Way too tired...

Apparently Natalee just couldn't make it all the way to her bed to take her nap this afternoon but ya know what?!?  She at least took a nap! Yeah!

Oh Brother...

Mortimer is the newest addition to our family. He's the girls' only brother...he is spoiled for sure. His tail is always wagging so that has to mean he's loving it at the house of Jones girls. Santa gave him to us to love and take good care of. He is 2 years old and we're not quite sure what he is...looks like a mini pin - Chihuahua - dauschuand - terrier something or other. Whatever he is...we LOVE him so!!!

January 31, 2012

Well, a month into the new year, I finally decide I need to update this blog. Horrible, I know. Sad as it is to say, nothing new is really happening. Girls are still busy with school, and wait, so am I and Nathan. Ugh, how did it come to this? In November, I started classes at Grand Canyon University for my Master's in Secondary Education (yes that is high school). Nathan started taking classes like Biology and Chemistry (plus the labs that go with them) in order for him to fulfill the requirements to get into medical school. That was not a typo...MEDICAL SCHOOL, yes. This certainly marks a brand new, fantastical, crazy chapter in the House of Jones Girls Book of Life.

Ashlynn and Ellyce started a Jazz I class at Maricopa Dance and Fitness on Tuesdays-they go at the same time that I am teaching. It has only been two weeks, but they are loving it. They prepare the day before by getting their jazz shoes and leotards set out and ready to go. They love it. Jillian and Natalee go over to my boss, Vonnie's house and play with her and her little granddaughters. It's been really nice having a "grandma" take care of my girls (they love Miss Vonnie). Dance this year for me has been super. The girls in there are getting better and better. They work really hard, so I certainly have to step up my game--make them work super duper hard! I love teaching again...

Let's see what else since the new year? Oh, Mortimer. Yes, that is his name. We got a little dog from Santa. He said that he needed a good family to take care of him and give him lots of love. Now, if you know our girls at all, they are FULL to the brim with love. Mortimer is right at home. We take him on walks, play with him in the back yard, and cuddle with him at night (and during the day too). He has been a wonderful addition to the Jones family (even if he is a BOY). And for that matter, HE WILL BE THE ONLY BOY ALLOWED IN THIS HOUSE EVER (besides Daddy).

Until next month for another update (let's hope for sooner on the updates, yeah?).

FHE

We made a wreath for our activity tonight. And now the girls are enjoying the treat!!! Ice cream cones.

Move over Betty...

Yeah. I made those. 93 total cupcakes in a single day. Decorated and all. I hope I made you proud Betty Crocker. Just know that you've got some competition. Boom.  

Ellyce: Student of the Week

This whole week, Ellyce is the "Student of the Week". She brought home a huge poster that we were to fill up with things about her: age, favorite color, favorite food, about her family, what she wants to be when she grows up, her favorite place, and her ONE WISH. Well, here was some of the things she wanted on her poster-
1. Age 5
2. Favorite Color: PINK
3.Favorite Food: Strawberries
4. Family: Mom, Dad, Ashlynn, Jillian, and Natalee (and Toothless)
5. Grows up to be a...DOLPHIN TRAINER
6. Favorite place: HOME (awwwww-I thought she'd say Walmart)
7. One WISH: to have her OWN ROOM (ha ha ha).

It was so fun to help her put it together. Most of the time kids change their minds about what they like or what they want or foods they like and so forth. Ellyce has been pretty consistent about certain things-like PINK and STRAWBERRIES. I was certainly surprised when she said that HOME was her favorite place (granted she can''t say DisneyLand or LegoLand for that matter) because I was thinking that Walmart would win that one hands down-she's always begging to go there to look at the toys. Oh well, I am happy that her home is her favorite place (makes me feel good).

Today for her "student of the week" portion of the week, she was able to stand in front of the class and tell them all about herself. I wrote up a few additional facts about her like when and where she was born, how much she weighed, about the scar she received from the doctor when she was born, her interests (from my point of view), and then I wrote her a little note telling her how much she meant to me...Jillian, Natalee and I were able to make it to her special presentation and I'm telling you, I got a little teared up.

I love my little LeeCee Bear. She is a precious little girl, and I am truly blessed to have her in my life. She adds a little kick to my day-she is always there to give me a much needed hug or even a sincere compliment. She is (mostly) helpful with her sisters and loves them with all her heart. What a joy it is to have her in our family-she is one in a million that girl!

A lovely little morning

It is absolutely gorgeous out-Finally. October is such a fickle month. It can't really decide on the weather-for instance, about 3 days ago it was in the high 90's and today, it's about 74 degrees and cloudy. Hmmm. Make up your mind, Arizona. I guess we really have nothing to complain about right?

After dropping Jillian and Kelci off at preschool, Ellyce, Natalee, and I went to the park for some fun and enjoyment. I don't understand the difference between the "playground" in our backyard versus the one at the park. Oh wait, the park one is dirtier (germy-er). At least here at home there is a toilet, and food in the cupboards. And the sound of the wind chime (which always reminds me of my great-grandma's house). I would swing for hours in their backyard singing a Muppet's song (Rainbow connection-a classic). It is nice to see the tradition/love of swinging is still alive at the House of Jones Girls.

Salvation Army trip

On Saturday, my friend Terra and I went to Casa Grande to the Salvation Army. They were having a sale (ha-a sale). All clothing was $1 each-yeah, I know, right!?! So not only did we both find a ridiculous amount of awesome clothing for us and our kiddos, we got some decent name brand articles.
Here for example is an Ann Taylor Loft skirt (wool-no less)-the light tan with the ribbon-and a vintage houndstooth print wool skirt and BCBG Maxazria corduroy pants. That awesome sweatshirt is vintage...it has to be. I could live in it. I am living in it RIGHT NOW. Awww.
Ok. Next is an awesome Baby Gap dress (no strains or rips, no nothing wrong with it) just the right size for Natalee. That cute little black and white polka dot shirt-adorable. Ellyce and Jillian have worn it already (and fighting over it already). Ashlynn's Hawaiian girl Halloween costume, which was still in the package which consisted of the grass skirt, the bikini top, the flower necklace and a seashell necklace too. $1 . Oh and that BLUE CORDUROY JUMPSUIT---yeah, that's mine. HOT! Well, I won't be going out to the grocery store in it...just to our ward Halloween party. Can you say, "Charlie's Angel"? or "girly mechanic"???
More Halloween costumes: Jillian is Pocahontas. Natalee is that little orange pumpkin looking ballerina outfit (it is TINY-and she looks adorable in it). Ellyce will be in the green flapper costume. Doesn't she just remind you of a little flapper girl from the 1930's??? I will wave her hair. Oh she will be just to die for! The brown skirt is a Gymboree skirt (corduroy with two ruffles on the bottom) and is perfect for Ashlynn's style. The pink with the lace is a homemade find that Ashlynn freaked out over-she didn't take it off all day (which means, YES...she wore that to church). Jillian wore her little skirt to church too (not shown here-but it was OshKosh Brand, so hurray for us).
Finally I found some great work pants (like nice dress slacks as most people would call them). I think my greatest find was that RED LEATHER PENCIL SKIRT...oh yeah, baby. It is adorable. I debated about getting it, but I thought...it's $1, WHY NOT!?! So I too will be sporting that at church sometime soon. I just have to figure out what to wear with it. Hmmmm. The great debate.

Well, I am a new fan of Salvation Army. I heard that every Wednesday is $1 days...I think I'm going to have to make this a regular thing. Oh, just one more thing: 3 hours and only $18 later, I am the happiest gal on the block.

New...

Our dearest friends, Karl and Chantae are moving to San Antonio and had to leave their beloved playset behind. We couldn't just let it go to waste so we begged to take it off their hands. Not too much begging. But we are now the proud owners of a playhouse thanks to them. It will be used and loved and cherished...so thanks guys. We will miss you!!

Say what now?!?

I believe my head is still attached but correct me if I'm wrong about that. I can't remember one day versus another. This school year is crazy, absolutely crazy (to say the least, the very least). Four little girls sneak into our room at nearly 6:00 AM every single morning (yes, weekends included) and the first thing they say is: "Mom, can I turn on cartoons?" And my answer should not shock any other mother in this world that would prefer at least 10 or 15 more minutes of "beauty sleep" rather than facing the alternative (duh-the baggy eyed woman looking back at you in the mirror). So by 6:15-6:20AM there are usually two girls in the shower getting primped and prepped for school. Monday-Wednesday-Friday Jillian gets to go to preschool so she is up and at 'em with even more pep than usual. Thank goodness for a helpful big sister or else Jillian would come out of the shower with soap still in her hair and suds all over her body. Eh. But hey, she gets clean so really it's a win-win.

Once dried, lotioned, combed, and primped some more, the other two girls get dressed and combed and primped. Then we all head downstairs because the girls are sooooooooo starving that they are going to die if they don't eat. Our usual breakfast delicacy is cereal in a baggie because for some reason having cereal the NORMAL way is not plausible in the morning. But at least they will all usually eat a banana to make up for the lack of potassium in our morning meal. And of course, a glass of milk. On the side. Hold the cereal. Ugh. Since when did I become a waitress? Oh that's right, about 8 years ago.

Chaos continues while making lunches and packing snacks for the girls' day. We make sure homework was signed and then try to go through a run down of what's going to happen when they get home from school: HOMEWORK, SNACK, PIANO PRACTICE, READING TIME, then play. Then 7:15AM rolls around, Ashlynn is out the door with her car pool. Little Kelci is dropped of for me to take care of during the day and I then get to take a breath and use the bathroom since waking up. Ha.

While the little girls play together for a bit, I get dressed and ready for the day. Saying I am mentally getting ready for the day would be a long stretch, but let's just play pretend for the moment. MENTALLY PREPARED FOR THE DAY...

Treats for potty training...

<p>Natalee started potty training on Tuesday, and she is doing amazing. It never hurts to have incentives for her hard work. So I made this little jar...nothing special. But whatever. She loves candy and stickers.

More...

Put one more red mahogany stain on last night, wiped it off...then miraculously found an ebony stain in the garage which I applied to it this morning before dropping the girls off at preschool. The black stain is awesone. Wish i had found it earlier...would have saved me $8. I like it...a lot.

Not quite dark enough

Maybe just one more coat of the stain...tomorrow.

Stage 1 of New Kitchen Table

I am redoing the kitchen table...this is the sanded down part 1 of a layer upon layer process. It should end up really dark. Can't wait.

Stage 2

First coat of the red mahogany stain...

Mini-Updates

School started. Ashlynn 3rd grade. Ellyce kindergarten. Jillian preschool. Natalee following the pack. Nathan working hard. Me?  Still breathing.

Yearly Fourth of July Trip

Considering this trip is a seriously long time to be in the car for four little girls...they did a pretty good job. Here are some highlights.  Silly girls.

Than you summer crafts...

I found this little summer craft in the Parenting magazine. Super fun and super easy. We took red duct tape, straws, and pipe cleaners...voila!!! Instant crown or alien head! Either one, thank you summer crafts from parenting!

Homemade play-dough

Playdate at Miss Liz's house...she made some homemade play-dough. Easy recipe and food coloring. We did have to scrub our hands pretty well-Liz still has red hands. Super fun. The girls love playing with the Tarcola ladies!

Cooking process...

Now for the presentation....

Baking hour...

What else are we going to do this summer? Learn how to bake. Oh Yes...we said BAKE! Today's special: honey bran muffins with blackberries. I will let you know if they turn out. Cross your fingers.

Natalee isn't feeling too well...

Can you tell? Poor thing. She just laid down by my feet as I was "putting on my face" and fell fast asleep. She has been battling a nasty cough and runny/snotty nose for the past few days. One good thing about kids when they get sick is that they are fantastic cuddlers. But still, this is pretty sad.

Our plight in life

Seriously this train holds up more traffic than during rush hour! Ridiculous, I tell you. Oh well...maybe we will learn to love it. But right now, nope.

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Is this considered child labor?

Natalee and jillian helped mommy clean toilets...not that fun when I do it!

Swings are so much fun

Need I say more...

Rock climbing

The 3rd child is fearless...never once does she freak out at the wiff of a new adventure. Rock climbing? 'Tis no match for her. However, she is on the clumsy side...so the fearless and the clumsy sometimes do NOT mix.

Summer camp at home...

The girls love to build forts so one Thursday, with the help of my dearest friend, Liz...we put up a fort. Now for those of you not familiar with how we make our forts here at the Jones household, we staple (yes, with a staple gun) extra blankets to the ceiling. Silly but easy and it pleases everyone. So the girls are enjoying their little fort this afternoon...they are too funny!

Only a slight miracle...

It is 7:15 in the morning and Jillian is still asleep. This is amazing.

White trash swimming pool

How awesome is this? If you have extra rubbermaid containers fill them up with water...I think this beats out playing in a cardboard box! Hey-yo!

Jillian joins in the fun

Look how cute she is?!? What a ham! These girls love to pose...what are we to do?

Who is this cute thing?

Ashlynn is officially done with school now and for her end of the year party today their class had a Hawaiian bash...super fun. The kids each got little treat bus and Natalee found the fun one with these sure sunglasses in them. Isn't she a doll?!?

New family activity

The girls and I just went on a bike ride around the block! It was super fun. Nathan first bought me a bike a little while back and on Monday night he found a baby seat that goes on the back of the bike. Natalee just loves it. She kept saying again...every time I stopped to wait for Jillian. So much fun. Tonight we have another ride set...a new family tradition, family biking!

Remember the days when...

We could sleep anywhere and in any position.

Sunday morning...

The positions that kids can sleep in is just amazing to me...seriously Natalee?

Yes...those are all her pies!

For family home evening dessert we tried a key lime pie. Needless to say everyone besides Jillian didn't care much for it. So who else is going to eat the left over deliciousness???? Jillian, of course.