Halle Says The Darndest Things

Just had to write this down before I forget:

The girls and I were driving home from soccer practice and talking about how cool it was that some of the Real soccer players were at their practice tonight and signed their water bottles.

"Dad's going to think that is so cool!" Annie said.

"Yeah," Kate said, "he's not EVEN going to believe it!"

Then Halle pipes up from the back seat (still dressed in her poofy tutu and tights from dance class with her sunglasses on)

"yep ..... he's going to crack out, alright!"

I think she meant "freak out"...... hahaha!

Sneaky Halle

Had to write this down before I forget:

This morning I was in the bathroom doing my make-up for work, and the girls were all still asleep in their room, or so I thought .....

Next thing I know, I notice Halle standing there in the dark hallway, her cute little squishy body standing on her tip toes with her finger to her nose.

"Good morning Halle," I say, "How was your sleep? What did you dream about?"

Halle responds "ssshhhh Mom ...... don't look at me. I'm sneaking up on you." I love it!

This is a picture of Halle yesterday before we went on her preschool field trip to the dinosaur museum. We had to grab a birthday present for Josh at our favorite store in the whole wide world - Target. I can't tell you how much I miss just hangin out with her every day while the girls were at school, running errands, doing chores, going to playgroups, cooking dinner - whatever. Yesterday felt so decadent to be with her, at Target at 10am on a Wednesday morning .... oh, the little things I used to take for granted

Fading Away ....

Today I was sitting with Halle in sacrament meeting, looking at her hands and the beautiful little dimples on her knuckles. It seems like they're disappearing even faster than Annie and Kate's did, which makes me sad. I guess only a parent understands the knots I have in my stomach every time I think about how fast she's growing up, wondering if I've taken the time to appreciate how magical this age is, and knowing deep down that I haven't ... that I could have done more with her, slowed down a little and kissed those dimples just a few more times before they disappear.

Happy Birthday to all of 'em!!!!

Well, it was a very "Hanna Montana" birthday party at our house last week. Somehow I was able to convince all of my girls to have a combined birthday party, since Halle's birthday is just five days before Annie & Kate's. And since Halle is only 3 and didn't really care, I figured I'd kill three birds with one stone and just do one party - easy, peasy, lemon squeeze, right?

So we had 16 little girls anywhere from age 3 through 6 running through our house singing Hannah Montana songs at the top of their lungs for two hours, no biggie. We had pizza, cake and ice cream (the girls each got to blow out their own candle - for once, which they loved!) and we did a craft that I forgot to have everyone take home. Oh yeah, and the cool Hannah Montana pinata shaped like a guitar that we just had to have? We got so busy singing karaoke that we forgot to do the pinata until there was only one little friend left - she scored!!!

Anyway, it was a great party and Mommy's so glad that it's over! We're grateful for all of our little friends and love having them over - just not all at the same time!!!!

Gratitude: Tutus and tiaras

I'm sorry, but there's just nothing cuter than a little girl in a tutu and a tiara! No wait, there is - lots of little girls dressed up in tutus and tiaras!

Halle had her first dance recital last Saturday night and did such a great job. We were really only expecting her to stand up there and pick her nose (which would have been okay 'cause she looked so dang cute in her costume, who cares?) but she actually danced and had fun. Her cousin Camryn also performed and was, of course, wonderful too.

These pictures just remind me of how much I love having little girls and all of the fun and frills that come along with it. I do realize that ten years from now we'll be living in a state of drama and tears 24/7, which makes these pictures all the more precious!

Gratitude: Halle

Today I'm especially grateful for Halle - my sassy little 2 1/2 year old. I love her chubby little legs, the dimples on her fingers and that little waddle of baby fat that she still has underneath her chin. I love the way she solemnly says "fank you mom" every time I give her a string cheese (which happens a lot these days - the girl only eats like five things!) I love watching her try to play with her big sisters and I love to hear her say "dat's cool, Kate" or "what da heck?"

I'm grateful that there is a four year space between her and the twins because it means that I get her all to myself during the day. She's my little buddy. I love driving in the car and just when I'm starting to get into a radio program or a song, I'll hear her pipe up and say "look at da pretty leaves Mom" and then after I oooh and aaah at the pretty leaves, she'll mutter "she likes it!"

I love watching her do sign language, especially when she signs "firefighter."

So today I'm grateful for Halle and the blessing she is to our family. I'm grateful for the doctors and technology that helped make her life possible. I'm grateful that I had such a healthy pregnancy with her and that she is so healthy and happy.

I'm grateful for what an awesome baby she has been - she was absolutely perfect! I think the Lord knew that I could only handle so much and he took it easy on me. She was another little miracle baby for us and there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for her. There also isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel a little tinge of panic in my heart at how fast she is growing up. And it's that feeling of panic that makes me just want to slow down, and enjoy every second with her.

Halle, you rock!!!

Tiny Dancer

I know I haven't posted in over a month - which is really lame, I know, but I feel like moving is a pretty darn excuse, so there!!! I've got a back log of pictures, so here goes:

Halle started a little weekly dance class in September, which she LOVES, and yes, her teacher looks and sings exactly like Ariel and Gisselle - too cute!!

Annie & Kate: Mommy misses you!

The conversation here, now that you're gone all day, is a little, ummm . . . lacking. Can anyone say "looney bin?"

Halle's 2nd Birthday Party

Mmmmmmm, oatmeal - pewp!!!

Halle is very into feeding herself these days, which can get quite messy! This morning was the first time she tried Cream of Wheat (I don't know why we didn't eat it before, just hadn't thought of it.) Lately, every time she counts to "10" she always says "Hurraaayyy" at the end. Well last week, we have no clue why, she started saying "Poop" (sounds more like "pewp" when she says it) right after she finished counting to 10 and shouting Hurray. It doesn't matter how many times she says it - we all laugh so hard every time, which she thoroughly enjoys!

Well, this morning as she was eating her Cream of Wheat, which I told her was oatmeal (because it's easier than trying to say Cream of Wheat) she looked up at me with Cream of Wheat all over her face and said "Mmmmmmmmmm, oatmeal . . . . PEWP!"

So if any of you ever here her ask for "oatmeal poop," now you know what it means.

p.s. We FINALLY finished painting our kitchen/family room - Hallelujah!!!!! Now I have a life again and would love to catch up with all of you. And no, I will NEVER attempt to paint a room that large and difficult again, especially with a 2 year old running around!