Would you like a Pedicure?

Our friends Danica, Fynn and Bostyn stopped by this afternoon and we had a fun time hanging out with them.  Bostyn is always so good to Chloe and Chloe just adores her.  Today Bostyn let Chloe paint her nails.  Chloe has been very into doing things herself lately and is very proud that she can paint nails now.
I don't know how long it took Bostyn to get it all off her hands and feet, buts she was a good sport and thanked Chloe for painting her nails for her.  Chloe was so proud of her work. 

Our First Hike

My friend, Somer, took us hiking with her and her kids today and we LOVED it.  She's been trying to get me to go for a while now.  I didn't think I was much of a hiker, but these mild trails, like we did today, were just my speed.  My kids were so excited to go hiking.  They have been looking forward to it for so long.

The boys brought "walking sticks" with them.  They were so prepared! :)

 Chloe loved all the wildflowers we found along the path.  It was amazing how she could spot those flowers from so far away!

 At one point in our hike we had a beautiful view of the valley.  It was amazing to see it and be up in the mountains away from it all.  It was so peaceful.

 After we had hiked our first trail the kids wanted more so we went on a more "foresty" trail.  This one was beautiful.  I got to hear my favorite sound.  One I haven't heard in a long time.  The wind blowing through the trees.  To me there is nothing more peaceful.

I think we are going to have to do this again.  It was a great start to the day, great exercise, and a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Today I am Thankful for...

Every night before we say our prayers we talk about what we are thankful for.  We go over what we did that day and count our blessings.  Tonight as we were listing our things I listed our bikes.  I am thankful for our bikes and that we live in such a beautiful place with so many paths and parks for us to ride on and to. 

As my kids have gotten older we have enjoyed bike rides more and more.  Chloe is still getting her endurance up, but she still tries to be a good sport when her little legs get tired.  We always try to have a fun destination in mind so the kids get excited to make it there. 

One of our favorite bike rides is to the sand park by the lake.  It's not too far and we have fun playing there and feeding the ducks.

Skateboarding Sam

Sam has been wanting a skateboard for a while now.  Today he had finally earned enough money to get one.  He chose a great board and as soon as we got home he was out in the alley trying to figure out how to ride it.  He was pretty shaky at first, but I was amazed at how quickly he got it.  What balance!  I still can't even stand on a board if I wanted to.  These little kids!  They pick things up so quickly!

Holly

 

Chloe found my Cabbage Patch Kid doll from when I was a little girl.  She was so excited.  I was excited too.  I love that my daughter gets to play with the doll I played with when I was a kid. 
So Holly has been everywhere with us lately.  She is getting the same innocent abusive love from Chloe that she got from me years ago.

More Pets?!

For the past few days I have been contemplating get James a pet.  James is the type that never complains.  He doesn't ever say anything if others get things he doesn't have, so I feel a little protective of him.  I don't think everything has to be equal all the time, but I try to make a conscience effort to make sure that James doesn't loose out on things because he is so quiet.

So with all this on my mind I've been wondering if I should let him get a pet.  Chloe has her dog, Sam has his rabbit, and little James hadn't complained even once that he didn't have a pet.

So when we were at the park today playing it became very clear to me that he needed a pet and I needed to get him one right now.

I got on KSL and looked at the free pet postings and saw some mice that were literally just listed.  I knew that this was one of those "small and simple" moments that was meant to be.  I called the lady and told her that we would take them.

I called the kids over and told them we needed to get in the car because we were going to go get James a pet right now.  James was so excited.  I told him I had found 2 little mice that we could go look at and see if he liked them.

When we got there James fell in love with the little guys.  As he watched them play he just giggled in delight at "his" mice.  The lady was giving everything away for free, so we got the 2 mice, cage, toys and all supplies for free.  James decided to name them Timmy and Shaun, after his two favorite cartoon sheep.

When we got home James wanted to clean their cage and take care of them himself.  He has always been such a great little worker and I could tell that he wanted to do it all himself because these were his mice and he was going to take good care of them.

 The mice were so cute and active.  The kids just loved watching them play.  I was still nervous to let them take them out and hold them because I didn't want loose mice in my house so we decided to go get them some little exercise balls.

Those little mice in those balls in one of the funniest things I have ever seen.  They just cruise around the house wherever they please. 

 Poor Snuggles.  We had brought home more weird things that she just didn't know what to do with!  It was so funny to watch her.  She looked disgusted whenever the mice rolled by her.

Sweet James went to bed so happy tonight.  He loves his mice and he especially loves that they get to be in his room and keep him company at night!