March's Mayhem

Here's the quick recap of the other events that took place in March...

{...SWEET LITTLE BABY FACE...}

Why do we feel the need to take so many pictures of babies when they are young? I don't know, but I'm extremely guilty of it.

{...ARTSY FARTSY...}

Shaylyn is a great artist and shows such great promise. Here's a look at one of her first art assignments for a class in school. They worked on drawing pictures using a grid on the original. She hadn't quite finished the assignment when I took the picture, but it still looks good.

{...SO SLEEPY...}

I love watching babies sleep...no matter how old the baby is. Plus, sometimes you get some awesome pictures.

{...ZOOTOPIA...}

On a bit of a whim, we decided to take the kids to see the new movie, Zootopia. The kids all enjoyed it and Zach made it super easy on us and slept through the whole thing.

{...BIG SISTER SNUGGLES...}

If there's one good thing I can say about the age of selfies, it's that Shaylyn is good at taking some with her siblings. I wouldn't get some of these moments without her.

{...HE MAKES IT LOOK COOL...}

Shaylyn got a pair of costume glasses for a decades dance she went to at school. Since then the little kids have found it fun to put them on. Gotta say, Jace looks pretty cool with them on.

{...BROTHERLY LOVE...}

Sometimes Jace enjoys being with his brother...

{...DOWNSIDE OF THE DIGITAL AGE...}

And here's the downside of kids in a digital age. You find all sorts of fun things on your camera when you let the kids borrow your phone...

 

What Happens Next...

5 Super Monsters

On June 19th Eric took the day off and his parents treated us and the kids to the new Superman movie. It was kind of weird that we went as a whole family, but our boys are totally into superheroes, Ailey's been a fan of superheroes since she plays with Nathaniel most of the time, Shaylyn kind of likes certain superheroes and ever since Smallville - I've been a fan of Superman.

This movie was pretty good. I don't know who the actor is that played Superman is, but he did a good job. The story line was just a little too everywhere to really get into it. That being said, the kids did great. We only had to tell Nate to be quiet a few times and Ailey slept through the majority of the movie.

Before we went into the movie, however, we ran across the cardboard cut-out head in the hole thing for Monster's University. I wasn't going to have the kids do it, but Shaylyn ran back there before we could stop her and then everyone else wanted a turn. Thankfully we had time and the kids took turns quickly and there wasn't anyone else around. I was also glad I had my phone - though I don't like the size of pictures my phone gives me.

Anyway, here are our 5 Super Monsters all ready and enrolled in Monster's University. (They all have their student ID's to prove it now.)

What Happens Next...

Cute Girls Hairstyles And Oz

For any of you that REALLY know me, you know I'm somewhat anal about having the girls hair done when we go places. If we're at home or I don't feel great, all bets are off. However, I make darn well sure that if we're going to be in public, hair gets done!

I love my Mom, I really, really do - but hair was never big on her to-do list for us. So I pretty much hate all pictures of my childhood cause I look like an orphan. I didn't want that with my girls, but finding a new do for every single day proved difficult at times.

Then, a few years ago, one of my good friends from school, Jenn - started up a hair blog. I followed her daily and she had links to so many other hair blogs and I was good to go. Because of Jenn's blog I happened across Cute Girls Hairstyles. Love her blog!

Well since then Facebook has become huge and Mindy's done a lot of videos on YouTube and being the more visual learner that I am, I followed her YouTube page and her Facebook page. Towards the end of February she posted that she had rented out a theater to see the new Oz movie that was coming out. She was even able to get a showing the night before it 'technically' opened. It was a sort of meet and greet and to be entered you just had to sign up for her newsletter.

I debated about entering. I knew that they live out in the same county I do, so the show would be at a close theater, but it was the Meet & Greet I wasn't so sure about. Being the shy person I was, I wasn't sure I was going to be comfortable meeting her and talking to her. There was also the issue of crowds. I'm not a fan of crowds.

After thinking about it though, I decided it'd be a neat experience for Shaylyn and I if we actually got tickets, so I entered. I was anxiously waiting for an email the day she said she'd send emails to the 'winners'. I wasn't getting it, wasn't getting it. Then around 6:00 at night when I had pretty much figured we hadn't been picked, I got an email.

I was actually excited and Shaylyn got excited when I told her. Eric was less excited. I was going to see a movie he wanted to see without him and he'd have to watch the other kids. HAHAHA!

On March 7th, Shaylyn and I headed to the theater and my nerves weren't as bad as I thought they'd might be. There was a crowd, but it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated either. We got our tickets and then got it line to get pictures with Mindy and her girls. Luckily for me there really wasn't a lot of time to chit-chat, so I worried about that for nothing. I did make sure to say thanks for the opportunity and the girl standing next to me, Brooklyn, actually noticed something Shaylyn was wearing (handmade) and asked her if she made it using some sort of something. Shaylyn knew what she was talking about and they chatted about that for a minute. I thought that was pretty cool.

After the Meet and Greet, Shaylyn and I grabbed some food, ate and then went and waited in line to get seated in the theater. I was so happy about our seats. We were in the front row of the upper level. We had no one in front of us, which meant plenty of leg space.

RadioDisney was also there and kept the audience entertained while we waited for the gang of CuteGirlHairstyles to finish up the Meet & Greet and for the movie to start. They had the audience do all sorts of dances and stuff and Shaylyn really had a fun time. She got a Wreck-It Ralph door hanger for her room just for having a CuteGirlHairstyle that night. She could've got more prizes, but she didn't dare go down to the bottom and dance around. We also didn't win any of the cool giveaway prizes that CuteGirlHairstyles were giving away, but we got to see a new movie for free. I was happy with that.

The movie was great. I really liked it and I don't care much for the actor that plays Oz, so that says something. I thought they did a great job incorporating certain things from The Wizard Of Oz into this movie and that really made me happy.

We had a great night and I'm so glad that I got over some of my insecurities so that I could share a fun night out with my Shaylynnie.

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Truth: Day 20

I've got to be one of THE BIGGEST slackers/procrastinators in the world. I've been putting this post off for days because it's kinda dumb. But I'm finally getting to it, that should count for something.


DAY 20: DISCUSS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND WHY IT'S SO SPECIAL TO YOU

Okay, so I tend to have a similar philosophy as my dad when it comes to movies. And that is something to the effect of "Why own a movie when you've already seen it. You know what's going to happen."

So yeah, I feel that way quite a bit - BUT I have been known to buy movies that I really, really liked. Usually though, it's Eric buying movies or me buying movies for the kids.

This topic is hard for me because I don't really have a "FAVORITE" movie. Instead, I tend to have a few that I like more than others, on any given day. So that being said here are my likes at the moment...

#1 - WISH UPON A STAR


This movie was so good from beginning to end. I just loved it....

Hahaha, okay not really. I only put this one in here because it was filmed at my High School my Sophomore year. It's kind of funny to realize that. And the fact that I've seen Kathryn Heigl up close and personal makes me laugh. Of course I never actually MET her, I just walked by her in the hall one day - and of course I had NO IDEA who she was!

Now seriously...

#2 - MAMMA MIA


I've just liked this movie from day one. I guess in some ways it just spoke to me and I love all the humor that's in it. The fact that it's a musical is even more entertaining to me. Then you throw in the fact that Eric got it for us to watch one day AND watched it with me - meant even more. I don't think I could ever get sick of this movie. Plus, Pierce Brosnan is in and he sings. He isn't the greatest singer - but he does okay and I actually enjoyed it.

#3 - MRS. DOUBTFIRE


I ♥ Robin Williams! I think this was the first movie I saw with him in it. I was pretty young and my older sister had either bought or rented it and we watched it. I loved the beginning when he is giving voice to the bird and he gets fired for sending a good message to kids. I also love the fact that he was desperate to stay connected with his kids and so he didn't stop at anything to be able to be with them. I love how he grows as a person as well and how his kids realize just how much they mean to their dad! Okay - Pierce Brosnan is in it as well - in a swimsuit at one point - and yeah, I may have a small crush on him. ;)

#4 - CLUE

I remember the first time I saw this movie that my Mom made it a huge deal. We went to the movie store, rented the video, stopped at the grocery store for candy and ice cream. Came home and we all huddled around the basement TV and watched Clue! I know I missed A LOT of innuendo's as a kid that I just laugh at now. This movie always makes me laugh. My older sister had CLUE on VHS and introduced my kids to it. So recently Tanis kept bugging me to get it. He really, really wanted our own copy of Clue. I found it for fairly cheap on Amazon and bought it. It's fun to share something that I first saw as a kid with my kids who are probably about the same age I was when I saw it.

#5 - STEEL MAGNOLIAS


This is one of those movies I haven't bought, yet. I watched this with my friend when I was probably a pre-teen. My friend was in love with the movie and was adament that she was going to name her kids after Shelby and her husband. (She didn't) But it is such a good movie and yes, very much a chic flick! It was fun to see Dolly Parton acting since I had only known her to be a singer. I also loved that she was a beautician as that's what I aspired to at that point in my life. I felt a lot like Darryl Hannah's character and really understood what she was feeling. It broke my heart with everything that happened to Shelby and how Grandma had to come pick up the pieces. So, it's one to watch when you need a good cry!

What Happens Next...

A Little Girl Time

Our ward's Fathers and Sons was last weekend, August 19th & 20th. Eric really wasn't sure he wanted to go camping again - seeing as how we'd gone so much in so little time, but because all his buddies in the ward were going, he decided to go. I wondered if he'd take Nathaniel cause he still isn't potty trained. (I know, I know...But I attempted to start potty training in the summertime - BAD IDEA! All he wanted to do was play) But, to my delight Eric took Nataniel with him. That meant it was just the girls and I.

I knew I wanted to make the best of the weekend with my girls and actually 'do' something instead of just sitting around at home. First of all I decided Ailey needed some bangs. She looked horribly like an orphan child when I didn't get around to doing her hair. Plus I just felt bad that her hair was always hanging in her eyes. I know it annoys me.

So we got Ailey some bangs. She did great sitting in the chair for some stranger. I wish I had taken my camera, but I forgot. I still can't believe how different and more grown up she looks. At times it really makes me sad.

After the bang cut we went to a movie. I let Shaylyn choose and the choice was really only between Harry Potter and The Smurfs. I didn't really want to go a movie with Ailey in the first place, and I think I kind of steered Shaylyn in the direction of Smurfs because Ailey would tolerate it better.

We got popcorn and drinks and enjoyed our movie. It was cute enough, but probably not ever one that would be my favorite. Ailey actually sat really well through the whole thing and only got antsy about 10 minutes before it was over. I think that was awesome for a 1 year old. Ailey liked the Smurfs, but would snuggle up close anytime Gargamel came onto the screen. She loved the cat and laughed when the cat did something funny. I think Shaylyn enjoyed the show as well.

After the movie we went to dinner at Olive Garden. It's one of my faves - I don't know why, it just is. I had a bit of an awkward moment as a bunch of ladies from the ward came at the same time sans kids. It was obvious they had a group thing going on. They did invite me to join them and I declined at first, but the one lady wouldn't really let me. After talking to the hosting staff though it would've been another half hour to find a table for all of us and I decided that would be mean to make them wait for another half hour. Plus, I would've totally felt like I was intruding - after all, I wasn't even invited in the first place...

Anyway the girls and I had a fun time eating. Shaylyn was in a silly mood and just kept making me laugh. Ailey had her first experience of drinking out of a straw and she did awesome! Ailey had to eat some of my food and she made a wonderful mess, but at least she ate.



After dinner we went home. Ailey went to sleep shortly after we got home and Shaylyn and I stayed up and watched some episodes of Medium on Netflix until I decided I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore and headed to bed.

In the morning we took a trip to IKEA. I wanted to find a small desk thing for the kids' laptop to keep in the kitchen. Something so it looked nice, even though it's in the kitchen. I also found a cute little light to go in the girls room. We had a nice lunch and once again Ailey ate my meal. We came home and were able to relax for an hour or so before our boys returned.

I felt bad I spent so much money when the boys were just 'camping', but hey - I made the most of the time with my girls and we had fun. I can't wait for next year...

What Happens Next...

No Longer A Little Boy...

Tanis turned 11 on July 22. Seriously 11? I don't feel that old, so how is it possible that he is that old? Time and age are funny things.

On Tanis' actual birthday I had quite a day. I went to a job interview at 10 a.m. that ended up being a group interview. I felt really good about it and got home around 11:30. I wrapped up Tanis' gift and after the kids did some cleaning we let him open it up.


He was so excited to have a Harry Potter Lego set that he had to set it up right away. He didn't have a whole lot of time to get started on it because we had to head out to a movie. Around 12:00 or so, Tanis and I headed out.


Tanis decided he wanted to see Harry Potter 7.2 in 3D(Part of the reason only Tanis and I went - can you imagine the cost for the whole family!). Most of the time I don't care for 3D - but I thought it really added to Harry Potter. We ate lunch during the movie - we opted for pizza and breadsticks. Tanis thoroughly enjoyed the movie - even though he never saw 7.1 or even 6 for that matter.

After the movie was over we headed to the store to get his birthday party stuff. We lucked out and they had a Harry Potter cake already available, so we just had them write his name on it and we were off. They didn't have ANY decorations for Harry Potter - so I figured I could send Eric out the next day to a different Walmart to find some. Because it was Tanis' birthday I let him choose the meal to buy.

We got home and Tanis and Eric got busy finishing up Hagrid's Hut, while I made dinner. I like that what Tanis chose was simple and really just needed to be warmed up. We spent the rest of the evening just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

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Tanis' birthday party was on Sunday the 24th. He had a slightly better turn out than Lex and I'm starting to think that having people come out to our house really doesn't work well. LOL!



Anyway, he was so happy all day and so very thankful for every gift he got.

Tanis really is a sweet kid. He was mostly pleased with all his gifts and was so glad to have everyone there.

Tanis is growing up so fast and it makes me sad. I remember those first few months with him, struggling to figure things out. I remember he didn't always like to go to sleep at night, and I'd get so stressed because I didn't want our neighbors hearing his crying and getting upset with us. So, he got a lot more snuggle time at night than the other kids have. The rest of them learned the hard way. ;)

He's been such a sweetheart his whole life, though. He's always concerned for others and is always willing to help Eric and me out. We rarely have to get after for Tanis for being disobedient or disrespectful. He really is a good kid and I am so thankful that he is my oldest. He is my saving grace on many occasions!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

What Happens Next...