paradise

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Will the jumper







William has really been enjoying track. Everyday he gets faster and stronger. He likes to do Long Jump, the 4x100 relay and the 400. He is doing pretty good considering it is his first season. On long jump he just won 3rd place with a jump of 6ft 8in. I bet if he acatually had coaching on the long jump he could go pretty far.

I am getting a taste of what organized sports mean to me, ie. a major commitment. William goes to practice Mon, Wed, Thurs for 2 hours and the meets are all day Saturday. Its a little much for me but he is learning so much that I feel I can sacrifice my time. We are proud of you Will keep it up.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

crafty


Ellie is in this super crafty stage right now. The creative juices just keep flowing. This is the result. She calls them World Girl dolls. They all come from different countries complete with names and backgrounds. They are made of tin foil and tape. Hand painted and designed completely by Ellie herself.
This new buisness of hers has stretched my patience to a maximum with the "mess" it leaves behind, but it gives her confidence so I am trying.

song in my heart

William was outside practicing his wave board/rip stick (kind of like a skate board with only 2 wheels) During his practice session Brennen was singing at the top of his lungs. Frustrated William bursts out "BRENNEN!! COULD YOU STOP SINGING YOUR DRIVING ME CRAZY" to which Brennen replies quite dramatically "WELL I'M SORRY. I just have a song in my. . . HEART!" Kids say the darnedest things
William was really gun ho when he came home from school about selling the most chocolates for a fundraiser they were having. While I applaud his enthusiasm I really hate fundraisers. They turn our children into nagging money obsessed fiends. Don't deny it, we all think it. I'm all for helping out the school but I think I would rather give the school straight up cash than have to peddle this junk they pass around. I was upstairs folding clothes when I heard the boys in the front yard. That is a no unless I am with them so i went to investigate. William the entrepreneur that he is decided to set up a "stand" to promote this new product. He had put out the little card table on the sidewalk holding this sign in the air so passersby would help his cause. It says Buy Chocolate Please. My heart was softened. It was such an Aha moment. This sweet kid was doing his best to help out his school but no one was paying attention. Whenever a car drove by he would hold up his sign. Only for them to honk or wave back. Who wouldn't buy chocolate from a kid with a sign like this? He was so dejected. I had to help him understand that people couldn't read his sign because it was so small and it was the middle of the day. No one is home during the middle of the day. maybe he could try later. Determined he said he would stay out a little longer he was so sure business was going to pick up. It didn't. So Chocolates anyone?

Saturday, April 16, 2011

They can be taught

We were driving in the car talking about what weapon would we rather have. Yes, this is a common topic among my children, mostly William. These talks go something like this. . . . So, your in a medieval battle and you have your choice of a crossbow, a bow and arrow, or a crappy gun, what would you pick? After some debate about the battle grounds I make my choice and then have to defend it. Then that turns into a discussion on accuracy, stealth, and whatever else might be involved in going to battle. A little strange to some but at least its critical thinking skills. William is now thinking of becoming a sniper when he gets older. Anyway it was a discussion like this with William when all of the sudden Brennen pipes up. "Ya, and then they dig a hole and put their swords and arrows and all weapons in there, 'cause they can't fight anymore. Their good guys." What is he talking about? Where did this come from? My mind reals back. think, think, think. . . . Was this in a movie he saw? Was it one of Scott's games? Oh!! I know where this is coming from. In primary on Sunday the chorister was teaching them the song "We'll bring the world his truth" (Armies of Helamen) she talked about the anti-nephi-lehi's and how they had made a covenant not to fight anymore and buried all their weapons so their sons fought in their place. I was amazed. My little 3yr old whom I was certain never paid attention was actually learning something in primary. He remembered it almost a week later. I was so proud. These little sponges never cease to amaze me. I guess some things do get through to them. I hope I remember times like this when I feel like I am reading them the scriptures in vain.
Alma 56:48 ". . . We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

eggs







We decided to color eggs a little early this year. We needed something to do and this was one of my favorite things to do growing up. My mom, always a big fan of the arts, would boil dozens and dozens of eggs. Even so there never seemed to be enough to go around, we always wanted more. Maybe because we love deviled eggs, or the fact that we love art as much as she does, either way 6 dozen eggs was never enough.

This year I boiled 18 thinking there was no way we could eat that many before they went bad. But once again there weren't enough eggs to go around. It may be due to the fact that Scott ate 2 and Peter dropped 3, or the fact that William just dropped them in the color as fast as he could, we just needed more.

By the time I finished my first there were no more eggs left.

I tried to encourage them to really take time and thought into decorating their eggs, make them detailed. Ellie is the only one that listened. I brought out some paint brushes and she painted a palm tree on her egg. Pretty good for water colors on an egg.

Brennen was very possessive of his eggs. He wanted to carry them all over. He wrapped them in a towel so they wouldn't get cold, he colored them, he shined them, he wouldn't let anyone touch them. He didn't even let me put them in the fridge after. Needless to say I think he enjoyed the egg experience.

It all went so fast, I think I should have another egg decorating day a little closer to Easter.




Sunday, April 10, 2011

little man suit










I bought this suit for William. I love it. It is exactly like a mans suit only small. Its lined, has inside pockets and everything. When I saw it years ago I just had to get it. It also matched Scott's suit at the time so that tipped the scale. I put Peter in it this morning and realized he has almost outgrown it. I was sad. Not only is my baby growing up, but this is one of the last times I will use this suit. I might just save it for when I have grandchildren. So in honor of the cutest little man suit I had Peter do a photo shoot. I was so happy he was cooperative.

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