Daisy Dog Blue's Clues Payne

Daisy turned 5 years old on April 21st!! It wasn't that long ago that I had a 5-year old. Her birthday was a good day, but I think Daisy's interest in dogs is officially an obsession, now. Here's her "doggie" cake--it has a toy dog (that I grabbed from her toy box) on top. She also requested "green," "strawberries," and "grapes." I aimed to please... ...and she wanted me to point out that Fetch (her dog) is helping blow out the candles. "Fetch is turning 4 when I is turning 5," Daisy clarified.

Normally, I don't take this many pix at present-opening time, but she was so funny to watch. Here she is happily staring at the "bow" Faye put on her present (it's a dog toy)...

...and she has loved her life-size book on Sharks. I was able to find these others in the series really cheap. Daisy has also loved them. She spends every night (and much of every day), laying on her new bed (see following photos), reading these books...

The one thing Daisy requested for her birthday was.... a dog-bed. I'm still trying to figure out whether or not I am glad I found one on sale...

My silly Dais is sure glad I found it on sale, and it has been a big part of her life every day since her birthday (and every night). I'm just glad she puts it on her bed at night. :)

Happy Birthday to Me!!

April 2nd was a great day this year!! I turned 29, but I also got to coach an amazing little 6 year old (that's right--Coach T is back). Faye not only played really well, but she scored her very first goal...EVER....ON MY BIRTHDAY!! So, it was an amazing birthday present, and I lost my voice over it, too. Now let me explain the goal to you: Faye was working very hard. She is still learning how to play soccer (and so am I), and she still hesitates whenver she gets "bumped" on the field. So, back to the game--she was running, working hard to get around the players, when the ball broke loose, and she took it. Down the field she dribbled, ahead of everyone else, sprinting with that ball. It was awesome. She reached the goal about 15 feet in front of everyone else. Then, she goes to shoot the ball...misses, trips, and does a nice big belly-flop on top of the ball and right in front of the goal line (literally about a foot away). She quickly stands up, very imbarrassed, looks back at the other players running at her, and she sorta side kicks the ball into the goal. After she scored, she started walking back to the middle of the field, not sure whether or not to be happy or imbarrassed. This is when I lost my voice. Then she grinned and started running, and that grin was one awesome birthday present. We sure made--and still make--a big deal out of her goal, but I always make sure to leave the belly-flop part out of the picture. :):)...

Daisy is still her same silly self--that kid is so funny to watch on the soccer field. She sure performs, but maybe not the way her coach wants. :) This photo is Daisy Payne with Daisy Payne. Daisy's teammate's cousin (got it?) has the exact same name...kinda fun. Brian and I talked with their parents to try to figure out if we were related. We are pretty sure we are somehow, but we weren't able to figure out how...

And today, Faye did my left-over birthday dishes for me. She wanted me to take a picture of her "dishes collage." I thought it was very creative, and I liked it even better that they were clean dishes. :) Thank you, my little Faye-lett.

I had a very good birthday--thank you all who made it so special. I had soccer games in the morning, we went to a rodeo between Conference sessions (I hope to get pics later), and I especially enjoyed coming home to General Conference. I absolutely LOVE it when Conference falls on my birthday. I got pampered temporally and spiritually!!

Funny Words...

I wish I would write down more of what my darlin' kidos say. But for now, I'll savor what I have written and try to do better in the future:

FAYE

1) One night at dinner: "Mmmmm... I'm so hungry, I can eat all my food. (Normally, it's not that easy to get my girls to eat "all" their food).

2) Randomly, one day: "My nose is hot."

3) My conversation with Faye:

Faye: Mom, should I love Heavenly Father and Jesus the most?

Me: What do you think?

Faye: Yes.

Me: Why?

Faye: Because they work the hardest. They work harder than Dad!!

DAISY

1) Daisy was working on a craft in the other room. She came in and asked: "Mommy, how do you spell CTR?"

2) My kids want another baby (and so do I :), so I asked Daisy: "When are we going to have our next baby?" Daisy said, "Maybe on Wednesday." (If it were only that easy...)

3) One morning I was getting breakfast ready, and Faye & Liz were still asleep. Daisy walked into the kitchen, sat down for a few minutes, took a sigh, and said, "I love it when it's quiet" (then sighed again).

4) I was looking for some items the girls had lost (I don't remember what they were), so I told them:

Me: Girls, use your good eyes and go find them.

Daisy: Ok. I'll use my cock-eyes!!

Me: Do you mean your "hawk"-eyes?

Daisy: Yeah.

LIZ

She's grown out of a lot of these saying, but I started my list a few months ago and included here, cuz it's soooo cute!!

1) After washing her hands: "You mell my hans?" (Will you smell my hands?)

2) While on the potty: "I mell kinky yike a kunk." (I smell stinky like a skunk)

3) When B was on his way home from work (the girls like to hide from him): "I yant hide fwom-ee Daddy in hewe." (I want to hide from my Daddy in here)

4) After I poured applesauce in a bowl, it peaked at the top: "Oh-ho-oh (squeals)!!! A Temple!" (and she pointed to the peak)

5) While making a mad dash to the bathroom, she stopped to take her socks off. I asked her what she was doing, and she said, "I need me socksies off to poop."

6) (Another potty story!) Liz had called me to wipe her. I was diligently doing my job, when she decided to give me an education: "Boys stand up, Mommy."

7) Once Liz woke up in the middle of the night screaming!! I was so scared and thought for sure something was wrong. I jumped out of bed and went running into her room. I turned the light on, and her body was hanging down the slide with her hands clinging to the top--just like she would be clinging to the top of a cliff--for dear life!! I wondered what she dreaming, and whenever I remember the scene, it makes me laugh. I thoroughly enjoyed "saving her life" and then cuddling with her, especially since B was working, and I needed a cuddle-buddy.

Faye & Liz Conversation:

I had made cupcakes and was getting them ready for the girls. Faye was sick that day, but they were all lined up on the counter, watching me frost the cupcakes, anyway:

Faye: "I just want a little bit, cuz I'm sick."

Liz: (looks at Faye, then back at the cupcakes) "I want a BIG bit!"

Children Need Books...and so do I

FAYE
Faye has been a very good reader, lately. I love listening to her read stories to her sisters!! She has no idea how much I love it. She thinks I'm just "captured" by the story like her sisters. :) And although they are cute stories, they can only hold my attention for so long, but watching my 6-year old read--that I can do all day. It's amazing to see her little mind do big things.

DAISY
She CAN clean...my little Daisy Dog not only can clean, but she can clean fast!! I just discovered this tonight. Normally, she goes to clean, and--it's like magic--the first item she picks up instantly takes her to another world. She's gone. Just Faye and I left in this world to clean (and Lizzy's pretty good, too). No distant world tonight, though. And, what was her motivation, you may be wondering? I told the girls I would read them a book if we hurried and cleaned after bathtime. She was the first in the tub (unusual), the first in her pj's (very unusual), and the first to start cleaning (what!!--she knows how to clean?!!?). This house (not just a room) was picked up in less than 5 minutes (and today was even and extra "creative" day of learning and play!!). The book was a cute book that our neighbor let us borrow (Bubba, the Cowboy Prince), and I guess Daisy got excited (and stayed excited) about reading it. We all cuddled up on the couch, in a nice clean house, with sweet & clean smelling children, and read books. Liz fell asleep on my lap; Faye & Daisy gave kisses good night after the last book and then went to their room, said their prayers, and are now sleeping blissfully. Ahhh...I love nights like this (except my hubby is working!!!).

LIZ
Liz has been saying two phrases a lot, lately:
1) "Chicken Pluck" (which I'm not sure where it originated from)
2) "Dogerella, Fluff My Tail!!!"
For school, Faye has a little reader book we checked-out from the library, called Dogerella (It's another take on Cinderella). Faye has read it quite a few times to Liz, who seems to ask for it every day. It is a fun book, where the evil step-dog mother orders Dogerella to "fluff my tail." Liz goes around calling all her doggie stuffed-animals "Dogerella" and demanding them to "fluff her tail." Should I be worried? Nahh... it's cute--as long as she doesn't demand me to fluff her tail. :)

Doctor Daisy

Faye had a rough morning during this last week. She woke up with a tummy ache, and after six bouts of throwing up, she got whatever it was out of her system and was fine. Brian had just gotten home from working all night, and plopped his gear down. In between one of Faye's bouts, Daisy found B's white coat, put it on, and told me she was going to "play doctoring." She then went over to Faye and asked, "Daddy, what do you do when you have a sick children come to you?" Here's what he said:

Brian: "How are you feeling today?"
Daisy: (repeats to Faye)
Brian: "Let me take your temperature."
Daisy: (repeats & touches Faye's head)
Brian: "Get plenty of rest."
Daisy: (repeats)
Brian: "Drink lots of fluids."
Daisy: (repeats)
Brian: "That will be 100 dollars."
Daisy: (repeats)
Ha, ha. You're sooooooooo funny, Dr. Payne!! (said with a little sarcasm) :)

Ruidoso, New Mexico

Last weekend, Brian had a work retreat in Ruidoso, NM. It was about a 4 hour drive to get there--not too bad. They had a large cabin, where we stayed with 2 other families (B's co-workers). It was very nice to get away, and even nicer to have my hubby!! And there were mountains!! We went on a little hike with the girls, took a lunch, and had snowball fights when we found a nice snow patch or two. I was so excited to see, and play on, and carry home some :) mountain!! So fun...

We drove up a winding road to the top of a mountain, where there was a beautiful (and windy) view. It was pretty chilly up there, but we got a few photos (some with Faye's help)...
Daisy was our little guide. She carried this green map, looking for trails to hike...

I Love them kisses!!...

We ate a lot of junk food and candy at the cabin. I think it hit my girls on the way home. They sorta-kinda went a little crazy for a while :). I love this one of Liz...

...and then this is what happened when we crossed the state line into Texas. I was just glad B asked me to drive so he could "study" (watch the kids :)...

Busy Times

We have been very busy lately (this is my excuse for poor blogging attendance :). Doing what, you ask? I couldn't tell you specifically, but lots of small stuff, but important. My poor girls have been running around right behind their momma, and B has had to be at work sooo much!! The girls have been amazing sports, but Liz took 3 naps last month, and even Faye took one. Daisy's also been sleeping-in (which has never happened without her being sick). Time to simplify, ya think??? I do, but I don't really see it happening soon, so I'll just trust in the Lord and continue enjoying these amazingly wonderful daughters He has sent me...

Liz, taking one of her naps...
We made a very colorful volcano for a school project...

One day, I kept finding Daisy standing on the back of the couch (just like in the photo). I kept telling her to get off the back of the couch, only to find her there 20 minutes later. Finally, about the 4th time, I realized they were listening to the Lion King soundtrack (can you tell where this is going?). Every time the song "Circle of Life" would play, Daisy would stand there on the couch holding her little lion cub (aka: Fetch, the dog) up in the air like little Simba and holding a very serious face. Funny kid! (but I've said that before)...

Faye decided she wanted to make dinner one night (by herself). She spent 30 minutes cutting grapes in half and setting them neatly on plates. Then she added other fruit and set the table. We also had potato patties (from mashed potatoes). I supervised the patties frying, but that was it. She even did a lot of the dishes afterwards. What a gal!!

Liz and her "baby bwodder." Liz is convinced that she is going to have a baby brother, even if she has to pretend with her dollies, while she waits for the rest of her family to jump on the band-wagon...

Our Little "Howt Derl"

When Liz had her birthday (last month!!), she asked me on her birthday: "Mommy, I your Howt Derl?" (Am I your heart girl)? I told her of course, and here's a few photos and a video of our precious heart girl on her heart day...


This is perhaps my favorite of birthday photos this year. Her content, happy expression, her calmness, coolness, and confidence, and then a whole lot of mischief going on inside that little mind of hers!!. That would be my Lizzy-Lu in a nut-shell. I can't believe my baby's 3 Years Old!!

Opening presents (always with sisters' help)...

Liz likes this book a lot (along with her sister, Daisy). I think I'm pretty close to having it memorized. Once, I even begged Faye to read it for them, cuz I was in the middle of trying to get something done. Cute book...

Faye is making sure Liz gets to lick off the candles--a luxery only the birthday girl recieves. (Also, notice B's extra "accessories" stuck to his shirt :)...

Cutting cake is always fun, and birthday girl would have to agree...

A Little Bit of Idaho in Texas

DAY 1...
The Little Paynes were extatic to wake up to snow Monday morning. They played and played, until they practically used up all the snow (Faye thought ahead and filled up a jar of snow and stuck it in the freezer). Also, notice how where the sun is shining, the snow is practically all melted. Pretty sad, I know, but at least it was snow...

But then came...

DAY 2...
Tuesday morning my girls could not contain themselves. It was actually Idaho weather!! 7 degrees, with a wind-chill factor, that took us down below zero!! My little Texans soon discovered that snow, at this level, is more pleasant to "look" at through a window. Lizzy lasted about 30 seconds, before she came in and stuck her little hands in my armpits. Daisy lasted a whole 2 minutes, but came in crying and declared, "I don't like snow sticking to me!!" Faye was a little hesitant to begin with, and her reservations about the weather were confirmed through her sisters actions, so she did not even venture outside.

Liz and Daisy being content "looking" at the snow...

Scouts

Scouting is good, scouting is fun, but the best part of scouting is that it can actually improve boys' lives!! I have seen it and felt it and believe in it. So, yes, I am one of those crazy scouters. I'm proud to be. There are parts of scouting I do not agree with. But I believe in the boys and their potential to be worthy Priesthood holders. I have 3 wonderful daughters, but I also have boys: "My Cubs are my boys."
I recieved my beads for Woodbadge on January 25th, at our Pack Meeting.

Here is a Mormon Message about scouting from our wonderful prophet, President Monson:

http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/president-monson-discusses-strengths-of-scouting?lang=eng

"Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a Cub Scout leader." -Daisy