happenings

We went to the beach yesterday and met up with some friends.  B slept the whole time.

Right after we arrived and I found my friend, suddenly I was surrounded by some sweet ladies from the ward.  I tried to introduce my friend, not realizing that they were mostly wanting to see B.  I've been to church to work with Primary 3 weeks now, but never brought B.  So I forget that people are eager to see him.

The big kids take their boards and do a good job of not drowning.  It's amazing how they are growing up and able to do so much.  Every night someone wants to help make dinner, even lP.

Last week G went to scout camp.  This was his first mainstream experience.  We were really anxious that he would have a hard time socializing, understanding, or worst case scenario, freak out (which he sometimes does).  He's been doing scouting for 6 months with the other 3 boys in the ward troop.  And it turns out he has mad paper airplane skills.   He had a great time.

Once upon a time...

G and M are having a great time holding B.  It turns out my kids thrive on routine.  Their daily computer time, practice, scripture and prayer awesome.  Add daily time holding B and it's working out great.  They are so good at accepting mom and dad's arbitrary rules.  I think that will be an important life skill.

 Tonight I tried to go to the store and use coupons with 4 kids.  It was hard.  But when corn dogs are on sale and you've got a coupon, the kids are willing to behave pretty good.  B was freaking out at the back of the store and I was so close to walking out.  But M had a bag of cheese that she'd been wanting and had even chipped in her hard earned dollar toward buying.  So we found and empty aisle and waited it out.  I let my kids get a cookie or a balloon, and P always wants a balloon.  But then,  faced with the reality of M getting a cookie, P chose cookie too.

Once upon a time B's eyes were blue.

who needs college?

I came across some sites tonight (at last!) that have the music resources I've been searching for.
Beth's Music is amazing.

I'm glad I went to college.  I approached it very vocationally; I wanted to be a band director so I went and got the degree that would let me do that.  I am so grateful for the things I learned and the experiences I had.  I sometimes wish I'd explored other fields more, but I am glad I learned the things I learned.

I think the best thing I learned in college though, was to balance friends, job, learning etc...  At my school it was really easy to find jobs on campus that worked with a student schedule.

Also, I was feeling a little sad the other day that though I want to someday be on an adult volleyball or softball team, it's not likely.  I only ever played those sports with the Young Women, and that was sporadic.  So I don't have the skills and I'm not so good at acquiring new skills now.

But I am really grateful that I learned to sight read and notate music.  Those skills are a blessing to me and I know I could never pick them up in my current distracted life. 

Those teen and early 20's years are gold.  The things you spend your time and efforts in during that time are life long investments.

beautiful people

 B reminds me so much of G as a baby.  It's so funny because his hair is bright, bright red but otherwise I'm constantly reminded of G.  I don't remember feeling such similarity with the girls.

 lP, she's a gem.  She struggles.  Recently she has such funny explanations and phrases.  I'm pretty sure I am mostly in love with them all the time, but she's been especially endearing lately, when she's not driving us crazy.

 Grandma and Great Grandma came to visit.  It was so awesome to spend time with them.  And they brought delicious food.  I'm so grateful they were able to come.

B is 1 month old today.  G has been counting down the days because I told the kids that they could hold B when he was 1 month old.  We are not a family that lets kids hold babies.  Particularly we don't let kids carry babies.  But at 1 month I will let them sit in a chair with arms, and hold the baby.  They each had a turn this morning.   I didn't get pictures of G and M.  But when lP was holding him it I sent M for the camera, so we have this sweet moment captured.  Then she sang him the ABC's.

game changer

Car seats consume a lot of attention around here.  For each child there is thought extended for what they will sit in.  And as more children came, the how to fit them into the car became more and more complex.  Thanks to the sunshine radian car seat, we have been able to fit 3 seats into our Sentra.  I think we got the first one because G was too tall for the 5 point harness carseat, but not heavy enough for a booster.  Then we got a second one when lP was born to fit 3 into the back seat.

So now we have a van.  M and G have been in boosters on and off but it's always hard for them to buckle in.  The buckle is so far down, it's really hard to get to it.  Bless them for putting up with it for so long. 

I wanted to get another booster so we could use the more fuel efficient car when we could technically fit in it.  Like next week G is at scout camp, so I can use the sentra all week.  But moving car seats is really a hassle.  I was tempted to buy a bubble bum seat, which is the most narrow booster on the market.  But it's $40 and inflatable.  I love the comfort factor of an inflatable seat, but P said, "if it can inflate, it can deflate."

So I got a Harmony booster (not particularly narrow but not a monster) from the consignment store for $8 and ordered 2 seat belt extenders.  The seats are in there tight, but it doesn't matter anymore because the buckle is right there on the seat, easy to get to.  M was so excited to buckle up and exclaim with her signature rapture "It's so easy, Yay!"

grown ups

We got a van yesterday.  Crazy!  The kids are so excited.  I'm so glad we can all ride together now.  Like, me and all the kids, legally, And P.  We took out one of the middle chairs so there is more room getting in and out. 

not much sacrifice

 My crazy long hair.  

Just last week I realized I didn't need to wait for it to fall out (post pregnancy hormone shift).  I could cut it off sooner and donate it,  So that's what I did.

This is B above, and G at the same age, below.