Maybe it is time to start worrying...

Not saying anything about the results of the election, but I think this may be reason to worry...

Proud Mommy Moment

H  e  n  r  y

At the beginning of each year, we each set one individual goal to accomplish by the end of the year.  This year, Henry's goal was to be able to write his name.  This goal was all but forgotten until a couple of weeks ago.  With a little bit of practice, Henry accomplished his goal...with a month and a half to spare.

        The smile says it all.

Halloween 2012

HALLOWEEN

Alright, it can stay

After last year's Halloween experience, I was a little leery about what catastrophe might occur this year.  However, I am happy and relieved to report that Halloween 2012 went down without any major glitches- no last minute costume changes, costume malfunctions, or freak pre-winter storms.

In fact, I think I could even go out on a limb and say that I enjoyed this Halloween.  Yes, I enjoyed it.  Kyle took the clan out trick-or-treating and I stayed home and handed out candy.  It was fun to see all the cute costumes and visit with neighbors who were making the rounds with their kids.  Let's hope that I have a smile again next year.

From a bumblebee to a nerd, we were very well-rounded this year...

Lucy AKA Bumblee

Henry AKA Cowboy

Jane AKA Baseball Player

Her jersey is an authentic Kyle Standifird jersey, worn during the WBBA World Series championship game.

If you haven't heard about this game already, just ask Kyle.  He will be happy to tell you all about it.

Ellie AKA Nerd

A picture is worth a thousand words

The Wall of Fame

A couple months ago I copied my sister's idea and made a wall of clip boards to hang up my kid's school work, special drawings, etc.  It has been great to have a place to put all the wonderful things they create.  

I am not one to save a lot of items unless it is something extra special.  Turns out, they think that every piece of paper they bring home is extra special.  Finding their papers in the recycling bin a few days later just was not going over well. 

 So, now they can choose what goes up on the board wall and anything that doesn't fit happily goes into the recycling bin.  

A few days ago, I had some artwork of Henry's that he wanted up on a clipboard.  All the boards were full so I took down a picture that Jane had done a while back, which had already had it's fair turn on the wall of fame.  I had seen the picture many times in passing but had never stopped to really look at the details.  As I took it down from the wall and surveyed the scene she had created, I laughed out loud as I read the words she had written for each person.  She nailed it.

Me: "Jane, Hank, Elle, come eat!"

Ellie: "OK."

Jane: "Why? I'm having fun."

Henry: "No."

This picture pretty much says it all.

Henry decided this week that he can actually draw too.  Not just scribbles on a piece of paper, but real people that look like people. He has never done this before so it was a treat to come in and find him sitting at the counter all alone, creating his masterpiece.  He calls it:

"Henry, Brandt, Evan, Duke, and Paisley" 

Lucy also likes to show her artistic side.  With permanent maker.

Just wish it was on paper instead of the counter.

Blasts from the Past

The last month has provided our family with some great

 opportunities to remember those who have gone on before us.  

Buffy and Harmony- Halloween Party 2012

Rock on 80's- Crazy walk-a-thon at school

She who rules the roost...

LUCY LOO

This girl is a crack up.  She has more spunk in her little body than Kyle and I combined.

  

She is constantly moving and exploring and climbing and making messes and learning new things and saying new words and living life to the fullest.  

She is Miss Independent and likes to think she can do pretty much everything by herself.  And she does a pretty good job...as long as you don't mind a bit of mess along the way. 

She is currently the star of the show and even her siblings can't get enough of her...

Except for when she poops in the bath they are sharing, or draws all over their homework, or steals their toys, or climbs up on the counter and eats their food, etc.  

She keeps us on our toes yet we can't even say her name without a big smile spreading across our face.

Coming of Age

Kyle took Henry to the BYU football game on Saturday night (which he was thrilled about as long as we promised him Cosmo would not get too close).  This meant that the girls and I could have a "girls night in" party.  As I thought about what fun things we could do, it suddenly dawned on me...I think they are old enough...They have come of age and are officially old enough to watch the beloved Anne of Green Gables. 

My excitement built as I imagined myself snuggled up with my girls watching the best "girl" show that has ever been created.  I mean, who doesn't love Anne?  What girl has not dreamed about Gilbert gently moving her hair and touching her cheek or frolicking on the beach with a bosom buddy?  Kyle says he despises the show, even though he has seen it umpteen times.  He claims his sisters made him watch it when he was growing up.  To which I ask, "did they tie you up in front of the t.v.?"  Doubt it.  His sub-conscious self must adore Anne.  Everyone does.

And so my girls and I spent Saturday evening curled up on the couch together, escaping into the world of Anne Shirley.  At first, things were not going so well.  Jane kept saying, "she's kind of weird" and if it weren't for the box of candy they each had, I am not sure we would have made it.  But we forged on and by the end of the show we were all enjoying ourselves.  Anne had won them over.  Good thing too, because that will certainly not be the last time we watch it together.  Our Anne days are just beginning.