Phoenix & Choobix

Aren't these the two cutest grandkids you have EVER seen? (Until next week when Baby Dade comes- can't wait!) Notice Phoenix's side-ponytail in pic #3. And poor Choo Choos got a sunburn.

An Easter Family Photo

Not bad. The girls are dressed up, and D&D are wearing stripes. Dionne's face looks like a tomato, Raleigh is holding Choobs' head forward, and Madeline is just b-a-r-e-l-y looking at the camera. Dallas, you look great!! 

Our Sterling Scholar- A Few Words about Madeline

Now, don't you just want to pinch those chubby little cheeks and tickle her under her little chin-roll?? And stick out your front two teeth a little?? Miss Madeline read her first book, TOO! It's a book of 3- to 5-letter words that Grandma and Grandpa gave her for Easter. She wanted to try reading her book since Raleigh knew how to read HER book. So we worked on putting the letter sounds together, and she GOT IT!! It was quite surreal. The Critter can read!

Here's Madeline on her way to preschool. She loves to go to school. She especially loves her teacher, Miss Jennifer, and all of her friends. She comes home with all of the latest 4-year-old gossip, and she tells us things that she is learning, such as: the rules for flying kites, the Nile is in Egypt, Miss Jennifer's blow dryer broke this morning, the ASL sign for ABC's along with the sounds each letter makes. She has also developed intense fears for "Leo the Lion" (she thinks he lives in our bathroom and insists that "he IS real, Mom.") and leprechauns (who were very mischevious in her classroom around St. Patty's Day).

What's My Nationality?

Today in the car we were discussing the girls' cousins' last name- how it is hard to pronounce because their dad is from the Phillipines. Then we started talking about how if you have a dad from the Phillipines, then you are half Filipino. Raleigh put it all together: that means we are HALF Orem, HALF Georgian, and HALF Utah. Right, Raleigh.

Don't Mess with My Sweet Girl!!

If you refer to #9 on the "Tag, I'm It" post, you will notice that I stated that I don't really get offended. IXNAY on that OSTPAY!! I am currently battling hard feelings for a 5-year-old bully-girl in Raleigh's kindergarten class who picked on my sweet girl! I am (mostly) over it. Luckily, Raleigh is, too. We're going to kill her with kindness. And kick her booty if she ever mouths off to Raleigh again. In other news . . .

Raleigh announced tonight, "I'm going to be a five-and-a-half-year-old artist, Mom. So if you call me to breakfast tomorrow morning, and I don't come right away, it's probably because I'm in the middle of a painting."

She Can Read!!

Tonight we decided that Raleigh should try reading a "real" book. So we pulled out If You Give a Moose a Muffin. And she READ it! We were all so excited- we kept laughing every time we turned a page!

Tag- I'm It.

I have been tagged by four different people in three different formats the last little bit, so I will take a little of each and combine them into one for anyone who cares to read about my little life.

Ten years ago: I was cruising around Raintree Apartments, partying it up with my other 18-yr-old buddies, trying to figure out what to do with my life, and gaining my freshman "23" at Burgers Supreme on the new Western delicacy: fry sauce.

Five things on my To-Do List tomorrow: Make an Easter tree (yes, that's what it says), practice Raleigh's "Word Wall" words, clean the leaves off the front porch and stairs, get two birthday presents, buy bananas. We ran out.

Things I enjoy: Talking to Dallas, talking to the girls, exercising HARD, reading, working on creative projects (I do NOT call them crafts), cooking, cleaning, boutiques, monograms, birds, textile design. Yes, textile design. Music, ballet, "Family Fun Runs," talking to my mom on the phone.

If I were a billionaire: I couldn't do it. I'm too indecisive to be a billionaire. I'm not into any great causes, so it wouldn't be right for me.

Three bad habits: Peeling my fingernails while watching American Idol, saying "yes" when I should say "no," saying "no" when I should say "yes."

Places I've lived: Oregon, Utah, Florida, Georgia, California (for a summer- does that count?)

Jobs I've had: Kmart checker, hairdresser's "assistant," Fuddrucker's baker, receptionist, legal secretary.

Most afraid of: drowning.

Favorite food: Anything with good, fresh ingredients- not including seafood.

Natural hair color: strawberry blond.

Are you a neat freak? Yes. OCD.

Ever been skinny dipping? Yes. It was weird.

Things you don't know about me:
1. I have this weird piece of hair that grows out of a mole on my wrist. I've considered having it removed.
2. I really like the way Dallas' ears look from behind. They look like other people's ears, only upside-down. Notice them- they're CUTE! I also like the way his hair comes to a point in the back- like he would've had a really cool rat tail if he had wanted to in the 80's.
3. I like beds to be perfectly made. Smooth. No wrinkles. Pillows facing the correct way. If the girls make their own beds, I fix them later when they're not looking. (see OCD statement above.)
4. I have this "spot" on my back that if anyone touches, they are DEAD MEAT. Ask Dallas. Ask Raleigh. Oh wait, are they still living?
5. I LOVE getting into a hot car. Temperature-wise. Even on the hottest summer day, I love the feeling of getting into a hot car.
6. Rain. I love rainy days. The smell. The coziness. I make soup.
7. I'm just dying to sleep through the night one time this year. Just once. That's all I ask.
8. My biggest pet peeve is when I ask someone to babysit and they bring a friend/family member, or they invite a friend/family member over while we are gone that we didn't know would be present. I don't know why, but it really gets my goat!
9. Other than that, I don't often get offended. I really like most everyone I meet, so I just assume they like me, too, and that I am not offending them, so I probably offend a lot of other people because I assume they like me just because I like them! This could be bad. But if you're ever unsure: I like you!
10. I love to talk to little kids and tease them just a little. I get it from my dad.
11. My heroes are my mom and my husband.
12. I have these flannel pj's with brown dogs and pink polka dots all over them that I love and Dallas hates. WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?? I've worn them as much as possible while he's been out of town.
13. This might be upsetting to some readers, but I only like BYU sports when BYU is playing well. Otherwise, I only like to watch college football, meaning: any other team than BYU.
14. I love to read yourheartout.com
15. Books I have read this year are: The Hiding Place (a life-changing read), Austenland (a little too steamy for my taste), The Wednesday Letters (worth reading), and half of Tending Roses (couldn't get through it). I am always reading the B of M, Healthy Sleep Happy Child, and my FAVORITE: Cuisine-at-Home.
16. I love old people. I just want to squeeze their little cheeks and poke their little buns. I think their lives are fascinating, and they are just like very wise little children. When I am old, I want to be a cross between my grandmothers, Betty Morgan, LaRee Howland, and Jean Engberson, for anyone who knows them. And Dallas will be the cutest old man.
17. Riding in a car at night gives me migraines. No fail.
18. I want to learn how to do upholstery.
19. I hope the Easter Bunny brings me the egg-shaped German truffles from Williams Sonoma. Or the carrot- or sweet pea- shaped chocolate. Yum. And cute.
20. I most often care more about aesthetics than practicality.

And THAT, dear readers is QUITE ENOUGH about me. Whew. I now tag Amanda L. And Dallas.

A Poem For You, Choobs

When Kensington's a-constipated
And feeling quite stopped up,
We give her a suppositore
To help our lil' pup.

We push it in; it cleans her out.
She starts to feel real nice.
And then we swear up and down
To feed her no more rice!

Applesauce & bananas
Could be the culprit, too.
At least that's what the nurse said
When we discussed her poo.

Now, don't worry about Miss Chooby-Pie
She feels a whole lot better.
Since we have done our very best
To keep her system reg'lar.

And Madeline Continues . . .

"Choobs doesn't know what 'Stop' means. She doesn't speak our language. She might speak Porkajeese when she grows up."

More from Madeline . . .

"Boys don't wear makeup because they like to be handsome. I like to be supa pwetty, so that's why I put on makeup. Do you think Gwammy wants to twy my spawkly lipstick Santa? I'll put it on her because she might put on too much, OK?!"

Madeline's Advice on Personal Hygiene

"It's not 'propriate to smell stinky."

Quick Quotes

Madeline informed us yesterday: "Did you know that George Washington, after he won the War, he lived at Mountain Vernon? It's in Minnesota. Did you know that his died in that house, too? Then he lived with his brother. Then he went to check on his horses. Then he got really sick. Then George Washington died. Because there was a big storm. And then he died." Wow. Preschool keeps us all enlightened.

Raleigh before bedtime the other night: "Oh, Mom! My only woosh is to ride the bus, lose a tooth, and to be in 2nd grade!!"

Ode to a Toaster

Oh, toaster of my married youth,
You've browned a thousand slices.
We've buttered them and honeyed them,
Served with OJ o'er some ice-s.

But soon the dumpster started calling
When your bottom parts fell out,
So I took a trip to Costco
And I bought a Cuisinart.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

Oh, Choobies, Your Dad Loves You!!

Thank You, Jess & Dannii!!

Jess & Dannii sent us some fun Christmas presents from Japan. Choobies is wearing hers on her head. The little notepads have a saying on them, with some obvious kinks in the translation: "A delightful day. My mind is paralyzed." We think they're great!

J.TEEEEEEE!!!!

What could be more exciting than a reunion with your best friend from high school?! Dionne had a blast seeing Jenny and getting giggly and hyper (only this time about motherhood and the old times). It was just like we left off- always so fun to see you, JENNY!! We were busting a move out on the dance floor with our kids and each other- it was a blast! (Imagine a former cheerleader and her sidekick dancing to Can't Touch This.) It was fun to see a miniature Jason- Keaton, his son- chasing Madeline around all night, tickling her!! I found her and Raleigh hiding in the girls bathroom in one of the stalls trying to keep away from him! Raleigh and Madeline had a blast, dancing out in the middle and following beautiful Kayla around trying to be like the big girls.

Tyler is a miniature Jenny with his cute round face and the same coloring as Ben. (Lucky kid!) His little eyebrows are adorable!

Dionne gets to hold Tyler!

Here's Grandpa Whitehead with his two gorgeous daughters! So cute. They got him out on the dance floor and all danced together.

A Lewis & Matthews Reunion

Chris & Amanda and Baby Briant came over for another wild picnic on the living room floor. We were all a bit tired, and then we all got the GIGGLES when we were playing an old game that Dionne's family used to play for Family Home Evening. We'll explain it sometime in person to anyone interested. Raleigh and Madeline love it. But the funny thing was watching Chris get SO into it. He and Dallas are hilarious. Amanda started laughing so hard she started crying big tears down her cheeks when we unveiled one of her chicken-leg pictures, and that got Dionne going, too. Only one person almost wet her pants this time, and it was the person who most recently had a baby . . .

Madeline, our fledgling photographer, took this picture.

Cute, cute Briant in his winter PJ's- Chris & Amanda's miracle boy!!

Madeline's New Big Bed!!

Trina was getting rid of the twin bed in her guest room to make way for a new one, so Madeline was the grateful recipient of her donation! Madeline was sick that day, and Dallas managed to sneak the bed past her and set it all up for her as a surprise. She was definitely shocked, but the first thing she did after she recovered was climb up and jump on it, even with her fever. Then she lay down and snuggled up. Very cute. Thanks, Trina!

A Fun Family (Mis)Adventure

Bart & Meridith, Phoenix, & Paige came for dinner a few weeks ago, and we had a wild picnic on the floor of our living room with CHILI for dinner (not the best for kids). You may notice that Paige isn't wearing any pants in this picture! She was missing in action for a little while, and Bart found her in the bathroom trying to clean up after herself all over the floor! But she's just the cutest little patootie . . .
Bart tried to outdo Paige when he finished his Oreo Chocolate Mousse and decided to be helpful and wash out his glass. (It broke.) So here they are together!





















Our little midget-woman.

A New Year's Victory

After hours of matching and mismatching, we finished our 1000-piece puzzle a few weeks ago, and HERE IT IS!! You can see it was an exciting victory for all of us . . .

Two Funny Bunnies

Raleigh and Madeline have been a riot this weekend. Loads of personality and lots of laughs. I took them grocery shopping at Kohler's in Highland where it's always packed on a Saturday afternoon, and there are rarely any young children there. Raleigh and Madeline had the GIGGLES. REALLY bad. I was laughing so hard I was almost crying, and they were thoroughly entertaining. They started a game of "I ONE the trash can . . . I TWO the trash can . . . I THREE the trash can . . ." until somebody "EIGHT"/ATE the trash can. (Of course, it was always Madeline who ended up eating whatever it was. In fact, Madeline ended up eating a diaper, a toilet, a pear, a "1", lips, a leg, a cow, etc.) The funny thing was, all of these upper-middle class people shopping in Kohler's were laughing right along with them, because the store was so quiet from lack of children (besides ours) that everyone could hear their hilarious conversation and SUPER LOUD giggling. And the funny thing is, this joking went on and ON the entire time we were in the store, so we were going up and down the aisles with some of the same people passing us, laughing and shaking their heads. One lady came up and told me that they were "just hysterical." Really, they were!

In other cute kid news, after Pres. Hinckley's televised funeral was over, Raleigh went up to the TV, stretched her arms out really wide, gave it a hug, and said happily, "I LOVE YOU!" (to President Hinckley.) Very sweet.