In Costume

Avery as Tinkerbell
With her short blond hair, her cute bootie and sassy personality, the costume just makes her that much more in character.

Abigail as Sleeping Beauty
This is pretty self-explanatory. Though I must add that Abigail's golden hair curls naturally at the ends in the same way Disney's Sleeping Beauty does.

Warren as (a very sad) Prince Caspian
He had just lost his sword for the 2nd--and final--time tonight for playfully walloping his sister in the rear. He even tried to buy it back with money. How do you explain to a 5 year old you don't want money, you want better judgment?

Apparently Avery wasn't pleased with my lack of Halloween Spirit and tried to dress me up with a scary face or something. Maybe like that scene in "Hook" where Tinkerbell watches as the little boy shapes the now old Peter Pan's face into what it used to look like...

I Know You Will Be Honest...

Tonight I was singing a favorite lullaby to Avery, "Child of Mine." It's a Carole King song from the album, "For Our Children." It was one of the first CD's my family ever bought back when we got our first CD player in the early 90's. Well, just after Warren was born, I saw the 10th anniversary edition of the CD for sale and bought it for old times sake. (If you're interested, it also has a rockin' Little Richie version of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"--my family once danced to it a a church talent show with my brother Brent all dressed up as a spider with stuffed black panty hose.)
Well, I'm singing the song, and I came to a line near the end: "I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind," and laughed inwardly because I finally understood that line. Here's why. Last week I made a comment about changing my clothes so I could play outside with Warren. He didn't understand why I was changing them and explained very matter-of-factly that the reason was "cuz' you're too wide and fat, mom." "What do you mean?" I prodded, interestedly. Kind of patronizingly he expounded, "The reason that your clothes don't look so cute on you is cuz' you're too wide and fat." I followed up with, "Do you know why I'm wide and fat?" "Yeah--it's cuz' you're old." Ouch. No, really, I wasn't offended or upset--I had quite the happy chuckle and then explained that because I am pregnant, 5.5 months now, I am growing as the baby grows. He remembered this, too, because I told this story a few days ago, and he cut in, "But it's because my mom is pregnant." Honest, if not kind.
Needless to say, later as I read this talk on unity, I shared with Warren the advice, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I didn't reference the wide and fat comment, but, I'm hoping his bright little mind will pick that up and thus avoid any future altercations that might involve an audience that doesn't appreciate Warren's "humor" the way I did.
It was a reminder for me in another way, too. Coming from Warren--and I know he really must think I am fat--I wasn't offended at all. I took his comment at face value, no strings attached. When he said it, I didn't let my mind start translating his statement to other meanings like, "And I am therefore worthless...ugly...lazy..." or "And that means he doesn't like me!" Yet, if someone else--probably anybody but my kid--had said the same thing, or even something slightly more tactful, I probably would've been offended, or felt poorly about myself. So this little story is proof to me that no one can offend me--I can only offend myself. To quote a wise man, "[I]t ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else."

3 Happy Faces. Sisters.

These were the faces created by Sarah tonight when she descended upon our house with 3 pumpkins, boundless enthusiasm, lots of patience and lots of love.

These are the 3 faces the smiling faces above created.
It's amazing how much easier a pumpkin carving tool kit makes the job.I love the enthusiasm Sarah has for holidays. I love doing special things, but sometimes the project has a hard time making it out of my brain and into reality. But Sarah makes special moments happen. I've always loved my sisters--I have 4, and now also a wonderful sister-in-law--but after reading this article, I am consciously dedicated to making them an active, living part of my life, not just people I see on Sunday or call to watch my kids. I'm not great at nurturing friendships; I admit I'm kind of a homebody with an independent streak that often makes me hard to be with, and I'm too opinionated for my own good and probably most others' comfort. But who better to wear off these rough edges than sisters?
More shots of the evening:

Letter to "pedr"

Warren's uncle, Peter, is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Central America. Here is Warren's letter to him:

der pedr, ( Warren typed that by himself)

I can run 10 miles an hour. I know because I was racing my mom home
from my friend's house and she was in the car. At school I am learning
about one song called, "The Family of the Sun." (You sing it to the
tune of "The Farmer in Dell") Here are my favorite verses:

The family of the sun, the family of the sun.
8 planets all in all, the family of the sun.

Mercury is hot, and Mercury is small.
Mercury has no atmosphere, it's just a rocky ball.

There is a verse for every planet, but Pluto is ex'd off on my sheet,
since they decided Pluto isn't a planet because there were 2 bigger
planets than Pluto. We are studying planets at school. 10 10s is 100.

I'm going to be Prince Caspian for Halloween. And I have a plastic sword.

I made a telephone line out of a hose. I wish I could show you in the
email, but I can't. It would be like this: I put it in the playhouse
window and I speak through it and mom and dad will hear me. Or
Abigail, but to Avery I just say baby words to.

This is funny; we have two (play) cars and they're made of wood and
one just has 1 circle and one has 2.

Here is Warren's testimony (age 5) to share with your investigators:
You try to stay clean not dirty. Dirty is your sins, and clean is no
sins at all. I believe that if I am clean with Jesus' help, I will be
happy.

Love,
Warren

Sick Day (and Night)

Last night Avery awoke throwing up. Poor kid. The first time i got her bathed and all cleaned up, she threw up all over again. So we had another bath in the sink. She still threw up 4 more episodes--twice after we put her back to bed. Luckily, in all these 4 cases she successfully avoided her pajamas and sheets as we held her in creative angles and lifted her quickly out of her bed. It was quite the late night party. She and I finally fell asleep on the couch, where my right leg and foot was eaten alive by a zealous mosquito. Just before midnight I could take the itch and dead arm no longer and she and I moved back into our own beds.

Avery is a little quieter--and more cuddly--today. She even gets to have her binky all day, something she only gets at naps and bedtimes.

Still, she couldn't resist giving me this smile after swinging in the cool morning air had sufficiently restored her mood and I got the camera out. It's nice, and reassuring, to see her smile. Pushing Avery in the swing is educational for me. Last week, she kept saying, "Hi!" and I kept saying "Hi, Avery!" Finally, a bit exasperated, she pointed with her finger and said, "Up!" Apparently I was not pushing her "high" enough.

Making Salsa

My new favorite hairdo on Abigail.

Warren is getting really great at the can opener--I wish I could've caught the moment when he stuck his tongue out the side of his mouth in concentration.

Busy kids. (Warren is using my favorite kitchen doo-dad: the alligator dicer.)

The favorite job of any cooking/baking/mixing job: stirring.

Abigail's First Day of School

The anticipation of almost an entire year was rewarded today when Abigail attended preschool for the first time at Montessori House! Abigail has been there for all sorts of events that Warren has been involved in, and each time, the "works" captivated her in and she looked around in wonder and asked me, "Mom, can I come to school here?"
These are coming and going pictures, and I think her face tells the story, but we'll also let her have her own say. So here is Abigail's day, according to her (remember, she's only 3).
"At school today I did envelope cutting and beads and, oh, sorting different colored leaves, and pouring water into the other pitcher with a sponge. And pink tower. I think that's all."

Craft Day

Each second Friday is Craft Day at my mom's house. Amongst ourselves--my mom, her twin, a cousin, sometimes a sister and a friend or two--it is also called "Friday Therapy Group," like a book group but with crafts instead? I am in charge next month, and I tend to be the slacker in preparing my craft idea, so this time I went prepared with this Halloween Garland to show that we could make a similar one for Valentine's Day. To see the tags I chose to theme it around, go here and search "romantic roses." I designed these in another life for Scrapbook.com's e-cut line. I love that I can print out as many as I want since that is how e-cuts work once you purchase them. Anyway, I was really pleased and inspired by the garland, and I have a beautiful fireplace mantel that cries out for love, so you will probably be seeing more of my creations here, soon.

This Craft Day's craft is the pillar candle and surrounding balls scattered around. There are actually 6, but only 4 are pictured here. I firmly believe my mom and aunt should be up for sainthood after all the thousands of card stock leaves they punched out for us to stick with straight pins into Styrofoam balls. The final product is actually a center piece with the candle (covered with decorative paper and ribbon) in the middle, the balls around it, all set on a charger plate, but after the next picture, you will understand why my precious decorative leaf balls are out of reach on the mantel...

What I took at least 30 minutes to put together, Avery can undo in about 2. Isn't it great the kids teach is useful factoids like that? Now, stay with me as I wax philosophical. I'm sure all the leaf-punching, pin-sticking raised a few male eyebrows around the house, wondering why anyone would spend so much time for just a craft. It is so much more than a craft, though. It is the opportunity to come together and share in each others' lives. The preparation it requires--and it is not usually anywhere near this labor intensive--is well rewarded by the time spent together. Something about being creative brings out the best in people and helps us open our homes and hearts to each other.

Music Night

This was the scene in our living room tonight, as the second annual Music Night took place. When October finally rolls around and our house is not too hot anymore to reasonably invite people over (we live in an old house made for swamp cooling, but jimmied-up for AC) we invite everyone we can think of that might enjoy coming together and entertaining each other with our latest musical conquests. I didn't remember to get pics of everyone, so this is just a partial representation. I started us off with Norah Jones "My Dear Country"--I call it "Election Day"--which I think is a pretty humorous song about the disillusionment of the day after Election Day. Other acts, not in order:

Andy uses Music Night as motivation to learn a great song. He played, "Joy," from George Winston's album "December." (A favorite). While the performance is great, what I really like is the music that fills our home as he practices, and that our kids get to see their dad playing the piano. I believe that now that he can turn his attentions to other songs, I am delegating the accompanying of family night singing to Andy. Lance, Andy's brother, accompanied himself on both the piano--he is mainly self-taught!--and the guitar. Versatility. Wow. Preston--of the first picture, played 2 original songs and rocked our house and audience. I loved that he played electric guitar and used an amp and all the good stuff that requires. It definitely elevated music Night to a new level. My sister Emily of the fabulous voice, sang like an angel, "Someday." I felt proud to be related. McKane--brother-in-law, musician and CEO extraordinaire--sang an original and family favorite, "Shot in the Arm." Every time I hear him play I feel a desire to pick up the guitar again and get better. Maybe next year...

I wish I'd gotten this next picture at the piano, because I think it is heartwarming to see them play and sing together. Marily and Mark did 2 hilarious covers of "Flight of the Concorde." My face hurt from laughing and smiling. I did another number and stretched myself by coming out from behind the piano and singing, "Our Story Goes On," from the musical "Baby." I first sang it in college when I was pregnant with Warren, and it feels cheesily-sentimental to sing it while pregnant now with number 4. It actually went pretty poorly. My CD malfunctioned, I had talked way too much at Craft Day this morning and with the guests who actually came on time--bless those people!--to have my full voice. Oh well. I had fun practicing. Music Night reminds me that music isn't just about the performance, it is the process that brings so much happiness to my life.

Violin Duet

Abigail is fascinated by the violin. Over 7 months ago, she started making "violins" out of Tinker Toys and "playing" them--aka, singing along. Her bowing even matches the rhythms most of the time. Well, Avery--who loves to do what Warren and Abigail are doing--has decided to take up the violin, too. This morning when we gathered for scriptures, first we had to be serenaded to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," sung at the top of their lungs while they "played." It was almost as cute as when they used their frozen blueberries and pancakes pieces to write music notes on their plates at breakfast and then they sang what the had written. When I finally stop playing phone tag with my friend Heidi, Abigail is going to start Suzuki violin lessons. She is so excited.
Reminder: Music Night Tomorrow!

So Proud

Warren surprised me today by playing this on the piano. It is the bridge section of "Do, a Deer" from the Sound of Music. He takes "Let's Play Music" lessons from a local teacher, and it was a song they learned to sing last year. Then he figured out how to play it by ear on the tonebells. Apparently he transferred that knowledge to the piano. I don't know who is more proud--me or him!
My spiel: This is why I am such a believer in sol-feg singing and ear training! I used to teach piano while I was getting my degree in music education, and before I had kids. I was often frustrated because I didn't think that my students used their ears/listening ability enough to their advantage. They got lost in note names and the many other complexities of music that I think develop long after their ear has. After taking a class at ASU about elementary general music methods and being exposed to the methods of Orff and Kodaly, I really wanted to incorporate these into my teaching. The problem was I didn't have a systematic way to do it, and most of my students were too old to appreciate these methods--they would've felt like they were doing "baby stuff" or regressing. I vowed that when I had children, I would find a way to incorporate these methods. A friend of a friend told me about "Let's Play Music," a three year theory/piano prep course and after checking it out, I found a teacher and signed Warren up. I've been so pleased with the program. If I had the room in my house for the keyboards (up to 8!) that the kids need their second year of study, I would get certified to teach it.

The Bike Ramp

For months, Warren has had a promise from our neighbor to build him a bike ramp on a day that Sam, my brother, could come over also. Well, October Break provided the perfect confluence of factors, and so last weekend at 6:40 in the morning, as I am still lying in bed , I hear Warren out back, asking our neighbor if he will build the bike ramp. I was a bit nervous, since I didn't know what this would entail. (Keep in mind my insurance deductible is $11,000 :) But I was greatly relieved when I saw my neighbor hauling out a piece of plywood and some cinder blocks and building it on the grass berm between our yards. I should have known he'd keep it simple and safe for the kids he likes so much.

The ramp had all sorts of reincarnations: on the grass vs. on the sidewalk, cinder blocks vs. red bricks, ramp or tilting platform. My kids and my siblings spent the better part of the morning planning it and then directing how to build it to their latest specifications. Warren rode his bike, Same rode his bike and scooter, Annie took a few turns on the scooter, and Avery and Abigail each got pushed on the tricycle--obviously, they didn't catch much air.

Around noon I went to the YMCA and saw an acquaintance who asked, "Coming or going?" "Just getting here," I replied. I then explained the bike ramp to her and my wonderful neighbor who spent his entire morning making my kids and siblings happy. She replied, "Those kind of people are so good for neighborhoods." I agree.

Saturday Makeover

This is pretty self-explanatory. Now let me explain why I laughed and had Andy take a picture instead of stressing out: Emily, the magic cleaning lady who also happens to be my sister. I actually was making Saturday a pretty rotten day for myself--heaping on the guilt, wallowing in indecision, thinking about my messy house and undone organizational projects rather than doing anything about them--and then magically, Emily shows up. While I organize the mounds of recipes--from classes, cut from magazines/newspaper and printed off Internet--that had taken over a much-needed counter top, Emily cleans like a whirlwind around me. Oh, and Abigail and Avery are napping, and Warren is at Schnepf Farms with my other sisters--Sarah, Natalie, Annie--and Sam, my youngest brother. So at the end of an hour and a half, I tackle a big mound that needed organizing and purging, Emily makes my house sparkle and my kids are all being taken care of. A wonderful turn-around to my day. As Emily left I thanked her with something like this, "Even on days like today when I look lousy, I don't have to stare at myslef in a mirror all day and feel bad. But, I do have to look at my house all day and that reflects back to me my impressions of myself, so thanks for giving me a makeover." Which is why, instead of being really upset about Avery pretty much trashing what remained of my makeup, I was able to laugh. Sisters make all the difference in the world, and they definitely give the best makeovers--of all kinds.

Sweet and Sour Bean

Avery's nickname is "Bean." When she was little, she was a sad, gassy, little baby, so I jokingly called her Bean. It grew into a term of endearment--just today, my neighbor called her Bean. I also call her Sweet Bean and Little Bean, but lately, she could be called Sweet and Sour Bean, as these pictures show. Avery is the kid who runs to greet me the moment I wake up with a big hug and exuberant cry of, "Mommy!" She is also the kid that falls down and just wants to stay down for awhile, then get up on her own terms.

After seeing some very cute aprons I've been on a sewing kick lately, and this smock is one of first attempts back at sewing from a long break. I fund the tutorial here, and modified the size to fit Avery. The main apron part is an old skirt of my sister Annie's that I had stashed away for just such a project as this. The red dress was a thrift store find of my other sister Emily, and was crying out for a pinafore or something. I made one for Abigail too, but made it while she was sleeping, so the straps didn't get modified to a good length, and it's a little big, but it still kept her clean while we made chocolate chip cookies last night and while she ate oatmeal and blueberry smoothies for breakfast. And she likes it. My other project was a half apron; I traced an existing apron to make a pattern and it turned out pretty well. Next time I have a non-pregnant tummy at my house to model it, I'll put a picture up.
So, I guess now is the appropriate time to thank my parents for all those sewing lessons they paid for when I was a kid that give me a small amount of confidence to approach my sewing machine, and to Sister Palmer, the dear old lady who faithfully taught me to sew. I'm definitely not a credit to her name, but I still appreciate her efforts.

Ballet Buddies

Wednesday is possibly the most anticipated day of the week for Abigail. Why? Dance class. Wednesday morning, for an hour, she and other 3-4 year olds go to the Little Ballet on North May where Ms. Melendie transports them to another world of fairies, princesses, butterflies, tap and ballet. To say that Abigail adores it would be an understatement. Some days Abigail is already dressed in her dance clothes before I roll out of bed. She loves having her dance bag, full of her tap shoes, ballet shoes, leotard, tights, water bottle and ballet bucks. All throughout the week, she asks, "Is tomorrow dance class, mommy?" The entire experience is even better because Abigail's friend Caroline attends also.

I think I signed Abigail up in the beginning because I wanted her learn to dance, and have more coordination-confidence than I ever did. I have no doubt that she will pick up some of that; but now, I take her because she anticipates it all week and loves every minute she is there. The second and third weeks I took her, I got her there late, and it was entirely my fault. She was so stressed out to be late, and I vowed I would not do that again. She makes sure she is ready hours ahead of time, the least I can do is get her to dance class on time. One week, as I drove her there, she remembered to say her morning prayers and asked, "Please help me be good in dance class." It is hard for a young 3 year old to always understand and stay focused--I know, because I've observed, though she does great the majority of the time. Well, when I picked her up that day, Abigail said excitedly, "Mom! I told Ms. Melendie I was so good in dance class today and she said to me, 'Abigail, I'm so glad you know how good you were in dance, because you were extra good today.' Heavenly Father answered my prayer!" It was so sweet to see her excitement over being able to be attentive and work/play hard in class. It's the best $28 I spend all month. (BTW, if you have a daughter that you think would like this class or another class, I can get you the information)