crash landings

This is a picture of Ian at this current minute as I type. He asked me to put on his favorite movie for him and then would not stop talking. I told him to stop talking and watch the show, and this is what he looked like about a minute later. He started telling us he was too big for naps last summer, so I am grateful when it catches up to him every once in a while.

Natalie, on the other hand, is upstairs in her crib calling for me even though she should be sleeping.

On Sunday we had to go to church about an hour early. Natalie, of course, was taking a nice nap on that day. I had to go in to wake her up and found that she had just folded over while sitting up.

Does anyone else love to watch their children sleeping? Probably because we just don't get enough of it.

the fire is so delightful

The weather was BEAUTIFUL over the weekend, so we couldn't resist getting out the fire pit for our first fire of the year.

It was lovely.

(On a sidenote, did you know that marshmallows are about 25 calories a piece? That means you can eat 4 roasted marshmallows and that is a 100 calorie dessert. And such a yummy one too.)

Natalie discovered that she likes sugar in the form of marshmallows too.

Everyone wore their hats because they believe it shields their eyes from smoke.

Its wonderful to know that this is only the beginning.

disorganization day

Last night was our first night of soccer. We had "organization day" for Cali's soccer team. I don't have any pictures, because in my true fashion I was running out the door to stuff the kids in the mini-van as we were supposed to be getting there and I forgot my camera. I found these pictures from "Kicking and Screaming" because they give a fairly accurate representation of how things went.

It turned out fine that we were late, because I arrived to find that only about half of Cali's team was there for the meeting and practice because the other half sing together in a "choir." Our coach was standing there with the few other parents asking us if any of us had ever done this before.

Nope.

This wouldn't really be a bad thing except for the team that was parked next to us on the soccer field. They were all in uniform around their coach, who was wearing his own athletic uniform, running drills.

Great.

Our coach was able to put together a little practice for our small team which included the girl who spent the time dancing and spinning in circles, the English as a second language kids, the "husky" boy who kept needing to sit out and have a rest, the kid with the thick glasses, and Cali.

They may not win any games, but at least I don't think Cali is going to be feeling too much pressure.

Eggs

When you think about it, dyeing Easter eggs is a rather odd tradition, but it is one that I will gladly keep carrying on.

Here is a little of this year's egg-stravaganza.

My personal favorite: I heart Mom. What can I say?

the birthday boy

What a whirlwind weekend we had last week! We had Ian's birthday, general conference, easter, and Grandma coming to visit. We twisted Grandma Cracken's arm so that she stayed with us for a week. It was so packed full of fun I am just now getting time to post. Thanks again Grandma!

SO to begin with Ian's birthday: He started the day with our traditional birthday pop-tart. Ian is the one in who remembers we must have pop-tarts on birthdays so we made his extra special with a candle.
Since it was Saturday and everyone was home we got to open presents first-thing after breakfast. This was a good plan for a three-year-old. (Cali and Kimi had helped me decorate the night before so we could surprise him in the morning.)
Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Alan showed up right after lunch with a super awesome present. Now Ian doesn't have to ride around on pink wheels anymore. He is very relieved.
Ian is obsessed with two things: STAR WARS, and Lego Indiana Jones. He wanted a Lego Indiana Jones Cake and this is what I came up with.

I kept those little cake toppers I made and am thinking of sticking them in other foods, like broccoli.
Ian is definitely growing up ! He is a non-stop talker now. He loves to sing, (star wars and indiana jones themesongs mostly) play with his "guys," read stories, and be really goofy. I asked him what his favorite food is and he said, "treats!" He also loves to tell everyone (including the greeters at Walmart) that he is THREE!

easter breakfast

Happy Easter!

Hope that you all have a wonderful Easter and enjoy your Easter Feasts!

spring break

Today is the first day of spring break for Cali, and it's snowing outside.

At least my daffodils still believe it should be spring.

ours is not to reason why

Learning to go solo at getting everyone ready for church on Sunday mornings has been a bit of work.

As long as we start getting ready as soon as we get up and work steadily until it's time to go we make it to church.

At 1:00 p.m.

Next year we switch to 9:00 am. Ugh.

So when someone ties herself to the furniture, with a bunch of knots that she must have learned from a sailor, it throws a snag in things.

I asked her why she did it.

She didn't know.

One of these days I will learn to stop asking.

groundbreaking

Today we broke ground on our newest project: the garden.

Kimi was asking me lots of questions about it and you could tell she was only half-believing my answers. I explained I actually went to college and learned gardening.

She remains doubtful.

I can always trust her to give me moral support.

But before I forget, we started working outside on Wednesday with some power raking. No need to rent a machine when you have all these power-rakers to put to work.




After we started digging up the ground for the garden today we found a new love for Ian. He collected a whole family of worms and put them in a pile so they could talk to and tickle each other.
After he put one on my leg while I was trying to take his picture.

Thank you, Cali, for removing it.
Natalie found a new love also. We couldn't keep her out of the dirt. I think she gets it from me. It really is lovely stuff.

It's small, but it's a start. I'll keep you posted on how things progress.
Oh, and by the way, Natalie started walking everywhere instead of crawling this week. Just in time for heading outside. Which she LOVES.

top o' the mornin to ya

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

The kids got to eat a traditional Irish breakfast of Lucky Charms and green muffins. I'm sure that Lucky Charms are a staple food in the Irish diet.

The corned beef and cabbage are simmering away and the soda bread is next up, but I made a minor oversight.

I forgot to make sure they had something green to wear. After going through all of Cali's clothes we found some green on one shirt and some green ribbons for her hair. I will really need to make sure I take care of this next year with two girls in school because elementary school can be nothing but a giant pinch-fest on St. Patrick's Day.

Enjoy the day!

flashback friday: duets

Scott and I recently moved the piano from the addition to the living room, thinking it would see more use in there. We were right.

Ian and Natalie have discovered a grand new toy.
Natalie gets her baby up there to play along if Ian's not interested.
It reminded me of when we first got the piano and Cali and Kimi would play duets.
Kimi found the solution for when four hands on the piano are just not enough.

by the dawn's early light

That is my little Cali who used to crash wherever she was in the afternoons. Yes, even with a sucker in her mouth. The sugar couldn't even help her stay awake. She was tired because she always got up way too early.

The rest of the kids have followed her lead. That is one reason I waited so long to take Ian's crib down. I liked the fact that he would sleep-in because he was penned-in. Now he gets up stumbling around and bleary eyed like the older two.

Natalie who is still running for "favorite child" sleeps. (I am knocking on wood as I type that.)

I only comment on this today because of my morning. I drag my self out of bed to exercise before they all wake up and need anything from me. I creep around in the dark so as not to disturb them and then go work-out in the addition. I like to have at least forty minutes of me-time which translates to "no interruptions."

The problem is that the dawn's early light is getting earlier.

This morning went like this:

10 minutes into the workout- Cali comes to remind me I need to sign up for parent teacher conferences.

15 minutes - Kimi comes to tell me that Cali has taken her favorite stuffed animal. I vow not to stop and tell her to have Cali come talk to me.

20 minutes- I try to give Cali a lecture on kindness while trying to remember to keep breathing.

30 minutes- Cali comes to tell me that Ian has poop all over his hand.

I hit pause.

31 minutes- Back trying to get my heart rate back up.

38 minutes- Listen to yelling and crying coming from the basement. Ignore.

45 minutes- Done. Time to go assemble the troops and be the mom again.

My fear is that I am going to have to start getting up an hour earlier.

Or I could tie them down to their beds.

overheard

Cali just left with Grandma C. to go out for her birthday lunch.

I overheard Kimi and Ian having this conversation. She was trying to make him feel better about not going. It went something like this:

Kimi: Ian, when you have birthdays you can go. When you turn five, and six, and seven, but not eight because then you'll be too old for stuff like that. When you're five you'll be big like me!

Ian: I have a big head! I have a HUGE head!

Kimi: Yeah, and then you'll be old and get married.

Ian: Then I will kiss you!

Kimi: No! You marry your friend not your sister!

to each her own

I was making toast for breakfast and gave the kids options of jelly, cinnamon sugar, or honey.

Kimi picked garlic salt.

It seemed a little odd early in the morning, but was just as easy so I shrugged my shoulders and gave it to her. Froot Loops and garlic toast. Yummy.

She was excited and ate it all.

Here's something else that might turn your stomach. (I am usually the last to see popular you-tube clips so if you have all seen this, I'm sorry.)

It's not the solid potato salad song that is weird, though that is a little weird on it's own. Wait until you see what they do next. Kimi and I couldn't take our eyes off it.

Family Home Evening talent shows at their house would have been awesome.

one year older and wiser too

I just got an email that told me, "Congratulations, you have made it to the lovable-sevens, one of the most rewarding times in parenthood." Cali is already filling her role as a loveable-seven.

I gave her the option of a birthday party at home she could invite everybody at school to, or she could invite the two girls her age from our neighborhood and go to Chuck-E-Cheese's.

To her, the choice was very simple and we ended up at that child wonderland, Chuck-E-Cheese's. Only one of her primary friends could make it, and Ian was dying to come along so those were the four lucky partiers.

Cali wanted to show you a smile with extra cheese.

Ian was jumping up and down everywhere we went.

I'm glad Cali isn't entering driver's ed any time soon.

The highlight of our trip. Meeting Chuck E. Cheese himself.

I should have asked for an autograph. (or tylenol)

After our party there, we dropped off Cali's friend and got ready for the next birthday party of the day. Great-Grandma Alice turned 90 on Sunday! I seriously hope to be as active and with-it as she is when I turn 90. She is amazing.

A picture of the two birthday girls together.

Grandma Alice performed a piano piece for everyone.

If I start working now I might get one ready for my 90th birthday party.

Then Natalie decided to steal the show and walk across the gym. There she goes.

When we told people these were her first real steps, lots of other people whipped out their cameras. It was good to know that if my pictures didn't turn out I could find someone with a good picture.
Then it was back home to a birthday dinner of the requested macaroni and cheese, sausages, and jello. Followed by her chocolate cake with cherry pie filling and whipped cream on top.

Make a wish!

It was definitely a fun day for everyone!