"SPARKLING DIAMONDS"

So, as a coach, you also ref. Which means you get to be right ON the floor. So, I frequently grabbed my girls and 'guided' them to where they should have been playing defense or something. I think they did an amazing job with defense....our thing was 'keep your bum to the basket', which they thought was hilarious!

And it was good for two!!!! Not that scoring is all-important, but it is at this stage!

And again! She made four baskets last night, but the most impressive thing was her defense. You can tell her to 'get em' and she's a machine! YEAHHHHH!

I love my sweet Kenna. She has the heart of gold...always taking care of others, and worrying(seriously, she gets this from me, my mom, grandma....a long list of crazies!) for everyone else...and she's very competitive, wanting to do the best at everything. I don't know what she is supposed to accomplish in life, but she came powerpacked with talent and ability!

"Sparkling Diamonds'!!! Doesn't that just sound athletic? That was Kenna's team name for basketball. Last night was the final game for Kenna's little heisey b-ball team. And it was so much fun! I coached her little team this year, which was a hoot! I am so stinking competitive still, and it ws fun to watch it come out in Kenna. Last week we played a team that had this little girl that was AMAZING! So, Kenna asked me yesterday what she could do to play more like Payton. I said, 'if someone shoots it, YOU be the one to get the ball. When you get it, dribble as fast as you can TO the hoop, and only stop if someone stops you.' She was an animal last night!!! It was so fun. And she loved it too...I'm sad its over. Right when you notice progress....anyways, here's some pics of her playing.

Next Monday is Kolbe's last game(for this league, another one starts next week). I'll post a brag on him then!

I'm a slacker....but....

I've got an excuse!!! Its tax season, and I'm a week behind in everything important, so blogging is WAY backed up! But I have had a fabulous Saturday with the kids, and am hugely grateful that I was able to accomlish so much this morning. I pulled out my steamer and sanitized the bathrooms(seriously seriously overdue), did all the floors, the kitchen fridge, and shined the girls white runners just for good measure! I folded 8, yes 8, loads of laundry and put them away. My house looks like someone actually loves it, and it brings me the hugest sense of peace. Kenna sort of annoyingly asked me when we'd do something fun....to which I started singing the primary song "Saturday"....and then she echoed me singing 'its the day we do something fun with YOUR children!" Aghghghghghhhh.....I love this girl! So, I fed them lunch, and we headed to the mall for some no-real-plan fun. We scored some cute earrings for Kenna...got pretzels and cheese, and a orange julius to share while we walked. Talk about complete bliss!

I worked Thursday morning in the office, and I actually did my hair and makeup, wore a nice shirt...even some jewelry. My personal fashion consultant was very complimentary! I got home in time to do my workout...but slicked my hair back into my inch-long pony, put on a hoodie and sweats, and headed to Kenna's basketball game. On the way there...Kenna said, "mom I sure wish you'd try to look your best!" I laughed and asked what the problem was, if she didn't like my current outfit and she said, 'not so much!'

She has begged and begged me to re-pierce my ears so I could wear some jewelry...so last night I pushed the earring through the hole that hasn't been used since Kolbe was a baby. It burned!!! Nate stood in the doorway and watched confused, as I punished myself. I laughed the whole time...and we placed bets on when she'd notice. The only earrings I could find were little black sparkly ones of hers...which looked ridiculous. She noticed....she said, 'ewwwww, mom your ears must be oozing something black. it looks gross!' So much for my big effect! But, she was way excited to take me shopping for some simple hoops today!

Kolbe has been playing in a little b-ball league and his cousin Ethan is on his team. I was taking them to their game last week and listening to them talk in the back seat. Kolbe was telling Ethan that he never gets to start first...he always sits out first. And, I obviously couldn't resist the moment to tease him, so I said, 'that's cus you stink!' I watched him in the mirror and he got that funny half-faced smirk and said...'oh moth-her....you're encouragement is always SOOOOO helpful!' I almost wrecked I was laughing so hard.

Avery and Eli headed to mom/dad's Thursday night for a sleepover. Mom didn't have to teach Friday so this allowed me some work time Friday morning. Mom said that Avery is the most delightful child...so perfectly agreeable. I would have to agree! She is for the most part, such a happy, contented child. Easy to please....eager to smile....and I melt into her chocolate eyes every time!

And then there is Eli....I have learned that Heavenly Father sent us this child to remind us that life is supposed to be fun...that everything, if done right, can be fun. Here are just a few of my favorite events of THE LAST 2 DAYS!!! 1) Eli would be most happy naked. Most days its a real struggle to keep clothes on his little manly physique! We were water painting at the table, and he was only in his big-boy undies...and he pooched out his lips and starting sort of pli-ete(ballet:sp?)ing and a little pelvic thrust in there too...and I asked him what he was doing...He squinched up his eyes and pooched his lips again and said, 'dis is my weiny dance!' uh huh! Same day: 2) still in only his big-boys....he kept putting his hands down his britches. I was getting grossed out and I reminded him several times to stop...I got a little more annoyed with it...and so he stuck his hand in the little pocket part of his underwear. I said, 'dang it Eli, get your hands out of your underwear, its gross!" He said, 'mom....my hands not in my underwear, they in my weiny pocket!" Point taken, you win! I laughed so hard. 3) Again...same day, this time he HAD clothes on. We had parent teacher conferences. I sent the boys outside a few minutes before us, and came outside to see him in the middle of the school lawn with his pants around his ankles...going potty on the lawn! Whatever will I do with this child? He makes us giggle, and cry every day!

I can't figure out how to put the pictures in with the text....maybe a GOOD blogger would share their secret????

Happy Birthday Eli Sam!

What in the world happened that it can possibly have been 3 years since my baby was born? I am so so so sad that he's getting so big. Last night as I was snuggling him I asked him if he wouldn't at least consider staying my baby forever. I think it sounds reasonable...at least when he's snuggling me so cute! But he informed me, 'mom, I not a baby...I yo big boy!' Hughghggg....(big sigh)I am not sure what the rush is.

Eli is such a blessing. He is Nate...a GIANT spirit trapped in a little body.I mean that nicely...but anyone who knows Nate knows he has a ridiculous amount of energy! And like all things squished into small containers, the pressure at times builds up and explodes, damaging anything/person(sorry) in close proximity.

We fell in love with Eli the moment we saw him. When he was born he didn't cry, but he growled. I suppose it was our warning of what we were in for....that he is part animal. He has always been happiest when sitting atop someone else; there was a several month period where he bit harder and more frequently than any pitbull around;he has been Avery's master since he outweighed her at the ripe old age of 9 months;he idolizes 'bobee'(Kolbe) and does everything Kolbe does at double the speed! We are excited(and scared) to see this kid grow and develop! He's an animal...

Eli is my crazy child...and I know I've joked about how crazy this kid makes me. But he is the flavor of our family. So much energy and enthusiasm comes from within him. I can sit and watch his face expressions all day...he has never feared anyone, and has always instantly befriended everyone! He draws a crowd, and its fun to watch people drawn to his crazy little person!

Even experiencing all this....how is it possible he's 3? I think that time is a sad joke...some days seem to never end but when you realize how fast its gone, it just makes me sad.

Just a side note....My sweet Kenna is so thoughtful. On my birthday she quietly got up and made me a b-day card and decorated my seat at the table. Again, on Avery's birthday, she got up without anyone else and made cards, this time setting her placemat and making her breakfast. Last night as I tucked her in and we discussed today's schedule, she said, 'and I'll wake him up to sing happy birthday!' Being the nasty morning person that I am...I told her I'd be furious if she woke him up. She was crushed....I felt bad, and tried to convince her he'd be happier if she let him sleep and then did something special. At six this morning I heard the art cupboard open and close...then nothing else. When we all staggered out at 7:30....Kenna had made several cards and a birthday crown and had decorated his seat at the table. I don't know why I deserve her...she is kind and thoughtful way beyond her years!

"Choose your life!!!!"

I'm not exactly sure what this means, but Eli's been dancing around the house all day with his eyes squinted, swinging his new sword at anyone within reach. It wasn't until he 'sliced' my mom's throat that I figured out what he was saying...'choose your life!' I have no idea where he came up with it, but we laughed out loud! I love my monster, Eli....I really do hate games of killing and stuff...its ALWAYS my mom who supplies the weapons..here he is ceremoniously killing himself!

THE FUNNY STUFF THEY SAY...

JUST WANTED TO REMEMEBER SOME OF THE FUNNY THINGS THE KIDS DO/SAY...

1) THE OTHER DAY KOLBE WROTE A THANK YOU NOTE TO MY UNCLE AND HIS NEW WIFE FOR THE FABULOUS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS THEY GAVE HIM THIS YEAR. HE DIDN'T QUITE SPELL HER NAME RIGHT...OR SEPARTE THEM ON THE ENVELOPE...HE WROTE..."GAY TOM"

2) KENNA WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A LITTLE GIRL IN HER CLASS THAT HAD BEEN SICK DURING THE WEEK AND SHE WAS TRYING TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS...SHE SAID, 'YOU KNOW, MOM...AN ART INFECTION.' I WAS OBVIOUSLY CONFUSED AND SHE CONTINUED....'A CRAFT INFECTION' AND SHE WAITED FOR ME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I KNEW WHAT SHE WS TALKLING ABOUT. I THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE...AND THEN ASKED HER IF SHE MEANT A 'STAFF INFECTION' WE BOTH GIGGLED AND GIGGLED TO REALIZE THAT SHE MEANT STAFF...NOT CRAFT!

3) I DROPPED ELI OFF AT THE DAYCARE THIS WEEK AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO...HE CRIED AND HUNG ONTO ME. I TRIED TO COMFORT HIM BUT NEEDED TO GET GOING...SO I SERIOUSLY PUT HIM IN THE FARTHEST CORNER, PUT A TOY IN FRONT OF HIM AND RAN FOR IT(I KNOW, NICE!)...HE WAS OBVIOUSLY SCREAMING WHEN I LEFT! WHEN I PICKED HIM UP HE KISSED ME AND THEN SAID...'MOMMY, I MISSED YOU. I CRIED. I CRIED.' AND THEN HE SORT OF PAUSED AND SAID QUESTIONLY, 'AND YOU RUNNED!' LETS HOPE HE FORGETS THAT!!!

4) I ASKED AVERY WHAT SHE WANTED FOR LUNCH AND SHE SAID 'A CORN DOG.' SURE I THOUGHT...AND ELI SAID, 'YEAH...I WANT A HORN DOG!'

I LOVE MY KIDS...THEY KEEP US LAUGHING AND LAUGHING. THEY LOVE TO TEASE AND PLAY...AND I CAN'T IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT THEM!

hmmmmm.....

Well, yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. And I was doing my best to ignore Eli and pay attention...which for those who happen to attend my ward know, is nearly impossible!(My apologies for the reverance ruiner!) He was trying to tempt my anger...and I kept my eyes up on the speaker...and he was touching me and bugging me...and after a couple minutes of quiet, and I thought I'd won the battle....he said, "mom....I wiped a booger on your face!" And what do you know....he had! All my parenting expertise from the other kids fails with him...I'm at a loss most days....thankfully the times he makes us giggle outweigh the others...like today, I think the booger is funny! He is the funniest kid ever...just stinking naughty sometimes!

Flower Girls

My beautiful cousin got married on the 27th and my most beautiful girls were flower girls. They were flower girls for my brother Brad's wedding, but since it was a temple wedding, their actual function was...well, nothing other than looking cute. Ash got married at the Catholic church so it was big time for the girls...they got new dresses...gloves...tights...sparkley shoes...and fancy do's for the occasion. Oh, and jewelry! Kenna LOVED LOVED LOVED the flower pedals. In fact she said she wants to get married there so she can have 'real flower girls' It made me giggle...anyways, here's the pics of the big day! Ash is stunningly beautiful, of course...and so are my other cousins...My blonde cousin is Randi, and my dark hair cousin is Brit...Eli has a thing for both of them!