Monday, August 29, 2011

The swing of things





We survived the first full week of school last week, and we're gradually getting used to our new routine and into the swing of things. The morning rush is crazy, but by some miracle we've managed to be on time or early to school every day. Who would have thought it was possible?

Taylor loves kindergarten. Going every day, all day, hasn't seemed to phase her much. She's a bit tired at the end of the day but still has enough energy to fight with Corinne whenever possible. They are the best of friends and worst of enemies. I thought the time apart would do them good, but they start fighting almost immediately after we pick Taylor up from school and during the whole walk home. Once the fight is resolved (because I threaten them) they're back to playing again. This is the norm, but Corinne always greets Tay with a huge hug and screams, "Taylor!" prior to arguing. They're funny girls.

I went to Back to School Night last week and it was surreal. I still can't believe I have a child in elementary school. Looks like I'll be volunteering every Thursday in Tay's class and I'm excited. Taylor's teacher, Mrs. Evans, is brilliant! She went over the things being taught this school year and I was blown away. It's nothing like kindergarten used to be. There's enrichment teachers every day teaching music, dance and art, a smart board that the teacher uses that makes an old school chalk board look pathetic, and curriculum that goes above and beyond letters and numbers. I'm so excited for Taylor because I know she'll be challenged and have fun at the same time. We are VERY lucky!

Having Corinne to myself during the day is kind of fun too. We have a library play group on Tuesday and gymnastics on Friday. Other than that, we just play and I get to listen to what she has to say, uninterrupted. She misses Tay and asks about her every hour on the hour, but I think she's enjoying being the center of attention.

I'm back to work too and it's nice to be back with my deaf kids twice a week. It's safe to say that summer is over. I just wish the summer heat would beat it too!

More pictures from my new camera. Can't wait to take a class and learn how to use it even more. What you talkin' bout, Willis?Who farted?My little ballerina who hates dance class, is now back in gymnastics where she's the happiest kid on the planet.We've been spending Saturday mornings watching Wes play basketball. I let the girls dress themselves last Saturday, and they walked out of the house in these lovely ensembles (below). Mittens and snow hats in 109 degree heat. Not a fan of the loud buzzer.Running to see daddy after his game.Fashionista!My hero!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Drive, Marie!

I failed miserably at motherhood today. The kids kicked my a$$. It was one of those days when I thought of how Marie Osmond once got in her car and drove away from her family for a couple days, unannounced, because she had reached her boiling point. After today, I fully understand her reasoning. Drive, Marie! They don't appreciate you!!!!


A short summary of the day:


Corinne painted our white carpeting with an entire tube of RED toothpaste while I was on the phone with AT&T.


Did I mention I was on the phone with AT and FRICKIN' T!!!! Have you ever called those bastards? Let me fill you in on how it goes.
You: I still don't have any service but yet, you've sent me a bill. I refuse to pay.
Some Idiot In Pakistan Reading From A Script: I'm so sorry, please hold.
Repeat that about 10 times, and you have yourself the most frustrating conversation of your life and at the end of it, you'll have gotten absolutely nowhere.


I took the kids bowling with a friend. You know. Trying to be the cool mom who does fun crap with her kids after school. Only to hear Corinne cry the entire time because in her two-year-old mind, every turn is her turn and if it's not, she tries to kick you. Yea. I'm raising a righteous child. One who kicks anyone who doesn't give her what she wants. Where am I going wrong!?


Oh, I could go on. I just don't want to. I want to crack open a diet coke and take a hot bath. Forget this day ever happened.


















Saturday, August 20, 2011

"Outrageous Kid Parties"

Another article for Deseret News Web. Thanks for reading!
http://desne.ws/qoMEU4

Thursday, August 18, 2011

First day of school



Taylor, my baby, my first-born, my Tay Tay....is in kindergarten. Not sure how it happened, because it feels like yesterday that we were in the hospital marveling at our new baby. But she's ready for this next, big step and I couldn't be prouder of her. Really. I'm so proud of this girl and the person she's turning into. Not only is she smart (she's kicking butt at reading), but she's kind, fun, goofy and loving.

We lucked out this year. Taylor has Mrs. Evans as her teacher, who has also been her sunbeam teacher in primary at church. So nothing new there, which is great since Taylor is not a huge fan of change. And to top it off, all of her friends from church are in her class, along with some friends from preschool. It just doesn't get any better than that. Oh, wait! Yea, it does. We moved around the corner from the school, so we get to walk her to and from school.

She seemed to enjoy kindergarten today and I'm hoping it sticks. She asked me tonight, "What are we doing tomorrow?" Haha. Normally, I would answer, "Going to the park! Going to the aquatic center! Going to the museum!" And it's sort of weird having to explain to her that school is a 5 day a week thing. I hope she adjusts well. We shall see.

It's funny. I was thinking today about a conversation I had with Wes when we were engaged and Taylor and Corinne were only an idea. He mentioned how great it was going to be when we had kids and I could stay home with them. Almost immediately, I grew defensive and told him I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay home with my kids. That I really wanted to focus on my career. Not sure how the conversation ended. I remember him looking confused and probably telling me I could do whatever I wanted, but that being with the kids was important. Sure glad I took his opinion into consideration, otherwise I would have missed so much. Too much! Luckily, I've only worked a few hours, two days a week. I've really enjoyed spending most of my time with Taylor. I've had almost 5 years of being with her day in and day out. I think I got more out of it than she did, but I sure hope she enjoyed her time with me. Guess I have to trust that her teachers and friends will take care of her while she's away from me, and make the most of the time we're together at home. Man, I love this kid. In line and ready to go, with her Agent P. backpack! lol. She's got such funny taste. Not a princess AT ALL!Waiting with a smile. We were so glad there weren't any tears....on her part, anyway. With her friend, Jackson, comparing name tags and making silly faces. I think it would be funny to take this same, silly picture, on every first day these two have at elementary school.Corinne took it hard. She wanted to stay and get a name tag too."My Taylor is at kindergarten," is all I heard when we went home.She was pooped after school! Came home and almost fell asleep.Entertaining Corinne without Taylor's help involves a lot of princess dress up. When did she get so big?









Mommy got a new camera and I'm trying out all my settings. Wes SERIOUSLY spent too much money and spoiled me! I'm almost afraid to use it. But I have such beautiful models.



















Wednesday, August 17, 2011

ksl.com - Swapping fashion for back-to-school shopping

ksl.com - Swapping fashion for back-to-school shopping

Another article for KSL in the Motherhood Matters section. I promise I'll have an update on Tay's first day of kindergarten tomorrow night!

Friday, August 5, 2011

ksl.com - Building a virtual pin board with Pinterest.com

ksl.com - Building a virtual pin board with Pinterest.com

Yup. Another KSL article. No cute pictures of the kids on this post, but I'll make up for it soon.

Monday, August 1, 2011

The many faces of Taylor J.

Seems like our whole summer can be spelled out with pictures. Three weeks left until Taylor's in kindergarten and I'm back to work two days a week. We went school shopping today and I should have taken out a small loan before we did, because HOLY COW clothes and gear are expensive.

The pictures below are our summer in a nut shell, so far.


Taylor is a shutter bug. She loves to bring her camera along with her wherever she goes. Some of her pictures actually turn out pretty good, too. Her favorite subject to shoot? Herself, of course. The pictures above are only a few of the self portraits she's taken. She's such a dork, and she's all mine. I love her to pieces. 5 year-old attitude, and all.

We are LOVING our new house. Love, love, love it! I've enjoyed decorating it and I'm almost done with the girl's room. Above is a picture of their tree decal. It's a huge tree and the kids love it.


July hasn't been too hot, so we've spent a lot of time at the park with friends. These kids get along SO well, it's almost unbelievable. They even organize their own games of duck-duck-goose.


We decided to take Corinne to her first movie, "Winnie the Pooh." She was great.....for about 20 minutes, and then she knocked over the popcorn and begged me to take her to the bathroom three times. Sigh. We'll try again when she's three. Not sure the experience and pictures were worth the $38 dollars (gasp) for tickets.



Corinne is terrified of the swimming pool, but loves the sprinklers and her alligator pool. She even tries to get Zero to join her.