Thank You Dannon

You know what they say about doing the same thing and expecting a different result... well after weeks of my kids hitting each other to end each disagreement, I've decided that a time-out is officially not working. In a fit of tired, hungry(still dieting), frustration, I marched into the garage and pulled the only reasonbly-sized box from the pile - the empty box of Dannon yogurt - and brought it in to Lukas. I told him that each time he hit that I would put one of his toys in the "Hit Box" (brilliant) for the rest of the day. Boy was he devastated! We'll see if it works...

What?!?

It's a bit surreal posting this because I'm not totally sure yet that I'm not going to wake up from this crazy dream but we made a big purchase today...












It's too dark outside to take a decent picture so this is just one off the internet but you get the idea. 2007 Honda Odyssey. Never in my vain teenage years did I think I would be so excited to own a Mini-Van but I'm down-right giddy. Brian would want me to explain why it was such a good deal we couldn't pass it up, so I'll try to expain:

• 35K miles - not bad
• Leather Interiot - a must with messy kids (and clumsy moms)
• Tinted windows - NV and AZ, um yes please! And they did it for free.
• Certified Pre-Owned - warranteed on the big stuff (man translation: powertrain and transmission)
• 4.9% APR - with almost no verifiable income.
• $9000 trade-in - what? on that junky 02 Nissan Altima? can we say wow?
• Monthly payments down by over $200/month.

I felt like a bit of a criminal when we drove off that lot - like they might change their minds and chase us down or something. Anyway, the carseats are installed so they are not going taking it anywhere! Woohoo!!

Easter 2010

Here's some shots of the easter baskets and egg hunt this morning.

Rudolph?

For the last month or so, Lukas's bedtime song of choice has been "the reindeer song". Don't ask why because I don't know. He also just started pretending to be frustrated by giving me a dramatic sigh and a "Grrrr!". Wonder where he picked that up... Brian has just finished his 5th Block(translation: 6 week period of classes ending in a week of exams, i.e. finals every 6 weeks) out of 6 and he is out of school for 12 days! We toyed around with the idea of goin to CA or OR but figured if we run short on money in July, we'd really be feeling dumb about taking a vacation we couldn't afford. Anyway, it has been fantastic to have Brian home!! We've been to the mall and the park, I've been shopping by myself, he's been changing diapers and light bulbs and filters, we all like to nap in the afternoon and then we can stay up after the kids go to bed and watch movies and fold laundry. I'm looking forward to a much-needed temple date night on Friday, a ward Easter party Saturday morning and a relaxing conference weekend. If this is a preview of summer, I can't wait!

The most adorable thing...

I know all moms think their kids are the cutest but I'm the only one who's right. My sweet little Lukas always wants Mommy or Daddy to lay down by him at bed time (can we say spoiled oldest child?). Anyway, he's old enough now that when I don't feel like laying by him I just tell him that he's a big boy and he needs to go to sleep on his own. So tonight, after giving him that speech, and sending him back to his room once, I went in to check on him. He was fast asleep next to Brookie in her crib. I so wish I could take a picture without waking them up but let me just tell you that it is the cutest thing. I just wish I could take a little piece of his sweet, cuddly little boyness and save it forever and ever. I just love that boy!

Better Late...

This is the suprise that I got from Brian for Valentines Day...And this is what I had to fight off to actually eat some of it. Brian has been wanting to try eating at one of those Brazilian restaurants where they come around to the tables and slice pieces of meat (all you can eat). So we went to this place in Planet Hollywood called Pampas on Friday night. Irresponsible? Yes. Worth it? Yes. (Note the I've eaten way too much paunch I have going on. I'll remember not to stand to the side next time.)We walked across "the Strip" to watch the water show at the Bellagio (a big favorite of ours). On our way back to the car we came across a guy performing street magic and that was pretty cool, too. I'd say hands down our best non-Valentines Day, Valentines Day date ever!

Every Day is Valentines Day

This is the first valentintes day that we've been apart since Brian's mission (8 years? are we getting that old?!). I ran into one of Brian's old girlfriends, Betsy Arnett, and we were talking about how we'd be apart this Valentines day and I died laughing when she said (straight-faced) "Everyday is Valentines Day".

We'll celebrate next weekend after his tests are over - maybe I'll even post about it.