Grandma's Easter Egg Hunt

Grandma set up an Easter Egg hunt for the girls April 16th since they would be gone for Easter.  They were both feeling pretty sick but they really enjoyed looking for the eggs.  This was Brai's first official Easter egg hunt since she was still little last year.  She totally got the hang of it.  Grandma also gave the girls dolls for Easter and they love them.  Thanks Grandma.

Allie's Birthday

It happened-she turned 3.  Despite a few threats to cancel her birthday all together it actually did take place.  I love the age of 3.  I am so excited for this year.  She has always seemed older than her actual age.  She was super excited about this day.  We started in the morning by opening a few presents.  One was from my Auntie Cathy.  She got American Tale figurines and American Tale movies which she was really excited about and a nursery rhymes CD.  Did I mention she can recite by heart: Hey Diddle Diddle, Hickory Dickory Dock and Humpty Dumpty.  From us she got a big girl drink cup, a t-shirt that says, "Happy to be 3" a book and a cd of Strawberry Shortcake songs.

Before her party started Grandma and Grandpa came over and brought their gift and the one from Grandma and Grandpa Brian.  She got outfits (super cute ones), a Dora Tent (also super cute) and a set of Princess books from Grandma and Grandpa Parsons.  She has clung to the books ever since.  From Grandma Connie and Grandpa Verle she got a giant princess coloring book with stickers.  She is also very possessive about that.

 Here is what the birthday spread looked like. 

 Here is our oh so cute and fabulous birthday girl.

 And the party.  We had the basketball team over.  We were going to do a barbecue for them anyway so we just decided to combine the two and it was the best birthday for her.  They all adore her and she adores them.  They were so sweet and played with her, they gave her gifts and they even played musical princess puzzles (like musical chairs).  I promised them they would only have to play once but they all wanted to play again.  They let Allie win both times and she thought that was so great.

 This scenario deserved pictures all on their own.  After the party was over some of the girls still stayed and went outside with Allie to do "an activity game."  This is where Allie likes to be the boss and tell others what to do (trust me we have done it a few times.)  However these girls were much more willing than her own mother ever is.  They marched around in circles with her, did their hands high and low and which ever way she said and they even all shook their hips on Que.

What a perfect day for this sweet girl. 
I just wanted to include a few Allie stats for future reference.
By her 3rd birthday she could:
-count to 20
-Recognize and name letters A-T and W, X and Z.
-She knows all her shapes (well the basic ones)
-She knows almost every color
-She can spell her name and recognize it when it is written.
-She can dress herself but doesn't usually cooperate and do it
-She recognizes and can tell you the story of many church pictures.
-She loves nursery
-She loves to sing (and has a fantastic memory for song lyrics even if she only hears them on the radio once).
-She loves to dance and watch herself dance.
-We have finally nearly mastered getting her to brush her teeth.  She usually does the bottoms on her own and I do tops but at least it isn't a battle everytime any more.
-She is a master staller and can doddle like a pro.
-She loves dirt and sand
-She hates dogs but wants a cat
-She wants to be most everyone's friend.
-She loves books and reading.  We get new books almost weekly from the library.
-She loves chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, beans, cucumbers, peas, tacos, spaghetti, french toast, baked oatmeal, and anything sweet.  She is a pretty good eater most of the time.
-Her favorite shows are Little Bear, Fresh Beat Band, Dora and Mickey Mouse Club House.  She loves Strawberry Shortcake movies.

Prom 2011

We decided to go to the prom this year.  The girls really love dancing and they love the High School girls and so we thought it would be really fun.  Allie wanted to go but all week was refusing to wear a dress.  Some how on Friday night she was thrilled to get dressed and ready to go (A MIRACLE).

 The girls loved dancing.  They started from the minute we got there and didn't stop until we left a couple of hours later.  One of the teachers, Mrs. Church was there also with her daughter Kenlee.  Allie and Brailie loved playing with her.

The girls also loved dancing with the Basketball girls. 

 Allies idea of dancing consisted of a lot of running laps.

 And swinging (this is her favorite thing to do).

 This handsome man was the best date 3 girls could have.  He danced and danced some more.  He gets husband of the year just for that!!!

 This is how both girls looked just before leaving.  Greg and I were sure they would sleep in in the morning.  YA RIGHT!!!!!!!

We had a blast.  I think we might make this a tradition.  What do you think babe?

New Brush

It's funny what your kids will get excited over.  I bought Allie a new brush and she LOVED it.  She talked to it, carried it around and was so happy.  She said, "Brailie let me brush your hair" and Brai even let her. 

Sweet Sisters

These two are so cute sometimes.  Usually in the morning Brailie is a bit cranky after waking up and Allie always asks if she can hold Brailie.  Brai usually never wants to (I think it was because someone was too rough) but now she doesn't seem to mind.  This was Allie comforting Brai.

Brailie plays dress ups

This girl loves hats and now is getting into other accessories.  Notice the green glasses?

The dog house

Who needs play house?  Apparently not my girls.

Just a Swingin

I got Greg to hang this swing up that we had tucked away in the shed.  It needs a major makeover (brother you up for the challenge when you are here?) but we love it.  I think everyday that the weather is nice the girls and I go out and swing on it.  Allie things it is about the greatest thing in the world-a swing big enough for the whole family.

Region Coach of the Year

On March 26th we went up to SLC so that Greg could recieve an award for "Region 19 Coach of the Year."  It is voted on by all the other coaches so it is quite and honor.  He has recieved it 5 times.  He also got a trophy for winning the consolation championship at the state tournament.  It is the first trophy the Girls team has brought home since he has been coaching.  Two of his girls Cady Mecham and Sarah Swalberg were also chosen to play on the 1A allstar team.  It was fun to actually watch a game with Lady Pirates in it with the actual Lady Pirates coach.  Here are the highlights.

Silly Afternoon Fun

One afternoon when Greg got home from school we just all layed around in the living room playing together.  It was the greatest afternoon.  We had music on for dancing and just snapped a bunch of fun and random pictures.  It was a day to treasure.

This is the "don't take a picture of me" look.

Sweet Brai

A family shot.

A full family shot.

Just the two of us.

"I love you dad" (she says that nearly 100 times a day)

Dad the jungle gym

The whole family.

This series would not be complete without a pout pose.

Allie wiggling her hips.

The chicken dance



Greg insisted I add this video he took of me dancing with the girls.  That is one of our favorite things.

Sidewalk Chalk

Here is the photo shoot from our sidewalk chalk project.  The photos make it look like it was hours of fun but in essence it was about 3 minutes.  My girls are just not fans of sidewalk chalk.  They are however fans of playing in my flower bed in the dirt.

Allie running around trying to not let me take her picture.

Got her!!

The chalk was fun to hold.

The many faces of Brailie

This girl is very expressive and very dramatic.  I don't think I have seen a bottom lip that can stick out as far as hers. 

Our first craft project

I've been reluctant about crafting with both of the girls for a few reasons.  #1 is that I am afraid Brailie will eat whatever craft medium we are using and the whole thing will turn into a nightmare and stress fest.  #2-Allie has never been into crafting for more than 1 minute at a time.  Why would I want to put myself through the process with 2?  But I had a morning of insanity where I thought I needed to be a better mom and try some organized activities with the girls.  So first we made homemade chalk (I'm posting about that tomorrow) and I actually hadn't intended to anything more than that but you have to use paint to make the chalk and so Allie was sure she needed to paint something afterwards.  So I rounded up some paper bags (who knew I wouldn't have appropriate crafting materials for kids in my house) and some old t-shirts and we set out to finger paint.  Brailie did get more in her mouth than on the paper but I just tried to go with the flow.  The whole project lasted I think 5 minutes instead of 1 so that is progress and Allie did ask to do it another day (which also lasted for 5 minutes).  Oh well-now we have officially crafted together and I think I might be ready to do more.