Be Brave Like the Firemen

Brylie's preschool class took a field trip to the Fire Station and Beckam and I got to tag along. It was so fun seeing the sea of little red hats and watching the kids take it all in.

Now Brylie keeps saying she wants to be brave like the firemen are. She also is our little fire safety know it all and is constantly reminding us what we should do in a fire. I'm glad she was listening while I chased Beckam around.

*Fun Fact - There is a difference between a fire truck and a fire engine. A fire engine is the one with the big attached ladder on top. A fire truck is the one that has the little ladders.*

Lesson Learned # 47,836

(My Party Planners)

This morning I left the kids alone downstairs for a bit and after a couple of minutes Brylie yelled upstairs that they (her and Beckam) were getting a birthday party ready for me. A couple minutes later she yelled to not come downstairs because they were still getting the party ready. I honestly thought nothing of it and thought it was a cute idea. I had no idea what they were using for "decorations" but I figured it must be paper Brylie had already colored on or pictures from a coloring book. When I was ready to go downstairs Brylie told me to close my eyes so I would be surprised. I told her it wasn't safe to walk downstairs with your eyes closed but I would close them before I saw anything. As I rounded the landing of the stairs I didn't get a chance to close my eyes before I got my first peek at what the decorations were made of. The decorations were courtesy of...

This is a pattern I was planning on using to make Brylie a dress. As I looked around my decorated kitchen and family room all I could do was laugh and laugh and laugh and tell Brylie that for the next party lets leave Mommy's stuff alone.

Lesson Learned: No matter how many times the kids have left stuff alone, or how deeply you have something buried in a pile, the kids will find the one thing you wish they wouldn't and find a way to have fun with it that is often destructive. But hey, at least I got a party out of it.

Photo Fun

I'm loving that Brylie is becoming a more willing picture participant. It's been a long time coming after the year and a half of her not wanting to take pictures at all. Now I just have to work on Beckam.

(Daddy had her make this face)

We Made It

As parents, there has been a day Brandon and I have been looking forward to and longing for. A day when we would once again be able to listen to our church lessons, get something from the lesson, and no longer be fixtures on the couches in the lobby. This past Sunday that day came and Sunday school was oh so enjoyed. Beckam is now in nursery!! He is the blessed age of 18 months and has his own class to go to with kids his own age. He gets to play and be as loud as he wants to be without Brandon or I shushing him or trying to keep him quiet. He gets to run around as much as he wants and do what kids do for two hours. I'm sure he has been bored in the adult classes for at least the last six months but he doesn't have to go to them anymore. And Brandon and I get to go to our classes now just us and relax in the knowledge it's not our kid screaming in the back of the room.

Family Valentine's Weekend

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday this year, and it's kind of hard to do surprises when the person you're trying to surprise is home, our family started Valentine's on Friday. The kids and I made some little hearts and signs for Brandon that we hung up on our bedroom door and over our bed. We were going to do a couple of other things, but Brandon foiled those plans by coming home a bit early from work.

After Brandon got home and looked over his surprise we headed to dinner at the Mayan, one of Brylie's favorite places to eat (for the entertainment not the food). Saturday Brandon and I had plans to go out but life happens and we weren't able to. I did get some nice flowers, candy, and an arm band for my ipod. Brandon and I got the kids little gifts and I spread Brandon's presents (a movie, candy holder, and coupon book) over a couple of days (hence Valentine's Weekend).

All in all it turned out to be a good holiday!

Happy Day!

I just heard In-N-Out is coming to Northern Utah at a location within reasonable distance to my house. I have been waiting for this day for so long and will no longer have to wait until I go to St. George or Las Vegas to eat there. Oh the things that make me happy!!

Early Valentine's Fun

With Brylie's preschool Valentine's day party being Wednesday I got the opportunity to put some valentines together a little early. Gotta love easy teacher gifts (and some extras for family)...

And these cuties went with Brylie for her preschool friends.

I'm glad she only has eight in her class. Now on to get the real Valentine's Day stuff done!

Little Joys

I am a sucker for my kids smiles and the sound of their laughter. I know I shouldn't be encouraging jumping on the bed, but when they are having so much fun, Beckam learning a new skill, and we're all laughing, I just can't say no.

Also Brylie has been having fun with all the "decorative" pillows from my bed. They made a great dog house and swimming pool for all of her stuffed animals.

See Brandon we did need all of those pillows and they don't just take up space.

Don't Recommend

In this time of resolutions and possibly wanting to lose a few pounds, if you were planning on using the flu (just regular not stomach) to help with the weight lose plan I say DON'T! I went through five days of the flu a little over a week ago and despite having no appetite and eating next to nothing, much to my dismay I lost no weight. I think if you go through all the mess of being so sick you should at least have a few less pounds on your body to show for it. Also having the flu as a mom can only be accomplished if the following are in order:

1. Kids entertain themselves and let you lie around for the one day you have to have them by yourself.

2. Hand sanitizer located strategically around the house with your three year old joining in with putting it all over her hands and arms when possible and even when you don't know.

3. A comfy chair that only you fit in so kids can't come and cuddle by your germy self

4. Family who is willing to watch your kids for a couple of hours

5. The most awesome husband ever (for a nominal fee I'll consider renting you mine) who on his day off during the week takes care of the kids so you can sleep all day, runs to the store twice in an hour to get you medicine, who takes the kids as soon as he walks through the door from his busy work day and waits on you hand and foot, who takes the kids all day Saturday so you can sleep again, and doesn't complain once about all of this or vocally express how he wants you to get better so he can have his life back. (I love, love, love my husband!!!)

Thank goodness it's all over now and with getting sick twice in January I'm hoping I'm done for the winter. Also, catching up from being out of it has proved to be quite the challenge!! I hope to get everything back on track soon. Well maybe after I conquer all the fun of Valentine's Day.