Scavenger Hunt with Grandma!

 My kids love playing with Grandma--she is so fun and creative.  Here they are on a scavenger hunt with Grandma.  She made up some hilarious clues that they had to figure out.

One of my favorite hiding places was the clue "Green"  

(That's right, Grandpa's "green" shirt pocket held the next clue)

Grandparents come to visit!

It's always fun when Grandpa and Grandma come to visit.  Here is a slide show of some of the fun things we did together!

Eliza is 1 year old!

Wow, a  year has passed.  My teeny tiny 2 pound 14 ounces new born baby is now a 21 pound 4 ounces 1 year old! 

 (Jesse's wedding ring next to Eliza)

I just spent the past half hour looking through the pictures from the day she was born.  Some of the thoughts and feelings that came over me.... a miracle, the power of prayer, being comforted by the spirit, service from others, blessings, and the power of the priesthood.   

She was so tiny.  I didn't even know how to hold her, she was so small and fragile in my arms.  I couldn't see into the future and see her as she is now. 

 This week I took her to get her one year old pictures.  While I was viewing them, I broke down into tears.  The photographer put her arm on me and asked me if everything was okay.  I told her I was just overwhelmed with gratitude when I looked at the pictures.    It was just one of those moments when I realized all that this little one has been through this year--from being so small and helpless to now being such a big one year, climbing and getting into everything!  She is amazing.  I love her so much.  I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for watching over her.

Savannah is 9 years old!

My little girl is growing up!  It's crazy when your child turns an age you remember being.

Since there were a lot of Valentine's parties going on at school later that afternoon, I brought in juice and doughnuts to her class in the morning.  She was beaming!

Later that evening, she had a few friends over for a Hogwarts birthday party.  Here is how the evening went....

Hunter was on watch duty for the guests to arrive.  Each girl needed to repeat a password to Hunter (that was written in the invitation) in order to pass through the door way.

Then each girl decorate their own gift bag with stickers (witch/wizard hats and stars, etc.)

Next, we had a special visitor from Ollivander, the wand maker.  He made sure each girl was matched with the right wand.

Then we rode the train to Hogwarts.  On the train, we tasted "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans."  Each girl closed their eyes and sampled various beans and had to guess what the flavor was.  Buttered popcorn was not a favorite!

When we arrived at Hogwarts we were greeted with a banquet of "Wizard Dots" (pepperoni) and "Ghostly Cheese" pizza.  We even had a brew of homemade rootbeer!

The first class we attended was "Transfiguration."  The kids cast a spell on themselves and magically transformed into what ever they wanted and then the rest of us had to guess what they turned into.

Then we headed to "In Care of Magical Creatures" class.  In this class we had to save magical frogs from being eaten from snakes.  Each witch/wizard had to run to a pile of eggs, choose an egg then put the egg on a spoon and carefully carry it back to the table.  Then they had to open the egg to see if they found the right egg--some had snakes.  If they found the right egg (frog) they passed the spoon to the next person.  If they found a snake they had to run back to the nest and try again.  

Then we had to teach our baby frogs how to jump.  We took turns helping our baby frogs jump across the room!

Our next class was "Potions."  Here we created a potion with dragon's blood, a few drops of troll slime, a dash of porcupine quills, tarantula eyeballs, etc. 

Then we added the most important ingredient, unicorn dust!

The look on the girls faces was priceless!

Then we headed to "Defense Against the Dark Arts."  To pass this class, they had to learn how to turn Boggarts into mummies!

Savannah turned her Boggart into the mummy the fastest!

Then they freed the mummies!

The last class of the night, was "Herbology."  Here they created a magical flower and planted it into "special" dirt and mud.  We even added some worms.  Then they said some magical words and turned it into an edible dessert.  Yummy!!!

Happy Birthday Savannah!!!

The graduating class!

In case you are wondering, the most popular gift for a 9 year old are webkinzs.  She recieved 7 webkinzs!  

At one point Jesse asked me, who was having more fun...you or Savannah?  I answered, probably Savannah but I was close behind.  I can't help it...I love throwing birthday parties, especially for those I love.

I love you Savannah!  You are an amazing sweet young lady.  I am so blessed to have you as my daughter.  Happy Birthday!!!

Muffins with Mom

Every February, our school hosts a "Muffins with Mom."  This is a great activity where the children invite their Moms to come before school to spend time together and enjoy some yummy muffins.  Last year I missed "Muffins with Mom" because I was in the hospital on bed rest.  This year I was so thankful I could go with Hunter and Savannah.  It was such a treat to be able to spend some quality time with them.  We sat on a blanket and munched on muffins and talked about school, friends, and our favorite books.  After missing so many things last year, I am so much more aware now of the many blessings I have and the things I am able to do.  I try not to take things for granted, like going to Muffins with Mom.  I love these special moments I can have with my children.

Madison is 4 years old!

The theme of the whole day was PAJAMAS!  She stayed in her pajamas for the whole day (she did change into this new Ariel nightgown for her birthday party).

We started the birthday morning with a yummy crepe birthday breakfast with our friends, The Hills.

Later that evening, Madison had some friends over for a Pajama Birthday Party.  She originally wanted a slumber party but we settled on having a few friends come over in their pajamas and we could play some games.  

First, we had Pizza!

Next we played "Pass the Teddy Bear"--where you pass a teddy bear around the circle then when the music stops the person holding the teddy bear gets to choose a present out of a basket.  

Then we played "Musical Sleeping Bags"--everyone hopped around on sleeping bags spread out all over the floor but when the music stops they had to find a sleeping bag and sit on it.

Next we tossed our favorite stuffed animals back and forth with a partner, starting out close to each other, then stepping back, toss, etc. (like tossing a water balloon). 

Then we played "Madison Blackout Bingo"--we played bingo with a card of pictures of Madison and clip art of her favorite things.  When all the spaces were covered we all yelled "Happy Birthday Madison!!!"

Next we played "Sleeping Bag Relay"--we divided into two groups, then one girl from each team races to a sleeping bag, climbs in, gets out then races back to the next person in line.

Then we played "Popcorn"--the kids pretended they were popcorn kernals and their sleeping bags were a hot pan.  Savannah kept the beat, starting out slow then fast!!!

Next, we had cake and ice cream--Slumber Party Cake!!!

Then, we had "Bedtime Stories"--Hunter read to the girls

It was a fun filled birthday!  Happy Birthday Madison.  I love you!!!

Love Notes

It's February!  Time to pull out the mailboxes......

At the beginning of February I pull out our Valentine Mailboxes.  We then spend the next two weeks sending love notes to each other.  I love this tradition!

Eliza loving her love note to pieces!