Party Time!

So, I was looking for something for Lizzy and I to do while she was off track, and came up with this:

Let's Learn How to Plan A Party!

We first needed a THEME (I just don't know how to plan a successful party without one!)

We all agreed that "Cele-bake" Valentines Day would be the most fun.

Next, we learned how to create a guest list & make invitations.

This was hard because Lizzy wanted to invite EVERYONE.

So, to make it easier on her, I limited it to those who went to her school,

and who were also out for Valentines Day.

Then there was Decorations to be made and
APRONS to sew,

(thanks to my neighborhood apron exchange,

I already had the perfect apron for the occasion).....

And fun to be had!

Was this an educational experience for Lizzy? Maybe a little bit.

Was it fun and memorable? Definitely!

Would I do it again? Yep. In a heart-beat!

Little Things

It's the little things that make me love this child so so much. The fact she always takes Lucy Sofia (her bitty baby) to Costco, wrapped up with several blankets, a bottle, a burp cloth, a few toys and a snack. Rosie proudly pushes her pride and joy up and down every isle, in the coolest baby buggie ever (thank you Pottery Barn Kids and Nana). Many People stop and comment at how darling the whole affair is, we so agree.

The fact that during family game night she enjoys setting the pins up more than playing, and is the first to jump up and down cheering when we have bowled a STRIKE!

She is the first on the scene when someone needs help, the easiest girl to entertain and is the saddest to go to bed each night. As Kelly and I lay in bed, I recount the day play by play to him, it seems we both have a Rosie story to share and we congratulate ourselves for producing our "middle" child, who seems anything but forgotton.

Twist of Fate

Kelly: I want to take the kids sledding today!

Sarah: Awesome! I'll stay home and get "Things Done"

Kelly: O.K., but are you sure you don't want to come?

Sarah: YEP! Have Fun!

Picture it:

We get all three children dressed and bundled from head to toe, they are getting in the car, I am in the kitchen preparing to "get stuff done" when I hear.....

Kelly: AHHHHHHHHH!! CRAP!!

I run to the garage and see Kelly grabbing his nose while blood is streaming down his face.

Kelly: I think I'm going to need stitches!

Lizzy: DOES THAT MEAN WE CAN'T GO SLEDDING??

In my mind I hear the theme song from Indiana Jones........

Sarah: Don't worry Lizzy....Mom will take you while Dad goes and doctors himself up!

And The Crowd Goes Wild!

In the end, I think I had the most fun sledding! I don't know what I was thinking wanting to stay home. It was much more rewarding watching my girls shred the sledding hill and cuddle with Max as we went "Fater" (Faster) down the hill. Of course our super hero Dad joined us at the end, band aide and all. It was Time Well Spent! I love January!

2009.....

IT"S ABOUT "TIME" (literally)

As for a recap on my 2oo8 goals, I gave myself a report card:

Resolutions of 2008:

Be On Time to Church!- A!!!

Drink More Water- B-

Go to The Temple Monthly- C

Speak Kindly- C

So what would my GPA be??

Now, onto a better New Year:

I feel like I need to be better with TIME.....

1- Be Prepared!! My most important one, this is KEY in my desire to have better control over my TIME

2- Spend more Time playing with our Children

3- Be on Time

And for fun:

1- Learn to Text, also a Time saver

2- Collect more hip Sunday Music (Please send me any suggestions!)

3- Learn how to cook a few more yummy meals, for happy TIMES around the dinner table

Merry & Bright

We all loved it for different reasons, each understanding the reason for the season on different levels. But, all in all, it was Merry with: lots of parties, cookies, dresses, shopping, wrapping, un-wrapping, cooking and decorating. Yet, our favorite part of Christmas 08' were the moments that were Bright with: a better understanding of Christmas Hymns by Lizzy who began to feel the warmth of the spirit through song, A greater appreciation for Mary on Sarah's part, The complete JOY of giving learned by Rosie, reaping the blessings of simplification for Kelly (in that he had a less stressed wife, who took his advice) and the feeling of being completely satisfied with one Toy on Christmas Morning by Max.

Visions of Sugar Plums

Get Ready...
Get Set....
WAIT.........

GO!!!!!!!

3 months of rehearsals, 1 Tech Rehearsal, 1 Dress Rehearsal, 1 Bun & Make-up workshop, 2 visits to the dance store, 5 hours of make-up and hair doing (all in all) and 4 performances later.......Lizzy has been officially "bitten" by the performing arts bug! Her experience with the Nutcracker has topped her list of favorite things of 08'. She can't wait to do it next year.........I told her we'd have to think about it. Don't get me wrong, I loved spending time with her and being backstage witnessing the excitement of performing for a paying audience. It was however, a lot of time on her parents' part, at the busiest time of year. But, the show must go on right? Thank you to our dear family and close close friends for coming and watching Elizabeth. She loved it, and we so appreciated your support for our little Chinese Dragon- it won't soon be forgotten.

To Make Or Not To Make, That is The Question:

Every year since Elizabeth was born, we made our own Christmas Cards. They varied between style, size and expense but, I enjoyed dreaming them up each year. I valued their uniqueness and was excited to send them to our family and friends. During the long process of cutting, cropping and gluing, I would always vow to make them "simpler" next year. I do believe as I look over the 7 years worth of home-made cards, they did become more "paired down".

And now, my life is fuller. I am busier I think. Because of my kind Husband's gentle prods to simplify where we can, I am actually considering ordering cards!! AHHHHH!! What did I just say?? Costco Cards?? No way! It's just not me. Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with Costco cards (or any "photo card") for other people, just not our family.

I have given this a lot of thought. I see the benefit in ordering cards: easy, inexpensive, fast, practical. The negatives are: generic, having to worry about having the same card as your neighbor, impersonal. Do the benefits out way the negatives? Will I join myself with the masses in line at the Costco Photo Center? Will I swallow my pride and free my mind of undue stress? I guess you'll have to wait and find out when you receive our Christmas Card!