February 23, 2014

I can't believe February is almost over.  This month seemed to fly by - in a good way.  We all managed to stay healthy through the worst of winter.  We didn't get as much snow as usual for this time of year.  The kids have been happy and growing and busy...busy...busy.

Tommy has had extremely dry skin on his head and cheeks this winter.  After bath one night I slathered his head with lotion.  It made his hair stand straight up, so we styled a fauxhawk.  His sisters were laughing so he knew he looked funny and made some cute faces for us.

Tommy took his first solo steps this week.  It must have been scary for him because he hasn't attempted it again.  It was fun to have Uncle Brady here to witness the steps.

Jeremy bought us a red velvet pancake mix to try for Valentine's day.  I am not a huge fan of red velvet.  I just think it doesn't have much flavor.  But after trying these pancakes, I think the previous red velvet cakes I've tried just weren't from a good recipe.  These pancakes were awesome.  It probably helps that we covered them in fresh strawberries and whipped cream.  But there was a great flavor to the pancakes which has made me want to try more red velvet cake recipes.  Now I understand why people like red velvet so much.  So does Bubba.  Just look at that face.  He was stained red on his cheeks and fingers that whole day.

Puna and Papa came to visit us this week.  They stayed with us until Thursday morning.  All day Monday, Jeremy and Papa worked in the big play room putting up drywall.  By the end of the day their arms were shaking as they hefted each sheet up to the ceiling.  It was hard and dusty work.  But now we have walls and ceilings in almost the entire basement.  Papa kept working on the drywall Tuesday and Wednesday while Jeremy was at work.  And Jeremy spent most of Saturday doing more drywall.  It is nice to have walls instead of plastic covered insulation.  We are putting a little play area under the stairs for the kids.  The girls love the little doorway and window.

We'd like to style the exterior of the play area like a house.  Not exactly like the pictures above but along the same idea.  We'll be sure to put up pictures of the finished project.

After Puna and Papa left on Thursday morning, the kids needed a rest day.  Lots of grumps and crying filled the morning.  Thankfully all the kids took a nap and Mommy got caught up on housework.  Friday was just a normal day of preschool and errands.  Saturday was the big day for us this week.  Lily had her first dance performance of the year.  And Annie attended her first party at a friend's house.

We spent about a half hour Saturday morning curling Lily's hair.  All the girls in her class were supposed to have spiral curls in their hair.  I let Lily choose a movie and we sat down on the couch (next to the mountain of laundry that needed to be folded) and curled away.  As you can see, Tommy was a big help with the hair styling.

Lily was so excited to perform.  She loves to hear applause and she loves to dance.  She looks so much more grown up this year compared to last year.  Where is the time going?  Who told our beautiful girl she could grow so quickly?

Annie was such a supportive sister.  She waited patiently all through the performance and clapped loudly for Lily.  Annie can't wait until next year when it will be her turn for dance classes too.

After the recital we sent Annie and Lily off to the birthday party for their friend Preston.  Annie was so excited I thought she might explode.  It was a monsters themed party.  Annie designed and made her own monster mask.

That is one adorable monster if you ask me!  And notice she is wearing her Princess Anna dress?  She wears that dress everywhere we go, every single day - except for Sundays.  Mommy will not allow the dress to be worn at church.  The girls are still so in love with Frozen that we preordered the movie on amazon just to be sure we'll have a copy when it is released onto dvd next month.  Mommy might need to buy ear plugs to survive the first few weeks of constant Frozen watching.

Thank you again Puna and Papa for making the long drive to visit us and help with the basement work.

 

Annie's artwork has come a long way recently.  She drew this picture of our family on the back of a Valentine for Uncle Brady.  I love how little Tommy is crawling in the corner.  Great job Annie-Bananie! 

And here's one she did in Primary on Sunday.  She was supposed to draw a creation on the earth that shows Heavenly Father's love for her.  Annie drew Anna and Elsa from Frozen.  I suppose Heavenly Father must know how much this little girl loves princesses and fairy tales - and she is confident He made this movie just for her.