Is it Really getting easier?

As I sit here trying to type out a quick post I am second guessing myself. You would think my kids haven't eaten in four days. It is 4:45 and they have each asked me 5 times when dinner will be ready, they are hovering, waiting and waiting. Meanwhile Dani has taken off and is shoving toilet paper down the toilet and flushing and flushing, it will go down if you just keep shaking the handle right? ....Please hold.....Can I just type something real quick?? We shall see....

I initially wanted to write about how my life is getting easier (ha ha). My darling children are now getting up in the mornings, around 7 and playing nicely and/or watching TV!!! This TV watching is a new thing because we have not had a remote for years, therefore, Brayden couldn't reach to turn on the TV. My TV, circa 1995, finally went out and we were able to splurge and buy a flat screen WITH a remote! B is quite proud that he can work it all by himself! I know, what a thing for a mom to brag about, but it gives me almost 30-40 minutes of extra sleep time in the mornings! Oh sure, I can hear them laughing, screaming and yelling, but I get to stay in bed a while longer before the day begins. Not being a morning person AT ALL, it is a little piece of heaven.

As I staggered out to the living room yesterday morning I bent down to get a kiss from Ellie and she said, "EEWW, your mouth smells like poop!" Yes, I'm sure it does, thank you for letting me know, I will go brush my teeth right now.

Easier and easier right? Dinner MUST be served NOW!

Egg hunt fun! (?) AND 200th post!

We attended an egg hunt at a church down the road. They had a bunch of games and activities set up inside before the big hunt. All was well until this guy showed up: He totally FREAKED out my kids (and me for that matter). He's a little scary, don't you think? He also had a carrot with him, which was cute. BUT he also had a huge guy dressed up as a parrot (am I missing something?).

Creepy bunny trying to get some love from our kids. No such luck!

Kent in deep conversation with Ellie and Ally, perhaps strategizing?

Dani

Owen

Brayden

Ally

Ellie Keegan

Ally and Dani ready to race!

Our friends, Stephanie and Keith and Kent.

Owen freezing, waiting to race! I am used to rain during egg hunts (being from the 'couve and all), but the huge wind storm and 40 degree weather was a bit much. I guess it beats the snow we've had the last couple of years.

Dani still screaming because the Easter bunny was 500 feet away. It would have been much more fun if that dang bunny wasn't wandering around. All in all it was kind of successful. Brayden got about 8 eggs, Ellie got 3-4 and Dani got 0!

* This is my 200th post*

I wish I had something wise to say, or something cool to giveaway, (like all of my crafty friends) but it's just the same old stuff. I hope you had a good weekend! :)

Spring Break 'Couve trip!

We (myself and the children) headed to the 'couve for Spring break! Brayden rode back with my parents the day before, so it was just us girls on the way there. I have to say, they did a great job! Right after we got out of the tri-cities Ellie said she had to go potty. This is a part of the trip where there is NOTHING for at least 30 miles. I told her she could tinkle in her diaper (I put one on her just for this reason), and she refused. I remembered the baby potty was in the back of the van. I pulled over to the side of the road and let Ellie sit. I was shocked when she went right away! The funny thing was, 2 minutes after heading down the road she said she had to go again! She thought it was great fun! I didn't fall for that trick though.

You can't tell by these pics. but this was during a dance party where we were all shaking our bums. Yes, I took these pics. as I was cruising down the freeway, not too bad huh?

We finally arrived at G & G's and played and played. These are a few shots of the Wii. We don't have one, so the kids were thrilled to shake their bums with G & G.

Dani girl.

Ellie

We made a trip down to Albany to visit Great-Grandma Wagener. It was so nice to see her and play with her and she took all of us out to lunch!

My Aunt told us about a cool craft project. Peel the paper off of crayons, then melt them in the oven and you will have rainbow crayons. It was all going well until we tried to get them out of the pan.....when you first take them out it's a liquid, and if you wait until it's cool it just sticks in the pan. I need to get more detailed info. from her on how to complete that project......

It was fun making it though.

The 'Couve girls! We were all going to go visit our friend Kathy, who had a new baby girl 5 days before, but Kathy's son was sick, so we met at a restaurant instead. We missed you Kathy! Sarah, Jocey, Lindsey, Meghan and me! What fun, it was so nice to sit with the girls and just laugh and chat for hours. It's always fun to see the kids, but way more enjoyable to just hang out as moms/girls!

Thanks girls, it was such a fun night for me!

We also visited two of my friends from college, and hung out with Cousin Sarah, but I didn't take any pics. of those fun activities....I'm so bummed. Thanks everyone for making the time to see us during your busy week! We had so much fun! We'll be back soon.

All the way home it was rain/snow mixed on the roads. Spring break/snow/rain/wind/3 children/ screaming = good times!

Party, party, party!

Because my mom didn't know about her surprise party on Saturday and since the kids wouldn't be there, we had a party for her Friday night at our house, along with a celebration for the girls' since their B-day is 3 days before Mom's and my parent's were on a trip during their B-day. Whew, March wore me out with all of these birthdays! The kids once again.....

Brayden frosting Mom's cake for the Friday night party.....

Kisses from G-ma and cake for dessert!

My sassy Dani, the picture doesn't quite show how truly awful this outfit is. Separately everything is adorable, but paired up like it is....not so much. Both of the girls love to dress themselves and it is usually not such a good thing. I cringe because they have cute clothes, but no one will ever know....

Presents from G & G.

AND Princess scooters from Auntie Kalin!

YAY for scooters!

My bathing beauties also got these from G & G. They insist on wearing these everyday (even though it is still 37 degrees here), but I make them take them off and put on a god awful ugly, warm outfit (of their choosing) before we leave the house.

Assembling the dang scooters.... thank you G & G and Auntie Kalin!

Shh...it's a secret!

My mom turned 60 on St. Patrick's day! A surprise party was on the calendar since December! It was so hard to keep a secret from my mom! Luckily, she is very oblivious and did not expect anything, so when my children spilled the beans a few times, she didn't pick up on it. :)

"Grandma we got you a chocolate cake at Costco for your birthday!" Luckily I told my kids that we were taking Grandma out for a "grown up dinner" the word "party" was never mentioned. Most of my mom's family was there to celebrate with us. We missed my Auntie Sandy who was stuck in Denver, and my brother who couldn't get a flight out of Milwaukee.

I don't have any great pics. because I brought mom into the room, so I have to get some pics. from my family with her reaction. Also, once we were seated I don't think I ever got up to take any pics. The pics. I do have are from where I was sitting. I didn't realize how stressful it is to plan a surprise party and keep QUIET! To top it all off, my parents and sister stayed with us the weekend of the party, so I had to make up extravagant lies to get out of the house by myself to get the last minute party stuff. It was so fun and hilarious to see my mom's reaction! We love you Mama!

Thank you to everyone for all of your help!

Happy Birthday Grandma Phillips!

I am WAY behind on my posts, Grandma's b-day was 3 weeks ago. Here we are celebrating at our house. Grandma and all of her Spokane Grandkids... we missed you Hunter and Noah!

This is how we roll....

First off, when Brayden got home from school on Monday we headed straight to Toys-R-Us to get the girls' birthday balloons and crowns. All of them also got to spend their gift cards from Uncle Ryan from Christmas! They were ecstatic, and on VERY good behavior. I have to say, I think it was the first time it was successful with all three of them in that store. (successful means no crying, screaming, running away, throwing or shrieking!). Yes, it was a good day!

Here they are getting their balloons, apparently it's fascinating to watch them get blown up!

This was one of their purchases: Barbie, Ariel and Spiderman kites. We weren't all that successful in flying them that day, but hopefully soon we'll get it figured out. More wind maybe? More patience Mommy? hhhmmm?

This is my favorite! We pulled home yesterday and there was a package on our porch! A box from Uncle Ryan! I have to say my brother gives the BEST gifts. I really don't know how he does it, or how he knows, (he doesn't have kids, or really even like kids. hehehe) but his gifts are definitely the BEST! Yet again, he did not fail......

Princess and Dora roller skates! I don't know who was more excited, them or Brayden.

Our friend, Madison, was over at our house when the skates were delivered. Madison and Brayden got a little more use out of the skates than the girls did....they were a little more brave!

How cute is she? Sassy Miss Madison!