Cameron's Good Day

He went bowling for his friend, Brady's, birthday today.

Then he played at Justin and Tiffany's house--made this really cool bead art.

AND he got to see Grandma and finish the day playing games on the iPad. Not to mention he is a dollar richer from yesterday! (He said this morning, "Thanks for the dollar Mom, I know it's you"...we don't try and hide it. We just smile. Now, stop eating apples to knock your teeth out and earn more money! There's got to be a better source of income.)

It doesn't get much better for this little guy!

Cameron Loses His First Tooth

Cameron (upon picking him up from school today): Mom, can I have an apple when we get home today?
Me: Sure. Would you like me to use the apple peeler or just slice the apple (he usually has a preference).
Cameron: No, I want to just eat the apple. I need to get some more money for our money box.
Me: Why would that help you get money?
Cameron: Because my tooth is really wiggly and I think it will come out.
Me: Sounds great Buddy. (chuckle. smile.)

A few minutes later (and soon to be a dollar richer)...

Proof that apples work! And proof that he didn't wash it before taking a bite. It's okay, we had to wash it after anyway since the bite was blood stained. Not sure it was quite wiggly enough to come out. He must have bit pretty hard.

Cameron had me send this photo to his dad, all his cousins, grandparents, Idiart uncles, and especially Uncle Adam. Even his dentist got to hear the news! My last first tooth lost!

Playing Hooky

Nicole has been wanting to go on a little date and spend some of her saved up Christmas money, well the money that she and her brothers keep stashing away (They have collected and joined together all of their birthday and Christmas money). What does she want to buy? Another Beanie Boo, of course. And a pair of boots she saw at Old Navy the other day.

When I called her orthodontist to make a quick appointment to get a wire fixed, today seemed like the perfect day to play hooky. I checked Nicole out a little after lunch along with Cameron because I couldn't get back in time to pick him up before the appointment. They were both very excited to go. In the car, I overheard this conversation while examining some of the money they brought from their money box.

Nicole: "See Cameron, it says 'In God We Trust' on the money."
Cameron: "That's true. 'Cuz you can always trust Him. He doesn't ever lie."
Nicole: "Ya! Even when He was a baby!"

It made my heart just melt!

We hit the mall, got a smoothie, bought beanie boos (one for each), enjoyed a message at Bed Bath and Beyond, bought boots at Old Navy, went to gymnastics, and VIOLIN with Mary and Noah (Tiff met us at gymnastics with them).

What a date! Loved every second of it!

Student of the Year

Mary received a very special award today, Central Point Rotary student of the year. I don't know many ten year olds who can look so comfortable in a room full of adults answering questions so calmly. She is a special girl this one. And it seems that other people have caught on to her maturity and goodness too. She is always so well-liked by her teachers.

Mary and her principal Mrs. Scott and teacher Mrs. Ryerson. What an honor!

In Mary's information sheet for the Rotary Club she wrote that her grandma was one of her heroes. She also shared that she plans on going to BYU and would like to become an author one day.  

Josh received this same award as a fifth grader at MRE. Also on the list were three other LDS children. 

The Most Adorable Bunny EVER

I never get tired of them playing with my phone.

Knowing Noah

There are so many things I love about our Noah, his gigantic heart being one of them. He's not the biggest piano fan around, but he does it, every day, probably to please his mom (because like I said he has this amazing loving heart). That doesn't mean he never complains however; it's still not his absolute favorite activity in the world.

Often he is the first one up in our home. He gets changed quickly and crosses off his morning to-do's. Many mornings he even helps get Cameron ready. The best big brother. When he gets his piano practice done before school, coming home to a basically free evening is his favorite (and mine).

He's the cutest carefully-concentrating bouncy-playing pianist I know.

Oh where, oh where has my little Nikki gone?

Often times I'll look around and wonder where Nicole has disappeared to. Sometimes, if I'm quiet, I will hear her sweet little voice playing Barbies upstairs. I watched her for a few minutes before she realized I was spying on her. She lined up a family to watch and cheer on the little barbie doll performing her gymnastics routine.