Another Haircut in the Biggs' Home

Last night Joel decided that all his boys needed a summer haircut.  I wouldn't let Gideon get his hair cut...maybe next summer, so he decided Scout needed a haircut.  We were actually surprised at how calm Scout was during his grooming session.  It is really nice to not have him shedding so much, especially since Gideon is beginning to crawl everywhere and often is found with hair in his fists.  We did it late last night, finishing shortly after midnight so the kids didn't see him until this morning.  Joshie was the first to see him and he said, "Scout hair all gone.  Scout got Joshie haircut!"

Our Webelos Scout

Thomas was awarded his Webelos Rank last night at Pack Meeting.  He also earned his compass emblem along with a few more activity pins.  He loves scouting and is such an example in our pack.  He is self-driven to learn the skills necessary for his advancements and he will diligently stick with tasks until he has completed them.  He loves to help the younger scouts as well and enjoys opportunities to help teach them new skills.  He is kind and a friend to all the scouts in the pack.  He is working to earn his Arrow of Light and has most of the requirements completed as he is mostly waiting to meet the time requirement.  I've loved having this special time with Thomas as I have served with him for the majority of his Cub Scouting time.  It is hard to believe that he will soon be a Boy Scout.  Where have the years gone?

7 Months Old

Gideon is now 7 months old and he is on the move.  He doesn't do the normal crawl but he definately gets wherever he wants to be.  He gets up on all fours and rocks and pushes forward.  He is actually getting quite fast at scooting to where he wants to be.  His favorite things to play in are baskets of diapers, toys, lotion, and other baby things.  He also loves to get to Scout's toys...especially his rope.  He has both bottom teeth and he knows how to use them!  His smile is such a blessing in my life.  I love his giggles, coos, and singing.  He is definately a momma's boy and I continue to cherish the hugs and kisses he gives to me whenever I pick him up.  We are excited to watch him continue to grow and learn new things!

Summer Haircuts

Joel and the boys decided it was time for Joel to give them their summer haircuts this weekend.  Joel decided to have a little fun with the boys this time instead of doing the routine cuts.  Luckily, after taking a couple pictures of their new haircuts Joel finished the job.  Sammy's lasted the longest because he wanted to run across the street and show Sue Ann his funny haircut!

Fishing Derby

Our district was hosting a Cub Scout Fishing Derby this morning open to all cub scouts and siblings.  Our kids were so excited to go.  After we registered Thomas, Spring, and Sammy for the event we realized Joel would be at a Stake Youth service project and unable to take them.  Stefanie also registered her 2 sons and had the same realization that her husband and older boys would also be at the service project.  We thought, "no big deal.  We take our kids to things all the time when Dads can't be there."  We realized today that fishing is not the easiest thing to do this with!  So, it was Stefanie and I with 8 kids (the oldest being Thomas).  We were the only women there and my kids were the only ones younger than cub scout age.  Let me paint you a quick picture...

*We had 3 fishing poles for all of them to share but one of them got so tangled and messed up before we could even use it and after spending about 30 minutes trying to untangle it we abandoned the idea and figured we would just share the 2 other poles.

*6 kids all excited to fish and get their turn so they are running around while the 2 currently using the poles are trying to cast their line out...picture hooks in fingers, shirts, etc.  This is after we finally figured out how to teach them to cast the line out (that was a whole other story).

*Stefanie and I going from one pole to another to untangle the line and get the hook free from weeds or whatever else it happened to hook on.  While doing this, trying to keep Joshie from pushing us into the lake or him going in himself.

*Gideon was needing to eat at one point so I sat down on the wet muddy grass to nurse him and while nursing him trying to help untangle more fishing line and hooks and keep Gideon from grabbing the hook.

*The second fishing pole getting so tangled that once again after a long time trying to fix it we had to abandon that one as well so we were down to one fishing pole.

*The kids getting restless waiting for their turn so they begin making fishing poles using long tree branches, fishing line, and hooks.

I have to say it was a successful few hours though for a few reasons:

*Kaiden caught a fish.

*Only 3 fingers got pierced with the hook, and only one of these bled very much.

*Joshie was the only one to fall into the lake and we found both of his shoes afterward.

*It was beautiful weather and the kids had a great time being outside together and just having fun.

At one point as Stefanie and I were trying to untangle one of the poles we were apologizing to the kids for not being much more help to them.  Thomas sweetly said to us, "That's OK.  You're doing your best."  Stefanie and I were laughing about it the entire time and saying we should have gone on the service project in place our husbands and let them take the kids fishing.  Spring said, "Ya, they would help us more with the fishing.  But, they wouldn't have thought to bring us drinks and snacks like you guys did!"

It was a memorable morning and I am sure we were the comedy relief for the entire group.  Whoever said fishing is relaxing must be crazy because this morning was everything but relaxing!  How grateful I am, however, for kids that had fun anyway and never complained about our lack of fishing experience!

Mini-Mom

Mary has always had such a nurturing disposition.  Her nursery teachers would tell us weekly how she was the "Mother Hen" of nursery and the other kids loved her.  She would sit down by those that were crying and try to "read" them a story and pat them on the back. She would make sure everyone else got their snacks before she would eat.  She would pick up after the other kids and help them all gather together when it was lesson time.  She loves to sing and knows the songs so the nursery leaders would let her lead the singing time in nursery.  On Sundays she will get Joshie after Sacrament Meeting and lead him down the hall with her arm around his back all the way to nursery.  She lovingly gives him a kiss and says, "Be good.  I'll see you after class, OK Joshie."  (This is the report from nursery leaders as we have never witnessed it.  By the time we are out of the chapel our kids are all in their classes already.)

I was getting Gideon's food ready before lunch today and Mary kept asking if she could feed him.  She has asked multipe times before but I haven't let her; usually because I don't want to deal with the mess I thought it would be or the time to let her do it.  Well, today I caved thinking she would tire of it quickly.  I was wrong on all counts.  Not only did she feed him the entire bowl of food but he loved it and there was no more mess than when I feed him.  She was very proud of herself and I took the moment to be grateful for our daughter that loves to help those around her.

School Talent Show

Thomas performed at his school talent show last night.  He was limited to only 1 minute so this is what he chose to do.

New Pictures

Mary...4 years old  

 

  Gideon...6 months old

Cooking Outdoors

Joel needed to try out a few things that he is going to do with the Scouts on Wednesday evening so he started a fire in our firepit this afternoon.  The kids were so excited.  They were all sitting around the fire and Mary said, "It's so fun looking at the fire!"  We decided to let them make a tin foil dinner.  The little ones especially enjoyed this and thought it was the coolest thing ever.  It's so great when we can impress them with such simple things.  It all culminated in making smores!  This was definately the highlight for all of them.  It made us really excited to go camping this summer.

 

Ohio Thunderstorms

One of the amazing things about Ohio are the thunderstorms.  It will be calm and hot outside and out of nowhere the wind will start to blow, thunder begins to shake the house, and lightening lights up the skies.  Then within minutes rain pours from the sky.  It's not just rain...it's like buckets of water are being dumped from the sky.  And, often, steam is coming up from the ground because it is still so hot and humid outside.   It is simply amazing.  Friday afternoon we had yet another of these storms.  We have been having them for much of the week.  Sammy and Spring decided it was an ideal opportunity to play outside.  I didn't get the camera out during the downpour...only the end of the storm.  They had so much fun outside and I loved seeing the pure excitement and joy on their faces.  Needless to say, they were not allowed back in the house afterwards.  I took them towels into the garage so they could strip down and come inside wrapped in a towel and keep most of the water outside!

Touch a Truck

While I was in Utah Joel took the kids to the library's "Touch a Truck" event.  There were firetrucks, police cars, mail cars, cement mixers, ambulances, moving truck, tow truck, library car, and others.  The kids were able to climb inside all the vehicles.  They all had a great time.

Weekend in Utah

I was able to spend a few days with my sisters, Mom, and Aunt Karen in Utah last week.  It was strange to be with just Gideon and not have all my other kids with me.  I did enjoy the time with them though and it was fun to make some great memories together.  Joel was amazing at holding everything down at home and still go to work and get the kids to everywhere they needed to be.  It was so refreshing to come home to a clean house with laundry all done from when I was gone, and happy kids. 

We did lots of fun things together but the part I enjoyed the most was just being together.  Mom took us all to get pedicures and manicures for our birthdays.  I love that Alanna fell asleep during her pedicure!  We played games, went shopping, laughed, assumed new roles as Eric's watchdogs, and just enjoyed our time together.  Emily came to Alanna's house on Sunday to meet Gideon.  It was so fun to have her there for dinner and to spend time with her.  I'm grateful for Joel's willingness and encouragement to go and spend this time with my mom and sisters.

Race for the Cure

I was able to participate in the Race for the Cure in Salt Lake this morning.  My mom, sisters, Aunt Karen, Uncle Craig, and cousin, Shoni, and I were all together.  It was an amazing experience and very inspirational.  We all did the race in honor of my Grandma.  I thought a lot of my grandma today as we were doing the race.  She continues to be an inspiration to me and I love her very much.  I loved the time together.  Although I have never worn this much pink at once, I would do it again for this great cause.  Even Craig "willingly" wore lots of fun pink for the race!