Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Kid Quotes = Catch Up Edition

 I have been doing more of our photo books lately, less of the blog but I wanted to catch up on a few things that are too much to write in our ChatBooks. Though I do love them and the kids like looking at the photos too. 

Here are the kid quotes I have been keeping on my phone for more than a year - I still write down the funny things they say and I love having their comments saved. 

Dinner was almost ready and Henry was anxious to eat. He said, “I don’t know if my hunger can hold it much longer!” 

Me: Dad can do your bedtime tonight. 
Henry: “No! I want you to mom.” And then quietly under his breath he said, “He only knows like two songs.”

Henry said, "Mom at school we learned a popcorn dance." I said, "That’s sounds fun!" He said, “More like funn-eee!” 

I was with Claire and Miles at the craft and home decor store Hobby Lobby. Miles comes up to me and says- I found my idol!! He had a Jessica Fletcher funko pop. Murder She Wrote is a new favorite show these days.  

Henry was in the bath before church and we were limited on time, as usual. I said, “Henry you can play there for three more minutes.” Henry said, “Let’s call it four.” Always negotiating. 

From the back of the van, Henry says, “Mom I love you and Merzey.” Full stop. Since Claire and Miles were in the car too I said, “Do you love anyone else?” He said, “I love Miles 99 and Claire is 57. But mom is 900.”

We were making lunch and of the blue Miles said, “Mom if we each have at least 2-3 kids you could have ten grandchildren.” I said that would be awesome and they should not move away so they could all have cousins to play with. Then we started talking about what my grandma name would be. I said, “No one is just “grandma” anymore. I heard a cute one- What about Lolly and Pop?” They said, “How about Shan Shan and Pop Pop?” Just hearing my children, ranging in age from 5 to 13, discussing bringing their kids to my house for Sunday dinner since we have the fun house, made me take a mental video to remember such a cute moment. I’m happy to be the Shan Shan to their future kiddos. 

Bedtime is always songs and books, more songs typically. Henry always says it’s my choice for the song on the first song but he will choose a church primary song called “Choose the Right” on a second song. I said, “Don’t you just want to choose the song?” He said, “I just want you to be happy, Mom.” No sarcasm or sass whatsoever. Just the sweetest boy. 

I said- Henry what do you want for dinner? He said, “Mom, call me Bubba.” 

I asked Henry to move his plate over so he could better catch his crumbs. He said, “Peace and love mom. Peace and love.”

We were watching UNLV Women’s volleyball play San Diego State. Henry kept calling their team the “Carmen San Diegos.” 

I asked Henry to turn down the TV and he said, “Are you hoping for a quiet moment Mom?”

I was working late on the home office. Henry came to get me, “Mom, you said you would come snuggle me!” I needed to stop working anyway. 

Henry asked me to carry him to bed. He said, “I wish we could go back in time so you could carry me all the time. To when I was three.” 

Penelope just asked me if you can curl bangs. Oh Penelope, I have so much to teach you. 

At bedtime, Henry and I talked a lot about when he was born and how babies come out of mommies. The next day he said, “That was a very thoughtful talk we had, huh mom?” 

Henry came home from school so excited and said he had to tell me something in private. He wanted me to go up to his room to tell me, but I convinced him to come into my home office and shut the door. He said, “I think I’m going to marry a girl in my class!” and then he squeezed me so hard and was so excited! He said, “She looked at me and she talks fast!” 

I picked up Penelope from her church activity and when she got in the car she said, “Phew, I am so busy! I have sooo much to do.” I kind of laughed and said - oh really, like what? She said, “I have like 3-4 things to do today! I had a case of the Monday’s so I didn’t do my homework and now it’s Tuesday and I am so busy. I’m like a business person!” 

Henry at the dentist says, “Speaking of crybabies (we weren’t, by the way), whenever I ask for something and if I cry the kids call me a crybaby but I’m not.” I said maybe don’t cry then? "Fine."

Miles said Henry wakes up, then pretends to sleep until Miles wakes up. Henry said it’s kind of scary to get up by himself so he waits. And then he said, “And bonus! Miles calls me Bud now.” 

Henry was done getting clean in the bath and we were kind of rushing to get ready for church. He said, “Mom, can I just chillax here for a minute?” I said how do you know that word? He said, “It’s where you chill, and relax at the same time.” 

Claire says high school is so weird. Weird goth girls…then Penelope says, “There will always be one goth girl, Claire.” 

I said a prayer as we left for home after a trip to Capitol Reef National Park. Claire said, "Why do you talk way nicer in your prayers than in real life?” Ouch. 


Sunday, July 25, 2021

BYU Volleyball Camp

 With less than a week's notice, a spot opened up for Claire at the BYU Volleyball Camp this summer. We were on a waiting list, so I had signed her up for the SUU camp instead. The stars aligned and our friends the Knudsons were also going up to the same camp, and had room for us in their rental house. Claire and Maddie had an exhaustingly fun time - they learned a lot and got some positive feedback. Claire's coach was from Vegas and plays for the BYU Mens team. Another coach talked to him at one point later in the camp, and Claire overheard her say that Claire was the best setter in the gym. So that really helped her confidence! 




I was also able to meet up with my BYU roommate and friend from back home, Jamie Ortwein. We met for lunch and had a nice catch up. 


I've never hiked the Y - seems weird that we never did while at school, but also, it's super steep!


Another friend, Ken Craig, works for BYU now and lives very close to campus so he was able to meet up at the BYU Bookstore, allowing us to catch up and also spend more money there. :) He has been in some recent LDS pop culture movies (Once I Was a Beehive) and will be in Vegas soon for another movie, Once I Was Engaged. So, he's famous! ;) 


Good times were had by all! We would definitely go back next year if we can, and are making plans to come watch at least one BYU volleyball game. 





Sunday, July 18, 2021

Zion's Youth - Prep

Claire and Miles got to be in an awesome choir and orchestra preparatory camp put on by a local music group called Zion's Youth. For three days, they learned about music theory, how to sing with an orchestra, follow the conductor, and how the audition process works for the Zion's Youth. I know they had fun and learned a lot - being in the full choir would be a lot of work and time, but I hope we could make it happen if Claire chooses to audition. Miles won't be quite old enough yet, but he hung out with his friend Beau so that was enough to keep him coming back each day. 


Claire sung a solo in the song Glorious, I was so impressed she even auditioned, and she did a great job with her part. She sang alto, and Miles sang tenor. 

The kiddos from our ward - we carpooled all week

May and Grandpa came down to watch too - it was only about 30 minutes, I think we waited longer to get inside to our seats :) 

Miles and Beau 


Monday, July 12, 2021

Las Vegas Temple

Miles went up to the temple with his youth group recently and their leaders sent me this picture - so handsome! 



Thursday, July 8, 2021

#Spoiled

Claire got highlights! She was so excited and loved that they turned out even blonder than we had planned. I took her to Melinda, who I have known since our single days - she has done my hair for years. Claire is often found admiring her new color - it did turn out pretty awesome and natural looking, I think. 







Saturday, July 3, 2021

Hiller Reunion 2021- Bryce Canyon

I organized the 2021 Hiller Reunion at Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah and it was so fun! Perfect weather, great hikes, and lots of time to hang out with family around the pool. We played games, talked, ate too much junk food, and visited one of the most beautiful places on earth - Bryce Canyon. Uncle Joe and Aunt Joan came as well, with their daughter Tess and her family. The other aunts decided to skip this year - COVID still affects many decisions. I hope we can all get together at the next reunion - and that someone else is the lucky one to plan the bigger event :)  













Sunday, June 6, 2021

Kindergarten Graduation - Mr. Henry

Despite saying they wouldn't have one, the school changed their mind and held a kinder graduation. I think everyone just needed a little "extra" this year. Henry had Ms. Meyers, the same teacher Penelope had for kindergarten.  Henry was so ready to be done with school - he is just too smart for his own good and I think he was getting bored. He went to the nurse like 4 out of 5 days, trying to get sent home. He made it though, with a little bribery to earn a Pokemon stuffie (he ended up picking a "hug pillow" that is a super cute, soft dog.  



Henry had his good friend Cooper in his class this year and these two are just adorable. Amanda, Cooper's mom, is my carpool buddy for the last four years and she said at pick up they always walk out holding hands. Henry said his summer bucket list is to stay friends with Cooper. I really hope they get the same teacher for first grade!