Noah's books

Noah has been writing like crazy these days. He takes paper to church and makes book after book, all with the same pattern and design---____'s Book of _____. Then he fills the books with pictures of the animal or shapes, sometimes labeling baby fish, or mom, or dad. Always his book opens up to a larger version of the animal. Today he made several more.

At our super bowl get together after church he went up to Spencer Higginson and asked him his favorite animal and Spencer said, "cougar" (Nice). Noah said, "What else do you like? I don't know how to draw cougars." Spencer replied with, "well cougars are a type of cat, so you can draw a cat". I just love it...he made "love bunees" (love bunnies) for Emma, "pagewin" (penguins) for Josh, and a bunch of hearts and stars for me. My favorite spelling was "draf" for giraffes.

Noah is such a sweet soul. He is always blessing my life with lots of hugs and snuggles. He's been writing me notes that say, "I love you so meuch (much)" a million times. Those never get too old. He is so kind to all his siblings and can keep them happily playing for hours, including right now as I catch up on a couple of blog posts. Bless him.

Also wanted to put in a picture of Cameron sleeping at church. He stayed like this through the last portion of sacrament, all of junior primary, some of senior primary, and even as I passed him off to a couple people so I could help Nicole and Mary with their talks. I should have read him some of Noah's books to keep him awake.

Zero Days Left!

Noah has asked me each day this week how many days until his first basketball game. That's all he can think about. He wakes up and the first words out of his mouth are, "Only ___ days left until....you know!"

I had a busy morning with a stake chorister training that Sarah helped do (she was fantastic) followed by a stake presidency meeting, and Mary's two birthday parties (which she could only attend a part of). Here's a couple of pictures from the rollerskating party, without a shot of Abi (the birthday girl).

The day flew by. Noah and Mary practiced for a half hour before their game. They haven't come up with a team name yet. Noah suggested Shooting Stars. Mary thought The Dominators would be cool, but Noah explained that it may be rude because they are suggesting that they are better than the other teams. They both played very well even though they lost. It was pretty obvious that Noah has played basketball with his cousins. He seemed to know what he was doing. I attribute that to the fact he has been mentally preparing himself all week. Go Shooting Stars, go Dominators, GO team!

A Little Finicky

My Cameron may be a tad finicky. He always insists on a green plate at dinner, because that's a boy color. If Grandma is in the room, he has to have her get him a drink or change his diaper because she does it the best. If Eliza lets him borrow some "glubs" (gloves) he has to wear them all the time, like when he sleeps or eats dinner (even though it's a challenge to eat with them). After I get him dressed he often changes his clothes into his more comfortable pajama attire (I kind of understand that one) and he has a hard time taking off his argyle church socks for the plain white ones I try convincing him to wear throughout the week.

I don't mind though because he offsets his finickiness with sweet thank yous, loving smiles, and some eyelash batting. That coupled with  his cute way of speaking and explanations for his decisions makes me give in almost every time. Today he wouldn't take off his Dixie sweatshirt and hood for the life of him. He wore it everywhere, even to bed. It's been like that all week, even at stake conference. He had to wear it over his church clothes.

This little boy entrances me. I love observing him speak and watch him make choices for himself. I love chatting with him and understanding his thought process.

Octupus Dance

I snuggled up with Nicole and Cameron this morning just before joy school. Nicole laughed so hard as I tickled her with my tentacles and kissed her all over. I have captured in my mind her beautiful big smile and roaring laughter. She danced and pranced all the way to joy school where she made this cute octupus to join in her groove. This girl is full of life and love. What a joy!

Mary Sunshine

I saw this poem today. Made me think of my little Mary.

An Angel Left Her Wings

© Tina M. Marascia

I have this little angel. For me she left her wings.

She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.

She brightens up my days with her smiles and her laughs.

She helps me to remember all the blessings that I have.

Her face, it is so perfect, she's sweet and soft and pure.

Sometimes she is willful and sometimes she is demure.

She tries her very hardest to please and do what's right.

She gives the greatest hugs from morning until night.

Every person that has known her sees this light within her soul

I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.

She's helpful and considerate to everyone she knows

This light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

When she sees someone is sad, it opens up her heart.

She wants to do all that she can; she wants to do her part.

She'll squeeze away the sorrow and make me forget about my pain.

She shows me where the sun is when we're hiding from the rain.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace

I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face.

And in that very moment when she came into my world,

I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

She would be my sunshine, with a sweetness that won't end.

And when she grows up one day she would be my closest friend.

She would be the reason I would always try my best.

For my little angel baby girl would be my greatest test.

When God entrusts to you an angel, who has left her wings for you.

Encircle her with love with everything you do.

Let her know God made her, and that He trusts you with her care.

Be sure to make time for special moments with her to share.

And when at night she finally says her prayers and goes to sleep

I Thank Him for my angel, and ask for him to always keep

A watchful eye and hand to protect her from this world.

Protect my little angel; protect my baby girl.

Kissing Cousin Keep Away

This morning I got to demonstrate an interactive writing lesson for Noah's class. Mrs. Bjorge was interested in learning about this shared pen technique and I really enjoyed polishing up my old dusty skills. Noah has a great class. They were so well behaved and had unbelievable participation.

Then we had a day of cousins. First Luci before kindergarten, then Elise after kindergarten....then Marcus, Luci, Elise, Annie, and Ben after school. They played a game where the girls chased the boys with lip gloss covered mouths. Kissing Marcus' cheeks was the goal and I think a few times, when his bodyguards Ben and Noah weren't close enough to help, he let the girls catch him. So cute.

But my favorite part of the day was surprising Mary and taking her out of school for lunch. Where did the kids choose to go....wait for it....McDonalds, of course...that place is so gross to me.

And congratulations to my cousin Michael and his beautiful wife who just delivered their first baby, a girl! Wish I could give that new cousin a kiss on the cheek!

No School and Family Night

Teacher in-service days mean play dates and fun for all the kids. I love having a day off from the routine every once and a while. And so do the kids. It makes for lots of house hopping with the cousins and on-and-off with the hot tub lid a few times.

For family night we had a lesson on the temple and watched our old wedding video. The kids were just kind of interested in that. Nicole told Aaron that she doesn't want to get married when she grows-up . When he asked why she replied that she doesn't want to take care of him and go to meetings. Not sure what she meant by all of it. I don't think she likes it when I leave for conference or church meetings and Aaron puts her to bed. I guess if he wasn't around I would have to be home putting her to bed instead of going to meetings? Little does she know if he wasn't around..she wouldn't be here! Love that girl!