Hot Tubbin' with Roo

One day I was about to wipe Andrew down after dinner when I realized something. First I realized a wash cloth would not do justice to the mess he had created. He was definitely going to need a bath, after the graham cracker facial and shampoo he had created. I also realized he was smaller than the other kids were when they were in the "smear food in the hair" stage. The sink was already empty of the dinner dishes, so I decided to see if I could give him a quick dip in the sink, like when he was younger, instead of bending over into the bathtub. He loved it. It was strange to have such a small baby sitting up in the sink. I am usually past bathing a child in the sink, long before they know how to sit up. I thought my plan was genius and was looking forward to many more nights of bathing him in the sink when I was suddenly reminded of one minor detail.

Andrew is not a newborn baby. Not only can he sit up in the sink, he can splash a lot of water out of the sink, enough to thoroughly soak, me and dump standing water on the kitchen floor. So although he loved splashing in the sink, I realized this would be the last time I bathed him there. Timmy solidified my decision, when he walked into the kitchen and saw Andrew. He squealed with delight, and proceeded to begin to strip himself down, under the false impression that I was going to allow my almost 2 year old to jump naked in my kitchen sink. Now there is no doubt in my mind, this really was Andrew's last kitchen sink bath.

All Wrapped Up!

This year there will not be a lot of presents under the tree. That's OK though because we are going to have a great Christmas! I am really excited. Santa let me know that he thinks he has the perfect plan for our family this year. Even though there will not be a lot to unwrap on Christmas, the kids will have plenty of opportunity to open presents, they get one each night in fact.

I saved all the Christmas books that we have and packed them away last year with all the decorations. Now we have over 30, so it is plenty to let the kids unwrap one or two books each night and then we read them before bed. It is a fun way to change up bedtime a little. My original plan was to have all the books wrapped and countdown until Christmas. But I tried on multiple occasions to go wrap the books and with Timmy and Andrew's help it has not gone well.

So instead the box of books is in our bedroom and each night Jeff slips in and wraps a book quickly while we are getting ready for bed. It's probably better this way, I am sure that if Timmy found a stack of wrapped books they would all be unwrapped fairly quickly.

The kids love unwrapping a book together and then I read it while Jeff brings around the medicine and vitamins. We have read classics like "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and "The Nutcracker" and we have read silly ones like "Olive the other Reindeer" and "The NutQuacker".

We even have some of the touch and feel books like, "Santa's Suit", and "How to Build a Snowman", so Timmy and Andrew have had fun, too.

But Timmy likes the wrapping paper as much as the books. One day when Jeff was on the phone with me he snapped this picture of Timmy wrapping himself and Andrew in the wrapping paper that we are using to wrap the books.

Sick Kids

The last couple weeks were very busy. I have had all of my kids sick within the same few days, but this is the first time I have had four children all sick at the exact same moment. Sam had double ear infections, Andrew had RSV (or some random respiratory issue that acted like it), we didn't actually run the test to know that for sure. But he was using the nebulizer every few hours. Timmy had issues with the tubes that were recently put in his ears, and he threw up. So he had to have ear drops in his ears which suprisingly he cooperated with, and was unexpected for a toddler. Nathan was recovering from an asthma attack and had a bit of a cold but didn't miss any school.



But worst of all was Cori. She has never been as sick as she was last week. She missed a full week of school (from Weds-Weds.) She had a high fever for 6 straight days. We kept her on ibuprophen and tylenol round the clock and her fever still remained between 101-105. It was awful. I found my self running from child to child, and there was no chance of keeping the house remotely clean. I have never seen Cori so weak, she just layed there and moaned. She couldn't keep food down and horrible stomach pains. I hated not being able to help her.



Thankfully we have an amazing doctor/friend who made repeated house calls both by phone and in person. But he does put us in a difficult postion. What can I possibly to do to thank someone who does so much for our family? On Sunday he came and drew Cori's blood for some lab work that needed to be done. He let her lay in her own bed while he did it, so that we would not have to take her out in the cold to the hospital. (and he was really good, it went fast with only one poke and no bruising). A plate of cookies just doesn't cut it. He is the best doctor I have ever worked with, and he goes so much beyond the call of duty. And his wife does so much for me on top of what he does, I have no chance of repaying all of their kindness.

I'm Back!

I have missed blogging about so many things. Our computer is working again. I am not sure what changed but I am glad because there is no way we were going to be able to get a new one. I don't really know how long this is going to last, but I will take it while I can get it. With our luck it will break down completly the same day our van dies, which should be any day now. Anyway, I am not sure how much backblogging I will do, but I will try to update everyone (Like all five of you out there who read it).



** I was working on this blog entry and a couple others when the computer died, I am just going to post them as is today, weeks later, before my computer dies again.

Our Computer Died

I had so many entries I wanted to make while still in November. Last week was a crazy week and lots happened. A week ago Sunday, Jeff taught his newly learned turkey craft to his kids and nephews at my sister's house. Monday was conferences for all three older kids, it was hectic and busy but everyone's conference went well. Both Monday and Tuesday, I spent the evenings volunteering at the school Book Fair. Then we were out of town for thanksgiving. While in the cities, Cori lost her tooth after biting into an oreo truffle. Jeff and I were able to spend the morning in the temple on Saturday. We also went to a fabulous play at the Guthrie (the best theatre in the world!). Everyone is sick. We still put up the Christmas tree last night, along with decorations. Tonight we will begin the first day of unwrapping a Christmas book each night to read each night between now and Christmas.
Unfortunately I will not be able to blog or post pictures of these events. Our computer died. I hope we will be able to get it to work. Right now I am using the old laptop to post this. It is extremely slow and too tedious for me to take the time to make blog entries, let alone download pictures. Hopefully I will at some point be able to come back and expound upon the previous things mentioned. And I will hope things will be working so I can blog about upcoming exciting events. The older three have a dance recital this week, Cori's class play is next week, Andrew has learned to scoot from room to room to add to the mischief of his partner in crime. And much, much more.
But I guess for now I will have to take a break from posting.

Sam's Program

Sam, of course, stole the show yet again. He is so cute!!! The kids were able to dance however they wanted during the chorus part of one of the songs. Sam had a complete "Mr. Cool" look on his face as he disco danced his way through. His rhythm was absolutely dead on, and he did awesome. Both teachers commented on what a great kid he is and how they love having him in class. Sure, I know preschool teachers are paid to tell parents how brilliant their children are, but they really meant it. Sam is a great kid to sit and have a conversation with, and he can be quite the charmer. he knew all the words and actions to every song and performed quite well. Of course, it was also fun to see all of Sam's friends up there with him. Some of them were in Cori's class last year, most of them were in Sam's last year, and it is fun to see all of them grow up so much in such little time. I did not get any good pictures during the program but Sam posed for me afterwards ,and he and Ava stopped for a picture. Next year Sam will be in kindergarten and Ava will still be in preschool, I must say it is sort of difficult to imagine them not in the same class, they have been best buddies for over half their lifetime now. They are so cute together.

Afterwards Ava came over to play for awhile and they discussed yet again their wedding plans. They have gotten quite a few details nailed down. They are going to get married in the temple, and have a reception on a boat (just like Bonnie's wedding). Sam is going to dance with Ava. They are also going stand in front of everyone (boys on one side of the room and girls on the other) while holding hands and sing a song to everyone. At Ava's request Sam promised that he would not kiss her in front of her dad (that would just be to weird). It was so fun to listen to all of their plans. They are so cute together, as Jeff pointed out it will be sadder than Kevin and Winnie, when/ if they go their separate ways.

**Note in the picture that Ava's arm around Sam (that was not posed I promise!) She did that on her own.

Fall Program Turkey Craft

The preschool here has a wonderful way of dealing with all the chaos that insues from having a million different Christmas concerts and activities that a family has to run to each year. They don't have a Christmas program. It is a christian based preschool, and they do teach about actual Christmas, not Santa. But as for a program of any kind they moved it up and we have a Fall Program instead. They do halloween and thanksgiving songs. It is super cute and has been a great way to kick off the holiday season each year as it is always the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Cori attended Sunny Days for two years, and Sam is in his second year. That means this was our fourth Fall program that we have attended. I love them, they are super cute and the teachers are great. They always end with the kids each making a crafty snack to share with their parent or visitor. They also do a craft type thing at the spring graduation program. We have attended 3 of those at Sunny Days. So if you are keeping track that means Jeff and I have now attended 7 parent programs at Sunny Days. This does not include Nathan's preschool class programs or all the ECFE class things that I did when we had just three kids. So you can imagine we have had plenty of practice going to these. Never the less we had a break through today. I was holding/wrestling Timmy and that left Jeff to help with the craft portion of the program. He is a very patient father and has attempted many of these crafts without much success. Even today Jeff had to hand over the plastic glove that was supposed to be turned into a turkey by helping children add tissue paper to each finger and the body filled with popcorn. Still continuing to be a good sport he helped Sam fill his plate with the items to make the Turkey Treat out of oreo cookies, candy, and frosting. To my surprise he managed to put it together and it looked quite similar to the example turkey. I was so proud that he has come so far in his preschool craft making ability. We were sure to show Mrs. Larson and she congratualted him on a job well done. Jeff was so pleased he took a picture so I could blog about it. It was sturdy enough to make it all the way home!

Nathan's Homework

Sometimes when Jeff is helping Nathan with his math homework, Jeff has to have me help instead. It is not that Jeff can't do second grade math, it is just that Jeff doesn't always understand what the teacher is asking. I think the course of "Math for Elementary" has come in handy because up until now I have still been able to get not only what the teacher is teaching but how the teacher is teaching it. Yesterday was the first day I had to look up a definition in order to help Nathan, I am sure it will not be the last time I will need to study myself in order to check a child's home work.

The question was "What is this shape called? Give two reasons why." Jeff had no problem identifying the shapes (obviously). But to Jeff, the second part of the problem seemed a little silly. "It is just the way it is." As I discussed with Nathan the possible answers, let's use a triangle as the example. We all know what a triangle looks like, but what are the reasons that make a shape able to be classified as such. I pointed out that it had no curves, three sides, and three angles. Nathan wrote down "3 vertices". Now I figured he was probably right, because I can't imagine where he would have come up with and spell correctly the word "vertices" if he had not learned it in math class. I knew that "vertex" was a point when graphing, so I assumed that there was a connection there. But I knew that the definition did not come quickly to my mind so I had to look it up and then check with Nathan. I asked Nathan what the word "vertices" meant, he explained it was the points on a plane shape (or shape's that were flat). He said it was plural for "vertex". I am sure I knew all of that once, it sounds vaguely familiar. He was so proud when he realized I was not asking to quiz him, but for my own understanding. He told me I could blog about how he knew something I didn't know, so I snapped this picture and promised I would blog.

Blog Stalker

I thought I would give my own definition of a "blog stalker" as referred to in the Seven Things post. A blogstalker is someone who is reading my blog without commenting or following my blog. I am doing this blog as more of a family journal and it is more for my own use than anyone else's enjoyment. Even still, I can't help but wonder who is actually reading my blog since I rarely get comments. (Thanks to those that do acknowledge!)

I am guilty of doing the same as I blog hop, I find myself reading blogs of cousins, friends, or random person connected to someone I know. I feel silly leaving a comment, but I am still curious enough to read their blog. If you have found my blog from a random connection please leave a comment. Although the blog is more of a personal family journal and I am not writing it for anyone but me, I would love to know who is reading it. Maybe that is hypocritical expecting others to comment on my blog when I do not reciprocate but it is my blog, so there!

Seven Things

Seven things to do before I die:


1. Finish my College Degree
2. Travel to Fiji
3. See a show on Broadway
4. Go to a fancy spa and have everything done (facial, eyebrows, massage, and I don’t even know what all I would do)
5. Finish each child’s baby book
6. Go to Disney World (preferably with my children when they are still little)
7. Become a grandma (I know this is a long way off, but hopefully my death is a long way off, too!)


Seven things I cannot do:
1. Make apple pie as good as my mother
2. Keep caught up on the laundry
3. Hit or catch a baseball (I’m trying!)
4. Shuffle Cards
5. Knit or Crochet (I’ve tried but I can’t get my fingers to work)
6. Lose enough weight
7. Get enough sleep


Seven things that attracted me to my spouse:
1. He’s kind to everyone
2. His kiss
3. He's really smart
4. He thinks I am really smart
5. He was so easy to date, because he played no games.
6. His commitment to the same standards that I wanted in my life
7. He makes me smile


Seven things I say most often:
1. Seriously.
2. . . . kind of a thing
3. You know what I’m sayin’?
4. Do you need to lose a privilege?
5. It’s time to clean up.
6. Do you know where I put my keys?
7. My kids are so stinkin’ cute!


Seven books I love:
1. The Scriptures
2. Harry Potter
3. The Giver
4. Gathering Blue
5. The Golden Goose
6. Spoon River Anthology
7. Much Ado About Nothing (technically this is a play)

Seven movies I could watch over and over again:
1. Princess Bride
2. The Truman Show
3. Ever After
4. Star Wars
5. Mary Poppins
6. Monsters Inc.
7. Ella Enchanted

Seven people I'm tagging:
1. Melissa
2. Nancy
3. Jessica
4. Emma
5. Lori
6. Stefany
7. You (Blog Stalker)

"Song for a Fifth Child"

I stole this poem from my sister's blog. I absolutely love it. The end part of the poem I have had memorized since I was quite young. My mom had it embroidered and hanging in our home as far back as I can remember. But Jessica found the rest of the poem. It is so fitting for our own little Roo!

"Song for a Fifth Child"

Mother, oh Mother,come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't (his) eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs.Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Gratitude

Every Tuesday night we feed the missionaries. I figure that if I make sure another mother's son is getting fed every week, then hopefully someone else will return the favor with each of my four boys in 13-20 years. The set of Elders we have right now are really good guys. The kids enjoy having guests for dinner as well. During dessert each week the missionaries like to share a message. It is usually very short and adds a positive spirit in our home. Then we end with a prayer and send them on their way. This week their message included a challenge. They talked about how as we are nearing thanksgiving we have a great opportunity to make ourselves aware of many of the blessings the Lord has blessed us with. They challenged us to make a list and to share with our family and friends the fact that we are grateful to our God in Heaven for the many things he has given us. Next Tuesday, after dinner we will discuss with them the list we have made. I thought this would be a great place to post my list. I am aware that my Heavenly Father has blessed me in more ways than I can possibly imagine or list, but here are some of the things that I have recognized.

Our Eternal Family(Not only our marriage, but each child that has come into our family)

The Temple

A Home (especially in these economic times)

Jeff's Job (it's frustrating at times, but we are glad he is employed)

Good Health (this includes having access to the best doctor and Nathan's improved health)

Scriptures (the actual books and family scripture reading time each night before bed)

Primary Songs

Our Prophet and inspired leaders to help guide us as we try to become more like the Savior

Extended Family that is such a great support (parents, siblings, grandparents, and many more)

The Morgan Family (They really are dear friends and amazing people, and have helped us numerous times)

The Phelps Family (The originals and their "replacements")

Countless others that have touched our lives

The opportunities that have helped Jeff gain his educational degrees

A New Church Building (and a country that allows us the freedom to worship in it)

My Children's Teachers - All three of the older children have great teachers this year. It brings such peace of mind when you send your child into another's care that you trust.

My Freezer- This is an example of my Heavenly Father's individual concern and love for me. When I found out I was expecting a fifth child, I was really concerned with how I would handle everything. One of the concerns I had as I prayed was how I would even keep food in the house, it was getting more and more difficult to go grocery shopping, and I couldn't even complete a simple task such as keeping enough bread in the house for a week. We looked at our finances and as much as I wanted a freezer we could not find a way to afford it. Then a friend of my mom's who was moving asked my mom if one of her kids could use a freezer because they would not be moving it. I know my freezer was an answer to the plea of a discouraged mother, and I am grateful that Heavenly Father hears my prayers even when it is as strange of a request as a giant freezer.

There are a million more things but if I waited until I had time to post them all then this would not ever get posted.

Little Roo sits up!

It was very tricky to get a picture of this because he kept waving his hands in excitement, so every picture was blurry. I had just finished stripping him down from a major blow-out, and was going to get him some clean clothes. Next thing I know he is sitting there waving a clean wipe at me! Yay Andrew!!!!!!! (The little girl in the background is the adorable and oh so sweet Ava, Sam's friend)

Our Family's Birthday

Today is our wedding anniversary. We plan to postpone having a date for when we are in the cities for Thanksgiving. That way we will be near decent restaurants (that won't bake my salad), and have access to a babysitter. We still planned to celebrate our family's birthday.

We have explained to our kids that our anniversary is the day of the year we celebrate the beginning of our family sort of like a birthday of our family. So I bought some fun sparkling drinks and picked out a family favorite for dinner, that way we could have a happy family meal with no complaining. I planned to make chicken fajitas, and my fresh garden salsa with chips. I was also going to make a treat of some kind. I was going to mop the floor and and have the kitchen spotless.

Nine years ago today, we started our family and it certainly has changed and grown over the years. I can't say that life is at all how I would have thought it would be. Really, I look back and realize that I am quite lucky. I had no clue what was headed our way. However I did one thing very right, and that is marry the most wonderful guy on the planet. There was no way for me to possibly imagine how much more I could love Jeff now then I did nine years ago. At the time I loved him with my whole heart so the idea of more love was impossible to imagine. But in the time we have been married, Jeff has been able to step up and prove himself as the best father and husband imaginable on multiple occasions. From getting up with sick children, to helping an over emotional tired pregnant wife, he has been amazing. I can't even list all the ways he has been there for me. No matter how tired or sick he is; he always manages to put the kids and me first. He is kind and caring, soft-spoken and has integrity like few I've met. He is committed to our Heavenly Father, and keeps me grounded. And after nine years he can still make me laugh.

Once when we were in school in Utah I was chatting with a friend and she explained to me that she loved her husband even more now that he was a father. She said that her son Tyler had been up all night with the flu and she was pregnant so her husband took care of their toddler and cleaned up the messes, even though he had class to get to the next morning. I have to admit at the time I found it funny that she could say she loved her husband even more because he cleaned up vomit. Obviously this was conversation was pre-children. For now I know exactly what she means.

Jeff and I may not have the money we thought we would by now. I don't have the college degree I planned on having years ago. Our house is smaller, and a little more cluttered, and a lot noisier then I imagined. Our location is definitly not ideal, but even with so many things not as imagined I am so grateful. We may not have the picture perfect suburbia life we imagined but we have something else. We have absolutely proven ourselves to each other that we will love each other even though life is hard. We enjoy each anniversary even though none have been a picture perfect anniversary (although anniversary #5 was really nice). He is still my very best friend, and I trust him complety.

So I planned a fun family dinner and pictured us sitting there eating by candle light in a perfectly cleaned kitchen and telling them all about how much we loved our wedding day. Our family anniversary celebration is not happening as planned. I was sick this morning and was finally starting to feel better this afternoon and hoped I would pull something together, but when I brought Cori home from school, she began throwing up all over the driveway. So things are not going as planned. And to top it off, Jeff is working late. He told me not to worry about dinner or the state of the house. He would pick something up and be here to help as soon as he can. I really love that guy!

Brothers

I know I have mentioned Timmy's love of food quite a bit. I should point out that there is one thing he loves more, and that is his little brother Andrew. They are absolutely adorable. Timmy completely dotes on Andrew. He brings him anything the baby could possibly need. Timmy say Hi and talks to him all the time. Timmy loves to hold Andrew, and lately Timmy's favorite game is to lay on the floor and pat his stomach until I lay Andrew on top of Timmy. Timmy then "wrestles" with Andrew. Timmy is very careful and gentle, and Andrew gets a fit of giggles over the whole thing. Andrew really reciprocates Timmy's love. Andrew has big smiles for Timmy and you can tell he truly loves his big brother. Andrew's face lights up when Timmy pays attention to him.

Yesterday morning I was playing with Timmy and Andrew was watching. I realized Andrew was completely thrilled to just watch the enjoyment on Timmy's face. There was not a hint of jealousy. I felt a little guilty that I had just left Andrew on the floor and that my focus had been purely on Timmy, so I switched and began playing peek-a-boo with Andrew. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Timmy's reaction. He was just as thrilled to watch Andrew get the attention. He began to play peek-a-boo with Andrew as well. The two of them are amazing, they are happy by the mere fact that the other is happy.

When it was time to go pick Sam up from preschool, I began to get Andrew ready. Timmy bought the car seat over, as well as Andrew's blanket. When Andrew was all buckled in, Timmy crouched down like he does almost every time and gave Andrew a kiss. Words really cannot describe how adorable they are.

Andrew and Timothy, if years from now you are reading this, I want you to remember something. Timmy, your life was not complete until you could fill the role of big brother. Something changed in you the day Andrew was born. I know you were just a baby, but you were different from that day on, you were happier, and you loved Andrew more than anything. It was as if you had just been waiting for him to join you on this earth. And Andrew, your big brother was the world to you, you admired and looked up to him even as a baby. Every sound you made, and thing you have learned, like scooting, waving, playing with toys, has come as you have tried to be more like Timmy. I know that eventually an argument or jealousy will come, and I will be sad when it happens. But I want the two of you to remember that you were meant to come to this earth so close together for a reason. I can't claim to know all the reasons, but I think one reason is because you two were meant to be as close as brothers come. You wouldn't be who you are without your brother.

Breakfast

Growing up in my house we did not eat a ton of cold cereal. And I can honestly say I have still never eaten Lucky Charms. I actually haven't eaten cocoa krispies or any chocolate variety and the idea of fruity pebbles makes me cringe. The most sugary cereal I will eat is Honey Nut Cheerios, and I prefer to eat it in the evening. It seems odd I know, I have no problem having a slice of leftover birthday cake, or on an ideal and rare morning a slice of my mom's apple pie. (By the way, my mom makes the best apple pie on the planet.) So I know it is not the dislike of sugar in the morning. Growing up eating oatmeal and cream of wheat for breakfast, we had a layer of brown sugar on our cereal. And I still love a bowl of hot cereal (except ralston - I will never like ralston!) If my dad was home he would often cook up eggs and toast for breakfast. When I was in high school, I did not like the idea of fried eggs at 5:00 in the morning. I attended early morning seminary and that meant an early morning breakfast. Now I love my dads eggs and toast but then I avoided it. Most mornings consisted of a piece of toast and a glass of orange juice, although if given the opportunity I have and will always prefer leftovers for breakfast.



We had a family rule that if you dished up your plate at dinner, you had to finish what you ate. There was no wasting food. If you did not eat it at dinner, it was wrapped up and saved for whenever you decided you were ready to eat. I think the goal of this rule was to teach us to not waste food, and learn to dish out appropriate amounts. I think some of the kids may have hated this rule ,because if they didn't want to eat the food for dinner, they certainly would not enjoy it for breakfast. I, on the other hand, loved this rule. I would heap large amounts of my favorite dish, more than I could possibly eat, and that way I claimed the leftovers for myself, and could enjoy them for breakfast hassle free. After nine years, I think Jeff is finally getting used to my unusual breakfasts.



My children have not inherited my love of leftovers, except Timmy who loves food all time of the day and night. They have inherited Jeff's love of cold cereal. They want a bowl every morning and every night, and if they could they would eat it for lunch and dinner as well. As a general rule I don't purchase sugary cereal. My cupboard is stocked with Life, Rice Chex, Cheerios, and Kix. I had actually never even tried Life until we had been married for a few years. Sugar cereals still appear in our cupboards though. I might cave if there is a really good sale, and if Jeff does the grocery shopping with kids we might end up with each of their favorites. But this past week it was Honey who filled our cupboard with sugary goodness.



The appearance of sugar cereal boxes brings up an important question that many people have, I don't have the question, but I have watched each of the kids struggle with this question when they get to be about one and a half. The question is, "When eating a bowl of Lucky Charms, what should I do with all the pesky cereal pieces that have invaded my morning bowl of marshmallows?"



Timmy has solved this age old question. It is quite simple really. Take your bowl and spread the cereal all over the living room. Pick out and eat all the colorful marshmallows, and then leave the cereal in hopes that your dog or little brother will eat all the evidence before your parents find it.

New Church School

With a beautiful new building within walking distance of the elementary school we are able to start a church school. A lot of the Christian churches in our community particpate in a release time Tuesday mornings that allow the kids in their congregation attend their church for an hour in the morning. It is available starting in the first grade. Last year, Nathan just stayed with the teacher while almost his entire class attended different church schools. We are excited to be able to offer it to our kids now. We are allowing preschool kids to come as well. Jeff is getting them from the school to the church and then two other moms and I are taking turns teaching and running the nursery for little ones. We had one week of it, then it was canceled due to the snow day. Tomorrow it will start again. I think it is going to be great. We are expecting to have at least eight attending the class with about five in the nursery. I taught the class the first week so this week I will be in the nursery. Unfortunately Corinne cannot attend this year, but the other kids are very excited. I know it is a rare thing now days for a school to still allow release time for religous purposes so we are blessed that it is still an important part of this community.

Our Weekend

Well the weekend is done and overall I think it went well. Jeff's redo of a birthday went better. Honey came and brought balloons, pinata, and cinnabons, and presents from her and my mom. The kids viewed it as much more of a birthday then my failed attempt. Jeff and I did sneak out and went to the fabulous restaurant of Perkins. I hope you know that I just used the term fabulous with about as sarcastic tone of voice as one can have. The service was terrible, and they either baked my salad or left it under a heat lamp long enough to serve me a very hot plate with melted cheese on a wilted pile of lettuce. Luckily the cute guy I went out with made up for the lousy food and service. But it was yet another reminder of how much I miss regular restaurants. Nothing too fancy but even access to an Olive Garden, or Chipotle's would be nice.

Ah well, Saturday brought the final practice for the Primary Program, followed by a pizza party that the kids truly earned. Sunday we had the program and overall I think in the end it was a success. Of course my children were adorable and said there parts very well. Sam sang the scripture that he said instead of just saying it, but he did it unprompted and remembered the whole thing. He was adorable. All of the children sang beautifully. The final song in the program was, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me", it is such a wonderful song and the whole room feels so good when they sing it. However between the second and third verse, a four year old stepped forward as if he was about to sing a solo. Then when there was a quiet lull in the music before we finished the climax of the whole song, he loudly announced he needed to go potty. He is a cute kid, everyone chuckled, but it was a little tricky for me to keep a straight face and continue to direct the music. I knew if I chuckled the entire primary would break into a fit of giggles. But it is done now and all the kids feel really good about how it went. And that is most important.

The library and nursery are now basically fully running and functioning. The old building is completely cleaned out, and for all intents and purposes I would say we are officially moved into the new building. So I think the weekend can be considered a success. And as a bonus, Honey did tons of laundry so the start of my week is not quite so overwhelming in that area.

Snow Day!

Timmy likes the snow! He likes to eat it, and make footprints in it.

The other kids enjoyed it as well, I did not get a picture of Nathan's snowmen before they melted. Cori likes it well enough, but I think she is more in it for the hot chocolate that follows.

Sam's visitors

In preschool and kindergarten the schools have a fun activity to encourage reading. Each child gets a chance to bring a backpack home with a stack of books, the stuffed animal character, and a notebook to chart the characters travels. We have had Sparky the Dog, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sam I Am (twice), and now this week our family had the priveledge of entertaing Arthur and DW. The kids loved having them visit. Sam slept with them every night and with every nap that he took. Arthur watched the boys play the Wii, and DW played with a little girl that we babysat for a couple of afternoons this week. They both came with to dance class, but had to watch the telethon at home. They even enjoyed a snowday on Tuesday when school was canceled. They had to wait inside while the kids played outside, and Nathan even built two snowmen all by himself. We were able to read lots of Arthur books, and take turns pushing a button that made DW sing. It was a fun week and Sam was so excited to bring them back to school to tell the others of the adventures he had shared with Arthur and DW.