Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss's birthday was this week. He would be 107 if he were still alive. Melanie has been all excited about Dr. Seuss all week, and was talking about how he needed a birthday party. So, I decided to surprise her with one. While she was napping, I made the cake. Then, when Brandon got home from work, he took the girlies to the park, giving me a little over an hour to go to the store, buy supplies, come home, cut, frost, and decorate the cake. (Let's just say, it's not the best cake I've ever made, but it still made my girlies happy).

Here is Melanie, finding out what the surprise was.

And Noelle thinks it looks finger licking good.
While we sang happy birthday to Dr. Seuss, Noelle just grinned and laid back. It was too cute not to get a picture.

Both girls got a chance to blow out the candle.

Then it was time to dive in. I think this looks cool.

We all enjoyed the cake (as indicated by the following pictures)

And, I couldn't help a sophisticated cake eating picture...

Thank you Dr. Seuss for everything you did for Children's Literature. I knew I truly enjoyed your books as I was growing up. Now both of my girls are have a love for them too. Happy Birthday!

The Doctor is In...

And she is taking patients...

Come at your own risk.

Feelin' Irish, Ridin' Around, and Cookin' up Some Fun

March is here, and the next holiday we get to celebrate is ST. PATRICK'S DAY! We decided out house wasn't nearly green enough, so we have started to work on remedying that.

Melanie made this cute Leprechaun hat and Leprechaun. She did most of the painting (I will admit to helping paint the actual Leprechaun, but she did do most of it. And she applied all the stickers, coiled the pipe cleaner, and made all the big decisions. I helped by cutting and applying glue. I think we make a good team.

Noelle, in the meanwhile, took up a new hobby... riding... pretty much everything. It started with the "quad" and moved onto the bicycle. She is definitely her father's daughter.

To make everything even more interesting and exciting at the Smithson house, Noelle has become a culinary master. Her new favorite dish to make... Melanie!

Melanie tells me "Noelle is cooking me, mom." And when Noelle decided she was done baking her sister in the oven (which wasn't for a while, because, believe it or not, they were doing this for at least a hour and giggling the entire time), Melanie yelled down the hall to her sister, "Noelle, come cook me... PLEASE!" Too silly.

Heart Attack

No, it wasn't our house that was heart attacked... And it wasn't our door. It was our Noelle.

Melanie just told to play nice with her sister. I guess she took it seriously when I told her that she need to show Noelle that she loved her. Noelle is definitely loved.

(The hearts were from Valentines Day. I heart attacked our house, and after the holiday was over, I moved all the hearts to Melanie's room. Her room *was* covered in hearts... now Noelle is).

A Little Fairytale Princess in All of Us!

After spending several afternoons "reading" all the books in the collection...

My girls decided it was time to become Fairytale princesses...

I mean, they had done all the research... why not? right?

Versitile Me!

Ms. Jen gave me an award... I have to say, I'm excited for getting an award, even if it requires work on my part... ha ha! I'm wondering if it comes with a prize (I'm a big fan of chocolate chip cookies... just joking Jen).

And the 10 questions are:
1. Why did you create your blog?

I started my family blog when Melanie was born as a way to share special momments with friends and family. I continue to blog on it for that same reason, but also for journaling proposes.

I started my running blog because... well, doesn't everyone have one? But really, it's because it helps me with accountability. I had started slacking on it, but recently found enjoyment in blogging my runs again.

I started my recipe blog as a place for people in my ward to share recipes; however, I seem to be the only one that puts anything on there, so I call it mine. Most of the recipes ARE mine, and I enjoy sharing them.

I started the clever cupcake blog to advertise cupcake classes... and I've been slacking on that too.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
Most of the blogs I follow are friends; however, I do follow a few recipe blogs, sharing time prep blogs, and DIY home improvement blogs. I also love to see craft ideas for kiddos, so I surf for those too.

3. Favorite brand of make-up?
I have to laugh at this question, because it feels like a marketing question... and the answer (drumroll please)... I don't wear make up. Nope... not one bit. Though, occasionally I do, but I can count those times on my fingers and toes.

4. Favorite brand of clothing?
I don't wear clothes. Totally joking, couldn't help myself. I don't really follow clothing brands. I wear whatever fits right and makes me feel good. Typically jeans and a t-shirt, however, I do like wearing office clothes. :o)

5. Indispensable make-up product?

N/A

6. Favorite color?
I really like green. But I also really love all Autumn colors. Deep reds, golds, browns, oranges. They all make me feel at happy. :o)

7. Favorite perfume?
Wow. No wonder I always feel like I'm a mess around everyone. I don't wear make up... I don't know how to do my hair all cute (I know that wasn't a question, but maybe it should have been, ha ha). And I don't wear perfume. I like smelling clean though, do I get points for that?

8. Favorite movie?
I love Enchantment. So cute! I also really like Leap Year. (and pretty much all feel good, clean and sappy chick flicks)

9. What country would you like to visit and why?
There are a lot of countries I would LOVE to visit. Pretty much all of Europe (Italy, Greece, London, Ireland, etc). I'd like to go to all of them, but if I ever get the opportunity, I'll start with the English speaking countries... because I can't learn languages very easily.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

Well... that's random... I suppose it would look more normal if you just forgot to put blush on one side, because then you could play it off that you had bonked your cheek or something. Who knows.

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award
2. Answer 10 questions
3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

The 7 blogs I'm passing this on to in "ABC" order:

-Amy

-Anna

-Cassie

-Hannah

-Kami

-Liz

And I want to give a special recongition to Kari, who is the most amazing woman and best mother I know.

There are so many people that inspire me to be the best I can, and these are but a few. Thank you Ladies.

Thanks again, Jen, for my award.

And Then She Said...

Melanie: "You are making me mad again". She just didn't understand why she was going to time out (for the second time in a row) for stripping her sisters clothing off. Of course Noelle HAS to be naked while they are playing doctor. Why doesn't mom get that?

Me: "Melanie, you are in trouble because you made a bad decision."
Melanie: "No Mom, you made the bad decision getting me in trouble."

Upon arriving home the other day, I found out that there is no possible way for me to get in my front door (not even from the inside). I jumped the fence and got in the back door, went back for the girls, and then for the groceries (leaving Noelle in her carseat). When I got all the groceries and came in, Noelle was crying. Melanie says "She is getting frustrated with you mom".

Me: "You guys are such good sisters"
Melanie: "We are good, but we still are silly". Good thing she knows.

At the library, Melanie picks out a disney princess book that was in Spanish. Melanie: "I want to get this book." Me: "Honey, that's in Spanish, mommy doesn't know how to read Spanish." Melanie: "But I can read Spanish mommy." Then she argued her point all the way home.

Melanie: "I'm growing up mom, see, I'm growing up." Me: "Don't grow up Melanie, I want you to be little forever." Melanie (looking so sad): "No, I want to grow up and be a mom. Then I can read books and cook stuff all day."

Last Monday, Melanie woke up way before the sun and came into my bed to tell me she was hungry. So... I got up, and made breakfast. When breakfast was ready, I told Melanie and Noelle to get up in their seats. Melanie ran into the room, very upset. "Mom, I want to play, it's not breakfast time yet". I say it is, to which she replies (with her hand out at me) "Mom, Stop DOING this to me".

We were headed out the door for school, and I had to get one more thing. Melanie yells "Mom, chop chop!". Good grief.

One morning I made pancakes. Mom: Melanie, how are your pancakes? Melanie: Umm... they aren't too bad. (And all I would say was "wow". In my defense, she ate 3)

Playing Alphabet Gold Fish with Melanie. Melanie: "Mommy, do you have a letter "x" for 'x'-cellent-tay." Later that day, she decided to be creative with all the letters. Melanie: "I just got a G for G-tellent-tay"