GIRLS' WEEKEND!

I just returned from a fun-filled weekend in Palm Springs, CA with my mom and 2 sisters.  We have done this every year for the past 25 years (except for the one year when we went to visit Kandis in Japan instead).  It's a great tradition that I highly recommend to all of the women in your life (moms, mother-in-laws, sisters, sisters-in-law, aunts, friends, etc.).  You can create it around anything that you love to do together.  As for us, here is our drill. 

What we DON'T do:

*  Watch sports of any kind.

*  Play or participate in sports of any kind.

*  Talk about sports or sports players of any kind.

*  Watch TV.

*  Clean or do laundry.

*  Cook.

*  Hear the word "mom" every 3 seconds.

*  Worry about bedtime, homework, carpooling, lessons, etc.

What we DO do:

*  Shop at any and every store we can think of for as long as we want (added bonus: getting to actually try things on :)

*  Eat at all the restaurants your kids would never appreciate (Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Outback Steakhouse, CPK - just to name a few).

*  Stay in bed til noon reading.

*  Go to at least 2 movies, preferably hard-core chick flicks that your husbands would never want to see (this year's pick: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2).

*  Lay out by the pool (usually not for longer than 15 minutes, though, given it was 109 degrees one day).

*  Think about exercising to work off above said cheesecake indulgence.  On a good year, we actually do work out once or twice.

*  Talk, talk and talk some more.

*  Read every gossip magazine we can get our hands on. 

*  Eat Harry and David Moose Munch til we want to pop.

*  Feel grateful for the women in your life who you love so much!!!

So, to all of you who don't currently do "Girls' Weekends", get on board and plan something and soon.  It will be one of the best and most anticipated weekends of your year, I promise (oh, and could you invite me, please :)  

And thanks Mom, Kandis and Kelly Jo for making it another great girls weekend.  Here's to many more years of 'girl power'!  And a great big HUGE thanks to my hubby, Steve, for taking care of the monsters, er, I mean kids while I was away.  I couldn't have done it without his help (and a little help from our favorite sitter, Holli, here and there too:)  You are the best, hon... love ya!

 

First Grade, Here She Comes!!!

My sweet little Aubrey went to school ALL DAY for the first time today.  She was so cute.  I pulled a Charles and Jenny and followed her as she walked around the side of the school, just to make sure she knew where she was going.  She did, of course.  Parker was even the 6th grade helper right outside her classroom.  Then as I drove home, I did that thing where you laugh, but really want to cry.  I was happy and sad all at the same time.  I will definitely miss having her around in the mornings.  Who woulda thought that this crazy toddler (do I need to bring up the poo-flinging diaper stage?) would turn into my little buddy who loves to help me cook or do laundry, and tells me she loves me just out of the blue.  She'll run any errand with me and can get us all laughing at her weird and crazy dreams.  She'll try new things (eg. sushi) and still holds my hand when we go out.  She reads to Macy at night and loves having "sleepovers" with Summer in her queen-size bed.  As you can tell, this is one of those sappy posts where you reminisce about all the good stuff (and make your readers pretty much want to gag in the process).  But in reality, I just hope I haven't screwed her up too bad before she starts school. So, this is just a shout out to my Aubrey.  You'll always be baby to me.  (In typical 3rd child fashion, I didn't even take any pictures of her.  I'll snap some tomorrow and we'll just pretend they were her first day.  See, there's that screwing up thing I was talking about.  Poor Karen has about 7 pictures from the time she was 2 to age 18 - right, Karen?  And let's not even get started on Jennifer :). 

Yes, in typical Aly fashion, it's been a while since I've posted. Just so much going on with all the kids home that I can hardly keep everything strait, including my own thoughts. This picture to the left is how I feel right now. But it's been a fun and adventurous couple of weeks.

I think the easiest way to catch you up would be to highlight just a few of the events of the last few weeks: (I'll post lots of pictures at the end)

* An overnight getaway to Heber to visit with Aunt Judy, Uncle Carl, their daughter Sarah, and her cute family (see Jones Family blog for more - her blog is one of the highlights of my day), and Aunt Mary and little Grace. We spent a few hours in the mountains where we had picnic lunches, rode the 4-wheelers, caught butterflies and just got really, really dirty (and wet, too). Oh, and our dog, Zac, swam for the first time. I suppose he didn't have much of a choice after Summer threw him in the water.

* The kids came home from a short walk with this frog the other night (see picture). Steve helped him find a good home in our neighbor's pond where he perched himself right on a lily pad. Crisis averted!

* Grandma Judy came for a visit and hung out with us for a while. We stole away kid-free a couple of times for a movie, the parade of homes, and a trip to some home decor stores. Since I always have a million projects going, I talked her into sewing a cute bedskirt for Summer's hawaiian/surf-themed room. Turned out cute, don't ya think? Thanks, mom!

* Parker attended a basketball day camp hosted by Utah Jazz player Matt Harpring. He loved it. He even won the free throw contest, winning himself a couple of tickets to a U of U basketball game. Hmmm... I wonder who he will take with him?

* Summer had a fantastic time at Girl Scout camp. She said she only cried once because she was homesick, and I think that's pretty brave for a 9-year old. She came home with lots of new friends and a cute manicure and pedicure as well. Can I go next year?

* I went up to Girls Camp with the YW for a couple of days. The fun activities and the good food (we had awesome camp directors) almost made up for the bad night's sleep in the tent with 6 other ladies. It was fun, though.

* We went boating the other day with our good friends, the McDougals. All the kids got in the water and tried either wakeboarding, kneeboarding, or tubing - even little Macy. When we got home, all we heard for days was that we need to get our own boat. My response: do YOU have $50,000???

* I celebrated my 36th birthday last week - ugh! It was actually a great day and I had lots of well-wishers who brought yummy goodies or cute little gifts. I have some really great friends and I love and appreciate each one of them! Kandis also cooked a homemade carrot cake (my favorite) and Daisy helped me blow out the candles.

Okay, so now I am looking forward to winding the summer down and getting back to school. The 3 older kids start on Monday and I have to admit that it will be nice to get back to a routine again. A crazy routine with soccer, softball, dance, music, preschool, etc. - but a routine nonetheless. And maybe, just maybe, I will have more time to blog. Then we all win :)

Macy was all smiles on the boat (fyi: we were docked for lunch, hence the no life jacket)

Summer wasn't sure if this was fun or torture

Parker's first time wakeboarding

Poppy and Parker

Sarah, Sterling and Becca

Summer and Zac

Sarah, Madison and Parker

Aunt Mary and Grace

My cousin's baby shower at the Grand America. Just had to add this :)

A little more of nothing...

Parker is discovering the value of hard work this summer. First, he was hired by a cute older couple in our neighborhood to do yardwork (read: weeding). They offered to pay him $20 for every 3 hours of work. A pretty good deal for an 11-year old if you ask me (that's also 100% more money than I make!). So he's been waking up early every morning and riding his scooter to be there for his 8-10am shift. Then yesterday, since his days have been consisting of Wii tennis tounaments and Phineas and Verb (sp?) marathons, I bribed Parker and his friend to wash my oh-so-filthy car for a couple of bucks each. That gave them the brilliant idea to do a car wash. They went to work making and hanging up signs, gathering supplies, filling buckets of soapy water and even made up a drink menu for the free drink they were offering with each car wash (you can't tell me that's not cute). Then they sat. They sat and they sat and they sat. Then a car pulled up. Their excitement was bursting until they saw that it was just Steve. Still, Steve said he wanted the works so they went to work. One customer later (our neighbor Holli) and that was it. They made $10 each and were happy as can be. Better than a kick in the teeth!

I forgot to mention that I organized a girls-night-out for a bunch of moms and daughters in our neighborhood to see the new Kit Kittredge American Girl movie a couple of weeks ago. So much fun! We went to Pei Wei for dinner before and then to the movie. The girls all brought their American Girl dolls and had such a good time. We live in a great neighborhood with some awesome people. Here is a picture of all the cute little girlies.

Speaking of Kit, Aubrey told me she wanted her hair as short and Kit's so we took her in for a haircut. It looks sooo cute. I don't know why I never did this sooner. The brushing-her-messy-long-hair issue was really putting a damper on our otherwise great relationship. One less thing to fight about (now, if I could just conquer the Summer-wanting-to-wear-short-skirts-and-bikinis issue). Below is a picture of Aubrey's cute short hair (with her cousin, Wayne, and in their chef hats).

I'm in project mode. I just painted a headboard for Summer's room (pink) and I am starting on painting all of my bedroom furniture black (crazy, I know!) I also stamped this cute saying on a wall in Aubrey and Macy's room today (see pic). In case you can't read it, it says, "Sisters are the flowers in life's garden." Took me all of 10 minutes to do. Cute, huh???

Back to work. And no word from Summer (they are not allowed to call home from camp). I hope she is having fun! I will leave you with a picture of my new favorite treat. How come nobody ever told me about this glorious combination of sweetness before??? I'm addicted!

Le Chefs: Aubrey and Wayne

It's nothing... really!

Not much to blog about, but I thought I would give the "post-a-little-bit-every-day-or-two" method a shot. I realize that I've probably lost any following I may have had (all 3 of you) from waiting so long between posts. So, just stick with me here. It'll get better. You will want to keep checking, though, because some days I may post about something really important or informational (like did you know that the average person swallows something like 3 spiders in their lifetime?), or some days I may post about nothing important at all (like the addition of the new whisker on my chin...can someone tell me why getting older involves growing weird, coarse hairs in odd places?) So you can see, you won't want to miss anything.

So, it is 2:44am and I am still awake. Why, you ask? Who knows. I just get going and I don't want to stop. I do a little cleaning, a little laundry, sometimes organize a drawer or something (tonight it was my purse) - weird, I know, but I do my best work late at night. I was also up packing for my little Summey - who is going to Girl Scout camp tomorrow for 5 WHOLE DAYS AND NIGHTS! I am excited for her, but of course a little nervous. Will she get homesick? Will she make new friends? Will she leave her underwear on the ground of her cabin like she does in her room? These are all things that I, as her mother, get to think about this week. But this camp is just up her alley and frankly, she is a little too excited to get away from her little sisters for a few days. I can't say I blame her.

Okay, I must have stopped my constant state of motion because fatigue is setting in. I better get to bed before my keyboard turns into my pillow... and that wouldn't be the first time!

Yup, Still Alive!!!

I know, I know. It has been... er, a while since I've posted. You probably stopped checking in on me altogether. And to be quite honest, I haven't been checking your blogs either. There, I said it. How about we just forgive each other and move on??? Great, 'cuz I have lots to tell you!

I've been one busy momma. After getting the kids through the last weeks of school (chalk full of reports, parties, end-of-year testing, etc.) we packed our bags and headed to Cancun, MEXICO (sans Macy). We had such a great time. We swam every day in the pool and/or ocean, collected tons of sea shells, went on a private snorkeling trip in Isla Mujeres, spent a day at Tulum and Xel-ha, ate at some fabulous restaurants (El Shrimp Bucket, Margaritaville, hotel room service to name a few) and just had fun spending time together, which was the whole point of the trip. A couple of highlights: watching Parker and Summer playing and laughing together in the ocean, Aubrey jumping off the 'cliff of courage' not once, but twice at Xel-ha (probably 15-20 feet high - you go girl!), visiting a Mexican market and sampling the local fare, going to church in town and singing hymns in Spanish (Steve translated for me), making a trip to the local Costco (pretty much the same), and playing silly family games around the dinner table every night. So I don't have to bore you with every little detail, I will just post some pictures. Oh, and in case you were worried about Macy who didn't get to join the fun - she had the time of her life staying with Edie (her favorite neighbor and 2nd mommy), my sister Kandis, and Marmie and Poppy. Apparently, she never said she missed us even once. I guess thats good, right? We were all happy to see her though.

Upon our return from Mexico, our summer officially began. After 68 loads of laundry and picking up our freshly groomed dog from the kennel (he looked like a big rat), we headed up to Heber to celebrate the 4th of July with lots of cousins. My kids were in heaven. Marmie and Poppy pulled out the waterslide and the Diet Coke was a flowin'. The Texas sheetcake wasn't too shabby either (I should know since I ate about 12 pieces). We ended with a few fireworks for the kids and then some adult conversation on the back deck. All in all, it was a great day!

We came home and spent the next week trading kids with Alisa. The boys stayed in Heber and shot bee-bee guns, rode four wheelers, and probably never washed their hands once. And the girls came home with me and went swimming, had sleepovers in their basement "fort", and performed their trampoline tricks for any willing audience. Later in the week we took Nicole and Brendon while Alisa flew to San Diego for the weekend to see her long-lost husband (he's in training to become a lie detector specialist - pretty cool, huh?). I'm not sure why Alisa says they always fight and drive her crazy... they were perfect little angels for me!

So now we are in full-fledge summer mode. Staying up late, sleeping in, swim lessons, berry smoothies and Sonic milkshakes, 90+ degree weather everyday, waiting on kids 24/7, the constant messes, never getting to run errands alone - you know... summertime! You take the good with the bad.

Hope you are all well... will write again soon.

A few additional Ellis Family antics:

* Parker passing out cold on the floor of the doctor's office after getting 4 shots (boosters).

* Aubrey splitting her head open after falling off the couch. A Dr. in our neighborhood super-glued it together. Yes I am speaking literally, he pulled out a bottle of "Super Glue" and applied it to her cut, pinching it together while it dried. Who knew?

* Ask Macy to recite any nursery rhyme - chances are she has it memorized and will say it for you with a big smile on her face.
* Summer heads off to Girl Scout camp next week. Five full days of girl-power and not having to share with her little sisters. What could be better?
* Steven turned 38 last week. Happy Birthday old man!

At Tulum

Cute braids

Hotel pool

A definite highlight for Parker...

We rented a golf cart on Isla Mujeres. Way fun!

Have YOU ever swam with a shark???

Is it swimsuit season already???

Oh, how I love summertime. It is, by far, my favorite season. In fact, I love it so much that I named one of my kids after it! The days are long, the nights are warm, the sun shines on my face and I eat more strawberries and corn-on-the-cob than should be allowed. This winter has been long, to say the least, and I am soooo ready for the summer. Except for, that is, one thing... swimsuits! Now, I have a drawer FULL of swimsuits - some dating back to the early nineties (remember those one piece suits that were shiny and had a leg-cut that nearly came to your waist - you know you all had one of those!) And over the years I have bought way too many not-so-flattering suits just because they were on sale or because I thought I had the body for them (emphasis on the word 'thought' - this body has had 4 babies and should never be allowed in a bikini again). So, with Mexico and summertime right around the corner, it is definitely time for a couple new swimsuits, so that is exactly what I set out to do yesterday.

I had some time to myself while the kids were at school (and thanks to Kandis for taking Macy) so I started at the mall. I tried on a Lands End suit that I was thinking of ordering. Hmmm... cute, but a little "mom-ish". Yes, I realize that I AM indeed a mom, but that doesn't mean I have to have a bathing suit like one (does it?) My horror increased when, while trying on the suit, I noticed a few more spider veins and cellulite pockets on the backs of my thighs that I swear were not there last season. Sob, sob! Not a good way to start off this already hideous process. Then I went to a few of my favorite stores - Aeropostale, American Eagle, Gap, Ross - and all that was to be found were tiny little string bikinis. Uh, no thanks! And to top it off, I bumped into an old co-worker at the Gap who asked if I just had a baby! Um, excuse me??? Isn't that question right up there with, "So, when are you due?" As in, NEVER ask that question unless you have personally confirmed with her doctor that she is expecting. That's it, I am never venturing out in sweats again - even if they are JUICY! And it's confirmed... I'm getting a full body suit this year so no one has to see my spider veins, cellulite or stomach that obviously looks like it just delivered a baby. Shopping trip OVER!!!

After I came home and cried for about two hours (or was it three, I lost count), I vowed to never eat again and got online to check out some sites for swimsuits that a couple of friends recommended. Layers.com, modbeclothing.com and downeastbasics.com all had some cute and modest swimwear. I might have to try one of these. And if anyone has any other great places for cute, non-momish, vein-hiding and stomach flattening suits, please let me know.

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Okay, enough about me, here are a few other things that have been going on in our family over the last week (along with some pictures to go with them):

* Parker's baseball team suffered a tough loss in the first round of their tournament losing 12-11 to the last place team who had not won a single game all year. I suppose you can't help but be happy for the other team though. That line of reasoning, for some reason, didn't make Parker feel any better.

* Summer had an end-of-season pizza/swim party with her soccer team. I was really proud of how much she learned and improved over the season. Her coach really wanted her to continue on with the team, but she decided that she wants to play softball in the fall and soccer again next spring.

* Aubrey had a mini piano recital and played 4 songs and did a great job. She loves playing the piano and will continue on next year. She was also laying in bed with me this morning and decided, on her own, that she should pour some cold water on her daddy, who was in the shower. About 30 seconds later I hear this man-scream and couldn't help but laugh. That's my girl!!!

* Macy, well, she is just plain funny. She is always smiling and when we took her swimming the other day she kept saying, "We don't pee in the pool cuz that's just nasty!" So true!

* Steve and I sat by our gym pool the other day and just basked in the sun and read (the kids were at school and Macy was in the kid-care). It was pure heaven! Until I got home and realized that I had sunburned the crap out of my chest. I am usually the sunscreen nazi so I was extra mad at myself. On the bright side, I will probably get to peel it in a couple of days. Anyone who says that isn't just good plain fun is well, weird, in my opinion.

* Steve and Parker took a weekend biking trip to Moab with Chad and his twin boys, Jackson and Connor. They saw all kinds of cool arches (shown below, Delicate Arch, which is sheer cliff on the other side - yikes!). They had some great male-bonding time.

That's it for now. Will post again soon (oh, who am I kidding)...