Catch up time!

I've been a bad, bad blogger lately - so here's a quick update on all of us:

Dennis joined the "Biggest Loser" competition in American Fork, and he's been amazing so far. I'm so proud of him! He's always been a very competitive guy, so this has been good for him. He's stronger than I am lately - but I've been trying to be supportive by hiding my candy from him. :) I'm amazing like that. He's playing basketball a few days a week, and lifting with a couple of great guys in the ward. It's so fun to watch him make progress! He's doing great!!! He's also busy at work finishing up a project that is supposed to ship mid-April. In unrelated news, I have finally convinced him he may have to learn how to do something with our girls' hair every once in a while, so I told him for FHE this next week, we're having Girl Hair 101 classes. He can't wait.

Kaiya just got her kindergarten report card, and everything was perfect except she didn't know what a trapezoid is. So, after I looked up what a trapezoid is, I taught her. I've been volunteering in her classroom every once in a while, and I have so much fun watching her and getting to know the other kids. Kindergarteners are hilarious! We have a Primary Talent Show coming up this weekend and Kaiya is planning to play the piano. She's been steadily progressing in her lessons, and I love that she plays more and more often just for fun now, without me even having to bug her about practicing. She is also the designated bedtime story reader in our house now. One less thing for me to worry about!

Emmie also plans to participate in the Talent Show, and says she's going to show everyone her "turns" and they'll love it. This means she plans to do a flip and a cartwheel. I'm trying to talk her into something (anything) else, but she's pretty sure this will be the showstopper of the year. Whatever.

I was getting ready in my room this morning, and had my Ipod playing nice and loud. A song from the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack came on, and Emmie ran and got a computer speaker stand, dragged it into my bathroom, and started singing into it while watching herself in the mirror. She had me play the song a few times, choreographed herself, and winked at her "audience" and blew them a kiss at the end. I don't know where she comes up with this stuff! She is a total ham, and always good for some entertainment.

I believe that Claire is *knock on wood* potty trained! She's doing so well, and I'm relieved to have the worst of it over! We went to Walmart AND Costco today with no accidents, and she's very proud of her princess panties. She's talking up a storm lately and she is always good for a laugh. Her favorite show is "Dora the Explorer" and Emmie is always asking her, "Claire, who do we call when we don't know which way to go?" Claire always answers, "Map!" and they think it's funny every time. A few days ago, Emmie asked again, "Claire, who do we call when we don't know which way to go?" and Claire replied, "Ummm, Jesus?"

Hayden is the cutest thing ever, of course. At least that would be true if it weren't for the constant stream of snot running out of her. She seems to have been going between a cold and/or teething for the last couple of months now. She's in good spirits, though, and is definitely turning into a little girl. I can't believe my baby is so big! She waves "bye bye", fights with her sisters (hey, it's a right of passage around here), and "dances" whenever I turn on some music. She also loves to push our little kid card table all around the house and walk behind it. She's taking bottles, eating pretty much whatever we do, and never hesitates to let her opinion be known. She's going to have to be a fiesty one to survive being the youngest of this bunch! We all adore her.

My cute sister in law, Jenni, had her baby a couple of days ago, and she is a perfect little doll! I can't wait to go visit baby Katelyn tomorrow. I'm already trying to gear up to be strong and not break down bawling and embarrass myself the second I have a new, tiny one in my arms.

I think those are the highlights for now. I'll try to get back on the blogging bandwagon! I'd hate to disappoint all my loyal readers - like my sister, mom, and mother-in-law. ;)