My Baby is Growing up!

Lots of big changes around here for miss Marley! She started preschool and dance class last month, and is loving all of it.  

This kid is SO high energy, I decided it was time to find her some kind of organized activity to take part in. The class she is doing is very fun and carefree. Its only for 2-3 year olds, so there isn't much stress over proper technique and all that. The kids are just having fun figuring out what their bodies can do! There is lots of scarf waving, twirling, and posing. Marley is having so much fun so far, and doesn't even realize her teacher is sneaking in some dance technique.  

A week after dance class started, Marley had her first day of preschool. She was so excited to wear a backpack (Pack Pack, as she calls it.) and get to go to school. 

Her first day was a little rocky, and I got an interesting report from her teacher. Marley struggles a little bit with the structure of school, is very impulsive, and doesn't like being told what to do. I'm grateful she gets the opportunity to learn from someone other than mommy. 

Since that first day, Marley has improved so much. By day 3 her teacher told me that she has greatly improved and is listening better. Right now I'm just waiting for her teacher to tell me Marley didn't yell at all during the day, and then Marley gets a slurpee. (Her choice of reward) We're still waiting...

Our weeks are now kept pretty busy, but I like having places to be and getting Marley out of the house. Marley will have a dance recital in December, and I can't wait! It will be so cute. 

Mommy For a Day

If Kenzie were Mommy for a day...

-We would watch Little Einstein's all day long.

-No one would slam the baby gate in her face.

-Someone would hold her hand at all times. (She has a hand fetish)

-Mommy would lay next to her and snuggle for her whole nap/all through the night.

-Marley would share her crayons, and no one would care if she ate a few.

-All the paper-back storybooks would be torn to shreds.

-The TV remote would be all hers, and she would push EVERY button.

-Daddy wouldn't leave to go to work. 

-We would play outside all day long.

-No one would freak out if she put rocks in her mouth.

-All the applesauce pouches in all the land would be hers. 

-No one would get mad when she opens the doors to the tv stand and pulls out the dvd player. 

-She wouldn't get in trouble for destroying EVERYTHING her sister builds out of legos. 

-All food, especially things that come in crinkly wrappers, would be surrendered to her immediately. 

**I wrote a similar post when Marley was this age. Read that one HERE

Summer Fun

We've been having lots of fun this summer. With Jason busy working his internship, the way I keep myself sane is by getting out of the house. Marley is SO high energy, she gets stir crazy too if we've been inside too long. Fortunately, we have been able to find fun things to do in our area. 

We love going to the library for story time! 

The library also put on a super fun ballet workshop, and Marley LOVED it. She talked about hardly anything else for a week straight. 

We also love playing at the park in the morning before it gets too hot. I've been able to go walking with a friend sometimes in the mornings, and its a bonus for the girls because we end it right at the playground. 

Mostly fun for Mom, but we all love going shopping! The girls are great little shoppers and they love going to Target with me because that means free cookies. 

We visited Thanksgiving Point last week and the girls LOVED the Museum of Natural Curiosity. Since Kenzie has just learned to walk, she was in heaven getting to play. 

Playing outside in the water counts as getting out of the house too! We've got lots of water toys, and the girls would do this all day if I let them.

We've still got a month of summer left to have many more adventures! Marley will start preschool next month and I'm also planning on signing her up for a dance class. We love keeping busy! 

Week of Fun with Family

Last week we had a fun, busy time with family! My parents and brother Nathan came out from California, and we were able to visit with them and do something fun every day of the week. 

After a crazy busy Monday celebrating Independence Day, we had a calm low key Tuesday. The day was spent at my sisters house in Spanish Fork, and we relaxed while the kids played and had lots of fun.

Wednesday was spent hunting for treasures at DI's along I-15. We went to three separate stores, and everyone had success finding awesome stuff. I found a train table, radio flyer scooters and Big Wheel bike, lots of board books, and a cute Christmas decoration/candy dish. 

Thursday we spent the day in Provo walking around BYU, and then relaxed at my sisters house again in the evening. 

Friday we spent the day at Liberty Park visiting with family for a Larkin Reunion. Both the girls played so hard, and got SO dirty. Kenzie practiced her walking, and everyone was very impressed.

Saturday was a very special day. My niece Evelyn was baptized and I was able to give the baptism talk. Everything went great, and we are so proud of her! We had a yummy lunch afterwards at Pizza Pie Cafe, and Kenzie crashed. 

Sunday was another special day, because my other niece Maddie was blessed. She is such a sweet baby, and we are so happy Maddie is here. It was so awesome to have these milestones back to back, and I am so grateful for my wonderful family. 

The week was crazy busy and exhausting, but honestly I loved having so much to do and being able to spend time with my family. Marley is sure missing everyone now that she is stuck at home with boring old me. 

4th of July Weekend

We had a very busy and very fun 4th of July weekend! It was so much fun spending time with our little family, and also getting to see our extended family as well. 

On Saturday the 2nd, we spent the day cleaning house and fixed up our yard since we were hosting a BBQ on the 4th. Once the girls woke up from their naps, we headed down to Provo to tailgate with family and watch the fireworks outside Stadium of Fire. 

We ate lots of yummy food, and enjoyed the time visiting and playing with cousins. Marley was VERY unsure about the loud fireworks at first, but got used to them after a bit and LOVED seeing all the pretty colors. Kenzie wasn't phased at all, she actually fell asleep halfway through and didn't flinch once. 

The next day, my parents and brother drove out here from California and they were able to join us for the 4th of July festivities. 

We woke up very early on the 4th so that we could drive back down to Provo to watch their parade. Jason's little sister Heidi marched in the Parade with American Fork High School, and it was awesome getting to see that!

Marley loved every bit of the parade, and Kenzie decided to take a nap. After that was over, we headed back home and relaxed for a couple hours.

We hosted a BBQ at our house later that evening, and both our families were able to come. We also had some neighborhood friends join us, and it was quite a group! 

After eating tons of food, and playing in the pool and slip n slide, we shot off our fireworks. Jason loves this part so very much, and he always gets to buy a bunch as an early birthday present. 

Unfortunately, we had some fireworks towards the end that decided to not work properly and gave us quite a scare. That put a stop to the fun real quick, but we enjoyed most of them and everyone was safe. 

We are truly blessed to live in this great country! I am thankful for the sacrifices made by so many, so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do. God bless America!