today

• I had a good hair day. I styled it using this hairdryer (which I found via Barb) and a curling iron. With my fun orange shirt from Target, I almost felt cute.
• I mopped my floor and got the main level all picked up and vacuumed. However, it is a wreck again. There are groceries on the counter. Folded laundry on my bed and more in the dryer. Garbage, shoes, toys, and stuff everywhere. Sigh.
• It became apparent to me that it isn't a good time to start dieting when my husband is out of town. Bring on the Zingers!
  
• Sawyer was extra needy.
• I said a prayer of gratitude for the baby swing which Anne happily sleeps in and the swing set in the backyard which the kids happily play on.
• My kids were in bed before 9:30!
• I listened to the Wicked soundtrack and was so happy that I got to go on Tuesday.
• I was so very grateful for my sister-in-law, Megan, who came over to help out and let me go grocery shopping kid-free even though she wanted to get home early.
• I didn't know what to say to my husband when he talked about getting a different job that wouldn't require travel to Boise but that he might not love as much.
• I finally forgave myself (a little) for the easily avoided mistake I made that cost us almost four hundred dollars. I thanked my lucky stars once again for a husband who is so amazing and understanding.
  
• Slade taped his mouth shut and then decided to communicate with me on paper. The handwriting is awful and the spelling atrocious but I was so thrilled that my very reluctant writer initiated it all on his own.
• Emma got her first Webkin as a reward for the Girl Scout cookies she sold. She is so thrilled. Who knew such a thing could be so exciting.

Easter

On Saturday night, we dyed 4 dozen eggs and everyone was wishing there were more. I love all the colors.


On Sunday, we celebrated the true meaning of the day at church. This was my first Sunday back to church with Anne after month break. It will be tricky juggling church duties with the Anne's needs but doable nonetheless. Dave will actually be doing most of the work. After such a long break, it was nice to be back. And next week, I'll enjoy Sacrament meeting even more when I'm not sitting alone with five kids while Dave sings with the choir.

After church, we did a quick Easter egg hunt in the backyard. Sawyer cracked about three-fourths of the eggs along the way but they all had fun. Slade did complain that he was no good at finding eggs. I told him that I can completely relate. I was always the worst egg-finder in our childhood hunts.

In the late afternoon, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Daniels for our annual egg hunt and a most delicious dinner. I thought the day was truly delightful. The weather was nice, the food plentiful, the conversation flowing, the kids happy. What a wonderful way to spend the Sabbath.

Today the beautiful green of the wheat grass on the table made me very happy. I am growing all these buckets for my brother's upcoming wedding luncheon but it worked out perfectly for an Easter centerpiece.

do re mi

This just makes me happy. It feels like something my sisters and I would do. Only bigger. Much much BIGGER!

chicken pox, part 2

The boys broke out with chicken pox right on schedule (exactly two weeks after Emma). I saw spots on Sawyer first and by Saturday night, all three were covered. Through the weekend they were still feeling good but there was misery all around on Monday.

Nathan got by fairly easily. He continued to run and jump all around the house. Sawyer and Slade on the other hand got hit hard. They both got fevers and Sawyer's bum was a very sorry sight. They took lots of baths, ate popsicles for breakfast, and watched an obscene amount of TV. By Thursday, everyone was feeling better and were all scabbed over by Saturday.

I was so very lucky to have had my parents there that week to help me. Don't know how I would have done it without them. For a few more details on the week, check out my mom's post here.

slacker

So I know my blog slacker status has hit the ultimate high when my husband who RARELY reads my blog tells me I need to update it.

I have several posts in the draft stage. Coming soon!