Father Daughter Dance

There are a lot of men that have no one to take to the ward Father Daughter Dance, but not Mark. He had four dates. What a lucky guy.

Easter Dresses and Fire Ants

My good friend Kat send the girls Easter dresses this year. The looked so beautiful all dressed in white that I decided it was time for a photo shoot. I had wanted to get pictures of the kids with the Texas BlueBonnet Flowers, but sadly we waited too long and they were all but gone. We drove around for quite some time and finally found this beautiful stop all covered in wildflowers.  Even though they weren't Bluebonnets we were excited... until...

the attack of the Fire Ants. Everywhere we moved they were there waiting and by the time we left only Colin was pain free. Poor Caitlyn received the worst of it. (Notice she was not pictured alone at the end.) Mark kept laughing at the efforts I was willing to go through in order to get a few good shots, but though the girls had to strip down and Colin had to take off his shirt and under shirt to provide non-infested clothing, I still think the pictures turned out good. For those of you who are worried the bites will heal in about 3 weeks. Ü

To Daisy with love

Dear Daisy,

Thank you for being the world's most patient dog. Thank you for never getting mad when I poke you in the eye, ride on your back, steal your bone and laugh, grab your tail, or dress you in my clothes. Thank you for always listening when I am sad and licking my feet when I am lonely. Thank you for all the hugs and for sharing my food. You are one of the cutest puppies I know. I love you,

Yours forever,

Reagan

Reagan's Peace Party at School

Martin Luther King Jr. Would be proud.

Reagan's Birthday

(As dictated by Reagan)

I woke up to my family singing Happy Birthday. Then I ate a yummy breakfast of cinnamon rolls and glazed donuts. After my siblings did the dishes, I opened my presents. They were a coloring book, a box filled with candy, a dress for me and my doll, a Build a Bear workshop gift card, silly bands, doll clothes, number magnets, a hair thing, and the American Girl Doll, Kaya!

At church we did the primary program. After church we had the Sinicropes over. We had a wonderful dinner of crapes. The Cooks played with us. Then we had Death by Chocolate and opened the Cook’s and Sinicrope’s present. After that they left and we went to bed.

The next day, we went to Build-a-Bear, were I built a cute fluffy bunny. I named it Honey –Bunny. She is a cute ball of fluff.

Reagan's Graduation

Our sweet Reagan has left the cares of kindergarten behind and is off to the exciting world of 1st grade. We are so proud of her and all her accomplishments, but mostly we're proud of how cute she looks in the outfit.

Girl Power

On a happy side note ... Caitlyn, Austin and Reagan all scored straight A's this semester. Reagan even scored a perfect score on the mid year test given to Kindergartners to see how they are progressing. Keep up the great work girls!

Mark and I are so proud!

Elementary Fall Music Programs

This week has been a bit busy in our household. I received a new calling as the Cub Master and the kids schools have been having Thanksgiving Feasts and their annual Fall Music Program. I was lucky enough to visit all three of my older girls yesterday and have lunch. Reagan and Caitlyn also had their music programs and then Austin's was this morning. It is so fun to see what they have been learning. All of my kids really seem to enjoy music and a couple of them are real hams.

A Hoppin Good Birthday

Reagan had her 6th birthday on Saturday. When Mark and I began to think of ideas for her party we really wanted to have a party that reflected Reagan. Reagan is our animal lover, but she has out grown old McDonald themes, so it was time to think a little harder. We wanted an at home party with an animal theme, but how to pull this off did not come to light until I did a little searching online. I found a petting zoo that would come to your home and bring a variety of small animals. I got especially excited when I realized they have dozens of bunnies. We put in a request for bunnies for the birthday party and the Bunny Birthday Surprise began. Reagan helped me make a bunny piñata (Not something easy to find in September) and she requested a chocolate cake, which of course had to be in the shape of a bunny. She had no idea about the bunnies that were on their way. While Mark had the kids distracted with the piñata the bunny lady set up an enclosure and by the time the kids were done filling their candy bags the bunnies were ready. She brought the rabbits in little baskets (each of which Reagan was able to open) and she talked to the kids about the different kinds of rabbits and their care, but the most exciting part was just getting to hold and play with them. It’s official my kids need a bunny. Maybe we’ll keep one of these baby bunnies for starts.

I think we should start a petition to get the Christiansens a bunny.

Our Trip to The Austin Children's Musuem

For Reagan's preschool today we had a field trip to the Austin Children's Museum. I have to admit a visit to the museum has been on my "to do" list since before we moved here, so I was excited to take both Reagan and Hallie and check one more thing off on my "Aren't I the Greatest Mother List." Reagan had such a wonderful time playing with all her friends and Hallie had a wonderful time wearing me out, as she ran from attraction to attraction.Ü

Our Fourth is Five

Reagan’s Birthday makes her FIVE! After a morning of Texas sized French toast, a surprise showed up for Reagan. It was her dad coming back home to claim her for a date of bike riding in the park. What fun they had learning to ride and playing at the park until lunch time. Then they came home to claim Hallie and I for a lunch at Red Robin. After lunch it was time to pick up the girls from school and we were lucky enough to have our friend Coco come over too. Reagan chose macaroni and cheese with hotdogs for dinner, so I made my five cheese macaroni, which was a big hit, and a strawberry pie and ice cream for dessert. Yum! Reagan's presents included three Littlest Pet Shops, three new horses, a new backpack and a new Webkinz hedgehog. She also received lots of cards and phone calls from all of you. Thank you all for sharing in our girl’s special day.

Quick Mother's Day Moment

In church yesterday the kids were called forward, as they traditionally do, to sing a Mother's Day tribute. Just like all the other mom's I sent my kids up, only Reagan stopped a little under half way. She was struck with a fit of stage fright. Caitlyn began pulling on her and when that didn't work she got behind her and pushed. About this time I saw what was going on and went over to see if I could help. I sent Caitlyn on ahead and bent down to ask Reagan what was wrong. She looked at me with those big eyes of hers and said she was scared. I scooped her up in my arms just as the intro to the song was beginning. I hugged her tight and told her it was okay that I knew she loved me and that if she wanted to she could sing right there, into my ear, so it would only be for me. That is just what she did. She sang every word. It was my own personal show. I am blessed.

Sighting on the Green Belt

Mommy Mommy what do you see…
I see a green turtle looking at me.

Reagan Reagan what do you see…
I see a mommy and daddy duck fleeing from me.

Hallie Hallie what do you see…
I see three brown squirrels running up a tree.

Mommy Mommy what do you see…
I see four fish swimming by me.

Reagan Reagan what do you see…
I see five joggers running past me.

Hallie Hallie what do you see…
I see six yellow butterflies flying near me.

Explorers Explorers what do you see…
Three girls on the green belt happy and free.

Growing Up

As it is now October, I thought I better do a little catch up on the last month. Where better to start than with BIRTHDAYS. Colin and Reagan both have had their birthdays. Colin on the 25th of August and Reagan on the 25th of September.

I shed a few tears thinking of Colin as 10. There is something about that double digits that send my world spinning. How I wish Icould keep him small. Now every time I look at a baby boy or even a young boy, I get all nustalgic. I find myself (even more than normal) trying to hold ever little boy in sight. I'm sure that some of the mothers at church think I'm a stauker. I am count down the days until he will no longer want to talk to me about his promblems, tell me about Star Wars, or even drop him off at school. There are things I wish I could change about his first 10 years and there is also much I wish I could just keep reliving. Those moments that are so dear to my heart. I never had to worry about the kind of person Colin would be. His heart is so beautiful. He is kind, sensitive, caring, enthusiastic, ans smart. As I watch him start over at a new school full of strangers. I realize how brave he is. (Can you tell I'm proud?)

Reagan is now 4. She wasn’t even 1 when we moved into our house in Colorado. She has grown into an amazing little person. She misses all her friends (big and small) in Colorado, but she is quick to love those she meets. She is so giving and sweet. She loves playing with her big sisters and yet she still loves her time with Hallie. They play so well together. She makes us all laugh with her funny faces and her giggles. She is a faithful daddy’s girl and will be forever. We love her so.

The day before her birthday, Reagan picked out a yummy cheesecake that we ate with our friends up the street (Robin and Cade). We also watched a fun movie "Penelope" that our kids loved. The next morning, on her actual birthday, Reagan followed in her older sisters' footsteps by getting a bike helmet so she can be a tough, big girl and ride her little bike. She got Barbie's "Rapunzel" movie because she asks to watch movies everyday. She got a princess crown and a purse because she loves dressing up and being fancy. If something comes up missing in the house, one of the first places we look is inside Reagan's purse. Chapstick, gum, money, pencils, Littlest Petshop animals, they all go in the purse. Maybe Hallie will learn to share from watching Reagan (at least we can hope)!

Latest Reaganism

Sunday afternoon. Reagan is playing with her kangaroo puppet next to Dad on the couch.

Reagan: Daddy, is Jesus real?

Dad: That is a great question. Yes, He is real.

Reagan: How do you know He is real?

Dad: I know He is real because I have prayed and asked Heavenly Father. He told me that Jesus was real through the Holy Ghost. When He told me Jesus was real, I got a special feeling in my heart.

Reagan: (smiles at Dad for a few seconds, then looks at the puppet in her hands) Daddy, do you believe in kangaroos that are real?