Happy Birthday Sydnee girl!

Well hi people. Yesterday- for the most part (I didn't like being gone for 4 hours)- was really fun. The whole day was a little bitter sweet for me, she's 3! What's so great about Sydnee is that she is a constant reminder that the Lord knows what He's doing. I remember when I found out that I was pregnant with Sydnee, after 3 years of trying with Ava, I was overwhelmed. I stayed that way for a while. :) But the Lord knew what he was doing when He sent her when He did. Ava has had a playmate ever since she was 15.5 months! What a blessing! They play together & are just the best of friends- which means they want to rip each other's hair out at times too! Anyhow, I'm grateful for my sweet Sydnee. She is just the sweetest little girl- once you get to know her. Love that girl. Love my cuddly, cute, & funny little Nee Nee!Anyhow, yesterday we had donuts for breakfast, then they played with the Jacobsens for a bit , then we came home & watched a movie. Then we went to Wendy's for dinner with the Prices. It was a lot of fun! Sydnee got her chicken nuggets. Then we went to Wal-Mart so she could spend her $5 birthday money that she got from her great grandparents. The Prices came with us to find something to put on the cake for her party (just family this year)- which is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Once Sydnee had made her selection- we said goodbye to the Prices & then finished the evening at home opening presents from us, Toby, & Ava. By the end of the night, Sydnee was pooped...here are a few pictures.

Preschool Pages

I really don't do a lot of digital scrapbooking. In fact, I only do it for blog header/designs and for my daughter's preschool book. It's a Mommy-taught preschool and we rotate teaching. After each lesson, we make a page commemorating the day. It's fun, but I got behind when my printer ran out of ink. So I'm catching up today, and hopefully will be able to print them out by preschool next week.

#1
#2

So here's what I've done. They are 8.5x11 pages- perfect for a binder, and all from http://www.shabbyprincess.com/ and clip art I had on my computer.

Through Ava's Eyes

Okay, I've seen this several times now, so I'm giving it a try. Here is what Ava thinks of me...oh boy, am I ready for this? You are only suppose to ask your oldest, but Sydnee wanted in on the action.

(Ava & I-- our first days together)

1. What is something mom always says to you?
A: I love you.
S: I love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
A:Cleaning up.
S: Cleaning up toys.

3. What makes mom sad?
A: Not cleaning up. :) (hahaha, she's right!)
S: She said the same thing, imagine that.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
A: Doing jokes.
S: Saying funny things.


5. What was mommy like as a little girl?
A: Um, I don't know.
S: Watching tv...(no idea).

6. How old is your mom?
A: I don't know.
S: One.

7. How tall is your mom?
A: {holds out her hands}
B: {same thing, but smaller}

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
A: Play games.
S: Go to church.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
A: I don't know- you tell me, Mommy.
S: Play (amen to that one.)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A: I don't know...
S: Jokes (so I'm a comedian).

11. What is your mom really good at?
A: Doing lots of things.
S: Playing volleyball, (which is a complete lie.)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
A: Not being nice...(no idea what this means)
Clarified- she said I'm not good at being mean...which, by the way is WRONG- I'm great at it!
S: Not playing volleyball (actually I am GREAT at this!)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
A: Make dinner.
S: Going eating (I wish).

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
A: Chilli (that's hilarious).
S: Chicken Nuggets (maybe Chick-fil-a's?...otherwise...nope.)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
A: When you do nice things for me.
S: Playing.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
A: Lola, from Charlie & Lola (interesting choice)
S: Dora

17. What do you and your mom do together?
A: Love each other.
S: Play.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
A: when I grow up (she'll be like me).
S: We have pockets for our hands...(uhh, yep.)

19. How are you and your mom different?
A: I am small.
S: I'm wearing a yellow dress.

20. How do you know that your mom loves you?
A: Because I kiss her, hug her, and tell her I love her.
S: Bunches and bunches.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
A: Getting married.
S: Playing.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
A: To My Mom's house...(and we're going there today!)
S: To the Hula...(where ever that is!)

FHE & Stuff

We a neat moment at FHE last night. The primary presidency, or the chorister- I'm not sure- put the songs that the primary is singing in the '09 Primary Program on CD for the children to practice, so last night I played 2 of them for our songs. One of my friends, Kami, who is in Primary when Ava is in there said that Ava is a great singer. She says that all of the sunbeams sing, but she actually knows the words- must take after her mother. :) Anyhow, last night I wanted to hear a song on there I didn't know. Ava piped up and started singing it. She had been singing it around the house, but I didn't know that song, so I just thought she was making up her own little song (not uncommon). Anyhow, it was SO touching. Just this sweet little clear voice singing about families and that God showed his love by giving us families. It was a bit of a tear-jerker for Todd and I. Since we didn't expect the little angel moment, we just looked at each other like, "Whoa, this is a special moment,"

The rest of the FHE was spent talking about sharing, Ava's birthday party, playing "Sorry", and eating our treat. I made a dessert using our Food Storage Dehydrated Apples- hooray for me! AND it tasted good.

This week we are prepping for Ava's parties. I finished making the goodie bags last night. I will work on the Chef hats today, along with some other little touches. Now if we could all pray for sunny days on Friday. :)

Zoo fun

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We had a lot of fun at the zoo yesterday. It was neat to be there with so many friends. The biggest hit was the wagon I rented to pull the girls around. Our friends really enjoyed riding in there with the girls, which made it more fun for everyone- and I got a good workout! I didn't get a picture of it, though, and I'm disappointed! Oh well! I have some other cute pictures of our friends, but I'll let their Mommies post them on their blogs. :)

What I created yesterday

This salad makes me laugh. I am definitely the mom of preschoolers (note the Goldfish). I was feeling on the lazy side, so I didn't create much of anything else. :) But it sure was yummy- maybe I could use it as a color inspiration piece sometime...but probably not. :)

Silly singing Ava

Isn't she funny? I wonder where she gets all of her silliness from...probably TODD!

Preschool fun

Today was my turn at preschool. My assigned theme was "Animals & their families" and the letter /Z/. We had such a good time! We went on a bear hunt and then on a /Z/ hunt and the marble painting was SUCH a hit. Everyone loved that one, I'll have to do that again with the girls. Here is what today looked like:

Put the paint-covered marble in a box & roll around... Fun times! Rockin' and Rollin'Our other craft, lion masks. Peek-a-boo! I mean ROAR!

SO on the ball

Our taxes are IN! We are the BOMB! We should get our return the first few weeks of February, which couldn't be better timing! Our return is the biggest its ever been and we didn't buy a house, have a kid or nothing! I should also add that my business added and subtracted nothing. All that work for not. :) Hooray for tax returns!

Reflection

I can't think of a single thing to post, but I just thought I would post something so that you didn't have to look at our Christmas stuff. Hmmm...yep, nothing. That's all I've got- a head full of emptiness at the moment. Ah, here's a thought!
My goals for the new year- I want to be more comfortable in the skin I'm in. I want to accept challenges as they come & look for the lesson instead of making them last longer. I want to embrace our theme this year in Relief Society (Open Mind. Open Heart. Willing Hands.) by learning something new everyday, being grateful for all my blessings & recognizing them daily, and by serving others with charity in my heart. If I achieve all of that then I'll be closer to the person the Lord wants me to be & that would be just wonderful.
This is a picture I took of me on a morning I felt really happy- inside and out. I actually hate pictures of me, but I also like to have some sort picture to all my posts. :)

Pictures Part III

Our first Christmas morning...

Hello again people

Well, life returns to normal. I am busy working on preparing the year for Relief Society. We have ward conference, leadership training, presidency meetings, and visiting teaching conference all coming up in less than a month. So I'll be one busy lady! Not to mention that I haven't met with my presidency since the middle of December, so we'll have a lot to do!
Today will be a day of staying in doors if I can help it. I need to go to the store, but I may just send Todd on his way home. We don't need a whole lot and it's cold out there and a constant rain too. Looks like those warm clothes will come in handy! It's suppose to get warm again this week? I wish Mother Nature would make up her mind! :)
Yesterday was a big day for the Blackhurst little girls. Ava went to her first full day of primary and Sydnee had her first non-Ava nursery. So we have been prepping the girls for months. Remember these girls have spent all but 15 1/2 months of their lives side-by-side, so this was going to possibly be very difficult. Well, we all went together to drop Sydnee off. Ava gave her a hug and then Todd took her in. On the way to church Ava gave Sydnee one of the prep talks we had been giving, "Sydnee when you go to nursery today and I am not there, do not be sad, I will come get you when it is all over." And Sydnee replies, "I will cry" or something like that. Anyhow, Sydnee started to cry when we left (rip rip into my heart), then we take Ava to her class. She is very nervous and a little scared. Preston has saved a spot for her, but the instant we leave her she starts to cry (rip, rip)- and don't you know it my eyes welled up a bit too! So we got out of there and took a breathe and hoped for the best. I was teaching RS and the parents have to pick up their kids from their classes now, so we finished a bit early and I went to get Ava. She was having a good time. Her teacher had made her a little church bag with the letter "A" and put a Book of Mormon in it. Ava has been "reading from the scriptures" ever since we got home, she was so excited to get her own B.O.M., funny girl. Ava and I went to pick up Sydnee and when Sydnee saw Ava she said, "Sister! Sister!" Which is hilarious to me since she never calls her that, and they hugged and then we went to find Daddy. I spoke with one of Sydnee's nursery leaders and she said that Sydnee cried for like 15 minutes and then fell asleep. We knew that might happen with 1pm church. She said when she woke up she cried a little more and then started to play along. It will be a rough month, but they'll work it out. Growing girls. Growing girls.
So anyways, it's good to be back in the swing of things. We immensely enjoyed our holiday and are a little sad its gone. I will post the pictures I have later.
Love to you all!
Lindsey

Patience, my dear ones

Yes, it is January 2nd and I said I would post today. Unfortunately, my camera is not with me (since the batteries dies during the unwrapping once again- what timing!) so this is just a little post.



We've had a wonderful Christmas celebration. Holidays are all about families to me, so being with family is priority one. We spent Christmas with the Blackhursts in Dallas, and New Years with the Kennedys in College Station. Santa Claus unexpectedly came twice to visit our little girls, although I am positive that it has nothing to do with "extra good behavior." The week before Christmas I began to wonder if Santa ever really put coal in stockings. I'm not totally naive, though, most of the time when I'm frustrated with my children its when I've got too much going on and my priorities are out of line. One thing I love about Christmas is the gift giving, its really the best part, but due to financial strain (who doesn't have these now-a-days?) we started our shopping later than usual (to save up) and it added some stress to an already crazy life. I believe everyone enjoyed their gifts, and the especially sentimental ones were greatly appreciated- which is the real gift for me.



One of the high-lights of this Christmas was heading up our ward's "Angel Tree" or Innkeeper Project, as I called it. (From the quote by Neal A. Maxwell, "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is enough room for Jesus.") Being in charge of the organization of providing Christmas gifts for several families is a daunting task, but I have such a great team- it was really a rewarding experience. The best part was being a part of seeing everyone's generosity, even in such difficult times. It was touching, and wonderful, and those giving families and individuals blessed my life by their goodness even though I didn't unwrap the gifts they gave.



Some other personal highlights of this season: turning 30 and spending a quiet and fun evening with my husband, watching my friend Jana jump up and down yelling at her husband to NOT pick our package at an ornament exchange because he was going for the "Old Maid", spending time with some of my favorite families as we reflected on our year serving in the Relief Society, shopping with my sisters and mother the day after Thanksgiving, cooking for my in-laws while my father in-law was ill, decorating the tree with the little girls, going caroling with Ava's preschool class, seeing the Hawka (sp?) performed by the YM and our Tongan missionary, spending "Christmas morning" with the Prices as the girls discovered what Santa had brought, a night of laughing about nothing- and simple things- with friends to celebrate our friendships, decorating gingerbread houses with the girls and the Blackhursts, playing Pounce, the arrival of Lilly- my new niece, and my annual Christmas poem with the Kennedys.



What a blessing this season is- thanks to all of those people who make life fun, and happy.

A blog break

Hi friends,
I am so sorry to have abandoned you for so long! But, life has gotten in the way with sick family, and the rush of the holidays. So instead of feeling guilty about not touching base, I'm giving myself a holiday vacation from the blog. I'll see you back here on January 2nd with scads of fun pictures. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Just for fun, those that are willing- tell me something nice that you have done for yourself this holiday.

A few pictures from Thanksgiving

So I haven't posted in a few days- I had been working on getting my house ready for my family by preparing a fun table & cleaning the house. I have to say it was one of the best Thanksgivings ever. It was such a nice experience spending time with my family, whom I love dearly. The next day we headed off to the stores for a little shopping- love that. We had a great time. Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving table...and yes, those are paper plates, the boys were leaving for the Cowboy right after dinner & who wants to spend all day cooking & cleaning?

Questionnaire by Lindsey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial & pre-lit

3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving & before my birthday

4. When do you take the tree down? Whenever I get around to it

5. Do you like eggnog? No thanks

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Cabbage Patch Kids

7. Hardest person to buy for? THE PRICES!

8. Easiest person to buy for? probably Heather

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, I love them- especially my new one last year

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Hopefully mailing!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmmm...maybe the year I got 3 sets of make-up brushes

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? rarely

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar cookies with frosting

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white

17. Favorite Christmas song? The First Noel :)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? YES! (Dancer, Prancer, Comment, Cupid, Donnor, and Blitztson, and Rudolph of course)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Nothing, we still need to find one

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Cold Wind, Chapped Lips, Dry Skin

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? All of our ornaments have special memories attached.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, ham, and all the fixin's

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? New clothes for one...

26. Do you decorate the outside of your house with lights? Try to...

27. Outside lights Icicles, Colored, or Clear? White/Clear

28. Who is most likely to respond to this? Doesn't matter!

29. Who is least likely to respond to this? ????

The forgotten blog

Well hi there. I thought since Todd was doing such an awesome job at updating our blog while I was at my scrapbooking retreat, that it would continue- but alas, he has not. :) So here I am again. Hi.
Retreat was wonderful, I felt like I got a lot done and that the event went smoothly- which is sometimes an impossible combination. I came home to a sick husband, and in a few days the girls would get sick too- so we've been a sick house. And, you guessed it- I'm getting a little sniffle myself, but I'll be fine. Moms can't get sick and I know that, so I'm ignoring it. :)
Christmas is right around the corner...okay actually Thanksgiving is first, I don't want to discredit that, but Thanksgiving doesn't require as much of my brain, although I am hosting my family this year-so I certainly need a good brain. Got one handy? Anyhow, Christmas is coming so I've been thinking about the gift thing. I consider myself a good gift giver, which is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I think its fun to give unique and individualized thought and effort into gifting. A curse because I have to keep it up, and sometimes financial limitations get in the way. For example, I would love to buy my husband a trip to Argentina, where he served his mission. We could tour the area, taste the cuisine, enjoy the weather. Likelihood that will happen? I'm going bold with a 100% not going to happen. Okay, that was an exaggerated example, but regardless Christmas is on my mind, and so with that- I need to go on faking health and get ready for the day, Todd is away playing volleyball so I have time to think about a gift for him. Not that I have any ideas...but I have all day to think about it. :)
Hope you're having a good one.
Happy thinking.

IF we had turned it in in time...

So twice a year Todd's family & extended family submit little summaries about life to a newsletter, the Robinson newsletter to be exact. Well, since we forgot to do most normal things last week (because Todd was working midnights & it threw us all off schedule) we certainly didn't remember to do this bi-annual update. So we send out our lame apologies and told everyone to come here.

{Do you hear the crickets chirping?}

So for the sake of those that might actually want to know, here's our bi-annual update.
Todd- has started this school year doing something we never saw coming- he was called as an Early Morning Seminary teacher to the Juniors & Seniors in high school. He gets up every morning before 5am, and is out the door before 6am. The girls miss having breakfast with Daddy, but they have adjusted well by sleeping in a little longer (wahoo!). Todd is really enjoying seminary and is a superb example to those teens & an excellent scriptorian.
Todd is still loving his job at M&M/Mars where he recently got to learn some of the "line" jobs- like packing boxes & driving this cart that wraps the boxes (okay, so I'm sure there is a technical name, but I can't remember and he's not in the room...so forgive me). It was a fun experience, but he enjoys his industrial engineering role much more. Todd is also playing volleyball at the YMCA with a group of friends from church, "Net Prophets" where he is called "Crusher". He has enjoyed using those muscles again. Lindsey & the girls have been able to watch him once, and it was fun to see Daddy in action. They are hoping he will make it to the play-offs, so keep your fingers crossed for him.Lindsey- obviously that's me- is busy as usual. It's hard to believe but come December I will have served as Relief Society President for a year. Even harder to believe- I will be turning 30. (I can hear you say it- WHOA, baby!) I know. We are hoping to send 29 off in style- whatever that means. Anyhow, my calling keeps me very busy and helps me see the tender mercies of the Lord everyday. I enjoy working with the sisters in my ward, they are the creme de la creme. Other than that, I am still doing my scrapbooking stuff, keeping my blog updated, and spending time with friends & family in my spare time. I've been fortunate to win a few smaller contests, which is always fun, and am presently making all the last-minute plans for my retreat. My first priority is my family, and they are always keeping me on my toes!
Ava- is such a fun little 3 year old. She is confident, emotional, smart, silly, and fun to be around. She loves to sing and dance- and its hard to find her in anything but a princess dress-up dress (seriously.) Ava started a once-a-week preschool this year with Mommy and friends. She is learning the alphabet, shapes, colors, and all that important stuff. She is a fabulous artist and recently did an "art show" with her sister in their kitchen. And speaking of her sister- Ava also recently tried her hand at being a hair stylist when she cut her & her sisters hair. Short. Very short. Scissors are evil. :) Their hair is finally starting to get back to normal- thank goodness! She is growing like a weed, it must be the Blackhursts in her & we are so grateful to have her in our lives.Sydnee is a funny little person. She is full of love and sweetness. She is a little more timid than her sister, but once she warms up to you- she's front stage, center (right next to Ava). Sydnee has also enjoyed attending some of Ava's preschool activities. These two were meant to spend life side-by-side. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, Ava didn't want to go into Nursery, so Todd told her it would be boring and she would just have to sit by him- and despite his best efforts, she still came with him. A few minutes after they left, we hear Sydnee just a-screamin' and a-crying' and when they brought her out she said she missed Ava. What in the world are we going to do when Ava goes to Primary in January?!? Or for that matter- when Ava goes to kindergarten! Sydnee is such a delightful little girl who loves her sister, and her friends. What a blessing she is!

And that's all I can think of for now! Wishing all of you (related and otherwise) a terrific fall, bounteous blessings, and a very Happy Holidays!

Love,
The "Lame" Blackhursts

A Halloween Bash for Fairies

We had a little sneak peak into Halloween as we dressed up the girls for a Halloween Birthday Bash. Aren't their costumes darling? These aren't the best pictures, so hopefully we can get some better ones in the upcoming days. :)

The Witches Ball

was so fun...
I wanted the family to have a little Halloween fun too, so this was our dinner- Spider Webbed Dipping Sauce and Mummy Dogs. Cute huh?
And here's the ball...A fun matching game we played... The first ones there...
Can you hear it? "One of these things is not like the other. One of these things does not quite belong."

Glinda The Good Witch Costume, $4 at a garage sale
Long Blond Curly Wig, $8 at Wal-Mart
Buying gas afterwards? PricelessMy crown is a little off, it has just fallen off, but you get the idea...maybe someone else got a better picture.