Year End Dance Recital

My girls are to die for! We are so proud of how well they did. It was a highlight for them to wear mom's make-up!




I know no one really cares to watch the performances, so these are mainly for the grandparents. (if you do watch one though, watch this first one of Addie- She rocks!)

Expecting a Girl...

Today I am 31 weeks pregnant.

I'm not going to post a picture because I'm not lying when I tell you that I have gained weight in every possible place in my body. First it goes to the behind. Second to the chin. It's now spread to fingers, soles of feet and even my nose. Yes it's true! I think my nose is bigger. There's no way I'm taking a picture. I don't want to remember and I'm a little worried the circus might call and ask me to join the freakshow.

But more importantly, I'm 31 weeks. If we assume I'm having this baby girl around 37 weeks (which I do) then I only have 6 weeks left. I think I can do 6 more weeks, especially since I've taken a turn for the better the last few days...

Sleeping really great without medicine
Not too achy
Heart burn controllable
Nausea subsided
Blood pressure great
Glucose normal
No contractions
Lots of baby movement

Can't ask for much more.

When I found out I was growing another girl, I was a little over whelmed. I mean, 3 girls! I slowly came to grips. A week later, I sat on the beach in Florida and watched Austin build a sand castle while Adeline and Bailey searched for seashells to decorate said castle. Now that's something I can get on board with. I get it. Making things beautiful is just what we females do.

Yesterday (after several other experiences like the one above) I walked into church with Bailey's hand in mine. I looked at her curly, platinum hair and squeezed her little hand. Then I leaned to John and whispered that I always wanted to walk into church holding hands with a little lady in a floral dress.

And everything in the world seemed right...

If you want your children to be smart...

I heard this quote recently (can't remember where and I may slaughter it), but it went something like this "If you want your children to be smart, read to them for 20 minutes a day. If you want your children to be geniuses, read to them for 40 minutes a day." I think it was Einstein.
I did not mean to make myself look like a bad mom in my last post. It was brought to my attention that I made it sound like I don't read to my 8 year old anymore.
That could not be further from the truth! We LOVE to read in our home. I sit and do Austin's school reading with him almost everyday. At night, the children scramble to get through teeth brushing, scriptures and prayers to be read to. We have been through all 40 something Magic Treehouse, almost any classic that has been abridged for children (Adeline LOVES Les Mis and cried at the end!), or any other "chapter book" that is age appropriate.
I only meant I don't get quiet mornings of reading Dr. Seuss to my toddler boy anymore...TEAR!
Thanks for the info Tirzah! I always love to know more about reading to your children as sometimes I need extra motivation for it!

Fancy Nancy Vs. Pinkalicious

Call me picky, but when I read a book to my children, I want a lesson to be learned. It doesn't always have to be a "stand for the right" or "I am special," but a "be nice to your sister," "eat healthy," or "use your imagination" will do.
I spend many mornings reading book after book to my 6 and 4 year old girls. These are precious times to me, as I have already said adios to those days with my big 8 year old.
We are in love with Fancy Nancy. Yes, she's a little drama queen, but so are my girls! I feel like it shows them how to handle their emotions in appropriate ways. She is always sweet to her sister. She is considerate to her parents and her parents are kind to her (I think children should expect adults to be kind to them). She is inventive, imaginative, open minded, and thoughtful. She loves things to be beautiful and feminine. She is always teaching new and "fancier" words to use. The over-kill girliness of it may sicken some, but I find it refreshing in a world where gender is in question. I'm more than happy to teach my girls that they are girls and that is worth celebrating by accentuating their femininity. Fancy Nancy gets 2 thumbs up in our house and with baby girl #3 set to make an appearance in the next couple months, Nancy will remain a staple in our children's library. Since I'm always looking for new, fun books to read to my little ladies, I picked up a few Pinkalicious books at the school book fair earlier this school year. I have NOT been impressed. I do love that she uses her imagination, but think that sometimes she takes it too far. She is rude to her brother and sassy to her parents. In one book, she is challenged by a bully at school to see if she can make up a funny joke. She accepts the challenge and says "what was I supposed to do? EVERYONE was watching." Nice. When she takes the problem home, and is offered solutions by her family, she blows them off and stays up all night to come up with her own. Here and there I see glimpses of goodness in her, but overall I find her to be self-absorbed and disrespectful. I avoid reading these books to my girls and they will probably go bye-bye during my next clean out (nesting...)

I'd love any suggestions for other great, girly reads!

Four

In keeping some consistency on my blog, I'm posting about Bailey's birthday a little late- AWWW WELL!
This pretty lady turned 4 on April 27th
She arrived on a Spring evening while my mom was in the elevator on her way to see the delivery. She had dark curly hair and was simply stunning. I know it's cliche, but I truly could not believe she was mine.
She is sweet and charming. We call her our "LOVER" because she will cuddle with anyone that will give her the time of day. And one cuddle with Bailey will have you smitten for good! Thanks for being part of our family Boo Boo!