Cousins (well, Second Cousins)

Last Wednesday was the 16th anniversary of when Grandpa Johnson passed away. To cheer Grandma up, some of the family (Mom, Kerry, Joey, Eric, Mischelle, Spencer, Jordyn and us) met her for dinner at her favorite place, Chuck-A-Rama. I think she thinks there are only 2 restaurants in the world - that one and Olive Garden. Anyway, we had fun, and my cousin Mischelle was able to get a few good pics of our kids.

Kiera, Spencer & Makenna

Jordyn, Spencer, Makenna & Kiera

Summer Evening Fun!

Sometimes I'm not a huge fan of Summer, with the heat and the bugs and the extra long days. But then, sometimes I LOVE Summer for exactly those reasons (well, minus the bugs). When it's extra hot and the days are extra long, it's so fun to just hang out and play outside. This evening the 5 of us spent hours outside, taking a walk, wading in our little pool, running through sprinklers, sliding down the slide, and swinging on the swings. Ahhhhh.... And I guess all that fun and cooling off did the trick - the second the girls came inside they drank 2 cups of hot chocolate!!

I Lost.

I just want to thank everyone for casting your vote about the Wii (see previous post). However, although there were more votes for waiting till Christmas (which I preferred), well, I lost the battle. (Can you see my head hanging and my eyes sheepishly looking up?) But I have to admit I'm not sad. At all. In fact, it was ME who made the decision to open and play the Wii TODAY. But don't start thinking I'm weak - Quentin just tempted me too much. He hasn't said much about the Wii vote lately, but he has had a plan. A very evil plan to tempt me. See, I've been salivating about the Wii Fit. I've seen demos about it and think it looks so fun. But I also know it is VERY hard to come across. So I mentioned that SOMEDAY I would like to have it. But thinking that we wouldn't open the Wii till Christmas, I thought that would buy me plenty of time. Well, little did I know that Quentin has been calling stores daily to find the Wii Fit and he ended up finding one (and took time off work to go get it). With no hints whatsoever, I opened a birthday package today and saw the Wii Fit. Oh boy. Dilemma, dilemma. I couldn't take it - I caved. After all, Christmas is so dang far away. So we opened it and have had a BLAST trying it out. I don't think I've been this excited in a long time. What a fun way to celebrate a birthday! (P.S. That's not ALL we've done today. Quentin took the day off, and we also went to the park for the girls' classes, went to Sweet Tomatoes with Mom for lunch - my FAVORITE place, browsed at a few stores, then came home and had Hummingbird Cake - my other FAVORITE!) And now we're STILL playing the Wii. Think what you want about me (I'm weak, hypocritical, whatever). But I'm having FUN!!! (P.S. The pic above is our Wii Family!)

What a Treat!

Last week I did a post about the "Play Day with Granny" coupons that my mom sent to Kiera and Makenna. Well, you would have thought it was Christmas the way the girls have been talking about them. We decided that today would be a good day, and my mom encouraged me to let them stay as long as possible. So I dropped the girls off at 11:30, then Kasidee and I shopped at Costco, puttered at home, and then I scrapbooked while Kasidee either slept or played near me on the floor! Yahoo! I never realized having just one to look after was so easy (I wish I had realized this when Kiera was a baby). Anyway, I'm so psyched - in just over 3 hours I was able to finish 17 scrapbook pages (I have a quick way of slapping pictures and journaling and stickers on a page - it's the only way I can keep up). So now I have our family scrapbook caught up (well, at least through the end of March). My goal is to have each of the girls' individual scrapbooks and the family scrapbook updated by their birthdays each year. Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent. When Quentin got home from work, he offered to pick up the girls at my mom's, AND he took Kasidee with him! So I have been home ALONE for a couple of hours! I just can't tell you how wonderful this break has been! It's kind of sad when you look forward to getting rid of everyone for just a little while so you can have time to yourself - but hey, it sure makes ya appreciate it when they get back home, right? I mean, I have really missed my girls today, and it makes me sad to realize that when Kiera starts first grade and Makenna starts preschool this Fall, Kasidee and I will be "alone together" quite a bit. This break has been nice, but I can't wait to have my girls (and my Quentin) back home! Thank you SOOOOO much, Mom and Quentin!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! We all had a fun day yesterday! The girls couldn't wait to give Quentin the stepping stones they made him - they're hoping he'll put them in front of their new playhouse (he's going to convert the shed in the backyard to an awesome playhouse). After church we had a picnic at the park with Mom and Grandma, then had pizza and visited with Quentin's family. I can't tell you how grateful I am for my girls' daddy! Quentin is simply amazing. I can't believe how patient he is - perfect for a daddy of 3 girls!! He is so wise, genuine and kind. He's thoughtful and sentimental. He can fix anything. He makes his girls feel loved and secure. What a blessing he is in our lives! We love you, Daddy!

More Lessons

I once heard that while it is hard to be a parent, it is important to remember that it is also hard to be a child (as is evidenced by Makenna throwing herself on the couch and floor in a fit). I took this picture this afternoon after we returned from dropping off Kiera for a playdate at Sophie and Chloe's house (they are sisters and are Kiera and Makenna's best friends). A few weeks ago I learned that Makenna pretty much refuses to participate in "clean up time" at Sophie and Chloe's house. And last week when Sophie and Chloe were over at our house, I reminded the 4 of them that it was almost time to end the playdate - I was amazed that Sophie and Chloe immediately began picking up toys and putting things away. Kiera quickly joined in, but Makenna just stood there watching them. I kept telling Makenna that she needed to help; finally I threatened that if she didn't pitch in, she wouldn't be able to play next time. After about 3 or 4 threats ("I mean it, Makenna"), I remembered the Love and Logic idea of "hoping" your children "fail" so they can learn a lesson. So today when Sophie and Chloe invited the girls over to play, I told them that Kiera could come but not Makenna since she had made that choice last time. So we dropped Kiera off and came home (Makenna whined and stamped her feet in her Snow White costume all the way). After her fit, we talked some more about it, and I think she finally "got it." She said she'll follow the rules next time. So...Kiera's been over there just under an hour. I think I may let Makenna go over for the remainder of the playdate. After all, it IS hard being a kid!

Thanks Granny!

Kiera and Makenna were SO excited to find special letters in the mailbox today from Granny (my mom). When they opened up the envelopes, they each found 6 coupons that read, "Play Day with Granny - Good for a day at Granny's house for crafts, movies, lunch, and lots of hugs! (Ask Mommy and Daddy first!)" They've been carrying them around all day saying they want to play at Granny's house NOW! What a great idea - I hope I can be a "Cool Granny" like that someday! Thanks Mom!

Reeeealllyy???!!!

I'm in shock.... I had an appointment with the bishopric last night. I knew what was coming - a new calling - but I was not nervous at all. I mean, I have a 10-month-old baby. It couldn't be that bad, right? Well, I got the biggest calling I've had in my life: First Counselor in the Primary Presidency. Woah. I thought they were kidding. When I expressed concern about Kasidee, they told me that I would have lots of support from Quentin as well as the other members of the Primary Presidency. They said my family comes first - ALWAYS - and that I should do what I can. If there is something I feel like I can't do, the Presidency will totally understand - because my girls should come first. After the initial shock, I have felt at peace with it. This will be good. And you can call it coincidence, but lately I have kind of felt like something would be happening in our lives to "mix it up." We've had a lot of changes in the last year or so and have felt rather grateful that we are done with the whole selling and moving thing and that our lives are finally settled. Well, I guess life really never is constant, right? There's always something for us to do, to learn, to change. This will be good.

Family Rules

Inspired by Super Nanny, for Family Home Evening last night we sat down and typed up a list of "Family Rules." We've always had rules (always wear your helmet when riding your bike, no shoes on in the house, etc.) but there were a few rules that have been needing some special attention. So we wrote down 9 rules and the consequences of breaking those rules. I get SO tired of telling the girls to clean up their toys every night - I either get the response, "We're too tired" or "Well, we will clean up only if you'll help us." So one of our new "official rules" is "Clean up toys/messes before bed." Whatever is still left out after they're in bed will "disappear." Another rule: "Bedtime is at 9:00 - a little later since it's summer (unless something special is going on)." If that rule is broken, then we have to forego the beloved bedtime stories. So now it's official. The girls know the rules and the consequences of not following the rules. And at the end of the day, if we look back and think that they've done pretty well for the day, then they get a little stone to put in their jar. (If they've been horrible, then no stone). After 10 stones in the jar, they can redeem them for a "prize" (like baking cookies, movie time, etc.) So we'll see how it goes!! (P.S. After we discussed the rules, Makenna's eyes got big as she held up her pointer finger and said very seriously, "And NO putting honey in anyone's hair.")

Let the Games Begin!

Today was the first day of the Centerville City Summer Recreation classes. Wahoo!! Kiera signed up for Arts & Crafts (which she did last year and LOVED - this year will have all new crafts; today she decorated a little backpack/bag) and Makenna wanted to do Tumbling. Makenna does the quickest, smoothest somersaults (summersaults?) I've ever seen. And she had a blast jumping around on the mats. As soon as we got home, the girls were begging to go back to their classes. I guess that's a good sign!

To Wii or not to Wii (CAST YOUR VOTES!)

Okay, y'all - you're invited to cast your vote in a very important Family Decision. A little background info first: We are the proud new owners of a Wii. As much as I despise gaming systems in general, I was actually the one who suggested getting a Wii "for the girls." I think they would have a blast with it. When I suggested it, I kind of meant it might be a good idea for the future - like in 3 years or so. But as soon as Quentin knew I might be okay getting one, he became obsessed. At his work, he gets points for performance that he can use toward merchandise. (That's how I got my Cuisinart food processor last year). He's racked up quite a few points and decided to use a few of them on this Wii - so it's free for us (yay!) He ordered it a few months ago and it just arrived yesterday. During the last few months, I have been trying to talk Quentin into saving it till Christmas. I mean, what a perfect gift from S-A-N-T-A, right? But when it came yesterday, he opened it up and went to Game Stop to look for games. Woah. (P.S. The girls don't know about it and it's hiding right now). So now here's your part - you've got to let us know your vote. Should we wait and surprise the girls with it at Christmas? Or should we let them open it now and enjoy it this summer?? Thanks for your help - I'll keep you posted as to the votes and the final decision!