Emmie Dressed Herself!

Does this worry anyone? I have been so crazy! Emmie went to get dressed and this is how she returned. I looked at her and said, "Emmie you look beautiful." And she did. I guess I have relaxed a little in my "old" age. I would never have let her wear that five years ago. A lack of time and a little stress are great. I can't worry about some of the things I used to worry about.
Many things were accomplished yesterday:
I wrapped three batches of caramels. (I will start delivery today)
I went and spent a wonderful lunch with great friends.
I made it to power pump. (yeah)
I finished the kids friend and teacher gifts. (at 1:30 this morning)
I found an outfit for Tim's Company party.
I took gifts to the women I visit teach.
I got Hanna to and from Nutcracker rehearsal without incident.
Mailed my last few Christmas cards.
Wow! I should do this every night. I did get quite a bit done when you lay it out like that. I am going to pat myself on the back and get
today under my belt.
Have a great one!!!!

One Week Until Christmas!!!!!

Today: Jammie party at Emmie's preschool.
Get groceries for caramels.
Make caramels for neighbors.
Pick up present for Tim. (I am wanting him to see that)
Get new outfit for Tim's Company Party. (Darn it)
Take kids to see Eragon for FHE!
Go to bed.

Tomorrow:
Cut and wrap caramels for neighbors and friends.
EXERCISE
Lose 20 lbs for Tim's Company party.
Eat lunch with good friends.
Finish teacher gifts.
Get Jax to YM's.
Get Hanna to final Nutcracker performance.
Go to bed.

I think I can.....I think I can......
Tim comes home Thursday. Yeah!!!!

Preschool Christmas Show/Winter Dance Recital

Am I a few days behind, or what? Here is a "brief" catch up session.


On Friday Emmie's preschool had a Christmas program. It was quite the "todo in Knottingham". It was held in the Conference Center at BYU! Emmie did a great job singing all of the songs and reciting her line. She got to say, "Here come the shiny cars." I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that line as well as Emmie did on Friday.



On Saturday Hanna, Morgan, Ryanne, AND Emmie had their little dance recital. They performed a total of 11 numbers in two hours. Are you wondering how I am still sane? I am not. There you have it! I had to have a serious talk with myself last night. It was really hard. Not to mention the fact that my two nieces performed in the recital also. I got to watch 50 dances!!! I am so lucky.

I have decided that I am lucky. I am so lucky that my girls are healthy and can perform in dance recitals. They all did a wonderful job. I am so proud of the great little dancers that they are!Good job guys!

Tonight I went to a Fireside at a lady down the streets house. A woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring, spoke. She did a great job. It made me contemplate everything that I am grateful for. Here is a quick list:

My Family(husband and kids), My Health, My Family's Health, My Huband's job, A House, The Gospel, A Great Lineage, My Camera, My Friend Michel-(she invited me and my kids to her mom's Christmas Party tonight. We were treated so nicely. They food was great. Thanks Cil.),Literacy, Being in touch with my dad and his family in Chicago again, Tim's Parents, A Reliable Car, My friendship with my husband, Showers, Music, Christmas Carols, My Education, The Temple, My Grandparents, Millee, Emmie's love for Millee....
Thank goodness the list goes on and on and on and on ..........Goodnight

Nothing overly exciting today. I got a few more cards done, a few more gifts wrapped, and a few more gifts bought. At the end of the day I can't complain. I took Emmie to Chuck E Cheese with a couple of her friends today. They are remodeling so it wasn't the best time to go. Emmie and her friends had fun. My favorite game was out of order and I couldn't eat pizza because I am on day 4 of my juice fast. I can't wait until Friday. Today has been a lot better than yesterday. I am over the half way lump. I hope tomorrow is smooth sailing. Well, I am off. We have dance and YM's/YW's tonight. Wish me luck.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH!

It is great to be eight! My niece, and Ryanne's best friend, turned 8 today. Savannah is one of the cutest kids I know. (and I am not partial). She loves to laugh (especially at the dinner table), she loves to play outside, and she loves to have teeth hanging from the front of her mouth by a thread. If you look at the picture of Ryanne and Savannah, they both have these teeth that they want to pull so the tooth fairy comes. But....what if it hurts? I love these girls. Savannah is a great help and so much fun to have around.

On to more trivial matters- I am trying the five day juice fast that my friend told me about. She said it was easy. I am beginning to think she lied. I am almost through day two. Three more days to go. So far I am still waiting to have a moment where I think it is helping. I can do it!!!!!I know I can!!!!Right?

So it is Christmas and what have I done? I am still feeling the pressure of the next two weeks. I still have a few cards to send, a few gifts to wrap, a few things to buy, and a few places to be. Today instead of family night we had family day. I took all the kids shopping to pick out the Sub for Santa things we signed up for. It was crazy to say the least, but, our goal was accomplished. This is good. When we were walking out of the store I saw one of my neighbors. She is the sweetest lady. She looked at me and said, "are you insane? Why would you take all five of them to the store during this time of year?" It is kind of funny. I found myself asking that same question many times throughout our outing. I hope the kids learned something.

We are so lucky. I think sometimes we forget the importance of giving. I know that I do sometimes.

My Date with Emmie!!

Today Tim took the Jaxson, Morgan, Ryanne and a couple friends skiing. Emmie and I are going to take lessons as soon as time permits. So, today Emmie was my little buddy. We went to see "Flushed Away" in the morning. Then later we took Hanna to Nutcracker rehearsal and Emmie and I went to Trolley Square. We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and then walked around the mall. Emmie was so fun. She picked a Christmas present for Ryanne and got to sit on Santa's lap. Thanks Em, for a great time. Tim and the kids had a great time. Hanna had dance in the morning and then Nutcracker in the evening, so she didn't get to ski. Everyone was safe and happy when we all returned home that night. What more can a girl ask for? The pictures are: Emmie at the movie; Emmie eating spaghetti; Emmie and Santa; Emmie out before we even got home!!!

Is This Your House???

So, the other day Tim said to me,"Do you want to play an expensive prank?" Well, obviously I am always up for a prank (if it is on somebody else). A few good laughs are worth quite a bit of money to me. Well, it seems my brother in law and Tim were making fun of the big snow globes that you see in some yards. (No offense to anyone who has one.) So we went to Walmart last night and bought this big 6 foot snow globe to put in my sister and brother in law's yard. We went late thinking they would be in bed. We tried it out at home, and then snuck up there and set it up. Unfortunately, when they turned their light out to go to bed, the brightness of the globe caught their attention. We were caught. It seems when my sister looked out the window to see what the light was, she could see a bunch of flashes coming from the driveway. My fault but I just had to blog the whole event. It was so much fun. The best was my brother in law coming outside in his underwear with his shoes on!!! Maybe "the best" isn't a good way to describe that, but boy was it funny!!!! Thanks for a fun date Tim. We need to do stuff like that more often! Thanks for the show Scott!

Ryanne Loses a Tooth!!

Ryanne is so proud. She pulled and pulled and pulled on that tooth until it finally came out. Ryanne can't wait until the tooth fairy visits tonight. (Hopefully he remembers!) I love Ry she is such a fun kid to hang out with.

I missed my normal Wednesday trip to the Temple. Emmie threw up until 4:30am. Tim is home and he helped all night and....got up with the kids in the morning. They were late for school. But, at least they made it! Tim is almost never home from Thanksgiving until Christmas. This has been a nice break.(for me anyway)I got our pictures for Christmas cards, was able to get gifts ready to send, and still have had time for normal activities. That never happens. Thanks Tim!

The Tree Decorating is On!!!!

Tim is actually home. Morgan was in charge of family night. The tree was not up yet. The stars must have been aligned: We decorated our Christmas Tree. Thanks for a great family night Mo. Morgan supervised the decorating, had everyone draw names for gift giving, and read to us. For dessert we had sugar cookies with green frosting. The Tree looks great. I even wrapped some of the presents and put them under the tree!!! I have decided that I am enjoying this time of year so much more without running my business. I love to shop and think about what everyone wants but, I have always been swamped by now. I am looking forward to no last minute calls for signs that someone just have to have before Christmas!!! Life is good!

Where is my phone?????

I have lost my phone. It really is gone. I have offered monetary rewards. No one can find it!!!!!

Today started out pretty casual. I normally meet my friend at the Temple, but she called to say it was closed for cleaning. Then I ran two quick errands. I came home to prepare for Emmie's little "lunch bunch". It was my turn to have eight little neighborhood kids over for lunch. I had them make the cutest little picture frames out of tongue depressors.

So far so good. Right?

I am getting ready to leave for my first carpool of the day. I am looking everywhere for my phone. I can't find it. I am afraid to leave kids home because I can't find my stinkin' phone! Luckily Hanna and Jax have phone so I could borrow one of those. However, it is driving me crazy that I can't find my phone! I have retraced and retraced my steps. It literally has disappeared.

I was headed to find material for blankets for Ryanne and her cousin Savannah. In spite of a short delay while I searched in vane for my phone, we had a good time. The girls and I went to dinner. They were just full of giggles. We found material, ate, and got home just in time to drive another dance carpool. We are so lucky!!! Well, if you hear a phone ringing, look around-it could be mine!

More Pics!

Here are a few more pics.

THANKSGIVING!

Here are some random pictures from our Thanksgiving holiday! We went to St. George with my sister's family. We rented a house that had a pool and a hot tub. The kids had a great time. I think everyone did. We loved being able to hang out and not worry about time. We did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to. The boys went golfing one day. The girls got to go shopping one day. Besides that we ate, hung out, played fuse ball, went swimming, sat in the hot tub, ate, went for a hike, played catch, ate, played xbox, played rummy, walked to the Temple and saw the lights, ate, etc., etc., etc. It was a great way to spend the holiday. Thanks Scott and Kate. We had a great time!!!!



Ryanne and Savannah all ready for bed.

Uncle Scott carving the turkey with his "new" electric knife.

Jaxson and Morgan being goofy!

Tim wrestling with the kids.

Sam ready for bed.

Morgan working on a puzzle.


Emmie unpacked her clothes. This is how she hung her sweat shirt up.

All the kids playing 500 out front.

Emmie and Avery ready for bed.

FAMILY NIGHT!

In addition to having Emmie's party last night, we watched "Daniel and the Lions Den" for family night. The kids must have enjoyed it because this is how they looked watching it. Okay, so only some of them enjoyed it. Jaxson was in charge of taking some pictures. This is the result:

Today I dropped the dog off at the Kennel and now I am trying to get everything packed. We are leaving for St. George at noon tomorrow. We rented a house with my sister and her family. The house looks pretty nice. It has a hot tub and a pool. I think the kids will have fun. I am looking forward to getting away for a few days. I just hate the "getting ready to get away". We will let you know how it goes. Have a happy Thanksgiving!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMIE!!!

EMMIE IS 5! I can't believe it. I called Tim late last night and said, "our youngest is 5 years old!" Not only are Tim and I getting old....So are our kids.

Let me introduce you to Emmalyne Grace Hellbusch


Hair color: blond
Eye color: Hazel
Favorite movie: Ariel

Favorite color: pink
Favorite food: spaghetti
Favorite TV show: Dora the Explorer
Favorite person: Ry Ry (Ryanne)
Favorite candy: gum
Favorite thing to do: play with sister Ry Ry
Favorite thing to do at school: play with toys
Favorite song: "If We Were a Movie"
Favorite pet: Millee
Best Friend: Ry Ry

Emmie loves to have fun. Some of her favorite things to do are: play barbie's, have sleep overs with cousins, dance on the big stage, color, and sing. Everybody loves Emmie. In church there are a number of older girls (that babysit for us) that ask her to sit with them during Sacrament meeting. It is really hard for my to let her, but sometimes I will give in and let someone else enjoy her company. (Hee Hee) Emmie loves to play with her dad. He is one of her favorite play mates. Tim will let her brush his hair and play barbies with her. Emmie is a good friend. One day we were at the store and she saw a pair of shoes that we had recently bought for her. Emmie's little cousin loved Emmie's new shoes. That day at the store she asked me to buy a pair for Avery because Avery loved those shoes, "too much." We are so lucky to have cousins near by. I love Emmie, "too much". I can't imagine what I will do when she starts school. I will have to find a hobby because I will miss Emmie so much during the day. She is one of my best friends!

Hanna's Birthday Party!!

Tonight we went to Laser Assault and played laser tag for Hanna's birthday. She invited thirteen kids!! That is ALOT. (trust me) This was her first boy/girl birthday party. It was fun to watch the way kids interact. Somehow I was thinking that things must be so different from when I was a kids. They aren't. Boys and girls in sixth grade act the exact same way they did when I was a kid. That isn't always comforting. They were a fun group of kids though. I had a contest with them to who could stick a whole cup cake in their mouth. I won. I am pretty good at that. The boys could not even do it!!!

I hadn't played laser tag before. That was so much fun. My team annihilated the other team. My brother in law got first place. You would think that at his age that wouldn't be a big deal. You are so wrong. He was so proud. Way to go uncle Scott!!!!

Hanna is 12! I am grateful for her health and her sweet personality. She is such a fun kid. I am glad I was able to be part of her birthday party!!!

A WINDY AFTERNOON!!

It was far too windy for playing outside this afternoon. Ryanne invited a friend over before dance to jump on the trampoline. They were outside for a whole five minutes when they decided it was too cold and windy. We decided to work on a puzzle instead. Emmie had to put the last piece of the puzzle in place. It was an absolute must. (Otherwise we might have ended up in World War III) You will notice the smile on her face. As usual she got her way. Some battles are not worth fighting!!!

Ryanne looked so cute. She was all decked out for dance. She is such a cutie. She is loving dance. Right now Hip Hop is her favorite class. She is definitely a tomboy though. (That is what she tells me daily). Tomboy, or not, Ryanne is doing great at dance and school. She is getting to be such a great reader. She will bring home her take home reader and tell me it is far too easy! Her teacher always tells me that she is a joy to have in class. I am sure that she is.

It is 7:30pm and I only have one more trip to the dance studio. Then I can turn on my electric blanket and get in bed. Tomorrow I am going to the Temple. Then to work at the Elementary School. Then to the paint store to pick paint colors for our old house. Then to Home Depot to get the name of the molding for the base boards in the old house. Then try to make it home before the kids. Then play date/late nights with the kids friends. Then a soccer game and so on, and so on, and so on.......

Wednesday November 8, 2006

Emmie had preschool today. The older kids had school. (obviously) Hanna and Emmie had dance this afternoon. Ryanne and Morgan have tumbling and hip hop this evening. AND....Jaxson AND Hanna have Young Mens/Womens. I am officially old, the sad thing is my kids are getting old too. I am also not really enjoying the attitudes that seem to be the outcome of this coming of age! I am absolutely positive that my kids are the only one's with attitudes, opinions, and dirty looks. My kids tell me that I am the only mom that makes her kids do chores, help with brothers and sisters, and do any other "duty" that seems undesirable to a child. I do hear, however, that in a good 3-7 years things will start looking up. That makes everything better.

On a more cheerful note- my team won our soccer game last night. The team we played was young. I would say early twenties at the oldest. We showed em' though. They were rough and there were a couple of tense moments between players,but, in the end we pulled it off. My team is great. I have been feeling yucky and was not very energetic last night. As far as I know, I haven't been kicked off of the team yet. That is good. It is great excercise!

Well our mac and cheese is almost done (Only good moms make their kids mac and cheese for dinner), Emmie is getting out of the tub, and I need to run kids to Tumbling. Until tomorrow!

Emmie's Birthday Party

Emmie is turning 5! I can't believe it! Her birthday is not until November 20th, but due to dad's crazy work schedule we had to improvise. (We are not forgetting Hanna-her party is on Saturday November 11. We will blog about it then.) Emmie invited her friends to a Build A Bear Workshop party. She thought she was the queen. All of the little girls had a great time. They got to choose the bear they wanted, help stuff it, give it a bath, give their bear a name, and pick an outfit and dress their bears!!! They were in heaven. That was such a fun little party. After the workshop we went back to our house four pizza and cake and ice cream. What fun!!!!!

I was so sick yesterday that it was all I could do to go to the party. We will do more of a spotlight on her on the 20th. Until next time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNA!!!

Hanna is 12 today!! Boy am I getting old! Here is a quick flash back. This is Hanna's birthday party five years ago. All of her "little" friends from the neighborhood aren't so "little" anymore. I can't believe how young Hanna looked. My how things change....














This is Hanna now. What a difference a few years makes. Hanna is a beautiful little girl. I guess I mean Young Woman. Tomorrow she will graduate from primary. Wow. Time flies!


Hanna is a fun kid. She is so "nice". I mean that, she is just a nice kid. We love having her around. Here are a few "fun facts" about Hanna:

Height: 5'3"
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite food:Any Mexican Food
Favorite TV show:So You Think You Can Dance
Favorite past time: Dancing
Favorite Subject: Art

Hanna has such a great passion for dance. I love to watch her. I have to hold my breath for her whole dance. She shows so much emotion. In fact at the studio they will tell other kids to try to "feel" the way Hanna Hellbusch does. She has so many talents. She can do anything she puts her mind to. Happy Birthday Hanna. I love you.

CAUTION: VERY HOT

Jaxson babysat for my sister the other day. After she got home Kate went in her room and came out wearing that shirt. She asked Jax if he liked it. He just looked at her kind of funny. Kate told him it was for him and then he was happy. Don't get me wrong, he is not lacking in the self esteem department, but when he puts these shirts on he thinks he rules the world! He is too funny.

I had a soccer game tonight. We played against all the girls who work at the indoor field. They were so good. We tied 4-4. They worked us.

Well, I am off to round up all the kids.

Mr. Goodtimes

My sister, Kate, got Jaxson this shirt when she was in Colorado. In case you can't see, it says, "Mr. Goodtimes." It is so cool. Jaxson is quite the hottie and I am not just saying that because I am his mom. (Okay so I am a little biased)Jaxson has just recently started "worrying" about how he looks. It is funny. He will ask Hanna or I if his clothes match and if they look "cool" or not. I love it. He was playing catch with Kate and Morgan today. I just had to get a picture.

Sam was hangin' out with me today. He is my buddy. He found these Halloween fingers that Emmie got at a party last week. You slip them over your fingers (like a finger puppet) and they have long,red pointed nails on them. I put them on and was tickling him. He wasn't so sure about them until I wore them and proved that they did not make your fingers fall off. Later he came downstairs with these funny teeth in his mouth and those fingers on his hands. This is a picture of him growling at me. He is such a fun little guy.



We ended the day with showers, homework, reading, dance and young men's. I am happy that we are healthy enough to do all of these things.
Goodnight!