These are the moments to cherish. My children with there great grandparents. 
We call her GG (great grandma)
and we call him GGpa. Emily loves to swing. She'd swing all day. GGpa was very patient with pushing her until she was ready to quit.
We love our GG and GGpa. Thankyou for sharing our Easter weekend with us. I have been doing coupons now for almost 4 years. It's amazing how much money I save by using coupons. Almost every week you can get something for FREE. This morning I went grocery shopping. Everything I bought I had a coupon for. I bought 14 boxes of cereal. Do we need this much cereal? NO So why did I buy it? Because I was able to get it for $.77 a box! I purchased 4 boxes of granola bars for the same $.77 a box. My 2 bags of chips were $.88 a bag. The dawn dish soap was the most $.99. The 2 bags of vegetables (my favorite) was ..... FREE!!! I spent $15.07 and saved $42.88. I was suppose to get 2 tubs of Promise Spreadable Butter for FREE but they were out of stock. I've got my self a rain check and will go back next week to get those.
Every weeks different. A couple of weeks ago I picked up 4 Snicker bars for FREE and 4 tubes of Crest toothpaste for FREE. They go hand in hand don't they.
Yesterday I think I found my favorite deal of alltime. I went to Target where they have The Princess and The Frog movie listed for $13.99. Before going I printed off a $5.00 coupon from Disney.com for this paticular movie. I also printed off a $3.00 Target coupon from Target.com for any Disney movie. Online I found that if you buy 2 participating boxes of Band-Aids I could mail in a $5.00 rebate. I could also buy a roll of Frog tape (painters tape) for another $5.00 rebate. These rolls are about $6.00 and not needing painters tape I opted for the band-aids since we are on our last box anyways. I was also able to print out $1.00 off 1 box of bandaids from Target.com 2x's. When I got to the register I didn't know if the cashier would accept 2 coupons for the same product but she did. So my $13.99 - $5.00 - $3.00=$5.99. Target is selling there band-aids for $1.88 a box. With my 2 band aid coupons I paid $.88 a box (not bad). I can now fill out my rebate form and get an additional $5.00 back for buying this movie which I will have now paid $.99 for. 
Maddie hasn't seen the movie yet but sure wants too. I'm hoping I can keep it hidden until her upcoming birthday (June). I know my little princess would love this as a birthday gift.
If you want this movie I'd suggest you go to Target quick. Or at least before there band-aids aren't on sale anymore.Yesterday was April Fool's. I had come up with lots of different ideas and had big plans. I was also trying to turn some homework in that was due yesterday. I've been working on this assignment now for a few days. I got stuck on one of the problems and could not figure it out for the life of me. I finally emailed our business accountant and got some help. I was so stressed out with my assignment that April Fools kind of snuck up on me. It wasn't until early afternoon when I realized what day it was. Unfortunatley by then it was too late to do most of my ideas. Having baseball pracice at 5:30 and a school function from 6:30-8:30 certainly didn't help.
Hunter's teacher apparently had several tricks up her sleave throughout the day. Sounds like several of his classmates also came with tricks prepared to pull on the class. I heard about the tricks all afternoon. Hunter kept asking me why I hadn't tried tricking him. I told him a half truth that I had forgotten it was April Fools. He didn't know I was going to get him and his sister GOOD come dinner time. The kids usually set the table but this time I did it for them so that when I said dinner's on all they had to do was come sit down. I had a pan of vegetables on the table and a casserole that still had aluminum foil on it sitting in the middle. I warned everyone not to touch as it had just come out of the oven. We said prayer and then I carefully took off the foil to discover a pan of uncooked rice and chicken. Hunter grabbed the serving spoon and was about to dig in before he noticed. We all awed, and complained about how this could have happened. The kids finally decided our oven must be broken. I told them that it couldn't be broken I had made cupcakes earlier. I told them just for tonight we'd all eat a cupcake and vegetables. Maybe we'd have time after baseball practice for a more healthier, filling dinner. 
I WISH I could have captured the looks when I brought these cupcakes to the table. I heard, Ooooooh look at all the frosting. Can we do sprinkles please please please? I scooped one onto everyones plates. Hunter picked his up first and said , "Hey, what the heck?" (Our newest phrase we hear a lot.) Our bright blue cupcakes were actually shepards's pie. I put a scoop of hamburger in the bottom of the paper, sprinkled a little cheese, a scoop of vegies and topped it with blue mashed potato's. The paper wasn't sturdy enough to keep it's shape for long so when Hunter tried to pick his up the paper sagged/fell apart and showed what was hiding underneath the blue frosting.
After the shock of mom's silly cupcakes I told them all that I had made Kool-aid (something I never do). Since it was April Fools I'd also allow them to drink with a straw (something else that rarely happens). Both Hunter and Maddie picked there's up at the same time. Maddie was the first to say, "What the heck?" Hunter then replied, "Awwwww mom you did it again." Yes sireee I did it again. There cups weren't full of kool-aid but red jello!
They thought it was great that they could slurp jello out of a straw. I think the kids had fun. Hunter said he's going to remember this so that next time he won't be fooled. I guess time will tell. Kory grew up in a small town in Southern Ut. Growing up he played many sports. During highschool he did everything offered, basketball, track and baseball. He tells me there weren't too many kids to compete against during try-outs so generally if you showed up and wanted to play you got on the team.
I grew up in Vegas. During my highschool years I tried out for soccer 2x and volleyball once. I went to the pre practices and then the try-outs. I quickly realized I was up against other girls that had been playing for years. I still remember the excitement/ anxiousness I felt when the roster was posted on the gym door of who made the team. I also remember the disapointment and tears that were shed when my name wasn't on that piece of paper. I never did make the team.
Kory and I have had many discussions about putting the kids into sports this young. I want each of my children to have a chance to play whatever sport they choose. I want to give them the opportunity to play a season in basketball, baseball and soccer at least once. After a season they'll know if they like the game or not. If they don't want to play a paticular sport they won't have to but at least they can say they tried it. I don't know where we are going to be in 5-10 years. When we are at middle school/ junior high and highschool levels I don't know if we will still be living in Prescott Valley. We may be living in a bigger town or a smaller town. Where ever we may be I want my kids to have the experience and knowledge of how the game is played. My child doesn't need to be "the best player" but I want them to have the chance to make it the team.
This past summer I gave Hunter the option of picking which sport he would like to play in the upcoming year. He chose Baseball. Maddie hearing that Hunter was going to play baseball also chose this sport. Due to their ages Hunter is in the Farmer's Baseball Division while Maddie is in T-Ball. Hunter has had several practices now and it never fails to be on one of the coldest days during the week.
They started this practice off by splitting the team into several groups of 3/4. A volunteer dad would then throw a small whipple ball while the kids tried to hit it with a small piece of pipe. After playing several rounds of this Hunter was able to hit most of the balls.
They soon went from the whipple ball to the actual field with a real ball, real bat and real bases.
After they hit the ball they ran the bases and then had a turn in the outfield. While in the outfield they were suppose to catch the ball, throw it to another team member who would then throw the ball to home. While at Hunter's 1st position he didn't see a lot of action and became a little bored.
His favorite position was in between 1st and 2nd base. He had ample opportunities to chase the ball.
I'm learning that T-Ball is a little different then Baseball. It is HILARIOUS to watch these little 4-5 year olds out on the field. This last practice the kiddo's were learning defense. The coach was hitting the ball and the kids were suppose to catch the ball and throw it to first. I know basicly nothing about baseball. I'm not sure how many players are suppose to be covering the bases/ outer field area. This paticular day there were 16 kids which probably explains some of the boredom... 
Instead of watching the ball there was a lot of "waching the grass grow."
Day dreaming.....
and picking at the grass. The children that were paying attention when the ball was hit they ALL ran after it. At one time 2 little boys started pushing each other around because they both thought they had the ball first. There's still a few kids that like to chase there own ball instead of running to 1st. There was one little girl who was on 2nd but decided to go after the ball that went rolling by. I wish I could capture these moments with camera. 
Miss Maddie is loving her time to shine. She loves going to her pratices and wishes they were every day! At her last practice she was able to hit the ball without hitting the T.
My Easter gifts are complete. I'm loving this apron for Miss Maddie. She loves to help me cook/bake every chance she gets. Last year she went to a birthday party and brought home an apron that she is quick to wear while helping me. However after a years worth of abuse it was time for a new one. I hope she likes it. 
For Hunter I made a jumbo sized tic-tac-toe board. On sundays we don't allow the kids to play the wii, computer or watch movies before church so we end up playing many many games or doing puzzles. Our ward currently doesn't meet until 12:00. Instead of sleeping in like the girls do and what mom and dad hope to do Hunter continues to get up between 6-6:30. He comes tip toeing into my room and whisper's "Mom, moooooom, are you awake? Will you come play a game with me?" This will make a great addition to our sunday activites.
Tonight trying to find a hiding place for all my finished projects I realized I don't have ANYTHING for Brayden. I have the older 3 kids there homemade gifts and a quiet activity that can be done on Easter Sunday during General Conference. I have 3 boxes of Nerds (the favorite around this house) and 3 chocolate hollowed bunny's but NOTHING for Brayden. Being the kids are now out of school I won't be able to make him anything homemade. A ball just may have to do it for him this year! It's a good thing he's to young to remember! Meet Kierra. This is Emily's FAVORITE baby doll. Somehow Kierra has lost her clothes and has needed more for some time now. For Easter this year I'm making homemade gifts for each of the kids baskets. Kierra's clothes will be in Emily's baskett.
I think both outfits turned out so cute. Last time we were in Utah my grandma gave me several piles of fabric. Kierra's new clothes came from just some of the fabric I was given. The best part about this paticular future gift is that it didn't cost me anything. Yeah!!!! One gift baskett done 3 more to go.
I've always wanted to make a special outfit for when my babies turn a year old. But I never have. So with baby #4 I'm trying to be a little more prepared. I'm not very creative, meaning I vary rarely come up with an original idea. However if I see something I can usually copy it. I get a lot of my inspiration from Etsy. I came across several different ideas for a 1st birthday shirt that I reaaly liked so I combined what I liked. This is the result, The best part is I didn't have to pay $22 plus shipping! I wanted to make my nephew Jamie a shirt also. So I did his first. I love it. Realizing that Easter is next weekend I'm putting Brayden's shirt on hold until I get the Easter gifts done. Luckily I still have a few weeks before we celebrate that 1st Birthday.
I hope you like it Sheri. I'll get it to you soon. Look what I can do now...
My mommy is just loving this new toy I've found.
This is so much fun. My mommy likes to pick up everything I knock down.
This is what the corner of our bathroom has looked like for almost 3 years now. I love making bows. And my girls love wearing bows. Placing a bow on whatever hair do done for the day seems to finish the look. 3 years ago I took some yarn, braided it together and hung in on a nail to hold the bows. Now that the girls are older I am constanly asking them to go hang their bows up. As you can see my holders are almost empty. The bows get thrown on the counter or on a dresser and a lot of times in their dresser drawers. Apparently at bed time standing in front of their dresser changing they take the bow out and toss it in whatever drawer is open. The hair do's that we enjoy doing call for 2 matching bows but over the past few years we have seemed to misplace a lot of our bows. 
Not wanting this anymore I wanted to make a bow board so I went to Goodwill and bought this for $2.99
Bought 1/2 yard of fabric from Hobby Lobby on their clearance table. And came up with this... )Oooops! Looks like the finished project jumped to the bottom picture.)
For some reason at our house MOM is the ONLY one who seems to notice the piles of towels on the floor. Several weeks ago doing the weekly bathroom cleaning I got fed up. This is what we now have...
I had Kory cut me out some wood squares, they got painted, screwed to the wall because I AM NOT going to deal with towels hooks that fall off the wall. I purposely hung them so that the screw was attatched to a stud and not just sheetrock (hence the far apart look). I then covered the screw holes by gluing a cute painted wooded fish over the hole. Now that we've had our new towel holders for a few weeks I need to make one more adjustment. We have 2 hooded towels that the kids have NO trouble hanging up and they stay hung up. Regular towels are a different story. The kids aren't able to hang them so that they will stay well. Any tug on the towel bring the towel down. So the next project will be making hooded towels!
And now for our bow board. I cut 2 small holes and then hot glued in 2 dowels. This keeps most of our hair accessories together. I love the dowels. I used dowels I had on hand and they are only an 1 1/4'' long. When these need replaced I'd like to get a little longer ones. The headbands can slip off the towel a little to easily. Our bathroom is looking better and better. It's staying cleaner longer and I don't hesitate when unexpected company asks to use the bathroom. Today is Dr. Seuss's Birthday. When Hunter was a baby someone gave me the book, "The Foot Book". I fell in love. I really really love his books. We have collected several over the past few years. I love the rhyming, the imagination, the silliness and the easy/quick read. These make great bedtime story books. In celebration I brought all our books out and have left them out to be looked at and read all day. I loved hearing Maddie take a book to Hunter and asking him to read it to her. I had fondant up to my elbows or I would have taken a picture of that scene. It was priceless! OOPS! I downloaded the picts backwards so I guess we'll start at the end. 
I had lots of help making our fun dessert. Can you tell which books they represent? Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat In The Hat (twice) and The Sneetches. The kids favorite was making the cats.
Before dinner I read the fish book. Not having any fish sticks, homemade chicken strips did the trick. Unfortunately I got pre-occupied cleaning up our cupcake mess and forgot the french fries were still in the oven. Oops! So we had left over potato salad instead. The kids will be hungry in a few hours so it's a good thing we've got plenty of cup cakes. 
While the older kids were at school Emily and I did a project. Last week I got to thinking of how many projects I used to do with my kids. We did a project everday! Even when they were in preschool we still did projects together at least once a week. Since Hunter and Maddie have gone to school for some reason I've stopped. Last week I vowed to sit down and do a project with Emily a few times a week. She's definetly old enough and it's time to start working with her on the basics. In celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday we made The Cat In The Hat's Hat. She is so proud of her project.
During the 10 minutes it took to do this easy project she kept saying "This is the best day ever", This is so much fun", "You know Hunter and Maddie are going to want to do one when they get home!". I drew the hat, using a paint brush Emily smeared liquid Elmer's Glue and then using a spoon she sprinkled on died red rice. She had a blast.
Wanting to start the day off in celebration we had our version of Green Eggs and Ham. The picture looks disgusting but it was edible. With everyone having seconds and thirds it must have been pretty good.This morning the girls and I were putting the finishing touches on one of my latest projects. The girls were using modge podge and I wanted to take a picture of them doing there project. I went to get the camera and the girls started screaming for me. I came running back in to find Brayden had decided to help. He had popped himself out of the bumbo, landed face first into our plate of modge podge and was sucking on the paintbrush covered in the modge podge. Not knowing how toxic modge podge could possibly be I decided to take the brush out of his mouth, wash around his mouth and then take my pict. Isn't he cute???
One of my many latest projects involve a new chore chart/reward system for the kids. It's amazing to see how excited my kids are about this. Obviously it's been a little too long since we tried a chore chart with them. We have tried several different ways to get the kids to do chores and nothing has stuck. I'm hoping with the rewards this one will stick.
I have created chores for before school, before dinner and before scripture study. The 1st set of chores include making there bed, brushing there teeth and brushing there hair. For these things there is no reward except for good hygiene I guess. As of now I do have a real chore of emptying the dishwasher before school. This way once the kids get out the door this lucky mom can do the dishes. Yeah for me!!!
The girls got to decorate their magnets this morning. Hunter will get to do his tommorrow. Every monday during family home evening we will rotate the chores for the week. I'm going to leave some of the magnets black and they will mark the things that everyone will be responsible for. I'm sure we'll have to make a few changes but for the most part I'm hoping it will work. Even though our chart hasn't been completely ready the kids started doing there chores this past monday. They are liking it. HAHAHAHAH. We'll see how long that will last for. 
Each chore (excluding everday hygiene activites and homework) is worth 1 point. Any time I see good behavior I can also reward with a point card. Earlier today my 5 year old wanted to play on the computer. I said yes. She wasn't on for more then 3 minutes before little sister came asking for a turn. Without hesitating big sis said sure I'll share what game do you want to play. She brought the game up for little sis and let her play while she left to find something else to do. That deserves more then 1 point in my book! 
For a few days now I have rummaged around my closet to see what treasures I have picked up on the clearance isles with the intent of saving them for a future birthday present. These are what I used to fill our bucket. It will be interesting to see how long it takes the kids to get there rewards and what they like the most. I want them to learn how to save up for something they want without doing it with real money right now. As it starts to get warmer I'll be adding some out side chores. So I'm curious to read your reply's. What have you found that works for your kids?
