Maybe this will help!

I've really been struggling with the kids and having them do other things besides tv and computer. Mind you that it is quality programming (pbs sprout, nick jr, etc...). I have really good intentions of getting them outside, doing productive things, crafts, blah blah blah, but I can never get around to doing them. Even when I do get around to it, the kids give me guff and it makes me feel pretty crappy. Needless to say, I'm not feeling like "Mom of the Year" or even mom of the hour.

I found this on a blog I read frequently and maybe that is what I needed to hear to make my household run somewhat smoother(and to give me a little hope...its not rocket science.)

1.Family Prayer
2.Family Scripture Study
3.Family Home Evening
4.Family Dinner
5.One on one time

"These are the 5 most important things we can be doing with our families. Each of them create an opportunity for teaching and learning. We need to think of our children in terms of the future.
Are we hoping our kids will grow up to be star athletes or dancers? Probably not. WE are hoping they'll be good, service oriented people, hard workers, dedicated parents, loyal spouses, etc.
So, the things we should be doing with them now are the things that will lead them to become what we want them to become in the future. We need to stay home more and more and work to create teaching and learning situations so they will know how to grow up and be good people.
WE can create learning and teaching situations when we have lots of family time together whether its working in the yard or hose, eating together every night, and having important discussions as we do these things. We also need to teach by example...be the kind of people we want our kids to be."

A quote from Sister Hinckley:
Children rise higher when they are treated with respect. Use courteous and respectful language when you talk with your children and others... You don't teach a child not to yell by yelling. We cannot expect to be respected if we treat others in demeaning ways."

I totally know I should already be doing these things. I have NO excuse!
How do you guys do it??
What do you all do with your kids during the day?

I totally need help!!!

More Water Day Fun!

Ode to Mackenzie

May 16th was Mackenzie's last day of pre-school. I really can't believe it. I said it before, but how in the world can 180 days pass by so dang fast. I don't like it.
She has grown so much the past year. On the first day of school, they took her picture to put in her cubby so she knew where to put her stuff. Everything about her has changed so much. She's gotten taller, her cute little chubby cheeks have slimmed down a tiny bit, she's gotten so smart, and she has learned to stand her ground. Its funny what a different kid she is inside the classroom and at home. Its like two totally different girls. She is so shy and reserved in school. She has her little group of friends that she feels real close to and thats fine for her. She doesn't stand up for herself if someone takes something or knocks her down. Her teachers did start working with her, telling her she had a big voice and she can tell her friends how she feels. Maybe I need to be implementing that at home(duh)
I can't even closely describe how much I love this little girl. There are no words that can express it adequately. I have to tell everybody she is the girliest tom-boy I know. She will dress up in necklaces, bracelets and skirts. She always wants her nails painted or a purse on her arm. YET, she will get right out there and plop in the dirt and start digging, or whatever it is, just as long as she's getting dirty.
In just a couple of months, she will be 5. I just hope she knows and she will always know the love I have for her, the love her grandparents have for her and especially the love her Heavenly Father has for her.
Ok, enough sappiness....Here are a few picture of her
OH, on her last day of school, they had water day (as did the rest of the school)
They all had a blast. I was able to spend some time with Mackenzie, as well as sneak out and go to the other field to see Sean. Of course, it was the hottest day we have had so far this year, but luckily they were all getting wet!

Kindergarten Day at Donnelly Park

The end is really getting near! Sean has almost completed his first year of school. All the Kindergarten went to Donnelly Park for the morning. They got to play a lot and walk a lot. We saw quite a few lovely things while we were there. Actually, we saw the whole cycle of life(of a duck) First, there was a pretty white egg right out in the grass. Then we saw plenty of baby ducks, mom, and dad ducks. Then, of course, one kid points out a dead duck. What a day. Then, someone also spots a dead "catfish" although I don't think it was really a catfish. Of all the things that happened that day, most all of the kids wrote about the dead things they saw in their journal. I just cannot believe how fast this year has passed. I know they will all be like this and before I know it, they will be in middle school, high school, and then college....(sniff...sniff) Anyways, I got some cute pictures of Sean and some of his buddies. They ended the morning with a yummy ice cream sundae!

Catch Up!!! Starting with Mother's Day

I am making a commitment to go overboard with Mother's Day next year. I hear all these people doing such fabulous things for their mom's and mothers in law. I want to start doing things for them since they are such special people. I can't even remember to send my own mom a birthday card....I think its time to change that!
The kids did their little primary thing which was sweet, but Mackenzie wouldn't go up there. She got stage fright!
I was in the mood for some yummy cake, so I decided to make a lemon cake with cream cheese icing...DELISH. I couldn't even let it cool down before I had to slap that frosting on....well, I should have waited since it melted!
So, heres to my little hokey cake!!! LOL
Happy Mother's Day

One word tag

Answer the following with only one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? ....................desk
2. Your significant other?......................worthless
3. Your hair?....................................frizzy
4. Your mother? .................................sweet
5. Your father?..................................funny
6. Your favorite thing?..........................blogging
7. Your dream last night?........................unsure
8. Your favorite drink...........................dr.pepper
9. Your dream/goal?..............................heaven
10. The room you're in?.........................office
11. Your children?.....................................energetic
12. Your fear?...................................loss
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years...........married
14. Where were you last night?...................target
15. What you're not?.............................perfect
16. Muffins......................................chocolate
17. One of your wish list items?.................husband
18. Where you grew up?........................... Madison
19. What you read last........................magazines
20. What are you wearing?........................clothes
21. Your TV?.....................................wasteful
22. Your pets?...................................weird
23. Your computer? ..............................addictive
24. Your life?...................................okay
25. Your mood?...................................excited
26. Missing someone?.............................family
27. Your car?....................................messy
28. Something you're not wearing?................shoes
29. Favorite Store?..............................Target
30. Your summer?.................................swimming
31. Like someone?................................maybe
32. Your favorite color?.........................pink
33. Last time you laughed........................today
34. Last time you cried?.........................unsure

Now, I tag Emily, Emily, Suzanne, and Deb(GET A BLOG)

Such a smart kid!!!

I am going to boast for a little bit! I can't believe how smart Sean is. He has always been a fast learner, especially colors, numbers, shapes, etc. A few months into Kindergarten, he just picked up a book at home and started reading it. I was in complete shock. He has definitely gotten even better at reading. Even if he doesn't know a word, he will ask what it is, then he will not have to ask again. It sure makes me proud of him!
Well, yesterday I was feeling a bit lazy (who, me...lazy???) Anyways, I laid down a while and just gave the kids some paper and markers so they could draw. Next thing I know, Sean came in and showed me this:

He did this with no help and no spelling errors. I couldn't believe it! (although he did add the "tomorrow please" later and he had help with that)
He's amazing!

Mother's Day Tea

I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up. Friday was the Mother's Day Tea in Sean's Kindergarten class. It was really sweet. They learned about 5 songs to sing for us. A few weeks ago, Ms. Cole had them do their silhouettes where they stand in front of the projector and she traces their shadow. The Moms that came had to guess which silhouette was their kids. Then all those who had "guests" served them punch and a cookie. Everyone had to be served before they all got to eat. It was a nice little lesson on manners. I had to bolt out really fast and run over to get Mackenzie and she surprised me with a flower that she had planted a couple weeks ago. It really was a nice morning. I am so grateful for the wonderful kids I have. I can't believe how fast they are growing. I always heard that once they hit kindergarten, they will be graduating the next day. Sean is just about to end his kindergarten year, and since I have been taking child development courses, I know that this was his most influential year and what he learns in pre-k and kindergarten will determine how well he learns and develops in the coming years. I am so grateful for how intelligent he is at such a young age. I'm grateful for such wonderful teachers he has had these past 2 years. School is coming to an end for him in just 2 short weeks. I hope he has made friendships and memories that he can remember his entire life.



Sean and Ella....I just LOVE her!!!

Doctor's visit

Wednesday night Sean spent the entire night coughing his brains out. Poor guy, I couldn't really do much for him. He ended up staying home from school, since he just didn't look like he felt good. He got to go to Yaya and Bah's house to watch cartoons while I took Mackenzie to school. When I got home, he came back over and all he wanted to do was have me curl up with him on the couch and watch Sesame Street with him. It was nice to have a couple of hours with him. After I picked up Kenzie, we had to go to the doctor. Luckily, it was nothing serious. He didn't even need a prescription. I definitely feel like a blogger mom now. I just so happened to have my camera with me, so I just took a couple of pics while we were waiting.

So funny

I saw this cartoon on another gal's blog that I read frequently. Thought it was too cute not to share!

Sunday Morning and our kitty, Belle

I was still feeling a little BLAH on Sunday, as I mentioned before. That still is no excuse for getting some cute pictures! This has to be the cutest little dress that Deb picked up for Kenzie. I'm also really loving her hair as short as it is. It is so hard to manage, but I have learned that just wetting it, then spraying it makes it look really good! Oh, and this is Belle. We have had her since November when a friend asked us if we wanted a cat that was abandoned in her back yard. It was quite funny to see Piglet getting used to Belle. One fight later, they are best friends!

There was a little girl

There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very, very good
and when she was bad, she was HORRID

I can't remember what happened, but she was angry at something. Deb told me this little poem when she saw the picture. I think it fits Kenzie very well!

Sunday at the Reeds and the coolest trampoline

Last Sunday the five of us took a trip up to Galt to see Uncle Ken and Aunt Annette. The kids absolutely love them! Not to mention their wonderful cousins Elias, Gideon, and Justis. I can't believe I actually made the trip up there an hour away, 2 days out of surgery. I wasn't up to getting all dolled up for church quite yet, but I just didn't want to stay at home for the entire day, which is all I had done the past 2 days. Anyways, I went and we had such a good time. I lounged around in the recliner for almost the whole time (which was heaven. Recliners are a must after a surgery). I did feel bad, though, not being able to get in there and help with dinner. Anyways, we had a fabulous dinner and a good time visiting with everyone up there. It is so nice to feel welcome with them!

So, they found this awesome trampoline at Costco. There are no springs on the side which means the trampoline goes out to the actual border so you don't have to worry about getting your foot caught inbetween the springs. It is the coolest thing. I don't even know how to explain it, but I really want one!!!
Kids had a blast! So fun to have family!!

Yay, another Tag

Thanks Emily!!!!

Rules:
A. Post the Rules
B. Answer all the questions about yourself
C. After you are done posting, tag 5 people.

1) What I was doing ten years ago: Oh goodness...10 years ago I was 14 years old. I was a freshman in high school...GO PHOENIX!!

2) 5 Things on my 'To Do' list today: get me on a day I'm not recovering from surgery and I can list 10 things....but today, the only thing I need to do today is sleep (which I have accomplished twice today already!)

3) Snacks I enjoy: Nutter butters, Doritos munchie mix and a dr. pepper (breakfast of champions), hmmm, im not really thinking of anything else...but I know there's more=)

4) What would you like to learn? I would love to learn how to play a violin and the piano. I really enjoy learning new things, but those 2 are top on my list!

5) 3 Bad Habits: Same 3 from Emily...lol, too much time on the computer, not having enough patience with my kids, and my eating habits

6) 5 Places I've Lived: Madison, NC; Greensboro, NC; Turlock, Ca; Denair, Ca....darn, havent lived in 5 places YET

7) 5 Jobs I have or I've Had: MOM, waitress at the best little restaurant in Madison, ebayer, gopher @ our antique shop =).....dang, couldn't make it to 5 on this one either

8) 5 Things People Don't Know About Me:

1)I've sang at Carnegie Hall (with a choir, definitely not by myself)
2)I'm 24 years old(very few people really believe it either)
3)I have a fascination with blood (like when I'm getting my blood drawn for pre-op and I tell Sean to watch the blood fill up in the viles because it is so cool, but he looks like he is going to pass out)
4)I, like Emily K., have never had a cavity
5)I have never been to Disneyland. BUT, that will change in September!!!!! My divorce party will be held there. LOLOLOL (really, im just kidding, it just so happens my divorce will be over in September along with my birthday and disneyland...PARTAYYY MONTH)

So, I tag Deb, Suzanne, and anyone else that wants to do it =)

I made it!!

Well, its been about 12 hours since my surgery and all I can say is Thank goodness it is over with! Pain isn't too bad, although I feel like I have strep throat. Oh, man my throat hurts. I've been sleeping on and off all day which has been really nice! I just hope I can still get a good nights rest tonight.
Oh, and yes, I have pictures. I haven't seen them yet, but if I think my gall bladder is pretty enough, I'll have to post some! LOL. Not kidding. Deb told me the doctor gave her pictures and I said, "he must have known I have a blog!!!" Heck, I was watching GB surgeries on YouTube yesterday. Well, the Vicodin is kicking in =)
Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!!