Summer

Thanks for the petunia advice....it was enlightening to say the least.

Now I am asking for one more thing. ENERGY! Who's got any extra? My kids are out of school now and I'm so stressed that I don't have the energy to make it fun for them this summer. On a normal day, my lifestyle requires an insane amount of energy, but add pregnancy and kids out of school, and it has to be doubled. I'm not sure how this is going to happen. Granted, my energy is lower than normal, thanks to this stupid summer cold for the last 4 days, but I am nervous that my kids won't think I'm fun when I just want to lay on the couch, be fed grapes, and get fanned by palm leaves. I've been watching my dear friend, Monika, adjust to her week-old baby and her 3 other kids, and  I KNOW I do not have the energy to be a mom of four yet. I'm a bit stressed. I need to somehow store it up this summer. Wouldn't it be great if you could bottle energy? 

In other news, we took the kids to "Up" on Friday night. So, so sweet. You'll cry in the first 15 minutes, or maybe that's just me since I'm uber-emotional prego girl. I always look forward to the Pixar movies...Dreamworks are really funny, but they fall onto the potty humor a lot. This only fuels Parker in his love of potty humor. 

Have a great week, and if you have a little extra energy, send it my way. Have you met my kids?

A quick call for expertise

I am a pitiful gardner, especially to my family's standards. I do what I can, but it's not much. Just a quick question for you "green-thumb" types; Something is eating my petunias in my front flower bed. I cannot figure out if it is a bug, mouse, or what. I spent a good chunk of change on those petunias, and I'm losing the battle. What do I do? 

Day of Celebration

Well, our temple has been officially celebrated! (now maybe I will have time to attend it).

Friday night was the culmination of a LOT of hard work. I was asked to help choreograph and teach the youth a pioneer dance for the "Day of Celebration" at the conference center. I'll be honest. I said yes for 3 reasons. 1) I wasn't totally in charge...others were there to do the business end.   2)How often do I get a calling that uses a talent I have....like never.   and 3) How cool to choreograph something the prophet sees.

Choreographing for 200+ kids was a new challenge for us. Also, putting kids in at last minute (and I mean last minute) so that they wouldn't leave the church was difficult for all of us. But, we did it, grumpy football players and all. It was really fun, but if I don't see a handcart, flag, or a teen from our stake ever again, it might be too soon. 

They did great! Despite the Conference Center officials (whom I was really was disappointed in) messing up our music during almost every rehearsal, they nailed it. It was a beautiful celebration from start to finish. Very fun, very spiritual, and I am amazed at the talent and strength of our youth. Everyone loved it, except for my grumpy old man neighbor who decided to tell me at church how awful the whole program was (he watched it at a stake center.... I don't think he got the whole effect). Don't worry, Paul. I was only responsible for 3 minutes of it. 

I got to work with the greatest ladies (one was my former cheer coach at the Y)  and really got to know the personalities (and scarier sides) of some of the stake officials. Please don't judge me by this picture. I am turned to the side, 5 months pregnant with my 4th child, and standing next to very skinny dancers. 

Quinn's dream come true.....THOMAS!

Well, he doesn't look thrilled, but he is. The "Day Out with Thomas" had finally arrived. Quinn is my ultimate train lover. Parker always liked Thomas, even Emi did for awhile, but Quinn is borderline obsessed. Which is why I love the above picture. He looks SO much like Grandpa Newman (the ultimate obsessed rail fan). It's fitting that he likes the "choo-choo trains" so much.

Quinn really dug the old steam engine that was up there. However, right when Grandpa was in the middle of explaining all about the history of this particular engine, it let it's steam out. SO LOUD! Quinn held it together, but now refers to it as "train with funny whistle".

Parker and Emi were good sports (with a few bribes). Parker did like the Lego train they had set up because they had a Storm Trooper picnic (complete with Darth Vader) displayed. All in all, everyone had a super time. Quinn is talking about it non-stop. I'm glad we got to go!

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Animals in Action.....Dance Recital...Done

Well, it came, it was great, and happily...it's DONE! I love my job, I love my dancers, I love watching them perform....but I LOVE when I get my life back, too.

It was "Animals in Action" for the 2009 Kaleidoscope Dance Studio recital. Very easy theme to conform to. Of course, I feel like the star of the show is Emi, cause what kind of mom would I be if I didn't? Please ignore the blurry pics. I'm still getting used to my new camera (thanks, Bill. Great mother's day gift...I love it!)

Emi and her fellow "Philadelphia Chickens" at dress rehearsal

Night of Performance!!! (ignore her tongue)

Nelly, the Elephant

Hound Dog

All the Pretty Little Ponies

Everyone did great....here was the playlist, as if any of you care. I just like to have a record.

1. Rockin' Robins
2. Under the Sea (fish)
3. Snuggle Puppy
4. Buzz-Buzz (Bumblebees)
5. Flutterby-Butterfly
6. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
7. Philadelphia Chickens
8. All the Pretty Little Ponies
9. Penquins To and Fro
10. Nelly, the Elephant
11. Hound Dog Mix
12. Stray Cat Strut
13. Cheetah Girls
14. Flight of the Hummingbird
15. Black Cat
16. Eye of the Tiger

Perhaps the nicest part of having recital over is my kids take over the studio for the summer. Emi set up "Princess Corner" the very next morning. I'm happy to share with the car rug, Thomas trains, and all the princess entourage. Welcome summer and my gigantic list of stuff to do before my baby girl arrives.

The verdict is in....

See this little beauty......well, I was SOOOOOOOOO wrong. We have a cute little girl! I can't even stand it. I quite literally could not believe it! I made the technician check multiple times. Time for Bill to pull out the paint brush.....he has a blue FJ, I have a pink nursery. It all works out. Emi bounced all over the house with excitement. I can't stop smiling. Even Parker is being gracious about another sister. Yeah!

Time to Place Your Bets.....

Alright...tomorrow is the big day. If this baby decides to cooperate and open it's little legs, we will know the sex of our baby. Yes, it's no secret that a girl would be great, making the family even. It's even less of a secret that Emi's whole life, her hopes and dreams, are based on the sex of this baby. But I do love little boys. My boys are especially cute, in my opinion. A little playmate for Quinn has great advantages. 

If I had to guess, I would say that it is a boy. It feels so boy. I can't even picture a girl right now. In fact, I am really almost sure of it. Quinn is the only one I guessed right, so my track record isn't great, but I feel quite strongly this is a boy. Bill refuses to guess. He is no fun. Advantages of a boy.....I will save money on redoing the nursery and Bill will eventually get an office. That money will be spent on frivolous girlie things around my house. 

However, if I am wrong and it is a girl.....one pink/brown nursery coming up!

Please sound off on your opinion....and tell me if you are ever accurate. The suspense is KILLING me!