Out of the Ordinary

So - little story that made Matt and I laugh, and anyone that knows our family. . . Let me give some background - Matt's company does provide medical insurance and renews or changes providers every May 1st. Well, this time around the insurance that was chosen is HORRIBLE. It might as well not be called medical insurance, which, on a side note, we are very grateful that Emma was born 2 days before it went into effect because our bills would have been at least twice as much. Anyway, because of this, we decided to find our own insurance through another provider. During my phone conversation with the sales rep for them, he told me that the underwriter would only call during our application process if something seemed weird or out of the ordinary with the information we had given him.

Sure enough - two days later I received a call from a very nice female underwriter. She told me not to be alarmed but she had a few questions. I thought - maybe she's worried about Matt's family's medical history? Wasn't sure. So this is the question she asked . . .

Is Grayson really 3 and really 44 inches and 45 pounds?

Out of the ordinary - that's our Gray. . . Nough said.

Jax's Year at Preschool

Jax is officially done with preschool! Part of me is sad, because that means he's not a little boy anymore, he's actually going to regular school. I have LOVED his preschool. It is the preschool in the education department for Utah Valley University. He has on average 4-5 teachers each day, one professor and 4 student teachers learning to teach preschool. There were about 12 kids in his class so the student-teacher ratio was fantastic. Jax seriously loved preschool. According to this teacher, he was the cool kid in class. Not that we care about those things but it was just so funny. Other kids just followed his lead and the best part of it for me was that Jax was oblivious. He loves to learn and to be a part of something so preschool was the best experience for him. Here are some pictures of his time there this year! This is a picture he drew of our family . . . Can you tell who is who? This is pre-Emma.

His class getting ready to go on a field trip, on a bus! I think the ride there was his favorite part. He talked about the bus going over a bump and someone falling off of their seat for weeks. . .

Playing in the sand. . .

My favorite picture that he drew out of the whole year's drawings. This is a duck. Can you tell?

Holding a worm - no fear. He loved those worms. . .

Bike parade day. They were going to ride outside, but it rained that day. Jax was so proud, he had just gotten a new bike a couple of days before. . .

I love this picture because I think you can see that he's concentrating AND shows those amazing eyelashes. . .

Another worm. . .

Going through an obstacle course. Believe it or not - on parent day Matt wiggled his way through that thing. Funny thing to picture - wish I could have had a camera that day.

We love our Jax . . .

Addie's 2nd Grade Concert

First - here are some updated pics of Emma! At her two week checkup she'd gained about a pound and a half so she's doing fantastic. . . And not to jinx it or anything - but last night she slept through the whole thing! I know it will be a while until she does that again but it was sooo nice. I have pictures of all of my kids sleeping on their dad just like this - Emma, I have to say, loves it the most and cries when she gets moved from her daddy's tummy. . . The boys were watching a game - of course. . .

Addie's second grade class did a patriotic themed concert to finish off the year - I'm going to blame it on hormones and just being me but when one of her friend's dad stood up to speak I lost it. He had served in both Afghanistan and Iraq and spoke of sending some his friends home that didn't make it home safely. Right after he finished the kids sang a song called "You're a Hero". and I just couldn't stop from crying. The cutest part was my sweet daughter - who really wears her emotions on her sleeve and can feel the spirit so strongly - saw her mom crying in the audience and started crying while singing. I love that little girl. . . She also surprised us and didn't tell us that she had a speaking part - it was adorable to watch.

Happy Memorial Day!

Quote of the Day

Mom - "Why is it so hot in your room?"

Gray - "Cause we fart in here. . . "

And the fun begins. . .

Somehow thiese pictures did not upload in the order I was hoping for but anyway - This last saturday was a blast but busy. Gray had tball (at which Emma decided to blow out of her diaper and mommy did not remember a 2nd set of clothes. It was fabulous) which was a riot. You can tell that he has an older brother because I have to say he looked a little bored.

He did love playing and it was so funny to watch him. He had come out of his "my body is too big to do what I want it to" stage and he was sliding into bases, pitching the ball, etc. He was awesome.

Here's Addie for her 2009 dance recital! Always glam for the camera, she had a blast. She told her Dad that she loves being on stage and is sad when it's over. . . We are so proud of her. We had fun watching her and all of her Maile cousins - they were fabulous! Good job Maile girls!

Sorry - another tball picture - they were working on their sliding skills, or something like that.

Addie and Malia! In the back room waiting to go on stage. . .

The dancers with their beloved Auntie Ginny. It was sooo great to see her and have her here this weekend. Thanks for coming Gin! Ps - thanks for spending time with Gray too - any bruises?

The girls after their very last recital with all of their loot! Thanks to all of the aunts and uncles for the treats and presents. My apologies for new mommy brain for not remembering to reciprocate the love. . .I'll do better next year. . .

Jax's kindergarten checkup. . .

So who knew that a 5-year old had the ability to pee in a cup? Jax went to the pediatrician today for his kindergarten check up and they had him pee in a cup among other things. It was hilarious. You should have seen his face when they handed him the cup and asked him for a urine sample. Priceless. Anyway, for anyone who cares besides his biased parents, Jax is in perfect health and still above the 95% percentile for height, and um like 20% for weight. Sound like his dad at all? Here's the latest picture of Emma - loving her little swing. That thing works miracles in this house. . .

Shout out to Uncle Tim

So . . . looking back on our visit from our Idaho family, I have realized two things. First, that my kids believe that their Uncle Tim is "their Tim." They spent countless amounts of time arguing over who Uncle Tim belonged to while he was here. . . Second, he is the best most valuable babysitter any big sister could ask for. My kids are drawn to him like a magnet. Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon? The minute Uncle Tim comes into the room both of my boys flock to him to find out what he's doing, what game he's playing, or to talk Pokemon. Addie and Tim even spent some time talking Pokemon. Tim had Addie take notes on the kinds of something and she dutifully sat there, truly interested, as he taught her the important things to know. So - this is a shout out to Uncle Tim, Tim we didn't take many pictures while you were here, but my kids will NEVER forget their visit with Uncle Tim and already want to know when you are coming back . . .Love you Tim!

My mom. . .

Although my mom lives so very far away, she always takes the time to check on me, to stay connected to my life. I am extremely grateful to know that I am important to her and that my relationship with her is priceless. As Mother's Day was coming closer, I received a special present - a visit from my mom for the birth of my daughter and baptism of my oldest daughter.

I just wanted to take the time today to thank my mom for EVERYTHING. I have very vivid memories of sacrifice on her part for my siblings and I. Now that I have the opportunity to be a mother and am overwhelmed by the eye opening I have had as to what my mother herself went through to take care of and provide for us. Most importantly, I am very grateful for the "mom" attitude she has now. My mother has perfected the art of still being my mother while taking a step back to let me be an adult at the same time. I NEVER feel judged, criticized, or frowned upon. Instead my mother adores and appreciates my children and is a listening ear for me.

Mom - thank you for being my support system and a fantastic mother. I know that you hate mother's day, which I now understand, but take a moment and realize that you have done a fantastic job and that I love you!

Jax's Birthday

Okay - So. . . in the last couple of days we have also had Jax's birthday! He turned 5 and is very proud of it. He has been claiming to be 5 for a couple of weeks now. . . We have worn out Grandpa and Grandma . . .

Grandma has taken lots of naps with Emma - no one complaining here. . . .We took naps at the same time.

My kids have played computer games with Grandma - lots of snuggle time and they have had a blast with their grandparents. . .

Jax got his highly anticipated birthday presents from Davis grandparents - can you tell he's thrilled?

Emma has learned to take naps on the couch by herself. . . (which by the way she has completely changed - we're not sure who she looks like anymore. . . )

Grandpa Davis taught Jax how to wash a car - he LOVED it. . .

And last- we took Jax on a busy day of his actual birthday - lunch, Target, Jump on It, miniature golfing and his favorite treat - cold brownies with milk. (Jax doesn't like cake). It was BUSY day yesterday and has been a totally fun visit with Grandpa and Grandma Davis. . . We will miss them!

Update. . .

So, although I am exhausted and have VERY swollen ankles and feet, we are having the best time with the craziness we have going on around here right now. Emma is a champ, if you can say that about a girl. She just goes with the flow and is completely sweet and calm. Here is one of the latest pictures of her. . . . Addie was baptized this Saturday and was amazing. She told me when we were getting her dressed after her actual baptism and she feels so confident now. Adorable. We are so proud of her and love her sweet spirit and attitude. She brings the best atmosphere to our home. . .

Here's the clan. . . This is most of the Brousseau's and the Davis side that were able to make it. We missed those of you that couldn't - can you imagine trying to take a picture if everyone was there?

Our "new" family picture.

Jax at his birthday party - We held a party for him at our church after the baptism. . . Can you tell he was thrilled to be there?

Little Emma - that little girl can sleep anywhere . . .