The Love Note

As you all know, Valentines day is fast approching and love is in the air - well it is for Paige anyway. Today she gave a boy her very first "Love Note" - she came up with the idea and made it all on her own and told me this morning she was going to give it to him. The love note said, "To: Trevor From: Paige" and on the inside it said. "I love Trevor" with a plastic jewel heart taped to it. When I picked her up from school - our conversation went like this:

P: "Mom, I gave Trevor my love note today."
M: "Really?"
P: "Yeah, I put it on his backpack when he went up to get something from the Treasure box."
M: "Did he see it."
P: "Yeah, I saw him pick it up and read it."
M: "Did he say anything?"
P: "No, I don't think he'll talk to me, but I think he loves me now."

a few minutes go by... (with a big smile on her face she gets super chatty)

P:"I'm so laughing because I love Trevor and I hope he wants to marry me.... I guess if he doesn't I can marry Alex - you know Cina's Alex (Cina's brother)."
M: "Oh..."
P: "I hope he likes my Love Note. I hope he is putting in a frame with the jewel."

Ok, so SERIOUSLY... Paige is 5 years old, ok so she'll be 6 in a couple months but really. When I liked a boy in Kindergarten I told nobody and never talked to him. She wants to shout it from the rooftop and declare her love to him. Oh brother!

Thirty-One

May I just say that I love birthdays! I think they are so much fun and who wouldn't want to celebrate with friends and loved ones. People are always nice to you, old friends call you up and send emails, you get taken out to dinner, lunch and even given presents. I mean come on, no one likes to get older, but all this fun certainly softens the blow. So a special THANK YOU to all those who remembered me on my birthday - it was great to feel special and loved by my friends and family. Turning 31 wasn't too shabby. It isn't as glamorous as turning the big 3-0, which was why 31 was a little harder - I mean THIRTY ONE, yeah I'm just getting older that's all. I did go out and buy myself some eye cream to start this year off right. I should have probably been using the stuff for a few years now, but I haven't and now I am. Enough said about that - I had a great birthday.

Last Saturday night John took me to The Stinking Rose up in Beverly Hills for dinner - it was really good (if you go definitely get the boneless short ribs - they were like butter) and then we went to Pinkberry for dessert - neither of us had been before and we wanted to know what all the fuss was about. John absolutely loved it - I thought it was really good. After that we went to the Pantages Theatre to see Wicked.
I know!!! I know, we are the last people on Earth to see this musical, but I have been dying to see it and I loved it. It was a super special night and I felt like it was one of the best date nights we have had in a long time - if not the best (Hint... Hint... John). I love my birthday!

Then on my actual birthday Dr. Martin Luther King was kind enough to give the kids the day off of school so we went the the park where friends came and brought cookies (yes, Adrienne's famous peanut butter chocolate chip) and cupcakes. Once again - I love my birthday! Also, for my very special day my parents came in town from Utah - ok not really - they came to pick up their stuff to move into their big new fancy house, but they got here on my birthday. Good enough. So that night we went to the good old Harbor House (open 24 hours and will serve breakfast anytime you want) for dinner. It was a lot of fun. We came home to this gorgeous cake that John made and the kids and he decorated.
I made an outstanding wish (that I already forgot) and the kids helped me blow out the candles - there may be more spit then frosting on this cake.

The rest of my week was filled with pedicures, dinners with friends, breakfast with friends, sprinkles cupcakes, treats, more cookies and presents. I had such a good time and let's face it - I love my birthday!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This is actually Wendy hijacking Jessica's blog (thanks for the great idea Jenny). It was Jessica's birthday on Monday and I wanted to give everyone a forum to send birthday wishes to her. So here you all are. Don't make me look like an idiot for doing this so give her a shout out. I'll start

Puppy Love

Here is the most adorable puppy ever!! My next door neighbors got this puppy "Sammy" for Christmas and my kids just can't get enough of her. She is so tiny and cute and just the sweetest thing. The kids hung out on Saturday and I loved getting kisses from Sammy. I think the only one who loved her more than me was Owen.
As much as I would love to get a dog, and I think about it a lot - I know that it is just not the right time for our family. I think my kids would crush it or drop it or something horrible - not to mention I can hardly get us all ready and out there door - feeding one more face and potty training another would put me over the edge. I can't even get Owen to poop on the potty half the time. But here she is and how cute is that.

Paige was in heaven riding around in this car. Yeah... good one - she wishes she was 16 and could drive. I told her she needs to be a mommy to drive. :)
We put this swing in our garage for Brock to sit in while the kids play out front riding bikes and scooters. Not that he looks happy here - but I think he likes it.

I See London I See France...

...Is that Sophie's underpants??? No just her normal pants. So we have been potty training Owen since the day after Christmas and for the most part it has gone pretty well. He is having issues with "pooping on the potty" but we keep at it and he seems to be getting it more and more. So yesterday when we went to McDonalds I thought we were fine. I took Owen to the potty right when we got there and not more than 5 minutes later he comes down from the gym with WET Pants. I'm talking SOAKED!!! I just took him!!! What made it worse is that he was up above when he went and it was dripping down out of the play gym to the ground below. I KNOW! Sick! I had to go tell the little lady, that was cleaning, my son had an accident and when she asked if she should bring a mop - I said, "Um... no... it was up there" (I pointed to the tube above). Poor girl had to climb the play gym and clean up his mess. Should I have done it??? I wonder. So here is Owen in Sophie's pants. Avery looks a bit spent and Tess was getting tired till Wendy gave her a coffee to give her that kick she needed to get through the rest of the day. ;)

"Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam"

( I changed the name of my post.... thanks Wendy) So last week was Owen's first week in Primary. John and I were nervous as how things would go - nothing prepared us for what was about to go down. Owen cried and whined the entire opening exercises, sharing time and singing time. If I had him he wanted John, when John had him he wanted me. During this poor kids talk he yells out, "I want to go home." Finally when it was time to go to class I though things would be better. Oh no, it was a matter of minutes before the teacher said (in so many words) it would be better if we left. I tried taking him to class with me, you know to show him a lesson - that is more boring with me, and he was so disruptive there that we just went home. Now it's Tuesday and my anxiety is on the rise as each day creeps closer to Sunday. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I don't know what to do with this kid. I've heard of fits over nursery, but most kids are just shy and quiet when they first go to Primary. Owen is on STRIKE and it's all about who budges first. Do I force him? Do I take him home? My latest thoughts were just camp out in an empty classroom till he can control himself... then I think he's just 3.... ahhh.... I'm so frustrated and sad and mad at this stupid "3 by January" rule. Can't I hold him back like in Elementary school? He's just not ready yet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Don't forget to call and wish this girl a Happy Birthday!!!! We all know she'd love to hear from you. Or drop her a note on her blog www.thezimmclan.blogspot.com Happy Birthday girl - here's to reaching 28 -- enjoys these last couple of years before the big 30 comes up and bites you on the butt!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Ok, so can I pull these pictures out in 2021 when all these kids will be between 16 and 18 years old... and this will just be hilarious. We sure did party it up and the Brian's were nice enough to host us all. It was a TON of fun!! The kids partied all night in the playroom/3rd car garage while the adults talked the night away. Originally games were planned, but I think everyone had more fun just talking.
Paige, Cate, Clare, Avery, Cina, Leah, Eliza, Owen and Kate. Poor Owen and all these girls... anyone got any boys out there???? We need some play dates. Oh and no, Avery was not the hired entertainment... but she sure does look foxy in that dress. I guess she takes after her mom, j/k Christy! (Where are Gabe, Alex and Londyn?)
It wouldn't be the new year without a kiss.... Owen planting one on Londyn.