April 17th

Ayden has been working on this bad boy for the last 48 hrs straight!



He's a happy guy.
- Posted from my iPhone

{ Trip to Tuckahoe }

A few months ago Jenny and I booked our flights to go visit Laura. She just had her 4th child, the beautiful Hannah Elizabeth . . .

This picture doesn't do her justice. She is so tiny! I couldn't get over how small her little head it. It was probably so shocking to me because my kids have such huge beeners!

We took the redeye from Salt Lake to JFK arriving at 3am our time! Man we were sleepy!

{Jenny and I on the plane}

{meeting Hannah for the first time}

Day 1

The first day was somewhat of a blur. We were so tired from waking up so early. We rode in the car with Laura as she drove her kids to various places and ran errands. I'm always impressed that she knows her way around so well. It all looks the same to me and there are no mountains to guide which direction you're going. I noticed I got car sick very easily and I think it's because I didn't know where we were going or what direction we were facing.

Day 2

After getting Connor off to school and getting ready for the day, we headed to the Mall! I have been so excited to go to H & M, my favorite store! Not only do they have cute clothes for me, but they have way cute stuff for kids! I had a great time picking out summer clothes for our family.

{Jen and I at the register}

Then we headed to lunch at one of Laura's favorite resteraunts . . . Cheesecake Factory! The food was delicious and I had a great time just visiting with my sisters. I love these beautiful women.

After lunch we went home so we would be there when Connor got home. I helped Laura get dinner ready while Jenny (super aunt) played 4-square with the kids.

My sisters introduced me to the show Friday Night Lights. I'm hooked! After we got the kids to bed we would watch episode after episode. Thanks guys, now I'll get even less done!

Day 3

We did a little more shopping in the morning and then headed out with the whole gang to Wendy's and the kids' soccer clinics. They are both really great soccer players and I am impressed with the program they have out there.

After soccer, we headed to the city. We really only made one stop . . . Nike Town! Nike is a client of Alan's firm out there so he gets a sweet discount at the store! The store is so incredible.

{a little boring for the little ones, but they found a way to entertain themselves}

We stopped and got some delicious pizza on the way home. The kids were exhausted from a long day but that didn't keep them from wanting innumerable bedtime stories. Jenny and I tried to put the kids to bed each night to give Laura a break. Man do they love stories! I should have come more prepared.

Day 4

Sunday morning felt like time stood still. At my house we are running around like crazy yelling at everyone trying to get to church on time. We made it out the door with little drama, it was awesome.

The whole trip Abby was my little buddy. She always wanted to eat what I was eating, wear what I was wearing. It was so sweet, I'm glad she chose me.

Sacrament meeting and relief society were great. I mostly enjoyed sunday school though. We went to the Sunday school class in the foyer while Laura nursed Hannah. (ha ha)

After church the kids introduced to the 14th article of faith: We believe that we should always eat nachos on Sunday after church. Awesome.

I brought my color to highlight Laura's hair so we did that in the early evening while watching The Labyrinth! We used to watch that all the time as kids and it was very nostalgic to watch it again.

Day 5

This was our last day and I tried not to think about it too much because I knew it would make me sad. We hung around in the morning until Abby went to school and then we headed to Trader Joes. Man we need one of those here. What an awesome store! Plus they have those delicious fruit leathers that you can't get anywhere here. After school we played with the kids. When we were out I grabbed some Orange Creme Soda for a treat after school.

At dinnertime we walked down to a restaurant by the train station where Alan met and treated us to a delicious dinner.

{Three sisters at the Tap House}

After dinner we put the kids to bed and sat around visiting until almost midnight. Our flight left the next morning at 9:40.

I am so thankful to my wonderful sisters for all they do for me. I love them so much and I am eternally thankful to have them in my life.

I am also thankful for an incredible husband that was a single parent for 6 days. He cooks, he cleans, and most of all he plays. My kids had a great time with him and had a hard time adjusting to mom being home. I am so blessed in my life.

{ reading kids }

For a long time I have been noticing what great readers my kids are. I wish I could say I had something to do with it, but the truth is . . . it's all them. I have a hard time even remembering to have Ayden get his reading done for homework. I feel like our days are so busy and they fly by so fast.

After spending a week with my sister Laura's family in NY I realized that I don't put reading high enough on my priority list for my family. The Buchanans have more books then I have ever seen. They are so good at having their children read before they get to play computer or watch TV. I want to be more like them.

So when I got home I decided to start right then and there to focus more on reading. I had my kids each read to me last night and I was blown away! They are incredible readers! I was so proud I had to make a video of each of them this morning so I can document and remember their incredible reading abilities at such young ages.

Sophie is 4 1/2 years old. She is in her second year of pre-school and starting kindergarden in the fall.

That book is one that Ayden brought home from kindergarden.

Ayden has always been ahead of his class. But his reading has become even more smooth and he iscomprehending somuch more. This is a book he checked out from the library.

I'm so proud of my kids. It's a blessing to be their mother.