New Year's Eve was made for Sledding!

I've been a horrifically bad blogger on here this year, so to correct the slacking, I've decided to end the year with a bang!

About a month ago my dad needed a project to keep his retired self busy. He settled his sights on the old family sleds. He sanded down the old wood, and painted it blue. He fixed up the rusty old rails, and painted them a jaunty red, and added new blue ropes. I must say, they came out rather smashing!

We've been dying to try the old girls out, and today was the day! We took the family sledding up in Lee Canyon. After much preparation, and a longer than necessary temper tantrum by Carmella (but when is a temper tantrum ever really necessary?), we headed up to the Meadows to sled. I brought giant thermoses of hot chocolate, and a huge crockpot full of chili with us, and we were ready to play the day away.

The perfect Poyfair picture. (or really, as good as it gets for us!)

Adelaide and Ivy were the funniest team of sledders. They screamed their heads off while going down. On their first run, they hit into another persons sled and took it with them! It was so funny. Emilie wussed out a bit, and only went down once with Carmella, but I have high hopes that next time we go she'll be more excited. Carmella was the most hesitant. She liked going down with me best of all, until we switched to the "baby hill" where she felt confident enough to go by herself.

The "baby hill"

Let's go mom!

I think the best thing for me (besides having a ton of fun with my family), was hearing all the comments about our sleds. They were definitely the rock-stars of the day! People were super impressed with our "old school" sleds and how fast they go.

 

Sometimes you lose your boot,







and you need Mom to put it back on.

Check out Ivy in the background (purple coat) playing teeter totter with some random little kid!

Despite the fact that we were up in the mountains, Adelaide wanted to "climb a mountain". Jason was 

happy to oblige. Of course Carmella was NOT going to be left out.

Catching up with the Poyfairs

The last few months have been a whirlwind for our family. It began with us deciding at the beginning of the new year, that is was time to look into moving back to my home town. Jason accepted a job at Valley high school in Las Vegas back in May, and we put our house up for sale June 1st. 

We worked like crazy getting our house ready to sell. Then, once listed the real crazy began. After an estimated 40 showings (I lost count around 30 but our realtor assures me it was about 40), 5 offers, and 3 contracts later, our house finally closed on August 14th. 

We packed up and headed out of Texas on July 28th. Our move back to Nevada was leaps and bounds better than our move to Texas, but 10 years later we still had a few hiccups. The most uncomfortable being sleeping in our van, because we didn't make it to Albuquerque in time for our reserved hotel rooms. And the most embarrassing being, going potty on the side of the highway during a bathroom emergency. I won't give away the who's who on that one, but I will say it was more than one of us and it wasn't just the kids!

After our exhausting, but safe arrival in Las Vegas, we promptly stuffed all our belongings in  a storage unit, and left for a weeks vacation in sunny California. 

Best idea ever! After all the stress of the preceding two months, a week at the beach was the perfect remedy. We ate, we played, we beach combed, and ate some more. We got refreshed and ready to face the next challenges, house hunting, and back to school. 

After a week of searching, and 15 walk throughs later, we've found our next home! I wish I could say I'm excited about this house, but I've had to compromise a bit more than I would have liked. I know that, much like our last house, we're buying the home we need, but not so much the home I want. I'm hopeful that one day we'll be able to get our dream home, and in the mean time, I will do my best to make this new house our refuge from the world. We close the middle of September, and until then we are bunking with my mom and dad, who have been great to us. 

After pulling my hair out for a week, I finally got the three oldest girls up to date on vaccines, and registered for school. It was no small feat, but I managed to pull it off with most of my sanity intact. It has been a little walk down memory lane for me as all three girls will for a short time, be attending three of the schools I went to as a child. 

Adelaide will be at my old elementary school Dondero, Ivy will be a Guinner Winner at Kenny Guinn junior high, and Emilie will be at Durango, where I graduated from high school. Both Emilie and Adelaide will change schools in a month when the house closes, but I think Ivy will stay. She needs more stability than the other girls, and the "happy bus" will pick her up and take her home no matter where we live. One of the few perks of special Ed! 

Jason is getting acquainted with his new job, and seems to like his school. First day is on Monday. I'm hopeful all will go well, despite our homesickness. For the time being we are in limbo, but we are making the best of things. 

Here's to our new adventure!

Carmella, four year old version.

My my my, yes it's true. Our Carmelita is a big kid now. She's got four years under her belt, and she knows just about everything. She knows how to water the flowers in the front yard. She has perfected the seat, and knee drop on the trampoline. She has a big girl carseat, and doesn't need mom to unbuckle her anymore. Her wall coloring has reached such great heights, that even her parents are amazed the skill level she has achieved. Bedroom messes are bigger and deeper than ever before, and her ability to manipulate mom and dad known no bounds.
I'm pretty sure she's peaked at the ripe old age of four. Yep, it's all down hill from here. Five is going to be such a let down next year. (well, maybe not!)

Here are a few photos from her magical Princess Birthday Party. She had a blast, and was so happy to have so many friends celebrate with her. (except for that few minutes that she hid by the side of my bed, and sang a sad little song to herself. Other than that it was perfect!)

Ivy, the Beehive.

How can it be possible that my little Ives is 12 years old! She was born, I remember her turning three, and then bam! She's 12 years old, and going to Young Womens. She is still a bit of a shorty, taking after her ol' mom in that way, but she otherwise she is growing up fast.

She absolutely loves being with the older kids at church. She never really was one who liked primary, especially singing time. When I told her that soon she would never have to go back, she positively beamed with happiness. Now, she looks forward to Wednesday night activities, when formerly I had to make her go to Activity Days. We've been talking about girls camp this summer, and Ivy is super stoked to go. I'm super stoked that I get to go with her!

For her birthday, we invited the girls her age at church, as well as the Beehive class that she was joining, to her My Little Pony birthday party. I think she was more engaged at this party, than any other she has had. We had to pull her back in a few times, but overall, she did great.

I'm very impressed with how the other girls are taking the time to include her. Many times I have seen them stop to talk to her, and ask her questions about what she is doing. She loves the attention, and I love the efforts that are being made. It warms my heart to see her want to be included,  rather than being content to just be on her own.

She still wanders away, and she will always love her alone time, but more and more as she gets older I see her having a desire to be apart of the group. That is something I have always worried about. I've never wanted to feel left out. I don't want that for any of my children. It hurts, and it's a tough growing experience. I've watched for many years now, as she has been excluded from parties and other gatherings. It has always bothered me, and hurt me deeply to see that happen. I realize that in most cases it hasn't been intentional, but it still bothered me nonetheless.

The one thing that has given me comfort in a way, was that she never has never known what was going on. She has never felt left out. It is very hard for me to write this, and acknowledge what has happened in the past. I have hope for the future that things will be different for her. I hope she will find good friends who like her for who she is, with all her funny quirky ways, and who will benefit and grow from a friendship with this very special young lady.

Here are a few photos from Ivy's birthday party, and the photo booth we set up. For some reason they really wanted to pose with our little dog. Silly girls!

A Day in the Life (Confessions of a SAHM)

"Hey honey,  what did you do today?" I get this question most days. The question that runs through my mind is "Do I tell him the truth, does he really want to know?"

 I know what he's been doing. Trying to teach some 150+ underprivileged  Freshman the ins and outs of grammar and sentence structure, and begging them to please read the book that they chose to read for this term.

What did I do? Nothing nearly as great and lofty as that. I'd like to say I had a magical mommy day, enjoying each and every shining moment with our preschooler. Giving her my time and attention, and helping her grow into an amazing intelligent young lady. All while keeping a beautiful home, and serving others along the way.

The truth is something more like this . . .

First things first.
I drove the kids to school in my pj's, again. But, I didn't hit any kids with my car this time, so yea! Then I had the daily shower debate with myself. Do I really need one? I had one yesterday, and I didn't really do anything to get dirty. I finally decided my second day hair looks better than my first day hair did, so no shower. I just get dressed and since I have to leave the house today I'll use extra deodorant, and put on makeup!

On to the housework.
Make my bed, yes I do make my bed. It's one of my few "things". I can't sleep in an unmade bed. Now let's see, the rest of the house is actually still pretty clean from yesterday, and our three year old didn't wet her bed, so housework done! Waste 20 minutes on the computer checking all the "very important" things that happened in the world while I was sleeping.

The three year old.
Wrestle her into seasonly appropriate clothes, it is 34 degrees outside after all, and while that pink heart sundress was her favorite in August, it's not really going to work for today. Dry her broken hearted tears, and try to distract her with something shiny. Look! Dress up clothes, lets play with those till its time to leave.

The extra child.
She arrives at 8 ready to play for the day. Oh good, another distraction for the three year old, maybe we won't have a hair melt down today too!

Potty break.
I go in the bathroom to take care of mommy business, only to find that a certain monthly friend has come to call. Oh good, I'm not pregnant this month either! (sigh of relief, and tiny victory!)
But wait! It seems that my sweet precious oldest baby, now 14 years old, has used all but one tampon, and failed, once again, to inform me of that development.

To the store we go.
Explain to the three year old for the hundredth time that we HAVE to wear a coat when we go outside. Force her into it, and then strap her into to the carseat. Making sure all 27 tiny toys she had to bring with her, a placed safely in her lap. Check that the extra child is secure and happy, good. Run to the store for just one quick box of tampons before we have to be at Sporties for Shorties. Quickly buy tampons, plus $30 of other random groceries I suddenly remember we needed. Drive to the local community center and arrive just in time for the class.

Lunch.
Make a mad dash to the house for something to take to the weekly potluck lunch with the other mommies. Scrounge up something super fast, cream cheese, raspberry chipotle sauce and tortilla chips,  done! Arrive at the potluck, eat way too much while kids load up in chips, brownies, and root beer. Have a great time chatting with the other mom's and stay way too long. Leave just in time to get in the ridiculous pick up lane at the elementary school, and wait 30 minutes for school to let out.

Back at home.
It's now 3:15. Husband will be home in 45 minutes. Quickly clean up the breakfast dishes and run the dishwasher. Wipe down the counters, and suddenly remember to check the weekly menu. What was I supposed to make for dinner tonight? Oh good, breakfast night. Nothing that was supposed to be cooking in the crockpot all day. Woo Whoo!

4:00
Husband walks in the door. "Hey honey, the house looks great! You must have been busy, what did you do today?"

Ummm . . .

Post-Christmas Crafting Craze

After Christmas ended, so did the good weather out here in Texas. It was a little rough for us desert rats. Cold, wet, dark and gloomy. Jason, once again, convinced me to take down the Christmas decor before the first of the year, and our house was looking so dreary to me. Not to mention, I was going stir crazy. 

What was a girl to do?

I busted out Pinterest, started a new board and began pinning valentines decorations like a mad woman! With my inspiration in hand I began scavenging the house for supplies. 

I found a large scrap of burlap that's just been screaming to be used. I made two of the "love" banners from the above picture . One for me, one for a friend. Then I found the metal "you make my heart smile" sign in my craft bin. I bought it over a year ago for $1 and never put it to use. I framed it with an extra bit of burlap and added the hearts to the bottom. Love it!

I remembered we had an old canvas the kids had scribbled on in the closet. I pulled that out, a couple coats of paint, some glitter, and bam! Valentine art. 

Next I raided my scrap paper box, and spent one whole movie cutting out different size hearts, which I sewed together into a garland. 

I remembered I have some old valentines fabric that was given to me, but I never found a use for. With a little help from Emilie, I now have two cute pillows!

I also made some fun little stuffed hearts from some red and pink scrap fabric I had. 

I did spend a whopping four dollars at the dollar store for glass candle sticks and styrofoam cones. I spray painted the candle sticks white, and with my trusty glue gun and some fuzzy yarn I whipped up these fuzzy trees. 

Lastly, I found some little canvases in my art supplies. I drew a few straight lines in pink sharpie and painted rows of hearts on them. Added some yarn and the little puffy hearts, now I'm in love! 

I'm a little early for valentines day, but I love it nonetheless!