Long Time No see

So I know it's been almost two full weeks since I posted, one was to let everyone see our 'going private' post, but another was because Brent was out of town for a week on a business trip and that was definitely something I didn't want to let the world know! Anyway, he's back now, except currently I can't find him. He's mountain biking in the mountain east of Layton. Oh wait, I finally got him on the cell phone, hurray! I get a little paranoid when he's up there by himself. Anyway, we're loving the warmer weather, the girls love playing in the backyard, I've got my strawberry starts in(thanks Sarah), and we even planted a few rows of carrots and onions last night for family home evening. Note: planting a garden with kids is not for the faint hearted, or the clean minded! We even have one little blossom on our cherry tree we just planted a few weeks ago. I love spring!

Goin' Private

After much contemplation we've decided that as of May 1st we're going to make our blog private: only those invited will be able to view our blog. We love being able to keep in touch with so many of you, I can't believe how many old friends we've reconnected with, but there are issues of privacy and safety involved. I don't want someone I don't know being able to have too much information about my children, our family, and our habits. So please leave a comment or email me so I can extend an invite and keep in touch!

Just a good day

Today i was happy to be a SAHM. I got to doze in bed while Laura helped herself to some cereal, and then we played in the backyard, it was about 76 degrees today, until Daddy came home for lunch. After that we got loaded up and went to the bank, where we all got suckers, Sam's club for diapers and smoothie samples, and the library. Maren and Sarah, do you remember the George and Martha books? I found one and read it with the girls for bedtime. Wow, the memories, we always thought it was so funny that there was a hippo named after Mom:) Anyway, the girls were so good all day that we stopped for Arctic Circle kiddie cones on the way home. It was just one of those days that make up for the not so good days. So this may not be a very interesting post, but hey, it reminds me that I like what I do, and who I do it with.

Preschool Mayhem

This morning was a crazy preschool morning! The 3 other little girls arrived about 9:30 and we went up to our little playroom and got started; Eden hangs out with us and bebops around. So we started by singing some songs, reading a few stories, and talking about how we're all unique and special. After about 20 minutes Eden got a little bored and walked out of the room and shut the door behind her, which is typical so i didn't think much of it. But about 10 minutes later i realized i hadn't heard her for awhile. So I got the girls singing another song and went to check on her. Except that the door was locked!

The previous owners had turned the two little bedroom locks around so they could lock their kids doors, and we hadn't changed them yet. Uhoh! I yelled for Eden for a few minutes and kept the girls singing songs, trying to make sure no one panicked. Eden came back up, giggled, and tried to unlock it, but apparently it's a little trickier to twist it the opposite way to make it unlock. So I declared free time play (luckily we were in the play room) and dug through the toys to try and find something the right size to poke in the little knob hole. My first option, a pipe cleaner flower, failed. But my second, the inside inkcase of a pen, seemed more promising. Except it kept bending and wasn't quite strong enough to push in the little release lever! Faintly in the distance I hear my cell phone ringing...so I yell to Eden to go get Mommy's phone, wherever it is! She scampers away down the stairs and I can hear her jabbering, but she won't bring me my phone. Hmmm.

About this point I remember that I have my laptop, with wireless internet. Hurray for technology! I had no idea what Brent was doing at work, whether he was in his office or in a meeting but it was my best shot. My sisters and I also frequently IM but none of them were online, but maybe one of them would be soon so they could call my husband. Anyway, I sent Brent a very bold email. I think the title was: HELPPP!!! I'M SERIOUS READ THIS NOW!!!! i was just about to start using toys to try and get the pins out of the door hinges when Isabelle declares she has to go peepee. So i head back to my computer and resend the email to brent, and when it sends me back to my email a blessed rescue message was waiting from my knight in shining armor: He's on his way. He had been meetings most of the morning and had just stopped by to get a few things off his computer for his next two hour meeting. Thank you, small miracles. Ten minutes later Brent comes home to find Eden on my bed reading a book, and five happy girls cheering for our hero.

So considering we were stuck in there for about a half an hour we all stayed very calm and I'm sure I would have gotten us out of there eventually, right? But I'm glad i didn't have to resort to climbing out the two story high window, and that no one ended up with wet pants. I happily handed over the preschool materials to the next week's teacher. I hope she has a less exciting time:)

Innocent Mischief Maker

Gettin' Crafty

For me, things like sewing, scrapbooking, baking new recipes, and practicing my violin comes in phases. It's been months since I've touched my sewing machine, since at least Christmas, but my good friend Rita showed me how to make these adorable 'pillow case' dresses yesterday, and now i'm on a roll. Yesterday I made 4 of these adorable play dresses, two for each of the girls, and today I bound the edges of this plastic tablecloth for the girl's craft table in the kitchen. Next on the agenda: lots of ideas for more summer dress variations, and 'queen' capes for the dress up box. My new favorite sewing trick that makes this all possible: binding with grossgrain ribbon.

p.s. love the look of these dresses but don't want to make them yourself? Rita is selling them online! check out her website at http://www.meilijyemei.etsy.com/

Conference Weekend

Well, what to say about Conference weekend. It was so wonderful to be able to watch it at home, this is the first completely homebound conference weekend we've ever had as a married couple. We've always been able to go to someone in our family's home, particularly Sarah and Nate's, because we don't get TV reception. But because of a nasty stomach bug that hit our family, particularly me, and the fact that we now have high speed internet and could watch it broadcast live through LDS.com we stayed put. In fact on Sunday night we ventured out to the Layton Duck Park and I realized it was the first time I'd left the house in 3 days. But I'm so grateful for Brent, he really took care of our little family. And we did have a great time feeding the seagulls/ducks. Laura would get pretty daring and throw the bread to the closest ducks, but she stuck pretty close to us. Eden on the other hand was chasing the ducks trying to get them to take her cracker! It was a great ending to our weekend.

Now it's real

Yesterday I went back to the Dr. and after approximately an hour and a half wait I had another ultrasound. And yes, loud and proud, it is 100% a boy in there. I even have it in 3D. Holy cow. I was honestly expecting it to be a girl and have been in denial since the first early ultrasound. Nope. No question about it, I'll be garage saling all summer long! Everything looks good, he was moving around and has a strong heartbeat and so I'm trying to get excited about having a little more testosterone in the house. I'm just glad he'll be our third, so at least I know a little bit of what I'm doing. Brent's thrilled, of course. On my way home I drove past a park by our house and there was a father and son out throwing a baseball around. So here comes trucks, and superman underwear, and scouts and missions(hopefully). At least I still have 5 more months to prepare.