Tori's Party

Tori's birthday falls on a month where everyone leaves town to start their summer vacations.

I've learned to have her party a few weeks early to catch all her class mates before they part ways for the summer.

Tori had a ANGRY BIRD pinata...donuts...water balloons...and ice cream.

It was fun for the kids to get out of class early and celebrate with Tori.

Terrible, horrible, NO good, very bad...morning

This morning my beloved 19 month old spilled water all over the floor...

dumped out my drawer of plastic dishes...

dropped a glass of milk...

bathed herself in brownie batter...

spilled eggs on the floor...

wiped her face on my pant leg...

all while I was preparing breakfast!

Then I opened the oven to check on my chocolate chip zucchini brownies only to discover that the center was not cooked through...and I dropped my knife right into the baking brownies. It sunk down to the bottom of the pan. 

The wonderfully playful dog has also left us a beautiful landscape of chewed up garbage covering our entire yard!

Lovely day!

And it's only 7:30AM!

Class Ceremony

 Benton completed his first go-round of Pre-School.
Everyday he would insist on packing a treat for everyone in his class.

They held a little ceremony... Luau... really.

They performed a darling dance then received their certificate of completion. 

 Then they all jumped in the pool and enjoyed a nice lunch prepared by the parents.

Congratulations my little Graduate! 

Alex's 7th

Today we had a birthday party for Alex at school.

I prepared by filling up 100 water balloons...ordered 2 dozen donuts...baked 3 pizzas...and decorated the school yard.

Her entire school class changed into swimsuits, they ate and got soaking wet. 

I was trying to lift a HUGE tub filled with water balloons from the back of my car and let it drop to the ground so I wouldn't herniate a disc trying to set it down gently...and the sudden drop caused half of them to POP on contact!

It is tough work hosting a birthday party by yourself.

They kids had a good time and Alex made off with some great loot.

After school the girls went to gymnastics while I ran errands...which included picking up Alex's Mermaid pinata.

This thing was GINORMOUS! 

It took up the entire back to my car.

Alex was so excited to have it that she has been carrying it around all night long.

She even tucked it into bed...with a blanket.

I wonder how she will feel tomorrow when we are bashing it in with a stick!

Happy Birthday Alex! We love and adore you!

 Alex's 1st birthday party~

 Alex's 2nd birthday party~

 Alex's 3rd birthday party~

 One lucky girl!

 Adalyn has her Mountain Make-up on.

 All the cousins in Pacheco, MX

 Benton...happy as can be...in the dirt.

Kolby and the horse he wanted to pet.

Birthday Girl

I turned 31 yesterday. I love having my birthday fall on a Sunday...a day of relaxation and worship. 

What could be better?

I received many kind birthday messages,

a birthday dinner prepared by my mother-in-law,

the most decadent chocolate brownies from a close friend,

visit from neighbors,

phone calls from family,

a beautiful birthday bouquet from my mom,

a beach cruiser bike (I've always wanted one),

cute 4-peice luggage set, 

and LOTS of love. 

Today was a great birthday!!

I love this month...every two weeks something special happens...Anniversary...Mother's Day...and my Birthday!!

The Annual (Mexico) Mother's Day Program at the grade school did not disappoint this year.

Tori's class sang "Baby Bumblebee"

Alex's class sang "The Wheels on the Bus"

(and she was the mother on the bus)

Benton's class sang "Mr. Crocodile"

Then the entire school got up and sang a few Mother's Day songs.

Our school is tiny but we love it.

I got to help Tori's class with their song and costumes.

Each class presented their mothers with a gift.

I came home with flowers, pictures, and potted plants.

On the U.S. Mother's Day Garrett and the kids prepared our Sunday dinner and did the dishes so I didn't have to lift a finger. It was so nice. The ward gave all the mothers a bar of fine chocolate. 

We had a wonderful day resting and visiting with our mothers.

Happy Mother's Day!