K Time

I am still struggling with the decision as to where to send Grace to school. I started checking out schools in February. It's now April. I don't know why I am having such a tough time deciding and I am sure I am making a bigger deal out of it than I need to.

Today we did Concords roundup. Grace did great. She was shy at first but then went happily with the 5th grader assigned to her and then with the teachers. It was nice to know people there and that they knew us. Grace would not just be another face in the crowd @ Concord. The highlight for her was planting a sunflower and seeing the inside of the school bus. Next week we will do Westerns roundup.

We also had G's preschool conference tonight. Mrs. T informed us that Grace "has really blossomed this year". She started off crying everyday at drop off and kind of being a loner. She now has no problem with the separation and actively plays and talks with the other kids. Academically she came in doing well and has continued to do well. She also said she is quite the little artist (just like daddy). She showed us some of the great pictures she has drawn this year. She said she asks very thoughtful questions at sharing time, not the same ones asked every week. We were also told our Miss G is a perfectionist. She takes the time to make sure she does her very best even if it takes a little longer.

Her Self portrait in September

Her self portrait in April

Her name in September

Her name in April

If she were president...

She likes to play in her tree fort

Her Robot

Our little artist

Mrs. T and Cherubs have been perfect for her. I feel like my child has been nurtured and loved and allowed to be herself while growing at her own pace. You can't ask for much more as a parent.
She is ready for kindergarten! Now if mommy could only figure out where to send her!!

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Easter

Holidays are always a mad dash in the Dawson household. While it is wonderful that all of our family is close it also makes for an exhausting day of trying to get everywhere and do everything.

First we searched for the eggs the Easter bunny hid (real eggs that the twins enjoying smashing while throwing the the basket). Next up was checking out the baskets. Cue 4 year old breakdown because despite having 3 times the things her sisters did, her basket did not  include princess shoes. Needless to say, everyone is enjoying the princess shoes now :)

Church was next on the agenda. If they want to torture prisoners of war they should have them take twin 22 month olds to church. Holy crap. They ended up in the nursery which was better for everyone.

Next we enjoyed an amazing buffet at the Country Club that Scott and Nicki were kind enough to ask us to join them for. That dessert bar is to die for (okay maybe the wrong saying on Easter). Lyla amused the crowd by standing at the m&m bowl and looking cute so people would feed her gobs of candy.

Speaking of candy our Jilli Bean LOVES jelly beans. She would do just about anything for these sweet beans. Including pushing chairs over to whatever high objects the baskets are hidden upon and climbing until she can reach them.

The Easter bunny was at the club so Grace got to give him a big hug while the twins wanted nothing to do with him.

We then went to nana and papas for an Easter egg hunt. The twins had no idea what was going on but enjoyed running around like all the big kids. Grace really got into it this year, taking her egg hunting very seriously.

Next was GG Wilsons to see that side of the fam. Too windy to enjoy time outside but the kids got into GG's old dress up suitcase and had a great time playing together.

Finally we ended the day at GG Dawsons for another Easter egg hunt. Grandpa Dawson gave all the kiddos (and me) a good 'ol fashioned tractor ride.

Whew! God is Good!! The end

Spring Break

We went on spring break this year! Nicki asked us if we wanted to do a girls thing somewhere warm and we were in! Gracie, my mom, Nicki, Ally, and I headed to Delray Beach, FL for 6 days. It was hard leaving daddy and the babies at home but it was also nice to get away and have a nice, relaxing week.

Weather was beautiful. Hot and sunny. It was so nice to bake in the sun and eat outside at all the adorable little restaurants in the area. I would definitely go back there for vacation. It was a very cute little town with beach access across the street from our hotel. It wasn't all built up and touristy like some parts of FL are. The beach didn't have any hotels on it so it was protected and beautiful.

It was nice to spend some time with just my girl. I feel like she is always having to wait and be patient with twin little sisters and for once she got mommy all to herself. She loved swimming in the pool with Ally and playing in the sand at the beach. This girl LOVES the beach and pool and SUN in general :)

For more go to Nicki's blog:
Florida
Life At The Beach
Sunny Days
Shopping Day

Going Organic

In January, we decided to take baby steps towards going organic. Milk and eggs.

Adam and I watched the documentary "Food Inc." You should watch it. Like now. Will scare the hell out of you. And change the way you look at the grocery store forever.

We go through a lot of milk in this house. Like 2 gallons every 2-3 days a lot. Organic IS expensive. Like $6-7 a gallon expensive. But worth it. I hope :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Jane on Pinterest

The good news is that it has started a cascade of other heathy habits. Exercising on a regular basis. Trying to eat more whole, unprocessed foods. We are putting a garden in this Spring, buying more organic meat, and eating more venison.

I'm not writing this to pat ourselves on the back but to share I am the least likely convert. And maybe provide a little education. I gotta say I thought it was a lotta hooey. A lot of expensive hooey. But its not. And not only because of our own health. Do some research. Give it a try.

Here is to healthy living :)

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Goofy Girls

I cant believe my sweet little twinsies are not "babies" as we always refer to them but toddlers. These 2 are a force to be reckoned with. They do everything to the max.

They eat to the max

Sleep to the max

Play to the max

Get dirty to the max

Fight to the max

LOVE to the max

It seems their motto is go big or go home. They make me laugh. Oh how they make me laugh. My dad says that I think they are the funniest and I really do. They just make me smile and make my heart full. This only encourages their antics but oh well :)

They never stop unless they are sleeping. They are on the move, climbing, exploring, running... But then they will slow down for a minute and want a snuggle. A quick hug or squeeze and they are off again. They love their big sister the best and think she is just the coolest. in fact they love her so much they are always getting into her stuff, destroying her art work, and generally being little nuisances. She is so patient with them though, it was like she was made to be their big sister.

Their relationship with each other is amazing. They fight like cats and dogs. Lyla is forever taking from Jilli and Jilli is (understandably so) always on the defense. It is hard to make any clear judgements yet but I think they may have some of mommy's "bull dog-ness" (as my brother puts it).

Then the next moment they are holding hands, hugging, or rubbing each other's back. The most incredible thing they do is touch foreheads. They have done it since they were newborns.

I believe it is twinspeak for "I love you".

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart

Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may, I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing


The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all


-Allison Krauss "When You Say Nothing At All"

Goals Goals Baby

Rocked out my first goal of the new year. Oh yeah. Ran my first ever 5K.

And when I say run I mean I actually ran the whole thing. I am pretty darn proud of myself. Proud that I stuck out the training through the snow and cold outside. Through being sick and not being able to run for a few weeks. Through starting out not being able to run more than a minute.

I got the bib and t-shirt the night before the race and I have to admit I still couldn't believe I was actually choosing to run in a race. I felt all excited and nervous like before a gymnastics meet. I have to admit, it was great to feel that again.

I ran 3.1 miles in 36.5 minutes. I did not stop. I beamed with pride that my children and hubby were there to cheer me on.

At one point my friend Kristen exclaimed she felt great! Do you feel great?! My reply was I wouldn't classify what I was feeling as great but hell, I was still running right? :)

The Car Chronicals

G: Mommy, why was I the first?

These are the type of questions Grace likes to sling at me while riding in the car.

J: Well, um, I guess because God decided that you were going to be the first.

She processes this.

J: Do you like being the first?

G: Uhhhhh, yeah. I guess I do.

I go on to list all the great things about being the first (coming from the baby of the family mind you so this was a bit of a stretch). As I am droning on and on (apparently) she says:

G: What if I was a fairy and I flew up to the sun and touched it with my finger?

Oh to be 4.