Happy birthday to me!

This year I had a fantastic birthday.  I asked Jon for just one thing, a day off.  He agreed so my birthday started the night before when Jon slept on a cot in James' room and I got to sleep through the night for the first time since Jamie was born.  It was Ah-mazing!  Then Jon stayed home from work to watch the kids and I joined mom for a Mani-Pedi.  Then I went clothes shopping with the money my grandparents sent me and got a haircut, all kid free!  After all that, mom watched the kids for us while we had lunch out.  We went to Outback and had a great lunch.  Later that evening, Mom took the kids again so that Jon and I could go out to see a movie.  We saw "Divergent" which was very good.  We finished the night at Red Robin where we got dessert.  I had such a wonderful time and it was exactly what I wanted.

Baptism dress

My Fantastic, Funny, Daring, Strong, Artistic, Athletic, Sweet, Amazing daughter is about to turn 8. In our religion this means she can be baptized if she likes. She has chosen to be baptized on her birthday this year and I am so proud of her. To celebrate this event, Mom and I made her a beautiful white dress for her to wear after her baptism, to symbolize being clean and without sin. Today I got her all dolled up and we did a photoshoot in her new dress. I love this vivacious little firecracker of a girl!

Smile hunting and pinterest hair

Today I tried to catch James in the act of smiling.  I got a few good ones.  I also convinced Ella to let me try out a braid I saw online.  I want to do it for her baptism, but she said it "hurts too much" so I guess I have to think of something else.  At least it looks ok for a first try.

Lawn mowing

Today Jon mowed our new .47 acre lawn for the first time.  His thoughts.... that is a lot of lawn!  i am so glad to be blessed with so much space for the kids to play, such a big change from our postage stamp sized lawn at the townhouse!

Bumbo Baby

We didn't have a bumbo baby seat for either of the big kids when they were babies, but a friend gave us her old one for James and it has been great this week for James while I am making dinner.

Piano recital, bo staff, and selfies with mommy

Today Ella had her piano recital.  She did a fantastic job playing "little Indian brave" and "Do you want to build a snowman" even though she wasn't feeling well.  Later that afternoon I caught Jon exercising in the back yard with his bo staff.  And lastly, selfies with my baby boy.