Bedtime...

If you know me well, you know that bedtime is my least and most favorite time of the day.  It is my favorite when I can cuddle up with my hubby and watch a show or read together.  Getting there however, makes it my least favorite because my kids are the WORST about bedtime!!!  They are soooo S-L-O-W getting their stuff done and getting to bed.  Of course I don't blame it all on them, but it leaves me exhausted many nights.  I feel we are pretty consistent with dinner, baths, scriptures, and prayer. But then there is still teeth brushing, dinner dishes, vitamins, lotions, jammies, storybooks (ok, I love those), and a million little remembered questions and stories that come up ONLY at bedtime.  Oh, and lets not mention that Chase and Livvy are scared of the dark and one of us has to lay with them until they are asleep. EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT!!!

And by bedtime, I am just so ready for some relaxation.  I love my children, and I know one day I will miss this, but bedtime for us seems to be harder than with other families.  I frequently have asked myself what I am doing wrong. 

Today, I was exhausted all day because Chase woke up at 2:30 last night because he kept hearing

 "bug voices." 

Uh-huh

 He didn't go back to sleep until, well, it was time for me to get up.  So I got to be up with him, trying to comfort him and woo him back to sleep. 

Needless to say, I was beat and kindof grumpy all day.  Braydon, at bedtime, asked me why I hated a certain game they like to play.  It's just one of those mindless games and I'm kinda strict about what games they play.  After a few minutes of debate, I looked at him and said, 

"Braydon, now is really not the time to ask me.  There is no way I am going to change my mind when I am this tired."  

Livvy, seeing my frustration, climbed up and whispered in my ear, 

"Mommy, if you need a blessing, just call the Bishop and get one." 

So simple.

And sweet.  

(Livvy just saw my mom get a blessing from her bishop)

Do you think Bishops will bless that my children will sleep better?

If so, I'm on it. :)

Any advice?

Sincerely,

Exhausted

Bowling Profiles

We went bowling for Livvy's birthday. We don't go very often.  I noticed that the way we bowl says a lot about each member of our family.  Our personalities all came out. :)  

Just a few highlights and thoughts:

 Livvy- "New SHOES?!! YAY!"

Chase- "I hope there are no parasites in them..."

Braydon- "Am I studly?"

(Always making a joke)  

"They're all so pretty! "

(the cutie says)

The Cutie Pie and Daddy the Pro

Braydon strutting some kind of moves,

Chase keeping tabs on the electronics:

Bowling like a frog:

Middle of the game candid moments:

Four kids competing, and rushing to and fro with very heavy bowling balls (see Livvy above) meant for not much sitting for mom and dad.

And If I am completely honest, I must say, it was the dad doing most of the work. :)

I love him and his mad skills.

Some of us pretended we could play.

Some of us really could.

And some of us were bound and determined to win.

Some of us didn't care. We were just there for the fun.

And to make a birthday night special for a certain 4 year old.

We loved celebrating with this happy girl!

And this is how the night ended-  :)

We all brought something to the game,

and we all left with at least a few points, some laughs

and tired eyes and arms.

Not a bad night. 

Wouldn't it be fun to recreate this photo once a year and see how these little feet grow?  (sniff-sniff)

Four Sweet Years

My baby is four today!

We are out in the search of some calico critters. :)

Its gonna be a fun day of shopping and lunch with Daddy and Grandpa,

but mostly celebrating this sweet little lady.

We are so glad Livvy is a part of our family.

We love this girl!

and all of her sweet faces:

She makes me so happy! Love this baby! 

                                                  

  Happy Happy Birthday Sweetheart! 

Livvy in Topsy Turvy Land

Livvy and Sommer also had their recital last weekend.  Livvy was one of the absent minded mice from Alice in Topsy Turvy Land.  We just LOVED Livvy's dance! Every year the dance director at their school does a storybook recital for the young girls.  I love WHY she does it: 

SO THAT LITTLE GIRLS CAN JUST BE LITTLE GIRLS.  

So important these days! 

Livvy had so much fun. She worked hard and really got into it.  I think she's so funny how she shakes her hips and rubs her belly.  :)  She sure keeps us all quite entertained!  I had to share this cute video of our cute mouse. :)  

It's really the little things that bring so much joy in life!

This is a favorite "little thing."