My boy

He loves to play with the big boys.

If he's not a superhero, then he's a zoo animal. This cow blanket allows him to morph seamlessly back and forth.

Bedtime, what's bedtime!

He loves nature, especially if he can run around with it.

Hadley picking flowers and making a salad with dandylion leaves in our backyard. Awww... Hyrum trying to destroy it with the biggest stick he can find. Don't be fooled by the smile. :)

What did I do for entertainment before he was born? I love this boy!!!

Hadley's Birthday Party...

This is Hadley's eighth birthday party and I admit, I usually go over the top. Jeff says its to make-up for the void of birthday parties I had while growing-up. I think it's because I love to throw a party! This year I actually think I struck the balance, and I had a great time...at a kids party....at MY house! I know...8 must be the magical age!

We had a doll party, and the girls brought their American Girl or other doll. Here's Hadley with her banner in the background.

That banner is a story in itself. I've had a light schedule at work and so was able to e-mail a banner to Kinko's to print for the party. (Where's the attached, dot matrix computer paper when you need it? :)

We showed up at Kinko's on the eve of the birthday party and the man behind the counter was making such a big deal about how lucky Hadley was to have a banner for her birthday. I was starting to pat myself on the back for obviously being such a great mother when he told me my total would be $250+.

What?

I guess the price was mis-quoted to me on the phone, and it was $9 a foot...not $9 total. Well...I'm not THAT over the top...so instead of bringing home our pretty pink banners...we came home with a $10 black and white banner and we decorated it with markers and glitter. I think it did the job without giving my husband a heart attack. :)

The girls all fixed their dolls hair when they arrived...and put in little happy birthday headbands.

(Which one of these things isn't like the others?)

After that they made little matching bracelets for themselves and their dolls. They were so cute!

We played some games that American Girls from different time periods would have played. The girls loved the games! Who would have thought that hiding rocks in shoes and passing rings would be a hit. Move over gameboy! Here's a cute picture of Hadley and Maya passing rings.

After that we had cake.

Sang Happy Birthday.

Ate cake in big Brimhall bites!

The girls played, "whoever has_________raise their hand!" While we ate cake. Some of the questions were..."whoever has a little sister w/Downs Syndrome raise their hands (2 girls proudly raised their hands:), Who's dad ...er.. parent is a doctor? That was a funny one. It was funny to hear them try to explain what kind of doctor their dad/mom was. :)

We opened presents.


And then this is the random dog that ran into our house to make the party complete. I mean, what's a party without a random dog running in your house?!?!


Overall, we had a great time. I really relaxed and enjoyed it and they were all so good. (Hope the girls had fun. :)

I am volunteering now to do any of your children's 8th birthday parties. It's the perfect age. Now I'm dreading 9, it can only be downhill from here. :)

Welcome Eva!

My newest niece! EVA LUCILLE MAGLEBY 8 lbs. 2.5 oz. born May 14, 2008. Isn't she cute! Kristina has been such a trooper...carrying around a young, non-walking toddler while being pregnant. She is one of the mother's I look up to. She always puts her kids first and all you have to do is wait 2 minutes and you'll hear Kristina laughing. She's so fun to be around! Eva's a very lucky little girl! I also love the name Eva...I think it's so elegant.

Congratulations Kris and Curt!

Ohio cherry blossoms...

Make a Smilebox photobook

Am I the only one? I am loving this spring! Is it just because we're in Ohio? Is it just because this year is almost over? How is spring where you are?

To the mother....

Happy Mother's Day to the ordinary mother who feels a little out of place when they sing about angel-mothers with the purest of hearts.

**What about the other kinds of mothers??!?**

Here's to the imperfect mother not usually spoken about on Mother's Day...

Here's to the mother who sometimes looses her temper, and has to apologize to her 3 year old.

Here's to the mother who gets tired of picking up the same old toys and socks everyday, and thinks motherhood can get pretty monotonous.

Here's to the mother who would never go back because the few amazing moments outshine the monotony.

Here's to the mother who wants to freeze time and watch her kids sleeping forever. Forget teaching independence!

Here's to the mother who forgets to pick up her kids from school, and sometimes has to say, "cause I said so" because she doesn't know why.

Here's to the mother who's just winging it...trying to be just one step ahead and hoping they don't see she's just making it up.

Here's to the mother who falls asleep while reading an 8 page goodnight story but agrees to a second one anyway.

Here's to the ordinary mother who messes up everyday but tries a little harder the next.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...too ALL mother's, perfect or not!!

I feel like I'm surrounded by mother's I would like to emulate. Your examples are inspiring! One day, maybe. :)