"Yummy, Mommy."

What's a girl to do when she finishes her breakfast and the grownups are too slow to bring her more? She helps herself, of course.

Sock or Puppet?

The Beauty of Fractions

I attended Peter's parent/teacher conference this morning (Cooper's was conducted via email) and spent some time waiting in the hall for my turn. The kids are studying fractions and I noticed a new display of projects on the wall outside their classroom.

Can you guess which is Peter's? When you think you've figured it out, scroll down for the answer.













Did you pick this intricate ocean scene? If so, then you're right!

Peter struggles in school, not with the material, but with the focus and discipline required of fourth graders. He often leaves assignments unfinished or simply tells his teacher he's not going to do whatever she's asked. This choice does not lead to happiness.

But on this day? His teacher told me that several of the kids had trouble with this project. They couldn't visualize how the shapes they cutout would become a final picture. Peter had no such trouble. He moved to a table by himself and worked without interruption for an hour.

In the midst of the stress and strain that school is for Peter, it was lovely to see this fraction-themed beacon of hope.

Trading Places

The boys have a few days off from school for parent/teacher conferences, so they had more time at home today that usual. During our late breakfast of Cream of Wheat, they decided they should spend some time being each other. Before I could stop them they had traded clothes and seats at the table. All four kids thought it was hilarious, at least until Peter got cold because he was wearing too-small clothes.

They played the game again tonight. I walked into their room to find Peter wearing a pajama shirt that was definitely not his size and Cooper taking on the Peter role of jumping on the beds. I whisked Cooper out and played along. I read to Peter and tucked him into Cooper's bed, because Cooper always goes to sleep first.

Peter didn't like the game so much after that.

Cultural Enrichment

We had a fun day at the local children's museum with some friends this week. I didn't take many pictures since I was busy chatting and not losing my children, but I did get a few.

They had a cool traveling display about China which included a section on Chinese theatre.

It also taught about Chinese schools.

The girls were all happy to pose for this picture, because who doesn't want to sit in a giant pink chair? Also, Phoebe wore those boots to church this week because she couldn't find her regular church shoes.

Behind Sophie is the water section of the museum. We've been to several children's museums that have water tables, but this was the first that also had soap and water tables. The bubbles were awesome and included a ring big enough to make a bubble Sophie and I could stand in. On an unrelated note, I hope to someday take non-blurry pictures of Sophie on a consistent basis.

Thanks for the fun day Lisa! The girls and I had a great time.

The Ticking Clock

There's something wonderful about having my blog posts written the night before they publish. Somehow, that one act makes me feel prepared and ready for each day. At least, more prepared than I feel on the days that I post at 11:52 at night, after having spent most of the day slightly distracted from my many other obligations because I've been thinking about what I can possibly write on my blog before I sleep that night.

It's now 11:53, in case you were curious.

Big Girl Bed

We were the happy recipients of a free twin bed this weekend. That means that Phoebe no longer needs to sleep in the toddler bed. And, as is typical of younger siblings, when the older brother or sister is done with something, it gets passed down.

I think Sophie is pleased, don't you?

A Two-Girl Bin

Two Whole Hands

Near the end of December Peter turned ten. I'm a bit befuddled about how the last ten years rushed by so fast, but my confusion at the passage of time did nothing to dampen the joy of his birthday. We were still in Texas, so it was a day full of family, fun, and food.

Speaking of food, Aunt Melody and Uncle Dallin stayed at a hotel that boasted Texas shaped waffles as part of their breakfast buffet. After reading the ingredients and telling the hotel staff about her nephew's upcoming birthday, they happily consented to letting her bring three of the Lone Star state breakfast goods as a gift to Peter. The rest of us enjoyed regular shaped waffles.

Nana Shari, Aunt Kate, and Aunt Melody went to a lot of effort to decorate for his birthday, including this cool Minecraft banner.

After breakfast, Peter opened his gifts which included some awesome ebooks and his very own Minecraft account. After his pure glee subsided (but not by much), and the littles had naps, we headed to an indoor playground and arcade for our birthday activity. 

Peter and Cooper stuck together as they climbed through the playground and spent Papa Ron's tokens at the arcade.

Phoebe and Nathan were buddies and kept pretty close to each other the majority of the time we were there.

And Sophie and Sam, well, they really did their own thing for most of the outing, but we did get this cute picture of the two of them together.

Peter may have been the tallest child there, though I doubt he was the oldest.

After the kids were sweaty and exhausted, we headed back to Bryan's parents' house. While we had been out, Aunt Melody and Aunt Kate had prepared a Minecraft wonderland.

Behold, the Portal to the Nether.

Bottles of various forms of potion.

The awesome cake that dictated my too-late bedtime the night before, with accessories added by Aunt Kate while we were out playing, the whole creation a Pinterest win if I've ever seen one.

The amazing spread of food, each with a coordinating label explaining what the item would be in the world of Minecraft.

And this picture shows how Peter felt about all the work that had been done to celebrate him and his birth.

After a dinner of In'N Out (which the kids hadn't had since August 2014) and lots of cake, Peter got the present he'd been asking for since we told him we were going to be in Texas for his birthday. Peter, Bryan, Uncle Dallin, Uncle Ben, and Aunt Kate all played Minecraft together. Peter was in heaven.

It was a wonderful day for Peter; he truly felt happy.

And now, as is our tradition, the annual list of favorites, with two extra "Tenth Anniversary" lists for good measure.

FAVORITE FOOD: Cheese Pizza

FAVORITE ANIMAL: elephant

FAVORITE CANDY: Milky Way

FAVORITE BOOK: Minecraft Gameknight999 Series and The Mystery of Herobrine

FAVORITE COLORS: blue and red

FAVORITE SHOWS: Phineas and Ferb/Mighty Med

FAVORITE MOVIE: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
FAVORITE SONG: the Minecraft theme song
FAVORITE BOARD GAMES: Rush Hour/Blockus

FAVORITE CARD GAME: Solitaire
FAVORITE VIDEO GAMES: Minecraft/Gravity Guy/Agar-io
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO: Coding and Lego Digital Designer 
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BEING 9: Seeing cousin Harmony for the first time
FAVORITE PLACE: The front room of Nana Shari and Papa Ron's house
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Art

FRIENDS: Zaid, Cooper, Phoebe, Mom, Dad, Reed, Conner, Micheal, Talha, Spencer

Top 10 Places Peter has visited:

1. Boondocks
2. Thanksgiving Point
3. New York City
4. Washington DC
5. Disneyland
6. Legoland
7. Grandparents' houses
8. Atlantic Ocean
9. Pacific Ocean
10. home

Top 10 Books Peter has read:

1. Percy Jackson series
2. Kane Chronicles series
3. Five Kingdoms series
4. Harry Potter series
5. A Wrinkle in Time
6. Thanksgiving is Here
7. Our Marching Band
8. Julius the Baby of the World
9. Invasion of the Overworld
10. Pete's a Pizza

Rare and Magnificent

Welcome to our tour of "The Rare and Magnificent." Directly ahead you'll notice a mythic specimen. If you look closely, you'll see Peter doing his homework without anyone standing over him, constantly reminding him it needs to be done. Please, no loud noises or quick movements, he startles easily.