"Let's Go to the Movies..."

One of Savannah's birthday presents was movie passes. She has been wanting to go see the new Hannah Montana movie since seeing the million trailers for it on TV. Well, last night her and I went on a little mommy-daughter date. (I know, on a school night!!)

After getting our tickets and yummies to enjoy, we headed into the theater. I had noticed a group of about 6 girls earlier and figured they would be seeing the same movie as we were. Throughout the movie I could hear them whisper and giggle about this and that but mostly about how cute Hannah's love interest in the movie was. It reminded me so much of what it was like to be a teenager. Not that it was that long ago...but long enough.


I will admit that I really enjoyed the movie. It was really cute and the music was great. At one point Savannah asked me, "Mom, can the people on the screen see us?" I smiled and told her no. "But he was just looking right at me." It was cute. She then told me a little later that she wished she was Hannah Montana. I told Doug about that this morning. We talked about what it was like to want to be someone else when we were younger. Sometimes I miss the innocence of that time in my life. It is so strange and somewhat surreal to witness my kids doing the same things I did. I know there is so much more of it to come.

Happy Easter!

April 12, 2009

*A Gifford Family Easter Sunday Photo Shoot*

Warning...

Rated PG for content

(some photos include snotty, screaming, scary faces)

This Easter was very laid back. A bit lazy I guess you could say. Because of the fact that Jillian decided to show the other kids what I (I mean the Easter bunny) was bringing them already, I wasn't too sure about what to do about it. Should I take everything back and get all new stuff? Or should I just risk them finding out the truth? I risked it. After a long couple of days, I realized Saturday night that I wasn't even sure the kids had baskets this year. I felt like a great mother. So, in my creativity (and borrowing the idea from my sister-in-law) I decided to not do baskets. I sent them on a hunt instead. I stayed up late and stuffed all the eggs and hid them and the other things. When the kids woke up....there was some confusion as to where the Easter treasures were. But, the Easter Bunny had left them a little poem to guide them as to what to do.

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HAPPY EASTER

To all the Gifford Children

On this lovely Easter day

Some gifts from the Easter Bunny

That hopped along your way.

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I know that you expected baskets

To be found here on the table

But I thought I'd do different

A hunt...if you are able.

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If you look real closely

In some rooms around your home

You will find some treasures

That I hid while I did rome.

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There are 4 different colors of eggs

That were put in different spaces

You can only get your color

Leave the others in their places.

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Isabelle has the yellow

Jilli, purple is for you

Savannah has the pink ones

And Payton, yours are blue.

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I will tell you now

You'll find more than just the eggs

So be sure to share what you find

No matter what your age.

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So, Happy Easter kiddos

Enjoy and have some fun

Now hop hop hop along

Your Easter has begun.

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With Love,

The Easter Bunny

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So, after the poem was read, I was getting excited for the kids to start. I got out of bed all ready to help and then the questions from Savannah. "Mom, what about all the stuff that was in your closet? Do we get those things too?" I didn't know what to say. Do I just admit what they will eventually find out anyway, or do I play like I don't know what she is talking about? I played it off. "What stuff are you talking about?" She came over to my closet and started digging around. She said, "All of it is gone." "I am not sure what you are looking for, but lets go do some hunting," was my response. Not another word or question was said about it. I think in the excitement of it all, they just didn't care.

It ended up being a very wet day. The girls hid under the umbrella on the way to the car after church.

Easter Egg Hunt

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Saturday we went to the Easter egg hunt put on by the youth in our ward. Thankfully, the rain decided to hold off until the next day, so the hunt was pretty dry..pretty cold, but dry.

At the count of 3, they were off.

I think everyone was satisfied with what they found. We got them all together for a group picture. I think Brother Bruenn is going to put it in the paper. We will have to get a copy. We have a small primary, but there were a few families that didn't make it.

Jillian was very excited about her treasures.

After the hunt we headed back home to get ready for our families Easter dinner. It ended up working out better to have it on Saturday instead of Sunday. Which made Easter Sunday feel kind of strange. Before everyone showed up at my house for the feast, I headed into town to try one more time to find a suit for Payton. I was so irritated that places around here just don't seem to carry things like that. I went into Sears and I couldn't even find a dress shirt for him. Living where we live has it's wonderful advantages, but it also has it's moments of frustration.

After attending the baptism for Tristen Lawrence, we came home and was greeted by the smell of ham. Slowly people came over and dinner was served. It was a good day.

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH!

Friday I visited Savannah's class to take treats for her birthday. We all know how domestic I am, so I opted for those little ice cream cups with the wooden spoons. I used to love those as a kid. I love to go to her class and see all the neat things that her teacher, Mr.Coyner does. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so I didn't capture all the things they did while I was there.

Her actual birthday wasn't until Saturday. But that was proving to be a really crazy day, so we did a last minute birthday party for her on Friday night. Susie Conrad made her an awesome Princess castle cake. I know that it totally added to her stress level, but I really appreciated that she did it. Savannah loved it.

(Isabelle looked so cute in this picture, I had to include it)

Savannah and Hunter, best friends for life.

Surprisingly, with the short notice, there were a lot of people that made it to this fine celebration. Thank you to everyone that came and made Savannah's birthday special.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Yes, it's that time of year again. Running Payton to and from practice, chasing the girls around during his games, spending too much money on concessions, fishing old nasty sunflower shells that have been on the ground from the last 5 years out of the little ones mouths and watching Payton's team run around the field like they have never heard of the word 'baseball' before. Man, I love baseball season.

NO...it really isn't that bad. It does take a few innings for the team to get into the 'swing' of things. They did really well last night. And losing is nothing to them anymore, they are so used to it.

There are 16 kids on the team this year!! So, they only get up to bat a couple times during the whole game. He struck out his first at bat, and got a single his second time up. So his batting average is 500 right now! Payton is in his second year of Rookies. They use the standard rules and a pitching machine. It makes the games go by a lot faster!

The snacks at the end are everyone's favorite part. I just wish they would share with the parents...I mean the siblings of the players.

*A SUnnY DAY in CHehALiStowN*

We have really enjoyed the sunshine the last few days. I was sad to not see it today. While it was out...we took advantage of it and spent some much needed time outside.

I know this picture isn't outside. But Savannah was looking particularly beautiful Monday, so I tried to capture it. It doesn't do her justice though.

While I took Payton to baseball practice and went for a run, Doug stayed with the girls and made yummy hamburgers on the grill. Jillian opted for her own creation. A Cheetos sandwich (with ketchup)...she ate it all.

The kids played on their scooters, bikes and of course there had to be some tears shed by one of the kids. It was Isabelle's turn for that.

Although I was proud of the fact that I actually got Payton popping a wheelie on camera, I don't think he will be too proud when he looks back and sees that it was on his sister's bike. I think he looks really good in purple though and the basket totally completes the ensemble.

*Left Out*

I was just looking through all my recent blogs and noticed that there isn't much about my Payton. The girls are the ones that cause reason to blog. He is such a good kid that I don't usually have much to complain about. So, I will brag about him instead.

I went to his parent/teacher conference last week. And it was pretty much the same as usual. He is a great kid. He does awesome at all his school work. He is reading at a 7th grade level and doing math at a 4th grade level (he is in the 2nd grade). He is respectful to his classmates and his teacher. He does, however ask to stay inside sometimes during recess so he can do extra math. He is a fantastic big brother. Yes, he has his moments of attitude, anger, he doesn't listen and he would rather play his DS than do anything else...but that is very typical. He is an extraordinary kid with a tender heart. We are so proud of him.

DEEP THOUGHTS

by Jillian Gifford

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"When I run, the wind makes my hair jealous."

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"My pee is like a waterfall."

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