I don't want Isac to grow up...

Isac has been at Scout Camp this week and I have to admit it has been kind of nice to only hear Emily whine approximately 5 times a day instead of the usual 20. It is definitely getting to that time of the summer when the thought of the kids going back to school doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Really Isac is more of a help than a hinderance, but those oldest two really know how to push each others buttons. So anyways, tonight is the BIG Overnighter, which means Isac won't be coming home...is he really old enough for this. Sleeping in the mountains without your mother, etc. It just seems so weird to send my child out in the world alone to sleep. Don't get me wrong I am sure he is having a dandy time but letting your kids grow up is hard work! I am afraid that tonight while I am trying to sleep, knowing that he is not in his bed, where he should be, will do something strange to my mothering mind. However, thinking of the leaders who are up there with all of those crazy 11 yr. old boys makes me laugh...maybe I should feel sorry for them.

Mackey's Birthday Recap

Whenever you turn 2 and your mom is really sick, and no one wants to come to your birthday party because they are afraid that she might have the Swine Flu, just ask your dad to take you to Chuck E. Cheese, because he will probably say yes. Then he will probably buy way more tokens than your mom ever would and you will have tons of fun.

Then tell your mom that since we have such a nice, big cake and not many people to eat it, you would like to stick your fingers in it and eat the icing. She will probably let you since it is your birthday after all. Then invite your sister & brother to join you.

Then look so adorable opening your presents that your parents decide to give you an extra remote control train set that they weren't planning on giving you because your dad built you a super cool sand box,

but they love to see how happy you are when you open fun things they want to keep watching you.
Then go to bed knowing that you are the luckiest 2 year old around.

Joy to my heart.

I forgot to mention that Emily "graduated" from preschool last month. As part of the "ceremony" her teacher had each child come up individually to get their diploma and then took a minute to kind of spotlight each one. She told about one quality that they each had that stood out this year or that she would remember about them. One boy was a leader and everyone wanted to follow him. One girl did all of her work perfect. One always wanted to be first at everything and so on. Emily was the last to have a turn and I was beginning to wonder what she would say about her. I thought she might be remembered as the loud one. Or the one who wanted to answer all the questions (she's kind of a know it all).
I was thrilled when she was deemed the kind & tenderhearted one. Her teacher told about how she always plays with kids who are sad or need someone to play with. I can't think of a better quality I would like her to have. Kindness will get her far in life. I was quite proud on my tenderhearted girl.

Emily's Birthday was crazy fun...

I haven't documented Emily's 4th Birthday properly because I am not sure I have recovered from the day. It wasn't as bad as last year, but man it was go,go,go kind of crazy!The birthday girl was so excited about her Rainbow Cake.I was not that excited about it because the bakery messed up the order and it didn't look at all like it was supposed to and it was tiny! I had to make cupcakes at the last minute so there would be enough for everyone.
The tacos were YUMMY.
The cousins had fun.


And helped with the unwrapping.

OH the presents!
This one in particular was a hit but is very annoying. Not a Hannah Montana fan.
And there were lollipops for everyone, as requested by the birthday girl.

End of an Era

After 4 long years together, we are finally saying goodbye. For awhile at least. It is wonderful having our bedroom back to ourselves again!

Reminders from Emily

While playing with my jewelry box Emily came across a few of my Young Women's Medallions.
She being the little churchy one that she is thought they were fabulous.
She immediately wanted to put one on and chose this one:
As I placed it around her neck she half whispered in her serious voice,

"This is so I will always remember to PRAY."

Ok.

Then she decided on this one for me: As she put it on me she started,
"This is so you can always remember..."
then she paused, looked at the necklace again, raised an eyebrow, and then continued as serious as before...

"This is so you can always remember, to put your hair on FIRE."

I will remember that.

This is what Mack looked like...

...before he was born.
...on the day he was born.
...on his 1st Birthday.
...when he turned 2!!!

Doesn't he keep getting cuter?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MACKEY!!!

We can't imagine what life would be like without you!

Reasons that we love Emily...

She looks like her dad and acts like her mom.
She has her own sense of style.
She is a tomboy.
She has a heart of gold.
She loves her brothers.
She is sharp.
She copies her big brother.
She hoovers over her little brother.
She loves to be held.
She loves to play school.
She always insists it is her turn to say the prayer.
She wants to know everything that she doesn't already know.
She is a helper.
She likes to jam.
She would wear pink Converse shoes to church if we would let her.
She suggested pushing her pacifier deadline to age 5.
She is determined.
She loves super heros & butterflies.
She rejects anything Princess.
She is fearless most of the time.
She has a sweet spirit & loves anything church related.
She doesn't like tuna.
She is adorable.
She is kind.
She is our only daughter, our baby girl.
And today is her birthday.

Snapshots by Emily

I love it when Emily gets ahold of the camera and I upload random photos like this:

Evidence of how Mack spends his day.
Close-ups of body parts
which are my personal favorites.
and furniture
And profiles of precious little boys

Deseret Industries, I love you. Flart yuck, I don't love you.

Because last Saturday I found these for $2 and $3 each
All from GAP & Old Navy.

Scored 2 pairs of like-new jeans for Emi.
And snagged these $1 finds.

What a day!
I tried to leave this boy there because he kept trying to touch me with this gooey glob earlier that day, but they said they don't accept donated children. So I had to bring him home and curse the mother who allowed her child to give the yucky stuff as a birthday gift. I thought there was an unspoken pact among parents to not commit such atrocities.

Did Ryan tell you...

about his favorite birthday present?

Doesn't he look excited about it? Jim & Candice thought it would come in handy this fall and mentioned something about it bringing out the highlights in his hair.
Hilarious I tell you.

Newest Member

The Pacifier Posse initiated a new member this week. You can check him out here.

The Pacifier Posse

...was officially organized this afternoon.
It is a new gang for anyone under age 4 who:

a) believes in constant self-soothing through the use of a pacifier.
b) is committed to the success of the MAM company.
c) supports oral surgeons the world over.
d) has the ability to speak or understand the complex language we call
Pacifier Mumble.

As founding members we have:

Mack "BABY-FACE" Harvey

Emily "SISSY Sista-Girl" Harvey and last, but certainly not least...
Stockton "BUG-Z" JEFFS
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the gang please contact "Sista Girl".