Kindergarten Program

Janelle had her kindergarten program today. I loved the chicken dance! They each memorized a part and did very well. I can't get a decent picture of her though. Every time I tell her to smile she squints her eyes and does this totally fake grin.

As she was getting ready to leave for school, I noticed that her dress was too short, but we were in a hurry and so I didn't have her change. It showed off her very skinny legs. I promise, I really do feed her!

Later on we celebrated with an impromptu picnic in the backyard. I can't believe she will be in school ALL DAY next year! And Jaiden will be in kindergarten -- HOORAY! But don't get the wrong idea -- I really do love my kids.

Caught in the Act

These two never cease to amaze me...

Today I found them in the tub, fully clothed, squirting out an entire bottle of white shampoo all over their shoes. Then they were sliding around and dancing in it.

I chastised them telling them that they were old enough to know better. Jaiden kept blurting out, "Josh did it!"

Whatever. Look who is holding the bottle. Although I think he was the one to start it, I am sure she was cheering him on.

Later I washed their shoes and threw them in the dryer. Jaiden's shoes shrunk and no longer fit her (at least that is what she claims).

I didn't realize that Josh's shoes were still a little damp inside. He took them off later that evening and Jared shouted, "The bottom of Josh's feet look like a brain!" They were all wrinkly from being in wet shoes all day.

Serves him right. Gasp, did I just say that?

It's My Birthday...

Here I am on my first Christmas (8 months old) with my brother Chris and Scott. Notice the new "Happy Time" record. Boy, have times changed since then!

A big thank you to my Mom and Dad for giving me life and for teaching me how to be a good Mom. I love you, Mom and Dad!

What Are You Doing???

I leave my kids unattended for a couple of minutes and come in to find Jaiden trying to shave her arm with a razor and Josh putting a flashlight in the microwave...

Luckily the razor still had the plastic cover on it and Josh hasn't quite figured out how to turn the microwave on yet. Tomorrow I may not be so lucky...

Blog Book 2008

Well, I "slurped" up my blog from 2008 and got it printed in a nice hardbound book thanks to Booksmart and Blurb.com!

I was really happy with the way it turned out! The price was reasonable too (considering how many pages I had and if you think about how much color copies cost.)

I took a picture of some of the inside pages. There is a glare from the flash, but you can get an idea. My friend, Valerie, did some really cool things with her book -- like two page full-bleeds which was one picture that stretched across two open pages. My camera didn't have a high enough resolution on the pictures to do that, but hopefully next year.

Which leads me to cameras -- I would really like to find a nice, more professional digital camera and have asked around to see what kind many of you have. Thank you to all of you who have offered your advice!

I haven't really had time to look around too much but I am hoping to get one soon and take a photography class in order to learn how to do use it. My sister-in-law, Alicia, took an online photography class and loved it. I have seen a few advertised in our local community education brochure and so I may try out one of those.

Anyway, back to the blog book. I have made a few digital scrapbooks but blurb has been my favorite. You can "slurp" your entire blog right into the software and then go through and edit it however you want. There are different picture layouts that you can choose from.

I just went with the basic ones and didn't experiment too much but I hope to learn how to do more of the fancy stuff for the next book. Now I have started thinking about all of the possibilities. I could make a book for each of my children growing up and give it to them at a certain age... I could scan in all of my wedding pictures and put them into a nice hard-bound book... I could make a book from my children's stories and art-work... I could go back and put together books for years that never got scrap-booked...

Or, before I get too excited about blog books, maybe I should just caught up on my house-work...

Scout Expo

After Janelle's soccer game, I brought the kids to the Scout Expo. They had lots of fun booths and games for the kids to play.

Check out the cool skateboard Jared got for selling ten Scout Expo tickets! He had gone door to door with Jase one night and then I took him on around on another day (walking the whole way). He was pretty excited about his prize!!

Except he came home and tried to ride it in the house (because it was raining outside) and slipped and fell and then was crying and calling it "stupid."

But by the end of the night all of the kids were pushing each other around on it and having a grand time. So he loves it again.

Last Day of Soccer!

Today was Janelle's last day of Soccer. It was her first season playing soccer and she had a lot of fun. She played on the kindergarten team and I was surprised by how good some of the kids were! Their team did quite well and only lost two games.

I had been disappointed that the boys didn't want to play soccer this year, but it was difficult enough just trying to keep up with one sports schedule with everything else we had going on.

Several of Janelle's games were on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and so I had to miss them because of the ASL class I teach at the college. I was glad I was able to come today but it was cold and windy and we were all huddled up in blankets!

Since it was their last day, they all got a trophy. They had "boy" trophies and "girl" trophies. Janelle wanted a "boy" trophy!

Breakfast on the go...

Okay, I know this looks like someone just LOST their breakfast (in a bag). But it actually IS breakfast (in a bag). What you see here is Janika's latest invention -- oatmeal in a bag.

In order to sleep in an extra couple of minutes, Janika cooks the oatmeal in the microwave and then dumps it into a ziploc bag, cuts the bottom corner out and wah-lah! Breakfast in a bag! She slurps it up on her way to the bus-stop.

Sounds, appetizing doesn't it? I suggested that she wake up two minutes earlier and actually eat her oatmeal in a bowl, but that was out of the question. The little kids think it is simply wonderful. Janelle forgot to eat breakfast on Sunday (and apparently no one bothered to feed her -- hey, don't look at me -- she is big enough to pour her own bowl of cereal) and so Janika whipped her up a bag of oatmeal to slurp on the way to church. Jaiden and Josh were jealous and were begging me to make them their own bags this morning. I finally caved.

Janika plans to market the product, so watch for it to appear on the shelves of a super-market near you...

Happy Birthday Josh!

Josh turned three today! Hopefully the "terrible twos" will not be replaced by the "tyrannical threes!"

WE LOVE YOU JOSH!!!

Black and White Night

Rick and I went with Janika to her Young Men's and Young Women's Standards Night. The theme was "Black and White." Everyone was instructed to wear black and white Sunday best. It really looked neat -- I should have brought my camera. They served a nice meal and had an excellent program.

The speaker was Sister Margaret D. Nadauld (General Young Women's President from 1997-2002). She is the mother of seven boys. Ironic isn't it? Mother of seven sons and she is called to be the General Young Women's President! She gave a wonderful talk and it was a lovely evening.

Jase tended for us while we went. Then we brought Janika home and she tended while we brought Jase back to the church for his first Court of Honor. He earned his first two Merit Badges.

Jared's Pinewood Derby

Jared had his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby tonight. I got a sub for half of my class so that I could attend.

This year they had the boys make their cars during two or three Den Meetings. The parents didn't even see the cars until we showed up tonight. The boys drew the design on the wood and then they had someone cut them all out. Then the boys sanded them, painted them, and put the wheels on. I thought it was a good idea and made things more fair.

I know Rick was grateful that he didn't have to help make a car this year. Neither of us are good at that sort of thing and we have been so overwhelmingly busy lately. But at the same time it did take away some of the fun and anticipation not being involved with the process.

I was in charge of the Derby the past three years and so I was excited to be able to just go and watch this year. Although we did miss my brother-in-law's awesome track, fast cars, and charismatic personality running our derby.

I am sure the Scouts had just as much fun making their cars as they did racing them. And Jared's car turned out pretty darn good, don't you think?

Janika's Highlights

We did some trade work with our friend who does hair and so I asked Janika if she would be interested in trying out some highlights. I think it turned out so pretty!

Easter Sunday

We really try to focus on the true meaning of Easter and downplay the whole "Easter Bunny" thing. In fact, I never even brought up anything about the Easter Bunny. However, the big kids excitedly informed the younger kids that they needed to get to bed so that the Easter Bunny could come and bring them candy and presents in their baskets.

Jenna sleeps in the same room as Jaiden and Josh. Jaiden and Josh like me to tell them stories at bed-time while I am nursing the baby. I am not very good at coming up with stories though. Rick is a much better story-teller than I am. But with it being Easter I told the kids stories about Jesus and His death and resurrection. Jaiden kept wanting me to tell stories about the Easter Bunny. I reminded her that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Easter -- not the Easter Bunny.

The next morning the kids got their Easter Baskets filled with candy. Normally I try to stay away from candy and get little toys and lunch-box type stuff instead, but candy ended up being the quick, cheap option this year (I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that all of my kids came down with colds a few days later??) I also picked out little cards from Deseret Book that had pictures of Jesus on them for their baskets.

Church went well. Rick hadn't been able to secure a speaker for Sacrament meeting and decided just to assign himself the task. He did a good job. I had planned a nice Easter lesson with little surprises for my primary class but I ended up with only one student. Her father is terminally ill with cancer. As I thought about what her family is going through, I couldn't help but get emotional thinking about the how much a hope in Christ and His resurrection must mean to them right now.

After church we had a nice meal of ham and cheesy potatoes. With it being Easter, I got my husband home early (two Sundays in a row having him home -- yeah!!) Janika and Jase hid the Easter Eggs and the kids had a little Easter Egg hunt in the yard. I had a nice Easter lesson planned for later that night but the kids were so restless that we let them stay outside to continue having Easter Egg hunts. All of the eggs were empty by this time but they kept hiding them and finding them ...over and over and over.

Suffer the little children...

Here are some pictures of the little girls on Easter Sunday. I really should have done something with Jenna's hair before I took these pictures! Jenna's hair is finally long enough on top for a curl on top but I couldn't find the curler and so here it is sticking straight up!

She is a good baby -- really pretty mellow most of the time. Even when there seems to be complete chaos and noise all around her she pretty much just takes it all in. She finally learned how to roll over both ways and so she can get around a little more.

I still have to watch Jaiden and Josh really close with her. As soon as I put Jenna down in her saucer, the kids start spinning her around in circles. When I put her in her baby swing Jaiden will start pushing the swing really high or leaning on it until I'm afraid she is going to break it. It is a good thing that Jenna is pretty easy going (much more so than her mother!)

Sometimes I feel like I can't enjoy having a baby around because as soon as I sit down with her I have three other children sticking their face right into hers and pawing her, "Jenna, Jenna, Jenna!!" Or if I am walking around with her then they are pulling on her legs, "Jenna, Jenna!" It's amazing I haven't dropped her.

It has been difficult. I am constantly telling Jaiden and Josh, "get away from the baby," "don't touch the baby," "be careful around the baby..."

One day when I was stressing about how the other kids never leave her alone, the words of the Savior quietly came to my mind: "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not..."

Suddenly I felt both love and regret. I was able to see my children as the Savior sees them. I felt prompted to relax a little when the other children were fluttering all around the baby. After all, they love her and want to be near her. Kids are usually more resilient than we give them credit for and thankfully Jenna hasn't suffered any battle wounds so far.

It hasn't been easy, however. I still worry about her getting hurt. But I am sure that Jenna feels their love and the other children need to feel my love and not have me constantly rebuking them and pushing them away.

I still feel frazzled much of the time but I am trying to relax and not be so quick to rebuke. I am trying to tell my other little ones, "You love your baby sister don't you? She loves you too! She loves it when you are soft with her and read to her and sing to her..."

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who listens to the prayers of an overwhelmed mother. One who kindly whispers the Savior's words... "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not..."

Easter Egg Hunt

Rainy Easter Egg Hunt

We went to two city Easter Egg Hunts this morning -- in the rain.

The older boys felt a little gypped after the 9:00 a.m. one because it only went up to age 8. So we decided to head out to Ivins (we were used to live) since their hunt started at 10:00 and went up to age 12. They even have an adult hunt! The rain was really coming down by this time and so Rick stayed in the van with the baby. It was a good thing because the kids were completely drenched by the time we finished. Boy, the things we do for a few plastic eggs and some candy!

Honors Program

Janika was accepted into the Middle School Honors Program next year. Congratulations, Janika! Here is what the kids had to do to get accepted:

5 points: Teacher recommendation. Student gives the recommendation sheet to be signed by the Language Arts/Utah History teacher.

15 points: 3.75 cumulative GPA from 6th and 7th grade.

5 points: Parent permission slip signed by parents.

15 points: Reading scores on grade level or above would receive 15 points. A reading level up to 1 grade below level would receive 13 points. Reading scores more than 1 grade level below will not receive any points.

15 points: Essay done in 1 ½ hours to be graded using a rubric. Possible 18 points on the rubric. Must have a score of 18-17 to get full 15 points, 16-15 would get 10 points, and anything below would be below a B grade on the essay so it would not qualify for points.

55 points total
Total cut off is a score of 50 total points.
Under 50 will not qualify.

Janika has a 4.0 grade point average and her reading test scored her level as several years ahead of her current grade level and so the only thing she needed to worry about was the Essay test. She did great on that and so she is in!

Hopefully she will still be excited about this program when all of the homework projects come rolling in next year!

Losing It...

I recently discovered a new web site called Juice Box Jungle that features weekly video programs on various parenting topics. The current program is called “Losing it.” To view the video, go to my parenting blog at: firstratefamilies.blogspot.com

As you know, I have seven kids ages thirteen years down to six months. And they are awesome kids. But with so many children, it is definitely easy to "lose it." In fact, I am constantly losing something (but unfortunately it is NOT pounds)! I am always searching for lost shoes, socks, school papers, keys...and my sanity!

I think we all go through various “difficult” stages with our children. The kids that push my buttons the most right now are my four year old (Jaiden) and my two year old (Josh). The others definitely have their moments, but it is these two (and maybe because I am with them ALL DAY LONG with no break) that really cause me to “lose it.”

This morning Jaiden kept bumping the baby in her swing. After telling her repeatedly to stop, she proceeded to fix herself a bowl of raisin bran spilling the entire contents all over the floor. Just after I swept that up I turn around to hear her sobbing. She is on the snack bar (don't ask me why) and somehow accidentally sat in her brother’s bowl of cereal. Now she is wailing again with milk running down her legs and dress. I am trying to keep my cool while peeling the dress from her soggy body. She starts to whine, “But I want to wear the pink dress!!”

Now Josh is screaming. He has the loudest, highest pitch scream I have ever heard. If things don’t go his way he can transform right before my eyes from the sweetest little boy you ever saw to a raging monster. He is sitting at a little high chair attached to the snack bar with some raisins. One accidentally falls to the floor and you would think he has just been bitten by a poisonous snake judging from the piercing scream erupting from his lips. Suddenly he forgets that he is quite adept at speaking and resorts to incomprehensible blood-curdling shrieks. Meanwhile I am standing by with my hands clamped over my ears attempting to remind him to “use words” and “ask nicely.” It seems like I tell him to "use your words" and "ask nicely" about one hundred times a day.

Keeping cool amongst a sea of chaos can be extremely difficult to say the least. I liked JBJ’s video suggestion of watching “Super Nanny” so that you don’t feel so bad about your own childrens' behavior. I have watched this with my kids every once in awhile…. "wow -- those kids are being very naughty! I am sure glad that you kids never act like that (hint hint)!” Another great stress reliever is to try and keep a sense of humor (I know, easier said, than done). After all, what is so funny about my two year old shrieking, "I want spaghettios!" over and over at 7:30 in the morning?

My husband is better than me at laughing when our kids' throw tantrums and whine. When Janika was five or six and throwing a tantrum, Rick pulled out the video-camera: "Wow! You are good! Look at those tears -- what an actress! “I’m gonna show this to your first date!” This caused her to scream even louder. But by that time we were laughing so hard we didn't care!

Unfortunately my husband is not usually home during the day to keep my sense of humor in check and so I have to resort to other methods – like picturing my neighbors peering in the windows. Or hiding away in my bedroom for a quick breather. Praying often helps too. I try to ignore mindless tantrums (I usually just stick Josh in his room until he calms down). For awhile I even wore ear-plugs around the house.

Today Janelle (six) and Jaiden (four) were arguing to the point of getting physical. I told them that they were making my heart hurt and that I was going to cry. Janelle's eyes immediately filled with tears and she gave me a hug and said she was sorry. Jaiden followed suit. I don’t even care if it was a guilt trip – it worked!

Do I ever lose it with my kids? Of course. Do I apologize? Yes. And from that my kids have learned to apologize too when they lose it. At least they have learned that I am not perfect, but I am trying. And so can they.

Journals

Rick and I have both kept detailed journals throughout our lives -- especially during the ups and downs of our dating experience. He pulled his out last night and started reading aloud. It was so fun that we ended up staying up late -- reading and laughing. I said that we need to put together a book (for us and our children) that tells the story of our courtship. We can mark pivotal moments and on one page have his account and on the other page have my account. That way our children can get the REAL story! These accounts are so precious. I am so glad that we wrote everything down. Tonight we pulled out my journal from when we were dating and started reading. Reading through our experiences brings back all of those emotions we felt back then...anticipation, excitement, nervousness, confusion, heartache (when we broke up), joy (in getting back together), gratitude, and love. How grateful we both were when we finally made it to the temple to be married for time and all eternity! While reading through these accounts I felt like I was transported back to those college days of school, work, dating, and intense emotions. Both of us commented that reading through these made us fall in love all over again! I am so grateful for the journals that tell our story. I am grateful for my husband who has lived it with me and for the beautiful family that Heavenly Father has blessed us with! Someday our kids will really get a kick out of reading our story!

General Conference Weekend

I always love General Conference weekend and hate to see it end. I was so uplifted and inspired by all of the talks. I will be excited to get my hands on the printed version when it is available. Wow, there sure was a lot of focus on the temple and covenants. It made me realize that I need to be much more diligent in my temple worship.

It was so lovely today having my husband home all day on a Sunday!! He hooked up the Internet to the big screen in the basement and we hid away from all of the kids and snuggled on the coach during all of the talks. The kids watched conference upstairs and maybe we should have been there with them to answer questions and offer explanations, but it was sooo nice to just sneak away and spend some time together!

Jenna Six Months!

Jenna is six months today! She FINALLY just started rolling over (from front to back). That's okay...I am not in any hurry to have her mobile and into everything. It will happen soon enough!

Boxer's Fracture

Well Jase just ruined our 13 year record of no broken bones. He roller-bladed home from school yesterday like he does every day and apparently ran into a twig on the street which stopped his wheels causing him to crash. A neighbor brought him home (in tears). After awhile he seemed to be doing better but then it started to swell up a couple of hours later.

We took him to our neighbor who is currently attending nursing school to get his opinion and he recommended taking him in. So Rick took him to the Instacare when I got home from class and the x-ray revealed a “boxer’s fracture.” According to the Internet, a boxer's fracture is the common name for a break in the end of the small finger metacarpal bone. Jase’s is down close to his wrist.

He was put in a splint and told that he would get a cast later. I think Jase was pretty excited about the news. I mean what kid wants to go to the doctor and hear, “It’s fine – just take a couple of Tylenol.” The news, “It’s broken,” is much more exciting!

Today he went to the Orthopedic Surgeon. Apparently he doesn't need to have a cast after all (I hope he doesn't feel gypped!) just a wrapped splint for a few weeks. He is still roller-blading to and from school as usual. Don't think that this is going to get you out of any chores, Jase!