December Highlights

Ah, December. You were a blur of Christmas celebrations and house showings. These pictures help reassure me that we did manage to continue our traditions and make some fabulous memories. Phew. 

Decorating the Tree

Playing with our Nativity

Santa's Cookies and Milk at the children's museum

Graham Cracker Village

Dear William,

This year, as I reflect on your birth and your life, and celebrate your entry into this life and our family I think of one word. JOY.

Joy for the boy that you are becoming. Bright, energetic, and tender-hearted, you are loved by so many.

Joy for your desire to do what's right. Even when you forget every once in a while, don't we all?

Joy for the last 6 years that have been the happiest of my 30. 

Joy for the brother that you are to your little sisters. Even the teasing is good for them, right? Right?

Joy for your eagerness to learn. You love kindergarten and are thriving with all the new knowledge that has come your way.

Joy for my opportunity to be your mommy and getting a front row seat to your life.

A favorite part of this past year for me has been the bonding time we have as we go to and from violin lessons and practice together. What a special opportunity for me to spend one on one time with you that is so precious and all too rare with two (almost three) younger siblings.

I adore you, William. I love you. You amaze me. And the joy you bring into so many lives is immeasurable.

Happy birthday, Bud!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

(inspired by SouleMama) 

{this moment}

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

(inspired by SouleMama)

All grown up?

Confession. We still have a drop side crib. Go ahead, judge if you  must.

 It has been fine and dandy until the entire drop-side came off right as I was going to put Anne down for her nap a few days ago. I knew I could put it back on but Anne was tired, Marie was tired, and I was tired. We were all ready for naps. So I laid Anne down in her crib, now accidently transformed into a toddler bed, in hopes that she would just fall asleep.

Success. The same success repeated itself for bedtime so Brandon and I figured, "Why put it back on?"

16 1/2 months.

My kids never cease to prove me wrong. After transitioning William I swore I would never make the switch before 2 years old again.

That's what I get for thinking I'm in charge around here.

Marie's Day!

From the minute Marie woke up on Friday morning she was beaming.

"Today is my day! Today is recital day!" 

"Mommy, is it time for my recital yet? Is it time to get in my costume?"

"When do I get to go on stage and do my dance?"

She twirled around the house all day long. Even hunting down tan dance tights (harder than I thought) was a pleasant adventure for her. Grandma and Grandpa S. joined us for the evening, Marie couldn't have been happier to have them there.

Marie's class danced to "Once Upon a December " from Anastasia and "Hands" from Sesame Street (sung by the Count). The girls were darling and typical, with the youngest ones not doing much more than staring blankly at their teachers. Marie and her sweet friend stole the show with their knowledge of the dance. They certainly loved being up on stage.

After the recital we caught Ari for a picture and then got a snapshot or two of our little dancer. Marie was whiny and sad. She complained of being cold, was sad that she couldn't see us from the stage, etc., etc., etc. We blamed it on post-recital blues only to finally check her temperature before we put her to bed and she was running a fever.

I was even more proud of my brave little girl when we discovered this. It think it started right as we arrived at the recital. She was shivering and telling me she was cold, but she was in her tiny little dance outfit on a cold December night so I sent her backstage with a coat and a kiss.

As a mother, my heartbreaks to think that she didn't feel well on her big night, but I am also so grateful that the fever didn't show up sooner so I didn't have to pull her out of the show. That would have broken both our hearts.

{this moment}

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

(inspired by SouleMama)

Brandon turns 30!

Brandon joined the ranks of the 30-year-olds this month. We had a modest celebration, which is just how he prefers it. For our birthdays, we always plan a date night together and a family party with the kids. The date night was a drive up to Logan where went to the Logan temple and then to Tandoori Oven. Ashley and Mike tended the kids. (Thanks guys!) I don't know who had a better time, the kids or us. For the record, I would definitely go to Tandoori Oven again. Yum!

Dinner for the family party was Brandon's favorite; lasagna, french bread, and salad. 

 

 I had planned to cover the kitchen with streamers and balloons and all that fun stuff, but a phone call in the late afternoon for a house showing the next day quickly took that plan off the list. As much as I love Brandon, I wasn't about to spend that time decorating only to have to take it down only hours later. He agreed. I did ask Marie to decorate Daddy's chair for him. Oh the love that went into this simple sign and small amount of streamers.

 Brandon's big birthday gift was a tablet that he purchased on Black Friday, but the kids and I had to give him something so I put together a few of these cheesy ideas and we put each one in a birthday bag. The kids liked this part, if the picture doesn't show that enough. And the kids love their daddy, if you didn't get that from the picture either.

Thanks for being born 30 years ago, my sweet Brandon! Here's to the next 30+ together!

{this moment}

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

(inspired by SouleMama)

I cheated a bit. This picture was actually taken on 11/27, but it needed to be published.

The Baby

 22 weeks (Taken on 11/9)

 Baby Boy at 21 weeks gestation (Ultrasound on 11/3)

With the rest of life happening around me, I've hardly had a chance to think about this pregnancy. I've often joked that I have a hard time remembering that I'm pregnant except for when I'm getting dressed in the morning. It has truly been a tender mercy that I have felt so normal thus far.

Of course, as I begin my third trimester that is starting to change. The big bump on my front side is kind of hard to ignore, not to mention all the wiggling and jiggling this little one does.

But it must be said, as the weeks fly past us and drive us closer and closer to his impending arrival this is going to be one loved and adored baby boy.

Our Anne: A Couple of Accomplishments

Anne-girl is feisty, determined, and opinionated. She's also the sweetest, happiest, and most squish-able little toddler ever. I can't help but smile and hug her, even as I am exhaling in frustration because I am pulling her away from the dishwasher for the 15th time in the last 15 seconds.

 Those big wide darling eyes of hers watch everything her brother and sister do. She loves to brush her teeth just like them, among many, many other things.

Her latest feat is climbing on the kitchen chairs. As you can see, she is quite proud of that accomplishment. We have to keep the chairs tucked in or she will very quickly be standing on top of the table. I dread the day when she figures out how to pull the chairs out from under the table. Oh my.

Besides climbing and brushing she has figured out that she can vocalize in more ways than just cries and screams. (Hallelujah!) Most of her words consist of the beginning and ending consonant sounds, if they are one syllable. Two syllable words are usually just "da, da" or "da, doo" which can only be translated in the context of the moment.

My favorite word that she uses sounds something like "sh*t." It cracks me up. She uses it when she wants me to give her something to eat or put her in her booster because it's time for a meal. I think maybe she is trying to say "sit." Hilarious.

The other words she most frequently attempts to say are this (dis), shoes (sh-s), socks (sks), thank you (da doo), and more (ma).

We love our Anne-girl!

{this moment}

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
(inspired by SouleMama)

In an effort to look like I'm actually right on top of posting about all major events, I am back-dating some new posts. Three new ones can be found here, here, and here. Happy reading!

Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving day was spent at my grandmother's house in Idaho, affectionately known as "The Farm". It was much more of a farm during my childhood, when my grandfather was alive and kicking and loving the land. We spent a lot of time exploring the haystack, running the fields, and riding the horse, Prince. Even the smell of manure is strangely nostalgic to me because of our time spent on these wonderful acres.

Although it isn't the same as it used to be, I'm grateful that I can still give my kids a taste of their history when we travel up to Idaho. This farm has been in the family for over 100 years. The house my grandma lives in is the same home that my grandpa was born in. 

A local farmer/rancher rents out grandma's property to store his hay and corral his horses. More on the horses in another post.

Other than the inevitable outside activities we also spent some time inside with the kiddos. Apple turkeys were on the agenda. 

Some board games. Oh the time we have spent gathered around board games at grandma's house!

And sugar cone teepees. 

We did eat as some point, too. Well, actually, we ate a lot and were way to busy doing said eating to actually document the event. For the record, it was delicious.

Neigh!

So that guy that keeps his horses on my grandma's property, well he loves it when we all come to town for Thanksgiving because he can saddle the horses up and we give them plenty of exercise. I, sadly, had to opt out of the horse back riding. Pregnant bellies and bouncing horses are not a good combination. We were sure to give the kids a chance though.

Marie was thrilled to ride.

Anne wasn't so sure what was going on, but it didn't take her long to get the hang of it.

Only moments after the ride began she was out and enjoyed a nice nap in Becca's arms.

And William got to give the horse riding a try on his own, well, kind of. Brandon led the horse while William rode. He was proud to be up there all by himself.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
(inspired by SouleMama)

Tukka, Tukka, Stop, Stop

I am excited to announce that after nearly three months of lessons William finally got to touch the bow to the violin this past week and not a moment too soon! Just a few days after his first lovely rendition of "Tukka, tukka, stop, stop" on open E, William made his debut at the Winter Recital. Grandma and Grandpa P and Aunt Becca were able to come and it was such a treat to have them there!

 That is most certainly an "I'm concentrating," face, not an "I'm terrified," face... don't be fooled. He didn't have an ounce of fear in him. He introduced his "song" with a strong clear voice and wouldn't even let his teacher help him with his bowing (which is how we had practiced all week.). The smile on his face when everybody started clapping was perfectly priceless.

 After all the students had played their solos, the last event of the night was "Up Like a Rocket," a poem that aids in strengthening the bow hold. You can't tell very well, but all the students have lifesavers on the tips of their bows. Marie has watched us practice every day for the past three months so she is very familiar with the rhyme, as well. Miss Hailey invited her to join the group performance and with just a little hesitation she obliged. You can tell she was quite comfortable in her surroundings. She did arrive at the event with boots and a sweater on, I promise!

Please forgive the quality of the pictures. The lighting was terrible.

It was with much debate and discussion and some hesitation that we decided to put William in violin lessons this fall. Thank goodness we did. It has been such a fulfilling experience for all of us. I couldn't be more proud of William; not only for his performance, but also for his positive attitude and willingness as we practice each day and attend lessons each week.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
(inspired by SouleMama)

ABCs

My kids love to read. The worst punishment we can ever dish out to them is to take away a story before naptime or bedtime. Take away toys? No problem. Early bedtime? Whatever. Lose a story? Noooooo!!!!!!

 In addition to bedtime stories, we have been doing a lot more reading with William for his homework. He comes home with 3 books at a time that we are instructed to have him read to us. Once he can comfortably read each one we send them back to school and await the next three. It has been awesome to see his progress. The first few books were painfully simple using only three words. Now that he has nearly completed the first set, which has around 25 books in it, he knows more than 16 words and is always sounding out words he sees each day on signs, boxes, posters, etc.

When William and I are reading, Marie loves to "read" her own books. She has even talked Anne into sitting and listening a time or two. I love to hear her version of the stories as she tells them. Some pages are word for word memorized while others she has to create the story herself. Imaginative is an understatement with this little one.

 And Anne, well, if you have been in our home much you have probably had the absolute delight of having Anne hand you a book and then proceed to crawl into your lap so you can read to her.

 This particular night, she saw her brother and sister reading a book and had to join in the fun. She let Marie read her book for a minute or two and then she went up to her room to get a book of her own.

My heart is happy and full to know that the love for books and reading that my mom and dad passed onto me is now being passed on to my own children. I am grateful for the joy that comes from reading and look forward to the years of enjoyment that books will bring our family.

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,

And all the sweet serenity of books.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow