So Different

Although Kiera and Makenna are very similar in lots of ways, we've also known basically from the day Makenna was born that they differ from each other in lots of ways. And of course that's good - it's fun to see how they are each their own little person. Kiera is tender-hearted, conscientious, sensitive, and loves to learn, draw, and bake. Makenna is shy, spunky, a little rambunctious, and loves to play dress-ups, ride her bike and play with dolls and animals. I love how different they are! The other day, something happened that (to me) epitomizes their personalities. The Easter Bunny brought each of them a chocolate bunny - something they both get excited for around Eastertime. Anyway, when they decided it was time to eat them, Kiera opened hers up, carefully smoothed out and saved the wrapper with the bunny's picture on it, and tenderly looked at it. She asked me to take a picture of it (we've done this lots of times) before she ate it. When she was brave enough to take a bite, she did it gingerly and carefully, making sure crumbs didn't fall off and wiping her mouth on a napkin when she was finished. Compare this to Makenna, who had seen Kiera do her little ritual. Makenna ripped off the wrapper then tore it into tiny pieces which fell on the floor. Then she grabbed the chocolate bunny by the feet, took a huge bite, looked at what she'd done, and exclaimed, "Look! I bit it's head off!" then smiled a huge smile. Kiera looked horrified, but then got that "she's-so-cute-she's-just-a-little-kid" look and smiled. Isn't this fun??!

Happy Easter!

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181374597450981922" />


Well, it's been a busy, fun-filled weekend! On Saturday morning, we went to the Centerville City Easter Egg Hunt - 8,000 filled eggs that were snatched up within literally 30 seconds. The girls also won an Easter Egg-shaped cookie decorating kit, which Kiera thought was the best prize in the whole world. Later that evening, we did our egg-dying thing. Nobody really eats hard-boiled eggs in this house (the girls will sort of nibble at just the white part), but we all enjoy making the white eggs change colors - it wouldn't be Easter without eggs, right? Then on Sunday morning we did the Easter Bunny thing (I'm still thinking I'd like to change it to a "day before Easter" tradition to keep things simpler and more focused on what Easter is really about), then church (Granny came to our ward, which the girls absolutely loved - Kiera couldn't stop cuddling with her!), then dinner and strawberry shortcake at Grandma Johnson's house. "Grandpa Kerry" and Granny (my mom) hosted an egg hunt in the yard for all the grandkids, which the kids thought was so fun. It's been a FUN weekend!!

Cutie Patootie

I saw a picture like this in a magazine a few weeks ago and loved it so much that I put it on my fridge - it made me smile! Last night, Quentin spent a few minutes trying to capture the same "pose" with our own little Kasidee - so sweet!

A New Bed

Well, Kiera finally got a "new" bed. She has loved her little toddler bed so much but obviously has been pretty cramped in it for quite awhile. We held off, thinking we'd like to purchase bunk beds for both girls - but we couldn't make up our minds - plus Makenna still really needs the rails on her toddler bed. My mom offered my old bed, the one I had when I was a little girl. We mentioned it to Kiera a few weeks ago, but she seemed pretty ambivalent about it. A couple of days ago she announced that she's ready for the new bed. So we got it this afternoon, put it together and covered up the green paint with purple to match her room. She LOVES it! She kept saying, "Oh, this is my dream come true! I can't live without this bed!" Then later she said, "Hey Mama, I've got a great idea.... Oh wait, is tomorrow Fast Sunday? (no) Well, you can bring me my breakfast in my new bed in the morning. Do you know why? 'Cause that's what princesses do!" So she's pretty excited, though there were a few tears when she thought that her old bed might be lonely. So for a few nights, her little bed will stay in her room by her new bed - it's just perfect for her teddy bear! Good night!

Tag - You're It!

Boy, there sure are lots of tags out there in the blogging world. I don't do all of them, but some of them are kind of fun. I guess once you realize that blogging is somewhat equivalent to bragging (and you realize everyone else is doing it!), it becomes a little easier to talk about yourself! So here goes....

For this tag, you need to write down TEN of your "life passions." You know, the things you obsess about, the things you live for, the things that make you look forward to another day. And we all know things like family and the gospel would definitely be on the list, but this is mainly talking about projects or things you DO. Your HOBBIES and INTERESTS that you are absolutely passionate about. I'm tagging everyone who's reading (I know that's cheating) - do it only if you really want to.

1. THE WRITTEN WORD - I love analyzing how an author can use words to be so descriptive. It can be so thrilling!! I love the process of writing but I mainly love reading - and I'm really into fiction lately. It seems I've been on a 10-year non-fiction jag, and now I'm enjoying getting back to fiction again.

2. PSYCHOLOGY - I love learning about anything dealing with psychology, especially child development, personality theory, and social psychology. Every time I read or hear about anything relating to psychology, I feel like my mouth hangs open. I love this stuff!

3. FOOD - every once in awhile when I have plenty of groceries and plenty of time, I really enjoy cooking a favorite recipe or trying a new one. There's just something soothing about methodically dicing and cutting and preparing, and something magical about how a few ingredients can turn into something spectacular. And despite what some people may think, I am truly a pig. I can pack away a TON of food. I love my food simple and "naked," and I love how food not only satisfies the body but nourishes the soul as well!

4. DECORATING/HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - Now, I'm not like Wendy on "Bob the Builder," but I do enjoy a good decorating or home improvement project every once in awhile. And sometimes I'm even amazed at how handy I can be! My next project? Putting beadboard in the basement bathroom.

5. ORGANIZING - Anything from labeling everything to making lists and schedules about every little thing, I love organizing. Sometimes I just crave an organizing project.

6. CLEANING - I can look past the dust and dirty dishes and still feel calm as long as my drawers and closets are organized. But I can be obsessive about cleaning
too. When I clean, I like everything to be PERFECT and STAY perfect for a reasonable amount of time - however, I've slowly realized that can't be done as long as the kids are in the house!

7. SCRAPBOOKING - There's such a peaceful feeling when I've caught up the girls' scrapbooks - I feel like I've preserved history! My scrapbooking style has really been simplified in the last couple of years - it's the only way I can keep up - but I really enjoy it!

8. LIVE THEATER - We've been to dozens of plays, mainly at Rodger's Memorial Theater in Centerville, and every time I go I think, "THIS is what I love to do." There's something electrifying about live theater, and it's so fun to see Kiera and Makenna really enjoying it too.

9. CRAFTS - Certain crafts really interest me (kirigami, quilling, embroidery) but I'm afraid I'll never be "into" things like sewing or floral arranging!

10. MOVIES - I love a good movie. Who doesn't?

Just My Size!

We've been going through the girls' clothes lately, boxing up the ones that are too small, tossing the ones with popsicle and playdough stains on them, making lists of things to buy, and unboxing Kasidee's "new" clothes in the storage box labeled "Baby Girl Clothes 6-9 months." Makenna saw this outfit in the pile of Kasidee's "new" things and insisted it was just her size. After disappearing into the other room for a few minutes, she re-emerged so she could show off her new outfit!