Dance Party

Getting ready to head to Rembrandt for Caden's party, Myah and Maysen (and mommy too) had a little dance party to one of our favorite songs....Beauty in the World by Macy Gray!
Aren't their tank tops cute?! Our friends Myah and Macy (destined to be friends with those names, right!) along with their mommy, Mary, made these adorable shirts for the girls for their birthday.

Incident Report....

I knew summer was here when I signed that first incident report three weeks ago. You know, the one that says your child forgot how to run in sandals and fell and scrapped her knee....well, six incident reports later, I'm ready to be done with them for the summer....it might be a long summer! Yesterday, around 10:20, I got a call from Formative Years telling me that Myah was running (yes, in her sandals, again) and fell and got a cut above her left eye and that it was pretty deep and I needed to come look at it. Being a teacher, leaving work is never easy. I can't just come back later and put in my hours and finish up something. I HAVE to find someone or someones to cover my classes. Luckily, I work with some of my greatest friends and they were willing to each cover a class here and there until I could return, which didn't happen, so we called in a sub for the afternoon. Anyway....I called the clinic as soon as I got in the car. I hadn't even seen her cut yet, but I wasn't going to be the one to decide if she needed stitches or not! Dr. Smith took one look at her and said, "Yep! She needs stitches" Glue wasn't an option because of the angle of the gash and the depth of the gash. For the next fifteen minutes, I donned a plastic glove and held gauze full of numbing gel on Myah's forehead. Once in the treatment room, they gave her more anesthetic (with a needle this time) and this yielded the first tears I had seen from my tough girl! She didn't whimper in pain and didn't really wiggle, she just let two little tears fall and stared into my eyes as I told her things were going to be alright. Soon after, the little princess fell asleep as Dr. Smith "operated" on her, and I just about fell to the floor as I couldn't stomach what was being done to my baby. Seven stitches later (two below the skin, and five above) we were done and out of there and headed for the McDonald's drive through. My girls have only had an actual Happy Meal one other time in their life, and we usually get a medium fry for the four of us to share, so the Happy Meal all to herself was a HUGE treat and she knew it! She's doing great now, and doesn't complain about it at all. She hardly knows it's there.....she's way more concerned about the tiny scratch she got on her knee when she fell :) I know she looks really rough here....remember she doesn't like her picture taken on a perfect day, so on this not-so-perfect day, she was less than delighted!


We're needing to stay away from the park (and extra dust and dirt) for a few days with Myah's stitches. This wasn't really prescribed by the doctor, but by me, Dr. Mom! Haha. Today we went to visit my friend Courtney and her 11 week old daugther Aliyah....I told you we are getting baby fever around here!


We rounded out the night with a little dip in our backyard pool. The new aquatic center doesn't open until Saturday, and we won't get there until one evening next week. Check out our new swimsuits....I couldn't find any that were similar, but different colors (until I picked out their birthday gift from Aunt Kiki....more on that later!) so we got the same one!

Jam Session

Nana and Papa were in town for a few hours last Thursday. We had a little jam session with each of us rotating to each of the different instruments: two guitars, a makeshift three-piece drum set, and two maracas! Notice that two of the drums (stools) also served as the stage! We had a blast!

Another Fun Filled Weekend

As I look at our calendar hanging on the wall, I can't believe all of the events on it. The days seem to fill up so quickly with play dates, golf meets, and "girlfriend" dinners. The weekends are especially crazy busy, and this past one was no exception! Note: We have something-big or small-planned for each weekend now through the end of June. I've blocked July weekends off as my time in 'boji with my M&Ms--those weekends are off-limits!
Anyway....this past Saturday, the girls helped make lunch (as they so LOVE to do!) No matter what I'm making, they have to have their hands in it...literally! So here they are making their own lunch of "Pigs in a Blanket."

After lunch, we rushed out the door to the Open House of the new Aquatic Center that is opening here in Ames. We purchased our summer season pass, and toured the new facility. The people who designed it must be geniuses because it's incredible and extremely thought-out. When you first walk in, there's an area just for children up to age 6. It only gets 3 feet deep, which means Mommy can sit along the side and catch some rays while the littles comfortably and safely play in the very near vacinity! Here it is:

Another genius idea is the family slide--three people can go down at once! That means Mommy can take both M&M at the same time and not have to worry about leaving one of the girls at the bottom to wait her turn! We were very pleased to know that M&M are tall enough (must be 36 inches) to enjoy this attraction:

In addition to the photos on here, there's a lazy river that looks delightful. Three other water slides, two diving boards and open swim areas for bigger kids. Like I said, I don't have to worry about the big kids jumping on the little ones with this fabulous set-up....talk about peace of mind!
Saturday rounded out with a quick trip to Ankeny for a graduation party for one of Brandon's students. Then we had a date night (bowling!) with a gal that I work with and her boyfriend.

Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa Smith came to visit. We hadn't seen them since February, so it was a much needed reunion! Of course, we went to Hickory Park to celebrate Brandon's birthday (he'd kill me if I told you how old (I mean, young) he is). We left with full tummies, for sure!
Now, on busy weekends like these, naps can sometimes be scarce. I will be honest with you...In their three years of life, Myah and Maysen have missed their nap maybe a total of 5 times, and it's a scary sight when it happens. The "Whineys" (we talk about the whineys as if they are neighbors that we don't want to visit) come over and the melt downs occur! So....the girls napped for about half an hour on the way to Ankeny, which seemed to be enough when we asked the sitter to put them to bed early. However, Sunday, with Grandma and Grandpa here, M&M did NOT want to take naps. But....they were so tired! Around 4:00 (way past normal nap time), it was Dora the Explorer to the Rescue! No wonder she's going to be the theme for the upcoming birthday party...she's a savior sometimes! Dora puts the girls in an educational trance...almost like being hypnotized...not in a bad way, but in the way that they can't focus on anything else and they just relax. This time, they relaxed so much that they fell asleep, sitting up, on the couch with Grandma. Though it was sweaty, Grandma didn't mind, and for the next hour and a half they snoozed on the couch.


Have a great week.....gear up for another busy weekend!

Mother's Day

I've decided that the best mother's day gift a mom can receive is hearing the actual words "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy" come out of my princess's mouth!
On Friday, M&M had a mother's day brunch at their school. I was able to find someone to teach my first class so that I could go and have a muffin and juice with them. They made me these adorable flowers and cards!

My parents came and stayed with us after the MS Walk so I was able to be with my mom on Mother's Day.

In fact, there's gotta be something very special about three-generations of girls sharing a slice of strawberry pie at breakfast!

After brunch, we came home and had a fun time with the side walk chalk!

Before nap, we decided to give M&M their big birthday present. It is from Brandon and I and Nana and Papa. It's a new kitchen! They love to play with fake food and make supper for me every chance they get. Since they will be overwhelmed with gifts on their actual birthday, and this took some putting-together, we decided to give it to them three weeks early. They haven't left it alone since. Come on over, and we'll have them cook up a dish for you!

MS Walk

Each year, my family (and friends) participate in the MS Walk in Des Moines. Here are a few pictures of our cold and windy day. We walked 4 miles and raised a lot of money for this cause that is near and dear to our hearts!
Team Plain Jane

12 Again....

Tonight I attended the Taylor Swift concert in Des Moines. Yes, I did indeed feel like I was 12 again. There were so many "teeny-boppers" there, and they made me giggle as they swooned over the performer, screamed at the top of their lungs, and cried when she got close and sang their favorite song. I was invited to the concert by my sister, and I was very excited to go. It was a wonderful girls night out as we were joined by a good friend of Kelsey's and three of her (Jess's) friends. I do, of course, enjoy Taylor's music. Her songs are original and personal, yet the listener can relate and appreicate the words that are sung. I don't know how this 19/20 year-old has had so many "love" experiences to write about!
What impressed me the most, though was the set and how they were able to set the scenery for each and every song. There were flat screens everywhere that displayed all different backdrops on the main stage.

During a clothing change, Taylor also changed location. She surprised a group of fans when she started singing in the aisle of their seats: , moving then to a circular stage right in front of us. You better believe I was jazzed to see her this close: (then I'm pretty sure I screamed like a 12 year old right along side my sister :) )
In the row in front of us, was a mom with a daughter. The daugther was probably 9. I got teary-eyed when I saw them sing together, and the way the girls' eyes lit up when Taylor sang her favorite song, "Fifteen." I am excited for the day that I get to take my own two blonde-hairs to their first concert.....but for now, the enjoyment was mine.

Happy May Day

One of these years, I'll get my act together and make May Day baskets with my girls. Each year, May Day sneaks up on me and I have nothing on hand to leave on the doorsteps of our neighbors and friends. I remember making May Day baskets with my mom....it's just one of those things that stick with me and makes me smile. Next year, I'll be on the ball and have a cute idea in mind, and the girls will almost be 4 so they'll be at the age when they'll enjoy it and perhaps even understand.
Just because we weren't ringing doorbells and running away before the door is actually answered, doesn't mean that we weren't busy! This morning, I ran my first "competitive" 5K race. It took place here in Ames and donations went to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation....those of you who know me, know that I can't turn down a donation to a great cause, and if I can exercise and be active along with it, then I'm totally in!
I ran my 5K (3.2 miles) in 31 minutes and 22 seconds. It's a personal best time for me, which is exciting. I run a few times a week, but getting into the race setting provides a whole new rush! As I was getting ready to head out the door, here's what I saw:. A whole bunch of daddy love going on, which made it hard to leave, but also easy because I knew they were in great hands!
When I returned from the 5K, I hurried up to get ready to take the girls to "Step Into Storybooks" at the high school. It was a free event sponsored by the Ames Public Library and Ames Rotary Clubs. Local businesses featured a children's book and then had an activity to go along with it. There was also a petting zoo with baby pigs, baby goats, a pony, baby ducks and a rooster.
The horse-drawn hay ride was our favorite, though, by far!
Each of the girls got a new Ty beanie baby from Mary Greeley (Ames' Hospital). Their book was called "Checkup!" and each child got a stuffed animal that they got to name and then take to the doctor. They listened to their heart, weighed and measured them, and then gave it a shot to keep it healthy. It was great!
Finding the animals buried in the bird feed and corn. Activity for Click, Clack, Moo...Cows That Type
Putting hand prints on The Magic School Bus...pledging to be "green" and save the environment.
Sitting on the tractor was pretty fun too!

Later in the afternoon, my friend, Jess, had a spa party, so I went to that for a few hours. Following that, Brandon and the girls came over to Jess and Steve's and we grilled out. Several of our other friends were there too, but one guest captured Myah and Maysen's attention. Baby Alex. Baby Alex is 6 months old and is a fighter! He was born at 24 weeks gestation, but he's more than thriving now. In fact, he was able to go off of his oxygen yesterday so we were able to capture his adorable little face in some pictures! I'm thinking more than one of us is getting baby fever, but we may have to wait just a little bit longer :)