Marissa is one year older!

Marissa's birthday fell on the second Thursday of the moth, which meant I had a Relief Society meeting conflict. When I mentioned it to her (2 weeks before) her response was, "Can I go?" So that pushed her birthday party to Friday night. We still had pancakes and ice cream the morning of her real birthday and we sang to her throughout the day. She opened Grammy and Gaffa's card, too.

Since the RS meeting included dinner, Marissa and I did not eat with the family (but I still prepared dinner for the others). We headed off and enjoyed some time together. (I took my camera to get a picture but ended up not getting it taken.)

Friday evening, Marissa helped make her birthday dinner - chicken and wild rice soup. Grandma and Grandpa Nichols showed up a little before Kevin. We got cameras and candles ready after oooing and ahhhhing over the cake. We sang as Kevin brought out the cake (which was a bit tricky for him because the cake was heavy on one end of the board) and then she enjoyed blowing out the candles one at a time for the first few and then she blew the farther ones out all at once. It was funny.

The presents were under the end of the table so I gave them a number and asked her which number she wanted. It was a different way to do it and it worked out fine. She enjoyed all the gifts and attention. She received: a watch, two movies (Frozen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), two books (Anne of Green Gables, Grimm Brother's Tales), a scrapbook kit, Calvin and Hobbes book, and shoes from Gpa and Gma Nichols. Her sisters made her some things out of yarn: a scarf, book mark, and corking snake thing. I think it was a successful party.

We all enjoyed watching the movie Frozen after the Nichols left. It is definitely a Disney movie with all the singing - not as action packed as Pixar movies. It was a good movie and it was fun to watch the kids get into it. Then it was time for family prayer and off to bed with talk of this part and that part of the movie. And so good night everybody!

Meeting of the Minds

The other day Domonique was in the kitchen putting away the dry dishes, while Emily was washing the dirty dishes. Domonique hurt herself some how, and started crying. Emily tried to comfort her, "You're okay. You're not going to die, are you?" Domonique sniffled and said, "Probably." Emily said, "No you're not." Domonique said, "That's not what probably means." I was laughing in the living room. It was so funny to hear those two talking back and forth. Domonique is Emily's responsibility so they spend a lot of time together (sometimes happy and sometimes not) but they are a lot alike. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the buddy system we set up or not, but they are a good match.

Great helper

I was running around getting things done and heard Camdilyn fussing in the school room. Then I realized she was no longer fussing so I went in to see what happened. Emily was sitting in the rocking chair with Camdilyn sleeping in her lap. It was so sweet. Emily was so excited and elated that she was able to hold her sister, comfort her, and have her fall asleep in her arms. Awesomeness!

Children's Zoo

We only go to our zoo when it's free. Imagine my delight when I found out they were having free admission from 3-7 today. Well, I found out before today so I could plan on going. We had an early dinner and I worried about the chilly temperature. We packed into the car and headed out and then it started to rain. I was certainly NOT going to walk around the zoo with little ones if it was raining. The kids all said silent prayers to Heavenly Father to stop the rain and it worked. It was chilly but we had jackets so we survived.

 

It was a cute shot until the two little ones fell.

No ground hogs were out.

I worried about keeping her warm enough.

She stayed toasty even

Little horses - don't fee them your fingers.

The kids tried to milk the cow.

It was harder than they thought it would be.

The little girls liked the goat.

They all enjoyed drawing with chalk.

Harmonie got very close to her work.

It was so cute.

Sid the sloth, a.k.a Fire King

Fire - it was cold so the kids were trying to warm up.

Hola hoop time!

The flowers helped make you think it was spring.

My kids checking out the emu.

This is the closest we have ever seen the penguins.

They almost went swimming.

But then turned around and walked away.

Wild life close up!

Time to go, and Domonique is driving.

Watching the female peacocks.

It was a fun trip to the zoo. Not really very exciting because lots of things were not out due to the cold temperatures. I guess the kids just like getting out and doing things. I like that it was free.