This is the First Time in My Whole Life!

Allana likes to point out "firsts" to me. "Mom! This is Gideon's first time to the library!" or "Mom this is our my first time coming to this park when I am 5..."

Here is another first... Allana riding a 2-wheeler bike with no help or training wheels. This video clip is after practicing on the bike less than 5 minutes. She already has the balance down from riding her Strider Bike.

Ahoy Matey! Captain Allana be turnin' five

Andy turned the whole living room into a pirate ship with cardboard from Sears Outlet and some masking tape. It was so much fun! Corinne is already planning her pirate party when she turns five.

Allana's First Talk

Today Allana gave her first talk. She is 4 1/2 and didn't even need my help. She got up to the microphone with a beaming smile and a 3x5 index card with some picture reminders of her talk (and a few words). She did beautifully:

"Jesus Christ is the Savior and he is a God of miracles. My cousin Keith was in an accident and he was hurt really badly. The priesthood gave him a blessing. The doctors said it was a miracle that Keith was still alive. I know that Jesus blesses us....blesses us with miracles. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I wish I had her speaking abilities! The greatest part about watching the sunbeams do the opening exercises is how huge their smile is when they are finished. You can tell that they are extremely pleased with themselves because of what they have just accomplished. After I give a talk I am relieved to be finished, but I probably spend the most time analyzing what I could have done better. How nice would it be for us to actually give ourselves a pat on the back and just to be content and happy with knowing we did our very best?

To add even more awe to how well she did... she was up until past midnight last night because she helped us clean-up from the reception. What a trooper. Here is the clean-up crew from Kristie's reception last night:

"Mom, you're the best mom ever!"

Tonight as Allana was getting ready for bed she looked at me with eyes full of admiration and said, "Mom, you're the best mom ever!" I just smiled and told her goodnight. I should have asked her why I am the best mom ever tonight. Usually it is because I let her stay up really late or eat some sort of sweets that I usually don't give her. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as I keep on striving to be the best mom ever in her eyes.

"Corinne, you're my best friend."

Many times I have loved to watch Allana and Corinne play happily together. Of course they have their battles, but more often they are looking out for each other and taking care of each other.

When I do their hair they watch a DVD and this morning they were sitting down together waiting for the chosen show to start. As I walked out of the room to gather hair supplies, Allana put her arm around Corinne and told her, "Corinne, you're my best friend." I am sure that statement will hold true as they go through life together and become closer as sisters and friends.

Together Forever

Giulia and David stopped by Sunday before David headed south to Vegas to pick up Potatoes for Connie and Grant. We talked them in to staying for a few minutes and eating lunch with us before leaving. After saying goodbye to them, Corinne and Allana continued peeking out the window to watch Giulia and David say their goodbyes. As they watched Allana was explaining to Corinne that Giulia was feeling sad that David had to leave, "Giulia lives in Provo and David lives far away in Las Vegas."

Then after Giulia and David drove off in their separate vehicles Allana asked me, "Why do they want to be together forever?"

"How do you know they will be together forever?" I asked back.

"Because they are going to get married and then they are going to have children..." was her reply. I wish I could describe the all-knowing intonation she used as she made the statement. Use your imagination...

"But I thought..."

Today as Allana was lying down to take a nap, she asked me who was coming to babysit her this afternoon. Then she asked, "Where are you going?"

"To volleyball practice." I answered.

"Why?"

"Because I'm a volleyball coach."

Tears started welling up in her eyes, "But I thought you were a Mommy!"

I gave her big hugs and reassured her that my first job is being her mom. It made me smile.

Happy 3rd Birthday Allana

Allana said that her favorite part of her birthday was "blowing out the 3" candle on her cake. Though I made quite a mess making the cake it turned out pretty good. We made chocolate animals, candles, and words to decorate the cake. It tasted really good too. I made a chocolate butter cake with buttercream frosting. I don't usually like frosting, but this was soooo good!

"Mom I Love You."

Tonight as Allana was going to sleep I was lying down next to her. I had told her no more talking because it was time to go to sleep.

She was silent for a few seconds and then said, "Mom, I love you."

"I love you too, Allana."

Then before rolling over to go to sleep Allana leaned her head close to mine and quietly whispered in my ear, "When I was a baby, I used to like tomatoes."

Within a few minutes she was asleep.

A few cute things Allana said this past week...

It is always cuter when you actually hear these words from Allana's mouth, but try to imagine her cute little voice and expressions when she said:

Jenelle: "Allana, you're growing up so fast!"

Allana: (with an astonished look on her face and hands throw out to both sides)

"No! Garret said don't grow up too fast! So I'm going to grow up slowly."

We just got back from a road trip yesterday. I didn't put a pull-up on Allana while we drove and we must have been in the car a little too long. When I went to unbuckle her, I jerked back my hand because I was not expecting to touch anything wet:

Jenelle: "Allana, you peed your pants!"

Allana: "No, that's not pee!"

Jenelle: "If it's not pee, then what is it?"

Allana: Looking down and examining her wet bottom..."um... it's other stuff."

Now today I took apart Allana's car seat so that we can wash it before we go anywhere. Allana went into the living room and began playing with the parts of the car seat that are not in the washer and yelled to me:

Allana: "Mother! I'm fixing my car seat because you broke it!"

Jenelle:  I didn't actually say much. I just smiled and decided to write about it in my blog.

Heavenly Father Please...

Allana was looking for her dance leotard (the one Baylee handed down that Allana must wear to dance at least 3 times a week) and the leotard was not on the hanger where it usually is.

"Where are my dance clothes?" Allana asked seriously.

"I don't know, Allana. Where did you put it after you wore it last?"

I went back to getting Corinne dressed for the day. Then I realized what a traumatic dilemma this was to Allana as I saw her throw herself onto the ground, kneeling and grasping her hands together. She squinted her eyes shut and said an urgent prayer. "Heavenly Father, I can't find my dance clothes. Heavenly Father will you please find my dance clothes for me? In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I guess she just needed Heavenly Father's help to get me to realize that this was super important to her. I dug her leotard out of her hamper and gave it to her to wear. She was really excited to have found it. I suggested that she say a prayer to thank Heavenly Father for his help. She got right down on her knees and prayed, "Heavenly Father thanks for finding my dance clothes for me! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."