Penelope Turns 5!

This little lady is five! I took a trip down memory lane with some of my favorite photos of Penelope over the last 5 years -

Penelope Jane

Penelope's birthday is in a few days. I went back into the blog to the year Penelope was born to find a few favorite pictures and I found this blog post I wrote about her name. I had SUCH a hard time deciding on her name and I even considered changing it when she was about a year old. Reading this brought back so many memories!

I always have said I have certain rules for picking a name - the name can't be something made up (or a crazy new spelling), it has to be obviously a boy or girl name, the name shouldn't lend itself to an obvious nickname or shorter version, and I like short, one syllable names. So, as you can see, we broke several of these rules with Penelope Jane.

When Matt left that morning to get ready for church, we had her name chosen but I didn't want Matt to say anything during his talk. I felt like once it was announced there was no going back. I know, I was being weird. But what was a Penelope like? Would she be taken seriously as a doctor or lawyer? Could she be in sports or politics and not thought of as too girly or feminine? Man, I like to over think things...

Matt has liked the name Penelope for a long time, but I said you have to basically decide to name her Penny since that is the obvious nickname she will have. However, we have already heard Pen, Penel, and Nel so who knows what even the next five days will bring to her list of nicknames. Her name still sounds like a question in my head - Penelope? Is that your name?

So little baby, I hope you like your name, and I hope it's feminine, strong, classy and something that will take you through all your phases of life. And if you don't like it, it was your dad's favorite after all. :)
Today I can easily say that this girl is a Penelope Jane, through and through. She is feminine and strong-willed. She knows her mind and speaks her mind. When I read this quote, I think of Penelope.

Kid Quotes

Penelope said, "Dad, I love you! Well, I love Mom too. I love Mom one million!" Matt said, "Well, then how much do you love me?" P said, "One hundred."

I told Miles he couldn't eat anything else until he drank a big glass of water. So, he downed it all at once so he could get his fifth snack of the afternoon. Well, then he felt kind of sick from drinking all that water so fast and he got mad at me. I said, "Do you even know what it feels like to be hungry? Have you ever even felt your stomach growl before?" He said, "YES!" I said, "Well, what does it feel like?" L O N G  pause. "Well, I'm not sure. It's been a long time."

Claire was teaching us a new game where you choose a category and then take turns listing things until you can't name anything else in that category -that's when you're out. Categories are things like names that start with R or superheroes. So Claire is saying this little rhyme to start the game, "This is a game of constipation, no repeats or hesitation. Choose a category." Matt and I both were like, "Uh, constipation?! Don't you mean concentration?" She laughed and then every time we played she had to keep catching herself before saying "constipation" again.

Mini Man

Henry at church is... difficult. Good thing he is so dang cute in his dress up clothes. 

Date Night

Date night with Matt at Downtown Summerlin for dinner and a movie. It was Prom night for so many schools in Vegas, and dressed up couples were everywhere, taking pictures and going to dinner. I guess the thing to do here is buy tickets to Prom and then go to the actual dance for like a minute. Dinner and a show instead. That seems so expensive! Our server at the restaurant said the couples coming in were all paying for their own meals - split checks. So, maybe everyone pays their half for everything?

Anyway, in the spirit of Prom, Matt and I took some pictures too. I love date night! I also love not doing bedtime for the kids - it's a much needed break! 

Claire's Choir Concert

So proud of Claire and her ability to try new things and not be scared. She auditioned for choir and has been going to extra early morning practices twice a week. Now her choir has been invited to a children's choir event and they have to learn all new songs in like 3 weeks. So, we are up to 4 practices a week... I am determined to make sure my kids get to do the worthwhile things they want to pursue.

Betty, Phil and Genevieve came to the concert too - it was well done, though sometimes the drums were louder than the kids. My videos didn't really turn out this time. The songs were from all around the world - one from Sweden, China and South Africa plus some old train spirituals that were really fun.

Kid Quotes

We were walking into the house from running errands and I told the kids, "The house is relatively clean right now, so please keep it clean guys." Miles says, "What? Do we have relatives in there?"

Now that Henry has finally granted us a few new words, the kids are always trying to get him to say more. "Bubba say Baby!" "Henry,  say night night!" The other day Claire says, "Bubba, say Legolas." (She had recently seen Lord of the Rings, and now gets a LOT more of the skits on Studio C). 

Penelope's birthday is coming up and I asked her, "Would you want the Trolls movie as a theme for your bday?" She was in her booster in the car, and responded, "Don't get me started...Don't even get me started on Trolls. I love them so much!"

Penelope's new phrase to get you to do something or give her something is "pretty please with two scoops of oatmeal and a cherry!" Delicious. 

Penelope said, "Mom, I want you to erase my nail polish." And she still calls her fingernails her top nails and her toenails her bottom nails. 

P had a tummy ache and went to the bathroom. She starts yelling, "Mom! Mom! Mom!" I got into the bathroom and she says, "Mom, my poop looks like confetti!" Way to look for the positive Penelope!