Breathing a Sigh of Relief...Easter 2009

My neighborhood has a big Easter Festival every year at our neighborhood park. This year, I was in charge of planning, organizing and pulling off the whole event. I have been worrying and stressing about this for months, but finally, it is over and I can relax.





Me and the Easter Bunny (aka an 11 year old boy I bribed with 20 bucks)


Our event included...


Bounce houses:




Several Egg Hunts:



Addyson wondering what the grass on her hand is all about.




She loved putting eggs into her basket.


Prize bags (200 of them!):





Crafts and Games:








We also had face painting and refreshments. The best part of this event was the fact that about 250 people attended and all of the kids had a great time. The worst part was the fact that I had to yell into a bullhorn to announce the egg hunts. (Embarassing!) Luckily, it didn't rain on us and I had several willing helpers who helped lighten my load.


My mom was also here visiting this weekend. We dyed eggs and had another little egg hunt just for Addyson in the front yard.










We tried to get a family picture (Addyson and I both had new dresses) but guess who wouldn't cooperate?





We had a delicious Easter dinner of ham, cheese potatoes, fresh baked bread, green beans and strawberry shortcake. The weather was gorgeous and we spent most of the day hanging out in the backyard!




Grandma and Addyson got lots of quality time together.



The total cost of the Easter event (courtesy of the HOA): $800.


The price of Addyson's new Easter dress: $8 on clearance. Hooray!


The fact that the Easter Festival is over: priceless.

My Good Fortune

Did y'all hear about this?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30011573/?GT1=43001

I read the article and thought about what a great story that would be to share with future children. And so, I thought I would share my engagement story with all of you (and for posterity)!

When Brandon I were dating, he was attending UVSC in Orem, Utah and living in an off-campus apartment with about 5 other guys. Their apartment was a total, utter disaster. The dishes in the sink were usually giving off a stench that said, "Wash me please! I've been in here for two weeks!" The dirty laundry on the floor told basically the same story. You get the idea.

Brandon and I had talked about marriage, but we weren't officially bethrothed. One of his roommates, Johnathan, was a quirky guy who liked to walk around the apartment practically naked except for a sock and cape. (That's another, very disturbing, story.) So when he told me that he wanted to cook a fancy Chinese dinner for Brandon and me, I wasn't too surprised. (After I saw him in the sock/cape getup, nothing could of surprised me about him.)

We set a date, and even decided to dress up for the occasion. On the evening of the dinner, Brandon drove to Sandy to pick me up and we drove back to Orem. I began to suspect that something was up. Here we were, both dressed up, planning to get married yet no ring yet...hmmmm. Could this be it, I wondered?

We got to the apartment and when we walked in, I was stunned. The place was sparkling clean. There was a fire going, music playing, and a beautiful table set with china and candles. Chinese food was simmering on the stove. No one else was around (fortunately, Naked Cape Man was just a set up). I immediately knew that yes, this was going to be it!


Our engagement photo, circa 2000-We look like babies!

We proceeded to sit down and eat the food (which had been purchased from a restaurant and dumped into pans), chattering nervously the whole time. At the end of the meal, Brandon asked me, "Aren't you going to eat your fortune cookie?"

I opened it, and inside the message read, "Will you marry me?" Brandon dropped down on one knee, professed his undying love, and pulled out a little black box with the most beautiful, diamond solitaire ring I had ever seen. Of course I said yes, and the rest is history!


One sad note: I didn't know it at the time, but Brandon's roommates had rigged up a video camera that was shooting in the corner the whole dinner and caught the whole proposal on tape. It even (embarassingly) included some post-proposal kissing, cuddling, and cooing. I was actually thrilled to have the tape to keep for all time and loved to watch it! Shortly after the engagement, I loaned it to my cousin who lived in the apartment next door. She returned it to the guy's apartment one day when Brandon was gone and it hasn' t been seen since! I think Brandon was secretly relieved to have proof of his lovey-dovey side disappear, but I feel remorse whenever I think about it.


I love proposals, and I cry each time I witness one on television, but I thought my proposal was perfect. I still smile whenever I see a fortune cookie!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

One of the things I love about teaching preschool are the hilarious things kids say to me on a daily basis. Today my co-teacher and I started laughing so hard we almost couldn't regain control in order to teach the class!

Here are two of today's gems:

1. We were talking about thinking hard and wearing your "thinking cap" and one little girl said, "My thinking cap is in the wash today!" Adorable.

2. We were discussing why shouting out in class (as opposed to raising your hand) is rude. A boy raised his hand (he got the message!) and said, " My mom says it's rude when my dad puts his hand down his pants. " We didn't quite know what to say to that one! Priceless.

Comments like that make me afraid to send Addyson to school one day. Parents, beware!

Splendid Tuesdays

Tuesday is, without a doubt, my favorite day of the week. Why, you ask?

1. I don't have to work. (I teach preschool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.)

2. Brandon is at work all day (he's off on my other free weekday, Thursdays). It's not that I don't like having him home, but I enjoy my alone time when I can do what I want to do and he's not busting my groove!

3. Tuesday is my day to be productive and get things done. I usually reserve cleaning, laundry and errands for Tuesday. (Am I the only one who just likes to be home and do stuff around the house?)

Here's what a typical Tuesday is like for me. I usually get up and go to the gym before Brandon leaves for work. (Today: check!) I love being at the gym from 7:30-8:30 because hardly anyone is there. I come home, get Addyson up and fed, and get showered. I try to spend the morning cleaning and tackling my to do list, with a little blog reading and tv watching in between. When Addyson goes down for her afternoon nap, I usually write my lesson plans for the following week. I try to cook a decent meal for dinner. My reward at the end of the day: watching Biggest Loser and American Idol.

Having the whole day to myself feels like a luxury since I started working part-time. I love my Tuesdays! Now, off to wash my sheets.

What is your favorite day of the week?

To Die For...

I found the most amazing recipe recently for "Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips." It is SOOO delicious. I have made it twice and gotten rave reviews both times. It is the perfect Spring appetizer, dessert, or snack...and it's pretty good for you! You must try it. (The name "salsa" is somewhat misleading because there is no spice in it at all. It is all sweetness from the fruit, and is totally scrumdittilyumptious.)

2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
8 ounces raspberries (I substitute frozen peaches that have been thawed)
1 pound strawberries
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor ( I use apricot preserves)

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
butter flavored cooking spray
2 cups cinnamon sugar

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

Sister, Sister

Last weekend my little (20 year old) sister Roxy flew to Boise for a visit. I was so happy that she would spend her own money and time off of work and school to come see us! (She works for the US Postal Service, but no, she doesn't handle mail. )




We went out to eat at Goldy's, known for having the best breakfast in town.





We pampered ourselves with pedicures.






We nodded and smiled at all the right times when the Asian women at the nail salon said things to us that we didn't understand. (Does anyone else have this problem?)


I chose purple polish; she chose a lovely shade of green. (This will come in handy for St. Patrick's Day! )





We went shopping at Target and at the mall. We even saw the Weinermobile and had to document the occasion. (My bologna has a first name....)






I know you're singing the song in your head right now. Admit it! You are, aren't you?



We rented a movie (Nights in Rodanthe-I didn't love it), and we went to a movie (Confessions of a Shopaholic-it was cute, but it was late and I kept falling asleep). I'm not used to keeping single, 20-year-old hours!


We dined at Cheesecake Factory, we cooked dinner, and Roxy discovered that Addyson's hair is long enough to be worn in a ponytail! Who knew?





To follow tradition, we even got our photo taken in a booth at the mall.





Sadly, this was the best of the shots. Addy wasn't quite sure what all the flashing lights were about!


It was so great to spend time with my sister. She is so much fun and always make me laugh.

After Roxy left, I started discovering cute little notes hidden all over my house. I found this one in the laundry detergent box yesterday!






Just don't tell my brother.

The Great Houdini

Addyson is now 16 months old! I haven't blogged about her for a while, so here goes...


She started walking the week after her first birthday.


She adores books and loves to be read to.



She's as cute as a bug's ear.


She loves the bath and will splash and play as long as I will let her!


My dad has nicknamed her "Houdini" because she can climb onto or out of anything. Here she is on one of many daily climbs atop the kitchen table.



She is very good at standing up and turning around in the shopping cart, even with the strap in place.

She has several molars.

She says many words, including "dog," "light," "milk," "hi," "sock," and "shoe."

She still loves her binky.

She loves making interesting noises with her tongue.

She is great at giving hugs, kisses, and waving goodbye.

Her favorite pasttime is dragging the dirty laundry out of the hamper and all over the house. ( I love this one!)

She also likes to take off her socks and put them on her hands.

Playing with my cell phone is another favorite activity and she calls Grandma (on speed dial) several times each day.

I can't wait to see what she will learn next!