Writing and Coloring Skills

As I was sorting through Savannah's school work that comes home on a regular basis, I got a good chuckle out of this math page:


She is supposed to predict if the answer will be less than or more than 10, and then answer the question "Why?" Her first answer is "My brain knows!!!" and the second says, "Because I say so."

Oh my. I don't think this is what they had in mind when they asked those questions. Leave it to Savannah to say something so funny. I'm glad she is feeling good about her math skills. (She really is quite good at math, and her brain does happen to know the answer!!!)


Here is a picture that Madison recently drew. I love this stage where people are heads w/ arms and legs ... and no bodies.




Brooklyn likes to draw Unicorn Pegasus' and here is one of her recent creations:




And this post would not be complete without showing off Charlotte's marker skills. What a busy girl she is.

Three Random Thoughts of Thankfulness

1. Thanksgiving has come rather quickly this year. We usually have a family home evening lesson about being thankful on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Somehow I forgot about that little tradition this year. Jeff was in charge of the lesson, and he taught the girls about disappointment. It seems that most of our crying around here is due to the girls expecting something, and then when life gets in the way and we are not able to do whatever it was they had set their hearts upon ... Crying. Wailing. All out emotional warfare.

I never would have thought to have a lesson about dealing with the emotions of disappointment. What a great husband I have. He never ceases to amaze me. He even had a scripture story to share along with his lesson.

I am so thankful for Jeff. I'm thankful that he is my best friend. I am thankful that he is a great father. I am thankful that we can share the best of times, and the worst of times together. Forever.

2. At church last week, I was able to attend Relief Society and Sunday School. (Between helping with the primary program, sick children, and Charlotte's need for a parent in nursery, it has been a long time since I've been able to attend both meetings). The lesson in Relief Society was about Joseph Smith's Prophetic Mission. The teacher subtitled it "and our personal life mission" (okay, so she worded it much better). She taught about how each one of us has something that we need to accomplish here in mortality. Several sisters shared their feelings about being divinely led to a specific career. Nursing. Teaching. And in my heart I added "Mothering."

We listed ways that we could seek inspiration so that we can fulfill our life mission. I felt very impressed that I needed to do better (much better) about having personal prayer and scripture study. As I thought about my feelings from the lesson in RS, the lesson in Sunday School reaffirmed my desire to improve in these areas.

I came up with a little thing to help me remember the "important" things I need to do each day. I've been using it for a week and a half, and it is working rather well.

Ready, SET, Go.

Ready: In order to be "ready for the day" I need to begin with Prayer.
S: Scripture Study
E: Exercise
T: Teeth
Go: Go to bed at a decent hour.

So, at certain times through out the day, I say to myself, "Ready, set, go," to see what I need to "do" on my "top priority to do" list. In the morning I say it to remind myself to start the day with prayer. After dropping the kids off at school, when I sit down to the computer I say it... I now read my scriptures BEFORE getting online. By saying it, I remind myself of my goal for exercise when I am tempted to drive to pick up the girls. If I walk, I get in my exercise that way. If not, I have to plan ahead to exercise some other way. And then I say it to myself as I'm getting tired in the evening hours to remind myself to brush my teeth and go to bed. Then I'm less tempted to stay up late eating that evening snack that I don't really need.

At the end of the day, if I can say that I did everything on that list, then I feel I have accomplished something important that day. You should give it a try: Ready, Set, Go!

I am so thankful for Church, and for the lessons that we are reminded of through the programs there, and through the Holy Ghost. I am thankful for my Savior, and for his ability to make it possible for me to be forgiven of my mistakes. I am thankful for the desire I have to be a Mother, and the desire I have to improve myself.

3. Many people I know are going through troubling times right now. I am thankful for the way that they are able to continue to be upbeat through their trials. These amazing people inspire me to be more optimistic through my trials.

There you have it, my three random thoughts on Thankfulness. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

Dance Class Rescheduled

Savannah and Madison have been attending a dance class for the last couple of months. They love it. The teacher rewards them with a sticker AND a piece of candy if they are good. It doesn't get much better than that when you are 3 1/2 and 6.

Last week we showed up to dance class, and the door was locked and no one was around. There was a note on the door that said, "The dance teacher is out of town this week. There will be a make-up class at the end of the session." I read the note out loud to Savannah and Madison to help them understand why there was no dance class even though we had been looking forward to it all week.

Fast forward to yesterday, when it was time to get ready for dance class again. I was gathering all the dance clothes and trying to get the girls dressed in time. (Why are we always in such a rush to make it to dance on time?) Madison was extra excited about dance. Enthusiastically she said, "Is this the dance make-up class?" to which I explained that it was not. Today was a regular class. She seemed really disappointed. After a second, I realized that she thought that they were going to get to put on make-up at their "make-up class." How sweet is that?

A few minutes later, I was re-telling the story to Savannah. She also thought that a "make-up class" would include playing with make-up.

I can just imagine a little conversation between the two of them after reading the note last week.
Madison: "We are so lucky!"
Savannah: "Yeah, we are going to get to dance, and wear make up."

Charlotte is Talking!

A few weeks back, Charlotte wasn't saying much. Then one morning, it was like it all clicked in her head and she had it figured out. Now she has a lot of words that she can say, and she is constantly trying out new ones. I love this age, where everyday brings new skills and new abilities. Enjoy this little video of Charlotte talking!

Back to School

Last week my two oldest girls started school. Brooklyn is in Third grade this year. In her school, the Third through Sixth grades are on the upper level of the school. She was so excited to climb those stairs and start a new school year. Brooklyn was born loving school. At two, she would put on a back pack and ask when the school bus would be coming to pick her up. This year, she didn't even want me to walk her to her classroom on the first day. She is really becoming more independent each day.

Savannah is in First grade this year. She was super excited to be able to eat lunch at school. And have three recesses. I'm so happy for her. She loves school. She loves her teacher. She is busy making friends and having fun. I'm happy to say that she did want me to walk her to her classroom and make sure that she was going to be okay. It's nice to be needed.

Brooklyn and Savannah were talking about their teachers after the first day of school. Savannah was saying how super nice her teacher is. Brooklyn wisely informed her that ALL teachers are nice on the FIRST day ... "you have to wait until the second day of school to find out their true character." (Oh how that made me laugh). After the second day, Savannah was happy to report that her teacher IS INDEED as NICE as she had thought. Whew, what a relief that was!

. . . Waiting

So today, I spent my day waiting for the Comcast guy to show up. We've lived here a year, and our great "introductory" rate with our old internet company has run out. And so it was time to switch to another provider to get their great "introductory" rate for new customers. (What am I going to do next year? I've used up the only two companies that provide access to my neighborhood???) Anyway, that is not what I was meaning to focus on with this blog post. Does that happen to you?

As I was waiting, I thought about how I'm always "waiting" for something. Waiting for school to start in another week. Waiting for one of my kids to brush their teeth. Waiting for someone to get their shoes on. Waiting for the next thing to happen. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

While I was waiting, Madison wanted to go outside to play. I didn't dare go to the back yard, because I can't hear the doorbell from back there. So, I did something I never do, and I suggested that we go play in the front yard. Madison wanted to run through the sprinkler. As Charlotte and Madison were having a great time getting wet with the sprinkler, I stopped to enjoy the moment. Something about being outside on a lazy summer day always helps me to do that. I had an amazing thought hit me. This is what I've been waiting for. This time in my life to be a mother. I've looked towards this time all my life (waiting for it to happen). What a joy it is to have these sweet children grace my life with their joy, and with their presence.

When we came inside, after the Comcast guy left, Madison was playing with playdough and made some cinnamon rolls. She was so proud of herself. She said, "I'm ready to be a mom now," and "I'm going to make dinner tonight." I pray that she gets the same opportunity to be a mother that I have. It is well worth the wait.

Family Photos

My very talented sister Amber consented to take family pictures for us a few months ago. She did such an amazing job that I've had a hard time choosing my favorites to hang on our living room wall. I guess that is part of the agony of having such cute kids :)

Meow!

Savannah is six! For her birthday she wanted to have a "Kitty" party. In the photo you can see the kitty masks we wore. I made them out of felt, and think that they turned out great. Jeff made her a couple of pretty cool cakes, but she was in an emotional mood the day of her party and did not want him to cut the cakes in order the shape them before frosting them. Bless his heart, he tried to do what he could to make her happy. (One is a cat, the other is a mouse).

On her birthday, Savannah informed me that she is not a "little girl" anymore. It seems to me that she grew up overnight. (I guess she thinks so too). The shocking thing is - it is the truth.

Savannah can do so many things by herself now. She can read and write. She can take care of younger siblings. She can pump herself on a swing. She can even do chores around the house without too much trouble ... especially if there is a bribe involved. She wants to learn how to ride a bike, and I believe it is time she can do that too. She is a really great kid - kind of emotional - but really great.

We are so happy that Savannah is growing into a wonderful kid, even if I'm a bit sad that she isn't a "little girl" anymore.

Mama's taking us to the zoo this summer!

Last week we went to the zoo with some of our cousins (on Jeff's side of the family). We had a great time!

Here the kids are, pretending to be fish under the water.


Ahhh, some scary lions!


Taking a little snack break.


The whole crew together in one picture.


Thanks Debbie for suggesting such a fun activity.

And the best part is, we purchased a family pass to the zoo. If anyone is planning a trip to the zoo and wants some company, we would love to go with you!

Charlotte is walking ... well, kind of.

Charlotte has not been too interested in walking, which has been okay with me. She already is into so many cupboards and bookshelves that the added fun of walking is not something I've been wishing for. But she does need to walk sooner or later. I can't carry her around forever.

With the help of a doll stroller, she now LOVES to walk around. She has a little bike she pushes around too - the trouble with the bike is that she likes to stand on it like a stool. A stool with wheels is a bad idea no matter what age you are. Charlotte is by far my most active climber.

She has taken a few steps without help, so I'm sure she will be walking in no time. Savannah says that Charlotte doesn't want to learn how to walk, she just wants to learn how to run. I think she is right.

What is plus two and one?

Three of course.
And Madison.

Last week Madison celebrated her birthday, and we had a great time.

The following video is dedicated to everyone who has an April birthday. Madison hopes that all you monkeys enjoy it!

Brooklyn's Baptism

Last week Brooklyn was baptized. She has been looking forward to this day for so long. We all have. I am so proud of her, and her choice to become a member of Christ's church. As we were sitting next to each other during the talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost, she turned to me with a big smile and said, "It is my turn! It is finally my turn!"

Her toes did not want to stay under the water the first time, and so she had to go under the water again. She didn't seem to mind at all.

She was so beautiful all dressed in white - almost like she was an angel. This was truly an amazing day.

Wishing you a Wonderful Valentines Day

Just an Ordinary Day

Five girls at home.
Four loads of laundry.
Three trips to the school.
Two batches of bread.
One (short) nap for the baby.

How is your day going?