Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack wanted a Pokemon birthday this year. It was a fun theme. Just when I think Jack has enough Pokemon things, he asks for more. I guess you "gotta catch 'em all!" Here are some of the Pokemon pictures from his party.

The Party Masks...

The Birthday Cake...

New Pokeball...

Jack's other birthday request this year was cousins. And that made it fun for everyone. Harris, Kimball and Abby came for a sleepover and it was so much fun. My kids idolize them and they were sooo excited to have them come. Even though they are much older than my kids, they play so cute together and my kids love them as though they were siblings. Jack said this made it his best birthday ever.

the sleepover. ..

Grandma English also came for a visit and brought more cousins and that was also a treat!

Both Grandma's contributed to Jack's gaming collection so he is in heaven and busy with his new games.

Happy 7th Birthday Jack!

For Grandma, continued...

More Article of Faith #10.

(Don't mind the Oreo's on her lips and teeth.)

For Grandma

The kids are doing a great job learning the Articles of Faith this year. It has been one of their goals for 2008. Grandma Farley has all the grandkids pass them off to her. She has a big chart to keep track of all 29 grandkids and the ones they have passed off. My kids are always so excited to call Grandma & Grandpa the minute they have it memorized. They love the praise, the fancy award letter and the dollar they get for each one. This month, they are learning the 10th Article of Faith. I think it is my favorite because I love hearing the kids say all those big words (you should hear Liberty sing 'paradisiacal' and all the other adult phrases- I'll post it when the girls are ready). Jack is ready to pass off #10, mom, so this is for you...

Rescue at the Pool

After many trips to the pool, I thought I could relax a little and read a book last time we went swimming. Afterall, the kids are much better swimmers now... okay, only Jack can swim, but the girls are less afraid of the water and I thought they could touch the bottom everywhere in the shallow end.....

So, we went to the pool after school last week, the kids jumped in and I set up under an umbrella with my sunflower seeds and a book. While I was reading, Liberty made her way to the opposite side of the pool to play on the steps. A toy she was playing with floated out of her reach and she jumped in after it, where she could not touch the bottom or make it back to the side. I look over and Liberty is struggling completely under the water. I started screaming her name to get the attention of the employee standing closer to her, as I ran to the other side of the pool. Fully dressed, I stepped onto the pool steps, still 10 feet away from her, and slipped with my slick flip flops, and fell into the pool, slicing my toes open on something. It was quite the sight- daughter needs rescuing and suddenly mom does too. (I'm sure I would make a great life guard) So, I tried to get up, catch my balance and get over to her, but the employee beat me to her- boy, was I glad he was there. He pulls her out, coughing and crying, and men working-out behind the glass wall overlooking the pool come out to comment on the situation. With my clothes soaking wet, my foot all bloody from my fall, Liberty crying on my lap and an audience around me, I start filling out the "incident papers" from the clubhouse. Jack looks up and says "Mom, why are you wet?" He missed the whole thing.

So... my girls need swim lessons. And maybe I need a lesson or two in "saving your drowning daughter from the pool" or just "how not to be so clumsy."

After school fun

In an effort to spend time with my kids and have less TV on after school today, I decided we needed a fun project to work on together. I went to the fabric store and bought fabric markers, muslin and batting. A project for everyone under $10- I like that. The kids were so excited when I picked them up after school and told them what we would be doing. A little effort always goes a long way.

I taped the fabric to the table and the kids went to work.

Then, we cut, sewed and stuffed. The kids loved the stuffing almost as much as the drawing. For some reason, they were fascinated with the batting.

And the end result... happy kids, fun toys.

I love the feeling in our home when we are spending time together.