Salon de Cuatro Hijos

Brandon, also know as, El Birthday Planner Extraordinaire, has done it once again. Yes, this year he made my birthday celebration an evening to remember by bringing the day spa experience into the very walls of our own home. He, along with his 3 "male beauticians", if you will, worked their magic and the "salon" was worth every star of its recently acquired 5-star rating. Not only was this a total surprise, which I have informed both Eli and Brandon, that I am not easily surprised, I seem to have expectations for surprises....Maybe because when I was growing up, GG (my Mom) always made my birthdays "surprise"-themed, from surprise parties at McDonald's or the 49th Street Galleria to the male, singing telegram, high-top wearing ballerina (10th birthday) or the balloon bearing, birthday sign carrying gorilla telling everyone at 'good old Jordan High' to wish me a Happy 16th Birthday...(long interlude) but this "Fabrizio" Day Spa experience was a heavenly, relaxing, very well thought out production that will bring a smile to my day when the boys are doing their "boy things" and I am feeling "outnumbered" and longing for female companinship in my house of 4 boys. Maybe I can convince them to paint my nails instead of wrestling, playing GameCube, or watching "the game? I doubt it, but it doesn't hurt to ask, right!

I walked in the house after running a quick errand and Eli greeted me at the door with a European accent, "Hello Miss, your tub is ready, it is reserved for one hour", as he's walking me upstairs and the scent of lavender and vanilla is luring me in and relaxing me instantly. I get to my bathroom and yes, the bathtub is full with hot water still running softly and bubbles, not quite overflowing. At this point I am surprised and so impressed by this thoughtful gesture (El Extraordinaire knows how much I love a hot bubble bath, reserved for one hour with no interruptions nonetheless), I'm grinning from ear to ear. The bathroom counter is free from clutter, my bath towel is folded and waiting on the ledge of the tub and my favorite, soft, cozy bathrobe is hanging nearby so I will know to adorn it after my soak, (Is that TMI? I just was loving all the last details and want to keep the record accuately) Jack Johnson is playing in the background to take my thoughts to quiet beaches, and, on our full-length mirrors is a loving Happy Birthday message in dry erase marker from El Extraordinare. Oh, and don't forget the ice water to drink and cookies to snack on if needed. So, I don't know that I actually soaked for a full hour, but I definitely took my time.

After I was well relaxed and the soak seemed very sufficient, I was instructed on a note to "Ring downstairs when finished". I was treated to a massage by Brandon, the Massage Therapist (who knew he had such a skill). Even though there were 3 little boys in the house, somehow they were distracted and patient and kept the atmosphere peaceful throughout the soak and massage. Now that I am completely relaxed, Brandon says I may want to say a prayer before the final salon services, the Pedicure and Manicure, for this is what the boys have been waiting to take part in. Eli starts with my manicure and does just fine, considering he has never filed or painted his own nails, let alone a girl's. He was very professional and got the hang of how to paint without getting it on my fingers or dripping too much.

Brandon does my pedicure, worrying that Easton and Braxton will never be able to do the painting. He realizes he is out of practice and the task is more difficult than he remembers, as it has been about 10 years ago, when I was pregnant with Eli, that he last performed this service. Easton and Braxton come bouncing to me ready to take their turn and Eli helps them paint the "top-coat" on my fingernails. They proceed to rub my hands with lotion to feel like they are a part of the pampering, and it's just enough for them to do just that.

To top off the salon treatment, Brandon made homemade lasagne for dinner which was very yummy and we enjoyed a delectable Black and White Cheesecake from the Sam's Club bakery for dessert. Wow, 32 is starting out absolutely magnificently! I love you, Brand! I love you, Eli, Easton, and Braxton! I hope to visit Salon de Cuatro Hijos again one day!

Best Friend

Easton and his best little buddy, Josh, met when they were about 4 and 5 months old. They grew up across the street from each other for 2 years, then we moved a few blocks away and their frienship continued to flourish. Easton has been missing his dear friend so much lately due to our sudden move to Las Vegas seven months ago. He began calling his stuffed dog, Snake, his "best friend". He told me he was doing this so he could remember Josh (his real best friend). I try to comfort him when he gets sad and is missing his friend by telling him he can call him or get on the webcam and talk to him, but he wants to play with him. Last night Easton was discouraged because he wanted a movie of him and Josh playing together. He didn't think we had one, but I came across this one and when I showed it to him he was grinning from ear to ear!

I told Easton that I'm sure they'll be able to play together again one day soon. In his 6 year-old mind, one day just doesn't come soon enough.

This time last year....

That's right, we were cruising the Mexican Riviera!! Oh, how we enjoyed our first cruise and long to go again one day soon!

Brandon is convinced it's the perfect way to travel.

We were at dinner one night with our friends, Rick and Melissa, and they told us about a great deal they had found on the Princess Cruise line. They told us we should "come along". When we got home from dinner, Brandon totally booked it (not typical for Brandon, he really must have needed a vacation). Melissa called me, ecstatic, before he had even officially announced to me that he was going to do it. Naturally, I was thrilled! It all fell into place for Brandon's Mom to come stay with the boys and we would be sailing out in just a few short weeks.

Party time in Puerto Vallarta! Lunch at Senor Frogs was quite interesting as we witnessed a mother and daughter become completely intoxicated (alcohol and drugs combined). The mother had to be dragged out of the restaurant by a male (son?? or travel partner to her daughter) and a few of the servers. The daughter, on the other hand, was a "lightweight" in a couple of aspects and was easily carried outside to the taxi. Crazy!! We just enjoyed being intoxicated with laughter and singing along to the good old "American" music playing loudly throughout the restaurant.

The port in Cabo was absolutely beautiful with the rocks coming right up out of the ocean. We went on a "Glass-Bottom Boat" over to the rocks. We saw lots of fish underneath the boat and sea lions on the rocks.

I got to fulfill my dream and go parasailing in Mazatlan. I absolutely loved it and would totally do it again. I really am in one of those sails up there. Too bad we didn't have a bigger zoom lens on our camera.

Out of the Mouth of my "babe"

On Sunday morning I was in the kitchen doing some baking for our Ward activity, "Break the Fast", after Church. I was in my dress and ready for the day because Sunday goes much better if I am ready first thing. I don't know if Braxton, at 3 years of age, was feeling the spirit of the sabbath day, or if he saw the picture of the Savior on the shelf in the living room and it sparked his thoughts, but he said, in a sort of whiney, disturbed tone of voice, "I just want to talk to Jesus. When is he going to come?" It was obviously one of those tender, melt your heart moments for a mother. I'm so glad he feels that bond to his elder brother. Maybe he really is catching the messages at Church and from our scripture and Family Night (4 minute) discussions.

A couple weeks ago, there was a talk in Sacrament meeting that touched my soul immensely. The speaker shared the importance of teaching our children to have an understanding of the principles of the gospel. That concept had never really been brought to my attention or stirred such thoughts in my mind before as it did that day and I truly felt enlightened.

side note: I'm so glad I was able to catch the message, as that is not always a possibility with the little guys who sit next to me on the bench. Many of you can relate.

Anyway, maybe this would be considered my most current desire (as I have a list of several desires as a parent, after completing an awesome Basic Parenting course by Kara Sanft), to help my children to understand the principles of the gospel that are plain and perfect and will lead them to happiness in this life and ultimate joy in the next.

Back to Braxton's desire to talk to Jesus, I did remind him that when he prays that's a special time he can "talk to Jesus and Heavenly Father". He said he wanted to tell them that he can wide his bike. So, at that moment he climbed up to the kitchen table and proceeded to offer a prayer, vocally and thanked Heavenly Father for the day and that he can "wide his bike". When he finished, he had a big grin and a little giggly said, "they can hear me". I think, in his 3 year-old way, he is beginning to understand the principle of faith in a Heavenly Father who hears our prayers.......it's a continuing process, for sure. I truly treasure my calling as a mother.

"Explorer of the Month"

Eli has been waiting anxiously for this moment, as his teacher hinted he would be "chosen" sometime soon. The "Explorer of the Month" at Reedom Elementary displays outstanding behavior academically and socially. Each teacher chooses 1 student from their class to be recognized for that month. Eli has been a terrific student all throughout his 3 1/2 years of schooling, but his previous school in Idaho didn't have this type of recognition program, thus the great anticipation he has felt for this achievement. Along with the "prestigious" award, he was also recognized for PERFECT ATTENDANCE, A+ HONOR ROLL, and 3 ACCELERATED READER RIBBONS! Way to go Eli!!!

"Very First Cheesecake"

Ever since my friend, Melissa, made a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake at a Christmas party with our Meridian friends 2 Christmases ago, I have been craving the yummy taste when I am thinking of a dessert I want to make. I got a set of 3 springform pans for Christmas from my boys and I have absolutely been dying to make the cheesecake. I hadn't been able to get the recipe from Melissa, so I finally turned to the trusted old "google" for the coveted recipe. I don't think this was the exact same as hers, but it was pretty delectable and I was excited that it actually turned out so well for my first attempt. I topped it with a ganache that made it more chocolatey for us chocolate lovers at our house. The kids liked it because it looked so good and it was "dessert". I was feeling triumphant and thinking, "hmm, this will be a great new surprise for their birthday cake, they will love it and I will be the best Mom they ever knew". As they continued to eat their rich, succulent slice, they began slowing down and seeming like they weren't going to finish. In the meantime, I was slowing to savor each bite. As I finished before them, they finally came to confess that they actually don't love cheesecake!?WHAT!?....Oh, bummer! I guess next time I'll be making it for myself. I'll do a mini size, and I'll have to give some to the neighbors......Cheesecake, anyone??

Thanks for the Snow!

Snow in Vegas!! So, they say the last time this type of storm came to town was back in 1979. Who remembers that one?? Well, the storm on Wednesday was really exciting because the boys were out of school for PT conferences, so they got to go out in the backyard and get right to business building their "Mini Snowmen".

We were glad to have it feel more like being "home" for Christmas (miss those Utah storms, although Boise had gotten some good ones last year too). It had been much colder than Chandy thought it should be in Las Vegas, so we were glad to have the snow to make the cold worth it. The snow finally was accumulating at about 4 p.m., so after Eli's piano lesson we went to the park to ".

Easton made a great snow angel!

Braxton liked getting Mom with snowballs after he saw his brothers bombing Dad.

The great thing about "Mini Snowmen" is they can be kept in the freezer for future use. I just laughed when I openend the freezer and saw them perched inside.