Loving life with Rebekah, Emily, Jacob & Jane.

Words to Live By.

2011-12-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

I was in the office making the bookplates for this years books (I'm a bit behind this year), while Rick and the kids made cookies in the kitchen.

I heard Emily say "Dad, Mom has 3 motto's" She then explained they are;

(1) Touch it once. (A tidying / clean-up phrase.)

(2) The house can never be too clean.

(3) You can always use more cheese.

I guess my job with her is done!

Cub Scout Craft

2011-12-12T23:45:00.008-05:00

I got a new calling at church two weeks ago. I had secretly hoped to go back to Primary (I love it there) but am actually pretty excited to have been called as a Cub Scout leader. I know NOTHING about the Scouting program and I am really looking forward to learning all about it and being more prepared as Jacob becomes a Cub Scout. I think it's going to be a really special thing that he & I can do together.

Tonight they made some crafts and I snapped a picture of a few of them. Jacob's is the one with the taller multi-stripe hat, second from the right. They then wrapped them to be able to give them as a gift.

{iPhone photo}

They also made wooden door stoppers out of cedar and rubbed them with linseed oil (smelled so good) and made some cards for when we sing at the Elder Care Center next week.

I think I'm really going to have a lot of fun in Cub Scouts!

Thankful Turkey

2011-11-21T20:45:00.005-05:00

I was at the elementary school and passed the wall where Jacob's class had posted their "Thankful Turkey's." I smiled and started to read the sweet sentiments of being thankful for family, friends and homes. A few even said electricity (not surprising after all the issues we had in our town recently.)

I looked for Jacob's ....

{iPhone photo}

Yep, topping his list of thankfulness -

tows (toys)

food

mune (money)

Perhaps we need to work on helping him realize the blessing the relationships in his life are.

(Little turkey!)

Google, You Tube and Jacob.

2011-11-13T17:09:00.004-05:00

I have a pass code on my computer - well, I did. We're not sure what happened but Grandma came to stay while Rick and I were gone and it hasn't worked since (not that I'm blaming anyone Mum, but the evidence is pretty clear .....)

I keep meaning to call Apple and get it set up again and figure out why it still goes into "sleep mode" like the hot corner is still set up but with no pass code to bring it back. Darn my lack of technological ability!

Anyway, the biggest reason I have the pass code is so the kids can't use the computer unsupervised. It was a preemptive move for my younger 3 but I really need to get it set up again because Jacob's new found reading skills now mean he can get to Google and You Tube himself and I don't want him accidentally coming across something he shouldn't see (like when my nephew wanted to know if you can create your own Lego man and searched "naked Lego guy" or my friends daughter accidentally entered Web kittens, instead of Webkinz. Oh boy.)

So, it's on my to do list for this week but I will kind of miss coming downstairs in the morning (that boy gets up way earlier than anyone else around here) and seeing these in my search bar -

wat do turkeys sawnd lik

BeyBlade moovees

Pokemon moovees

sea worms

star wars

He said that the little cut-out from church that I have near my desk that says "I am a Primary Star" helps him because he copies the word star into the search bar and it drops down with Star Wars. I am slightly distressed that he doesn't know how to spell "sound" or "movies" but can easily come up with Pokemon and remember the second B in BeyBlade is capitalized!

The Day My Son Became a Republican.

2011-09-08T23:57:00.091-04:00

Today went to sign the kids up for soccer. It was in the big park in our town, (where the dog park is) but other than going with Millie I hadn't really explored the area. The guy on the phone had told me that the rec department was "in the mansion."

He was not wrong.

(Internet photo's, sorry about the poor quality.)

As we walked up I said to Emily "Wow, I guess we found where all your wedding receptions can be." It really is just beautiful (these pics I found online do not do it justice.)

Anyway, as I filled out the soccer registration forms (3 times) the kids kind of bounced around and thumped up and down on the floor. I asked them several times to settle down when the lady at the desk said "It's OK, it's just us up here the rest of the building is empty." I asked what it was used for "Oh, weddings, Bar Mitvah's, corporate functions, filming."

Then she told me that the entire estate (which now has several soccer fields, the dog park, the town pool, two water towers, a retirement home, the High School, paddle tennis courts and 300 acres of woods, ponds, fields and trails) was donated to the town in 1967 and had been used as a private house until that time. I said "Wow, that's quite a donation." We finished our forms and headed out.

As we were driving away Emily asked "Why would someone ever donate that? If it was mine I would keep it." I explained to her that sometimes even if the land is owned heirs of an estate can't afford to pay the property taxes or upkeep of a place like that. So they donate it instead.

Jacob (who usually does not pay attention to anything I say) asked what "property taxes" were. I explained that it's money that you have to pay the government when you own a house or land or any property.

"WHAT?" He asked incredulously. "THAT IS SO MEAN!"

I explained they use that money to run the schools, fix the roads, pay the police and firemen. He asked how much it was and I told him it was different from place to place but where we live it was a lot and where we used to live it was really a lot.

"THAT IS SO NOT FAIR!"

Emily added, "Jacob it's not just for your house. You have to pay taxes for the money you get at work too." I explained further - Jacob when Dad goes to work and earns money he has to pay a bunch of it in tax. Also, when you buy clothes or shoes or food or gas you pay tax on it.

By that point he was just horrified. I tried to give him an idea of how much income tax we pay by explaining the portion of the week that Dad goes to work to cover taxes. My kids don't see Rick through the week and they know he works a lot. Thinking that so much of the time he was gone was to hand money over to the government - Jake was speechless.

The rest of the car ride home I followed up explaining some more of the good things that taxes are used for. Then he asked if everyone pays the same tax (like everyone pays the same tithing) .... taxes were getting harder to defend.

It was kind of interesting to see taxes through the eyes of a six year old.

Maybe we should have a few more of them creating tax policy.

Swim Across America

2011-08-06T23:22:00.058-04:00

When we first heard about Swim Across America it seemed a perfect fit for us. We all love to swim and cancer took Rick's Mom back in 2007. Emily is really the only one who can swim a mile - but we plan on more family members joining her in the future!

Today she participated in Swim Across America for the third year.

Here she is after her first swim in 2009.

2010

and getting ready for the 2011 swim.

When I was looking at old photo's from her past swims we realized that she had been number 4 her first year and number 14 her second year, so we were stoked that she could be number 24 for this year!

After she was all signed in she got on her cap & goggles ready to hit the pool! It was a little overcast & chilly but I knew she'd warm right up as soon as she got going.

One down, 71 more to go ....

She mixed it up doing some freestyle, some butterfly, some backstroke some breaststroke. She still has swim competitions this coming week so it made for a good workout!

72 laps - still smiling!

I did it!

Mom! I'm so tired, please stop taking pictures of me.

Then she got to sign the banner. Emily always dedicates her swim to her Grandma & signs the banner to her.

Oh, how I love this girl!

A picture with Aidan, one of her good friends who also swam today.

We're so proud of Emily & know Grandma is too!

Toothless

2011-08-01T11:25:00.008-04:00

Jacob lost a tooth about a week ago. "Lost" is probably an exaggeration, I pulled it out. It had been really loose for so long and it was 1/2 way twisted to the side and was kind of creeping me out but he would not let me near that thing! Finally, one night I begged him to let me just have one shot at it. He agreed, I tugged, my hand slipped, it didn't come out and he swore I'd never touch it again. A ~~little~~ lot of bribery later and he let me try it again. This time I got it in one quick tug. We rinsed his mouth out and put the tooth in a cup to save to show to Dad ... then kind of forgot about it for a few days.

Low & behold the next thing I know the gap was bigger. Jacob had pulled out the loose one beside it himself. I guess he didn't want me getting another crack at one!

The night we came home from Mystic we put them together in a little cup under his pillow. It's our family tradition to put this pillowcase on your pillow if you have a lost tooth. We've had it since Bek was little and they love to use it to let the tooth fairy know to look under there.

It reads

"Dear Tooth Fairy,

When this pillows on my bed,

you'll know a tooth's gone from my head.

I know you'll take it

while I sleep.

Just leave some cash that I may keep."

How cute is that little six year old smile?

I could freeze him and keep him just like that forever!

He thinks it's super cool to stick his tongue through the gap!

Getting ready to hide them under the pillow.

He was pretty stoked to find $2 ($1 per tooth) under his pillow in the morning.

Mystic Aquarium

2011-07-31T23:15:00.111-04:00

Since we're moving this summer we aren't taking a "real" summer vacation. Instead I planned a few weekend trips for our family close to home. One of our favorite aquariums is the one in Mystic, CT because they have Beluga's!

It's a great size - perfect to fill one day. They have the Beluga's (for Em) and a Ray touching pool that Jacob could spend hours hanging over. Actually, his fingers are usually all "pruny" by the time we drag him away from there! We often use this aquarium as a stopping point when we drive to Bar Harbor. We leave early in the morning - spend the day at the aquarium, have dinner in town (often at Mystic Pizza) and then let the kids sleep for a bit in the car until we got to Boston, where we spend the night. The next day the rest of the trip to Maine isn't so long. I guess once we move it won't really be worth doing that any more - but we'll still take trips to the Aquarium because we love it so much.

Emily has loved Beluga's since before she could walk! They used to have some at the Brooklyn Aquarium but they sent them down to Georgia for a breeding program a bunch of years ago. Belugas take a long time to be accepted into the pod, so they pretty much will never come back. Probably better for them, because they had a very boring tank in Brooklyn.

See. Just a big circle. Boring.

These pictures are of Emily & Maya in 2005. Seriously, I can't believe it was that long ago - seems like just last week.

The set up at Mystic is pretty nice.

I was happy to cram a few last "family road trips" in before Rebekah left for BYU. I know the kids complain about them sometimes (especially that teenager) but I also know that the time we spend as a family alone - without the interruptions of friends, team sports, practices and routines are the times that build memories and cement our hearts together - they are the times that carry them through when we aren't together.

Jake is the reason we make a bee-line for the touch pool but we all get a huge kick out of feeling the velvety soft rays and having them slurp those little fish out of our hands.

After lunch we let them have a turn driving the boats - which meant nothing more than trying to ram each others boats :)

Then we headed over to the penguins and had fun finding the camouflaged frogs (or are they toads, I can never tell) and spotting giant tadpoles in the pond.

Jane got to see her beloved "Pwengwins."

Then we went over the the "Australian" exhibit there - we couldn't miss that!

I used to see big flocks of yellow and green Budgies and distinctive Galah's flying in the fields behind our house when I was growing up. Their noisy song would wake me up in the summer. We'd go on hikes and see Rosella's ....

Seeing these birds and my children enjoying them made me so happy. Like bringing a piece of my childhood to them. Almost.

Back to another touch tank for crabs and sea stars.

And one last visit back to the ray touching pool (I think our 3rd for the day.)

After the aquarium we headed into town for a little while to get ice cream at our favorite spot on the water and let the kids browse though "Mystical Toys" - they have lots of Playmobil, so they always like to explore there (even Bek)!

Then headed south and had dinner at a great spot in New Haven and then to the hotel to sleep soundly!

Jane's Pre-Team Meet

2011-07-28T23:50:00.003-04:00

Jane has been dying to be on swim team the past few years. It killed her to watch Emily & Jacob and not be included over the summer - especially as she could have made the swimming requirement (to be able to swim 25yds) last year. You have to be 5, so this year was her chance and she had been really looking forward to it. You can imaging my surprise when she got out 1/2 way through practice the first few times, or just sat on the side of the pool and refused to move. It was not super hot then and she just got really cold and refused to keep going!

I really didn't care if she did it or not. She can already swim well, she's only 5 and she swims year 'round. I figured it's not like it was her only chance to be on swim team .... but I thought she would like it if she were warmer and didn't want her to think she could just give up so easily.

It was probably hard for Jane to go from swimming 1/2 an hour in a heated pool (which she does twice a week September to June) to 1 hour in a cold one. The kids are assigned to a lane for the duration of the pre-team. One of the teachers from their winter swimming, Jessica, was a coach in another lane. I knew she knew Jane's ability and that she could use all the buzz words that Jane already knew to get her motivated. Most of all, I knew she would work her a little harder and keep her moving which would warm her up. So, I asked her if I could switch Jane into her lane, which she did and it made everything much better. It also helped that the weather warmed up a little.

Today was the pre-team "meet." Jane was really excited and kind of nervous. First up was freestyle. She did a great job! She has a very nice freestyle stroke. I overheard someone watching say "She's going to be like her sister." She definitely wants it like Emily does!

Not bad for one of the youngest on pre-team.

I had Bek video from the end of the pool. (Sorry about the jiggles.)

Next was backstroke. Seriously, could this be any cuter?

She zig-zagged down the lane. Jacob was standing next to me at the side of the pool. He called out "Jane! Jane! Keep your head straight & back and your body will go straight too!" She actually stopped to look up at what he was saying. I yelled down "Just keep going Jane" - Sheesh buddy, mid-race is not the time for pointers. Although how adorable is it that he gave them to her? Such a good big brother.

She stopped as she neared the end of the pool to see if she was getting close.

Then bonked her head on the wall anyway.

The last race was their choice - butterfly or breaststroke. Jane has a great little breaststroke but I think she might have overheard some praise for Emily's butterfly and decided to do 'fly.

She got up on the block and into this nice looking "take your mark" position.

Then did this!

Rick is calling it her "Wolverine Attack" dive.

Then, bless her little heart, she did "butterfly" the entire length of the pool. Both arms were going, she did a dolphin kick, she only came up to breathe every few strokes. She had all the fundamentals there (but she did look a bit like she was drowning the whole way down).

After their 3 races they were awarded a medal & a trophy by their lane coach & lane helpers.

AND they got italian ices.

I was so happy I moved Jane into Jessica's lane. She was super sweet and understanding with her and helped her have a great experience.

Way to go Jane! I am so proud of my littlest swimmer!

Jane's Butterfly

2011-07-28T22:48:00.000-04:00

Jane swims the 25yd butterfly.

(Ignore my big head & camera-holding-hand in the way.)

If you factor in that she's only 5, it's actually pretty impressive!

Jane's Backstroke

2011-07-28T22:38:00.003-04:00

I guess Blogger will only let me upload one video per post and these of Jane are priceless, so I'll put them up separately.

Here's her backstroke. See her stop 1/2 way to listen to Jake, then again near the end to see where she is. Too cute.

Last Summer Meet

2011-07-27T23:31:00.072-04:00

The "regular" last meet of the summer (before we enter Counties & Conferences) for our team was against Westchester Country Club. I love to go there for meets because the facility is lovely and because they tend to be in the evening when the light is so beautiful.

Jane and her friend Avery had a blast playing in their kid pool.

Jane has several friends who's older siblings are on the team with Jake & Emily and it makes it nice for her to have friends to play with when we are at the (eternally long) meets.

They were seriously in this pool for hours. I was still calling them out of one end of it as the lifeguards starting cleaning the other end!

They also alternated between the beach and playing in Long Island Sound.

{iPhone photo}

{iPhone photo}

W.C.C has a bunch of fast swimmers. Our kids were ready for battle! It's one thing I love about being on such a big team - the older kids really watch out for the little kids, get them pumped for meets, teach them the team cheer, etc.

Emily swam freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and the free relay (you are only allowed to swim 3 strokes + relays per meet.)

Jacob swam free & backstroke.

He also swam the boys freestyle relay. After that he got to relax, eat and enjoy the beach area too.

Emily was swimming against one of her friends from her winter swim team in her 50yrd breaststroke.

She came in second - to her friend. Here she is laughing and saying
"You told me you weren't fast at breast!"

Then they high fived. It made me so happy to see. I like to see good sportsmanship. I think it's something I see a lot in swimming - but could see more of.
Most of these kids swim through the winter where there a fewer teams and often they travel a bit to get to them. In summer swimming there are many more teams and they usually swim for the team closest to them or whichever country club their parents join. I like that Emily has competed against kids she knows and that there hasn't been animosity between them. I think it's healthy for them to keep it that way!

I am becoming obsessed with getting the perfect fly picture of Emily. These were close (and I love how she looks swimming this stroke).

I'm looking for arms level, face up getting a breath, water droplets flying, perfect light .... keep swimming Em!

The meet was exciting. We were a little behind going into the relays. The team had been undefeated to that point. W.C.C had lost one. The division title was on the line. We ended up tying the meet! Amazing if you think just how many variables go into scoring (the team president said she had thought it statistically impossible.) The tie meant that we won the division title and all the kids were thrilled!

It was a totally fun night and everyone went home happy and looking forward to Counties & Conferences.

Summer Laundry

2011-07-26T11:57:00.000-04:00

Can you tell where we spend most of our time?

Summer gives me a chance to catch up on laundry since we all wear swimsuits until 2pm each day.

Seriously, I really try to get the kids to wear clothing for 2 days in a row too - if we are only getting dressed at 2pm and they head to the tub at 6:30pm those clothes have only been worn for 4 1/2 hours. Provided you didn't spill dinner on them, wear them again tomorrow & save your mother from the mountain of laundry she is always battling!

Pioneer Day 2011

2011-07-22T19:15:00.098-04:00

We love Pioneer Day. Emily in particular just loves Pioneers & hearing stories about them and seeing how they lived. Each year we like to dress up and play pioneer games and have some activities to make us appreciate them & all they did so that our beliefs could flourish.

This year Pioneer Day (July 24th) fell on a Sunday. I figured we'd just do our Pioneer Games on the 23rd, until they scheduled our Worldwide Day of Service for that day. Soooo, we did it on Friday afternoon.

A few years ago Emily grew out of the little blue pioneer dress we have. I had her wear a skirt she had with a pioneer-y blouse the following year. Last year I said I'd make her a new dress but didn't get around to it & just quickly made her a long skirt & had her wear it with a blouse again .... promising to make it this year. As the day loomed closer I wsa feeling the absence of that new dress for Emily. Honestly, I was tempted to tell Emily, Jacob & Jane that I was too busy this year (with packing and moving & all the work of building the new house) to be able to pull it off, but that's the thing about traditions - it's well, tradition! They love it & I didn't want to break the fact that we do it every year. So at 10pm the night before I pulled out the ol' sewing machine to make Emily a dress. Don't look too closely at the pictures, she wore it un-hemmed (I'll get to hemming it later this week.)

We invited over a few friends and I split the kids into under 6's and big kids. It was super hot & humid so we did everything inside the house, with the exception of the hoop which the big kids started with on the back patio.

Those are authentic pioneer flip flops.

Jacob in his "coonskin" hat.

While they were doing that the little kids did the bean bag tossing game. Two cans are attached to a stick on opposite sides - there's a small bean bag & you have to toss it from one to the other by flipping the stick over while the beanbag is in the air. We copied it from a game we saw in Nauvoo and the kids love it. I really need to get Rick to make us another of these so we can have 2 going at once.

Then the big & little kids switched.

After those 2 games Emily read them a couple brief stories from pioneer children's journals

from "I Walked to Zion."

I had made 4 loaves of bread that morning before we went to swim team practice, so after the games and stories the kids shook cream in a jar to make butter.

They took it very seriously!

Then we enjoyed the butter on our thick slices of bread with cold milk. Probably just the snack pioneer children would have loved.

By then the taffy had cooled enough for us to pull it.

I had left it bubbling on the stove when I ran out to set the little kids up with the hoop and had kind of forgotten about it for a few minutes. It got hotter than it should have by the time I remembered it. They could still pull it but once it had cooled it was more like hard candy than taffy. Oh well, they still liked eating it, I just told them not to try and bite it in case they broke their teeth!

Guess who still bit it?

Little Pioneer Children.

This is the last year Jane will fit this dress. Next year I'll have to make her a new one too. It has been such a great dress. I made it for Rebekah in 1997 for the 150th anniversary re-enactment of the pioneer trek. She and I met my mother, who had been gone for months walking from Winter Quarters and finished the last 5 days of the trek with her. Emily wore it and now Jane. That dress has seen some happy days for my 3 girlies.

I'm glad I pulled it together at the last minute because the kids had a great time and now it's still our tradition.

Summer Swimming

2011-07-21T19:12:00.173-04:00

I love summer swimming for my kids. It's a huge time commitment on my part (like everything else that benefits them) because the 3 of them practice at different times each day. Emily is from 8:30am - 10am, Jacob is from 10:30 - 11:30 and Jane is from 12:30 - 1:30pm ... so most of our day is sucked up at the pool. In a way though, I love the structure that it gives us. We make sure that we are up with beds made, family scripture memorization, breakfast eaten, and Jacob & Jane's reading done before I have to take Emily at 8:15. I drop Em off & come home to start laundry, mow the lawn or whatever daily tasks I have and Jacob & Jane do their morning jobs. I go back to get Em at 10am. She works on her jobs, reading, summer goals etc while I take Jake (Jane usually swims and plays while Jake practices) then we eat lunch - sometimes we dash home for it & sometimes stay at the pool. Then Jane has her practice. I try and swim some laps while Jane is practicing, since she is being supervised then & I trust Jake to swim and play with friends without me watching him.

The only thing that throws us off is the meets because they have to be there so early (usually 7:15am) and last for hours! At the last swim meet I wasn't volunteering (parents are required to volunteer as timers, scorers, ribbon writers, etc) and Jane had gone to play with a friend so thought it was a perfect day to take the camera!

This is Jacob at the start of his freestyle relay as the other swimmer touches the wall. I love watching the little "6 & Under" races - the kids are just too adorable. He's not starting off the blocks because the little kids relays are only 25 yards and he started at the other end.

His technique is nowhere near as beautiful as Emily's but he's a good little swimmer & he loves it (& it burns off some of that endless energy) so I love to see him swim.

By the time he gets old enough to do the "mile swim" in Scouts, he'll be all over it!

Oh, and I am totally in love with this kids backstroke.

How could I not be?

He's got a pretty decent backstroke and does well ...

... until he gets 3/4 of the way down the pool and starts to just kick on his back with his arm out because he's too worried he'll bonk his head on the wall. I've been trying to teach him to count his strokes from the flags but so far he's favoring the "slower than cold tar at the end" approach.

I tried to get some good pictures of Em doing her freestyle but she's so darn quick it's tough to get. She swims the 50 free in 32 seconds. Not much opportunity for good pictures, since she's only coming towards me for 16 seconds! I really should try and get some from the side, but she's usually in the middle lanes and harder to see. Also, I like to cheer for her and she really wouldn't be able to hear me from the sides. I know she hears me from the end of the lane because I see her smile as she does her flip turn :)

Her best stroke is breaststroke. It's just beautiful to watch. Her technique is perfect and she's really fast - she pretty much always wins in her breaststroke races.

Over the past year Emily's butterfly has really improved. I give myself a lot of the credit (tee hee.) She had a good 'fly, but because she wasn't as fast and perfect at it as she was other strokes, she didn't ever want to do it. In winter swimming the parents sign up for meets and races (not like summer swimming where the coaches decide who swims what). I "encouraged" her to try some butterfly races. The first was not received so well, she really didn't want to do it. I told her she really should if she wanted to be a well rounded swimmer and signed her up. Then at the meet she came over and asked if she could scratch - I told her she couldn't and I just wanted her to give it a shot. I said "I don't care if you come last" - she answered "But I do!"

Well, she swam it and did well and took 4 seconds off her time. She was pleased as punch with herself and willing to try a few more butterfly events after that. Now she's doing really well in the fly and usually places 1st or second in the meets - more importantly she really likes to swim it!

I just love that my little petite & gentle Emily can swim this challenging stroke.

It makes me so happy to watch her power through the water.

Here she is getting ready for her freestyle relay. She's the "anchor" because she's so fast, but it stresses her out a bit. She feels the weight of winning for the team and making up any lost ground. She's started to wear 2 caps - one on her head, then her goggles, then another to hold the goggles and cover the top of them. She says she likes it better that way because she doesn't feel the drag of the water on her goggles. You know you're serious about swimming when you try to eliminate the drag from your goggles!!

Another happy meet! Our team won again - they've never lost a meet in all the years we've been on the team & have been county champions for the past 6 years. Kind of makes me sad that Bek stopped swimming when she was about 13.... such a great sport.

Stay tuned. Jane is on the pre-team this year & her one & only meet of the summer is next week. Pictures are bound to follow.

Small Garden

2011-07-10T18:43:00.016-04:00

I didn't plant a large garden this year since I knew we would be moving. We planted basil, chives, parsley, cilantro, beans, carrots and tomatoes. The sage, thyme and strawberries came up again because they are perennial. Most will be left for the new owners (I hope they like gardening).

I put tomatoes in pots so we could take them with us to the rental house. I also put some of the strawberry plants in pots when I thinned them out in spring so they can go to the new house for next year. My neighbor Elaine gave them to me when she thinned hers a few years ago, so I have an emotional attachment to our strawberries. The beans are from our "one bean" project (still going strong) and all come from just one bean, so if they aren't ready when we move I'll have to let the new owners know I am coming back for them!

It has been nice to enjoy some fresh food from our garden, even though it's not as much as we usually have. I'm glad I still planted a little, it does my soul good.

Butterflies

2011-07-09T19:54:00.080-04:00

We have had caterpillars & watched them grow into butterflies each spring for years. I think Bek was only 4 when we started doing it.

I usually like to time it so that we release them at the end of May. The weather is usually nice then and it often coincides with them talking about them in pre-school or school. This year we were late. Mostly because I was putting the house on the market and didn't think a couple tubs of caterpillars on the mantle created the best aesthetic ... but really also I was just super busy with all the usual end of the school year stuff AND putting the house on the market & kept forgetting to order them!

I finally got around to it just before school ended & the kids were delighted when the 2 tubs of very tiny caterpillars arrived. One of them was a lot smaller than the rest. He / she also grew much more slowly than the others, in fact several times we thought it might be dead but it eventually also made a chrysalis.

On Sunday Rick was leaving for a trip, so even though that last little guy was still in his chrysalis we decided to release the other 9 so Rick could be there.

Rebekah was in charge of making sure the net didn't collapse on them.

Rick was the "butterfly getter".

Emily went first. This one crawled on her hand for a while.

Then Jake. I think we went though a few trying to get one to stay on his hand. There was a slight breeze & most of them flew away the second they hit air. It's why I order 2 tubs.

Then Jane. I think several also flew before touching her hand too.

OK, confession time. Remember the Ladybug Massacre? Well now I am also a butterfly maim-er.

All but that one small guy had made a chrysalis. I thought I really should take the one tub of five & transfer it to the net while waiting for the last one in the other tub .... but just didn't get around to it. Then one night I woke up at 2am from a dream that they were hatching out in the tub & suffocating. I pondered getting up right them to move them ... but it was 2am & I was tired and the net is in the storage room in the attic. I thought I'd do it first thing in the morning .... and I did but I was too late. One butterfly had emerged and hadn't been able to spread its wings to let them dry properly, so one wing was kind of bent. I looked like it hadn't been out long and I felt really guilty. Maybe if I'd got up and moved them in the night it would have been OK. Every time the kids would "aw" over him and say how sad they were that it's wing didn't flutter properly it added to my guilt!

After we had released all the others the injured one was the last one. Once before, we had one that hatched out with a bad wing (that one was just nature & not my fault at all.) We had just put it on a flower in the garden and hoped for the best for it. We decided to do that with this one.

But first I let the kids all hold it.

Was it wrong to take advantage of my negligence?

Next year I promise to put them into the net the minute all of them have formed their chrysalis!

Why I Buy Sidewalk Chalk

2011-06-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

Lacrosse

2011-06-14T22:47:00.002-04:00

I met with each of the kids at the beginning of the year to help them write their goals. Emily said for one of her physical goals she wanted to play lacrosse and I was a bit surprised. Lacrosse is big on the East Coast but I'd never seen it played, or knew anyone who played or even the rules - but who am I to discourage one of my kids goals? We wrote it down.

One very cold & snowy night in January I headed out to the town hall to sign her up. They couldn't tell me what the game or practice schedule would be and I was worried it would conflict with her 4 times per week of swim team practice (it has) but figured we'd worry about that when we got to it ...

We bought all her equipment and sent in the form for her uniform size and on March 2nd they started practicing. It was still very, very cold - especially up on some of the high fields. They played with leggings under their skirts, under armour & sweatshirts under their shirts!

Their first game was April 16th. My teeth chattered as I sat huddled in a blanket watching. Seriously
(Emily is #10)

They played hard and learned a lot from that game.

But they lost.

During half time Emily had told me that her coach had told her to "mark" number 3 from the other team. He had said "If she gets a drink of water, you get a drink of water. If she goes to the bathroom, you go to the bathroom!" On our way home in the car she told me that he had been to watch the opposing teams game the night before to scout their players & see how they played. He knew Emily was fast and put her against their fastest player.

'Man" I though to myself " this coach is going to be a little too intense for me! Really, these girls are 10 years old - they are 3rd & 4th graders, many of whom have never played before."

Boy was I ever WRONG!

Coach Joe has been out of this world fantastic! He is serious. He works them hard. He expects 110% every practice and every game and Emily HAS EATEN IT UP! If you've ever seen her play soccer or swim you know she is an amazing athlete. She is sooo super sweet & gentle and actually pretty shy in her "regular" life but she is very competitive when she gets into sports! I LOVE IT!

I think it is so good for her to have that arena to express that side of herself. I see her get that look of focus and concentration on her face. I see the determination. She is physically in great shape and has great stamina but it's her dedication to the team and game and her desire to win that really makes her do well. Her whole team has been like that - they never give up. It has been wonderful to see.

They haven't lost a game since that first one!

I really am so appreciative of her coach. Aside from the sheer time commitment - practice 3 times per week in March then twice a week in April, plus games (often 2 of those per week)) he sends them video clips to watch and always sends a game recap e-mail full of praise and individually naming each girl and what she did well during the game.

He plans strategy with them and really teaches them to play well - not just learn the fundamentals. He calls out to them during the game and uses their code words to instruct them which plays to use.

They listen to him and follow his direction. It's really great to see.

So the last game is on Thursday and I will be sad to see it end. I have become quite the lacrosse junkie (despite still not understanding the rules). It is such a fun and fast paced game to watch. I have to admit, watching my little Emily makes it a million times better.

Watch this sequence and you'll see what I mean -

She scoops the ball (as the goalie tosses it back out).

She's got it in her cradle, and has to prevent it from falling out (not easy to do.)

Two opposing team members bring their defense up against her.

Seriously, check out their sticks. They are crossed in front of her - pretty intimidating!

She just charges through them.

Look how close that other stick is to her head! But she still has the ball!

She makes the break and runs for it.

Still dodging the opposition.

She's fast. Once she gets out ahead they can't catch her.

The ball has to be passed 3 times before they can shoot - so she gets it down the field and passes on to a team mate, who passes it again & they score. LOVE IT! Seriously, it's really an exciting game.

One of my favorites things was at the end of each game when they lined up & passed the other team & tapped their sticks together and said "good game."

Then they would loop around & make a tunnel for them to all go through.

Playing lacrosse has been really fun for both Em & I this spring and she'll definitely play next season. Over the summer she's going to 3 days of lacrosse camp and we also gave her a challenge for her summer goals; throwing and catching without dropping the ball into the re-bounder. She has different levels (5 times without dropping, 10 times without dropping, 25 times without dropping. 10 times using your left hand, etc) and can earn money for each level. She loves earning money & is a good saver AND she loves lacrosse so I'd better get my wallet ready!

Emily's Shopping Trip

2011-06-11T20:16:00.091-04:00

Emily loves all things American Girl. We've gone to the store, cafe & theater a lot for birthdays, special outings, cousin visits and earned prizes. Last year Em decided it would be great to have $100 whole dollars to spend there (I guess $100 is the largest amount she could ever fathom having.) She set herself a goal to save $100 and asked if I would take her there for a shopping trip when she had it. Then she started saving.

For every dollar our kids earn they pay 10% tithing, save 40% and then can choose what to do with the remaining 50%. Emily didn't spend a single penny of her "spending" money for an entire year. (Confession; she probably could have got there faster except I am terrible about remembering to pay them. Really, it's awful. I am great about remembering their job charts and making sure they do the work ... just not the follow through of paying them for them!) Anyway, she saved $104 which means she really had earned $208 to get it. Pretty impressive. Several times I saw her walk into a store with her money in her hand, contemplate buying something and decide against parting with her hard earned cash & leave! She definitely gets that kind of discipline from her Dad!!

So on our first free Saturday we headed into the city. I told her we'd go for lunch at a place of her choosing. She chose Lombardi's Pizza & Rice to Riches. It's where we had her "Age 8 Big Talk" and it was kind of special to be there with her again. We figured there wouldn't be as much of a line at lunchtime but there was and we were starving, so we went over to Rice to Riches first and got a tide-me-over snack.

Emily LOVES Rice to Riches.

Weird angle & bad lighting - the pizza isn't really bigger than her head!

I love Lombardi's sauce, I could eat it with a spoon!

Then we went back to Rice to Riches for real dessert. We are serious about rice pudding!

We took the Subway back up to Grand Central. Whenever we are walking through & have time we love to go to the 4 corners in the tunnel in front of the Oyster Bar. If one person stands in one corner facing the wall and the other stands on the opposite one you can whisper to each other and hear it well. It's always fun. One of our dear friends proposed to his wife that way!

Then we got to American Girl! It was so sweet to see her in action. She had already poured over their website and knew exactly what she wanted and how much it would be (why was I surprised?) She had a little money left over after the things she had planned and took some time deciding between a pair of shoes or a personalized doll T-shirt (she chose the shirt). Then she also enjoyed browsing and seeing all the new things they have and decided this baking table was going on her Christmas list.

Then we went to the checkout. As we approached I realized that she had a Ziploc bag FULL of pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters and bunches of small bills. I asked her if she would like me to just put it on my credit card for speed and convenience and she could just give me the money. She quickly said "no" and I realized that she wanted to pay with her own money - the money she had worked so hard to save, that had been adding up in her spending jar for all those months, that she had counted a million times until she got to $100.

I did feel momentarily self conscious that we were holding up the line - you know how vocal in their opinions New Yorkers can be, then my mother bear instinct kicked in and I thought I didn't really care how long it took her to count it all out and I would pounce on anyone who said anything. My little girl saved up her money for an entire year darn it, and she was going to pay herself! No one actually said anything, in fact the cashier was delightful and Emily was pleased as punch.

I couldn't resist buying her this purple messenger bag as a reward for her efforts - which only made her happier.

As we walked back to Grand Central they were filming a movie. Clearly something big - it was taking up several city blocks and there were extras everywhere. I asked what they were filming and we were told it was "Men in Black 3." I've never seen the movies but it was cool to see all the old cars everywhere & we walked a little closer so Em could see better. We didn't see anyone famous (no Will Smith) but did have a great conversation about how they make movies & keeping things consistent with the time period they are set in. It was also fun to point out the brief cases that some of the male extras on the street were carrying and tell her they were just like the one's I remembered Grandpa using when I was a little girl.

On the train on the way home she changed Emily (the doll) into one of the new outfits.

And we had a little "game" of tennis.

So proud of you Em - well done!

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T12:45:00.001-04:00

Go here and watch the video.

My Dad added this video to our family history website a while back and it is particularly on my mind today.

I do not know these men. Other than my Grandfather's and my Dad's Uncle Jim, I haven't heard stories of them or know about their lives. Yet I cannot help but be reduced to tears as I watch this, see their names, how they served and in many cases, the young ages at which their lives were ended.

In the grainy & faded photographs I recognize a smile, dimples, or eyes and the familiarity which tells me they are mine. That who I am, I owe in part to them. I see all of those who bear the name Robert - the same name I gave my son in honor of his Grandfather & Great-Grandfather and hope that he will live up to it. That leads me to think of the sons who didn't come home and the freedom that we all enjoy as a result and the tears start to flow.

On this day especially, I will watch this with my children gathered safely about me and when they ask "Why are you crying Mom?" I will try to articulate what I feel and probably fail.

I hope as they grow in age and understanding they will come to appreciate what I now do and also my sweet Dad who made them more than just names on a pedigree chart and helped us feel a connection to them.

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

Malachi 4:6

Dessert

2011-05-25T19:17:00.000-04:00

We typically only have dessert on Sundays but every now & then we'll have it through the week if I find something delicious or am just in the mood for it.

We've had dessert twice this week. Last night we had watermelon & tonight we had fresh cherries. As you can imagine, this garnered some complaints from my two non-fruit eating girlies. They were begging for a substitute - ice cream, or something! I told them that was what was for dessert & if they didn't want to eat it they didn't have to.

I later found this note from Emily (typed & left open on my computer screen).

dessert

In Western culture, dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal, usually consisting of sweet food. The word comes from the French language as dessert and this from Old French desservir, "to clear the table" and "to serve." Common desserts include cakes, cookies, gelatin, pastries, ice cream, pie, and candies.

I got it from wickipedia

This is what dessert is….

I heart the internet

love you Mum,

Emy Kate.

(she still didn't get the ice cream)

Hooray!

2011-05-24T22:16:00.001-04:00

Our builder sent this to me today.

Under normal circumstances I would be sad to see trees being cleared - but when it is to make way for our new house to finally start being built - I find it quite delightful!

I think he sent me a photo from his phone because I needed to see it to believe it.

TWO MONTHS after we closed on the land & signed the contract with the builder (which was 6 weeks after we were ready & planning on closing on the land), we finally have the permits & are ready to get going. So, we are just beginning and already 3 1/2 months behind schedule ..... looks like this will be on the same schedule as all the renovations we've done to our current house!

Don't worry, there are still tons of trees all around and we'll be planting more after the house is built.

In the Car

2011-05-19T22:53:00.002-04:00

"What are you doing buddy?"

"Just looking at nature upside down."

{iPhone photo}

Sure love that boy!

Our "House"

2011-05-14T20:53:00.028-04:00

Today we stopped by our land to check out the tree clearing and look at where the house will be.

The girls running up what will eventually be our driveway.

Jacob & the stream.

Jacob after jumping the stream asking if he can go through the woods.

Jane & her BFF Ruth dancing in the meadow.

The very back (the shiny strip in the background is the river.)

This is NOT our ribbon, or the builders. He couldn't get it off when he was there but plans to cut it before they start clearing. I think this oak is almost as big as the one in our backyard - it's off to the side of the property and will be a great shade tree.

We love all our space.

The road.

The "meadow" a view from the road.

At least we already have a fire hydrant.

Parenting Moments They Never Tell You About.

2011-05-12T00:32:00.000-04:00

{iPhone Photo}

I guess if two of your kids are going to climb in your bed & then pee it is actually better that it happen at the same time.

Right?

Fortunately this happened before Rick & I had gone to bed because I've been woken up that way before and it is quite possibly the least pleasant way to wake up.

(I will say that one of those kids has been doing really well and has been dry all night since December ... it's just unfortunate that he had a relapse the night he climbed in my bed.)

Weak at the Knees.

2011-05-12T00:28:00.069-04:00

On April 27th I had knee surgery.

My FOURTH in 10 years.

I have osteoarthritis and have had knee issues since I was pregnant with Emily. Actually, the first 3 of my knee surgeries were after each of the last 3 kids were born (being pregnant hammered my knees and is one reason Rick didn't really want to have any more kids.)

{iPhone Photo. Afternoon of the surgery}
My leg isn't that freakishly huge. Its' pretty swollen but I think mostly just the camera angle.

Jacob brought me a flower to help me feel better. Darling boy.

{iPhone Photo}

Jane visited me on the couch and told me stories. She loves to carry her baby around in her sling and hear about how she LIVED in hers for the first 8 months of her life!

{iPhone Photo}

After my surgery I came home still pretty groggy and slept on and off the rest of the day. The next day the Dr. called to let me know how things had gone. He said "Your knees have further deteriorated. The arthritis is very bad. There's pretty much nowhere to go from here except total knee replacement."

I wasn't really expecting that and I think I was in shock because I didn't really respond or ask questions. He said because of my age and the fact I have young kids at home we should try and put it off as long as possible and to come in three weeks for follow up. Then he hung up.

I spent the next few days feeling pretty sorry for myself. How was I supposed to get a surgery that required a 6 month recuperation period? How am I supposed to take care of my kids with limited mobility? We just started building a 4 story house. Should I plan on putting in an elevator? Seriously, I am really still young. OLD people get knee replacements - not me. "As long as possible." What does that mean? 6 months? 10 years? Jane would be 15 in ten years. That would be OK. ... you get the picture. I was depressed and self absorbed.

Part of my knee therapy is to ride a bike, since I can't do anything that is high (or even moderate) impact. A few days later I was riding the bike (slowly because it was still very painful to straighten my leg) and reached for the Ensign to read. There was an article on Infertility. I know several people who have struggled with Infertility and it's in my field, so I flipped to it. As I read Melody Linton relate her experience and say

“I began to think, ‘Why not me?’ I’m strong enough to handle this."

Tears began to flow and I felt selfish for the wallowing in pity I had been doing. Why not me? I questioned myself. Did I expect to have a life free from trials? Would I even want that if it were possible? I knew I did not. The trails I have experienced in my life have taught me and stretched me and helped me grow. My life is rich with blessings. I have a husband I adore, who worships me. Four great kids who are healthy and doing well. We have a loving and supportive extended family and lots of great friends. Rick has a good job and we are building a wonderful new house. I reminded myself I am strong enough to handle this and instantly felt the burden of self pity lift from me.
I knew I could face this challenge and make the best of it.

It is still hard. I am in pain all the time - sometimes severe and sometimes just a mild throb. I can't run. Ever again. I can't ski (I am unrealistically hoping I get to the point that I can do the bunny runs with Jane ....) I'm supposed to take the elevator instead of the stairs, park as close as I can to the grocery store doors, and not lift my kids. Oh, and ride my bike each day and rest my knees for 8 hours at night. Yeah right!

I am trying my best to follow the directions I was given. I am grateful that we are building a house that will have a gym in it, so I can do what's best for my knees (and put the dog on the treadmill while I do, since walking Millie is also on my list of forbidden activities.) My knees "snap, crackle and pop" and I often have a limp at the end of a busy day. I am appreciative of the mobility I DO have and working to keep it as long as I can.

Stopping for Light Bulbs.

2011-05-12T00:11:00.000-04:00

{iPhone photo}

We stopped at Home Depot while running errands to get a few new light bulbs for our recessed lights.

These were right across from them.

Jacob's eyes grew BIG. As he climbed up on one he said "I'm asking for one of these for Christmas!"

Love that boy.

Tonights Dishes

2011-05-12T00:08:00.000-04:00

{iPhone photo}

Can you tell we've had some sick kids around here?

Egg Dying

2011-04-16T18:18:00.033-04:00

The kids were so excited to color eggs at Easter time. We LOVE coloring eggs.

I had intended to also do a batch of "natural" dyes (red cabbage, onion skins, turmeric, etc) later in the week - the natural one's give such beautiful colors and are definitely my favorite. The week got away from us and these ended up being the only one's we did. I had also dyed eggs with Jacob's kindergarten class and I guess after doing it with 22 kids I was a little less enthusiastic about a second round for us!

Oh well, next year.

It had been a cold & rainy day & the sun came out just as we did these. Made the yellow of Jake's seem happier!

I love the colored tubs of liquid & seeing those eggs bob in them.

Jacob really liked mixing colors.

We like to write or draw in them in white or yellow crayon. The dye won't stick where the crayon went. I loved this wave of Bek's.

Emily did some lovely two toned eggs - dipping 1/2 the egg into 2 different colors.

Jane was so proud of the one's she'd drawn on crayon with.

The one in Jacobs' hand was drawn on & then dipped in every color! It turned out to be a great green color.

Happy Easter!

Infinite Variety

2011-03-30T22:03:00.085-04:00

Over the weekend I heard about a quilt show. It was only open for 6 days and ending the following Wednesday. I knew I had to see it. I had an appointment with my knee doc in the city on Tuesday morning, so thought Jane & I could head over there afterwards.

It was spectacular!

These quilts are the personal collection of Joanna S. Rose. The story I heard is - it was her birthday (I believe her 80th) and she told her kids that she had never seen them all in one place & would love that as her birthday gift. Also to celebrate her birthday she wanted to give a gift to the city of New York and made admission to this exhibit free! There are over 650 quilts. It was truly amazing to see.

They handed out little white booklets (spiral bound in red) and red pencils to kids as they walked in, so they could sketch the quilts. Jane loved it and happily sketched away while I walked around in awe deciding that I absolutely MUST make a red and white quilt!

This alphabet one with animals was Jane's favorite.

The way they had them displayed was also wonderful. It really was spectacular to see them in contrast with each other - yet with all that red & white.

When we left I was kicking myself for not taking the other kids. Having seen it I realized what a unique opportunity it was to see all those red and white quilts, that were part of a private collection, no less and that they may never all be on display again ... Man, I was mad at myself. Enough that today (the last day of the show), I picked up Emily & Jacob a little early from school and we went back down to the city (Bek had rehearsal and didn't want to come). It was meant to be because I got a great parking spot on a meter 2 blocks away!

We ran into friends and Jake, Jane, Eve & Ruth all happily sketched away while I just soaked up the beauty of those quilts again!

Some of them just had the most incredible work in them - like this one that had names embroidered around each star.

Emily loved sketching them too and tried to draw as many as she could, especially of her favorites.

I loved that she was also impressed with the workmanship and detail and looked for the makers names, or sometimes just the year embroidered into the corner.

This as one of my favorites. I think it would be beautiful on Jacob's bed and have every intention of copying it!

Jacob loved the airplane one.

This was one of the oldest quilts there and the collectors personal favorite.

Jane's favorite again.

I am so glad I seized the moment with these guys and took them to see it. Maybe we didn't get to homework or piano practice and they went to bed late, but they will hopefully remember this great exhibition (and that we went down to Rick's office to meet him for dinner afterwards!)

Origami

2011-03-29T14:56:00.001-04:00

Emily has been really into making Origami lately. She made these cranes in descending size and then decided to hang them together using a needle and thread.

Well done Emily, they look great.

{iPhone photo}

Jane's Primary Talk

2011-03-20T23:02:00.006-04:00

{iPhone photo}

Jane gave a talk in Primary yesterday. She did a great job and (just barely) maintained her composure even though a couple of her little friends started giggling.

This is what she said -

Prophets are Heavenly Father’s mouthpiece on earth. They tell us what Heavenly Father would like us to do.

The current prophet for the Church is Thomas S. Monson.

I am grateful for the prophet to guide me in my life and I am excited to be able to hear him soon in General Conference.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

(I took the photo in the Primary room, after church. I didn't take it during her talk!)

Reading Together

2011-02-15T22:48:00.016-05:00

Some days when I am busy, I need Jane to just entertain herself for a few minutes. She mostly does that by playing with Millie, one reason we got Millie sooner, rather than later.

They run and wrestle and play hide & seek (our dog can actually play hide and seek!)

You have to admit that what I saw as I came downstairs was pretty cute.

Maybe if Jane teaches Millie to read she can be like "Nanna" in Peter Pan and put the kids to bed for me!

Who Has The Sweetest Husband Ever?

2011-02-14T23:49:00.000-05:00

I do! I do!

Absence Makes the Heart.....

2011-02-14T22:06:00.018-05:00

Man, Millie hates it when anyone leaves without her.

She is actually very good at staying in the doorway if we go in and out & not leaving the house until we tell her "OK." Unless, she sees the car door open. Then she realizes that there's a chance for her to stow away and quick a a shot she's out the dor and has leapt into the car. Sometimes I take her on errands with me, just because I can't face those sad eyes at being left!

This day, Rick and the kids left and I stayed home with her. I was trying not ot be offended that she so clearly wanted to go with them!

She's a good dog!

Kindergarten Valentine Party

2011-02-14T15:52:00.028-05:00

I had wanted to leave on our ski trip on February 12th but Emily requested that we be here for Valentine's Day. My kids love Valentine's Day & the activities they do in class and trading Valentine's with each other. Last year we missed it. I sent in Emily's Valentine's early - but no one saved the one's she received. She was pretty bummed about it.

So this year we stayed for Valentine' s Day and left on the 15th. That meant I got to be here for Jacob's class party too. I am Jacob's class Mom this year and I have really loved being in his class a much as I can, getting to know the other students and the teachers and seeing him in that setting.

He really is a great little boy.

However, since I hadn't planned initially planned on being here we had asked another Mother to take over the craft for that day. She is a florist and had the kids do a little flower arranging project. She did a great job & really put a lot of work into it.

The kids really liked it.

Since we stayed in town, I did still do the snack. We had fresh strawberries and I made them all heart shaped sugar cookies - a small white one and a big pink one. They were a hit.

The flower buckets were adorable.

I was kind of sad we were heading out of town and had to leave ours!

Valentine's Dinner

2011-02-13T21:56:00.102-05:00

I like to make Sunday dinners special. Rick doesn't eat with us through the week and Rebekah is often not home by dinner time on weekday evenings, so on the weekend I love having the whole family together for dinner. Saturday is usually more casual and so busy with all the kids sports that we often go out - so on Sundays I really like to have a nice sit down, whole family meal.

Since the day before Valentine's Day was a Sunday I decided to add a few extra touches to dinner. We had a Family Home Evening lesson in the afternoon - it's the one we traditionally have right before Valentine's Day about the Good Samaritan and loving our neighbors. We decorated heart shaped sugar cookies and then Rick took the kids to deliver them & while they were out I sprung into action!

Really, I only did a few extra things...
I had made little place cards and put them on the plates, I used goblets instead of glasses and we had sparkling pink lemonade. I lit candles in the middle of the table.

When the kids came home it was all set up. Emily walked into the dining room and I saw her notice the table .... it was delightful to watch her face as she saw the candles, drinks and place cards. First she looked a little puzzled and then a slow smile spread across her face as she recognized that something special was going on.

I didn't really do anything different for dinner. We usually have something nicer on Sundays anyway. We had Honey Baked Chicken (they all love that) green beans, and rice pilaf.

For dessert I did make Creme Brulee. I love Creme Brulee, it's my favorite dessert! I haven't made it in forever and I don't think the younger kids have ever had it before. They were fascinated with the blow torch and all really liked it.

Mmmmmmm!

I had leftover custard, so I made an extra in this small pyrex dish (and it became my "bonus" dessert!) Like I said - I LOVE Creme Brulee!!

I had cut out a bunch of card stock hearts and after dinner we all wrote out hearts to each other. We each took 5 hearts and made one for each other member of the family - writing something you loved about them, or a talent or quality you thought they had.

I loved seeing them put a lot of thought into what they would write about each other.

Rick helped Jane with some of hers, giving her some spelling tips!

This one had to be one of my favorites.

I love snuggling you to Janie!

We all had a great dinner and it was a good reminder to me that it doesn't require much to make a family memory. I am so lucky to have this family, I sure love you guys!

Emily in the kitchen

2011-02-12T22:07:00.055-05:00

Emily doesn't like to eat very many things but she LOVES to cook. I was one computer click away from signing her up for cooking classes at Stone Barns (which I am sure would have been fantastic) when I reconsidered.

I can cook.

I would save myself the TIME of driving her there & back and the money if I just taught her at home. I pondered it for a moment - but would I? Would I be sure to stick to it & be consistent?

I decided I could!

So, Emily and I have been making a new recipe (of her choosing) each Saturday. So far, we've made chocolate marble fudge, brownies, and Nutella cookies. We should probably move onto something a little healthier!

Today she wanted to try chocolate molten lava cakes. One of her favorite desserts! The Sister missionaries were coming over for dinner, so it was a perfect excuse to make them (we usually only have dessert on Sundays).

We found this recipe on Pioneer Woman's blog.

4 pieces (squares) Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
½ cups Butter
1 cup Powdered Sugar
2 whole Eggs
2 whole Egg Yolks
6 Tablespoons Flour
2 cups Real Whipping Cream
2 Tablespoons Sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray 4 custard cups with Pam and place on cookie sheet.

Microwave chocolate and butter in large bowl on high for about 1 minute, until butter is melted.

Whisk until chocolate is also melted.

Stir in sugar until well blended.

Whisk in eggs and egg yolks.

Stir in flour.

Divide between cups.

Bake 13-14 minutes until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand 1 minute.

Honestly, this was SOOO easy. Emily did it with minimal supervision from me (I was whipping up white bean chicken chili and cornbread for dinner.) We didn't have any custard cups, so we made them in ramekins and left them that way. (We doubled it and made 8 ramekins.)

They were delicious & a huge hit.

When the Sisters arrived Jane said "Those are the missionaries???" I said they were.
"Missionaries are 'posed to be boys!"
Yes, we'll be having the Sister's back over for sure! (At least until my girlies know how awesome sister missionaries are.)

Valentine Lollipops

2011-02-11T22:00:00.110-05:00

Australia doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day the way they do in America. It's really just for adults and serious relationships. Getting a Valentine from someone is a BIG DEAL - - at least it was when I was a kid. So I never gave out Valentine's to a whole class load of kids.

Skip forward to Valentine's Day 1999 and Rebekah in kindergarten, getting ready to hand out her first Valentine's. I knew I wanted something fun and unique that we could make a tradition and we decided on homemade lollipops. We made 22 for all the kids in her class + her teacher. They were a raging success and we decide it was going to be an awesome tradition.

Now skip forward again to Valentine's Day 2011. With 4 kids in school (+ a few other neighborhood and church friends) I need to make over 110 lollipops! I was wishing that I had more carefully thought through the tradition that I started when I only had 1 child ....

Actually, it was fine. It just meant that my counters were covered with lollipop supplies for several days. The up-side was that the whole house smelled like sugar!

Although I prefer to make them while the kids are at school or pre-school (since I heat the syrup to such high temps and DO NOT want to spill any on kids rushing through the kitchen) I did make a couple batches when they were home. They LOVED watching me and telling me which color / flavor they wanted and eating the small squiggly spills that I peel off the Silpat mat.

I like to use essential oils to flavor them. We made;

Red - Strawberry

Pink - Cotton Candy (OK, that one wasn't an essential oil)

Yellow - Lemon

Light Orange - Mango

Green - Lime

I have 2 sizes of molds. I use them both, so as not to waste any syrup & get the most out of each batch (and save my time more than anything else!) The bigger kids gave out the bigger size and Jane gave out the smaller one's because no 4yr old needs a lollipop that big! It's actually quite the dose of sugar, even for a big kid!

Actually, it was a bittersweet moment for me. This is my 13th year making these - and Rebekah's last year in school. Reflecting on all the years I had made them and that they had spanned her school career. That soon she would be off in the big, scary, bad world all by herself where people wouldn't be joyously handing out lollipops to everyone they know..... I got a little teary.

The table was COVERED when I was finished.

I tied on ribbons while the kids wrote their tags. Man, I adore sitting together at the table and working on a project together. I like the shared goal we have, working together and the bonding sense of being a "team," I love the conversations we have and that they tell me about their classmates as they write the names. I don't know if they will remember these times that much but I will always think of them as highlights of my mothering. Also, I let them snitch a few candies form the "decoration only" jars. They'll probably remember that more than the bonding conversation!

I cut a bunch of tags & ran them through the printer & had the kids write their friends names on them & then sign them. I did less of these - Bek is apparently still young enough to hand out lollipops, but way too cool, & old to have them have tags ....

I am totally sending these to Bek for her to hand out at college next year!

Superbowl

2011-02-07T14:16:00.006-05:00

This was far & away the best commercial of the Superbowl.

My kids giggled & giggled though this (even when we viewed it several times on You Tube later.)

Then my six year old son said "Can we get that car?"

Advertising works.

Snuggle Buddies - Part 2.

2011-02-03T23:09:00.018-05:00

Jacob & Jane have always been very close. When Jacob left on the bus for the first day of kindergarten this year Jane turned to me and said "Now what?"

I really thought she'd struggle without him around, or that they wouldn't be as close as they had been - but my fears were unfounded, they still ADORE each other (and also frequently fight.)

When I walked into the living room after dinner and saw them like this - I had to grab my camera!

Snow Day # 1,267 ...........

2011-02-02T22:22:00.024-05:00

We've had a lot of snow days this winter. I love snow days. I actually wish my kids only went to school 3 or 4 days a week so they could be home more! I suppose if they were regularly home it wouldn't be as wonderful as a snow day because a snow day is unexpected. A bonus day.

I love knowing a big storm is coming and hoping for a snow day .... the kids put an ice cube in the toilet, a white crayon & spoon under their pillow, wear their undies inside out - all the tricks that are supposed to make it snow hard! I love being roused at 5am to the sound of the phone ringing and (knowing it is the automated system from the school) rolling over, turning off my alarm and smiling to myself.

We usually go sledding and make cinnamon rolls on snow days, then head out again in the afternoon to build snow forts but this day was mostly ice. So, we decided to stay in our pj's, make sugar cookies pop popcorn & watch a movie.

I had Jacob's kindergarten Valentine's party coming up so we made several batches of heart shaped sugar cookies & froze them.

We had to "practice" frosting and eating a few - just to test how they would turn out :)

Mmmmm, sprinkles.

Jane gave them her full approval.

Like I said - I love snow days!

Still Winter Here ....

2011-02-02T15:51:00.000-05:00

The ice did get worse today. Much worse. It's actually treacherous to venture out my front door.

Danger aside, I think that the ice is just beautiful. I love how it has evenly coated every branch of all the trees (& coated everything else as well.) I think it makes them look magical.

And we're also just loving all the icicles that are forming outside our windows to look at.

ICE

2011-02-01T20:56:00.023-05:00

We've had so many storms this winter!

I haven't minded them because I love snow, I'm not afraid to drive in snow, Rebekah & Rick shovel the snow and we like to play, sled and ski in snow!

{iPhone photo}

Ice is a totally different story. I AM afraid to drive on ice, we can't play out in it and it is miserable to shovel (although my sweet husband still gets up before dawn to do it for us.)
I did venture out this afternoon to go get pizza for lunch for the kids (who were home from school again) and drop off the dry cleaning. The car had a thick coating of ice all over it. It looked as if it had been encased in glass.

{iPhone photo}

Since I hear it's only going to get worse, I headed out again this evening to return library books & pick up a few groceries so that we can hunker down tomorrow.

Battle Gear

2011-01-30T19:41:00.017-05:00

I walked into the living room to find Jacob and Jane having a sword fight. They had also found a new creative use for ski goggles & helmets. Finally something I approve of - protective head gear for rough play.

My flash didn't go off on this one, so the picture is dark, but the expression on Jane's face and the awesome action shot it is - I had to include it.

Truce.

It should be noted that these are MY helmet & goggles that Jacob is wearing. It's been too icy & snowy to trek to the garage to put them away since Jane & I were skiing (and we're going again soon) - so he had grabbed mine. They almost fit. That boy has a huge head.

More Snowy Fun

2011-01-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

We got about another foot of snow last night. I love snow - but even I am wondering when it will stop. We are simply running out of places to put it! In the city, they have been filling big trucks and taking it to the river to dump it.

Bless Rick - he dug us out before heading to work. He cleared the car, driveway space for the car & walkway. It was a LOT of hard work. He made it all nice & clear for me so I could head right out to ski with Jane.

My neighbor took this picture out of her window.

Millie loves the new vantage point she has now that the snow is higher than our fence!

See that little dark figure in the middle of the picture? That's Jake - wading hip deep to his friend who lives behind us to ask if he wants to play. They built forts over at his house and shoveled the neighbors driveway. He earned $6!

Emily spent most of the day building forts, sliding and climbing.

When we got home from skiing Jane was happy to join in the fun.

Climbing & sliding / jumping over the covered fence was the hit of the day.

My kids love to make snow tunnels but they actually terrify me, because I have images of my children suffocating silently while I am oblivious in the house! I made them limit the length of this one & had one kid stand guard while another 1 or 2 were in it.

Back to school tomorrow (although we are supposed to get more snow for the next 2 days.)

Another Snow Day

2011-01-27T18:53:00.000-05:00

My plan was to ski with Jane one morning a week this winter - like I did the past two years with Jake. We have been super looking forward to it and planned to go on Friday mornings (she can really only last a couple of hours before she's tired.)

One Friday we had a snow day, another a 2 hr delay due to bad weather, one it was just way too freezing to take a 4yr old out .... it's ironic that we've had all this snow, but the weather has prevented us from making it up to ski.

This week I looked at the weather forecast & decided Thursday morning was it - we were due for more snow Wednesday afternoon / night, but it would be clear & a toasty 32 degrees on Thursday morning.

So, I recruited Bek to watch the other 2 in the event of a snow day or school opening delay and geared up for some time with Jane.

The morning was perfect - clear and not too cold with LOTS of fresh snow. It was a little more crowded that it usually would be on a weekday morning - thanks to all the school closings, but we had a great time.

It was only Jane's 4th day ever of skiing and she makes the most beautiful turns & is doing really well at stopping & slowing herself. I took out the video to get some of her doing such a great job, when she had this spectacular tumble! I instinctively turned off the camera when she fell to go get her, but I wish I'd kept it going because she went one more time head-over-heals & then stopped on her back laughing & saying "I hurt my leg." I hauled her up & off we went again. It's why I love skiing with kids - they take falling so well!

I pulled out the camera again to get some more (when she had a slow start) and then the battery died! Oh well, we'll have lots more opportunities to get more footage. Here's the little bit I got.

I love skiing, but I really love skiing with my kids. Sharing something with them that I love is so much fun and spending some one on one time is priceless.

Hot Chocolate

2011-01-25T20:52:00.005-05:00

Jane just LOVES hot chocolate and as cold as it has been here, we've really been going though it.

Most days I end up giving up on things we needed to do out in the world at large, saying "Lets just go home now & have some hot chocolate."

Oh, and does this face ever say "Mom, enough with the pictures!" or what?

She's growing up way too fast!

Amphibious Boomerang

2011-01-25T19:18:00.000-05:00

Millie has destroyed several toys within minutes of bringing them home - which is why I now have several brands that I will buy exclusively. Kong, Nylabone, ORKA and Chuckit all seem to hold up pretty well and be well liked by Millie.

When I saw this toy by Chuckit I couldn't resist - a boomerang, are you kidding me? We had to have it. It's actually designed to be a water toy & will float - but I thought the water resistant nature of it would make a great snow toy for outdoor games of fetch. It has been great.

Jane & Millie trying it out.

Millie LOVES it.

Gratuitous cute picture of Jane.

This dog LOVES the snow and she LOVES fetch.

Taking Jacob to School This Morning.

2011-01-24T11:48:00.002-05:00

Man, is it ever cold here!

Millie & Cody

2011-01-23T23:05:00.008-05:00

One of Millie's littermates (a brother) lives in Manhattan. They were born in Colorado & we live 30 minues away from each other - we HAD to make the most of that.

We got in touch & made a date to meet at the dog park on Sunday afternoon.

Millie has lots of "dog friends" in our neighborhood, but has never been to a dog park so I wasn't sure how she'd do. When we first arrived, this black & white dog kept bugging her & nipping at her - but I just watched and waited to see if she could work it out for herself (the other dogs owner never seemed to intervene, which is probably why he was like that.) Finally, it was my kids who stepped in. I think they were worried about her. I could tell the other dog wasn't really hurting her - more just bothering her. The kids started to put themselves in his way & then he left her alone.

Milli's brother is named Cody & he is delightful.

He was so much like Mille - only he's bigger because he's a boy!

Jane & Cody waiting for newcomers.

Jane & Cody wrestling - they really hit it off.

Millie (left) & Cody (right).

A kind lady offered to take a picture of all of us.

Cody

Cody, Emily & Millie.

It was seriously cold outside, so we stayed at the dog park for a little over an hour. Then Cody's super-nice "parents" asked if we would like to come back to their apartment, where they gave us hot chocolate & cookies (& homemade treats for the dogs.) Anyone who's lived in NY knows what a big deal it is to invite six people and their dog to your apartment, so we really appreciated it.

(Sorry, my camera is having flash issues - so this is a bad picture.)

Thanks for the fun play-date Cody! We had a great time.

We definitely plan on getting together (+ some other Entlebucher's we know) for a BBQ or something at our place in the spring!

Snuggle Buddies

2011-01-16T23:45:00.003-05:00

I am so glad that Jacob & Jane are so close. They really are great friends and it makes me so happy.

They love to "snuggle" at bedtime or while I am reading them their bedtime story. I hope they always stay this way & that Jake will always be "my boy" (as she used to call him) to Jane.

The Kings Speech

2011-01-15T16:54:00.000-05:00

We started hearing wonderful things about this movie as soon as it came out but we held off seeing it because it is R rated. I have seen & loved several R rated movies over the years (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Slumdog Millionaire, etc) but as a general rule I don't see them.

Then someone told us it was only R rated because of the string of swear words he lets loose (twice) in the movie & that we would know when it was coming.

Which was true (so you can plug your ears if you want to.)

I am so glad we went to see it - it really is a wonderful and inspiring story & another side to the whole "abdication of the throne" that I had only ever thought of as extremely romantic before and now maybe see as selfish and irresponsible.

Colin Firth - how could you not love any movie with Colin Firth in it? He is at his best here and Helena Bonham Carter & Geoffrey Rush also give marvelous performances.

Go see this if you can, you will leave feeling all warm & happy inside!

Groceries

2011-01-15T12:13:00.001-05:00

I was behind this guy in line at the grocery store.

I had to sneak a picture on my phone of what he was buying!

{iPhone photo}

Apparently a diet that consists of only cereal and coffee can give you quite the headache!

Snowmen Cake Pops

2011-01-14T21:14:00.029-05:00

Emily's birthday is always over the break, so I take in a treat for her class to celebrate her birthday in January each year.

The first Friday in January was a snow day, so I took in treats and a "healthy alternative" (required by the school) the second Friday back.

We decided to make snowman cake pops. I got the Bakerella cake Pop book a while back & we decided to try some out. They were fun and turned out pretty well (especially for our first shot). They were also super time consuming! I would only make them like this again for something special, like a birthday. Also, they really didn't taste all that great. I think I'll try experimenting with my own "from scratch" cake & frosting recipes to get a better taste. In the book she recommends getting the KopyKake edible pens to add faces. I ordered them especially and they were awful! They were totally dried out and it took me literally hours of re-capping, shaking & coaxing to get enough ink to make all their faces. In the future I'm going to use candy pieces or sprinkles or something for faces.

Still, they were cute, a big hit with Emily's 4th grade class and a really big hit with Emily!

Ready for transportation to school!

(Drive with one hand, balance cookie sheet on passenger seat with other.)

Cooking with Jane

2011-01-13T22:08:00.006-05:00

Jane loves to cook and I really enjoy having her cook with me. Of course, she mostly loves to make treats (who doesn't) but it's fun to work together.

We were making cake balls, which eventually turned into the "Snowman Pops" that I took in to Emily's class for her birthday celebration.

Playmates

2011-01-10T12:47:00.001-05:00

One of the reasons we got Millie this year (rather than next year as I had originally planned) was to be a playmate for Jane now everyone else is at school.

It has really worked out well. Jane loves to play with her and work on her training and Millie is super patient with Jane and has also learned that Jane is a great friend - because she is very generous with the dog treats!

They are great buddies!

Tired

2011-01-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

Jacob wakes up early. Really early - usually between 5:30am & 6am. He always has. I used to compensate by making sure he got to bed nice and early too, but now that he is in school and with after school activities (mostly Emily's swimming) we are often not home until later.

Tonight after dinner & baths I sat him at the table to do his homework and ran to pop Jane into bed.

I came back a few minutes later to find him like this. Out cold.

I'm working on ways to try & get him to sleep a bit later in the morning - so far all unsuccessful!

Not so fast .....

2011-01-08T22:18:00.001-05:00

January 7th 2011

I leave a comment on my friend Jen's blog telling her how great it is when your kids get a bit bigger & don't get into as much trouble. I reassure her that it will get easier over time.

January 8th 2011

Another snow day for the kids with no school. I get up with them & get them breakfast. It's coming down hard outside & I'm sure we won't be going anywhere for the day.

It's still dark outside (my kids get up early.) My bundle of blankets and cozy bed is calling to me. Rick had stayed home (working from home due to the weather) and is still in bed. I contemplate another hour of sleep snuggled up to Rick & decide to plop them in front of the TV for an hour.

One hour later ....

Emily wakes up & comes in to ask me if it's a snow day. I tell her yes, wake myself up and head downstairs. To quite the sight. Jacob & Jane have helped themselves to a little party from the food storage room and there were wrappers everywhere.

We had anticipated the snow day (due to dire storm warnings the night before) and I had told the kids before going to bed that we would spend the morning cleaning the house, but we could watch a movie and have popcorn in the afternoon. Jacob & Jane had decided to get a jump on the cleaning.

They had taken spray bottles of laundry stain remover and sprayed it on all the walls, the entire carpet, the glass patio doors, the silver picture frames, all the wooden closet doors, the TV .... you name it, it was covered in laundry spray (which, for the record is NOT easy to remove from non-laundry items.) No pictures of that - I was too mad to think of getting the camera!

Having emptied several full spray bottles all over the basement they had moved on to other endeavors.

This for instance.

It is a cup from their bath toys filled with water and over a dozen "pet jellyfish" aka my contact lenses. The brand new one's I'd just ordered. The picture is a little blurry - but I figured they'd added about $60 worth as their "pets."

They had also created an "arctic version." This is a glass filled with Oxyclean and water - and more contacts (see the semi transparent things sticking out from the side?) I don't know how many contacts they put in here - because the thing had set SOLID.

They were completely un-repentant and quite impressed with their work!

Needless to say, we all spent a long time cleaning that morning. Hopefully they learned their lesson.
Hopefully I learned my lesson too - it's never worth it to leave them unsupervised!

(You would really think I would have that one down by now.)

Boundaries

2011-01-08T12:32:00.006-05:00

Millie has a few boundaries in our house - she's not allowed up on furniture and she's not allowed in my office. I'm really pleased with how well she's learing them. She never jumps on furniture and I have been able to leave the gate open to my office lately and she will stop at it. She just sits there (or quietly lays down) and watches me.

{iPhone photo}

Good Dog!

Mannequin

2011-01-07T20:56:00.004-05:00

I was shopping with Jane in tow. She just happened to sit down like this next to the mannequin at LOFT.

I had to snap a picture!

{iPhone photo}

First Ski Day

2010-12-30T22:45:00.074-05:00

I had hoped for snow over the break so we could get out to ski - and my wish came true! In the car yesterday on our way bowling, I said "Tomorrow we'll go skiing, if I can get a sitter." In the backseat Jane started to cry & said "I wanted to come skiing too." Confused I replied "You are babe - you're a big girl now." Jane said "But, you said sitter." I had meant for the dog but she is so used to being left behind she assumed it was for her! She was pretty happy to hear that it was Millie who was staying home this time.

I did get a dog sitter for the day, so we all headed out this morning excited for our first day on the slopes of the 2010 - 2011 season.

Man I love to see this. My family probably don't understand how happy it makes me that we are all skiing together. Deliriously happy!

{iPhone photo}

Since there are 6 of us (a lovely even number & a reason I wanted 4 kids) we split up into the "buddy system." Rebekah and Emily went off to ski together, which was a little unnerving for me. Em has only ever skied with one of us or an instructor before - but she's pretty good now & we gave Bek the whole "protect your sister with your life" speech and sent them on their way. We just told them to meet us at the bottom of Nutmeg run at 4:30pm. They had a great day & Emily had a wonderful time skiing with Bek, she said it was more fun than skiing with me! Rude!

Rick & Jacob were buddies and set out to ski all the blue runs on the mountain together - which they accomplished. Rick reported that Jacob skied in his usual manner - the faster the better!

Guess who I got as my buddy? Little, cute Jane!

She was SOOOO excited to be my buddy. She skied 2 days on our trip to Utah last February, so I wasn't sure how she'd do on only her 3rd day skiing and after a 10 month break. I gave her a quick reminder pep-talk about "pizza" and slowing, stopping, turning & then let her go. I am a big believer in letting them go by themselves & don't think they gain anything by being held up & guided. Better to fall but learn and get your balance than go down a million times being 1/2 carried. Anyway, she did great! She has such a fierce independent spirit & always wants to keep up with the big kids, that she went right at it. She only fell a few times. She remembered how to stop and turn and was even lifting up the safety bar and getting her tips up to get off the lift by herself by the end of the day.

{iPhone photo}

This winter Jane & I will ski together one morning a week (which I previously did with Jacob) - to get her a lot of exposure & practice. Then, hopefully by next year we can all go together a little more.

Until then, I'm pretty content to be spending time on green runs with this little happy face!

{iPhone photo}

Things are looking good for this season. Hooray!

Gingerbread Houses

2010-12-18T22:30:00.066-05:00

Each year we love to decorate gingerbread houses. I used to make them - all big and fancy with stained "glass" windows. Then I got wise - all they care about it the decorating part of it. They don't really mind what the actual house is like. So now I buy the prepackaged one's. I hope one day to go back to making them myself - when the kids are bigger and I can have 2 minutes to myself to get them done! I have a secret desire to one day make a giant gingerbread castle & a whole village of little houses beneath it. Some day ..... for now, the kids just like having access to all that sugar!

This is a sight rarely seen at our place - and boy do they make the most of it!

Emily - really focused on her work.

One for the house, one for me .....

We were pretty sure Jane's goal was to load as much candy on as she possibly could.

Bek's snow covered roof & creation of icicles.

Rebekah molded a little dog (Millie) out of Starbursts. She said that she wished she'd done it all one color, but I thought it was wonderful!

Following her sister's lead, Emily made a molded Starburst snow bunny for her house.

I always think that the finished houses really show my kids personalities & style.

Rebekah's - kind of minimalist, and with something really creative that I wouldn't have ever thought of.

Emily's - really cute and carefully done. Makes you happy just looking at it.

Jacob's definitely shows his personality. I asked him if he wanted more frosting to add snow to the roof & ground around it & he said "It didn't snow here yet." When he stuck his guy on the side of the roof I asked why "He came out of the wrong secret passageway and almost fell of the roof ... but at least the crocodile didn't get him." (He later bit it's face off - and reported that it was an injury from the crocodile!) When the girls made cute animals, he made a rope for the guy to use to swing from the roof and escape. That's m'boy, doing his own thing & kind of in his own little adventure world.

Gotta love him!

Then there's our candy-a-holic Jane. She seemed to start off with a plan - but in the end just wanted to make sure that there was no candy left in the bowls or frosting in the bags - she just slapped as much as she could on that thing!

The kids get to eat them on New Year's Day!

Christmas Books

2010-12-12T14:00:00.023-05:00

I love traditions. I love Christmas traditions most of all - and this is one of my favorites. Each year on Christmas Eve the kids get to open one present after our dinner & program. It always contains new pajamas to wear to bed that night & a Christmas book.

When Rebekah was a baby one of the first traditions I implemented was to buy a new book each Christmas and to give it to her on Christmas Eve.

Years later when Emily was born I bought two copies of the same book and decided to put a bookplate with a message in it to each of them, which would also make sure their name was in it & they wouldn't get mixed up. That continued for several years - even until after I had Jane. I kind of thought that I would keep buying the kids each a copy of the same book and then when Bek left home I would buy the younger kids the one's I had bought for Bek before they were born....

Then a few years ago I thought to myself - "Am I not going to buy Bek books for Christmas Eve just because she turns 18? She's going to come home for Christmas & I'll have a book for the younger kids & not for her?" I realized that I would probably always carry on this tradition - eventually buying books to give to their families - to be read to my grandchildren. I also realized that our children were going to leave home and take most of our collection of Christmas books - why hadn't I been buying a copy of each for myself?

So I went back & ordered more of each of them - to ensure I had 5 copies of every book. One for each of the kids and one for us. It took some work (& I don't think Rick loved the credit card bill) but I got most of them. Now it's fair. They will all start their own families with a great collection of Christmas books - one's they will have enjoyed at each Christmas of their childhood.

I try to choose books that will be uplifting and teach them about Christ, goodwill to men, increase their Christmas Spirit, etc. But sometimes I just choose book that are fun. We read these each night in December. I count back & start to read them so we will read the last one on the 23rd and then they'll get the new one on the 24th. Only a couple more years & we'll have to start in November!

Here they are -

1993 – The Littlest Angel

I bought mostly because of the title. Rebekah was a baby - my little angel. It's the story of a little angel in heaven who wants to join the choir, but is not really such a good singer. Cute.

1994 – Wombat Divine
(Mem Fox)

Purchased for their Australian heritage! Actually who doesn't love Mem Fox? This is a really sweet story about Wombat trying to find a role in the nativity play where all the characters are Australian Bush animals.

1995 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
(Dr. Seuss)

I am actually not a big fan of Dr. Suess but who can resist the line

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Here's to hoping that this one will grow our hearts 3 sizes!

1996 – The Tale of the Three Trees
(Angele Elwell Hunt)

Definitely my biggest "crying" book. Actually, I am usually sobbing so hard by the end of this one that I have to have one of the girls finish reading it for me. This year Bek read it and also got teary - I warned her she's on the path to being as weepy as me!

A really beautiful story which is also appropriate for Easter.

Every home should have this book.

1997 – When Jesus was Born In Bethlehem
(Joseph Brickey)

Scriptural text of the Nativity with Beautiful illustrations. Also a big "crying" book for me. (Crying when reading their books is another of my Christmas traditions.)

1998 – The Last Straw
(Frederick H. Thury)

A story of a camel who is chosen to carry the Wise Men's gifts to Bethlehem. The camel is boastful about his strength. Along the way people add to his burden and ask him to take their gifts too. Right as he arrives at the stable he falls on his knees because he is too laden down. Others follw his example and kneel before the Baby. Then he realizes that he has been proud and is humbled. A cute and simple story for small children - can lead into a great discussion about why we give gifts at Christmas.

This one I could not find anywhere, I think it's probably out of print - so we only have one copy of it.

1999 – The Nativity
(Mem Fox & Julie Vivas)

The only thing better than Mem Fox books are Mem Fox books that have been illustrated by Julie Vivas. Lovely illustrations with more or less scriptural text for the Nativity story. Illustrations of the Infant Jesus that will melt your heart. (I frequently also cry in this one.)

2000 – The Polar Express
(Chris Van Ahlsburg)

The classic. The bookplate for this one says that we hope they always "Hear the bell." I love Santa & that magical (too fleeting) part of childhood and that this book celebrates it.

2001 – The Legend of the Candy Cane
(Lori Walburg)

The storyline for this book seems to me to be a bit contrived (there are several others in this series that I have not bought because of that.) However, it has sweet sentiments (no pun intended), is one of Emily's favorites and the kids enjoy it each year.

2002 – Christmas Day in the Morning
(Pearl S. Buck)

Another "cryer" for me. A beautiful story about a son who gives service to his Dad on Christmas morning and learns more about giving and the true spirit of the season. I used this one for a Family Home Evening lesson on service this year. We are trying hard to scale back our Christmas and give service to those we love. We also decided as a family to ask for mosquito nets to be donated to children in Africa instead of gifts for ourselves from all our extended family (cousins, Grandparents, etc.) The kids gave ME a gift by readily agreeing to that idea. This is a wonderful book to help teach the joy of service.

2003 – The Christmas Candle
(Richard Paul Evans)

This is a "Christmas Carol-esque" story of a young man who learns compassion for others on his journey home for Christmas with his family through a special candle. My kids like it and it does give a good message of "love thy neighbor." I get a sense that the author was trying hard to make it meaningful yet the story seems to me to be underdeveloped.

2004 – Snowmen at Night
(Caralyn Buehner)

Comes in the "fun" category. A whimsical story of what snowmen get up to while we are sleeping! My kids love this book and search each illustration to see all the mischief & mayhem of the individual snow people and find the hidden pictures in illustrations. Then when our snowman looks a little "worse for wear" in the mornings we know what he's been up to!

2005 – A Christmas Dress for Ellen
(Thomas S. Monson)

It's the true story of a family so poor, they will not only be unable to provide Christmas for their children but are also continually cold and hungry with a bleak winter in front of them. One daughter (Ellen) hopes for a dress. In the end the love & service of family members & the mailman save the family. I love this one - but have to be careful. It can prompt questions about why Santa didn't just bring them what they need. There are a few years (around ages 7 - 8 or 9) when my kids get "cluey" enough that I skip reading this one for a while.

2006 – The Innkeeper’s Wife
(Lynda M. Wilson)

The story of the Nativity told from the point of view of Hannah, the innkeepers wife as she takes pity on the young couple in need & helps them. The story ends with Luke stopping at the Inn many years later and Hannah relating the story to him - he then saying he will tell it to all the world. It's a sweet book.

2007 - The Gift of the Magi
(O. Henry)

I have loved this story since I was a little girl - so ironically tragic, yet so beautiful. If you happen not to know it, I won't give the ending away - but go get it!

Set at Christmastime, a lovely tale of a couple's love & devotion to each other.

2008 – Christmas in New York / The Other Wise Man

I got 2 books in 2008. It had been 10 years since Bek & I moved to New York & we all became a family, so I wanted something about New York, hence the pop-up book. It shows many of the places we love to visit during Christmastime in New York.

The pop-up book is fun, but not really a story so I also got another tale I have loved for years. "The Other Wise Man" was originally written in 1896 and is the story of Artaban one of the Magi who sells everything he owns to buy 3 jewels to give to the Christ child. On the way he stops to help an injured man. It takes 33 years and all his jewels before he finds his King.

This is an abbreviated version of the story. When my little kids are older, I'd love to get the full version for them all.

2009 – God Bless Your Way
(Emily Freeman)

A weary old man (Micah) travels to Bethlehem and sees Mary & Joseph along the way. Once he reaches Bethlehem he also finds there is no-where to stay. The innkeepers wife gives him a blanket and a poor family gives him some bread. He then comes across the stable with Mary, Joseph & the Newborn Jesus. They invite him in and he gives them the bread & blanket. For some reason I find this story really touching. That those with almost nothing to give (the Innkeepers wife, the family, then Micah himself) gave what little they could. Also, the illustrations of the baby Jesus are just beautiful.

2010 – The Mitten
(Jan Brett)

SSShhhhhh - don't tell my kids that this is the book for this year. Not really a Christmas story as much as a winter one, but one that is beloved by our family. We love all of Jan Brett's books and she made a visit to Emily's school last year - so now Em in particular loves her even more. We love Jan's beautiful illustrations, not to mention I fully plan on being a Grandma who knits mittens for her grandchildren!

I have list of a few that I plan on getting in the future - for example the full version of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol", and I'd love to find one that is out of print called "A Night Without Darkness; A Nephite Christmas Story." I often keep my eyes out just after Christmas for books on sale. I always get a nice hardcover book for these and have often got them just after Christmas for a deal & put them away for the next year.

What are your favorite Christmas books? I'm always on the lookout for new great one's.

Swim Across America 2010

2010-07-31T23:00:00.003-04:00

Emily swam in Swim Across America again this year.

We kind of decided to make it "our charity." It makes sense - my kids are all swimmers and Rick's Mom lost her battle to cancer a few years ago. We are pleased to be able to raise money for cancer research and to support cancer patients.

We have to get to the pool early. They start at 6:30am.

She likes to mix it up and do freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke ... I did talk her out of doing any butterfly. Seriously, you don't have to make it too hard on yourself Em!

Here she is after a backstroke flip turn.

I love to see her like this, she is such a beautiful swimmer!

I did it!

This is how she looks after swimming a mile?!

I am hauling myself out gasping for breath after a dozen laps!

She was happy to be #14. That's her Dad's number.

The swimmers can all sign a big banner and dedicate their swim to someone. Emily dedicated her swim to her Grandma.

We are so proud of you Emily and we know Grandma is too!

Fetch

2010-07-26T23:54:00.001-04:00

What I am doing at night when the kids are in bed (and I really should be doing laundry!)

Really, I could play with her forever! We went for a 45 minute walk right before this, but I needed to let her really burn off some energy as she was in her crate a lot today (2 swim practices & a swim meet!)

We got this new ball today that she really likes. It's lighter than a tennis ball and that seems to help. I am also "trading" her a piece of kibble for the ball when I say "drop it."

Still shooting myself, and the light isn't great (since the 3 little monkeys were in bed.)

Maybe I'll have Emily take some video of us in the next day or so. It's still cutting off the right side of the video (even though I used YouTube to upload instead of Yahoo video.) Anyone know why?

Or how to fix it?

Millie's Training.

2010-07-25T21:51:00.004-04:00

I have been having issues loading video to blogger.

I have wasted literally HOURS on trying to figure it out. I kind of wish I had never updated to the new version ....

I have more to post about the kids and Millie - but thought I'd just try this to see if it works. It's not good quality video. Rick is in Chicago & Bek is in Costa Rica, so I am shooting myself - wobbly when I move & praise her!

Millie is doing VERY well with her training. She can -

come

sit

down

wait

let's go (leaving from wait)

OK (release word from wait)

walk beautifully right beside me on a leash

We're working on -

stay

leave it

drop it

fetch

We're still having a bunch of issues with her biting the kids. I am hoping that a lot of it will go away when her baby teeth fall out (which I think I read is at 3 months??) For now, I just have to be super on the ball with watching her & giving her a correction - and protecting them.

If you notice in the video, when I say her name she sits. It's been great - as soon as she knows I want something from her, she sits and watches me. She is really eager to please and likes "working". She is a super smart dog - really, she's only 11 weeks old and has already learned so much.
I am SO in love with her!

Since I made this video I have taken her out the door a few times without saying either "sit" or "wait" and she has done both - which is of course, our end goal. As Cesar would say "An open door doesn't mean go out, you have to be invited." She really is a wonderful puppy!

The Chronicles of Narnia

2010-07-06T12:55:00.008-04:00

Rebekah and I read " The Chronicles of Narnia" when she was 5 1/2 & 6 years old. I adore these books and planned to read them to all my kids around the same age. Fast forward a few years to when Emily was 5 & 6 and find me having 2 babies in a year and a half and super busy ... we just didn't get to them.

She has been begging me to read them to her and I keep putting her off. We read the Roald Dahl series (I adore them too - I am currently reading "The BFG" to J&J) and then a few others and Anne of Green Gables .... but we somehow never seem to get around to Lewis' books and that makes me sad.

So, this summer (as we have been making our summer goals), she asked if she could read them as one of her educational goals. She's a fast reader, she loves to read, I know she could probably finish the series in a week. Reading 7 books is a great educational goal. One way or another, Emily will have read those books before the end of summer. So my problem is twofold & I need input from you;

(1) I wanted to read them to her. To share that experience & give her that memory with me. I can only read a chapter a night and we won't get though them nearly as fast ... so what do you think I should do? Let her read them by herself or make her read them with me? OR read a chapter a night with me and read on by herself during the day. That would be disjointed for me, but I think I could remember them well enough to do it.

(2) Whether we read together or another way - which order should we read them in? I was a purist when I read them with Bek and we read them in chronological order. However, there are good arguments for reading them in published order, or at least reading "The Lion" first and then going in chronological order after that (which is how I originally read them as a child)?

How have you read them? What do you recommend?

Publication order	Chronological order	Written order	Final Completion order
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	The Magician's Nephew	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	Prince Caspian	Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader	The Horse and His Boy	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair	Prince Caspian	The Horse and His Boy	The Horse and His Boy
The Horse and His Boy	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader	The Silver Chair	The Silver Chair
The Magician's Nephew	The Silver Chair	The Magician's Nephew	The Last Battle
The Last Battle	The Last Battle	The Last Battle	The Magician's Nephew

I am probably making too big a deal of this but there are several books, or series of books, that are on my "My-kids-must-read-because-it-will-impact-their-lives-for-good" list and these are definitely on that list. Also, I feel pretty guilty that she hasn't read them yet & she's already 9!

Please weigh in & help us make our decision!

* (Book order chart from Wikipedia)

Loving life with Rebekah, Emily, Jacob & Jane.

Words to Live By.

Cub Scout Craft

Thankful Turkey

Google, You Tube and Jacob.

The Day My Son Became a Republican.

Swim Across America

Toothless

Mystic Aquarium

Jane's Pre-Team Meet

Jane's Butterfly

Jane's Backstroke

Last Summer Meet

Summer Laundry

Pioneer Day 2011

Summer Swimming

Small Garden

Butterflies

Why I Buy Sidewalk Chalk

Lacrosse

Emily's Shopping Trip

Memorial Day

Dessert

Hooray!

In the Car

Our "House"

Parenting Moments They Never Tell You About.

Weak at the Knees.

Stopping for Light Bulbs.

Tonights Dishes

Egg Dying

Infinite Variety

Origami

Jane's Primary Talk

Reading Together

Who Has The Sweetest Husband Ever?

Absence Makes the Heart.....

Kindergarten Valentine Party

Valentine's Dinner

Emily in the kitchen

Valentine Lollipops

Superbowl

Snuggle Buddies - Part 2.

Snow Day # 1,267 ...........

Still Winter Here ....

ICE

Battle Gear

More Snowy Fun

Another Snow Day

Hot Chocolate

Amphibious Boomerang

Taking Jacob to School This Morning.

Millie & Cody

Snuggle Buddies

The Kings Speech

Groceries

Snowmen Cake Pops

Cooking with Jane

Playmates

Tired

Not so fast .....

Boundaries

Mannequin

First Ski Day

Gingerbread Houses

Christmas Books

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Swim Across America 2010

Fetch

Millie's Training.

The Chronicles of Narnia

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”