Our bambino

We had our ultra sound yesterday to check out Mills #3. What a cutie already!! Lots of movement in there. The tech said, "This is an active baby, but cooperative." I thought.... must be a boy. If you didn't know, we're having a surprise this time. SO we didn't find out. Although, Dave and I thought we saw a little something... I'm thinking its a boy. If it was a girl, I'd be REALLY surprised. I am excited either way, I love my boys and would be thrilled to have another. It never gets old seeing your baby moving around in there. Life is full of miracles and this is one of them!

Mills

Alice in Wonderland at the ballet

On Friday, I got to go with Josh's Kindergarten class to see the ballet. Our teachers had the kids dress up for the occasion. The girls wore dresses and the boys wore slacks. They all looked so handsome. We rode on the bus to Del Oro High School for the performance.

We had the perfect seats in the theater. We were eye level with the stage and center.

The production was put on by The Greenwood Co. The dancers were all children and teens. They did a beautiful job!

When the dancers came out and the lights came on, the kids were very excited.

There were two acts. By the end of the 2nd act they were ready to go.

The costumes were bright and sparkly. The little girls raved about the outfits when the ballet was over.

Josh said he really liked it, but "the worst part was just sitting there." He started to get uncomfortable towards the end, but liked following the story in the ballet. I appreciate our teachers finding ways to let our children have new experiences. Going to the ballet is something unusual and they had the chance to make a new memory.

I can't wait for it to feel like spring!

Our friend's Zack and Kalli brought us the most beautiful flowers as a house warming gift. I have been looking at them everyday wishing it was warm and sunny outside. I know the nice weather will come, but until then I'll enjoy these reminders of spring.

St. Patrick's Day

We haven't ever set a trap for a leprechaun, but this year we thought we'd see if we could snag one. We went with a simple idea. Dave tied a slip knot and we loured the leprechaun by placing some pennies in the middle. Then we placed some more pennies on the stairs so when he reached for the loot, the rope would pull tight around his ankle.... then he'd be ours!

Well that tricky leprechaun was able to wiggle his little foot out of our trap, BUT he left behind some chocolate coins. (See's chocolate coins!)

The boys were so excited to wake up to see the results of our trap. Even though we didn't catch a leprechaun, they were thrilled about the coins.

Parker not only had a St. Patrick's day party at school, but he had a volcano too! They are also learning about the letter V, so since V stands for Volcano they put on a little show for the parents.

They did two rounds, red lava and green lava for the holiday.

This day was nice and sunny. Since I knew it wouldn't last with all the rain we'd been having, we headed to the park for 2 hours after school. It was SO nice to be outside. Then we went home for our green dinner.

Josh requested green eggs and ham (his class had just had them to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday). Breakfast sounded easy to me, we also had green pancakes, and green orange juice.

Parker wanted green sausage, but I couldn't figure that one out for him. We had a great St. Patrick's day and I think we'll be setting a trap again next year!

Celebrating my Grandma

On Thursday it was 9 years since my Grandma passed away. She was my dad's mom. Grandma Peabody was the only family member we had that lived close to us. Her and I had a very special bond. I was her only granddaughter and her first grandchild. My parents lived with her for a while when I was just little, so we developed a great relationship from the very beginning. I am grateful for her because she taught me a lot of things. She was an artist, so she spent time helping me and my brothers explore our creativity. She was very hands on with us. She helped us build forts and hosted many sleep overs, even when were teenagers. She encouraged my love of dress up as a child by buying me all kinds of second hand clothing. She would find the best skirts and dresses so I could twirl in them. As I got older she became a great source of advice and the perfect listening ear. Physically, I take after her also. We have the same build and sometimes I see her features when I look in the mirror. It makes me think about her often.

So to honor her, I took the boys to the cemetery. We went with our bucket and tools to clean her headstone. It was so dirty after all the recent rain. It took us a few minutes to even find her spot. It was also REALLY muddy! (Notice Parker has one black shoe. He stuck it in one of the flower holders in someone else's grave).

So, we went to work. Parker sprayed and Josh scrubbed.

When Grandma's picture showed again Parker cheered, "There she is!" We also brought yellow roses. Those were her favorite. She had a yellow rose bush in the front of her house for many years that she loved. (She hated carnations, but her husband thought they were her favorite. So he would always bring them home for her.)

We spent time talking about her and things she liked. I know that she would have LOVED my boys and my nephew. She wanted to stay alive long enough to meet our children, but one day we'll be together again and they can meet. I never had the chance to meet David's grandfather, DeVerl or grandmother Eloise. I feel like I've been able to get to know them from the stories that the family has shared with me. I hope that by passing on those stories to my children, they will feel close to the great grandparents they never met.

Family Fun

The kids had a week off of school in February, so we planned some fun activities. Some how I've never been to the Jelly Belly Factory. So on Dave's day off we headed to Fairfield.

I was reminded of 3 people while we were there Gramma Jean, Jerrel, and Grandpa DeVerl. Gramma and Jerrel have a love for president Reagan.

Then DeVerl and Gramma had a love for John Wayne. It was a Mills match made in heaven!

These boys have to pose. They can't take a picture just standing by each other. It makes me laugh. I just decided to go with it.

I didn't know they made Candy Corn at the Jelly Belly factory. That was a fun fact.

I was impressed I could get that little paper hat to stay on my hair. I'm pretty sure it didn't protect anything from getting my hair in it though.

Then we were off to In-n-Out for lunch.

Parker was the photographer for this one.

It was a fun day. We also went to Ikea. The boys played while we shopped, always a good deal! Then we went to Lucille's for dinner. The ribs were AMAZING! Family time is my favorite!