Why I'm looking tan

Over that past few weeks I've heard, "You look tan!" from several friends.  This is why:



Buster's spring baseball season involved afternoon practices and early evening games = sun exposure 

(The highlight of the season for Buster was winning the "All-Star" award in a game in which he hit the ball all the way to the fence.  210 feet!)

 

#1's tennis lessons = more sun exposure

(#1 enjoys the pacing and small group dynamics of tennis.  She has especially improved her overhand serve this spring!)

  

#3's early afternoon swimming lessons = even more sun exposure

(Is there anything cuter than a four year old in a Speedo and goggles? No, there isn't.  Those goggles make kids look so nerdy; I love it!)

 

Please understand, March-June is our tan season here in AZ.  After that only crazy people go outdoors. 

News on #4

Yesterday my family huddled into my doctor's small exam room.  The children felt strange watching me climb up on the table and tuck my shirt up. They had a million questions for the doctor, "What's that slimy stuff? And why are you putting it on my mom?"  "Where's the camera?" "Is that a t.v.?" 

My patient doctor tried to answer one question before being bombarded with the next one, all the while trying to do the job he was there to do: measure and check up on our #4.  Turning the tables on the children he asked them a question, "Who is hoping this baby is a boy?"  Spouse and Buster raised their hands.  "Who is hoping this baby is a girl?"  #1 and #3 raised their hands.  "Well, it looks like you boys are outnumbered.  It's a girl!"

#1 and #3's faces beamed.  Spouse gave my ankle a squeeze.  I felt content.  Buster's face was red and his lip went up in the funny way it does when he's trying not to cry.  I grabbed his hand and smiled to him.  The tears fell.

The poor boy has been praying for a brother. 

Later when we were alone I talked to Buster about how special he is to our family being our only boy.  I told him that God must know what a kind brother he is to his sisters and this little girl must be in need of a very loving and good brother. 

Today, after sending out a mass text announcing the gender I received many sweet responses.  I was surprised at how many were sensitive to Buster, asking how he was taking the news.  I guess he's not the only kid in the world to have been let down by the wrong kind of baby. 

The best news is that my swollen feet, my aching back and my expanding body haven't been sacrificed in vain. The baby (girl) is healthy (and big!) and beautiful!


22 (and a half!) weeks down, 17-18 to go!

Easters

Sometimes we get dressed up.



Easter is one of those days.



An Easter gift for all my curious readers: today I'm displaying my growing belly. Ta-da.


Today #1 wrote me a letter and hid it on my bed. The letter expressed her love for me and then directed me to pages 55-56 of the Ensign, admonishing me to truly forgive Dad for breaking my nicest baking pan while he was doing the dishes. She's concerned for my soul.


I know three children that tried egg-salad sandwiches for the first time today. I know three children who hated them.


Deep thoughts from #1: Is the Easter Bunny real? Wait, don't answer that, mom.


For the first time in his life, #2 was the first one dressed and ready for church today. It's an Easter Miracle! (Or maybe it's because I told the kids they couldn't look for their eggs until they were dressed for church.)


#3 decided that she loved her Easter dress, even though it wasn't pink. She got a lop-earred bunny Webkinz from her Grandma and named him Hoppi.



Verdict: Clip on ties are awesome. Why haven't we tried them before?


Happy Easter!

recently overheard

There were a few notable statements made this week that must be documented for purposes of bringing a smile to your face and mine:

~1~

#2: Mom, when are we going to diarrhea the eggs?


~2~

While topless (dressing for bed) and pointing to her chest, #3: Do boys have these pimples too?

~3~

#1 has been playing Words With Friends (a Scrabble type game, for all you people living under a rock) from her ipod with various friends. From time to time she'll update me on her progress, telling me how much she's ahead or behind. Sometimes she isn't familiar with a word her opponent has played so she'll ask me about it.

One morning before school #1 came skipping into my bathroom:

#1 (exuberantly): Mom! I just played a** for 15 points!!

me (stunned): Huh?

#1: Is a** even a word? Isn't it like a donkey or something?

me: Uh. Yea. That's one meaning for the word. The scriptures use the word a** to describe a donkey. But, I'm just going to warn you that there's another meaning for that word and its usually considered to be a swear word.

#1's face fell and went white. #1 (in disbelief and shock, whispered): I wrote a swear word?

me: Don't worry about it. You didn't know it was a swear word and I know Heavenly Father understands.

#1: I can't believe I wrote a swear word! I feel sick.

before her swearing days

Happy Weekend!

A girl that's big

Great news everyone! #3 has finally learned to pump herself on the swing!

I ran inside to grab the camera and when I came out #3 was still beaming, excitedly proclaiming, "I'm not a little girl anymore! I'm a girl that's big!"

As happy as I am that she's is capable of swinging without my pushing her, her happy proclamation settled in my heart. It is so true. In many ways, she is not a little girl anymore. Every month, every week she sheds more and more of her baby ways. In August she'll start Kindergarten!

Maybe it's good timing. Our family should only have one baby at a time and come late August, #3 will have to relinquish her "baby-of-the-family" title to #4.

Yup. I said it.

Swing baby!

I'm sorry. I just had to add this one of Buster for juxtaposition. While my darling, little one was soaring high in her clean sun dress, my apparently red-neck son was shirt-less and barefoot gnawing the meat off a chicken leg.


Have I ever mentioned how Buster loves the feel of a bare chest? He would be shirt-less all day every day if I let him get away with it.

Humble Pie

There's nothing like your kids to keep you humble and grounded, right?

I mean, if I were in danger of having any self respect I'm pretty sure this conversation with #3 brought things right back to where they belong:

{I had just been absent-mindedly listening to her talking about something important like unicorns or flowers or something. Apparently I had been making "listening" sort of comments like, "ok" and "uh huh."}

#3: Why did you say uh oh?

me: I didn't say uh oh?

#3: Yes, you did. You said uh oh.

me: I did? Oh. Well, I'm not sure why I said that.

#3 gives me a patronizing laugh: Mom, sometimes you're not smart.

me: Ha ha. I guess sometimes I'm not smart.

{long pause}

#3: When I'm a mom am I going to be not smart and not cute?

That was a particularly delicious slice of humble pie.

Later that night I recounted the experience to Spouse. He said, "Oh that's nothing." And then he told me about an encounter he'd had with #2 that morning as he was packing his lunch for work. {P.S. Spouse usually takes our left overs but this particular morning there wasn't anything left from the night before.}

#2: Why are packing so many chips and all that cheese?

Spouse: I'm going to make nachos.

#2: For your lunch?

Spouse: Yep.

#2: So, dad? You must like being chubby.

So if you're worried that you're feeling a little too good about yourself just swing by our house. I'm sure my kids will find a way injure that pride.

Spring Break

Last week I had all my children home for spring break and today my house is suffering from quiet and emptiness. It was a lovely week of sleeping in, big breakfasts, play dates, picnics, no homework and no stressed out mom; it was perfect.

I love it when my children have space and time to relax and be themselves, uninfluenced by the pressures of school. They play well together, making up elaborate games and schemes. One afternoon they spent nearly three hours planning for, rehearsing, setting up and decorating for a "concert." I was lucky enough to score an invitation. It read: Your inbited to a consrt at 10:30 tonite. Fortunately, I persuaded the performers to change it to a time I would be awake.

Another afternoon I rounded up the children to head over to the park and found this in the girl's bedroom:


It was a wedding for Cheeky Cat and Pom Pom! I thought it was hilarious.

Of course we did a few things away from home too. Our annual excursion to Shamrock (dairy) Farm was one of them:


The weather gave us the star treatment for spring break. Sunshine, warm afternoons, a little wind - perfect for kite flying or bubble blowing.




Only nine more week of school and then they're all mine again! {If only our summer weather were as perfect as our spring break weather :( }