Friday Night Surprise

Friday evening Joel and I decided to take the kids for a surprise after dinner. They kept asking us where we were going but we wouldn't tell them. We just told them to get shoes on and get in the car. They kept trying to guess all sorts of things. We drove into Hanford and parked outside the library, which was closed. We told them we wanted to know where the Hanford library was so we could come there the next day since our library is so small. So, we told them they could get out and we would walk around for a while. Spring, was not happy about it at all. She couldn't understand why we came all the way just to walk around the closed library. So, we walked down the sidewalk and crossed the street. All the other kids were laughing and having fun and Spring just couldn't get over how silly it was to come all the way for "nothing." After we crossed the street we walked inside a door and the kids realized it was an ice cream shop! It is an old ice cream shop, Superior Dairy, that we had been told about. Joel had been one time with the Bishopric after a stake meeting. Now, Spring was all smiles as were the other kids.

We decided to get the S.O.S. (Superior Oversized Sundae) to share. It was 3 1/2 pounds of ice cream, toppings, bananas, and whip cream. It was much cheaper to do this and share than for everyone to get a scoop of ice cream. The looks on the kids' faces were priceless when it was set on the table. We all enjoyed it, although we couldn't finish it. We greatly enjoyed the time eating, laughing, and talking together.

New Pictures

Here are some recent pictures. Spring's 6 year old pictures and also some family pictures. It is getting more and more difficult to get everyone looking in the same direction, let alone with the "perfect" smile and expression. So, we have decided our family pictures will be reminders of the personality of each child at that point of time! :) Sammy was sticking his lip out because he had hurt it a few hours earlier. He almost bit it all the way off while jumping on the trampoline. He thought it was cool and wanted to show everyone...thus the lip stuck out. Mary was pulling her shirt off in most of the pictures so we were grateful for the ones that her shirt was still on! Josh was crawling off and diving out of arms. Thomas and Spring tried hard to smile but sometimes it was just too hard to not look at what the other kids were doing. As for Joel and I...we were just thinking, "snap it quick!"

Picnic

Sammy and Mary always want to pack a lunch too in the morning when they see Thomas and Spring helping me pack their school lunches. So, yesterday after the older kids were off to school we made a picnic lunch and headed off to the park. They were so proud of their lunch and carried it with them while they were playing at the park. Then, they decided it was time to eat their lunch. They sat up at the table and just talked back and forth for the longest time. It was fun to get out and just play together.

"All my marbles!"

Yesterday was a day to record for church. Sammy was so good during Sacrament Meeting. I think this is the best he has been when it has been only me with them on the pew. He sat quietly and was so calm. I kept thinking how wonderful it was and then I would remind myself to not get too excited about it because it wasn't over yet. He made it all through the meeting without losing a single marble. After the closing prayer I put my arm around him and said, "Sammy, you kept all your marbles today!" His face filled with the biggest smile and his little eyes just sparkled. Joel came down from the stand to help get them to classes and Sammy immediately told Joel, "Daddy, I get ALL my marbles today!" I know this was a blessing from our Father in Heaven...one of those tender mercies He grants us to let us know we are loved. I know we will still have struggles but it is a comfort to know that Sammy is learning and we are getting somewhere in helping him learn how to behave in Sacrament Meeting. How blessed we are to receive these tender mercies when we need them most. Our Father is ever mindful of us and He does know each of us and He can give us the strength to make it through difficulties.

Growing a little more hair

Yesterday we had proof that Joshie is finally growing a little bit of hair. Mary decided to put bandaids on his head in the morning while we were getting the kids ready for school. The things the little ones do when I am preoccupied with something else. Joshie really didn't like it when I tried to take them off because they were actually stuck to hair! So, even though he cried as I pulled them off I was happy because it meant he may not be bald forever! Alanna, you would be proud of me too...notice that Josh has clothes on (not just in his diaper) and this picture was taken at about 6:30 in the morning!

School Begins Again

Today was the first day of school for Thomas and Spring. It is hard to imagine that summer is over and it is school time again. This is always a bittersweet time for me. I am glad the kids are excited and happy to be at school; however, I am so sad to have them leave again. I love having them home with me and all of us enjoying time together. Spring keeps reminding me that she will be gone "all day" now so I won't have any help with the little ones. "You'll have to do it all by yourself, Mom!"

Well, every one of the kids was awake by 5:30 this morning. As proof to their excitement...Spring and Thomas were both dressed, shoes on, hair brushed, backpacks on, and they had helped me pack their lunches by 6:00 am! Then for the next 2 hours they kept asking me if they could go to school yet! As we dropped them off and Sammy, Mary, Joshua, and I headed home Sammy asked me, "Mom, what are we going to do with Spring and Thomas to be with us?" Well, Sammy and Mary soon rediscovered the fun they have together. It was cute to see them play together like they did last year when the older ones were at school. They ran through the house pretending they were going to work to make cheese. Then they headed out back and got in a water fight with each other. Then they came back inside, took the cushions off the gliders and made beds on the floor. Unfortunately, they didn't sleep on these beds! At one point they were running from the bathroom yelling, "Oh no, there are ants in the bathroom!" They would run into the family room and jump onto the couches and say, "Oh, we're safe here...the ants won't get us!" So, I headed to the bathroom with ant spray in hand. They followed behind me and started laughing as Sammy explained, "We only pretending Mommy!"

Thomas and Spring were all smiles when they got home from school. The highlight of the day for Spring was that she has her very own desk that lifts up. Thomas said everything about school is his favorite part. He is excited to have a man for a teacher. It was good to have them all home again after school!

Day at the Zoo

Yesterday I took advantage of being in Fresno for Thomas' piano lesson and took the kids to the Fresno Zoo. Rachel decided to come also. The kids liked having Garrett and Haley there also. Sammy was intent on seeing the lions and tigers. He was in heaven all day. He was howling at the wolves and growling at the tigers. He kept trying to imitate all the animals. Spring loved the elephants and giraffes. She said her favorite part, though, was the petting zoo and she would stay there all day if we let her. Thomas liked the reptile room with all the snakes, frogs, and lizards. Mary liked things from a distance but didn't want to get too close.

Fire Station Field Trip

We took the cub scouts on a tour of the fire station this morning. Thomas was the only Wolf/Bear that was going to come so we invited Garrett along as well. Spring, Haley, and Sammy came also as Rachel graciously watched Mary and Joshua for us again. The firemen were so good to the kids. They spent over an hour with the kids. They were able to get in the trucks, pull the air horn, turn on the lights, and learn about all the fun things inside the truck. They also got to see the jaws of life, defibrillator, and other emergency equipment the firemen use. They were shown every little part of the fire engines. They were able to try on the gear but the girls didn't want to do it. They enjoyed laughing at their brothers as they tried on the clothing. It was hot outside and the boys realized how how the firemen are with their gear on. It was a great activity and we all learned a lot. The Chief even called the dispatch office and asked them to give a fire alarm at the station. This is the loud signal the firemen hear when they need to respond. It was REALLY loud and then the dispatch followed it up with a special message for "the cub scouts of pack 461." Sister Grantham made a delicious jello cake that we shared with the firemen in their house before heading home. While we were eating the firemen asked the boys lots of questions about cub scouts and what they are learning and what they get to do in their den meetings. The boys want to go back again. Sammy was in awe the entire time and was asking all sorts of questions. He wanted to sit on the back of the fire engine and go for a ride like he saw Curious George do!

Toothless Spring

Yesterday morning Spring pulled out her first tooth. It has been loose for a few days and Sunday I sat on her while Joel tried to pull it out but she fought so hard we gave up. Yesterday morning she complained it was hurting and went into the bathroom. Next thing I heard was, "Mom...I pulled out my tooth!" She was so excited to loose her first tooth. Well, tonight at dinner she told us her other bottom tooth was bothering her and Joel asked her if she wanted him to pull it out. She declined and headed to the bathroom again. Sure enough we soon heard, "I pulled out another tooth!" She is excited for the tooth fairy to come again tonight!

Why I should never go to the bathroom...

I left the kids in the family room and ran into the bathroom this morning. I swear I wasn't gone very long and I came out to find Mary helping Joshie paint himself with Buttpaste (diaper ointment cream). Mary had squeezed over half the tube into a bowl. They were then using the cream in the bowl to paint Joshua's body. He was sucking on the tube that was covered in the ointment as well. I was so grateful that they were sitting on a towel and not just on the carpet. A towel is much easier to clean than carpet! I picked up Josh and put him in the bath. It was hard to wash off, however, because the ointment is intended to repel moisture. It took quite a bit of scrubbing to get it off. He still smells like it though!

Spring's Birthday Party

We finally had Spring's birthday party with her friends. July was so crazy that we told her we were going to wait until August. She has been counting down the days and when she woke up this morning she came running to me saying, "Mom, Mom...it's today!" She had an "arts and crafts" party which was great for me because it was so low maintenance. We also hit a great sale at Michaels over the weekend. We found lots of fun crafts to do all at 70% off!

They decorated little tote bags to put their crafts in. They painted picture frames, decorated friendship bracelets, and made jewelry boxes. We had lunch also. It was fun to watch all these little girls talking while they painted and colored. They were all so intent and did such great work. Spring didn't want a cake either. She wanted ice cream. So, each of the girls created their own sundae in waffle bowls. They made some great creations. Then we put candles in Spring's so we could sing happy birthday and she could blow out her candles. Spring told me it was the best day ever so I take that as a sign that it was a success. Our good friend, Rachel, kindly offered to have the little ones and Thomas come over to her house and play during the party. At first I wasn't going to take her up on it because I didn't want to inconvenience her. I am so grateful she is persistent and convinced me to do it. They all had a great time at her house and it was much easier not having to keep the little ones out of the paint, glue, and markers!

Movie Night

The kids earned their movie night last Sunday and we celebrated tonight. We had popcorn and brownies as we all spread out on the floor to enjoy a movie. Joshua LOVED the popcorn. He was double fisting it the whole time. After a while the rest of us lost interest in the popcorn and we forgot the bowl was still on the floor. We looked over just in time to see him dump the whole bowl over the top of his head. We all got a laugh. It was a wonderful night. Afterwards, Joel and commented to each other how we really enjoyed the night and need to do these little things more often.

Movie night is the reward for their good behavior in Sacrament Meeting. Joel and I have been trying to figure out something to help them during Sacrament Meeting...well to help me survive may be a more accurate description. We had a FHE a few months ago and talked about what it means to be reverent and why it is important to be reverent during Sacrament Meeting. Then we all worked together to come up with some expectations for Sacrament Meeting. Some include: singing the hymns, looking at the speakers, feet on the floor, only mom can hold Joshua, only talking when you really have to and then only using whispering voices. There are a few more. Anyway, before we leave for church we pull out our poster and review the rules. Then all the kids get 3 marbles and we leave them on the kitchen counter. They all start out with 3. If they struggle and don't behave in Sacrament meeting then they lose a marble. All I have to do is look at them and put up a finger and they know they lost one. When we get home from church they give me any marbles they lost and the rest go in the jar. When the jar is full then we have a family movie night. I can't say it works miracles because Sacrament meeting is still a struggle with the 3 little ones. Thomas and Spring are excellent and have each only lost a marble one time. Sammy...well let's say it's a good thing we aren't doing the reward system on an individual basis or he may never get his movie night. Seriously, it has helped because he understands there is a consequence and he really does NOT like losing his marbles. If I have to take him out of the chapel he loses a marble and he has to go sit in a classroom by himself for a few minutes. The only bad thing is now when I have to take him out he cries out, "No, Mom, I don't want to go in the dark room and lose my marbles!" I worry each week that we are more of a distraction to everyone else. I want so much for our children to learn the importance of going to church and being reverent so the Spirit can be felt by all. It is difficult with Sammy, Mary, and Josh and just me beacause they all 3 want to be the only one on my lap. I know we are making tiny steps in the right direction and I have to remind myself of that each week so I can keep going!

1st Annual Powell Family Reunion

We went to Washington State for the Powell Family Reunion. It was wonderful because all of my siblings and their families were in attendance. We enjoyed a week together. It was hot but we had a big escape as we spent 4 days at Pacific Beach near Ocean Shores. Prior to going to the beach on Monday we all went to church on Sunday together. We enjoyed visiting with the Nelsons, a family that just moved from our ward in Lemoore into my parent's ward in Washington. We had a great time at the beach...playing on the beach, making sandcastles, burying people in the sand, throwing people in the water, bowling, playing games, and visiting with each other. It was nice to have such a long and relaxing time together.

When we got back from the beach Paul Nelson took a group on a tour of the aircraft carrier he works on. Thomas loved it! Spring was disappointed because she was not 8 years old so she was not old enough to go on the tour. We appreciated Paul's willingness to do this for everyone.

We look forward to our next family reunion. We are so blessed to have family that cares and loves each other enough to make the effort to make it to the reunion.