Happy Birthday Kaylee!

Well our dear sweet Kaylee has turned eleven. ELEVEN! For her birthday Chris and I gave her a "reverse perm" (that's what they called it). She got her hair chemically straightened. It's not completely straight, but it's so much easier to comb through so it was totally worth it. We also were able to go to an advanced screening of Toy Story 3 the night before her birthday. I have said a number of times how excited Kaylee gets about birthdays and holidays and she always gets up early. Because we got in late after the movie, she actually slept a little longer. She hasn't done that since she experienced her very first birthday. As a matter of fact, she was so excited after her first birthday party, that when we tried to put her to bed that night she ran back and forth in her crib for about a half hour. It was to cute. After that she was hooked. We are so lucky to have Kaylee in our family. She is smart, funny and beautiful. She is a wonderful oldest child and a great example to her family. We Love You Kaylee!

Before

After

There is a bakery in the same shopping center so we stopped for a cupcake.

Birthday morning.

Kaylee doesn't have much of a sweet tooth (is she really my daughter?) so cupcakes in her classroom was enough for her. We put candles in her pancake (her favorite dinner.)

Happy Birthday Dalin

Dalin has been obsessed with being four ever since his BFF Rylan had his birthday in January. Yesterday after what seemed like forever (to him anyway) he finally reached his goal. A couple of days ago he was sharing his concerns that he would be to big to fit into any of his clothes or shoes or even our house once he woke up on his fourth birthday, but he took my word for it that everything would be alright. Every time I would ask him what he wanted for his birthday he would say, "Just all the stuff for boys." Not to hard to please huh:) He was sure to remind me all day long that he was four now and that he was the birthday boy, and the birthday boy gets to do whatever he wants. We sure love that boy!

Presents! (obviously not all of the stuff for boys, but he was satisfied nonetheless)

Aforementioned BFF

Cake! (I had planned on some Mario Bros. theme but it fell apart at the last minute so he got unfrosted cupcakes instead)

Four!

That's why we love the internet

Our car has been having a couple of issues for the past few weeks, and because we are going on a loooooong road trip soon I took it to the dealership to get checked out. Most of my concerns were taken care of and covered under the extended warranty which was fabu. The air conditioner in the back that only works on the highest setting however was not. The mechanic told me it was going to be $275, and when I asked if it was difficult he said oh yeah definitely. So I was resolved to just let the kids deal with it. We do live in Vegas after all and the temperature surely warrants the highest setting. Besides the front air worked fine, so it really didn't bother me;) I told the guy no thanks to that repair and went home. This particular car malfunction really bothers Chris so he decided to look up how to do the repair online and see how difficult it really was. Turns out not very. The part was only $20 and with the step by step directions Chris found, it only took about fifteen minutes start to finish. Now if only everything car related turned out to be that inexpensive.

I wanna be famous!

In this age of reality television, where everyone and their dog gets far more than their fifteen minutes of fame, Aiden wants his piece of the "new" American dream (hard work and perseverance are pretty much overrated anyway right?). Aiden has asked me on several occasions if I think he is good enough to be on American Idol, or So You Think You Can Dance. He wanted to know if I thought people would pay to watch our family on t.v. He even jokingly (I hope) wondered how much the people on the Biggest Loser weighed and how much it would take to get him to that point. Well last Friday he began his journey out of obscurity. His school had a talent show and he decided he wanted to be a part of it. I don't like to discourage my children's endeavors, but when Tuesday came around and he still hadn't chosen a song, let alone practiced, I was a little hesitant to agree to give him my permission. He was pretty insistent so I relented. He felt picked on when I made him practice, but he made it through and his teacher even let him pick two of his friends to be back up dancers (the day before the show). The funniest part to me was when about three or four girls on the front row called out a "Hi Aiden!" when he got up on stage. He's well on his way if he already has groupies. I am really proud of his performing courage, a quality I know he didn't get it from his parents.

The woman on the floor is an aide that helps a boy in Aiden's class, and it looks like she helps with choreography as well (but most of those moves are all his). Thanks Miss Molly!

Kaylee's Backpack

I know this looks like Kaylee's backpack is unzipped, but no, it is torn and frayed beyond repair. She's been carrying it around like this for about a month now. I offered Chris's old backpack which, by the way, is still in fine condition but she decided it was to ugly (it's a black jansport with a brown leather bottom, horrid I know). She hasn't complained to me, but she has said her classmates may be taking up a collection to get her a new one for her birthday. I was trying to hold out until the new school year, because they cost less and I'm only getting her one to last through middle school. Besides who doesn't want to take new on the first day of school? But it's driving me crazy and I don't think I can handle it any more. Now it should only take a few more weeks to get her to settle on her right bag.

p.s. Don't faint at the thought that Chris actually wrote a post, I didn't realize I wasn't signed in

P.J.'s!

I don't know why, but I kind of lu-uv pajama sets, so when I found some cute fabric on sale I decided to go a little crazy and make some for all of the kids. I was a little nervous because I've never sewn knits before, but they worked out pretty well. And when (or more likely if) I ever make some more I learned a lot to do it even better.

Boys Day

On Sunday, after hearing about Mother's day every where he went, Dalin asked, "When is it boys day?" So yesterday when he woke up he informed me that it was Boy's day. Not mom's day any more, not girls day, not brothers day, not even dads day but boys day. Pretty much Dalin day I guess, and this meant he could do whatever he wanted eat whatever he wanted and play the Wii as much as he wanted. I'm not really sure how it is different than any other day of his life, but he gave it a title to make it official. I don't think I'm ready to add this new holiday to our calendar just yet.

15 years ago...

...next month, I graduated from high school. I know, it surprises me too. It doesn't really feel like it's been that long. The random point of all this reminiscing is that I was able to hang out with two of my really good friends from high school this week. My friend Sina (who, we realized, I have known for 20 years, 20 YEARS!) lives out of the country and she was going to be in Utah visiting family during BYU's womens conference and she organized a little reunion for us. She did come the farthest by far, but Jen came from Colorado and I drove by myself from Henderson. Any one who knows me well, knows I hate driving. I was almost 19 before I finally got my drivers license (yes my younger brother got his license before me, and even gave me a few driving lessons). So this was the farthest I have ever driven by myself, and yes that sound you heard was me patting myself on the back. It was so fantastic to catch up and reminisce. Except for the crazy cold and snowy weather it was such a fun time. We are already talking about doing it again. I have to shout some praises for my sweet husband Chris who took the days off of work to play Mr. Mom while I was gone. I think I sometimes take for granted how willing he is to help me out. He moved his schedule around to give me a much needed break. love him for that!

Then...
Me, Sina & Jen (1994) Sina, me & Jen (1995)
We were in yearbook together and these are from the signing parties

...and now
(2010 at Los Hermanos. My fave back in the day.)