Breakfast

When Jenna woke up this morning, she headed straight for the kitchen and pulled a chair up to the counter so she could reach...


...the cookies.

Happy Halloween!

from Ryan,

from MK,


from Marielle,


from Jenna,


and from Q!


What do you think: does that last face belong to a boy or a girl?

Marielle's Very Fairy Party

Twas the night before Marielle's party and all through the house...

We constructed a fairy tent for our celebration the next day. Although I felt perhaps such an elaborate decoration might set a precedent for future birthday's I'm not sure I can keep up, it was awfully fun to make and a bit magical to create while our little fairy was sleeping.
Dad had another important job that night in assembling Marielle's bike. This was the present she really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really wanted. Thankfully for this four year old, her parents did not disappoint.


We had such a fun time at the party. Although it was a "family only" year, it turned out to be way more fun than a friends party since everyone there adores Marielle and it showed. She won every game and had choruses of cheers each time she figured out the next clue on the fairy hunt. I was pleased with the cake, beautiful on the outside and yummy on the inside. Marielle had very specific instructions: chocolate cake with a "moma-dada cake on the bottom and a sweetie cake on the top." And of course it needed to be pink.
I'm not sure who enjoyed the day more, Marielle or her parents. I loved watching her delight and excitement during each part of her party and I know Ryan did too. It is awesome to be a parent. I get to relive the magic of childhood but this time I get to be in charge.


If you want to see all the pictures from the party (there are a lot!) you can see them here.

Monday Morning Playtime

We start our week out right with Jenna's toddler class each Monday morning. Although the class is geared to 12-18 months, Marielle enjoys it just as much if not more than Jenna. The class is filled with playtime, snacks, songs, stories, and parachute time.

Jenna

My baby has disappeared. Jenna is an outright, no denying, almost time for nursery, toddler! I think I might be baby hungry...good thing I'm due in 3 months.

The Conference Report

We had a great time making our poster again this year as we listened to conference. The poster is pink because Marielle was with me when we bought the poster board. Is there any other choice to a three year old girl?
Here's a funny story that came out during the last session. Recall with me, if you will, part of Mervyn Arnold's talk, about his parent's death and gifts they left behind. We had a conversation that went something like this:

Marielle: What is he talking about?
Mom: His parents died. And he is happy that they gave him the gospel.
Marielle: How can we put a picture of them dead on our poster?
Mom: Umm...let's put a picture of family.
Marielle: Ok.
[Gluing the picture down on poster.]
Marielle: Now let's draw someone killing them.
Mom: I don't think that's a good idea.
Marielle: No, mom. Just starting to kill them.
Mom: I think just the family is good.

We loved conference. It was wonderful to hear truth, pure and undiluted.