The First Week

We made it to the end of the first week of school.

On the first day the kids had a special, healthy breakfast and had plenty of time in the morning.

On Thursday they ate cookies while we hurried to catch the bus.

We are very tired.

That is all.

Play With Your Food

Summer of Scouting

During the summer we only meet once a month for cub scouts, plus day camp, so we made the most of our time together. First, in June we had a bike rodeo. Batgirl attended.

Then Cooper attended a week of day camp.

The boys watched skits on the final day.

In July, the big adventure was going to a ropes course.

That's Cooper way up there.

Finally, in August we played a water fight version of capture the flag which basically turned into a huge water fight. Sophie and Phoebe were fierce competitors and everyone was drenched when we finished.

And So It Begins

Here's the rundown on the first day:

• Peter had an acceptable day, though he didn't want to admit it. 
• Phoebe discovered her friend from last year moved away and she felt picked on by a boy in her class and no one was allowed to check out books even though they went to the library, not her best first day.
• Cooper had an awesome day, he loved his teachers and got to see old friends and make new ones.
• Sophie was a great helper while we ran errands to each of the three schools and two stores and the doctor's office, I think she missed the big kids but also enjoyed having more time with me.
• Topher was a good sport during our errands, but was a very tired boy by the time bedtime came.

Sophie won't start her preschool co-op until next week, but she wanted to hold a sign with her siblings.

Hopes and Dreams

Today is the first day of school. Phoebe is ecstatic, Cooper is anxiously optimistic, and Peter (who did not get the classes he wanted) is dreading it. I'll give a report tomorrow.

In anticipation of beginning, I asked each kid what their hopes are for the new school year. And because Sophie is doing preschool at home, she got to participate as well. Here are their answers.

Sophie: I hope I have macaroni and cheese, and I hope I have a good time, and I hope I have the same mom and the same brother, and that I'm not alone but always with them, and that I'll always come when she calls on me.

Phoebe: To win the coloring contest that is at school, that I'll stay friends with my old friends, that I'll do good and do well in my class. And I hope that I'll get into PYLON (student government).

Cooper: To make new friends, have fun, have fun, have fun, and get smarter.

Peter: I don't want to talk about school because it hasn't happened yet and I want to relish summer as long as possible.

My hopes for the new year? That I figure out the art of juggling kids at three different schools, teaching one in a preschool co-op, caring for the one that is nursing and napping, delivering kids to piano and scouts and dance and whatever other extracurricular activities they sign up for, serving in three different callings at church, feeding my family relatively healthy meals, keeping the house reasonably clean, spending time with Bryan, reading scriptures and other books on a regular basis, and not completely losing my mind.

Bring it on.

He Stands

Topher loves to stand, it's one of his favorite activities. Usually we hold him up, this once Bryan leaned him against the back of the couch. Sometimes when he fusses we'll stand him up and he calms down. I wonder if this means he'll walk earlier than his siblings.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

This picture accurately depicts their relationship.

Riding the Rails

Last week the kids and I drove up to Jim Thorpe, PA and rode the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway with some friends from church. We learned during our visit that at one time this town was the second most popular tourist destination in the country. The little bit of the town that I saw reminded me of Disneyland, not because it had rides (I believe the train was the only ride available), but rather because of the quaint shops.

It was a warm, sunny day. Also, someone in our group didn't want his picture taken.

We sat in the open car, which was fun and terrifying. It was fun because the cool air came into the car and we felt closer to the woods outside. It was terrifying because my kids don't have a great track record for following instructions like "keep your arms and head inside." But good news, after a few reminders, they stayed inside the car.

Topher and I were there too. And check out that fun painted ceiling.

We were encouraged to stand and walk around while the train was in motion. My kids found the padlocked door in the side of the car. That part was exciting, at least for me.

We passed several pretty waterfalls.

And we drove through beautiful green woods.

Sophie got tired of watching the woods and river that we were passing, so she retreated to the backpack of books that I had each child bring. She sat and drew for a little while.

Halfway through the ride, we stopped long enough for the engine to unhitch and drive to the opposite end of the train. There were also a few people that left the train with their bicycles to ride those back. Peter thought that was amazing and has decided that the scouts in our ward should do the same bike ride.

A freight train passed us while we waited.

When we returned to the beginning of the line a friendly bear was available for pictures.

We crossed the street and had lunch. That made the long drive back home much more pleasant.

On our walk to the car we stopped for a picture by the river. The kids all wanted to get closer to the water. I opted to keep our clothes and shoes dry.

We haven't had many adventures this summer, so I was glad that this one was so successful.

Weight Lifting

She just discovered that she has the ability to pick him up without help. She looks pleased, eh?

Happy Birthday to Us

On Saturday we celebrated our family's 17th birthday. In other words, Bryan and I had our 17th wedding anniversary. I love that we make a family day out of it and call it our birthday. When we were discussing how to mark the day, Bryan had a novel suggestion. He said we should each pick a food that we loved and we would eat them all at the same meal. So we did. I chose watermelon (of course), Bryan picked roast (it was delicious), Peter selected sushi, Cooper opted for cookie dough ice cream, Phoebe wanted crepes, and Sophie asked for macaroni and cheese.

I loved it. Just like each member of our family is unique, each food was distinct. But, unexpectedly, the foods complemented each other. The flavors went together well. And so do the individual members of our family. We're all different from each other, but we go together to make a whole.

I think this will be a new tradition.

A Smile From the Wee Man

Who Wore It Better: Topher vs. Peter

Just kidding, they're both adorable.

A Manly Tea Party

Read My Words

I was recently called to teach Peter's Sunday School class. They're a talkative, active bunch. On Sunday our lesson was about journals. I decided to begin by reading a few selections from the blog since it doubles as my journal. (I do have a separate journal as well, but it gets very little of my attention.) 

On Saturday night I sorted through old posts, looking for stories and experiences that would speak to the ten tweens and teens that I would be teaching. After an hour of review, I had eight pages of possibilities. I ended up only using three of them. After the lesson I was reminded about how much I'd like to print the blog, a goal that I've had since the beginning but has been pushed aside for more urgent projects.

Then last night for Family Home Evening, Peter, who was teaching the lesson about the Holy Ghost, asked to use one of the stories I'd read in Sunday School. Again I thought that I finally need to have a physical copy of these words.

My lesson included this quote from President Henry B. Eyring:

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done... The years have gone by. My boys are grown men. And now and then one of them will surprise me by saying, “Dad, I was reading in my copy of the journal about when …” and then he will tell me about how reading of what happened long ago helped him notice something God had done in his day.

Not everything I post is a spiritual experience, but many are, and all are things I want to remember. And I want my children to remember. That means I need to make these words available to them.

I guess I know what my next big project will be.

Ten Seconds Later

See this picture? This is on Sunday afternoon, just after Topher rolled over for the first time. He's been working on it for a few days and he finally got his arm out from under him. What you see is his futile attempt to return to his former position on his back. I think we were more impressed than he was.

It's Hard to Say Goodbye and Let Go

Part of getting ready for the new school year means saying goodbye to your old, tattered, stained backpack. We feel things strongly.

Progression of a Piano Lesson

 While they play, we wait.

Like Heaven

"They're soooo good! They fill your heart and taste like heaven!" -Sophie, describing for Peter the wonder of a chocolate filled croissant.

Time Marches On

School starts three weeks from yesterday. (Imagine I inserted a sad face emoji here since I don't want to actually add one.) Phoebe marked the calendar "1st day of school!" She's excited enough for all of us. I am not ready to say goodbye to summer. I never am though, so it's not a big surprise. But this year I have a few additional reasons to want to hold on to the lazy days of summer.

The kids have been exceptionally helpful while they've been home. In addition to doing chores (which still aren't always completed, but the house isn't in total chaos so I think we're doing pretty well), they've played with and read to Sophie. This has made it possible for me to hold Topher. And while that sweet baby is really improving when it comes to nighttime sleep, he cannot seem to figure out daytime sleep, unless he's held or rolling in the stroller or car. Thus, having my days available to sit and hold him has been important. I'm not sure how we're going to handle not having the big kids here to help each day.

Also, Peter is moving to Middle School this year. Now, I've been told that this Middle School is actually amazing and a wonderful place of learning and positive peer interactions (outlier middle school?), so that's not what has me worried. Nope, the thing I'm anxious about is the start time. Instead of leaving the house at 7:25 in the morning, he'll need to be out a whole hour earlier. He's finally embraced the wondrous concept of sleeping in, just in time to wake up super early. And that means I'll need to be up super early too, probably after not much sleep the night before. I guess it'll be good practice for high school and early morning seminary in a few years.

This week we began the process of getting ready for that early wake-up time. We were out of the house and at the park not long after 9 o'clock yesterday morning. So all we need to do is shift that two and a half hours earlier and we'll be golden.

Give Me Your Biggest Smiles

Thanks Aunt Leah and Uncle Jordan for giving us the game that made this picture possible!

Gaining Control

Our sweet littlest boy has been reaching some big milestones. Tonight, while the rest of us watched a movie, I kept Topher occupied (and turned away from the TV, as is our practice) with a soft, colorful book. He gazed at it, then slowly reached for it. He succeeded twice in grabbing that squishy tome, which tells me it was intentional and not a random accident. The other kids were so excited at his accomplishment that they watched him instead of the movie. But lets be honest, they probably would have done that anyway.

And the second milestone? This is how I put him down in his bed each night, with his head toward those stars you can see on the left.

I did the same thing a few days ago because I needed both hands for a few minutes. He did not want to be in his bed, so I imagine he wriggled in protest. When I came back in just a short time later, this is how I found him.

He's started doing the same thing on his play mat. He's also gotten up on his side a few times and yesterday during tummy time he tried to get his knees under him. None of my other kids have been interested in moving at such a young age.

Do you think he's trying to catch up to the big kids?

In Sync

This is a Triumph

Yesterday was a big day for me. I took all five kids to Costco, without Bryan's help. The trip included:

• an epic, yelling, screaming, flailing, scratching, name-calling, ultimatum-throwing tantrum from a tired four-year-old who didn't want to ride in the shopping cart or hold anyone's hand or walk
• two shopping carts to accommodate, in addition to our regular groceries, two boxes of diapers and one box of wipes and zero boxes of pull-ups (woot!)
• putting Peter and Cooper in charge of that second cart and sending them to get those diapers and wipes without me
• lots of faith that Peter and Cooper would find the correct items and wouldn't crash into anyone or anything
• lots of faith that Peter and Cooper would come back, period
• bouncing and moving so Topher would first go to sleep, then stay asleep, while in the Baby Bjorn
• a visit to the restroom that required me to take the girls and Topher in and leave the the big boys out to play a supposedly unintended game of bumper cart

We made it home with our groceries and our sanity. 

Although, at one point Cooper announced that he'd lost his marble, but he literally meant a marble he kept in his pocket.