~Day 273: My Little Monkey Buddies

 

This little monkey stayed home from school today because she was sick.  We both got drinks from Sonic this morning, too.  And yes, she has a large one.  It was cheaper than the small one.  And no, she didn't drink it all.

 

I took her to the doctor because I was concerned about her a little more than usual when she gets sick.  It turned out that it was nothing serious, unless something develops later on.  After the doctor visit, we picked up a "Monster High" movie, grabbed lunch, and she relaxed for a little while.  When the movie was over, I had her go to her own bed and she slept for nearly three hours.  Poor thing was worn out.  She was doing much better tonight. Hopefully she will be good to go in the morning and can go to school.

Another little buddy today was Cailee.  The moment she walked in the door from school, she asked me if we could go to the 'train park.'  The park has a wooden train the kids can play in.  

But the main reason she wanted to go, was not so she could go on the swings (what???).  She wanted to show me how well she could swing on the monkey bars.  She had been practicing at school.  She did really well!!  I didn't have to help her once.  When did my kids get so big?

Well, I did help her once.  Or twice.  Ok, five or six times. There is a turning wheel the kids can hang from and get spun around until they drop.  They need help getting up to it. She did this quite a few times.  Her cute little hands had callouses on the palms.  She did a lot of swinging today.  Cute monkey.

**Missed a photo opp**

Ashton is my cleaning buddy.  He is determined to earn money so he can buy a new video game.  He cleaned the kids' bathroom today (toilet included haha) and he did a pretty good job.  Cailee even wanted to help him clean.

 He keeps asking me what else he can do.  I need to figure out more for him to do. I know this won't last long (the volunteering to help out) so I'm going to milk it for all it's worth.

Love my monkeys!!

~Day 272: My Scorpions Got Away

I love watching the kids leave for school together. They ran out the door and got away so fast this morning that I barely got a 'goodbye' out of them.  Cute monkeys.

Brookie was able to go to the 'Scorpion Nest' today at school. (Their school mascot is the Scorpion)  Each teacher nominates one student once a month to go have lunch with the principal.  Brookie was her teacher's student this month!  They had pizza and played ping pong and other games.   She was nominated because has never missed a day of school, has never been tardy, gets good grades and has good behavior.  Very proud of her!

 

Brookie and Cailee had to wear their new dresses today.  They got them from Grandma while she was here.  Cailee had P.E. at school, but that didn't stop her.  Just throw on your tennies and go.

 

Brookie was in her room singing tonight.  Loudly.  She was singing primary songs.  Her petshops were putting on a primary program.  (The kids had their real primary program yesterday in church)  The cow was playing the piano in the corner, and the cat was leading the group from on top of the bathtub.  It was a good program!

Ashton is showing me the next video game he would like to get.  I told him he has to earn it himself.  I'm not going to just go buy it.  He was upset at first, but the more he thought about what he could do to get it, he got excited.  I got excited, too.  I hope he is this happy when I make him scrub a toilet... haha.  Everyone needs to have that experience.  It's his time!  Love this little man!

~Day 271: Last Day With Grandma... This Time Around.

Today was the last day the kids were able to spend time with Grandma Jocelyn... for now.  The day started with Grandma, Aunt Sa, and JJ coming to the primary program the kids were involved in.  Each kid did great.  It's fun to watch their personalities while they are up front of so many people. 

After church, we came home and had naps.  I like naps.  After we woke up, Grandma took everyone out for dinner.  We went to Blue 32.  I've never been there before.  It was good and nice to be all together.  The kids were excited to get to go out with the big people.  I wish the picture was better and not quite so dark.

 

On the way home, we stopped and got the kids ice cream.  Cailee called it "Ice Cream Sunday."  (not sundae)  The kids were in heaven.

 

After the kids went to bed, Nick and I walked down to John and Alissa's house.  I had made the last of our fresh peach ice cream and took a bunch down to them.  Cute little JJ was actually awake this time when I got to hold him.  I love it when they are awake and trying to look around.

As I was holding him, Alissa started talking to him.  He immediately turned his head to listen to her.  it was very sweet!  He is such a sweet little man.  My pics tonight are kind of grainy.  I wish they were more clear.  

 It was great to be able to see Jocelyn while she was here for Alissa and John.  I look forward to being all together again in November, we hope.

~Day 270: Start the day with friends; End the day with friends.

Today was quite a day.  It started out with these fabulous ladies.  This is my visiting teaching group.  We meet once a month to have breakfast and just talk.  It's so nice!  I have grown to love them each so much.  I look forward to our time together each month.

I stole Nick's picture of the storm rolling in.  Say hello to the Haboob.  What followed was a great storm.

Both girls were outside earlier today before the storm rolled in.  Brookie left a toy out there, far away from the dry house.  She wanted me to go get it.  I said no.  Haha  You want it, you get it.  I'm so nice.

I love her face in these pictures!  And yes, she survived the rain.

 

Not sure if the size of the storm can be seen in these pictures, but it was really coming down hard.  The thunder was awesome.  I love listening to the thunder.  There were rivers running through our yards and down the street.  I love this time of year.

 

 This little cutie lost her second tooth today.  Albeit, by force.  But it's out.  Her permanent tooth was coming up behind it, and this little thing was just barely hanging on.  So I helped it out.  She's much happier now that it's gone.  She sure is cute with those missing teeth.

BrookLynn offered to read to Cailee tonight.  Cailee asked if I would read her a story, and that's when Brookie offered.  It's so cute to listen to her read to Cailee.  What a good big sister.  I didn't get a picture of Ashton tonight, but he was steadily working his way through book seven of Harry Potter.  I love my little readers!

And last, but not least:  Movie Night!

My good friend Julie T. hit me up for a spur-of-the-moment movie night.  We went to see a 9:30 showing of the movie "The Hundred-Foot Journey."  It was so good!  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Well-worth going to see.  I was so excited to get to hang out with Julie tonight.  We both needed some girl time.  We talked a lot, laughed a lot, swam a lot--- there was a lot of rain water still all over the roads.  Some spots were pretty deep.  It was fun to drive in the puddles.

Great day.  Started with friends; ended with friends.  And had my cute family in between.  It was a nice day.

~Day 269: Gauntlet Continues

Tonight we are watching the fifth Harry Potter movie. That means Ashton has read it, and is working on book six.  I think he likes the series. 

Brookie and Cailee were so excited to wear boots with dresses today. I can't wait for the teenage years...

~Day 268: Bunco! (No, not Disney)

 

Another fun night!  I love these ladies.  Tonight was a football theme, with a little Disney thrown in.  I don't think Minnie Mouse was on purpose, but she made an appearance anyway.

We had to throw on the black eye liner, vinyl thingies and strike our best 'football pose.'  None of us knew what a football pose is!  We smacked a few people around trying to figure it out.  Oh well.  None of came away with real black eyes...
I think.

~Day 267: Sweet!

Cailee has a sight word game she got from her teacher to help her practice reading.  It's a small board game-type set-up where you roll a die and read the word you land on.  The first person to the dragon-thing at the end wins.

Brookie was excited to help her play the game.  It was cute to watch them play.  They really are sweet girls.

SWEET BONUS!  Jocelyn (Nick's mom) made her famous caramel popcorn today.  She knows I love it.  It was so nice of her to share some with me... I mean, us.  I know she came all the way to Arizona just to make it for me... us.  Now I just have to convince her make her famous brownies before she leaves.  Bribery might work... 

~Day 266: Inspired: How Did They Know?

Tonight I received a surprise visit from the Young Women in my ward.  They brought me a plate of fabulous cookies and two wonderful quotes from President Uchtdorf.

This one is my favorite.  The gist of it is "...you are not forgotten."

How great is it that there are people in your life that are so inspired, they just KNOW when you need them.  These girls and their leaders topped it off.  I have had friends call, random visits, leaders come visit me (and NOT because someone told them to). It is so great to feel the love of those around you.  And because of them, you know that Heavenly Father really knows you and loves you.  I had forgotten that and thought I was forgotten.  We are so loved.  Sometimes we need others to help remind us.  I have been reminded.  It is a nice feeling.

Thank you to those of you who listen to inspiration.

~Day 265: Meet Gaylord... (it gets better)

Before.

 

After.

 

The before picture got me excited that I might actually keep a plant alive.

The after picture is very realistic.  This is why I ask that I get flowers that are going to die the next day, because I can't keep them alive to save my life.

The story of Gaylord's name:

Gaylord is a 'baby name' that my sister and I chose to use when we were young.  Our sons were going to be named Gaylord.  Our daughters would be named Swanhilda.  I finally got my Gaylord.  And he was purdy.  For awhile. *sigh* goodbye Gaylord.  

R.I.P.

~Day 264: Too Many Peaches

I bought a case of peaches last week, and they are so good.  But I had so many that I had to do something with them, besides just eat them.  So we broke down and bought an ice cream maker this week.  I know it will get used at least once a year.  So it was worth it... especially after you taste my grandma's fresh peach ice cream recipe.  It's to die for.  Cailee was very intrigued and loved helping.

 

Ashton was very focused on the fact that the ice cream was not very orange.  He still at it tho.

The ice cream was done just in time.  The kids were able to eat some before bed.  I'm happy to say they loved it!  I still have more to make this week.  So we will be stocked up with peach goodness for awhile.

I also made a couple of peach cobblers.  I prefer apple, but maybe I can pawn these off on someone? 

~Day 263: I Found a Friend

I had a great day with Jenn today!  I haven't seen her for ages.  It was so good to spend time with her today!  We started at Red Robin for lunch and followed that up by getting pedicures.

It was very relaxing and so nice to get to talk with her.  We decided we can't go so far in between visits.  I think it's unhealthy.  Love her!

Tonight Nick picked up the second Captain America movie.  This was the picture when the movie started.  Later on, the girls ditched us for something else.  They don't know any better I guess.

~Day 262: A Minute to...

...Win it!  Ashton's school had a mother-son activity tonight.  They had their own version of A Minute to Win it.  It was a lot of fun!

Ashton's best friend, Ian, came too.  We met with his mom, Linda, and his little brother Conner.  It was so much fun to have them there with us!

The boys were trying to get the most M&Ms from one bowl to the other, using only a straw to pick them up.  They ended up tied in the end!

 

They had a mystery box filled with who-knows-what.... we were supposed to put our hand in and try to figure out what was inside without looking.  It was a little nerve-wracking! We were supposed to find the rubber ducky. I think I found it, among other things.

After the activity, Linda invited us to go to Sonic after. These goofy boys ran all over the place.  They still had a lot of energy... then we gave them sugar.  Go Moms!  Ashton is enjoying his green slush, I think... I had to keep telling him to stop talking so he could drink it. Conner is being a scary pirate in the middle, and Ian was really enjoying his shake... I think he got more on his face than in his tummy.

Linda and I decided we take FABULOUS selfies...  haha I think we need more practice on how to hold the camera, keep it steady, focus the shot, AND push the button.  I think it takes talent.