and Jenna.

Sydney is truly a sweetheart.

Daydream Believer

I'm with Candace these days, longing for the warm weather, and all the fun that comes with it.  Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy winter, but the sunshine bug has bitten me!  I think my seasonal mood mirrors my life right now.  We're in the midst of a winter, with spring on the horizion and I'm longing and hoping for so much.  I can't help but daydream about so many things.  And I'm in the mood to shop.  So, you know what, I did a tiny bit on online shopping to get Sydney a few clothes for next winter & school.  Shhh...don't tell Randy!  Oh, and I can't wait to be at the above beach, either!  Only 5 more long months...

Grin

Lots of reasons for me to smile this weekend...

*Jenna slept through the night on Saturday/Sunday for the first and only time in a long time.  (Oh, precious sleep, do return soon!)

*Randy and I substitute taught the 5-6 year olds in church.  Therefore, we were able to watch Sydney and...

*See her say "do it faster again!", thus prompting the entire primary to sing a fun song even faster, one more time.

*Hear Sydney give the prayer.  She wanted to do it all by herself & it was pretty cute and interesting.  Randy was slightly worried as she gave it that she was going to spill a family secret or two, since she was going on and on about her family and mom and dad.  

*I was able to charm both a 5-year old and a 4-year old into staying in Primary.

*Randy charmed the 2 girls and 1 boy in his row.  The 2 girls were lovingly leaning on him.  He wasn't sure what to think.  What trusting, loving girls they must be...good thing Randy's a good guy!

*The 4-year old that I charmed asked me my name, then put out her hand to shake mine and said, "Nice to meet you."

*I walked into Nursery to pick Jenna up after church and she was alseep in one of her male teacher's arms.  It was so precious!  (She never falls asleep like that!)

*Finding out a friend is expecting.  For some reason it made me feel so happy, so congratulations!

*Randy was hopefully able to fix the virus or spyware that was on our computer.   So far, so good this morning, at least!

*I had never ordered a birth certificate for Jenna, but didn't know it.  Of course, now I need it, so I ordered one online late Saturday night...for nearly $34!  This morning, a lady from the county health department called and said I could come in today and pick it up (which is what I really needed) and it would only cost me $15.  Yipee!!

*Lastly, although I was very unhappy to find red and blue marker covered hands yesterday morning, I'm so glad that only this much was left for church.  Oh, and their blue-spotted lips eventually came clean, too!