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Friday, April 17, 2020

Spring Rain

The first night in the toddler bed didn't go so well for Sawyer. I spent half of my night scrunched up beside him in and out of sleep. Reese found us early in the morning and snuggled in the crook of my legs. She made Sawyer's morning when he woke and discovered Reese curled up on his bed. He quietly whispered and pet her and tried to touch his nose to hers. The perks of sleeping in a big boy bed I guess!

While the children poured cereal and made themselves porridge, I rolled and cut out the English Muffins that had been rising on the counter overnight. While they finished their last rise, I threw in a few loads of laundry and answered a million questions. The English muffins turned out so great!

It rained off and on all day long. I cracked all of the windows in the house and paused many times to just listen to the rhythm of the rain. The overcast sky made for a lazy day and I used it to bake treats while the children crafted with a box of supplies that was gifted to us. I made easy meals like hot dogs and egg sandwiches with minimal dishes and clean up. The craft supplies sat on the table until dinner and was enjoyed by Camilla and Oliver.

Ollie woke up from his nap in a fabulous mood. He wandered out to the living room and plopped onto the couch to stretch and yawn. This boy gets away with a lot using that smile!

The big boys were in and out of the house all day, biking around on the patio rain or shine. As Hyrum cleaned up his dinner plate tonight, he wrapped his arms around me and thanked me. It caused me to pause and realize how grown up he is getting. I've adored those dark lashes ever since he was born! Shortly after, they ran outside and discovered a mud pit. They all took turns getting their rubber boots stuck. Oliver got so stuck that when his big brother rescued him he ended up pulling him right out of his boots. The boys carried him barefoot to the deck and I took him straight to the bath. When I asked him to pull the plug after his reply was, "I can't. I'm a rabbit!" After tucking everyone into bed for the night I cleaned the kitchen and waited for Mr. Stannix to come home. When we were halfway through our evening show I heard clinking coming from the kitchen and ended up finding Oliver trying to smuggle a tambourine to his bed room. I had already cleaned the little boys room today, but when I went to tuck him back in, he had already started a stash of treasures at the foot of his bed again. I never want to forget his late night escapades and the way he collects and hoards everything!


Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Felix

This morning the sun cast an orange glow all over the family room as the littles emerged from their rooms one by one. A few of them plop down on the couch and let the suns rays warm them, while others grab blankets and snuggle up on a heat vent, and the smallest of them climbs all over me until they find a comfortable spot to cuddle in.

I constantly find myself looking to the light in so many ways right now. Sunrises, sunsets, and candles are all soothing to my soul.

I jumped on the sour dough train this week. I was so excited to find bubbles when I checked on it this morning! I've only tried to start my own sourdough monster once before and wasn't very successful. I was practically jumping up and down this morning! 

Since I have to remember to feed it every day, my girl and I decided to name it Felix. I am looking forward to sourdough pizza, pancakes, and english muffins.

I caught these two giggling in my bed early this morning as I went around room to room tidying. I love all of the different age gaps and dynamics between kiddos, and I especially love seeing the big kids enjoying the little ones. 

I also love this boy and his sweet spirit! He still asks me to lie with him at nap time, and falls asleep instantly. He plays hard and crashes as soon as he sits still. This morning I fixed something for him and he said, "atta-boy!" Like good job Mom! It was pretty hilarious. He is always keeping us smiling!




Thursday, April 2, 2020

New Chicks




The mornings have been starting earlier and earlier. This morning I woke on the couch with Sawyer cuddled next to me. As I blinked sleep away from my eyes, I noticed the most beautiful sky out the front window.

These views and quiet moments spent in awe of natural beauty keep me grounded. It didn't take long for everyone else to wake and join us in the living room. The requests for breakfast soon began and I had to drag my tired body off the couch and start the day.

Grampa got a call from the post office nice and early in the morning and took the two oldest into town to pick up our new baby chicks (they stayed safe in the car to limit exposure to the dreaded COVID-19). When they came home, they brought them inside for a little while so that we could play with them.

It's always amazing to me that these little guys can make so much noise! Soon the living room was filled with the familiar "cheeping" of new babies. 

Sawyer couldn't wait to get his hands on a baby and shrieked in excitement until we brought him one. Grampa helped him learn how to hold the new chickie.



It didn't take him long to learn how to enjoy the little balls of fluff. He was so happy!

Hyrum sported his "farm shirt" for the occasion and asked me to snap a picture of him. I sure love this quiet boy and his gentle nature. 

Oliver remembered the chicks from last year and couldn't wait to cuddle one this year! He was so sweet about it!

In the late afternoon some of us made our way out to the heated garage to check on the babies. Sawyer quickly began begging to hold one. He is happiest when he can listen to the chicks "cheep" in his ear and feel their fluffy feathers on his cheeks. He sat so still for so long! We are so excited  to have new babies at the acreage again. Even though it's super cold outside, the promise of Spring is just around the corner.