Eating Watermelon

As you all know Kayla has always given us grief when it comes to food. We've been working with her since she was 4 months old. At times we've had success, but usually it has felt like take one step forward two steps back. Only occasionally making any progress at all. This last month has been a whole different story. She's now eating carrots and apples with no coersion at all. She has developed a new like for strawberries and watermelon. She finally learned to eat taco salad-everything together, even meat, even olives. She also decided rice is really good. I could continue, but I think you get the idea. We are so proud of her for finally being willing to try new foods.

Allie has always been our eater. She loves most any fruits and vegetables. Our main issue with her has been meat. She liked ham, but that was it. Now she will eat turkey, some chicken, and even some ground beef. Dinner time is getting to be fun and not a continuous battle. YES!!!

After years of wanting to put the girls in swimming lessons but knowing Kayla would flip out if water touched her face, we are officially in swimming lessons. We spent a lot of time preparing Kayla for this day, and it worked. She is loving it and learning so fast. Allie thinks she's Ariel so she has no problems with the water. She's totally fearless to the point I get a little afraid.

Hi Mom! Look at me!

Kayla jumping in the water. Did you know you can do that and not get your hair wet? She blew bubbles underwater, but even then only her mouth went under. The only time her head got totally wet is when she slipped climbing OUT of the water and fell under. But she's learning and now she doesn't mind it when she gets splashed.

Allie swimming around.

Playing red light green light to practice kicking.

Kayla learning to float on her back.

Playing red light green light too.

The girls are having a blast. Yesterday we went as a family swimming in the afternoon so they could show us what they're learning. Kayla has gotten really good at floating on her back. She was loving going from one side of the pool to the other. Allie LOVES jumping in the water. You have to be ready, cuz she's coming regardless. Then she thought it was fun to swim to us. Only she sometimes would forget to tell us she was coming. Kids...

Father's Day

We made Daddy breakfast in bed for Father's Day. Since he was working nights it wasn't until 3 in the afternoon. The girls were so excited to get to make Daddy pancakes. They wanted to be the ones to carry everything down the hall. Seconds after this picture was taken, Allie dropped the syrup on the floor. The lid opened and sticky sweetness started pouring out. Kayla leaned forward to look, and the milk fell to the floor as well. Too many helpers...
YUMMY!!!

Kayla made Daddy a very cute card.

Allie made Daddy one with lots of people on it.

Allie also made Dad a card at church with a coupon for a big hug inside.

The girls gave Daddy a t-shirt, but we thought it would be fun to have Daddy help us put the hand prints on it.

We love you! Thanks for all you do for us and all the support you give to us. I am so grateful you are the father of my children.

Thank you to all our father's out there. You are wonderful!

Treats

Allie-"One time, Harrison (Amy's dog) got a treat after he went poop. I went poop; so now I want a treat."

Wet n' Wild Pool Party

After so many days of rain, we finally had a few hours of sun just in time for the girls' unbirthday party. We hauled out the pool and sprinkler for the kids to play with.
First we started with a game of tag called Shark. Daddy was the shark, and he ran and "ate" a fish.
The shark grew until there was only one "fish" left trying to keep away from everybody.

The girls were then ready to get wet. They decided to get in the center of the sprinkler as it got turned on. Then they ran at full speed and jumped into the pool.

I'm glad we got the big pool. It was perfect size for all the kids.

They had a blast even though it was a slight bit cool for swimming.

When they were ready for a break, Allie and Kayla opened their presents. They got some fun things. Thank you everybody.

I threw together this pool cake that morning. I had planned something fancier, but this was all I was up to doing. Oh well, the kids loved the edible decorations. BTW did you know gummies will melt-completely-in 75 degree weather.

Blowing out the candles. Everybody had to huddle around to keep the wind that was starting from blowing them out.

YUMMY! Kaybree, Kayla, Alyssa, Sienna, Natalie, Sarah, and Allie.

Kayla, Sienna, and Kaybree digging for buried treasure.

It's finally happened

Nate came home with a new schedule for work. It starts in July and goes through the end of time-okay maybe a slight exaggeration. He is now and forever scheduled for straight days Monday through Friday 10 hours a day. He will be home by 5:00 in the evenings. What will I ever do? I can't imagine actually serving dinner and then having some family time before putting the kids in bed. I can vaguely remember what it was like to have a husband available every Sunday for church. It has only been since he worked at Meadow Gold that he never worked on Sundays. I LOVE IT!

The Best Thing About Rain

Aren't rainbows just beautiful?

SPOILED ROTTEN

That's really the best way to describe my husband.

Apparently having a TV (giant 19 inch) that can only be seen faintly with the lights off and not at all in daylight wasn't working for Nathan. He felt a great desire to go out and buy a better one. I finally agreed and started looking for a good deal.

Well, I'm pretty sure we got an awesome deal on this 42 inch Panasonic plasma television. It is a lot bigger than I ever wanted, but I guess he deserves a nice TV. We actually price matched at RC Willey and were able to get a free vacation-3 day 2 nights at one of 28 locations by buying the TV and TV stand there. I love bargain shopping.

Our wonderful home teachers who just happened to be coming tonight anyway helped haul the new TV stand in and take the old one to the basement. I think we're going to try and sell it rather than store for who knows how many years it takes us to finish the basement completely.

We're not sure about whether the TV should be on the stand or if we need to mount it on the wall. Either way, I'm loving the fact it is high enough that little kids can't stand right in front of it and cover the screen with fingerprints. (Not that MY kids would ever do that.)

Amy's Bridal Shower

Saturday was Amy's bridal shower. I think it turned out really well-maybe I'm not the one to say, but it looked like everybody really enjoyed themselves.

We planned to do it in Amy's backyard-I didn't figure people would come if I held it at my house, and Mom and Dad's backyard has been undergoing a lot of change. However the weather did not cooperate. We reserved the church Thursday, but then realized we could do it in her basement family room now that it's finished (upstairs front room isn't big enough). Then I realized Grandma Miles can't do that many stairs. After much dilemma (Amy was hoping to show off her house before it gets sold), Amy decided we should do it in her bedroom. Weird-sure, but after moving the bed downstairs it worked great.

I printed off clocks of all different times. Then they were taped to the chairs, and when it was your turn you had to say that many things about yourself. Ex. 3:00=3 things

Next we'd come up with a bunch of multiple choice questions to help people get to know Amy and Tyler better. I stapled the questions to a piece of candy. If they got the question right, they got to eat the candy. If they were wrong, well-they still got to eat the candy. It was really fun and brought out some of the more humorous aspects of Amy and Tyler's relationship that people may or may not have know. Ex. Tyler and Amy first kissed during which movie A) A Walk in the Clouds B) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles C) Marley and Me D) Bed of Roses

The girls and I had 7 am, and our gift was this cool towel cake. I couldn't wait to give it to her so I brought her in early to see it.

She seems to like it.

We were playing another game where people were supposed to guess what gifts might be given out at each time, and then I had prizes for whoever got the most correct within an hour. However being the brilliant person I am, I totally spaced it on finding out who had the most correct. Oh well, at least they all got to keep their notepad.

Mom got Amy Fiesta ware (sp.?) dishes. orange, red, yellow, and aqua complete with salt and pepper shakers and two extra serving bowls. Very cool!

Tyler's mom and sisters got Amy these three chairs to use at her island. They match the table and chair set she hopes to get someday.

We rounded the day off at midnight with a few little naughty and nice things from Angela that made Amy change colors.

We finished the shower with fondue, and then everybody got their own swiss roll to take home with them.

Oh, and the answer is B) Teenage Mutan Ninja Turtles.

Go figure!

Happy Unbirthday to You

As you all know we like to celebrate the girls' birthdays in June rather than December. Since I was coming for Amy's shower we decided to do it a week early so we can work around the house next week.
It ended up being a My Little Pony Party by coincidence. The girls had a blast, and they are loving their new toys.
Grandma and Papa gave Allie this darling flip book. She hasn't put it down without a fight since (I refuse to let her take it to the bathroom). She even talks to the little girl about wearing such funny outfits.

Grandma also gave the girls these cute bows and flowers. Perfect since my two little princess have to wear one every single day.

We got Kayla a Hannah Montana MP3 player. She was more than a little excited. I thought maybe I'd finally be able to listen to music on the drive home, but I was politely asked to turn mine off. She couldn't hear hers.

My birthday present was Photoshop, and I used it to make the girls each a digital scrapbook of our trip to Disneyland. They are similar but unique. It was a ton of fun and work to get them done without letting the girls know. When they finally came in the mail two weeks ago, it was all I could do to keep from showing the girls right then.

I LOVE this reaction-makes it totally worth all the effort.

Kayla poured through every page. Allie flipped through quickly, and then she returned to her princess book. Oh well, maybe someday she'll appreciate it.

I didn't have time to make double cakes; so Allie got to pick hers out at Walmart. She insisted on this extremely chocolate one.

I made the GF cake for Kayla and tried out the coloring bought for Amy's wedding cake-a little on the blue side.

The girls say thank you!

Who is That?

Thursday, Kayla and I stopped by to see Terra and get our hair cut. Kayla was ready for a change. I was a little hesitant, but I love it! She loves it! Everybody loves it! Except...she looks way to grown up.

Kayla's Butterfly/Flower Room

Kayla knew we were going to surprise Allie with the princess bedding, but what she didn't know is that we had a surprise in store for her too.
I got this net for free from redcats a while back, and we finally decided she should be old enough to leave it alone. She loved it. Allie would never leave these flowers alone, and so we're happy to be able to hang them again. Finally, in both rooms, I added the girl's names with big sticker letters (I even got to play with Nate's laser level). They love having their names on the wall.

We gave Kayla the smaller book shelf that we'll now work on filling with a little bit older style of books. I've got a box in the basement from my childhood I'm hoping to go through next week.

Kayla was so happy to find her glass slipper from Disneyland on her dresser. I hope it can withstand all the love...

The one new thing we bought in Kayla's room was a shoe rack. She was so happy to finally have room (the girls were sharing one) that she couldn't wait to show Sienna as soon as she came to play.

I love it!

But Nate and I were wondering while we were decorating the girls' rooms shouldn't somebody be doing ours...Isn't that how trading spaces works?