You've Got a Friend

I heard the song "You've Got a Friend" in the car the other day. It is one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite songwriters, Carole King.

As I was listening to the lyrics, I thought about how perfectly that message fit with visiting teaching...and I got the idea to make these little magnets for the ladies I visit teach.


The circular text says, "Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall...all you have to do is call."

I'm not sure why I blocked out my number. My mom is the only one who reads this blog, so I'm sure I'm pretty safe.

Then, and the top, it says, "You've Got a Friend", with my name and number, and the name and number of my companion in the middle. These were super easy to make, and I spent a total of $1.50 at Copy Solutions having them laminated. Not too bad.

I put self-adhesive magnets on the back, and Voila! Cute gifts for my visiting teachees.

Hopefully whenever they see these on their fridge, they'll remember the words to this beautiful song.

And then, hopefully, if they need me...they'll call.

Random Happenings

Here's a look at what my family has been up to over the last week...

Playtime. Ella having fun with cars while sister is at preschool and brother is napping.


Dress-up. While Ava and her friends chose fancy dresses and tiaras....Ella chose this. This girl blazes her own trail. I love it.

Braids! After 5 years of raising daughters, I finally learned how to french braid. I have been practicing a lot on my little hair models.

And buns! Ava's hair has been in a bun every day for nearly a week straight! Her ballet school had rehearsals every night last week for their performance of Coppelia at the Herberger Theatre.
The performance was on Saturday night, and it was phenomenal. The girls did a great job. And Ava's bun was perfect-o. :) Here's a picture of one proud mommy and her tiny dancer right after the show.


....and what blog post would be complete without a picture of this handsome guy?
Dallin is such a little charmer. He is constantly smiling, and has everyone wrapped around his little finger. I took him in for his 4 month well check last week, and by all accounts he is perfect. He weighs 13 pounds, and is right in the middle of the pack as far as height and weight percentiles go. My D is a very healthy and happy angel baby.

In other news, Ava and Ella both got a Betta fish for their birthdays this year from their friend Ella Katzenbach. Ella K. is super cool...what a great gift! And, in all honesty, I'm kind of obsessed with these little fishies. They are so pretty to look at.

Ava named her fish Marvelous (a not-so-original name, actually. The name was borrowed from her friend Ivy's fish). It is a lot of fun for Ava to say, and I must say, Marvelous is really marvelous. Isn't she pretty? Actually, I'm positive Marvelous is a male, but don't tell Ava that.

Ella named her fish Ariel. See her in the top right corner? Ariel is a really pretty iridescent pink color. A very cool fish, indeed.

So, that's what we've been up to. Actually, we've been up to a lot more than that, but that's just what I have pictures of. Between cooking, cleaning, laundry, preschool, playdates, and performances, it's been a typical busy week. This coming week will be lots of fun with preparations for Easter, the Easter Pageant, and family birthday parties. Ready, Set, GO!

A Very Fabulous 5 Year-Old

Last Thursday my dear, sweet, precious baby girl turned FIVE! Ava Nicole Tait, where have the last five years gone?




Ava's birthday party was a success, despite the fact that I came down with a knock-down, drag-em-out case of strep throat the night before. Super-Dad Dave and my amazing parents pulled it all off as I watched from my bedroom window, propped up in bed.

Ava has been asking for a mermaid-themed party for months. She also wanted a bouncer. So what's a Mom to do who doesn't really want a big-busty image of Ariel being shoved in her children's faces?
Get a Nemo bouncer, instead! Ava loved it! And the ocean-themed images seemed much more kid-friendly to me. Well, maybe except the horrifyingly scary shark on top. I didn't know he'd be that big. And sharks probably eat mermaids, right? But I'll take sharks over Ariel's boobs any day. But that's just me.

The kids also played "mermaid games", which included a fish-catching game Dave had at the swim school, and potato sack races! Get it...mermaid's don't have legs? Hee hee. Everyone wore their bathing suits for all of the water-related games that ensued. And a good time was had by all....including one very happy birthday girl....who was asking to open her presents about 10 minutes after the party started.

Happy Birthday, dear Ava.

Make a Wish!

I hope and pray that all your wishes come true. Love, Mom.