Bad Mom

Quick confession. Tonight as the kids and I were driving home from swim lessons Alexis and Spencer were in the back seat hitting each other, teasing, tattling on each other, etc. I got very irritated, because I feel like every time we're in the car it's the same old thing, either between Alexis and Spencer or Dallin and Trista. I finally lost it and said and in a very loud voice (okay, I'll admit it, I was yelling, quite loudly), "SHUT UP AND KNOCK IT OFF!!!!!!!!" I knew I shouldn't have said it. I don't allow the kids to say it. I have no excuse. But don't worry--I was very quickly put in my place when Trista said, "Mom, why did you say shut up? You're not supposed to say shut up." Alexis was more forgiving. I apologized and told the kids I shouldn't have said it, but Alexis assured me that it was okay, it was just because I was really mad and sometimes that happens. Looks like I could learn a few things from my kids about how to be a better mom:)
P.S. Memorial weekend and Spencer's Birthday pictures coming soon.

Gimp

So, I'm officially a gimp. My lower back has been sore lately, but I've been trying to work through it, still exercising and doing all my regular activities. Until yesterday when I was in my step aerobics class doing some extra end-of-class conditioning when I totally tweaked my back. I spent the rest of the day hobbling around, icing my back, and trying to find a comfortable position for sitting or lying down.

Today I'm feeling pretty much the same, but my agenda for the day was to do laundry, clean the entire house before the carpet cleaners come this afternoon, and sew a purple vest for Spencer's Aladdin costume he needs for tomorrow. I'm working at a snail's pace, picking up items with my toes when possible and getting up and down slowly while cleaning bathrooms.

But amid all my woes, Trista did allow me a bright spot. I've been telling her I can't pick her up, she can't jump on my back, I can't help her very much, etc. for the past two days. So this morning she and I were sitting by each other eating our eggs and toast when she decided she didn't want to eat anymore. She was starting to get off her stool when I told her she had to finish eating before she got down. She immediately leaned over, put her hands on her lower back and said, "Oh, my back hurts. I just can't eat anymore." It worked. She's watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now while her eggs get cold and her toast dries out.

Trista & Zoey

Zoey is Trista's cousin in Costa Rica. Zoey is only five weeks older than Trista, and when Zoey was here at Christmas they had tons of fun playing together.

Zoey loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and while she was at Disney World last month she bought a Minnie Mouse doll to give to Trista.

Trista was so excited to have her very own Minnie Mouse doll just like Zoey! We love you Zoey, and we can't wait for you to move back here this summer so you and Trista can play together!

Costa Rica

Jordan and I had a great trip to Costa Rica last month. One of our excursions was as trip to Jaco Beach where we body boarded, played football on the beach, and burned the bottom of our feet on the hot, black sand!

Grandpa & Grandma Salmon, Aunt Terry, and my mom

Zoey, Jordan, Austin, Kaylee, Isabella, Angie

The next day eight of us (Grandma & Grandpa Salmon, my mom and dad, Angie, Aunt Terry, Jordan and I) took a four-hour drive to Volcan Arenol.

We stayed at a nice hotel with water slides and natural hot pools which we all had fun hanging out in together. While there we went on a hike through the rain forest in a natural park with hanging bridges and awesome foliage.

The next day we went zip-lining, so fun!

Jordan, Dad, me, Mom, Aunt Terry, and Grandpa with our zip-lining gear on, ready to go!

Jordan at the beginning of one of the zip-lines

One of the zip-lines over the rain forest (you have to look closely for the zip-line!)

Me just after take-off

My dad getting ready to go with the help of our guide, Delroy. Dallin was excited to hear that our other guide's name was Diego!

While in Costa Rica we also went to the San Jose temple, Volcan Poaz and downtown San Jose to shop. We celebrated my niece Kaylee's birthday, played tennis, and played plenty of Rook and a little Bananagrams. Thanks, Angie, for being such a good tour guide! We can't wait to go back someday!

Cute Kids on Easter Sunday