A New School Year

Well, we've successfully completed two weeks of a new school year. Amanda is now in grade 4, Rebecca in grade 3, and Jillian has started Kindergarten, all in the French Immersion program. So far so good! To be honest I was worried about how Jillian would be starting Kindergarten. She has done so well meeting new children, being a good listener, following the rules, and even speaking a little french. She's excited for this new phase in her life. I'm also excited for Jillian to have this new experience, however I'm not too fond of making 3 trips to the school each day. I feel like my children are growing up way too fast. It seems like it was just yesterday when I held Amanda in my arms for the first time. Of course new and exciting times are ahead, but I wish sometimes that time could stand still for awhile. I love being a mom. Yes, it is challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!

Big Feet, BIG Deal!!!

I've heard of children being afraid of the dark, stormy weather, ghosts, and monsters, but now I have something else to add to the list...BIG FEET! My girls have been watching season 8 of "Full House", and in one of the episodes Michelle (the youngest daughter) has a dream that her feet are enormous! Everyone is making fun of her because of them, and eventually her feet grow so big that they don't even fit throught the doorway. Most people would think this episode was quite humorous, but Jillian has been afraid to go anywhere alone in our house for 2 months. I couldn't even take her shopping for her new inside shoes, or ballet slippers because she refused to try anything on. No matter how many times we tell Jillian that those big feet aren't real, and that it's just a funny show, she just won't believe us. I guess as time passes she'll most likely grow out of this fear. Then I can show her how to make huge foot shadows on the wall in the dark with a lamp on!

Twilight....Jillian style

Over the course of the school year, I've watched Jillian interact with the children in Amanda and Rebecca's classes. Much to my dismay, her favorite thing to do has become chasing boys! She has a few favorite boys whos names are Adam and Noah (AKA Barney). They are both in Amanda's grade 3 class. I've been watching this happen every day after school, and Jillian's sisters would join in the fun, as well as some other kids too. About a week ago I started wondering if this was getting to be too much. I didn't want Jillian to become boy crazy at such a young age, but I decided that it was probably harmless play. Well...a few days ago she proved me WRONG. This was no longer harmless play. I saw Jillian take one of the boys backpacks, and another boy (Tyrone, also in grade 3) try to take it away from her. Then I heard Tyrone scream. At first I thought he was pretending to be hurt, then when he dropped to the ground I realized that he was actually hurt. I ran over to see what had happened, and found Tyrone holding his knee screaming histarically. Jillian felt she had no other choice than to take a BITE out of his knee. There was NO WAY she was giving him the backpack. She felt like that was the only way to defend herself. Tyrone's mom voiced her disapproval of the incident by yelling "Why you no come see?" (She's Chinese) I left the scene feeling like the worst mother alive...allowing my child to bite and all. I wonder why Jillian chose to bite? Ted or I don't bite... none of her sisters do either. Maybe she is secretly reading "Twilight" in her bed at night.

Cuteness

Easter Egg Hunt

This is a little video that Ted put together of our family Easter Egg Hunt. He did the music and some of you may recognize the words, even if you don't recognize the tune. What sweet children I have. Watch how they help each other and look out for each other. I assure you, that's the way it ALWAYS is in our house...

My Favorite Things

As I was driving home from the school today Jillian and Holly were pointing out all the trees that were blossoming. I think it's pretty safe to say that spring has finally sprung! One of my favorite things in the whole world is a tulip tree in bloom. I LOVE them. I started thinking about how negative I had become, and how easy it is for me to get dragged down by all the stress and pressure we face in life. So I forced myself to start thinking of some other things that I was thankful for. My hubby Ted came to mind right away.
I couldn't ask for a better husband, and father for my children. He really is my best friend. I'm thankful for our four beautiful fun little girls. Our curious, sweet little baby boy Luke (who is growing WAY too fast). I'm thankful for our good health, aside from my long list of complaints...oh yea this was supposed to be postive!!! I'm also thankful for our house, and great neighbours.
For the family time that we have together every night where we read the scriptures and feel the spirit in our home. (This is a new one, but it's working out surprisingly well!)

I found a list that I had made when I was in college called "My Happy List" I couldn't believe how long it was. I wondered how I could have forgotten the little things back then that made me happy to be alive. After reading this list, I promised myself to try to be a more thankful person. After all, I really do have so much to be thankful for!!! Here are some of the things on my "Happy List" from 13 years ago:

family,friends
newborn babies, maternity ward in the hospital
smiling children
my health
ice cream, cheese cake
swedish fish, gummy bears, panda bears, teddy bears
long showers
cold cheeks (I lived in Idaho when I wrote this)
the first snowfall
driving in the pouring rain
star gazing, the moon
crunchy fall leaves, hay rides
kittens, puppies, bright colored fish, bunny rabbits
big cozy blankets
waterfalls, snow covered mountains
bear hugs, holding hands
dimples
puddle stomping
slow dancing with someone you like
Hawaii, beaches, sandcastles, the ocean, suntanning
lip gloss that smells and tastes good
crosstitching, playing my flute
making snow angels
taking pictures, looking at pictures
church hymns, temple grounds, missionaries,scriptures, prayers
nail polish, long talks, picnics
caramel apples, rainbows
Christmas, Christmas lights
running through the sprinkler
surprises, getting flowers, good news
pillow fights, blowing bubbles, sunsets
trampolines, porch swings
getting a massage
weddings, dressing up
candles, bow ties on little boys
drive in movies, saturday morning pancakes
kraft dinner, weeping willow trees
compliments, lady bugs, butterflies
vacations, new shoes, country music
late night restaurants, memories
tall trees, wind
soft hair, shaved legs
weird dreams, poetry
fireworks, ferris wheel
getting asked to dance
the smell of leather, clotheslines
slurpies, blowing bubbles with hubba bubba gum
new clothes

We've Only Just Begun...

It all started a few weeks ago when Holly announced that she wanted to marry Lukey because he likes her. She often sings the song from High School Musical to him that starts, "Take my hand. Take a breath. Hold me close, and take one step..." It's so sweet! All this talk had Jillian thinking about how SHE would also like to marry her baby brother. So she started making detailed plans that involved music, dancing, a cake,
beautiful dress, and her whole family there to witness the ceremony. We all helped this vision come alive for Jillian. We had wedding march playing as Jillian walked down the pretend isle. Holly and Amanda were also bridesmaids. Rebecca was her bridesmaid who held her gown at the back so it wouldn't get dirty.
Ted was the one who married the two love birds, and I was the photographer. Lukey looked like such a handsome groom in his little vest and tie. When I was pregnant with Luke, I asked Ted's brother-in-law, Brody, what he remembered about being the only boy and having two older sisters growing up. He said that he remembered being "married off" to all his sisters friends all the time. I'm thinking that Luke will have a similar experience growing up in a family of all girls! What a lucky guy:)