Everything is amazing, nobody is happy...

I saw this on another blog, and on Facebook and couldn't resist 

posting it. My favorite part is, "You're sitting in a chair, in the sky!"

Hyperventilation Happy...

That's me right now. Not even sure I can type this...my hands are actually shaking a bit. Maybe I should just let this picture tell you why.  I will be here:  

What IS included with the prices? 3 Nights Accommodations onboard Carnival Imagination All Meals & Snacks Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea & Juices 24-Hour Room Service & Pizzeria Full Use of Ship Facilities: Three Pools, Whirlpools, Fitness Center, Salon, Spa, Casino, Library, Duty-Free Shopping & all Carnival Events Private Event Pass which will include: NKOTB Welcome Cocktail Party  NKOTB Experience with all band members  Full Concert by NKOTB  Photo Session with NKOTB in small groups Question & Answer Session with NKOTB Deck Party with NKOTB and DJ 2 Additional Deck Parties with DJ's Gift Bag with cruise event souvenirs Trivia Contest with special prizes Karaoke Chances to enter other onboard drawings for exclusive NKOTB Event Opportunities!  Full Access to all of Carnival's activities and facilities! VIP Concierge at your service

I will kiss the feet of Jake and Dani Schroader for the next year and half.  Deep breaths...deep breaths....

Into The Woods...

On Saturday, I took Brenna and Ella to see a musical. We went up to the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City to see a production of Into The Woods. (Basically, they combine many different fairytales like Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk etc... and make it so the storylines overlap and get mixed up...and they have to work together etc...) I'd never been to this theater and wow. It is something. It looks like a mansion of a house from the outside, and on the inside it kind of does too. It has the 2 curved staircases across from each other going up to a balcony in the foyer, and it's just awesome. They even had one of those pianos that plays by it self...the keys move on their own and everything. My girls were riveted by that piano. Anyway, we get there, get some snacks from the snack bar, and go find our seats. It's a circular theater, so there's really NO bad seat in the house. The seats were very comfy too. So we get all settled, and the show begins. I didn't hear a sound from Brenna the entire time unless she was laughing. (There were so many funny parts) Ella was entertained the whole time, but did end up having to sit on my lap towards the end because she got very tired. (The show is over 2 ½ hrs long!) BUT, she loved it and stayed awake the entire time. The costumes were amazing, the vocals were extremely impressive, the set was genius, and the acting was incredible too! All in all, it was one of the best girls night out I've had. I had grand plans of bringing my camera and getting some great pictures of myself with the girls at the play, but of course I forgot my stupid camera. I'm still bummed about that. Oh well. You'll just have to imagine me and my girls dressed all fancy, eating gourmet cookies and drinking lemonade, while we smile and giggle and enjoy this fantastic musical. :)

I want to go back and take Cody and Justiss now. They would both love it too. When I was originally getting the tickets, I didn't think Cody would like it because it had princess stuff in it. But after seeing it, I know he would love it. (Children under 5 are not allowed) So, if you're looking for something fun and special to do with your kids over 5, I HIGHLY recommend this. A little 'culture' never hurt anyone.

Doppleganger

I feel like I need to dispel any rumors that may have started. I'm sorry to disappoint any of you who thought we had a celebrity living in the neighborhood, but I really need to clear this up. Dorothy Hamill did NOT move in down the street. I know, I know...You've seen her driving around here in a minivan, and parking at the Frampton's sometimes. Surely she must have moved to a house close by. Sorry, but it's just me. I'm letting my formerly cute short hair grow out, and I've reached a crisis stage. I'm so tempted to go really short again, but it'll only be a few more months, and I'll be past the worst. So sorry to disapoint all who were excited to have an Ice Skating legend in our midst.

Sibling Sleepiness...

Yes, yes, I know. You are ALL wondering why I haven't been posting every day, right? I figure every day is just too ambitious. So a few times a week should work. Nothing like lowering your standards to justify your behavior. ;)

I really do have some great posts sitting in my head. I simply just don't see myself making the time to post those any time too soon though. So a quick braggart post about my kids will have to suffice.

The other night, Brady asked Cody to read him a book. He said sure and started in. Well, Brady fell asleep pretty much right away. That's ok... Ella was still listening.




Then Brenna came and listened...


Then they all fell asleep.

Just kidding. They were all faking it except Brady. :) Why is it that my kids think it is so funny to fake like they are asleep and then have me take a picture? Ah well...it was a cute little moment anyway.

Trouble with Good Intentions.

So, I know I said I would make a post every day.  Yeah, that was a little ambitious.  I actually have some great ideas for my posts, but they would be time consuming...so they sit in my head.  I'm hoping on Sunday I'll have some time to post one of those.  Until then, I thought I'd share something that happened the other night.  

Monday night, we had Family Home Evening.  Miracles never cease.  ;)  We talked about families, and how to be a happy family.  We had a little game that went with it, and then we talked about each child individually and what role they could have in helping us to become a successful happy family.  One specific thing we talked about having the kids do, was to 'serve' each other.  (Make someone's bed, help with the cleaning, etc...)  Ella really keened in on this one.   I think this may have contributed to what followed.  So the story continues....

 Later that night, Brenna (7) and Ella (5) asked if they could sleep in the same bed.  They share a room.  I said sure. Before Jon went to bed that night, he moved them to separate beds because they always get a better nights sleep that way.  He just picked up the one that was closest, who happened to be Ella, and moved her to the empty bed...which just happened to be Brenna's.  I'm thinking this was also a contributing factor to what followed.  

 So Tuesday morning rolls around, and I go out to the family room to find Brenna and Ella on a "blanket bed" they had made on the floor.  Surrounding them, I see bowls of cereal, boxes of cereal, a huge container of animal crackers open, an empty bag that used to have cut up apples in it, cups with orange juice.  I look around the room, and there are about 30 colored pages from a coloring book that have been torn out and taped up all over the walls.  Ella is fast asleep on the "blanket bed", but Brenna proceeds to tell me that they woke up at 2:00 in the morning and decided to come out here together.  They've been up ever since.  WHAT??!!  Yep, they were up ALL night coloring, eating, watching cartoons, and hanging out together.  Is that just the strangest thing?  I think what bothers me the most is that neither Jon nor I heard them!  We slept very soundly through all of their merry-making.  :O)  

 I asked all of the questions a parent would ask in a situation like this.  Brenna really didn't have any sort of satisfactory answer.  Of course, then it was time to get ready for school.  And of course, she says she's soooooo tired, and can't go to school.  I told her tough.  You aaaaare going. Surprise surprise,  I get a call from the school later that afternoon saying that Brenna isn't feeling well.  HA!  

 I had to shake Ella awake at 10:15 to go to gymnastics, but then she seemed to be ok for the rest of the day.  She was a little crankier than usual, but I'm used to that.  So after she seems coherent enough to answer some questions, I ask her what last night was about.  She proceeds to tell me that she was trying to "serve" the family by decorating the house with pictures.  She also wanted to have breakfast waiting for everyone (hence the cereal all over) but she thought it would be soggy if she put the milk in.  Well, at least our lesson at FHE sunk in with her, lol...

 So after getting the stories from both of them, I think this is what happened:  Brenna woke around 2am.  Upon finding herself in the wrong bed, she had a hard time going back to sleep.  So, she woke Ella up.  They went to get drinks in the kitchen.  They saw the coloring book and tape. One look in the pantry to catch a glimpse of the cereal, and their little plan was under way.  So we had a little chat about different ways to serve the family that won't end up with them being so sleep deprived.  :)  

 

Brenna...

I know I didn't post yesterday, and I said I would post every day. Well, life happens. :) Had some family come over unexpectedly, and just didn't have the time. And today's post will be short and sweet. It's a simple comment Brenna made to our Home Teacher last month.

Somehow, the presidential election came up in conversation. Brenna says, "I'm not going to vote for Barack Obama. I'm not a Democrat."

Now I know politics is a subject that is best left alone most of the time...so all I'll say is I hope we all get informed and exercise the right our forefathers fought for.

Happy Monday to everyone!