Birthday pics!

Here are pictures of Taylor's Birthday parties at our home and Grandma and Grandpa Gorby's.

Taylor's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Taylor! Taylor turned 2 today. Unfortunately, she didn't have such a happy birthday. She started the day crying and it continued until I put her down for her nap. She woke up in a good mood and she ended up having fun at our family party for her. Her face plant into the carpet that resulted in rug burns on her nose and forehead put a temporary damper on the fun. Grandma and Grandpa Gorby came over to help us celebrate. She had a pink ice cream cake that Greg dubbed "Pepto Bismol pink". I thought it was cute and most importantly, Taylor thought it was delicious. We gave her more wooden train tracks to add to her IKEA train set and Grandma and Grandpa gave her books. Morgan could not keep her fingers off Taylor's presents and she ended up opening at least one. Taylor did not seem to mind, she is so good at sharing. Stay posted for pictures of the party.

Frontline

Did anyone watch the Frontline about kids growing up online? I am so disturbed after watching it. I know this sounds naive, but I did not know how much time kids spent online. I did not realize so many of them had alternate identities online. I am terrified for my children to grow up. I have no idea what to do when they start going to Jr. High and High School. How do you keep track of what they are doing while at the same time allowing them some freedom to make choices? I am all stressed out. I should have never watched it. I do not think I can handle the teen years. I know I sound totally ridiculous, but I cannot help it.

Taylor got out of bed tonight at least 20 times. She refuses to go to bed these days. She is wearing me down. At the end of each day I feel like I have been beat down physically and emotionally. Sometimes I wish I was done with the toddler years because I somehow think it will get easier. Then I realize it is only going to get harder. Morgan already sasses me like a 16 year old. How much worse is it going to get? Maybe she will be a sassy child and then turn into a mellow teenager. Yeah right.

Quilt #1

I finally have pictures of my first quilt. I am sewing the binding on tonight and it will be finished! Then I have to start another one. Now that I kind of know what I am doing, maybe it will be easier. Probably not.

Why do kids always want your undivided attention when you try to talk on the phone or type on the computer? Right now Morgan is asking me 20 questions. I am very distracted as I type this so I apologize if it does not make sense. Now I cannot even remember what I wanted to talk about. Maybe I will try posting a message later tonight when the kids are sleeping. Thanks to everyone who has posted a comment.

Crazy kids!

Morgan and Taylor are insane right now. I can barely hear myself think. We just came home from the park and I was hoping that they would be tired from running and biking and playing. My plan failed. They have more energy now than before. My hopes for a peaceful afternoon are slowly fading.

I am close to finishing with the first quilt. I need to borrow a camera in order to post a picture of it. Our camera broke and the new one that Greg purchased is on backorder for 5 weeks. (Taylor screaming.) This causes a dilemma because the girl's b-day party is in two weeks.

The birthday party theme has been decided. We are throwing a "Messy Party." The invitations are messily hand painted by Morgan, the kids will decorate their own cupcakes, and they will use pudding to finger paint on a table. I just need one more messy game for them to play. If anyone has suggestions, let me know.

What is going on with U of A basketball? They played a great game against Houston last week and then almost completely fell flat against Stanford. Another disappointing loss. (Taylor screaming.)

I need to go to keep my kids from killing each other.

Thanks Lacy!

Thank you Lacy for checking out my new blog. I did not know that others could not comment. I have fixed the problem. Comment away!

Go Wildcats! They had an exciting win over Houston last week. What a difference Bayless makes. I hope he stays healthy the rest of the season, because we really need him on the court. Budginger and Hill deserve credit as well. I love Arizona Basketball!

Sooo, quilting is very labor intensive. I cannot believe people love to do it. I do not necessarily hate it, I just would not call it my favorite thing to do. My appreciation has increased for those who do this as a hobby or job. Tomorrow, Julie and I are having a "quilting party" to try and knock out these 2 baby quilts for the auction. I may have a hard time parting with them once they are done. Stay tuned for pictures of my progress.

I made Baklava for the first time on Saturday. It turned out pretty good. I received lots of positive feedback and requests for the recipe. The process was a little more labor intensive than most things I make, but well worth the effort. Thank goodness for already made phyllo dough. This dessert is "pure buttery sweetness", according to one person's comment.

Update on the donkey cake birthday party: donkey cake out, pretty cupcakes in!

Tiggy-Winkle's and marathons

Last night we took the girls to their favorite toy store, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle's Toys, and stayed way to late. Greg and I ended up chatting with the two girls working their for at least an hour. Morgan and Taylor had free range of the store, playing to their heart's content with dolls, play kitchens and toy trains. This toy store is the coolest toy store I have been in. It is a local toy store dedicated to kid's play. The staff members encourage children to play with the store's products and they have storytimes, concerts, and plays (as in theatrical). If anyone is curious about the store, go to www.tiggytoysonline.com I have to admit that we have had several family home evening nights their. We love it!

Today and went jogging up Sabino Canyon with the girls in their jogging stroller. It was brutal. I have not been running there on a consistent basis and those hills kicked my butt. The half marathon I am running in May gains some serious elevation in the beginning. Hopefully running hills in SC will help.

I am exhausted and I have nothing more to say. Goodnight.

Dissapointing loss

How do we loose to ASU? It's embarrassing. We should never loose to ASU in basketball. It is going to be a long, tough season in the Pac-10.

So I started making a baby quilt today. It is my first attempt at quilting. No, it is not for me. I am donating 2 baby quilts to Morgan's school for the annual auction. Of course I have help. Julie, the queen of making anything, is graciously teaching me how to quilt. If I don't embarrass myself, I may post a picture of them.

Today, Julie and I decided to run a half marathon in Prescott. This will be my first race. I am excited and hopeful that I will finish the race and still be able to walk afterwards. Maybe I will attempt a full marathon after this. Baby steps.

Morgan informed me yesterday that she wants a donkey cake for her birthday. She wants a pink cake with pink frosting and sprinkles and a donkey in the center. At first I did not know what to think. Am I supposed to put the Shrek donkey on her cake? Oh, she also wants to play "pin the tail on the donkey". All I could think of was a white trash birthday party with a ghetto donkey cake and donkey decorations. Then Greg reminded me that Eeyore is a donkey. I am feeling a little better about this. Heehaaw!

VH1 90's is on right now and I am too distracted to write anymore. I will be back tomorrow. Zigazigaa!

New to blogging

Ok, this is my first experience with blogging. I am not sure how this is going to work, but I will give it a try. If this does not work out, I blame Lacy for talking me into this! I created this blog to give family and friends a peek into our oh-so-interesting daily lives. I know the grandparents and aunts and uncles will appreciate the pictures, once I post them. Please have patience with me as I work our blog's format and appearance. I need to enlist Greg's help with the title graphic and picture slideshow. Stay tuned. It is late, and I need my sleep. Goodnight!