MIA

I go in spurts on the blog. I've been missing in action for a couple weeks - things have been so busy. This afternoon I had a litte lull in the busy-ness and wrote a bunch of jokes for Sarah's lunches to last through the rest of the year. It's our little tradition - her "joke of the day". I thought I would share a couple of favorites I found on the Yahoo Kid's Jokes website...

What has a bottom on it's top?










A LEG! (o:





What does Geranimo say when he jumps out of a plane?















MEEEEEEEE!




How does the ocean pay for it's water bill?














With sand dollars!



What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?












A nervous wreck!




Why does the ocean roar?












You would to if you had crabs on your bottom!










What kind of shorts do clouds wear?










Thunderwear!





Why was the nose sad?








Because he did not get picked.






Ba Dum Dum! Hope you enjoyed that. I'll post some real stuff when I get a minute - although I don't know when that will be! Better run!!

More Birthday Fun

One of Natalie's special presents was from her great grandma. My grandma T. has painted for as long as I can remember. I have a beautiful mountain landscape in my living room that my grandma painted. (In a frame that my grandpa made.) Now that my kids are older and love to do "art" themselves, they really appreciate what an artist their great grandma is. Sarah has been particularly fascinated with grandma's talent and painted a picture for her last year. She calls her "grandma artist". Grandma told me that Sarah's fascination with her "artist" grandma kind of renewed her interest in painting again. (Although she is very modest and embarrassed to be called an 'artist' - even though she is!) So grandma decided that she could pass on something meaningful to her great grandchildren. She paints each of them a picture and sends it to them for their birthday. Is that awesome or what? The girls adore their real art and often look at it in amazement. Natalie's picture is in our kitchen at the counter and Sarah has said more than once - while completely engrossed in the picture, "How does she DO that?" Natalie's picture of a dog and cat playing with yarn is so appropriate as she is such an animal lover. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts grandma - this is the most special gift you could have given Natalie!
By coincidence, Natalie got to bring home Curious George from Kindergarten for the weekend of her birthday. Below is her darling picture she drew of the celebrating with George in the class journal...

I'm afraid her cake was not THAT fancy!

The Friday before her birthday, her class happened to be making homemade ice cream! So instead of bringing in more sweets for her birthday class treat, I brought in some toppings. It was a fun ice cream party.

Natalie is so cute and always so excited when I come to her class. Good thing she had pants on under that skirt! (o:

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Natalie's birthday fell on a Sunday this year - on the same day as stake conference, no less. This was actually nice because we had church earlier and got the whole rest of the day to hang out all together and have a nice birthday celebration at home.

This is the part where I say, "I can't believe Natalie is ____ already!" I say it every year for every one of my kids. Six!! How did my baby get to be six?
Natalie has sure grown up a lot this year. Kindergarten is a BIG growing year for kids. Natalie is reading now and writing all sorts of cute stories and cards every day. She continues to carry on the qualities that are just part of her personality and probably always will - crazy outfits and fashion statements, fantastic eater - she will try just about anything except tomatoes. (Yet see below what she picked for dinner.) And she is a tender-hearted sweetie. She is a mama and daddy's girl for sure - she loves to snuggle, is always quick to apologize when she sees we are disappointed and often offers to share quicker than most little kids. Natalie has a heart of gold and is very nurturing. She LOVES babies and animals. It will be fun to see which qualities stick for long term and which ones are phases. Natalie brings us so much joy - We love you so much sweet Nat!

Silly Nat

Opening presents from grandmas and grandpas!

Natalie picked out these white tulips when we were grocery shopping for her birthday dinner.

She picked tomato soup, salad and toast for dinner. (o:

Natalie playing with the "cat in the box"

Very entertaining. (o:

This was Sarah's gift to Natalie. This guy was a big hit - isn't he cool? The girls played Barbies all afternoon. Sarah played Ken and was pretty hilarious. Natalie and Angela were laughing hysterically. Here is a journal entry Sarah wrote from her "No TV Week" journal - "Today is Natalie's birthday, so most of today was unwrapping, eating and playing.. Three of Natalie's presents were a boy barbie (from me), a barbie horse and a little fluffy dog. Then she had me be the boy barbie and she was a girl barbie, her new horse and dog. But I guess I kind of liked being the boy because whenever I did a funny thing everyone laughed! Who cares about technology now!"