Dino-mite!

Abby had her first real birthday party today. We have been planning it for months and the day finally arrived... and the weather wasn't all that bad even. I think I forgot that when this age of kids get together, it's just going to be chaos. We had a lot of fun activities planned and I imagined this neat and orderly combination of events... yea right. I think the kids all had a good time despite (or maybe because of) the craziness. We ate a nice lunch first of Dino chicken nuggets, dinosaur fruit snacks, crackers, strawberries and veggies (can you guess what we have left over?). We then went outside for a dinosaur egg hunt. After the eggs were found and hatched, the kids were able to excavate their own dinosaur skeleton in a box of sand with paintbrushes. We then came inside and WASHED HANDS! Then, it was time for volcano cake and vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce (you know, like a volcano?). Opening gifts came next. One more game followed (pin the pteradon on the scene) then the favors were given out and then I sat down and just... well, sat for a while. I have a new respect for preschool teachers. It wasn't no "party at the Pink Taco" like Brooklyn Beckham but I totally could not have even gotten anything done at all if Hannah (our Heidi Klum) and Jeri (our Eva Longoria) hadn't helped... seriously. Paul did a great job of being photographer and Abby had such a great time. We are all so lucky to have such amazing and wonderful friends and such a fun little girl. So, after prolonging her birthday celebrations about as long as she possibly could, it's finally over and we are now the proud parents of a lovely little 4 year old girl. I wonder if my mom was thinking the same thing at my 4th Birthday Party. It is the very first one I remember... of course it was perfect in my mind... hope Abby remembers hers the same way!

4 Years Old!

I cannot believe that Abby is 4 years old. She is turning into such a wonderful young lady. She loves to play with her friends and loves to talk to her grandparents on the phone. She still sleeps with Orange the cat and Hammerhead the... well, you know... hammerhead shark. She has a real innate understanding and love for all animals. She loves reading books and is starting to sound out words for herself. She picks out her own clothes and gets dressed by herself. She can wash herself in the bath (although she still needs help washing hair), is totally potty trained and is getting really good at making up songs and stories. She has a strong will and is stubborn (wonder where she gets that from) and she is really funny. Her favourite color is pink and her favourite food is pasta. She has a love for Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and a real desire to learn new things. Paul and I are so glad she is a part of our family.

This morning, we had her new doll house book case all set up in the living room with her prezzies stacked on the shelves. Her face was so cute as she saw it. She opened each gift and really savored each moment. Then we just had some cupcakes as she is getting a big cake next week for her Dinosaur Party but we put them on a special plate that was her great-grandmother's. When we got home from church, she just couldn't wait to play with all of her new things and integrate the old with the new. She had her choice for dinner and she picked lasagna. All and all a really nice birthday for our not-so-little girl.

Out and Proud

I don't care if it means I'm not cool... I am still obsessed with American Idol. I have watched it since it's beginnings as "Pop Idol" while I was still living in England and it was so fun. Imagine my excitement (and Paul's chagrin) when I found out the Americans were making their own version and Simon was even being exported for the project. Now in its 7th season here... I still love it. Maybe it caters to my judgmental side... I don't know. I make Paul tape it when I have to miss it. This season there are 2 LDS contestants in the top 20; a 23 year old girl named Brooke White and my favourite, a young 17 year old singing prodigy from Murray, Utah named David Archuleta. He is just darling and I think has a chance of winning the whole thing... the judges haven't said anything negative to him yet and he really is a cutie. I think it's time for another Donny Osmond! Stay tuned!

The Blame Game

This morning, some friends came over and while we were visiting, Abby got out every single one of her toys from the basket... no big surprise. I noticed that one of her cars had a big chip in it from throwing it around so I asked her about it (she always "crashes" and throws her cars around and I thought it would be a great opportunity to teach her about consequences). She told me, "I think it was the Holy Ghost that did it while I was asleep". Guess she didn't quite get the Family Home Evening lesson this week after all.

Forever and Ever and Ever

Abby's prayers have been so cute lately. She says "grateful" before everything. We have tried to teach her to mix it up a bit but she won't have it. Lately, I have started a little prayer journal for her so we don't ever forget them (ever and ever and ever). Here's a sample:

"Grateful for I can go to Hawaii someday. Grateful I can live on planet Earth for a long time. Grateful that Heavenly Father will be so kind to me. Grateful someday we can have a yellow dog named, Boaty and a baby sister named, Bugsy. Grateful I love my family so much forever and ever and my friends forever and ever and ever."

Today, another dream of hers has come true... she is having a girl play date with her friend Savannah who is a whole 2 days younger. They are hilarious playing Barbies, dancing and I caught them just now playing "Hippity Hop Hop" whatever that is. I snuck and took some photos. I love the picture where Abby has fallen and is sporting her most popular look: the bottom smile. They had blast!
Oh, one more thing. They were talking about "Wonder Woman" at lunch time (they had both been introduced to that fantastic 80's show at their friend James's house last week). Anyway, they discussed the "lasso of truth" and how she protects people from "bad guys" and her gold magic belt and finally, Abby gets a confused look on her face and asks, "Mummy, why does Wonder Woman have stars all over her nappy?" It was so funny. Then, Savannah said that James pretends to be Wonder Woman so I asked her if she pretended to be Batman. Then they discussed amongst themselves the differences between Batman and Wonder Woman... hilarious!