My little artist does mother's day

Abigail has become quite the accomplished artist lately. Please see the above depiction of Nacho Libre in case you need any convincing. She really honed and crafted her poetic and visual talents during this mother's day. I think she made me at least 30 cards. Some were made on the back of bingo slips, others note cards from my stash, and one was even made on a felt pumpkin. For posterity's sake, I'd like to record what some of them said (spelling intentionally uncorrected):

• It is so grat your my mom
• You are like a pumpkin. You fell (feel) like a smoothe leaf. You fell (feel) like Falle. (I am hoping that being like a pumpkin is a good thing!)
• Thank you for being my mom.
  
• Happy Mother's Day I hope your knee feels better (and yes, she included the apostrophe!)
  
• I love you.
  
• Thank you for Evrething
• You are my Best Frend
• Me and You
• You are grate.
  
• I like you.
  
• give me a snugle
• you are a rae of sunshin
• Happy Mother's Day. If I hade 1 wish I would wish for you.
  
• Happy Mtoher's Day. You are the best mom that I ever met.
  
• Happy Mother's Day you are like a rose. you are the best. I love you. Thank you.

I was also loved up on with some lovely paintings and drawings:


I really like that she put me in a striped skirt in that last one. It does look like I have only one tooth though, which isn't exactly accurate. But overall, I think she captured me very well. Thanks Abigail for a fantastic mother's day!

April, also, in bullet points

• Summer has arrived in Las Vegas. E.A.R.L.Y. it's supposed to be in the low 80s but we've been 90+ now for almost 2 weeks (I think. I could be exaggerating, but if so, it's only because it's heat-induced exaggeration). 
• Abby had career day at her school. Brandon was a trooper and went into try to explain complex divorce proceedings to her Kindergarten class. It was hilarious! I think my favorite questions were: "Are you the president?" "I watch Judge Judy. Do you know Judge Judy?" "Do you shock people?" After a lot of effort by the adults in the room we figured this last question out- the kid was asking if Brandon was packing a taser. He was very disappointed to hear that Brandon carries no weapons, but was quickly cheered to see that he does carry a lap top and TWO cell phones with him at all times. Abby was so proud of him. So was I.
• Abby got her first black eye. She ran into an eye-level doorknob. 
• I accompanied my first vocalist on the piano. I was sweaty, shaking, and overall magnificent. 
• Abby sported a mohawk to crazy hair day at school. 
• I was asked by a friend to come to an event at springs preserve and volunteer. She works for the water authority in town and I was supposed to get people to give me their email addresses so they could be sent a survey. I am so glad I don't do customer service. I do not take rejection well. 
• We had a surprise party to send off a dear friend, Ardis Anderson, to her new home in Gilbert, AZ. It was a super fun night but for a super sad cause. 
• I was able to volunteer at cub scout day camp along with Brandon and Abby. We were helping to run the field games. Low point? I wasn't issued a whistle or blow horn which is really the reason I volunteered. But the high light was the Aids Research charity kickball game being played next to us by 30 and 40 somethings in costume, wigs, and wings made from tin foil. They even brought a DJ. I think it was a real encouragement for our cub scouts to stay in school and go to college.
• We also had a projector party at our home. We're trying hard to figure out how to make our back yard into an outdoor movie theater. Our first attempt was noble, but not exactly successful. 
• Pinewood derby was this month. Abigail came with me to help set up the pizza table and run the event. At the end when all of the cub scouts were getting their awards, she turned to me and pouted that it wasn't fair she wasn't called up to get a trophy since all the rest of the kids in the room were...couldn't really make that one better for her....
• We attended several birthday parties. They were great. I think I have now bounced, slid and climbed on every inflatable bouncing apparatus in the southeastern las vegas area. There was a week where we had pizza and cake every day. It was a good week. 
• We threw a farewell party for Elder Manu. He was a great friend and missionary and we were sending him home from the South Pointe Ward. We did a Las Vegas theme complete with a bar serving Mocktails. The most popular was the Manu Colada (think virgin pina colada). I had one after the party was over. It wasn't that good. I'm sorry to the roughly 200 guests I served it to. I think my favorite line from that night came from my new friend Nick, "Jamie, you have more people in your house right now than I have facebook friends."  
• Went to my first Tapas restaurant. Pretty much my favorite thing ever. 
• Niece Makena turned one. We sure do love our cousins around here. For an example of how much we love them please see below:

The entire month of March in bullet points

• Abby fell in love with Phantom of the Opera (see above as she dances to "Think of Me"). She wants to be Christine for Halloween. She also asked if she could go see it playing at the Venetian. (The tickets are like $100/person.) When I told her it was a little expensive, and was she sure she really wanted to see Phantom, she asked if we could go see it for her birthday instead of having a party. She's committed! But how the heck are we going to get a child's size small Christine costume?
• We stopped eating meat and most dairy. Cah-Ray-Zay! But we feel really good. We watched the movie Forks Over Knives and it was a game changer.
• I tore my meniscus in my right knee and am officially benched for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Part sadness, part relief.
  

• For a primary activity, we took our senior primary on a 3+ mile hike to the temple (see above). It was full of whining, fatigue, and the Holy Spirit. I think my favorite moment was when we crested the hill, saw the temple, and started walking down to it while singing "I Love to See the Temple." In the middle of our profound moment one kid walked squarely into a light pole. That just about sums up primary in general. I also loved there was a drug bust going on the street in front of the temple. That about sums up Las Vegas in general.
  

• And of course, lots of fun with friends! Abby has a wonderful Daisy scout troop with fabulous leaders. She was able to go to Build-a-Bear and had a great time. Lots of play dates. Lots of dinners with friends and bonfires. And of course birthday parties! (including my nephew Logan- 1 year already??!)
  

March was a great month!

Last week tid bits

• Took my very first trip to an Apple Store. That place is crazy! And it makes me feel elderly.
  
• Brandon and I went out for a date and had Pho. I love Pho. For those unfamiliar with this gourmet concoction, Pho is a Vietnamese meat and veggie soup in an insanely delicious broth made better by chili oil and lime. Are you hungry yet? Because you know I am!!
  
• I was fortunate enough to be able to be a waitress for the Mother/Daughter silly supper put on by our Activity Day leaders. It was so much fun! I've always had a dream of being a waitress and it was my Sea Biscuit moment! I had two favorite parts of the night. First, I wore a mohawk that nobody really seemed to find odd. Which I guess means I'm way more punk rock than I realized. Second, I was able to get down with a bunch of 11 year old girls at a Justin Beiber dance party. One of the many perks of being primary president!
• We discovered an app that will take your photo and turn it into a picture of you either fat or old. It made me want to get some expensive moisturizers and go jogging. And while it gave us giggles, it gave Abby nightmares. (Honestly, I think I'm closer to nightmares than giggles too now that I re-think about it.)
• Brandon ran the furthest he's ever run in his life to this point- 5 miles. He did great. He's even flirting with the idea of running the SLC half marathon with me in April.
• We had dinner at Chef Niel's twice this week. He spoils us rotten! He fed Brandon some deep dish pizza that made him want to pack his bags and move to Chicago.
• Abigail got all gussied up and sold some girl scout cookies in front of an Albertson's. I believe it's an important right of passage to hawk wares for a good cause (at least, that's how I justify the mass quantity of cookies we've bought and consumed).
• Brandon got to venture out for 6am baptisms for the dead. He came back all holy ghost-y.
  
• My car received it's annual wash. It was at a critical point. I've had a smashed oreo on the floor of the back seat for over a month now.
  
• Watched the season finale of Downton Abbey and am filled with pain for the year I have to wait until the next season starts!
• And for Aunt Donna...you'll be happy to know that Abby let me know she doesn't think I'm that smart. At least, she said, not as smart as her 8 year old cousin Brinley. And trust me, I know I deserved that :)
  

We've been up to our elbows in fun!

In no particular order, here are a few things we've been up to.

Abby had a few days off school so we decided to pack up el carro and head to San Diego. (Please note that my Spanish has dramatically improved after a weekend in San Diego.) I have never been to the world famous San Diego Zoo before and figured as a lover of nature it was over due. The zoo is wonderful! Highlights included a petting zoo where Abby can groom goats, fairly decent zoo food (I mean a black bean burger on wheat? Happy mom!), and beautiful grounds. The low point? It's hilly and huge. We were effectively hiking! but I loved it....I came home wanting to recycle, buy fair trade chocolate, and attend a local farmers market- which are feelings I generally really like.

We have had some great weather here in Vegas lately. We took advantage and went hiking in Red Rock. Highlight? My child is a serious rock climber! Low point? We forgot water and were pretty sure we were going to end up on the news...

While in San Diego we visited the Midway. I LOVE this ship! It makes me feel patriotic and grateful. Also feelings I generally really like. I was surprised, but Abby loved it! She was climbing in and out of fighter planes and heading through the mess halls of yesteryear. We learned how to make life jackets out of pants. Educational and fun! Highlights? Touching the helicopter that rescued the Apollo 13 astronauts. Low point? The animatronic ship captain that gave my child nightmares that night.

Has Abby decided to go to law school? The cycle of abuse continues.

Can't hit San Diego without going to the beach. This is on Coronado Island, at sunset, on the beach in front of the Hotel Del Coronado. It was magical. I really want to stay in that hotel some day. Oh, and just so I keep myself honest...I did not build that particular sand castle. Highlights? Collecting shells and feeling the waters of the mighty Pacific. Low point? We kind of started having a sand fight that got out of control. There was a bit of pent up feelings as a result of a lot of time in the car and some bad nights sleep at the Residence Inn. (did you know they don't have concierges at those places?!?! I've become spoiled...)

We had awful Mexican food, a great trip to the Melting pot (which is surprising, because Brandon hates both waiting for food and cooking his own), and the most ridiculously good single scoop ice cream cones that $17 can buy. I know it's a ton of money for ice cream, but I think I'd pay it again....yes,... yes I would...

Favorite V-Day moment

It was a great Valentine's. Brandon is so romantic, I got the best pair of running shoes ever!

As much as I love my Nike Vomeros....my favorite Valentine's moment came from Abigail. Brandon had bought her a card and on the envelope had written "To my Precious Child." When it was time for Brandon to give Abby her Valentine, he pulled her into his lap, put his arms around her, and asked, "Abby, do you see this card? Do you know what it says?" Abby looked at the card and answered...

"Wassup Baby?!"

Almost After...like 95% After

This can't truly be a before/after shot because I haven't cleaned up yet! And I still have nowhere to hang a towel and I haven't put rugs on the floor...but I'm impatient. And while it may be without towels and rugs, it's also probably the only time my bathroom wont have dirty clothes on the floor. Accentuate the positive!



Pros? I could shower an entire Alaskan dog team in that shower! Con? I didn't consider something to put your soap/shampoo/conditioner on when you're in the tub. I haven't officially moved into it yet, but it already seems a lot easier to clean, a lot more functional, and in my mind...a lot better looking! (Sorry to offend anyone- I mean, someone liked that red racing stripe tile well enough to put it in...someone...just not my thing)

On to the next room!