It’s Autumn Time

I love seasons. Just as I tire of one, a new one begins. There are things I love about spring, and things I love about summer. The same goes for each season. Here we are at the end of October, and autumn is here in all its glory. I love the crisp air of fall, the leaves crunching under my feet and the anticipation of Christmas.

But let’s be honest, you don’t really care what I love about autumn. Perhaps you’d like a glimpse into my six-year old’s perspective…

A recent school project by Nathan:

 

Let’s take a closer look…

“I love Howluween”

 

“I love the froots and the vechtbel”

“I love pumpcin”

“I do not love wering swetrs”

There you have it folks- his favorite things about fall: veggies and being cold.

‘U’ Better Believe it!

My kids have been wanting to hike to the ‘U’ for a long time now. Well, we finally made the pilgrimage. The trail wasn’t clearly marked from where we started. But we made our way along the steep incline, with our sights set on the destination. 

Emma was excited to see ‘autumn’…

 

Nathan worked hard to keep his britches up, but his spirits never fell….

We went straight up the mountain.  

And finally made it!  

  

True to their style, the kids spent a long time climbing, up, around, over, and through these rocks.

The view was amazing.

 

Oh, yeah- these views were breathtaking, too…

Luckily, we found the real trail on the way back down. Still steep, but we didn’t have to slide on our pockets….  

Did we have a great time?  

U better believe it!

Teach a child to fish…

Casey was really good last year to get himself up and out the door by himself. I would wake up when I heard the front door close. I know what you are thinking…a good mom would wake her child, cook a nutritious breakfast, pack a lunch, kiss their forehead and offer words of encouragement before they head off to school. That’s what I think, too. Unfortunately, my good intentions never made it out of my head.

But this year, with two kids getting up before the crack of dawn, I decided I should turn over new leaf. Hmmm. Well, I think I got up early for the first couple days. I’ve never been good with routine. Ever. But I am proud to say we implemented a new routine and have stuck with it for a whole month! I’m pretty sure that’s a record around here.

We have been making the kids pack their own lunch the night before school. Since Casey was in kindergarten, I’ve been making lunches every morning. I don’t mind it, but mornings are sometimes hectic. Yes, I could make them the night before, but by the time dinner is cleaned up I’m tired and it’s time for the bedtime routine. (there’s that ‘R’ word again.) Not to mention, what I pack is not always what they want to eat. 

So we’ve taken the approach of teaching them how to make their own lunches. You know, a lifelong skill. I realized for years, I was only feeding them for a meal. Now, I’m feeding them for a lifetime.

Let’s take a look at the lifelong skills my children are learning.

Here is Nathan’s lunch:

Clockwise from the top: a whole carrot, unpeeled (yes, my kids like them better that way.) peach yogurt, pear halves, Mini Nilla Wafers, an apple, a s’mores granola bar, and a PB&J.

 

And here’s Hannah’s lunch:

Catalina dressing and some spinach leaves.

Loyalty

If I can say one thing about my fifth-born: Nathan is loyal.

Loyal to his clothes. He wears the same shorts day in and day out. Once he gets comfortable with a shirt, it’s not easily removed. And if I can convince him to take a bath, it goes right back onto his clean body the second he’s dry.
I’ve tried buying duplicates; but like a beloved blanky, there’s always ‘the one’.

I’ve tried throwing the clothes in the wash while he’s in the tub. This usually accomplishes one of two things: a) He throws a fit the size of Jupiter. b) He won’t be persuaded to take a bath for the next 6 months.

I’ll take b.

That is until yesterday. Yes, it may be premature to proclaim my victory, but I am 2 for 2 and trying to be optimistic.
The morning was typical. He consumed his wholesome instant oatmeal, spilling half down his front in the process. As his departure time drew nearer, I risked it all and broached the untouchable subject. He needed a clean shirt, and it was a gamble. Some mornings he complies willingly, other mornings he….(see previous paragraphs.)

The conversation went something like this:

Me: Nathan, will you please change your shirt? (I didn’t dare ask him to change his shorts. He had only been wearing them for two days.)

Nathan: (shooting death rays at me)

Me: You spilled your breakfast all over your shirt, bud.

Nathan: (Looks down at his shirt, not seeing what the problem is, delivers more stink-eye and a groan.)

Me: Nathan, people will think we don’t take care of you. And do you know what they do with kids who aren’t taken care of?

Nathan: (shakes his head.)

Me: They take them from their home, and give them new parents. (This may seem a bit harsh to some, but after 2 years of daily roulette, I am at the end of my rope.)

He wasn’t buying it….until I pointed out a foster situation with some friends of ours. Then, just like that, he went into his room and performed a complete wardrobe change.

This morning was a repeat. He protested at first. But as soon as I reminded him of the fate of neglected children, he changed his tune, along with is dirty outfit.

I am happy to say: Nathan is one loyal kid!

Loyal to his family.

Wax on, Wax off

“Girl who catch fly while eating popsicle can accomplish anything.”

Emma was proud of her bare-handed accomplishment. I love how she just keeps eating her popsicle like nothing happened.

I think I’ll call her Danielson.

In Full Swing

We certainly haven’t wasted any time. Summer flew by without letting me blog about all our fun adventures. And now that the kids are back in school, I see that we certainly aren’t slowing down. I have spent the past several weeks filling out paperwork and signing away the bank account getting the kids ready for school.

Although Nathan just started first grade, being at school ALL DAY isn’t new to him. Even so, he fell asleep twice after school the first day- once on our stairs and the other at his friend’s house. And we are off to a good start in the morning- he threw a tantrum over changing his shorts on day three. This should be a fun year.

 

Hannah is excited to be in third grade, and I know she’ll do well….I am a little worried about the homework, though (Mrs. L- if you’re reading this, just know we will try.) You see, Hannah is the type that needs a reminder. And…well, so is Casey. And since he is in 9th grade this year (and it ‘counts’,) that is where my priority will lie.  I’m just sayin’….

In 5th grade, Tyler is my oldest in the elementary school. That seems strange- didn’t he just start talking? In any case, he's happy to be the responsible one and look after his younger sister and brother.  Especially since Nathan wasn’t at his school last year.

 

Hailey is a busy girl. She was elected a 7th grade officer and she made the softball team! She is excited for both, and I am happy, too. She bores easily and needs the challenge. She is excited to have her own locker and all the different teachers she has.

 

Casey has been running Cross Country all summer with the high school. I  am really proud of him and his determination. He woke up early four mornings a week all summer to run. He is also determined to claim his position as 9th grader and remind Hailey of her status as a “Sevey”.

 

Ready or not, here they come!

Growing Pains

Last night, Emma woke me up with her crying. I waited for her to come into my bed like she does most every night. After several minutes, Hailey brought her into my room. Emma was crying in pain. I did my usual checklist- first making sure she wouldn’t throw up in my bed. It was her legs. The poor little thing was having growing pains. I rubbed her legs and gave her some ibuprofin. She still cried. Wanting to calm her down (and resume my sleep) I told her the good news: “Emma, do you know what this means? It means you are growing. And that means we can go to Disneyland again!” She still cried.

Eventually, she curled up into her dad’s arms and whimpered a while longer. Soon she stopped. “My legs don’t hurt anymore.”

“Oh, good!” I replied.

“Can we still go to Disneyland?” she asked.

I assured her that we would still go as soon as she reached 40 inches. She jumped up from my bed as if she had never been in pain, and ran into her sister’s room. Moments later she returned, disappointed that Hailey was asleep and unable to hear the good news.

She crawled under my covers and snuggled in close like always.  And that’s when my growing pains began. Although I can’t stop her from getting bigger, she’s still my baby. And for now, I’m perfectly OK with her crawling into my bed each night.

Even when she does sleep sideways.

We’re All Together Again

Whew! What a summer this has been. We have hardly been home. First it was off to Oregon for our family vacation. As soon as we returned from that trip, Randy, Casey and I headed to a pioneer trek for three days. After one day of rest, I sent Tyler off to Europe for two weeks with his grandma and grandpa, and cousin, Trevor. There went the first month.

The next two weeks were filled with practices for the big youth spectacular Casey participated in. Then Molly had puppies. 10 of them. Yes, it was planned. I know, I’m a glutton. Randy was (and still is) busy with work while he prepared for the biggest scout camp to date with his 19 scouts. There went the second month.

Two days after Randy and Casey got home from camp, I kissed Casey goodbye at EFY for a week. The next day, Hailey and I headed to girl’s camp. We returned Friday, and Randy loaded the Suburban with the four younger kids and left for a family reunion in St. George. Saturday morning, Hailey and I made the trek to Provo to retrieve Casey. Randy and the kids returned just before 5:00 on Sunday. Just in time for the post-trek fireside.

And while we enjoyed every bit of it, I sit here- happy to be home on a Monday with nothing to do. Yet I can’t help but wonder- how we can finish out our summer with a bang?

It’s Summer!!!

On the first official day, I thought I’d share  my top ten reasons I’m glad it’s summer.

 

10…No more giant stacks of paper to sort through EVERY day!

One day’s worth of papers from my second grader. Can we please go green and stop this madness?

 

9…No more bedtime-routine fights.

  Let ‘em drop where they are.

 

8…No more morning-rush mess to clean up.

We were all out the door that morning and it stayed like this all day. Just keeping it real, people.

 

7…No more PTA meetings.

Had great company and lots of help, but I’m glad I’m done.

 

6…Being lazy.

I’m tired, man.

 

5…Going on hikes.

Yes, that’s Hailey carrying Casey. Maybe next time I should have her carry me (see #6.)

4…Eating s’mores.

Have you ever tried them with peanut butter cups? Just sayin’… 

 

4….Lemonade stands.

How could you resist this?

 

3…Going swimming.

Even better when dad comes along. 

 

2…Camping.

 Hey- Randy does the cooking and cleaning. ;)

 

1…Spending more time with the crew.

 Longer days and nothing to do. Does it get any better than this?

To This Guy:

Thanks for being my eternity.

A dad my kids can look up to.

A hard-working provider for the family.

And someone who makes me want to be a better person.

Thanks for being my hero.

Shark Boy and Mama’s Girl

Happy birthday to my two youngest kidlets….

Nathan turned 6 on May 15th. While he still likes pirates, his newest obsession is sharks. So you can imagine my surprise when he asked for a gun cake.

Being the awesome cake decorator I am, I frosted the cake and stuck a dollar store squirt gun on top.

Hey- he was happy with it, and that’s all that matters. ;)

Nathan composed his birthday wish list a month and a half before his birthday. Strangely, it was identical to the birthday gifts his brother received. We obliged, adding a few unique gifts to the stack.

He was thrilled with everything he got.

After playing with some of his new toys, we moved outside to do his piñata. Funny thing about that piñata….it had been sitting on a shelf in my room for the past year. I know, I really think ahead. Okay, okay, I bought it for his 5th birthday and, well, it didn’t happen. So I filled it extra well this year and we were all happy.

Emma’s birthday followed soon after. She turned four on May 25th. 4, I know! When did she get so old?

She has been my little PTA helper this year. Sitting through countless meetings and dragged to schools all over town, she was quite the trooper. We had fun, and she made some unlikely friends. One of which dropped off a little gift for her that day.

 A handmade soap cupcake from my treasurer, Cheryl.

She loved all her presents. Even the goofy cake I made her (see, mad skills, I’m telling you.)  

After cake and presents, we all had a great time playing with her Play-Doh.  What can I say? We are easily entertained around here….