Happy 4th Birthday Nika!

Ok so I am attempting to get updated on my blog. We celebrated Nika's 4th Birthday on the 28th of July.
Opening up Presents and looking cute as ever!
All the siblings have to see what she is getting!
Excited to see the Butterfly cake that mom made!
We went through a few websites but when she saw the butterfly idea it was like their were no others... This is the easiest cake I have ever made. Bless you Nika for not picking the Princess Castle Cake....
Blowing out the candles...
I can't believe she has made it to four! Preschool starts August 26th!

What's a birthday without Balloons!

Dr. Horrible's Sing A Long Blog

This show entertained both Ben and I. He usually doesn't like musicals but this one was hilarious!
Check it out on HULU.com

Still Tired...

So we went out for a mad dash to California before school started... I will post some things when I feel my strength returning... School is back in and right now I am just reveling in the quieter house...
Some thoughts, experiences....

#1. There are several times when your child will ask you a loud question in the store... One of the ones you don't really want to hear and certainly don't want the general public to hear..."Mom is that a boy or a girl?"

#2. While going through the McDonalds drive through Ben commented that they serve condoms there. I glance over at the sign they have at the window and mind you it was a quick glance... all I can say is why would they sell that here? Then I look at Ben and realize I need a closer look at that window...hubby was making a joke out of the condiments served here sign... I really need to get new glasses.

#3. I think I watch too much TV... here is the proof... while trying to give directions to Ben... I tell him that the offramp we want to take is only a couple "episodes" away... Yeah I also had like zero sleep.

#4. I hate my bed until I have to be away from it.

#5 Kids are either never hungry or really full until of course you sit down with your own plate of food.

Compliments

Yes I know this song is over played... however I like it still and when it comes on the radio I sing along... We were in the car and I was singing along when suddenly Triston says "Mom!" In a kind of urgent voice so I turn down the radio to see whats wrong. He says" Mom you sound just like her"
Wow love those random compliments... I have always wanted to be a good singer and I know I am not really. So to have him say that really made my day...
Now I need to find a Karaoke Bar and work the crowd! *laugh*

Sibling Conversation

So on the way home from the gym tonight I overheard a partial conversation between Anja and Triston. They are all the way in the back of the van so I might not have gotten the full context but what I did hear made me smile.

Anja - "I can't marry you"
Triston - "Why? Don't you like you me?"
Anja - "Of course I like you, you're my best friend..."

Yep I love em!
This is a oldie but goodie... September 2003 to be exact!


Of course later when Ben asked Anja who her best friend was, her response had changed...
Anja - "Everyone I know..."

An Admission....

So the book club met this month and we discussed the book.

A great read and not what you would think from the title. It really is all about improving as a wife. The author Merrilee Boyack is LDS and the book is how to improve your marriage not your spouse. Anyhow I liked it and learned a few things. She starts out talking about how as women we don't really admit to doing anything wrong. So it is unusual to have a woman write a book about her faults as a wife. Ben and I both know I am not perfect but I don't know how comfortable I would be declaring those faults to the general public. However in the spirit of encouraging others I will let you know that I am not even close to being a perfect wife or mother for that matter!
It doesn't mean I stop trying or that I say "Take me or leave me" it is just a fact that I constantly fall short.
Which is why I am thankful for the atonement and the ability to admit to my faults and strive to improve. What a wise Father in Heaven we have that he already knew we would mess up and he left us this awesome plan to fix all our mess-ups.
Anyhow I just was thinking about all the little things we do as women to put on this perfect front and all it really does is make other women feel bad that they aren't doing those same things for their family. Darn you Martha Stewart!
Anyhow I will now admit to one thing that through my silence I am taking mommy credit for ...
Nika has these beautiful baby curls that I have been unwilling to part with. Ben likes the girls to have long hair and I could not part with the curls at the bottom of her hair. I know that once I cut them they will not come back (mostly since the rest of her hair is straight)
This causes some stress in our house because combing through curls is not always easy and getting her hair done is probably Nika's least favorite activity. So cutting those curls would definitely improve on that experience. And TRUST me there have been many a morning where I am ready to lob it all off! But no, I endure the madness that is combing through Nika's hair and the end result is always beautiful slightly curled locks. To which I always get a ton of compliments on. People are surprised when I tell them that they are her baby curls and that I have never cut her hair. She is turning 4 in a little over a week and has yet to see scissors touch her head. Except of course for the slight lock that was stolen from her head courtesy of big brother.
Anyhow I guess I never really thought about it but I have unknowingly made other mothers feel bad because they think I take the time to curl her hair to perfection each morning. By my silence I am allowing this image to be seen by the world.
So now I feel relieved the truth is out. I no longer have to live the lie of perfect momdum.... I am human and so are the rest of you!