Arise and Shine Forth....Gameshow Edition

A few weeks ago, the Beehive class made a "movie" for an activity, based on this year's theme for the youth of "Arise and Shine Forth."  They chose to do a gameshow style fit for the theme. For tonight's activity we will be viewing the movie, and enjoying a few laughs I'm sure.

Today I.....

*resisted the urge to be mad at Erica while trying to get her ready and out the door on time
*resisted the urge to be annoyed with annoying patients who were being annoying
*resisted the urge to pull all my hair out when, after a full eight-hour work-day, while I was changing the fourth poopy diaper of the day, I discovered a trail of poop all over the carpet
*resisted the urge to complain when I was putting dinner on the table, doing the dishes after dinner, sweeping the floor, and throwing in a load of laundry
*resisted the urge to fall asleep during the song practice of our quartet The Serenades


I'm going to bed now.....

PS....Thanks for the help today, Eric! I couldn't have made it through without you!!!

Eight is Great

Today my angel girl Elise turned eight years old!

We celebrated with a yummy coconut cake.

The figurine on top was so sweet and reminded me of our little sweetheart!

She loved it when we lit the candle!

Erica was a big "helper" in opening presents! She was just as excited about all of Elise's presents as Elise was!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

We love you so much and are so blessed to have you in our family!!!

Pinewood Derby

Last night we had a combined activity with the Young Men and Young Women of our Ward to compete in a Pinewood Derby.  All the youth and their leaders were encouraged to make a Pinewood Derby car to race.  Heidi and I decided that we definitely needed to put in a good showing for this event, so we worked diligently on our cars!

All the cars are lined up, labeled, and ready to race!

Waiting for the race to start!

Erica had to be right on the front line with a good view!

Of course, Eric completed the real magic of our cars.  We each designed our own cars, then he cut them both out, adjusted the weights, and fine-tuned the wheels.  He really has it down to a science now!  Heidi and I enjoyed being the design-masters, though!

 

Heidi's car was dubbed "Clifford." He ran some incredible races, not losing a single one!  She ended up winning first overall, and was awarded the "Most Imaginative!"

My hot little number didn't do so bad either!  She only lost one race, when she was pitted against Heidi's Clifford!  Hot Mamma won third place overall, and was awarded the "Best Paint Job!"

We had so much fun doing this activity!  Thanks to Eric for helping us sweep up the trophies!

A few days ago....

Me: Erica, stop playing with your feet.....they're stinky.

Erica: (grabs her bare foot and pulls it up to her nose, like only a three-year-old can) Eeeeew! It smells like Ethan!!!  [pronounced E-fun, of course]

This just makes me happy.....

There is nothing like The Turtles and a few beautiful cellos to make me smile! I was thinking about my Super-Talented-Musician-and-Everything-Else sister Lissa when I saw this. I miss you, Lissa!

This about sums up the last few weeks....

Need I say more?

:)

Heidi's Sweet Sixteen

It has finally happened.....every teenage girl's dream and her parents' worst nightmare.....

Heidi is SIXTEEN!!!

It actually isn't my worst nightmare, I am only being dramatic, but this year was a tough one to wrap my mind and emotions around, as a mother.  I find myself vascillating between both excitement for this new venture of DATING and apprehension for this new venture of DATING.  

After all, I was sixteen once. (My poor, poor parents....)

Since this is such a momentous year for Heidi, we decided to throw her an extra special birthday party.  Last weekend I took her and several of her friends to a near-by hotel, where they swam in the pool, watched movies, ate untold amounts of junk food, gave each other makeovers, and stayed up most of the night gabbing.  They had a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed spending time with them.

On her actual birthday, Eric took her out on her very first date to a sushi restaurant.  Those two love sushi!  When they got home, she was greeted with some beautiful flowers, presents, and, of course, her birthday cake!

For her cake, Heidi chose a chocolate cake with raspberry filling.  I frosted it with a chocolate mousse icing, and topped it with an arrangement of her favorite flower, red roses.

This girl is so special to me.  Words can't even express how proud I am of her, the choices she is making, and the woman she is becoming.  She is a compassionate friend, a responsible student, a loving sister, and a good example to her parents at all times.

We love you so much, Heidi!!!