And 5 more things....

4th installment of the column that is kicking my butt on a bi-weekly basis.

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A but-iful Mother's Day

Christmas? Meh
Easter? Eh
Valentine's Day? No comparison

I look forward to Mother's Day more than any other holiday. Aside from marrying Wes, there hasn't been any other event in my life that has changed me and enlightened me the way that becoming a mother has. Sometimes it's even hard to remember things that happened before marriage and kids, like what I did prior was merely the preshow. The trailer to a really awesome movie, or an appetizer before a great meal. My two girls teach me more about myself and about life than I ever thought possible. They challenge me and make me see things in myself that need changing and make me feel more, I don't know, valuable- than I ever felt before they were here.

We spent Mother's Day lounging around my mom's pool, and it was heavenly. The girls remembered how to swim (thankfully), and swam until their little hands were prunes. We even got our nails done which is always fun. Then Wes surprised me with lunch at the Odyssey on Sunday. I felt loved. And I got to spend some time with my mom and sister as well.

I really think we should petition for Mother's Day to happen at least twice a year instead of  once. It's nice to be pampered and reminded how much you're appreciated.

A million and one pictures in no particular order, because BLOGGER is a pain in the butt to work with.

Corinne has started to write out my name a lot and I love it. She's constantaly asking me how to spell things. Can't wait to start our reading lessons this summer.



I'm a but-iful mom. =)

Taylor and here friend Ginny at Daisy Day at Camp Lakota. They had so much fun....until Taylor's allergies flared up and we had to cut out early. Poor kid. Dust, dander, pollen, and now cashews are on the list.



Ms. Thang is always accessorizing and applying makeup.

Happy birthday to my SEEEESTER. Nobody makes me laugh like her.

2nd place in the Pinewood Derby! Thanks Grandpa Pollard!

We did it. Renewed our passes.

We convinced the girls to venture OUT of the Bugs Bunny Land and into the actual park. We suckered them into riding Ninja. They looked terrified, but they begged to go again when it was done. I have to admit, I was a little scared of my littlest baby flying out of her seat. But we all survived and they can't wait to go back.

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Somehow Corinne and Taylor got mani's  AND Pedi's, a little different than what we planned. They couldn't understand what the nail lady was saying, so they just said "yes" to every question.

My poor mom, suckered into buying a slurpee machine that never did work.

Grandma, suckered into sewing together a stuffed sock cat that Corinne was very adamant about buying. "Grandma can sew it! She can sew everything for me!"

"I'm sorry YOU didn't get a picture with Jesus!"

I really hate when people brag about how close their kids are. "Little Johnny and little Jimmy are just the best of friends at all times."

I call bullshit on those parents. Not to their face, of course, but behind their backs and on my blog. Because I'm a woman like that.

The fondest memories I have of my sister involve chasing each other around with butter knives, only stopping to call mom at work to let her know she'd probably be coming home to only one child. And Wes always speaks so fondly of one of his brothers pinning him against the wall, quickly discovering that his head went into a nail head sticking out of said wall.

Good times.

So I don't get too upset when the kids fight, because most of the time they get along pretty well. But they're also very competitive. So much so that even Jesus has become a pawn in their rivalry.

Way back in the day, Taylor was given a picture in primary of her and Jesus. Photoshopped, obviously.

Exhibit A.

Sort of creepy, if you ask me. I personally thought it would have been hilarious to have added a mini Satan, hidden within the picture somewhere. Like those 3d pictures you have to stare at until something just pops out at you.

She has always loved this picture so it's displayed proudly in her room.

The following conversation occurred recently.

Corinne: Hey, Tay! That's you and Jesus!

Tay: (Smug, like she hangs with celebrities.) Yea, I know. That's when me and Jesus were together and took a picture. Do YOU have a picture of Jesus?

Corinne:...I don't think so.

Tay: Ahhhh, that's too bad that YOU didn't have your picture taken with Jesus too. But I sure love mine.

Corinne: Waaaaaaa! Why didn't Jesus take a picture with me?!! *cue meltdown*

I normally don't wait for tears to step into an argument. While I probably should have intervened immediately and let them both know that the picture was a fake, the tone of the whole conversation was so funny that I couldn't help myself. Sometimes it's more fun to watch them argue than to prevent it.

Parenting 101, my friends.

I offered to photoshop a picture of Corinne with Dora the Explorer, and that did the trick. Apparently they are of equal importance to a 4 year old.