Award!

Audrey got the "Excellence in Scholarship" award today at school. Of course Cole and I braved the rain for the assembly - wouldn't miss it. She was so excited and proud. She is a great beginning reader, and does her work very quickly, and well. With her teacher, Mrs. Williams, and classmates:

Big Week

This week has been full, thankfully with the best stuff. Tyler is a cub scout. Our church starts the program at 8, so he's official. Last night they even sang Happy Birthday to him at the Blue and Gold Dinner. Welcomed him and these awesome boys, all joining this year:

Today Tyler got his blue belt! Man, he was awesome. So proud of this kid. He wrote in his school journal that this was one of his New Year's resolutions. I could tell he was very proud of himself. We had Menchies for dinner to celebrate - sometimes you just gotta. Kids were happy about that.

This weekend Tyler has his baptism interview with our bishop, too. Getting baptized in a couple weeks. Pretty exciting stuff.

And don't worry that Audrey and Cole are attention deprived. Audrey's getting an award at school tomorrow. She's been the best sister all week - truly happy to celebrate Tyler. I've been impressed. Cole demands attention at all times. He is so two right now! Good thing he's this cute - backseat peek-a-boo in pjs:

Hoping for a rainy Friday, and looking forward to a nice, laid back weekend.

This Is Eight

This kid melts my heart in a million ways. Super-duper smart and creative. Lately he's writing and illustrating his own comic book series: The Adventures of Speedy Stickman. Gets his head buried in it for hours. Reads a ton (Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid were big hits this year). Still loves his Legos more than anything. Testing for his blue belt in karate this week, next month tries baseball. Tyler is a great brother. I'd say he and Audrey are best friends, and he's always up for a sword fight with Cole. Has a bunch of wonderful friends from church and school, too. He is sweet, sensitive, emotional, a thinker. While I still feel so close to him, I can tell the older he gets how important it is to find that one-on-one time. Grateful for the gift that is every day with him. Blessed I was chosen to be his mom, and witness his life. Eight is a big year - many adventures ahead. Happy birthday, Tyler. I'm so glad, in your words, it's been "the best birthday ever!"

His class singing "Happy Birthday" to him today: 

Tonight after Audrey's dance class we hit Toys R Us to spending birthday money, then family dinner out.

Friend Party

When we heard The Lego Movie was coming out in February we knew exactly what to do for Tyler's birthday. He invited some friends and we headed to the movies. Loved it! I even shed a tear, and so did Adam. Got popcorn for the kids. Came home to pizza, cake, and present opening.

Pre-party set up

Wasn't gonna do favors 'til I found these in the Valentines Day 70% off bin for about $1!! Perfect!

The crew: Noah, Alec, Timmy, Dewy, Kaleb, and Brandon. Would've invited more if we could, but only had so much room in our cars. We're grateful our kids have such wonderful friends.

Tyler was so happy. Great afternoon with these kiddos!

Birthday Kick-off

Tyler is 8 on Tuesday! Can't believe it. Kicked off three days of celebrating at Grandma and Grandpa Tait's today. Grandma made a yummy spaghetti dinner, Tyler's choice. Lots of playing with these favorite cousins, Danny and Jo-Jo:

Family present opening. Gifts included Nerf gun, video games, Captain Underpants book. Legos from Audrey:

Thank you hug for Spiderman legos from Cole. Love this.

The big present he'd been waiting for for a looong time. From mom and dad:

Sunday birthday dinners with Grandma and Grandpa Tait have become a tradition.

 Cake was delicious!

Happy eight, sweet Tyler! Love celebrating this kid. He felt very special today. Tomorrow we take him, Audrey, and six friends to The Lego Movie.

These Days

Guys, I have been a slow blogger lately. That will change with Tyler's birthday next week. 8 years old!! - How? Spent a nice morning at the temple with friends yesterday. Music class with Cole this morning. The weather here is gorgeous, but we need rain! Here's a little of what's busying my mind this week:

Tyler's Lego Movie birthday party. Plus birthday dinner with grandparents. Plus bringing birthday treat to school. Plus going to Toys R Us to spend birthday money. It's a lot, but all worth it.

Cub Scouts Blue and Gold Dinner - a little out of my comfort zone, but I think it will be fun.

Ironically I meal-planned really well this week and Adam has only been home from work for one meal. Sigh.

Harry Connick Jr. on American Idol. Oh man I love him.

Starting to plan a couple summer trips. Itching to travel!

Changing routine a little. Audrey wants a break from dance class. Tyler's starting Little League in March.

Movie night to see The Monuments Men this weekend. Hoping to sneak a pedicure in sometime soon - toes are hurtin'!

Happy kick-off to the weekend!

Audrey Last Week

A couple of Audrey adventures last week. She's been wanting to take karate with Tyler forever. Last week she took her first class and was in heaven. She held her own with all these boys:

Tips from Sensei Josh - he's wonderful with the kids!

I took her on a mom & Audrey date to the Frozen sing-along. That was fun. She had to bring her Elsa doll we got her from Disneyland, of course. And she picked our seats - very back row, as high up as possible!

Audrey also passed her next sight word/AR goal at school. Her reading is getting better and better. Pretty proud of her this week.

Happy Love Day

Breakfast goodies for my valentines

Kinda dorky, but Tyler appreciated this play on words. From pinterest:

Happy bunch

Then we spent a gorgeous morning and afternoon in Long Beach at the aquarium. Our passes expire next week, got in one last trip.

Tonight pizza, Princess Bride, and a little chocolate.

Be Mine

We are starting to assemble school valentines over here. What is it about Valentine's Day at elementary school that is too cute?! 

Audrey's Frozen valentines:

Tyler's Lego Star Wars with glow stick light sabers:

This is the face you make when little sister photo bombs

Audrey made this Valentine at school, and she couldn't wait 'til Friday to give it to me. "Whoooo's the best mommy ever?"

A Ladybug family gave me a balloon for Cole today. Seriously this face! And you can spot our Valentine's mailboxes in the back - it's become our tradition.

Ten Years at Disney

After spending a kid-free day at Disneyland with my girlfriends, I thought it would be fun to do the same with Adam for our anniversary. It was! A great time of year to go - minimal lines (the rain kept people away, but not us - the rain's not that annoying when you're stroller-free!) We rode a ton of rides in both parks, some we hadn't done before like Califonia Screamin' - so fun! Enjoyed the day together, talking and hanging out. The finale of our anniversary celebration!

My new Disney must-stop: Poor Corner Bakery. The cookies are amazing! Seriously I must try them all. And yes that is a $10 caramel apple.

The more I go to Disneyland, the more I love it. Next time with the kids! 

P.S. - Kids had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa Tait, and their babysitter, Callie. Weren't the slightest bit jealous to miss a day at Disney, especially since we brought them back some awesome souvenirs. Plus Tyler has made it clear he does not want to miss school so he can get 100% attendance. I will remind him of that when he's a teenager.

Couple Good Quotes

There's been a lot of talk of Tyler's birthday lately, it's in a couple weeks. Audrey said to me today "Mom, in May you better plan me a surprise birthday party, or you'll be doomed!"

Yesterday when I asked Tyler to clear his plate after dinner, "Mom! This isn't a do-it-yourself life!" Followed by roaring laughter from me and Adam.