Lizzie's Birthday

Lizzie celebrated her 3rd birthday on March 19th, about two weeks after Hallie's (March 6th).  Lizzie had a great day too.  She woke up to lots of fun presents, including a "little kid" DS                (a V-Smile).  She also got stocked up for spring and summer with lots of cute clothes, swimwear, toys, and books from relatives and friends.

That afternoon she had her first real birthday party with her friends from playgroup.  She chose a Tinkerbell theme, complete with lady bugs to color, fairy races, and tiny cupcakes.  The little girls were so cute and loved Blake and Hallie's magic tricks.  While Lizzie opened her presents, it did occur to me that she may be a little young for such a party because all her friends wanted to open the presents too, and Lizzie wanted NO help from anyone.  Other than that, the party went off without a hitch.

Lizzie has been a little joy in our family since the day we brought her home.  It's hard to believe that she's not a baby anymore, but we have enjoyed every stage with her, and she has added so much love to our family.

 

Hallie's Birthday

Seven years old!!!  It's been so fun to watch Hallie grow and develop into such a beautiful little girl! It's amazing to think it's been seven years since our life changed forever and for the better!

Hallie had a great birthday this year.  She got spoiled by grandparents and friends and relatives with lots of fun toys and darling clothes.  Mom and Dad gave into her long request and got her a DS.  She's already had lots of fun on it.

Hallie planned a dog-themed pajama party for seven of her friends, and fun was had by all!  The girls did a craft, played a game, had a hot dog dinner, and ended the night with a screening in the living room of Lady and the Tramp.

Merry Christmas!

It just gets better every year!  As the kids get a little older, Christmas just becomes more and more magical.  We spent this Christmas in chilly Bear Lake with my mom and dad.  The girls and I went up on Tuesday, and then Blake met us up there a couple of days later on Christmas Eve.  That evening we went to the traditional ward party in Laketown.  On Christmas day the girls had a ball playing with their new toys.  Lizzie gave everyone a thorough examination with her new doctor kit, and Hallie caught all of the Christmas memories on her new camera.  It was too cold to even go outside, but we all enjoyed a lazy day indoors.  It was fun to have Grandpa Calder come over for my mom's delicious Christmas dinner.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

For some reason I was a little slow this year decorating for Christmas and getting into the groove, but we eventually got our tree up and our stockings out.  We had lots of chances to enjoy the magic of the holiday season.  Hallie had a great time performing in her Treehouse Rock program, and  Lizzie and I loved helping out at Hallie's first grade Christmas party.  The highlight of the holidays for the girls had to be their night out with their dad.  They went to dinner, saw the lights at Temple Square, and even got to go on a carriage ride around the city.  Then they went swimming and spent the night at Little America.  What a fun Daddy-Daughter Date, and a perfect chance for me to finish up my Christmas shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving at Nana's house with Kim's family.  It's always fun for my girls to get to spend time with their cousins.  Nana was a great hostess, and the dinner was delicious, as always.  The next day the girls and I caught a plane to Arizona to spend the long weekend with Angie and her family.  We had so much fun. 

Sharpay and Tinker Bell!

I never really loved Halloween as a child.  I wasn't into dressing up, but I have to say that, now that I have kids, it's definitely one of the funnest holidays.  Throughout October, Hallie and Blake spent several evenings at the corn maze, selling candy and tickets.  Hallie called it her work, and she loved it.  As a family, we enjoyed making and eating Halloween treats, visiting the corn maze, and of course, dressing up for carnivals and trick-or-treating.  Hallie looked glamorous as Sharpay from High School Musical, and Lizzie was adorable as Tinker Bell. 

Say Hello to Roxy...Say Goodbye to Roxy

If you're ever feeling inadequate as a parent, just refer back this post on my blog, and you'll feel like mother of the year!  I don't know what got into me, but during the past few months, I have felt like a dog would be really good for our family and really fun for the girls.  I looked online frequently and finally found a darling little malta-poo.  She was about 11 weeks old, and I got the impression she was almost fully house-trained.  

We went to meet little Roxy, and I fell in love with her!  I pressured Blake until he agreed.  I knew it would be hard to have a puppy, but I was willing to see it through until she grew into a loyal, loving family dog!  I read lots of information online about training and taking care of a puppy.  I was ready!

Then Roxy came to live with us, and everything I thought I knew about an indoor puppy flew out the window.  She was darling, but the potty-training was an all-day thing.  Not only that, I realized that I just wasn't okay with the germs and the dog smell and the accidents that this little cutie was bringing into our home.  Why hadn't I thought through all of these things before purchasing this dog!  It probably didn't help that I came down with the flu the day after we got Roxy.  

To make a long emotional story short, all week I wrestled with the idea of giving her back to her breeder, who was reluctant to sell her in the first place because her family had fallen in love with her too.  When I saw my girls hold Roxy and take care of her, I got sick to my stomach thinking about breaking their little hearts.  After lots of thinking and struggling, I decided to send Roxy back to her original home, and after she left, I felt like the worst mother on the planet!  How could I bring this adorable little puppy home to the girls, and then say, "Never mind.  I was just kidding. This dog doesn't really get to be a part of your childhood."  

Blake, Hallie, and I were all a wreck the day Roxy left, probably all for different reasons.  After Hallie went to sleep that night, I Mapquested Rexburg, Idaho to see how far it was.  I was determined to get Roxy back by the time Hallie got home from school the next day.  

We were all thinking a little more clearly the next morning, though, and after surprising Hallie with two goldfish and taking her and Lizzie for a little shopping spree to the toy store, everyone felt much better.  Hallie and Lizzie still bring up Roxy's name at least once a day and say they want her back, but I have to admit, I'm feeling relieved to know that Roxy's in a good home, and I'm not the one cleaning up after her.  She would have been perfect if she didn't have a digestive system.  Live and learn, right!