The Mother of Geese

Brad bought tickets for the family to do this . The girls really like Thomas but we weren't bogged down with their expectations being rocked or not met. I suppose Thomas is sort of a big deal with kids. Some other kids are OBSESSED with Thomas. I witnessed many a manic child throw fits and tempers because the day with their hero might have not gone as planned. It was a beautiful morning. We got great seats on the train After the train ride we were going to stand in line to take a picture with Thomas. This was good enough for us though... They had a little hay maze set up that the girls had a blast in. They had booths kind of like giant gift shops, petting zoo stuff (ick), a Thomas Tattoo booth (not kidding about that one), and other kid friendly crafty sites. It was such a fun family outting and I once again realized that of all the kids in that massive crowd, mine are the ONLY ones I want to hang out with all day long on a given Saturday.

We came home through Provo canyon but decided that since this was the first weekend it would be open to go through the Aspen Loop. Have I mentioned that I do NOT get tired of that drive? It is so scenic. Brad thought it would be a good idea to let the girls run around a little around Timpanookee. We did NOT know that they were in the mood for a little hike. They just sort of took off on the trail. Mental note...hiking at nearly 8 months pregnant, even if it is only 1/2 mile, will surely land your butt on the couch to recover for the rest of the day...

On Tuesday after a full day of fussing over details of operation clean-out I decided to go to Target to see the bedding we were considering up close. With Maam-a in tow and the girls Abbie quickly ran to this I was not wildly crazy about it-but I also wanted her to have some ultimate choice in her room. Plus, it had that magic orange clearance sticker on it. They only had one so I thought I would take a gamble on Target's mystery return policy that seems to ever change on me in hopes of finding another one for Amelia. I walk to the register to double check the return policy where I am assured that as long as I have a receipt I will be able to take it back. Great. So I figure I will check online and just grab another one no big deal. The lovely lady rang the bedding up and I blinked. Mouth open. The grand total for the whole bedding? $10.65 with tax. I about died. So the more I think about it I guess the pink camo was definately the right choice, thank you Abidoo. I checked online ...

So we had some lovely friends over for dinner on Sunday and I was asked the question that I haven't thought about..at...all... "What have you done to get ready for the baby?" The truth? Nada. Nothin'. Zilch. Nil. Zero. Fast forward to Monday Funday when I am cleaning Abbie's room and thinking... "WHERE AM I GOING TO PUT THIS child?! Where am I going to put Amelia? How am I going to contain this chaos? Abbie's room is cute as can be but it has its fair share of ponies, barbies, pet shops, clothes, shoes, stuffed animals, etc....so it can be a challenge to keep tiday. Enter the Amelia tornado. Where do I put her and all of her stuff? I told Brad I think we needed to hire a professional organizer to come in and help me do it. Its not really in the budget but I still have a professional in mind (Hollah Grannie!). So yesterday I spent the day looking at bedding and other fun things and while I am not really in a pottery barn kids/land of nod ability to spend ...

I would like to thank Grandma Welker and Grandpy for instilling the rose resurrection gene in me. I hope to pass it on to my girls.

While we were circling the airport waiting for Grandma (maam-a) Amelia had to take control of the wheel. She would steer (scary), laugh (adorable), and turn the radio up (DNA habit I suppose).

What was your favorite part of preschool? Playing with the teeter-totter. What is your favorite color? Pink What is your favorite food? Pepperoni Pizza Who do you love most in this world? Athen What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian.

Abbie: Knock, knock mama. Me: Who's there? Abbie: Banana. Me: Banana Who? Abbie: Banana don't want to clean my room today. Me: ?!

Here are a few of the pictures from Amelia's big adventure with her daddy in Oregon. Abbie and I missed her but we know she had a great time with him. Her first visit to the Pacific Ocean...Such a fan. (Note this is day one and she is dressed in outfit number 2 of the trip) Brad made sure she was clean (and not with the scary T-Fal shampoo but rather with dishwashing soap. Only the best for my baby.) This is how she spent her days at the dentists office...(I should say this is how she spent a few minutes at the dentist office...let's be honest here) Here she is at Grandpa Gary's lovely condo. Can't wait to see it! Overall Brad did a fabulous job with her and I am looking forward to the next trip. (Does that make me a bad mom?)

Kind of tickles your hand doesn't it? Slippery Little suckers. Where did it Go?

Today being Mother's Day I kind of sat around and let the people who love and care about me do everything according to MY WHIM!!! For breakfast Brad and the girls made whole wheat waffles, buttermilk syrup and strawberries and cream. Brad took over all duties and even tickled my arm during church WITHOUT expecting payback. After lovely church and a nap he made me some meat...(doesn't this look like something the Flinstone's ordered?) Abbie was in charge of dessert-carrot cake and Amelia was in charge of ambiance. Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!!

Here is what I have been up to the last couple days. You should see my awesome farmer tan. Installed drip system for new garden bed in back between window wells. (Which Brad will probably redo because he can find a more effective way to do it...) Planted geraniums, and other annuals in front. In pots for the backyard: planted Zinnia, Cornflower and Marigold Between window wells in garden beds: Cosmos, Cleome, Nasturtiams 2 small pots in the front: Nasturtiams Fertilized the peas, radishes, spinach, swiss chard Square foot garden at home: planted yellow beans, Green Pole Beans Garden at Momala's house: weeded bottom 1/3-whew! that's a lot of work...worked on raspberry patch 7 tomato plants, yellow zucchini, cucumbers, Abbie's sunflowers, beans--still need to do rainbow carrots, all herbs, summer squash Its great to see all the playing the mice can do when Brad cat is away... I'm sure he would have a fit at all the "relaxing" I promised I would do.

You can smell it but don't take a bite.

I thought I would play a trick on Abbie today by making her a "treat". It was a breakfast parfait but she didn't know what that was so we said a breakfast sundae. It was a hit. Layer bananas, yogurt, strawberries, cottage cheese, peaches, granola and almonds. I think we were both getting a little tired of cherrios.

Did I tell you that the Neilsen TV ratings picked MY household to complete this weeks TV viewing diary? I'm afraid I can't have anyone influence what shows I should be watching and I'm a little worried that Brad's NERDTV in the basement will effect the results of my super cool household. (i.e. Grey's Anatomy v. Nova; Veronica Mars v. American Experience) at least there are a few shows we can agree on...Heroes, the Office, Earl etc..) Also it looks like we have to fill in our TV experience for the whole house so Curious George, Barney, and Big Comfy Couch are going to be counting as well. Plus, as an added bonus, Nielsen TV sent me $30.00 cold hard cash to watch TV. Its a dream come true Brenda Cooper.

"Amelia was kinda funny and ehm she teached about hands. We can punch, we can talk in sign language, and we can say hi and ehm and even tell us what we want." (by Abbie D.) Yes, Amelia had her first go and teaching FHE last night. We sang 3 little monkeys, Amelia demonstrated how to wave goodbye, show all done, be surprised, and do her "where is Amelia" finger dance. After she showed us her picture of her hands, made the paper of the picture crinkle with her hands and then clapped. (She also spun around in a circle, squealed and ran into the couch, bit the couch, laughed, repeat...) Yes we are thankful for our hands and they can do so many things. After we went to the kitchen to play with play dough, wash our hands, and eat pudding with our hands. Hands rule. (look at cutest Bradfo in the background eating mashed potatoes. He had surgery on his tooth today and the dr. reported he had the hardest bone of a patient he had ever worked on. Seriously, the dr. was using a...

In an effort to expose the Amelia to lots of foods and my absolute refusal to tolerate picky eaters (ya git what ya git and ya don't throw a fit...) here is Amelia's first artichoke. Abbie said she has already "eaten like 20 before".