haylie b photography

4 going on 16.

It was 3:45 in the afternoon. I was piddling around the house when Hollynd came up to me in her best Sunday dress, a necklace, sparkly shoes, her favorite headband holding a black sash from another dress asking me this:

"Mommy, will you please tie this on me and then call Diego to come play with me? I need a dancing partner. I'm all dressed up and ready for him to come over."

How could I resist? I called Diego's mom (our next-door neighbor who obliged happily. After hanging up the phone, I turned around and found Hollynd "brooming" the floor (as she calls it).

She said, "Mommy, I'm cleaning up for Diego to come over."

Picking up a piece of paper and a dirty bib, she added, "will you please put this away so our house will not look like it is messy for when he comes over?"

She got her wish.

And, may I add, Diego really knew his dancing moves. I was very impressed with his sense of rhythm. He even knew how to turn her!

 

I hope this afternoon's events don't go against the guidelines as outlined in the Strength of Youth pamphlet.

loving words from Hollynd.

We went to the park today. Hollynd took time out of her rigorous play to run alll the way back to the car to tell me this:

"mom, I just want to tell you that you look beeeautiful today. bye."

4 years old.

• 35 lbs. (75%)
• 40.5 inches (75%)
• BMI: 15 (45%)
• her laugh is an infectious giggle.
• calls her sister "ad".
• loooooooves EVERYTHING princess.
• loooooooooves for her dad to play the prince.

• twirls better than the music box dancer but sometimes runs into the wall or a chair.
• runs with her arms straight and her head bobbling.
• randomly says "i love you" several times a day.
• always tells people about their specific beautiful features (e.g. "your eyelashes are beautiful, kaydee!")
• really scared of earthquakes because she thinks it's a monster of some sort.
• always voices random thoughts after long periods of silence (e.g. "mom, I was just thinking about Jesus" or "I was just thinking about Toby").
• tilts her head to the side when she talks to people.
• sensitive. sweet. tender. and sensitive. did i mention sensitive?
• loves pretend play with her friends but will also play by herself for hours.
• best friends: maddie, bella and addie.
• boyfriend: diego.
• changes her clothes at least 5 times a day. prefers dresses and swim suits. still doesn't care for matching clothes (see above birthday pictures donning her favorite outfit).
• favorite foods: prefers oreos and sprite for breakfast. (she pretty much eats like buddy the elf.)
• favorite movie: enchanted
• favorite tv show: "caillou" and "max & ruby".
• loves to cuddle.
• growing up waaaaaay too fast.

princess jack.

tiara.

bracelets.

princess slippers.

This is what happened to Jack when I left him with the girls for only a minute:

You know it had to happen sooner or later.

McKay, it's only a matter of  time. 

President Hinckley's viewing

We went to President Hinckley's viewing yesterday.

After speaking to a few people who went on Thursday, we thought we would be able to go through and leave in about 2 hours.   Me, Addie and Hollynd went with the Turner Family. The twins stayed home with my dear friend, Shalynn Nelson, and her girls went with us. It was a good trade. We got there at 3:30 to see this:

That was only the beginning. Then we saw this:

We left at 8:30p!

When people discovered we went, we were met with various questions like "was it worth it?"

Yes, actually, it really was. Seeing President Hinckley laying in state in the Hall of the Presidents for a but fleeting moment compared to the time we spent standing outside (2 hours), then inside (1 1/2 hours) then sitting in the hall (2 hours) was well worth it. I can't exactly put my finger on it but we are definitely a better people for doing it. I'm glad we went. I think Addie and Hollynd will remember it forever and that makes my heart smile.

Hollynd cowgirl.

Hollynd's favorite thing to do when I get home is to go and feed the horses an apple core or two from during the day. Today when I came home she had 7 apples all lined up with a couple of bites out of each one so that they could "legally" be horse apples. We just happen to have 7 horses. (written by Lynn).

 

giving star.

Addie brings a lot of STUFF home from school. I'm sure everyone with elementary age children can relate. You know the STUFF I'm talking about: homemade kites, christmas ornaments, coloring pages of pirates, popsicle stick stars, mini jack-o-lanterns made out of a dryer hose...YES--EXACTLY! And consider this your warning, all you pre-mothers-of-future-elementary-school-kids: BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR MAJOR GRIEF THERAPY IF YOUR CHILD CATCHES YOU THROWING ANY OF IT AWAY!

So, what do we mothers do with all this stuff?

Addie brought home a doozy today. A grocery sack full of aforementioned STUFF. While I was sorting through it in the kitchen (i.e. secretly tossing it in the garbage), she and Hollynd snuck away to my room carrying an object that almost met its doom while their backs were turned. When I went to find them, I was surprised with this:

I know it's hard for you to tell but they secretly made my bed! Part of the STUFF that Addie brought home was that cute little star she's holding in her hand. It's called a giving star. It works like this: do a secret act of kindness and then pass on the star.

I shall NEVER throw away STUFF again. God bless the STUFF that kids bring home from school!

peace out.

brothers & sisters.

Day #15

This is how we do dinner:

we eat in our camo on hospital bed.

Day #12

While I have been in the hospital, several people have asked, "who is taking care of Addie and Hollynd?" Here is your answer:

Dad is taking care of them, of course!