Spring is Here

We have had beautiful weather here in Memphis lately. Today, we are supposed to reach 80 degrees. Besides having beautiful weather, another sign that spring is here is Hyrum has worn holes through at least a couple of his pants (always the right knee).

Also, due to the beautiful weather, the kids spend a lot of time outside. As a result, I get lots of "flowers." The kids were so excited when they saw "flowers" growing in our backyard. I love the bouquets they give me. To me it shows that they love me.

Ice Cream Outing

On March 18th, the kids and I went with our play group to Bruster's Ice Cream .The kids were very excited to go to anywhere involving ice cream.The kids were able to watch and participate in making ice cream.

The picture below is when the lady was talking about the ice cream machine and how it works.
The kids got to help crush the oreos for the ice cream. The boys thought the plastic gloves they wore while making ice cream were pretty cool (Hyrum kept them for days afterwords). Emmy was a little scared and wanted mom to hold her instead of helping to crush the cookies.The boys enjoyed being lifted up high to watch the ice cream being mixed.
Waiting for the ice cream to be finished.The ice cream is ready for the oreos to be mixed in.
The kids definitely enjoyed the fruits of their labor.It was lots of fun to go on another outing with our friends. Below is a picture of me with some of my friends. LtoR Trisa, Rachelle, Megan, and Me
Hyrum, Ben and Emmy are in heaven when they are able to spend time with friends.

St. Patrick's Day

The kids were very excited for St. Patrick's Day to come. Hyrum had been telling our family about St. Patrick's Day and how if you don't wear green you get a soft pinch or a tickle for weeks before the hoilday. The kids were so cute picking out pajamas with green on them to wear the night before so they would be ready for St. Patrick's Day when they woke-up in the morning. Also, the kids loved finding clothes that had green on them to wear for the festive day. Emmy went even as far as finding green underwear to wear.

We started St. Patrick's Day off with a GREEN breakfast. The kids thought it was pretty silly that they were eating green food. Emmy was a little turned off with the idea of eating green food and hardly ate any breakfast.
I think I have mentioned before that I do a playschool with the twins and a few other women in our ward.

When the kids arrived I had them do puzzles.We talked about the letter "L", the sound it makes and about various items that start with the letter "L".Next, the kids made Leprechaun hats.After the Leprechaun hats were made, the kids enjoyed moving to some music.

For snack, I had various green treats such as cucumbers, a green pepper, an apple, grapes, kiwis and a pear. We talked about the various foods as the kids ate them. For a drink the kids had green sherbet with sprite and cool whip sprayed on top. The kids enjoyed their treat while I read them a book about Leprechauns. While the kids were finishing eating, a Leprechaun came and made a big mess and sent them on a treasure hunt. At the end of their treasure hunt the kids found some fun squirt guns.

The treasure hunt was the end of playschool for the day. I really have enjoyed being able to participate in a playschool with all my children (at some point) and I love being able to use things I learned from college.

After preschool, a friend called and invited us to go to her house to do a fun Leprechaun craft and play. The kids had a fabulous time.
Later in the day, the kids went with me to the gym and when we came home we found a trail of shamrocks a Leprechaun left to lead them to some fun workbooks.For dinner, I made corned beef and cabbage. It actually turned out really well. The kids wanted to wear their Leprechaun hats for dinner.

Overall, it was a very fun and festive green day!

Dear Kids...

Dear Kids,
You always seem to make me smile(and drive me crazy) with the funny things you do.
You had fun coloring the two cozy coupes in the back yard with markers so that they would look like Monster Trucks. Everyone also had fun cleaning the marks off after.

I find lots of scraps of toilet paper (clean) around the house and in the bathroom. Not to mention that Ben and Emmy like to get the toilet paper wet and chuck it at the mirror so it will stick.

Emmy, you are always telling me you need a treat or a snack even when you just barely wake-up to start the day. The other day you said, "I need a treat. I need M&M's" and marched over to the kitchen to get them. I guess you have decided that the best way to start any morning off is with a nummy.

Hyrum, prayers are answered! Especially when in requesting to watch Biggest Loser. All of you love to watch the Biggest Loser with mom.

Ben and Emmy, no matter how you mix the water in the tub, you won't be able to make a baby to put in Emmy's tummy to pop out.

Emmy, I love that your favorite song to sing right now is still Santa Claus is Coming to Town, even though it is March. You actually call the song You better watch out.

Ben, I love how when you talk on the phone to talk to Papa Van and Grandma you need to sing 5 Little Pumpkins with hand movements (yes, holidays are a big hit at our house and leave a lasting impression).

Hyrum, you make me laugh when you tell me to call the 1-800 numbers that come on the T.V.

I love how you call each other "best buddy".

I love it when we sit on the couch and snuggle and read books together. I think it is one of my favorite times of the day.

I love the way each of you smell nice and clean after you have had a bath.

I love the random hugs and kisses I get from everyone and when you tell me that you love me.

I am so lucky to be your mom. Please don't grow-up too fast! You will always be my babies!
Love, Mom

Childhood Obesity 5K

On March 13th, I ran 6th 5K. My goal for the race was to finish under 30:00. My time for my last 5K was 30:18.

The race was in support of childhood obesity which, I think is a big problem in society, particularly here in Memphis.

The kids were so excited for me to do another race. Ben went and found my race number (the one you pin on your shirt) from another race and brought it to me to wear. Ben also told me that morning to run fast, like Chick Hicks the race car.

On the day of the race, it was FREEZING! Not only that, the race didn't start on-time, but was about 30 minutes late. So late in fact that Brandon was hoping to get to the race just a few minutes before I crossed the finish line and in fact got there just as the race was starting.

My friend, Whitney, was so sweet to run the race with me and stay right by me to time me and keep me on pace.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 28:01 and came in second for my age group. I was very pleased that I had improved my time by a little over two minutes.Once again, I had my little cheering section at the race. Hyrum was holding the sign and Ben and Emmy were too busy playing with the other kids to notice me.

I ran the race with 5 girls from my ward.LtoR Rachelle, Me, Whitney, Megan, Jenn

Everyone in our little group placed either first or second in their age group (Whitney didn't pay to run, so she didn't cross the finish line and have her time count).

I love it that Brandon took time out of his busy schedule (he was studying for boards at the time) to bring the kids to my race and support me. It really means a lot to me to have my family there when I finish.Now, I am trying to decide what my next goal will be. I am thinking that a realistic goal would be to finish my next 5K in under 27:45.