The Cutest Girls in the World

So we have the cutest 4 girls in our little neighborhood - they're all about the same age (Allison is the youngest - but they'll all be the same grade in school) - and the other 3 moms and I have started a little rotating preschool twice a week. I love it so much! In fact, I'm not sure who has more fun - me or the girls. I love planning all the activities when it's at our house . . . and these little girls - seriously, are so cute. You have to see this video I took of them doing the ABC's. At the beginning of each preschool I gather the girls in Allison's room for 'Calendar Time'. We do Welcome, Calendar, Weather, and then the ABC's. I have them sit on Allison's dresser - so that they can see the posters of the ABC's on Allison wall while singing. Sorry about the backlight in the video . . . I forgot to close the blinds . . .

So here's the real link to the Denver Post article . . .

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10551247

Check out the Denver Post!

Colorado's home-page for breaking news, weather, sports, local events and entertainment - The Denver Post

So I got a call yesterday from a reporter at the Denver Post . . . several weeks ago I took a political survey on the phone - and at the end they asked if it would be OK if a reporter from the Denver Post called me to discuss my answers. I said sure. So - sure enough, I get a call from the Denver Post yesterday to discuss the 700 billion bailout plan (which was kind of funny because the survey I took had nothing to do with this - the bailout didn't even exist then - it was about presidential politics.) Anyway - I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with the reporter, and then about 2 minutes after I hung up, I got a call from a photographer who wanted to stop by the house for some pictures. I said sure! How fun - it's not everyday you get your picture in the paper! So the photographer stopped by - very nice guy - and he told me that he just wanted to hang out for awhile. Just go about our business as normal and pretend he isn't there. Pretend he is a fly on the wall. Yeah right! Go about my business while a photographer is in our faces? But we did our best. He was such a fun guy - playing with the kids. Allison was hungry so we had a snack - and then played puzzles on the floor and read some books. After about an hour he said he got what he needed and left. What a refreshing experience! It felt so good to talk to a reporter and have my little voice heard.

Simple Moments

So there are a few dishes in the sink (the remaining pots and pans I was leaving until last), and some almost moldy cantaloupe I need to cut up and get in the fridge before it really gets too bad to use (I bought a pack of 3 cantaloupe at Costco - thinking it was a great price . . . but then I forget I have to use it right away before it goes bad) . . . but I'm leaving all of that for the moment so I can sit down and write down some of the simple moments this week that I don't want to forget. The pots and cantaloupe can wait . . .

I love being a mother. There are moments each day that warm my heart in ways I didn't know it could be warmed . . . and I don't want to forget those.

1 - Taking Allison and Carter to the park yesterday evening, right before bedtime - while Anthony was at mutual. We just got Allison a new bike for her birthday - and watching her ride it . . . she just looked so grown up! Where has time gone?!

2 - Reading 'Oops and Daisy goes to the Zoo' to Allison and Carter on the beanbag in Carter's room . . . and Allison finding the picture of Oops and Daisy waddling like a penguin and saying "I can waddle like a penguin too!' She jumps up and starts waddling. So funny!

3 - Carter starts crying while Anthony and I were talking - he just got home from work - and Allison comes into the room, concern on her face, and tells us "My little brother's sad."

4 - Allison randomly throughout the day calling me 'Allison' and informing me that she is 'Mommy'. She informed me that she was going to say the prayer on the food, and after lunch she came and got my plate and put it in the sink.

5 - Playing pretend at the park. Allison was again "Mommy" and I was "Allison" . She told me that her piano students were coming over - and that Carter and I needed to watch a Baby Einstein. She showed me how to put the DVD in up by the slides. And she went down on the steps and taught her piano lesson. (it's quite an educational experience having a little person mimic your actions)

6 - Allison sharing with Carter and then coming to me - so proud - telling me that she was sharing and being kind and loving.

7 - Allison helping me prepare Family Home Evening. We used the new nursery manual and planned a lesson about taking care of our bodies.

8 - Carter so excited to be at PlayPals - at the rec center gym - running across the gym floor - tripping on his feet and falling on his face, yet getting right back up - enthusiasm undeterred!

9 - Baking cookies with Allison.

10 - Hmm . . . there has to be a tenth . . . oh yes - Allison suddenly deciding to whisper when she talks to me. I think she has discovered that I have to pay a lot more attention when she starts to whisper :). Smart girl!

Other news from this week . . .

Anthony started his new job at a small company in Boulder this week. He's excited to learn new things.

I did get into the preschool class I wanted to at the Rec center. Hooray! I'm feeling very appreciative of the director who was so understanding.

We started a rotating preschool with a 3 other girls in the neighborhood. I did my first preschool today - we did 'A is for Apple' activities. I enjoy planning preschool so much!

Feeling Sad

I'm so sad. Today was supposed to be the first day of classes for Allison in preschool - and then Carter was going to go to this little playgroup at the same time Allison was in preschool . . . but it turns out I signed her up for the wrong class. I got to the class today and she wasn't on the roster. I'm just so bummed! I was looking forward to this so much. They had that I had signed up for a different day . . . and then the class that I want to get into is now full. I just can't imagine how I could have registered her for the wrong class. I had this all planned out in my head - it was perfect that both their classes were going to be at the same time. :(

More Pictures from Allison's Birthday

I had to throw in a picture of this farm I found on Criag's list. I remember playing with one just like it when I was a kid!

Allison's 3rd Birthday Party

Allison turned 3 and we had her first birthday party with friends. We did a 'Barnyard' theme. Anthony painted a barn on a big piece of cardboard and put it in front of our front door - so when all the kids arrived they went through the barn door. As everyone arrived we sang Barnyard songs . . . Old MacDonald, Horsie Horsie - and played an animal sounds game - they each had to act like their animal and we guessed what they were. Then we went outside for more games. I told them that Old MacDonald had lossed all his animals and we needed to help him find them. I hid a bunch of animals outside - and then ran around and found all of them and put them in a Barn Silo. We played Duck Duck Goose and went on Wheelbarrow rides. For lunch we had Pigs in a Blanket (hot dogs), Farmer Fries, and Corn on the Cob (Alli's favorite). We also made animal puppets. FamilyFun.com has great cake ideas - and I made my very first fancy birthday cake! (I usually just do a rectangle cake with frosting) It was so fun! I made a Pig and a Sheep Cake. Alli had fun helping me put the marshmallows on the sheep cake. Luckily Carter went down for a nap just as all her friends arrived - so Anthony and I were able to manage everything. Oh yes - we also played Farm Bingo - we had little bingo sheets with all the animals - and Anthony would make a Farm Animal sound and they would put their smartie on the animal. For favors I cut circles out of red fabric and tied a little leaf with their name around the top - and then put the 'apples' on our tree out back for them to pick. I found some barnyard fruit snacks, and little stamper/erasers of farm animals to put in the favors. So much fun!

Holly's Wedding

Holly and Hal's wedding was so beautiful! It was such a treat to be a part of it. Mom always amazes me in her ability to put together such wonderful events. The reception was wonderful. Every detail . . . when Anthony and I arrived in Ohio Wednesday night - she and Tanner were just finishing up the little books and bookshelf that was being prepared for the entrance of the reception center - where guests would find their book that would direct them to their table. Anyway - it was so cute! The books were made out of little candy boxes . . . oh I wish I had taken a picture. Carrie had put together a coloring/activity book for the kids that detailed Holly and Hal's story through wordsearches, coloring pages, mazes, etc. So cute! All the kids had little bags - and the guest were given little ipod backpacks as favors with a note attached explaining how Holly and Hal met (Hal helped Holly carry her books) . . . and now they can carry each other's burdens through life . . . Oh dear I'm not doing it justice. I wish I would have taken pictures. It was fun doing a little program honoring Holly. LIttle Allison even got up and sang a version of 'Holly had a little lamb' - in memory of Holly's love and devotion to her sheep growing up. I was such a proud mom!

Anyway - we had such a good time - and it was such a treat to get to know Hal's family, and visit with family and friends. We love you Holly and Hal!

Grandpa Watkins Birthday

We were lucky to be in Ohio for Dad's birthday. Allison had fun making grandpa gingerbread . . . Carrie even made a special bowl of batter mixed with water - heated in the microwave - just the way he likes it. We love you Dad!