Fishy, fishy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Summer has arrived, we are officially boiling which means its time to go SWIMMIN'. The girls love it and even Blake enjoys putterin' around in his little floaty. I do great for about 30 minutes then start to get cold (sad isnt it -- it can be 110+ outside and I get cold).

Parental induced confusion

I've decided that its a good thing Blake is our 3rd born. Had he been our first, he'd never have gotten to play with a lot of the toys he has now. Luckily we've become a lot less rigid in our gender stereotypes as we've gotten older (or lazier). Poor kid is always stuck playing with his sisters toys. I realized something was a bit off as I watched him gnaw on Barbies foot! I find that when ever he needs a toy, I'll just grab whatever is around. He loves to chew on Polly pocket dresses, slobber on Tony's extra keyboard, and chew on one of Aliya's ever popular foam necklaces that she likes to make. Last week we forgot a blanket to lay him on at church, so there he was, laying on Taeya's frilly pink girl blanket, chompin on a necklace. Oh boy, if he grows up confused, we'll know where it all began!

Tae's Special Day

A while ago I asked Taeya if she'd rather have a party with her friends here or celebrate it in Utah next month with her cousins. Cute kid chose her cousins. Tony was in Kentucky for Tae's birthday so we did nothing to celebrate it. I told her we could plan a special day where we would do whatever she wanted. Taeya decided she wanted her friend Kate to come with us (I was excited about it because my girls usually behave much better if someone else is with us). So yesterday Tae got to play hookie from Summer school and we celebrated her special day. We went and watched "Shrek III" in the theatre with all sorts of yummy goodies. Blake did really good. I think he is going to be a TV watcher. Afterwards, Taeya wanted to go to McDonalds (yuck) for lunch. We then came home, the girls played forever, watched some "High School Musical 2" and then did a craft. Easy day for me, fun day for them, nothing could be better!

Big S-I-X!

I cant believe my first baby is six today. She is so excited for her birthday and loves to tell everyone she is turning s-i-x. Taeya is such a fantastic kiddo. I am so lucky to be her mom. She makes my life so much easier.

Here are just six of the reasons why I love her:

1. Taeya is a terrific big sister. She is so good to entertain Aliya or keep Blake happy. When Aliya was rear facing in her car seat, Tae sat right next to her and would hold her hand anytime they were in the car. It always made me smile to find them both asleep still holding hands. If I would let her, Tae would happily take over my mommy duties. She is a huge helper and I am so thankful that she wants to help.

2. She is brilliant (yes, all parents think this but she is, I promise) and loves school. The kid will read for hours as long as someone will listen! I think she has Tony's natural tendency towards learning. 

3. She has this creative side that we know didn't come from Tony or I (it comes from both Grandpas). Give that kid some glue, scissors and paper and she'll entertain herself for hours on end. Taeya loves to think up new craft projects for her and Aliya. She has said she wants to be an author and illustrator and I know she can do it!

4. Taeya also has quite the personality. Throughout the years she has entertained us with her various outfits. My favorite so far has to be when she put a pair of underwear on her head and said, "Look Mom, I'm an astronaut". Yep, she was an ass-tronaut! The kid is notorious for her fun goggles too.

5. Tae loves the outdoors and every type of animal (definitely doesn't get that from me). Any time we see a dog she immediately asks if she can pet it. Thanks to her Papa & Grandma she has developed a deep love for horses. She said she might want to barrel race when she gets older. Looks like she needs to be spending summers in UT!

6. Another thing I love about Taeya is that she wants to do what is right. She is very obedient and works hard to be a good kid. When we went to Disneyland we were on a ride that she had already ridden once and didnt want to do again. We talked her into going and you could tell she was pretty scared. I told her some of the things I'd do when I got scared. Afterwards, I asked how it went and she said "good, I said a prayer and felt much better". 

Taeya is lucky enough to share her birthday with her Great-Grandpa Harker and Grandma Nette-Nette. Happy Birthday! We love you all!

Summertime!

It is officially starting to feel like summer here in Phoenix! I don't mind the heat (yet) and so far haven't experienced anything too hot for me. My only concern/gripe about the heat is old Blakers. I figure the girls can move around enough in their car seats to somewhat cool off but poor Blake is strapped in so tight, there is no hope of a breeze. The other day when we took my Mom to the airport, it wasn't too hot outside (low 100's). Once we got home and I pulled the kid out of his car seat, I noticed his hair was sopping wet. As you can see from the picture, he left a GINORMOUS sweat puddle in his car seat. I've got most of the back vents aimed at him but those car seats are awful. He should be in a car seat that is left in the car but I've kept him in his infant car seat figuring that its got to be cooler because I can bring it in with us. Guess not! Any advice on how to protect my cute little man from sweating to death?

Grandma's Visit

My Mom just left after being here for a week. We had so much fun. The kids always love it when people come to visit and Grandma spoiled all of us. We didn't do a whole lot in terms of sight seeing or activities but that was fine with us. We mostly stayed around home and played. We did the obligatory duck feeding and went out to lunch almost every day. Tony and I got in two great dates: one monster long date to the temple and dinner (it takes us almost an hour to get to the temple) and one to watch a movie (we saw the new Indiana Jones movie and sad to say but neither of us liked it. Guess we're nostalgic for the old Indiana Jones movies).

I don't know who will miss her more, the kids or adults. I am going to miss all the help she gave with the kiddos, stimulating adult conversation at any time of day and just having her here. Tony is for sure going to miss giving her a hard time and her cooking. I've tried again and again but I cannot make her lasagna (which he loves). Tae is going to miss the countless hours Grandma listened to her read. I don't know what it is about Grandma's but they the patience of a saint. Aliya will miss having Grandma play Polly's and Barbies. That kid can be so happy and nice, especially when she is getting 100% of someones attention. Lastly, Blake is going to miss having someone to protect him from his sissies. He got spoiled rotten by always being held and loved. Guess it'll take all my kids a couple days to get used to not being played with or listened to. They'll survive though, they always do. Thanks for a terrific visit Mom!

HELP!!!

Okay fellow bloggin' Mommies, I need advice. My sweet little Blake, who has been sleeping 7 to 7 for the last couple months, has been waking up dreadfully early, bright eyed and ready to start the day. We all know I am a bear in the morning and consider 8 a.m. to be plenty early -- any advice on how to keep him asleep longer? He's been waking up at around 4 and has leaked through his diaper. I've started doubling up on diapers which has helped with leaks but he is still getting up at around 5:30. Little turkey just talks and smiles. If I wasnt so cold-hearted in the morning I would love how cute he's acting (if he could just hold out till 8 then I'd play with him and love it).

Dancin' Queen

On Friday, Aliya had her very first dance recital. It was quite the experience. There were four ballet classes of little girls 3-5 years old. Needless to say, no one really knew what they were doing. It had been 10 days since their last class so they had all forgotten anything they had practiced. They all just watched the teacher the whole time (as you can see from the video clip -- if I can ever get it up and working). Aliya had more fun dancin' in the background while the other classes were performing than during her own song. My mom is here for a week so she was able to enjoy Liyas first dance recital.

Here is my vent of the week: Their outfits were atrocious! Who picks royal blue for a bunch of little girls? Aliya kept saying "I like pink, not blue".  Besides the yucky color, it was horribly itchy! For $25 I was hoping it'd be an outfit she could at least play dress up in. 

Oh Aliya!!!

Last night at about 10:00 Aliya starts crying. Tony, being a good Daddy, runs up to check on her. He then calls down to ask what me she's got on her face. Me, being the mean Mommy, grabs the camera and heads on up. The kid was covered in blue eyeshadow/lipstick. Between being half asleep, wild and crazy bed-hair and being covered in blue makeup, she looked like Jim Morrison on crack. I immediately burst out laughing which caused her to cry louder. Eventually Tony kicked me out of the bathroom because my laughing and picture taking was not making things any easier. Aliya is definitely going to be the child that keeps up on our toes!

Fruit Pizza

My cute girls wanted to do something special for their Daddy (why is it they never want to do anything special for me? -- probably because I never do fun stuff with them). We decided to make him a fruit pizza. They had so much fun. What could be better than an enormous sugar cookie covered in cream cheese frosting topped with fresh fruit? The cookie spread off my stone and made a gigantic mess but tasted great. I thought they did a great job and were very methodical in their decorating. Guess all those crafts we do are coming in handy! Blake loved the raspberries. Crazy kid hates cereal and any mashed fruit or veggie we give him but he loves fresh raspberries. Get ready to order three bowls of raspberries on our next cruise Papa Bruce!