Cleaning day

I told the kids we couldn't have all fun and no work so one of the days of spring Break we spent a little bit of time cleaning.  They actually had a good time and Miles was so happy to help.

 We even had Tinkerbell visit and do some vacuuming.

Start of a long spring break...

My kids' school gets out for the whole week for Spring Break.  That means 9 straight days of being together 24 hours a day.  To be honest, I was not really looking forward to it because my kids get in the car already arguing when I pick them up after school.  So being together ALL THE TIME was going to be trying.  So I decided we needed some activities to keep us entertained.   

About a month before Spring Break started Ben and I came across a sweet deal for a hotel in the same city Ben now works (40 minutes away).  We got a one-night stay for 60% off.  So we decided to use this as one of our keep-the-kids-entertained-thus-not-fighting activities.  

The kids really wanted to see Dad's new office so that Monday we went down and met Ben at his work so he could show us around.  The kids wanted to ride the elevator and climb the stairs all 8 floors.  I think they made it to the 4th floor (I waited at the bottom) until someone complained so they headed back down.  Then he took us to their "cafe" and we got a fun dessert.

The kids and I were going to go chill at the park until Ben got off work, but, of course, it had to be pouring rain so we just went to the hotel and waited for him there.  The kids had fun watching Scooby Doo and other shows they don't normally get to see while I relaxed and read my book - surprise, surprise.

We went to IHOP for dinner because kids ate free in April. Then we headed to a taxydermy (gross) museum.  I have to say, it was a lot of fun.  The kids loved it. 

We were there at the perfect time because they were doing a reptile show and the kids got to pet a snake and a lizard.  I stayed far away but they thought it was pretty cool - even Miles. 

They each got to choose one animal to take a picture in front of.  Here are their choices...

Miles got freaked when he turned around and saw a HUGE bear.

Then we headed back to the hotel for some swimming....

(oh my goodness - look at that face and those eyes.)

Looks like we need to get Kamri in some swimming lessons.  She's still a bit frightened of the water.

Then of course, some basketball with Dad before bedtime.

They thought it was pretty cool they got to stay up until 10:00.

It was a really fun time just to get away even for one night.  We weren't far from home, but it was something different which is always good.

Ben felt this little baby girl kick for the first time last night!  Oh, I love this part of pregnancy.  It is truly miraculous.  And I just love seeing Ben's face the first time he feels it. 

Old friends...

A few weeks ago I met some old, good friends at Chick-fil-A for some lunch. I grew up with these girls.  We were in the same ward and the four of us were pretty much always together along with our group of boys, too.  Our old Young Women's president was in town and wanted to get together.  It was so fun and a long time coming.  Our kids played in the play area so we could just talk. They had so much fun, too. As we were leaving Evan asked,  "How come we don't play with them more?"  Good question Evan.

(Thanks for the picture Kristen. I stole it off your blog)

Pettiskirt winner!

I have been wanting one of these gorgeous pettiskirts for my girls for so long. I even thought about making one, but never did.  It's a good thing because last week I received one in the mail from a contest on a blog that I entered and I WON ONE!  Yep, it was FREE.  I was so excited.  And Kamri put it on the minute I opened it and kept it one for almost two days.  We went outside and I took some pictures of her twirling around in it. she loves to twirl whenever she can.

It's a ......

We had our ultrasound today.  Ben had to work and since he got a new job that is a 40-minute commute he takes UTA's van pool so he was unable to go with me.  So, since he wasn't able to be there I thought it would be fun to have him and the kids find out the gender at the same time.  I made a cake and colored the frosting in the middle either blue or pink then frosted the rest in white so they couldn't tell.  Ben had a hard time eating dinner because he was so anxious to know.  And the first thing the kids said to me after school was, "Mom, just tell us what it is!"  They were all so excited.  

We cut into it right after we cleared the dishes from dinner because they couldn't wait any longer.

They cut into it to find ....

PINK FROSTING!!

It was a little difficult keeping the knowledge to myself all day.  I had sisters calling me up trying to persuade me to tell them first, but I was determined to keep it a secret.  But while I was talking to Ben on the phone that afternoon, I made a slip :(.  I accidentally said "she" and tried to cover it up but I guess it didn't work.  But that's ok, because it was still a good surprise for him.  I think next time I'll make it a surprise again.  It was really fun.  

We took a video of it.  Their reaction was awesome.  Almost everyone was excited - even Miles even though he was just copying everyone else.  Evan was near tears because he wanted a boy so bad, but he's already coming to terms with it so hopefully by the time she gets here he'll just be excited.  

I really didn't care what the baby was.  I would have been happy either way, but now I'm so excited to get to make some fun girly things.

And just for fun, here are some fun pictures of our little girl....

Baby feet, even in an ultrasound, are just too cute!

 HER cute little button nose

 This is her "I'm a girl!" photo.  Nope, she wasn't shy at all.  

There were lots better ones, but this is the one we got.

 And just for good measure, here I am today....19 weeks.

 

This is one I took two weeks ago but never posted

Help!

I need everyone's help!  My body has recently been telling me it's time to stop doing Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" until after this baby is born.  But I pretty much have nothing else to do.  I went to the library and checked out some prenatal workout DVD's to test some out to see which one(s) I might like to own.  But, if any of you out there have a good one you like, let me know.