Stache Your Troubles, Amigos

Let me esplain:
Our ward had a talent show last year that was so much fun (surprise, right? I confess I was) so we participated this year. Well, the kids participated. And since we are so talented at copying dance moves, we chose "Viva Las Vegas" from Just Dance. This is hilarious so we copied the western theme, costumed up the kids and they were a hit.
The next day we were goofing around with the mustache and the kids wanted me to take pics of their funny faces so they could see what they looked like. We giggled so hard it got hot in the room. Here are some of the results. I swear, all you need is a mustache to take the pain out of life.
Pimple? Put on a mustache.
Don't want to make dinner or fold the laundry? Put on a mustache.
Need to fire an employee? Put on a mustache.
You're welcome.

Wounded Wing

Well, here is what last week consisted of. Monday night Sadie was playing on the play ground equipment during Luke's soccer game and "fell" (I think she jumped) off the outside of an enclosed slide. She fell backwards and hyper extended her left elbow, causing a little break.
After seeing the doc on Tuesday, he recommended temporary pins be put in so I took her to surgery on Wednesday. This little girl has been a trooper all the way through. She was back to school on Thursday. The only sad part was post surgery- coming out of anesthesia was hard on this little bird and she cried for over a half hour until things finally subsided. Poor thing.
She has to wear her cast for four weeks and then it comes off & the pins removed.
This is our first hospital visit for our kids. Well, besides Jacob and all his procedures, which I must add I was quite content to be in the hospital this week for a broken arm and not for those previous events long ago. Scott was annoyed about it but I just smiled because it was bound to happen sooner or later with our three!

Hip Hip

Hooray for Earth is a cool band that I really enjoy at the mo.
Hooray for cool, new music that inspires!
Hooray for this interesting video, too.

Hooray For Earth - True Loves from Dovecote Records on Vimeo.

Long Boards and Short Memories

Well it's no surprise that I am getting older and it sucks rocks.
I consider myself as aging gracefully until I acknowledge the huge gap of appropriateness that now exists among things I become interested in. Long boarding is my current example. For some reason lately I have wanted to get one. Mind you, I was never a cool tomboy with a skate board or anything so the urge isn't to relive old glory days (um, I had Barbie roller skates) and I already told you I was so-so at snow boarding. So why? I don't know. I am not interested in doing funky tricks. I just want to gliiiide along on summer evenings and think it would be a fun balancing challenge.
So I started looking at long boards. Most of them are corny with super teen graphics (this is the huge gap I was referring to), but a few of them were pretty cool, nay, dare I say, beautiful. So worth sharing to you because I thought you'd appreesh (Mom, I know you'll get this). My faves were these at the top- by Loyal Dean. Gorgeous wood inlay... so pretty. But not for me because I am entry level- I'll need something I won't be afraid to beat up (Let's face it- I'll probably knock out teeth before the month is out).
I did feel better after I confessed this new mania to my brother, Richard. When I told him I was embarrassed, he said, "Nah, it just shows that you like living!", and that made me smile. I hope that's what it is.


And if you find this post completely worthless, hold your wrinkly horses.
Watch this video and you'll get a taste of what I mean (+ the music is The Dodo's. Bonus!).

Easters

Well, on the heels of a vacation, the motivation for Easter fussing was low. Luckily Grandparents came to the rescue. Before all the family dispersed back to their respective cities, we had a little egg hunt for the kids Saturday morning.
It's great having the cousins enjoy each other as much as they do. The older they get, the more fun they have.
Thanks to all the Leavers for their help and hiding!

Spring Break

We went to Newport again this Spring Break with the Leaver family. All but one sibling was able to come (A/F were greatly missed!). We had a very relaxing time because we really didn't want to do much other than lazy things, as you can see here. :)
-We visited the local farmers market with the kids. This was the first time they realized you could sample food and ate tons of orange samples. Look at those freckled Luke cheeks- how could I say no to that?
-We went to the beach
-We saw cool cars!
-We played Just Dance with cousins

We also went to Legoland. The new Star Wars mini land was open and I couldn't resist sharing a few views of the Endor moon. They had scenes from each film. So awesome. The rides were fun but the lines were long. What else is new during Spring Break.

We took some (windy) family pictures on Sunday and as is customary with serious photos, we had funny faces to make as well. We also happened to run into some old friends from our San Francisco days also vacationing in Newport. What a cool surprise that was!

Twins Birthday

Lookie there! It came and went and I didn't even make a wooplah about it here. I confess that it reflects what happened in real life. I have just not been in the mood to fuss over a big celebration and thank heavens the kids are at an age that they didn't care (or notice). Whew.
We still had the kitchen all decorated that morning and made pancakes with cake sprinkles (Haha! I have to laugh at myself. That is so ghetto, is it not? Me stretching the 'cake' fun with the least amount of effort I can muster!)

When asked what treat they wanted to share with their classes at school, donuts was the choice. Awesome! No baking for moi. They were pleased as punch.

The twins Birthday is also special because they share the same Birthday as their Grandmother, Mimi. We usually celebrate with them so they came over for a little family fun. They are always so generous with the kids, it makes our gifts in return seem kind of boring (Lego's vs. Personalized Postage Machine? Hmmm...)
I think Luke's favorite present was the singing Despicable Me Birthday card. Which I still hear in his bedroom late at night. Agh. Look at these cuties. They are getting so big on me.

I thought I would at least make them the cake of their choice, because that would represent love. Well, I don't love them enough to make a Lego Harry Potter for Luke and a replica of Sadie's current favorite stuffed animal kitty. And I thought, as a compromise, that instead I would make cake pops, something I have never attempted. Then I could sort of make something Lego and a kitty head and have a lot less leftovers. Luckily Luke changed his mind to Batman. Can you see the pictures? They make me laugh. Wow, they were horrid looking. Big, lumpy yellow cake balls with bats and Sadie's poor kitty replicated to a swollen mass... some even slid down the sticks. But this is what I love about 7 year olds.
"Mom! Those are awesome!!"
"Oh, thanks, guys! It's because I love you so much!"
We stuck candles in and sang Happy Bday.


Happy eaters.

Right now I so enjoy these kids. Sadie is such a busy, inquisitive girl. She cannot hold still, loves to play and help and is the child who surprises me with very profound questions. She also has a laugh that dances out like butterflies; so contagious you are compelled to join in.
Luke is such a good kid. I love how he still walks up to kids in the supermarket or park and just says hello & invites them to play. He loves to share fun stories and laugh. He is also my music head. He'll hear one song and pick things up so well. I love sharing music with him and anticipate this will be something we share a lot of together.
What a blessing children are! I learn so much from what they teach me.
Happy Birthday to my sweet twins!xoxoxoxoxoxo