March 30 [Drew uncut]

Drew managed to film this little clip on my iPad yesterday 

March 29 [little one]

Katie actually took these pictures earlier in the month when we were in the process of clearing out the office.   It appears to just be a picture of Mom trying to get some work done at her desk.

But rarely is Mom alone while trying to get stuff done.

Drew would beg to sit on my lap and then quickly sit himself up on the desk smack dab in front of my face.

Not the most productive way to work, but it does have it’s benefits.

March 28 [nonstop]

Another typically busy Saturday yesterday.  I had to wake up at 5:15am in order to fit in a 13 mile run before the craziness of the day began.  Yes, I said THIRTEEN miles! (13.3 to be exact)  The last few miles were PAINful, but I can be pretty driven when it comes to accomplishing goals so I pushed through it.

There was no time to rest when I got home as both Jason and Carly had games they needed to get to (baseball and lacrosse). 

We pulled them early from their games so we could make it down to Kent in time for their cousin Hannah’s baptism.  Hannah asked Abigail to play the piano for the musical numbers and while she changed into dry clothing after the baptism.   Abigail played the same arrangement she played at Carly’s baptism three years ago.  She was a little rusty, but she did a great job.  Oh, how I miss hearing the girls play the piano.  I’m even more determined to find a way to get them back into lessons ASAP.

After lunch at the Baumgartner’s, Abigail had a return she needed to make at Kohl’s.  Spending the $20 store credit took her nearly two hours.  Yes, I said TWO excruciating hours!  

She finally decided on a cute sweatshirt (which I’m looking forward to borrowing), yoga pants, and a shirt.

We pulled into our driveway with just enough time for me to take some ibuprofen for my throbbing knees and then the girls and I were off to the stake center for the General Women’s Conference.  The messages on family were great and inspiring, but oh, how my body ached and longed to just crawl into bed and zonk out.  However, the girls associate attending this conference as a bi-annual GNO (girl’s night out) and so we did some shopping at Old Navy, ran a few errands, and ate a late dinner at Dickey’s BBQ before FINALLY heading home.

Needless to say it was pretty much straight to bed for me and I stayed there until 9:45am this morning – getting up with just enough time to get ready for our 11am church.

March 27 [park and pinewood]

Friday morning brought news that the fences were finally being taken down at the new park in the neighborhood and that is was “officially” open for play.

Katie and Drew enjoyed exploring the two playgrounds before lunch and naptime.  It is such a beautiful park!

As soon as the big kids got home from school they were off to the park for the rest of the afternoon.  The park has something for everyone and I have no doubt we’ll spend countless hours there in the months/years to come.

The activity day girls in our ward (girls ages 8-11) were invited to participate in the Pinewood Derby this year.  When I told Justin he immediately declared he was out and that he had been grateful that Jason wouldn’t be eight in time to participate this year.  Which meant if Carly wanted to participate it was up to me to make that happen.  My running partner offered up her plethora of woodworking tools and the assistance of her handy husband.  When we met with them last Sunday and looked through ideas Carly quickly determined she wanted an evil minion car.  After shaping the car we had everything else we needed at home to turn her block of wood into this!

Before the races even began there were a few awards passed out based on the cars appearances.  Carly received the first award for being “Purple & Powerful”

That was the last award Carly won all evening as her car came in last in all three races it participated in.  No worries, she had a great time putting it together and we’re a little more prepared for the many races we will participate in in the future.

March 26 [allergies]

Thanks to Obama and his bright ideas to reform healthcare, this is how we now test for allergies at our house.

Thankfully, it turns out Drew is not allergic to pecans and happily ate his pecan-laden cookie and has been trying to steal more cookies since.

Unfortunately, spring has brought something into the air that is causing sniffly noses and scratchy eyes for some of us.  Allergies stink! 

March 25 [selfies]

The camera on my phone can be accessed without having to enter a password – super convenient feature when I want to take a quick picture.  However, that also means that anyone who picks up my phone can freely take pictures.  I find pictures on my phone (and iPad) that the kids have taken on a regular basis.  I figure if they feel it necessary to take these silly pictures that it must mean they want them archived for us to enjoy for years to come.  Here’s a few from the past couple months.

March 24 [name plaques]

While Justin and I were running errands on Saturday, Jason and Katie decided to create fun name plaques for each of our bedroom doors.  It wasn’t until yesterday that I stopped and read them all.  

“Daddinosaur” and “Hollyhippo”

“Abigailalligator” and “Carlycat”

“Jasonjaguar”

“Drewdog”

“Katiekangaroo” colored by our very own Katie

March 23 [Cinderella]

Last night the girls and I went to the new Cinderella movie (Jason had zero desire to go with us).

Katie was reluctant to go.  She was worried it might be scary and she doesn’t like scary movies.  I thought the movie was great and we enjoyed a quick dinner afterward at MOD pizza before heading home.  Apparently Katie found something scary about the movie because she woke up twice last night.  Guess she’s just a sensitive soul.