Spring Recital Videos

Elsie's spring dance recital was Friday night.  She was not in the best mood, so she was really not looking forward to dancing. You'll notice her attempt at a smile in the videos. I think she's still pretty darn cute, though!

Tap Dance


http://youtu.be/q0NtYqCmbkM

Jazz/Ballet

http://youtu.be/Sve7rW9QIXo

(I couldn't get the videos to upload to blogger.  Here's the links.)

Train to Temple Square

We have been wanting to ride the new Frontrunner train up to Salt Lake for a while, and we finally got to do it yesterday.  It was a beautiful day, and the perfect thing to do as a family.  After a little early afternoon nap, we headed up to Provo to catch the train.  (I figured out the route/time but still felt a little unsure of what we were doing.  Thank goodness the other times I've had to use public transportation I was with someone that had it all figured out...a little shout-out to Angie!)

Frontrunner was great.  A nice and smooth ride, tables, outlets, wi-fi!  It took about an hour to get from Provo up to Salt Lake.

We got off at the stop by Gateway and just walked over to it.  We remembered that Aaron had his birthday coupon for Tucano's, so we feasted there.  It was amazing!  Really one of the better times I've eaten there. 

Then we took Trax to Temple Square and walked around there a bit.  We sat in the Assembly Hall and listened to some sister missionaries guide a tour of Korean guests.  It was fun to just sit and listen.  We walked through the visitor's center and took some pics outside.

Next we walked over to the Beehive House and did the tour.  It would've been really great until this family came in with two crazy kids.  They were so obnoxious the whole tour.  They wouldn't listen to the missionaries, were running all over the place.  What were the parents doing, you ask?  Nothing.  Just being carnies!  Okay, I'm done venting.  Besides that, it was cool to see all the rooms and picture what it was like long ago. 

After the tour, we walked over to City Creek, looked through a few stores, got a piece of cheesecake and ate it outside.  Doesn't get much better than that!

funny thing she said

As we were driving home from dance today, Elsie was playing Cooking Mama on her DS. 
She asked me, "Why is it called Cooking Mama?  I know why it says Cooking, but why Mama?" 
I told her it was a mom and part of her job is to cook meals. 
She then said, "I won't ever have to because I'm not getting married."
I was like, "Uh, you still have to make meals for yourself."
And her response was, "You can just do it."

I love it.  Glad to know I'm needed, I guess.  But why is she obsessed with not wanting to get married or have any kids?!

Kindergarten Graduate!

I can't believe she's done with Kindergarten!  It's crazy.  This year has gone so fast.  She really has loved school and didn't want it to end.  Elsie was really grumpy yesterday Friday afternoon, and I asked her what was wrong.  She sniffled and said, "I just don't want school to end."  I know she was also a little tired from all the partying, but I do know she was feeling down about it.

The whole Kindergarten put on a program on Friday.  Elsie had been telling me that they were singing a bunch of songs, but she wouldn't give me any hints about what they were.  She was excited for us to come to the program to watch and hear the songs.

I got to the school 1/2 hour before the program to save seats as the teachers had suggested.  Oh my gosh, people are crazy here!  There were so many people there already, rows and rows of chairs being saved by sweatshirts/jackets.  My seat was fine, but I wish I had just stayed at the school when I dropped off Elsie.  I had just been dinking around at home.

The program was cute.  They sang some cute and funny songs.  Elsie wouldn't keep her hands away from her mouth.  She gets embarrassed up in front of crowds.  I kept making eye contact with her and reminding her to move her hands.  I was totally doing a mean mom face!  Haha!

Speaking of being embarrassed...The final week of school they had a theme each day for how to dress.  Monday was Luau Day, and she wore a cute flowery dress and a lei.  Tuesday was Sports Day and she wore her soccer uniform (even though she first told me that wasn't a good idea).  Wednesday was crazy hair day.  The night before she told me she wanted me to surprise her with how to do her hair.  I looked up some ideas on pinterest and had a plan.  Wednesday morning got kind of busy and she was moving slow, so we didn't end up having a lot of time for hair.  I was about half-way done with her hair when I noticed this look of disgust on her face.  Then when I asked her what was wrong, she started crying and said it was embarrassing.  I suggested doing something different, but she was over it by then.  After a little mommy daughter meltdown, we settled on her normal hair.  Later, after school, we talked about it again, and she said she had just wanted two pigtails.  I reminded her that she needed to tell me that instead of saying she wanted a surprise.  She has a hard time making a decision, and always wants us to surprise her.  Maybe this will teach her to decide on and say what she wants!

Elsie's teacher was Miss McGlothin.  Elsie loved her and she loved Elsie!  I got to be the room mom this year and be really involved in the classroom.  I also got to know a lot of the other moms and their kids.

What else happened in March?

I went on an aquarium field trip with Elsie.  I love being able to do this stuff with her.  And I love that she wants to sit by me on the bus!  I do not love riding on the bus!

Elsie and friend and cousin dressed up as princesses.  This is happening less and less these days.  It makes me kind of sad.  But I guess part of it is they are playing outside all the time now.  I just don't want to think Elsie is growing up.

I took Elsie and Qiana to the park while we had Q with us for a few days.  I loved how Q went straight to collecting pine cones.  Elsie was all about posing for pictures.  Love these girls!

Aaron, Elsie, and I went to a Vocal Point concert at BYU.  We had so much fun!  Some of you may think it's kind of dorky, but we love this acapella stuff. 

End of the Year Party

Elsie invited a bunch of friends from her class over for an end of the school year party this afternoon.  They had pizza, played games, got really wet, and had a great time.  She has met some really cute friends this year, and loved having them all over to play. 

Pizza picnic in the kitchen.  (Still waiting for a couple girls to arrive.)

Fun game I found on Pinterest.  Everyone had a dice.  When they rolled a six, they got to splash the water on everyone.

So glad the weather cooperated!

special days in May

Mother's Day

I'm so grateful, beyond words, to be a mother to this sweet, kind, tender, funny, smart little girl.  She lights up our lives and is, honestly, one of my best friends.

(Not quite sure why half our bodies are cut off in this picture.  Oh wait, I know.  Aaron wanted to include the tree!)

Aaron's Birthday

So glad he was born 37 years ago!  He's awesome.  He works hard, plays hard, takes care of us, keeps us laughing, and tells us it will all be okay.  

Yummy birthday cheesecake!  So good.  Even Elsie is addicted.

Easter (Picture Overload!)

I have always loved Easter.  I looked forward to getting my basket full of candy, chocolate, and my own box of cereal that I didn't have to share with anyone!  It was Captain Crunch for quite a few years, and then I moved on to Rice Chex.  I'm pretty exciting, aren't I?!

To start off the festivities earlier in the week, we dyed eggs after Elsie's first soccer game.

I thought we were taking a nice picture together, and then I saw this.

On the way up to the Easter party, we stopped at the BYU Spring Scrimmage. 

I must say, Aaron's family really knows how to do Easter.  Their Easter parties are amazing...tons of toys, eggs, a pinata, decorations, great food!  We got together at Liz's house this year, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL!

Aaron's uncle Dave makes all sorts of balloon animals.  They had the whole yard decorated with them.  A big hit with the kiddos!

Same pinata as last year.  Gary had to do some surgery on it to get it to work.

Elsie loved the confetti in her braid.  She thought it was so pretty.

And, finally, Easter morning Elsie got her basket.

April Review

It's Good to Have Friends

Elsie has made some good friends this year at school and in the neighborhood.  She loves having friends over to play.  I love to hear them laughing, playing, imagining, bossing, directing, and chatting with each other.

Aaron is Yardy

Aaron has been working his tail off (and obsessing way too much) about getting trees and shrubs planted and sprucing up the yard.  He's always standing at the window, looking outside, thinking about what he needs to do, what he wants to do, what the plants will look like by the end of summer, etc.  He's done a great job, and hasn't even made me help!  I'm so grateful that he cares about making our yard look nice and he takes the time to do it.  And thank goodness for Costco and their inexpensive trees and plants!!

The two trees on either side of the house are new.

Tulip Festival

There is a tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point Gardens that is quite lovely.  We met up with Angie, Qiana, Piper, and Harper one afternoon when the weather was finally decent.  The flowers were beautiful, the weather was not too shabby, and the company was fabulous! 

This flower was called "Obedient Plant".  Piper said I should have Elsie stand there and pose.  That's my girl!

I love tulips. I always have thanks to my mom.  We went to see the tulips in WA many times while growing up.  Those memories remain some of my fondest!

Somebody's Getting Married

Elsie's Kindergarten teacher got married a couple weeks ago.  We threw her a little bridal shower in class one day before she left for her wedding.  I wanted to think of a creative way to give her money from everyone, so I found some inspiration on Pinterest.  My friend and other mom in the class, Brooke, helped me make this money tree.  I love how it turned out, and it was so fun to give it to her.