Babe the Sheep Pig

RJ sent me an email saying we won tickets to a play at the Children's Theater. We were so excited about winning, it didn't matter what the play was. It was called "Babe the Sheep Pig." Prior to the show, Target had snacks and activities available for the children. They made these masks. Actually, McKenna made a mask and the next day, Hunter tore off some of her decorations and recycled them.

The play was about a pig who was befriended by a sheep dog on a farm. The sheep dog explained that he would be slaughtered but she wouldn't because she was useful and rounded up the sheep. She taught Babe how to be a sheep dog. The farmer took Babe to trials and he won becoming the best sheep pig! It was a lot of fun. RJ was especially impressed with the man who played the pig. He really wanted the kids to meet the actors afterward but they weren't interested. I think RJ secretly wanted the pig's autograph.

pump it up

I took the kids to Pump It Up to help them get some energy out.

They didn't only ware themselves out. This obstacle course was a lot of fun. Hunter beat be through it once.

The big slide was a hit. I almost got butterflies sitting at the top before plummeting.

Beautiful Vistas

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are often more dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speeds. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." Jenkin Loyd Jones

Reagan rolled over for the first time on Monday February 7th, 2011.

After complaining daily about brushing her hair, I took McKenna in for a haircut against her father's will. Actually, he was there with us but did not fully support my decision. Perhaps I should have given him hair duty for a week? At least we didn't go as short as McKenna wanted. She quite likes Hunter's haircut!



Poopy Underwear Surprise!


McKenna dismissed herself from the table when I mentioned how dry her lips and mouth were and that vasaline might help. The family enjoyed some peace and quiet but I wondered if it would be at a price. When McKenna came back, she had a "mass" in her underwear. RJ asked if she had an accident. She said yes and he took her upstairs to clean her up. He came back down trying not to laugh too loud and put her on the table (so much for not encouraging her). He couldn't resist taking some pictures of her backside while he urged her to explain what she had been up to. I was relieved that my 3 1/2 year old didn't poop in her underwear but didn't like the thought of her stuffing toys down there either. It turns out that I was wrong. She aged herself about 10 years, got into my pads and stuck it in poor Arora underwear. She confessed that she had gotten into mommy's pull-ups!

She's pretty confident that she rules the roost.

McKenna and Reagan unintentionally matched on Sunday so we snapped some shots.

Leaping Lizzards!

Hunter found himself bored as I was feeding Reagan and unavailable. He discovered his ability to leap small jungle gyms in a single bound.

It was quite impressive. He jumped off two feet and cleared it by several inches.

McKenna wanted in on the action.

"Watch me!"

"WOW!" My three year old can crawl!

Valentine's Day

We knew that Valentine's Day would be short with RJ working and having FHE. We also knew that it would be another holiday the kids would monopolize. We therefore decided to make it a weekend event. We kicked it off friday with a fancy dinner (inspired by Fancy Nancy). We had lasagna, salad, french bread, sparkling cider (homemade) in wine glasses, and the kids made and decorated a cake with chocolates and candies. We also made a boquet of "flowers" out of paper with pictures of us at the center of the flower. We ate by candlelight and the kids enjoyed making toasts.

On Saturday, I played basketball in the morning. RJ did a session at the temple and volunteered to help clean afterward. RJ bought me a pot of pink flowers with a sparkling heart stuck in the soil. We had chocoalte chip pancakes and bacon for breakfast on Sunday and went to church.

Monday, Hunter ran up to my room and woke me up with an enthusiastic cry, "It's like Christmas!" RJ bought us each a stuffed animal and left us a love note on the table. My love letter was rolled up in a botttle with a red ribbon. At the end, he told me to pick some women to go to Time Out for Women with (in April). I'm so grateful. What a good gift. We picked up Famous Dave's for dinner (since they were having a valentine's special).

A couple weeks previous, we made and decorated boxes that we hung on our doors. We placed valentines in each others' boxes over the weeks and on Monday we sat down to look at our valentines. The kids made us bracelets and colored pictures. I wrote a note for each child, colored them a picture that reminded me of them and gave them some candy. RJ and I also bought each of them a book. Hunter really likes David Shannon and Mo Willems so we gave him a book called David Goes to School (which he can read). McKenna got Fancy Nancy and Reagan got a board book about colors.

I was so excited about RJ's gifts. I made my usual "Remember When" list and we laughed together as RJ read it. I also worked really hard on turning my blog into a book. He sat and read the whole thing that night! It was a really special day.

The Winter's Tale

On friday, February 11th, RJ and I went to see Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale." I wish I had pictures to document it but I don't. I read the play previous to our attendance which helped me understand and enjoy the performance more. It was fun to do something different than the usual red box date. My mom would be proud of me for becoming a more culturally well rounded person. Growing up, I was only into sports and she always said I had no culture because I didn't appreciate "the arts."

The overview of the play said that it was a romantic comedy. However, the play is based on a kings belief that his wife is having an affair. His sickly son dies. Upon hearing the news of her sons' death, the wife likewise dies. Assuming his new baby girl is not really his, the king has one of his lords leave her for dead in the wilderness. On his journey home, he is ripped apart by a bear. The girl survives! She is raised by a farmer, grows up and falls in love. She returns to the king with her love, he bids them well, his wife is resurrected and most of them live happily ever after. The end.

RJ and I had fun even if we were making fun (of some of it).