Random Happenings (a picture post)

Lucy and I were talking about butterflies one morning, and I thought she might love a pair of wings. She loves them. We put on butterfly music and she dances the cutest butterfly dance you have ever seen. But her dad puts on a pair of wings and his butterfly dance is out of this world. I have it on video. Maybe one day I'll share that treasure. 

Fairy butterfly princess. 

 I was in the mood to bake one day. Lucy has become quite a good little helper when it comes to baking. I asked her what she wanted to make. She said, Pizza. Done. She helped me measure and knead the dough and applied all the toppings. Then she ate it. I am always impressed with her endurance level when it comes to cooking. She will stay by my side and watch the entire process. I'm excited for the future. 

 She still loves to wear my pearls even though I bought her several bright colored plastic necklaces of her own. 

 Lucy and Desmond, the prince and princess of the fairies. They wore the wings for at least 30 minutes. 

 Sorry Desmond, but you make a pretty cute fairy.

 Lucy was on the phone for like two hours this night. I have no idea who she was talking to, but they had a very long and in depth conversation. She couldn't even take a break to snap a photo. This was another rainy day. You can't tell, because we are under a tree so all is dry where we are sitting. 

 Hmmm....? 

 Lucy and I had an afternoon out last Saturday. We headed over to Lake Shore Learning for the craft day. She had fun, but was way more interested in all the other fun stuff they have out. 

 We stole this from Traci's house when Lucy was learning to walk, and meant to give it back, but haven't yet. (Sorry Traci) Molly isn't close to walking independently but this is one of her favorite activities.

 Oh my goodness I love this girl. She's a doll almost all the time. 

 I love warm summer rain. I look forward to it and the second it starts to rain I grab the kids and head outside to play. Everytime. Today the rain was steady and lasted all morning. Lucy and I headed over to the basketball court where there are some wicked puddles. She was happy to play forever. 

 She did have clothes on to begin, but they got wet when she sat down (surprise!) and she was not happy. She wanted them off. Once she was stripped down, she was content as can be. 

 I do hope to potty train her one day, but for now I like to be the mom that helps every other mom justify their 2 and 1/2 year old that is not yet potty trained. You're welcome. 

 Momma's girl. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love that she reaches for me, cries when I walk out of the room and is always so happy to see me when I return home from various errands away. 

Always into mischief. 

Happy Birthday... to me.

Normally I take my birthdays pretty seriously. I like to make elaborate plans, which usually include time away from the girls and a night out for James and I. This year for whatever reason, I was less in the mood to plan a birthday celebration. I told James a few things I wanted and left it at that. My actual birthday day was pretty darn crappy but we did have a fun time celebrating the day before with family at Traci's house and the day after at home with just the kids, James and I. 

This is my prize of hours getting the girls ready.
It never lasts long. 

I left James at home on Thursday, and traveled north with my mom and the girls. We headed further north, early Friday morning to see Traci and the kids. We spent the day hanging out in her awesome Bountiful home. I really do love it. Traci and Russ have done so much to that place, I was completely impressed. I'll admit her old kitchen was so depressing it was hard for me to even sit in it. She has a huge beautiful kitchen now and she is has my permission to never be depressed. Because how could you be depressed with such a beautiful kitchen. I want one of my own one day. It is going to be the highlight of my home. No one will ever want to leave. 

Lucy insisted we where Birthday hats.

Lucy loved playing with the boys. Scott was so cute with her, seriously, I'm sad I have no pictures except the ones that were in the previous post. Jake would put on a show for her on the trampoline and she was in heaven. Traci also has an AMAZING yard. Again, sorry there are not more pictures. 

Saturday evening, Traci and Russ put on a "Ron Swanson" style BBQ with all kinds of delicious meats grilled to perfection. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but James ate 2 burgers, a steak and a large piece of chicken, and maybe some watermelon. He mostly ate meat. He was hungry. 

After we headed north for the 10th anniversary Accapellastock. The talent this year was top notch. NOTA was obviously my favorite. They were the winners of the first "Sing Off" and everything they do, they add a latin flare. I loved all of the spanish music. It was sooooooooooo good. 

Sunday we spent traveling, and the kids were terrible. Because of a major freak out by Lucy we made it too late to St. George to see everyone at my Grandmas. They did save us a piece of cake. That was nice and then we headed on down the road. 

I told James I wanted Monday to be my birthday. I did not get to use the "it's my birthday" card enough on Sunday and I felt jipped. Monday I spent the day doing just what I wanted. I took an extra long time getting the girls ready for the day. I bought myself an icecream cake from Dairy Queen (I remember those being better than they were) and we finished the night with presents and a movie. We watched 42 and I loved it. 

This picture is just down right embarrassing, but Molly's
face is to great not to add it. And the food was delicious!

So it wasn't such a bad birthday after all. James spent a lot of time and effort to recognize my accomplishments of the last 30 years. He made me a book, with pictures of those accomplishments. I really appreciated it. 30 is a hard birthday for most, and I was not very excited about it in the beginning, but by the time it was my birthday, I came to the realization that this life is so temporary and time and age will pass, and it really just doesn't matter in the eternal nature of things. I know that is true. It takes a lot of reminders to keep that attitude because we live in such a crazy vain world that focuses so much on the here and now. I believe in the here after and I know my purpose now is to prepare for the here after. I'm grateful for everyday and the knowledge that it affords me. 

Accapellastock!!!

Traci, Harry, Molly and I

I'm going to let the pictures tell the story with this one.

Who does this savage child belong to?

Lucy's first salon experience

 I prepped Lucy for three days previous to arriving at the "salon" to get her hair cut. We watched videos on youtube of other kids getting their hair cut. I told her about the cars she got to sit in and the movie she would get to watch and still we had a hard time. But she was content to sit there as long as she didn't have to wear the cover that snaps around the neck. It took some major convincing but once the movie got started and she had the sucker in her hand, she did pretty good. 

 Molly LOVED the salon. She might not enjoy it so much when she's not there to just play. 

 This was Lucy's favorite part. She LOVED getting her nails painted. She sat still and didn't move her hands once. The lady put on glitter and decorated one of her nails with a flower, she was as still as I've ever seen her. I guess I should invest in some nail polish. I'll add that to the list of girly things,... I do not have. 

 Lucy picked out that color herself. A deep mauve color. I thought it was a bold choice. Good one Lucy.

 I gues wee should have got Molly's hair cut too. Crazy hair!

 She wouldn't let the lady wash her hair, so I was dying to get home and wash it and style it myself. 

 I loved how it turned out.

I don't know that I'll pay for a haircut again for awhile, but I think after a few "okay" cuts by her mom, we will visit the salon again.