Maddox's 1st Grade Play

Maddox had his 1st Grade play yesterday and it was absolutely adorable. I just love to watch/hear kids sing. Plays at this age are the best because the kids know the words but their not too cool to sing. I love it!

Maddox was the bunny in the play. He had one line, which I'm actually surprised he gave, but he did it. You can see him wait a little while before he gives his line. When we asked him what he was waiting for, he said he was waiting for the teacher to give him the go ahead. The boy knows how to follow directions when all eyes are on him. Catch him when he thinks no one is watching and you'll find a completely different child.



There were actually quite a few songs and parts but I didn't want to post everything so I just posted my favorites. This first song I just thought was sweet.



The kids gave the play twice during the day. Maddox was a weed for the second play of the day, so I had to come back to video the cool weed dance. I loved it! It was so adorable.



I'm proud of my little man! He was so excited to have Claire and I there. Maddox can be such a sweet boy. Last week we were sitting at one of Mason's baseball games and Maddox turns to me and says how one of his friends said he hates his mom and he couldn't believe it. I said, "I'm sure he doesn't hate her, that's just what kids say sometimes when their mad at their parents. I'm sure you've felt that way about me before." He looks at me with complete shock and says, "I would NEVER say that! I LOVE you!" It was just about the sweetest moment I have ever had with one of my kids. I had to hold back the tears because I knew there would be no explaining that to him. I know he won't always feel this way, but I don't care, it was a wonderful moment! He's such a sweet heart.

Piano Recital 2011

Maddox had his first piano recital on May 14th and Mason had his third. It is so wonderful to watch them progress so quickly.

Maddox really enjoys piano and begged for about a year before he started lessons to be able to play. I really didn't know if he was capable of starting so young because his little hands are so small, but he's worked it out. When he first started, I could see his little fingers straining to push down the notes when he started at the beginning of the school year. Anyway, I am so proud of his determination and love for it. He really enjoys it. Hopefully, it will stick.



Mason, on the other hand, is a different story. He absolutely hates taking piano and begs to quit on almost a daily basis. I told him to get use to it because he won't quit until he moves out. I know this sounds bad, but if he sucked, I would let him quit. But honestly, it comes so easy for him that I would feel incredible guilt if I let him quit. Besides, kids are forced to learn to read, write, do math, and pretty much everything else for their betterment. What's so wrong with forcing them to learn an instrument?



My boy's piano teacher is really amazing! She is incredibly talented and goes above and beyond on her recitals. She gets all of the kids a small statue of a famous piano composer. Each year they are able to get a different one. I just think it's such a cute idea.

Anyway, I thought my boys did a wonderful job and I was so proud of them. They of course pick everything apart about their performance, but I'm their mom and my eyes they rock. :-)

Easter 2011

Easter this year was actually the day we were suppose to return from Coral Pink. We planned on staying at Coral Pink until Sunday, but ended up leaving at about 9 pm on Saturday night. It was kind of nice because the kids slept the entire drive home. We made it home at about 1 am and we all went straight to bed. The kids didn't even notice that the Easter Bunny had already visited the house before they walked back to their bedrooms.

Or course they were up bright and early Easter morning and Jess and I were wiped out. They patiently waited in Maddox's room for at least an hour before we felt guilty enough to wake up and let them go find their Easter baskets.

I swear, all our kids care about it candy. Claire looked like she was hopped up on something before she even opened her first candy filled egg. She was frantically trying to open a Resees' Peanut Butter Egg before shoving the entire thing in her mouth. We thought she was going to have a heart attack. I know, a super healthy breakfast. Also, those chocolate bunnies were about a foot tall and I think she had hers finished by Monday afternoon. Again, I know.

Anyway, it was a wonderful but different Easter! It was different because we missed our 9 am church meeting. It just seems weird to not dress up my kids in special outfits for Easter Sunday. Also, I was bummed they didn't get the real meaning of the holiday. It's not that easy to convince your children that Easter is really about our Savior and his resurrection when they are chowing down on a gigantic chocolate bunny.

Coral Pink 2011

Coral Pink was so different this year. It wasn't bad. It is still my favorite place in the world to be and I had a wonderful time, it was just different then years past. It just seemed really slow paced. I'm sure it had a lot to do with the weather. In years past, the weather has been extremely temperamental. Cold, wind, rain, heat, you name it. We usually only get one really good day and so we are forcing all the riding into one day. This year, all four days were beautiful! I didn't ride more or less, it was just spread out evenly and so there was a lot of down time. Also, mine and Jess' schedule had been so busy that all either of us wanted to do was rest and be together. It was exactly what we needed.

Our good friends the McCalls weren't there this year, which was a definite bummer. That is also a big part of the reason the trip felt different. We missed our late night chats with them. They are always good for a lot of laughs.

No matter what the changes though, Coral Pink is my absolute favorite trip and I wish I could go more. I love the time away from TVs, cell phones, video games, and stress. I get to be with my entire family and lots of wonderful friends. My kids use their imaginations and make unforgettable memories with their cousins as they run wild from sun up to sun down. And with all of this, I also get to ride my four-wheeler, which I absolutely LOVE to do. It's like therapy. :-)

About a month or so before Coral Pink, we bought a Raptor 350. It's about half the power of mine and Jess' bikes, but it's clutch and it has plenty of power for the kids. We spent a couple Saturdays out at the dry lake beds teaching both the boys how to drive clutch, which surprisingly, they both picked up pretty quick. I was definitely a proud mama!

This year, Mason spent a lot of time on the sand dunes with Jess and I. This is what will make this year stand out separate from the rest. It was so cool to be able to take my son out and watch him progress so quickly and love the dunes as I do. I have to give a huge thanks to my brother Chuck, who took Mason under his wing and really pushed him his first day out there. He was able to take Mason farther then Jess and I ever could because Mason was afraid of not listening to him. You know how kids love to listen to their parents.

Anyway, we had another wonderful and successful trip to Coral Pink! I can't wait for next year. Also, I just want to thank my dad and my SIL Erin for the pictures. Lazy me pulled my camera out one time, I think. Good thing I have family that will share. :-)

Maddox's 7th Birthday

I can't believe my little Maddox is already 7! He has really grown up in the last year. In the last year he started first grade, started taking piano lessons, played soccer, and played on a flag football team. I have to say, the football boys were more his speed. The first day of practice was about the cutest thing ever. Even though it was flag, these boys were so excited to be there that they were just running around tackling each other and giggling. Maddox was right at home.

Maddox decided he wanted to have a party this year after Claire had hers. He told me he wanted everything to be the same except he didn't want Cinderella there and he didn't want princess music. :-) I thought it was cute that he thought he had to point that out.

My sweet friend Shelly worked out some awesome sport cupcakes for him. Let me just say, they were cheese cake filled cupcakes. Totally to die for! He wanted a sports themed party which worked out perfectly for the music and the cupcakes. Jess made a play list of different well known sport songs like We Are the Champions.

The day couldn't have been windier, which I stressed about the whole week and through all of the set up until the party started. It was then that I realized this wasn't a princess party. This was a party for a 7 year old boy and not one of those kids could have cared less. They downed their food in seconds and then were off screaming, bouncing, and throwing balls everywhere. At one point, I caught all of them inside playing Just Dance to Who Let the Dogs Out. It was hilarious!!

I'm sad that my little Maddox is getting older. He is crazy, energetic, fearless, curious, and loving. He loves to be loved and when he isn't running wild, I get a glimpse of the cute little baby boy that use to cling to us. I will be sad when his baby face is gone.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY MADDOX!! We love you!

Girl's Disneyland Trip

In March of this year, Claire and I went to Disneyland with all the women in Jess' family that could go. I believe there were eleven of us all together. We drove down in my parents van so we could all drive together. What should have taken about 4 hours actually took about 7 hours because traffic was horrible. But, we made it and we had a blast!

The first day in Disneyland, Claire and I hit the park with Jess' mom. Apparently booking it through Disneyland to get your moneys worth is considered a Nazi trait. Oh well, all I have to say is that my mother in-law worked it out and didn't complain one bit. I was super proud of her. We hit pretty much everything we wanted to by 1 pm on the first day. After that, we took it easy.

Around 6:30 pm or so, everyone else pooped out except two of Jess' teenage cousins and I. We ended up riding Indiana Jones twice and Thunder Mountain at least four times. It was so nice to be able to book it through without a stroller.

We spent the second day in California Adventure and I did my best to not push anyone. I can't say it was easy, but I tried. Jess' family definitely saw a new side of me on this trip that I'm sure they didn't like much. However, they are way too nice to admit it. :-)

The trip was so much fun though. I think I could go to Disneyland everyday. I know, it might get old, but I am definitely ready to go back already. I missed having my boys there and I kept thinking how much they would have liked the different rides. Claire was afraid of a lot of them so she wasn't nearly as good a partner as the boys would have been.

Oh yeah, the jerk of a mother that I am made Claire go on the Tower of Terror, knowing she would probably be scared. Well, scared is an understatement. Her little hand was trembling in mine the entire time. She couldn't even scream, her body was shaking so bad. Yes, I know, I suck. But seriously, it was the saddest thing ever. It even topped her yelling at me on the Matterhorn, "I told you it was scary! You should have trusted me!" Haha.... Actually, that was just plain funny.

Anyway, the trip was wonderful and I want to go back with my boys as soon as I can.

Claire's 4th Birthday

Our Claire Bear turned 4 years old on February 13th. I can't believe my baby is already this old. She has grown up way too fast and she is too smart and sassy for her own good. She is always saying the funniest things too. For example, "Maybe means I'll think about it and I'll think about it means yes." Or, "Can you take me to the dog store to buy a dog with your dog credit card?" Just today, she was begging for steak out of the freezer because she tasted it for the first time last night and has now decided it's her new favorite food. The child is crazy, funny, loving, smart, and irresistible. She pretty much rules the house and honestly, it is probably time to nip that in the butt. :-)

Anyway, we threw Claire a Disney Princess birthday party this year. We planned for a while and she picked everything she wanted. Unfortunately she was sick for her party but it didn't seem to slow her down too much.

My awesome friend Shelly made her an amazing castle cake that was to die for. Red velvet cake with a cheese cake center. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. If anyone ever needs a cake, she is very affordable and always does better than I ask for. She rocks.

Cinderella came for Claire's big birthday bash too, which all the little girls loved. I can't say the boys saw the awesomeness in it, but they were too occupied with the bounce house and all the balls to throw at each other. Cinderella and the Disney music Jess had going in the back ground really topped off an awesome party for my little girl.

The party could not have turned out better, which is always nice for the mom that worries and stresses about it for weeks. Claire was happy, I stayed in my budget, and everyone seemed to have a good time. What more can you ask for?

However, once the party was over, Claire couldn't fight off the sickness any longer. Her and I ended up spending the next three hours at the quick care just to get some medicine so the poor thing could get some sleep that night.