Halfway There

While Finley has adjusted well to his big bed, he still falls out of it almost every night. Instead of crying now, he will either fall back to sleep on the floor, or climb back in. Tonight, he didn't quite make it all the way...

Clay Pot Friends

Last week the littles and I glued googly-eyes onto these tiny clay pots. Each of them took turns filling a pot with dirt and sprinkling grass seed on top. They patiently waited, day after day for the grass to grow and once it started it grew pretty fast! They have loved cutting their "hair" each day on the deck and styling it a bit different each time. They sit on my kitchen counter and make me chuckle every time I walk in there!

Sunday Snapshots

 Our day started bright and early today! We had lots of time to eat breakfast and get ready...

 And lots of time to play the piano...

 This little guy went to nursery in our ward for the first time today! He's growing so fast! There were no tears or issues, but he was super excited when Daddy went to pick him up after church. It will be nice to have a few months kid free before babe comes along.

Kinsmen Park

We love Saturdays! The kids wanted to do something "fun" today, so we had pancakes for breakfast and took off to a park for a few hours. We stopped by the bakery on our way and let the kids each pick out their own donut. Then as lunchtime was approaching, we passed a pizza place. Camilla told us it was the best day ever because "we got dessert, and THEN lunch!" 

We enjoyed our pizza on a bench by the pond. As soon as they finished their slice they immediately began climbing!

 When the big guys were done, Joe wanted a turn too!

 I asked one of the kids to snap a quick picture of us and then they all wanted a turn. I love seeing the world through their eyes.

Finley fell asleep in the stroller while we walked around the pond and slept for most of the time we were at the park. The other three loved running around and exploring. Joe talked to pretty much anyone who would listen and loved when Daddy pushed him high on the swings!

Camilla went across the monkey bars over and over again, despite her blisters. She's quite proud that she can skip a bar and asked us to watch her a lot! When we got home they grabbed their gloves and a bat and went to the backyard to play catch with Daddy. A day well spent!!

Things I'm Loving

We are enjoying a nice, quiet week. Our calendar is mostly empty for June, other than Soccer once a week. I love being home and relaxing with the littles. We are anxiously awaiting Summer break to begin. There is something about sunshine and no schedules that excites me. 

This week I am loving the quiet afternoons as this guy naps for close to three hours. He's so sweet when he sleeps I can't help but check on him sometimes.

I've finished up a few projects, and started some more. This big owl will be for Fin's second birthday (which is still a long ways away).

 I am in love with the texture of these dishcloths. This was my first try and I can't wait to make more! There's something about working with my hook and yarn that feeds my soul. When I have time to work on something, everybody is happier!

With three months to go, I've been doing some baby prep. We still don't know if we're having a boy or a girl, but just in case it's a girl I made up this adorable cable stitch beanie. It worked up so quickly and I adore it.

Perfectly Content

There are days where I feel perfectly content as I pull the door closed after tucking the last of the littles into bed. It's not because my house is terribly clean, or everyone got along amazing, or anything out of the ordinary. Usually when I feel this way it's because I've completed a full day working with my hands and playing with the children.

My morning began with a visit to my midwife for a monthly check-up. Baby kicked and squirmed as my tummy was measured and checked. The heart beat was just over 130bpm, and they always let me listen for an extra minute or two. As my tummy grows and baby's kicks become stronger, this pregnancy is becoming more real. I left my appointment feeling satisfied with my midwife team and the way this pregnancy is progressing. I enjoyed a quiet drive home thinking about this little one's arrival and how quickly time is going by.

 Finley's nap was not nearly long enough today and he woke up crying, and wanting to be held. I wrapped him on my back and he quickly snuggled in and tucked his arms under his tummy. We both let out a contented sigh. Our breathing synchronized as I moved and swayed around the kitchen making my first batch of crusty artisan bread. The kitchen smelled amazing and the loaves crackled as they cooled on the counter. The boys and I enjoyed them warm with honey and I happily received their compliments.

The afternoon was spent mostly outside. The boys ran back and forth to the park where they enjoyed making new friends and playing on the swings. They were rosy cheeked, sweaty, and full of smiles. When Camilla came home we filled the pool and cooled off. They were surprised when I joined them, swim suit and all. We splashed, dipped our feet, sunned on the towels, dipped our feet again...

As I've looked back on our day through my camera's lens, I can't help but feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. We had hard moments today, but we also made some happy memories. As life rushes by, it's these little moments that I want to hang onto.

Sleep & Sun

 We snuck out to the Acreage this weekend to surprise my parents (since they had both hinted that we should come out). I mentioned my phone call with them to Mr. Stannix and his reply was, "Let's go!" I packed our bags in under ten minutes and only forgot jammies for the younger two! We arrived late Friday night and enjoyed good conversation and comfy beds. 

 The weather was beautiful! The kids were outside shortly after 7:00am on Saturday, except for Hyrum who slept until 9:00am!! By the early afternoon Joseph was begging me to lay down with him in his bed and fell asleep shortly after.

 Before long people started showing up to help finish up the greenhouse my Dad has been working on for the last little while. They needed extra hands to get the cover on and lots of friends showed up. We finished our afternoon with a big BBQ for those who came. It was a hot day, and lots of us ended up with sunny red faces.

I enjoyed listening to the birds and the quiet this weekend. There was no traffic, no commitments, no where to go. We worked hard, but it was also relaxing. The children played outside long after supper and came in for baths as the sun began to set on the horizon.

Diaper Wizard

I've been cloth diapering for over six years now and I love it! It has been a huge money saver for our family with up to two kids in diapers at one time. I only ever buy disposables for overnight, or out and about. A few weeks ago I got tired of Finley waking up soaking wet and took to the internet to do some research. After a great recommendation from a friend, and lots of reading I took the plunge and ordered this Wizard Duo. It finally arrived and I washed it up right away! This morning Finley woke up dry and happy after thirteen hours. I even let him eat his breakfast in it, just to test it to it's max. We did not have one leak! I totally did a happy dance and told Mike how awesome this diaper was at least a dozen times. It came with one shell and two awesome overnight inserts. I love the way the snaps are positioned as well as the trim insert. I am super excited to cut down on our use of disposables even more! 

 

Welcome June

 You have arrived as quiet as a whisper and as warm as a baby's touch. 

We are enjoying your beautiful sun rises and blue sky mornings. 

Your days are long and filled with the perfect combination of warmth and wind. 

The children greet the day early, eager to let the grass tickle their toes and the sun kiss their faces.

Our taste buds are awakened by the juicy strawberries that leave sticky fingers and red, stained faces as they are enjoyed.

The children run all day leaving trails of dress up clothes, balls, and bicycles behind them.

The baby has given up wearing all but his diaper and I squish and snuggle his soft baby skin whenever he climbs on my lap.

The bathwater is darker these days from grubby little toes that have ran about the yard all day.

Everyone goes to bed tired from the afternoons spent in your glory.

As the sun goes down, the clouds blow in, lined with orange and pink hues over the roof tops.

Your cool evenings are much welcomed after your warm days and we fall asleep just as the last rays of sun disappear into night.

My Girl

This morning before Camilla left for school I snapped a quick picture. It was one of those mornings where she just looked older. Time sometimes escapes me and I can't help but find myself wondering how that tiny, sweet girl grew up so fast! 

I am counting down the days until school is out and relishing in every Friday she has off from now until July. While I love my busy boys, I also love the sense of peace and calm this girl brings to our family and I miss her terribly when she's gone.

I love that she wants to be good. She recognizes when others need help and is very sensitive to how other people are feeling.

When I am having a tough mommy day, she rallies the troops to make a secret, hand-made surprise. Within minutes I am presented with beautiful cards filled with hearts, or a stick people family, or a happy home, with "Mom" scribbled on the outside.

She likes to sneak into my room before bed and leave notes on my pillow. The last one said "To Mommy. I knoe you are sleepy. But I wanted to sae good night I love you. I hope you have a good sleep. Ale see you in the morning. I love love love you. Love Camilla."

I admire her forgiving nature and the way she becomes the calm amongst a storm. One night during Family scriptures, Joe would not stop whining. My patience was thin, so I just kept reading. She gently pursuaded him to sit on her lap and hugged him until he calmed down. The sight of someone as big as herself sitting on her lap made a smile crack on my flustered face. I tearfully finished reading, wishing I had her talent of comforting those in need.

She still comes up pretty much every night for a snack after I've read to her and tucked her in. I will walk around the corner after doing dishes and jump ten feet in the air at her sneaky appearance in the kitchen. Her hopeful blue eyes look up at me and I can't help but give in. We sit at the round table, just the two of us and enjoy a little something while we whisper about her day, or school, or problems she's having. I've learned that it's not so much about the snack as it is about the time we share.

At night as I fall asleep I often wonder if I've been too hard on her during the day. Being the oldest, I have high expectations and sometimes push her too hard to be perfect. She is so patient with me and teaches me so much about being a mother. I often think that I learn far more from her sweet little spirit than she does from me in a day. She is such a blessing to our family!