Family Time

We've loved having family in town during the last week. Here are a few of the highlights:

In Print

After nearly ten years of wanting to, and thanks to some nudging (and a coupon) from a friend, I finally printed the first year of the blog. It arrived last Friday. Based on how the kids have carried it around and read from it, I should have done this ages ago. They all love looking at the old pictures and reading stories from when Peter and Cooper were little.

And I love it too.

Twinkle Toes

The girls started dance classes last week. Phoebe hasn't danced for a few years and is happy to be taking ballet. This is Sophie's very first dance class, a tap/ ballet combo. They both loved it!

Mmm, a Good Book

 

A Baptism and a Blessing

This weekend two very special events took place. On Saturday morning Phoebe was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bryan performed the ordinance, the Grandmas gave the prayers (Nana Cris the opening and Nana Shari the closing), and the Grandpas gave the talks (Grandpa Marc the Baptism talk and Papa Ron the Holy Ghost talk), Uncle Jordan made cookies, Aunt Leah did Phoebe's hair so it wouldn't float up in the water, I led the music, and Peter (yes, Peter) accompanied the opening and closing songs on the piano. Grandma Bonnie even came out of travel retirement to support Phoebe. True to her name, Phoebe radiated light. It was a lovely day.

Then on Sunday morning, during Sacrament Meeting, Topher received his baby blessing. Bryan gave the blessing with Papa Ron, Grandpa Marc, Uncle Jordan, and our Bishop in the circle. Peter held the microphone. Topher was blessed with a keen mind and with righteousness, among other things. During the blessing Topher was wrapped in an afghan that was made by his Great-Great-Great Aunt Bettie. She made the afghan for Peter's baby blessing and all five children have been wrapped in it for each of their blessings. Bettie passed away this year, it was poignant to have this reminder of her.

Thank you to the family that traveled to be with us for this weekend and for those that were here in spirit. I'm so happy that Phoebe chose to be baptized, that Topher was blessed, and that Bryan was (and is) worthy and able to perform both.

I love my family.

It's Great to be Eight, Phoebe Edition

Our wonderful Phoebe has reached the ripe old age of eight. This is a special birthday and we'll celebrate this weekend. That means we kept the actual day kind of low-key. She requested waffles with sprinkles. Bryan made them the night before so she could enjoy her birthday breakfast before she left for school.

She asked for funfetti cupcakes as well. After they were cooked and cooling, I discovered I didn't have enough sugar for frosting, but I had enough for icing. Since sprinkles seemed to be the unintentional theme of the day, I went with it and dipped the icing covered cupcakes in various options of sprinkles from our surprisingly large collection. Then I invited the kids to take over and they decorated most of the cupcakes. They all thought that was great fun.

Phoebe enjoyed a round of gift opening.

Then we watched a movie as a family. Phoebe's choice? The Odd Life of Timothy Green. And the kids finally got to enjoy their colorful confectionery creations.

Happy birthday, Phoebe!

And now, what you've all been waiting for, the annual birthday interview!

FAVORITE FOOD: lemon meringue pie

FAVORITE ANIMALS: tigers and horses

FAVORITE CANDIES: Hershey bars, Starburst, Skittles, M&Ms

FAVORITE BOOKS: Best Friends for Never, Percy Jackson books

FAVORITE COLORS: teal and light purple

FAVORITE SHOWS: Odd Squad, Just Add Magic

FAVORITE MOVIE: Matilda
FAVORITE SONG: Fade
FAVORITE BOARD GAME: Clue

FAVORITE CARD GAME: Memory
FAVORITE VIDEO GAME: Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey
FAVORITE THING TO DO: read
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BEING 7: Topher!
FAVORITE PLACE: Paris. That I've been? The park.
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Writing

FRIENDS: Amelia, Maddie, Sophie, Cecilia, Camila, Claire H., Claire F., Kenzie, Connor R., Connor W. Cailyn, Kaitlyn, Caden, Collin, Leyla, Emily, Lily, Isaac, Ashlyn, there's more but I can't remember the names

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP: a teacher, a mom, and a fashion designer

The Big Sister

Discerning Taste

Phoebe came to report one day recently that Cooper has a crush on someone. Whenever the subject of crushes comes up I stay calm and ask direct questions, I don't tease or embarrass, I don't want to scare them from talking to me about important things. So I asked Cooper for more information.

He grinned in his shy Cooper way and told me the name of the girl in his class. When I asked what he liked about her, his face lit up. "Mom! She can say the whole alphabet backwards, without any mistakes!"

Well, that sounds crush worthy to me.

Climbing the Walls

Sophie's Real First Day

We had our first two days of our co-op preschool at our house. It went well. I took a picture of each of the four kids on their first day. We talked about our favorite things, we measured how tall they all are, we played, we snacked, we did yoga, we went on a treasure hunt for the letter m, and read books and sang songs.

The next day we talked about what we want to be when we grow up. Sophie still wants to be a doctor and a "haircutter" and a mom. We read and sang and played and snacked again. The kids that grew tired early the day before made it all the way till the end.

It was a good week.