I had to run some errands today and didnt want to get back too soon before Harvey's nap time, because then I'd just be antsy for nap time. So we stopped at the Gilbert Temple to walk around. Clark was like "I don't really want to go." So I said "too bad" and he said "fine, but I'm just going to be taking pictures on your phone" Ok artsy, agnsty teenager. They found the dressups (that I keep hidden because I can only zip/unzip, button, flip stuff right-side-out 35 times before I lose it) when we got home. The highlight was when Wendy, in a monkey suit with a little banana hanging from her wrist, snuggled up next to me on the couch and fell asleep.

Some of Clark's photos

My other kids

I dont know how full time teachers do it, because a) soooo draining and b) I get so attached!
These kids have driven me nuts and made me want to rip my hair out sometimes, but they're also so cool and I love them! It's so rewarding to get to see their/my hard work pay off in such a big, flashy way (recital). Now I get a nice break for a few months before it starts all over again

Fashionista

Wendy has entered the dreaded phase where she's very opinionated about her clothes. I try to hurry and pick out their clothes in the morning so its not even a discussion, but at some point during the day, she'll change into something weird. Her favorite piece of clothing is a tan pleated skirt that has a tiny bit of cheetah print on the inside. It's size 18 MONTHS! (Still constantly falling off her teeny bum.) She wants to wear her "cheetah skirt" everrrrry day. Time to get rid of it.

Her signature outfit: cheetah skirt, any pants, socks, jellies.

Dance Recital

the last few weeks have been crazy busy and stressful while we got ready for our end of the year dance recital. Last year we had about 50 students and only 3 of them had any sort of costume change. This year we had over 200 students split into recitals with some dances performed in both and several students with several costume changes. I also danced in one if the numbers which made me verrrry anxious, so basically I didn't sleep much last week.
Also PSA: if your child is enrolled in an extracurricular activity and you receive emails or notes covering the details of a performance for that activity, READ THEM! That's all I'm going to say about that.

Aside from all that, it's always so rewarding to watch our students perform. Plus I got to watch my own girls perform which is so precious.

Now I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Been sleeping great ;)

A few of the girls I teach. Love this age!

Permanent marker

I'm goimg to ignore the naughty stuff Clark did with a permanent marker today (because he genuinely thought drawing train tracks on Harvey's crib was a good idea) and instead show off the clever things he did.

He composed a song and counted out the beats while playing it on the piano

and he corrected the false advertising on an empty cheezit box, sparing us some major disappointment. I love that he even got rid of the S because it really doesn't make sense for 0 to be plural.

Articles of Faith

In primary, all the kids were challenged to learn all the Articles of Faith and pass them off by the end of the year for a special prize. I wondered if that was even possible for my little sunbeams. So the competitive side of me said "challenge accepted!"
They all three know the first 5 so far! I knew Clark would be able to, but the twins have surprised me. The secret? I use my phone to play the song of the Article of Faith we're working on over, and over, and over again. While they're eating, while they're playing, in the car, etc. Then after a few days, they start singing along. A few days after that, they can sing it all by themselves (and Clark can say them without singing).

Monday

This is how my kids spend most of their time. Or playing house (which is very different than dollhouse, if you wondered). I love it.

Weekend

We had a busy weekend! On Friday night we got rid of the kids for the first time in months and went to the temple. Saturday we helped my sister move between a dance rehearsal and a birthday party. Then I took Wendy on a date. She reaaaally wanted breakfast dinner so we went to Denny's. On the way to the car, she sat on the curb with her feet in a pile of ??? and said "take a picture of me on this pile!" So I did.

Slime is the worst

I tried making slime (it's all the rage on YouTube) for the second time in my children's lives and remembered why I said "never again!" the first time I tried. Such a mess and I can never get it the perfect, non-sticky consistency. So..never again!

And we went to Target. It was all Marioed up.

Today I completed a 3-day detox (basically just drinking nasty smoothies for 3 days). I feel detoxified. And hungry.
I also went to book club which is still the best.