Celebrating with Grandparents

Maggie finished her party weekend by celebrating (on her actual birthday) with her grandparents and great-grandparents. Uncle Skylar even stopped by to give her a great sparkly rainbow tutu. Eli was a big help in opening gifts (since he missed the couple she opened during the Princess Party). She opened a new pink dress from me - since the other one is literally in threads and barely hanging on. (At least it held up for one last wash to get us through Friday night.) Note: Pictures are dark because the power was out...Utah is finally getting some rain!

Happy 3rd Birthday Maggie!

Hair

Maybe it's because I cannot convince Maggie to get her hair cut into a bob (not even the idea of having "Dora" hair entices her) - so I'm settling into the fact that I will have to keep finding ways to keep her really long hair well kept. She hates getting it washed and screams most mornings when I'm simply brushing out snarls or trying to get a part strait. However, she loves wearing it "long" (down rather than pulled up) and is constantly doing the "hair flip" though I have no idea where she learned it. Really - not from me.

While I've had visions of a cute a-line cut for her 3rd birthday, I'm going to have to move on. Doing so, I ran across this interesting blog called She Does Hair. A bit fancier than what I'm looking for - but interesting none the less. As with all blogs, this links to some other interesting hair sites as well. One in particular is hosting a give away - Girly Do's - if you're interested (love the curlers).

Maggie picked me flowers today.

Non-Princess Party!

Eli and Ian had a Non-Princess Party, courtesy of Stef and Sean. Their night was full of go-cart racing, sushi, and laser tag. The next morning Eli and Sean worked on a new bike together, then Ian took him to the skate park for some fun riding. More images to come!

Princess Party!

Maggie celebrates her 3rd Birthday this weekend (the 31st) and we kicked if off with a Princess Party for her with Hannah, Ivy and Anne. They all dressed the part with their favorite princess costume (Hannah and Maggie in the never ending pink Aurora), received a special tiara and jewelry for the night, decorated hand mirrors, and learned to dance and sing like Disney Princesses (thanks to Bella Dancerella - a recommend for any aspiring princess).

Grandma & Grandpa joined the party for a while and brought princess balloons for each of them, then enjoyed the many "performances." They all crashed at the end of the night - with just enough energy to watch Ella Enchanted and 1/2 of Little Mermaid (the other 1/2 was watched while eating pancakes the next morning). Maggie's favorite part? The "lovely" castle I got to stick to my walls.

Camera Found

What a relief! We've got a couple of big events coming up and I was really sad about not having my camera on hand. I hate to point fingers, but Dad realized later this week where he had put it (back storage of the 4-wheeler at Bear Lake). He was great enough to take a special trip up to get it this weekend. Below are some pictures from our trip there during Raspberry Days. Unfortunately I don't have a picture showing the pile of chocolate covered raspberries we ate all weekend - yum!

Inspiration

I know, I know...many of you have asked for pictures of our new place. But to be honest, it all just feels brown. I have everything (mostly) moved into a place, but have yet started to decorate. For some reason I feel the need to really make our space personal, and different, than anything we've had before. I ran across this great blog for inspiration called The Inspired Room which had some fun ideas for bedroom/home-office (my current challenge). Her "Inspiring" blog list is amazing and will take me all year to browse. I am really liking bold colors...just not sure what my next step is. More to come...

(This is just a fun picture from her blog...nothing like what my room currently looks like.)

Multi-tasking!

This post is mainly so I can remember what was considered a basic morning for me as a working/stay-at-home mom with a 2 and 4 year old. I'm sure many of you can relate.

7:50 am - Eli and Maggie ask if we have another big day today (my description for most days).

8:00 am - Switch the laundry I started late last night (go women's volleyball!) which meant the clothes in the washer were fortunately still wet.

8:05 am - The doorbell rings and I help the repair man, while in my pajamas, adjust the garage door opener (the sensors have been off).

8:30 am - Conference call with client regarding their 1/2 page ad due to the newspaper THIS MORNING (good thing I've got a little experience and knew enough to make options right from the beginning).

8:30 to 8:50 am - I watch in amazement (as I discuss advertising messaging points) Eli separate and fold the two full baskets of clean clothes. He promptly puts his away and coaches Maggie in taking care of hers as well. My items are left in a small pile for me to put away when I am done.

8:50 am - Decision made for last revision and I succumb to Maggie's repeated request for a story. We all jump into my unmade bed for a review of Clifford's adventures and Dinosaurs.

9:05 am - Run downstairs for a quick batch of pancakes. Eli and Maggie devour bananas while they are cooking and request juice, then milk, then juice, then milk.

9:25 am - I leave them with plates of pancakes while I run back to my computer for some quick layout adjustments and formatting, while trying to respond to other emails - about other projects - needing other decisions (fortunately with later deadlines).

9:40 am - I hear arguing downstairs: Maggie wants to play a game on the TV while Eli wants to watch the Letter Factory. After a quick game of Pac-Man, we agree to switch to the show and they settle for another few minutes.

10:05 am - Instead of calling my client back, I mistakenly (though happily) call his wife and enjoy a quick chat to catch up with her and her family. During this talk I get my clothing pile put away and switch out the last load.

10:20 am - I get a call from my dad to talk about business (needs a logo file), my lost camera (VERY sad), and what salad I'm going to be making today for tonight's party (Shaylee's off to college!). There is also a brief conversation between him and Maggie about her toys, and dolls, and books, and cars.

10:20 to 10:40 am - I watch in amazement, again, as Eli gets dressed (he's excited about the fact that his blue pants are now washed and ready to wear), makes his bed, puts away the few toys out of place in his room, then goes in to help make Maggie's bed.

10:40 am - I consider getting dressed then toss that idea aside as I get two new emails and feedback on the revised layout with one last request. While exchanging email, Maggie runs in and I help her change into her clothes. (Note: This process always includes a "tossing the underwear" game where she hides outside the door and throws them to me while I act surprised. This makes her just giggle. I love it!)

11:05 am - Receive final approval of the ad. Before delivering the file to the newspaper, I blow up Eli's Lightning McQueen chair and dodge Maggie's bouncing squeals on the Rody horse.

11:25 am - Consider getting dressed again then decide breakfast dishes will be easier.

11:40 am - Take call from media rep to discuss WSU football sponsorships and review options for each client.

12:00 pm - Still procrastinate getting dressed. So, for some crazy reason I decide to quickly type up this blog as I mentally review my morning (because apparently I don't have enough to do?). As I type, I watch in amazement - for the 3rd time - as Eli comes in and takes care of making my bed. Really. He does a great job and even puts the top pillows on how I normally do. Maggie and I couldn't ask for a better "little man" to have in our family. He does a great job taking care of his mom and sister.

12:20 pm - I finish this blog and mentally generate my to do list with another surge of energy. Just in time for lunch...

Podcasts

Eli, Maggie and I have been enjoying some great Podcasts lately. For those who are also tied to their iPod, here is one of our current favorites: Storynory

Maggie's Compliment

While getting Maggie in her pajamas tonight, she was so excited when I pulled out her favorite strawberry pair, she started jumping and clapping, exclaiming:

"You washed them! And you change bums, and you wash plates, and you clean up toys! You're so...(pause)...Mommy!"

I don't think there is a better adjective she could have used. Fortunately, I get to be hers - and Eli's.

Classic Waterslides

Eli had no trouble jumping right in.

Maggie, on the other hand, wouldn't let me take her near the slides. The splash pool was all the excitement she needed. And a few crackers.

This was the look I got after dragging her down the "minnow" - or smallest slide. She screamed the whole way and was clearly unhappy about the whole experience. I guess we'll wait and try again next year...

How my new walls are being treated.

Eli's Tent Adventure

Ok - so we don't have a nice big backyard with lots of green grass. But, we do have an empty, carpeted living room...for the tent.

Eli, Maggie and I enjoyed the Smith & Edwards summer party this weekend and won a tent, sleeping bag and backpack. Eli was so excited to have one of our own, he insisted we set it up and he get to sleep in it. Unfortunately, it is one with only a main cross beam - and needs the corners to be staked into the ground to hold its shape (not an option on my new carpet). So we had to lean the top up against the wall and make do with 1/2 a tent. Eli wasn't concerned in the least and loved sleeping in his new space.

Boring Dinner

While having dinner yesterday, Eli and I were busy chatting when we noticed Maggie was a little more quiet than usual. I'm not sure how, but she had no trouble curling up and falling fast asleep right in the middle of her chicken and potatoes. I guess I need to spice up the menu a bit.