This and That

Zoe made this May basket for me during Achievement night last month. She gave it to me on May 1st.


Emily and I had a night out last night (with Kate of course). Emily had her 6 year picture taken at Walmart and then we went over to the mall to have her ears pierced!

She was very brave and didn't cry at all, although she kept telling me how much it hurt! She likes her star earrings. We went to McDonalds to celebrate and to spend her gift card she got for her birthday.

Zoe brought me homework do to this weekend.

I sent in a note to Zoe's teacher to see if I could help her in any way here at home, so she called me to see if I would grade math papers. Sure. Now I have a new appreciation for neat penmanship! Zoe's teacher shared a joke with me that Zoe had told her...
Zoe: "My new name should be lightbulb."
Zoe's teacher, "Why is that?"
Zoe: "Because I'm so bright!"
Ha Ha Ha
Zoe's teacher has said more than once that she is going to miss Zoe and her sense of humor when the year is over.

I stood in a line this morning with Kate and some friends to get free tickets to go up to the observatory on the new bridge on May 19th. Each person could only get 2 tickets, so Matt and I will be going up with Kate (who we assume won't need a ticket).

My friends and I went for a walk along the waterfront before heading back to our families. It was fun!
Matt and the kids were home making a campsite..."Camp Bravo".


I made a spur of the moment decision to bring the kids to a children's fair. The fair is for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to show that getting ready for school begins at birth. Here are the activities the kids enjoyed...


Blocks

Bubbles with Emily's current and Zoe's past Kindergarten teacher.

Coloring while watching a video about taking care of your teeth.

Eleanor played in the sand while the other kids listened to music and played instruments. It took Zach awhile to warm up to the music lady. She would try to get him to play different instruments, but he would just shake his head no. But he never took his eyes off her as she sang and played the guitar. He finally played the xylophone and held onto it until it was time to leave. He helped the music lady clean up before we left.


Eleanor ended at the puzzle table.

We brought home a bunch of balloons that I knew would cause someone to cry...and I was right. Eleanor wouldn't share the balloons with Zach, so I threatened to bring the balloons outside to float into the sky. Well Eleanor thought that sounded fun so she released her balloons into the sky herself...and cried when they didn't come back.

Birthday update

It was so cute to see Emily get off the bus yesterday afternoon with her friends. Emily was all smiles and acting silly. I've never seen her so hyper! They played inside more than I thought they would. They created a game of bugging Zoe and trying to get up to her bed on the top bunk. Zoe had the opportunity to go to our neighbor's house where Eleanor and Zach were, but she wanted to stick around. This ended up being good because Zoe's friend came over with her sister who is in Emily's class (and they have been our friends since before Zoe started school). Their Mom brought me this adorable brick cat.


Emily opened her presents and then they went outside to play for awhile. It was interesting to observe Emily and her friends. One girl wanted to be outside more than the others so she played outside with Zoe and her friend while the rest of the girls were inside. When this girl was inside with everybody she was content to play by herself. I could tell who Emily favored because she stuck with one girl through most of the party. Another friend seemed not to care for this friend Emily favored, but would play with Emily during the rare moment Emily wasn't with her favored friend. Then there was a girl who Emily rides the bus with, but she isn't in Emily's class so she doesn't know the other friends too well. Her grandmother stayed during the party and the girl found comfort in a familiar face. She got more comfortable the longer she was here.
We ate pizza and cupcakes. I had them go outside to eat the cupcakes. I think some of the girls thought that was weird, but the less I had to clean up the better!
Matt and my Mom got home just as the last friend was leaving. This girl left crying because her Dad said he would pick her up, but her Step-Dad was the one to actually come and get her. It was sad. We brought Eleanor and Zach home and then Emily opened her gifts from us and my Mom. Emily loved the toys she got and tolerated the clothes and other non-toy gifts. She received a gift card to get her ears pierced, which is a gift she requested, so she is excited to do that. Matt told her she could get her nose pierced instead, but she and Zoe laughed and said that you get your ears pierced NOT your nose...duh!
The adults ate pizza while the kids played and then we sang to Emily and ate cake. When I asked Emily what the best part of her day was she said, "Having my friends over!" Then it was worth the stress of having them over.











Have fun being 6 Emily!

It's your special day, Emily

First of all, here is an update to my Wordless Wednesday picture...it's really hard to post a picture and not talk about it! That is Zoe getting BACK into the tub when I was talking to a Sister missionary on the phone.distracted. She loved her bath!

Now onto today...HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY EMILY! Daddy woke you and Zoe up at 5:30 this morning, thinking it was 6:30 and we were late getting up. You came in and woke me up after I had just fallen back asleep from feeding Kate. I told you to go tell Daddy it was 5:30 not 6:30, but Daddy was already in the shower and you and Zoe were already up and getting ready, so I got up. This turned out to be a good thing because it gave you more time to open your card from Aunt Kris and her family, and to open Grandma and Grandpa's gifts before you left for school.

A flutophone set for your AG doll, Emily!

And a recital outfit! Here you are pretending your doll is playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" for us. Fun!

You have been anxious for your birthday since Zoe's birthday in March. It is FINALLY here! Now Eleanor is saying, "Is it MY birthday yet...When is my birthday going start?...Is it 12 days yet?" Fortunately for her, she doesn't have to wait as long as you did. I used to get anxious for my birthday to arrive after my sister had her birthday in October and mine was in November, so I know how long that wait can be!

I have been busy cleaning this week to get ready for your friends to come over after school today. You are always asking to have a friend over to play, so you are excited that 4 of your friends are riding the bus home with you, although you wish more friends were coming. I know you'll have a great time playing and eating pizza, cupcakes, and ice cream. It's a sunny day. I suggested playing outside when you get home and having a picnic and you liked that idea. I do too!

There are last minute things to do before you get home and 3 of your siblings to tend to so I better go for now. Have a fun day at school. You weren't thrilled about going to school on your birthday, but you went anyway in a dress to celebrate this special day. See you later!

P.S. Say a prayer for Heather who is having brain surgery today to remove a tumor. And wish Grammie & Grampie a Happy Anniversary!

Wordless Wednesday

Blessed

Written yesterday, 4/30/07

I'm not sure when she started visiting. The young woman who reminded me of a sister missionary going door to door to share a message that was dear to her heart. She stopped by my home from time to time to leave a pamphlet and to share a smile. She was friendly and kind, she would never stay for more than a few minutes. She would ask me how I was doing and share a brief message. Her visits were very infrequent and it would always surprise me when she would appear at my door, still does. She is the one who caught me in my pajamas last Monday, her and a friend. Here to offer a book that would guide people to the Bible to learn what it REALLY is about. She encouraged me to look through the book and study a topic of interest. She asked if she could stop by again to discuss what I have read and I said yes. I thanked her for the book and said goodbye as they left. I have read bits and pieces of the pamphlets given to me in the past. Always coming to a point of differing views and beliefs. This book was no different. I decided to start at the beginning. Reading as I sit for a moment to eat lunch. Finding that I look forward to our next visit to discuss our similar beliefs and differences. She has a new friend with her today. An older Mom who is just as friendly and nice as her. I invite them to sit and we start. They open their books, but mine is quickly taken by Eleanor, then Zach. I listen and answer questions. I enjoy the adult conversation. I read Proverbs 2:1-5 out loud as I wonder if their Bible says the same thing. We discuss how better the world would be if we would seek knowledge from the Bible just as we seek for riches and status. As we are talking I think about Joseph Smith. He has been on my mind due to Sharing Time. A light and warmth surround me as I ponder my testimony. Yes, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And not only do I have the Bible to guide me, but a prophet as well. How blessed I am. Blessed that I have known from childhood the purpose of my life. Blessed with knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and Savior. Blessed to know that there is opposition in all things. Bad things will happen, but peace and comfort can be found. Blessed to have a new friend to share these blessings with.

5 Senses Saturday

Sight:
* A man named Paul getting baptized
* "The Testaments" at our branch activity
* The trailer to the PBS movie "The Mormons"
* Aunt Tonia & Uncle Phil
* My friend, Charlene

Sounds:
* Popcorn popping
* Zoe, Emily, and Eleanor crying because they couldn't stay at my parents' house tonight like they did last night
* Children running around during "The Testaments" (including Eleanor!)
* Kate cooing
* Singing

Smells:
* Popcorn
* Baby wash
* Macaroni salad
* Zach's hair
* Dish soap

Taste:
* Raisin Bran
* Bagel with butter and cinnamon
* Popcorn
* Milk
* Chicken salad sandwich

Touch:
* Wipes
* Scriptures
* Paper bags
* Warm water
* Broom

So much for tummy time

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My Thursday

I enjoyed writing a list of what I did the other day. It's a great record of daily happenings, so here are some things I did yesterday...

Worked on Zach's 2 year old scrapbook page. Here is what I have written so far...
I am an active boy!
I like to play outside.
I still like my binky.
I’m attached to my pillow.
I love to watch “Dora the Explorer” and “Diego”.
I prefer to wear my pajamas, which I call “jammies”.
I like to wear my sisters’ dress up clothes.
I love being with my Grammie!
I love to drink milk.
I like to play with legos and my magtastik toy.
I still take a nap with my binky most days.
I love to say “bye” and wave when I am leaving somewhere.

I played outside with Eleanor and Zach, Kate hung out in her carseat until she got hungry.

We went outside again a little later and we heard Jenn and Andrea outside with their children next door, so we went over to visit. Eleanor loves to go over to Jenn's, so she was very excited! We had a great time visiting and playing. Zoe and Emily joined us when they got home from school. We came back home at dinnertime.

Matt went to Young Men's last night, so the kids and I ate pancakes for dinner (one of the kids' favorite dinners!).

I searched the internet for updates on Mitt Romney. When I saw some t-shirts that say "Vote for Mitt", I pictured our family marching in our local parade wearing the shirts (they even had a onesie for Kate!)...something to think about some more.

I watched Zoe do some of Emily's chores last night so they would have time to watch a movie before bed. They CAN be helpful to each other when they want to be!


I started reading "The Wedding Dress" by Virginia Ellis. I wanted to read the first chapter before bed and ended up reading more, so I think I'm going to enjoy it.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I did yesterday...

1) Read blogs
2) Stayed in my pajamas until after 10am
3) Got caught in my pajamas when a Jehovah's Witness came to my door
4) Pushed Eleanor on the swing
5) Picked Zach up to get on the slide over and over again
6) Made birthday invitations for Emily to give to the girls in her class
7) Watched "Princess Diaries 2" with Eleanor
8) Made a birthday chain with Emily to count down to May 3rd
9) Checked Zoe's homework
10) Fed Kate
11) Checked the mail
12) Listened to kids fighting
13) Finished reading "A Song I Knew by Heart" by Bret Lott

Check out PJ's list here.

I WILL remind you

Zoe: "What is debt?"

Me: "Spending money you don't have."

Zoe: "Like using credit cards."

Me: "Yes, that is one way to go into debt."

Zoe: "I'm never using credit cards."

Me: "Can I get that in writing?"

Which Austen Heroine are you?

Take the Quiz here!

:: E L I N O R ::

You are Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility!

You are practical, circumspect, and discreet.

Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule,

you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see.

Random Monday

When I woke up this morning Matt had the washer started and Zach was in the tub. Sometime last night Zach pooped, took his pajamas off and had poop all over him. Plus it smelled and looked like he had thrown up as well. Matt had most everything cleaned up by the time I got up, so I washed Zach up in the tub and got him out. I have such a great husband! Zach has energy today, but he's not eating much.

Kate had her 2 month check-up this morning. She is doing great...although she cries a lot. But she weighs 13lbs 7oz which puts her in the 90th percentile, and she is 23 1/2 inches long which puts her in the 75th percentile. She had 5 shots, so I'm expecting her to sleep a lot today.
It is a beautiful day here, so Eleanor and Zach are in and out to play. I'm doing laundry. I noticed today that a tree outside our window is budding :-)

Zoe, Emily, and Eleanor made up some cheers on Saturday.
M...O...M...That spells Mom!
C...A...T...We don't have a cat...wah!
They each shouted out a letter to spell Mom and then they said together "That spells Mom!" Then Zoe and Emily took turns spelling cat and then said together "We don't have a cat...wah! They are funny ones!

Zach was cracking Zoe and Emily up last Wednesday night in the car when he was singing to a Barbie song. He knew he was making them laugh so he would try to be silly. The nursery leader yesterday said that Zach is turning into the class clown. He was singing and making everyone laugh.

After Sacrament meeting yesterday Zach followed the girls out of the chapel. I found him standing in front of his nursery door waiting for someone to open it. Yay! He finally likes going to nursery!
Zoe likes to sit on my lap during Sacrament meeting. I let her since someday soon she will be too embarrassed to sit BY me.
Eleanor gave her first talk in Primary yesterday. She talked about Joseph Smith because she loves reading about him. She talked right into the microphone and did a great job!

Emily would make a great movie critic. She LOVES to talk about the movies she has seen. She could go on and on and on...

Emily and Eleanor are my chocolate/candy lovers. If there is candy around it is hard to get them to eat anything else. Zoe on the other hand will eat healthy food even when candy is around.

Kate likes to be warm and bundled. She falls asleep when I get her snowsuit on and put her in her carseat with her binky. Matt has discovered that she likes a blanket over her, including her head. She goes to sleep when he holds her and covers her completely with a blanket. I'm hoping she will turn into a super happy baby when the hot weather arrives!

Last night Eleanor got all excited and said, "When I'm 4, I get to do the dishes!...And when I'm 18, I will get some pills!" (meaning flouride pills) Yes, those are definitely things to get excited about.

Getting ready for Sunday

I was asked to go into the Young Women's class on Sunday to talk about journals. I decided the best resource to use was my own journal I kept when I was a young woman, so I dug it out...and I'm going to burn it after I use it on Sunday. Let's just say that I was boy crazy and leave it at that. I do still agree with a thought I had as a teenager that we shouldn't be interested in the opposite sex until we're old enough to be married...if only I had taken my own advice! But I definitely could go for that with my kids.

I just made a handout to give to the young women and I really like it, so I'm sharing it with you. The information came from the Young Women Manual 2.



Wish me luck!

Let's get together...

We had a fun playdate at our neighbor's home yesterday. Here is a picture of the "gang" we get together with...

It's rare these days to have all 10 kids together with Zoe & Emily in school, but in February my neighbor took this photo. Three of us Moms get together to chat and enjoy adult time while our children play. It is always a lot of fun! We actually had some Spring weather yesterday, so the kids were able to play outside. They're outside again today. It's nice to know the sun can still shine in Maine!

However, the nice weather is bringing out the wasps and I have killed two of them in our home today. I have come a long way with wasps. In the past I couldn't be in the same room with one without freaking out. I still can't bring myself to kill one with a shoe or something, so I pollute our air with raid, but it works. I just killed another one. Okay Matt, my tolerance for wasps has just faded...you have a new project to do tomorrow!

A First

Zoe went to her second Primary activity day last night for 8-11 year olds. She is really excited about the program and she loves to go to the activities. My mom is the leader, so that is a plus for Zoe. I went into their activity room last night while they were having a snack to say goodbye to Zoe since she was going home with her friend to spend the night. I asked her about a toy she wanted to bring with her, she said it was in the car. I told her if she wanted it that she needed to go get it. Then she basically said, "I don't need to bring it, you can leave now Mom." That was the first time I was not welcome in her presence around her friends. I figured it would happen eventually, but I was hoping she would be an exception. *Sigh* I think I have entered the world of Moms who are an embarrassment to their child.

I'm getting a headache

I hesitate to write right now in fear that everything will be negative, but my opportunities to be on the computer this week with all the kids home are limited. I took the kids to storytime at the library this morning. We haven't been to storytime in awhile because Matt usually has the Yukon on Wednesdays...and most other days for that matter, but I'm getting used to being home and I like it. But it was nice to get out of the house today. We went grocery shopping, yes, with 5 kids because it is payday, it is my one day with the car, and our evenings are busy for the next few days. I think that's where my headache began. The kids were really good, it's just tiring keeping track of everyone and making quick decisions as to what to buy before some crises occurs (I'm not good at bringing a list). I did let Zach out of the cart toward the end of our trip because he was getting crowded. He kept Zoe busy as she kept track of him. I'm glad she was there to help!

Besides regular chores, Zoe and Emily have been given a project to do each day this week. When their chores and project are done then they can sit down and watch a movie. Monday they cleaned out their boxes that are under the bed in their room, yesterday they cleaned inside and the outside of the refrigerator. Zach had written all over the front of the fridge, so they worked awhile getting that off and it looks much better now. Today they helped me bring the groceries inside the house and they put the groceries away. It's nice having helpers around! But I could do without the playing. We have been inside a lot because of cold, rainy weather and this seems to be creating loud, obnoxious behavior! Another reason for the headache.
Everyone talks to me at once, Zoe reads what I'm writing on my blog as I type (it drives me nuts!), someone is always hungry, and Kate gives me short breaks here and there. I've decided that my mom and Matt's mom should come take care of Kate for me because she is always happy to cuddle with them. She gets comfortable in my arms and then I have to get up to tend to one of her siblings which disturbs her peaceful state...and mine!

Anyway, here are some things for me to remember...
Eleanor says "Princess and the Pawprint" instead of "Princess and the Pauper".
Zach has been saying "Yeah baby" sounding like Austin Powers (at least that's what it sounds like he's saying).
Zach has a new interest in holding Kate...

Eleanor has had a few rare moments of wanting her hair up and out of her face (These pictures are for you, Steve)...


Emily's painting is in the background.

I feel better now that I've sat down to blog. Thanks for reading.

P.S. There is a fly walking around the computer. I can tolerate ladybugs, spiders, ants and other critters, but I HATE flies. Weird, huh! Eleanor on the other hand tries to make the flies her pets. She was very upset one day at my parents' home when a fly was stuck on some sticky fly tape. She insisted that we get the fly off so she could take it home. No thank you!

The weekend

First of all, I have to make a correction. Matt IS 6'2", actually he states he's 6'2 and 1/2", sorry Matt for making you shorter than you are.

We had quite a weekend. Friday afternoon/evening was the calm before the storm. My mom took the day off from work, so she came over in the afternoon with lunch, ready to play Phase 10. It was fun having her come over to visit and play! When Zoe and Emily got home from school, my mom took Zoe, Emily, and Eleanor home with her to spend the night. Sweet. I enjoyed the quiet knowing that Saturday would be just the opposite. I also enjoyed some one on one time with Zach while Kate slept. Zach sat on my lap for dinner and he shared a piece of pizza with me. It was so much fun to cuddle and spend time with him. Matt and I watched "Two weeks notice" in the evening. Kate continued to sleep and Zach sat with me in my chair (he took a late nap so he was wide awake during the movie, but he was very good).

Saturday morning a couple that we know dropped off their two girls (ages 2 & 4)that I offered to watch for the day and overnight so the couple could go to the Boston temple. The temple is 4 hours away, so going there is an all day affair. Matt went to pick up Eleanor to come home to play with her best friend who I was watching. Zoe and Emily stayed over with my parents for one more night. It was a busy, exhausting day taking care of a 2 month old, two 2 year olds, an almost 4 year old, and a 4 year old, but it felt good to provide this service. I know I appreciate my family and friends taking care of my children so I can have a break.

Zoe and Emily are on vacation this week. I hadn't thought much about having all of my kids home this week and I didn't dread it, so I guess that means I'm okay with it. It's raining today, Zach just finished watching a "Dora" movie, I'm doing laundry, and Zoe is asking, "Are you done yet?" so she can write her first post on her new blog which you can find here.
Emily has created a blog as well here.

Conversations with Zoe

Yesterday Zoe tried to convince me that she was measured in school and she is 6'2".
Me: "Daddy's not even 6'2"."
Zoe: "Well I am."
Me: "No you're not...maybe it was 4'6"."
Zoe: "No I am 6'2"."
Me: "No you're not."
Zoe: "My teacher told me so."
Me: "Well she's wrong then."
Zoe "This is her JOB, she knows, you don't even have a JOB!" (She obviously didn't read my last post.)
Me: (pointing to Kate who I am holding) "You don't think this is a job?"
Zoe: "No, it's just...living."

So there you go Moms, we're just living!

This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland look again and it was snowing/raining lightly. Zoe comes into my room just beside herself...
"We have school today!"
Me: "Yay!"
Zoe: "Mom! You are such a meanie!" (As she is smiling)

That's me, living and mean :-) But at least I'm having good luck on this Friday the 13th...are you?

MOM - JOB DESCRIPTION

I just received this forward from a friend. It is fun to read...and so true!

POSITION TITLE:
Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma & Mum

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and
weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three
seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen
phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an
embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for
the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.


WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest
thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Go vote

You can click here to participate in The American Family Association's Presidential Preference Straw Poll.
I found this poll through the Moms4Mitt blog.

I love baskets!

I love to use baskets to organize things. Here is my most recent project...

This is where our mail/school papers used to be. I would sort through the pile one day and the next it would like I never touched it.



So I finally got organized in this area. Now I have the girls put their school papers in this basket when they empty out their backpacks.



It fits perfect under our dresser in the living room. Looks a lot neater doesn't it! Now I look through their papers everyday, but I don't stress about sorting through them to make the kitchen look cleaner.


And this area looks better, too :-)



Now I sort through the mail everyday. Catalogs get put on the table to be looked at in the evening and then thrown away. The kids' magazines get put in their room. Our church magazines get put on the table...I like to read during lunch and the girls look at the Friend magazine a lot more if it is where they see it often. Bills go in our Bill basket.



Matt's Church mail goes in this basket which fits under a table in the living room.



And junk mail goes in the trash.

Works for me!

Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny left goodies at our house last night...and a note. Each of the children (except Kate) had to find a pail full of candy (the girls received princess pails and Zach got a Dora pail), 5 plastic eggs full of candy, and a wrapped surprise (chocolate bunnies). Each of the children had a certain color to find. Zoe had green, Emily had pink, Eleanor had yellow, and Zach had blue. The Easter bunny was tricky with Zoe and Emily's eggs, so it took them awhile to find them. One of Zoe's eggs was hidden in a basket filled with Christmas lights that I use as a night light in our bedroom, so when she found the egg it was very warm and when she opened the egg she discovered the chocolate had melted. Not very smart, Easter Bunny! Eleanor slept through the excitement. When I woke her up an hour later, Zoe and Emily showed her where her pail was. She was very excited to see all the candy and sat down to feast on candy for breakfast. She had no interest in hunting for eggs. Zach had candy for breakfast as well. Emily has outgrown the candy for breakfast and had cereal. This was Zoe's first fast Sunday since she turned 8 and she wanted to fast. So no breakfast for her. Zoe's not a big breakfast eater, so I'm sure skipping breakfast was not a problem. The challenge would be getting through church with no snacks. But she did it, even with a special birthday treat her teacher brought in for her class (it was her teacher's birthday today). Her teacher told me that Zoe thought about whether to eat with her class or not and decided to continue fasting. The Primary children received even more candy before they went home as they gathered eggs that were in the Primary room. My Mom usually provides snacks for our girls during the ride to my parents' home after church, but since Zoe was fasting today, there were no snacks for anyone. Zoe was starving by the time she arrived at my parents' home and she ended her fast. This was a tough day to start fasting and I am proud that she did as well as she did. She really wants to choose the right and she is a great example to us all.
Here are some Easter morning pictures...



Emily ate breakfast after getting dressed and managed to spill milk on this dress, so she wore a different dress to church.

Here is Zoe writing a letter to her friend about her morning...a friend she would see at church.


The Primary children sang "Did Jesus Really Live Again?" for the closing hymn today during Sacrament meeting. I had e-mailed parents this past week to ask them to be at church a little early today so we could practice with the children. I have no idea if the practice happened because we were a few minutes late getting to church. We might have made it on time if Zach hadn't undone his buckle on the way (or maybe he wasn't buckled to begin with since I had Zoe in charge of getting him in the car...she claims he was buckled), so I stopped to buckle him in. Another couple we know arrived just after we did, so I asked the husband to bring Kate in for me since I had the diaper bag, church bag, and a sleepy Zach to bring inside. He went into the meeting which had already begun and set Kate down by my parents and then the husband sat by Kate. I sat on the opposite side of the pew away from Kate, so when Kate started crying during the opening prayer, I was too far away from her to do anything. I debated whether to get up during the prayer, walk to the front of the chapel, and go around the pews to where Kate was, but decided against it. I wondered why my parents weren't picking Kate up as she continued to cry and the prayer continued. Finally the husband picked her up, but she was too upset by now to be consoled. The prayer ended and I went to get Kate. Later on I found out that my parents thought it was the husband's baby (who doesn't have a baby and they know that!), so they wondered why HE wasn't doing anything about the crying baby sitting beside them. Ugh. To make things worse, in our rush to get out the door this morning I left Kate's binky at home, so we had a church day without a binky which was not fun!
I stood in the back of the chapel with Kate until after the Sacrament. During the passing of the water, she pooped...and of course got it all over her onesie, underpants, and tights (whenever I put her in a dress she poops on it!).
After Sacrament meeting, I had a crying Kate AND a crying Zach to deal with...more fun! Luckily Zach likes our nursery leader and I was able to get him settled into nursery pretty quickly. Throughout the rest of church, I nursed Kate to keep her happy and my Mom held her when she slept. (My headache is coming back just from writing about my day!)

Let's show some more pictures that were taken at my parents' home...




We had a yummy ham dinner and we enjoyed visiting with my parents this afternoon. My Mom and I discussed her new calling...Stake Primary Secretary...which means she will be released as a Primary teacher (another bright spot in my day...now we need to call a new teacher and my Mom won't be with us in Primary anymore :-( I think we need her more than the Stake, but I'm sure there is a good reason this is happening. Maybe I should have stayed in bed like Eleanor wanted to do this morning!
It was nice to hear Zoe say in her prayer this evening that she was thankful the Easter Bunny gave them each different colors to find this morning so they didn't fight. And this morning Emily was heard saying, "This is the BEST Easter ever!"

Now for some randomness...

Here is a picture of Thursday's snow...


Here is Kate on her 2 month birthday!(which was Friday)...

Kate discovered her hands on Friday. She loves to smile and coo at her siblings. She's starting to grab onto things for a few seconds. She likes to have me hold her while I'm standing up...so the sling a friend gave to me today could come in very handy!

5 Senses Saturday

My friend Cindy, started doing 5 Senses Saturday after getting the idea from Marie. I think it is so neat, so I'm playing along too!

Sight:
* Snow falling from the sky
* The cutest flower girl at Matt's co-worker's wedding
* Gorgeous eyes on a 1 year old girl
* Zach talking to and petting Kate
* Zoe, Emily, and Eleanor eating ice cream from the Dairy Port

Sounds:
* My name being called in the morning by each of my children at different times for
me to get out of bed
* Matt under the trailer to see why our bathtub is sinking
* Jack's Big Music Show CD
* The heater
* Zoe saying, "It's snowing!"

Smells:
* Barbeque
* Dirty diapers
* A clean Kate after her bath
* Mud
* Ranch Dip

Taste:
* Raisin Bran
* Cheeseburger
* Jell-O salad
* Caesar salad
* Boiled eggs

Touch:
* Kate's soft blanket
* Library books
* Colored Easter egg
* Keyboard
* Camera

Unbelievable

Well, I believe it since I'm living it...Zoe and Emily are home because of a snow day! It's like a winter wonderland outside. This is why I say that Spring in Maine really starts in May.

Car Edition

My children are easily entertained in the car with music. We listen to Silly Songs, Dora, Care Bears, DoodleBops, Barbie, Jack's Big Music Show, and a Bug cassette tape. Zoe and Emily enjoy the music, but they also bring toys in the car to play with, but Eleanor and Zach either listen to the music or fall asleep. I adjust the music so it only plays in the back of the Yukon for their enjoyment.
On our way to church on Sundays, we listen to the Primary songs they are learning for their Primary Program (we make a CD for each family with children in Primary). We live far enough away from church that we can listen to the entire CD before arriving there. My kids like to listen to "I'll Follow Him in Faith". I should have this song memorized by now from listening to it over, and over, and over, and over again!

Works for me.

What have you been doing on this fine, Spring day? Eleanor and I made a snowman!



It was looking like Spring around here until it snowed last night and this morning.

Dreams

An unforgettable dream...the dream that is coming to my mind I shared here (last paragraph). The feeling I had of owning a home with a lot more space than we have now has stayed with me. I can still see myself going through the home and just being awed by the space. Since this is a dream I have shared once before, I went through my college English class journal to see if I had written about any dreams and lo and behold I did! So here's a dream I recorded on November 12, 1993...

"I had the strangest dream last night!" I dreamed it was my wedding day, but I was having a double wedding with a lady I didn't even know. As we were walking down the aisle, I kept tripping and people kept stepping on my train. These girls put their shoes in the middle of the aisle so I couldn't get by. I kicked the shoes out of the way and kept on walking in circles. Then I was standing with my mother and some friends that I haven't seen in ages were there. I hugged this guy (who was married) and started crying because I couldn't believe he was there. Then I saw another lady I know that moved away. They acted like they were there, but didn't know I was there until they saw me. They were surprised I was in a wedding gown. Then we were at our reception and I left to go into the next room for church, but I was still in my dress and the wedding reception was still going on. In church, there weren't enough men to pass the Sacrament, so the women were doing it. I was sitting where the people bless the Sacrament. I was sitting there and I remembered my reception was going on and thought that my husband was going to be mad at me because I wasn't with him! I got up to leave and as I was walking by these boys threw some fire at me and my veil was on fire. Someone ran over to me to put it out and then my finger was on fire. I ran to the water fountain to put it out. It just left a tiny blister. I walked into the reception and noticed my husband had walked through a door in the back with his normal clothes on. I walked over to him and asked him why he had changed. I walked out the door, mad, and some guy said, "So much for true love". My husband caught up to me and we walked into our hotel room. I asked him if we were going anywhere for our honeymoon and he said "no" because we didn't have the time or money. We had gotten married before June, and he said if we had gotten married in June we would have. We went to sleep, and I woke up!"

I don't remember this dream at all now, but obviously I remembered it in great detail shortly after I dreamed it. The church part of this dream triggered part of a dream I had last night. I was at church with Eleanor and I was getting things ready for Primary during the 2nd hour. I realized that Eleanor should be in her class, so I took her to her classroom. But it was dark and no one was in the room. I realized that her teacher wasn't there and Eleanor was the only kid at church who was in her class, so I headed back down to the Primary room with her. As I was going down the hall, I looked into the gym through the window and there was a basketball game going on...this made sense to me in my dream that the reason Eleanor wasn't having class was because the basketball game was going on in her classroom. When I got down to the Primary room, it turned into a fair-like setting and my parents were sitting at a picnic table eating a grilled chicken sandwich that looked good, so my Dad went to get me one. The weather was cool and damp and I looked forward to my sandwich, but then I woke up.

I'm surprised I didn't dream about skunks last night after Matt shot one outside our home. It smells like he shot it inside our home! Yuck.