Avery is 3!

Avery's birthday was on Monday and she is 3! I can't believe it, she's getting so big; she's truly becoming such a cute little lady! She got a bike for her birthday and I'm horribly embarrassed to say that she has no idea how to pedal. What's even worse is that Ashby hardly knows how either. I know it's shocking. The whole time we were in Virginia our living situation was definitely not condusive to bike riding. We lived up on the 4th floor, with no elevator and no where to store a bike. That's our excuse I guess! She doesn't seem that excited about said bike because she can't really ride it. With a little practice I know she will get it and will love it!

cantreadupsidedownitis

Do you suffer from cantreadupsidedownitis? Roger and I both do. We figured it out as we have been reading bed time stories to the girls. They used to like to sit on our laps to read stories, but they are too big to both sit on one lap. Then they used to just sit by us, but they can't see very well for some reason. So now we have resorted to sitting down facing the kids and reading the story to them. The really bad part is that the story is upside down to the reader. Rog and I continually laugh at the other because it sounds like they are in 3rd grade trying to read in front of the class. We likened it to the above clip from this season of Last Comic Standing.

Pictures and progress

It's so rare to get both girls to stand still long enough to put ponytails and ribbons in their hair for church that I had to take a picture. They are very sweet. Also of note in the pictures is that we finally painted our living room. We had hated how the walls looked but have been waiting to fix it. There was this nasty fake brick on the wall in the entry that we needed to remove. It ended up being kind of an ordeal. We decided to take the sheetrock off and replace it. We had all the stuff (luckily) but it always takes forever to complete those types of projects. Roger was diligent and finished so we could paint. There is one wall that still needs some sanding and more mud, then paint, but we are amazing and delighted by the transformation already. We just decided to stick with something neutral because of the lovely pink carpet (who chooses that stuff?) We love watching our house transform and can't wait to finally get all our pictures up on the walls.

I was sorely tempted by cheese

No, not that kind, keep reading...

I was sorely tempted by cheese at Subway yesterday. I always know in the back of my mind that I should be eating better than I ever am. I had a friend tell me a few years ago that cutting out things like mayonaise and cheese can make a difference in your weight loss goals. I do firmly believe that cutting a few things out can help maintain body weight. Now I'm not dying to maintain my current body weight, but I'm certainly not looking to pack on more pounds. Every time I go to Subway, it's so hard for me to say no to the cheese. Why is it so good on sandwiches? I was thinking about this yesterday and it got me thinking about some of my other vices. Apparently cheese is one, mind you not in all it's forms. I can always say no cheeze whiz, especially on hot dogs (right boys?) I was a religious Dr. Pepper drinker until about a year ago. I made the switch to diet to save on the calories, but sugar will always be a vice. Sugar is really my biggest one, I can't say no to a sweet treat. So what do I do? I have little self control as was proven to me by the great cheese temptation. I always know better but can't convince myself that I do. Next week's goal will be to just say no to vices. How to do it, I don't know, but at least it's a goal. Any suggestions?

Alright already

So the verdict is in, the evidence conclusive; I am wrong. The vote was 8 to 6 in favor of using the phrase it's all downhill from here to mean that things will get easier. It doesn't mean that I'm going to use the phrase correctly... I'll probably start using it with both meanings, leading to lots of confusion for everyone. Yea for that, right?

A question

WARNING: SOME UNPLEASANT DETAILS FOLLOW, DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SQUEMISH.

In my effort to become a unicorn, I have sprouted a rather impressive pimple right between my eyebrows. I'd had it about a week when I tried to pop it, gross I know. I told Roger how gross it was and he made the comment "well it's all downhill from here." My reply was "thanks a lot, you think I can be uglier than I am right now?" He got defensive and said that's not what it's all downhill from here means. I have always thought that it means things will be worse if they are all downhill from here. Roger thinks it means that things are getting easier if they are all downhill from here. So what do you think? When you normally use the phrase, what does it mean? I'm so curious what other people think about this. Please vote in the poll.

The big first day

Ashby had her first day of preschool today. The school district we live in has a K4 program. They test children early in the summer to see who will qualify. We had her tested and she didn't fit the requirements. Normally this program has been for kids who may already be behind or who are at risk for being so. However the principal of the program applied for more funding to add another K4 class. They were approved and we were accepted. I was hesitant at first because of the cliche of a head start type program (how vain am I?) However, the program is free and well established. She couldn't be more excited about it. It almost feels like elementary school to us. She will be riding the bus as soon as they get all the bugs worked out. She is so excited; I am so nervous! Our kids will not have to ride the bus when they start elementary school, we live 8 houses down. I wasn't ready for the possibility of a bus ride for her! She will love it and she is so good, I really shouldn't worry. She had a great first day and can't wait to go back tomorrow!

The do anyways

The title of our blog is what we love, like and do anyway. I don't talk much about the do anyways, well until today! There are always a lot of things in life that we do anyway. We had quite the fight with the girls yesterday about this. They didn't want to clean the playroom, but we explained they had to. There are things in every one's life they don't want to do, but do anyway. Here are five of mine:

1. Clean. In general I really don't like to do it.
2. Clean the kids. They hate it, I hate it, but it has to get done.
3. Go to bed. Once a night owl, always a night owl. (do you really need to say night owl, are there any owls that are not night owls? Those crazy day owls.)
4. Wash my face at night. I hate to, but if I don't, I pay.
5. Hang up clothes. I don't mind washing and folding, but for some reason, I don't like hanging them up!

I realized as I was writing this that there aren't that many do anyways in my life. Either I just enjoy everything I do, or I don't try hard enough to do things I don't like. I'm sure it's the latter, I will work on it and report later!

Labor Day fun

Kevin and Kelly came for a visit over the weekend and we had so much fun. It was so good to see them. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures (what kind of blogger/parent/sister-in-law am I?) Kelly took a few, hopefully she will post them. We crammed in lots of stuff while they were here; a bulleted list seems appropriate.

• Kevin and Kelly arrived late Friday night.
• Saturday morning we went down to the markets in the Strip District (thanks Natalie for the tip)
• Ate pizza, meat on a stick and snow cones from Strip District vendors.
• Came home and got the spread ready for the game. Spread included sandwiches on homemade bread, baked beans, buffalo chicken dip, strawberries and cookies.
• Watched BYU smoosh Arizona 20-7.
• Sunday we went to church, had naps and included Kevin and Kelly in our normal watching of America's Funniest Home Videos and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
• Monday we went to Primanti Bros on Kevin and Kelly's way out of town.

Overall it was a very fun weekend, with lots of good food and lots of relaxing! I hope they will come back soon!