After School Snack

"Bake Sale! Bake Sale! There's cookies and punch!"

This is what could be heard at the corner in front of our house this afternoon from a little 5 year old girl dancing and waving to everyone driving and walking by. I wanted to teach Paige a little about money and how to have a bake sale. We made some cookies, brownies and some wedding punch and set up a nice spot on the corner. We live on a corner where many kids pass on their way home from school, so it was a perfect set-up. We even took the boombox out there so Paige could dance. We were outside for about an hour and guess how much money we made?....$21.25. Nice! Maybe we should do this every week.

Baking

Although I enjoy watching my kids savor the childhood moment of slowly and meticulously licking batter off of the beaters and spoons, I prefer doing my baking when the kids are asleep. That way I don't have to share the beaters, or the licking of the bowl - it really is the best part of baking anyway.

Baby Bulldog Preschool

Paige has been participating in the Provo High School child development course, which is the preschool that the high school students put on three days a week. She just finished her last class on Friday. I think she had a fun time socializing with all the kids and getting some structure. They went a field trip the other day and actually rode a big school bus - that was pretty exciting. I'm not sure how much new stuff she learned, but she enjoyed the class. I think its neat that the high school kids get that experience as well. When we wanted to put her into preschool we did a lot of pricing out and got really discouraged. But this program was the cheapest we found and it was 3 instead of 2 days a week, and for 3 hours instead of 2. So I think we got a good deal. Paige is definitely ready for kindergarten, now we just have four months of nothing until then. I was surprised when Paige left her last day of bulldog preschool and exclaimed, "That was my last day! Now I get to go to aerobics with you!" I guess she has missed all her friends at aerobics.

The rumor is that I'm pregnant

Got your attention? Well, its false. Even though I'm four weeks late, I only have negative pregnancy tests to show for it. I went to the doctor today and made sure. He says my body is just confused. Kind of a relief. At least now I can still go to Girl's Camp.

The rumor is that I've been working out hard

True. Every Mon, Wed, and Fri at my stake center we have aerobics. It is from 9-11am. A good two hour workout. Lately I have been helping to lead the workouts. I've found I sweat a lot more in front of everyone than just following - its a little scary too, to have everyone looking at me. I hope they get a good workout. We start with stretching and do about a half hour or so of toning and hand weights. Then we move on to other things like pilates, abs, lunges, and aerobic routines. I'm not very good at the dances, but I love the kickboxing. The last part of the workout is Yoga. I can't really get into Yoga much. I know some people love it, but it seems like a waste of time to me. I'd rather be lifting weights. I am so grateful for this stake aerobics program. I feel so strong. I have been going for about 2 1/2 years now. It has been perfect for me, because its close enough to walk when I don't have a car, its like a big play-date for all the kids, its free, and its really an amazing workout. It will be fun to continue to learn new things and help lead the class. I would also love to take some instructor classes at UVU next semester. We'll see how that goes.

1:53:75

Almost two hours. Some people run a marathon in this time, not me. This is how long I have to listen to crying, whining, or complaining at my house on an average day - I know because I timed it. Something I've learned with having three kids is that it is very rare that all three are happy at the same time. I no longer worry too much about somebody waking up a sleeping kid, because I know there is not really anything I can do about it. Three kids can be very stressful, but this realization has really helped me try to not be so stressed out. But one thing I have noticed is that I am drawn to the pantry or fridge every time someone starts crying. And now you know why there is a mostly eaten tub of cookie dough in my freezer.

the Next Stage

Paige is registering for Kindergarten today. I am so excited to enter this next stage of motherhood and have a kid in school. I just really, really hope my children love school as much as I did. I'm so excited to help Paige with her homework, and watch how she learns new things. I also wonder what kinds of things she will learn from the other kids at school...so many different experiences to come.

"SWEET POTATO - MARSHMALLOWS!!"

This is what Paige says whenever she is happy, or mad, or running out of time, or excited, or worried, or when there is a problem.

The rumor is that little Levi is crawling

True...It all started last night when he finally realized he can pick up his feet and hand and put them back down. He never did scoot really, but he was able to get around just by inching his bottom across the floor. Now he is up high on his knees and our lives will never be the same again.