Tree shopping

We picked out our tree early this year. We usually aren't the day after Thanksgiving people but Ryan was going to be gone for 4 days and we wanted to enjoy our tree as long as we could this year. We love having a real tree. Ryan and I grew up with real ones so it is an easy choice for us. We have a few of our "Gremmert Beauties" modeling the trees for us.

I love decorating the tree. It is just so magical to see it turn into a Christmas tree filled with ornaments full of memories. The kids are getting better at helping. They still put every ornament on the same limb but we rework it.

The finished project.

We used the limbs we cut off and made a wreath. Ryan and I did this together. Now isn't that teamwork? It turned out great.

Happy Thanksgiving from Lacey

Princess for a day!

Today was Lacey's birthday party. It was a PRINCESS party. All the little girls came in princess dresses and looked so cute. We played a few princess games. We put kisses on a frog like pin the tail on the donkey, then we played princess, princess, dragon, like duck, duck goose but using a wand to tap them on the head, and then we played music and had them dance and then when I, being the wicked witch, waved my wand and turned off the music, the last girl to fall to the ground asleep from my spell was out. They were adorable to watch. We then ate a castle cake that really looked more like the Oakland Temple and opened presents.

Lacey had a great time with her friends and loved all her presents. The girls received a tiara, a wand and some jewelry to take home. I had taken a picture of each girl individually and made them a card like this one to take home. They were just so beautiful.

I love doing fun birthday parties for my kids. We get excited together and can't wait for the party to arrive. It is work but it is so worth all the effort. My mom always had super parties for me and I loved them so much. I mean who can top Tifferella. I can only do these types of parties for so many years so I am going to take advantage while I can!

First Day of School............FOR ME!

(Ryan made me take this picture I guess to get me back for all the pics I take of him.)

I went to school today, to middle school to be a substitute teacher. This was my first time subbing and it was for 8th grade pre-algebra and science. What a way to start. I was so nervous. Middle schoolers can be a little intimidating and especially for my first time EVER. As I got to my classroom I just started to laugh out loud. I couldn't believe I was doing this. Then when the students arrived reality set in. The kids were okay overall. I mean they had a sub and they acted like it. I didn't have any major problems though. I just let them know my boundaries and they did pretty good sticking to them. It was so weird to be around them though. I still feel like those days were just a few years ago but then seeing them, I so don't relate anymore. I found myself looking at the teachers and seeing them as my peers. That was weird and just evidence that I AM old. What was weird too is that the same social dynamics that existed for me in 8th grade still exist. There are the same typical groups: popular, flirty, jocks, cheerleaders, nerds etc. You could tell who they were. It made me think back to who those people were to me back then. I just wanted to whisper to some of them that none of this social mumbo jumbo matters. You change when you graduate and you become the real you and most of these people will never know that person. My heart aches for teenagers. It is such a hard time, critical, emotional, and rebellious. Some mistakes seem worth it at the time but are so juvenial and immature in reality. Anyway, I did see some kids from my ward and it was fun to see their puzzled faces as to why I was there. It was a good first day and I think I will just get better. Ryan did a good job playing mommy but at the days end, we were both exhausted.

Random thoughts of gratitude

At preschool today Lacey learned about a happy family. She made a door hanger for each member of her family listing why she was thankful for them. Here are her answers.

Daddy: I'm thankful when daddy takes me out to dinner.
Mommy: I'm thankful when mommy plays "babies" with me.
Aidan: I'm thankful when you let me sleep in your bed when I'm scared of Santa.
Cassidy: I'm thankful when you give me the remote control when we watch T.V. You're a really nice sister.
Family: I'm thankful for my family! I like it when we go swimming together at the YMCA.

So which one made you laugh?

Happy Birthday to Lace Lace Pretty Face

She is FIVE this very day. She was four and a half according to her as of yesterday. We tried to explain the half stuff but she didn't get it. She is just happy to actually be five. She planned most of this day. We started with donuts, chocolate with sprinkles. Then she went swimming with daddy. Corndogs for lunch and the out for pizza for dinner. We went to Toys R Us so she could show us the three things she DIDN'T want out of that whole huge store. She was game for everything. Well, we did pretty good. She was so excited to pick out stuff and use her $3 gift card from the store. Ryan took her out to the car while we picked the final present choices. We enjoyed dinner at Hometown Pizza and then off to Cold Stone. I had signed her up for the free birthday treat so she had a coupon for a free ice cream. She is starting to love coupons as much as me.

We opened presents when we got home. She ended up getting PINK legos, 2 Pet shop stuffed animals, a Snow White dress and shoes (that I found for $6.50 total), princess playing card, and some jewelry.

She enjoyed all the phone calls she received today. She was surprised everyone was calling for her.