Valentine's Day Cookies

 It was really fun again this year to do our annual cookie decorating for friends.  I think this is one of the kids favorite family traditions. It was fun for Annie this year to be old enough to participate.  I loved how she and Russ decided that the best way to decorate was to see how many candies they could fit on top of them.

   I had waited too long to get the much bulk candy from WinCo so we had to scrounge different kinds of candy but they turned out great as always.

 WE had to deliever them as soon as possible because Annie was really wanting to eat them.  But she was really happy to give them to her best friend Piper and her friend Philip.

I love doing activities like this for my kids.  I just really hope that these are the things that they will remember about their childhood.

The Grow's House

I have this really amazing friend that used to live by me but last summer she moved away.  Not super far, but far enough that I don't really get to see her too often.  They purchased a house with a lot of land and a bunch of animals.  She invited us to come visit during a random Monday that the kids had off.  It was great because I was trying to figure out how to keep them entertained and it worked out great because we were able to make a whole day of it. 

 One of the big reasons we went up was because their goat had just had babies and they are such cute little things.  The big kids really loved them.

 Nellie was by far the most interested in the goats.  In fact she spent her entire time down with the goats loving them and holding them.  All the other kids were off doing stuff after a few minutes but Nellie spent literally the entire time there besides eating, and we were there well over four hours!  This is a picture of her with Jeff.  He was her favorite and she even got him to sleep in her arms a couple times.  It was so fun to see Nellie love something so much.

 Annie kept finding random things to play with.  It was really nice because the kids were so entertained I almost didn't have to worry about them.

 There were a few other families from the ward there, and Lizzy's best friend was there so she was very happy and I barely evens saw her the entire time.

 This picture kind of kills me because seeing Annie be the one in charge and driving the truck was too funny.  Good thing the battery was almost dead and was driving super slowly. 

 One of the definite highlights was getting to ride the horse.  Annie was beside herself excited and had a hard time waiting her turn.  She let everyone know that she was the next in lie to ride the horsey.  She wanted to be on him forever and when she had to get off she cried.  It was sad, but seriously so cute.  She had to wear the cowgirl hat and she made sure  I wore it on my turn too.

Russ wasn't brave enough to ride by himself, but he rode with me and had a good time.  I am so glad we made the drive that day because it was such a neat day for all of us.

Drama Club

  Last year Lizzy wanted to be in Drama Club.  I didn't know how it worked and by the time I found out that I was supposed to email the ladies in charge for an audition, it was too late.  Lizzy ended up being the very next person on the waiting list.  This year we weren't going to let that happen. I contacted them immediately and signed both Nellie and Lizzy up to audition.  They each had to sing a solo and do a reading for their audition.  I was so proud of both for not being too afraid to do it. 

 The ladies didn't think the girls were good enough for big parts so they were given bit parts  It is hard sometimes as a parent to explain the political aspect of things.  Its hard for a kid to understand why another kid who isn't as good as them has a bigger part.  But they still showed up every single week to practice for Shrek.  Nellie was given the part of a Duloc dancer, and Lizzy was the ugly duckling. 

It was a bit frustrating that after months of going to practice every single week, the ladies in charge never took the time to learn the girls name.  I realize you are busy, but is it really that difficult to learn 30 kids names.  They knew the big part names.  Way to make the small part kids feel even smaller.

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It was so fun to go and watch the girls perform.  They did such a great job.  Lizzy is totally in her element with performing and it was so fun to watch her blossom.  She really was the best singer, but she needed to learn how to project her voice and she did learn that.  This sort of thing is really out of Nellies comfort zone so I was so proud of her for really going after it and doing awesome!  I sure love these amazing girls of mine and I am so proud of all that they are becoming.