Help!

Jane brought me this "rolie-polie" while I was taking pictures and begged me to take it's picture.  

Right as I was about to take the pic it fell to the ground. Jane probably doesn't agree, but I thought that was the best time to take the photo.

Neighborhood Walk

Another walk through the neighborhood reveals intricate beauty.  Thanks for planting such wonderful flowers neighbors!  All these were taken from the Lynsky's, Allen's and Tam's yards. You'll have to take the walk yourself to see which flower belongs to which yards!

Missing Tooth Explanation

Max lost his first tooth about 4 months ago.  It took quite a while for the second tooth to become loose, but we knew it was dangerously close.  When we dropped off Max with grandma we had a sneaky suspicion that we might come back to see Max with another tooth lost.  The funny thing was that when we came back to pick up the kids, Max's tooth was indeed gone, but Max didn't even know it was missing.  

I asked him where it went, he said he didn't know.  Then grandma explained that they had corn on the cob for lunch.  Max ate his tooth.

He drew this picture explaining how he swallowed the tooth, it was now in his stomach.  The tooth fairy understood and rewarded him for a job well done.

Idaho

We spent Memorial Day weekend up in Idaho.  We dropped Max and Jane off with David's mom on Friday evening, and then David and I took Blake up to Sun Valley while I did an Art Show for the weekend.  The Art Show turned out to be a bust because of rain and poor turn out, but it was a great weekend regardless (any time you get to spend in Sun Valley is a plus).  We ate at some great restaurants and I even got a bike ride in.  

On Sunday we drove back to Gooding where David's mom lives and spent the evening and next day with Grandma.  The kids love spending time with her.  I hope your Memorial Day weekend was a good one as well!

Classic Max

If you know Max, then you know he loves to laugh.  He is a silly, goofy kid with a ton of energy and we love him.  

Tights

Jane and I had a little fun and put Jane's tights on Blake's head.  He walked around all day with them on his head, never taking them off.  Jane switched them up every once and a while, and Blake was happy to oblige.  This kid is a total ham.

JCPenny Underwear Models

Warning:  Semi-Naked Kids ahead!

Just in case you were looking for some really cute kids modeling the latest styles in boys underwear.  (Jane really wanted some underwear just like Max....no---she's not a tomboy at all :)

 

Molly's Sweat Shop

I finished up with about a hundred bags this week.  This is what they look like sitting on my counter after I've put in the snaps, but before I've sewn up the bottom of the lining.  There are 6steps to making the bags and this is step #5.  Step #1 is my least favorite (cutting out the fabric), step #2 is just boring busy work (sewing the lining and label to the fabric), step #3 is probably my favorite (when you join the backing to the front fabric and it looks like a bag), #4 is fast (putting the fringe on the top of the bag), #5 is putting in the snaps (that actually ends up hurting my fingers if I do too many bags at time), and #6--sewing up the lining.  

There you have it.  My business in 6 easy steps.  I haven't actually counted, but by the ordering of snaps that I've done I can estimate that I've made over 5000 bags so far.  

That made my mind/body ache just thinking about it.  I am my own sweat shop.

A Korean Evening

Tuesday night we were invited up to Elizabeth and Ryan's for dinner (David's niece).  We had a great night watching American Idol, watching the kids climb up and down the fire pole, and especially eating the delicious Korean food made by the visitors.  Elizabeth's family is hosting a couple of Korean girls who are here learning more about the American teaching system.  They made some tasty treats that we all snarffed up faster than I'm sure they were expecting (I especially ate far too many).

Bye-Bye Preschool

Jane had her preschool graduation today.  I think I'm much more sad than she is that her preschool days are over.  She attended a wonderful preschool with fabulous teachers.  We will miss them and the school tremendously.  Luckily Blake will be able to attend in just a few short years...hopefully the teachers don't change!

Jane with Teacher Charlotte.  Max had her last year and they both adore her.  She was a great, gentle, funny teacher whom all the children loved.
Jane with Grandma and Grandpa Kelly (David and Blake in the background).  Judging from this photo I think we have many more graduations to be more concerned about (I'm fearing the high school graduation---this girl is going to live up to every stereotype of a redhead out there.)
Congratulations Jane.  Look out Kindergarten!

Caught

Apparently my son takes after me after all.  I caught him this morning eating breakfast with Watson.

Doors

A few years ago I bought these letters to put on the doors of the kids room.  Since then we've had another child and I have yet to go and get Blake's name....but here are at least the first two kids doors (with accompanying art work, of course).

And if you're wondering--Max made his painting at school of a penguin swimming in the ocean under an iceberg.  

Lunch

So yesterday I told you how bright my child was to have bypassed the dog food for the dog treats.  Well, today he discovered crayons.  

I have to admit that he looks like he is enjoying the "true blue" crayon very much.

It's a good thing they make things like crayons and playdough non-toxic....because I have a feeling that we are going to go through a bunch of it.

Bike with Freddie

So I got back from my bike ride today and was telling David about how awesome it is to ride your bike listening to Queen.  He said I should let you all know about it.  

I've tried to bike listening to BareNaked Ladies, and it just doesn't do it for me.  That music is better for the elliptical, and the Beatles are great for jogging, but nothing beats Queen for a bike ride.  Imagine with me for a moment....you're on a flat road, able to go pretty fast and "A Kind of Magic" comes on....it's truly is magical.  Then, you come to a hill....a hard hill....a hill that you are thinking you are going to have to stop and rest kind of a hill....and "We Are The Champions" comes on and you plug on through because, let's face it--You are a champion.  

But the ultimate song that makes it all just so amazing:  "Fat Bottom Girls."  If you've never heard it, trust me---you'll be smiling, pedaling and just loving life while listening to that song.  

Go out and have a ride and take Freddie Mercury along.  He's a great travel companion.

Dog Treat?

Okay, I admit it.  I used to eat dog food---when I was 3.  I would sneak out behind the house and eat the little kibbles.  Blake however, has a better formed palate and has gone straight for the doggie treats.  What can I say, he's an advanced kid.

Grandma's Wash Basin

Yesterday I planted some flowers in my grandma's washbasin.  My grandma passed away about a year ago and David and I asked to have the washbasins.  These were still being used up until the time my grandma went to live with my parents because of poor health.  They are on our backyard balcony and we'll be able to see the flowers from the inside window.  

I planted many flowers, but the best will be the Hummingbird flowers that will attract the little birdies for my kids to enjoy.  Jane will flip the first time she sees them (and I'm looking forward to seeing them myself.)

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is one of my favorite places.  Luckily it's one of David's as well.  I'll be heading up there for a show to sell my handbags over Memorial Day weekend.  I booked my reservations online today at an Inn that also has a jacuzzi.  I'm really looking forward to getting up there.  It's incredibly relaxing and quaint in that area.  

Both David and I have said that it would be a great place to retire to one day....but not exactly a place we'd like to raise our children.  There is no better place to raise our kids than in the neighborhood we are in.  Thanks everybody for making it that way.

The Condo

Usually when our family gets together we head up to the condo.  My parents live right at the mouth of Rock Canyon in Provo and it's an awesome place to come and hang out. We were there Sunday (for Mother's Day and my Mom's Birthday), but it's typically a place for Sunday dinners and getting together with Grandma and Grandpa. 

This picture is taken from the balcony and you can see Stephen Covey's home in the background.  This is my Sister-in-law Jamie, my Brother Matt and my brother Mike.  

Shoe Fetish

We might have a shoe fetish going on in our family.  These are the Supreme, most Awesome Girl Shoes Ever.  I mean, skulls AND pink bows?  Come on!

Brothers

The photos are a little old, but the sentiment stays the same.  Max and Blake are good buddies and I'm looking forward to them getting a little older and having more fun together.  (I also wish Blake was old enough to go on the Father and Sons camp-out this weekend, but I guess we'll have to wait for that).

Happy Mother's Day

We just returned from my parents condo where we had a great Mother's Day evening.   It was great to be able to be with my own mom, sisters and sisters-in-law to celebrate the day.

I was spoiled yesterday with a fantastic bike ride with Jen Moore (we went 26 miles out to Saratoga Springs and had a wonderful time---I'd ride with her anyday), and then had a pedicure and a massage (did I mention I was spoiled?).

We got a babysitter last night and went to Macaroni Grill.  It was  tough not to order the Pasta Milano that I usually get, but instead opted for the grilled salmon and extra vegetables.  I was quite proud of myself.  

Max gave me a Mother's Day plate, Jane gave me a jewelry box that she made with the babysitter, Blake gave me a nap today, and David gave me a bike monitor that will tell me how fast I'm going and how far I've gone on my rides.  

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Jane's Program

Jane's program was yesterday at her preschool.  It was a mother's day program in which they sang some darling little songs about how much they love their mothers, and then we had lunch. Jane, as always, was a great little performer.  

Thank you Jane for your singing, and especially the big hug that came afterwards.

Max's Program

Today was Max's Kindergarten program.  It was great.  I'll let you look at the photos to see if you think he enjoyed himself.

I think it's safe to say that he loved it.  I was sitting inbetween two of my friends who kept saying, "Boy, he sure isn't shy is he?", and "Max is a great singer."  Max was belting out every song.  My video camera only had 6 minutes of film left, but we got the most important parts.  I love these little programs.  Jane had one today also, but it was a mother's day tribute and I'll put the photos in tomorrow.

Beads

There is this wonderful market in Beijing, China called the "dirt market".  If you ever get to China you must go to this market.  There was a store there that had THOUSANDS of beads.  The first picture above is just one wall of the shop.  It was so overwhelming to me that I walked into the store, took photos, and left.  I didn't buy any beads.  I think that is my biggest regret about going to China...how could I go into that shop and not buy some beads?  I look at these photos now and am still kicking myself. 

My other regret is that I completely flubbed up the day trip we had to see the TerraCotta Warriors by mis-calculating the dates on the train ticket.  It was an overnight train ride and I was basing the date on the arrival, and not the departure.  Stupid mistake which really threw us into an adventure while in Beijing, but it ended well and we got to spend two more days in Beijing which were some of our favorite days there.

Happy Birthday Grandma

My mom is still in Rome right now, (correction---she is actually in New York...getting closer) but she's on her way back home to Utah.  We'll be able to celebrate Mother's Day and her birthday this Sunday with a big dinner at the condo.  My parents are finally coming home from that 21 day cruise they went on.  We've missed them a bunch and are very happy to have them all home.  

Sorry we didn't get to be with you on your birthday, but we love you and are glad you will be home soon.

Bird's Bum

You may have to click on the picture to make it larger in order to see what I'm talking about.  

The other day Jane was out using the sidewalk chalk with her friends.  She made this adorable bird and when she was done I said, "Look, it's got two feet, it's got a beak, it's got a wing, and a tail."  Jane said, "That's not a tail, it's the bum."  "Do birds have bums," I asked?  

"Yeah, mom, their poop has to come from somewhere."  My daughter is very smart.  Now every bird she draws has a very large, protruding bum.  They're awesome.

Pizza anyone?

Pictured here are 3 of my nieces (left to right) Madison, baby London, and Kamryn.  Last year our entire family stayed at a cabin (thanks Matt) up at Bear Lake.  We ate at this great little pizza place with a giant wood bear out front (anybody else been there?).  My brother mentioned last night that we may be going again....I'm in!

Anyway, when we were there last time we ordered the "large" pizza to feed our families of 10 people.....

it did the job.

Jane vs. Jayne

This is Jane and her cousin Jayne.  They are about a year apart, but love playing together.  There must be something about the name Jane/Jayne, because both of them have spitfire personalities.  

When we named our Jane my sister-in-law was sad because she always wanted to name a girl Jane (unbeknownst to me), and my middle name is Jane, so we wanted to pass it on.  Anyway, they had their Jayne and we just said----"don't worry, it's not like we live right next to each other; we aren't even in the same state!" (they were in Arizona at the time).  

They live in Draper now.  So now we have 2 Jane's who refer to each other as:  Jane Rubert and Jayne Morgan.

Names

Jane named her bike yesterday and informed me that her name is "Cabela Puff Rubert".   

When David asked her what her bike's name was later, she told him it was "Freddy".  Either way, she's got a great imagination.

Mom...She's Touching Me!

Do any of you have a younger sister?  Do you feel this way about your younger sister?  

Jane is a total poser for photographs....Max puts up with it well.

Makes you want to call your siblings and get together for a laugh, doesn't it?

I hope my kids are as good of friends later on in life as they are right now.