How Does the Easter Bunny Know I Wanted This?

As my kids get older, I find it harder not to tell the little ones the true Easter bunny secret. Zach has known the secret for years, and last Easter was the first for Hayley, which then included the secret about Santa. Zach has been good about keeping it mum, but Hayley at times, likes to share parts of her knowledge, and drop little hints. It is only a matter of time before Tyler or Justin catch on to her hints, and then, maybe Easter/Christmas/Tooth Fairy will be easier, or will it. I think I like the innocence of the whole Easter Bunny/Santa idea. Kids are happy with what these two fantasized heroes bring them. Whereas, when it comes from Mom and Dad, the kids tend to drop lists and hints of things they want, then expect. Don't get me wrong, my two older kids are always grateful and happy with what they get, but as parents, we can see the disappointed look in their eyes, when the other two have sure joy! Things to look forward to...

Easter Spring Break

The kids just went back to school today and life went back to normal after having a week off for Spring Break. The only time the kids started to get on my nerves was last night at 8:30 pm. That is because it was bed time and for the last week and a half, they were allowed to stay up late. Some nights they got to stay up as late as 11 pm, which is quite late for me! We only let them do that one a couple times while we were in St. George for four days. We are lucky enough to live somewhere where you can get in the car and within 5 hours, enter the warm zone! We had 70 and 80 degree weather while we were down there, and were able to swim, hike through Zions and play basketball, racquetball, and tennis. It was just the pick-me up we all needed at the end of a very long, cold winter. Now, if only summer could come...

Heaven

A little piece of heaven came to my house yesterday, by way of the Fed-Ex guy. It was the down-alternative comforter that I ordered online from JcPenney at the beginning of March. I knew they were on back order, but I have been patiently waiting for this to come. Knowing of course, that the cold winter nights were numbered. Fortunately, this last week has been another vistit to winter, having snow and cold days and nights. Last night, when my hubby and I snuggled up under the new comforter, he was forced to admit I was right. You see, we have been having this discussion for many years. He thinks we should get an electric blanket, and I just wanted a new comforter (a down-alternative, to be exact). For the almost 14 years of marriage, we have had two comforters. The first was a beautiful quilt his aunt made us for a wedding present (although I did not get to pick it out, we still enjoyed it). But after several (3) kids who spit-up and peed on the quilt, he let me splurge and get a new one, which is the one we have used up until last night. We have a very difficult bed to find the right quilt for, which is why we have only had 2, because I have bought several, brought them home, tried them on our extra tall queen size bed, and never found anything that fit just right or looked good, so I think Kris thought just getting an electric blanket would get us warm on those extra cold nights, and solve my problem. I on the other hand, wanted a new updated look for our bedroom, and knew that getting a down-alternative quilt would give us the warmth and the new look. Last night, it took all of 10 seconds to feel warm after getting under the covers. All I can say, is a little piece of heaven. (At least we will get to enjoy it for a couple more weeks, before it gets too hot!)

Taste in Music

Blame it on Guitar Hero, blame it on my husband's high school rocker days, blame it on my wide variety of music, my kids have a weird taste in music! My youngest children will sing rock songs from my high school years that I don't even know. I know that most of these have been picked up on by the Guitar Hero. Zach's mp3 player has anything from Guns and Roses to AFI (who?) to Green Day to Black Eyed Peas and Fergie. Hayley tends to love anything High School Musical, Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis, David Archuletta of course, most songs of which I tend to like. The little boys are anything goes, what's on Mom's radio, and of course the good ol' rocker songs from GH. But for some reason, all my kids (me included!) love a little ABBA. "Dancing Queen" to be exact! For some reason this song makes us want to dance on the couch (or the bed if you are Meryl Streep)! It always brings a smile to our face, and Tyler requested my mp3 player yesterday with this song in particular, and this is what made me smile:)

I wish I would have caught him on camera yesterday, because he was so into it, but this is his version today. Notice the green? Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday Hayley!

Today, is my only daughter's birthday. She is turning 10 years old! I cannot believe how fast time flies. It seems only yesterday, when I found out I had a little girl. I was so excited to have a girl. I dreamed I would be the mom to several girls, only to discover years later, that I would only have one (and sometimes one is more than enough!). Hayley is my girly girl. She enjoys all the pink things in life, and she is full of life (and drama at times too!). She enjoys using all her emotions, sometimes all in the same day. For the last several years, we have been able to have mom/daughter dates, and enjoy each others company, seeing movies, plays, going shopping, etc. I hope that throughout her life, we can be friends with one another and hold close to each other, sharing that bond that only a mom and daughter can share. Happy Birthday Hayley! I love you!

Happy Birthday Justin!

Today is the beginning of birthday week here at the Larson home. We have 3 birthdays within 6 days, and Justin is our birthday boy today!

He is turning 7 and is so excited! Justin is one of my babies, so it is very hard having him turn 7. In many ways, he seems like the baby of the family. Justin got kicked out of the baby status when he was 20 months old, by the unexpected arrival of brother Tyler. By the time Tyler was 11 months old, and Justin was 2 1/2, people were asking me if they were twins. Tyler grew very fast, and Justin not so fast! To this day, Justin is a couple inches shorter and 10 pounds lighter than Tyler. He is also my sweet child. He will still snuggle with me and let me hold him, whereas the younger brother is not so cuddly. Justin has been a joy from the beginning. He is such a good boy, and we love him so much! Tonight, we get to celebrate by going to Kangaroo Zoo, so we will post the party later. Happy Birthday Justin!

Justin enjoyed many hours under the heating lamp. (I wonder if that is where he got his great coloring?!)

Justin being loved by big sister, Hayley and Daddy

Justin's 1st Birthday

The "Twins"

Lucky Me

Last week, I received this in the mail. I won it a few days before on a local TV show, "Good Things Utah." This is just my kind of luck! Don't get me wrong, I love the Twilight series and all, but of all the things to win, I won this charm necklace! I do not advertise my love of the series with bumper stickers, T-shirts, vinyl car decals, etc. But now I am the proud owner of this necklace. Actually, it has since been passed on to Hayley, and looks like a rappers bling bling, but better her than me!

I have actually gotten through on the show and left my name and info before for several different contests, but until now had never heard anything or won anything. Just last year, I won some Bees baseball tickets on a radio station. When I went to pick them up, I discovered they were for a Sunday game. I ended up giving them to one of my brothers, who in turn, never made it to the game.

Maybe my luck is changing. You gotta start somewhere right?