Piano Lessons

It was a big day for the girls - they started piano lessons. Their teacher is Mr. Don Simmons and he comes to our house. (this should be the #1 new qualification for all piano teachers) I can't say enough about how great it's going to be not to drive them both somewhere - especially with Connor in tow.

Cala has a 15 minute lesson and CC a 5 minute lesson. He'll even take me on when Connor gets a bit older. I stay for the lesson and I felt like he's going to be great. Cala has 3 songs to work on and CC has to learn middle C. They were both very excited. I even got CC to take a nap so she would be "fresh" for her lesson. I can't believe we're in this phase of things now - seems like just yesterday I was telling them to quit banging on the piano... wait, that was yesterday.

I've been tagged...

My friend Tiffany tagged me... the request - tell us about your marriage. (this is something under no circumstances would my husband ever do... so I'm glad for the chance to at least self analyze with my friends.

1. How did you meet your husband? At BYU (original I know) My last semester - I had a roommate in law school with him... named Laurie Davis. Jessica Sherrill (also roommate) and I had a plan to snag a lawyer. We talked Lori into choosing the smartest, best looking law students and we would make dinner for them. Clam Chowder was the decided meal... I was no help in this.. Jess and Laurie did it all while I stood there saying I don't cook. (not the case anymore) Darren was on of the "chosen" guys and lucky for me he showed up. Darren now refers to this meeting as "The Viewing" becasue he says it was soooo obvious what we were doing. The girl to guy ration was a little off. So when the crowed died off... all that were left was Darren, Steve, Jessica, Erika and another guy named Steve. Jessica and I were both on full cuteness mode that night - we were charming - flirty enough - jeans tight - but not too tight.. you know, played it cool. After the door closed - Jessica, Laurie and I went into full analyzing mode. Jessica mentioned something about Darren and I was like... oh no, we can't both like the same one. So, (Jessica, this is probably news to you) later that night, I cornered Laurie and said, I was the one who needed to go out with Darren - so put in an extra good word for me. Laurie may have directed him my way (she was nice and never actually told me he may have been more into Jessica b/c seriously, even I would have been more into Jessica - she's a good time) Anyway, Darren asked me out a few days later - our first date was on Halloween. We went to Applebee's and q-ball or q-room... that place on State Street in Orem where you could play air hockey and stuff. (I'm pretty sure we haven't played air hockey since that night) We held hands while walking out of q-ball.... (after some major flirting on my part) The night ended with a perfect little kiss at the front door.

2. First thing I said: Umm actually the first time I met Darren he came to pick up my roommate Laurie to go to a Rodeo in SLC. I made so much fun of her for going to a rodeo. I opened the door and said - oh, come in, I'll get Laurie for you. After that, I probably made fun of his cowboy boots to Jessica.

3. When was your first kiss - see first date.

4. Length of courtship/engagement? 10 months... met and married. I knew I had a good thing going and I didn't want him to have time to change his mind.

5. Where did you get engaged? Murry City Park. I've always thought that was random. We'd never been there and haven't been back. Plus, I knew it was coming (no matter what Darren says) but after I had the ring - we went to like 4 peoples houses to show them and no one was home.

6. What was your reception like? A blur and I'm still bitter about it. We stood in line for over 3 hours greeting 800 guests and then bolted as soon as we could. Our legs totally ached. I loved my dress and everything but looking back, I seriously felt ridiculious the entire time - I was nervous at the ceremony - just felt out of place all day. I've often said to Darren, when Cala and Chelsea get married - I'll enjoy it more - have the wedding I wanted. Quiet and calm. ps: the music was great - my super talented bff Tiffany Stoker Madsen did background music. I would have just rather listened to that all night, looked at my dress while eating the wedding cake. Oh ya, Darren can sit by me and share the cake.

7. Where did you get married? The Idaho Falls temple. It was the worst flood in 200 years and so there were sandbags all along the river.

8. Honeymoon - this made up for it all. We went to Hawaii for 12 days - hit the beach - slept in- drove around - relaxed. I also got a massive sunburn and wanted to check myself into the hospital. I'll probably get skin cancer one day because of it. I had blisters and was purple. I shed dead skin for one year - no kidding. We took the kids back to Hawaii 2 years ago... it wasn't quite the same trip.

So there you go Tiff! Thanks for the tag. Darren and I basically have nothing in common. He likes to do things I have absolutly no desire to even try. But, I'm a good sport and take an intrest in things he finds important. I've even learned how to tolerate the horses and will talk to them when I go outside. Darren likes a lot of the same things I like - he's more well rounded and not as shallow. My likes all involve selfish things and he's a good sport. He even knows the ins and outs of whatever handbag/fashion find I'm drooling over at the moment and puts up with the money I wast on People magazine. Although, just to make him sound normal... I just got a new chruch calling. Ward music chairman - and I have to lead the music for sacrament meeting... I've been practicing b/c I never learned how to lead... he just made fun of me the entire time... said I looked like a robot. Thanks honey. Jokes on you - one Sunday I'm just going to sit on the stand the entire time while you fight it out with the kids.

Classroom Manager

A big day for Cala today... she's the "Classroom Manager." She gets to help the teacher and take a show and tell. She wanted to take Connor but I decided it wasn't a good idea since he had some shots today. She settled for some sea shells instead. I can't wait to hear how it went. She looked so cute today.

Matching Moment

We left for church on Sunday as Darren commented - you're all matching. Did you plan that? Okay, normally I don't try and dress like my kids. But, you would be surprised how many times we are all have the same theme going. Also today, Cala was complaining about her shoes hurting her feet. I had some wise words of advice. I said, look at my shoes. (black high heels, peep toe) Do they look comfortable? They're not, in fact I can't feel a few of my toes and the rest are being pinched so hard I want to cry. I'll probably be bleeding after church. But, they look good. I love these shoes, Angelina Jolie has a pair like them and I can sure stand them for 3 hours and so can you. That's just part of dressing nice. She decided she would tough it out in the name of fashion. Not before she told me how uncomfortable nylons were though. Gotta learn young.

Bedtime

Bedtime... sound peaceful and simple... right. And it can be both of those, depending on the night. However, here's the drill of tonights routine. Cala: started at 6 pm asking, "Can I stay up later than Chelsea?" Chelsea, "Can I watch TV, because I didn't watch any today and I really want to watch Ariel.... there's this part, um where the seagull is... " Mom cuts Chelsea off b/c this could seriously go on all night. She loves to talk. Connor, enjoying a bottle on my bed. He's laying on a pillow and has his bottle propped up with another one it's okay b/c it's just multi tasking.... 2 things at once. Bedtime approaches, I promise Chelsea a foot tickle while I finish feeding Connor... she agrees and we head into her room and which point she starts asking me what were're going to do tomorrow. (this should have been a red flag... it will just keep CC talking and not sleeping) I tell her that it's going to rain and get really cold.. she inturupts telling me that for Family Home Weaving she wants to have a pajama party, pop popcorn and watch Aurthor and the Invisibles. Mom: "Yes Chelsea, that's a good idea, maybe on the weekend." Chelsea: "No tonight, for Family Home Weaving." Mom, gets her back on track - we're going to bed. Now, I threaten, if you're not quiet then no foot tickle. She stops talking long enough for me to get my hand on her foot. Then she starts to laugh because it is a foot tickle after all. I know decide I'm hindering and not helping the process and remove myself from the room which starts the screaming crying fit - which I close the door and ignore with these wise words. "Chelsea, you're being mean and you're not a mean girl so I know you're tired." More crying but she stays in bed for the moment. Then, I decide Connor will just have to go in his crib while I deal with his sisters. Chelsea comes out of her room with more questions about what we're doing tomorrow, demands a snack, demans and drink and I put her back to bed - do the chin grab (this is where I grab a chin and get right in the offenders face - explain to them what the problem is and then make them repeat back what I just said - promissing not to do it again) Now, I threaten to take her stuffy away. In the background Connor starts crying, I decide he'll have to take a backseat and he's okay to cry for 20 minutes while I play a promised game of phase ten whith Cala. Cala and I get through the first phase - Chelsea joins us - Chelsea get's put back in bed - crying. Connor - still crying - but the 20 minute time has not gone off. I've also warned Cala that when the timer goes off - it's her bedtime. She again asks if she can stay up a bit later - and then has a look on her face of sheer surprise when I say no. Hello - she's the one who told me she fell asleep in school - a later bedtime- I don't think so. We finish 2 more phases, Connor still crying. Chelsea calm and now sleeping. Cala and I go get her clothes ready for tomorrow and while in process - Connor stops crying and falls asleep. Cala asks again if she can stay up just a few more minutes. (It's now 7:37 and 7 minutes past betime) Sorry, still the same answer. Cala goes into her room (the girls share) and I start folding laundry. 5 minutes later Cala comes out and says she can't go to sleep. Ummm, you're eyes are bloodshot - just lay there - I don't care if you don't fall asleep right away but trust me, you will. 9 pm - Chelsea wakes up screaming, demanding food, water and world peace. She gets a drink, pat on the back and plopped back on her pillow. Cala, now realizing the unjusitce too demands a drink. Dad gives her one - and now everyone is quiet. So tonight, Connor get's the best bedtime award. It might have something to do with the fact that he can't physically get out of bed. Maybe I'll put the other two back in a crib. Don't let the photo trick you - they look like angles - but they'll give you a run for your money!

CC first day

okay... not to forget the middle child or anything. But, she started school yesterday. I took her inside and the teacher said mom's are welcome to stay today so the kids can get used to it. Ummmm, I care about my kid and all but thanks, I want my money's worth. I'll just come back in an hour. CC didn't want me to stay anyway. When I picked her up she said, "Thank you thank you, I love preschool and I love Miss Wellwood my teacher." I asked her what was her favourite part about preschool and she said "Getting a book order." Such a big girl. (coudl someone tell me how to rotate this picture.)

Connor latest

Talk to the hand! Connor has found is hands and spends every waking moment looking at them. We try and distract him - but that's just impossible. I'm sure glad we spend money on all the toys around here... because we sure are getting a lot of bang for our buck. In his defence - we wouldn't want him playing with all the girl toys around here anyway. Hands, hands, hands.




We are going for our first doctors visit in a week and I'm pretty sure he'll test Connor for dopping. I'm estimating he's around 16 pounds and that's on the light side. He's only 13 weeks old. Are their sterroids in Nestle Good Start formula? I better read the label closer.