Preschool Seuss Day

I know I say it all the time, but it is true.... I am super blessed to be surrounded by my wonderful parents, my amazing brothers and their incredible wives and children. Today was just another example of how happy our children are with all this love and support.

Tiffany has managed to once again entertain the preschoolers with crafts, treats, books, and activities...this time it was for Dr. Seuss Day. She has volunteered to do a holiday themed activity every month this year and the kids love it and we all benefit from her creativity and effort. I overheard Noah again say, "Wasn't it the best day ever!?" to his cousin Luci, referring to the Silly Socks Super Seuss Party. By the way, it's so nice to have Noah's ham and eggs green today... instead of his sickie face.

A Poem for Mothers

I came across this poem that Aaron's cousin's wife Chelsea wrote. I think it's beautiful. While I am not feeling very drained these days, it reminds me of where I was two years ago... when the children's sleeping patterns were sporadic and I was nursing what seemed like every hour of the day. My body was trying desperately to heal from four c-sections in four years and I remember that on several occasions the break of dawn was a welcomed sight from the long exhausting nights. While I am happy to be sleeping at night now, I do cherish that unique period of my life when I completely depended on the Lord for strength.

 

 

To the Mother of Young Children

by: Chelsea Dyreng

Part 1

You have only so much love
In your cup.
Most of it goes to your children all day
but you share some with neighbors
and their children.
Sometimes you save some love for yourself
but not very much, because you’ll need love for
older parents
teachers
friends
strangers
and the family dog.
By the time your husband comes home
you only have a little love left.
You could drink the last bit up yourself or
you could give it to him.
Of course you give it to him
because that is the kind of person you are, and
you know that there will always be more in the morning.
Sure enough, when you wake,
your cup is full again and
you pour out your love again
to all those thirsty people around you.

Part 2

One day
you use up all your love
for the people around you and
when your husband comes home
there is no love left in your cup
for him.
So instead you go to sleep
because you know
there will be more in the morning.
And there is.
And as long as your cup is full every morning
you know you’ll find a way to make it last.

Part 3

Then one morning you wake to find
that your cup is empty.
The children clamor for your love
but your cup is empty.
Your husband yearns for your love
but your cup is empty.
Your friends and neighbors and teachers and
strangers and family dog need your love.
But you are empty, empty, empty, empty.
Everyone depends on you.
Everyone is thirsty.
You say, I need a vacation!
But everyone knows there is no such thing
as a vacation for mothers.
This is a problem.
So you try to fill up your cup with your tears
but that is hard
and besides, no one wants to drink
your tears.

Part 4

This is when
you come and find Me
and hold out your cup.
(Please be sure it is not upside down.)
I will then fill it with My Love.
And when you know your cup is filled
with Love from Me
it will fill your heart
and your heart
will become a fountain.
And then you will not need a cup
anymore.

I Really Mustache You a Question...

What do you do when you are stuck at home and feeling blah?

With Noah battling the flu bug (yes, he's infected), which has been lingering around here the last couple of days, our excitement level is at a low. We have been home avoiding the cool air, looking super sloppy, doing uhhh...not much, and feeling just uhhh...a tad bored. Dare I say bored? In my family growing up if "that word" left your mouth you would be given the option of cleaning. I do the same thing with my Littles now and it stops a complaint faster than I can catch vomit, and that's fast these days! But there is only so many times you can say that in one day before it gets...well, boring. So, tonight we just let things get messy...toys scattered everywhere, craft supplies on every table top, and snuggles and giggles in abundance.

Nikki thought it would be fun to decorate this paper with some left over Valentine's stickers.

When she ran out of space, she decided to place them on her brother. He didn't seemed bothered by it in the least. If you look closely at the reflection in his eyes, you will see Dora on TV. He was probably so entranced that he didn't even notice his new attire.

Monday Night at the Movies

It's Family Home Evening and Mary and Noah have helped organize our activity...movie night. They thought of everything to make it comfortable and entertaining complete with a snack bar, tickets, signs, and seating. The movie was cute...and a little strange...like Pocoyo. The kids seemed to like it though, Aaron...not so much.

Sunday Stroll

Today is beautiful and sunny, the perfect day for a Sunday afternoon stroll. Not all the children were super excited to go at first but we managed to convince some and force the remaining. In the end, they were all happy to get some fresh air before dinner and enjoyed tossing rocks into the little pond near by. Everything was so reflective I felt like I was taking pictures blindly hoping for a decent shot.

Today I got to do sharing time at a ward conference. I also got to help out with their music time since their usual chorister wasn't there. It wasn't my best performance, but I enjoyed it all the same. The children were darling and I really love my primary calling. Aaron managed to keep all the kids reverent during our ward meeting, which is of course, awesome.

This is a great time in our lives. I hope I can soak in as much of this blessed sunny season as I can.

More Playroom Decor

I spent a good portion of the day putting up this vinyl lettering I bought online. I love it. The decor is almost complete now. I just have to get the picture I am printing of Jesus with children on the other side of the television and I think this room make over will be done. On to the next project...

Piano Kit Kat

Mary had an all student piano recital today. She played Polly Wolly Doodle, which she can play very well, and I made some piano keys out of kit kats to share.