Claire's Preschool Party

I think Claire has proclaimed Valentine's Day as her favorite holiday. She got way into it this year, and as soon as she saw hearts in the store, she figured it out. She was very excited for her party at preschool. She worked very hard to write her own name on her cards, and was so excited to give everyone their princess Valentine with a pencil. I am happy to say that I have fought with her about writing her name, but now she does a great job(I knew she could do it all along). She came up to me after the party and said, "Teacher, that was the best party ever!" So cute! I am glad that she had such a great time!
Playing a game where they had to count the hearts after their bean bag landed on it.
Claire loved playing musical chairs. She didn't win, but was a really good sport about the whole thing.

Valentine Cookies

Last week for FHE we invited our friends the Copelands over to decorate heart cookies. The kids had so much fun, and as always invented cookies with more candy than cookie to them. It is so fun now that Owen can do it all by himself - he actually doesn't want any help.

Candy Bracelets

I have been trying to find activities to keep the kids busy during these winter months. It has been a challenge but I was so excited when I found a candy bracelet making kit the other day. The kids had so much fun. It kept them busy for almost an hour. Although I am still finding candy around the house, and the bracelets broke very quickly it was worth it! Don't you just love Owen's princess dress??

Update minus pictures

I haven't got the camera out nearly as much as I should lately, so here is an update without any pictures.

This week we bought Claire her Valentine's for preschool. She was so excited about them. Of course Owen had to get some too, so we now have princess Valentine's and Thomas the Train ones. Who would have guessed!!! Claire had a hard time understanding that she didn't get to keep them all for herself, and that she had to write her name on all of them. You would have thought that I was asking her to make her own clothes or something. We are still working on them, but will have them done by Thursday for her Valentine's Party at preschool.

My friend Debra let me borrow her biggest loser workout tape, so I popped that in on Wednesday night. I loved it!! It didn't seem to hard, but I knew it was working, especially when I could hardly walk once it was over. I was so sore for 2 days!! I think it is a keeper.

On Friday Chad and I got the opportunity to go skiing with they young men and young women. It was so much fun. Of course I left my camera in the car. Most of my young women didn't even know how to ski, so Chad became one of the teachers, and he did a great job! When he was done with them he had them snow plowing down the hill. We haven't gone skiing since we got married, so it was a lot of fun for us.

Claire had her first Primary activity on Saturday. They did a bunch of Valentine activities. It isn't that hard to please a 4 year old! She loved seeing all of her friends, and made sure that on Sunday I knew where she had done all of her activities.

Yesterday Grandma and Grandpa Clayson came for a visit. It is always fun for us to have them come. The kids love it!! Every time Claire cleans her room it is because she thinks they are coming. We had a great time seeing them, and hope they will visit more.

Why??

Today is just one of those days. I am grumpy and I admit it. I think I have scared Chad away. But, as I was cleaning the house, I just kept saying why am I doing this?

Why do I have to mop the kitchen floor that is dirty before it is even dry? Literally. I had to fight a 2 year old for the floor when he insisted that it was his place for Monster Truck Jam 2009. (That reminds me - has anyone tried those new steam mops? I really like the concept but don't want to fork over the money if it isn't going to be worth it!)

Why do I vacuum? When your 4 year old comes home from a primary activity with a cookie that she dumps onto the carpet (yes it was an accident, but still!)

Why do I discipline my kids? Just when one gets out of time out, it seems that they are doing the same things all over again?

Why can't my kids play outside? Claire actually told me today that it was just to hot to play outside (you heard that right!) Just wait until the summer time!!

Why do I cook dinner? Half the time the kids tell me they don't like it before we even sit down - what a pain.

I know it is just my mood today, but some days don't we all just wonder why.

Claire's Wisdom

We have been working on rhyming words in preschool, but I don't think Claire really gets it. She will say two words and tell me they rhyme when really I think she means they go together. Here is the best one yet:
Mom: What rhymes with hit?
Claire: That's not nice - we don't do that - that rhymes!
Soooo cute!!! She said all of that with a very serious look on her face.

Brotherly Love

It is so great the Claire and Owen love Grant. On this day Owen really wanted to hold Grant, and take a picture. Well, of course Claire couldn't be left out of the action, but the are so cute together. I hope they will let me take their pictures more!!