Hi from the Hippies

If you've been wondering how the kids are integrating into the notoriously eclectic life offered in the city by the bay ... wonder no more. 

Oh What do you do in the Summertime?

Read books in a tree?

The Walk Home

I snapped this picture from inside my living room window of my 3 elementary kiddos walking home from school.  (I already wrote about my obsession watching them walk to school here.)  I don't know what my fascination is with this watching - except that its about as close to "a fly on the wall" as I ever get.  I'm really quite smitten with how good they are to each other.  While other school mates have found a friend to walk home with, they generally have found each other - and Ella almost always has her arm around Max (like above) or she's holding his latest art project or his backpack for him.  Now I won't be entirely gushy and paint an unrealistic picture - there have been times that I see Kal and El literally shove each other around the minute they walk out the door. (And you can believe I've stepped outside and had a word or two to say:)  That being said, these three are beyond siblings...they're pals.  And I love it that way.

Using those Pipes

This past week we've been celebrating the pipes on my girls.  They have some sweet little voices and have been able to use them to have some incredible experiences.  First, Ella's entire third grade class gave an amazing performance to our neighborhood community.  Then they had the chance to take a couple of their best songs to the capitol and perform for our governor.  Ella sang her solo just a few feet from our state's leaders. (Sorry, no cameras at that one.)  Lastly, our girls got to sing in the famous tabernacle on Temple Square during Interfaith Week which celebrates the SLC hosting of the Olympics each year.  I'm so proud of my little girls (who aren't so little anymore) and am thrilled they have many chances to share their talents with others.

All images are iPhone pics...not great, but had to do.

Dinner Dress Code

We have no dress code for Sunday dinner (usually it's something warm and cozy - or at the very least comfortable). But something sparked in my silly girls' heads when they found out we were having Indian food this evening.  When I called them down to eat, they came down ready to devour some naan and masala looking just like this.  I laughed aloud and quickly snapped these pictures. Sadly, Bryce and Max and I felt very underdressed in our own dining room for this occasion. Needless to say, the food wasn't the only spicy part of the evening.

I Can't Wait...

...to show the girls the perfect accessory I stumbled upon (at another one of my favorite haunts :) for them to wear to jazz class tonight. They've been learning the dance to Thriller during October and tonight's class will be the Thriller finale. How fun will it be to show up with this on? Thank you Tar-Jay!

Sisters

"How wide and sweet and wild sisterhood can be."

I Interupt This Regulary Scheduled Vacation Post...

...to present:

"First Day of School 2009-2010"

What's Your Favorite App?

My girls love the My Lite app with the Bic Lighter. Here they are shaking their groove thing with iPhone in hand at the David Archuletta concert - no burns or sore trigger thumbs. Brilliant.

Salton Sea

These pictures are from our trip back in April (I'm finally getting to a little catch-up). Take a look at Max and El. I'm starting to think they are the world's first twins born 3 years apart.

Lucky Me

I have two little beauties to call my own. They look so different and yet so alike, don't you think?

Frolicking

I saw this gorgeous cover photo on Nicole's blog...

Funny how it reminded me of this photo I took of Ella...
(in a lame, sort of amateurish way).
Photo number one is of course, perfection...
but the subject in photo number two is kinda perfect to me.

Blowing a little love your way...

It may be one day early, but we're in full fledge love, romance, and heart shape candy mode here in the red brick house. It's the day of the Valentine Parties. This means absolute excitement for them, and for me - well all projects are complete and I'm off the hook for another year. But before I sign off for the weekend, I'll post a little valentine fun that has kept us busy and in the spirit of Cupid all week long.

Have you ever peeked at the blog, Color Me Katie? She is a quirky and inventive New York photographer with a clever sense of humor. Check out the photo in her profile and you'll see how she inspired our valentine boxes this year. I took a picture of the girls blowing a kiss and then we cut it out and pasted on red hearts into a full fledged cloud of love. Pretty simple, huh? I e-mailed her a picture of the boxes and she loved them - it was so fun to hear from her! It's amazing how the web can connect. Wishing you many fun valentine connections this year. I'll sign off for now, but I've got a couple more to share a bit later. xoxo

Our Morning Watch

One of my favorite little moments in the day is right after we've sent the girls off to school in the morning. (And its not because I'm down from four to two children...although that helps tremendously with the noise level :) Josie and I stand at the door and wave goodbye and then I shut the door. Then, without fail, Josie toddles over to the window to watch them walk away until they are out of sight. Sometimes she knocks on the window, sometimes she just watches. I haven't told the girls she does this because I know they would turn their attention to the window making coochie coo faces and the natural sweetness of the moment would disappear. So it remains Josie and I's secret little indulgence each morning - we watch our girls walk all the way to school, and they don't even know it.

Ella's Big Day

Happy Birthday Ella Isabelle! Ella woke up to a birthday breakfast and opened her presents before school (as per her request). At school, she shared her birthday treat with her classmates and ran home straight after school to play with her birthday gifts and await her party. She has been waiting nearly 3 years (since Kalli had her 8th birthday party) to have her birthday "tea party" at the Lion House (Brigham Young's historic home near Temple Square). If you asked her, I'm pretty sure she would tell you it was well worth the wait. She and her friends dressed up and got to have a private tour, play some pioneer games, make old fashioned taffy, and of course eat their mini sandwiches and birthday cake. And the day wasn't over yet...we came home to her favorite dinner: waffles and eggs. Dad even whipped up some homemade ice cream to serve up with the waffles. I can't say enough how much we love this little girl. She gives our house an energy it would never have otherwise. She's enthusiastic, caring, loving, and bubbly. She is a little bee buzzing with zest for life. We love you Ella. Happy Happy Day!

-amr

Back to School 2008

The pictures speak for themselves. Happy School Year to All!

-amr

Using Our Imagination

With summer coming to a close and having checked off all the activities we wanted to do (lemonade stand, Gateway fountains, loads of swimming, beach, road trips, Liberty Park, movie theater, mini golfing...you get the picture) we are trying to fill our days with some fun projects and activities that are new, fresh, and exciting. This one was a favorite: I had the girls dress up their American Girl Dolls, do their hair, and have an array of outfits ready and we set up a fashion photo shoot. They were so creative with the hair styles and loved posing the dolls in their darling clothes (hand made by Grandma Smiley - can you believe her?). I'm thinking this activity would be great with any toys if you don't do dolls. The girls were hilarious in finding all sorts of great poses and places to have me take pictures. This one is of Nikki swinging on our swing in the front yard. I did feel a little silly running around taking pictures of toys - especially when the girls wanted me to say "Work it girl!".
(You think I'm kidding? I'm not.)

-amr

Pianist Numero Tres

Ella has started piano lessons this summer and *WOW* our house has never sounded so lovely :) I AM impressed how quickly she's catching on and her enthusiasm is contagious. You can bet I'm redirecting some of that enthusiasm in Kalli's direction (she's been playing for three years and isn't quite so excited to practice.) Combine these two budding pianists with my new church calling as primary music chorister and you'd think we were practicing to be the next VonTrapp family singers. I'm quite sure if you stay tuned long enough you'll be privileged to hear her first recital piece.

-amr