February 2012

1. David's birthday - David's birthday is February 8th. Haven, Davy, and I joined David for lunch on campus, and then David's adviser joined us for dinner. We had salmon which is what we always eat on special occasions.

2. Cakes - I love to bake. For David's birthday, I made one terrible cherry chocolate cake, one delicious german chocolate cake, and one delicious strawberry cream cake. The latter two made me very happy, but I don't think I took pictures! Too bad!

2. Fun Valentines - I found some fun Valentine's ideas on designmom.com and familyfun.com. So we had a fun time passing out these Valentine pictures with lollipops and pencils.

3. Alyssa's Favorite Book - Alyssa has a wonderful Kindergarten teacher by the name of Ms. Elizabeth Francis. One day after school this week, she told me she'd been doing reading tests with Alyssa. She asked Alyssa what her favorite book was, and Alyssa responded that her favorite book was "The Book of Mormon!". Ms. Francis asked her what she liked about the Book of Mormon and she said, "It's so FUN!" :) David and I had a good chuckle over that one. David jested that she has yet to learn about the separation of church and state.  For which we're grateful.

4. Valentine's Day - We had a lovely Valentine's day, but I'm writing the two months later, and I don't remember anymore what we did :)  I'm sure it was wonderful and involved chocolate.  I had better catch up on my blogging. 

5. Haven's Song - Haven is a grown up primary girl now and it shows in her singing. Today she was singing, "Pwaise to the ma-an who confooed wit Dehodah".

6. Girls start gymnastics - I finally signed the girls up for lessons. Hurray! We only have enough money to keep them going for a few months, but they are very excited and look forward to it each week.

7. Callie reading - Callie's a good reader, but she's not naturally drawn to it. So we've been trying to encourage her to read by rewarding her with new books. She just finished reading Ruby the Red Fairy, and thereby earned Amber the Orange Fairy. We're pleased with her efforts, and I think she's enjoying it, too!

8. Temple Trip - We babysat for our ward at the stake center next to the temple.  David made all the arrangements and did well.  Things went smoothly and I was impressed that a few of the adults even managed to take some of the children on a walk through the visitors center. 

9. Little helpers - My girls have been wonderful little helpers with the baby. I'm glad that they love him and want to help. Thank you my darling girls!

 

10. Hair styles - I don't know what's come over me, but lately I've really been wanting my girls to look a little better kept up. So I looked up hairstyles on the internet. Callie has beautiful hair but has always strongly resisted (i.e. crying and screaming) having her hair pulled back and even brushed. But the girls have been great about this. I was able to show them pictures of the hairstyles which makes them excited. I only had to bribe them with chocolate chips once. So far we've done twists, cat ears, butterfly wings, and hearts. Thanks to shedoeshair.blogspot.com and babes in hairland!

I've also been trying to do my hair a little more, too. I laughed when Julianne told me that her goal is not to look like a man (i.e. hair straight back in a low ponytail - my usual style!). That's my new goal this week. Don't look like a man!

11. Professor Trost joins us for dinner.  Professor Trost's wife passed away towards the end of January. We've invited him to join us for dinner once a week so he doesn't have to go home to a lonely house.  He's been very patient with my wild children, and it's been nice to have him over.  My girls looks forward to it, and ask about him on the weeks that he can't make it.