Our Family Astronomer

Thomas has been studying and "researching" nonstop for the last few days. He and Joel worked really hard on his model. It was fun to listen to them discuss how to make it. Thomas knew what he wanted it to look like and was adamant to make it that way. Joel really enjoyed spending the last 2 days working with him in the garage. Thomas painted all the planets and took a great deal of time deciding how to do each one. He studied the photographs of the planets and tried his best to emulate them in his paintings. Joel helped with painting the board black. Yesterday afternoon we were all in the garage working. Spring and Sammy were busy painting something of their own and the neighbor kids came over and really wanted to make crafts and paint too. Joel and I searched and found some random things for them to paint as well. It was interesting to us to see how excited the neighbor kids were to do something like that and have us out there as well. I don't think it is something they are used to doing with their families.

Today, he finalized his presentation and practiced a couple times.(We recorded it but the file is too large for me to upload.) It changes each time because he has learned so much about the planets. We told him he needs to focus on about 2-3 things for each planet. This has been difficult for him because he has so much knowledge and wants to share it. Wendy came over this evening as well to listen to him make his presentation. That was so special for Thomas and it really made his day. Then Thomas created a worksheet for the class to do after his presentation tomorrow. This has been so fun to watch his creativity and excitement take over this week. He has learned so much and continues to want to learn more. We are thinking a trip to the planetarium this summer would be a great idea for him.

Thomas' Research Project

I had Parent/Teacher Conference for Thomas today. His teacher said the only challenge for Thomas is to keep him challenged. He is so advanced and eager to learn. She said she has noticed how much he enjoys teaching others and how good he is at it. She asked if I would be willing to help facilitate him performing research on specific topics. Of course, I agreed. They are going to be studying about the Solar System beginning next week so she said he could research that and prepare something to share/teach the class. She said he could even make up worksheets for the class and then he could correct them (he loves to correct work and often helps her with this).

When I presented this idea to Thomas he was so excited. He came right home and grabbed his Children's Dictionary and started looking things up all by himself. He kept begging me to take him to the library right away but the little ones were sleeping. As soon as they woke up, off we went to the library. He loved finding the books. He knows the library so well that he knew where to go without any assistance from anyone to find books on space. I am so glad he knows and understands the library.

He has been so excited. He decided he is going to make a model of the solar system tomorrow to bring to school and present to the class. He has so many ideas running through his head and he has had his nose in books since we got home this afternoon...except for the time he was at piano lessons. When Joel got home from work, Thomas walked up to him with a big dictionary, and stack of books under his arm and a pencil in his ear saying, "Dad, Dad I get to do research about the solar system and teach the class all about it. Do you have any suggestions on how to make a model of the solar system. I know the placement of the planets....." Joel looked at me and said, "He's going to get a doctorate!" He is in bed, right now, doing more "research" as he puts it! Thank goodness he has minimum days all week! We hope he never loses this zest for learning!

Spring and Sammy love the library as well. We are at the library at least twice a week and all the librarians know all the children by name and know what they like. We are so blessed to have a wonderful library and librarians.

Babysitter, Picnic, Sleepovers, and Bathtime

At dinner tonight Thomas and Spring were talking to each other about how much fun they have had the last few days. It was fun to hear their excitement over the simple things that had happened. Thursday night they had a babysitter over while Joel and I went to the temple. We had got them Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner and ice cream sundaes for dessert. We always try to make it fun for them. They had Cole babysit whom they adore. They love that he lets them stay up 10-15 minutes past their bedtime, he reads them stories, and he lets them tickle him.

Then, Friday afternoon Joel went to the temple again with the youth for baptisms. The kids had a picnic on the driveway (the grass was wet from rain) with their neighbor friend, Haylie. Sammy had to come inside after I watched him chase all 3 of the other kids around the neighborhood spraying them with the juice from his Capri Sun. After I took the Capri Sun away he started to chase them around with handfuls of his macaroni and cheese. He was not happy to come inside...but the other kids were relieved! They played outside for a long time and then came in for baths. Lately all 4 have been taking baths together. Mary starts with them and Spring usually washes her for me. After a short time they are asking me to get Mary out so they can put more water in the bath and play more. I oblige and I always know it will end up with lots of water all over the floor but happy and entertained children. They know they have to clean up after themselves so it is worth it. Since Joel was gone really late with the youth I let the older 3 kids have a sleepover in the living room. We set up the air mattress and they loved it.

Then today, they played so well together all day long. I am not sure what they were always up to but they were laughing and having fun. At dinner Thomas said, "Today went so fast. I remember eating breakfast like it was just 3 hours ago." So fun for me to hear. They once again had a bath together and then they watched a movie together before bedtime. Joel is having to work all night tonight so once again, they are having a sleepover in the living room. I am so grateful that simple things in life make them so happy!

Our Little Growler

Mary's personality is really developing and showing more and more to us. She is such a character and she reminds us a great deal of Sammy. She is tough and she loves to play with the other kids. Sammy loves to tickle her and when he does Mary will laugh uncontrollably...a big deep belly laugh.

Mary has also begun to growl. She growls all the time and it is always accompanied with her scrunched up face. She makes us laugh so much.

She is becoming so much more mobile as she walks along furniture and is starting to reach out and take a step to get somewhere before falling down. Earlier this week she was standing up holding a towel when I let go of her hands. She didn't notice I had let go because she was concentrating so much on the towel. She stood on her own for over 10 seconds. I think she will be on the move before we know it. We love our sweet girl and we love all she brings to our family, especially the smiles, growls, laughter, and love.

Weekend with Grandma & Grandpa

Thomas and Spring spent the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house because Thomas had Monday off of school. We took them down on Friday night and Grandma and Grandpa brought them home Monday afternoon. They had a fun weekend. They learned to play chickenfoot which they both love now. Spring is really good at it and can hold her own with Thomas. They went to the Western Train Station Museum, played croquet, and baked some cookies. We missed them and were glad when they came home.

With a little help from our kids

This has been quite the week. I don't ever remember being this sick before...I even asked Joel to make me a Doctor's appointment and I have been to the doctor twice in a week...now you know I have been sick. I have been running a high fever, coughing terribly, and struggling to breathe since Friday evening. I got myself up and went to church on Sunday because I was in charge of sharing time and that evening we had the "Great to be Eight" program for Thomas' primary class. Other than that, I haven't done much more than I absolutely had to do. Thankfully, Thomas was out of school on Monday and he saved me. He took such good care of the kids and kept coming in to check on me. He fed them their meals and changed their diapers. He would only bring them to me if they had a poopy diaper. I put them down for their naps and he layed by me reading. All of a sudden he gave me a hug and started to cry. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "Mom, I just don't want you to die." I assured him I wasn't going to. He is such a big helper. That afternoon I went to the doctor. I have bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheaitis, and something else. I was pretty out of it. I came home and went to sleep. Later Joel woke me up because Kirk Waters, from our ward, had come to help give me a blessing. Kirk is a respiratory therapist. He told Joel if I were to go in to the doctor at that point they would have admitted me. Let's just say, I'm glad I wasn't going in! I fell back asleep and by Tuesday morning I was a little better. I could at least walk around a little bit and get Thomas off to school. The other kids and I just hung out at home. The only time I have left the house this week is to pick Thomas up from school, take him to piano lessons, and go to the doctor. Today I feel so much better. It is the first day I do not have a constant fever so that is nice. I am so grateful for wonderful children who are obedient and helpful. They have just taken over without even being asked. They still do their daily responsibilities and even started the laundry for me today because they know Thursday is one of my laundry days. We have such great children. They have helped me so much this week. Here's hoping the weekend will be better for all of us!

Our Anniversary

Joel and I celebrated our 9th anniversary earlier this week. In some ways it is difficult to imagine we have been married that long because that means we are getting old...yet it is hard to remember what life was like before we were together and married. We had a great day...nothing spectacular but time to reflect and share our appreciation for each other. When I got up that morning to make his lunch I thought I would be sneaky and put his card in his planner so he would get it at work. Then I said goodbye as he headed off to work and when I came back into the kitchen I saw that he had left me a card on the counter. We both laughed at how we had done the same thing! That evening after the kids went to bed Joel brought home Thai food for us and we enjoyed a quiet dinner together at home. How grateful I am for my husband...for our friendship, temple marriage, encouragement, support, and love we give to each other. How grateful I am for the eternal family we are building together.

Piano Lessons

Thomas began piano lessons this week and he absolutely loves it. He has been asking us for over a year if he could learn to play the piano. We finally got him into lessons. He loves to practice and so far we don't even have to remind him to practice. He always practices more than he is assigned and loves to just sit down and play something he has learned. We are excited for him to have something challenging to work at. The best part is he will be able to move at his own pace which he will thrive with. We hope his desire will continue. He told us if he keeps practicing then he can play for primary before he goes on his mission, just like Brother Tolman did. Brother Tolman served as the Primary Pianist for about 8 months prior to leaving on his mission. The kids love him and love to write him letters now that he is on his mission.