Kicking off May Long

 My morning started out nice and early when Hyrum woke up. He stood at the end of my bed for a long time watching us. I kept my eyes closed hoping for just a few more minutes of sleep. He soon made his way downstairs and started building towers with his blocks in the office. Before long we were all out on the back deck playing and enjoying the sunshine.

We spent the early afternoon at the park sliding, playing in the sand and collecting rocks and sticks. Hyrum is so big and independent now, it still blows my mind! I love him and his boyish ways. He goes everywhere with his hat on backwards and even naps in it most days.

The littles seem to play so much better together when they are outdoors and unsupervised. I think our cramped little home keeps them from getting the "unsupervised" play they need. I can't wait until they turn the water on at the parks so we can cool off and enjoy making mud pies.

 

Little Joe is six months old today! I can hardly believe half a year has come and gone. He enjoys sitting on his own more now and will often play at my feet or with his brother and sister while sitting. He is definitely getting more and more active each day and has started lifting his little tummy off the ground. Crawling and moving are just around the corner. A part of me is excited for him, and another part of me is sad that he is growing out of his baby ways.

 

 We kicked off the long weekend with homemade pizza and strawberry milkshakes. I love Friday nights. It's great to be with the fam and enjoy spending time with Daddy. Hyrum ran up to him this afternoon exclaiming, "Daddy!" and hugged his legs. Super cute. The littles sure do love that big guy!

Camilla's photog skills!

Happy May Long!

An Hour Ahead

I have been an hour ahead all day today. I knew that we had to get up and out the door pretty early to get to Joe's immunizations. I had fallen asleep in the green chair for the early part of the morning. I heard the front door close twice, once when Faith left for school and again when Daddy left for work. I glanced down at my watch after the second time and decided it was time to start our day. I managed to shower, blow dry my hair, straighten my hair, feed the kids breakfast, and make it to the clinic on foot with three kiddos in tow all by the early hour of 8:00am. The only problem was, Joseph's appointment wasn't until 9:30am. I knew something was wrong when I saw all of these kids biking to school in our neighborhood as we walked. They were either really late, or I was really early. I felt so weird not knowing what the actual time was. So we cruized through the mall and checked out Target, the only store open before 10:00am. The kids did pretty well chilling in the stroller and Joseph ended up falling asleep just as we entered the clinic. He now weighs a whopping 18 and 1/2 lbs.

After the clinic we slipped over to the library for some new books and singing time. It was so fun to see Hyrum singing along and participating. Every time we go he seems so much more mature than the last. He didn't even play on the window ledge half way through like he usually does. We picked up a new bag full of books and movies and then started our walk home. Joseph was quick to fall asleep in the wrap, so we took our time picking dandilions, rocks and sticks along the way. I ended up pushing an empty double stroller all the way home, but the kids were enjoying stretching their legs.

While the boys napped this afternoon I got to spend some time with Camilla. Her naps have been hit or miss lately. I don't know who's more sad about it, her or me. Although I miss my quiet time, I have decided to make the best of the time that her and I get to have together. We sat on the livingroom floor for a long time together and read library books. She asked me to make my legs like a puppy house so that she could climb in and be safe. I love her imagination and her sweet personality. Today at the library she suggested a song to sing infront of the whole group. Even though the program is teacher-led, I am grateful for understanding teachers who are willing to improvise. It's so funny watching miss Camilla in front of a group. She is totally fearless and I can totally picture her as someone who will enjoy drama/dance later in life. It's so fun to recognize talents in my kiddos and I am grateful for them each day!

Afternoon Shakes

Before breakfast was even over today Camilla requested a milkshake. These kids always wake up ready to take on the day. Hyrum was outside in his pj's and splashing boots first thing after the sun. I had just changed his diaper, so his pj's were unzipped showing off his awesome belly, and the empty legs floated behind him as he ran around the yard. Oh what our neighbors must think. Camilla finally got her wish just after lunch. It was hot and we all needed a pick me up, so strawberry shakes it was!

Then this happened...

Rocket Ship Rides

When my siblings and I were little we invented this thing on the trampoline called Rocket Ship. Basically I would pick them up with my legs and they would fly across the trampoline. We got pretty good at it. The best was when we could do it in the house and fly onto the couch. Today the kids were begging me to play with them after all of the laundry and dishes I had to do. I love playing on the floor with them! We did some Rocket Ship rides, safe and slow I assure you. I love their sweet smiles and I love when our home is filled with laughter.

We have also been loving the outdoors. Joseph usually chills in his swing while the rest of us kick around a soccer ball or draw with chalk. We are so glad that the snow is gone!

Love this handsome little man and his adorable smiles!

Being a Kid

Being a kid means blowing bubbles in your milk to your hearts content.



Mother's Day

I have been thinking a lot today about all of the women who have influenced me over the years. I have also been thinking a lot about my mother and if she was always as gentle, kind, loving, wise and forgiving. I wonder if she struggled with some of the same things I did and how she reacted when we tried her patience as children. These are the kinds of things I wish I could remember. Because as I grow and learn with my own small children I sometimes get discouraged with myself when I raise my voice or lose my temper. Surely, my amazing mother NEVER lost her temper with us (not that I remember anyways). Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and be a fly on the wall. I sure do admire my Mother and all that she is. She has taught me so much about nurturing children, giving tender loving care, cooking dinners for a crowd, enjoying life, and loving my role as mother. It is because of her that I grew up with a special love and desire to be a mother. I couldn't wait to have a house full of babies to call my own, to bathe them and wash behind their ears, to make them peanut butter playdough like my own mother did, and to teach them amazing things. Motherhood seemed so much simpler from the eyes of my childhood. Little did I know of all the work, sacrifice, heartache, patience, energy and constant prayers that go into this great role. I am so grateful that I have a mother who taught me all of this and continues to teach me through her example and her tender loving care.

Planting and Playing

 We made it safe and sound to get our girly from the Acreage. Gramma took Hyrum in to see the little chicks last night and he loved it. He gave his "I'm so excited but don't want to show it" smirk. It's the cutest little look.

This morning we went out right away after breakfast to check on the chicks again. This time he actually held one and loved every minute of it. When we separated out the little Turkey's Hyrum kept sticking his hand in to pet them. They're a bit more agressive and curious and munched the ends of his fingers.

Daddy took our car in to the car wash to clean it up and then vacuumed it. When he finished the kids wanted to go for a spin. He drove to the end of the lane and back with them and then each of them took a turn steering (I love the country). It was pretty cute. 

We had a chance to hang out on the deck with Great-Gramma Purdon. She spoiled us this morning with Banana bread and Rhubarb cake. We all got to enjoy it nice and hot.

We spent the rest of the afternoon planting the garden. Hyrum learned how to plant the onions with Gramma. The kids loved playing in the dirt and water.

Joseph enjoyed being outdoors, playing with the grass and trying to eat it. He's getting much better at sitting on his own!

Joe had both his morning and afternoon naps in the wheelbarrow. It was a super hot day, so we had to wheel him into the shade. He snoozed for quite a while and I'm sure the fresh air was good for him. Even though he wore a ball cap the whole day, his cheeks still ended up a little rosy at days end.

We came in for a late afternoon lunch and when Grampa looked outside he couldn't help but laugh. A few minutes earlier I had asked Camilla to take off her muddy clothes before coming in. We peeked out to find her ringing out a sock before hanging it on Gramma's clothes line to dry. So funny! She was taking each dirty piece of clothing and "washing" it under the water sprinkling out of the hose. Then she would ring it out while walking across the lawn to stick it up on the clothes line.



I thoroughly enjoyed my day outside (and I have the red arms and rosy cheeks to prove it!). I love how working in the garden is relaxing in it's own way. We got a lot done today and I can't wait to come out and enjoy fresh carrots and raspberries soon!

It's so nice to get fresh air and sunshine!

On Our Way

Photo credit goes to Auntie Emma

Camilla has been having so much fun at Gramma and Grampa's the last couple of days. Today Mom told me that she wants to spend all of her time with the baby chicks and doesn't like to leave them. When I phoned today she was out helping Grampa put together a green house. Her job was to pass him the screws. Hyrum has missed her like crazy, but I think the time apart has done them both good. We are heading out soon to meet Daddy at the train station and pick up Camilla. It's been far too quiet around here without her!

Signs of Spring

There are signs of spring all over the city!

The boys and I rode the bus today while the car was getting fixed.

I couldn't help but notice all of the leaves coming on the trees.

That and the blue sky made me super happy.

This chubby cheeked little boy also makes me happy

He's growing too fast!

Little Chicks

Today Camilla took a road trip with Grampa and Auntie Emma to pick up the little chicks. They just hatched yesterday. I am a bit jealous. I can remember as a kid hopping in the back of the old blue Ford truck and driving with my Dad to pick up the chicks in the Spring time. I would spend hours with them after we got home watching them learn to drink and run around. I am so glad Camilla gets a chance to experience it too! She will be spending a few days with Gramma and Grampa at the Acreage. I am going to miss her so much! She helped me pack her bags this morning. As I was buckling her into the car she was talking about leaving and it finally sunk in that she would be away from us for a couple of days. She looked as though she was going to start to cry, so I quickly hugged her. She was brave. She asked me if I was going to miss her and if I was going to cry after she left. She gave me the tightest little hug and a big wet kiss on the cheek. 

It's been a super quiet day with just the boys. Hyrum isn't sure what to do with himself without someone to follow around. At dinner time he helped me set the table as I passed him the forks I said, "one for Mommy, one for Daddy, one for Hyrum...." and he looked up at me and asked, "What about one for Cama?" Then I had to remind him that she was at Grampa's. "Where did my Bampa go?" he would ask in a sad voice. So funny. Then when I came down from the bedroom he asked me if I found her playing "ready or not", which I think meant hide and seek. It's so weird not having her around. When Daddy asked him where Camilla was he said, "Gettin' chickens, Daddy".

She called us tonight from the Acreage to tell us all about the baby chicks and how fuzzy they are and how much fun they are. She talked to Hyrum for a few minutes and asked him things like, "What did you eat for supper Hyrum?" "Did you eat it all gone?" "Did you have dessert?" "Was it good?" She sounded so grown up! I love hearing that little voice of hers on the telephone.

We Skyped before bath time to say goodnight. She was bouncing all over the couch in excitement and just loving life. My Dad and Sister sent me pictures during the day to keep me updated. I can't wait to hold me a fuzzy little chick. I also can't wait to hold and snuggle my little girl again this weekend!