A Star is Born...

Ok... those of you who know my Katie may not find this surprising, but this kid loves the stage. She loves to dance and sing in front of people. This past week Kate had two dance recitals and she did awesome! She went up there and wasn't even scared, she new all of the dance, and made by far the best pouty faces I have ever seen (lol - ok, so I am a biased mom). She had many people come up to her after and inform her that she "stole the show" which brought on a whole new set of questions I wasn't exactly sure how to answer. Anyway, she had fun and we all had fun supporting our budding artist. She did inform me after this last dance recital that she wants to still take dance but also wants to take singing lessons and violin lessons. Uhm... I don't think so!

Patiently waiting for her turn to go on stage.

Kate and her class danced to "I'm getting nothin' for Christmas."

Best pouty face ever... I rest my case!

Santa was at her last dance recital. She had quite the list she needed to share but was so worried because she didn't have it with her. I told her not to worry - we could mail the list as a reminder to Santa.

Mattie sitting with Santa. Yeah, this one was not scared one bit of the big guy. She sat on his lap and had a full on conversation with Santa about his reindeer and Mrs. Clause.

Finally got Thomas in a picture (he would not sit on Santa's lap mind you). Dad got him good with the whipped cream from our Sunday dessert.

Thomas made a family of snowman at Grandma Helen's house. They were all very cute and thought they definitely deserved a place on the blog!

All the cute children...

We had a very busy week this week at the Smart household for all the kiddos. As a family we started a new program called Accountable Kids - the kids have different chores or items they have to complete during the day in order to earn free time/play time/ whatever time they need. I decided that I needed something to help in the mornings because things were getting a little hectic trying to get everyone ready and out the door before 8:00. Our friends told us about this program and it has been great. The kids know exactly what is expected of them in the morning as well as when we get home from school and work. Homework is getting done, the house is staying cleaner, and mom is so much less stressed... it is awesome. It has also been a great help with Thomas and his ADHD. He stays so much more calm in the morning with a schedule and a list of things to accomplish... it is amazing the difference it has made for him.

Next, Thomas passed off all his stuff to get his Bobcat in Cubscouts. He was so excited to get his first badge for his shirt. Unfortunately he would not let me take his picture, so I will have to work at that next time he is in his shirt.

My big girl Mattie is almost Potty Trained. She has worked so hard this week at letting her babysitter and her grandma and mom know when she has to go potty. We have only had a few accidents and I would bet that by the end of next week we will be there. I asked her what she wanted for a prize for going potty and all she wanted was Skittles... the "poopy"kind. Not knowing really what that meant and after some more prodding, I learned that she really wanted the Skittles in the purple package.... hmmm, I think I can accommodate that!

Yes, no need to adjust your screen... what you see is my newly toothless Kate. She came running upstairs last Sunday with her face all flushed. She looks at me and says, "Mom, you better get a paper towel, I am about to lose a tooth!" LOL - she was so excited. I got the paper towel and we let dad do the final honors. She was so pleased that she couldn't stop talking about it for 2 days. She was even more thrilled with the nice little gift the tooth fairy left!

I thought this was sooo funny!! Mattie runs into the kitchen today to tell me that she thinks tickling her self is fun! She proceeds to show me and starts laughing her head off. Silly kid!

Ok - this one is just cute and I couldn't do a post about the other kids without adding this one. She loves the camera and I think she actually poses - though I can't prove it. Anyway, for all those Ella followers out there - she turns 6 months on November 24th and is about ready to crawl... crazy how time flies.

A day of rest...

I love Sundays... I havent always loved Sundays, but over the past several months I have come to appreciate the calm and UNbusyness Sunday's bring. I have to admit, getting 4 kids up and ready in the morning for 9:00am church doesn't always work but once we are there, it is a chance to leave the world behind for a bit and learn more about my Savior and his Gospel. I also enjoy the family time Sunday's allow for. With our busy schedules, we don't get much family time and Sunday's are our day for everyone to be with each other... I love that! I love having my family around, even if it is just watching TV together, at least we are all here spending time with each other. To me, that is what counts in life...the time spent with my family. I want my kids to remember the time we took for them, for them to understand that they are the most important thing in their parents life. We are so busy all the time that I think I often forget about the importance of just being together. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my weekly date nights because everyone needs a break from everyday life- but even that boils down to spending time. I am spending time growing my relationship with my husband -that is so important as well. Anyway, as it seems, Sunday's are also very good for contemplating and deep thinking. LOL - that is all I have for today.

Sadly the time has come...

Hello my friends and family

After monitoring my blog for the last several months, I have decided that it is time to go private. I was trying to avoid doing this but I have had some interesting and shall I say bothersome hits over the last little while that I think maybe it would be for the best to go ahead and just make the blog private. So for all you readers out there (LOL - like there is really that many!!), if you would like to continue to read about Smart Happenings, please comment and leave me your email OR - email me at jennifer.smart@live.com and I will get you added. I plan to do this by January - so let me know!

Tis the season...

Ok - I think it is a given every year - we hit November and we ALL get sick... yes I said ALL!! This has been one of those weekends where every last one of us is fighting some kind of nasty bug - even poor little Ella. Sick little babies are definitely a sad sight, but I must say she is a happy sick baby - between her coughing and runny nose all we get are smiles from this little angel. Anyway, last year at this time we all had H1N1 and this year we all have regular flu, colds, and other various viruses. Maybe next year, I will have learned my lesson and when November hits, I will sequester everyone into the house to wait out the rest of the winter... hmmm, I am not ok with that - can you imagine locking yourself in your house with 4 active children for days on end - uhm, heck no!! Oh well, we will survive this minor set back - it just takes time. Andrew got the worst of everyone officially being diagnosed with walking Pneumonia so he is the only one who is taking any medicine. I am finally back at work today - not very happily mind you because I still don't feel so good myself. But the kids are seeming to all feel better and except for a few coughs and some more runny noses, we had a fairly decent morning getting everyone ready for the day. It does seem that we are at least on the mend so hopefully in the next few days Andrew and I will feel as good as the kids... there is hope!!!

And even more Halloween fun...

Mattie Trying to blow out that darn candle - was not working so well!


Our master carvers

These kids were so proud of their pumpkins!

Last Trick or Treat of the night... Hello Grandmas! (and Meggie)

Serious candy pursuer

Cool shield Andrew made for Sir Thomas

I love this picture because it shows how small Mattie really is... but yet she insists she is a big girl.... I am thinking not so much (at least in size anyway)!

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Another house completed! Wow - I have spooky eyes!

Just having fun!

Her first house!

The best part about Halloween this year was how much fun the kids had. I am not much of a Halloween lover, but I do enjoy the excuse to get together with people and hang out and just spend time with each other. Ok - that is it... for Halloween anyway.

Happy Haunting Everyone!!!!

Some Halloween Fun!!

Right before leaving to go Trick or Treating. We invited the neighbor girl to come along.

Pumpkin Carving on Halloween

Even mom got into the fun!

And of course dad had to participate as well

At Thomas and Kate's school waiting for the parade to start. Isn't she the cutest "Dorcee" you've ever seen??

Sir Thomas!

Rock Star Kate!

Skeleton Ella - too cute!

We had a great time for Halloween this year. We had the grandparents come to our house to man the front door while Andy and I took the kids out. It was fun to see the excitement in their faces as we went around our neighborhood. I think Mattie had the best time. This was the first year that she really understood what was going on. She would march up to each door and knock and yell Trick or Treat as loud as she could. Then when she had her candy in hand she would so politely say, "Oh, Thank you so much!" Like it was the best thing they could have ever given her. Too cut! Anyway, the best part of the evening was when Mattie felt dad was taking way too long in taking pictures and she yelled to her dad, "Dad... You come here right now...1...2..." Mom says, "Mattie - that's not very nice" Mattie says "I sorry mom but I just neeeeeed more candy!!!!" So funny! She was a real trooper - we went out for about an hour and she basically walked the entire way (however, TOTO did not make it and mom ended up taking the basket with the dog). Anyway, surprisingly enough it was a very relaxing evening with the family and both mom and dad as well as the kids had a good time.

What I've learned...

Well, this is very unlike me but I am in the mood to write... hmmm, I hate writing but lately it has been somewhat relaxing to me and today I feel the need to write and since I don't have much news on the home front, I decided to do something different. Today I am going to write on lessons I have learned from my children. I thought about this last night and considering all that our family has been through this year, I am amazed at how much of a strength my children are to me. Their innocence and their love is perfect and I really do have much to learn from them.


Lesson #1: Every day is a new day... This one is the most important lesson because it deals with forgiveness and moving on. Kate and her little friend got in a fight a couple days ago and Kate came home in tears saying she had no friends and her best friend hates her. I sat with her on the couch trying to console my heartbroken child and within 5 minutes the door bell rang - it was her friend. Kate smiled and ran and gave her friend a hug and said sorry and off they went to play. That is amazing to me and quite the example. Children are so able to forgive and forget and most importantly they don't hold grudges. We all could learn from this example... life is too short to be burdened with anger. Everyone makes mistakes - we just need to learn to let it go.


Lesson #2: If you fall, you can cry for a bit, but than you get up and brush yourself off and move on... Kate is such my accident child - she is the only one of my kids who has had stiches and she has had them three times! However, she is the bravest kid I have ever seen... she cries went it happens but she realizes that there is not much she can do and she faces stitches with a brave face and no tears. She does not let it ruin her day... what a cool kid! I love this... It doesn't matter what happens in life as long as we are able to pick ourselves up and move on we are doing ok.


Lesson #3: Looks don't really matter... Kids have the ability to accept people for who they are. My kids will play with anyone - they don't care where they are from or what they look like. They are just happy to be with them.


Lesson #4: Happiness is found in the little things... We got a new washer and dryer a couple of weeks agod and gave the boxes to my children to play with. They had so much fun!! They built forts and boats and hideouts... hours of happiness from a piece of cardboard. As adults, we often forget this. We get so caught up in keeping up with the Jones' so to speak and forget that the little things in life can really make a difference.


Lesson #5: Don't take life too seriously... My Thomas is great with this one. I have never seen anyone let things slide off his back as easily as this kid. To him life is all fun and games... He does understand that there needs to be a serious side but he also knows that he is happiest when he is being goofy and just having fun.


Lesson #6: If you don't know just ask... Kids are full of questions because they are not afraid to just ask. Mattie is my question child - she always asks "why" and wont back down until you give her an answer. Life is so curious to her that she wants to know everything. I love that! How much easier would life be if we would just ask and not always assume we already have the answers.


Lesson #7: Smile!!... When Ella smiles at me, I can't help but smile! Somehow a smile for a friend or from a friend can turn your day around. It makes you feel that someone really cares and really trully loves you.


There you go... my life lessons from my children. I know there are many more but these ones have made a real impact on me over the last year. Life is not easy but it is definitely worth it and how grateful I am to my little ones who show me this everyday!

Yummm... and more yummm....

Our little Ella - yes, we have made it to cereal!! As can be seen by her beautiful face decoration, not much made it into her mouth... but it was a first try and I would like to think a somewhat successful one at that. Ella has reached some very important milestones over the last few weeks, she is sleeping 9-10 hours a night (did I say she loves me - oh yes, she really loves me!) - she can officially roll over from her back to her tummy and from her tummy to her back. Also, she has recently found that the best toys she could have are her toes... This is my favorite baby age because they are starting to notice things and recognize you as their mom. I love it when she looks at me and grins from ear to ear because she is genuinely happy to see me. Little Ella has been quite a joy to our family and I can't wait to see what she will do next... I will be sure to keep you all posted!

It took me 20 minutes to convince her to give me back the whisk...

Super cute Kate (PS - she has her first loose tooth - she is quite proud of this accomplishment!)

Who doesn't like a good beater every now and than???

So Cute!! I just love this kid...

Proud of their hard work and their tasty creation!

Mattie decided she needed a taste before it was finished.... that one's a sneaky little stinker!!

Last Sunday, Dad gave mom a much needed break and decided that he and the kids would make the brownies for our party that afternoon while I took a nice nap. Dad definitely earned his title of best dad in the world that day when he even let the kids lick the beaters and various other utensils when they finished. I didn't get much sleep while all this was going on because it was just too cute to pass up taking at least a few pictures. The brownies turned out perfect and I think Andrew earned the title of official brownie maker for the family!!

On another note, my busy time at work has finally passed!! YAY!! My annual conference was this last week and seemed to be quite a success. I held the conference up at Thanksgiving Pt in the giant event barn. We had about 400 people come and they all seemed to have a great time. The venue was awesome and even the food was great (for all those who plan or attend conferences - you know that food is not always that great). The staff up there was terrific and I really had no complaints. I am really glad this is all over and I can start on the preps for next year... no, I guess it never is really over is it...

The kids are getting ready for Halloween. After much debate and deliberation, the costumes were finally chosen. Thomas is going to be a knight, Kate is going to be a Singer Super Star (or something like that), Mattie is going to be Dorthy (or as she says it Dorsey with red shoes), and Ella is going to be a very cute, very girly skeleton (I know - but it really is cute and is very girly). I will be sure to post pictures when the events are all over.

And finally - kids say the darndest things...

This conversation took place in Andy's truck yesterday on the way to a work site:

Thomas: Dad, did you know your heart is as big as your fist

Dad: Yep I sure did

Thomas: Wow, how does something so small do so much work... Dad, God really knows how to maximize space doesn't he.

Updated Pictures of Ella

Here are some more current pictures of Ella... I am so bad at taking pictures, but I thought we would give it a try this afternoon. There will be more - I promise. Ella is almost 4 months if you can believe it...time goes so fast. Anyway, it's a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I am off to spend some time with the family.

Ella's first trip to the great outdoors...

Ahhh!

Cute little flower at the campsite

Spruces up Big Cottonwood Canyon

Squirrel!

Mattie's Mermaid Rock (that is what she called it)

Little Ella enjoying her first time in the mountains

Proud mama!

Thomas took this picture - not too bad for 8!

At the end of August, we decided to take a ride up the canyons on a Sunday afternoon. We ended up at the Spruces and had a picnic - it was fabulous. What a great way to start your week... all relaxed and rested. The kids were able to play and mom and dad rested... yes, we rested - crazy I know. What a beautiful place! I am sure we have found a new favorite day spot.