The EVIL Mint Chocolate Cookie

Had I known this cookie was capable of THIS.... I would NOT have given it to her. I gave it to her to buy myself some time upstairs... and when I came down, this is what I saw. Before I said anything, she was showing me her hands and jibbering about them. She had relized what she had done, and she was NOT proud of herself. So then I asked the questions, what happened, what did you do? These were her expressions. You can see she does not like being this messy. I did not even attempt to wash her. It was right to the bathtub. The next below pictures are of Brooklyn trying to hide in the cupboard and play with my old cell phone. She doesn't know its my old phone so you can see in the piture below her expression looks "busted" trying to see if she can make a face that will make mommy smile.

Once I smiled and told her she could have it, she was so excited and then carried on in her activites of trying to talk on it.

Slip 'N Slide

This week Morgan and Tyler were so excited to get out the Slip 'N Slide they got for their birthday. Funny how they have no idea what a slip'n slide actually IS... but the idea of doing something new and seeing the kids on the box have big smiles on their faces, it must be exciting. So we got it all set up and it was hilarious how I COULD NOT, for the life of me keep Brooklyn OFF or explain HOW to Slip 'n Slide. I was not going to get out there in the front yard to demonstrate for the neighbors, so it was exhausting mentally for me to figure out how to choose the kinds of words to explain... you run-not on the slide yet, then you fall forward with "momentum" (explain that word to a 3 and 5 year old) and then slide all the way to the end. Morgan would run- (good) then slow down and fall (almost) then stop. hmmmmm... not quite. Tyler would just run down the whole yellow slide, then jump over the hump at the end- totally missed the whole point. If anyone was watching them or listening to me attempt to DIRECT.. it was I am sure hilarious. Finally Morgan figured it out and got pretty good, Tyler was able to figure out how to fall onto his knees and get enough momentum to slide about 2 feet into the water pooled at the end- which to him was very exciting. He couldn't figure out how to use the boogie board part, so he just carried it with him each time it was his turn. Every chance Brooklyn could get, she was so excited be a part of something new and fun, and the little water trickles that fell onto the slide were just her height. She was so excited to stand on it and do her little fast stepy-stepy-step to show she was "having fun." Although it took the entire afternoon before they finally "got it," it totally has met the expectation of fun, and we were able to enjoy the 2nd time around later in the week with friends... and then they were the ones trying to show their friends how it works.

My Little Morgan isn't so Little!

Morgan turned 5 on April 11th, and to my surprise I feel like overnight she became a grown up little girl. I wanted to take a couple of minutes to write how I feel and the joy she is to her mommy and the happiness she brings our family. She is so amazing how much she wants to please us and make others happy. She is incredibly helpful, and takes it upon herself contstantly to watch out for Brooklyn, and sometimes even more than I do. She is my sweetheart, helper, and tender little companion, and I love her so much! Thank you Morgan for being such a good girl! I love you honey!

Best Laid Plans for a combined Birthday Party

Saturday was the 1/2 way point between both Tyler and Morgan's Birthdays. I figured it would be fun to all get together to celebrate, since it had been awhile since our family had been over. In the beginning, I had fun planning the party and puting in hours of shopping, wrapping and cake making for both of them. Well sadly the saying goes " best laid plans!" Nothing happened the way it was supposed to on the morning of. No wonder so often I opt out to not do big events, do things EVER happen like they are planned to?
1. Fire Station cancels on me so there will be NO tour of the fire station or seeing of the Fire Engine. (this was the BIG event and activity for the party) - but what ends up being just the beginning of a downward spiral.
2. Brooklyn having double duty teething of both tops and bottoms coming in at the same time would NOT let me put her down, as I was trying to gather everything to get over to the park. Being the stress case I was, 9:40 rolls around and feelings of panic come over me as I am not at the park yet, Brookyn screaming and me first thinking I was stranded with no car, while Jared is out running other assignments I had given him. Thank heavens grandpa was there to help pack 1/2 the stuff in his car and the other 1/2 along with 3 kids, I loaded in the stroller and walked it all over to the park.
3. Pavillion ends up being reserved by the "Rodriguez Family" so I move my party things and decor 3 different times trying to accomodate my guests and be in a place near the park but not in the sun.
4. WIND WIND WIND! It ws so windy, therefore it was cold and multiple small children crying at the gusts of wind that would knock over their drinks and spill all over the tables.
5. No water fountain play because the fountains were down, and the wind made it FREEZING.

So that about sums it up for my plans. I did however last minute before the party stuff 150 eggs for an easter hunt and invited the mothers who had eggs lying around to do the same to make a fun hunt if we needed more fun at the party. This ended up BEING the party. LOL!!! Once we settled down, we ended up on a hill away from the playground. While the Pizza (which took forever) came, I ran my bubble machine, and then took all the kids into the field to play duck duck goose, Red light Green light, Simon Says, and Ring Around the Rosies. Gladly my captive audience ranges from 13months - 5 yrs old and these activities were recieved well and got us through the long wait for pizza. After we ate, we had a blast with the easter egg hunt, enjoyed the present opening, and the BIG HIT of my Theme Cakes. The kids loved the cakes and couldn't wait to have some, so that and the easter egg was worth all the effort after all. I am so glad it was a party for family becuase they were all wonderful to roll with the punches and just enjoy being together. Thanks for all your support everyone, It wouldn't have worked out without you.

Baby Dylan's Blessing

My Nephew, baby Dylan had his baby blessing last week. It was so fun to get to enjoy seeing him on his special day and be a part of it, and have more time with family. We love you guys!

Cute Juliana

Becca asked that I take a few cute pictures of Juliana before she left today, so here is her cute little face. I am going to miss Becca and her girls so much, I wish she was closer. I soaked her in as best I could knowing it will be a while before I get to have this again. Love you Becca!