Christian's new talent

Christian has discovered a new talent. When he sits in the front seat of our Subaru Legacy, the passenger air bag turns on but if he flexes his "cheeks" he can make it turn off.

Another funny conversation from the back seat

We were coming home from swimming when I heard this conversation from the back seat of the car:

Jordan: "It smells like mildew."

Christian: "You're mildew."

Jordan: "You're the thing that comes before mildew."

Christian: "Umm.....water?"

(At this point I cracked up. It felt good to laugh with them.) Then after a long pause...

Jordan: "No, wet dog."

Then we laughed some more. Good for Jordan, thinking of a good come back, although his timing was a little late. :)

Christian's testimony

A few weeks ago, at church, Christian decided to bear his testimony during sacrament meeting.  He began by stating his goal to bear his testimony more often, which we can assume probably means every month.  I always have mixed feelings of pride and trepidation as he walks to the front of the chapel.  We never know what he will say.  From the time Christian was 5 or 6 years old he has borne very thought filled testimonies.  Never once have we heard him bear the typical, predictable testimony.  Never once has he wanted help or suggestions for topics.  With the exception of the time when he was about 6 1/2.  He decided to get up while Paul was changing Emma's diaper and I was in the hall with Jenna.  He said a few words and then looked back at the bishop and said, "Well, I'm gonna need a little help."  Now, he doesn't even want to give us a preview of what he might be thinking about!  Needless to say we have had some humbling revelations of his perspective of our family.
His last testimony he began talking about how our family was working together to get out of debt.  At that point I looked over at Paul and saw that he had sunk down in his seat as low as I had and his face was as purple as mine.  I began to wonder how long it would be before the bishop called us in to discuss our finances. :)  Not that we have any outrageous debt.

As we continued to listen, he then compared our earthly debt with a spiritual debt that we all owe.  The difference being that our spiritual debt cannot be repaid no matter how hard we try.  There are always blessings that accompany our efforts.  He then expressed gratitude for our Savior and closed his testimony.
That week there was a visiting area authority on the stand.  He stood at the end of the meeting to share a few thoughts.  He began by complimenting Christian by name on his wonderful testimony and declared that the prophet couldn't have said it better!  Wow, that's a compliment to remember!

Arabic to French to English

A couple of days ago Jenna was playing with the computer and managed to somehow translate my blog into Arabic.  I could not figure out what to do because not only did I not even recognize the alphabet but it seemed to be reading and writing right to left and possibly bottom to top.  I couldn't even find the settings button let alone figure out how to translate everything back.  I finally posted a question on the Blogger help page and a kind person counted and wrote down how many buttons over and how many languages down on the drop down list.  Unfortunately, the drop down list is in alphabetical order and in Arabic, evidently English doesn't start with E!  Through trial and error I was finally able to get it translated into French and with my little knowledge of French and my knowledge of Spanish I was able to finally get everything back to English!
What I can't figure out was how she managed to translate it so thoroughly that I had to change it on the dashboard as well as in the settings!  Who knew my 3 year old was more tech-savvy than I am?

Emma on modesty

I was listening in on a conversation from the backseat between the two girls.  They had the Ariel Barbie and Jenna asked why her tummy was showing.  We have been working to teach our girls about dressing modestly and I have wondered how to handle the competing world views.  As I scrambled in my brain to come up with an explanation they could understand and accept, Emma beat me to it with a much better explanation than I was preparing.  I was ready to dive into the fact that not everyone has the same standards that we do and the fact that the makers of the doll don't think or believe the same things we do etc etc.... 

Emma's explanation was perfect.  "She is a mermaid and lives in the water.  If she wore a long shirt in the water it would get very wet and heavy.  When she becomes a girl she covers her tummy."   I need to retrain my brain.  Perfect simplicity!

Conversations from the car

We decided with sick kiddos, cold nights, and plenty to do around here, that we would forgo our planned camping trip in favor of a stay-cation.  Our itinerary included the following:

Thur.  Paul worked half day, then we went to Boondocks for some miniature golf and to Pepperbelly's in Kaysville for dinner.  We then went home to watch "Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue" from Redbox.

Fri.  We drove into Gateway went to Jason's Deli for lunch and the planetarium for the dome movie "Attack of the Space Pirates".  Then we walked over to Discovery Gateway to play for 3½ hours.  Amazing how tiring sitting all day can be, but we had a blast.  We went home and grilled steaks for dinner. 

Sat.  After fighting over getting jobs done (lest you think our days are all rose colored), we drove to Snowbird enjoying fall in all it's glory (my favorite part of the whole weekend) (and yes, I like to use parenthesis every chance I get).  We then had a picnic on the patio. Snowbird was having a food drive and so for six cans of food we all rode the tram to the top and looked over the surrounding valleys while the kids built walls from rocks.  We then walked along a fun little trail to the playground.  It is a great playground with the most amazing view.  We played, tagged, and the kids added their own improvements to a fort/den someone had built just off the path in the trees.  We ended our day at Joe's Crab Shack (Paul's favorite part of the weekend).  Whoever came up with the idea to put a playground area in a REAL restaurant was a genius!  We ate good food (crab takes a while to eat) while the children played!  It's a bonus that the kids like seafood too.

On the way home today, these were some of the things heard from the back seat.  Keep in mind that these are overlapping conversations.  No one actually takes turns talking.

Jenna: "Watch out Mom, the brave squirrel is coming!"

Mom: "What will the brave squirrel do?  Why do I have to 'watch out'?"

Jenna:  "He will kill us" (I attribute this to having older brothers??!!)

Mom:  "Why would he do that?"

Jenna: "Ummm"

Then Emma pipes up:  "Mom, my top lip is spicy."

Uncontrolled laughter from Paul.

In the meantime, from the back seat, Christian chanting:  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, antidisestablishmentarianism, qugzuang..... (he is fascinated by long words)

Jenna: "It's okay Mom, the nice squirrel is coming."

Mom: "Oh good, what is the nice squirrel going to do?"

Jenna: "He's going to kill us."

Mom:  "That's not very nice."

This does not include the "Oww", "Ooch", and "Ahh"s coming from the back seat in a never ending game of how many subtle (and not so subtle) ways can I torture my brother, which resulted in our "hands up" consequence which we find very effective!  If they work their way through "keep your hands to yourself" warnings, we then say, "hands up!"  Which means they must hold their hands up above their heads until they are told they can lower them, or we reach our destination.

Paul just informed me of some riddles I missed while dozing (I tend to do that in the car) on the way up the mountain.  Christian was telling riddles to which Jordan would answer something to do with farting.  Every. Single. One. (That's fluffing for some of you, we used to try... some days I still do)  For example,
Christian: "...so, how did he get the handcuffs off?" 
Jordan: "uhh, he farted?"
This was then accompanied by raucous laughter.  I'm glad I wasn't coherent for that part.  But hey, they are 8 and 10 year old boys, and no matter what their mother says, anything to do with bodily functions is hilarious.  I just hope with coaching and some maturity, they will eventually grow out of this genre of humor...  Or maybe not.

Anyway, it has been a wonderful weekend with many quality memories made.  Sometimes it is nice to have low stress days when we can come back to home base and sleep in our own beds.  Although, I think I need a few more trips to the mountains to get my fill of Fall before it's gone!

Rainy Days

I can't believe it! I had 11 kids in the basement this morning and it was actually quiet! After one kid got smacked in the head with a foam croquet mallet, I told them they were welcome to play if they found something quiet and calm. They all found a game or something else that kept them occupied for an hour or so until lunch. I really enjoyed watching them play together and I am very grateful for a neighborhood with nice kids so close for my kids to play with. We are very blessed today. Now if you ask me tomorrow about having those same 11 kids in the basement, it may be an entirely different story.

The way we say things

Emma was watching an episode of one of our favorite cartoons, Backyardigans. The cute characters were singing a song that has the lyrics, "into the thick of it". Last night she was singing the song and insisted that, it was in fact, "into the fickle bit". When we asked her what it meant she said it means to go around in circles just like the song says. She still argues days later that the song says "into the fickle bit".

After Jordan watched Wall-E for the first time, he walked around saying Larrr-y. When we tried to correct him, he argued to the bitter end. When he began to read, he finally laughed and admitted that he had been saying it wrong all along.

The kids love to hear about themselves and the things they used to say when they were younger. I am glad I have worked to keep a journal for them while they are young. It has not always been easy or consistent but I have tried to record important and favorite things through the years. Inspiring them to write in it themselves as they get older is another challenge all together.

No idle curiosity here!

Through a couple of Jordan's recent comments I have realized that I am becoming a true veteran of motherhood. Notice I said "becoming", I don't believe I, or anyone for that matter can know or catch everything their children think or do. For further reference read here, here, or here for just a sample. If that doesn't do it for you, scroll down to "labels" in the side bar and click on "Kid stories".

The other day, while driving on the freeway, we noticed a motorcyclist passing us. Jordan piped up from the back seat and asked us, "Is it against the law for dwarves to ride motorcycles?" Paul and I looked at each other, puzzled, and laughing. Then it hit me. We have been having "discussions" lately why he cannot have a minibike. I guess he figured if he was too little to have one then maybe a dwarf would be too little to ride a motorcycle.

A few minutes later, he asked "Could a thorn from a rose bush pop one of the tires on this car?" Paul said no. About 30 seconds later I realized we need some elaboration and clarification. I said "But, a nail or any other sharp object will pop a tire, so don't start poking things into the tires or you will really be in trouble!" Paul gave me an appreciative glance and said, "Good catch! I thought he was just asking from idle curiosity."

Around here, there is no such thing as idle curiosity!

How we got a Cherry 7-up stained ceiling

Jordan was about 2½ or 3 and in his throwing stage. Whenever he had something he shouldn't have, and we asked him for it, he would grin, throw it, and run. No matter how close we were to him, how we asked him, if we instructed him to put it in our hands, he always threw whatever it was.
One day he found a can of Cherry 7-up in the pantry. I, in my panicked state began to chase him around the house trying to get it from him, until I realized that the room temperature can was thoroughly being shaken. I approached him with my hands in the air, palms out so as not to threaten, and began to beg, plead, cajole, anything I could think of to get him to gently place it in my hand. No such luck! He gave a maniacal smile worthy of the best criminal holding a loaded weapon and then in true 007 style lobbed the can and escaped under the cover of a bomb and the panic it caused.
Over the last few years I have tried to wash the kitchen ceiling at least 3 or 4 times without success. We have finally painted over the splatter stains. As I write this I feel almost a sentimental sadness that they are gone. Almost....

Another Jordan story

I was reminded of a funny story that happened a couple of years ago. Paul and I were out of town, taking Emma with us, and my sister-in-law, Marilyn was babysitting the boys. I was talking to her on the phone when I heard some yelling in the background. Marilyn excused herself for a minute and when she returned she reported that Jordan had flushed a pair of Christian's underwear down the toilet! Marilyn was understandably flustered and wasn't sure what to do. I surprised myself by calmly asking if the toilet had clogged and when she told me it hadn't I shrugged and said, "Oh well, there's nothing we can do about it now." It was at that point that I realized #1 I was becoming a seasoned mother of boys, and #2 I deal with situations in a much calmer manner over the phone than in person!

Christian the Entrepreneur

Over the last few years, Christian has really worked at being quite the business man. He always has a new idea for something he can sell. In the past he has sold art work (his own), lemonade, candy, popsicles, toys, vegetables, and others. He and his friends have also had ideas to start different businesses; a cleaning service (We could use some of this enthusiasm at home in his own room!), detective agency, etc.
His latest scheme has been to invent and make his own candies and sell them on the curb. As you can imagine I am a little leary of this idea. I wonder if my kitchen and my sanity can handle this adventure! He has given Paul a shopping list for ingredients to make some of the following candies:
cherry chocolate chews
banana split cupcakes
8-10 different flavors of gum
taffy
The combinations he has come up with sound fun but the ingredients and recipes aren't quite what they should be. We have also pointed out that it will be difficult to get customers to come to a roadside stand in winter, not to mention how cold it would be for him to sit out there. He is convinced that now is the best time for Valentines day. I think we might try to make it a joint effort in the spring so it will be warm and I will see if we can come up with some recipes together. Wow! having creative kids is fun but sure time consuming!!

Last Sunday was a Jenna day...

Mommy: "Jenna, lets go have a bath" and then the phone rang!

Yes, you guessed it! That is one of Christian's hat looms. Don't know how she got it on but we couldn't get it off without a generous amount of conditioner and pulling off her superglue scab (dang it!)!

Needless to say, she's stuck with a scar and we were late for church!

To stitch or not to stitch

That was our dilemma! Jenna fell and hit her head on a corner and had a hole in her forehead!











This is not surprising to any of you who are aware of her addiction to climbing. She loves to walk around on top of the kitchen table and last week learned how to climb the ladder to Christian's bunk.
Anyway, we debated whether to take her for stitches, requiring anesthetic, or to superglue. We superglued Christian's lip when he was about 2 years old and it came out great. I can hardly see the scar even when I really look for it. We consulted our wonderful friend and neighbor who is a doctor and he suggested supergluing would work fine. So for now, she has superglue on her head. That sounds like a mother's nightmare under other circumstances doesn't it?

The Christmas Story (according to Emma)

Emma's sunbeam teacher told me that Emma was telling the Christmas story to her class. She confidently explained that Joseph took Mary on a trip, built a fire for her and they roasted marshmallows. Baby Jesus had a marshmallow too!

For family night tonight, we are going to use our puppets to tell the Christmas story together. Can't wait to hear her part! :)

*Later in the season Emma was telling me the story again. Marshmallows were a big part of the story as before. Baby Jesus liked them so much he ate the whole bag. It also included the star which was raised and lowered by Mary and Joseph when they saw the shepherds and wisemen coming.

Our little schemer

Tonight at dinner Christian said.... "Mom, will you try to do a back handspring so we can videotape it? Then if (said with little doubt) you mess up we can send it to America's Funniest Home Videos and win! You could get a lot of money...."

Halloween and Fall in full swing!

Here are some pictures from Halloween. They are usually so cute! Christian is a dementor (too bad his nose was itching!), Jordan was a Vampire (minus the teeth because he couldn't eat candy with them, would have been a plus in my mind), Emma is Cinderella (did you expect anything less?), and Jenna is our cute dalmation puppy.

The kids got so excited to jump in leaves they couldn't wait for the neighbors giant maple to drop so we raked up the few we had.

Emma's running away....or not

Emma and I just had an interesting encounter. She had determined that she is big enough to use "sharp knives" as she dragged a stool over to the cutting board. As we discussed the fact that she needs to be much bigger before she is ready for this particular hazard over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, AND OVER!!! (Her preschool teacher who has been running a preschool with multiple classes for years described her as the most stubborn child she has ever met.)

As we both became incresingly frustrated, she gave me the classic "If you don't let me ____, then I will (won't) _______. Doesn't every kid pull this out? But, she's not even 4 years old yet! Unfortunately she has very experienced coaches in this reasoning.
Her ultimatum was this: "If you don't let me use sharp knives, I won't live here anymore!" I paused to see her reaction to what she had said and to take a deep breath. I then watched her face as I asked her where she would live. The realization of what she had said was visible on her face. I then reassured her that we would miss her very much and Mommy would probably cry for days and days, maybe even forever, if she chose not to live here and be a part of our family anymore. We then talked about all of the things she can do such as make her bed, get dressed, put away clothes, unload the dishwasher, etc. and how fast she is growing up.

As I finally distracted her with what to have for lunch and the chocolate milk I made, I thought the discussion was ended. Halfway through her lunch, I was sitting here at the computer checking email and she came to me crying. When I asked her what was wrong she said "I don't want to live somewhere else." I held her on my lap and assured her that Daddy and I will always love her and want her with us.

It's nice to know that she will be staying a little longer, at least until the next time she wants something else beyond her abilities or maturity.

Happy Birthday Jenna!!!

WARNING!! Proud mother alert. I fully intend to brag shamelessly here.

Yesterday Jenna turned 1! I can't believe how the time has flown. So today, I want to record a little about her. She was born on Oct 9, 2008. She was so eager to come into this world, she tried to come 7½ weeks early and put me on bed rest for 2 weeks. What a challenge that was with Paul working 6 days a week and 3 other young children, but we all pitched in and made it work. We were in and out of the hospital until she was born exactly 3 weeks early. It was surprising how big, strong, and healthy she was. She has been early and running ever since. She took her first steps at 10 months, 9 days, and was running two weeks later. She learned to climb over the barrier we had on the stairs before she was 11 months old and so now she is a pro at getting up and down the stairs.

She loves to eat, especially finger foods she can feed herself. Among her favorites are roasted chicken, peaches, apples, corn, and grapes (obviously cut into small pieces). Up until this point she has been too busy to talk to us much. She says Mama, Dada, Bi (binkey) and makes a few other noises that we have figured out the meaning of. We half expect her to break out into complete sentences one of these days since she hasn't done anything else by halves.

She is always watching everything around her intently and taking it all in. She works really hard to try to keep up with her brothers and sister.

Having 4 children is not easy, tests our sanity and patience, and provides more chaos than we imagined but, Jenna is such an important part of our lives. Our relationships are stronger and happier with her a part of our family and we are grateful for her! WE LOVE YOU JENNA!!!

Boy Noises

Over the last few months, I have been pondering a phenomenon. I first noticed it one day when, as I watched my boys play, I heard absolutely inhuman sounds coming from their mouths. Sounds like schooo schooo, and pwuuoooh, and other sounds that I cannot even attempt to type. These sounds are emitted with practically any game they are playing, whether it is playing with rocket toys or waltzing with their little sister. This is strange enough but then I tried to make these sounds myself. I physically cannot do it right! Paul on the other hand, is the Jedi Master of "boy sounds". Thus, I am convinced it is linked to the Y chromosome.
Most of the time I find this talent fascinating considering the many variations, intonations, and situations in which they are used. However, I will admit that there are times that the consant barrage of sound against my brain can be mind numbing.
For you mothers without the pleasure of having boys (having boys verses girls would be a good topic for a later post). I highly recommend some quality time listening to little boys play. It's fascinating! I say mothers, your husbands wont find it the least bit unusual because it is part of their genetic make-up. He may, however, find it interesting to watch you attempt to mimic the sounds. Paul finds it hilarious!