2.13.11
Addie has taken an interest in coloring from her primary class and is shown coloring paper dolls from grandma. Anna loves to take pictures and was taking some of Mr. Reed, Aliza, and herself.
It was Mark's 4th birthday on Saturday. No, he does not have Lincoln for a middle name, although it would was debated a lot as he was born on Lincoln's birthday. So he got to be the food boss fro the day. Shown is him eating his breakfast choice of egg sandwiches and bacon with the special glass. Of course this brought many questions from the other kids of why they don't get to use the special glass on their birthday. I told Harold we like Mark best... I was kidding and then told him so too. I'm pretty sure I have let them all use it? Maybe I forgot? We also made the obligatory heart sugar cookies. Addie was a surprising good froster. She applied it evenly and completely and not too thick.
Because we were on cow chores again this weekend Mark got to choose the meals on saturday and the activity. We have tried to give the children an activity instead of a lot of presents. So we went swimming. It was our first time all alone without an aunt or uncle or cousin or grandpa to help with kids or to watch Reed. So Reed and I sat on the edge of kid pool and Greg got in with everyone. There were a lot of dad's there that night. It was really fun to watch the kids do tricks, jump in, and enjoy time with their dad and each other. I usually am in the thick of it and don't get the overall picture. Reed was a little nervous with so much water but did manage to dive in once. Good thing John was there to remind me mom Mr is in the water. And Aliza informing me that "Dad doesn't appreciate me because he doesn't watch me swim..." He did, but yes by the time she came up he was watching the very active Addy. I told her we do appreciate her we just have to keep an eye on everyone else too.
Sunday was stake conference. It was all about temples I was super thankful we had went on Thursday so we could just nod and agree with what was being said. The kids were fairly good at conference. For our temple trip they were a little out of control though. They loosely attempted to tie up the babysitter who got overwhelmed and called for help from her older brother, whom the kids really like to play with. So they achieved their objective of getting the brother here to play with but in process also crossed the respect the babysitter line. I remember being awful at 9 to a babysitter and not getting a babysitter again. We are talking about it and Greg is enjoying watching our daughters give me the hard time he's sure I gave my parents. Each daughter has a different component of me even if they don't resemble me much in appearance. It is interesting and frustrating to relive sections of your life as the adult rather than the child. I wonder if kids realize they are just repeating things? They say if we don't know our history we are bound to repeat it, but I'm not sure telling your kids what you were like as a kid, like running off a babysitter would be the best idea.
So on sunday we finished Marks birthday with dutch oven dinner and lemon sunshine cake. He also got a barnyard set from us. All the kids were super excited to play with him.
This morning- which is one reason I am glad this is posted late- we had a mad family dash to finish Valentines. Now why did I wait till Monday morning. Because 70 + pieces of candy taped to hearts is an invitation to pig out for 6 children. So they could not be assembled or acknowledged till the last moment. Aliza did hers while the other kids were at chores last night. But as tape is a prime commodity at our house we could locate none last night until Harold offered up his stash of electrical tape. So after a quick demonstration we began taping chocolate hearts this morning. Shown in the picture is Greg helping. It is a memory in parenthood. Heaven help us when we have 6 in grade school. I'm the mom who would love to give pencils or just drop the candy in the kids bags or boxes. oh well my daughters decided we must have hearts with messages. And harold was remembering all the names of his fellow students to personally address them. Oh well they were only a little late.
Two closing thoughts. One I had the ephinany, again, that while I don't think I am an especially attentive mom- I don't spend much one on one time with each child here -I am thankful and think it good that they love each other so much. They serve/play/challenge/teach and strengthen each other in ways I'm not sure a parent can. I love watching them include the youngest one, how they encourage each other and how they work together. Now that is not always good see the babysitter story, it is something that when properly harnessed and directed is amazing to see what they can do. And I mean amazing because I have been shocked time and again at what they can do so quickly. But I love when we all pull together see the valentines preparation story and we get something major/minor accomplished. So while I do get asked how do you do anything with so many kids I think we are lucky to be able to do so many things with so many kids.
Second, if you are wondering why you are getting these it is my attempt to keep in contact with you and to let you know who we are nowdays. Life changes so quickly and is very busy. There is no way to possibly keep in contact or share life with more than a small handful of people. However, with these pictures and thoughts this is our attempt to share some memories, lessons, and laughs with people who have touched our lives and are dear in our hearts. So on this love day we send our love and best wishes to you all and hope life is good for you too.
It was Mark's 4th birthday on Saturday. No, he does not have Lincoln for a middle name, although it would was debated a lot as he was born on Lincoln's birthday. So he got to be the food boss fro the day. Shown is him eating his breakfast choice of egg sandwiches and bacon with the special glass. Of course this brought many questions from the other kids of why they don't get to use the special glass on their birthday. I told Harold we like Mark best... I was kidding and then told him so too. I'm pretty sure I have let them all use it? Maybe I forgot? We also made the obligatory heart sugar cookies. Addie was a surprising good froster. She applied it evenly and completely and not too thick.
Because we were on cow chores again this weekend Mark got to choose the meals on saturday and the activity. We have tried to give the children an activity instead of a lot of presents. So we went swimming. It was our first time all alone without an aunt or uncle or cousin or grandpa to help with kids or to watch Reed. So Reed and I sat on the edge of kid pool and Greg got in with everyone. There were a lot of dad's there that night. It was really fun to watch the kids do tricks, jump in, and enjoy time with their dad and each other. I usually am in the thick of it and don't get the overall picture. Reed was a little nervous with so much water but did manage to dive in once. Good thing John was there to remind me mom Mr is in the water. And Aliza informing me that "Dad doesn't appreciate me because he doesn't watch me swim..." He did, but yes by the time she came up he was watching the very active Addy. I told her we do appreciate her we just have to keep an eye on everyone else too.
Sunday was stake conference. It was all about temples I was super thankful we had went on Thursday so we could just nod and agree with what was being said. The kids were fairly good at conference. For our temple trip they were a little out of control though. They loosely attempted to tie up the babysitter who got overwhelmed and called for help from her older brother, whom the kids really like to play with. So they achieved their objective of getting the brother here to play with but in process also crossed the respect the babysitter line. I remember being awful at 9 to a babysitter and not getting a babysitter again. We are talking about it and Greg is enjoying watching our daughters give me the hard time he's sure I gave my parents. Each daughter has a different component of me even if they don't resemble me much in appearance. It is interesting and frustrating to relive sections of your life as the adult rather than the child. I wonder if kids realize they are just repeating things? They say if we don't know our history we are bound to repeat it, but I'm not sure telling your kids what you were like as a kid, like running off a babysitter would be the best idea.
So on sunday we finished Marks birthday with dutch oven dinner and lemon sunshine cake. He also got a barnyard set from us. All the kids were super excited to play with him.
This morning- which is one reason I am glad this is posted late- we had a mad family dash to finish Valentines. Now why did I wait till Monday morning. Because 70 + pieces of candy taped to hearts is an invitation to pig out for 6 children. So they could not be assembled or acknowledged till the last moment. Aliza did hers while the other kids were at chores last night. But as tape is a prime commodity at our house we could locate none last night until Harold offered up his stash of electrical tape. So after a quick demonstration we began taping chocolate hearts this morning. Shown in the picture is Greg helping. It is a memory in parenthood. Heaven help us when we have 6 in grade school. I'm the mom who would love to give pencils or just drop the candy in the kids bags or boxes. oh well my daughters decided we must have hearts with messages. And harold was remembering all the names of his fellow students to personally address them. Oh well they were only a little late.
Two closing thoughts. One I had the ephinany, again, that while I don't think I am an especially attentive mom- I don't spend much one on one time with each child here -I am thankful and think it good that they love each other so much. They serve/play/challenge/teach and strengthen each other in ways I'm not sure a parent can. I love watching them include the youngest one, how they encourage each other and how they work together. Now that is not always good see the babysitter story, it is something that when properly harnessed and directed is amazing to see what they can do. And I mean amazing because I have been shocked time and again at what they can do so quickly. But I love when we all pull together see the valentines preparation story and we get something major/minor accomplished. So while I do get asked how do you do anything with so many kids I think we are lucky to be able to do so many things with so many kids.
Second, if you are wondering why you are getting these it is my attempt to keep in contact with you and to let you know who we are nowdays. Life changes so quickly and is very busy. There is no way to possibly keep in contact or share life with more than a small handful of people. However, with these pictures and thoughts this is our attempt to share some memories, lessons, and laughs with people who have touched our lives and are dear in our hearts. So on this love day we send our love and best wishes to you all and hope life is good for you too.
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