Things Making Me Happy

Carousel on PBS. Reminds me how much I love classic musical theatre.
Ice-cold chocolate coconut water.
This candle smells my house up sooo good.
Impromptu Friday afternoon play dates.
Spending Saturday at the park after Ladybug, with kids and friends.
Saturday night Mexican food, and Trader Joe's greek yogurt guacamole.
Big jug of water with lemon, cucumbers, and fresh mint from our yard.
Lazy Sunday mornings before church.
New church calling in the primary presidency, happy to spend the afternoon with all those cute little ones.
Sneaking Cole into nursery a couple weeks early because of new calling.
Shopping and planning for Audrey's 5th birthday in two weeks!
Trying to live by this quote from Marjorie Hinckley a little more, can't get it out of my head - "Whenever possible say yes to your children. They're only kids once."
Summer is coming. Can't wait!
 

This morning's lazy swim time/bubble bath.

Little Book Worm

Love how he plopped down in the hallway with a pile of books, his chubby little fingers turning pages, very serious. Kept himself busy for quite some time. Little man will be 18 months in two weeks.

Crazy Hair

Crazy Hair Day at school today. Tyler is funny and very particular about his hair. I had it all spiked up (and cool looking, in my opinion), then he took a look in the mirror and instructed me to brush his bangs down 'til it was exactly how he wanted it. Funny kid. Audrey has a streak of purple that's hard to see, but she had to join in of course.

Then Adam sent me these photos of him on set today. Guess it was Crazy Hair Day all around.

Zuma On A Whim

We planned on running a bunch of errands today, but on my way to Ladybug Music I called Adam because the weather was gorgeous and suggested a beach day instead. After I taught class we headed to Malibu and stayed 'til we got cold. Tons of fun - most importantly relaxing. Left around dinnertime, stopped for some yummy Mexican food on the way home. Gotta love an impromptu beach day.

Our California girl. She ran straight in the water, first thing.

Baby boy loved the sand, but was not a fan of the cold water. So cute to see him explore the beach - his first time back since he was itty.

Tyler workin' on sand castles.

Lovely day with these four. Lucky me.

Jack

My Uncle Jack passed away yesterday after battling cancer. Times like this I wish the west and east coasts weren't separated by so much in-between.  He really was the life of the party, always so happy. I can easily remember his laugh. He and my Aunt Joyce went out of their way to visit me and the kids whenever they knew we were on the east coast. That meant a lot. They saw Ragtime, and generously hosted me and my friends for a weekend trip to Florida. Good memories. Aunt Joyce sent me this photo from a few summers ago. Stephanie, Uncle Jack, and I in Virginia at my dad's house - it makes me happy, and thoughtful.

Heart is a little heavier this weekend, but full. Sending lots and lots of love to my Aunt Joyce, cousins Sam and Mike, and everyone - all of us - who loved Jack.

Little Mommy

Breakfast at our house this morning = big sister feeding baby his yogurt. Cole is my pickiest eater, but eats best when Audrey's around.

Audrey all ready for school this morning. She's feeling quite sassy in the outfit she put together today. Bring on Friday.

Toddler Moves

Cole keeps me on my toes these days. He now climbs to the top of the play structure outside. Opens the front door all by himself (minor heart attack when I happened upon it wide open this afternoon - luckily he hadn't ventured out). Oh, and lifting toilet seats is a fun one, too. Baby boy never. stops. moving.

Mmmmmm

Sometimes a girl just needs a little Menchie's for lunch.

Lovely Saturday

A while back I bought a groupon for the Wildlife Learning Center. Decided to use it today - my last Saturday off before the Spring session of Ladybug Music begins. I'd never been there before, and it was such a nice, relaxing outing (nearby, too). It's a small zoo with very cool animals, most of them rescued with really interesting stories. We saw a legless lizard (didn't even know those existed), the biggest Python I've ever seen (shiver), Bald Eagle, a bunch of mountain cats, porcupines, squirrel monkeys, turtles, macaws, foxes, a sloth, a bunch of insects and reptiles, and so on. The size of the zoo was perfect for Cole - he could walk on his own without being wrangled. Perfect weather today, and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Glad we went.

See the cat in the background?

The eagle was pretty cool.

The macaws even talk to you as you walk by, which the kids loved.

Precious face.

Silly kids.

Looking forward to a laid back evening - kids playing in the yard, Adam home later, and a yummy Mexican dinner tonight (thanks to Trader Joe's).

Ladies Who Lunch

Sydney came over to play after school today. The girls picnicked outside.

One of the things I love about where we live is there are so many families, and the friends my kids are making right now feel like friends for life. I can imagine Audrey and Sydney hangin' out when they're sixteen. Audrey often says she wishes she had a sister. I usually tell her I understand, but that she will make wonderful girlfriends in her life that will be like sisters to her. I know it's true - she loves her friends so much, and so fiercely. Nothin' like good girlfriends - whatever your age.

Song Love

There are a bunch of reasons why one of my favorite shows this season is Nashville. One being the music. Like this Lumineers cover Audrey and I are currently obsessed with. So good, and how cute are these girls?! I downloaded it and Audrey sings it from the back seat while we drive around town. If we get the harmonies down I'm imagining our next video.

Cookie Success

Documented because it usually doesn't happen for me. Adam loves snickerdoodles, and these did not disappoint. I did, however, bake them at 350 at shorter amount of time, like many comments suggested. Recipe saved, and nice to bake something on Conference Sunday. Yum.

Lazy Saturday

Lazy meaning I'm still not showered, and never left the house today, but the kids and I worked hard in the yard. Emptied our sandbox of old sand and dirt, cleaned it out, washed sand toys, dumped bags of new sand. Two green tips I found on pinterest - ground cinnamon for keeping bugs out of sand, and vinegar around the perimeter of your sandbox to keep cats away (since we don't cover ours yet). We'll see if either of those work. Yard work on General Conference weekend is a good combination. So nice digging in new sand (although Cole was upset about something in this shot).

Spring Break, Nearing the End

This morning we all got out of the house easy peasy! Some mornings it goes so smooth, others not so much - herding cats (myself included). Thank goodness for today! I needed it. Even grabbed tickets for Adam and I to see Keith Urban at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. Anybody wanna come?

Our crew at the zoo today (minus the babies).

Cole and Baylee at the petting zoo.

Mr. Cole exploring the California Condor Rescue Zone. Our first time there, and it was really cool.

Spring break treat - a ride on the carousel.

Kids are running in the sprinklers now, while baby sleeps. Tonight I'm letting Tyler and Audrey stay up late for a slumber party (late meaning no later than 10pm - probably more like 9:30). Making cookies, popcorn, pillows and blankets on the floor, watching Enchanted. Hopefully a very nice Friday all around. (PS - Go see The Croods. We all loved it. So cute!)

Our Karate Kid

Tyler tested for another belt today. This kid has been taking karate on and off since he was three. When we moved we found a new teacher (who is wonderful), and these past couple months especially, Tyler's been taking karate more seriously. His love for Ninjago is, I'm sure, one of the reasons. Photos from his test today:

Receiving his belt, along with another kid in his class. His teacher, Sensei Josh, also teaches them Japanese which Tyler loves! He's determined to count to 100.

Go Tyler! So proud.

Spring Break, First Half

Spring break kinda kicked my butt today. Or maybe it was taking three kiddos to the dentist, and Audrey acting pretty naughty, Cole very fussy. I should expect it because I swear every time I go to the dentist my kids are acting nutso and I look like that mom (whatever that means, because every mom is entitled to crazy days, I say). I just happen to have had many crazy days involving the dentist. Oh, and Tyler has a cavity (dang!) Besides that, the day was good - kids played with their friends at boot camp while I exercised. Adam took them to the park tonight. I made terrible crock pot mac-n-cheese (pinterest flop!) Here's a spring break picture dump:

Adam's belated birthday dinner at Claim Jumper. We celebrated three birthdays - Adam, his mom, and Troy's girlfriend. Great night out!

Fuzzy shot but too cute. Yes this boy brings his blankie just about everywhere. It makes him happy, and who doesn't want a happy toddler?

Oh man, Audrey loves her uncles. We all do. It was great to catch up with Troy and Ryan.

Monday we spent the morning with lots of friends at the park. Post-park Happy Meals and strawberry milkshakes thanks to G-Mom's gift card.

Tyler's been building lots and lots of Legos, and always wants me to take pictures of his creations.

Spent Tuesday at the aquarium with Amber, Becky and all our kids. Fun! Great weather. Poor Cole - it's not easy being a toddler on big outings.

Regrouping tonight with some good TV (Modern Family, The Middle, Nashville!) Taking the big kids to see The Croods tomorrow. Looking forward to a laid back morning at the movies. Tyler tests for his yellow belt in karate, too. The kids have been sleeping in a little, which I appreciate. Spring break continues.