Andrew was supposed to be taking a nap. His mind was obviously just racing though. I came into the bedroom and he asked “Do bats have batteries? … because they fly.” Hmmm, not sure if he was thinking about Daddy’s remote control bird man that has batteries or something else that flies with the aid of batteries. Battery-aid, ha that’s funny. Anyway after a nice discussion about bats eating food and getting energy to fly (thus not needing batteries) he asked another important question… “Mom, do jet packs have batteries?”
Call me Mrs. Mysterious . . .
May 9, 2010 Leave a Comment
In Primary today the chorister had “mystery mom” visitors for Mother’s Day. The mystery moms took turns hiding behind a big cloud sheet while wonderful and amazing things were said about us. Written, . . . um, . . . by us. 😉 The chorister asked us ahead of time to write down a lesson we learned from our mothers, reasons we love being a mom, things we often say as mothers and some fun details about us. Then the children got to guess who was behind the sheet. Then we were given two beautiful roses and got to sit at the front of the room as the children sang to us some songs they were working on. Beauty!
My list was as follows:
Lesson from my mother: Greet each day with a smile. You are as happy as you choose to be. It’s a lesson she learned from her grandma (Grandma Alder). Another lesson from Grandma Alder is to always have ice cream and cones on hand. 😉 I’m so thankful both lessons have been passed down.
Some favorite foods: apples, strawberries, salsa, popcorn, chocolate chip cookies
Favorite music: big band jazz
Reasons I love being a mom: Snuggling babies, rock-a-byes and lullabies, reading lots of books with lots of little ones on my lap, running around and acting silly at playgrounds, secrets at bedtime – “I love you more than . . . ”
Things I say as a mom: Have you washed your hands? 😉 & I love you! 🙂
It was in Jr. Primary so Joshua, Autumn and Andrew were all in there. I think they had an idea, but when it got to the secret part they knew for sure! I’m okay with that being the defining part of my mothering. 🙂 They all ran up and hugged me. And then again after the first song, . . . and then again right before I left. What a fun Mother’s Day activity.
And this one is for Katey Belle because she found it so hilarious. I can’t wait for her to look through my blog and start giggling again. 🙂
Mommy Day!
May 9, 2010 Leave a Comment
The day started with two sweethearts bringing me breakfast in bed. (And one more behind the scenes 🙂 ). Fresh o.j., cereal, toast, and pina colada yogurt = yum!
We stopped at the temple on the way home from church for Mother’s Day photos – a fun tradition (2 years running now. 🙂 ).
LOVE this one of Katey!
Autumn and Drewby crack me up!
My favorite overall.
At dinner time we had Cafe Rio salads with the fam and got to talk to Erin on her mission in the Philippines. Hurray!
A few of my favorite Moms. 🙂
Happy, Happy Mother’s Day!
raindrops on roses…
May 8, 2010 1 Comment
With a little love and some sunshine…
March 15, 2010 Leave a Comment
For Family Home Evening tonight we planted some seeds in little peat pots. Each of the little ones picked something to plant. Corn, basil, radishes, green beans, pumpkins – each had something they wanted to start. We’re still not sure how some will do if they’re not planted directly in the ground. I guess we’ll see.
We did enjoy two beautiful American traditions – gardening and Girl Scout cookies.
Daddy was the brave one with the pitcher of water and dirt.
After Andrew planted his corn he said, “Now what? Love? and Sunshine?”
Pretty much bud.
Spotlight: { Jacob }
March 15, 2010 Leave a Comment
Joshua: I love Jacob because he’s a great wrestler.
Jacob: Yep! Including Kung Foo.
Daddy: Kung Foo isn’t wrestling.
Jacob: Kung Foo and wrestling mixed with karate.
Autumn: Well, I like that Jacob gives me piggy backs. And don’t forget horsey rides.
Andrew: I love that Jacob plays the Wii with me. Mario Kart and sometimes I fall down holes and when something wiggles it means holes are coming. And your balloons pop.
Katey Belle: Jaaa-cob!! Fun-ny and silly. (This comment leads to silly, funny faces from the two of them. Katey calls them “monkey faces”.)
Mommy: Jacob has very nice hair. And he is very good when I cut it. He’s a patient guy.
Jacob: Yeah. Just don’t cut it too short. I don’t want to be close to bald. Or even close to close to bald. Just cut it to a good length. Okay Dad, your turn.
Daddy: I love Jacob because he is such a good helper around the house. Any job I have to do, he does without asking any questions and is cheerful about it. He loves to help!
Jacob loves soccer, pizza, pokemon cards, the Wii and the treehouse. His favorite dessert is cherry cobbler. He is very good at math, spelling (he gets 100% almost every time), and reading. He says he’s “extremely good at reading” and he’s right. We love our smart, handsome, sweetheart of a boy.
Spotlight: {Autumn}
March 8, 2010 Leave a Comment
Daddy: I love Autumn because she is the embodiment of the word exuberant.
ex·u·ber·ant [ig-zoo-ber-uh
nt] –adjective
1. effusively and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic; lavishly abundant: an exuberant welcome for the hero.
2. abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous.
3. extremely good; overflowing; plentiful: exuberant health.
4. profuse in growth or production; luxuriant; superabundant:exuberant vegetation.
Andrew: I love Autumn to keep our house and temple clean. (Can you kinda tell what our Family Home Evening lesson was about?)
Joshua: I love that Autumn makes up great songs. When she goes to the potty she sings and makes up beautiful songs. My favorite is “Sunlight Over the Water”.
Autumn: (*singing*)”I love my Heavenly Father…”
Daddy: She does sing lots. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, “Jesus Once Was a Little Child”, “Beautiful Savior” and “I Love to See the Temple” are ones I hear lots. (Those are her very favorites right now.)
Jacob: I love that Autumn loves to have little parties and mini-campouts in her room.
Daddy: That’s true. There have been some good tents in her bedroom lately.
Andrew: Sometimes I make tents for Autumn.
Mommy: Autumn is my big helper. She is always willing to grab a diaper or a kleenex or a drink of water for someone. She is my biggest kiddo when the boys are gone to school and she really helps out. I also like that Autumn tells and shows me what she’s learning in dance class. She tells me all about her beautiful purple costume with white umbrella and I’m very excited she has a recital coming up.
We love our beautiful, silly, often loud, smiling, happy, dramatic, wonder of a little angel.
Brought to you by the letter…
March 7, 2010 1 Comment
Drewby was talking in his sleep just now. Just a-sleeping on the couch. He said, “Is there anything on me that starts with the letter T?” I said, “Nope. No wait, you have toes … and they start with the letter T.” He must be somewhat coherent because he said “Oh good” and fell back asleep.
Is it a sign that perhaps at least his subconscious is watching too much TV?
Spotlight: { Duke }
March 1, 2010 1 Comment
Daddy: Duke is so loving and gentle with all of us. He would never hurt any of us on purpose. Katey is just the right height though and sometimes he knocks her down or hits her when he wags his tail.
Jacob: Duke follows me where ever we go. One time I went to a friends house and Duke followed. He barked loud at my friends mom because he probably thought they were trying to take me.
Joshua: He is a great guard dog. And he goes with me on my chore to feed the chickens.
Autumn: Duke is so fast. I run with him outside a lot. Like by the house and by the flowers that are by the house and …
Andrew: I like when he’s outside with Autumn and me.
Mommy: I love that Duke has a sheep dog instinct and herds all the children. It comes in handy when they are wandering too close to the edge of our property. I also love how he puts his paw up on my lap when I stop scratching behind his ears. He is just sure I should not be done yet.
Katey: (in bed again – but tonight when she was saying her prayer she blessed “Dukey” quite loudly)
One little funny fact: Duke must have his food and water in the dining room near where we eat. We tried the laundry room – no luck, the sun room and then the corner of the kitchen – nope on those. He refused to eat until we moved it back to the dining room. Silly pup.
We sure love our black lab and something mix of a sweet dog. He is so patient and just a little bit quirky. Perfect!
Spotlight: { Daddy }
February 21, 2010 1 Comment
8 February 2010
Jacob: Daddy and I both love electronics. Taking apart things and making something out of them.
Autumn: I like when Daddy reads me stories. Like when he tucks me in bed – so snuggly warm.
Andrew: Me too!
Joshua: Daddy is a very great cook. He makes german pancakes and french toast and grilled cheese and pb&j and hamburgers and cheeseburgers. And when he makes cheeseburgers he puts in TWO pieces of cheese and when he cooks he even puts in a little love.
Andrew: Me too! Even I love cheese grilled sandwiches.
Joshua: and Daddy is a genius!!
Katelyn’s turn, but she was sleeping already. She loves when Daddy does “piggies” on her toes and she’s loves that he always does both feet.
Mommy: Daddy is a great provider. He takes care of us financially and he also provides us with lots of love. Lots of hugs and kisses…
Daddy: And don’t forget tickles!
and Caleb loves all the snuggles and that Daddy is very good at burping him.
Daddy: You know, Katey also loves when I rock the Donald Duck talk.
Mommy: That’s true. You make us laugh lots – all of us.
Joshua: Daddy – sing “Jingle Bells” like Donald Duck. Now, “Silver Bells” …
Can you feel the love?
