A Touch Of Tyrell

 I put Emily's birthday on my calendar. I just love that little girl! We made her a giant cupcake cake and delivered it to her door with her birthday present. I know it made her feel super special! Like always, the girls have been playing lots. It's nice because it helps the days to not seem soooooo loooooong for them staying home all day.  They played all day of Emily's birthday and swam and were planning on a sleepover. I could tell Breckie wasn't herself but she kept saying she was fine. But towards evening she couldn't hold it in anymore and walked out of their front door and puked everywhere.  Then she was sick again for a whole week. She had strep all over again for the 3rd time.  I feel SO BAD for her little body. She just can't catch a break (and honestly, it's not any fun for me either... I think I'd rather have strep).   You'd think quarantine would lessen her ability to get strep but I'm almost certain ...

I'm not a frequent selfie taker... but I found several on my phone lately.  Roxy and I accidentally twinning one day: Everett's new haircut: Hanging out with my crazies on the porch swing: Just me and my girlies:

Admittedly, beach cruiser bikes are a little more difficult to ride (mostly steer) than what we would consider a traditional kids bike. But nevertheless, they look cool and that's what we like around here (looks awesome, but doesn't function well).  LOL, I'm so kidding! Breckie REALLY wanted a beach cruiser bike but was never completely comfortable on her old bike (which is why she gave it to our neighbor almost two years ago). Soooooooo.... she basically has been learning how to ride a bike all over again.  She has been doing AMAZING and we can all tell she is LOVING the freedom riding a bike provides. You can go fast with minimal effort and it's just thrilling for beginners.  But one day she didn't make a sharp turn very well and it sent her down a gravelly hill filled with large boulders, pokey bougainvillea, and giant agave plants.  Miraculously she stayed on her bike (dodging all obstacles) until the very, very end where she fell over i...

It just so happens that I actually did Roxy's hair one morning and then neighbors dropped off duplicate crafts they accidentally bought.  It just so happens that Roxy painted her lips black and it reminded me or Harley Quinn 😅 (although I've never seen whatever movie she's in... I just happen to know what the character looked like)

Easter morning the kids woke up to find the Easter bunny brought them baskets and big presents.  Roxy has mastered her scoot bike so she was ready for one with pedals.  Breckie as been asking for a bike for a long time. She had a smaller one for a while but NEVER rode it. So she gave it to the neighbor. Now she wants a bike but the one she gave away is too small.  Everett has suddenly shows some major skill in baseball and was looking forward to getting a real bat and some baseball gear.  Easter morning was fun. It was super cute to see them all dig through their baskets.  When they went downstairs they found that the Easter bunny had hid eggs all over the house. I think we only have another year of magic before it gets spoiled :) We had church and our Easter lesson in the living room, because, you know, quarantine.  The kids were so excited to play with their gifts. So we went to the neighborhood park where Roxy master...

I seems that I am always internally conflicted. Maybe this is just life, but I feel like it's pretty intense for me.  The neighbors.  They are over EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  I'm sure you are tired of reading about it. I LOVE that I have a home and yard big enough for them all to come and play (basically) whenever they want. We have a trampoline, playhouse/swing set, a pool, lots of floaties, goggles, towels for everyone, bikes, scooter, balls, crafts, and all activities for them to participate in. I truly feel blessed to have a home they feel comfortable in.  I LOVE that the kids get along. There are always little arguments but they also play for hours and hours everyday. They practically act like cousins or step-siblings.  I LOVE that my kids have friends right next door.  But I don't love that I always say yes. They are always over.  Always.  I don't love that I get to be the one to hear all the chaos of having FO...

There are a lot of little things that are actually pretty big things.  During the "pre-homeschool phase" (a.k.a. Spring Break gone Corona virus) I gathered up all of the smart/crafty toys and put them in bins in the pantry. Bunch-ums Lite Brite Puzzles Coloring books Markers/crayons/pencils Pearler Beads Blocks & Legos Paint Yarn/string/ribbon Play-doh & slime Stamps Scissors Stickers And a bunch of other craft stuff. So now, in the evenings, when we try to read scriptures as a family, the kids can go get something out of the pantry to do while we read aloud.  Being able to reach our goal of doing Come Follow Me as a family is a little thing but it's actually a big deal.  **** Since all "non-essential" things are closed, we haven't been to the gym in over a month. I feel weird and lazy and unaccomplished on days that I don't workout (which is just how I feel... not how I feel about other p...

We've been trying to keep busy here... which keeps me WAY too busy (overwhelm central). I think I try too hard to keep my kids engaged and away from the screen... maybe I would benefit from lowering my standards 😌 One way I keep the girls entertained is through crafts.... which usually  always involves the neighbor girls.  *Roxy did SO good painting in the lines and sprinkling the glitter! I honestly feel like I am raising AT LEAST 5 children.  ...which is probably why I feel so exhausted and overwhelmed!

Never in my life have I wanted to homeschool my kids. It's just not part of who I am.  But we were not given a choice.  This week was our first real week of homeschool. I did not like it one bit and everyday was a struggle.  Everett seems to do ok. He gets his work done WAY too early though. He's done by 9 or 10 am. It leaves me feeling overwhelmed with what to keep him busy doing for the rest of the day.  Breckie, on the other hand, is an absolute nightmare. She refuses to focus or put any effort into her work. It is so frustrating.  We outlined a routine, have crafts, lego challenges, cooking challenges, reading, outside time etc. but I still look forward to the day they get to go back to school in July. 

Aren't baby kangaroo's called Joeys? Well, if that's true than Roxy is a Joey FOR SURE! She is ALWAYS attached to me. No matter what I'm doing, you will find her right there next to me.  I can't workout in the garage without her, shower without her, cook dinner without her... I literally can't do anything without her.  This week has been a week of homeschooling online and a lot of time has been spent trying to figure out the programs. That means Roxy was sitting  wiggling on my lap the entire process. I haven't had a moment alone in weeeeeeeeeeeeks! This is her doing my makeup WHILE I am trying to help Breckie get caught up on her work.  I can't say that it's not endearing to be loved so much, but sometimes I'm completely touched out by 10 am! Yesterday Roxy got (almost!) caught up on her shots. She got three shots she was supposed to get at her 3-yr check up AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN CRY.... or move or say ouch! T...

I don't think their are many that are enjoying COVID-19. I am among the crowd that isn't loving it. Our family has been so blessed during this health crisis and we are so grateful and thankful for that. I feel very lucky at how little our lives have changed compared to others. Knowing how much this will impact our kids, the school counselor sent out some ideas for the kids to try to stay positive and cope with their feelings. One of her suggestions was to keep a journal. I've always benefited from journaling... so here it goes. I miss my alone time. I used to be able to have thoughts, showers, workouts, and shopping trips all to myself while the kids were at school. My alone time has not only been completely hijacked, but it has been replaced with intense time with the kids. Not only are they trying to continue on with life now that school, sports, clubs, dance, playing with friends, etc has been completely taken away, I AM NOW THEIR REPLACEMENT FOR ALL OF THO...

I am so deeply exhausted. To my very, very core. And then Breckie gets step again.  She is the worst kid to get sick because she has a zero on the pain tolerance scale. She just whines and complains and whimpers and it leaves me totally drained (because I find it incredibly annoying but I try SO HARD not to let it show or to project my annoyance on her).  A trip to the doctor, pharmacy, & drive through while the world is falling apart and my personal world got hit with the atom bomb was just what we needed with week 😓