St. Patrick's Day 2012

A little catching up needs to take place before I can blog about our sweet new "you-know-who" because our last family memories as the Firmage four are just too sweet to skip. 

Like St. Patrick's day.

This is how the morning started:

And my kids thought that was pretty darn cool!

Then we decided to do a small-scale scavenger hunt for Hallie that involved this little leprechaun Hallie made at school with her 5th grade buddy.  He's been holding our fridge up for a while.

I came into the kitchen and "gasped" telling Hallie and Chandler to come quick.

The leprechaun was missing!

And in it's place was a note: (Elon's handiwork)

He sent her to about four different places, upstairs and down, until at last they reached the hidden treasure:

There he is, dangling above Hallie's little window-well garden on the side of the house.

Isn't that such a sweet reaction?  It was well worth the nine-month-prego sprint I did in my slippers to get out the door with camera ready.

She ate this whole thing up hook, line, and sinker :)

Chandler on the other hand couldn't have cared less.

 And trust me, I didn't make him play with only green toys on St. Patty's day ;)


Then Elon took the kids on a walk to the playground, and I was lucky enough to be sitting out on the porch when they crossed the street home.  Check them out all clad in their green :)

Hallie came running ahead yelling, "mom, we're going on a picnic for lunch, at the park!" 

This was news to me, but what the hay, it was such a gorgeous day, I didn't mind packing up a few sandwiches and drinks to take to the park.

  

And it was packed!  

We had such a fun day.

That night Hallie took each family member's cup (yeah we have our own "special" cup that we use for a couple days before they get washed, otherwise we'd go through cups like tissues and I would go crazy.) and she filled the bottom with those chalky candy hearts left over from Valentine's day, and drew each of us a picture to go along with the candy hearts.  She said it was our St. Patrick's day gift from her, and I thought that was so thoughtful.

  

She then asked where her present was from us.

Hmmm.

Elon politely informed her that we were behind the scavenger hunt, and that it was our gift to her because we knew how much she loved scavenger hunts. 

Unfortunately this went over like a lead balloon because she really thought it was the leprechaun.

I sat back and watched Elon try and dig his way out of that one, and I think for the most part, it ended up okay.  She really knew it was us, but never wanted to be told that it was.  She totally loves to soak up the magic of such things, and I'm so glad she does.

 

Molasses candy

Hallie loves the "Little House" series, and we have three that we've almost completely worn out reading for the past three years.  And probably our favorite one is "Chirstmas in the big woods," because whenever we get to the part about Laura and Mary making molasses candy with Ma, Hallie expresses her desire for us to try making it.

So after three years of talking about trying it, I finally made it a priority out of sheer fear that Hallie was going to sail through childhood without ever filling pans with snow and making swirly little designs out of this simple candy syrup.

The day before, Elon took Hallie to the library to check out the Little House Cookbook.

So during Chandler's nap, I set out the pans, and figured it would for sure happen if I had the ingredients sitting on the counter ready to be poured into the saucepan.

Plus I told Hallie before she got on the bus that we'd make the molasses candy when she got home.  That was probably the most effective thing I could have done in ensuring that molasses candy be made that day.  

And just like clockwork, when she got off the bus, the first thing out of her mouth was, "are we still making molasses candy?"  And I was grateful I could say "yes" with flying colors!  I told her to go in and hang up her backpack and then we'd grab the pans sitting in the entryway and head right back out to fill them with snow.  As we were heading out the door she said, "I can't believe the day is finally here!"  


And I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I handed her a long-handled serving spoon to fill the pans with.  

But I'll tell you what, I'm grateful this shovel was hanging in the garage, because it got the job done lickity split, ensuring that we'd finish while the sun was still up.

Then we headed in for the "heating and stirring" portion of the process.


And Hallie is an expert pour-er.

And stirrer.

Once it had boiled up to a scary temp (with me stirring), Hallie went out and hauled all those pans of snow inside by herself!

And the pouring began.

Funny they didn't turn out quite as attractive as they were in the book :)

And lets just say that the tasting portion of the activity yielded a little girl with a very questionable look on her face.  

In fact, it would've been nice if there was a note to the parents printed up on the same page as the recipe that reads:

         "Attention Parents:

                     If your child has ever eaten a lolly-pop, skittles, m&m's, or any of the like, they will most likely think this candy is nasty."

But we had fun determining some of the shapes.  Can you find the giant #4, U, M, whimsical tea kettle, sitting cat, rainbow, and the little boy driving a car?  

So now I can be at ease to have indulged Hallie and I in something we've been talking about doing for sooo long. 

And even though it didn't turn out to be the most palatable, it made for a fun memory with lots of laughs. (Especially when Elon came home and politely declined a piece ;))

My Golden Birthday

I really had no intention of blogging about my birthday, but it just so happens that this particular one is most likely going down as my favorite yet. 

Yes it was my golden birthday (28 on the 28th) and I swear I'm one of two people who know what a golden birthday even is because everybody else seems to be surprised by the concept.  The back story on how I know, is that at age 15-ish, I went to babysit for a boy (and his younger siblings) who was soon turning 12, and his dad told me that his son's golden birthday was coming up- 12 on the 12th of whatever month it happened to be, and among all the useful knowledge I've learned and forgotten over the years, that one stuck like glue to my brain for 10+ years.   

Anyway, that has nothing to do with why this birthday is blog-worthy.

It has more to do with Hallie getting really into gifts from her, which is really fun to see.   And the day before I became a late twenty, she insisted that her dad take her birthday shopping for me.  So off they went, and they were gone for a really long time.

When they came back, it would be an understatement to say she was bursting at the seams with excitement.  So much so, I thought I might just have to open it a day early.

She said, "I just can't wait for you to see your present!" about 237 times.

Elon then informed me (in private) that she was very particular about what she wanted to get me, and there was absolutely no swaying her, so he hoped I could just "love" it for her.  Of course I didn't need that last bit of instruction, in fact I couldn't wait to see what my Hallie's "100%-gift-from-her" was going to be.  And if nothing else, I was going to love it entirely for that very reason.

So the next day,  I got up to a decorated chair, which pulled at my heart strings when Elon told me Hallie had gotten up early and was busy cutting and gluing (yeah gluing) those little squares on.

Then I opened the card from Elon and Hallie, which had me rolling, cuz if you knew what kind of week Chandler and I have had, you would understand why they just had to get me this one: 

Yup, it's been one wet and poopy adventure after another! (more on that later).


So then came the moment Hallie and I were waiting for.


And I LOVED it!
 
I would not have guessed it in a million years.  


Elon said she waded through a thousand patterns before she decided on this particular one- (It being one of the only dress patterns with modest sleeve options).  Then I have this mental picture of them going over to the giant drawers to locate this pattern (what a great dad!)

And then choosing the fabric was another very lengthy process.  They (with the help of the "fabric lady") narrowed it down to this one.  

Despite Elon's efforts to talk her into going to TJ Maxx to buy me a dress already made, she shot it down with a hefty dose of Hallie logic - "she needs to practice sewing dad." which I find very ironic seeing how a few weeks ago I had a running list of things not to pursue in this season of life I am in, and sewing was one of them.  I guess I'll just have to pull that pattern out, and learn how to do it.  I say "I" but I've already recruited my mom's help :) 


So guess who will be wearing purple next Easter Sunday??  (Once pregnant bellies and nursing are a temporary thing of the past.)  Believe it or not I am so looking forward to making this dress and wearing it.  Was there ever a sweeter gift from a little girl to her mom?!  The thought of Hallie loving me so much to give that much thought to my special day turns my heart to mush, and makes my eyes swim.  


This is why I had to post about my birthday :)

I do however have to hand it to Elon for pampering me with a yummy breakfast, then blindly taking me to Longfellow's greenhouse since my birthday happens to fall in the bitter cold with constant gray skies (which I thought was so creative).  Then we took advantage of my free movie, and dinner!  All around it was a fantastic day.

       

Erin's Wedding

You're looking at the new Mr. & Mrs. Eric Dixon:

Don't they make a gorgeous couple??

Erin asked my Hallie if she'd be a flower girl.

This was something she eagerly accepted and seriously contemplated in the days that followed that request.

Her cute cousin Ciel (Elizabeth's daughter) was also a flower girl:

The ceremony was beautiful, and when it was over, we all stood outside and waited for Eric and Erin to come out together.

 

Here are Erin's four younger siblings, anxiously awaiting the appearance of their newly wedded sister, and brand new brother in law. (I almost cropped Hallie out of this picture but she was so cute standing there I just couldn't do it):

And a particular somebody (and vital part of the wedding pictures) forgot his black dress shoes, and so Lared was so sweet and swapped shoes with this boy.

Getting these two to look up at the camera and smile (a real smile) at the same time is like trying to gargle peanut butter.

Luckily Dad Firmage came to the rescue with his fancy camera and mad photography skills to capture what is now my absolute favorite picture of my kids:

 

As you can see, Hallie is holding Erin's bouquet, which she was beside herself excited to hand to Erin upon her exit from the temple. 

My Camera was a little bit glued to this girl, but I love Hallie's lisp and it looks like she's using it to full capacity right here:

Okay, last one I promise (but isn't she stunning?!):

Then came the moment we all were waiting for!

And Hallie got her moment of glory as she handed over those flowers:

She doesn't look like somebody who just did something super important does she?:

Check out the smile stretched across Eric's face.  Does he look like a guys who's just landed himself something more precious than gold or what?

I'm bummed that this one's a little blurry, but it looks like Erin's a wee bit happy with who she landed as well:

It was so fun to watch Hallie and Ciel grab hold of Erin's train, and walk behind her like little ducklings:

These guys don't look like they're in love or anything do they?:

Erin's youngest brother Jackson got Erin to himself for a little while, which I think tugged at everybody's heart strings.
 
The bond between these two is unreal.  Erin has always been such a nurturing big sister to her siblings, and I'm sure they all felt tender about her "officially" flying the coop and starting her own household somewhere else.....and far away....like Idaho, where both she and Eric will be finishing school.


It was a good thing Uncle Ken was there to "turn" any frowns upside down:

So here's the Dudley family....with their new addition:

And if you ask me, he fits in quite nicely.

Here we all are (except for a couple of spouses and a whole slew of little, and big cousins that unfortunately couldn't be present):

Here's Elon with his three siblings....and can you say "ridiculously good-looking?!" :

They're in order of age starting with Ken in the middle, moving to the right, and then Elizabeth, the youngest, is on the left.  Ken and Elizabeth each brought one of their kids, but their spouses and three other kids stayed home in Utah and Idaho. 

I have to say though, that with all of the wonderful things that this wedding entailed, my favorite part was watching these two:

Oh to have a camera lens that could capture the sparkle in their eyes.  It was there, I saw it, and the joy that radiated out was almost tangible.  As a parent myself now, I watched these two reap fruits that I desire so badly to reap myself someday.  No worldly object or accomplishment can compare to the treasures we build up in heaven.  Our families, our relationships here and how we cultivate them are the only things that really matter.  

And I'm so grateful that being there in Boston with such dear loved ones for such an important union helped put it all back into perspective for me.

After pictures, we began our trek up to Maine for the reception, but first Eric's family treated everyone for lunch at Chili's, and I'm kicking myself for not taking my camera into Chili's.  But we all had a great time, and ate yummy food...at least my quesadilla was out of this world!

Just before the reception though, we all met together at mom and dad Firmage's for studio portraits.  They set up their front room with a back drop and the suspended bright lights, etc.

And lucky for me, he took some great ones of my kids!

I mean check out my Chan:

How on earth am I going to keep the girls away from that handsome devil?

And I love this one:

Then it was off to the reception where we got to see this amazing work of art, hand crafted by our good friend JaNeal:

And it was just as delicious as it was beautiful.

I took a lot of pictures at the reception but so many didn't turn out because of the lighting combined with my limited knowledge of how to combat the lighting, but here are some of my favs:

Not sure what was up with that expression on the middle one's face up there :/

I love this one of Hallie and Jackson dancing (if only it was crisp and clear):

I love this of Leah and Jackson dancing too:

Here's Elon and Hallie bustin' it up out there on the dance floor:

Okay, so lets not forget that all this happened on my anniversary too.

So just for kicks and giggles, here we were on that cold December day, standing outside the same temple:

Seven years ago that is!

And look at us now:

Despite our clenched teeth smiles, I think we're a pretty happy bunch.

And if I could go back and do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.