Skate, Skate, Skate

 Today I took the boys to the school where we got to watch our little miss get recognized for her efforts and hard work in class. The school picks a few students from each grade to be student of the month, and Camilla was so excited when her name was called. 

 This girl has a determined personality and tries her best at everything. The other day she brought home a spelling test with every word correct including the bonus. I adore her bright personality and her spunk and desire to work hard.

 The afternoon brought us to a nearby pond. I noticed it was cleared off when we went for a walk earlier in the day and the kids were so excited to hear the news. They slung their skates over their shoulders and practically ran down the block when they got home from school. 

By the time I got there with the little guys and the dog, they were already laced up and skating circles around the pond.

 It was such a beautiful afternoon!

Monday Mishaps

 Today was a doozy. I woke to bad news and tried to sort it out as I flipped pancakes for breakfast. I ended up burning the entire first batch and the littles were extra hungry this morning for some reason. I was grateful to Mr. Stannix for waking early with Ollie and letting me get an extra half hour of much needed sleep. The big kids helped me pack lunches while Oliver screamed at my feet and Joe and Fin fought nearby over a blow up hammer that wasn't even blown up. We read scriptures through screams and protests from two little boys, prayed, and sent the kids off to school. Hyrum ran back a few minutes later with tear filled eyes to grab his forgotten backpack. Thankfully his sister asked the bus driver to wait. I kissed his head and yelled an "I love you" as he sprinted back out the door and across the street. 

Then I began the morning tidy. I stripped the blankets off Fin's bed and threw them in the wash, picked up all of the dirty clothes from the upstairs bedrooms, and pulled Ollie down from the table a gazillion times. When the bedding was dry I spent a good chunk of time putting it all back together. I hate stuffing duvet covers... Fin praised and thanked me for his "fwesh sheets". He protested nap time, but the bags under his eyes told me he needed it. I was stuck in a power struggle with that dear three year old of mine for quite some time before he finally gave in. 

Joe and I enjoyed some quiet time together while I prepped the bread dough for the oven. He begged to push buttons on my computer and it turned out to be an awesome learning experience for him! We grabbed one of his readers and he spent all afternoon typing sentence after sentence with minimal supervision. The keyboard is all pictured in uppercase and most of his words in his book were lower case which made it all the more challenging for him. He loved every minute, and learned so much! After three lines he was spelling words from memory and recognizing letters much quicker than before.

 Ollie woke up after a nice long nap and begged to spend some time outside. It was such a beautiful day that I was left wishing we had gone out earlier to avoid all of the meltdowns and frustrations. Joseph joined him and the both of them played for a good hour or so wandering around the yard and soaking up the sun. At least out there he isn't climbing up on things, dumping out everything, taking off my couch cushions, and playing in the dog dish.

When Finley woke up I discovered he had wet through every single piece of freshly washed bedding. The timer on the oven was ticking down with moments to go. Fin was super cranky (rightly so) and wet. Ollie was screaming outside. I ran around the house like a crazy lady for a few minutes until we got everything sorted. Joe kindly helped his little brother up out of the snow, Finley went for a bath (despite his screams in protest), the sheets went back into the wash for round two, and the bread didn't burn. I was so angry about having to stuff that stupid duvet again. It all sounds silly now that I type it, but man it was a hectic few minutes.

The big kids came home and hopped up to the counter for warm bread and honey. They told me about their days as they licked sticky fingers. It is one of my favorite things, everyone gathered together in the kitchen chatting and enjoying fresh baked goods. Then Camilla washed up for her violin lesson and I took the boys downstairs. Once she was finished she offered to make brownies for family home evening tonight. She was determined to do it all by herself, so I set everything out with measuring cups and gave her minimal help. She accidentally poured way too much salt into the batter, and I bit my tongue hard as I spooned it out. I mustered up my best end of the day smile and comforted her with an "it's okay, everybody makes mistakes sometimes." We ran out of icing sugar, so the icing ended up being super runny. She added green food coloring and loaded it with sprinkles. They tasted pretty good all things considered. Ha!

 Reese and I took in the sunset as we watched the boys play from the deck. I let out a sigh of relief at the thought of a brand new day tomorrow. I love the orange glow the sun casts on my kitchen at days end, bringing warmth and hope to my heart. Shortly after the last of the suns rays disappeared behind the rooftops, I called the boys in for dinner.

Then during the happy chaos and chatter at the dinner table I looked over to see Finley scooping salad on his plate like it was going out of style. The salad tongs were so much fun to use that the entire bowl ended up being scooped out. I motioned to Mr. Stannix and we both immediately broke out laughing.

Joe got out of bed a few times tonight just to give me a hug. "Mom, you're the luckiest because you have kids that do this..." He squeezed me tight and planted a kiss on my cheek. "A million and three," he says. He's been keeping count all day. A few days ago he hugged me out of the blue and I told him how much I loved it and how I need a million hugs each day. Now I get hugged every hour (sometimes twice an hour) and I totally love it! The big boys whispered together until they fell asleep and it warmed my heart to hear them getting along so well.

The Acreage

We are hanging out at the acreage for most of the week while the big kids are off school. It's been a while since we've been out for a long visit and they have been counting down the days. Camilla even thought ahead enough to do her own laundry, fold it, and pack the clothes that she wanted to wear. It's crazy how independent they are getting!

We have been waking up early to the most beautiful sun rises that paint the sky in purple, orange, and pink. 

I baked up a crazy big lemon loaf and chatted with my Mom.

The early mornings brought early naps.

I had one of those "since-when-did-you-get-so-big" moments with Hyrum and had to snap a picture. He is trying to grow his hair out because he likes it spiky and long. He is developing his own sense of style and I just love him so much. I sure wish he would stop growing up though!

Despite the cold, we did make it out for a little bit of exploring. Ollie and his side-kick didn't last too long, but the three older kids wandered all over the acreage making tracks in the deep snow.

Evenings were spent looking at fabric and piecing together a woodland quilt that I've been dying to sew. I am in love with the teal blue, and I kind of have a thing for foxes.

Mr. Funny Bones

This boy spent the day at the hospital with Daddy. He came to my bedside sniffling in the middle of the night, and thinking nothing of it, I just pulled him into bed with us. In the morning he couldn't move his arm and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Apparently he fell out of Camilla's bed in the middle of the night. I suspected a broken collarbone...Five hours and a sling later and my suspicions were correct. He has officially taken over the apple tv remote and has his older siblings waiting on him hand and foot. He will be spending the next three weeks in the sling and will need one more xray to check how it's healing. We have been to the ER more with this sweet boy than all of his siblings put together. And not just for common coughs and colds either. He keeps us on our toes! Not a whole lot slows him down, so hopefully he keeps still enough for it to heal up well! I'm super grateful for Mr. Stannix being flexible and able to come home from work so I didn't have to lug everyone to the waiting room to get it checked out. 

Happy Valentines

Our valentines day was simple and quiet this year. I put a heart shaped note on each of the kids doors for them to see when they woke up. We started the day with pink heart shaped pancakes before sending the kids off to school with their valentines cards tucked safely in their backpacks. 

I had hidden messages all over for Mr. Stannix to discover throughout the day and stashed a treat in his work bag. 

We had some friends to play in the afternoon. 

I made cranberry chicken, rice and a Caesar salad for dinner. Daddy arrived home with flowers for both his girls. Red for me, and pink for Camilla. 

Mr. Stannix and I finished off the evening snuggling on the couch with the fireplace flickering in a dimly lit living room. It wasn't anything special, but it was perfect. 

Cabin Fever

The morning greeted us with grey and pink skies to the East, and indigo blue to the West. As I peered out at the snow covered roof tops, smoke rising from the chimneys, I couldn't help but breath deeply and take in the sights.

After a meeting at the church with a fabulous group of ladies, we came home and made an early lunch. The temperature was finally above zero and we weren't going to let anything (not even nap time) stand in our way of getting out and enjoying it. I was feeling the last few days of being cooped up inside and needed to get out and breath in the fresh Winter air and find some snow covered trees to enjoy.

 Ollie fell asleep right away, just like I knew he would. I figured a nap in the great outdoors was just as good as any nap at home. My senses were alive and I could feel the cobwebs clearing from my brain.

Joe asked to push the stroller, so I ran ahead with Reese as she sniffed and leapt through the snow. The sun felt warm on our faces and it was so refreshing. 

When we got home we went right to the backyard to make a snow fort. A warm winter's day such as this doesn't come around very often and must be taken advantage of. 

The snow was sticky and wonderful to work with. The boys rolled giant snowballs and we carefully placed them around the trampoline.

They were super excited about it when we finished and crawled right in to check it out.

The late afternoon brought two kids at the counter, working on class valentines, and a boy roller skating through my kitchen despite my pleas to stop. Each time I asked him, he would flash me a grin and an "I love you mom". I decided he's not hurting anything, and give up the fight. While I cooked dinner he went back and forth, back and forth. It was all good until he decided to annoy his sister each time he skated past the counter. He almost knocked over a glass of water onto her valentines cards, pushed scissors out of her reach, grabbed their pens and skated off with them... Eventually it turned into high fives. Camilla is so great at distracting. While they finished up they sang loudly along to the Moana sountrack.

After dinner the boys hop in the bath. I jammie the little guys and then walk into a soaking wet bathroom. After looking up and seeing the water on the ceiling I kind of lost it. Everybody got out and jammied while I dried the walls and lectured on why we don't get ceilings wet and how expensive it is to repair. My sweet Hyrum came upstairs with a toonie in his hand and tearful eyes. "Here Mom. This will help fix the ceiling. I'm sorry we fooled around too much." Now my eyes were tearful... We gave hugs and apologies, and said prayers. Then I tucked them in one by one with back scratches and chats.

I've picked up my couch cushions approximately a million times today. Two seconds later I would find Ollie pulling them right back off. I've pretty much given up on that fight. Every door in my house is closed (another new trick Ollie has learned). He is definitely keeping me on my toes, and at days end I fall into bed feeling sooooo tired! Life is wonderful!

Mr. Finnegan

 Ya know when you wake up and your kids just look older?

Every time I looked at Finley today I couldn't get over how grown up he was looking!

He was wearing a sweater that Joe wore just a short time ago and he was rocking his new hair cut.

 He loves to stand in front of our measuring board every day and see how much he's grown.

"Mom, tum and measure me!" He says.

He is bighearted, cheerful, and full of love. He quietly observes those around him and is always quick to offer a kiss or a hug should the need arise. We sure love this little three year old!

Snow Day

 There was a snow storm warning in effect for most of our little province last night. As we slept, the snow silently fell outside, and hasn't stopped since. We had hot chocolate and whip cream with our breakfast to warm our tummies. Most of the buses were still running this morning and the children let out shrieks of glee as they ran through knee deep snow to catch it. Mike was able to work from home and avoid the roads and a long commute to the city. 

 We spent our morning cozied up in the basement while giant flakes fell outside. I crocheted a few dishcloths and the boys watched a show or two. When they got bored of that we made a massive fort with every blanket we could find and they whispered beneath it while the baby napped and I shoveled. 

 The neighbor across the street took his fancy snowblower out of the garage shortly after I started. I was determined to show him up and so I quickly shoveled the walks of the neighbors on either side of me. My arms hurt by the time I started our driveway and I had to practically lift the shovel over my head to empty it each time thanks to the super high snowdrifts. His snowblower kept stalling and I smiled to myself manual labor is always the way to go!  I did shovel full after shovel full, glancing over at him out of the corner of my eye as I went. Just when I thought I had beat him, he decided to snow blow the walks for half a block on either side of his house. We definitely bought on the wrong side of the street I thought as I rested my arm on the shovel to catch my breath. It was a good workout! When I had finished the snow drifts on either side of our driveway were taller than me, and my arms felt like jello. I waved to my neighbor across the street and gave him a "you win" nod, then went in to warm up. A little friendly competition is always good motivation. Best morning workout ever!

 Our afternoon was slow and quiet. I suited up the boys so that they could go out and have some fun in the backyard. They shoveled trails all over the yard and even took turns covering each other with snow. 

 Can't get enough of those rosy cheeks and eyelashes...

These days are so precious. I love quiet moments spent watching my children discover and explore. They find the fun in every day and remind me often what life is really about. And somehow, soaking in these moments helps me to forget about all of the fighting and nagging and whining that happens around here sometimes.

 I loved watching Joseph take a deep breath and plop back into a big pile of fluffy snow. When it all flew up over his face, he just giggled and tried to lick it off. When he fell it was as if he let go of any stress from the day and let it blow away with the wind. I suddenly wished I could join him. As I've prayed to get a glimpse into this sweet boys mind, I have enjoyed the insights and extra love I feel for him.

When the older kids got home off the bus, they dropped their backpacks in the driveway and began climbing the mountains of snow on each side. They shouted excitedly across the street to some friends, "We're climbing mount everest!" Half of that mountain made it's way into my house as they undressed, kicked off their boots, and dropped backpacks. Then it was straight to the kitchen to fill hungry bellies and talk about the school day. They were pretty glad to see Daddy home already. He shoveled two more times this afternoon. He's pretty much our hero.

Perspective

Today brought a gentle, constant snowfall. The first thing I did when I woke was turn up the thermostat. Joe and I snuggled under a blanket on the vent and got toasty warm as we waited for the other kids to wake. Once everyone was out the door to school I spent a little bit of time tidying the kids bedrooms. While I folded clothes, helped them make their beds, and opened curtains I listened to THIS talk by a favorite apostle of mine (if you have a few minutes, take a listen, it's amazing...). Lately I've found that I really enjoy listening to talks more than music in the mornings. It gives me a few quiet minutes each day to ponder and feel closer to my Savior. 

 When I had finished up in the bedrooms I spontaneously decided it was time for Joe to take piano lessons. The little boys were busy playing downstairs, which gave Joseph and I a few minutes to sit at the piano, talk about the keyboard, clap some rhythms, and learn a few notes. One of the first songs in his book is the famous tune of hot cross buns. He played it proudly all day long. I spent my afternoon shouting notes from the kitchen, "E....no that's a C...Yeah, that's the right one. Good job!" as he practiced to his hearts content. Music has a magical way of transforming people and I really believe that I was inspired to sit down with Joe today and teach him. I noticed that the rest of the day he was more agreeable and peaceful. I really think that music will be a great outlet for him throughout the rest of his life. He wanted to go through the entire song book today, but we are learning a little bit about the importance of repetition and mastering things before we move on.

"Look at everything 

through the  lense of eternity and life 

will take on a different perspective." 

~James E. Faust

Lovin' Every Day

Today we...

Tidied the house in my Grandma's apron...

Loved on little brothers...

Crafted...

And slept soundly as the snow gently fell outside.

The Mondays

I woke up with high hopes for this week, but at the same time I'm just rolling with the punches. I've learned to just take things in strides and go along with the misadventures that any given day can bring. I've been trying to bring back my easy going attitude and spontaneous outlook on life. 

This morning we spontaneously took off to the grocery store. We needed milk and a few other things. When we got there, I put the car in park, and turned around to see this sweet babe sleeping soundly. Teething has really messed up our nights and he catches his Z's when he can!

The highlight of my day was probably when the delivery man rang my doorbell and handed over my monthly order from Young Living. White Angelica just came back in stock in the States market, and I snagged two bottles. It's supposed to be good for emotional balance (which I need a lot of these days), protection from negative emotions, awareness, and wholeness. I'm going to start applying it daily to help in all of these areas and hopefully feel like a better mamma at days end.

As we brushed teeth before bed I urged Fin to open his mouth so that I could "brush his dinosaur teeth". He smiled, "Dose aren't dinosaur teef, dose are Nin-ney (Finley) teef!!" I laughed. Then during Family prayer Joe said, "Please bless me that I won't have to let Reese out pee anymore...." We all cracked up. 

Then I discovered that the dog ate another poopy diaper, and I didn't think that was too funny. Ugh.

Sunday Snapshots

Fri-yay

We've officially made it through another week! January flew by with swimming lessons twice a week for all four kids, hair cuts for the boys, late nights at work for Mr. Stannix, and many nights of musical beds for me. We began February by wrapping up swimming, getting a few of the littles in for check-ups at the dentist, and of course a little baking and decorating.

 Today we celebrated the end of the week with heart straws and a glass of chocolate milk. Of course there was some bubble blowing. Childhood at it's finest...

 The big kids joined in when they got home from school. This girl does her own hair every day and her pigtails were pretty incredible today. Bouncy and full of spunk, just like my girl. She is the shortest in her class, but makes up for it with spirit and heart.

We also pulled out our "kindness jar" and the kids have begun filling it with good deeds and love. I'm excited for our home to be extra full of love this month!