Tonight's piano recital

Madilyn had her second piano recital tonight. It's so great to see the kids perform their songs they all have been working on. It gives them an opportunity to show off how much they've progressed and to feel pride in their accomplishments. Madilyn is such a smart girl and I love the fact that even though she has a severe hearing impairment, she excels in so many things and she doesn't let it hold her back in any way. I'm such a proud mom.

Madilyn doesn't think a night is special unless she gets to go out to celebrate. Taking Ethan to a nicer restaurant is too risky so we went more casual and went to Fazoli's. We just ordered way too much food.

Ethan had a breadstick with his ranch dressing. I'm totally serious about this. He took this ranch packet and worked really hard at sucking the dressing totally out of it. Not so appealing if you ask me.

It took us awhile to figure out that what Drew was pointing at on the menu board was their yummy breadsticks. We ordered him a kids pizza meal because past experience has told us if we don't order him anything, we'll regret it later. He actually did know what he wanted, just breadsticks.

Shoot em' up!!!

So what do you do if you want to watch a movie but your 2 little boys want to play????

You hand them toy guns, keep the movie going, and shoot up the bad guys!! I came out to this little scenario Saturday morning. Way to be creative Chris!!!

Baptism Day!!

So there have been moments in motherhood where I have really struggled with the fact that my children have gotten another year older, particularly as Madilyn has gone through her firsts. I cried when she turned 1, I bawled when she left for kindergarten and was still crying when I went to pick her up. I have been getting teary eyed for weeks in thinking about the fact that she would be turning 8 and getting baptised and even thinking about it now after the fact brings tears to my eyes. It was such a beautiful and sweet baptism. I wish that all of you could've felt the spirit that was there. Madilyn looked precious in her baptismal whites. I know that they are pretty much ugly jumpers, but you look at them in pure white and know what's about to happen and they are so beautiful. Madilyn was thrilled to be baptised and she shined with excitement and joy as she got into the water, the biggest smile across her face. Chris then confirmed her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was just truely a beautiful day! Thanks to all our friends and family who came to support her. She loved having you all there!

Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

So I know that this is about a week late, but life has been incredibly busy. Ethan turned 2 on the 27th. Grandma and Grandpa Sparks, Uncle Greg, Aunt Rachelle, and cousins came from California. Ethan had a great time carefully opening his presents. I thought for sure he would be the kinda kid that ripped open the wrappings and threw the gift on the floor only to quickly move onto the next but no, not Ethan. He was precise and looked for places to open his gift after which, with no prompting from mom, held up his gift for the cameras. So funny!!! I know that we aren't supposed to want our kids to grow up but I love that he's another year older!