Mistaken Identity

Bryan's youngest first cousin, Anya, was born the same year as Sophie. Last week we attended Anya's baptism via Zoom. It was wonderful to see family and feel the sweet spirit of the meeting. After the baptism Anya's Bishop welcomed her as the newest member of the church.

At that point Sophie turned to me with a look of concern on her face. She asked, since she hasn't been baptized yet, did that mean she wasn't actually a member of the church yet. She looked genuinely concerned.

I started to explain that on the records of the church, rather than a member, she was considered a child of record.

She sat perfectly still, then took a deep breath and said, "I thought I was a child of God."

Bryan and I locked eyes and did our best not to laugh. I hugged her tightly and assured her that she is absolutely a child of God.

Favorite Things

Sophie is prolific in the art that she produces. I find stacks of drawings each week when I file away her completed schoolwork. This week I discovered that the Valentines she made for each of us were still floating around. Topher's might be my favorite. She included all the things she could think of that he loves: Monday and the trash truck that comes with it, Lightning McQueen, dogs, balloons, the alphabet, and her.

Pinchable

Tonight for our virtual YW activity we had a baby picture guessing game. Everyone was instructed to email a baby picture to one of the young women, she put together a slide show, and we all named who we thought each child was. 

When the first picture came up, the majority of people guessed one particular girl. Then someone said it might be me. Another leader pointed out that our (the adults) pictures would have a more faded look. Sure enough, it was the girl most of us had guessed.

A few pictures into the game, this photo appeared on the screen.

There was no doubt in anyone's mind. They were all immediately sure that this was me because it looked just like all of my kids. While I don't think it actually looks just like all my kids (several of them favor Bryan quite a bit), they were right, it is me. 

I had shown it to Phoebe and Sophie earlier in the day and they were both appropriately impressed with the fullness of my cheeks, which they quickly claimed as part of their own faces. They're not wrong, we are a full faced bunch. I think it adds to our youthful appearances.

Options

"Mom, can we do chalks?"

"Sure, we can get out the chalk."

"No, not chalk, chalks."

Topher clearly didn't want to be stuck with only one color option as we enjoyed the glorious sunshine outside this afternoon.

Darling It's Better Down Where It's Wetter

Phoebe has been exploring her newfound love of photo editing. She's turned Topher into a very cute troll.

And today, after she had me track down pictures of everyone in our family (which took some digging for a few of us), she turned us into a family of merpeople.

I have to say, I think as merpeople we must lead a much more active lifestyle than we do as mere humans. I mean, not one of us is playing video games or watching movies here, definitely an improvement.

I love that she's exploring this interest and developing her talents!

Standing Appointment

For the last eight weeks Peter and I have had a standing appointment on Friday night. That's when we've been watching WandaVision. It's a really fun show and tonight it comes to its conclusion. And it's been a cool thing that Peter and I talk about throughout each week.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go join Peter and Bryan for the last episode!

The Brothers

Remember when Peter and Cooper were featured regularly on the blog? I had lots of pictures of them and funny anecdotes to share because they were always doing and saying clever and adorable things. 

They still say clever things, but I don't have very many pictures of them, especially not of Peter, because he's in the stage of teendom (yes, it's a word) where he doesn't want his picture taken, ever. Plus, the line between something funny that can be shared and something embarrassing that cannot be shared has become very blurry. And because these blog posts act as a record of their lives (to an extent) I try to be very mindful of what I document.

Here's a general update on both of them: 

• They both spend a lot of time doing school, some days are longer than others. 
• They both want to stay up late every night and we still send them to bed at a specific time each night.
• Peter is so excited for Cooper to turn thirteen (which is coming very quickly) so they can watch Marvel movies and TV shows together.
• Both are still so loud.
• Cooper is getting anxious to be done with braces, but we don't have an end date yet.
• He hasn't had any hives for the last two weeks.
• We still don't know what caused them.
• Both get really introspective when we're telling them to go to sleep.
• Cooper has embraced sleeping in and is almost always the last one awake each day.
• They both still adore Topher.

Walk the Walk

Someday, if you happen to be so lucky, you might inherit a pair of dragon/dinosaur/monster slippers from your cousin who's not quite a year older than you. And then, you just might spend the next day stomping around your house, because such cool slippers require more than simply walking.

Paige and Emma, thanks for the slippers!

Growing Artist

Sophie loves her art class at school. She spent the last three weeks creating this snowplow and learned quite a bit in the process.

All the Feelings

Topher has officially entered the Giving Up The Nap Even Though He Desperately Needs One stage. We still go through the naptime routine and he hangs out in his bed during the designated time, but he only napped three days last week. And on the days that he does nap he's been waking up in the middle of the following night, wanting to snuggle or drink water or, well no, it's basically those two things. But waking up in the night causes him to sleep in the next day, which makes him feel like he doesn't need a nap. That goes on for a few days until he's tired enough to sleep in the middle of the day. And then it begins again.

It's a vicious cycle.

All of this leads to a very tired boy who has been having all kinds of meltdowns. He's generally an even-tempered kid, so from his behavior it's obvious that he's exhausted. Today held lots of tantrums and demands and some mild lashing out with violence. He's still small enough to scoop him up and snuggle or carry somewhere else, so it's manageable, but it does make for long days.

It's good that I know this stage doesn't last forever.

When he's feeling extra sad he'll slump his shoulders forward, hang his head, and go lie face-down on the big red chair in the library. It's equal parts sad and adorable.