My New Best Friend

As much as I complain about my kids growing up so fast, there are perks to the ages they are at right now.  Since Jordan goes to middle school in a different school district as the elementary school, we had separate spring breaks; one for the little kids and one for the "big" kid.  Since my sister was in town for part of the little kids' break, there was much fun to be had.  When it was time for Jordan's spring break, we still had school for Kya and Tyson, and no visitors in town, so we had to entertain ourselves.  Good thing Jordan and I like to do a lot of the same things....like shop and eat out...and we fit in a few work outs too.

 Jordan and I at a BYU Volleyball game...yesterday

 Shop

Jordan could shop all day, every day, even if she didn't need to buy anything.  I, on the other hand, hate shopping UNLESS I have something specific that I need (and it's not groceries).  So, luckily, I had a long list of somewhat "fun" things to buy. 

Cotillion dress shopping started out fun.  We found a huge selection of party dresses at JCPenny that we fell in love with.  After trying on a handful, we soon realized they were all way too SHORT (oh, and strapless, but we though a shrug could solve that problem).  So disappointing.  After 3 hours of searching, we came home and ended up ordering 2 online.  Hopefully they will get here in time and they won't be too short!!

Swim suit shopping was fun too (because it wasn't for me).  We found a lot of cute ones, but when we got them home (they were for Kya), we soon found out they were all a size too small.  Jordan ended up giving hers to Kya and we went back to return Kya's. 

We were successful in finding a new vacuum though...which I have been wanting for years, yet I have still not taken it out of the box:)

Recognize this dress anyone?!  

I wore it to a school dance in Gr. 9...don't worry, Jordan will NOT be wearing this to cotillion, she just wanted to try it on and laugh at it:)

Restaurants

Jordan has been waiting patiently for her first trip to The Cheesecake Factory (although, I swear she has been a couple times when she was little, she just can't remember).  Since Jordan and I are the only ones in the family who actually like cheesecake, I thought spring break was a perfect opportunity (sorry Lisa, I sill wish we could have fit it in while you were here!!).  We shared a sandwich for lunch to save room so we could each order our own cheesecake, but by the time we finished our lunch, we were getting kinda full.  We (I) decided we should just share a piece of cheesecake.  This made it near impossible for Jordan to pick a flavor!!  We ended up with the Tuxedo cheesecake and it did NOT disappoint.

This was HALF!!

Work Outs

I downloaded an App on my kindle that is circuit training program.  Ever since I told Jordan about it, she has wanted to try it.  The first day of spring break we did it.  At the end, I was beat red and sweating and she didn't even look tired.  I am claiming it's because she did "stretching" for half the strength training stations!!

We also did "Just Sweat" on our "Just Dance" video game.  I'm sure if someone had seen us, it would make for a fabulously embarrassing YouTube video, but luckily they did not:)

Everyone is back to school Monday.  I will be anxiously waiting for summer break.  I love hanging out with my kids...especially when they aren't fighting!

After a (glow in the dark) silly string fight

Happy Easter

Easter babies 2007

 

Easter babies 2013

...and they're gone:(

My sister Lisa and her family left yesterday, and I am already feeling sad.  We squeezed in as much fun as we could while she was here though!

We went to the beach (it was actually warm enough to play in the water this time)

We went to California Science Center (and saw the space shuttle)

We ate Mexican food (hope your burrito was big enough Jason!)

We went to Legoland

We watched Kya play softball

We shopped at Target (they don't have it in Canada)

We went to a couple parks

We went to the tide pools

We ate at Neptune's Nest...I mean "NET"

We played a little too much Skyalander

And all this while all our doors and windows were being replaced (great timing, I know).

All I can say now is, one week is nowhere near long enough!!

 

 

Yellow Belt

In the 2 and 1/2 months that Tyson has been in Karate, we have learned A LOT:

Always listen to your teacher (Kancho)

Yawning is NOT allowed

No bathroom breaks

Always answer immediately

Don't touch your face (or chew on your fingers)

Always yell loudly (but don't scream like a girl)

Don't stick out your toungue

Always tie your belt super TIGHT

No Drugs

No Street Fights

Respect your parents, teachers & friends

Place your shoes VERY neatly in the cubby

Bow on the ground for 3 seconds...only 3 seconds...never more or less than 3 seconds

Never get too close to Kancho (Sensei)

NEVER forget your ID number

Always Always Always say "Osu"

Today Tyson had his belt exam.  He is now the proud owner of a YELLOW belt.  We are so proud of how hard he works and how focused he is on improving.  He has also become quite the expert in understanding broken English spoken with a very strong Japanese accent:)

(Here's a video of him getting his new belt)

 

Go Dbacks!

 Softball season started this past weekend.  Opening day started with a giant doughnut, a HOT sun (with a black uniform no less) and an amazing slide into home!  We can't wait to see what this season has in store for our little athlete.  Don't worry, we'll keep you posted:)

 

 We ended up picking up the uniforms for the team...and couldn't resist a sibling shot before handing them out to the players:)

Tyson's Little Brother

 For the past couple of years, Tyson has asked for a little brother.  As much as I would LOVE to give him this wish (because really, it's been my wish too), it just unfortunately isn't something we are able to do.  But, this past fall we did get Tyson something close....a kitty cat little brother.

We watch Tyson play with Peeta like he is his little brother.  He wrestles with him, chases him, fights with him...all the things he would do with a REAL brother (okay, I know it's not quite as good as a REAL brother).  He really does help fill the void...for Tyson and Mom ( I swear when my kids leave home, I am going to be "that cat lady").

 This past week was a sad one for Peeta.  Kinda like a little brother who had to get his tonsils removed, Peeta had a little surgery of his own...he got tutored...I mean, neutered.  Poor kitty.  He came home with a cone around his neck (that took all of 1 min. for him to get off).  Luckily he has 3 sisters (one being a kitty cat that HATES him) and a big brother to help take care of him:) 

Watching TV together

 Playing Lego together

 Having a nap together

I didn't forget

I can't believe I didn't post on Jordan's actual birthday...maybe it was because I was in a food coma!!

Did I mention Saturday birthdays are the best?!!

We went glow in the dark miniature golfing...and this is the ONLY picture!

Shopping for clothes...we had one of the most hilarious stories from Forever 21, where Jordan found two adorable skirts!!

Dinner at Olive Garden...hence the food coma:)

Watched a movie....with NO popcorn since we were STUFFED!

Sang "Happy Birthday"...again.

And gave the much anticipated birthday bumps!!  

What a great day for a great girl.

 Happy TWELFTH birthday JoJo!!!

TWO YEARS...

...NOW 12 YEARS!!

Twenty-one or Twelve?!

Jordan's birthday party was full of contradictions...is she grown up or not?!

Grown up because she wanted a salad to go with dinner.

Young because she insisted on getting the traditional tub of cheese balls.

Grown up because she wanted to plan and execute all games herself.

Young because she wanted to play "unwrap the present that is wrapped a million times."

Grown up because she wanted nail polish and bath & body works in the goody bags.

Young because she wanted Hubba Bubba Bubletape in the goody bags.

Grown up because she wanted to watch a PG 13 movie that her friend brought.

Young because when said PG 13 movie was deemed inappropriate (by very uncool parents), she chose to watch Candyland instead.

Grown up because most of her gifts were money.

Young because she still wanted to play spin the bottle to open presents.

Grown up because all her friends brought phones, ipads or itouches.

Young because they kept losing said devises.

Grown up because she wanted to do hair and make up.

Young because she used markers to color the ends of her hair.

There's no doubt she's 12...well in one more week!  I love that girl:)