Hat's Fancy

I didn't wake up this morning to watch the royal wedding. Sure, I wanted to see what Kate was wearing, but I figured I'd be inundated with wedding recaps all day so I'd be sure to see it. Sure enough, first thing this morning when I logged on to my computer, there it was. I immediately showed it to Ava who, of course, oohed and aahed over it. Then, I noticed a slideshow on the sidebar featuring some of the crazy hats worn to today's event. Ava and I had fun looking through them and providing our own commentary. Then, I had an ephiphany, we could make Ava her very own British Royal Wedding hat! I gave her a paper plate, fabric flowers, tissue paper and ribbon. And here's the final product:

Princess Catherine indeed looked beautiful today, but she's got nothing on our little princess!

Baby Name Help

So, we're having a hard time naming this baby of ours. Ava and Jax's names were easy to come up with, this time around, we just can't agree. Names Andy loves I hate and vice versa. Some people have told us to just wait and see what she looks like when she's born, but I think that if all babies were named based on their appearance after birth they'd be named, "Grandpa Lizardface" or "Goop." So, just for fun, Andy and I have created this baby name poll. The names listed aren't necessarily names we both love, as a matter of fact, we both only like three of them. The other names are some we like individually. We thought it would be fun to see what you all think we should name our baby. We may take your advice, we may not :)

Good Haul

I taught a couponing class last night at our ward's Relief Society activity. I really don't know that I'm the most qualified person to have taught the class, but it went well. About 30 women showed up from our ward and the community AND the local newspaper is doing a story on couponing featuring yours truly. I have to say, it was strange to be on the other side of the interview. When I told the reporter that I too used to be a reporter, I joked that I was recording our conversation to ensure accuracy. I don't think she knew I was joking.

Anyway, I had to do some shopping this week which was perfect because I was able to share some of my experiences at the class. I had a great week this week! On average, I saved 80% (I usually save around 70%) and I got a TON of stuff, including diapers which we have to begin stocking up on. Here's a picture from one of my trips:

I got all this for $14! That's just about an 85% savings. Not too shabby! Of course, I stocked up at the grocery store getting $350 worth of groceries for $97 -- and that's two weeks worth of groceries (with the exception of milk).

I kept telling the ladies last night how addictive couponing is. Really, I enjoy it! It's almost become a game for me! I love to go to the store and see just how much I can save. Even my kids love to get in on it, helping me sort coupons or double check prices. If they see something they want at the store they always ask, "Mom, do you have a coupon for this?" I love it!

A Tender Moment

I wanted to quickly blog an experience I had today because I want to share it with grandparents, family and friends, but also so I have record of this sweet little moment.

Between breakfast and lunch today I cut up a mango and served it to the kids for a snack. Jax and I immediately began partaking of the juicy goodness, but then I glanced across the table at my sweet little Ava who had her head bowed and was offering quite thanks to our Heavenly Father for the food. When she opened her eyes, she caught me staring at her, but rather than say anything she too began to eat her mango.

We have taught our children to bless the food before breakfast, lunch and dinner. But how wonderful that Ava thought to give thanks for a small little bowl of mangoes. I know it's minor, but this simple, small act really touched my heart. I am so thankful for Ava, her sweet spirit and her closeness to our Father in Heaven.

Such Fools

I'm a little late getting this post up. I don't know where my brain is these days. I guess being pregnant will do that to a gal.

I never do anything for April Fool's Day, but this year I wanted to make it a fun day for the kids. So, I planned our meals around the "holiday." For breakfast, I surprised the kids by turning their cereal milk their favorite colors. First, I put a few drops of food coloring in the bottom of a bowl, then covered it with cereal. The kids watched as the white milk I poured out of the jug changed colors once it hit their bowls. Ava was shocked and excited, Jax thought it was neat, but much preferred just eating his cereal uninterrupted (meaning no pictures).

For lunch, I made our regular: sandwiches with fresh fruit and vege's, but I told the kids I had made a special juice for them. They, of course, were very excited because their mom is mean and rarely gives them juice. However, when they went to take a sip from their straws nothing came out. I had actually made Jell-O the night before, put it in cups along with straws and refrigerated it overnight. The kids weren't the least bit disappointed to have Jell-O rather than juice. I even had an extra and they tricked Daddy when he got home.

For dinner, we had breakfast, which I served on cookie sheets. I made Monte Cristo sandwiches and "fries" which were actually little nubbins of pastry dough I had sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and ketchup (strawberry jam).

 

Everyone seemed to enjoy my tricks for the day and I enjoyed Ava and Jax's giggles each time I fooled them. We'll see what I can come up with next year.  

Ninja Turtle

Andy introduced the kids to the classic cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and now Jax is obsessed. He pretends to be Michaelangelo, always wants pizza, when he's angry at someone he calls them "Shredder" and insists on wearing a piece of fabric around his forehead. As if Ninja Turtles weren't exciting enough on their own, they just happen to come in monster truck form. That's right, Jax's two loves all wrapped up in four totally awesome monster trucks!

Jax wants a Michaelangelo costume but the pre-made ones are expensive and I simply don't have the time to make one, but I did have time for this:

I saw a similar shirt online but it was $25 plus shipping, which I was not willing to pay. SO, I made it all on my own for about $6. Not too shabby, and Jax loves it! Cowabunga, dudes!

Ava's Birthday Extravaganza!

Five is a big birthday! According to Ava, a five-year-old can be a big girl, be an example, go to school and cut her apples with a butter knife all by herself. For me, having a five-year-old is bittersweet. Of course, I love watching this little girl of ours grow up, but in the fall, she'll go to school which means she will be gone for seven hours out of every day. This little person who I have spent every day of her life with for five years, won't be here to help me make lunch or to tell me when her little brother is giving himself a mohawk with jelly (as he did this morning) or to play Barbies with first thing in the morning. She'll be off learning and growing. Oh, and she's so excited! Ava's love's to "exercise her brain," as she calls it. She's reading very well, which means she is often lost in a book. If I haven't heard from Ava for a little while I can guarantee she's in her bedroom reading. We've even started keeping track of all the books she reads out loud to us so she can look back and see her progression. She continues to be interested in science: animals and their habitats, plants, the solar system, natural disasters, etc. She's in ballet, despite my best attempts to turn her into a soccer player, the girl loves to dance and perform.

To celebrate Ava's big birthday I made Thursday (the 17th) all about her. After dropping Daddy off at work, we headed to the airport to get G-Ma, then to Chik-fil-A for lunch (Ava's favorite) then off to the new children's museum. The good news is, the museum was AMAZING, better than I imagined, the bad news is it was spring break and PACKED! Fortunately, the kids were able to enjoy plenty of the activities and exhibits. Ava especially loved the dance room and storybook/dress-up area, while Jax loved the car and boat races.

 Check out the dress I made for Ava's special day! She especially loved the built-in apron.

Little Elvis

 

 Pretending to be a pioneer in a log cabin. Yes, that's catfish on her plate.

 


 

Once the kids felt they had seen all there was to see at the museum, we scooted off to Toys R' Us so Ava could choose a pair of roller skates. I told her months ago that I got a pair when I turned five, so she thought it only appropriate she too get skates for her fifth birthday. She chose a pair of pink and purple princess skates (shocking, I know!) with matching knee, elbow and wrist pads. Unfortunately for Ava, she had to wait an entire hour for us to get back home for her to try out her new skates (and new Barbie helmet from Jax). As I made homemade pizza for dinner (birthday girl's choice), G-Ma took Ava out to the patio to practice her skating skills.



After dinner we had homemade strawberry shortcake and opened presents, and let Ava stay up until 10.

 
 

But the real fun came Saturday at her "Fancy Nancy"-themed party.


Ava invited five little girl friends (one couldn't make it). They made necklaces, got pedicures and glittery makeovers courtesy of Afton and Kaylynne (the sweetest teenage girls), went "shopping" for fancy headbands and jewelry, played fancy games, ate cupcakes and parfaits (fancy for ice cream sundaes) and played with all the girly gifts Ava got.

 All fancified. Thanks Afton and Kaylynne!

 

 A Fancy Nancy doll from her best friend A.J. back in Utah!

Ava thoroughly enjoyed her birthday celebrations, but as she does every year, she's already planning her sixth birthday party. I'm still recovering and looking forward to the next bash we'll be throwing --- a monster truck-themed 3rd birthday party for the Little Dude.

I posed the girls for a picture, but Jax thought one of him would be better!

In the meantime, I'm still dealing with the shock of realizing my little girl is five. Although, I do enjoy seeing the excitement on her face when people ask her age and she gets to tell them, "I'm five years old." And already, she's taking her new age seriously, making some more mature choices (how to handle arguments with her brother, doing something the first time I ask) because she knows, "that's what a five-year-old would do." One year older, one year wiser and, if possible, one year sweeter!