Definitely One of Us

Anyone who knows our family well will know that all of us (and I do mean all) love bags.  It's more of an obsession really.  Well today Brinnley had a backpack on her back and Porter was following her screaming and frantically pulling at the straps.  He wanted it bad!  I was laughing, it was just too cute.  Brinnley, being the good sister she is, found a bag similar to the one she had.  He snatched that thing out of her hand and took off down the hall afraid someone would take it from him.  He threw a fit like I have never seen from him when it was nap time and I took it away.  He would not calm down!  It was only when I gave him a replacement bag, one with very short straps that wouldn't get over his head, that he calmed down.  He is at this very moment peacefully sleeping with his little fat fist clutching the strap of his bag.

Lefty?

So lately I have noticed that my little man reaches for things with his left hand, eats with his left hand, and waves with his left hand.  I'm not getting my hopes up, but I would love to have a lefty.  I am a lefty and both my dads are lefties.  I always wanted to have a lefty.  Maybe I got my wish!  I personally love being left-handed.  I feel unique and special.  We shall see if Porter continues to favor his left hand and if there will be a fellow lefty in the house.  But there is not pressure, I will love him even if he goes to the other side ;)

P.S.

Question for all those private bloggers out there.  Can you still have your posts e-mailed to people after you go private?  How does going private work, do you just add their e-mails to your list?

Phew!

The past few months have been very busy in this house.  Since we got back from our last visit home in April, things have been crazy.  Chant has been as busy as ever with school and his calling.  He is getting great grades and learning a ton!  We have been privileged to attend 4 convert baptisms in the past 6 weeks.  Truly that has been amazing for us as a family.  We have had two birthdays and one more coming soon.  And I as well have taken 2 college courses.   I finished 6 credits in about 6 weeks.  It was crazy!  To be honest, I was scared to take the classes.  I haven't been a student for 5 years and I have forgotten how to do it.  I was nervous to get started, but once I did it was a great experience.  Of course it was much harder to juggle school and 3 kids, but my understanding of what Chant goes through everyday grew immensely.  I honestly don't know how he does it.  But I feel so proud of myself, like I really accomplished something.  And it felt good to be learning again.  I do miss being a student.  I miss the fire I would feel when reading my history books and hearing people's stories and the way they affected me, and the passion I had when discussing topics with fellow classmates and when writing papers.  I love learning and I hope to be able to continue doing it through my own reading.  I recently started a book called Sarah's Key.  It is about the round-up of Jews in France during WWII.  (Thanks for the recommendation Crystal!)  Now I have 4 more years to procrastinate my next 6 credits!

Birthday Funny

I thought this was hilarious and had to share!

Birthday wrap-up

After presents we had her cake.

Then she wanted to watch Barbie and the Dimond Castle.

(Notice who is tucked nicely under the blanket next to Ainsley.  That's right, Liana.)

Good Birthday!

Present time!

After we got back from Grant's Farm Friday, Ainsley got to open her presents.  

She got a bagful of Toy Story Toys.  That was very exciting for her because Toy Story 2 is one of her favorite movies.

And she got Liana from Barbie and the Dimond Castle.  She couldn't believe it!  Plus, there is a button on her had that when you push she sings one of 4 songs from the movie.   She just kept pushing the button.

Bobby Jack bedspread.

Clearance at Sears for $8.  Yea!

My monkey girl was in love!

So was Porter, with the wrapping paper.

Really, she wouldn't put Liana down.  It was pretty cute!  I think she was happy with her presents!

Grant's Farm, the Wild Side

We had a lot of fun looking at the animals.  I had to include this picture of the elephant because I thought it was so cute how he was standing with his legs crossed just chillin'.

This tortoise was massive!  The girls thought he was pretty cool.

But the favorite was the goats.  We didn't have anything to feed them so they decided to feed on our clothes.  The girls got a little nervous when the little guys started nibbling.  Brinnley made sure everyone knew her shirt had been eaten by a goat.

THis really was the perfect day.  We had a nice relaxing tram ride, a decent amount of animals with a much smaller crowd than the zoo and not nearly as much walking.  Perfect!

Grant's Farm

Yesterday our little Ainsley turned 3!

For her special day we planned on going to the zoo.  When we got there it was packed.  We couldn't even find a place to park.  So we decided to go to Grant's Farm instead.

Good choice!  It was really fun.  We had to wait in line to get on a tram that takes you for a ride through the property and then back to see the animals.  (It's like a mini zoo.)  Our little ladies waiting for the tram. 

On the ride to see the animals.