Where have I been??? (you may ask)

I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

I think that I have way to much on my plate right now, (but what mom doesn't, right?)

Clean the house before my parents come into town, Laundry, pack for our trip, Carson needs a hair cut, Springer Easter egg hunt, my primary lesson, temple night, Scrapbook USA, Easter Bunny shopping, and so on, on top of the everyday stuff a moms needs to do already.

Well, as if this week wasn't crazy enough...teacher appreciation week is this week as well and since I am Lanie's room mom, I guess that means I have to add another thing to my to-do list.

Well, for all who know me, I CAN'T do things simple!!!

Call it a curse, but that is just me.

So, I put my thinking brain on and spent a lot of time on Mrs. Penrod's gift.

I wanted all the kids to be able to get involved with little money, so I had the kid's parents send me their kids favorite recipes. (most people would think that is plenty, but me...NOOOO, not a choice.) I then scrap booked all the recipes on a over-sized index card and put all the recipes into a recipe box, titled: Recipes Seasoned with LOVE.

(Again, most would think that was enough, BUT NOT ME.)

I went into the classroom and took a picture of each kid in Mrs. Penrod's class dressed as mini chefs AND had the kids write a special note to the teacher on the back of their recipe card.

With the help of Mindy Livingstone, I was able to add a darling handmade apron with the recipe box. It was the perfect addition to the gift.

On top of that...I had to go into the school and decorate Mrs. Penrod's classroom door.

So, keeping with my whole recipe theme, I took the pictures of each kid and put them on the door with a little recipe that I made up that related to Mrs. Penrod's class.

All an all, it turned out pretty cute and Mrs. Penrod was very pleased. She was so grateful and the kids had fun trying to find themselves on the door, not to mention how proud each of them were with their personal recipe card to Mrs. Penrod.

Being a room mom is fun, but with my personal curse of not being able to do anything on a small or simple level makes it tough, but worth it.

Lanie loves having me in there as and I enjoy seeing the other kids as well.

BUT honestly, I am glad that this project is done.

Where do boys learn these things?

Couldn't pass up on this picture moment of Carson.

It was like he didn't even know I was there taking his picture, he was just that into his game.

Not even a smile from Carson.

Heaven forbid he might "die" on his nintendo DS game, which a mom can understand to some point, but really, REALLY, can you at least put down the game to go to the bathroom???

LUCK???

Some people look for Luck and believe that a 4-leaf clover is what can bring it to them,

or maybe even a big ol' box of Lucky Charms is where all the Luck is at.

Many believe that Luck has to do with numbers and when you roll a 7, then luck will surely turn around and it will be coming your way.

And a Penny, what are we told to do if we find one on the ground; pick it up and put it in your pocket cause it will bring you good Luck.

It can also be a foot from a poor old rabbit or a shoe from a horse, either one may bring you luck, but I know that I am one LUCKY mom to have these Lucky charms to call my own.

When they are around, joy, happiness, laughter, a bit of craziness, and awesome moments come together, and what can be more LUCKY then that??!?!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!

Enough Said...

...MY NEW BEST FRIEND!

Here's to hoping for NO MORE sinus pressure building up in my head!

Kinda wired, nasty on what comes out, But TOTALLY WORTH IT!

Best $10.00 I have spent and the immediate result is AWESOME!

All she wants to do is Dance...

...Dance...Dance...and Dance.

If there is music on with a beat, Cassie will hear it, come a runnin' singing and dancin'.
See, Cassie loves Music, but coordination has not been always on Cassie's side, in fact, She has really has no rhythm.

To a mom or a grandparent, she is cute and you couldn't be more proud, but come this May, Cassie will get to perform live on a stage with other girls...

...Now this could be interesting in itself.

BUT when Cassie dances, she is happy, content, and in her own little world.

How can a mom said no to that, even if it does cost her reputation and a giggle or two.

So it begins...

Celebrity Apprentice!

...and it's about flippin' time!

Sunday nights just got good.

You better believe that I will be in my cozies, on the couch with my blanket, with a diet soda and my 94% fat free kettle corn popcorn, and enjoying me so good ol' reality television.

There is no other place I would rather be.

Oh Yeah...YoUR FiReD!

Just like you.

Lately, Carson has been enjoying numbers; everywhere he looks, he is telling whoever is around and who willing is listen, the price of gas, the temperature of the weather, the time, or even what channel we are watching...

I got thinking that maybe one day, Carson would want to be a "number nerd" like his dad, so Dan throw the thought his way...

Dan: "Hey C-Biscuit, would you like to work with dad one day and work on the computer while crunching other people's numbers."

Carson: "Huh?" (Looks up at Dan with a strange face)

Dan: "It would be totally awesome and lots of Fun!"

Carson: "Sure...and I can learn how to tie my shoes too."

I know that I have heard that kids are never too young to learn; to start them out young, and for them to follow in your footsteps, BUT I guess, we as parents should take baby steps and let our kids be little for a bit.

One day all too soon, we will look back when they are grown and have moved on, we will wish for them to be little again... (maybe not all the time, it will be nice to enjoy our retired freedom, but every once in a while.)

My very own "Mini Me"

Tonight, I was lucky enough to get to go with Mackenzie to the Mother/Daughter pj's party for the girls at Activity Days.

Kenzie was so excited to have me be there and me being able to be there, it made me realize just how special of a daughter she is.

We made journals, scripture bookmarks, and prayer necklaces.

I realized that while some of the other girls were chasing the scout boys, (which I hate to admit, but that is what I would have done at Kenzie's age) Mackenzie was happy to just be right by my side.

This Summer, Kenzie will be only be 10, though she sometimes acts more like the "grown up." She is a smart, beautiful, kind-hearted, special girl and I am the lucky one to call her my daughter.

***Ways Mackenzie and I are alike:***

We both are the first born

We both are creative

We watch reality tv together

Family is important to us both

We both love Chicken Broccoli Casserole

We love our beds and enjoy our cozies

We don't like to make our beds

California is one of our favorite places

We both like things organized

Music makes us happy

Diet Coke is a must when we go out to dinner

We both have to buy our shoes in the women's department

***Ways Mackenzie and I are NOT alike:***

Mackenzie is smart, especially at spelling and math

Mackenzie enjoys mornings

I enjoy to get out, Mackenzie likes being at home

She is super tall and skinny for her age (she has her Opa's genes)

Mackenzie likes snow

I like Chocolate & Kenzie likes vanilla

Looks like we are more alike then not, guess that's why we get along so well. (Or because kenzie is pretty easy going and couldn't hurt a fly) Either way, I am blessed to have her in my life and she teaches me so much each day.

I Love Her and am grateful to spend that evening with her, just the two of us.

Aaannnnd it's snowing again...

NO!

First, I hate the SNOW.

Don't get me wrong, I know that it's March and that means Winter is STILL here, BUT the last bit of snow just melted off the grass and yesterday it was almost 60 degrees, the sun was shinning with the kids playing outside.

I want that weather back!

I DON'T want any more SNOW.

The Cameras are rolling...

...and Carson was the star.

Good Things Utah on ABC Channel 4 did a show on boys fashion and Dogwood clothing was on to promote boys clothing and the new looks for Spring/Summer. Oh, and to also mention, Dogwood is now at Costco.

This time, no tears were shed by Carson, instead it was all thumbs up.

A moment a mom could be proud of and I think that Carson is one of the cutest Dogwood model ever, but I might be just a tad bit bias.

This is how we roll...

...when a new bowling ally is built in our town.

This is how we spend a Monday night after a day at work and a full day of school.

Fancy bowling shoes on: Check

Finding the perfect ball: Check

Smiles on faces: Check

Bumpers up: Check
Looks like we are ready for some FUN!

Strikes, Spares, Gutter Balls, and lots of Laughter.