A Cake Thief

I woke up this morning to a bucket full of tiny beads spilled all over the floor in the entry way. After cleaning them up I decided it was definitely worse than cleaning up the floor that was painted with glue yesterday morning. I then went to the counter to dish the boys a small slice of rhubarb cake to tie them over until I finished breakfast. As I took a closer look I noticed a small hole in the stretch wrap where a tiny hand fit in to claw away tiny chunks of cake earlier that morning. Joseph proudly fessed up and I just shook my head and carried on with the morning wondering what else my day had in store.

Best Dad Ever

Hyrum is really into super hero's. He has been begging me to make him a cool shield for the last couple of days so when his Daddy took some time to color up this awesome shield this morning he was in heaven! His latest obsession is Captain America and I think those two did a great job coloring that awesome shield. Hyrum adored it and played with it for an entire day. He also adores his Daddy.

Fishing with Grampa

 I can't believe this week is almost over already! We are excited for Daddy to come home tomorrow but are sad to see our week at the Acreage come to a close. The children love being here where they are free to roam, get dirty, raid the raspberry patch, take quad rides, and hang out with the chickens. We have had a wonderful week! 

Today was yet another day full of adventure and fun. After breakfast we headed to a nearby lake and Grampa took the older two out fishing.

 I put Finley on my back and walked the shore with Joe while we waited for them. He couldn't wait to get his feet wet and splash rocks in the water.

 In our wanderings we came across a frog hanging out in a hole. It took everything in me to muster up the courage to pick the little guy up. Usually I leave it to Camilla or Daddy. I really wanted Joseph to have a chance to hold the frog and I wanted to show him that they really aren't scary. 

 He sat on my lap for a few minutes and looked at it, but would not hold it if his life depended on it. It was super funny seeing him so afraid of something. The kids had no luck fishing but are excited to try again in a few weeks! We loaded up the boat and headed back to the Acreage to fill grumbly tummies with some lunch. My Dad loaded my van up with fresh garden goods, raspberries, and a case of my Mamma's raspberry jam. I admire my parents for their generosity and attitude of service.

We took off home in the early afternoon and I had to stop my van of sleeping children to snap this picture. It was so great to spend the week with my parents. It always does my soul good to get away from the city and enjoy the peace and quiet of home. I miss that Mr. Stannix of mine like crazy though and am looking forward to his return tomorrow night!

Mud Pies

We have really enjoyed our week at the Acreage. Today Grampa took the kids to the sandbox and showed them how to build a town with rivers, roads, and bridges. They really enjoyed getting messy!

Fang

This guy has been doing some major teething. Considering he cut his eye teeth without me knowing, I'd say he's doing pretty good! He is such a happy guy!

Through my Sisters Lense

 Today we woke up to clouds. Joseph actually slept past six and scarfed down a bowl of cereal before everyone got out of bed. He is an early riser and I'm pretty confident it's his hungry belly that wakes him each morning. My sister documented the day well with her camera, so I will let her pictures tell the story!

Camilla and Gramma mixed up some pancakes and Cami girl flipped them all. Pancakes are a real treat at Gramma's house!

 Finley enjoys interacting with everyone at the breakfast table while he sits in my old highchair.

 Gramma spent a few hours in the berry patch before the rain came. Since we got seven buckets yesterday we only got one today. She's made four batches of jam in the last two days and we are lucky enough to enjoy the fruits of her labour. 

 In the late afternoon we took the kids to the lake for a walk. Hyrum has been under the weather and stayed with Gramma so he could sleep off his fever. Camilla had to bring her own camera and be just like her Aunt.

 Despite the chilly weather the kids still removed their shoes and splashed their toes in the lake.

 Finley really enjoys being outside!

 It was spitting rain the whole time and he thought that was pretty funny.

 Joseph is a boy of endless energy and he ran and ran the entire time we were there.

Once we wore him out we headed home for chinese food!

Gramma's House

 With Daddy being away on young men's camp this week we decided to take a trip to the acreage. I love to get out of the city and enjoy the wide open spaces, fields and rolling hills. There is a particular spot in the drive where the mountains pop into view and I get giddy with excitement. It always feels so good to be home. Since getting here we have picked and enjoyed countless pails of raspberries and fresh garden produce. 

 This is an all too familiar sight to me. Gramma even gave Joseph the pot to lick out afterwards. He was pretty much in heaven!

Homemade popsicles on the back deck are always a treat too!

Sunday Snapshots

 When we have a few extra minutes on Sunday morning I like to gather the kids together for pictures. I love watching them interact and seeing the love between them. 

 Hyrum looks taller in this one because he had shoes on and Camilla was barefoot. They get asked if they are twins a lot.

Joseph's expression makes me laugh in this one because it really brings out his personality. He is such a funny kid! Happy Sunday!!

Fleeting

There has been a lot of musical beds going on at our house. Between Finley cutting two more teeth, a frequent bed wetter, a two year old who almost never sleeps in his own bed and a few nightmares here and there, I sometimes feel like I just go from one kid to the next all night long.  One night as I was making my way up the stairs to my bed in the dark I heard little feet run across the hall. By the time I made it to my bed my spot had already been taken and Mike and I had a good laugh.

Mornings always start early and being cheerful at 5:00am doesn't exactly come naturally to me. Some days are long and hard and I constantly find myself praying to see the world through my children's eyes. Trying to keep this perspective helps me when my little guy dumps a forty count box of sidewalk chalk in the middle of the sitting room so that he can turn the box over and use it to reach something I took away earlier. It's easy to become frustrated over the mess and miss the chance to commend him for his problem solving skills.

After much debate we ended up getting rid of our land line last week. And just when I was starting to feel sad about it, Joseph sealed the deal by throwing our home phone into the bath tub. As I picked it up water poured out of every nook and cranny. The display screen resembled a fish tank with water gently sloshing as I turned the phone from one angle to the next. I may or may not have cried, even though the phone has been disconnected for a week. Last week the DVD remote was thrown into the tub and I really should have known better. After night prayers Mr. Stannix looked at me with a twinkle in his tired eyes and said, "Well, at least I got the mawn lowed". And that pretty much sums up how tired we are these days.

But this afternoon while Mr. Stannix and I sat on a park bench listening to our children squeal with delight as they ran around the spray park we couldn't help but think that we are in a wonderful season of life.  A sleepless, messy, joy filled, fleeting season.  We won't always have sticky fingerprints, or art on our walls. That little girl won't always want to be cuddled after a bad dream. Joseph will not be sleeping in our bed forever. Hyrum won't always play and giggle like he hasn't a care in the world. And Finley won't be nursing for much longer. These moments are so precious, even though they are tough. And I hear it's usually the hardest things that are the most worthwhile in the end.

Auntie Cathy Visits

 Mike's Auntie Cathy was out visiting for the week and we had the privilege of getting together with some of the Stannix clan for dinner. The last time she came to visit we were heading off to Hawaii and the kids were out at the Acreage. The last time she saw Camilla was when she was just a few months old.

 Finley warmed right up to her and spent a good chunk of the night bouncing on her lap and talking to her. 

 Finley also got to visit with Uncle Mike, Auntie Chris and Nana. It was great to get together with everyone for a visit.

Mike lived with his Auntie Cathy for a short time when he was little, so they kind of have a special relationship. We got an awesome group picture that I will have to add later since it wasn't taken with my camera. It's always nice to get to know Mike's side of the family a little better! Thanks for the fun!