Bear Lake Girls' Weekend

Last weekend was spent with three of the most wonderful women I know.  My sister-in-law, Audra, planned an outing to Bear Lake for the Green girls.  It was wonderful. We relaxed in the condo, ate whatever we wanted, went for runs, played at the beach, walked to and from town, and watched plenty of sappy, love flicks.

It's getting more difficult to travel without kids these days so as a compromise for allowing me to go, I took the babies along with me.  They were perfect little travelers and didn't mind sleeping in their pack 'n plays in the large master bathroom.  I missed the big kids and couldn't help but think they'd love to be there with me.  Maybe we'll make it a family trip someday.

Eloise snuggles with Auntie Lala

Bathing Beauties

Our First Chores

It was a day of cleaning splendor.  My hair was up in a messy bun, grown-out bangs too short for my pony-tail stuck to my sweaty forehead.  I had just cleaned the kids' room for the umpteenth time and then it hit me, like a ton of bricks except less painful.  The kids need chores! It's time!

I decided to consult one of my best friends, Pinterest, and I found this idea.  Chore sticks.  We ran to Hobby Lobby and my mind raced with creative ideas on how to make it happen.  I picked up some mason jars, some craft sticks, a little glitter and voila!  My kids are excited to turn over their sticks each time they finish a chore.  And better yet, they have "special" chores that when finished, they get paid for. 

It's been a week and so far I'm nagging much less and finding much less resistance when I ask for chores to be done.  It must be the officiality of it all.  Now that their chores are written on sticks and they have their own jars, they know it needs to be done. 

Growing up my mom tried many different chore charts and methods to get us all to pitch in.  I'm sure we still complained and didn't always do our chores (evidence being the Mom Strike of 1997 and the resulting lock-out of the kids' bathroom.  We had to clean it or use the port-o-potty across the street for the construction workers) but we learned how to clean and the importance of helping each other manage the household duties.  I love my mom and dad for teaching these things and I hope I can help my kids become productive and helpful citizens of society.

11 Months, and no more.

I am NOT OK with the fact that my babies will be one year next month.  Just as everyone said, the first year goes by alarmingly fast.  I wouldn't say it was a blur of exhaustion, though.  I relished every moment and especially loved that I got to spend most of it with my love, hand in hand, raising our doublettes.  His unemployment was a blessing in disguise and I truly believe Heavenly Father was watching over us every step of the way.  Getting through most of their first year together was like dessert at the end of a really long, hard day. 

Not much has changed in the way of milestones but they are mimicking sounds and words and I'm amazed at how smart babies are.  Not just MY babies, but babies in general--their little brains are like sponges, just sucking up information left and right.

Pearly

Beauties with their first ponies

Pearly playing with big brother.

They are always right next to (or on top of) each other. Precious.

Eloise

Pearl

Eloise and her "Oh!" face

Princess Sophie

Ah, Sophie. She's one sassy-pants princess!  Boy was she excited to be invited to a real princess tea party this month.  Our cute neighbor turned five and her parents threw a darling garden party in their back yard.  Sophie dressed in her favorite princess dress from Mimi, threw on her Rapunzel wig, and a few accessories--because what's an outfit without the perfect accessories?!  She looked perfect and was thrilled to give her friend the Rapunzel treasure box she found...and really wanted to keep.  Those princess shoes were pretty, but slightly difficult to walk in so Mommy carried her across the street to the party.  She had a ball.