Adalines dance concert

Adaline, 4th from right, and her group

Adaline, Bridie, and Lisa (Adaline's teacher and my dear friend)

Bridie at the dance concert. She loved it.

Bridie and Adaline

Adaline

Tonight Adaline had her creative dance concert. It was so fun to watch creative dance. I was hesitant to have Adaline take another dance class but the teacher is my dear friend. While she was at BYU finishing her degree in dance she was my cleaning lady. I formed a great relationship with her and her husband, Jonathan. Ballet is so beautiful and graceful, yet I think life is more beautifully portrayed in creative dance. The group just younger than Adaline did a flower dance. It was beautiful. Adaline's group dance was called 'Sparkle'. It was so cute. I am so glad Adaline has the summer off from dance.
Side note- What do I do with a 18 month old that lets herself into the neighbors yard (we have a gate in between our yards that she can now open) to schedule her own play date with Sophie and Eliza (twins Jacob's age)? She is way too grown up for me.

What is beauty?

This morning as Gordon and I were getting ready, he mentioned to me that one of his patients was telling him about this new drug her dermatologist has her on that makes her eyelashes grow longer. Gordon said she looked like Mrs. Snuffalufagus. It has made me wonder what beauty really is. It is becoming so easy to modify ones looks. We live in a society where youth and looks are everything. A couple of weeks ago I was in desperate need of a hair color. I was resisting because I have earned every gray hair on my head. I am proud of my age and how my body is evolving. And I think gray hair is beautiful. Who else my age has it, no one. I finally caved because I still have very young children and Matthew said he liked me better when my hair was colored. In a world where everything from hair extensions, to eyelash extensions, to permanent make up, to everyting that can be augmented- I wonder what is real anymore. I know there are people that these things change their lives, but put it all together and you get Michael Jackson. At what point does it become self mutilation? How do I teach my daughers to be true to themselves when there is so much pressure to change everything. I want my daughters to love, respect, and find happiness in their own beautiful and individual body. With all it's flaws and imperfections. I want them to be beautiful on the inside. If they truly are beautiful on the inside they will be beautiful on the outside too.

Pet day 2 and kindergarten promotion

Isaac outside his class.

Isaac shakes his teacher, Mrs. Briggs, hand.

Isaac ready for his program

Adaline and Corby at Pet Day

Today we had pet day for Adaline and kindergarten "promotion". The end of school things are so much fun for the kids, but it always makes me sad because it means that my kids are growing up. Isaac is done with class. Next week he will do testing. It was a strange day. Gordon took the day off of work , so I was out of my routine. My thoughts are so disjointed- I hardly got any sleep last night and I've used up all my energy for today.

End of year

Notes from teachers reminding me of things I need to remember.

Tonight we have 4 places we should be from 6-7 this evening. Somethings gotta give. Gordon and the little ones are going to watch James' rocket launch. I will be attending Matthew's fifth grade program.

A few odds and ends I want to remember-
Bridie says nups and eeps when she wants to eat.
James just scored the highest score in his grade for his end-of-school testing for the science section. He missed one question. Three other kids in his grade scored the same score.
Jacob and Bridie actually play as much as they fight right now. I will be so excited when they play toghether well.
Jacob got himeself dressed all by himself today. Shirt buttoned, shorts, shoes, and socks. He was so proud of himself.

Changing of the guards

Just some of my containers. On the outside is listed the gender and size of the clothes inside.

So it's that time of year that I hate. I have to do it twice a year- in the spring and fall. Getting out all the kids clothes for the new season and putting away all the out of season clothing. It's not my favorite thing. Getting every outfit in the right container makes my head hurt. My house is a mess for a week and nothing else gets done. It's gotten progressively worse the more kids I have. More kids, more clothes. I hope I don't die under an avalanche of winter clothes.

Pet peeve

Isaac and Bridie

I came out of my bathroom this morning and found this. I ran and grabbed my camera to catch this sweet picture. Bridie was asleep and Isaac is laying next to her, just looking into her face. He would reach over and gently touch her hand. Sometimes I get so caught up in my role as mother and wife I forget about the other relationships that are forming in our family. What a lucky little girl to be born into a family where she is so loved. Now, my pet peeve. Recently I have interacted with 2 somewhat newlyweds (married 2+ years) that instead of having children, (which I don't have a problem with. They can have kids whenever they want- it's none of my business.) get a dog. Oh please- when did getting a dog become a replacement for a baby? I find it insulting to every mother and child that a person/animal relationship could be compared to a mother/child relationship. They do not even compare. I know this might be the level of commitment they are ready for right now, but do not compare the dog to a baby! My children are a perfect blending of DNA that created someone that has incredible and endless potential. A dog is a nice pet, not an equal replacement for a baby. Glad I have that off my chest. Oh and have a nice day!

The 8th grade orchestra concert. James in the center.

James while turning the page, looked over to check up on me.

Last Thursday James had his last orchestra concert for the year. Their teacher is so incredible. It got me thinking about what makes a good teacher and a great teacher. I am so glad to have my children be taught by some great teachers. Bridie and I were the only ones to go. Bridie did fairly well. The music was great. After the orchestra plays their last song, they play it once more and the parents are allowed to go up to the students and take pictures. (Flash photography is not allowed while they play otherwise.) James says it's like being surrounded by paparazzi. It's nice to be wrapping things up for the school year.

Party

I just had to throw this one in- isn't she cute?

I am pretty sure the instructions on the box said only one person at a time. Oh well no broken bones this time.

Some of our friends.

Before the party we had dinner as a family and gave Gordon his gift- a small camera. We are sick of hauling the big one everywhere.

Last night we invited over some of our friends and their families. The night before I started calling people that we love and as the list got longer I realized I would have to buy a cake. I ran to Wal-mart and bought the biggest cake they had. It was a Care Bear cake. Gordon likes Care Bears, right? The kids thought the cake was hilarious. We served cake and ice cream while the kids played and the adults talked. It was totally low key and low stress. We loved it. Whenever I think of building my dream home I think of all these friends we would have to leave. (No available lots in our ward and once you leave the ward you might as well have fallen off the earth. That's just the way it is.) It has taken us a while to find people that have the same values, interests, and priorities as us. And we love to be with them. It would break my heart to leave these friends. I am so greatful for them. They make my daily life better.

Baseball season opener

L-R: Bridie eating a Ritz while cheering Isaac on, Isaac on 1st base in yellow, Isaac in the back of his coach's truck ready for the parade.

Last Saturday was Isaac's 1st baseball game. I have mentioned Isaac's energy level before, and it comes in handy for sports. He was great. He 'got out' 5 of the 6 players on the other team one of the innings. They then moved him to the farthest part of the field so he couldn't get anyone else 'out'. This level of play is a little different, most kids are just trying to run to the right bases in the right order. Every child bats and advances to every base no matter what. The last batter on the team up to bat is the "home run batter" and hits everyone home. Then that team goes to the outfield and it's the other teams turn to bat. They do not keep score. I think Isaac will get a little bored simply because there is no competition. His personality thrives on competition. Afterward was the city's baseball parade. Each team has their own truck (only in Mapleton could every team have it's own truck). They line up the trucks and drive from the city park to the soccer fields. Jacob and Bridie were thrilled to find out that as the trucks full of players passes, they throw out candy. We came home with our pockets full of tootsie rolls and salt water taffy. It was a fun Saturday morning.

Happy birthday!

The love of my life as (not is) a donkey.......... for the Christmas story.

Today is Gordon's birthday. Isaac, Jacob, Bridie and I went to his office for lunch. It was so nice to see him in the middle of the day. Gordon is such an incredible person. When I met him I had no idea what kind of a person he is. Nearly 15 years later I am still in awe at his goodness. He is a great dad and is 100% dedicated to his children. I love his best attribute as a father is his example. James and Matthew worship him. The past year they have kind of become a gang. Often they stay up and Gordon will teach/play with them. Gordon has a talent for teaching. He can take a very compex idea, understand it and teach it at a very basic level. Gordon has a great sense of humor. It's a little dry, with a quick whit. I love it. He is incredibly creative and artistic. I did not know this about him until after we were married and we decorated cookies with my family. He is incredibly wise. I know if I have a question or a problem with something he will give me great advice. I love that we love to be together. Not that we don't love the the kids, but we love to be alone. Last Saturday we were alone for 5 hours- what a treat. I love his dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Right now he gets up at 4:30 am Tuesday mornings (even on his birthday) to go to the temple. When I met him I thought I knew what he was like, Gordon is not at all what I imagined, he is so much better. I am honored to have him for the rest of eternity- I don't know if that will be long enough.

Pet day

Today was pet day. Luckily Corby was on his best behavior. I just wish I had gotten him clipped, he was really shaggy. Jacob and Bridie were great. We walked around and looked at all the cool animals. One of my first posts was another pet day. I've come blogging circle.

Happy Mothers Day

My two favorite planters. I use only white flowers.

Right now they look sparse, but give them some time and miracle grow and they will look great in no time.

This is my easiest planter. It's just chives. They come back every year. I love the blue flowers. I can just step out my back door and clip some for dinner.

These planters are new this year. I am so excited to see fill out this year.

Some of the flats that I planted this year.

My mothers day gift for the year is flowers for my planters. I love it! I get beautiful planters and Gordon doesn't have to get me anything. It's a win-win situation. I don't have to feel so guilty spending so much on annuals if counts for a gift- right? I buy about 15 flats. I spent 2 whole days planting pots. I have 30 planters. It is so much fun to try different color and plant combinations. On a girls weekend one year, we went to a potting class at Thanksgiving Point. They said for a good pot you need thriller (one large plant in the center or something really exciting), filler (plants that are the substance of the pot), and spiller (trailing plants). Most of my pots follow this rule, but it's fun to try different things too. This year I used Millet (yes, the grain) for one of my thrillers. I get most of my plants from a nursery right by my house that sells the most beautiful pots you have ever seen. People come from all over Utah and Idaho to have them pot their containers. They are pretty pricey ($50-100 per pot). 50 times 30= You do the math. So having them plant my pots is out of the question- plus I really enjoy the two days I spend planting them. I get to create something beautiful that I enjoy all summer long.

Adaline was given this award for 5 years at Mapleton Ballet Academy.

Adaline and the other girls as Coppellia dolls. Adaline is 5th from the left. Her ballet teacher, Mrs. Mary, was Dr. Coppelius. She is an amaizing teacher and an accomplished ballerina. We are so fortunate to have her as Adaline's teacher.

Adaline's fans. Gordon's Grandpa- Bill, Gordon, Bridie, Laura, and Bill's wife Marlene

Adaline and Bridie

Adaline in one of her costumes

Saturday night Adaline had one of her dance recitals. They preformed Coppelia. It was so great! Adaline is in the oldest group of dancers and the better they get, the more difficult the dances are. Coppelia is such a fun Ballet. It was so entertaining. Bridie loved it. It was so nice to have Bill and Marlene there. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Adaline has progressed this year as a dancer. She has danced a lot this year. She loves it. I think she's at the point where she feels comfortable with her abilities and can just dance and enjoy herself. I can't wait to she her other performances.

Model of health

I consider myself a healthy person. I rarely get sick and when I do, it's usually just a minor cold. I can just take an over the counter med and keep going. That has changed lately. Today I am on an antibiotic for an unmentionable womanly infection, I am experiencing my first bout with cold sores. My upper lip is full of blisters. I used to be so unsympathetic when Gordon would get cold sores. (I had heard about a study that said that if you are not exposed to the virus by the age of 3 you would never develop cold sores. I would like to find the scientists that did that study. I'm 35!) And last night I developed pink eye (I never had pink eye until 3 years ago when Adaline brought it home from kindergarten). I thought we had escaped that plague when no one developed it after my niece came down with it when we were all together. At least I have it and not one of the little kids. This morning Gordon was teasing me that I am his foam-ite wife.