Miriam's Fourth Birthday

Miriam had a great time on her birthday. She got two dresses from my Mom and in true diva style wore them both (first seen here and here; second one below). She wore the first one to church and the second one for her party.

Miriam is a lucky girl. She got all the things she wanted for her birthday. She was so excited and patient all day waiting for everyone to come join in the celebration. After presents we had brownies and ice cream.

Miriam's Fourth Birthday

from Vanessa Bishop on Vimeo.

Miriam: Three to Four

Here is Miriam's Birthday Slideshow:

Miriam three to four from Vanessa Bishop on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Miriam

My beautiful four year old girl!

Christmas Parade and Christmas List

Last Saturday we went to a small Christmas parade in our town. Miriam and Simon loved seeing all the Christmas decorations on the cars, fire truck, and trains. Miriam waved almost the whole parade. We ended up with more candy then we needed, that's for sure.

Miriam has been kind of funny with her Christmas list this year. She told me what she wanted about a month ago, but ever since then she keeps telling me it is a secret and she can't tell me. Anyone that asks will get the same answer. This week I told her about writing a letter to send to Santa. She let me help her write her list. We are all so excited that Christmas is right around the corner.

Almost Four

Miriam will be four in 2 weeks... Did you read that? TWO WEEKS! We have been counting down the days since the 23rd of November, which means this chain started out with 30 links. (I kept forgetting to take a picture.)

Miriam is so excited for her birthday and Christmas. It is hard to believe how fast she is growing up.

Here is a little game I call "Miriam Says" (collected from the past couple of months)...

Mom: Miriam can you please pick up that cracker off the floor?
Miriam: I can't
Mom: Why not?
Miriam: My legs won't bend
Mom: Why won't your legs bend?
Miriam: I already used my power. I am out of power.

Driving back from a RS activity that was at someone's house way out in the country... "Mom what is this place I can't see anything?"
I guess I am raising a city girl, well at least a girl from the burbs.

Grandma: Miriam, do you want to do something on Wednesday?
Miriam: No, I'm busy.
Grandma: Oh, okay.
Miriam: Just kidding. I can do something.

Miriam: Mom, today was a hard day. I am tired, but I was funny today.

I was talking to Miriam about Michael and I giving talks at church on Sunday. I was reassuring her that she wouldn't have to sit alone. She seemed to think about that and looked okay about everything when she said, "but what shoes are you going to wear?".

Miriam: How old is Simon again?
Mom: 18 months old
Miriam: Wow, that is amazing.

Simon was doing the arch-the-back-and-scream-because-I-don't-want-to-sit-in-the-cart act at Costco. Miriam says "this is exasperating".

Why do pears have seeds?
Why are people at Wal-mart on Sunday?
Why were we not there when Dad got home from his mission?
Why are you wearing that shirt mom? (EVERYDAY)
Why was I wearing that shirt in that picture?

Why, Why, Why?

Mom, I want to watch the Grinch. I think he lives in Mexico.

Miriam is yelling at the TV...
Mom: Who are you yelling at?
Miriam: Can Cinderella hear me?
Mom: No, she is just on a movie.
Miriam: She probably can't hear me because she is in Mexico.

Mom, can you be busy cooking so you don't see what I am taking to my room?

Making Pie

While Miriam was busy making pies with Grandpa...

 

...Simon and Michael were busy eating the apples for the pie.

Miriam and Simon had fun today getting ready for Thanksgiving. 

They helped make (and eat) pie crust. 

They loved playing with Elizabeth and Rebecca too. 

We are so excited to eat all the yummy pie tomorrow.

As a side note, Michael talked me into sharing dinner with him... fried oysters and fish tacos. 

Go me for trying something new.

Choose the Right

Miriam participated in her first sacrament meeting program at church today. She worked hard and practiced her part for the past two weeks. When it was her turn she got right up without hesitation and spoke her part perfectly into the microphone all by herself. She has been worried all week that her teacher might try to help her. I told her to just tell her teacher that she didn't need help. She was the youngest little one in the program (she doesn't turn four until the end of December and all the other kids in her class turned four before the new school year) and we were so proud of how well she did. She sang right out on all the songs and kept smiling at us.

We are so happy that Miriam is making good choices. She has learned so much in primary this year. She loves coming home and telling us about her class. She loves reading the scriptures as a family and having family home evening. I love watching Miriam learn and grow.

Halloween Costume Premiere

MIRIAM - PIRATE PRINCESS

costume breakdown:

princess dress - same dress she wore last year ($2 at a garage sale)

orange shirt/tights/shoes - already in closet

crown - Jo Ann fabrics ($1)

wand - dollar store ($1)

SIMON - PIRATE

 

costume breakdown:

pirate outfit - garage sale ($1)

white shirt/shoes - already in closet

hat/eye patch/hook (not pictured) - dollar store ($1 for all three)

Miriam Golfs

This past Saturday, while Simon was napping, Miriam got to go on a special "date" with Grandma and Grandpa Bishop. They took her miniature golfing and to Pinkberry for frozen yogurt. She had so much fun having special time with Grandma and Grandpa. When they asked her if Simon should come next time she said, "No, just me". Grandma took some pictures on her phone for us. Miriam is one special, lucky girl.

Moo Baa La La La!

Do you know this book? It is by Sandra Boynton. We didn't have it growing up, but Michael did. Michael's parents introduced it to my kids... and they love it! It is definitely a worn book and it has only been through two kids. It might just be one of those books that I need two copies of. Anyway, Miriam has the book memorized and decided to read it to Simon tonight. Lucky for you I took a video:

It really happened

On Saturday we took our kids to the pool! Miriam has been asking about going, so I decided we should just go while Michael was home. I don't love swimming and I don't feel comfortable enough to take the kids by myself. Like I said before, I never know how my kids will handle the water.

Miriam did great as long as her head didn't get wet.

Simon loved the water for the most part.

I am sure people thought I was weird taking pictures at the pool. They just don't understand how rare it is for me to go. I wanted to take pictures, ya know, for posterity's sake. Maybe next time I will actually get good shots!

Modeling and Taking Steps

Today Miriam really wanted to try on her swimsuit. She also insisted that Simon try his on too. She was being so silly and cute, so I took a few pictures of her modeling her new swimsuit.

After that Miriam wanted to take pictures of Simon. I decided to try to get him to walk. Miriam snapped these shots... pretty good eh?

Nooks and Crannies

Miriam and Simon always find the strangest places to play. It must be fun to be little and able to hide around the nooks and crannies in the house. Some of the favorites include:

Looking out the window

Inside the toy bin 

Stuck inside the toy bin

Under my new sewing desk

(Miriam is pretending to play iPad)