The Pledge of Allegiance

Thank you Miss Liz for teaching my kids. I actually totally forgot all about the pledge. And then Noah and Ellie were saying it back and forth together, arguing over who got to lead it. And then I remembered!!!

So stupid that they don't teach it in the schools anymore. SO STUPID!

Ellie's Pledge of Allegiance

Easter. . . late

Our Easter this year was very simple. The kids all got up, got ready and then got to have their egg and basket hunt.

We went to a baby blessing that morning so it was all a bit rushed. And that afternoon we flew out (meaning me and the 4 kids) to Utah in search of a home. That trip is a post in itself. And I doubt I will ever do it. So, I'll let you know if we get a home soon.
The kids loved their baskets. Ellie ate ALL her candy that morning. I used to ration out the sweets. Like Halloween, Christmas, etc. But for me, it is so much easier to let them have what they want. Cuz the sooner it's gone. . . the less I have to fight. So, while Jackson has 90% of his candy left and Noah has 70%, Ellie is empty handed. Jackson still has Halloween candy. Sick.

The Party

Ellie had her little birthday party with her friends today after preschool.She invited Estee, Ashlyn, and Drew. And we had lots of fun together.

Each girl dressed up any way they wanted. . . princess, tutu's, fancy!!! Ellie got a new tutu for her birthday so she decided to wear that. And of course her cowgirl boots. Obviously.

The girls had a little tea party in Ellie's princess tent. . . heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grapes and apples.
Ellie insisted on opening presents first, and I didn't have it in me to wait it out, so we opened them all first.

Then they all decorated, or tried to decorate mini cupcakes. (They managed to mostly eat the frosting. Who can blame them?) And if you are wondering what in the heck color that frosting is. . . well, it was purple. I guess. More grey. But Ellie is in love with purple these days so I tried. Just not hard enough.Then played, then sang Happy Birthday, (Ellie was singing loud) and ate some Barbie cake.
Then it was over.

We had a great time celebrating Ellie's birthday, and having just the girls here. Except Carson. He doesn't count yet. :) Noah and Jackson each had play dates so it was perfect.

Ellie's Third Birthday

"My dear brothers and sisters, may the laughter of children gladden our hearts. May the faith of children soothe our souls. May the love of children prompt our deeds. 'Children are an heritage of the Lord' (Ps. 127:3)."

Yesterday Ellie turned three. I can't believe she is already that old. And that I have another child after her. . . and another one almost here. Maybe that's why I can't believe she is already three. Where did the time go?Ellie is one of my most favorite things in this world. She makes me laugh, sing, dance, and cry. (I have to be honest). She is one of my children that gives me a run for my money, and if truth be told, I wouldn't want her any other way.I love how strong she is. How stubborn she is. How incredibly sweet and thoughtful she is. I love her more than I can express. Even when I am at my limit with her, I know she is a blessing to my life.

Happy Birthday Belle!
Just a few fun facts about my little Belle
1. Favorite color: PINK. . . or purple. Totally depends Right now, PURPLE.
2. Favorite food: Chicken
3. Favorite show: (she has a 5 second attention span so this is very vague) . Infact, she couldn't pick one. She never watches TV. I wish I could change that. :)
4. Favorite song: Follow the Prophet
5. Favorite princess: Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, Snow White (she is sitting here answering).
6. Favorite thing to do: run around outside. (But let me assure you that the real answer is disobey me, make messes, and be a bit sassy). Still. . . she's a keeper!!!! :)

Here's the update!

Carson had his cardiology appointment on Wednesday. It took FOREVER. . . and I was getting super impatient!!! Shocking I'm sure. But sitting there for over 3 hours is so aggravating!!!! Lucky for me, Jason was able to meet us there and help with Carson. He was getting so tired and sick of being held. We all know how light headed I get with hospital stuff. And Jason was there to help out!!!Anyway, things look fine. She heard the murmur, wasn't too concerned, but still wants to get a chest x-ray. And then see him again in 6 months. So in Utah, I will take Carson back for a check. They ran a bunch of tests on him, hooked him up to a few machines and everything looked good.

I was never too concerned to begin with because I really didn't have any reason to be concerned. I knew that murmurs are common, but since the pediatrician referred me, I figured always better safe than sorry.
The cardiologist did ask me if Carson ever has had any episodes where his lips have turned blue. And believe it or not. . . he did.

When he was first born in the hospital I sent him to the nursery. Then in the morning they didn't bring him right in. So I called down to the nursery to find out where he was. They told me he had been taken to the NICU and someone would be down to explain in a minute.

Carson's lips turned blue in the middle of the night and they thought it was safest to send him to the NICU for some tests. He was still in the NICU for the morning, just for some monitoring, but then they brought him back to me and he was fine. Nothing to be worried about. I think it is all just coincidence. But again. . . always better safe than sorry.

Anyway. . . he does need to gain weight. . . not that he is small by any means, but for obvious reasons with his health he should be gaining. And she said to keep a close eye on that. (I took him to McDonald's yesterday and he ate an ENTIRE cheeseburger. . . onions, pickles and all). So hopefully that will help get him fatter. :) It helps me. :)There it is. Carson is wonderful.