Kids say the Darndest Things

Sometimes my children say things I never want to forget.  And I've learned the hard way that, if I don't promptly write them down, I will certainly forget them.  So, here are a few random things of late:

This evening, some dear friends of ours invited us to their home for a special dinner.  As dessert was being served, Wiggles sat in front of her chocolate cake, waiting patiently as the hostess and I brought plates to everyone else.  The host began eating his dessert and Wiggles demanded (loudly enough for everyone to hear,) "Don't eat yet!"  He asked, "Why not?" to which she replied, "You're supposed to wait until everyone has been served!"  The hostess and I had a good laugh.  I was thrilled that Wiggles had remembered the etiquette we'd taught her about waiting....but a bit embarrassed she'd forgotten the bit about not telling adults what to do. :)  Fortunately, it was well received, and we all had a great laugh!

Wiggles also has a habit of talking - or rather, yelling - in her sleep.  (I must say it runs in the family, as I happen to have the same reputation...)  Since we all sleep in the same room (yes, our children still sleep in our bedroom....), we hear all of her 'conversations' and are pretty familiar with a lot of what she dreams about.  Most often, she'll shout "Don't, (Grins)!!!" or, "Give it back, (Angel)!!!" or something along those lines.  The other night, however, she sat up abruptly and shouted "August twelfth!"  Then, a moment later, "Slide down the slide, Quincey!"  I started laughing and she looked over at me, now awake.  "What were you dreaming about?" I asked.  She replied, "We were all at Kiwanis pool.  Wait - you had the same dream, because you were there.  All of us here had the same dream.  We were all there.  Did you just have that dream too?"  As if dreamland is some sort of altered reality that we are whisked away to in our sleep.  She finally realized that's not the case, once she was fully awake - but it took a moment!

The final 'tidbit' I want to remember is not funny and is much more personal in nature, but goes to show how inquisitive and astute Angel is.  The other evening, Angel and I had "special" time together (each child gets a "special" night each week, when they get to stay up after the others go to bed to enjoy some alone time with the parents (well, usually, just Mommy since Daddy's most often at work or studying).)  This particular night, our conversation developed into the all-important talk about the "Birds and the Bees".  (Some may think she is young, but the timing was well thought out and planned by the Mr. and I for a multitude of reasons.  One of which being that, though she is young, we want her to hear it from us before she learns it elsewhere and, sadly, that is happening sooner than any parents would care to admit.) Anyway, I was prepared for all sorts of responses or questions she might ask, but not the one she did.  She wanted to know if that was how baby Jesus was conceived.  Wow!  Of all the responses I had planned, I certainly hadn't seen that one coming!  :)  She also suddenly divulged to me how she is secretly terrified of someone cloning her, or of someone being able to control her mind externally.  Do we have a budding geneticist or sci-fi author on our hands?  I suppose time will tell.  I guess I will have to brush up on my knowledge of cloning!

Oma and Opa

We saw these in a little shop in Pennsylvania, and, naturally, thought of our favorite Oma and Opa!  Love and miss you both!

Valentine's Day

Apparently, this is the ONLY picture I took on Valentine's Day.  Sad!  But, I have to post it since it is SO "Grins" right now!  My school kids were supposed to make containers to hold the valentines they collected at school.  Grins was not interested until I suggested maybe we do a container of something he liked.  The only 'rule' was that it had 'something' to do with Valentine's Day.  So I did a bit of searching online and found a similar (though much cuter) version of this - and, of course, Grins was immediately interested.  There was no tutorial so I did my best to 'wing it', and Grins love it!  It turned out to be a huge hit in his class!

Mommy's Birthday

On my birthday this year, I returned home from a 'long' run (long for me since I rarely run!) to find that the children (and the Mr.) had set up a wonderful "Mommy Spa".  It was incredible, and just what I needed!

Seriously - could they get any more adorable??!!

Grins gave me the avocado oatmeal mask treatment while Angel gave me a manicure.  Wiggles put cucumbers on my eyes, though she kept trying to take them off, because she just felt 'wrong' about it. haha!

I had warm rice bags behind my neck and back - pampering at it's finest!!

 Grins gave me a wonderful foot massage!

Wiggles thought the whole thing was rather strange, but she was a good sport and went along with it...

Angel worked hard on my fingernails and gave them quite the (bright yellow) paint job!

As if being mother to these incredible children weren't gift enough - they really worked to make my day special!  I am certainly the most blessed woman on the planet!  Love my sweet family!

Angel's Baptism

Our sweet Angel decided to be baptized.  She met with the Missionaries (Elder Booth and Elder McKnight - awesome guys!!!) a few times to learn more about the gospel and the important decision she was making.  We wanted it to be completely her decision, and for her to understand it's significance and meaning.

She was SO incredibly excited!  She could scarcely contain her excitment - she was literally jumping around all morning, with a big, toothy grin on her face!

Here she is with the Mr. just before the program began: (Special thanks to my wonderful friend Ellen for the photos!!!)

Opening song (she was clinging to the Mr.!)

Getting ready to get in the water:


We didn't take any photos of them in the font, because we weren't sure if that was allowed...but this is my favorite: Angel, just coming out of the water, seconds after being baptized:



After she got dried off, Angel sang "Love Is Spoken Here" with some of her friends (Wiggles and Grins both got shy at the last minute and decided against joining in...)


This next one is blurry, but it's the best (only) shot I got of her confirmation.  And I kind of love how everything is blurry around her, but she's just calm and still in the midst of it all.  Sort of fitting, since the confirmation is all about the Holy Ghost, isn't it?!

In the circle: Elder Booth, Elder McKnight, Daddy, Grandpa Stout, Rick Mahoney, Doug Petersen, and Doug Hervey.

Blurry, but sweet:


Other fun details I don't want to forget about Angel's special day:

She drew the picture for the front of the program: (photo to come)

She helped to plan the program:
Opening Song: "When I Am Baptized"
Talk on Baptism by Grandma Stout
Talk on Holy Ghost by Sister Steineckert
Closing Song:  "I Lived in Heaven"

After the program, we enjoyed some delicious refreshments (also selected by Angel):
Assorted bagels with cream cheese
Caprese sandwiches
Cucumber cream cheese sandwiches
Fresh fruit trays
Brownie bites
Cheesecake bites
Pineapple punch

Then, we took pictures galore and enjoyed chatting with friends who came, including the Forties, Schelasins, Carters, Ranks, Barry/Guidos, Richer/Rubins, Ellen, and Hermansens:  (And note: she is wearing socks because somehow, in the craziness of the day, her black shoes went missing....)

And then, of course, these awesome guys!

When we got home, we realized we hadn't really taken any pictures of Angel on her own...so a little photo shoot ensued.  (She's just too beautiful!!)

Too much serious stuff.....she started getting silly! :)

And totally cracked herself up!

 Yes, we think she's pretty great!

 It was so nice to have these 2 fly across the country just for her special day!

Angel, we are so proud of you for this big step.  You have become such a thoughtful, caring, considerate young lady, with a heart of gold.  We know this is only the beginning step in your lifelong journey to come unto Christ and 'be perfected in Him'.  We are so glad you have made the choice to follow the Savior, and know that the gift of the Holy Ghost will be a constant source of strength and peace throughout your life.  We hope you will remember this special day and the beautiful feelings in your heart, for years to come.  We love you, precious girl!!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Angel's Birthday

For Angel's birthday party this year, she wanted to have an "American Girl Doll Tea Party".  It was a blast!!

We had one table set up for the 'big girls', with a smaller table next to it for the dolls.

Here's Angel with the doll table she very carefully set up.   She was most excited about the miniature menus!




























First, we all made party hats and place setting nametags for the dolls.

Next, we sewed little felt 'cookies' for the dolls.  The girls did a wonderful job with this project!

Next we created some little 'cinnamon rolls' for the dolls out of craft foam - what's a tea party without some sweets?  And the dolls were hungry!!

After some fun party games, we were finally ready for our tea party!  Here are the girls at their table,...

...and here are the dolls at their table!  It was adorable!

Here's Angel, contemplating what all-important wish she should hope for...(she loves cheesecake and chooses it for her birthday every year!)

Angel blowing out the candle!

Some of the dolls with the 'treats' the girls created for them:

  

Some of the girls and their dolls, all playing games together:

Some of the girls with their dolls (I'm so sad I didn't get a photo of everyone there!  I always forget to do it until people have already left!)

 All in all, it was a wonderful day, full of fun, laughter, and friendship!!