Will's birthday

Today we had a little party for Will turning 6. On Saturday he got to take 2 friends to the Discovery Museum in Salt Lake, so today was a small party, but he did get a surprise bike! He wanted a chocolate cake with Strawberry frosting and sprinkles. Then, he wanted the sprinkles to spell out his name, and he put the candles on himself. I guess that's how it goes when it's your birthday.

little girl giggles

I just don't think there is a more precious sound than when Ella laughs. She has the cutest giggle. It's so free and joyful. It just makes you want to laugh too.

Sunday drive

crisp fall air, beautiful colors, good company, need I say more?

Walking

Alex stood up in the middle of the floor today and walked. I've never seen a kid do that before. They usually let go of a table or the couch and take a few tentative steps. Not Alex. He stood up 3 or 4 times with a big grin and once he figured that out, he took eight steps. He practiced some more and tried to remember how to get up and then walked right into the kitchen, 12 steps. The other kids didn't walk until 15 1/2 months, Alex is 13 months and 6 days. I guess I have mixed feelings because while it was the most precious thing to see, I know it's going to be a lot harder with him walking everywhere.

tickles

Today I was tickling and teasing Ella while we sat on the couch together. Alex stood by and got so excited. He raised his eyebrows and with the pacifier in his mouth said, "Ahhh." He giggled and thought it was so much fun.

Stitches, ugh.

So, Will smacked his head on the arm of the futon this morning. I took him to the ER after hearing several people say that if he needs any plastic surgery, he should go there. (It was only an inch long, but I figured might as well.) They were so wonderful. Thanks to American Fork for being very uneventful, there was nobody there when we walked in. They gave him stuff to numb it and he only cried when they injected more anesthetic. He laid very still with his eyes closed for all the stitching, while the doctor explained the string and making knots. The doctor and nurses were totally impressed with how well he did. They couldn't stop talking about how smart he was. When I was out of the room he asked the nurse how many people come to the emergency room everyday. The nurse thought that was such a mature question. When I came back he asked me how you order food to eat. That still makes me laugh. Can I get some room service please? I'm ready for a treat!

Separation Anxiety

Every morning I take the kids to school and the second they stand up to get out of the car Alex falls apart. He just can't handle them leaving. I think he knows they will be gone for a long time and he doesn't want them to go. Will stops to give him a kiss through the tears, but it's little consolation. Then, as we turn the corner, he stops crying and seems to accept the half empty car. It isn't exactly a happy moment, but today, on the way home, I thought how wonderful it is that he loves his brother so much. He has such a strong bond and admiration for him that it creates that strong of a reaction. When Will gets home, it's a bit of the same story. Alex wimpers and Will has to give him a nice greeting with a hug and a kiss. I never really knew that siblings could have that great of an importance and influence in each other's lives--despite the nagging, teasing, and complaining they also do.

The Joy of Reading

Tonight Will was reading one of his take home books by himself. It was really neat to watch him read the words and not really struggle over sounding them out. Now it seems he's reading to "read" --to understand the story. I just watched as he turned each page and said the words. It was really beautiful.

One baby in the basket

Today I ran to the grocery store with only one child! I go many times with none on the weekend or at night, but it was such a delight to go during the day with only Alex when I should normally have three. Will was at school and Ella has a little playgroup on Mondays. I finally bit the bullet and rushed out for a quick errand. I was so delighted to only have one kid to get out of the car that I wisked him out and carried him into the store and walked around for 20 minutes before I realized I left my purse in the car. I guess I'll have to move a little slower next time.

Sunday afternoon

Sunday afternoon is the very best time to take a nap. It's the one time of the week where I don't feel like there is an immediate need to get something done and I can tell my mind to rest and not think about things for just a little while. Sometimes it's only about half an hour, but it is so peaceful. I'm also really grateful that Kimball watches the kids for me so that I can rest.

little virtuoso

Today, Will had a violin party. It was a very casual get together with all of his teacher's students playing songs for their parents. They started with the oldest students and worked their way down to songs by the younger ones. He was a little nervous at first, but when it was his turn he did just great! He was able to keep up with everyone and just looked so precious up there with close to 30 other students. After it was over a couple of older girls complimented him and told him what a good job he did. It was really sweet.

The Big Slide

Tonight we went to McDonald's (I know, I'm ashamed). I spent all day making cookies that didn't turn out and couldn't face the kitchen anymore. So, anyway, it was actually really nice and empty for a change and the kids had a nice time playing. The last couple of times we've gone to a playland, Ella has been too scared to go down the slides. A few months ago I actually had to climb into the playland and grab her and bring her down. So, tonight I was really nervous for her, but she had her big brother to show her the way. The first time, she completely balked at the idea and ended up climbing all the way back down through several tunnels to get out. The second time, with much encouragement from Will she actually took the slide! It just happened to be the tallest slide with like 3 twists and plenty of time stuck in a dark, yet colorful tube not knowing when it would be over. She was so pleased with herself when she got out that from then on there was no holding back!

Reading

I got to read today. I'm reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I'm only up to page 100, so I'm not sure if it's good yet, but it's nice to have something fun and distracting.

"I'm just so hungwy abowd it!"

Ella's been saying this a lot lately. I realized today that we say that phrase about a lot of other things like, "I'm so happy about it" or "I'm so mad about it." Why not "I'm so hungry about it?" Her entire phrase was, "Oooo! I'm just so hungwy abowd it. Das what my tummy is saying. Because it's not being patient. Because I'm not being patient!" I think her tummy really was saying that. It's hard to be patient when we are being ruled by our organs and nerve impulses and very vocal stomachs all day long.

Making Plans

Yesterday, I made plans for a vacation. Then, I started to feel guilty about the money and wondering if we should put it somewhere else, but we've never really done a big vacation with just our family. Today, I kept making plans for the future and it feels good to have things to look forward to. Then, I actually got to watch Oprah and they talked about the guy, Randy Pausch, and his lecture on living life to the fullest and having fun. It finally connected that a family vacation wasn't just something we can do for fun, but something we need to do to create memories for our kids. So, now I both have a plan and a reason, and I just have to wait til May.

another movie

Okay, so tonight Batman Begins was on. It's just so nice to have a boring day and watch a movie and relax.

movie night

Even though I was really, really tired, I enjoyed watching a movie with Kimball tonight. It was National Treasure 2.

budding artists

I got to watch my sister's kids today. When I brought home some Disney posters for everyone to color, I didn't know it would be such a hit! We have some die-hard colorers in our family. Anyway, it was just precious to see them all coloring away. They did a really good job! Even Alex got in on the act.

energy

Today I was so glad I had energy to clean my house. It doesn't come around very often, but I actually picked up all the toys, swept the floor and vacuumed. I even washed the dishes, paid the bills and made dinner.

a little lopsided

Now that Will is in school, it gives me a chance to spend more time with Ella. She is really starting to relish this. She was so excited today when she suggested that we go to the farm to see the "aminals" and I actually said "okay"! She managed to hold on the whole time despite being so lopsided.

Cheezy

My happiest moment today came when Ella wrote her name for the very first time. First, she did the "E" and she kept saying, "It's a three! It's a three!" Then, Will encouraged her to keep going. She did her whole name! (Will helped her put the stem on the "a.")

This is the face she made when she was done.

I'll scratch your nose if you scratch mine.

Today as I drove the kids to school I saw two horses behaving in the oddest manner. One of them was holding what looked like a deflated red ball while the other rubbed its nose up and down on it. One the way back, the other one held the ball while the first horse rubbed its nose. It brought new meaning to the phrase, "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine."

So cute!

We didn't exactly notice that Alex could do these things until today. Well, yesterday, he started opening and shutting his hands and did it whenever I sang the song that goes along with it. Today, we were sitting together for a prayer and he automatically folded his arms. At first I thought it was a fluke, but then he did it a few more times when prompted. Then, Ella ran up to me and I said, "Give me five!" She did and ran away. Alex, standing right beside me also repeated the gesture. Unbelievable! I didn't even know he knew all of this. It was hysterical! So, I captured a little bit of it for my blog. =)

Open-Shut Them

A bad case of the giggles

You know how sometimes you get the giggles and no matter what you do you can't stop? Tonight, Ella was being silly and just giggling like crazy. I guess I don't play with her enough, because I was laying down next to her on the floor and pretending to be sleep. She gave me a pillow and a blankie (both doll size, of course). And she lay down next to me and just wouldn't stop chuckling and belly laughing. It reminded me of nights I used to have as a little girl, when I stayed up with my sister or a friend and occasionally we'd burst out in laughter. I remember waiting with dread for my mom to come in and tell us to quiet down.

Saturday Morning

Saturday mornings can be rough. The kids have to do their chores at 9:00 before much of anything else can happen. But this morning, when I came down the stairs, Will was getting out his violin. He said he wanted "extra practice." It wasn't long before I was on to him. He has to earn 30 points to get a toy out of the toy box and he was up to 14. Violin practice earns him 5 more. I was amazed as he did a great lesson, picked up 30 things off the floor (yes there were that many), did his whole chore, which requires sweeping the floor, shaking out the rugs, and moving and replacing the kitchen chairs, then went upstairs and got dressed, and finally spent at least 10 minutes cleaning up his room and making his bed. Of course, he earned all of his points, but I also fell on his bedroom floor because his room was "so beautiful it knocked me over." That was a really great Saturday morning. (Ella did her share of dusting the piano, taking clothes to her room and getting dressed, so they both enjoyed a new toy.)

Attached

I guess I've realized that part of the reason I've been so nervous for Will and worried about him, was that I didn't really plan or prepare for him being gone all day. Sure the first day or two were nice. I read to Ella and painted her fingers and toes in nail polish, ran several errands, and finished up two books I've been reading. But, I didn't realize how much I'd miss him (even though he drove me crazy this summer!) He is such a Huge presence in our family and I didn't know what to do with myself without him here.

So, it was a sweet moment when his kindergarten teacher called me up this morning. She was checking to see if I'd decided where Will was going for sure, but she also let me know that she had checked up on him and his teacher said he was just fine, just your average first grader. That made me feel good and I told her, "He's loving it, but I'm miserable!" She laughed and said her youngest child was graduating from High School this year. If I'm this bad with First grade . . . . But she said I should just keep myself busy, and I have. After all, summer was a challenge and this is a time to actually work on some of the things I've been putting off. Anyway, it was a nice bonding moment. She said she just went to check up on him because "Even after a week, you get attached to those little guys." You really do.

The Three Musketeers

This morning I dropped off Will, Caleb, and his sister, Julia at school. After entering the playground, they paused and all held hands. Then, they walked together toward the grass. It was such a sweet moment. This is a new school for all of them and they don't really know anyone else very well. You could just see the three of them, united together, braving this vast new world. It was so precious.

The Brain

So, Alex had his 12 month checkup today. It turns out he got shorter and skinnier (percentile-wise), but his head actually got bigger! It's now at 83%. He is such a cutie.

SuperWill

Today was Will's first day of First grade. I was totally prepared for a call home in the middle of the day to tell me that he'd had a breakdown and was too exhausted to continue. When that didn't happen I was fully prepared to pick him up broken hearted and balling. So, when I got there early, waited with anticipation, stood outside the school doors and saw him come out giggling and smiling I was just dumbfounded. I grabbed his hand and gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, "I missed you sooo much today!" He just giggled. "How was your day?" I asked. "Good," he said. He was totally happy. I asked if it was hard. He said, "Nope." I asked if he learned a lot. He said, "Not really."

The big news was that 4 of his classmates from his kindergarten last year were in his very same class! I was so shocked! Imagine that. To go to a completely different school and change grades and all of a sudden know more than 1/5 of the students already! He told me about eating lunch and I asked if he got a special note in his lunchbox. He said that he opened his lunchbox and said, "Huh?" "What is that?" Everyone at the table wanted to read it. What an attention grabber. (The note said "I love you. <3 mom)

So, needless to say, I have a TON of pent up adrenaline and worry with nowhere to go. I'm actually shaking because I was so nervous for him. Apparently, for no reason. He actually seemed very relaxed and satisfied when he got home. Go figure.

Puppy kisses

Today's moment was while Alex was playing with his "Little People" toys. He took a little puppy and set it in the smoke stack of the play train. Then he paused and looked at it gazing up at him. He slowly bent down with a wide open mouth and gently gave the puppy a kiss. It was so precious.

We also had a get together today which was fun for labor day and I enjoyed playing games with the kids. The oldest two were awesome with the memory game, and then we had fun with Labor Day facts. It was fun to have questions for both big and little kids and they did great! I was really impressed!