Jack's First Haircut!

Jack is now a big 22 months, and finally ready for his first haircut!   Unfortunately, he was like his mom, bald at birth and had to start from nothing.  We were lucky to have Aunt Lydia do the honors.  (She also did the first hair cuts of my other boys).  

To say that I was shocked at how quietly he sat is understated.  For my other kids' first hair cuts, we had to give them a sucker and let them sit in the sink to be able to get any cutting done.  As soon as we put Jack up on the chair, he didn't move or squirm until we were finished... no sucker needed.  What a good boy!  

She did such a great job too! Here is my little man now.

On another note, today before church I tried to take a picture of all the kids, since Keaton and Sam got haircuts too.  This was the best one I got before Jack went rogue...

Then I tried to take a good one of my oldest 3, until I realized that Sam cleverly put lint on his eye.... What a kid!

So You Think You Can Dance!

Lucky for me, my mother-in-law is as big of fan of the show So You Think You Can Dance, as I am. Kim was able to get free tickets to watch the auditions up in Salt Lake for this next season. Nicole and Kristin, who are also fans of the show were also able to come, as well as my sis Erin. 

It was bitter cold and windy as we waited to get into the theater, but after being seated down on the floor, we were able to see Nigel, Mary, and Adam, the judges, and to cheer the dancers on. It was unreal to be in the same room, and see all the TV cameras. 

I kept thinking what a bummer that Cat Deely was nowhere in sight. However, me and Erin were on the way back from a potty break, when I opened the door to get back into the theater. As I pushed to go in, there Cat was, coming out. I was stunned and probably had the biggest goofy smile on my face. Somehow I eeked out a "hi." She smiled and said "hi" back to us.  So cool!

We weren't able to stay the whole taping, but the five of us went for some lunch at Hires, and dropped Erin off at home for a quick tour of her cute house before we headed home. It was a fun day. Thanks again Kim for the tickets!

 

Future Firefighters

Admittedly, I have not been the best about going with my kids on their field trips.  With my anxiety, I try to stay away from buses and things like that, but for preschool, I get to drive the kids in my own van, so I really have no excuse.  This being Emmi's last year of preschool, I decided to go with her class to the fire station, and take advantage of the situation. 

Of course, this meant that I had my little Jack-Jack in tow, and he tried to act like he was one of the kids. At one point he even got mad at me when I wouldn't let him get in the group shot above, so I had to take another with him in it.

The firemen were wonderful and very accommodating.  They let the kids sit up in the fire trucks,

showed the kids how they get dressed in their gear,

walk through the ambulance, (I will admit that this did freak me out a bit)

take a little spin in the firetruck around the parking lot with the lights and sirens on,

and Emmi was even able to try the Captain's helmet on for size....such a fun field trip!

Emmi and Paris, one of her best friends, who unfortunately just moved this weekend.  We will miss them.  Me especially, since there went my carpool.:)

Keaton Turned 9!

Keaton turned 9 on Saturday, and it ended up being a fun day for him.  I had a baby shower for a cousin in Salt Lake, and so we let Keaton open his presents after breakfast, cleaned the house, and then drove up to Salt Lake.  Chad and the kids dropped Jack and I off at the shower and they went ahead up to see Grandpa B. 

After the shower, we all went to Chuck-A-Rama for his birthday dinner (Keaton's choice).  We were able to have a lot of our family there to celebrate with us, Grandma and Grandpa B, Grandma Hess, Uncle J, and the Ames'. 

Lucky for Keek, they did serve "chicken bones" or drumsticks that night, and so both of my boys got a plate full.

They even brought out a little dessert and sang to him, which was fun.  Happy Birthday Keek!  We sure love you!

New Specs

Sam's new glasses finally arrived!  When Chad got home, they both grabbed the mail key and ran up to the mailbox.  I could see his big smile coming back out my window, and heard Sam yell, "They're here!" when he came through the door.  


Anxiously we opened up both cases, and let him try them on for size.  I can't tell you how sweet it was to watch him try that first pair on.  The look on his face was priceless.  He was in complete awe, looking around the kitchen, and calling out the time on the clock and other things around the room that he has missed.  His happiness and joy brought tears to my eyes.  I was so happy for him.  


Chad and I were so happy to find out about Zenni Optical, a company online that you can buy your prescription glasses.  All I had to do was call the eye doctor, and they were nice enough to give me his prescription information.  We were able to buy Sam these 2 pairs of glasses for less than just what the frames cost for 1 pair at his eye doctor's, crazy!   Being the active boy that Sam is, Zenni Optical is a huge blessing.  


I think they have some cute glasses too.  We got him a silver round pair (above) and a brown square pair (below).  Chad I didn't do too bad, because Sam likes them both.  What do you guys think?  I think he looks smarter already.

Piano Man

Looking into the future, I always wanted my kids to play some sort of instrument to go along with their sports. Recently, we were able to find a great piano for a great price, and could not say no.  Keaton has been taking lessons from a friend of mine in the neighborhood for a month or so now, and already I am amazed at how well he is doing.  It seems to come natural for him, and I hope it will be something that he loves.   By summer, we hope to also have Sam take lessons, and see if he likes it.  Chad and I do not want to force it on the kids, but will gladly pay for it if they are interested.  I hope that at least one of my four will stick with it.  

In the meantime, I myself have dusted off my old piano book from when I took a course in college, and have started practicing on the simplified hymns.  I have enjoyed hearing the songs I love coming from my own hands, as slow as they still are.  I would love to be able to play out of the regular hymnal, and that will be my goal.   

Even Jack loves the piano, and will come running to sit next to Keaton and play too when he hears him start to practice.  He doesn't pound though, which is nice, just lightly taps.  Who knows, maybe he will grow to love the piano too?  I hope so.

Baby Shower

Saturday, I hosted a baby shower for Misty, my cute sister-in-law. I went with the "pop" theme, and I think it turned out cute.  We ate pizza popovers, popcorn, cake pops, pop and some salads, and played some fun games. Misty is due next month with their first, a boy. I am so excited for her and Russ, and I think we all can't wait to meet the little guy.