Feliz Seis de Mayo

At church on Sunday someone offered to take a picture of the family. I love having pictures with all of us in them! The kids look pretty good despite the fact that they are seriously sleep deprived by the time we get out of church at 4. Kevin falls asleep on the way home every week, and Elena joins him about half the time.
Here is the reason why I brought my camera in the first place. We (the YW presidency) took pictures of all the mothers in the branch (congregation) with their kids. We'll pass them out on Mother's Day. Look at my cute kiddos! I'm so lucky! Sometimes it is so strange to think that I am someone's mom - I am definitely not old/wise enough to do this. Surely my own mom never felt this way, right? :)
I've been waiting for this moment for years! Elena's hair is long and thick enough for me to practice multiple kinds of braiding. I can count the number of times that I have french braided someone else's hair on one hand, so I am psyched to play around and get good it. I'm glad that Elena doesn't mind (as long as PBS kids is on). She's so patient with me. I'll get done and then say, "Hold on, Elena, let me try again." By the time she's old enough to care, I'll actually be good.
Elena had fun at Caleb's Harry Potter birthday party a couple of weeks ago. Cianne structured it really cute with different classes: "Potions" was making edible Play Doh, "Care of Magical Creatures" was pin the tail on the unicorn, etc. Everyone had a great time, and Caleb's older sisters were so helpful. Where can I get a 10 year old of my own? Oh right...I have to wait 7 years.

E. in her Harry Potter glasses.

Oh - this was fun. The same day that Kevin's roseola rash appeared signaling the end of his 6 days of high fever, he began to rub his eyes. I thought he was just tired from being sick and sleep deprived, so I let it go until I noticed the yellow crud. Off we went to the doctor for the SEVENTH time in 30 days. (Please note that I only have TWO kids.) He was diagnosed with a double ear infection and pink eye in both eyes. The doctor said that's the way a sinus infection presents itself in a baby. This picture was taken after he got on the antibiotics. For some reason, one eye looked great the next day and the other looked worse than before.
Pretty girl. Elena's quote of the day on Monday: "Mom, how did I get in your belly?" We had been talking about when I was in school and teaching and whether or not she was in my belly or still up in heaven. She grasps the whole pregnancy/birth/baby concept well, but I will still surprised to have to answer such a direct question from my 3 year old. I did pretty well though. :)
Elena story #2: During her prayers the other night, Elena said, "Please bless everyone in the world and please bless the strangers and the bad guys that they will go far - away from our village." So cute. We had just talked about stranger danger earlier in the week. I love the way that little kids' minds work. And I love that she genuinely enjoys sharing her gratitude and thoughts with her Father in Heaven.