Birthday Craziness

I haven't blogged in awhile - but I figured these pictures were definitely blog worthy, so I decided to post. Lauren just had her 7th birthday. I am so NOT a birthday mom - I hate throwing a party - it gives me serious anxiety. Thankfully, Lauren - being who she is - already knew exactly what she wanted to do. We had THE LIZARD WIZARD come and do the party for us. All I had to do was provide the cake and the goodie bags. (Seriously - this was my kind of party). It was so great - they bring in all sorts of animals and let the kids have a chance to intereact. I am posting a few pictures for your viewing enjoyment!

Yes - that is actually a tarantula on Lauren's head. She thought this was SOOOOOOOOOO cool - I was completely creeped out and you couldn't have paid me money to do it. But it was a big hit with the kids.

Snakes were also a popular item. They even had a 12 foot long snake that the kids all helped hold. So interesting . . . . .

Lauren getting a kiss from a lizard.

So - I had to throw this picture in because this is a good memory for me. Lauren has had a HUGE crush on 'Jake' for the whole school year. He came to her party, and Lauren was so thrilled. He came a little late - and as soon as she heard the doorbell ring - she jumped up and started running - saying "Jake is here!". He came in and she threw her arms around him and it was caught on camera. SO cute - it makes me laugh. But - it was a great party, Lauren had a lot of little friends there and she declared it was her BEST birthday ever!! Bonus points for mom - YEA!!!

My Baby is Growing Up . . . .

We went to a wedding reception tonight for a friend of our family. After all the traditional things were done - the music was turned on and it was time to dance. I'm sitting on the sidelines (of course) trying to keep my 2 year old from setting herself on fire (she was completely insistant that she was going to climb up on every table and blow out all the candles) when I noticed something happening on the dance floor. My oldest daughter, Kylie . . . who is almost 9 years old . . . was out there dancing with her cousin. She was all dressed up, sporting her new 'high heeled' shoes that we recently purchased for her, and was she ever dancing. She was shakin' her booty, twirling around . . . and looking so grown up. This was another of those moments when I just feel like I need time to freeze. That I am not going to allow one more day to go by, because my little girl is starting to not be so little anymore. I was overjoyed and completely floored all at the same time. I never knew that being a parent was going to include so many of these moments when you feel like time is just slipping through your fingers. Can we make it stop?

We are SEEING the LIGHTS!!!

We spent Thanksgiving week up in Utah and what a time we had. There is nothing better than being around family 24/7. The kids love to spend time with their cousins and I could spend days on end just hanging with my sisters, chatting about life. The day after Thanksgiving, we decided to go up and visit Temple Square and see the lights. We haven't done this in years and thought it would be a great idea. I have to admit, it was somewhat humorous trying to outfit each of my children (southern california children) with enough 'stuff' to keep them warm while spending a few hours outside on a cold Utah night. We were a modge podge group at best - but it was a great time. All my family came along - we saw hundreds of thousands of beautiful lights. We were able to listen to the Christmas story while looking at the Nativity they have set up. A great way to start the holiday season.

Ethan was cold, cranky and wouldn't get out of the stroller.

Raegan has such attitude and just wanted to run around by herself the whole time. She is definitely 2 going on 16!

Kylie all bundled up with her cousins.

Lauren thinking I've got so many layers on I can't put my arms down!!!

LOOK WHO"S 2!!!!!

Seriously - can't believe I'm here already. Another milestone in my life - my BABY is 2!! I know, I know - it is way cliche to say it just seems like yesterday that she was born - but I remember it so clearly. She was my best baby, I loved every moment with her since she was born. My dear husband kept warning me "You know - she is going to be a 2 year old someday, " but I just thought that would be sometime WAY in the future . . . and now here I am. And let me tell you - she is definitely 2. She began that day by throwing a major fit while I was out walking with my girlfriend. I tried to leave her on the street corner, but she was making SOOOO much noise, I ended up keeping her with me (LOL!). Her favorite thing to say right now is NO-w, NO-w, NO-w (she enunciates the end of her no, no's with a w . . . it is hilarious.) What a monster she is, but how much I love my baby - forever my baby. We had a little party with family and ate cake. It was a fun day, but I still get that lump in my throat when I think of how fast she is growing up - and soon, I will not have my baby anymore -she will be big and I will miss these days more than I can say!! (tantrums included!!)

Pumpkin Patchin' It!

Grandma Pat and Grandpa Brent came into town for a short visit. The kids always love to have them come and visit. We made a last minute trip to the Pumpkin Patch - as somehow both Matt and I had expertly avoided it until now - and spent the night riding the rides and picking out a pumpkin with grandma and grandpa.

Raegan was beyond thrilled to ride her very own pony named Snickers. The six tickets it took to ride the pony was the equivilent of about $5 - but how could we help but ride them over and over when Raegan would smile and laugh the whole time. We are such suckers for her adorable smile!!

You know how kids never do what you asked. We couldn't get Ethan in the picture - or even to smile. So we tried the whole "Ethan - don't get in the picture. Ethan - don't smile. In fact - nobody smile - I want to see a whole bunch of frowny faces." I guess being 4 years old means we always do the opposite of what mom and dad ask. Gotta love how that works!!

Kylie and Lauren hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Griffin. We had so much fun - thanks for the visit.!

Conversations with a 3 year old boy

So the other day I am driving in the car with Ethan. Just the two of us out running errands together. All of a sudden Ethan yells my name- he is all excited of course. Here is how the conversation went.

Ethan: "Mom - guess what!"

Me: " What Ethan."

Ethan: "Guess how big my poop was."

Me: "How big dude?" I am thinking - what the heck? We are talking about poop?

Ethan: "It was this big!" He says this very proudly as he stretches his arms out as far as they will go.

Me: "That is so very cool!" What else do you say when you are talking about poop with a 3 year old boy?

So, I grew up with girls. 5 sisters - no brothers! We never talked about poop that I can recall. Matt has tried to warn me that this is what guys talk about, but I keep thinking - NO . . . why would anyone want to talk about this. But I guess that I am getting initiated into the boys club. It is going to be an interesting ride.

Okay, alright already, I will BLOG!!!

So, my sister keeps giving me LOTS of crap because I haven't kept up on my blog. I guess I just haven't figured out exactly what I want to write about, so I am pretending that it doesn't exist. But, since MEG keeps getting on me, I've decided that I will start off by doing a TAG that she sent along to me. So - I've been TAGGED . . .

7 Random and Weird Facts that you Never Knew About ME!!!

1. I don't like eating fruits and vegetables. If it was up to me - I would probably completely remove these two food groups from my life. As it is - I eat them because I'm trying to at least pretend that I am healthy!!
2. I am a very NERVOUS hostess. I hate being in charge of a party - whether it be friends over for dinner, girls night out, book club, even birthday parties - I worry so much about whether everything is just right - is everyone having fun - will anyone show up, etc.... that I can never settle down into the party.
3. I have to eat pasta every day - and I mean EVERY day.
4. I am addicted to the TV show 90210. I saw every episode of the original TV show at least 4 times each and now I am watching the new one . . . sad but true!!
5. Chick flicks are fine - but I love a good war movie. The more intense, crazy, bloody (I know, so weird), the more I love the movie.
6. I love broadway musicals - I love plays. I love listening to the music, I just love it all!
7. The most listened to music on my ipod is my 80's mix - I still love my old 80's music!!!

And there you have it . . . . 7 things you probably didn't ever want to know about me. I will try to be more faithful about blogging . . . . for you Meg!