Maypole dance

Afton got to participate in a maypole dance at the Historic Clark Farm celebration.  After the dance the girls got to explore the different activities at the farm.  Afton loved touching and feeding all of the different animals; Mya wanted no part of it.  There was a small horse-drawn buggy that they got to ride in.  The farm is something that I wasn't too familiar with growing up, but some locals are doing a great job of making it accessible to others.

Bedtime, again

Afton loves to read in bed.  She always asks if she can take her book and a flashlight to bed.  Sometimes we'll tell her she can read one chapter and then be done.  Tonight she came out about 15 minutes after going to bed and said she couldn't fall asleep.  So we let her grab her book and light and off she went.

Fast forward another 15 minutes.  Stef was getting Maddux ready for bed and Afton quietly entered the room.

"I can't get Mya out of my bed."
"Out of your bed?  What do you mean out of your bed?"
"She is asleep in my bed and I can't get her out."
"Why is she asleep in your bed?"
"I told her she could come hold the light for me while I read my book.  But then she fell asleep.  And I can't her to move.  And she's making me hot."

I walked Afton back to her room and sure enough Mya was zonked on the top bunk.  Afton grabbed her blanket and stuffed animal of choice for the night and got under the covers in Mya's bed.  I stood on the bottom bunk the help get Mya adjusted more towards the middle of the bed instead of sleeping right up against the edge rail and she was already a cute little ball of sweat.  She was wearing a pair of footsie jammies, and that always meant Mya would sleep very "hot".

Bed Time For Sisters

Afton and Mya share a bedroom.  And a bed time.  And they generally do a great job of going through their typical nighttime routine of getting ready for bed, then into bed around their bed time.  Afton sleeps on the top bunk, and Mya on the larger lower bunk.  More and more often lately they ask if they can both sleep on Mya's bed since there is room for both of them.  The next morning they both will have stories about how Afton kicked Mya in the back, or how Mya's arm slapped Afton's face while she was asleep.  But they love being together.  Many times when they get tucked in for the night they will cuddle together or hold hands.

Last night was another "can we share Mya's bed" request.  I tucked them in at just before 9:00 and since it is spring break gave in to their begging to be able to read (Afton) and play the iPad (Mya) before going to sleep.  I said that Afton could read one more chapter in her book and when she was done they both needed to close their eyes and go to sleep.  With them in bed for the night it means a few episodes of Amazing Race for me and Stefanie.

We were just about through the 2nd episode when we heard loud giggling coming out of the girls room.  I looked at the clock and it was 10:35.  I walked down the hall and peaked into their room.  Mya was pushed right up against Afton, while Afton held the iPad for both to see.  They were playing some silly game with a toy train app, and anything they said or did was apparently hilarious because they'd just laugh and laugh. 

Two cute sisters + spring break = dad just closed the door and let them be.

First Day at Church

Today was Maddux's first trip to sacrament meeting.  He was dressed in a darling cable knit sweater that, how shall we say, accentuated his curves.

 

And this what happens when you try to take pictures of a wiggly baby, a youngster that wants to look at every picture the moment it is taken, and an older sister who is trying to hold everything together.

 

Stop Growing Please

Loved the curls Afton had in her hair for school today.  When I dropped her off she jokingly chased after the car as I pulled away.  She looked so cute with her hair bouncing up and down.

Alison came out for a little camera tutorial session.  She clearly is a master, as evidenced by the last pic.

New Year's Eve at Noah's

 

 

Mommy/Daughter Time

Stefanie took Afton to a salon in Tooele to get a pedicure.  A little TLC for mom before the baby decides it's time to enter the world.

Lines

When you've got two parents who like things to be orderly I guess some organizational tendencies are bound to show through in the kids.  Afton and Mya like lines.  They always line their pets up along their beds so they know which pet is to be slept with each night.  But their penchant for order and sequence is most evident when we eat.  Whether we're eating at home or in a restaurant, both girls will decide a food and drink pattern that they will follow for the whole meal.

The last time we ate at Casa del Rey, the girls used the following order when eating: enchilada, rice mixed with beans, drink of water, chips, and then repeat.  And Mya will announce her "line" several times...to Mom, to Dad, and to Afton.  Then Mya will ask Afton to repeat what her line is.  And so it goes, over and over, meal after meal.

Phew

The love playing at Discovery Museum at the Gateway Mall.  They get to deliver mail, go shopping, play with water, dress up and act on a stage...and write comic strips.  This was Afton's story from today.

Fire!

"The fire alarm downstairs was beeping for a new battery (first time I remember it happening while I was still awake). I changed the battery then pushed the button to test. The alarms around the house gave two beeps and one 'Fire!' warning. By the time I hushed them, put the cover on, and got upstairs, Afton had Mya by the hand and was waiting out on our driveway. Tremendous work by the 6 year old."

Cuties

Ready for some Cougar volleyball on a cold winter night.

Tubing at Susan's

 

 

  

Biggest Fans

Stefanie here, I finally added "myself" to this blog :).  Ryan does so well writing on the blog, and I always look forward to his posts; he's such an accomplished writer. However, I thought I'd put in my perspective on occasion to help keep it updated.   Ryan is also my biggest supporter in letting me spread my wings per se and dive into my own interests. No matter how hard the plunge is, he's always there to rescue me. I know some times he sees me as a bit crazy with the things I try to take on, but he never fails to support me along and help me when I get in too deep.

This reminds me a talk I heard given by President Hinkley making these remarks regarding women, particularly his wife.  He said women are endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities, which cause them to reach out in kindness and with love to those about them:  "We can encourage that outreach if we will give them opportunity to give expression to the talents and impulses that lie within them. In our old age my beloved companion said to me quietly one evening, 'You have always given me wings to fly and I have loved you for it.' " (Church News, "Women Pre-eminent as God's final creation."  Saturday, oct. 9, 2004)

It's due to Ryan's companionship and sacrifices that I can try to succeed in such endeavors and get to even share the experience with my special two little girls.  They are my biggest and most critical fans in life!  I love Ryan for it, and so many other reasons that make him such a good husband for me.  I thank him dearly!

 Ryan brings them often no matter the difficult circumstances, and I find joy in that. This is just one of the many activities:

 

Cutest Cowboy Fans

Our V.I.P.

(disregard the unmatched clothes :D--they were suppose to wear purple and red to school for bullying awareness day)  

Afton had her chance to be the VIP for her Kindergarten class. She was very excited to get to do special things, like help the teacher all week, take to school a poster of her pictures, and do a show-n-tell every day (*just her).  She of course took her beloved pets each day for show-n-tell.  She is most definitely a Very Important Person to us!!! We love you very much, Afton!

Our Oldest in School

Afton's first day of Kindergarten was an emotional one.  Not for her, of course.  Mom and dad seemed okay until we actually dropped her off.  We knew she was prepared and brave.  Afton was the only one that was just fine.  She had been waiting for this moment for a really long time.

The night before we picked out the outfits for the week.  I bought a 5 day organizer to help her be more independant in the mornings in getting ready.  She loves this and has since loved taking part in picking out her clothes, shoes, and hair bows each Sunday with me.  Our cutie girl is really growing up!!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

 Ryan's photo shoot in the morning before leaving:

 

The drop off...

We're proud of you little 'BIG' girl!

Spanish...from England

I was asking Afton about her 2nd day at school on our way to dinner. This was part of the conversation after I asked who she sat by:

Afton: "There is a new girl in our class. I think she speaks Spanish. Well, she doesn't really speak Spanish, because I heard her talk and she sounded kind of like us, except different. So I think she is from England. You know, like when you told me how people from England talk? That is what she sounds like. She asked me what my name was and I said Afton, and she said, "Ofton?" 

Me: "Aftie, I don't think she's from England. I do think she speaks Spanish, so maybe she's from Mexico." (I dropped Afton off today, and saw the new girl and her parents dropping her off, and can verify that they did speak Spanish)

Afton: "No, I know she's from England. I heard her talk. And she could talk to us. Well, maybe she can speak Spanish. Because I heard her say something to her dad when he was leaving, but I couldn't tell what she was saying."

Party People

Swimming Lessons 2012