And the next King of England is....

He may not have been able to pull the sword out and stake his claim on the kingdom, but he definitely rules my world! I sure do love that man!!! =)
I think he failed because of the way he executed his plan. I'm sure if he gripped the sides it would have come out, no problem!
This is Miriam giving it all she's got! Look at her strained face! Priceless!
Emma's is concentrating so hard! I think she is trying to use the powers of the mind to get the sword out.
Now that's just plain adorable! They need to just give it to her for her level of preciousness. Imagine the countries that would bow to this little girl after being defeated by her blinding cuteness! She would be unstoppable!

Autographs Galore

We decided once we got to Disney World that an Autograph book would be a good investment as soon as we saw the short line to see Ariel and Prince Eric. Of course I couldn't get just one, I got 2 of them. I know next time I won't be able to get away with not getting one for Hannah, I barely made it out alive because I didn't think she would notice or care too much about the book. Boy was I wrong!

So many mixed feelings swirl around meeting all these famous Disney characters. The kids were so excited until we walked up to them, that's when the eyes stayed on the ground, they lost the ability to speak and Hannah even went into convulsions a few times.

Still, those books were very treasured, and I'm sure that they will be again once I fill it with these pictures.

Apparently Emma's hands tasted just too good to pull them out of her mouth for a quick snap shot. Tobie was dragged in by Prince Eric, I guess he figured if he has to stand there in the costume Tobie could endure a few moments embarrassment.
Hannah looks so excited to see Princess Aurora! But Emma is still cautious. She's cutting her eyes like, "Don't make any sudden movements.".
I guess she trusted Cinderella more and even decided to mimic her pose. Too cute!
She really warmed up to Belle. She even ran back after this picture was taken to give her a hug!
Hugs all around!!! See Hannah clutching that autograph book? She didn't really care about the autographs, she saw it as a drawing book. Mean Mommy had to keep taking it away as soon as she learned how to click the pen open.
Who knew Mickey was near-sighted?
The whole family! Hannah is trying desperately to put some distance between herself and the costumed freaks. This is one of the convulsions I was referring to.
Okay, I can't look at these pictures of the fairies without feeling a bit of rage boiling to the surface. We waited 45 minutes to see them, when we finally got in Emma and Hannah refused to get in the picture. Not only refused, but screamed like someone was twisting their arms and tried to hide behind my dress. Then at the end when we walked out, I saw that Tinker Bell signed just one book and the purple fairy signed both. I don't even know the orange fairy's name since she didn't sign either books. I was crying I was so livid! I almost marched in there and demanded that they all sign the books, but figured my pregnancy hormones might have induced that revenge induced tantrum and decided not to. Besides getting kicked out of Disney World was not on my agenda.

At least Tinker Bell was the only one who came out to TRY and coax Emma into a picture. The other two were just like "Oh well!".

Again you'll notice Hannah on the outside of the group trying to get as far away from the gigantic bunny as possible.
This was right when the park closed at midnight and we just happened upon Donald Duck. Emma just woke up and I shirked on my protective Mommy duties and tried to get Hannah right beside him. That was another of her convulsions. She is screaming "NO!" and trying to pull away. I tried to shield her as much as possible, I'm not completely heartless! I told her to say bye-bye and as she is shaking in my arms and half crying she starts waving and saying "bye-bye!". It was so sad and funny at the same time.

Ah, good times.

Emma's 4!

My third child, Emma just turned 4 yesterday! I kind of feel like I have been so focused on Hannah and the pregnancy that I am completely missing her growing up. =( If anyone is going to suffer from middle child syndrome, it's going to be her. But Heavenly Father blessed her with a very independent and strong headed spirit (a lot like her Mama!), so I'm not too worried.

I know several of my friends have a tradition of waking up the birthday kid while singing the birthday song and showering the groggy kid with presents. Not me. Call me a mean mom, but I make them wait ALL DAY LONG! Then after they have had their birthday dinner we pull out the cake and presents. I guess it's because I love surprises, maybe more than the actual surprise itself. Several times Theo wants to tell me what he has gotten for me, but I won't let him tell me. I savor the moment for as long as I can, and I do the same thing with my kids. They don't know any better, so they are very patient! Or they have inherited their Mommy's love of surprises as well.

We love the "Pinkalicious" books, so when we saw they had the costume stuff with purse and gloves included at Wal-Mart we just couldn't pass it up. Can we say Halloween costume??? ;)
All the gang. It was a nice little celebration with my Mom and Dad coming over for cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday my little 4 year old!!!!

Beluga Love (Disclaimer: It's a little racey!)

Two weeks ago we took a trip to Sea World and Disney World with the whole family. It was loads of fun and the kids were troopers. On our first day to Sea World we were all educated in the mating rituals of the Beluga Whale. This big guy had his eyes set on that female and he was determined to make it work. We were just missing some candle light and a little Barry White.
Emma's look is priceless! This is the look of innocence being shattered. Actually I'm just kidding, she had no idea what was going on. She did wonder why the boy whale was being so mean to the girl whale though. Luckily her attention was diverted by some fake ship props that included a climbing rope that was about as tall as I am. All the kids quickly lost interest, I tell you what, Beluga love making is very frustrating. Apparently you have to be very precise because they are constantly swimming around. He'd get so close, and then....miss! There was a small crowd forming of adults that was aware of what was being attempted. We all started to cheer him on, then moan in frustration for the poor whale when his efforts kept getting thwarted.
I guess that's what led to this. When all else fails, bite her....I guess.

Lesson Not Learned

Tobie is starting a new phase in life. The annoying disobedient, defiant, back talking snotty phase. I loose my cool on a daily basis due to his sarcastic quips and hissy fits. Last night I thought I had the opportunity of a lifetime to teach him the important lesson that you better come when Mama calls you.

We had our quarterly Relief Society Meeting last night. It was really good overall, even though I have started fighting a really bad head cold and Theo was out of town for the evening which means I had to bring the kiddies with me.

When our evening was over and it was time to head home I started rounding up the kids. I say it all the time, but trying to get your kids to do what you ask all at the same time is like herding cats. They always go in different directions. I'm usually pretty good about getting them under control and out the door in a timely manner...usually. Last night I had all my girls ready and waiting, but where was Tobie?

He was running around the church all sweaty and yelling like a lunatic. I hollered at him to get in the car, that we were leaving. So he does the obvious thing and runs into the Primary room and shuts the door, still screaming like a madman. I sent Miriam down the hall to tell him to get a move on. She tells him several times to come until finally I tell her to just leave him and lets go.

I get the girls all strapped in the car and we wait....and wait....and wait. I came up with an idea to move my car so when he DID come out he wouldn't see the car and freak out a little. So I move the car and wait....and wait...and wait. Still no Tobie.

Then I got an even better idea, I'm going to leave him for real! Of course I wouldn't leave him without a way home, so I pull up to the door and a Sister was coming out who just happens to pass my neighborhood on her way home. I stage the scene telling her to go talk to him and let him know that she just saw me pull out of the parking lot, but not letting him know that I set him up a ride home. I pull out with my girls feeling very proud of myself for thinking of such a grand scheme that would certainly teach this boy a lesson.

I got home, get the girls out and wait for this Sister to bring him home. They finally arrive. I'm expecting red puffy eyes filled with tears and a heart full of repentance. Instead I find a nonchalant boy who thought it was cool to ride home in this Sister's front seat because she is able to turn off the airbag. *SIGH*

She told me when she went to get him and told him that I had left, she asked him didn't his mother tell him to get in the car? His response...."No, she didn't tell me even once!".

First Day of School

My kids have actually been in school going on 3 weeks now, but I finally got in the mood to post these pictures. That seems to be the other pregnancy side effect. I have to be in the mood to do anything before doing it. But enough about my crazy, this post is about the kids.

Some people say how they can't believe how old their kids have gotten that they are now ready to start school. "How is this possible?" "Stop growing!"

Not me. Miriam is my little bookworm. She is super smart and soaks up knowledge like a sponge! I couldn't wait for her to start kindergarten and when it came time for the big first day it was like a relief of "FINALLY!". She was so ready, and I feel like I am ready to watch her excel.

Tobie is a different story. This boy has enough energy to power our house for a week if a hurricane ever came through. I always tend to say a little prayer under my breath when he goes in, hoping that he doesn't get into any trouble. He's been doing really good so far, but with a little hiccup yesterday. Apparently he didn't head his homework paper correctly and had to stay inside from P.E. Then I get a note from his teacher saying that he couldn't focus and wasn't paying attention. I have to say that taking away P.E. privilege as a punishment is the WORST idea for my Tobie! He has to move, he has to expel all that extra energy! Of course he can't focus when his legs are about to take off without him! I really like his teacher so far, and I explained that he NEEDS his P.E. time. Hopefully he can control himself, and hopefully his teacher can see how vital his exercise time is.
I know the uniforms are awesome, right. And let me tell you, I love what it does for my wallet! There's no headaches, no worrying about what's cool and they are all cheap but durable fabric.
Tobie took off to his class before we could get any pictures. Miriam is so cute! You can just see her excitement radiating from her in this picture. The second day I told Tobie to walk her to her classroom, and she said very matter of fact, "I know where my classroom is!". Well excuuuuuuse me! See what I mean, she is so ready for this.

My Eyes Are A Broken Faucet

Yes, I know it's the hormones, but I can not for the life of me get myself to stop crying once I get started. I've had this problem before being pregnant, but now once the waterworks start flowing it takes a good hour AT LEAST to stop.

For example, Tobie thought it would be funny to point the kitchen faucet at me and let Hannah turn on the water. I was drenched! I felt the tears coming on, but it was kind of funny at the same time. Theo came running to see what I was yelling about and after looking at his wet dog of a wife he busted out laughing. That was all I need to let the dam break and the tears started to flow. Of course I was laughing at the same time, but I just couldn't turn off the tears.

Another example was when I went to Winn-Dixie the other day. I really like this Winn-Dixie and it's music choice. They are always playing great 80's music like The Cure, and that group that sings "Under The Milky Way". (My best friend from High School would be ashamed of me if she knew I forgot who sang that song.)

Any who....when I happened to walk in that day they were playing "This Must Be Love" by Madness. If you haven't ever heard this song you should Google it. Really...it's an awesome song.

But to explain what makes this song even more special to me we have to take a little time traveling trip to when Theo and I were dating. We were discussing music and what songs best describe our feelings for one another. (I know, such a lovey-dovey dating thing to do.) I can't even remember the song I choose because Theo's choice blew it out of the water when he played this song for me. I still love it after 11 years, and I consider it to be "OUR" song.

So back to the present, a few days ago, and I'm in Winn-Dixie. I text Theo to tell him that they are playing our song. He texts me back saying that he asked them to play it for me. AAAWWWWWW!!!!

On any other day I would have chuckled and thought, "He's so funny.". But something overwhelmed me with that one little text message. All the love I feel for that man welled up in my eyes and right there in the middle of the store I was bawling like a little baby! Thankfully my two younger kids who were with me were preoccupied with the amazing Lady Bug cakes at the Bakery and they didn't notice my blubbering of "Ohhh"'s and "Ahhh"'s at their excitement.

I had to walk the aisles a few times before composing myself and heading to the cashier to check out. Man, I really hope these hormones level out really soon!