It's an Everyday Occurrence

I don't think a day goes by when she doesn't break into either Alexandria's, Isabel's or my makeup bags and find the lipstick.  It's her favorite.  The brighter the better.

She Thinks She's So Big

I walked out of the shower to find Stella helping herself to a piece of bread and butter. On another note . . .One other thing I want to remember about her growing up from a toddler to a "big girl" is she's finally watching another show besides Frozen.  She calls it "Monkey Baby" and gets absolutely terrified by the tiger.  We all know the movie as Tarzan. 

All By Herself

"Mom, can I make cookies?" Alexandria was asking me over the phone. She's 13 but she's never ever made cookies alone. I wasn't home so I wasn't too sure how they would turn out. But I told her what recipe to use and gave her a few directions for the oven. An hour later I got home to find the most beautiful, delicious oatmeal raisin cookies! I think we have a new cook in the family. Note to self, turn the kitchen over to Alexandria more often. 

New Business

These two ten year olds started their own business today so they can start saving for their missions.  They went door to door with clipboard in hand asking if they could take out garbages for $5/barrel for the month. They got turned down by a few homes but a couple of families signed on. They will now be making $30/month. Which is better than what I'm making. ;) I'm proud of their determination and desire to work hard and earn money. These boys are awesome! If they knocked on my door I would buy whatever these cuties are selling. 

 

**UPDATE: They went back out a few days later and got a few more households to sign up.  They will now be making $75 a month! Way to go boys!!

Hanging Out With My Babies

All About the Money

Every year they work hard on their Pinewood Derby cars but they've never won a race. After seeing two Pinewood Derby Races I've learned that if you want a fast car you have to work on the axels and wheels. But even getting the cars cut out was proving to be difficult. Finally, I broke down and went and bought $70 worth of new tools because it was my boys' last Pinewood Derby and it was important to them. I wasn't going to let them go without their cars. Thankfully, once Papi realized that he called up a friend who helped us cut out where the wheels would go then we were able to finish cutting the cars with a member in the ward between conference sessions and I returned the unused tools.

We cut out their cars, sanded and painted as we do every year. But then we went to a friend's house to have him show us how to make the cars run fast. AJ worked on both cars. DJ wasn't feeling good. So AJ straightened and sanded the axels, drilled new holes and placed the wheels. He helped add the weights and glue. Two and a half hours and a couple of filthy little hands later we had what I hoped would be some pretty fast cars. How did I know that someone in the pack would have their wheels and axels professionally done and pay almost $90.00 to get their car ready for the race? I was proud of AJ for working so hard, not only on his car but, helping his brother when he couldn't do it too!

Race day came and the cars were lined up. 3-2-1! The gates were down and the cars were speeding down the track topping speeds over 200 mph. There in the lead was AJ's silver bullet, DJ's gold streak and the expensive and sleek sun devil machine. There were some fast cars but only these few kept winning every race.  It was going to be a close finish. After 32 races and 30 minutes of pure excitement the boys got the results. Would AJ's hard work pay off going against a professionally made car? Or once again would it be all about the money?

Does this tell you anything?

1st PLACE!!!!!!!! He got first!! I was so happy for him I couldn't even sleep that night. He had worked hard and it paid off!

DJ got third place. Although if you ask him it should have been second because he beat the sun devil machine in the races. But I guess the sun devil machine had a faster overall average because it took second place. 

There's the scoreboard with my boys listed as first and third. Take that money machine! Sometimes it really is just hard work and knowledge that pay off. What better lesson could you learn in cub scouts? Congratulations boys!!! I am so happy you had such an awesome last Pinewood Derby!

Papi's Back

"I ride Papi's baaak". This girl is a runner but she turns into a monkey if there's a chance to climb on Papi's back for a ride. She knows her Papi is gone but she also knows she can call him anytime.

I want Ya-ya

Can you tell how much she misses her older sister, Alexandria? Somedays she cries worse for her then she does for her me when I leave. I really am glad she loves her that much. Kind of makes my job easier that "Ya-ya" is such a great big sister.