James just told me "You look beautiful when you wear the ring I gave you. You look even more beautifuller when you have your claws painted too!"

The ring is sweet - James was at the mall with Grammy when one of the kiosks was having a going-out-of-business sale. Grammy was buying necklaces for her mother when James asked if they could buy something for Mommy as well. The worker was compassionate and gave James a glass ring to give me! James loves it when I wear the ring - he says it can remind me of how much he loves me. What a sweet gesture.

There's only one reason my "claws" are painted - Jared did it! Jared was shopping (for himself) at Ulta and bought me some nail polish. He then painted my nails for me. Apparently, Jamesy likes it too!

Joshua is recovering beautifully from surgery. He is never nicer than when he is sick or injured. I love this time with him! Not that I would wish illness upon him, but he never lays down and snuggles me normally.... Luckily, we have tonsils next month, so more nice Joshy is coming.

Today is Easter and we had a perfect day with our children. It started a little early - Claire came in my room before 6 am and then proceeded to tell me the time every two minutes. "Mommy, its 5:58..... Mommy, it's 6:01.... Mommy, it's 6:03.... can we get up NOW?"

We finally got everyone downstairs at 7:30. Jared wisely decided that he and I should get ready first - smart move. If we don't do it first, we can't seem to get it done (particularly with 9 am church). The kids got toothbrushes, undies, and bubbles in their baskets, along with a good amount of candy. Yes, MOTHER, in spite of what you may say, I gave my children PLENTY of candy.

Did I already write the funny underpants story? Claire saw her Easter Bunny underwear and said "HANNA ANDERSSON UNDIES? The easter bunny must be RICH!" This is only funny because Claire is soooo picky about her undies - they can't have exposed elastic, a tag, etc etc. Supposedly Hanna Anderson makes the "world's softest underwear." I figured that since she is picky and these were a gift from the Easter Bunny I would splurge and I paid $16 for three pairs of undies. She then saw them in a catalog and said "$16 for undies! Who in the world would pay that? That's crazy!" I laughed and lauged at the irony so I was excited to see her reaction this morning. The cream on the cake is... at the end of the day, she didn't think they were that soft! Next time I'm going back to Target for her underpants!

Claire is the only one who got new Easter clothes (the joy of being the only girl!) I bought her matching "dollie and me" dresses from BJ's. She was very excited to find that the E.B. had found and dressed her doll, and left it with her Easter basket. She actually figured out right away, as the doll was missing from my dresser this morning (she had lost it for keeping her room messy). Here's the scary part - Claire fixed her hair just like the doll and they were wearing matching dresses. The doll looked exactly like her! They could have been a page straight out of the American Girl magazine. I will have to post pictures later - it was eerie.

The boys had a good easter as well. Joshua had a difficult time finding eggs. Claire had to find ways to help him such as move eggs into plainer sight. He did find eggs and feel good about himself, so that's the important part, right? James was a good finder on his own, and Daniel just kept dropping eggs on the floor. I am so, so thankful to be able to spend today with my family!

Yesterday I told James he had to take a nap. He proclaimed "I don't want to take a nap!" to which I dryly replied "I'm aware."

James thought for a second, then said "Mommy, I didn't know you're a werewolf!"

Another story for my arse-anale.

So I have a variety of pictures of my children sleeping. Some are sweet, but the majority are funny. I got a great new one tonight.

The boys' room is very, very small. As a result, I bought a loft bed for Joshua, and put a mattress on the floor under it for James. The "bunk bed" is not very tall, and the top bunk is armpit level (on me). It is on the wall with the door, and the end of the bed is right next to the door frame.

Tonight, I opened the door to check on the boys. I was first assulted by the smell of Daniel's stinky diaper, but to add to the humor, Joshua was sleeping on the door end of his bed. Not only that, he was sleeping on his stomach with his legs curled up under him. Thus, his bottom was sticking up in the air, right in my face!!!! I had to laugh, get Jared, and grab my camera. I will try to add pictures later. Seriously, his butt was six inches from my nose, and combined with the smell of the diaper, it was quite funny!

The kids are doing well. Daniel refuses to walk, even though he is 14 months old. He can stand in the middle of the floor, but refuses to take a step. I am fine with it, as he is my baby and I want to keep him that way. Claire is busy, a tornado of mess, mess, mess. She will drive me crazy with the messes! James is sensitive and sweet. Joshy is anxious about his upcoming surgeries. I feel bad for him.

I do not have realistic views of how much time is in a day. I always think that I have plenty of time, little planned, and that I am as free as a bird. Wrong, wrong, and wrong again! Just a few commitments keep me running.

I do a co-op preschool with other mothers in the ward. This is wonderful - I only teach every 6 weeks and get free mornings on Tuesday and Thursday. I use these mornings to run errands. I also schedule several appointments per week regarding Joshua. Between doctors, school meetings, etc etc etc, he keeps my life really busy. Then there's all the extra stuff. I was really priding myself on keeping Joshua's schedule simple, since he becomes so easily overwhelmed. I was so proud until I realized that he has piano on Monday, karate on Tuesday, scouts on Wednesday, track on Thursday, soccer on Saturday, and primary on Sunday. Okay, so I can pride myself on keeping Friday free. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

I also, in thinking that my schedule was so empty, got a job. I now work in the child center at Lifetime Fitness. They only asked me for 10 hours a week. No problem, I thought. 10 hours a week, and I am a stay-at-home mom who can take my children to work. No problem at all. So then they pulled out the schedule. First off, I ex-ed out Tuesday and Thursday, since I deal with preschool those days. Then Monday, because the kids have a half day and I couldn't fit in a shift. Then they asked about evenings. Again, no problem. Except Monday is Family Home Evening, Tuesday Jared works at church, Wednesday is scouts, Thursday and Friday Jared works late.... so basically, Lifetime Fitness, I can work whenever you want, so long as it's Wednesday and Friday morning.

I just finished my second shift. I take James and Daniel with me, and both of them stick to me like glue. So, for 5 hours I play with only my own kids and they pay me to do it. I guess that works out. I tried playing with other kids, but holding Daniel and talking to James made my efforts ineffectual.

And then there's the doctors appointments... lets just say I'm glad I have a strong Ward family. I used to try to be superwoman and take all my kids to all the appointments. We were all miserable, and I would leave realizing I only discussed half of what I needed to say. So now, I ask everyone to watch my kids, and all the time too. Would they like me to return the favor? Sure, and I am available any time! Except..... oops, do you need someone for Monday morning?