Maya's got some crazy rhythm

There is a show called "Yo Gabba Gabba" on Nick Jr. I thought it looked like the lamest show ever, but my baby, Maya, LOVES it! As soon as it comes on, she gets excited and stomps her feet and dances all around. This is the best video I could get of it, because when I pull out the camera, she doesn't want to perform. She is getting so big! I am having fun with her.

Hayden's 4th Birthday Party

Hayden had to have a Scooby Doo Party! We frosted sugar cookies, and when we went to open presents, they were gone! And a clue was found. We had to solve the clues and find the presents. We played pin the collar on Scooby, Musical chairs, Smash the ghosts, and found the suckers outside. We solved the mystery and caught the villain. It was a fun party!

Hayden's Version of a Scary Story

Hayden LOVES scary stories. He used to ask me to tell him a scary story about 5+ times a day. Here is his version. I don't know how he does it! He always has a surprise ending. The other day in the car he asked for a scary story and I told him I was going to tell him a "real" scary story. I started telling him about this one time when I was in high school I was going to sleep and I heard this scratching sound under my bed. He stopped me right there and said, "Mom, you know I don't like scary stories, they give me bad dreams!" I'll never know how his mind works!

I am a "true" Mother now!

Strawberries were on sale at Macey's this week at $9.95 per palet. I decided to attempt once again to make Grandma Judy's jam. The last time I tried, the jam didn't get eaten at all because it was NOT like Mom's or Grandma's. This was 3 years ago, and I have yet to try again.

So, I began the process, and Hayden helped all along the way (no pictures because this all had to be done in an hour and a half during Maya's nap). It's funny, but I really was nervous that all of this work would not be good enough and my jam would not measure up--again! When all was said and done, I had about 40 containers of jam. (Different sizes) I guess that is what I am going to give out for Neighbor gifts this Christmas because there is no way we can eat that much! Especially if it doesn't taste like Judy's!

The next morning, I decided to make everyone toast with the jam, so that everyone could try it out. After one taste, my husband threw his arms around me, and spun me around the room and said, "That's it! You've done it!" It was a very dramatic moment. He then said, "You've just gone up 10 notches on your motherhood scale!" Wow! I was not expecting that reaction, but I'll take it. Both the kids loved the toast and it has been toast for breakfast every morning since.

I was having a conversation with my neighbor about this same kind of thing. Living up to our mother in laws. Now, my neighbor is the best cook that I've ever met, but she said that finally this past year her husband told her that he now prefers her food over his mom's. I hope that my husband will say that to me some day. Right now he prefers a lot of people's food to mine, so it may take awhile.

But, I can say, I made jam just as good as Judy's! YES!

I think my daughter is half monkey!

The other day, I was reading a book to Hayden in the living room when I heard the water on in the bathroom. I walked in to Maya sitting in the bathroom sink with the water running! How did she get up there you might ask? Watch and see! Keep in mind--she is only 14 months old.

Kitchen Re-Do

About a month ago, we repainted our kitchen cabinets from black to white in order to make our kitchen a little brighter. We have black furniture in the kitchen, and with the red accent wall it was feeling so dark. So...we decided to do white cabinets and change the accent wall to white and black wall paper to incorporate the black from the table, and the white from the cabinets. Hopefully soon we can re-do the countertops black. What do you think?

1st Day of Preschool

Hayden had his first day of Preschool on Tuesday with Miss Barbara! I was still very sick, so Eric got to take him his first day. I did manage to get out of bed to take these pictures of him. He is so excited to get to go to school. I heard him ask Eric if the school bus was here yet. Sorry-not until Kindergarten!

I got to take him today, and it made me a little sad. He ran right in without giving me a hug goodbye. He was just too excited. I'm sad that he is not my baby anymore, but I am glad that he is well adjusted and that learning is fun for him. He is such a happy boy and so energetic. I only hope that his teachers will be able to appreciate it and not find it distracting. (because it can be!) It's a big milestone! (for me more than Hayden)

Watch OUT for the FLU this year!!!

So, I have been sick with the flu- not the flu - some mutant form of the flu or something of that kind for 4 days! Yes, count them, 4 days! And, while I was warned by my friend, Marisa, that the flu going around was killer, nothing could have prepared me for how sick I have been. It started around 8pm on Saturday night and just today I am able to get around. Sunday, I decided that I would be fine and that we would just go to Bear Lake anyway because it couldn't last more than 24 hours. NOPE! I was pretty much checked out most of the trip, which is why you won't be seeing any pictures of my pathetic self while camping. (My sister in law Angelle took the pictures that I have- THANKS SO MUCH!) My kids, as you can see had a blast, so that made it worth it in the end.

My poor husband, though. Can you imagine? Camping, taking care of his sick wife, the kids, cooking, setting up camp, really! What kind of wife am I? He has been such a good sport. I have not heard him complain or grunt or moan once while taking care of the kids, working, housework, and me these whole 4 days. Did I score on a husband or what? The laundry is done and actually PUT AWAY, the dishes are clean and the house looks great! I would have been glad to have the house still standing, but it is great to finally be feeling better and not have a list of things to do. Thanks so much, Honey! I'm doing better now. Thanks for the phone calls, dinner, babysitting, etc. We have the best friends and family ever!

Bear Lake

Yesterday was quite the eventful day. After my post, I was feeling all good and motherly. I decided to take the kids to Tai Pan and then to McDonald's for lunch. While we were in Tai Pan, we kept running into this woman in the aisles and every time Hayden was singing and dancing to a different song. She was cracking up! Then, we ended up in the same check out line, and guess what--He was STILL singing!! She was laughing so hard. She looked at me and said, "Oh, bless you, MOM! Here's $10, take that kid to McDonald's!" What? Are you kidding me? I felt like I couldn't accept it, but she insisted. I have not run into many people that kind. I thought about her all day long and how good she had made me feel with that kind act.

On quite the opposite end of the spectrum, that night I went to Walmart to grab some food for camping. It was going to be a 15 minute trip, literally, and it was both my kid's bed time. Hayden was still running around and singing (really, it never stops! If you only knew!!) and Maya was very tired and just wanted to go to bed. I was trying to keep Maya sitting still, and keep Hayden out of people's way, when a woman suddenly yelled at me, "HEY WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!!" I said, "Me?" and she yelled, "YES, YOU! CAN'T YOU KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR CHILDREN?" I had no idea what I had done to get this kind of reaction for someone. I started sobbing right then and there. I felt so ridiculous. She patted me on the back and said, "sorry", but the damage had been done. I was crying the whole rest of my shopping trip and pretty much the rest of the night.

Last night, I kept thinking how most people are really only concerned with themselves when it comes down to it. The first kind act of the woman who gave me $10, was so shocking to me because how often do strangers do that kind of thing? NEVER! I can't help but think how the kind act lightened my load, and the rude one made me feel that I was carrying more than I could handle. I wish I could thank the Tai Pan lady again and let her know that there needs to be more people in the world like her!