Sparkle testifies...

to my spectacular mothering ability...

and has me completely humbled (and laughing!) in a moment:

"Mommy, Sunny's crying a lot because I have the Elmo Ice and she wants the Elmo Ice but I fell and bumped both of my elbows AND both of my knees and I NEED it.  She doesn't need it and I didn't do ANYTHING to her, but she won't stop crying..."

(long pause while I finish brushing my teeth)

"You can start yelling now."

I know...

I've yet to post pictures from Sparkle's fifth birthday.  Call me crazy, but listing our house and showing it five times, getting an offer (and losing it the next day), and coming down with the stomach flu all within 24 hours made blogging a low priority.

Sadly, we had to cancel Sparkle's joint pool party on Sunday because we have done a great job of sharing in our small group - every family has had at least one member with the GI upset.  We had cake at home instead (Buzz was kind enough to make it since I was still on the couch) and spent the day relaxing at home.  Thankfully, no one looks at homes on Sunday in Utah and it was a nice break from having to leave at a moment's notice throughout the day.

Here are a couple of pictures from my friend MI.  They had us over on Sparkle's birthday (Thursday) so that we could avoid all the chaos at our house.  After a yummy dinner and cupcakes for the birthday girl, we went to the home of friends of theirs who have built an amazing basement theater (seriously, better than any movie theater I've ever been to - rumble packs in the seats and everything!) where we relaxed and watched a kid movie for the rest of the evening. 

More photos of Sparkle's birthday morning here at home to come... maybe later today?

Also, here's the link to our house listing and tour.  Pray that we are able to find the right buyer quickly!  We'd hate to have to start residency by imposing on Aunt and Uncle T and I might just loose it if we're not in our own house by the time the baby comes!

Dance!

Somewhere in the craziness that was Match Day, Sparkle had her first dance recital.  We met a little early to take some photos with her friends.  Thanks again to MI for her pictures!  If I can locate some video from the day, I'll post that too.

4G Memory Card...

= rare computer uploads!

First trimester nausea also may or may not have had something to do with my lack of posts over the last couple of months.  ;)  Here is some of what you missed:

Bath time with Buddy!

"Cleaning" the bathroom for mom.  This consists of throwing all the bath toys on the floor and using about fifty wipes to wash the tub.  So cute it's worth the real clean-up later!

Experimenting with the potty.  Still no luck, but she sure likes sitting there with her books!

We have music in our lives again!  Buzz and I are learning... my wrist limits how much I can play.  Sparkle did her own hair this day.  There were 18 barrettes on her head!

A rare sharing moment with Buddy.

Bowling with Mamma and PoPo.

Stay away from my Nutella!

Meeting the newest babe in our life.

Enjoying the lazy days leading up to the match.

A group photo from the night we had our Refugee family and Buzz's sister and family over for dinner.

The only picture from match day that shows Sunny smiling.  Doesn't she look so grown up?

Buzz and I at the match day dinner.

Match Day!

We found out this morning where we will be spending the next three years of our life.....

Children's Mercy Hospital - MO!  Kansas City was our first choice and Buzz is really excited about the program.  It will be a good move for our family, but it's very difficult to leave our friends and family here in Salt Lake.

Sparkle is really excited.  She's been telling us for weeks that she wants to move to KC.  Here she is calling Aunt T to tell her the news:

Here's Buzz calling Uncle T while we try to pose for a family photo.  It was definitely a few minutes of absolute chaos!

Here's the map of where Buzz' classmates are going.  Not many going to the Midwest!  I guess most are only willing to give up mountains if they get an ocean in exchange.  :)

(Can you tell that Sunny had had enough by now?  Rethinking our plan for her to be at graduation...)

In other news, on Monday we went to the doctor for our first prenatal visit.  There was no ultrasound done, but the baby's heartbeat was strong and perfect.  There is nothing like hearing that sound for the first time!  Only 28 weeks (and one move across the country!) until we meet sweet little baby #3.

"Congratulations!"

"You have matched."

Today we got the email that we wanted to see!  Now we get to sweat it out until Thursday when we find out where we matched.

Don't you like my use of "we"?  As if I had anything to do with where we go? ;) 

Ski Bunny

I know that it's been quite a while since I've posted anything.  Life has been crazy lately!  We're busily trying to get our house ready to put on the market and find ourselves buried in weekend projects while trying to squeeze in a bit of socializing time here and there as well.

Buzz took a few hours out of his day today to take Sparkle up to the slopes.  This may very well be her last time for a while, so I'm glad that they got to go.  Buzz said that she's improved since last year and they had a great time together.  Apparently as soon as they started driving up the canyon with all the snow and pine trees, Sparkle burst into song and spent much of the drive singing Christmas caroles.  We just love our sweet little girl!  Both came home happy and refreshed.  We are certainly going to miss these mountains if we move!

In other news... only nine days until match day!