Something Fishy...

Saturday was amazing!  We had such a wonderful time as a family.  Brandon planned a trip (just for the day) out of town.  It was our family and Brandon's best friend's family.  We had a great time together.

We first stopped at the fish hatchery.  The kids LOVED it!  I took some pictures, but they don't do the visit justice.  You can't see Oliver dancing, giggling, and saying "Fishy!  Fishy!" from the pictures.  But it happened, and the happiness was contagious.

 

 

After we walked around and checked out the hatchery, we made our way to a private pond and picnic area.  Brandon grilled us an amazing lunch.  Yum!  And while he prepared the food, the girls explored.

 Then it was time for some fishing!  Brandon, Melanie, and Noelle each caught one.

 The children were fascinated by the fish in the bucket.

 So funny, The little boy kneeling over the bucket is Rafton.  He is our friend's 2 year old son.  He and Oliver were checking out the fish by themselves.  I was watching, and saw Rafton pick up a rock, walk over to the bucket and hover for a while.  He and Oliver got right over the bucket and were looking down when Rafton dropped the rock (a little one).  Well, the fish was apparently spooked, as it kicked it's tail and splashed water on both of them.  They didn't know what to think and both ended up running to their mommies...  but as a bystander, I thought it was rather hilarious!

 After the fish were caught, we relaxed, played tag, giggled some more, and enjoyed each other's company. 

 Then we got back into our car and went for a drive.  Eventually we all met up in Payson for dinner and then headed home.

Brandon!  We LOVED the trip you planned!  Thank you for a great time!  The weather was amazing too.  I didn't ever want to go back home.

Mothers and Daughters Tea Party

I have been holding off posting this because I was going to post the Mothers and Daughters activity and the Fathers and Sons camp out in the same post...  But I can't seem to figure out how to get the boys' activities pictures off Brandon's phone (I'm not kidding...  I'm definitely not a phone camera person).

 

The Saturday before Mother's Day was our little Mothers and Daughters activity.  We participated in the Town of Gilbert's Tea Party.   I'll be honest, I didn't think it was going to be an actual tea party... with TEA.  I was a little wrong on that one, but fortunately, I found the girls and myself some lemonade.

 

 We got all dressed up, and drank some lemonade with fancy dishes.  We ate yummy food.  We laughed.  We smiled.  We had a good time.

 The girls did some crafts, Belle came around and make them some balloon flowers, and we got our picture taken together.

It was a lot of fun.  I think we need to have more small girls activities...

Happy To be Me!

I have so many things to blog... and am so behind.  So, in the meantime, I thought I would at least add some pictures that show what makes my days so interesting...

 

Noelle decided one night that she refuses to sleep in anything but a pajama dress, and was out of clean ones. It is good to know that my Halloween Costume from 2 years ago is still usable.

 

Oliver is growing up WAY too fast.  He decided, one morning, that he was too big to sit on his booster.  Instead, he INSISTED on sitting on the bench to eat his cereal, just like his older sisters.

 

Brandon and I was talking in our bedroom, and things were quiet...  perhaps a little TOO quiet.  When we went to get the kids to go somewhere, we found this:

 You may guess, but in case you don't, that this art work (sister inflicted) included designs on her legs as well.  Yep.  My little "princess" was covered in princesses and makeup, thanks to my red-head.  Luckily, it just made her laugh when we scrubbed all of it off.

 

Could Oliver be any funnier?  Seriously?

 

"Mom... help.  No seriously, we need help".  Turns out these two turkeys climbed onto Oliver's dresser and needed some assistance on getting back down.  Of course, this didn't stop them from getting back up there.  Silly Girls.

There is never a dull moment in the Smithson House.

What Not to Do when you are Sick

Sunday I was sick...  Monday Morning I was sick... First thing in the morning,  I went into the bathroom because I was worried I needed to throw up, but instead of sitting with my head in the toilet, I decided to sit on it until I knew for certain.  Anyhow, I all the sudden became dizzy.  I often get dizzy and feel light headed while I'm sick, but this is the first time I have done so and woke up on the floor.  Upon waking up on the tile, it became very clear to me that I broke my fall with my jaw.  My head later started to hurt and a bump formed, so I figured that it were  I hit the wall (as I woke up against the tile and the wall).  my throat was killing me as well.  I kept asking Brandon to look down my throat because I felt like I may have strep or something. 

 

Yesterday, my throat was hurting me more and more (along with my face, but I knew what caused that).  I did some gargles, and it numbed the pain a little, but it was just hurting.  As the day progressed, I realized that it was hurting low on my neck, and at a specific spot, both in my throat and out.  I brought this up to Brandon, thinking that maybe it was how I landed on the floor.  This is when he tells me that it wasn't me landing on the floor that woke him up and sent him to the door.  It was me hitting the counter and kicking the garbage can (which is actually tucked behind the toilet a little bit).  So, I will never know exactly what happened, but as I sat on the toilet last night and leaned to the counter, it has because more clear to me.  I must have fallen towards the counter and landed on it with my throat (which today is even more painful today than yesterday).  Then I continued the fall to the floor (where it is clear what hit were... I have a lump on my chin still and it hurts to eat).  My throat is bruised on the inside.  I can see it when I look in the mirror.  I didn't even know that was possible.

 

Anyhow, there is my adventure store.  Lesson learned.... don't faint in the bathroom.

Mother's Day Program

Wednesday was Melanie's Mother's Day Program for school.  Everyone in the family was welcome, but it was extra special for the moms.   The kids did an amazing job.  They can songs, and then had a little poem for us.

 

 The poem was about mothers and the different hats they wear.  The kids all had hats to match their parts.  Melanie's part was last and was as follows:

 

"My Mother's an angel - a queen in disguise -

Who teaches me truth with tears in her eyes.

Today take these hats off, and please wear no other.

Let us do your work, to show I LOVE YOU, MOTHER!"

 

She did a wonderful job, and she LOVED wearing the crown on her head.

In fact, after the poem, Ms. Arlene told the class they could take their hats off now if they want, and Melanie, very verbally said "no! let's leave them on!"  It was funny.

 

 

We have had a wonderful year this year.  Melanie has gone on several field trips, learned how to read (really well, I might add), learned more about science and math, and had a good time doing it.  She has loved school this year, and that makes it worth it for me!

 

 

Thank you for the wonderful Mother's Day program, Melanie.  You did a wonderful job!  I love you!

Funny side story: The day before the program, I received an email from Melanie's teacher as a reminder for the Mother's Day Program at her school today. At the bottom, there was a note regarding dress. It said something to the effect that she asked each class what they wanted to wear, and they had disagreement over if they should dress up or wear regular clothes. So, Ms. Arlene said in the email that they could wear either. After this, I asked Melanie what she would like to wear to the program. She says "We can dress up or wear our regular clothes. So I think I'll go to our dress up box and pick something out".  I had to clarify that by dress up, the teacher meant church clothes, not princess clothes.  She was quite embarrassed.

Ka-Pow Super Hero Adventure Race

The Smithson Family is full of super heroes!  There is Super Melanie, with her super giggle.  Super Noelle and her super powers of negotiation... and Super Oliver, and his super speed and ability to scale tall towers.  With Super Mom and Super Dad in tow... the Super Smithson's participated in the Town of Gilbert's Ka-POW Super Hero Adventure Race (in full handmade super hero costumes...  which is fun in it's self).

Here are my super girls walking to the race.

 Here they are, showing off their muscles while standing in front of the map of the race.

 Justice League... meet the Super Smithson's.  I think you have met your match!

 Super Melanie and Super Mom are starting the race....  Here they go!

 Down the first obstacle.  (Super Oliver met us at the bottom of the slide!)

 After 2 miles and 15 obstacles, Super Melanie says to me "Mom...  I think I lost my super strength.  Carry me...  I want to go fast".  Being a Super Mom...  I couldn't say no.  I put her on my back and kept running.

 Thankfully, we soon found Super Noelle, and Super Melanie regained her powers.

 Here she is going down her last obstacles.

 Finishing strong!!!

Here are some bonus pictures.  While Super Dad was trying to take a picture of us at the start, he said he kept hearing "Cheese."  He looked down and saw Super Noelle, in full "cheese form".  It was too cute to pass up.

 Super Oliver got to bounce in a bounce house for the first time ever.  He LOVED it!

 Super Oliver can do anything... 

 Here are all the super kids, after the race and on the way for a fun lunch!

Our family had such a fun Saturday.  I'm so grateful to have the whole family together and that we are able to make some memories.  I'm blessed.  I love my family.