Macy's Day

I cannot believe that I have a four year old nor can I believe that my baby is four. The time has flown by. Saturday Brian and I threw our first birthday party bash. We were definitely rookies so it is good that we had 4 and 3 year olds over because they didn't even notice.

Macy and her cake. Those little tubes of gel don't from the grocery store don't do a lot of writing so if you have long names or are going to be doing a lot of decorating but extra. I almost didn't make it through "B-day". She invited 6 little friends which gave the grand total of 8 girls in the house. First we made wands and then had some pizza. This took a whole 15 minutes. Then we opened presents another 15 minutes. It was cute because all the girls helped open each of the gifts and were fighting over who got to play with what. Macy was a good sharer that day. I then asked if they wanted to play Duck Duck Goose and was turned down flat.
So it was out to the backyard for sprinklers and water guns. We should have done a pool party because all of them kept asking when were going swimming and some didn't like the sprinkler. So this activity was another 15 minutes. At this point Brian and I were at a loss. We still had another hour and 15 minutes. So it was inside for some cake and ice cream. Then we opened all her toys and let everyone play. We attempted the water again but that was short lived. So they played with the new toys and finally did some Duck Duck Goose. Overall I think everyone had a good time. At least Macy had fun in the water.
After everyone left we opened grandmas' and grandpas' gifts and a few more from mom and dad. Mom and dad got Macy a new bike and she has not gotten off of it since unless it is to play in the new tent Grandma Wendy gave her. Way to go on the bike, dad. I was hesitant because it seems she always gets a bike. In the picture above she is riding and talking on the cell phone Grandma Carol sent. Grandma Carol gave her clothes and those have been a hit. She wore one shirt 2 days in a row. The second day I was embarrassed because it was dirty and didn't match the skirt she put on. Today she is wearing another new shirt and wants to wear it tomorrow she said.
Of course being responsible parents we gave her a helmet. All of the riding has been in the house, but we keep saying that tomorrow it is going out and staying out.
So Macy's hair was getting long and she won't let me do it and it snarls easily. So the solution to cut it. I took her to Great Clips and I guess I wasn't too clear about the length. It is definitely shorter than I planned and it is not really an A-line. I almost started crying when I looked and saw what the hair dresser was doing. I had to bite my tongue and remind myself hair grows back quickly on kids and we won't have to worry about haircuts for awhile. She says her hair is cut like a boys. It is still cute and will be nice for the summer and so far it has proven useful in that it is not a snarly in the mornings. I think she is still getting used to it and doesn't know what to think.

Best Friends

"Macy! Don't! Do! That! Anymore! Okay?" (with emphasis after every word) and "You butt" and "You stupid! Butthead!" (again with emphasis after each word) are common phrases coming out of Kelsey's mouth usually directed towards her sister. I try not to laugh especially at the second phrase but the way they are said is so serious and funny. By the way I have no idea where she picked these up, but they were re-enforced by her sister's laughter. I also hear a lot of screaming because Macy tries to be the mom to Kelsey. Macy forces her to lay down, rock her, stay in her room, punish her, carry her etc. Well most of the time Kelsey doesn't like this and comes squealing to mom for safety. It is really annoying and I am having to take the stand of stick up for yourself and don't let her push you around. If I continue to let it go on with the constant running to mom and squealing I might have to go to a mental institution.

Even though much of the day is spent like this, they really do love each. On Sunday the girls were fighting and Kelsey was using her infamous "You stupid butthead phrase" so I was going to put red pepper flakes on her tongue. This was the threatened punishment for Macy's swearing habit at this age. I never had to actually put it on Macy's tongue all I had to do was get out the bottle. Well I went and got the bottle for Kelsey and instead of continuing to fight Kelsey, Macy's anger and wrath was turned towards me. She was screaming bloody murder and pulling the bottle from my hands to protect her sister. This seemed so completely opposite because normally Macy is tattling on Kelsey and trying to get her in trouble. There have been a few other times where Macy has stuck up for her sister and gets mad at me for putting her sister in time out. It makes discipline a little harder, but maybe a little kinder.

Another sign of affection happened on Monday. We had drained and re-filled the pool over the weekend and so I needed to get chemicals tested to get it up and going. To do this I had to run over to the pool store which now carries Disney sunglasses. Macy was excited to go because she wanted to use her birthday money to buy some sunglasses. Since it was her money I had to say yes, but then Kelsey came to me and wanted to buy some sunglasses. Well she has no money right now. How am I to tell a 2 year old she can't have glasses because she doesn't have money or how do I tell a 4 year old that they have to use their own money but I will pay for her sister. So I decided to try to talk Macy out of it because Kelsey didn't have any money and would be really sad not to get any sunglasses (we saw this extreme sadness on Sunday when Macy got a sucker in class and Kelsey didn't). Well Macy solved the problem even better. She wanted to buy Kelsey a pair of glasses too. I was so touched. So Macy took her money and bought herself Snow White sunglasses and Kelsey picked out Mickey Mouse.

I guess they really do love each other. If one wakes up before the other, the one remains kind of docile and reserved waiting for her friend to wake and then all breaks loose and moms sanity starts to slip.

Westward Ho

For those of you who don't know, Brian and I have been asked to be a Ma and Pa for our Stake Youth Conference. When they asked I was excited but that quickly diminished to "do I really want to go?" It is not that I am afraid of the actual physical exertion it is more of all the work it takes to get ready to go. Well yesterday was some training for us Ma's and Pa's. Actually it was mostly pulling handcarts through sand for 3 hours. The day turned out to be overcast so it made the whole experience much more pleasant. It did help me get more excited for the actual event, but then they really pressed the importance of us helping to bring about a spiritual experiences for the kids. We are to be shadow leaders and to help guide them. So instead of physically preparing I am unsure about how I can relate to these kids and be the best Ma I can be. I guess I need to gear up spiritually.

The best part about yesterday was being on a public hiking trail. We were all in pioneer attire (except for a few slackers including myself). I am sure people were wondering what was going on especially with all that has been happening in Texas with the FLDS church. Maybe we should have told the onlookers that we were headed to Texas to see what the reaction would have been.

Where have I been?

Life has gotten a bit busy lately (or I made it that way). My mom came out for a quick visit and that was truly refreshing and helpful we were sad to put her back on the plane to go home. At least we have this summer.

Today I was set free. I went to the doctor and the bone is healing up nicely so the cast was left off and I was given a soft cast. I can feel like a normal person when I shower and I can get a good shave. The tan line isn't even that bad. It is 10 times better than my sister's when she came home from her mission. My arm isn't skinner than the other and there was no gross foul smell, extra hair growth or flaking skin. It seems pretty normal. It is a little stiff so there is some discomfort with movement but that will be gone in a few days. I can even type like a normal person again.

Emerging from our Cave

We have crawled back into our cave. I wish it was a cave of wonder or a place to hibernate but it is not. Yesterday I put back up our sunscreens on our windows. The air conditioner was coming on way too much for this time of year. It is amazing the difference they make on the internal temperature of the house, but it also blocks much of the light so my house becomes darker. I really feel like I am in a cave sometimes. I have to use my lights to see anything. I also don't like the sunscreens because I can't see outside the windows very well and my kids still enjoy hanging out outside. With the screens up it makes it easier for them to get do things I would prefer them not to.

Today was the first day of swim lessons for the girls. We go to a neighbors house because she does a wonderful job. Both girls were real excited for the swim lessons and can't wait for grandma to swim with them. Because of this excitement and the way Macy ended the swim season last yeat I thought she would jump right in. Well she was out in the car a half an hour before and ran back to the pool, but the minute she saw the pool she began crying hysterically. She didn't want to put her face in. I had to literally pick her up kicking and screaming and put her in the pool with the teacher. Of course Kelsey saw this and got scared. Eventually Macy calmed down (this lady is good). Kelsey's class was right after Macy's and let's just say that there is a great division in the girls personalities. I can't say Kelsey took right to the water, but she wasn't bothered by it either. When the teacher, Celeste, said kick she didn't do it. When Celeste said kick and big arms, Kelsey just laid flat with her face in the water and one hand flapped. I don't know what to say but that these girls might or might not be a challenge. Who knows how Macy will react tomorrow.

You call this clean

Yesterday I made Macy and Kelsey clean up their play room and other messes around the house.
This is their idea of clean. There were no toys left of the floor. The were piled and shoved everywhere. This is the closet full of who knows what and definitely not where they belong.
This is the living room. They put the couch cushions back on and piled everything else on top. I can't complain because at least they tried and I could vacuum. I also decided not to redo it because they will just pull everything out again. It does bring back memories of my mom telling me that shoving things underneath the bed does not equal clean.
And how does my garden grow? It appears to be doing well. I have not lost a plant yet.
This is my favorite view of my yard minus the ugly pea gravel, air conditioning unit, and pool equipment. When I open my side gate I see my beautiful green square foot gardens and just beyond that I see the vegetation around my pool that happens to be doing the best. It makes me believe that I am a real gardner. PS I don't think the picture does it justice.

Music to run to

I feel I have nothing to post, but it has been a week. Because it is awkward typing with this blasted cast I am going to keep it short. Lately there has been nothing on TV when I go to the gym. I need some good suggestions of music that is good to run to. I lack severly in this category. I like pretty much everything but dirty songs. Any suggestions?