Kitty

Something tragic happened last week ..... Layla lost her beloved Kitty! We re-traced our steps and realized that we left him at Hobby Lobby. I called them first thing the next morning and spoke with a woman who told me he was there. I said we'd be by later that day to get him. When we got there around 5 pm that day he could not be found. The lady I spoke to earlier was no longer there and the lady helping me that evening was kind of rude and obviously has never had a child who is attached to a stuffed animal before. I almost cried; Kitty was lost! Layla didn't seem too bothered though. She said it was sad, but didn't mention again after we left the store.

The next day I still felt so bad about it. I wanted her to have Kitty forever! I called the store back and spoke with the same kind woman I spoke to the morning before. She was upset that no one could find him and put me on hold while she searched. Sure enough, he was gone. I'm not sure if someone took him or what. The lady felt sooo bad I could tell. I tried not to cry as I gave her my name and number in case he ever shows up.

For the next day or two I thought maybe she'd call, but no such luck. Layla hadn't brought Kitty up this whole time. She was totally over it! But, Mitch and I agreed that it was worth the whopping $22 it cost to order a new Kitty because we loved that he was her best friend. He came in the mail today. We opened it and put it on her bed without her knowing. Boy was she surprised when she walked in her room! She said, "A new Kitty!" She knew right away that it wasn't really her Kitty, which surprised me. I thought she would think we found him. It didn't bother her though. In fact, she thought the Easter Bunny brought him! Ha, ha, ha! Easter was weeks ago, but I guess when something magically appears it was either from Santa or the Easter Bunny. I love it! When she picked him up she said his mouth looks different from the old Kitty, and it does a little bit, but I wouldn't have been able to tell had she not said something. But, that's Layla for ya. She would be the one to notice some minute detail!

At first she said she wanted to name the new one "Quincy." But I'm pretty sure we'll all just end up calling him Kitty. It was fun to see her so happy. She threw the new Kitty up in the air and yelled, "Wahoo!" out of excitement. And she even had Kitty tell me goodnight in his little voice that she does for him. Totally made spending the money worth it, just to see the smile on her face!

Flower Girl

Layla was asked to be the flower girl for Kallee (Mitch's cousin) and Shaun's wedding. She was so excited and loved all the attention she got at the bridal shower and wedding dinner. She did such a good job throwing the petals on the ground and took it very seriously. Kallee was so thoughtful and gave Layla an adorable Minnie Mouse bag with Frozen puzzles as a gift for being the flower girl. At the reception the bride and groom danced and then others joined them. I was holding Layla while we watched the dancing couples and Layla said, "This makes me feel like dancing with my daddy!" How do you say no to that?!? I almost cried it was so sweet! Of course Mitch danced with her, and then Layla asked him if he would dance with me. She sat on the stairs and watched us dance, which I loved as much as I loved dancing with my handsome husband. It was a fun night and I am so happy for Kallee and Shaun!

Randoms

Here are a few things I keep meaning to write about:

• Mitch slaved and slaved away at our yard and it is now fully landscaped! It is beautiful. He planted 39 bushes and trees and I planted 1. Ha! At least I can say I helped, right? I am excited to watch everything bloom and grow.
• I am still working on sleep training Marcus. Every time we make progress he either gets sick or we leave somewhere. We have made some progress though because he is sleeping (mostly) in his crib and I no longer have to rock or nurse him to sleep. Baby steps!
• Funny thing Layla said: While running away from Marcus who was crawling after her, "Hurry Mom, save me from The Predator! The Baby Predator is coming!"
• Mitch just finished his final for this semester so now he has some time off. Wahoo!!!!
• I am DYING to tell Layla about our upcoming Disneyland trip, but we decided not to tell her until the day we leave! I cannot wait!!!

Easter 2014

We had fun this year for Easter! I wish I had taken more pictures, but we dyed Easter eggs, which Layla loved! She also like eating them so none went to waste! We also had an Easter egg hunt for Layla and she was so impressed that the Easter Bunny was at our house "just hopping around" hiding eggs. I LOVE hearing her talk about the Easter Bunny / Santa Claus / make believe things as if they're really real. It feels a little mean, since we are lying to her, but it's also so fun to see her so excited! I also tried to teach Layla the true meaning of Easter. She knows that Jesus was resurrected and that we will live again too after we die. However, she also knows that Christ died on a cross and on Easter she said to me, "I don't want to die on a cross, Mom!" I had to explain to her that we won't die that way even though Jesus did. She seemed grateful for that. :)

We celebrated Easter on Saturday with my fam and went fishing. Or at least we tried to. We got skunked, unfortunately, but it was still fun to be outside and do something different. We had a yummy lunch and some bunny cake for dessert that Layla "helped" my mom make. Layla also had an Easter egg hunt at my parents'.

On Sunday we went to church, which was lovely of course, and then we went to lunch at Mitch's grandma's house. Lunch was yummy and then Layla had another egg hunt. Needless to say we have plenty of candy around here! And Mitch and I decided that it will be so nice next year when Marcus can actually compete with Layla in the Easter egg hunts! She has it way too easy right now since she's the only one. I think it takes some of the fun out of it for her because she doesn't have to run around to get the eggs before someone else does.

Another fun and meaningful Easter for us! I am thankful for my Savior and feel like I understand His Atonement better after having a rough year with a new baby and some postpartum depression. I feel like Easter meant more to me this year as a result and I'm thankful for my ever-growing testimony. I know that He lives, and because of Him, death is not the end for us.

Viva Las Vegas!

So one Friday last month my friend Nicole called and said they were leaving to Las Vegas with her parents the next day and would be staying for one week. Except for her parents; they had to leave on Monday, leaving the Craguns in Las Vegas for the rest of the week by their lonesomes ... so, would we like to drive down and stay with them? Ummmm, hello! Do you even have to ask?!? :) We hopped in the car on Wednesday and were on our way!

The kids did so good on the drive down. We stayed at a nice two-bedroom condo that was off of the strip. The girls LOVED having sleepovers every night. The first night they stayed up late talking and laughing. We had to keep reminding them that you're supposed to sleep at a sleepover. Ha! (Marcus did not sleep so well however, but what's new, right?)

We enjoyed taking the shuttle to the strip and I was so impressed with the girls who walked so far each night we were there. The first trip to the strip was kind of a bust. We tried to see all the free things, but they either no longer existed or were broken. Boo. We finally broke down and paid too much money for Nicole and I to take the girlies on a gondola ride in the Venetian because we felt bad that they had walked and walked all over only to have nothing work out.

We did also catch the "volcano" eruption outside the Mirage, which made all of the kids cry except Dexter, so I guess you could say that was a bust too. Ha!

It was so nice to get away for a little while and mostly to spend some time with Mitch! This was shortly after he had been out of town for 6 weeks and working like crazy, so the timing was perfect for us. I am so thankful for the invitation and it was super nice of Nicole's parents to let us stay! We love the Cragun family and have so much fun with them. I love that our kids are friends (Marcus and Dexter even bonded while sharing breakfast) and have so much fun together. We definitely need to plan another trip!

 

 

pickle at Carnegie Deli.

 

Frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity.

M&M store.

The Best Days of My Life

The kids and I were recently hanging out in our closet while I sorted the laundry. We were all three laughing about something, though I can't remember what. For a moment it seemed to me like time stood still as I watched my beautiful children's faces while they were laughing. It was one of those perfect moments where you realize how blessed you are and how wonderful life is. During this moment I remembered an older man at the grocery store who said hello to my children and told me that these are the best days of my life, an expression that used to puzzle me because my days are sleep-deprived, busy, and full of toddler tantrums. But while we were laughing together I finally realized that these truly are the best days: the days where I can hang out with my kids and have fun doing something as simple as sorting laundry. The days when my kids actually want to hang out with me. The days when it is oh so easy to make them laugh and they happen to think I'm hilarious. The days when I can breathe in their sweet smells and snuggle their soft little bodies. So yes, I understand now that these truly are the best days, because even if I'm tired, or stressed, or dealing with a tantrum, I still get to hold and love my babies.

Dentist

Layla had her first official trip to the dentist. She did WAY better than I expected! She wasn't afraid at all, was her normal chatty self, and even let them take x-rays! I was very proud of her. She has great teeth and we're doing a good job at keeping them clean.

Layla's Birthday

Layla turned four years old. I still can't believe it. Mitch and I were looking at some pictures and videos of her from one year ago, and we couldn't believe how much she has changed! Her voice sounds much more grown up, her hair is not quite as curly, and she grew taller. I almost cried watching the videos when I realized that her little voice is not so little anymore. I miss the way she couldn't pronounce certain words and said things is such an endearing tone. For the past four years I have been so excited to see her grow and move on to the next stage, but now I can honestly say that I'm not as excited for the next step— for purely selfish reasons: I want to keep her with me all the time and I know that her next birthday means kindergarten, a.k.a. she is away from me for a majority of the day. Of course I know she'll love it and it will be good for her, but it still makes me sad just thinking about it.

But I digress. She had a wonderful birthday and was spoiled rotten by all. On her actual birthday she woke up to balloons covering the floor in her room and a new bicycle! It is pink with princesses and tassels and even has a jewelry case! She really enjoys riding it and does very well. (If she was just an inch or two taller I would take the training wheels off.) I made her pancakes with candles for breakfast. We decorated cupcakes for her friends at preschool and they all sang to her. After a yummy dinner and more cupcakes, Mitch and I took her to Boondocks where she played games and rode go-karts with Mitch.

The following weekend she got to have a sleepover with Mammy Miles and pick out her birthday present. She ended up with a pink soccer ball and a soccer net. We have enjoyed playing with it in the backyard. Of course she was spoiled during her birthday sleepover!

On Sunday we had a party for her with both sides of the fam. Every time I asked Layla what kind of party she wanted she said something different, so I didn't go all out with a theme this time. We kept is simple: she chose a Hello Kitty cake, lots of balloons, and we made Cafe Rio for dinner. We also played pin the bow on Hello Kitty. Brandon won but he might have cheated. Ha, ha! She loved all of her gifts; it seemed like everyone got her the perfect thing.

She has told me several times that next year she wants "a birthday party with all of my friends and aunts and uncles." Hmmmm, we'll see ... I was hoping to hold off for a while on the whole friend party thing.

Here's to year four. It's already better than year three thanks to Layla being less dramatic and no longer having potty accidents. Wahoo! I love my little buggy's guts. She helps me be a better person and reminds me to slow down and enjoy life. She is so sweet, funny, and smart. I am so happy that I am her mommy and I hope she felt very special on her birthday!