Sometimes I like to be a fly on the wall while my children play. I really enjoy watching how they interact with others or how to come up with imaginative stories. It's fun to watch Taylor try to figure something out. Her problem solving can be impressive. I caught her figuring out one of ther new birthday toys. There is a hammer to use, but Taylor figured out that her hand is just as effective. This girls makes me so happy.

First Day of School

Well, it was the first day of school last week, and this year we had two students. Both were super excited and not apprehensive at all.


Sydney has the same kindergarten teacher as Emma, so she was already familiar with the classroom, the schedule, the teacher etc. She was practically pushing me out the door while I tried to steal one more kiss and hug from my little, I mean, big girl.

















She knew this was a big morning and was very willing to pose for me. I think she was finally glad to have pictures of herself on the first day of school.





Here she is at her desk, right before I said good-bye for the fourth time. Sydney is lucky because she knows several of the kids from her class already. But, she seems to have made new friends anyway, as she tells me about all the kids at recess. Isn't she the cutest kindergartener ever?

My two school girls! I can't believe they're growing up so fast. Aiden really misses them during the day. He will start a preschool next week, but it won't be enough to keep him busy. For the next few weeks, we're just going to get into a routine, and see what else we want to add to our schedules.

Taylor and her Birthday Cake

Happiness is Organizing!

So, I found a new blog: Iheartorganizing.blogspot.com I mentioned to a friend that I love to organize things and she told me to check it out and now I can't stop thinking about places I can use more bins, baskets and tupperware. They make me happy. I really do heart organizing.

If you like to organize (or even if you don't) check out her blog. Check out her tips on organizing spices, binders, toys and playrooms......you can easily spend hours gawking at everything.

I thought I would share two of my projects that have been inspired by this blog. The first is my garage shelves. Thanks to Aiden, I don't have any before pictures, but just take my word for it when I say that these shelves were the catch all for everything going into or coming out of our car. A few dollars spent at target and I have a much organized garage area.




I even printed labels for each bin (my heart skips a beat thinking about it-yeah).



I am constantly putting things in a pile to donate (I am the opposite of pack-rat) and now I have a handy, confined place for my stuff.



The other project has been my recipe binder. I was so happy with the way it turned out. It makes me want to bake and cook all day....well, almost.

Yeah for organizing things!!!

The simple life

A year ago, I was preparing for Taylor to come. Knowing that life with four under age 6 would be busy, I decided to stop teaching piano lessons. Something had to go, so that was it. I wanted to simplify my life.

Then....I got a call from the bishop. Relief Society 2nd Counselor.

That quickly ate up all the time that cancelling piano had opened. I juggled and made some adjustments (actually, Brent made some adjustments to prevent me from having a nervous breakdown) and we have survived the past year.

So, as the ward was splitting, new bishops being called old Presidencies being released (including mine), I started to look forward to more free time. After all, Sydney was starting Kindergarten and Aiden will be gone once a week for preschool. Taylor still takes two naps a day....the possibilities were endless. A clean house? Dinner on the table every night? Projects getting checked off like crazy? Shopping? YES! YES! YES! YES!

Then....I got a call from the bishop. Relief Society President.

So much for my grand thoughts of a simple life. My life is just as crazy as ever.

Arizona Summer Days

Tried to go to the park on Saturday but only made it half way there before we all melted and had to turn around (and the park is only two blocks away). So, we came home and did this instead.

Food for thought

At least one of my children liked dinner. Even if it was just for makeup and finger painting.

If you can watch the following video, it is a small miracle. I guess I might have to own up to the fact that I am past my prime when it comes to technology. I have to ask Brent how to do things. Don't tell anyone, okay?

Anyway, this video is a few weeks old, but it is the first proof I have that Taylor is finally crawling. She was 11 months old! I actually enjoyed having her out of trouble for so long. But, now that she is a proficient crawler, I have really enjoyed watching her crawl and explore the house. The girls are constantly picking her up and it makes her mad. She loves the freedom to go wherever her chubby legs will take her.

My sweet baby is going to be one in a few weeks. My word! That makes me sad. We have finished nursing, she tries to communicate with me (usually just looking and grunting), she has to feed herself, and she still melts my heart (and every other shopper at the grocery store) with her adorable smile. I love you Tayls!