Little Miss Muffet

Taylin's kindergarten classes have been learning through nursery rhyme themes. They each picked a nursery rhyme and were to bring props. They would later recite them in small groups. Some were soloist. What a good job they all did. Taylin chose Little Miss Muffet. She had it down right away. We practiced at home. Since she was so confident in the reciting, I encouraged some acting. She kept assuring she knew what she was supposed to do. She did tell me she was going to run away like Miss Muffet does. I thought that is what they all would do. As I watched so many nervous little bodies on stage, I quickly realized this was a big enough to do for some of them to be dressed in their costumes and props. Then they did well to remember and recite in front of so many people. Any kind of acting wasn't on their agenda. One sweet girl was a big fluffy Humpty Dumpty. She could barely walk up to the stage, but the fright got the best of her. Taylin's group of Little Miss Muffets got up. I wasn't sure why she was the only one sitting on the floor...no where near the microphone. I then realized, she was the actor.

P.S. I had leggings for her to wear underneath, but she didn't think she needed them. Her teacher tried to encourage them, insisting that it was cold. She didn't think it was a necessary part of the costume.

Family Date Night

I had felt overwhelmed and pulled in many directions at the beginning of the month. I had several meetings that had taken me away from the family and David's schedule started Q4 (call/30 hour shifts every fourth night) beginning December. It was the first Saturday of the month and David's only day at home off...the other weekend we were going to be in Utah for a wedding, so one day of wedding and not traveling. I had been baking and doing other preparations for primary and Taylin's class. There was a primary leadership party Saturday evening. I kept feeling guilty for being away from my family and then feeling guilty if I missed the party. Well, I felt I had attended meetings that I should be at. Although the party would be fun, I felt my family needed me more or I needed my family more. We didn't have anything pressing. We just needed simple time together.

Taylin had a playdate with a friend from school. After dropping her off, I proposed we go to a drive in movie theater. David put no pressure on me either way. I dropped the cookies off for the party. My primary presidency was very understanding. We picked Taylin up, had time to pick up some sandwiches from the grocery store and on to the drive in we went.

This was a first for us. We had wanted to go to one for some time. It was a cold night for Arizona and an outdoor movie, but we came prepared. The kids did great. Kennedy was so excited about the transformed vehicle that it took her a while to find a comfy place, but she did. Teague slept and the rest of us enjoyed "Planet 51." The movie wasn't anything to go down in history, but the event as a family was a memorable one. We could have stayed for the second feature while the kids slept, but David was tired too and had to be at work the next morning. This will be a repeat!

Dress up with Dad

The kids love to play with Daddy's work everything. When the kids hear the garage door open or the keys in the front door they run to the door screaming "Daddy!!!!" Kennedy promptly says, "Nan, nana boo-boo," with a little dance ready to play chase or hide-and-seek. Taylin wants to show in tell all her work from school. Cohen asks David where his i-touch is. Teague's arms and legs are flailing with a persistent growl/grunt that says, "Come to me Daddy, come to me!!!" Depending on David's energy some of those things get done. The kids also promptly go through David's bag of goodies and his work apparel. This day they dressed up and played doctor:Taylin is ready to take serious action!

Maybe listening to his food digest ;)

Mom's Closet

Note: This was in July!

The girls have an assortment of their own dress ups, but this day they wanted to go through my clothes. I did't think I had dressy things to entertain them for too long. We worked with what we had and they had fun. They enjoyed dressing up in Mama Jer's (my mom) jewelry as well. They knew to be careful and it helped me go through and organize it. This is what they came up with...even Cohen found something to wear:I even let them have some of my makeup. Note to self...mascara is a bit much! It is much harder to get off someone else.

I couldn't get anything done, so I tried Teague forward facing in the sling. He was comfy and I was productive. Thanks Katie for this sling. I still use it soooo much!