Daily Blessings

Yesterday was a day of phrases I truly don't want to forget:
Payge said, "Mommy. Daddy's grandma died. I will share mine."
Zac said, "Mom, I love it when you explain math to me, it makes so much more sense the way you say it."
Chayce, "Mom, run upstairs and look at your bed...something happened to it!" I go up to see that my bed is made before I got to it. :) Love those little blessings.

Catching Air

Our backyard may be perfect for growing all sorts of things in the spring, summer, and fall...but in the winter, it becomes our little place for amazing recreation.  Above are just a few shots of Stephen and the kids going off the sledding jumps they've built in the back yard.  Pardon the darkness--we tend to sled whenever we feel like it, and it happened to be early evening this time. 

Donuts. Sledding. Donuts while sledding.

I wish I had a camera, but will do my best to do the scene justice. This morning, cub scout pack meeting was sledding. Families are always invited to pack meeting. Jillian is not a fan of sledding, Quinton is not a fan of his snow suit (he can't move in it), and Chayce decided to forgo the opportunity. That left Zachary, Payge and I. We went to a hill next to a park north of our house. The children have been sledding behind our house on our small hill (10 foot vertical differential maximum). The hill we went to today had at least 60 feet vertical differential and 100 yards horizontal differential. I thought Payge would find this too scary, but she went down right away.

Shortly after the sledding started, the scout leader with treats showed up - donuts (which promptly froze) and hot chocolate flavored water. We stopped to partake, and after Payge chugged her chocolate, she decided donuts on the run were the way to go. With her mittens on, she scooped up a donut, and jumped belly-down on a PILE of sleds (including my hat and gloves) and tore off down the hill. Spinning. Flying off jumps. Eating her donut as if she were laying on the floor, reading a book, with her feet in the air. She almost cleared the embankment built up to prevent sledders from crossing the sidewalk into the playground equipment.

A Day With Princesses

Getting ready to go to the luncheon! It was a fund-raiser for the Family Crisis Center.  The group provides support to those who are having trouble coping as parents.  A cause I was willing and happy to support.

Thanks, Mommy!

Meeting Cinderella.

Making a sparkly purse.  Can't leave home without one!

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!

Meeting Ariel.

Meeting Belle, and the Beast turned back Prince.  We were in a long line waiting for this one, and Chayce asked for the Prince to be in her photo, after all the other little girls said, "No! Just Belle!"  BTW, I covet her dress.

Cinderelley, Cinderelley...

Such a peculiar girl, that Belle....

Finger foods fit for a princess, little sandwiches, berries with dip, and cheese and crackers.

And a cupcake...which was promptly eaten first. 

Chayce had no qualms about grabbing Snow White and Rapunzel's hands and having them dance.  She then went and danced with Ariel, who said (after trying to get away a few times), "Gee, given I haven't had legs for very long, you sure are making me dance a lot."

Payge danced on her own.  She was asked multiple times by Cinderella's Prince Charming if she'd dance with him, but she'd politely curtsey, he'd bow, and she'd boogie on her own again.  I love her spunk.

The Mighty Quin

I can't believe how quickly time flies by.  I haven't put together his 1st birthday montage yet, but I'm working on it.
Some things Quin does now at a year old are
He walks--like a cowboy who has been riding for far too long.
He says, "I did it!" after many different tasks--even if he didn't do it. 
Blows wonderfully perfect raspberries.  Sometimes in rhythm to music we're listening to.
Sings along with Kenny Loggins (courtesy of his mother).
Loves his Da-da-da so much that there are days that little work gets done.  I don't blame him, I'd love to interrupt his work, too!!

Dadda, dadda

One challenge to working from home is a one year old who loves you. It is hard to keep the door shut and listen to him ask 'dadda! dadda!' and have to ignore him during meetings and deadlines. Until recently, I could give him a quick hug and send him off to play and get back to work. These days, he wants my full attention for long periods of time, or to 'help' me on my computer. I feel blessed that my children like me.

YUM!

So, of all the fun finds of 2012, I discovered that Shelf Reliance sells yogurt bites that are 10,000x better than those you get in the baby aisle.  I've eaten both, and well...

This month, I'm stocking up.  A large can (we're talking coffee can sized!) is $27!! (Passion fruit flavored, anyway. Blueberry and cherry are a bit more). 

Enjoy!!

Giving

Early today I was leaving to teach a programming class at the home school coop. On my way out, Quinton gave me a board book. I tried to give it back. He almost started crying - he seemed to think I had rejected his gift. It must be hard to have nothing and yet want to give. It made me think of King Benjamin's speech, how we could give everything and still never repay God. When we give him our all, it is like my infant giving me a board book that I bought. God already owns its. But he is happy to see us give.

Paygisms

Payge (to Jillian): "Was daddy your first baby?"

J: "No, he was grandma Tueller's first baby."

P: "How come you can go in daddy's office when he's not home, but I can't?"

J: "Because I own half the house."

P: "Which half?"