Legoland

Peter has been enjoying his birthday Legos. Bryan has too. They'll sit together at the kitchen table and build. Apparently Peter asks Bryan to build something, like an airplane, then Peter will add a few pieces and declare, "There, Daddy, I fixed it."

I've been trying to get in on the playing too. We never had Legos when I was a kid, but we did have Duplo blocks. I built many Super Mario Brothers characters out of those blocks. However, I'm not quite dexterous enough to make those tiny little Legos do what I want them to. I've persevered however, and I finally built something. Behold, my first Lego creation:

Line Upon Line

I've incorporated something new into the boys' scripture study. During breakfast (or sometimes lunch or dinner, depending on how cooperative everyone is, but usually breakfast) we read a chapter from one of these:





We've been doing this since Peter was born. I remember sometimes only getting through one panel a day. We're pretty good at reading a whole chapter at one sitting now.

Peter got this book for his birthday from Bryan's mom:


It's a compilation of some of the songs from the Children's Songbook, illustrated by well-known LDS artists, with additional information about the writing of the song or the person who penned it.

Now, after we read our chapter, I flip through the songbook and find something that corresponds topically. We're reading the New Testament right now. The day that we read about Jesus calming the stormy Sea of Galilee we sang Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. The third verse of that song retells the story we had just read.

I think adding the song helps us focus on the meaning of what we just read. And it gives the boys a chance to participate since Peter knows many of the songs and Cooper already knows a few as well.

What elements have added positively to your family scripture study?

Just Like My Brother

It was Cooper that wanted to color. When Peter saw what Cooper was doing, he wanted to join him. Peter often wants to do what Cooper is doing. I always thought it would go the other direction, with Peter leading Cooper. Sometimes it does. And sometimes it doesn't.

Where's the Snooze Button?

I like sleep. A lot. Sometimes in the evenings I forget just how much I enjoy sleep and then I stay up much too late, sometimes checking things off my to-do list, but more often than not, just wasting time on the internet.

Why am I thinking so much about sleep today? I didn't get much of it this weekend. Peter woke up in the middle of the night on Friday with croup. Bryan did the bulk of the care-taking, sitting in both a steamy bathroom for a while and then in front of an open window (while wrapped in blankets) so Peter could alternately have the benefits of the hot humidity and the frozen night air. I dropped off at 1:00AM, Bryan followed suit at 3:00AM.

Saturday was long.

I don't function particularly well on too little sleep. Bryan and I traded off who got to nap when. We had a sick day full of watching movies and trying in vain to keep Peter from running around (which aggravates the cough).

I had learned my lesson by Saturday night. I was in bed by 10:20PM. Granted, it took me a while to fall asleep, but I was still in bed earlier than usual. And it's a good thing, because morning came much sooner than I had anticipated. Both boys woke up at 2:45AM, Cooper because he didn't feel well and Peter because Cooper was crying so loudly.

I really am determined that our next bed will be king-sized. A queen is simply not big enough for all four of us. For being small people, the boys take up a lot of room. Also, Peter and Cooper can stay awake for a surprisingly long time without moving much. I thought they had gone to sleep, but by 4:00AM I had grown weary of waiting for them to nod-off and return them to their beds.

The night ended with Bryan holding Cooper in the boys room (apparently Cooper falls asleep the moment Bryan holds him, but not so much for me) and Peter and I in my room. (Divide and conquer, no?) I discovered something interesting: both Bryan and Peter like to sleep right in the middle of the bed. Sprawled. Also, Peter talks a lot when he should be sleeping. Finally, by 5:00AM I had convinced Peter that it was too early for breakfast and that he should go back to sleep. An hour and a half later Peter woke me up.

Sunday was also long.

I would blame the sleeplessness on illness, but that wouldn't be the truth. At least one boy wakes up every night wanting to be snuggled. Now, I do love a good cuddle with my boys, but I'm starting to miss sleeping for more than four hours at a time.

Special Delivery

During lunch the boys and I were looking at what we call "fun stuff." I subscribe to a few kid craft-blogs (go ahead, mock all you want). The boys like looking at the different pictures of things they might make.

Before turning off the computer, I decided to jump over and check the headlines of the local news website. I saw this story:

Provo police officer delivers baby

January 14th, 2010 @ 9:30am

PROVO -- A Provo police officer delivered a baby boy Wednesday night.

Police say Officer Devon L. Jensen was flagged over by two women in a car near 1860 S. University Ave. The women were attempting to get to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
When he spoke to the occupants, he found a woman was starting to have her baby.
He immediately requested paramedics to respond; but before they could arrive, the baby decided it was time.
With the help of Officer Jensen, the baby boy was born.
Paramedics arrived a short time later and transported the mother and baby to the hospital. Both are said to be doing well.

I read it out-loud to the boys, mostly because Cooper came very close to being born in a car, and I'm always thankful when I read stories like this that he wasn't.

After I read the article. Peter asked the following:

Peter: Was I born in a car?

Me: No, but Cooper almost was.

Peter: Why did they send the baby in the mail?

Me: What?

Peter: Why did they put the baby in the mail?

Me: Who put a baby in the mail?

Peter: The police officer.

Me: Nobody mailed a baby. Wait, do you mean because the story said the officer delivered the baby?

Peter: Yeah. Is that how you got Cooper?

Me: No, that's not how we got Cooper.

I was nervous that he might really want to know how we got Cooper, but, thankfully, the questions stopped there. For now.

Four!

I have a four-year-old at my house. Peter hit that milestone at the end of December. His big day was a non-stop party.

The festivities actually began the night before when Bryan and three of his siblings decorated our living and dining rooms with streamers and balloons.



Then he had his fabulous birthday breakfast, which included a slightly off-key (by me) rendition of Happy Birthday. Cooper's been walking around singing it ever since.



He opened all of his presents right after breakfast. He was quite happy with his cars, books, puzzle, and his first box of real Legos. We have Duplos, but he knew that Legos were smaller and for older boys. Thanks to Nana Shari & Papa Ron, Nana Cris & Grandpa Marc, Uncle Jeff, and Uncle Ian & Aunt Amanda for remembering Peter's birthday.

We had a special birthday lunch with my Grandma Miriam. Then Peter got to come home and play with his new treasures all afternoon.

You'd think that would be enough birthday for any boy, but no. He had his favorite dinner of spaghetti and then he got a cake. Yup, in addition to the chocolate-y pancakes from breakfast, he got a "Thomas" cake. This is what he had requested. Since he was getting a Thomas birthday train, we thought we would try to use it on the cake. My grand vision was to make the cake resemble the Island of Sodor, Thomas' abode. I even put it on a blue plate so the island would be surrounded by water. It didn't work out so well.


Peter didn't seem to mind his lumpy, falling-apart cake, and he got to have the birthday song sung to him again.



Peter has been reveling in the perks of being four. He can now eat hot dogs and grapes whole, and has been enjoying popcorn. Many of his peers have been partaking of these things for ages, but I'm a stickler for those American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.

Overall, I'd say it was a highly successful birthday. The best part was Peter's awe over being four. He kept saying, "I'm really four, am I?" and "Hey guys, I'm four."

No Cussing Club

Has anyone seen the new website for the youth of the church? I like it. I'm still exploring it, but I've already found some of things I needed for my calling with the Young Women. The boys and I watched some of the videos available on the website. I was especially impressed with this young man.

Profanity has always bothered me. I remember when I made the switch from home school to public school (with a semester of private school in between), I felt like my ears were being constantly assaulted from the barrage of foul language. When I asked my friends not to curse around me, most of them were respectful. A few, more acquaintances than friends, took it upon themselves to get me to join their foul-mouthed ranks. No dice.

I want my boys to have the same conviction of character as the young man in the video. I want to teach them to stand up for what they know is right, no matter what.

Exhaustion and Random Thoughts: The Best of Friends

I've been working on stuff for my calling for almost four hours tonight. That's in addition to the two and a half hours I worked on it last night. I can't decide if my brain is full, or really really empty. No, there are definitely thoughts in there, they're just zinging around, bouncing off of one another. Because I can't hold onto one thought for more than a minute, I'm going to favor you all with a brain dump. Ready?!?

• I loved the comments from yesterday's post. You all certainly know your Dr. Seuss. Here are my individual replys:
• Well done Mom for the lightening fast response time.
  
• Ian, I especially loved your verse. And, dude, on the mainland you wear long pants in the Winter. Try it. You'll thank me.
  
• Beth, if we were in the same state, I think it would be awesome to get together. I think our boys would have fun playing. Pesky hundreds of miles separating us...
  
• Elisa, I'll be emailing you soon, probably when coherent thought returns.
  
• Amanda, you're right, we'd rather go there, but I think you'd rather come here.
  
• Jolene, I look forward to seeing you at book club. Hopefully I'll have finished the book by Thursday. And slept more. And showered.
  
• Hi Shannon! I didn't even know you read my blog. That was a lovely surprise.
• Cristin, that whole taking the kids in and out of the car thing has actually kept me from going places. If I'm really tired, the thought of all those buckles just wears me out more. And I never take them anywhere unless the aforementioned buckles are secure.
• That is all for the comments.
  
• Tonight I thought about eating ice cream. And then I remembered that we had Special K Red Berry in the Pantry. I went for the cereal and am pleased with my choice.
• Because of Peter's eczema, we only bathe the boys twice a week. We have no idea if Cooper has eczema because he's never had a chance to have his skin dried out by nightly baths.
• By the morning of bath day (the baths happen after dinner) Cooper has started to smell. Like fish. He doesn't eat a lot of fish, nor do we ply him with fish oil, so I'm not sure why he smells like that. I sure hope the girl he marries likes fish...
• Bryan came home from work today and announced that he had bought me a pressure-cooker. I guess it's an early Valentine's Day present, which is great, because I love practical kitchen gadgets. Seriously. I think he's excited about the prospect of Brazilian-style beans and rice, which, according to him, requires a pressure-cooker.
  
• I still haven't bought a 2010 calendar for my kitchen. The boys have one in their room, but I'm still spending part of every day staring at December 2009. Do I have a problem letting go of the past? Or am I just too afraid of the cold to go buy myself a calendar?
• Did anyone notice yesterday's awesome date? 01-11-10, a palindrome! I really love palindromes. And cool number patterns in general. When I looked at the date yesterday I thought, "Wow, this would be a really cool day to get married. Or be born."

Well, my cereal's done, and so am I. I realize you'll all read this throughout the day, but, good night everybody!

Too Wet to Go Out, Too Cold to Play Ball*

I've been pondering on the habits of bears recently. They're onto something with this whole hibernation business. Think about it, they go to sleep when the weather is starting to get chilly, and they wake up to blossoms and sunshine. I could go for that. I could miss the cold and the snow, and think of how well-rested I would be when I woke up.

In a way, I have been hibernating. I leave the house as little as possible. It's simply too cold to go out. Actually, once I psych myself up enough and get outside, it's not terrible; it's more the anticipation of the cold that keeps me indoors.

I'm not a complete hermit. I do go to church every Sunday and the boys and I went to the library last week. On Saturday Bryan and I took the boys out to return a bunch of excess wedding stuff and ill-chosen Christmas presents. Because we had two adults, most of our time was spent in the car while one parent stayed with the boys and the other parent ran into the store. That way we didn't have to spend time standing in the frigid air pulling the boys in and out of the car, but we were both there to return our individual items. I'm impressed that we were out in the cold for as long as we were.

I've decided I'm a homebody, at least during the Winter. I am perfectly content to stay at home, let the boys play, read to them, clean my house, and not go out into the cold. The boys seem perfectly fine with it too. Most of the time. There have been a few times that I've had the thought, "Wow, I'm not doing very much to have friends, for me or the boys. Maybe we should invite someone over to play." Yeah, we probably should. Maybe that will be my goal for January: invite someone over.

Anybody want to come play at our house?

*Can anybody name the children's book this title comes from?

When In Rome

My friend Camille had this on her blog. It combines two of favorite things: show choir and modern dance. Seriously, I love them both. And yes, I realize that this is a commercial, but I just don't care.



Hmm... that makes me want to go listen to one of my new Christmas presents.