Lost in Translation

I just really love listening to our little Mollserati talk these days. Two-year-olds are the best. Here are some of our favorite Molly-isms lately.

"Paco" - Popsicle
"Doh-dee" - Dirty. She really doesn't like dirty.

"Turkey" - Thirsty

"Ocean" - Lotion

"Yo-E-Yo" - Cereal

And everyone's favorite:

"I"'m nakey" - I'm naked

She always sings when she says this and does a little dance.  A few weeks ago while the young men were passing the sacrament, she stood up on our bench, pulled off the straps of her dress and started singing and dancing, "I'm nakey, I'm nakey." It was awesomely hilarious.

Birthday at the Ranch

 I was really born at such a pretty time of year. I love celebrating my birthday at the ranch and I love even more that my kids love this tradition and look forward to it every year.

Someone forgot to give Cole the wear your camo message, but Ben was in on it. These three look like brothers.

I swear we just packed these three out as little babes. Where does the time go?

Grandpa got a big hello from all the kids when he showed up.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a trek up to the old house. Soon, it will be a trek up to the old pile of boards.

But, the old combine probably has a few more years left before it falls apart, so we'll still have that.

And the girls still pick us wildflower bouquets, so we still have that too.

We had a good time.

Museum Day

Aunt Andrea came for a quick visit last month, so the Griffiths family invaded Thanksgiving Point. We {everyone but Floyd - darn house} went to the Museum of Curiosity. I didn't really get many pictures because I was busy chasing our littlest monkey. She thinks she's seven. She had to push the big kids down the slide because they were taking too long.

The kids had fun and I made it safely out the door with the same four kids I entered with and zero gift shop souvenirs, so I'll call it a success. 

The {little} Graduate

 One more preschool graduate at our house. This was our first year not at the best preschool teacher in the history of preschool teacher's school. I was pretty nervous, but Ben had a great year. He's such a super guy and Teacher Amy gave him the award, "Problem Solver - he thinks things through, works quickly, and is always easy-going. He's polite and kind to everyone. Also, he pretty much knows everything."

I forgot to get a picture of him with teacher Amy, so this little candid shot will have to do. He's pretty worried she is going to miss him this summer. I bet he's right - he's a missable kind of guy.

Great job, Benny. You were an awesome little preschooler.

The Kitchen Sink

 Our field trip Fridays were a little dull through the winter. Not a lot to do indoors in Cache Valley. But one Friday early in March (or maybe it was late February?), we came up with a good one.  We went to Angie's and attempted to clean the sink. 

It was a pretty big failure, but oh so very much fun.  I mean really, look at Molly's excitement. It was awesome.

Next time, we'll come better prepared with empty bellies and extra buddies. And then we'll get the elusive bumper sticker.

Go Fly a Kite

                                With tuppence for paper and strings

You can have your own set of wings

With your feet on the ground

You're a bird in a flight

With your fist holding tight

To the string of your kite

Oh, oh, oh!

Let's go fly a kite

Up to the highest height!

Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring

Up through the atmosphere

Up where the air is clear

Oh, let's go fly a kite!

When you send it flyin' up there

All at once you're lighter than air

You can dance on the breeze

Over 'ouses and trees

With your first 'olding tight 

To the string of your kite

Oh, oh, oh!

Let's go fly a kite

Up to the highest height!

Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring

Up through the atmosphere

Up where the air is clear

                                               Let's go fly a kite!

                             

PS - That shark kite up there? It tried to kill me.  Felt like I was personally holding back the wind. We call it the devil kite.

Birthday Ben

Oh! I love 5-year-old birthdays.  It was so fun to celebrate with Ben and see how excited he was to celebrate his big day.  He came up with a pretty good plan.  First, we took a few cousins with us to the Jump Zone. Always a hit.

He requested a Star Wars cake with the kind of frosting Claire had on her Frozen cake. Easiest birthday cake ever, in other words.

He also requested a watermelon pinata, just like Annie had at her party last year.  Didn't really fit with the Star Wars theme, but none of the kids seemed to mind. I really like 5-year-olds planning their parties - they've never looked at Pinterest, resulting in pretty doable party ideas.

Ben got ridiculously spoiled, but his favorite present was the shovel his dad gave him. He loved it so much, we tucked it into bed right alongside him.

He is such a great little kid. I have a hard time letting him grow up, but I hope he'll always carry and easy charm with him. He's the best. Here is a little glimpse of Ben in the words of Ben:

Favorite color: Blue 

Favorite food: Toast and pizza

What I want to be when I grow up: A farmer and a digger

Favorite animal: Lion

Favorite book: My big fold-out tractor book

Favorite part of school: Playing at recess, but we don't even get it always

Favorite trip: Montana

My perfect day: Go out and dig trenches

What a guy! Happy Birthday, Benny.  Everyone who meets you loves you, but nobody loves you more than Mom.