Bows and Braids

Ivy's hair is FINALLY long and thick enough to give her mommy lots of fun styling options.  I absolutely love the time we spend every morning talking and trying out different styles.  Her hair is a beautiful strawberry blond color with yellow and red highlights.  I have no idea who's genes she inherited, but whoever it was: THANK YOU!

And here's sweet Delia with her little ponies.  She has CRAZY thick hair that I have to wash every single day, but I love it anyway. She wasn't very happy with the style, so we'll hold off on the hair pulling torture a little longer.

I know there's many people who think spending time on little outfits and hairstyles is an absolute waste.  It's true, it's very frivolous.  On the other hand- the life of a stay at home mother is, at times, exhausting, tedious, overwhelming, and stressful.  We often go many days without recognition of our tireless efforts to keep the family and house in perfect order.  I dress my little girls in silly clothes and take time to style their hair in elaborate bows and braids because I very simply love to.  It's not essential to their health or happiness, it's not going to create world peace or stop world hunger, but it makes me feel like my life isn't just changing diapers and cleaning dishes- so BACK OFF people...

The Beach Makes Me Hungry

We enjoyed a perfect day at beautiful Virginia Beach last weekend.  The weather was amazing and the kids were lucky to soak up some much needed Daddy time.

Hyrum wasn't satisfied unless he was in the ocean with Bry.  He had an absolute blast running away from the waves and jumping them (which gave Mommy a heart attack).

Ivy loved playing in the sand and making friends with the strangers who surrounded us.

Thanks to the AWESOME tent thingy we rented, (best $20 bucks we ever wasted) Delia slept most of the time.  Here's our little baby burrito:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that baby stretches are dang cute.

Baby smiles are cuter though. 

Delia's post nap routine is very rigorous- strrrretch, then... SMILE.

And last but not least, I ate.  Apple chips, granola bars, trail mix, pizza (cheese-free of course), tacos, and orange soda.  Nothing was safe that was in my reach.  Now it's no secret why I'm having a hard time losing the baby weight (thus no pictures of me in my swimsuit).

Game Over

 Here's an update on our little brood: 

Hyrum is a Kindergartner!  Sad, but true, I can't keep my little baby from growing up.  His favorite Kindergarten activity is eating in the "Cabitorium".

He LOVES girls and frequently points out the beautiful ones everywhere we go.  He also has a new "girlfriend" every other week.  This is how he explained marriage to Ivy recently, "Sometimes big girls are princesses and big boys are princes.  When they grow up they get married and get presents... I love presents."

He's discovered the magic of Star Wars, so we have in depth conversations about the fate of  "Dark" Vader, "Dorth" Mall, and Hans "Soli".  He uses his trusty light "saver" to protect the family from scary monsters and aliens- good thing too, our neighborhood's infested.  THANK YOU George Lucas for many, many hours of 5 year old boy entertainment!

Ivy is two going on thirteen.  Her favorite phrases are: "I'm not talking anymore."  "Don't look at me." and "I'm out of batteries." 

She started preschool and when I pick her up in the afternoon I'm pretty sure her teacher lies through her teeth as she proclaims how well behaved Ivy is. 

When she's not acting like a teenager she's quite fun. She loves to dance, manipulate play dough, and read the exact same book over and over and over and over....

Delia is my shinning beacon of peace and tranquility.  I totally look forward to my one on one time with her- it's the only time in my day where there's no whining, complaining, tattle-tailing, and fighting.

She's a great little baby with the patience of an angel (as long as I don't eat dairy or chocolate).

Bryan has major Senioritis and can't wait to graduate and move onto the next phase.  He's been an amazing support to me.  I can't believe how much energy and love that guy has.

Erin is struggling with the juggling act of raising three kids.  She often wonders how in the world anyone else manages this.  She has to remind herself that it took 9 months to gain the baby weight, so that's how long it might take to lose it.  She spends too much time yelling and losing her temper at her kids, and not enough time showing them how much she loves them.  She cherishes her family, friends, and life, but feels like she is constantly falling short on all her responsibilities and goals.  She has a deep and unchanging knowledge that no matter how many stupid mistakes she makes, her Heavenly Father loves her.  She is learning more and more every day to rely on her Savior, who brings peace and hope if she'll only open the door.


BTW- many of the pictures in this post were taken by a fabulous girl named Andrea.  Thanks girl!