buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks. . .

We took the girls to the final home BYU baseball game of the season today, which was kicked off with a fun little tailgate party catered by JDawgs. Yum! We had a great time in the sun and actually made it through four entire innings before the girls got tired of the heat and we had to head home. The highlight for Paige was meeting Cosmo, high-fiveing him and yelling, "Go Cougars!". Claire was a little less enthusiastic as evidenced by
Ben trying to pin her next to him in this photo.


Ben's favorite part of the game was when Paige surveyed the field and asked,
"Is Jimmer here?". Haha!

Tulip Festival

Yesterday, my friend and I took our girls to the gardens at Thanksgiving Point for their annual tulip festival. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun that we were thoroughly exhausted by the time we got home. So worth it though, and I'll definitely go back next year.

Is this what heaven looks like?

Posing Paige
Sisters

Claire

Friends

18 months

Length: 31 inches (31st %ile)
Weight: 22.6 lbs (24th %ile)
Head Circ: 48.8 cm (95th %ile)

Since the last development update 3 months ago, Claire has changed so much and is growing up so fast!

She's down to one nap, sleeps 12 hours at night (now waking up at 7 instead of 6, yay!), no longer nursing - she stopped abruptly all on her own the day she turned 16 months (we were down to only one feeding anyway), she runs and dances and climbs everywhere, loves to 'color', listen to "moosssick", ask for marshmallows, jelly beans, cookies, "doughduts", any kind of sweet really, and imitate her big sister any chance she gets.

She's talking like crazy and is very good at communicating her desires and opinions (which are many), she will resort to fist clenching and screaming and sobbing on the floor if needed.

She loves Elmo and books and pushing the cart at Costco all by herself (Ben let her do it once and now she thinks it's her right), and going outside and shoes and teasing. She's still a good eater and generally out eats Paige at every meal (not too hard to do). She waves and smiles at everyone and they melt over her dimple and blond hair which is still so short that she is often mistaken for a boy.

She loved the pool at Easter and I know we're going to have lots of fun swimming this summer (and possibly some scary moments because she doesn't seem to have the same apprehension about water that her older sister does).

Just in the past couple of weeks she has been practicing her dirty looks. I catch her concentrating on furrowing her brow at no one and nothing in particular and it makes me laugh out loud to which she responds by turning her glare on me for a moment before she breaks into a smile.

Everyday I'm amazed at how fast she's learning. Just yesterday we were out for a walk before bed (yay for finally warm spring weather!) when we encountered another mom and two-year-old coming toward us. We all ended up on the sidewalk right in front of our house. Paige introduced herself to the two-year-old and then Claire walked right in front of her, pointed to her big sister and said "Paysh", pointed to me and said "Mama", and then pointed at our house and said, "housh". Smart, huh? and not shy.

If you ask her to say Claire she says "Paysh" every single time. With a big grin. Did I mention she likes to tease?

She is such a joy to have in our home and we can't imagine life without her. Her smile in infectious and her personality is delightful, opinions and all.



Oh yeah, she loves her mommy best, but often calls out "DaDEEE" from her crib in the morning, which makes both of us smile.

Easter in St. George

We spent Easter weekend at my parents'. It was a lovely warm weekend of egg-dyeing, swimming (at my sister's), church going, egg hunting, and eating.

Menu Planning

This little tool has been keeping me organized lately.

Because of this simple little weekly calendar stuck to the side of my fridge, my weekly menus are planned, my grocery shopping is quicker, cheaper, and much more enjoyable, my afternoons are less stressful, and dinner is always ready on time. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. Having the menu out for all to see makes me plan better meals, and reminds me to move things from the freezer to the fridge to defrost the night before. Planning the menu for a whole week also forces me to plan other things about my week -- what we have planned during the day definitely impacts what we'll eat that night: will I have enough energy to cook? should a certain day be a crockpot day? what night will work best for pizza?

After 3 hours of church on Sunday mornings, a quick lunch, and putting the girls down for naps/quiet time, I retreat to the craft room to plan my week and menu. I actually look forward to it.

I'm sure most of you reading this already have a system in place. But up until about 4 weeks ago, I didn't! I wouldn't say the way I was doing things before was bad, but I will say that this way is SO much better. It has definitely simplified my life.

I pretty much followed the tutorial from here.
I got my 12 x 12 inch frame for half off from Hobby Lobby and
used E-6000 (best craft glue ever) to attach my magnets.

Easter Tree

This is what kept me busy for a few evenings while Ben was studying.
(I made the decoupaged eggs and pomanders)

Yes, for some people a Christmas tree just isn't enough.

Catch Up

Wow. I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. And guess what. I haven't taken a single picture since then either. What in the world?! It's not like we haven't been doing things. There were many picture worthy happenings.

In no particular order:

The girls and I went to visit my parents one weekend in St. George while Ben had drill. We made a little trip to the sand dunes, which Chelsea and I raced up and then down :)

My parents came to visit up here for like 2 weeks - Claire has asked for them by name (Honey? Papa?) every single day since; sometimes first thing in the morning, often while looking longingly out the window. She is now also very familiar with and fond of "doduts" (donuts).

Papa and Paige and Claire rode the tractor. And the horses, kind of.

My mom and I went skiing at Deer Valley! Just the two of us! My only day out on the slopes this year. It was lovely. Thanks, Mom!

Ben and I went on a real date and ate at Shabu Shabu House and saw Adjustment Bureau while the girls basked in the attention of their babysitters/grandparents, and we didn't worry about them one bit.

My sister and her two kids, who are the same ages as my two kids, came to visit. We played and shopped and talked and ate Chick-Fil-A and Cocoa Bean cupcakes.

My niece had the mother of all 4-yr-old birthday parties at Provo Beach Resort.

My nephew turned 1 and destroyed/enjoyed an entire half of the giantest chocolate cake you can buy.

3 daffodils sprouted and bloomed in the middle of my lawn. They were not there last year.

I got a very part-time job (not really picture worthy).

I've been crafting for Easter. A lot. Well, . . . a lot for me. (while watching Ugly Betty on netflix).

I started a menu/grocery shopping system and I've stuck with it for 4 weeks (again not picture worthy). It's been great. I may share more about that in a separate post.

We (including Ben!) visited the baby goats at Thanksgiving Point farm. Claire was adorable feeding those goats. So brave and giggly the entire time. I was a teensy bit afraid for her fingers.

We've had a couple of yummy Sunday dinners in Heber with the cousins and second cousins.

I went to "Girls Night Out" at Seasons of Home with my grandma, aunt, mother, and sister.

And

I held a small lunch/play-date/baby shower at my house for two of my most favorite people. We had 8 little girls and 1 baby boy running around :). One of those friends gave birth to her 3rd girl less than a week later. I've visited her twice. So sweet.

The End. Although I am sure I'm forgetting something.

- - - - - - - - - - -

As I read back over that I am kicking myself for not taking any pictures! I vow to do better this month.

And, if you read all of that, you deserve some kind of award.